Meet Chris M. Wilborn

We were lucky to catch up with Chris M. Wilborn recently and have shared our conversation below.

Chris M. , so excited to have you with us today. So much we can chat about, but one of the questions we are most interested in is how you have managed to keep your creativity alive.

Creativity, for me, has never been something I wait for — it’s something I build into my life every day. The path hasn’t been smooth, and that’s exactly what fuels me. At one point in making this documentary, I lost all of my footage in a hard-drive crash, and it felt like the entire vision had been wiped away. But that challenge became a lesson — that creativity doesn’t survive because conditions are perfect, it survives because we refuse to give up. The same resilience I was trying to capture in these artists’ stories was the resilience I had to live out myself. Those moments of loss became the soil where new ideas and new determination grew.

Day to day, I keep my creativity alive by staying grounded in purpose. I record even the smallest sparks of inspiration, because one detail can grow into something much bigger. I surround myself with people who are also creating, because their energy pushes me to stretch further. And I make space for quiet moments of reflection, prayer, and rest, because that’s often where the clearest ideas come. It’s not about chasing inspiration — it’s about creating the conditions for it to thrive.

At the end of the day, creativity for me is less about art alone and more about responsibility. I see it as a way to preserve memory, uplift my city, and give voice to stories that might otherwise be overlooked. Keeping my creativity alive means staying committed to that mission, even when the road is uncertain. Every obstacle, every breakthrough, and every voice I encounter along the way becomes fuel for the next story I’m called to tell.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

I’m Chris M. Wilborn (Owner/CEO of Natural Born Leaders Visuals, LLC. and Spatial Intelligence, LLC.) and I make films that explore people, culture, and creativity. Most of my work comes from curiosity and a desire to uncover voices that might otherwise go unnoticed. Right now, I’m focused on my documentary, Moving With The Spirit, which follows three artists in Indianapolis who use their craft to navigate life, faith, and community. What excites me most is seeing how their creativity reflects something bigger than themselves. It’s a story about resilience, legacy, and the power of expression.

What makes my work feel special is how personal it is. Each story I tell is also part of my own journey, and I want audiences to feel that connection. I like creating experiences that go beyond just watching — through interactive exhibits, behind-the-scenes content, or events that let people step inside the world of the art itself. I want people to not only watch but feel, move, and participate in the story. That’s when storytelling becomes alive for me.

Right now, I’m also exploring ways to expand the project. We’re planning events and interactive experiences that will bring the documentary to life in new ways. I see creativity as more than a career — it’s a responsibility to the artists I work with, the stories I tell, and the audiences I hope to inspire. Every project I take on is an opportunity to leave people thinking, feeling, and seeing the world a little differently. I want my work to resonate long after the screen goes dark.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Looking back, three qualities have shaped my journey the most: resilience, curiosity, and adaptability. Resilience has been essential because the path of a filmmaker is full of moments where things don’t go as planned. Growing up moving between Illinois, Ohio, and Indiana, I learned early on to navigate change and keep moving forward, even when the circumstances weren’t ideal. That same resilience has helped me stick with projects like Moving With The Spirit, which requires long-term commitment and patience to bring the stories of artists to life.

Curiosity has driven the way I approach my work and the stories I tell. I’ve always been drawn to voices and experiences that might otherwise go unnoticed, and that curiosity pushes me to explore deeply — to ask questions, observe closely, and uncover details that make a story resonate. In Moving With The Spirit, this curiosity led me to discover the overlooked creative legacy of Indianapolis and the unique journeys of Gary Gee, Israel Solomon, and Johnson Simon. For anyone starting out, I’d say embrace your curiosity fully — follow what fascinates you, even if it seems small or unconventional.

Adaptability has been another key skill. In filmmaking and storytelling, plans often change, resources are limited, and challenges arise unexpectedly. Learning to adapt — to adjust creatively, rethink solutions, and keep the vision alive — has allowed me to move forward without losing momentum. For early creators, I’d suggest practicing flexibility and learning to see constraints as opportunities for creativity rather than obstacles.

For anyone just starting, my advice is to combine these qualities with practice and reflection. Resilience will help you persist, curiosity will help you see possibilities, and adaptability will help you navigate the unexpected. Over time, these skills don’t just make your work stronger — they help you understand your voice, your purpose, and the stories you’re here to tell.

As we end our chat, is there a book you can leave people with that’s been meaningful to you and your development?

The book that has shaped my life the most is the Bible — the 1611 King James Version. I don’t see it as a religious text, but as a guide for navigating life with clarity and purpose. It’s full of laws, statutes, and commandments that teach resilience, responsibility, and how to protect yourself from negative energy. Over time, I’ve come to see it as a blueprint for living honorably, for shielding yourself from hate, violence, and low vibrations, and for moving through the world with intention.

What’s most meaningful for me is how it connects to identity and heritage. For so called Black, Hispanic, and Native American communities, understanding our roots gives context to the challenges we face — systemic oppression, social inequities, and cultural erasure. This perspective helps us make choices that uplift ourselves and our communities, rather than repeat cycles of harm. It reminds us that survival and strength come from knowing where we come from and holding onto that foundation.

The practical guidance it offers has shaped how I live day to day. It teaches how to honor family, support your community, and cultivate personal integrity. The lessons aren’t just spiritual — they’re about navigating life safely, wisely, and with purpose. Following these principles allows you to move confidently, protecting your energy while building spaces of care and resilience around you.

Ultimately, this book has been a roadmap. It’s taught me how to survive and thrive, how to connect with my roots, and how to create a life that uplifts not just myself, but those around me. It reminds me that wisdom, heritage, and intentional living are the keys to moving through the world with strength and clarity.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Gabrielle Minion
Instagram Tag: @g.marie_photography

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