Artists for Joy

Merideth Hite Estevez
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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!

  1. 266: Throwback: Write a new story

    2D AGO

    266: Throwback: Write a new story

    This week on the podcast, I'm sharing a story about a "no" that truly leveled me. As I head into the studio this Monday to record the audiobook for my new book, Art Is How God Loves Us, I couldn't help but think back to the moment I found out I wouldn't be narrating my first one. I was sitting in a middle seat on a cross-country flight when the email arrived, and I spent the rest of the trip quietly crying. I'm replaying this episode now because it's a powerful reminder that no feeling is final. We often interlace our identity with our creative output, making rejection feel like a verdict on our very selves. Through the story of my friend Ian's "failed" rockstar dreams and the incredible resilience of the migrating salmon, I explore how we can sit with our tender disappointments without letting them keep us stuck. Whether you're nursing a fresh wound or an old one, I hope this encourages you to keep swimming toward the open waters of your next chapter. Listen in to hear my thoughts on why we aren't "tortured" but simply "tender and trying," plus a listener question about whether finding your artistic "style" actually matters. Original show notes: 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 Learn how to leave a review

    33 min
  2. 265: 7 Types of Rest

    APR 24

    265: 7 Types of Rest

    In the middle of a busy season—like, say, launching a new book—it is so easy to view time as a resource to be earned rather than an experience to be felt. In this episode, I explore the "Workaholic Quiz" from Week 10 of The Artist's Way and ask: Is your busyness fueled by joy, or is it a shield against the vulnerability of being still? Using Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith's "7 Types of Rest" and the design concept of White Space, we discuss how rest isn't a reward for finishing your work—it's the fuel that makes the work possible. Pre-order the New Book: Art Is How God Loves Us (Coming July 2026!) Join the Launch Team: The Sacred Studio Google Form (Last call to read with Merideth in June!) Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith: Learn more about her research at RestQuiz.com or her main site, DrSaundraDaltonSmith.com. The Joyster Community: Join us on Patreon for a 7-day free trial and watch the full replay of our "The Artist's Rest" Meet-Up. Connect on Substack: Art's Open Door Instagram: @artistsforjoy

    18 min
  3. 264: How Beauty Saves Us with Winfield Bevins

    APR 10

    264: How Beauty Saves Us with Winfield Bevins

    Today on the podcast, Merideth chats with Winfield Bevins—author, artist, and founder of Creo Arts—to talk about his latest book, How Beauty Will Save the World. In a world that feels loud, fast, and fractured, Winfield invites us back to something slower and truer: beauty. Not the surface-level kind, but the kind that heals and reconnects us to God, ourselves, and each other. Links: *Read more about Winfield Bevins *Get How Beauty Will Save the World *Learn more about Creo Arts *Follow Winfield on Instagram *Become a Joyster (Paid Supporter) on Patreon: Get access to hours of creative discovery and recovery content *Leave a review on Apple Podcasts *Tell me what you think of this episode via IG @artistsforjoy or via email hello@artistsforjoy.org *Pre-order Art Is How God Loves Us and read the latest sample chapter on Substack now!

    33 min
  4. Holding hope in a heavy world with Shannan Martin

    MAR 27

    Holding hope in a heavy world with Shannan Martin

    This week, I'm joined by Shannan Martin to talk about her new book, Counterweights and how we can hold hope when life feels unbearably heavy. Counterweights aren't about denying pain or replacing grief with surface-level happiness. It's a way of naming what steadies us: the ordinary, specific things that help us stay upright. We cannot counter what we won't weigh. In our conversation, we talk about the evolving creative life, the grief and celebration of finishing a book, and how the practice of counterweights helps artists stay soft and grounded when everything feels like too much. Also: Why more time and space don't necessarily make creativity easier The every-hour crisis of writing a book and learning to surrender it imperfectly How introverts can build a real, local community by simply noticing who's nearby Shannon shares how working in a community kitchen, watching the sky, and paying attention to the particulars of her own neighborhood all become spiritual practices. These are reminders that we don't have to choose between being honest about what's hard and delighting in what's good. Links: Get Counterweights Sign up for Shannan's Substack, The Soup  Our Enneagram 8 episode featuring Shannan Download the Curtain Call Questions

    38 min
  5. 262: Big Toe Ego

    MAR 13

    262: Big Toe Ego

    We all grapple with that hyper-sensitive, judgmental part of ourselves, the ego, which is an integral—yet often painful—aspect of being an artist. This week on the podcast, I've found a new, surprisingly visceral metaphor and a spiritual practice that is helping me embrace less defensiveness and find a much deeper resonance. Links: Join us for "The Art of 'Yes And'" with Sara McMahon on Patreon Become a Joyster (Paid Supporter) on Patreon: Get access to hours of creative discovery and recovery content. Leave a review on Apple Podcasts Tell me what you think of this episode via IG @artistsforjoy or via email hello@artistsforjoy.org Pre-order Art Is How God Loves Us and read the latest sample chapter on Substack now!

    18 min
  6. 261: Maker vs. Manager

    FEB 27

    261: Maker vs. Manager

    Have you ever felt like your creative self (your inner Maker) and your get-it-done, logistical self (your inner Manager) are constantly battling it out? We all need both of these energies to create a sustainable, joyful life—but getting them to play nicely together is the real trick. In this episode, I dive deep into the Maker vs. Manager dynamic, including my own recent creative block, and share four practical ways to finally get them working in sync. Learn how to reorient your inner Manager to become an enthusiastic Artist Manager—someone who is dedicated to creating the perfect conditions for your inner artist to thrive. Links Become a Joyster (Paid Supporter) on Patreon: Get access to hours of creative discovery and recovery content, including the monthly Joyster meet-up from Friday, Feb 13th, Filling the Well Leave a review on Apple Podcasts Tell me what you think of this episode via IG @artistsforjoy or via email hello@artistsforjoy.org Pre-order Art Is How God Loves Us and read the latest sample chapter on Substack now!

    23 min
  7. 260: What's bringing me joy this winter

    FEB 13

    260: What's bringing me joy this winter

    This week we are diving into my quarterly practice of naming what's bringing me joy this season. It's a fun, unscripted (!) episode full of big and small things that are truly "saving my life right now."   Links: A question that's helping me take action (Read a Substack essay about this one next week!) A Cohort that I'm participating in this year New Writing Rhythm This item saved our sweaters This is my favorite Galentine's gift A deck and an IG account that are helping me parent with more joy. A book launch update!  Writing and sharing poetry PS: I definitely got the numbering wrong on the episode (told you it was unscripted!) So please feel free to ignore that!

    26 min
  8. 259: Why art matters in tough times

    JAN 30

    259: Why art matters in tough times

    Are you struggling to focus and create when the world feels chaotic? This week: a much-needed pep talk. Four vital reasons why making art is not a luxury, but an essential act of perseverance, resilience, and hope. Links: Beauty will save the world: Substack Essay Burnout Book Burnout Podcast Episode Become a Joyster and join February 13th's Filling the Well Workshop Join The Artist's Way Creative Cluster Leave a review on Apple Podcasts

    23 min
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About

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!

Information

  • Creator
    Merideth Hite Estevez
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    266
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright Merideth Hite Estevez, Artists for Joy. All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Artists for Joy

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