215: Joy Session: Being Present (Katie)

In today’s Joy Session, Merideth coaches Katie, an interdisciplinary artist who desires to be more present with her daughter plus pursue her art and movement in a sustainable and nurturing way. Merideth and Katie explore weaving together identities as Mother, Mover, and Maker. They talk about Katie's struggle with negative self-talk and judgment, plus a fear of monetizing her art. 

Katie identifies ways to be present in the moment, even when it's murky or uncomfortable. She feels a weight lifted, realizing she can take the pressure off herself and make progress toward her desires even in the midst of uncertainty. 

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214: Art's Open Door: A Portfolio Life

In today’s episode, Merideth shares an essay from her Substack series, "Art's Open Door," which explores the intersection of creativity and spirituality. Through the lens of Billy Collins’ poem “Introduction to Poetry,” the essay reflects on the challenges of a "portfolio career" and offers a new more hopeful perspective when life feels overwhelmingly full. 

Show notes:

Read the essay on Substack

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213: It's never too late with Angie Kim

In this episode, Merideth chats with Angie Kim, award-winning author of Miracle Creek and Happiness Falls. Angie shares her journey of publishing her first novel at 50, her evolving creative process, and how her experiences as a Korean immigrant have shaped her storytelling.

We talk about: 

  • How Angie’s creative process has changed from periods of intense, long hours to a more balanced approach using a timer to write for two hours a day.

  • The importance of integrating a myriad of life experiences into creative work and never believing it’s too late to write the book or create the work you dream of making.

  • A new perspective on finding lasting happiness and joy in creative pursuits and life in general.

Angiekimbooks.com

Angie Kim’s first novel: Miracle Creek won the Edgar Award and ITW Thriller Award and was named one of Time's "100 Best Mysteries and Thrillers of All Time."

Angie Kim’s second novel: Happiness Falls  an instant New York Times bestseller and has been featured by Good Morning America, Barnes & Noble, Belletrist, and the Book of the Month Club.

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212: Making Time with Maria Bowler

Today, Merideth's guest is the delightful Maria Bowler, a writer, coach, and retreat leader who views creativity as a spiritual, political, and existential issue. She struggled with creative blocks early in life and found that the typical advice of focusing on craft or routine didn't solve the deeper issue. Her new book, "Making Time: a New Vision for Crafting a Life beyond Productivity," offers a different perspective on overcoming resistance and embracing imperfection. In this powerful book, Maria encourages all with this truth: creativity is not about what we produce but about who we are as makers. 

Get Making Time

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Maria’s Substack

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211: Hang on to the thread

Today on the podcast, our first newly recorded show of 2025! Merideth gets honest about what she was up to during the break and offers a simple mantra that has replaced her word of the year. This one is for all of us feeling overwhelmed and longing for some gentle encouragement to keep showing up, especially when life feels "lifey." 

See pics from the trip and read the essay on Substack

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210: Joy Session: Taking Yourself Seriously (Sarah)

In today’s Joy Session, Merideth chats with Sarah, who longs to commit more fully to her creative practice while balancing the demands of work and family. They explore the values driving Sarah's artistic pursuits and a perceived conflict with her desire for stability and security. The session delves into the internal shifts necessary for Sarah to embrace her artistic identity and prioritize her creative expression amidst life's responsibilities. As she redefines what taking her art more seriously means for her, she uncovers a powerful message for anyone living the complexities of a seeking fulfilling artistic life while juggling multiple roles and expectations.

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Register for the next Artist's Way Creative Cluster

Support the show on Patreon

209: Joy Session: Procrastination (Robyn)

This week on the podcast, Merideth coaches Robyn, a writer and editor who struggles with procrastination. Through the Joy Session, Robyn identifies the underlying fear and shame associated with her procrastination and explores ways to cultivate self-compassion. Merideth and Robyn explore deadlines and plans of action to reduce stress, and Robyn develops rituals of reflection and introspection so as to feel more grounded in her innate sense of worthiness.

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208: Word(s) of the Year 2025

This week on the podcast, we will choose your word(s) of the year! Grab your journal and earbuds and explore the prompts paired with meditative music to craft an intentional, creative year with joy. 

  1. Reflect on 2024: looking through your phone at photos of the last year, ask yourself: what do I wish there had been more of? If you had a word(s) of the year, in what ways did you see them reflected in your life? If you didn’t, based on the last twelve months, what words might you have been living by?

  1. Now looking forward: Answer this question with a stream-of-consciousness list–

This year, regardless of my circumstances, I want to feel… 

Write as many words as possible about how you want to show up in 2025. 

  1. Read your list and circle the words that resonate most. Look especially for verbs or action words. Take the list of circled words and make a fresh list. If anything is missing, add it now.

Sit with this list of words for a few days. Talk to a loved one, therapist, or coach about it. 

What activities, deadlines, trips, and events are coming up in 2025, and which of these word(s) will help you show up as you most want to, regardless of the outcomes or circumstances?

 Narrow it down to one (or more) words you’ll live by this year.

 Please share yours with me on Instagram on the post for this episode @artistsforjoy so we can cheer you on.

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207: Advent Art: Creator Sets Free

This week on the podcast, our annual Christmas episode: a meditation originally released in essay form for the Advent Art series on Substack. This reflection explores the intersection of faith and creativity, delving into a lesser-known carol, "Of the Father's Love Begotten." It reflects on the beautiful-terrible nature of the human experience and how Christmas reminds us that each effort of creativity is an act of love.

Read the full essay on Substack

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Learn more about the First Nations Translation

206: How to practice with joy

This week on the podcast, Merideth answers one listener question with a WHOLE episode: how do you cultivate a more joyful daily practice routine?

She offers five ideas for how to find joy in the creative process, even when you're faced with challenges like unproductive or frustrating practice sessions, writer's block, lack of inspiration, and more. 

Whether you're an artist seeking to reignite your passion or simply someone who yearns to embrace your creativity, this one has practical advice and inspiration for infusing your creative journey with joy.

Creative Leap

Energy episode

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Check out the GRAMMY nominee for Best Folk Album: American Patchwork Quartet

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205: Throwback: How to be you

This week is my 41st birthday! In celebration, a throwback episode featuring my favorite coaching exercise to use with artists. Grab your journal and give it a listen. 

Do this exercise with me live this month in our Patreon community! Learn more here.

___

Original show notes:

Whatever you are feeling about fall, bring it on over to this the podcast equivalent of a fire pit and we’ll talk it out. This week Merideth shares a coaching exercise that will help you name your inner team members, resource their skills, and cultivate a sense of self-compassion for the multitudes you contain. 

Graydin

Episode 75

Beethoven's Heiligenstadt Testament

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Transcript

204: Festive Focus

Today on the podcast: a mini-episode to keep you company during this holiday time!  Festive Focus–how to manage your time and not lose your joy during the holidays. Listen for practical tips and good questions to ponder when facing a crazy schedule laden with emotionally taxing--if joyful--time with friends and family. Stay to the end to hear an exciting announcement about a new offering in 2025.

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Review the podcast

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Creative Leap Mastermind

203: Joy Session: Perfectionism (Carrie)

In today’s Joy Session, Merideth pulls back the curtain on creative coaching with Carrie who longs to finish her memoir. They explore how finding the right tool at the right time is central to overcoming fears of not being good enough and making progress that feels sustainable and joyful. Carrie leaves with two new practices that will help her shift her lens around writing and surrender to the power of the creative process.

Apply to get a free coaching call and be featured on a Joy Session

Subscribe to Merideth's email list 

Learn more about coaching

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Buy Merideth’s book

Tell us what resonated about the episode on IG

202: Q&A: Burnout, Gratitude, Spirituality, and more

This week on the podcast, Ask Merideth Anything! 

Merideth answers listener questions about creativity, burnout, parenting, and spirituality. You'll learn how to meet the inner artist's resistance with compassion, recognize creative burnout, and explore the intersection of artistic expression and spiritual practice. She shares insights on cultivating gratitude and creativity in children and navigating the challenges of parenting young artists. Merideth reflects on her evolving definition of success, and the episode concludes with a message of encouragement for listeners who are struggling at this moment in time. This one is full of wholehearted honesty and encouragement.

Burnout book

Burnout episode of Artists for Joy

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Email your question to be answered in future AMAs: hello@artistsforjoy.org

201: Beyond Self-Criticism: Take the Wheel

This week, Merideth shares a vulnerable story of a recent self-hatred spiral. She explores how and why artists are particularly hard on themselves. If you've ever wondered if your mistakes are moral failings, this one is for you. Merideth gives practical advice for when you are stuck and shares how turning up the voices of self-compassion in the face of shame is crucial for sustainable growth and change.

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How to be you, Season 3, Episode 2

Musical Meditation: Inner Team Huddle

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200: We are not alone

Celebrate 200 episodes of Artist for Joy with listeners offering their best advice for artists + something they've learned from Artists for Joy.  Merideth also shares what to do when you're hesitant to celebrate, reflections on finding your voice, a surprise peek into an early recording, and more.

What a joyful ride! Thank you for listening. Here's to the next 200!

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199: Joyful Mashup

This week on the podcast, Merideth celebrates (almost) 200 episodes by looking back on everything we've learned in joyful mashup form! Listen for a turbo-sized creative pep talk, a love letter to you, my podcast listeners. <3

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Taming the Inner Gremlin Workshop

Enneagram series playlist

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198: 10 things bringing me joy this fall

This week on the podcast, I’ve got 10 things that are bringing me joy this fall. Some are deep and others may, at first glance, seem trivial, but this collection of what’s bringing me joy adds up to a whole that is greater than the sum of its parts: in a profoundly simple way, these small wonders are saving my life in this season.  

By consciously bringing good things to mind, we teach our brains to look for the good, and we relive those joyful moments through the remembering.

Hit reply and let me know what's bringing you joy these days!

Links: (some are Affiliate, which means I make a few dollars when you purchase)

See pictures and find all the links in one place in this week's Substack

NY Times Reader’s Choice Top 10 List

Amazon storefront with all the products mentioned here (+ other things I love!)

Home Chef: Get 18 meals for free when you sign up here

Created Colorful: $20 off your color analysis with code FORJOY

197: Throwback: How can we go on?

This episode originally aired in October 2023. Enjoy this throwback! 

Read "Let Art Be Light," Merideth's latest substack piece 

Original Show Notes:

This week on the show, Merideth answers a question we all tend to ask when the world is on fire. How can I feel creative joy in the face of violence, injustice, and brokenness? She explores why art matters in these moments, especially, and how our creativity offers us a place to process the pain and turn our anxiety into energy that can make a difference. The late famous conductor, Leonard Bernstein, answers the age-old question, “How can we go on?” and we learn about two fantastic non-profits using creativity to change the world.

Peace Drums Project

Little Sun

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Email your question to be read on the air: hello@artistsforjoy.org

Photo cred: littlesun.org

196: Joy Sessions: Authenticity (Christina)

In today’s podcast, the final installment of our Joy Sessions series, Merideth chats with Christina, a musician, coach, and teacher who wants to reexamine the beliefs and negative inner dialogue she’s been having about performing. They explore perfectionism, performance anxiety, how to show up authentically when we cannot stop judging ourselves, and so much more. By the end of the call, Christina begins to give herself permission to live out the advice she offers her students, to embrace and enjoy the very human and authentic experience of making music, and to offer herself self-compassion along the way. 

Coach with Merideth (non-recorded)

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