David · Filmmaker
“Best week of the year. I came in expecting a workshop and left with a group of actual friends who text me about edits.”
Est. 2024 · A Christian creator retreat
Creative Minds
Bringing together like-minded content creators to connect, collaborate, and learn.
A note from Joel
What is
Creative Minds ?
Hey, I'm Joel. A few years ago I went on a creative retreat that genuinely changed my life. Creative Minds is my attempt to give that same thing back.
My goal is to foster true, genuine connection between creators who have proven they care about their work and their voice online, and to give them a space to collaborate with others who are extraordinarily like-minded in a place that brings immense inspiration.
The retreatWhat happens here
4 things, in rotation, for 6 days.
A long kitchen table. Laptops out. Bible study in the morning, workshops in the afternoon, exploring when the work's done.
Content audit.
We look through your content and review it. Real feedback from creatives who've actually done it. Not arbitrary advice from someone online.
Workshops.
Creatives leading other creatives. Hands-on sessions on the craft. The editing, the filming, the systems that make it sustainable.
Bible study.
Learning more about God's word in a space where you can comfortably ask questions, where we don't judge each other on what we believe.
Exploring nature.
Experiencing the beauty of where we are and taking a break from the stress of making content. A huge part of why we do this.
How it goes
Four steps to the front porch.
- 01
You apply.
Write us a letter. The 'why do you want to come?' field is the one that matters.
- 02
We read every word.
If it's a fit, we hop on a 15-minute call to make sure the room is right for you.
- 03
You get the invite.
Address, dates, packing list. Book the flight. We'll handle the rest.
- 04
You show up.
We hand you a hoodie. Five days later you go home different.
Black Hills · Summer 2024Past retreats
Three retreats so far. The archive is the brand.
Retreat #04 · Coming up
Montana, August 2026.
Partnering with a ranch out there. Twenty-five spots. The exact location drops to the list before it's on social.
From the group chat
What people said after.
We don't pay for testimonials. These are pulled straight from the post-retreat group chat.
Apply to the next oneSaraya · Vlogger
“Bible study in the morning, sky bridge by the afternoon. I didn't know I needed both of those in the same week.”
Andrew · Finance creator
“Everyone in that room actually does this. The feedback was the most honest I've gotten in three years.”
Anna · Lifestyle
“I cried twice. Once during worship. Once because everyone in the room actually cared.”
Caleb · Faith creator
“I wasn't ready for how much I'd put down. Felt like the first real exhale of the year.”
August 2026
Twenty-five seats
at the next table.
Application-only. We read every word,
then a 15-minute call if it's a fit.
What stays with you
Be a part of
something special.
The part that stays is the friendships. Built over shared meals, late conversations, and a week of making the same kind of work. The people who actually understand why you make what you make, who text you about an edit months later, who pick up the phone when you're stuck. They hold up long after the trip ends. That's the thing you can't buy or fake.
Apply for the next oneSponsors
Partners who actually showed up.
We work with brands that truly empower creatives and believe in our mission, bringing the right people to the right places to nurture a community, not a metric, not an algorithm.
A major royalty-free music platform. Soundtracking creators worldwide.
Empowers creators to build sustainable businesses and earn directly from their audiences.
All-in-one link-in-bio and storefront. Empowers creatives to build their own businesses online.
Before you apply
The questions we get.
Young creators in any regard. Whatever your craft, if you're putting work out online with intention and want to make a difference through your audience, you're who we're looking for.
No, you don't have to be Christian. You do have to be okay with the prayer and Bible studies we have. They're highly encouraged because that positivity is a big part of what we're here to do. We don't want this to be exclusive to Christians.
No. It's an effort to grow a very specific kind of community. No keynotes, no name tags, no expo hall. Just a room of creatives in one house for a week.
Retreats differ depending on location and availability. Cost will be reflected in the application process when you apply.
Montana, August 2026. We're partnering with a ranch out there. Apply as soon as possible. Spots are limited.
A handful of friends who actually understand what you make, a clearer answer to why you make it, and (if you're into it) a deeper grounding in faith.
Didn't find your answer?
We answer every email. No autoresponder, no chatbot. Just one of us.
Send us an email →