226: Joy Session: Why not me? (Lexy)
Artists for Joy
In today’s Joy Session, Merideth sits down with Lexy, a writer and illustrator on the verge of releasing her first poetry collection. Though she had hoped to include her own artwork, Lexy found herself creatively blocked. As the conversation unfolds, she realizes she’s been overlooking just how far she’s come. Shifting from the lens of an “abused child” to one of “why not me?” opens a new sense of possibility, allowing her to embrace her strength and resilience rather than fear of vulnerability. Lexy recalls the courage it took to ask for help with the illustrations and feels...
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225: Joy in Long Form
Artists for Joy
This week on the podcast, author Maria Bowler (Making Time) returns to talk with Merideth about the creative process behind long-term projects. They dive into the emotional highs and lows—from starting something big, navigating the messy middle, facing self-doubt, and detaching identity from the work. Learn how to find support, balance creativity with marketability, and celebrate the finish line—with a mantra to carry you through the whole journey.
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224: Art's Open Door: Let go let go let go
Artists for Joy
This week on the podcast, I have another installment of our Art's Open Door series. Through the lens of Arvo Pärt's "Spiegel im Spiegel," for piano and violin, we explore the profound act of letting go: in parenting, in art, and in our relationship with the divine. Content warning: birth and medical trauma
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#223: Throwback: Creative Archetypes
Artists for Joy
A throwback episode to remind you to join us live on Patreon for our Enneagram & Motivation workshop on April 11th at 3 PM EST! or check out the replay when it becomes available Check out the t with all the episodes of the Enneagram series here. Original shownotes: Without further ado, our summer Enneagram series begins now! Merideth chats with enneagram coach Lee Fields (the impetus for this entire series) about how each Enneagram number's energy is needed in bringing a creative project from ideation to completion. Invitation: read through the list and circle a few that...
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222: Joy Session: Courage + Chronic Illness (Amber)
Artists for Joy
In today’s Joy Session, Merideth coaches Amber, a seminary graduate who desires to have the courage to try launching a business in spiritual direction in the midst of chronic illness. She has already done the brave work of dreaming what’s possible, but the next step is to figure out how to make it happen while honoring her capacity and maintaining her energy. Together, they unpack the challenges of fear, self-doubt, grief, and financial uncertainty. Amber reminds us that bravery is a practice, there isn’t only one way to be a successful and fulfilled entrepreneur, and that no...
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221: Joy Session: Abundance + Impact (Margie)
Artists for Joy
In today’s Joy Session, Merideth chats with Margie, an author and speaker, who struggles with financial abundance despite having plenty of work. She reveals a complex relationship with money stemming from her upbringing and shares her desire to make a global impact through speaking and client work. Margie also explores the challenges of balancing her energy at this specific time in her life, as she longs to pursue her true potential. Don’t miss this deeply relatable and inspiring conversation about overcoming blocks and becoming the person you long to be.
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220: Throwback: Creating in the Cracks
Artists for Joy
Today’s episode is a throwback from Season 3 and was originally titled “Creative Lies: All or Nothing.” Original show notes: Merideth debunks a common creative conundrum this week: “It’s all or nothing.” She shares what she is learning, creating in the cracks during her own life stage, plus thoughts from listeners from all creative disciplines and experience levels. Listen for some truths to replace the all-or-nothing thinking and get inspired! (We need just five more to reach our goal!) Leave us a voicemail: 302-415-3407
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219: Shadow Careers and Simple Gifts
Artists for Joy
Another installment of Merideth's "Art's Open Door," this week on the podcast, Merideth reads a personal essay about finding her true path as an artist, moving away from "shadow careers" and discovering the joy of "Simple Gifts" in her musical journey.
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218: What's bringing me joy this winter
Artists for Joy
In today’s episode, Merideth shares six things that are bringing her joy this winter. From bathrobes to new mindsets to female medieval theologians, you’re gonna love this one. Tell her what is bringing you joy in the comments on or (or catch the replay!)
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217: The Artist's Oath with Christina, Jennifer, and Janet
Artists for Joy
In today's podcast episode, you'll hear inspiring artist oaths from Christina Mathis, Jennifer Gatz, and Janet Parker, members of the inaugural Artist's Joy Creative Cluster last year. These inspiring artists crafted a powerful manifesto as part of our work in the cohort and have transformed their lives by embracing imperfection, quieting the inner critic, and prioritizing their creative lives and well-being. If you want to write your own oath, check out my book and which launches in September of this year. I am grateful to Christina, Jennifer, and Janet for sharing these...
info_outlineThis 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.
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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?
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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.
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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.
Register for the next Artist's Way Creative Cluster