One of the coolest things in the entire world is when you realize you’ve inspired.

There is often no greater feeling than the one you get when you know your work has touched someone’s life. It is a rare and special gift when you get confirmation that you or your work has had an impact in the world. (Maybe we’ll even remember your work when you’re gone?)

That was the topic I planned to discuss this week during a special phone interview I arranged with Lin-Manuel Miranda: an artist’s impact. Our conversation was to center around the life of a writer and artist who made an impact in his life.

Shortly before our interview, Miranda’s award-winning mega-hit Broadway musical Hamilton was name-dropped during the middle of the U.S. House Judiciary Committee presidential impeachment hearings. It wasn’t a simple reference to the former U.S. President Alexander Hamilton, but in fact a specific reference to Miranda’s Hamilton musical.

Here’s what he told me:

“It’s always surprising. I think the biggest unintended consequence of the show [‘Hamilton’] — I thought it would be popular with teachers, and I hoped it would appeal to hip-hop fans and musical theater fans alike,” he said. “[But] I never anticipated how it would catch on with people in power, and how often I hear politicians and people who work in DC quoting the show — it’s mind-boggling to me.”

(Advance excerpt of Fenity’s interview with Miranda as published by the New York Post)

Never underestimate the reach of your work.

Be on the lookout for my full interview with Lin-Manuel this spring. Stay tuned!

PHOTO CREDIT: Chris Sorensen/The Washington Post