SACRAMENTO, Calif.—After watching Shen Yun Performing Arts, publisher and media founder Jay Martin said he felt deeply energized. The experience, he explained, brought him a sense of wholeness—helping him “reconnect with his original purpose” amid the challenges of his profession.

Mr. Martin is the founder and publisher of an independent media outlet in California. On the afternoon of March 28, Shen Yun presented its third performance at the SAFE Credit Union Performing Arts Center in Sacramento. Mr. Martin attended the show with his wife, Shannon Martin, a program manager in a county child support services department. He shared that his wife had long wanted to see Shen Yun after missing it previously in Arizona, and they were both grateful for the opportunity.

“I felt inspired—energized,” he said. “The artistry, the pageantry—everything was just remarkable.”

He added that the richness of the performance made it almost impossible to take in all at once.

The spiritual theme conveyed on stage resonated strongly with Mr. Martin. He emphasized the importance of reconnecting with this dimension of human life.

“It’s very important,” he said. “This spiritual connection is a big part of who we are. But society is becoming mechanical—almost sterile. We want everything to fit into set categories, and if it doesn’t, it’s pushed aside.”

He reflected further on what he sees as a broader cultural loss.

When the curtain rose to reveal heavenly scenes and references to the Creator, both Mr. and Mrs. Martin felt a deep sense of connection.

“I absolutely agree,” Mr. Martin said. “The Creator is part of me.”

Mrs. Martin described the moment as profoundly moving.

“It was very awe-inspiring. … I don’t have the words for it,” she said. “It was very inspirational.”

Mr. Martin added that the experience also brought a sense of humility and reflection.

“During the performance, I laughed, I cried, and I felt uplifted,” he said. “It brought me in a full circle.”

For him, that sense of “full circle” meant reconnecting with the deeper purpose behind his work in journalism.

In response to what he saw as gaps in coverage of important local issues, he established a community-focused platform dedicated to grassroots reporting. His work emphasizes local governance, environmental concerns, and public interest stories, ensuring that even residents in remote areas have their voices heard and their challenges fairly represented.

“As a news person, it’s difficult. You’re always caught in the middle—one side says one thing, the other disagrees. One day they agree, the next day they don’t,” he said. “We have to remember why we do this. That’s what keeps you going.”

“Sometimes at the end of the day, you just want to quit—it’s hard,” Mr. Martin said. “But this brought me peace and clarity. It helps you stay focused and not get caught up in all the noise.”

He added that the experience reminded him of the human purpose behind his work.

“Just remember—it’s about the one person,” he said. “It’s about each individual life.”

“Everything was just beautiful—the costumes, the music—it was a wonderful experience,” she said.

The couple concluded by expressing heartfelt appreciation for the artists’ dedication.

“Thank you for your dedication—it’s truly an art,” Mrs. Martin said.

Mr. Martin added his own message of support:

“Thank you for your perseverance in sharing a message of truth, tradition, and goodness.”