Artists for Joy

Mar 21 2024 20

Artists for Joy Podcast artwork

Artists for Joy is a space for creative people to reconnect with that joy that made them want to be an artist in the first place. Join host Merideth Hite Estevez and special guests as they debunk the "tortured artist" stereotype and explore how the creative life can be sustainable...how being an artist needn't be a life of pain and turmoil...that we can choose joy. New episodes go live every Friday!

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Creating in the Wilderness with Sarah Bessey

Mar 21 2024 55 mins

SEASON 4 Finale! This openhearted, vulnerable conversation with author and knitter Sarah Bessey is the perfect way to tie a bow on Season 4 of Artists for Joy. In this interview, Merideth and Sarah discuss: The spiritual nature of creative practice The important difference between self-care and self-comfort Processing the grief of losing friend and fellow author Rachel Held Eva

Walking the Creative Path with Emily P. Freeman

Mar 14 2024 38 mins

Emily P. Freeman is a writer and spiritual space-maker. She is the author of six books, including the Wall Street Journal Bestseller "The Next Right Thing: A Simple Soulful Practice for Making Life Decisions" and "How to Walk into a Room: The Art of Knowing When to Stay and When to Walk Away." In this episode, Emily joins host Merideth Hite Estevez to discuss discernment, creativit

Mini-Joys: Self-Coaching Exercise–Creative Reflection

Mar 07 2024 7 mins

This week, Merideth offers a self-coaching exercise to help you create your path. 1. Name what’s on your mind before we begin: Is there a fork in the road you see coming around the bend? Is there a question you’ve been asking yourself about your creative practice or life that you want to explore with gentleness and grace? Or take a cue from Emily P. Freeman, in her new book, "H

Creating Your Path

Feb 29 2024 24 mins

What scripts are holding you back from creating your own unique path? What would you do if you weren’t so afraid? What parts of yourself have you been ignoring, squashing down, so you can fit in where you are? Are you ready to move forward but unsure of how or where to go? This week's episode will meet you right where you are. Inspired by author Emily P. Freeman, Merideth reflec

Mini-Joys: Rewriting the Unhelpful Story

Feb 22 2024 7 mins

This week, a coaching exercise we're calling "Rewriting the Unhelpful Story." Take a few moments and fully realize the unhelpful story you’re telling yourself. Write it all down in the third person. What does the rejection mean to her? What is the main character in your story currently letting this rejection mean, or what is he/she/they afraid it means? Spend time writing it ou

Write a New Story About Disappointment

Feb 15 2024 29 mins

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. Re

Mini-Joys: 3 Steps for Ordering the Chaos

Feb 08 2024 9 mins

This week on the podcast, Merideth offers three simple (non-judgmental!) steps for taking action when faced with chaos. This episode will help you accept the invitation that life's raw material offers and find more creative joy. Read our content on Substack Submit a question or comment to Merideth: via IG via email: [email protected] Support us on Patreon Join the next “Th

Order the Chaos

Feb 01 2024 22 mins

This week on the podcast, the final word-of-the-year installment (less word, more motto): "Order the Chaos." What freedom awaits when we stop resisting the chaos of life and instead embrace it as an invitation to creative possibility and joy? Merideth explores how this mindset shift is helping her leave guilt and doubt behind and find a more hopeful and gentle way of being in 2024

Musical Meditation: Open-handed

Jan 25 2024 15 mins

Coaching Questions: 1. Think of a time when you transitioned or crossed one of life’s thresholds. What was it like for you? Who did you become in the "after"? What gifts were waiting for you on the other side? 2. What creative offerings have you released into the world? And what chaotic trajectory did they take? How did it surprise you? 3. What are you feeling led to give away,

Open-handed

Jan 18 2024 28 mins

This week on the podcast, the second installment of my words of the year: Open-handed. What are we missing when we hold too tightly to our expectations? What role does letting go play in the creative process and how can we get better at opening our hands and releasing work into the world? Merideth answers a listener's question about how to stay well and inspired on social media and