Artists for Joy

Artists for Joy is a space for creative people to reconnect with that joy that made them want to be an artist in the first place. Join host Merideth Hite Estevez and special guests as they debunk the "tortured artist" stereotype and explore how the creative life can be sustainable...how being an artist needn't be a life of pain and turmoil...that we can choose joy. New episodes go live every Friday!

213: It's never too late with Angie Kim 01/31/2025

213: It's never too late with Angie Kim In this episode, Merideth chats with Angie Kim, award-winning author of Miracle Creek and Happiness Falls. Angie shares her journey of publishing her first novel at 50, her evolving creative process, and how her experiences as a Korean immigrant have shaped her storytelling. We talk about: How Angie’s creative process has changed from periods of intense, long hours to a more balanced approach using a timer to write for two hours a day. The importance of integrating a myriad of life experiences into creative work and never believing it’s too late to write the book or create the work you dream of making. A new perspective on finding lasting happiness and joy in creative pursuits and life in general. won the Edgar Award and ITW Thriller Award and was named one of Time's "100 Best Mysteries and Thrillers of All Time." an instant New York Times bestseller and has been featured by Good Morning America, Barnes & Noble, Belletrist, and the Book of the Month Club. /episode/index/show/artistsforjoy/id/35087025

212: Making Time with Maria Bowler 01/24/2025

212: Making Time with Maria Bowler Today, Merideth's guest is the delightful Maria Bowler, a writer, coach, and retreat leader who views creativity as a spiritual, political, and existential issue. She struggled with creative blocks early in life and found that the typical advice of focusing on craft or routine didn't solve the deeper issue. Her new book, "Making Time: a New Vision for Crafting a Life beyond Productivity," offers a different perspective on overcoming resistance and embracing imperfection. In this powerful book, Maria encourages all with this truth: creativity is not about what we produce but about who we are as makers. /episode/index/show/artistsforjoy/id/34972210

211: Hang on to the thread 01/17/2025

211: Hang on to the thread Today on the podcast, our first newly recorded show of 2025! Merideth gets honest about what she was up to during the break and offers a simple mantra that has replaced her word of the year. This one is for all of us feeling overwhelmed and longing for some gentle encouragement to keep showing up, especially when life feels "lifey." /episode/index/show/artistsforjoy/id/34888760

210: Joy Session: Taking Yourself Seriously (Sarah) 01/10/2025

210: Joy Session: Taking Yourself Seriously (Sarah) In today’s Joy Session, Merideth chats with Sarah, who longs to commit more fully to her creative practice while balancing the demands of work and family. They explore the values driving Sarah's artistic pursuits and a perceived conflict with her desire for stability and security. The session delves into the internal shifts necessary for Sarah to embrace her artistic identity and prioritize her creative expression amidst life's responsibilities. As she redefines what taking her art more seriously means for her, she uncovers a powerful message for anyone living the complexities of a seeking fulfilling artistic life while juggling multiple roles and expectations. /episode/index/show/artistsforjoy/id/34395515

209: Joy Session: Procrastination (Robyn) 01/03/2025

209: Joy Session: Procrastination (Robyn) This week on the podcast, Merideth coaches Robyn, a writer and editor who struggles with procrastination. Through the Joy Session, Robyn identifies the underlying fear and shame associated with her procrastination and explores ways to cultivate self-compassion. Merideth and Robyn explore deadlines and plans of action to reduce stress, and Robyn develops rituals of reflection and introspection so as to feel more grounded in her innate sense of worthiness. /episode/index/show/artistsforjoy/id/34395290

208: Word(s) of the Year 2025 12/27/2024

208: Word(s) of the Year 2025 This 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. 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? 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. 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. /episode/index/show/artistsforjoy/id/34395125

207: Advent Art: Creator Sets Free 12/20/2024

207: Advent Art: Creator Sets Free This week on the podcast, our annual Christmas episode: a meditation originally released in essay form for the Advent Art series on Substack. This reflection explores the intersection of faith and creativity, delving into a lesser-known carol, "Of the Father's Love Begotten." It reflects on the beautiful-terrible human experience and how Christmas reminds us that each effort of creativity is an act of love. /episode/index/show/artistsforjoy/id/34394985

206: How to practice with joy 12/13/2024

206: How to practice with joy This week on the podcast, Merideth answers one listener question with a WHOLE episode: how do you cultivate a more joyful daily practice routine? She offers five ideas for how to find joy in the creative process, even when you're faced with challenges like unproductive or frustrating practice sessions, writer's block, lack of inspiration and more. Whether you're an artist seeking to reignite your passion or simply someone who yearns to embrace your creativity, this one has practical advice and inspiration for infusing your creative journey with joy. Submit your question to Merideth /episode/index/show/artistsforjoy/id/34394950

Throwback: How to be you 12/06/2024

Throwback: How to be you This week is my 41st birthday! In celebration, I've got a throwback episode featuring my favorite coaching exercise to use with artists. Grab your journal and give it a listen. Do this exercise with me live this month in our Patreon community! Learn more . ___ Original show notes: Whatever you are feeling about fall, bring it on over to this the podcast equivalent of a fire pit and we’ll talk it out. This week Merideth shares a coaching exercise that will help you name your inner team members, resource their skills, and cultivate a sense of self-compassion for the multitudes you contain. or call us 302-415-3407 /episode/index/show/artistsforjoy/id/34304170

204: Festive Focus 11/29/2024

204: Festive Focus Today on the podcast: a mini-episode to keep you company during this holiday time! Festive Focus–how to manage your time and not lose your joy during the holidays. Listen for practical tips and good questions to ponder when facing a crazy schedule laden with emotionally taxing--if joyful--time with friends and family. Stay to the end to hear an exciting announcement about a new offering in 2025. /episode/index/show/artistsforjoy/id/34193545

203: Joy Sessions: Perfectionism (Carrie) 11/22/2024

203: Joy Sessions: Perfectionism (Carrie) In today’s Joy Session, Merideth pulls back the curtain on creative coaching with Carrie who is longing to finish her memoir. They explore how finding the right tool at the right time is central to overcoming fears of not being good enough and making progress that feels sustainable and joyful. Carrie leaves with two new practices that will help her shift her lens around writing and surrender to the power of the creative process. /episode/index/show/artistsforjoy/id/34082396

202: Q&A: Burnout, Gratitude, Spirituality, and more 11/15/2024

202: Q&A: Burnout, Gratitude, Spirituality, and more This week on the podcast, Ask Merideth Anything! Merideth answers listener questions about creativity, burnout, parenting, and spirituality. You'll learn how to meet the inner artist's resistance with compassion, recognize creative burnout, and explore the intersection of artistic expression and spiritual practice. She shares insights on cultivating gratitude and creativity in children and navigating the challenges of parenting young artists. Merideth reflects on her evolving definition of success, and the episode concludes with a message of encouragement for listeners who are struggling at this moment in time. This one is full of wholehearted honesty and encouragement. Email your question to be answered in future AMAs: [email protected] /episode/index/show/artistsforjoy/id/33940222

201: Beyond Self-Criticism: Take the Wheel 11/08/2024

201: Beyond Self-Criticism: Take the Wheel This week, Merideth shares a vulnerable story of a recent self-hatred spiral. She explores how and why artists are particularly hard on themselves. If you've ever wondered if your mistakes are moral failings, this one is for you. Merideth gives practical advice for when you are stuck and shares how turning up the voices of self-compassion in the face of shame is crucial for sustainable growth and change. /episode/index/show/artistsforjoy/id/33842392

200: We are not alone 11/01/2024

200: We are not alone Celebrate 200 episodes of Artist for Joy with listeners offering their best advice for artists + something they've learned from Artists for Joy. Merideth also shares what to do when you're hesitant to celebrate, reflections on finding your voice, a surprise peek into an early recording, and more. What a joyful ride! Thank you for listening. Here's to the next 200! /episode/index/show/artistsforjoy/id/33724902

199: Joyful Mashup 10/25/2024

199: Joyful Mashup This week on the podcast, Merideth celebrates (almost) 200 episodes by looking back on everything we've learned in joyful mashup form! Listen for a turbo-sized creative pep talk, a love letter to you, my podcast listeners. <3 /episode/index/show/artistsforjoy/id/33607462

198: 10 things bringing me joy this fall 10/18/2024

198: 10 things bringing me joy this fall This week on the podcast, I’ve got 10 things that are bringing me joy this fall. Some are deep and others may, at first glance, seem trivial, but this collection of what’s bringing me joy adds up to a whole that is greater than the sum of its parts: in a profoundly simple way, these small wonders are saving my life in this season. By consciously bringing good things to mind, we teach our brains to look for the good, and we relive those joyful moments through the remembering. Hit reply and let me know what's bringing you joy these days! Links: (some are Affiliate, which means I make a few dollars when you purchase) /episode/index/show/artistsforjoy/id/33507842

197: Throwback: How can we go on? 10/11/2024

197: Throwback: How can we go on? This episode originally aired in October 2023. Enjoy this throwback while Merideth practices some self-care ;) Original Show Notes: This week on the show, Merideth answers a question we all tend to ask when the world is on fire. How can I feel creative joy in the face of violence, injustice, and brokenness? She explores why art matters in these moments, especially, and how our creativity offers us a place to process the pain and turn our anxiety into energy that can make a difference. The late famous conductor, Leonard Bernstein, answers the age-old question, “How can we go on?” and we learn about two fantastic non-profits using creativity to change the world. Email your question to be read on the air: [email protected] Photo cred: littlesun.org /episode/index/show/artistsforjoy/id/33409117

196: Joy Sessions: Authenticity (Christina) 10/04/2024

196: Joy Sessions: Authenticity (Christina) In today’s podcast, the final installment of our Joy Sessions series, Merideth chats with Christina, a musician, coach, and teacher who wants to reexamine the beliefs and negative inner dialogue she’s been having about performing. They explore perfectionism, performance anxiety, how to show up authentically when we cannot stop judging ourselves, and so much more. By the end of the call, Christina begins to give herself permission to live out the advice she offers her students, to embrace and enjoy the very human and authentic experience of making music, and to offer herself self-compassion along the way. /episode/index/show/artistsforjoy/id/33316757

195: Joy Sessions: Process over Product (Mara) 09/27/2024

195: Joy Sessions: Process over Product (Mara) This week’s episode features a Joy Session with Mara, a writer who wants to write a novel but struggles to find the time or energy. We watch Mara identify the underlying reasons for her creative block, including fear of failure and too much focus on the product rather than the process. She names a deep desire for community and encouragement from other writers. BONUS: At the end of this week's episode, Merideth shares an update from Mara about a week or so after the session, naming how an epiphany renewed her hope and motivation to continue pursuing her creative writing goals. Links: /episode/index/show/artistsforjoy/id/33226662

194: Joy Sessions: The Discipline Button (Jessi) 09/20/2024

194: Joy Sessions: The Discipline Button (Jessi) Continuing our new series, Joy Sessions, I chat with Jessi, a musician and educator who reflects on how, as a multipassionate artist, she could engage with music in a more meaningful way. We explore the idea of experimentation and taking small, sustainable steps towards this goal, recognizing the need for a different kind of energy than the usual "discipline button" approach. The conversation highlights the importance of keeping the thread of musical engagement alive through exploration and connection, allowing for a more fulfilling and sustainable relationship with the art form. If you are interested in doing a coaching call for a future Joy Sessions episode, click . Links from the show notes: /episode/index/show/artistsforjoy/id/33128597

193: Joy Sessions: Intentionality (Ericka) 09/13/2024

193: Joy Sessions: Intentionality (Ericka) Introducing: Joy Sessions. Each week I'll feature excerpts from real sessions with artists of all disciplines, pulling back the curtain on creative coaching as we focus on overcoming creative challenges and finding joy in the artistic process. This week, Merideth chats with Ericka, a writer who longs to set herself free from the shame cycle of past and current criticism. /episode/index/show/artistsforjoy/id/33022782

#192: Art's Open Door-- The Spiritual Song of Created Things 09/06/2024

#192: Art's Open Door-- The Spiritual Song of Created Things This week on the podcast, the first installment of a new series started earlier this week over on Substack called “Art’s Open Door,” where we’ll explore the profound ways creativity and spirituality intersect and how viewing art through a spiritual lens is a powerful tool for well-being, connection, and joy. Usually, these essays will only exist in blog form at but this week, I am giving you a sneak peek into this new content. If you enjoy these more spiritual writings, subscribe to Substack /episode/index/show/artistsforjoy/id/32936787

#191: Musical Meditation for Making Sense of Life 08/30/2024

#191: Musical Meditation for Making Sense of Life This week on the podcast: a musical meditation for making sense of life. In this guided reflection, explore the following: Consider your life’s puzzle. Hold a couple of pieces in your hand, and consider now the growth that each piece represents. What do you see? Look for the piece(s) that don’t seem to fit. What experiences or areas of growth or interest, disparate parts of your journey of life–good or hard—have you yet to accept as your own? Even though you may not yet be able to make sense of certain pieces, ask: what might they be teaching me? Find the jagged edge of the puzzle, and consider the ways you are growing, the piece you are filling in now. How can you love yourself as you are becoming? What do you want yourself to remember now, in this season? Links from the show notes: /episode/index/show/artistsforjoy/id/32803612

#190: Making Sense of Life 08/23/2024

#190: Making Sense of Life This week on the podcast, a new metaphor to cultivate more resilience, perspective, and joy while we work to make sense of our lives. /episode/index/show/artistsforjoy/id/32691782

#189: Time Management Pep-Talk 08/16/2024

#189: Time Management Pep-Talk This week on the podcast, Merideth offers a pep talk for artists and creatives who feel overwhelmed or unmotivated, particularly during transitional periods like the month of August. Grab your , so you can: Name your season Decide if you need a new routine or rhythm (or both!) Discover the small step you'd like to take toward your goal /episode/index/show/artistsforjoy/id/32594457

#188: 3 Q's for when you're procrastinating 08/09/2024

#188: 3 Q's for when you're procrastinating This week Merideth offers some strategies to overcome procrastination to embrace a more joyful and fulfilling creative life. She offers 3 common lies we tell ourselves when we are having a hard time getting things done: I'm lazy. I just need the right routine. I'll wait for inspiration to feel motivated. She then translates these less-than-helpful thought patterns into questions to unlock what we really need to keep moving. Leave a review of Merideth's book: and /episode/index/show/artistsforjoy/id/32508572

#187: Throwback--How to Celebrate 08/02/2024

#187: Throwback--How to Celebrate Back from the first leg of her book tour, Merideth shares a little about how she’s still learning how to celebrate in this throwback from October 2022. Original show notes: Why is it so much easier to celebrate the accomplishments of others than it is our own? Merideth shares two things she is forcing herself to celebrate these days and why she believes celebration should be a core value for every artist. /episode/index/show/artistsforjoy/id/32392097

#186: "The Mother Artist" with Catherine Ricketts 07/26/2024

#186: "The Mother Artist" with Catherine Ricketts Catherine Ricketts, essayist, songwriter, writing instructor, and author of The Mother Artist: Portraits of Ambition, Limitation, and Creativity, is my guest today. We talk about: The historical underrepresentation of mothers in the art world and the societal factors contributing to this. The tension between caring for children and dedicating time to creative work. The importance of support systems, self-belief, and a sense of purpose for mothers. The value of art created by mothers and how we can all support all caregivers in their creative pursuits. /episode/index/show/artistsforjoy/id/32267562

#185: "I joyfully swear to forgive myself." 07/19/2024

#185: "I joyfully swear to forgive myself." In the final installment of this inspiring series, Robin White, Joshua Long, Lorrie Fredette, and Merideth Hite Estevez read their Artist's Oath. The culmination of Merideth's book, "The Artist's Joy," the Artist's Oath is a powerful coaching exercise that helps artists name how they want to show up in the world and what they believe. When we stay connected to our values, we are able to move through creative challenges and tough decisions with confidence and grace for ourselves and others. In this episode: ( /episode/index/show/artistsforjoy/id/32038872

184: "I joyfully swear to make the art." 07/12/2024

184: "I joyfully swear to make the art." This episode features Artist's Oaths, written and read by Elmer Perry, David Westerlund, Sara McMahon, and Sila Wolf. The culmination of Merideth's book, "The Artist's Joy," the Artist's Oath is a powerful coaching exercise that helps artists name how they want to show up in the world and what they believe. When we stay connected to our values, we are able to move through creative challenges and tough decisions with confidence and grace for ourselves and others. In this episode: Sara McMahon's and /episode/index/show/artistsforjoy/id/32037092

Artists for Joy

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