Metrics, productivity, and algorithms seem to rule a lot of our creative decisions. But for those who value craft, art is a form of self expression, not something to be constantly commercialized. It’s a way to reconnect with what’s real, raw, and meaningful. This is exactly the tension I explored with Noah Lekas in the latest episode of Art is the New Wall Street.
Noah is a writer, poet, essayist, and musician whose work spans across 40+ publications, content creation for 50 brands, and guest lectures for graduate students. He’s also the author of the poetry collection Saturday Night Sage, which was recorded on a limited edition vinyl and led to a series of award-winning short films. He’s a creator in the truest sense.
Our conversation centered on the challenges of being a writer, finding job opportunities in the unforgiving market, and the distinction between art and content.
Finding Creative Work That Fulfills
As artists, we’re always on the lookout for work that feels fulfilling. Many of us face a choice: Do we apply our creative talents to a job that pays the bills, or do we keep our creative pursuits separate and pour ourselves into them outside of work? It’s a constant balancing act, trying to honor our craft while still making ends meet.
Noah opened up about the realities of finding contract writing work in marketing saying, “I’ve applied for a couple hundred roles since January, and LinkedIn unfortunately hasn’t led to any opportunities.” It hit home. I know the grind. The endless cycle of pitching, applying, and waiting. It’s a broader issue, especially for those of us who refuse to compromise our creative work.
Viral Moments and Creative Disillusionment
One thing that really connected me to Noah was his viral LinkedIn post, where he openly criticized the current state of the platform and how it often caters to brand optimization over true creativity. I knew exactly where he was coming from. Noah has since made an exit from being active on the platform..
In that post, Noah called out how the creative fields have shifted, noting how “marketing used to be a space where real writers, designers, and filmmakers could work at their craft and still keep the bills paid.” Now, it’s all about visibility, clicks, and algorithms. It’s leaving many creatives out in the cold.
We explored the ramifications of these shifts. Has the industry become a playground for influencers rather than true artists? And what does this mean for those of us trying to carve out space for our craft?
The Line Between Art and Content
A major theme of the episode was the distinction between art and content. Noah defined art as something created for self-expression, while content, he argued, is often built with an audience or market in mind.
“It’s not bad to make content,” Noah clarified, but the real difference is this: “Art is for you. Content is for someone else.” That hit hard. As creators, we’ve all felt the pressure to turn our art into something sellable, something optimized for the algorithm. But hearing Noah talk about reclaiming art for the sake of art itself felt like a breath of fresh air.
For Noah, writing is more of a path to exploring consciousness. He’s not interested in churning out content. He’s focused on creating work that’s meaningful to him, and that’s a reminder we all need sometimes.
Saturday Night Sage and Expanding Creative Seeds
Noah’s poetry collection, Saturday Night Sage, is more than a book. It evolved into a multi-media project. Originally released in 2019 by Blind Owl Records, it sold out quickly. Select poems from the full-length collection were recorded for a limited edition vinyl 10” called Sounds from the Shadow Factory. Those recordings were then transformed into a series of award-winning short films that premiered at film festivals in NYC, LA, Memphis and Milwaukee.
What I loved most about Noah’s approach to Saturday Night Sage was how he blended artistic vision with practical strategy. He didn’t stop with the poetry. He created as many forms as he could from a single creative spark.
Saturday Night Sage
Poem: by Noah Lekas
Music: by Howlin’ Rain with Pat Gubler, Hafsa Fathima
Produced: by Dan Cervantes
Artwork: by Alan Forbes
Animation: by Shelby Baldock
The Worthiness of Art and The Price of Passion
Noah and I kept circling back to the worthiness of art. It isn’t tied to how much money it makes. It’s about the connection it creates, the impact it has, and what you learn about yourself through making it. We agreed that while the industry keeps asking us to optimize and monetize everything, true creativity means holding onto your passion…even when it’s hard, even when it doesn’t pay the bills.
We Got A Problem With Groundwater
Poem: by Noah Lekas
Film: Written, Directed and Animated by Shelby Baldock
Narrated: by Ron Gephart
Music: by Shelby Baldock, Jeff Culley, Pierce Martin, Sean Roulier
What’s Next for Noah Lekas?
Noah’s journey is far from over. He’s re-releasing Saturday Night Sage next year, along with a new EP set to drop in April through Blind Owl Records. He’s also hard at work on a novel, hoping to secure a publisher for a 2025 release.
To stay updated on Noah's work, you can find him at noahclekas.com and on streaming platforms.
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Find Noah’s Collection of Poetry:
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