Artists for Joy

In this deep and delightful conversation, Merideth and Christine Paintner explore the ancient practice of breath prayer and how it can be a transformative tool for contemplation, creativity, and navigating moments of transition. Listen to the end for a blessing for 2026! Links: Guest: Christine Valters Paintner, Online Abbess of  Abbey of the Arts (a virtual monastery and global community celebrat...

This week, I speak with Christine Valter Paintner about the contemplative practice of "receiving a word" for the year, an alternative to traditional New Year's resolutions and goal setting. The Ancient Practice: The "Give Me a Word" practice is inspired by the Desert Mothers and Fathers (monks of the 2nd–4th centuries), who would offer a word of wisdom—sometimes a single word, a phrase, or a scrip...

Today's podcast is the penultimate installment of our Advent Songbook series, and I've decided to keep it real. 🫠 For your listening pleasure-- three creative mishaps: Christmas edition.  Not only the bloopers themselves, but the three epiphanies I'm learning from these instances of things not going perfectly. (Understatement!) Listen for the mystery of the lost reeds, a humiliating high note sit...

Today on the show, we dive into the unreliable nature of memory—inspired by my daughter's new favorite show, Brainchild —and how our identity is not something we make, but something revealed and cultivated. Against the backdrop of a return to New York City and Juilliard, I reflect on old memories of shame and self-doubt, contrasting them with the searching question of the Christmas carol, "What Ch...

This week, Merideth records live from New York City (!) and continues the new  Advent Songbook series. The series, which goes live on Mondays on Substack and Fridays on the podcast through the rest of the year, pairs rich examples of Christmas art with devotional reflections and practical spiritual postures to shape this season of waiting and wonder. Today's installment, "Major prophets and minor...

Today on the podcast, Merideth chats with Seattle-based writer Sara Billups, who explores faith and culture in her new book, Nervous Systems . They discuss the connection between anxiety and creative drive, and Sara shares a powerful spiritual practice called "holy indifference," which can free artists from the tyranny of outcome. They chat about sharing work when you're an Enneagram 4 and also of...

Happy 250th episode of Artists for Joy!    This week, just in time for your Thanksgiving commute, I have a brand-new Holiday Survival Guide —one of our most popular episodes every year.    I even made up a holiday-appropriate acronym to help us remember the three-part strategy to navigating the chaos and stress of the holiday season without losing creative joy: E.L.F.    Learn how to "E.L.F." your...

In today's Joy Session, I chat with Alicia, an academic writer with a deep-seated block when writing fiction. Alicia's dream novel—one that speaks to the hearts of those who have felt "caged"—is so personal that the pressure and self-judgment are blocking creative flow.    We explore the nature of pre-judgment, withdrawing from your artist self, and discuss concrete strategies like generative pers...

This week, I share three powerful shifts for navigating the sting of hurtful words. Drawing on my experience with negative feedback, I've gained insights into recognizing the impact of our words, distinguishing between facts and opinions, and finding empowering truths to ground us. May these help you turn pain into purpose and cultivate a joy-filled life, even when the winds of criticism blow. 🌳...

In this episode of Artists for Joy, we explore how to find freedom in unfinished projects (and just in time for Halloween!) to prevent them from "haunting" us. I've got some encouraging words from Brian Eno on keeping projects simmering, and invite you to embrace your unfinished work for what it is—a potent brew of potential masterpieces, emphasizing our true value is not tied to finished products...

This week on the podcast, one of our most popular episode types, I'm sharing what's bringing me joy this fall, including how I'm embracing "turtle mode" to recharge, some helpful tools, reflections on my creative journey, and one very comfortable pullover.   I put all the links and pics in one post on  Substack , but make sure you listen to the podcast for some bonus content at the end--- some pra...

As a creative coach, I have more than enough tools (too many probably!) to lean on when I lack motivation. But what turned the creative tables this week surprised me…so, of course, I wrote an episode about it! ;)   What helps you when you feel inexplicably disinterested and unmotivated? Tell me on IG .  Merideth's book: The Artist's Joy Become a Joyster and attend our "The Art of Not Finishing" on...

This week on the podcast, I've got 5 essential principles that help when you're feeling discouraged about technique.    I name a powerful mantra I will repeat to myself and my coaching clients until I'm blue in the face. Plus, we'll explore what sustainably motivates us and discuss the necessity of good practice.    This one is full of practical tips and tricks from a seasoned musician and will ap...

This week's episode is a Joy Session, a recorded coaching call with Rachel, a writer and creative, awaiting the arrival of her first child. She shares her fears about losing her creative voice amidst new responsibilities and her desire to integrate her past creative self with her new chapter of motherhood. If you are struggling to balance creative dreams with life changes, or if you've ever feared...

This week we explore the power of "iffirmations" – positive statements prefaced with "what if" – as a way to navigate anxiety and foster hope, especially when traditional affirmations feel inauthentic. Through the lens of Ruth Duckworth's mural "The Creation," we name how even in the midst of uncertainty and chaos, embracing the creative, positive "what ifs" of life help us become agents of change...

This week on the podcast, we explore how to overcome creative blocks at the start and find your unique entry point into a project. This metaphor of "finding another way in" is useful when the traditional "front door" is locked. Listen for some reflective questions about navigating creative challenges that plague us all when we are just getting started.  Any Madeleine L'Engle fans out there? This e...

Today's episode was inspired by Glo Atanmo's quote, "Micro joys are how we survive macro grief." Listen for an invitation to shift your posture and practice joy as an act of resistance when life feels uncertain and full of grief. Links:  Joseph Cornell  Become a JOYSTER Join The Artist's Joy Creative Cluster Subscribe to Artists for Joy Substack (new posts every-ish Wednesday) Glo Atanmo's IG Cind...

Season 6 debut! New season, new podcast cover art, new intro!  Listen for six things bringing me joy this season.  Links:    Slippers Become a JOYSTER Subscribe to Artists for Joy Substack (new posts every-ish Wednesday) Register for the next Artist's Joy Creative Cluster Learn more about one-to-one coaching with Merideth Email the show: hello@artistsforjoy.org  

This summer, while I continue to heal from surgery and dream up Season 6, I am re-airing our most popular series: Creative Archetypes! If you are unfamiliar with the Enneagram, you can listen to the intro episode from the original 2023 series  here. And if you are familiar and know your number, might I suggest you listen to each episode (even those that aren't about your number) to develop empathy...

This summer, while I continue to heal from surgery and dream up Season 6, I am re-airing our most popular series: Creative Archetypes! If you are unfamiliar with the Enneagram, you can listen to the intro episode from the original 2023 series  here. And if you are familiar and know your number, might I suggest you listen to each episode (even those that aren't about your number) to develop empathy...

This summer, while I continue to heal from surgery and dream up Season 6, I am re-airing our most popular series: Creative Archetypes! If you are unfamiliar with the Enneagram, you can listen to the intro episode from the original 2023 series  here. And if you are familiar and know your number, might I suggest you listen to each episode (even those that aren't about your number) to develop empathy...

This summer, while I continue to heal from surgery and dream up Season 6, I am re-airing our most popular series: Creative Archetypes! If you are unfamiliar with the Enneagram, you can listen to the intro episode from the original 2023 series  here. And if you are familiar and know your number, might I suggest you listen to each episode (even those that aren't about your number) to develop empathy...

This summer, while I continue to heal from surgery and dream up Season 6, I am re-airing our most popular series: Creative Archetypes! If you are unfamiliar with the Enneagram, you can listen to the intro episode from the original 2023 series  here. And if you are familiar and know your number, might I suggest you listen to each episode (even those that aren't about your number) to develop empathy...

This summer, while I continue to heal from surgery and dream up Season 6, I am re-airing our most popular series: Creative Archetypes! If you are unfamiliar with the Enneagram, you can listen to the intro episode from the original 2023 series  here. And if you are familiar and know your number, might I suggest you listen to each episode (even those that aren't about your number) to develop empathy...

This summer, while I continue to heal from surgery and dream up Season 6, I am re-airing our most popular series: Creative Archetypes! If you are unfamiliar with the Enneagram, you can listen to the intro episode from the original 2023 series  here. And if you are familiar and know your number, might I suggest you listen to each episode (even those that aren't about your number) to develop empathy...