Artists for Joy

More than a hobby or a hustle, creativity can be a deeply resonant spiritual practice that connects us to ourselves, to each other, and to the sacred. If you’re stuck or uninspired or if you’re curious about how the creative life might bring you deep satisfaction, healing, and even joy, pull up a chair. Juilliard-trained oboist, author, and coach Merideth Hite Estevez helps the self-proclaimed artist and the creatively curious discover (or recover) the joy of making. New episodes go live every Friday!

241: Find a way in 09/19/2025

240: Micro Joys for Macro Grief 09/12/2025

239: What's bringing me joy this summer 09/05/2025

238: Summer Enneagram Throwback: 9s 08/15/2025

238: Summer Enneagram Throwback: 9s 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 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 and understanding of those who see the world differently. The Enneagram is a powerful tool for personal and relationship transformation, for artists and everyone! If you have episode ideas, dream guest suggestions, or other feedback for me, drop me an email Original show notes: Today on the podcast: our final Creative Archetype….Enneagram 9s. Teachers call this type The Peacemaker. Merideth chats with author and editor Ariel Curry, bassist and author David James, and author, spiritual director, and retreat leader Lori Melton, all about life as a creative 9. They discuss figuring out how you feel, cultivating a relationship with conflict, and making room for individuality through creative expression. (Side note: All 3 of these 9s are married to Enneagram 8s. How about that!) These 9s invite you all to celebrate the space you inhabit in your personality as we encourage them to step into and celebrate theirs. Invitation: Take a moment to grab a pen or pencil and draw what you see with your non-dominant hand. 9s are great at not judging, so as you create, sustain judgment of yourself. Be open, playful, and imaginative as you take up space on the page. Allow whatever comes up to come up, and whatever you do, don’t stop until you are done. When you feel finished, journal about the experience. What was your inner dialogue like? Do not let the noise of your critic shake your inner peace. Give yourself permission to try and try again. Email the show: Email the show: /episode/index/show/artistsforjoy/id/37720185

237: Summer Enneagram Throwback: 8s 08/08/2025

236: Summer Enneagram Throwback: 7s 08/01/2025

235: Summer Enneagram Throwback: 6s 07/25/2025

234: Summer Enneagram Throwback: 5s 07/18/2025

233: Summer Enneagram Throwback: 4s 07/11/2025

232: Summer Enneagram Throwback: 3s 07/04/2025

231: Summer Enneagram Throwback: 2s 06/27/2025

231: Summer Enneagram Throwback: 2s 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 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 and understanding of those who see the world differently. The Enneagram is a powerful tool for personal and relationship transformation, for artists and everyone! If you have episode ideas, dream guest suggestions, or other feedback for me, drop me an email Original show notes: Our Creative Archetypes Series continues this week with Enneagram 2’s “The Helper.” Merideth chats with author Holly Oxhandler. Holly is the Associate Dean for Research and Faculty Development and an Associate Professor at Baylor University’s Diana R. Garland School of Social Work. Holly studies religion/spirituality, health, and mental health, and as a studio art minor in college, she embeds creativity into every aspect of her life and work. Merideth and Holly explore how to be a helper without burning out and seeing creativity as an act of self-care and connection. Other 2 voices in the episode: piano teacher and podcaster Christina Whitlock and author/spiritual growth coach Stephanie Miller. Invitation: Put your oxygen mask on first. Write 3 pages of longhand stream of consciousness first thing upon waking. After you finish writing, step outside of yourself, re-read your pages and look for clues about what it is you need. What is one thing you could give to yourself today that you need? Be your own helper, mother, giver, or friend. Having taken care of yourself, look at those around you and ask the same question. What needs do I see? How can I serve them personally— with a phone call or a bouquet of fresh flowers— or creatively—with a handmade card or homecooked meal? Use your creativity to find connection and collaboration, to comfort yourself and others. /episode/index/show/artistsforjoy/id/37171300