Episode 93 | Turning Pain Into Purpose with Preston Zeller
In this powerful and deeply reflective conversation, Brandi Kelly sits down with Preston Zeller to explore how grief, creativity, and faith intersect to shape leadership and purpose.
Preston shares his journey through the sudden loss of his brother and how painting every day for a year became both a healing practice and a transformative leadership lesson. That creative discipline eventually led to The Art of Grieving, a documentary capturing his year-long artistic response to loss.
The conversation expands into faith, resilience, and technology as Preston introduces Psalm Log, an AI-powered biblical journaling and guidance app designed to help believers engage Scripture in a more personal, reflective, and accessible way.
Together, Brandi and Preston unpack what it means to lead through uncertainty, how to cultivate emotional and spiritual resilience, and why self-awareness is foundational for strong leadership.
Key Takeaways
- Grief can a catalyst for purpose when processed through creativity and reflection instead of avoidance.
- Leadership begins with self-leadership—you cannot lead others well without first leading yourself well.
- Creative expression can unlock healing that logic alone cannot reach.
- Faith and discipline help anchor resilience in seasons of uncertainty and pressure.
- AI can be a tool for spiritual reflection when used with discernment, not replacement of personal faith.
- Hope is built through focus on what you can control—your thoughts, actions, and obedience in the present moment.
- Growth often comes through discomfort and refinement, not ease or certainty.
Resources & Links
- Psalm Log (AI Biblical Journaling App): https://psalmlog.com/
- The Art of Grieving Documentary - Available on Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV: https://theartofgrievingfilm.com/
- Connect with Preston Zeller: https://www.linkedin.com/in/prestonzeller/
- Conversari Press - Legacy Partner of the Lead with HOPE Podcast: https://www.conversaripress.com/
- Spark HOPE Edu: https://sparkhopeedu.com
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Guest Credibility
00:56 Preston’s Personal Story and Loss of Brother
02:08 The Creative Process and Grief
03:57 Lessons Learned from Artistic Expression
07:10 The Power of Visual Art in Healing
09:09 Sharing Preston’s Artwork and Documentary
09:56 The Final Artwork and Its Meaning
12:29 Faith’s Role in Creating Psalm Log
12:49 Using AI for Biblical Guidance
14:54 The Purpose of Psalm Log as a Supportive Tool
16:15 Addressing Fears Around AI and Technology
19:27 Faith and Resilience in Uncertain Times
22:39 Building Hope and Community Through Faith
26:29 The Importance of Self-Reflection and Faith
29:11 What Gives Preston Hope Today
30:47 Practical Steps for Cultivating Hope and Faith
SEO Keywords
leadership podcast, Christian leadership podcast, faith and leadership, grief and healing, emotional resilience, spiritual growth podcast, Christian mindset, AI and faith, Psalm Log app, biblical journaling, faith based productivity, overcoming grief, creativity and healing, leadership development podcast, optimistic outlook, Brandi Kelly podcast, Lead with Hope podcast, Preston Zeller interview, tech and spirituality, Christian entrepreneurship
