Artists for Joy

Shifting Culture Network
Shifting Culture Network
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Self-Improvement
  • Twice a month

More than a hobby or a hustle, creativity can be a deeply resonant spiritual practice that connects us to ourselves, to each other, and to the sacred. If you're stuck or uninspired or if you're curious about how the creative life might bring you deep satisfaction, healing, and even joy, pull up a chair. Juilliard-trained oboist, author, and coach Merideth Hite Estevez helps the self-proclaimed artist and the creatively curious discover (or recover) the joy of making. New episodes go live every Friday!

  1. 2 days ago

    283: Facing the Dark: What Horror and Humor Teach Us About Creative Courage (with Kutter Callaway)

    Kutter and Merideth explore what fear has to teach us about creative courage, plus the root of the word amateur (from the Latin for love) and why protecting spaces to create just for the joy of it—outside of commercial pressure—is essential for every artist. They reflect on our shared experiences in the academic world, the current pivot point facing the humanities, and why learning deep thinking is a life-changing foundation for creative work. Why algorithm-generated content falls flat compared to real human experience, and how live, in-person art anchors us in the truth of the incarnation. Kutter shares how he became a "begrudging horror aficionado" and how facing horror—and the fears inside our own creative processes—can transform terror into wisdom. beafraidbook.com kuttercallaway.com/newsletter Mattie’s (Kutter’s daughter) new release: https://open.spotify.com/track/1j5prwK2mjy3lhQnNpiCWp?si=8609b052cefd4799 Support the show on Patreon and become a joyster:  https://www.patreon.com/artistsforjoy Read/Listen to Merideth’s latest essay: https://www.artsopendoor.com/

    283: Facing the Dark: What Horror and Humor Teach Us About Creative Courage (with Kutter Callaway)

  2. 4 days ago

    282: What’s bringing me joy this fall + BIG NEWS

    The long-awaited Season 6 finale of Artists for Joy! In this episode, I share my fall roundup of what’s bringing me joy this fall, from breaking made-up rules and hair product discoveries to daily writing practices and big news about the future of the podcast. What’s Bringing Joy This Fall: Oribe Supershine Smoothing Wax Stick: A quick fix for calming flyaways on the go. Find it here: https://link.amazon/B00amokr0Just Ingredients Protein Powder: Simple ingredients that are gentle on the stomach. Check it out here: https://link.amazon/B01kyolzLThe "Humanities" Practice: Cataloging daily moments that feel real, human, and alive. Read more on Substack next week! Subscribe here to read/listen: Art’s Open DoorJoining the Shifting Culture Network: Artists for Joy is entering Season 7 as an interview-focused show exploring faith, creativity, and joy with guest artists.Connect & Support: Listen to the Podcast: artistsforjoy.org/pod or wherever you get your pods!Join our Patreon Community: Support the show and join our next Joyster meet-up on November 6th ("Holiday Capacity Blueprint"): patreon.com/artistsforjoySponsor/Advertise: Interested in placing an ad on Season 7? Email hello@artistsforjoy.org for rates and details.

    282: What’s bringing me joy this fall + BIG NEWS

  3. 17 Sept

    281: Threshold Paralysis (Sneak Peek!)

    Today on the podcast, a quick peek behind the door… Art's Open Door, my new show, which launches tomorrow! To celebrate, I'm dropping a short sample of Episode 1 right here today. (I'm giving you about half of the full-length episode!)  Take a listen to this short preview, and get ready for the full episode tomorrow. Listen on Apple Podcasts Listen on Spotify Listen on Substack I'd love to hear your thoughts on the new vibes. Head over to artsopendoor.com to comment on the episode post on Friday. More updates for the Artists for Joy schedule very soon, promise!

    281: Threshold Paralysis (Sneak Peek!)

  4. 11 Sept

    280: What's bringing me joy this summer (better late than never!)

    Well, hello friends! I'm back from a summer hiatus with our quarterly roundup episode. I'm reflecting on our whirlwind summer book tour, unexpected moments of joy, and the big and small things making my life richer right now. For all the photos and links mentioned, plus a full read-along version of today's show, click here to read on Substack. Other Resources Mentioned: Join our updated Patreon Community Join us live or watch the replay of the CRAFT Goals Workshop Listen to the Art's Open Door Podcast Trailer on Apple, Spotify, or Substack Read my book, Art Is How God Loves Us I'd love to hear what's bringing you joy this season—come connect with me on Instagram @artistsforjoy or leave a comment on today's Substack post!

    280: What's bringing me joy this summer (better late than never!)

  5. 14 Aug

    279: Through Art's Open Door: Sarah Westfall

    Today on the podcast, I welcome author Sarah Westfall, a writer, perpetual question-asker, and contemplative at heart. Her work explores communal life, the intersection of faith, belonging, and, as she says, "being a human person."   Sarah and I talk about belonging, creativity, and the courage it takes to show up as your true self. Sarah shares her journey of moving from the broad, often noisy online space into the "smaller circles" of deep, local community.   We discuss what it means to practice "soulful attention," how writing functions as a conversation with God, and why our imperfections and wounds are actually the source of our most powerful creative offerings.    Sarah shares how a Georgia O'Keeffe painting has become a spiritual gateway, helping her navigate the wild, unknown deserts of her own vocational calling.   I hope this conversation is an invitation to pause, pay attention, and trust your authentically human voice.   Resources & Links: Sarah's Website: Sarah E. Westfall Sarah's Book: The Way of Belonging Previous Conversation: Listen to our past episode, 178, Joy for the Long Haul Art Mentioned: Rust Red Hills by Georgia O'Keeffe Book Recommendation: Awe: The New Science of Everyday Wonder by Dacher Keltner Music Mentioned: Jon Batiste and Jess Ray (Album: Born Again; Song: "Place to Land") Join our Summer Check-in on Patreon   I'd love to hear about the works of art that have become thin places in your own life. In fact, we are doing a call for guest-post submissions over on Substack. You can learn more and submit yours by visiting: https://artistsforjoy.org/artsopendoor

    279: Through Art's Open Door: Sarah Westfall

  6. 7 Aug

    278: Through Art's Open Door: Kristin Vanderlip

    Artist and writer Kristin Vanderlip joins me to explore the intersection of creativity, spirituality, and healing. Kristin shares her deeply personal journey of using journaling and oil pastels as tools for tending to the heavy, messy reality of loss, and why she believes the blank page can be a safe place to land when the world feels overwhelming. We discuss the importance of "quiet community" in grief, the symbiotic relationship between her writing (prose) and painting (pastels), and the challenge of resisting the urge to produce for the sake of results. Kristin also shares a deeply meaningful work of art from her own family history—a watercolor painting by her great-grandfather—that serves as a "thin place" and a reminder that our creative work often has an impact we may never see. Whether you are a multifaceted creative or simply navigating a season of "waves," this conversation is an invitation to listen to your spirit, honor your humanity, and find rest in the process.   Resources & Links:  Painting: Ed Snow, 1974, Untitled watercolor: https://www.instagram.com/reel/C72JvbnSc2Y/  Books referenced:  Listening to Your Life by Frederick Buechner  Steal Like An Artist  by Austin Kleon  Connect with Kristin Vanderlip:  Website: kristinvanderlip.com  Instagram: kristinvanderlip  Substack: kristinvanderlip.substack.com Virtual events and community for those interested in writing as a healing practice: penandmend.substack.com  Fall Writing Retreat: https://kristinvanderlip.myflodesk.com/retreat Join our Summer Check-in on Patreon

    278: Through Art's Open Door: Kristin Vanderlip

  7. 31 Jul

    277: Through Art's Open Door: Ryan Webb

    My friend Ryan Webb is not a full-time creator, but that doesn't mean he's not creative. Ryan is a full-time marketer, husband, and father. He shares his journey of spending ten years writing his debut novel Saving Will, which was born out of loss and a hyper-realistic dream, using the writing process as a decade-long space for therapy, healing, and spiritual reflection. We discuss why you don't need to make 100% of your income from your art to call yourself an artist, how to weave creativity into a full life, the spiritual tension between human willpower and divine grace, and the beauty of finding "happy accidents" in both photography and life. We also touch on the power of finding a support network, the necessity of giving yourself grace, and why we should never keep our creative pursuits a secret. Listen to the end for an update from the final leg of the summer book tour! Resources & Links  Book: Saving Will  by Ryan Webb Photo: https://www.instagram.com/p/DZD-52HSA0J/?igsh=MTA5M2JtcWtxNTV1ZA== Email: rjwebb22@hotmail.com Leave a review of Art Is How God Loves Us on Amazon and Goodreads   Book Launch Events   I'd love to hear about the works of art that have become thin places in your own life. In fact, we are doing a call for guest-post submissions over on Substack. You can learn more and submit yours by visiting: https://artistsforjoy.org/artsopendoor

    277: Through Art's Open Door: Ryan Webb

  8. 24 Jul

    276: Through Art's Open Door: Maria Bowler

    Maria Bowler—author, coach, and host of the Make Human podcast–is back for the third time! This time our conversation focuses on creativity, embodiment, and the sacred work of becoming more fully human.  Maria shares her journey of launching a new medium, the transition from writing books to podcasting. She also reflects on the difference between creating from the mind and creating from a place of deeper presence, sharing how movement, conversation, and community have become essential parts of her creative practice. Maria introduces a poem that met her during a season of heartbreak and spiritual upheaval. Christian Wiman's "And I Said to My Soul, Be Loud" became a companion that invited her beyond fear, control, and self-reliance into a deeper awareness of God's presence.  Together we remember how works of art often find us exactly when we need them most, becoming unexpected gateways to healing, hope, and transformation. Resources & Links: Podcast: Make Human Book: Making Time by Maria Bowler Poem: "And I Said to My Soul, Be Loud" by Christian Wiman Website: www.mariabowler.com Leave a review of Art Is How God Loves Us on Amazon and Goodreads Book Launch Events I'd love to hear about the works of art that have become thin places in your own life. In fact, we are doing a call for guest-post submissions over on Substack. You can learn more and submit yours by visiting: https://artistsforjoy.org/artsopendoor

    276: Through Art's Open Door: Maria Bowler
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More than a hobby or a hustle, creativity can be a deeply resonant spiritual practice that connects us to ourselves, to each other, and to the sacred. If you're stuck or uninspired or if you're curious about how the creative life might bring you deep satisfaction, healing, and even joy, pull up a chair. Juilliard-trained oboist, author, and coach Merideth Hite Estevez helps the self-proclaimed artist and the creatively curious discover (or recover) the joy of making. New episodes go live every Friday!

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