Last week we talked about Aio. This week, we turn the mic to our very own Issa Barcelona (yes, the same Issa behind a lot of our Feast Worship songs) for a real, funny, and honest conversation about growing up, losing her mom, finding music, and running away from worship leading for years.

In this episode, Issa opens up about:

- Her name, which has a whole backstory (hint: a marriage encounter retreat, a lolo named Eliseo, and a mom who couldn't talk after giving birth)

- Growing up as the youngest of three sisters, with a 14-year gap

- A childhood full of thick classics, highlighted words, and a mom who wanted her to go deep

- Being alone a lot as a kid, and how that shaped the way she thinks

- Facing a major life shift in her teens, and suddenly having to learn how to be an adult

- Being shy, "no one's going to like me" feelings, and how she handles attention

- How she fell in love with worship, from the parish choir to a communion solo at PICC

- Running away from worship leading for years (she left a message unopened in a food court!)

- What she's still learning today: being kind to herself and her work in this season

Quote of the ep:

"If this is my best work now and it's 70% of what I created in 2019 or 2017, it's still 100% today."

If you're an overthinker, a perfectionist, or someone who's afraid to put your work out there, this one's for you.

📍 Didn't get to ask her something? Ask Issa live! Come to our live recording on October 17, 4–7 PM at Omnia Studio. Tickets are ₱450. Link's on our Instagram.