Explore every episode of the podcast Makers & Mystics
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Memory Is a Musical Place with Composer Michael Anderson | 29 Sep 2026 | 00:33:49 | |
What if memories were real entities that inhabit places, and what if music could give those places a voice? In this episode of Makers & Mystics, Stephen Roach sits down with composer Michael Anderson to explore the strange and beautiful relationship between memory, time, place, music, and faith. Michael's latest work, Hallov, is a 24-piece musical journey through birth, pain, joy, death, and what might come after. Described by Michael as “a movie score without the movie,” the album follows a protagonist through a series of imagined spaces while a mysterious “Spirit of Time” moves alongside him. For Michael, those spaces are more than settings. They are repositories of memory. An old church, a car ride, a hallway, a family dinner- places can hold the people we loved, the moments we experienced, and even the versions of ourselves we have left behind. Together, Stephen and Michael explore how music can give those memories a voice and how recurring melodies can function almost like memories themselves, returning throughout the album in different forms as the story unfolds. The conversation moves from Michael's childhood fascination with spaces to the autobiographical memories woven throughout Hallov, including a Wednesday night dinner with his grandparents, leaving Florida for a new chapter of life, and the haunting experience of imagining one's own death. Along the way, they explore the spiritual questions underneath the music: What happens to our memories when we enter eternity? Does the hope of new creation mean that our painful experiences are erased, or might they somehow be gathered into wholeness? And what might it mean to believe that even our tears and suffering have a place in the story God is making new? At the heart of the conversation is a deeper question: What if memory is not simply something we carry from the past, but a place where we encounter the mystery of who we have been, who we are becoming, and who we might be in eternity? For artists, Michael offers another important invitation: to resist the temptation to stop creating because someone else has created something greater. The joy of art isn't found in being the best. Sometimes the most important thing we can do is simply finish the work we've begun—and celebrate that it exists. Michael Anderson is a composer who blends classical music with jazz, pop, electronics, and soundscapes. He is drawn to memorable melodies and heartfelt narratives, using music as a way to explore story, memory, and human experience. His latest project, Hallov, brings together his love of cinematic music and storytelling in an immersive 24-piece exploration of time, memory, faith, death, and hope. Connect with Michael on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/musicbymichaelanderson/ CONNECT WITH US Website: http://www.makersandmystics.com GET A MAKERS X MYSTICS COFFEE MUG | |||
| Art As a Spiritual Gateway: Classical Music and Rediscovering Creative Joy | 22 Sep 2026 | 00:35:51 | |
What happens when the art form you once loved becomes a way of proving your worth? For oboist, educator, and author Merideth Estevez, classical music began as a source of joy and wonder. As a child, it was even a language through which she experienced God. But somewhere along the way, the pursuit of excellence became entangled with perfectionism, achievement, and the need to prove herself. In her book Art Is How God Loves Us, Merideth invites us to reconsider what art actually is. Rather than seeing art as something reserved for the technically gifted, she describes it as “atoms responding to transcendence”—our participation in the creative abundance already at work in the world. In this conversation, we talk about the difference between perfectionism and excellence, what an oboe reed can teach us about faith, why imperfection can be a sign of life, and how technical training can become a vocabulary rather than a prison. We explore the relationship between tradition and innovation, the ways art can become a spiritual gateway, and what it might mean to encounter God through a symphony, a painting, a river, or even the ordinary creative choices of everyday life. Ultimately, Merideth offers an invitation to see ourselves differently: not as people who have to earn our worth through what we create, but as people made in the image of an Artist—and therefore already invited to create. Merideth Estevez is an oboist, educator, author, and coach whose work explores the intersection of creativity, faith, and wellbeing. She is the author of Art Is How God Loves Us and The Artist's Joy. In this episode:
Learn more about Merideth Estevez and her work at artistsforjoy.org. CONNECT WITH US Website: http://www.makersandmystics.com GET A MAKERS X MYSTICS COFFEE MUG | |||
| The Art of Slow: Making Things That Last with Jake Weidmann | 15 Sep 2026 | 00:39:05 | |
We live in a world of fast content, instant communication, next-day shipping, and things designed to be quickly replaced. But what happens when an artist chooses to work against the grain of social norms? Jake Weidmann is one of only nine Master Penmen in the world, but his work extends far beyond calligraphy. A multidisciplinary artist working in drawing, oil painting, sculpture, wood carving, and bronze, Jake has devoted himself to the long process of mastering his craft. In this conversation, Jake shares what he calls “The Art of Slow” and why the slow, contemplative devotion to excellence might be a way of resisting disposability and recovering a long, even eternal view of our calling as makers. Jake shares about his new book, The Heart of The Maker, and the creative process from practice and inspiration to failure, perseverance, repentance, and finishing well. This is a conversation about craft, patience, tradition, creativity, and the things we choose to make that might outlast us. Jake Weidmann is a multidisciplinary artist and one of the world's nine living Master Penmen. His work explores calligraphy, drawing, painting, sculpture, wood carving, and the relationship between creativity, faith, and tradition. CONNECT WITH US Website: http://www.makersandmystics.com GET A MAKERS X MYSTICS COFFEE MUG | |||
| Seeing Through The Tropes: How Art History Shaped Women's Identity | Elissa Yukiko Weichbrodt | 08 Sep 2026 | 00:56:22 | |
How do the images we see shape the way we understand ourselves and one another? In this episode of Makers & Mystics, Stephen Roach sits down with art historian and author Elissa Yukiko Weichbrodt to explore her new book, Look Like a Lady: Five Visual Tropes of Womanhood and How to See Ourselves Differently. Drawing from centuries of art history, Elissa identifies five recurring ways women have been depicted and understood: Venus, Vessel, Maiden, Mother, and Monster. These aren't simply artistic categories. They are stories that can quietly shape our expectations about beauty, femininity, motherhood, sexuality, agency, and even holiness. Together, Stephen and Elissa explore how these visual tropes have influenced both popular culture and Christian imagination and consider the alternative stories that can help us see women as whole, particular, embodied people rather than objects, symbols, or stereotypes. The conversation moves from ancient Greek sculpture and Renaissance paintings to Victorian photography, contemporary beauty culture, purity culture, and the ways women are represented within the church. Along the way, Elissa introduces five counter-stories:
At the heart of the conversation is a deeper question: What might it look like to recover a vision of womanhood rooted not in cultural expectations, but in the particularity, dignity, agency, and belovedness of each person created in the image of God? For artists, this conversation offers an invitation to consider how the images we create participate in forming the imagination of the people who encounter them. And for all of us, it raises an important possibility: perhaps freedom doesn't come from simply rejecting old stories, but from learning to recognize them—and telling truer ones. Elissa Weichbrodt is an art historian, educator, and author. Her new book, Look Like a Lady: Five Visual Tropes of Womanhood and How to See Ourselves Differently, examines the ways visual culture has shaped our understanding of womanhood and offers a more expansive, hopeful vision. Connect with Elissa on Instagram: http://instagram.com/elissabrodt Listen to our previous conversation with Elissa: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/s11-e07-redeeming-vision-with-dr-elissa-yukiko-weichbrodt/id1090123738?i=1000605110237 CONNECT WITH US Website: http://www.makersandmystics.com GET A MAKERS X MYSTICS COFFEE MUG | |||
| Strange Glory: A Case for Unconventional Art | 31 Aug 2026 | 00:25:42 | |
What does it mean to glorify God through art? For many artists, the desire to glorify God can become an expectation that their work should communicate an explicitly religious message. But what happens when that expectation begins to constrict the artist? What if our attempts to make art that clearly communicates faith actually prevent the art from becoming genuinely transformative? In this solo meditation, Stephen Roach explores the relationship between Christian faith, artistic freedom, and the glory of God. Drawing on the work of Hans Rookmaaker and Flannery O'Connor, as well as the strange prophetic performances of Ezekiel, Isaiah, and Jeremiah, Stephen asks whether art needs to be explicitly religious in order to be spiritually meaningful. Stephen revisits the story of Paolo Veronese and his controversial painting of The Last Supper, which brought him before the Catholic Inquisition in 1573. The story raises an important question for artists and faith communities alike: what happens when our desire to protect familiar expressions of faith leaves no room for artistic imagination? Perhaps glorifying God through art doesn't always mean making art that is easily recognizable as Christian. Perhaps sometimes it means following our creative curiosity into places that are unfamiliar, challenging, ambiguous, or even strange. In a world where familiar religious imagery can become wallpaper, what might happen if we made room for art that surprises us again? In this episode:
ABOUT THE HOST Stephen Roach is the host of Makers and Mystics, a podcast exploring the intersection of creativity, faith, and the human experience. He is an artist, curator, poet, and musician. He is currently writing How to See Invisible Things, a book exploring the future of art and faith. Stephen has spent over a decade advocating for creativity as a spiritual discipline and calling. RESOURCES AND LINKS Art Needs No Justification by Hans Rookmaaker — the book referenced for its argument that art has intrinsic value apart from evangelistic use Disclaimer: —Stephen Roach CONNECT WITH US Website: http://www.makersandmystics.com GET A MAKERS X MYSTICS COFFEE MUG | |||
| The World Needs Your Art: The Spiritual Roots of Why Artists Suffer | Stephen Roach | 18 Aug 2026 | 00:28:32 | |
Every great artist from Caravaggio to Frida Kahlo has fought the same invisible war, and Stephen Roach makes the case that it is not a coincidence. CONNECT WITH US Website: http://www.makersandmystics.com GET A MAKERS X MYSTICS COFFEE MUG | |||
| Evelyn Underhill: Mother of Modern Mystics | 21 Jul 2026 | 00:18:06 | |
Evelyn Underhill: The Mother of Modern Mystics Artist Profile Series 40 Who was Evelyn Underhill, and why does her work continue to shape the modern contemplative movement more than a century later? In this Artist Profile episode of Makers & Mystics, Stephen Roach explores the life of Evelyn Underhill, writer, spiritual director, retreat leader, and one of the most influential voices on Christian mysticism in the twentieth century. Although she is often remembered for her landmark book Mysticism, Underhill's own spiritual journey was anything but straightforward. From youthful encounters with transcendent beauty to explorations of the occult, philosophy, and Roman Catholicism, her search eventually led her into the Anglican tradition, where she discovered that mystical experience finds its deepest fulfillment not in extraordinary visions but in the ordinary rhythms of worship, sacrament, and life with Christ. In an age captivated by spirituality yet often disconnected from historic faith, Evelyn Underhill's life reminds us that the deepest longing of the human heart is not simply for transcendent experiences, but for communion with the living God. In This Episode
Notable Quotes "The mystic is called to be a creative artist of the highest kind.""Beauty is simply Reality seen with the eyes of love." "Long before we begin searching for God, God has already begun searching for us." Books Mentioned
People Mentioned
Connect with Makers & Mystics If this episode encouraged you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who longs to recover beauty, wonder, and the contemplative life. To support the ongoing work of Makers & Mystics and gain access to bonus content, join our Patreon community. Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/makersandmystics Website: https://www.makersandmystics.com CONNECT WITH US Website: http://www.makersandmystics.com GET A MAKERS X MYSTICS COFFEE MUG | |||
| Making Room at the Table: Art, Justice, and The Stories That Shape Us | Steve Prince | 14 Jul 2026 | 00:49:46 | |
What if art isn't simply something we admire, but something that asks something of us? In this episode, Stephen Roach sits down with acclaimed printmaker, educator, and storyteller Steve Prince for a conversation about the vocation of the artist. Drawing from history, faith, family, and lived experience, Steve shares how his work seeks to preserve memory, confront injustice, and create spaces where genuine transformation can begin. From the legacy of the Civil Rights Movement to the power of oral storytelling, from New Orleans kitchen tables to ambitious community art projects, Steve reveals why he believes artists are called to help us "remember to remember" and to imagine a more hopeful future together. Together they explore:
Whether you're an artist, educator, historian, or simply someone longing for deeper conversations in a fractured world, this episode offers a vision of art as an act of hospitality, remembrance, and hope. Quote from the Episode "The artist helps us remember to remember.""Art isn't made to divide us, it creates a pathway toward who we could become.""Every table has something to teach us." - Steve PrinceResources Mentioned
If this episode encouraged you, please consider sharing it with a friend, leaving a review, or supporting the work of Makers & Mystics through Patreon. Produced by Stephen Roach. Music by Some Were at Sea. Keep Creating. The World Needs Your Art. CONNECT WITH US Website: http://www.makersandmystics.com GET A MAKERS X MYSTICS COFFEE MUG | |||
| Missionaries of Beauty: An Antidote to a Cultural Crisis with Sacred Artist Kate Capato | 06 Jul 2026 | 00:29:55 | |
Can beauty change a person? A community? A culture? CONNECT WITH US Website: http://www.makersandmystics.com GET A MAKERS X MYSTICS COFFEE MUG | |||
| One Last Monster: Gene Kim on Animation, Storytelling, and the Art of Human Transformation | 30 Jun 2026 | 00:27:00 | |
Animation has a unique ability to carry profound truths beneath colorful worlds, unforgettable characters, and compelling adventure. Beneath the spectacle, the best stories invite us into questions of identity, grief, hope, and transformation. In this episode, Stephen Roach sits down with animator and storyboard artist Gene Kim, whose career has included work with Pixar, Blue Sky Studios, and major film and television productions. Together they explore why stories matter, how animation can communicate deep spiritual realities, and why genuine character transformation lies at the heart of every meaningful narrative. Gene also shares the deeply personal story behind his animated short film One Last Monster, revealing how the loss of his mother shaped its themes of trust, suffering, and hope. Drawing from Korean history, classic anime, The Lord of the Rings, and his own Christian faith, Gene reflects on the surprising ways fantasy can help us tell the truth about the human experience. In this conversation, you'll discover:
Whether you're an artist, filmmaker, writer, or simply someone who loves a great story, this conversation offers a thoughtful look at the power of imagination to help us make sense of ourselves and the world we inhabit. Watch Gene's animated short One Last Monster and follow his ongoing work: CONNECT WITH US Website: http://www.makersandmystics.com GET A MAKERS X MYSTICS COFFEE MUG | |||
| Threads of Beauty: On Fashion, Fabric and Theology | 09 Jun 2026 | 00:40:22 | |
In this bonus episode of Makers & Mystics, Stephen Roach revisits The Pace of Beauty series with artist and designer Jennifer Sturrock. Drawing from her background in couture, contemporary art, and theological study, Jennifer shares how fabric and materiality have become a framework for exploring deeper questions of identity, mystery, and communion with God. What begins as a conversation about textiles and clothing unfolds into a rich exploration of the Transfiguration, the symbolism of garments throughout Scripture, and the ways beauty reveals truths that often remain hidden beneath the surface. Stephen and Jen discuss the theological significance of clothing and how fashion can function as both concealment and revelation. Jennifer reflects on her own artistic practice, including large-scale textile installations that invite viewers into contemplation, mystery, and embodied ways of knowing. The conversation also explores Jennifer's idea of "rewilding the creative soul,” embracing vulnerability, and discovering the beauty that emerges when people become more fully themselves. Highlights: • Jennifer's journey from fashion and textile design into theology and contemporary art About Jennifer Sturrock Jennifer Sturrock is a Scottish multidisciplinary artist, designer, curator, and researcher whose work integrates couture, installation art, and poetry. Drawing on studies at Chelsea College of Arts and London College of Fashion, she later earned a Master's degree in Theology & the Arts from King's College London, where she specialized in the idea of beauty in theology. Connect with Jen Website: https://www.jennifersturrock.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jensturrock CONNECT WITH US Website: http://www.makersandmystics.com GET A MAKERS X MYSTICS COFFEE MUG | |||
| The Problem with Beauty: From The Grotesque to The Sublime | 02 Jun 2026 | 01:15:00 | |
Beauty is one of the most celebrated words in art and faith conversations, but it may also be one of the most misunderstood. Is beauty simply what pleases the eye, or is it something deeper? Can beauty exist alongside suffering, loss, and the grotesque? And what happens when we settle for beauty that comforts us while avoiding the realities that transform us? What if beauty requires darkness, mystery, and even lament in order to reveal its deepest meaning? In this roundtable discussion, Stephen Roach and guests Corey Frey, Liv Ross, and Scott Aasman wrestle with beauty not as sentimentality or surface appeal, but as a force capable of holding together truth, goodness, suffering, and hope. KEY TOPICS
About the Guests: Corey Frey is a multidisciplinary artist, writer, and co-founder of The Well Collaborative, a community dedicated to creativity, curiosity, and culture. He lives in Maryland with his wife and continues to explore the intersections of art, faith, and imagination. Liv Ross is an urban monk, poet, essayist, and Managing Editor of Traces Journal. Writing from the Ozarks, her work explores place, wonder, memory, and spiritual formation. Her first book, The Blackbird Ballad, was published by Solum Literary Press in 2026. Scott Aasman is an award-winning illustrator, educator, and co-founder of Salt Cellar Arts, an arts-focused community for the spiritually attentive and creatively engaged. He lives in Hamilton, Ontario, with his wife and two children. Resources Mentioned
Connect with Our Guests Corey Frey Liv Ross Scott Aasman CONNECT WITH US Website: http://www.makersandmystics.com GET A MAKERS X MYSTICS COFFEE MUG | |||
| The Beauty of Vulnerability | Zan Fiskum | 26 May 2026 | 00:27:19 | |
What does it cost an artist to tell the truth? Singer-songwriter Zan Fiskum has built her entire creative life around finding out. In this episode, host Stephen Roach sits down with Zan to explore how her most personal songs, about a toxic creative relationship, a fractured friendship, and a complicated bond with her mother, became anthems for strangers carrying the same quiet weight. This is a conversation about the craft behind vulnerability: how to write specifically enough to be honest, and broadly enough to let the listener find themselves inside your story. If you've ever wondered whether your most painful experiences are worth putting into a song, this episode answers that question with a resounding yes.
CONNECT WITH US Website: http://www.makersandmystics.com GET A MAKERS X MYSTICS COFFEE MUG | |||
| Beauty As Survival: Breath, Embodiment, and The First Instrument | 19 May 2026 | 00:39:44 | |
Beauty As Survival: Breath, Embodiment, and The First Instrument In this episode, I sit down with embodiment coach, creative director, and longtime Breath and The Clay collaborator Whitney Lynn to explore the intersections of breath, beauty, embodiment, and the creative life. Whitney’s work centers on “returning the body to the body,” helping people come home to themselves in a culture that so often pulls us toward dissociation. Together, we explore how breath is far more than a biological necessity; it is a sacred creative force, a pathway into nervous system regulation, healing, and flow. Through breathwork, we discuss how the body becomes not an obstacle to spiritual life, but our first instrument of artistry, intuition, and connection. This conversation continues on themes from our series on The Pace of Beauty, expanding the idea that beauty is not a luxury or superficial pursuit, but a necessary force for survival. Whitney offers insight into how beauty regulates us, heals trauma, and awakens us to deeper intimacy with ourselves, others, and God. Together, we also confront the inherited fear of the body present in many faith spaces, tracing how distorted ideas around embodiment have often disconnected spirituality from physical presence. Whitney invites us into a richer vision—one where the body is not something to escape, but a sacred vessel through which creativity, healing, and divine encounter unfold. CONNECT WITH US Website: http://www.makersandmystics.com GET A MAKERS X MYSTICS COFFEE MUG | |||
| Make Your Home In This Luminous Dark: Contemporary Art and The Path of the Mystics with James K. A. Smith | 12 May 2026 | 00:41:51 | |
Make Your Home In This Luminous Dark
Jamie shares how his journey into mysticism began not through abstract theology, but through personal crisis, an experience of depression that exposed the limits of intellect and certainty. From there, voices like St. John of the Cross and Thomas Merton opened up a new way of understanding faith, not as mastery, but as surrender; not as knowing, but as unknowing. Together, we explore what it means to “make your home in the luminous dark,” to embrace mystery as a space of transformation rather than failure. We also dive deeply into the surprising role of art, especially contemporary and “difficult” art, as a powerful and often overlooked gateway into contemplation. Rather than delivering clear messages, great art invites us into encounter, disorientation, and wonder, forming in us the very capacities needed for a mystical life. This conversation is an invitation to let go of control, to trust the deeper currents of love beneath reality, and to discover how both mysticism and art can open us to the presence of God in ways that certainty never could. JOIN US FOR BOOK CLUB! Every Tuesday at 8 pm EST in June 2026, we will be reading James's book online in our Patreon community! We'd love to have you with us. Visit patreon.com/makersandmystics to RSVP. CONNECT WITH US Website: http://www.makersandmystics.com GET A MAKERS X MYSTICS COFFEE MUG | |||
| Taking Up The Tale with Malcolm Guite | 03 Mar 2026 | 00:47:18 | |
What can ancient stories teach us about creativity, courage, and our own place in the modern world? In this episode, Stephen Roach welcomes poet and priest Malcolm Guite back to Makers & Mystics to explore his poetic retelling of King Arthur and the Holy Grail. Malcolm reflects on how these stories shaped him from childhood and why myth still carries moral and spiritual weight in a disenchanted age. Together, they discuss the role of storytelling in recovering a sacramental vision of the world. This conversation is an invitation to re-enchantment—to slow down, commit to your craft, and take your place in the great unfolding story. IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL HEAR ABOUT
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| Making Space for Meaning: The Renewal of Myth and Storytelling with Jonathan Pageau | 24 Feb 2026 | 00:48:13 | |
In this episode of Makers & Mystics, Stephen Roach sits down with cultural critic, writer, and iconographer Jonathan Pageau to explore the state of contemporary storytelling and the enduring power of myth. Pageau, creator of The Symbolic World, explains how symbols operate beneath conscious awareness to shape imagination and culture. Together, they discuss why traditional narratives appear depleted, how propaganda differs from true myth, and why fairy tales continue to communicate truths modern culture struggles to articulate. The conversation turns toward artists and storytellers, what it means to create work rooted in beauty, transcendence, and enduring symbolic patterns rather than novelty or cynicism. The conversation also connects with the theme of The Breath and the Clay 2026 —what it means to make space: space in our art, in our imagination, and in our lives for transcendent meaning to take root. CONNECT WITH US Website: http://www.makersandmystics.com GET A MAKERS X MYSTICS COFFEE MUG | |||
| The Ethics of Beauty with Dr. Timothy Patitsas | 17 Feb 2026 | 00:49:51 | |
In this episode of Makers & Mystics, Stephen Roach continues the series The Pace of Beauty with Dr. Timothy Patitsas, author of The Ethics of Beauty. Focusing on Chapter Six, The Mystical Architect, they explore the inseparability of beauty and goodness, the cruciform nature of the artist’s journey, and how trauma has shaped modern art’s uneasy relationship with beauty. Together, they consider architecture as a foundational pattern of experience and the slow work of cultural renewal through restored patterns of beauty. Learn more about Dr. Patitsas and his work: CONNECT WITH US Website: http://www.makersandmystics.com GET A MAKERS X MYSTICS COFFEE MUG | |||
| REPLAY: Beauty As Prophetic Vision with Brian Zahnd | 09 Feb 2026 | 00:21:55 | |
This replay episode features excerpts from a 2017 conversation with author Brian Zahnd, exploring his insights on Christian aesthetics and the role of beauty in faith. The discussion centers on Zahnd's book, "Beauty Will Save the World," and his argument for understanding Christianity through the lens of beauty rather than relying solely on truth claims and moral arguments.
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| On Beauty And Repair with Rabbi Danya Ruttenberg | 03 Feb 2026 | 00:35:26 | |
What does it mean to repair what has been broken, and can there be beauty in that work? In this episode of Makers & Mystics, Stephen Roach is joined by Rabbi Danya Ruttenberg for a thoughtful conversation on repentance, accountability, and the demanding work of repair. As part of our ongoing series on beauty, this episode explores repentance not as performance or apology, but as a process of truth-telling, learning, and transformation. Drawing from ancient Jewish wisdom and contemporary justice work, Rabbi Danya reflects on how individuals, communities, and institutions can move toward healing after harm—and why art, imagination, and beauty are essential for sustaining the work of justice and hope. CONNECT WITH US Website: http://www.makersandmystics.com GET A MAKERS X MYSTICS COFFEE MUG | |||
| The Beauty of Authenticity with songwriter John Van Deusen | 27 Jan 2026 | 00:39:58 | |
The Beauty of Authenticity — John Van Deusen Songwriter John Van Deusen joins Makers & Mystics to explore the beauty of authenticity in art, faith, and vocation. In a creative landscape that often rewards certainty and success, John reflects on the cost—and freedom—of making honesty the point. At the center of the conversation is his latest album, As Long As I Am In The Tent of This Body I Will Make A Joyful Noise, a shape-shifting, faith-inflected collection that resists tidy resolutions and embraces vulnerability, doubt, joy, and embodied life. Together, host Stephen Roach and John Van Deusen talk about creative calling, audience expectation, near-successes, family life, and why authenticity remains a risky—but faithful—posture for artists. CONNECT WITH US Website: http://www.makersandmystics.com GET A MAKERS X MYSTICS COFFEE MUG | |||
| Beauty and Resistance with Jonathan P. Walton | 13 Jan 2026 | 00:37:05 | |
What if beauty isn’t an escape from the outrage and exhaustion of the world—but a form of resistance against it? In a culture overrun with anxiety and uncertainty, turning toward beauty can feel almost defiant. In this episode of Makers & Mystics, host Stephen Roach is joined by theologian, poet, and cultural critic Jonathan P. Walton to explore how beauty forms us for resilience, integrity, and repair—both personally and communally. Drawing from his book Beauty and Resistance: Spiritual Rhythms for Formation and Repair, Walton reflects on the spiritual and emotional work required to live truthfully in a hurried, narcissistic culture. Together, they discuss the tension between joy and guilt, the importance of celebration and lament, and the danger of the false self in spiritual formation. Jonathan introduces the Four Rs—Rest, Restore, Resist, Repeat—as a crafted rule of life that helps us resist what deforms us while cultivating beauty, depth, and intentional living. He also shares the backstory behind his poem “Change of Plans,” offering insight into how community, faith, and honesty shape the long journey toward wholeness. This conversation is an invitation to slow down, tend to what is wounded, and rediscover beauty not as escape—but as faithful resistance. Resources & Links
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| How Beauty Will Save The World with Winfield Bevins | 13 Jan 2026 | 00:26:51 | |
What role does beauty play in a fractured and hurried world—and what might happen if we allowed it to slow us down? This episode marks the beginning of a new Makers and Mystics series, The Pace of Beauty, exploring how beauty invites us into a more attentive and spiritually grounded way of living. In this opening conversation, Stephen Roach is joined by Winfield Bevins, author, artist, and founder of Creo Arts, a missional arts community awakening the world to the beauty of the Christian story. Together, they explore the themes of Winfield's book How Beauty Will Save the World and reflect on the intersection of art, faith, and community. Winfield shares personal stories of how art became a lifeline during a formative season of his life, and how creative practices can function as spiritual disciplines. He emphasizes the transformative power of beauty and the arts in a broken world, advocating for a deeper integration of creativity within the church. Book Offer for Listeners Oaks Press is offering listeners of Makers and Mystics a free copy of Winfield Bevins’s book How Beauty Will Save the World. Simply cover the cost of shipping and use the code MAKERS at checkout. Get your copy here: Resources CONNECT WITH US Website: http://www.makersandmystics.com GET A MAKERS X MYSTICS COFFEE MUG | |||
| The Pace of Beauty | 12 Jan 2026 | 00:03:06 | |
Moving at the Pace of Beauty Season Introduction — Makers & Mystics Podcast Elaine Scarry writes that “beauty quickens. It adrenalizes. It makes the heart beat faster.” Beauty is immediate in this way. It strikes us unaware and de-centers us, throwing us off balance and ushering us into a moment of euphoria. CONNECT WITH US Website: http://www.makersandmystics.com GET A MAKERS X MYSTICS COFFEE MUG | |||
| The Person and The Persona: Mental Health, Fame, and the Artist’s Soul | 06 Jan 2026 | 00:56:24 | |
In this episode of Makers and Mystics, host Stephen Roach is joined by Jared Farley of Porter’s Call, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting the emotional and mental health of touring artists and their families. Together, they explore the tension between persona and person, stage life and home life, and the unique pressures artists face when identity becomes brand. The conversation examines the impact of fame on the human soul, the importance of sustainable rhythms, and why community and storytelling are essential for healing and wholeness. Jared shares insights into why the soul is not built for fame, how isolation fuels addiction, and how intentional care and connection help artists return to themselves. Whether you’re a touring musician, a creative professional, or someone seeking greater integration in your life, this conversation offers practical wisdom for the journey toward wholeness. Resources
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| Making Space for Creative Community: Behind the Scenes of Breath and Clay 2026 | 16 Dec 2025 | 00:47:21 | |
In this episode, Stephen Roach sits down with creative collaborators Justin McRoberts, Whitney Hancock, and Corey Frey for a conversation about the art of building authentic creative community. From introducing their new online offering, "The Light Between," to a behind-the-scenes look at the upcoming Breath and the Clay 2026 event, themed "Making Space," this conversation explores how artists can create meaningful spaces for vulnerability, process, and mutual discovery in their creative work. This episode is a celebration of artistic collaboration, meaningful friendship, and the quiet transformation that happens when we make room for mystery. About the Guests: Corey Frey is a visual artist, poet, and musician based in Frederick, Maryland. Alongside his wife Christy, he co-founded The Well Collaborative, a community devoted to wonder, hospitality, and creativity. Corey serves as Exhibitions Manager at the Delaplaine Arts Center and is also a co-host of the Makers & Mystics Creative Collective book clubs. Justin McRoberts is an author, speaker, musician, and spiritual director whose work bridges storytelling, faith, and creative formation. Through books, retreats, and mentorship, Justin helps people uncover their voice and live with greater authenticity. His work invites individuals and communities into deeper reflection, meaningful transformation, and a more embodied approach to creativity and spiritual life. Whitney Hancock is an embodiment coach and creative director whose work centers on restoring presence, emotional honesty, and embodied spirituality. A former founding director of the Redding City Dance Company, Whitney now leads spaces—online and in person—where movement, breath, and nervous system awareness help people reconnect with the sacred intelligence of their bodies. Stephen Roach is the founder of The Breath & The Clay and host of the Makers & Mystics podcast. He is a poet, creative mentor, and multi-instrumentalist with a background in ethnomusicology and film composition. His forthcoming book, How To See Invisible Things, will be published in October 2026 with Zondervan Reflective. Opportunities & Resources:
🤍 Support the podcast & join the Makers & Mystics Creative Collective
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| Creating Monsters: Guillermo del Toro's Frankenstein and the Horror of Unchecked Ambition | 18 Nov 2025 | 00:56:34 | |
In this inter-seasonal episode, Stephen Roach is joined by returning guests Paul Anleitner and John Mark McMillan for a discussion of Guillermo del Toro’s new Frankenstein adaptation. Together they explore del Toro’s visual storytelling, the spiritual and theological roots of Mary Shelley’s original vision, and why horror remains one of the most powerful vehicles for truth in our modern age. What We Discuss
Guests
Host Stephen Roach, author of the upcoming How to See Invisible Things (October 2026). CONNECT WITH US Website: http://www.makersandmystics.com GET A MAKERS X MYSTICS COFFEE MUG | |||
| S15 E15: Resistance and Flow (Season Finale) | 23 Sep 2025 | 00:53:35 | |
In this season finale, Stephen Roach closes out our exploration of creative flow with a rich conversation with several artists from the Makers & Mystics Patreon community. Joining the discussion are artist and educator Angela Houk, writer and branding expert Steve Brock, and poet and visual artist Corey Frey. Together, the crew explores the interplay between resistance and flow—how creative blocks, limitations, and even frustrations can actually become the conditions that allow new work to emerge and personal character to develop. As Wendell Berry reminds us, “the impeded stream is the one that sings.” This episode examines:
This is a thoughtful, inspiring conversation on navigating resistance, finding flow, and staying open to the creativity that emerges when we least expect it. Connect with the guests: ––– Support the Podcast 👉 Join the community on Patreon CONNECT WITH US Website: http://www.makersandmystics.com GET A MAKERS X MYSTICS COFFEE MUG | |||
| S15 E14: Sound Symbols: Foley Art in Film with Ronnie Van Der Veer | 21 Aug 2025 | 00:34:03 | |
Behind the curtain of cinema lies a hidden language, spoken not in words, but in sound.
About the guest: Ronnie van der Veer is an award winning foley artist from the Netherlands. From his studio just outside Amsterdam he has worked on movies like The Lobster by Yorgos Lanthimos, Girl by Lukas Dhont, war movie The Forgotten Battle and various Netflix, Disney and Amazon Originals. Ronnie uses his background as a drummer in his work as a foley artist. See more of Ronnie's work: https://www.instagram.com/foley.tales/ Films referenced in this episode: The Forgotten Battle: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10521092/?ref_=nm_knf_t_2 The Occupant: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7230422/?ref_=nm_flmg_job_1_cdt_t_6
Patreon: http://www.patreon.com/makersandmystics Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/makersandmystics APPLY FOR OUR NOVEMBER 21-23, 2025 WRITER'S RETREAT IN THE BEAUTIFUL MOUNTAINS OF N.C. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScaiDW84Ktc1KH1JLt236fNPaiKW22E_XnzJqIgjHc5zijzfA/viewform?usp=header CONNECT WITH US Website: http://www.makersandmystics.com GET A MAKERS X MYSTICS COFFEE MUG | |||
| Simeon Stylites: Ascetic, Mystic, and Radical Witness | 12 Aug 2025 | 00:10:16 | |
What can the life of a bizarre fifth-century monk teach us about prayer, attention, and the way we live in the modern world? Simeon Stylites was a fifth-century Syrian Christian ascetic who became famous for an extraordinary act of devotion: he spent 37 years standing atop a pillar, turning his unusual life of prayer into a public witness that drew the attention of people from across the ancient world. In this Artist Profile, Stephen Roach explores the life, ascetic practices, spiritual vision, and cultural influence of Simeon Stylites. What might seem at first like the bizarre life of an extreme monk begins to raise surprisingly contemporary questions about attention, devotion, influence, and the platforms we build our lives upon. Simeon's pillar became a kind of ancient platform; a place from which people came to seek his wisdom, counsel, and prayer. In an age of digital platforms, social media, and constant visibility, what might Simeon's life have to teach us about the difference between being seen and being present, influence and attention, performance and prayer? CONNECT WITH US Website: http://www.makersandmystics.com GET A MAKERS X MYSTICS COFFEE MUG | |||
| S15 E13: Confessional Transcendence with Poet and Actor Amy Leigh Wicks | 05 Aug 2025 | 00:38:06 | |
Amy Leigh Wicks is a poet, actress, and educator from New York City. She holds a PhD in Creative Writing from Victoria University of Wellington in New Zealand and an MFA from The New School in New York. She recently served as Dean of Performing Arts at Bethel Conservatory of the Arts and is the author of The Dangerous Country of Love and Marriage (Auckland University Press, 2019) and Orange Juice and Rooftops (Eloquent Books, 2009). In this episode, Stephen Roach talks with Amy about the intersection of presence, performance, and poetic confession. Their conversation explores the emotional depth of character work, the daily rhythms that sustain creativity, and the subtle terrain where vulnerability gives way to transcendence. At the heart of the conversation, Amy unpacks the idea of confessional transcendence—the mysterious way raw honesty in art can lead beyond self-expression into something sacred and universal. Through personal stories and reflections, she explores how poetry and acting together deepen her awareness of beauty, pain, and the human condition. The episode culminates in a moving reading of her poetry that embodies the very themes explored. Resources: Get Amy's Book: The Dangerous Country of Love and Marriage Support The Podcast! Show some love! If this, or other episodes, have helped you in your creative/spiritual journey, become a monthly patron. CONNECT WITH US Website: http://www.makersandmystics.com GET A MAKERS X MYSTICS COFFEE MUG | |||
| S15 E12: The Ghost Life with Prasanta Verma | 22 Jul 2025 | 00:33:10 | |
As artists, we live our lives between worlds, the one in which we imagine and the one in which we must survive. But what do we do when the life we imagine and the life we live are incongruent? Often our lives look much different on paper than they do in our dreams. Joining us for this conversation is author, speaker, and public health professional Prasanta Verma. Prasanta's first book, Beyond Ethnic Loneliness, was released in April 2024 and is a 2024 INDIES Foreword Book of the Year Finalist. Prasanta is a graduate of the Kenyon Writers Workshop, a Write On Door County Writing Residency, and one of her essays won Honorable Mention in the WI Writers Jade Ring Essay Contest in 2023. Prasanta writes to help us feel seen and find a sense of belonging, and wants to help us envision a society where we are healthier and more connected. She is both an academic and creative, and is currently working on her doctorate in public health. In this episode, Prasanta shares about the concept of the ghost life and how art bridges the gap between our lived experiences and our aspirations. She shares insights on the importance of community, the difference between solitude and isolation, and the need for radical acceptance to keep creative flow through life's unexpected turns. Resources: Join the Makers and Mystics Creative Collective CONNECT WITH US Website: http://www.makersandmystics.com GET A MAKERS X MYSTICS COFFEE MUG | |||
| S15 E11: Urgency and Intimacy with Julian Davis Reid | 15 Jul 2025 | 00:27:22 | |
“How do we hold both urgency and intimacy in our creative practices? How can an artist become a vessel of divine presence — not only in churches, but on club stages, in studios, and in everyday life?” In today’s episode, I’m joined by jazz and gospel pianist Julian Davis Reid — a Chicago-based artist-theologian whose work sits at the crossroads of sound, spirit, and scholarship. Julian is a founding member of the jazz-electronic fusion group The JuJu Exchange and the creator of Notes of Rest, a ministry that invites the weary into the rest of God practiced in the Bible and Black music. In our conversation, Julian and I talk about finding flow as a spiritual discipline, the tension between performance and presence, and what it means to make art that is both urgent and intimate. Support the Makers and Mystics podcast! CONNECT WITH US Website: http://www.makersandmystics.com GET A MAKERS X MYSTICS COFFEE MUG | |||
| S15 E10: The Art of Becoming: Jon Guerra on Music, Imagination, and Spiritual Formation | 08 Jul 2025 | 00:45:30 | |
How does imagination shape not only our art but our spiritual formation? And what does it mean to hold space for play, growth, and even disappointment within our creative process? In this episode, Stephen Roach is joined by Jon Guerra — a singer, songwriter, and film composer based in Austin, Texas, whose work is marked by its devotional nature and spiritual depth. Jon shares the inspiration behind his latest record, Jesus, a deeply personal and contemplative album born from the tension between daily life and artistic calling. The conversation explores his experience scoring Terrence Malick’s A Hidden Life, the unpredictable and iterative nature of the creative process, and how imagination serves as a vital tool in both spiritual formation and the search for creative flow. Topics Include: Imagination as a tool for spiritual and artistic formation Finding creative flow amidst life’s changing seasons The role of play, growth, and disappointment in the creative process Scoring for film and the collaborative, iterative nature of that work The inspiration behind Jon’s new album Jesus The relationship between daily demands and sustained creativity Support The Podcast: CONNECT WITH US Website: http://www.makersandmystics.com GET A MAKERS X MYSTICS COFFEE MUG | |||
| S15 E09: Ecstatic States and The Artistic Impulse P2 | 01 Jul 2025 | 00:32:41 | |
In this concluding segment of our Artist Roundtable, Stephen Roach, Corey Frey, and Donna Matthews continue their conversation on ecstatic experiences, flow states, and the artist’s impulse through a Christian lens. This episode explores ecstatic states in both Pentecostal and Orthodox traditions, highlighting the shared hunger for transcendent encounter across streams of faith. The discussion also hits on the need for a deeper theological framework around flow states, offering both spiritual and practical insights for artists navigating these immersive creative moments. About The Guests: Donna Matthews is a musician and creative artist. In the 1990’s she played lead guitar in Elastica and lo-fi, DIY band Klang, and in subsequent years devised and facilitated creative workshops for people in recovery from addiction. She is currently in her final year of a practice-based PhD in Music at the University of Glasgow. Interested in issues such as poetic intuition, inspiration, and gift, her work explores how the intuitive state might be conveyed through aesthetic form, while also exploring improvisation as a means of 'undoing form' to experience the inspired state. Corey Frey is a visual artist, poet, and musician. He and his wife, Christy, are the founders of The Well Collaborative, a community in Frederick, Maryland, dedicated to wonder, hospitality, and creativity. Corey works as the Exhibitions Manager at The Delaplaine Arts Center in Frederick’s downtown area. He is also the co-host of the Makers and Mystics podcast’s creative collective book clubs. Stephen Roach is the host of the Makers and Mystics Podcast and the founder of The Breath and The Clay creative arts organization. He is a published author, keynote speaker, and multi-instrumentalist with a background in ethnomusicology and film composition. He has penned five volumes of poetry, a practical guide for artists titled Five Creativity Killers and How To Avoid Them, and his most recent book, Naming The Animals: An Invitation To Creativity, published by Square Halo Books. Stephen lives in North Carolina with his wife, Sarah, and children Evangelyn Belle and Isaac Brighton. His next book, published by Zondervan Reflective, is scheduled for release in October 2026. Resources: The Gifted State: Previous episode with Donna Matthews If you’ve been inspired by this podcast, please consider helping us continue our work of advocating for the arts by becoming a monthly patron at http://www.patreon.com/makersandmystics As an independent creator, your generosity enables us to continue our work! Thank you!! CONNECT WITH US Website: http://www.makersandmystics.com GET A MAKERS X MYSTICS COFFEE MUG | |||
| S15 E08: Ecstatic States and The Artistic Impulse P1 | 23 Jun 2025 | 00:28:58 | |
In this Artist Roundtable, Stephen Roach, Corey Frey, and Donna Matthews explore the concept of flow states, ecstatic experiences, and their intersections with art and faith. They discuss how creative processes can lead to profound spiritual encounters, the importance of vulnerability and surrender in accessing these states, and the role of discernment in navigating spiritual experiences. This Two-Part conversation highlights the deep longing for human connection, speaking in tongues, and the challenges artists face within faith communities. About The Guests: Donna Matthews is a musician and creative artist. In the 1990’s she played lead guitar in Elastica and lo-fi, DIY band Klang, and in subsequent years devised and facilitated creative workshops for people in recovery from addiction. She is currently in her final year of a practice-based PhD in Music at the University of Glasgow. Interested in issues such as poetic intuition, inspiration, and gift, her work explores how the intuitive state might be conveyed through aesthetic form, while also exploring improvisation as a means of 'undoing form' to experience the inspired state. Corey Frey is a visual artist, poet, and musician. He and his wife, Christy, are the founders of The Well Collaborative, a community in Frederick, Maryland, dedicated to wonder, hospitality, and creativity. Corey works as the Exhibitions Manager at The Delaplaine Arts Center in Frederick’s downtown area. He is also the co-host of the Makers and Mystics podcast’s creative collective book clubs. Stephen Roach is the host of the Makers and Mystics Podcast and the founder of The Breath and The Clay creative arts organization. He is a published author, keynote speaker, and multi-instrumentalist with a background in ethnomusicology and film composition. He has penned five volumes of poetry, a practical guide for artists titled Five Creativity Killers and How To Avoid Them, and his most recent book, Naming The Animals: An Invitation To Creativity, published by Square Halo Books. Stephen lives in North Carolina with his wife, Sarah, and children Evangelyn Belle and Isaac Brighton. His next book, published by Zondervan Reflective, is scheduled for release in October 2026. Resources: The Gifted State: Previous episode with Donna Matthews If you’ve been inspired by this podcast, please consider helping us continue our work of advocating for the arts by becoming a monthly patron at http://www.patreon.com/makersandmystics As an independent creator, your generosity enables us to continue our work! Thank you!! CONNECT WITH US Website: http://www.makersandmystics.com GET A MAKERS X MYSTICS COFFEE MUG | |||
| S15 E07: Recasting The Familiar with Faith Bryant | 10 Jun 2025 | 00:34:40 | |
Overfamiliarization can blind us from recognizing the beauty and power of certain truths. When we think we have heard the story before or believe we already know what a particular truth has to offer, we lose the curiosity that opens us to deeper revelation. The work of the artist is to disrupt that familiarity, make the known strange again, and the familiar unfamiliar again, so that we see the world anew. My guest today is New York-based visual artist Faith Bryant. Faith's original style of oil painting recasts the gospel story through the lens of surrealism and deep color theory. Her work explores the complexities of Christian faith, personal identity, and the journey of healing. Through her layered compositions and hidden imagery, Faith invites viewers to take a second look at the truths we thought we understood. Connect with Faith on Instagram @edenesq_ Support the podcast with a single donation Join the Makers and Mystics creative collective Join Stephen Roach, Tanner Olson, Sarah Westfall, and many other presenters at the Cultivate Online Retreat. June 20-22. Details and registration here. CONNECT WITH US Website: http://www.makersandmystics.com GET A MAKERS X MYSTICS COFFEE MUG | |||
| S15 E06: Sacred Impressions with Visual Artist Elizabeth Bowman | 03 Jun 2025 | 00:31:02 | |
Elizabeth Bowman is a self-taught impressionist painter based in Charlotte, NC. Her work is steeped in imaginative renderings of biblical stories and visual meditations on the life of faith. In this conversation, Elizabeth shares how motherhood and prayerfulness give shape to her art, the importance of rest and reflection, and how she finds creative flow amidst the demands of everyday life. http://www.patreon.com/makersandmystics Music By: Some Were At Sea CONNECT WITH US Website: http://www.makersandmystics.com GET A MAKERS X MYSTICS COFFEE MUG | |||
| S15E05: A Resonance Across The Ages with Barbara Hannigan | 28 May 2025 | 00:33:34 | |
Barbara Hannigan is a world-renowned conductor, soprano, and performer whose work pushes the boundaries of classical and contemporary music. Known for her fearless interpretations and deeply expressive performances, Barbara has built a career that defies convention and celebrates the transformative power of sound. In this episode, Barbara and I discuss her recent album Electric Fields, which offers modern arrangements of centuries-old vocal music. At the heart of the album are the compositions of Hildegard of Bingen — a 12th-century mystic, composer, and visionary whose sacred works still resonate with profound clarity today. In keeping with the season theme, we explore Barbara’s experience of finding flow in those transcendent, improvisational moments when the music seems to move through her rather than from her — and how this state of creative surrender shapes both her artistry and her life. Mentioned in this episode:
Connect with Barbara Hannigan: https://www.instagram.com/hannigan.barbara https://outhere-music.com/en/albums/electric-fields Support the Podcast: http://www.patreon.com/makersandmystics CONNECT WITH US Website: http://www.makersandmystics.com GET A MAKERS X MYSTICS COFFEE MUG | |||
| S15 E04: Imitate The Ocean: A Dream, A Poem & An Encouragement with Stephen Roach | 20 May 2025 | 00:11:25 | |
In this episode, Stephen Roach explores creative flow as a generative, life-giving way of being. He highlights the need for trust in the process and the vulnerability that comes with sharing one's art. Stephen encourages listeners to embrace rhythms of rest and rebirth and imitate the ocean.
Support the podcast with a one-time donation. CONNECT WITH US Website: http://www.makersandmystics.com GET A MAKERS X MYSTICS COFFEE MUG | |||
| S15E03: The Discipline of Inspiration | 06 May 2025 | 00:28:26 | |
I would imagine most of us think of inspiration as a sudden flash of insight that hits us out of nowhere and compels us create. It’s not something we control. The wind blows where it wishes and we don’t know where it comes from or where it goes. But what if inspiration were a discipline? Brooklyn-based author and artist Carey Wallace has written an incredible book titled, The Discipline of Inspiration. Here, she addresses this question and shines a new light on how we think about our relationship to the things that move us. Poet and songwriter Patti Smith writes that "This book articulates... the beautiful compexity of what drives us to create and what we encounter when we do." In keeping with our season theme of finding flow, consider how nurturing our inspirations prepare us for those beautiful moments of creative transport. We’ll be talking more about this in the Makers and Mystics creative collective. Music by: Some Were At Sea CONNECT WITH US Website: http://www.makersandmystics.com GET A MAKERS X MYSTICS COFFEE MUG | |||
| S15E02 | The Faraway Nearby with Leah Song of Rising Appalachia | 28 Apr 2025 | 00:31:50 | |
Leah Song is a storyteller, song-catcher, musician, poet, and community builder. She’s best known as the front-woman of the beloved band Rising Appalachia, which she leads alongside her sister Chloe. As a solo artist, Leah draws from the rich traditions of Southern soul, the diasporic sounds of the Celtic Isles, and her deep studies of folk music from across the Americas. In this episode, Leah talks with Stephen Roach about her journey through music, exploring the intersections of various cultural traditions and how the pace of our lives impacts creative flow. Resources: Join the Makers and Mystics Creative Collective Support The Podcast with a one-time donation Patreon: Patreon.com/makersandmystics CONNECT WITH US Website: http://www.makersandmystics.com GET A MAKERS X MYSTICS COFFEE MUG | |||
| S15E01: Tuning The Room with Stephen Roach | 22 Apr 2025 | 00:11:59 | |
Flow begins with attentiveness. In this episode, Stephen Roach shares how tuning the room became a creative and spiritual practice. Welcome to Season 15 of Makers & Mystics. In this opening episode, host Stephen Roach invites listeners into the unfolding journey of Finding Flow—not just as a creative high, but as a sacred rhythm and intentional spiritual practice. Anchored in a story from his experience as a touring musician, Stephen shares how he developed a pre-show ritual: using a sustained drone and improvised melody to “tune the room”—to draw the audience (and himself) into a space of collective attentiveness. It became more than a musical practice; it became a way of entering flow, of opening space for something beyond performance to emerge. In this episode, Stephen explores:
Whether you’re a musician, painter, poet, or simply someone longing to move through the world with greater presence, this episode will help you begin to tune your own room—and step into your creative flow. Featured Music: Songs of Water Join the Creative Collective: Patreon Support the Podcast with a one-time donation: Support Follow Us on Instagram: @makersandmystics Five Creativity Killers Book: Get the book mentioned in this episode.
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| Finding Flow | An Introduction to Season 15 | 17 Apr 2025 | 00:03:18 | |
Have you experienced those moments when the grind gives way to an effortless grace? When a poem or painting tells you what it wants to become, or when a melody sings itself into being? This state of creative flow is one that artists and athletes, saints and mystics alike, each aspire to attain. It is a state where time bends low and reveals a slice of eternity. When our minds are absorbed, the world around us dissolves. Five minutes becomes five hours. Attentiveness and reverie are caught in a kiss that transcends technical ability and becomes magic. In flow, we become the act we give our hands to accomplish. The painter becomes the painting. The dancer becomes the dance. We enter into something greater than ourselves, a move of the Spirit that is ever in flux and available to us all. This season on Makers and Mystics, we’re going to explore how to find flow, Not just as a creative high— But as a practice. A rhythm. A spiritual discipline And a way of life. We’re going to talk about what keeps us from entering it, and why it matters—not just for our art, but for our own development and well-being. You’ll hear from painters, poets, musicians, and makers of all kinds - each sharing stories of what enables them to find flow and the challenges that have kept them from it. You’ll hear from theologians and thinkers who see creativity as a sacred conversation. We’re going to talk about the discipline behind flow, the resistance that rises against it, and the mysterious grace that shows up when we least expect it. So if you’ve struggled to find flow — Or if you’ve ever wondered how to maintain your creative inspiration — Or if you’re simply longing to move through the world more awake and more alive… This season is for you. CONNECT WITH US Website: http://www.makersandmystics.com GET A MAKERS X MYSTICS COFFEE MUG | |||
| BC25 | Risk Art vs. Shock Art | 17 Mar 2025 | 00:45:16 | |
In this final conversation of our BC25 introductions, Stephen Roach, Corey Frey, and Dr. Marie Teilhard discuss the complexities of art that challenge conventional boundaries. They explore themes of heretical art, the distinction between shock art and risk art, and the importance of trust and exploration in the creative process. **Trigger Warning: This episode deals with sensitive subject matter such as self-harm and cutting. Follow Makers and Mystics on Instagram: @makersandmystics Special Thanks to our patrons and friends who help us keep this train running. If you've been inspired by the Makers and Mystics podcast and would like to show the love, you can give a one-time donation here or become a monthly patron here. CONNECT WITH US Website: http://www.makersandmystics.com GET A MAKERS X MYSTICS COFFEE MUG | |||
| BC25 Presenter | Amanda Cook | 11 Mar 2025 | 00:22:38 | |
Amanda Cook is a writer/musician/lover of books whose music explores the intersections of faith/doubt, love/loss, hope/despair, and fun/notfun. In this episode, Amanda talks with Stephen Roach about her latest EP Survey: Part 2 along with her thoughts on reconciling faith and art and the motivations behind her creative process. This episode continues our introductions to the presenters who will be with us at BC25. Resources: The Breath and The Clay (virtual & In person tix available.) Help us continue our work by becoming a monthly patron or by giving a one time donation. CONNECT WITH US Website: http://www.makersandmystics.com GET A MAKERS X MYSTICS COFFEE MUG | |||
| BC25 Theme | The Integrating Center of All Things with John Eldredge | 03 Mar 2025 | 00:31:19 | |
What role does contemplative prayer have in healing the fractures of our modern culture and those of our own fragmented lives? And how can our spiritual and creative practices offer an antidote to the chaos of contemporary life? In today’s episode, we’re exploring these questions with best-selling author, counselor, and teacher John Eldredge. Drawing insights from his latest book, Experience Jesus. Really: Finding Refuge, Strength, and Wonder Through Everyday Encounters with God, John highlights several themes that align with those of our upcoming Breath and Clay creative arts gathering. He shares insights on what it means to live in the hour of fragmentation and how we can reconnect to the integrating center of all things. Resources: Makers and Mystics Creative Collective The Breath and The Clay event! March 21-23rd in Winston Salem, NC. Use the code DREAM25 for a discount on registration!
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| BC Presenter | Kendra Adachi | The Art of Compassionate Time Management | 25 Feb 2025 | 00:38:51 | |
Kendra Adachi is the New York Times bestselling author of The Lazy Genius Way, The Lazy Genius Kitchen, and The PLAN: Manage Your Time Like A Lazy Genius. As an expert in compassionate time management, Kendra helps others stop doing it all for the sake of doing what matters. She Kendra hosts the nationally-ranked The Lazy Genius Podcast and lives in North Carolina with her husband and three kids. In this episode, Kendra shares about:
Kendra will share a keynote talk and join us for a discussion panel on reconciling art and family at The Breath and The Clay creative arts gathering, March 21-23, 2025, in Winston Salem, NC. Links/Resources: Learn more about The Breath and The Clay event
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| BC25 Presenter | John Mark McMillan | Technology, AI Jesus and Meaning Making | 18 Feb 2025 | 00:32:49 | |
"Technology does a really good job of floating us past all of these inconvenient blessings." - John Mark McMillan Today on the show, singer-songwriter John Mark Mcmillan joins me to talk about his new music, technology's impact on the arts, confessing to an AI Jesus, and recovering a sense of meaning in our disenchanted world. If you’ve listened to the Makers and Mystics podcast or have been to any of our Breath and Clay events, then you’ll know that John Mark is no stranger to our community. He’s been a part of the Breath and Clay and Makers and Mystics world since the beginning. We love keeping up with his creative work and appreciate his voice to this community. John Mark will be bringing his full band to perform some of the new songs for the first time ever in public at The Breath and The Clay March 21-23, 2025. Topics: The Impact of Technology on The Arts AI Jesus How we experience music together Links/Resources: Book Mention: I'll Take You There: Pop Music and The Urge for Transcendence by Bill Friskics-Warren CONNECT WITH US Website: http://www.makersandmystics.com GET A MAKERS X MYSTICS COFFEE MUG | |||
| Makers and Mystics | Live In Boulder, Colorado | 12 Feb 2025 | 00:53:17 | |
This episode offers a preview of the types of panels we'll be hosting at The Breath and The Clay 2025. It includes a live conversation with Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter Victory Boyd, gospel recording artist Leeland Mooring, visual artist and curator Corey Frey, and podcast host Stephen Roach. This conversation was recorded live at the Resound Creative Arts event in Boulder, Colorado. Reserve Your Spot at The Breath and The Clay March 21-23 in Winston Salem, NC. CONNECT WITH US Website: http://www.makersandmystics.com GET A MAKERS X MYSTICS COFFEE MUG | |||