Podcasts about Malcolm Guite

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 ListenersOaks 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: How Beauty Will Save the World — Oaks PressResourcesHow Beauty Will Save the World by Winfield BevinsCreo ArtsMakers and Mystics PodcastSend us a textSupport the show Get Tickets to The Breath and The Clay 2026 featuring Malcolm Guite, Jon Guerra, and Jonathan Pageau! March 20-22 in Winston-Salem, NC.

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 & LinksBeauty and Resistance: Spiritual Rhythms for Formation and Repair — Jonathan P. WaltonSupport The Podcast —  Join our Patreon growing community! http://www.patreon.com/makersandmysticsSend us a textSupport the show Get Tickets to The Breath and The Clay 2026 featuring Malcolm Guite, Jon Guerra, and Jonathan Pageau! March 20-22 in Winston-Salem, NC.

Moving at the Pace of BeautySeason Introduction — Makers & Mystics PodcastElaine 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. Beauty comes to us in a flash, a sudden recognition, or a moment of beholding; however, its effects call for a much slower pace, one of deliberation and contemplation.The pace of beauty runs counter to the breakneck speed of modern society. When we are hurrying along from one task to the next, we don't take time to notice the tiny flowers along the roadside. We don't see the grains within the hardwood or the elaborate stitching within a hand-woven rug. Beauty, then, is sometimes hidden and only reveals itself to those willing to slow down and surrender their gaze. In this new series of Makers and Mystics, we're going to explore the pace of beauty and how it serves as a conduit of grace and creative unction. We're going to hear from a collection of artists, theologians, and creative instigators on how beauty impacts them spiritually and creatively. Send us a textSupport the show Get Tickets to The Breath and The Clay 2026 featuring Malcolm Guite, Jon Guerra, and Jonathan Pageau! March 20-22 in Winston-Salem, NC.

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.ResourcesPorter's Call: https://www.porterscall.comBackline: https://backline.care/Makers and Mystics Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/makersandmysticsSend us a textSupport the show Get Tickets to The Breath and The Clay 2026 featuring Malcolm Guite, Jon Guerra, and Jonathan Pageau! March 20-22 in Winston-Salem, NC.

As we celebrate the new year, there's no better guide than the poet, Anglican priest, and scholar, Malcolm Guite. Through the years, Malcolm has written beautifully on how poetic language can help our imaginations apprehend truth that our reason cannot fully comprehend.In this episode he describes Merlin's Isle: An Arthuriad, his forthcoming four-volume epic poem on the legends of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, which will be published over several years by Rabbit Room Press. He has described his purpose: making a poem that restores the spiritual elements that have been shorn away from these legends and renews their deepest meaning for our time:"You don't have to invent yourself because somebody else who loves you has already done it. You from the beginning, the real heart of who you are, deeper and more beautiful than you could ever know, has simmered in the Divine mind since before the beginning of time. And now he's speaking to you."With this work, Malcolm brings into the 21st century the epic tradition that includes Lewis, Tolkien, Milton and many others. This podcast is an edited version of an Evening Conversation recorded in 2025. You can find the full video on our website, ttf.org. While there, please consider becoming a Trinity Forum Society member too. Join us in exploring timeless Christian wisdom together, so you gain clarity and courage for your own life, and help cultivate a renewed culture of hope.We hope you enjoy the conversation.

Although it's the Christmas season, Dr. Julia Golding has just published "Wardrobes and Rings", a book with Dr. Simon Horobin and Rev. Malcolm Guite about Lent! Dr Golding joins to talk about it and all things Narnia.[Show Notes]

Grab a loved one and gather round for a special reading of the Christmas story from your friends at CT Media podcasts. Music from The Porter's Gate, poetry from Malcolm Guite, and more – shared by the voices you know and love from your favorite shows here at Christianity Today! GO DEEPER WITH THE BULLETIN:  -Join the conversation at our Substack.  -Find us on YouTube.  -Rate and review the show in your podcast app of choice.  TODAY'S VOICES: Russell Moore, Mike Cosper, and Clarissa Moll of The Bulletin. Nicole Martin, president and CEO of Christianity Today. David Zahl, Bulletin guest and author of The Big Relief: The Urgency of Grace for a Worn-Out World. David French, Bulletin guest and New York Times columnist. Sho Baraka, editorial director of CT's Big Tent Initiative. Steve Cuss of Being Human. Jesse Eubanks and Faith Stults of Wonderology. Music used with permission from the Porter's Gate album, Advent Songs. The poem “The Magi” is written by Malcom Guite, from his collection Sounding the Seasons: 70 Sonnets for the Christian Year (Canterbury Press). ABOUT THE BULLETIN:  The Bulletin is a twice-weekly politics and current events show from Christianity Today moderated by Clarissa Moll, with senior commentary from Russell Moore (Christianity Today's editor-at-large and columnist) and Mike Cosper (senior contributor). Each week, the show explores current events and breaking news and shares a Christian perspective on issues that are shaping our world. We also offer special one-on-one conversations with writers, artists, and thought leaders whose impact on the world brings important significance to a Christian worldview, like Bono, Sharon McMahon, Harrison Scott Key, Frank Bruni, and more.    The Bulletin listeners get 25% off CT. Go to https://orderct.com/THEBULLETIN to learn more.    “The Bulletin” is a production of Christianity Today  Producer: Clarissa Moll  Associate Producer: Alexa Burke  Editing and Mix: Kevin Morris Graphic Design: Rick Szuecs Music: Dan Phelps  Executive Producer: Erik Petrik  Senior Producer: Matt Stevens Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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:

Advent is not only about longing for Christ to come again and put everything back together; it's about repenting and receiving grace so that we get to be put back together now.

How do imagination, poetry, and fantasy literature like of J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis help us deepen our faith in Christ?   Sarah sits down with esteemed poet Malcolm Guite in this special Wild Card episode (recorded on location at the Getty Sing! Conference) for a conversation full of delightful storytelling, brilliant insight into the Christian faith, and encouragement to lean into the imagination God has given each of us.   “What they [Tolkien and Lewis] meant was that the human mind and the depth of the imagination, especially the imagination, knows more than we do. There's a deeper wisdom. And that story knows more than we do, that a great story, a story which is working at the level of myth. Mythopoeic is actually older and wiser than we are, and even the author writing the story doesn't know everything that's in it. And a really great story is continuously suggesting more.”  Malcolm Guite is a poet, musician, Anglican priest, and literary scholar who has taught at universities including Cambridge, Duke, and Regent. He's penned five volumes of poetry, several books on Christian faith and theology, and a highly acclaimed biography of Samuel Taylor Coleridge entitled Mariner. He has lectured widely on the fantasy writings of J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis and is currently undertaking his own epic retelling of the legends of King Arthur.  Find his writing wherever books are sold and view his YouTube channel at youtube.com/@MalcolmGuitespell.  Connect with the Lutheran Ladies on social media in The Lutheran Ladies' Lounge Facebook discussion group (facebook.com/groups/LutheranLadiesLounge) and on Instagram @lutheranladieslounge. Follow Sarah (@hymnnerd), Rachel (@rachbomberger), and Erin (@erinaltered) on Instagram! Sign up for the Lutheran Ladies' Lounge monthly e-newsletter here, and email the Ladies at lutheranladies@kfuo.org.

Galahad and the Grail is Book 1 of Merlin’s Isle, Malcolm Guite’s retelling of the King Arthur legends in ballad form. It releases in March of 2026. In the prelude to Galahad and the Grail, a voice shimmering in the morning air says: Poet, take up the tale–Take up the tale the land still keeps,In earth and water magic sleeps,The dryad sighs, the naiad weeps,But you can lift the veil. Malcolm has taken up a very old tale and lifted the veil on stories that have lingered in the traditions of the British Isles longer than the English language itself. Scholar and teacher Junius Johnson is taking up the tale in another way. Starting in January 2026, Junius is teaching a 20-week online class on the King Arthur legend. He describes the class as a chance to see for yourself why this story has fascinated the imagination for so many centuries. In this episode, Malcolm, Junius talk with Jonathan Rogers about how King Arthur rode into their lives, and what these stories have meant to them. This episode is sponsored by The Habit Writer Development Cohorts. Join "Cohort Week Zero," a free mini-class, at TheHabit.co/Development.Support the show: https://therabbitroom.givingfuel.com/memberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This year marks 75 years since The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe arrived in bookshops, so join us on this anniversary episode of Mythmakers as Julia Golding and Jacob Rennaker discuss the origins of the book and consider how it stood out among its literary contemporaries before we reflect on its enduring legacy today. If you have an opinion on this, have a listen and join the conversation to let us know what you think!The book referred to in the news section is WARDROBE AND RINGS by Julia Golding, Malcolm Guite and Simon Horobin, and will be out on 28th November 2025, be sure to check it out.(00:05) Exploring Narnia Through Different Ages(11:10) Analyzing the Origins of Narnia(20:29) Analyzing Character Dynamics and Planetary Influence(31:22) Adapting Narnia Across Different Mediums(37:19) Exploring Fantasy Adaptations and InfluencesFor more information on the Oxford Centre for Fantasy, our writing courses, and to check out our awesome social media content visit: Website: https://centre4fantasy.com/website Instagram: https://centre4fantasy.com/Instagram Facebook: https://centre4fantasy.com/Facebook TikTok: https://centre4fantasy.com/tiktok

Jonathan Haefs returns! This week we discuss the season of Advent: what it is, why we celebrate it, how we celebrate it at Shades & more! JM's Album Of The Week: Geese - Getting Killed Bradford's Book Club: Waiting on the Word: A Poem a Day for Advent, Christmas & Epiphany by Malcolm Guite

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 DiscussMary Shelley's Origin Story The Geneva “ghost story” challenge, volcanic winter, and the dream that inspired Frankenstein—plus the timely synchronicity with Stephen's upcoming book.Del Toro's Visual Parable Color symbolism, the contrast between Victor and the creature, and how the film communicates its meaning through pure imagery.Theology, Philosophy & Monsters Del Toro's spiritual connection to the story, humanity's desire to play creator, and how horror works only within a moral universe.Ambition, Ego & Shadow Victor and the creature as two halves of the same self, crucifixion imagery, and why many successful people feel they've “created monsters” of their own.Why Horror Still Haunts Us Horror as enchantment, ancient narrative patterns, and our longing for stories that reveal hidden cosmic significance.GuestsPaul Anleitner – paulanleitner.substack.comJohn Mark McMillan – johnmarkmcmillan.comHostStephen Roach, author of the upcoming How to See Invisible Things (October 2026). makersandmystics.com • thebreathandtheclay.comSend us a textSupport the show Get Tickets to The Breath and The Clay 2026 featuring Malcolm Guite, Jon Guerra, and Jonathan Pageau! March 20-22 in Winston-Salem, NC.

In this brief inter-seasonal update, Stephen Roach shares what is happening within the Makers and Mystics community, where the podcast is headed next, and what to expect at the next Breath and The Clay event, March 20-22, 2026. The Breath and The ClayJoin our creative collectiveSend us a textSupport the show Get Tickets to The Breath and The Clay 2026 featuring Malcolm Guite, Jon Guerra, and Jonathan Pageau! March 20-22 in Winston-Salem, NC.

on today's 700 Club Interactive, Poet and Anglican priest Malcolm Guite shares his journey out of atheism and how he uses poetry to reach and influence people around the world.

on today's 700 Club Interactive, Poet and Anglican priest Malcolm Guite shares his journey out of atheism and how he uses poetry to reach and influence people around the world.

on today's 700 Club Interactive, Poet and Anglican priest Malcolm Guite shares his journey out of atheism and how he uses poetry to reach and influence people around the world.

on today's 700 Club Interactive, Poet and Anglican priest Malcolm Guite shares his journey out of atheism and how he uses poetry to reach and influence people around the world.

on today's 700 Club Interactive, Poet and Anglican priest Malcolm Guite shares his journey out of atheism and how he uses poetry to reach and influence people around the world.

on today's 700 Club Interactive, Poet and Anglican priest Malcolm Guite shares his journey out of atheism and how he uses poetry to reach and influence people around the world.

on today's 700 Club Interactive, Poet and Anglican priest Malcolm Guite shares his journey out of atheism and how he uses poetry to reach and influence people around the world.

on today's 700 Club Interactive, Poet and Anglican priest Malcolm Guite shares his journey out of atheism and how he uses poetry to reach and influence people around the world.

on today's 700 Club Interactive, Poet and Anglican priest Malcolm Guite shares his journey out of atheism and how he uses poetry to reach and influence people around the world.

“Man has no Body distinct from his Soul,” declared William Blake. “Nature is imagination itself!” The human face is the “countenance divine”.Inspiring, yes. But what can we make of his sayings?Mark Vernon sat down with poet Malcolm Guite to discuss how Blake's ideas about the imagination challenge modern ways of perceiving the world. They stress that dismissing Blake's converse with angels dismisses the radicality of what he has to offer. They explore how the division between the subjective and objective, which Guite calls “epistemological apartheid”, is false and has terrible consequences for human beings, personally and politically. They argue that theology needs a revival of the imagination as the way we apprehend truths that put the fire into rational comprehension.For more on Mark's book, “Awake! William Blake and the Power of the Imagination” see www.markvernon.comFor more on Malcolm Guite see https://malcolmguite.wordpress.com0:00 Ways of knowing01:46 Don't medicalise Blake!3:30 The senses are inlets of soul5:25 A fundamental, false division12:07 Imagination makes real not makes up16:35 Demystifying the imagination20:48 Eternity in the present and particular26:58 Reason the bound of energy: Geoffrey Hill on Blake32:09 Blake's aphoristic philosophy33:20 The renewal of Christianity42:56 The generative teaching of Jesus 44:46 Energy and the Holy Spirit: Barfield on Blake48:17 Albion crucifies the imagination54:21 Contraries that create not conflict58:29 Selfless perception

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:Why resistance can be a gift in the creative process.How Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi's theory of flow connects to happiness and fulfillment.The balance between focus and receptivity in both art and relationships.How preparation, practice, and openness set the stage for flow.The “radical middle” where challenge and skill convergeConnecting the experience of flow to the Holy SpiritThis 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:Angela HoukSteve BrockCorey Frey–––Support the Podcast If you'd like to go deeper in these conversations and be part of the Makers & Mystics creative collective, consider joining us on Patreon. You'll gain access to monthly online gatherings, bonus content, creative prompts, and a vibrant community of artists pursuing faith and imagination together.

How do poetry and fantasy literature connect us to God's eternal truth? KFUO Radio went on the road to the Sing! Conference in Nashville, TN, to share Lutheran hymnody and teaching heard on KFUO. In this special crossover episode, Sarah interviews Dr. Malcolm Guite (poet-in-residence at the Sing! Conference and prolific writer) for a Lutheran Ladies' Lounge podcast episode about his journey in the Christian church, poetry, fantasy literature, and God's eternal truths. The full interview will be shared in a November episode of The Lutheran Ladies' Lounge podcast, which you can find at kfuo.org/category/lutheran-ladies-lounge. As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let's be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: listener@kfuo.org.

Smoking and drinking carry known risks. Here's why I haven't given them up.

Behind the curtain of cinema lies a hidden language, spoken not in words, but in sound.In this episode of Makers and Mystics, Stephen Roach interviews Foley artist Ronnie Van Der Veer, exploring the intricate world of sound design in film. Ronnie shares his journey into Foley art, the importance of creating realistic sound effects, and the techniques he employs to enhance the cinematic experience. The conversation explores the creative process behind sound symbolism, and practical advice for aspiring Foley artists. Through case studies of films like 'The Occupant' and 'The Forgotten Battle,' listeners gain insight into the art of sound and its profound impact on storytelling.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:www.foleytales.comInstagram https://www.instagram.com/foley.tales/Films referenced in this episode:  The Forgotten Battle: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10521092/?ref_=nm_knf_t_2The Occupant: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7230422/?ref_=nm_flmg_job_1_cdt_t_6Connect with Makers and Mystics:Patreon: http://www.patreon.com/makersandmysticsInstagram: http://www.instagram.com/makersandmysticsAPPLY 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=headerSend us a textSupport the show Get Tickets to The Breath and The Clay 2026 featuring Malcolm Guite, Jon Guerra, and Jonathan Pageau! March 20-22 in Winston-Salem, NC.

What does the life of a bizarre fifth-century monk have to offer our lives in the modern world today? This episode of the Makers and Mystics podcast explores the life and influence of Simeon Stylites, a Syrian Christian ascetic known for his extreme devotion and outlandish lifestyle of standing atop a pillar for 37 years. Stephen Roach highlights Simeon's early life, his ascetic practices, and the profound impact he had on society during his time. The discussion reveals how Simeon's unwavering commitment to prayer and his role as a public figure offers an example for how we stand atop our own pillars and digital platforms today. Join the Makers and Mystics creative collective Apply to attend The Breath and The Clay writer's retreat, November 21-23rd, in Moravian Falls, NC. Support The PodcastSend us a textSupport the show Get Tickets to The Breath and The Clay 2026 featuring Malcolm Guite, Jon Guerra, and Jonathan Pageau! March 20-22 in Winston-Salem, NC.

Today's poem comes from Guite's excellent collection, Sounding the Seasons (now in a new edition with over 100 sonnets!). Blessed feast and happy reading. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit dailypoempod.substack.com/subscribe

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 MarriageSupport The Podcast! Show some love! If this, or other episodes, have helped you in your creative/spiritual journey, become a monthly patron. Follow us on InstagramSend us a textSupport the show Get Tickets to The Breath and The Clay 2026 featuring Malcolm Guite, Jon Guerra, and Jonathan Pageau! March 20-22 in Winston-Salem, NC.

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 Follow Us on InstagramPrasanta's SubstackSend us a textSupport the show Get Tickets to The Breath and The Clay 2026 featuring Malcolm Guite, Jon Guerra, and Jonathan Pageau! March 20-22 in Winston-Salem, NC.

“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! Follow us on InstagramSend us a textSupport the show Get Tickets to The Breath and The Clay 2026 featuring Malcolm Guite, Jon Guerra, and Jonathan Pageau! March 20-22 in Winston-Salem, NC.

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 formationFinding creative flow amidst life's changing seasonsThe role of play, growth, and disappointment in the creative processScoring for film and the collaborative, iterative nature of that workThe inspiration behind Jon's new album JesusThe relationship between daily demands and sustained creativitySupport The Podcast:One time donation or monthly Send us a textSupport the show Get Tickets to The Breath and The Clay 2026 featuring Malcolm Guite, Jon Guerra, and Jonathan Pageau! March 20-22 in Winston-Salem, NC.

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 MatthewsIf 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!!Send us a textSupport the show Get Tickets to The Breath and The Clay 2026 featuring Malcolm Guite, Jon Guerra, and Jonathan Pageau! March 20-22 in Winston-Salem, NC.

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 MatthewsIf 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!!Send us a textSupport the show Get Tickets to The Breath and The Clay 2026 featuring Malcolm Guite, Jon Guerra, and Jonathan Pageau! March 20-22 in Winston-Salem, NC.

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 donationJoin 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. Send us a textSupport the show Get Tickets to The Breath and The Clay 2026 featuring Malcolm Guite, Jon Guerra, and Jonathan Pageau! March 20-22 in Winston-Salem, NC.

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/makersandmysticsMusic By: Some Were At SeaSend us a textSupport the show Get Tickets to The Breath and The Clay 2026 featuring Malcolm Guite, Jon Guerra, and Jonathan Pageau! March 20-22 in Winston-Salem, NC.

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:Electric Fields by Barbara HanniganArtist profile: Hildegard of Bingen Connect with Barbara Hannigan: https://www.barbarahannigan.com/home| https://www.instagram.com/hannigan.barbarahttps://outhere-music.com/en/albums/electric-fieldsSupport the Podcast: As an independent creator, your support makes this work possible. Learn how you can become a patron and keep these conversations alive at http://www.patreon.com/makersandmysticsMake a one-time donationSend us a textSupport the show Get Tickets to The Breath and The Clay 2026 featuring Malcolm Guite, Jon Guerra, and Jonathan Pageau! March 20-22 in Winston-Salem, NC.

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. Join the Makers and Mystics Creative Collective Support the podcast with a one-time donation. Send us a textSupport the show Get Tickets to The Breath and The Clay 2026 featuring Malcolm Guite, Jon Guerra, and Jonathan Pageau! March 20-22 in Winston-Salem, NC.

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 SeaSend us a textSupport the show Get Tickets to The Breath and The Clay 2026 featuring Malcolm Guite, Jon Guerra, and Jonathan Pageau! March 20-22 in Winston-Salem, NC.

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 CollectiveSupport The Podcast with a one-time donationPatreon: Patreon.com/makersandmysticsSend us a textSupport the show Get Tickets to The Breath and The Clay 2026 featuring Malcolm Guite, Jon Guerra, and Jonathan Pageau! March 20-22 in Winston-Salem, NC.

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:What it means to prepare a space for creativityHow flow requires attentiveness and surrenderThe parallels between creative flow and spiritual presenceWhy the environment we create—internally and externally—matters to our artWhether 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 WaterJoin the Creative Collective: PatreonSupport the Podcast with a one-time donation: SupportFollow Us on Instagram:  @makersandmysticsFive Creativity Killers Book: Get the book mentioned in this episode.  Send us a textSupport the show Get Tickets to The Breath and The Clay 2026 featuring Malcolm Guite, Jon Guerra, and Jonathan Pageau! March 20-22 in Winston-Salem, NC.

This week, the Pugsters are excited to welcome poet, priest, and theologian Malcolm Guite to the show. Chris leads off the conversation with Mariner, Guite’s biography of Samuel Taylor Coleridge which uniquely among studies of Coleridge brings out the importance of his return to Trinitarian Christianity to his life. The conversation uses Coleridge’s life and work as a jumping off point to move on to other topics, including Lewis’s concept of joy and the nature and importance of imagination. It’s a fascinating discussion with a fascinating individual, and we think you’ll find it as stimulating as we did. Follow Malcolm Guite on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@MalcolmGuitespell Support the Pugcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thetheologypugcast?fbclid=IwAR17UHhfzjphO52C_kkZfursA_C784t0ldFix0wyB4fd-YOJpmOQ3dyqGf8

This week, the Pugsters are excited to welcome poet, priest, and theologian Malcolm Guite to the show. Chris leads off the conversation with Mariner, Guite's biography of Samuel Taylor Coleridge which uniquely among studies of Coleridge brings out the importance of his return to Trinitarian Christianity to his life. The conversation uses Coleridge's life and work as a jumping off point to move on to other topics, including Lewis's concept of joy and the nature and importance of imagination. It's a fascinating discussion with a fascinating individual, and we think you'll find it as stimulating as we did.Follow Malcolm Guite on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@MalcolmGuitespellSupport the Pugcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thetheologypugcast?fbclid=IwAR17UHhfzjphO52C_kkZfursA_C784t0ldFix0wyB4fd-YOJpmOQ3dyqGf8

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.Send us a textSupport the show Get Tickets to The Breath and The Clay 2026 featuring Malcolm Guite, Jon Guerra, and Jonathan Pageau! March 20-22 in Winston-Salem, NC.

Ben sits down with Reverend Malcolm Guite for an in-depth breakdown of "Lord of the Rings" like you've never seen before—actual analysis, actual depth...the opposite of Walsh's horrible analysis. Tolkien fans, this one's for you. - - - Today's Sponsors: Balance of Nature - Go to https://balanceofnature.com and use promo code SHAPIRO for 35% off your first order as a preferred customer, PLUS get a free bottle of Fiber and Spice. Tax Network USA - For a complimentary consultation, call today at 1 (800) 958-1000 or visit their website at https://TNUSA.com/SHAPIRO

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: @makersandmysticsConnect with Dr. TeilhardConnect with Corey FreySpecial 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. Send us a textSupport the show Get Tickets to The Breath and The Clay 2026 featuring Malcolm Guite, Jon Guerra, and Jonathan Pageau! March 20-22 in Winston-Salem, NC.

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.)Follow us on InstagramHelp us continue our work by becoming a monthly patron or by giving a one time donation. Send us a textSupport the show Get Tickets to The Breath and The Clay 2026 featuring Malcolm Guite, Jon Guerra, and Jonathan Pageau! March 20-22 in Winston-Salem, NC.