Artists for Joy Merideth Hite Estevez

SEASON 4 Finale! 
This openhearted, vulnerable conversation with author and knitter Sarah Bessey is the perfect way to tie a bow on Season 4 of Artists for Joy. 
In this interview, Merideth and Sarah discuss: 
The spiritual nature of creative practice The important difference between self-care and self-comfort Processing the grief of losing friend and fellow author Rachel Held Evans What Sarah does when she's creatively blocked  Merideth shares some of what she'll be doing during the upcoming podcast hiatus and how you can stay updated on what's new with Artists for Joy, so listen all the way to the end!
Buy Sarah’s new book, Field Notes for the Wilderness 
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Emily P. Freeman is a writer and spiritual space-maker. She is the author of six books, including the Wall Street Journal Bestseller "The Next Right Thing: A Simple Soulful Practice for Making Life Decisions" and "How to Walk into a Room: The Art of Knowing When to Stay and When to Walk Away."
In this episode, Emily joins host Merideth Hite Estevez to discuss discernment, creativity, and joy. They talk about how to make every aspect of life creative, how to overcome people-pleasing (the answer will surprise you!), and the most valuable creative inspiration Emily's received lately. 
This episode is perfect for anyone looking to create a more soulful and intentional life. Whether you're struggling with decision fatigue, feeling stuck in your creative process, or simply want to learn more about how to live with more joy, Emily’s insights and advice are sure to be helpful.
How to Walk Into a Room (Emily’s newest book)
Emily’s Substack: The Soul Minimalist
The Artist’s Joy: A Guide to Getting Unstuck, Embracing Imperfection, and Loving Your Creative by Merideth 

This week, Merideth offers a self-coaching exercise to help you create your path.
1. Name what’s on your mind before we begin: Is there a fork in the road you see coming around the bend? Is there a question you’ve been asking yourself about your creative practice or life that you want to explore with gentleness and grace?  Or take a cue from Emily P. Freeman, in her new book, "How to Walk Into a Room," and ask, "What are the primary rooms of my life right now?" Spend some time naming whatever comes up.
2. Choose one line of inquiry to explore in this creative reflection session. Write the question down on a sticky note or note card and put it somewhere you can see it while creating. 
3. Create in whatever medium sounds fun. You are not necessarily setting out to answer the question you’re holding; you are just creating and reflecting alongside this inquiry. Let your mind wander, and invite whatever thoughts that show up move through. Set a timer for half an hour or more if you can spare it. 
4. When you finish this session, look at the question again. What came up? Pretend your very best friend wrote that question. What would you like to tell that friend now? How did the creative process help you hold space for the uncertainties and complexities of your life? 
5. Email Merideth at hello@artistsforjoy.org or post your creation on IG and tag @artistsforjoy 
 
 

What scripts are holding you back from creating your own unique path? What would you do if you weren’t so afraid? What parts of yourself have you been ignoring, squashing down, so you can fit in where you are? Are you ready to move forward but unsure of how or where to go? 
This week's episode will meet you right where you are.
Inspired by author Emily P. Freeman, Merideth reflects on what role creativity plays in our discernment process and ways we can shift our mindset to become empowered decision-makers and artists creating the most important thing we make: a life. 
 
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Submit questions for Emily via email: hello@artistsforjoy.org 
Leave your question on our voicemail: 302-415-3407

This week, a coaching exercise we're calling "Rewriting the Unhelpful Story."
Take a few moments and fully realize the unhelpful story you’re telling yourself. Write it all down in the third person. What does the rejection mean to her? What is the main character in your story currently letting this rejection mean, or what is he/she/they afraid it means? Spend time writing it out in your journal or speak your thoughts out loud to a safe and helpful friend, therapist, or coach. 
Zoom in again and focus on the main character of your story. Write about him/her/them for a second. What is she like? What is her creative potential? What do you like about her? Personify the lead in that story, and write 3 to 5 compassion-filled phrases or truths you want her to know. 
Flip to a new page and write a new story. Make the ending good, surprising, outlandish, even fanciful. Be as creative and generous as possible, write a new tale as unbelievable as you can, and fill in all the details you are longing to know. 
Read last week's podcast on Substack
Submit a question or comment to Merideth
via IG
via email: hello@artistsforjoy.org
via phone: 302-415-3407
Support us on Patreon
Leave a review on Apple Podcast

This week's episode explores the challenge of persevering through creative disappointment. We meet Ian, a musician whose band falls apart, and learn the tool that is helping Merideth cope with a recent and painful rejection. Listen for encouragement to embrace your sensitivity and vulnerability and to find ways to move beyond disappointment to create with more joy and freedom.
 
Read last week's podcast on Substack
Submit a question or comment to Merideth:
via IG
via email: hello@artistsforjoy.org
via phone: 302-415-3407
Support us on Patreon
Join the next “The Artist’s Way” Creative Cluster
Leave a review on Apple Podcast
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