The Creative Catholics Podcast

A. Cahill
  • 0.0 (0)
  • Christianity

Can creativity become a form of prayer? Is there meaning in the work no one sees? Is this desire to create a calling—or a distraction? The Creative Catholics is a podcast for Catholic creatives who feel called to create— but aren’t sure how to begin or how it fits into their faith and daily life. Hosted by a theatre professor turned homeschooling mother, this podcast explores the meeting place of creativity and faith. Through reflective solo episodes and honest conversations, each episode offers gentle guidance for the real rhythms of creative life—how to begin in small, real ways; how to stay faithful when your work goes unseen; and how to create without chasing recognition. You don’t need perfect conditions or hours of free time—just a small space to begin, even now, as you listen. Come as you are. Bring what is unfinished, unseen, still becoming. Even here—in the hidden, slow work of your hands—something sacred is taking shape.

  1. 2d ago

    From Flowers to Rosary Beads: Flowers and Faith with Cecilia Gardner

    What if a simple creative idea became a vocation? In this episode of The Creative Catholics, Alex Cahill sits down with Cecilia Gardner, founder of Mary’s Bouquet, a business that transforms meaningful flowers into beautiful rosaries. Cecilia’s journey began in 2020 during daily Rosary walks around her grandparents’ property. Surrounded by the beauty of nature and uncertain about what God was calling her to do, she had a simple thought: Could I make rosary beads from real flowers? What began as an experiment gradually became a craft, a business, and ultimately a way of living out her vocation. Cecilia shares how flowers, the Rosary, and creativity have shaped her faith—and why she sees making a rosary from flowers as a beautiful way of offering something back to Our Lady. Alex and Cecilia also explore perseverance, discerning God’s will, finding creativity in motherhood, and the reminder that we don't have to accomplish anything to have infinite value. A beautiful conversation about flowers, prayer, creativity, vocation, and saying yes to God. Thank you to Marie Miller for her music for the intro and outro Thank you to Riverside for sponsoring this episode - check out Riverside if you want to record or edit audio files.  Connect with The Creative Catholics on Instagram Check out our website! Connect with Mary's Bouquet on Instagram and online If this episode has inspired you, please share it with others you think may be interested and please subscribe for our future episodes! Thank you and God Bless!

  2. Aug 31

    Creating Our Own Crosses

    What if some of the burdens weighing us down aren’t crosses God has asked us to carry—but stories we’ve created around the life we wish we had? In this vulnerable and deeply personal episode, Alex reflects on the difference between real suffering and the additional weight we can create through comparison, expectations, resistance, and attachment to a particular outcome. Drawing on the wisdom of St. Francis de Sales, St. Thérèse, Job, the three young men in Daniel, and Christ in Gethsemane, she explores what it means to desire good things without allowing our peace to depend on receiving them. Using the image of the wooden cup and the silver cup, this episode is an invitation to stop waiting for the “perfect” circumstances to begin living faithfully—and instead to recognise the grace, love, and life God is offering us right now. Can we still hope, pray, dream, and work towards change while surrendering the outcome to God? Can we want the silver cup, while still gratefully drinking the water? A reflection on surrender, spiritual freedom, unnecessary suffering, and learning to become holy in the life we actually have. Thank you to Marie Miller for her music for the intro and outro Thank you to Riverside for sponsoring this episode - check out Riverside if you want to record or edit audio files.  Connect with The Creative Catholics on Instagram Check out our website! If this episode has inspired you, please share it with others you think may be interested and please subscribe for our future episodes! Thank you and God Bless!

  3. Aug 24

    When God Calls You to Create: Faith, Motherhood & The Courage to Begin with Olivia Spears

    What does it look like to follow God’s call while raising a family, homeschooling, and creating something meaningful? In this episode of The Creative Catholics, Alex sits down with Olivia Spears, founder of Into the Deep, to talk about the intersection of faith, motherhood, creativity, and work. Olivia shares the story behind Into the Deep and how what began as a resource for her own children grew into a mission serving Catholic families. Together, they explore the difference between simply teaching the faith and helping children truly fall in love with it, the tension mothers can feel between family life and creative work, and what it means to recognize that these different parts of ourselves can coexist. They also dive into discernment, perseverance, failure, social media, and the hidden ways God uses our work to refine us. Olivia offers a beautiful reminder that when we prayerfully make the best decision we can, we don't have to be afraid of getting it wrong—God's grace goes with us. This is a conversation about trusting God with the things we're building, learning to steward rather than control our work, and remembering that holiness can be found in every part of our lives. Plus, Olivia shares what's new at Into the Deep, including Virtus: A Treasury for the Good Life, an upcoming study on Confession, and the next level of their full-year catechesis curriculum.   Thank you to Marie Miller for sharing her music Check out Riverside to record or edit audio files   Connect with The Creative Catholics on Instagram @thecreativecatholics Read the show notes at creativecatholicspodcast.com   Connect with Into the Deep on Instagram Check out Into the Deep's Curriculum on their website   If this episode inspired you, please share it with others and leave a review

  4. Aug 23

    Our Creative God: St Joseph's Staircase

    In this episode of Creative Catholics, Alex continues the mini-series on Our Creative God by reflecting on the mysterious beauty of the famous staircase in the Loretto Chapel in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Through the story of an unknown carpenter, a novena to St. Joseph, and a staircase that seems to rise without visible support, Alex explores why beauty can move us before we understand it. From Scripture and St. Augustine to C. S. Lewis and St. Bonaventure, this episode considers how creation points beyond itself toward its Creator—and why every beautiful thing can awaken in us a longing for something more. Beauty doesn't simply satisfy us. It lifts our eyes. It reminds us of Eden, points us toward heaven, and whispers that we were made for home. Perhaps the greatest work of the Master Carpenter isn't a staircase at all, but the human soul. A reflection on beauty, wonder, mystery, creativity, and the God who is still making all things new. Sponsor/Links Check out Riverside for recording/editing audio files! Huge thank you to Marie Miller for letting us use her music for the intro and outro! Connect with The Creative Catholics! Website: creativecatholicspodcast.com Instagram: @thecreativecatholics

  5. Aug 10

    Creating Joy with Catholic Cartoons with Josh Masterson

    In this episode of The Creative Catholics, I sit down with Catholic cartoonist Josh Masterson, creator of the beloved Father Otto comics, to explore how humor, creativity, and faith can come together to reveal the beauty of ordinary parish life. Josh shares the story of how he discovered his creative calling, why he chose cartoons over fine art, and how following the gifts God had already given him brought a deep sense of peace. We also talk about the role of joy in evangelisation, using creativity to share the faith, and why laughter can be a powerful bridge to God. Whether you're an artist, writer, musician, or simply someone discerning how God is calling you to use your gifts, this conversation is a wonderful reminder that creativity can become a joyful path to holiness. In this episode, we discuss: Josh's journey to becoming a Catholic cartoonist The inspiration behind Father Otto Why humor is a powerful tool for sharing the faith Creative calling, discernment, and trusting God's plan Finding joy in the creative process Josh's upcoming animated Christmas special If this episode encouraged you, please consider following the podcast and leaving a review—it helps more people discover conversations on creativity, faith, and the hidden life. Connect with The Catholic Cartoonist On Instagram: @the_catholic_cartoonist https://www.the-catholic-cartoon.com/ Sponsor/Links Check out Riverside for recording/editing audio files! Huge thank you to Marie Miller for letting us use her music for the intro and outro! Connect with The Creative Catholics! Website: creativecatholicspodcast.com Instagram: @thecreativecatholics

  6. Aug 3

    Prayer, Rest and The Creative Life

    What does it mean to embrace holy rest in a world that never stops? If you're experiencing creative burnout, struggling to balance your work with your faith, or wondering how Catholic creativity fits into God's plan, this episode is for you. In this episode of Creative Catholics, we explore the biblical and Catholic understanding of Sabbath, rest, prayer, and the creative life. Looking to Scripture, the Catechism of the Catholic Church, and the wisdom of saints like St. Augustine and St. Francis de Sales, we discover that rest isn't the opposite of creativity—it's an essential part of it. Whether you're a writer, artist, musician, designer, content creator, or simply someone seeking to integrate faith and creativity, you'll be encouraged to step away from the pressure to constantly produce and rediscover the peace that comes from communion with God. Alex also shares a personal story about praying the 54-Day Rosary Novena during a season of uncertainty, reflects on the witness of a holy parish priest in his final months of life, and offers practical encouragement for building a rhythm of prayer and rest that nourishes both your soul and your creative work. In this episode, you'll discover: Why God rested after creation—and what that teaches us about Catholic creativity How Sabbath and prayer renew our hearts and our creative work Why Christian artists and creatives need rhythms of rest How to overcome creative burnout without guilt What the saints teach about prayer, surrender, and trust in God's providence Why your identity is found in Christ, not in what you produce Practical ways to cultivate a healthier relationship between faith and creativity If you've ever felt exhausted by the pressure to keep creating, this conversation is a gentle reminder that before you were a creator, you were created—and infinitely loved. Sometimes the holiest thing you can do is rest. Sponsor/Links Check out Riverside for recording/editing audio files! Huge thank you to Marie Miller for letting us use her music for the intro and outro! Connect with The Creative Catholics! Website: creativecatholicspodcast.com Instagram: @thecreativecatholics

  7. Jul 27

    Creating with Hope with Jana Pingel

    In this episode of Creative Catholics, I'm joined by artist, author, and founder of January Jane Shop, Jana Pingle, for a heartfelt conversation about creating with hope. Jana shares how prayer shapes her creative process, why beauty has become an anchor in seasons of waiting, and what it means to co-create with the Holy Spirit. Together, we explore the hidden work of faithfulness, the stories behind her beloved saint collections, and how creativity can become an act of surrender, even in the midst of grief and uncertainty. We also discuss: How Jana's childhood nurtured a lifelong love of creativity The inspiration behind Humans of Heaven and the January Jane Shop Finding hope through her Land of the Living collection The role of beauty in suffering and waiting Protecting a prayerful heart while running a creative business Encouragement for artists who feel weary, discouraged, or stuck Please note: This episode includes a conversation about infertility and miscarriage. Whether you're an artist, a maker, or simply someone longing to find God in the ordinary moments of life, this conversation is a beautiful reminder that the Lord is at work—even in the hidden seasons. Connect With The Creative Catholics Follow along for future episodes, guest interviews, and reflections on faith, creativity, craftsmanship, beauty, and the hidden life. Instagram: @thecreativecatholics Website: https://www.creativecatholicspodcast.com/ Sponsors/Links Intro/outro music by Marie Miller This episode is sponsored by Riverside Thank you for listening. If this episode encouraged you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with another creative who might need a little inspiration this week.

  8. Jul 20

    The Creative Steward: Why We Confuse Trust with Passivity

    God mean stepping back and waiting for Him to act, or does it mean working as though everything depends on us? In this episode, Alex explores the tension between surrender and responsibility, challenging the common misconception that trust in God requires passivity. Drawing on Scripture, the Catechism, the Parable of the Talents, and the wisdom of St. Augustine, she unpacks what it means to be a faithful steward rather than an owner of the gifts God has entrusted to us. Whether you're an artist, writer, entrepreneur, parent, or simply trying to discern God's will for your life, this conversation offers a freeing perspective on creativity, ambition, and faith. You'll discover why Christian surrender isn't about caring less—it's about holding your work, your dreams, and your gifts with open hands, trusting God with the outcome while giving Him your wholehearted effort. In this episode, we explore: Why "letting go" doesn't mean giving up. The difference between stewardship and ownership. What the Parable of the Talents teaches about creativity and vocation. How our deepest fears are often revealed by what we struggle to surrender. Why God calls us to faithfulness rather than worldly success. If you've ever wrestled with perfectionism, control, or the fear of whether your work matters, this episode is an invitation to work wholeheartedly, trust deeply, and remember that while we steward the gifts, God always owns the harvest. Connect With The Creative Catholics Follow along for future episodes, guest interviews, and reflections on faith, creativity, craftsmanship, beauty, and the hidden life. Instagram: @thecreativecatholics Website: https://www.creativecatholicspodcast.com/ Sponsors/Links Intro/outro music by Marie Miller This episode is sponsored by Riverside Thank you for listening. If this episode encouraged you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with another creative who might need a little inspiration this week.

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About

Can creativity become a form of prayer? Is there meaning in the work no one sees? Is this desire to create a calling—or a distraction? The Creative Catholics is a podcast for Catholic creatives who feel called to create— but aren’t sure how to begin or how it fits into their faith and daily life. Hosted by a theatre professor turned homeschooling mother, this podcast explores the meeting place of creativity and faith. Through reflective solo episodes and honest conversations, each episode offers gentle guidance for the real rhythms of creative life—how to begin in small, real ways; how to stay faithful when your work goes unseen; and how to create without chasing recognition. You don’t need perfect conditions or hours of free time—just a small space to begin, even now, as you listen. Come as you are. Bring what is unfinished, unseen, still becoming. Even here—in the hidden, slow work of your hands—something sacred is taking shape.

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