Meet Cynthia Banza

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Cynthia Banza a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Cynthia, so excited to have you with us today and we are really interested in hearing your thoughts about how folks can develop their empathy? In our experience, most folks want to be empathic towards others, but in a world where we are often only surrounded by people who are very similar to us, it can sometimes be a challenge to develop empathy for others who might not be as similar to us. Any thoughts or advice?

The conditions that allowed me to develop empathy stem from personal experiences and the challenges I’ve faced. I’ve been the person who was picked on or while also enduring things I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy. These experiences have given me a unique perspective and a deep understanding of pain, struggle, and resilience.

When I have the honor of hearing someone’s story or sharing my own, I’m reminded of the common thread that connects us all as humans: we all face obstacles and challenges. Some of these struggles are internal, shaped by external circumstances, and they transcend class, race, or demographic. As you really sit and talk with people, you begin to realize that struggle is part of the human experience.

What’s been most eye-opening for me is that some struggles might appear more “glamorous” or less difficult on the surface, but internally, you never know what someone is silently enduring. This realization has shaped my practice of kindness and empathy. I choose to approach people with understanding rather than judgment or malice because only God knows the true hearts of men.

This perspective has not only made me more compassionate but has also deepened my connection with others. Empathy, for me, is a way to honor both our shared humanity and God’s call to love one another.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I am a singer-songwriter with a deep passion for creating music that inspires and uplifts. I’ve had the privilege of writing and recording two songs, “Keep Me” and “Jesus Walks,” which are available on all major streaming platforms. My music is deeply rooted in my faith in God and serves as an expression of hope, healing, and encouragement. Each song is a reflection of my journey and my desire to share love and light with others through the gift of music.

Currently, I’m working on wrapping up my first EP, and I’m so excited to share more details, including a release date, in the near future—stay tuned! This past fall, I had the incredible honor of being invited to perform one of my releases at a conference. It was such a humbling experience to see how my music resonated with others in a live setting.

In addition to my music, I’m pursuing a master’s degree in marriage and family therapy. My goal is to integrate music as a tool for healing, using its power to help others process emotions and find restoration. It’s an exciting time, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to connect with people both through my music and my future work in counseling.

Thank you for joining me on this journey, and I can’t wait to share more of what’s to come!

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Looking back, three qualities that have been most impactful in my journey (that is still ongoing) are awareness, consistency, and resilience.

Awareness is vital because we live in a world filled with distractions, labels, and trends. It’s easy to lose yourself or conform if you’re not rooted in your faith and aware of who you are. Understanding your purpose and being mindful of the things that influence you is so important. Even I have to remind myself of this constantly because it’s easy to get lost. Self-awareness keeps you grounded and aligned with your goals and values.

Consistency is another crucial element. Progress isn’t about grand gestures—it’s about showing up daily and focusing on the small, intentional steps that move you closer to your end goal. It takes patience and discipline, but those little efforts compound over time into something extraordinary. This is something I’m learning daily.

Lastly, resilience has been a cornerstone of my journey. Life is full of challenges, and you will fall—often. But the key is not how many times you fall; it’s how quickly you choose to rise. While we can’t always control our circumstances, we do have control over how long we stay in those mental valleys. Resilience is about refusing to let setbacks define your story and finding strength to keep going.

For anyone just starting their journey, my advice is:
• Take time to know yourself and stay true to your purpose.
• Focus on small, consistent efforts instead of being overwhelmed by the big picture.
• And remember, hardships are inevitable, but your response to them shapes your future.

Keep going—you’re capable of far more than you think!

What would you advise – going all in on your strengths or investing on areas where you aren’t as strong to be more well-rounded?

Oh my word, where do I even begin! As someone who loves trying new things and has tried so many—whether I was good at them or not—I’ve come to learn an important lesson as I continue to grow: it’s better to know yourself well enough to focus on what you’re naturally gifted at.

This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try new things—it’s part of exploring who you are. But it does mean prioritizing and investing in areas where you can truly excel. Not only does this allow you to enjoy what you do, but it also saves you from overworking yourself in areas where you may not be naturally gifted.

For example, I was terrible at sports—embarrassingly bad, honestly—and I learned that pretty early on. While I can still admire athleticism and even enjoy fitness in ways that align with my strengths (like Zumba, which involves music and rhythm), I know joining a sports club isn’t where my energy is best spent. Instead, I focus on areas where my strengths shine.

From the age of 5, I’ve been singing, and my parents quickly recognized my gift for music. Fine arts became my lane, and it’s where I’ve found peace, joy, and growth. Strengthening my musical skills and learning new techniques feels natural and fulfilling because it aligns with the gifts God has given me. Trying to excel at something outside of this lane—like sports—often just brought frustration.

That said, I’m also learning to embrace my adventurous spirit. I’ll try new things with discernment and self-awareness, knowing when to appreciate something from afar versus when to dive in.

We all have a “perfect lane” that God has designed for us. One of my favorite verses, 1 Peter 4:10 (NLT), says:
“God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.”
This reminds me to use the gifts I’ve already been given and to use them well. It’s about refining what’s already within you so you can serve others with excellence.

So, while it’s great to try new things, I firmly believe that leaning into your strengths allows you to thrive, serve others, and ultimately live in alignment with your God-given purpose.

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