1127 Why Creativity Is Undervalued | Taylin John Simmonds on Monetization, Niches, and AI
Wed Feb 04 2026
See more: https://thinkfuture.substack.comConnect with Taylin: https://taylinsimmonds.substack.com---Why is creative work so emotionally powerful—and yet so hard to monetize?In this episode of thinkfuture, host Chris Kalaboukis speaks with Taylin John Simmonds, musician, educator, and online creator, about the real challenges creatives face when trying to turn passion into sustainable income.Taylin shares his personal journey—from struggling as a musician to building a more stable life through teaching and online business—and explains why society consistently undervalues creative labor compared to “practical” skills, even though art plays a huge role in shaping how we feel, think, and connect.The conversation dives into the tension between creativity and commerce, and how creators can better position, test, and communicate the value of their work.We cover:- Why creative work is emotionally impactful but economically undervalued- The mindset shift required to monetize creativity without “selling out”- How platforms like YouTube can be used to test ideas and build audiences- The pressure to “niche down”—and why it doesn’t work for everyone- Taylin’s framework for niching: people, transformation, and brand- The rise of multi-passionate creators in a digital-first world- How AI could both threaten and empower creatives over the next decade - Why a balanced, nuanced view of AI matters more than blanket rejectionTaylin argues that as tools get more powerful, clarity, positioning, and human connection will matter more than raw output. Creativity isn’t disappearing—but how it’s valued is changing fast.
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See more: https://thinkfuture.substack.comConnect with Taylin: https://taylinsimmonds.substack.com---Why is creative work so emotionally powerful—and yet so hard to monetize?In this episode of thinkfuture, host Chris Kalaboukis speaks with Taylin John Simmonds, musician, educator, and online creator, about the real challenges creatives face when trying to turn passion into sustainable income.Taylin shares his personal journey—from struggling as a musician to building a more stable life through teaching and online business—and explains why society consistently undervalues creative labor compared to “practical” skills, even though art plays a huge role in shaping how we feel, think, and connect.The conversation dives into the tension between creativity and commerce, and how creators can better position, test, and communicate the value of their work.We cover:- Why creative work is emotionally impactful but economically undervalued- The mindset shift required to monetize creativity without “selling out”- How platforms like YouTube can be used to test ideas and build audiences- The pressure to “niche down”—and why it doesn’t work for everyone- Taylin’s framework for niching: people, transformation, and brand- The rise of multi-passionate creators in a digital-first world- How AI could both threaten and empower creatives over the next decade - Why a balanced, nuanced view of AI matters more than blanket rejectionTaylin argues that as tools get more powerful, clarity, positioning, and human connection will matter more than raw output. Creativity isn’t disappearing—but how it’s valued is changing fast.