Artists for Joy

Hands down the most common statement in Merideth's inbox about the show is, "I love your show but I am not an artist!" This week Merideth explores this conundrum...who gets to call themselves an Artist with a capital A?  She'll share an excerpt from an inspiring book about creativity, plus offer some insights on how to unclip the wings of your inner artist and perhaps find healing in the process. ...

Do you know how to rest? This week Merideth explores the full spectrum of rest from an artist's perspective-- from mind-numbing TV to REM cycles of the coveted 8 hours of sleep. She explores one writer's idea on how to do nothing, how we might translate our knack for creativity into a practice of restorative rest, and how this idea is built right into the creative process itself.  Jenny Odell: htt...

This week, in our 20th episode, Merideth looks at the themes within the theme. Ever feel like you are losing hope in the face of disappointments or detours? Merideth will share her experience of those feelings, plus something we all have in common with child prodigies. She'll help us all celebrate the twists and turns of the long game that an artist's life often involves. Listen to Angela Sheik's...

Do you hear the voices? The inner voices that chastise or criticize you at every turn? This week on the podcast, Merideth explores how we all might tune in to our unique inner dialogues. Listen to learn how defining the negative voices inside your mind can help quiet their chatter, plus other tips. Lastly, don't miss the exclusive offer for podcast listeners that goes live soon---listen to learn m...

Six months into this pandemic (here in the US, anyway), Merideth checks in and offers one idea about why so many of us may be struggling anew right now. She'll share her experience with the Abraham Hick's Emotional Guidance Scale, used as a tool for self-regulation of emotions. (Don't worry: the phrases "unprecedented times" or "the new normal" will never appear in this podcast! OK... well... almo...

This week Merideth explores how arts training can burn us out or zap our creativity. She'll propose some ideas for staying joyful as we study or teach our art form, like naming and claiming your creative impulse, finding your tribe, and more. Don't forget to download your worksheet (link below). Click here if you are in crisis and need support now: https://bit.ly/31UOXPO The Mappiness Project: htt...

This week, in lieu of a full episode, Merideth shares a visualization exercise that explores our thirst for self-acceptance and worthiness. Join her on this guided daydream of sorts to explore the concept of an inner well; a source we all might draw from on the journey. This episode features music of Seth Waldron, Joseph McDade and Angela Sheik.  Read more about the science behind visualization he...

Ever read the comments and then swiftly regret it? Wonder how to manage criticism, the need for recognition, the desire to be applauded, especially in this age of the internet? Merideth shares some personal advice that one of her favorite writers offered on the subject. Plus, an alternative: how we might draw a sense of value and recognition from a different source. Give clean water to 1 person fo...

In this episode, Merideth shares some practical tips for taking care of yourself. Interwoven with music of Chopin, Swift/Rose, Piazzolla, and Bach, you'll hear a special three part "Ode to Taking Good Care" inspired by the email signature of her therapist. Our Spotify playlist: https://spoti.fi/3fiXEIa Enneagram workshop: https://bit.ly/2WSPdvI The Artist's Way Creative Cluster: https://bit.ly/32p...

What stories do you tell yourself about your life? This week Merideth explores this concept and how we artists can find courage to change our inner narratives and rewrite the ending. This episode features music of Schubert, Schumann, and Sheik, performed by Andrew Parker, oboe and Alan Huckleberry, piano.  Brené Brown has all the answers: bit.ly/31r882m Music from the podcast: https://spoti.fi/3fi...

This week Merideth explores the joy in being a beginner. Listen if you're looking for grace, patience, or courage to try something new, change directions, or attempt a do-over. Merideth shares about her attempts to learn German, answers a piece of listener mail from a fellow artist struggling with the pandemic, and more. This episode features music of Haydn, Sheik, Debussy, and Ravel. 2020 Podcast...

Italian Renaissance sculptor, Michelangelo, said, "I saw the angel in the marble and I carved until I set him free." This week Merideth explores buried dreams, what our tantrums say about us, and the hope we can find when we have the courage to dig. This week's podcast features music of Sheik, Schumann, Saint-Saëns, and Ravel. Plus, illustrator Mike Cunningham repurposed Michelangelo's "Atlas Slav...

Where do you belong? This week Merideth dives into this question, reflecting on her own upbringing in small-town South Carolina. She explores how artists might find community and friendship by showing up as themselves and using their artist-eye to love others well. Music from the podcast: https://spoti.fi/3fiXEIa Blake Chamberlain's Artwork: https://blakeart.work/ Join The Artist's Way Creative Cl...

Are you a procrastinator? This week on the podcast Merideth explores the role procrastination can play in an artist's life. She proposes a few reasons why we may put things off and some ideas to help us keep moving. Procrastination Study: https://bit.ly/3fgp2pZ Playlist: https://spoti.fi/3fiXEIa Nominate us: https://www.podcastawards.com/  

This week Merideth remembers the most meaningful course she's ever taken, and how it reminds her that even with highly trained ears, we can be unconscious to the sounds of our own lives telling us who we are. With music of Milhaud, Bach, Faure, and Ravel, she dives deep into the topic and the task of "hearing" our lives speak.  Check out the bonus content for this episode on our website here: http...

This week Merideth takes on the topic of body image and how hatred for our bodies stops us from finding joy in the artist life. She shares a bit about her personal struggles with self acceptance and offers an idea that helps her find self-compassion on the darkest days. Check out the gallery of visual art submissions mentioned in the episode at https://artistsforjoy.org/bodyimage/ Have you been or...

This week Merideth begins a deep dive into the topic of creative block: sharing stories of artists experiencing it and how the words of James Baldwin spoke to the issue. Plus, she'll explain how a mysterious discovery made by an 18th century violinist held the key to her unblocking this time. Links mentioned in the episode: https://tatianadaubekphotography.zenfolio.com/  https://www.houseoftimemus...

There are no words at this moment, and so this episode is different. Merideth passes the mic to others, whose voices she is honored to amplify: artists of color. They share their stories of resilience, creativity in times of anger/frustration/fear, and give us all an important call to action for artists right now.  Shefon Taylor (collage artist and designer) www.byshefon.com Courtney Porter (mezzo...

How are you persevering right now? What is all the uncertainty, isolation, and concern of the future doing to your creative impulse, your sense of joy? In this episode, Merideth shares stories of artists facing criticism, pandemic panic, and other difficulties, and how Vincent Van Gogh offers some wisdom for how we might choose joy in the face of them.  Learn more about Delaware Blue Rock here: ht...

Madonna, Tom Hanks, Maya Angelou...what do all these artists have in common? They struggle with their inner critic. In this episode, Merideth Hite Estevez shares an approach to managing these voices and cultivating a knack for creating from a place of joy instead of insecurity, fear of failure, or a need for approval. Links mentioned in the episode: https://archive.vanityfair.com/article/share/bd8...

Playwright George Bernard Shaw famously said, "Life isn't about finding yourself, life is about creating yourself." A quote that might seem at odds with writer and Trappist monk Thomas Merton's adage: "Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time." So which is it? Can the act of creation help you live into or find your identity? Does identifying as an artist have to mean a...

Pablo Picasso said, "Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up." This week host Merideth Hite Estevez explores how our inner artist child can help us to discover what sparks joy in our work as adults. She'll offer ways to make the most of quarantine by (re)discovering the art of true play.  This episode includes music of Angela Sheik, Franz Schubert, George...

Are you an artist who struggles with perfectionism? In this episode, host Merideth Hite Estevez explores an antidote to that feeling and more ways to find joy in the creative process. This episode features music of Angela Sheik, Darius Milhaud, Claude Debussy, and J.S. Bach with Merideth Hite Estevez, oboe with Jani Parsons on piano and Thea Lobo, mezzo soprano with pianist, Eunmi Ko. Learn more a...

A little taste of what's ahead with Artists for Joy!