181 "The Artist's Joy" Deep Dive, with special guest Kenneth Moton

This week on the podcast, Merideth gives the mic to Kenneth Moton, a TV news journalist and childhood friend. Together, they dive deep into her new book, The Artist's Joy.

Kenneth and "Meri" explore the book's relevance to a broad audience, Meri's motivation for writing the book, her journey of creative recovery, and the concept of using creativity as a means of self-discovery. They explore themes of vulnerability, the healing power of music, and the spiritual dimension of creativity. 

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180: Why Joy?

This week, I am reading an excerpt from The Artist's Joy-- this time from the Prelude (that's what I call the Introduction) of the book. I explore why I believe seeking joy is a worthwhile pursuit for all people, but especially artists, as well as more about my “why” behind the book and who exactly it is for. (Hint: its for you!)

 

Give it a listen and if you can, would you mind sharing this episode with a friend who might enjoy it? I'd really appreciate it. 

 

Links:

Merideth's book: The Artist's Joy

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Catch the replay of the Enneagram Workshop

The Artist's Joy Printable Journal

179: Imposter Syndrome: 5 C's of Inner Strength

Do you ever worry they will figure out you actually have no idea what you are doing? 

Studies show that imposter syndrome, the feeling of being a fraud despite evidence of success, affects everyone. 

It reared its ugly (and soul-sucking) head in my life this week during one of the busiest times of my career, maybe ever. And so here's what I did: I sat down and wrote a podcast that we could all hopefully learn from.

This week’s episode—

The 5 C's of Inner Strength:

  • Confide in someone

  • Cultivate consistent practice

  • Offer Compassion to others and yourself

  • Consider the "spotlight effect"

  • Craft your worthiness words.

My hope for us is that we'll remember our value and embrace the joy and hope in the creative journey.

Links:

Merideth's book: The Artist's Joy

Artists for Joy IG

Become a Patreon Supporter

Join our Enneagram Workshop on June 10th

The Artist's Joy Printable Journal

178: Joy for the Long Haul

This week, Merideth chats with two fellow writers, Sarah E. Westfall and Jenai Auman. They explore ways to foster joy for the long haul as they discuss their experiences writing and publishing their first traditionally published books together. (They come out within weeks of each other!) Merideth, Sarah, and Jenai emphasize the importance of community, celebrating milestones, and managing vulnerability, and offer encouragement for finding joy in the creative process itself and staying true to oneself despite challenges.

Merideth's book: The Artist's Joy

Artists for Joy IG

Jenai Auman, author and artist

Jenai's book: Othered

Sarah E. Westfall, author and speaker

Sarah's book: The Way of Belonging

177: Your Creative Devotion Routine

This week, Merideth reads an excerpt from Chapter 3, "Ode to Creative Devotion," from her forthcoming book, The Artist's Joy.

THE most important tool for creative joy (after taking care of yourself) is the creative devotion routine. Are you in a practice rut? Too busy to create in this season of life? Do you have a time management challenge? Maybe you’re good at getting things done, but you feel like you’re going through the motions—joyless and blocked? Let's craft a sustainable creative practice that sparks joy with creative devotion.

Download your printable workbook for The Artist's Joy and flip to Chapter 3 (pages 8-9) to read the self-coaching questions and the exercise for crafting your routine with joy.

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The Artist's Joy Printable Journal (Flip to Chapter 3 (pages 8 and 9) for the creative devotion questions!)

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176: The Themes That Return

In today’s episode, I give you a sneak peek into the overarching structure of my new book, The Artist’s Joy, and share a bit about the meaning behind its central metaphor. I also chat with Rebe Huntman, author and multi-passionate artist, who shares her Artist’s Oath. 

Links:

The original Artist's Oath podcast

Pre-order Merideth’s book “The Artist’s Joy”

Connect with Rebe on IG

Pre-order Rebe’s book, “My Mother in Havana”

Join “The Artist’s Joy” Launch Team

Rebe quoted the following artists in her Artist’s Oath: Elizabeth Gilbert, Emily Dickinson, Rumi, Buckminster Fuller, Maira Kalman, Ocean Vuong, & Rachel Held Evans.

175: Mind the Gap

Today’s episode encourages us all to “mind the gap” between our dreams and reality, between the current state of a creative project and where we long for it to be.

Listen for encouragement to keep going despite all the gap's perils! 

See the first Call for Art submission created by Elmer Perry

Join “The Artist’s Joy” Launch Team

Citytransportinfo video of the London tube

BBC article about Oswald Laurence

173: Creating in the Wilderness with Sarah Bessey

On today’s podcast, 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 Evans

  • What Sarah does when she's creatively blocked 

Merideth shares some of what she'll be doing during the upcoming podcast hiatus and how you can stay updated on what's new with Artists for Joy, so listen all the way to the end!

Buy Sarah’s new book, Field Notes for the Wilderness 

Connect with Sarah

Evolving Faith Conference

Book Merideth to speak

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Artists for Joy IG 

Artists for Joy Substack

172: Walking the Creative Path with Emily P. Freeman

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, creativity, and joy. They talk about how to make every aspect of life creative, how to overcome people-pleasing (the answer will surprise you!), and the most valuable creative inspiration Emily's received lately. 

This episode is perfect for anyone looking to create a more soulful and intentional life. Whether you're struggling with decision fatigue, feeling stuck in your creative process, or simply want to learn more about how to live with more joy, Emily’s insights and advice are sure to be helpful.

How to Walk Into a Room (Emily’s newest book)

Emily’s Substack: The Soul Minimalist

The Artist’s Joy: A Guide to Getting Unstuck, Embracing Imperfection, and Loving Your Creative by Merideth 

171: Mini-Joys: Self-Coaching Exercise--Creative Reflection

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, "How to Walk Into a Room," and ask, "What are the primary rooms of my life right now?" Spend some time naming whatever comes up.

2. Choose one line of inquiry to explore in this creative reflection session. Write the question down on a sticky note or note card and put it somewhere you can see it while creating. 

3. Create in whatever medium sounds fun. You are not necessarily setting out to answer the question you’re holding; you are just creating and reflecting alongside this inquiry. Let your mind wander, and invite whatever thoughts that show up move through. Set a timer for half an hour or more if you can spare it. 

4. When you finish this session, look at the question again. What came up? Pretend your very best friend wrote that question. What would you like to tell that friend now? How did the creative process help you hold space for the uncertainties and complexities of your life? 

5. Email Merideth at hello@artistsforjoy.org or post your creation on IG and tag @artistsforjoy 

170: Creating Your Path

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 reflects on what role creativity plays in our discernment process and ways we can shift our mindset to become empowered decision-makers and artists creating the most important thing we make: a life. 

 

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More than 100 new species of sea life found on ocean mountains off Chile

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Submit questions for Emily via email: hello@artistsforjoy.org 

Leave your question on our voicemail: 302-415-3407

169: Mini-Joys: Rewriting the Unhelpful Story

This week, a coaching exercise we're calling "Rewriting the Unhelpful Story."

  1. 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 out in your journal or speak your thoughts out loud to a safe and helpful friend, therapist, or coach. 

  2. Zoom in again and focus on the main character of your story. Write about him/her/them for a second. What is she like? What is her creative potential? What do you like about her? Personify the lead in that story, and write 3 to 5 compassion-filled phrases or truths you want her to know. 

  3. Flip to a new page and write a new story. Make the ending good, surprising, outlandish, even fanciful. Be as creative and generous as possible, write a new tale as unbelievable as you can, and fill in all the details you are longing to know. 

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168: Write a New Story About Disappointment

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.

Read last week's podcast on Substack

Submit a question or comment to Merideth

via IG

via email: hello@artistsforjoy.org

via phone: 302-415-3407

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167: Mini-Joys: 3 Steps for Ordering the Chaos

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.

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166: Order the Chaos

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. Plus, she'll share stories of 18th-century buildings mended with legos, a deep truth she learned from a 5-year-old, and the tale of one Holy Goose. 

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165: Musical Meditation: Open-handed

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, to release from your hands, in this season? How can you love yourself well during the vulnerable, sometimes scary process of opening your hands?

Nathalie Duflos Open-handed painting

Submit a question or comment to Merideth:

via IG

via email: hello@artistsforjoy.org

164: Open-handed

This week on the podcast, the second installment of my words of the year: Open-handed. What are we missing when we hold on 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 staying well and inspired on social media and shares a powerful story of an artist seeking joy. 

Episode 2.20: Who do you create for?

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162: Abundance

Where is the line between the power of positivity and foolish denial?

How do we become more comfortable asking for more, hoping for more, believing there’s more?

Merideth lets us in on some of her inner chatter this week as she launches a big project, and she'll answer a listener's question about the spiritual nature of creative blocks. 

Support our new PATREON! 

Join us for the Word of the Year Workshop on January 8th or get the recording

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Submit your listener question: hello@artistsforjoy.org