S5 E6: The Language of Movement with Kelly Archer

Kelly Archer is the founder and artistic director of the Cadash Contemporary Dance Movement. The vision and mission of Chadash is to cultivate renewal, reparation, and restoration in a broken world. Combining dance with film, poetry, multi-media, visual art and spoken word performances, Cadash Dance tells stories in an effort to honestly acknowledge the world as it is, but then seeks to engage in the conversation about what the world can be.

In this episode, Stephen talks with Kelly about the language of movement and what it means to “stand in the ashes of the barn burned down and point to the moon. One half in suffering and one half in hope.”

S5 E5: The Creative Environment with Graham Cooke

Graham Cooke is an internationally recognized author, public speaker and strategist. He is known for a radical faith and friendship with God.

Graham's books have helped organizations and individuals overcome negative, limited thinking and transition toward a higher level of corporate and spiritual life.

An integral part of Graham's work involves producing resources for helping the poor and for eradicating human trafficking through supporting the organization, NOT FOR SALE.

In this episode, Stephen talks with Graham about cultivating environments to serve his creative and spiritual disciplines.

*Patrons can enjoy additional interview segments on how to deal with rejection and establishing healthy rhythms.

S5 E2: The Symbolic World with Jonathan Pageau

Jonathan Pageau is a professional artist, writer and public speaker. He delivers several lectures every year in Universities, conferences and other venues around North America. He speaks on art, but mostly on the symbolic structures that underlie our experience of the world.

Through his YouTube channel and podcast, The Symbolic World, he also furthers the conversation on symbolism, meaning and patterns in everything from movies, to icons, to social trends.

As an artist, Jonathan is one of the only professional icon carvers in North America, taking on institutional and personal art commissions from all over the world. You can view his works in his carving website.

Jonathan is the editor and a contributor for the Orthodox Arts Journal which looks at the revival and significance of liturgical art today. He also gives weeklong carving classes with Hexaemeron School of Liturgical Arts , which are credited by Pontifex University.

S4 E15: Season Finale! The Missing Connection Between Faith & Art

This episode is an Official Highjack!! StoryBrand Guide, Luke Humbrecht turns the mic around and interviews our host, Stephen Roach. In this season finale episode Luke and Stephen discuss why the conversation of faith and art is important for our cultural moment and how you can be involved in the discussions. Stephen shares from history and personal stories on what compels him to host these conversations.

S4 E5: A Theology of Art with David Taylor

David Taylor is a professor of theology and culture at Fuller University in Houston, Texas. His work centers on revitalizing the church through the creative arts. He has written and edited several books including his most recent, The Theater of God’s Glory: Calvin, Creation and the Liturgical Arts.

In 2016, David produced a short film on the psalms with Bono and Eugene Peterson. He has lectured widely on the arts in both academic and popular settings, in the United States and abroad.

In this episode, Stephen talks with David about his work with Bono and Eugene Peterson as well as his perspective on the relationship between artists and the church.

Sponsor: Red River Turning Company

Featured Music: Sister Sinjin

Join The Makers & Mystics Creative Collective!

David Taylor’s Blog

The Theater of God’s Glory (book)

Phaedra Taylor Artist Website

Bono and Eugene Peterson: The Psalms

S4 E1: How To Fix A Broken Record with Amena Brown

Amena Brown is a poet, speaker, author and event host. Named one of Rejuvenate Magazine's Top 40 under 40 Changemakers, Amena is the author of five spoken word albums and two non-fiction books: Breaking Old Rhythms and her latest release How to Fix a Broken Record.

In this season premiere episode, Stephen talks to Amena about success and failure, the effects of social media on artists and how vinyl records became one of her entry points to relationship with God.

Patrons can listen to an additional interview with Amena Brown on money management here.

Amenabrown.com

S3 E14: On Honesty, Propaganda & Risk Averse Art

This episode comes to us LIVE from The Breath & the Clay creative arts gathering in Winston-Salem, NC. Stephen discusses the importance and responsibility of honesty in art-making with John Mark McMillan, Vesper Stamper, Josh Riebock and Mykell Wilson.

S 3 E9: On The Relationship Between Art & Faith with Stephen Roach

In October of 2017, Stephen Roach joined United Pursuit for their Reunion Retreat held on Johnny Cash's land in Nashville, Tennessee. As part of the event, Stephen shared two keynote talks on the interface between creativity and spirituality.

This episode features excerpts from Stephen's talk On The Relationship Between Faith and Art and encourages artists to pursue their creativity without tired, religious constrictions.

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Faith and Art, Inspiration, keynotesStephen RoachFebruary 7, 2018Stephen Roach, art and faith

S3 E7: Cosmos In The Chaos with Abstract Artist Ty Nathan Clark

Ty Nathan Clark is a well-known abstract artist living and working in Waco, Texas. He is a devoted activist, writer, cinematographer, and philanthropist. His work is informed by an in-depth study of civil rights movements, literature, philosophy, and theology.

Ty’s art has been described as “parabolic” in nature, telling stories in visual representations of the human condition. He uses a variety of mediums and textures to create what has been termed a “dismantled imagery, representing the incomplete bits and pieces of personality and memories that make up each human being.”

visual art, Process, Philosophy, Faith and ArtStephen RoachJanuary 11, 2018Abstract Art, Philosophy, visual artist, Mako Fujimura

S3 E3: A Journey To The Heart with Ken Helser

Ken Helser is a visual artist, storyteller, musician and founder of the 52-acre retreat center, A Place For The Heart in Sophia, North Carolina. For the past 30 years, Ken has mentored students from across the world, teaching them to hear and journal the voice of God through writing. Currently, Ken partners with his son and daughter-in-law, Jonathan David and Melissa Helser at their 18 Inch Journey School.

In this episode, Ken talks with Stephen about the core motives of the heart and how to navigate the deeper concerns facing many artists today. Ken shares from his own journey through rejection, imitation and the discovery of how "the key to discipline is desire."

Featured Music by Cageless Birds

S3 E2: Urban Monks & Part-Time Hermits

Christine Valters Paintner is a spiritual director and Benedictine Oblate living in Galway, Ireland. She authored the book, "The Artist's Rule: Nurturing Your Creative Soul with Monastic Wisdom." The book is a 12-week journey exploring the interplay between contemplation and creativity. In this episode, Stephen talks with Christine about her thoughts on humility, radical generosity and what it means to be an urban monk and a part-time hermit.

Featured Music by Latifah Alattas of Moda Spira.

Season Premiere! S3 E1: Around The Table with Jason Upton

In this episode, Stephen talks with singer/songwriter, Jason Upton about linear versus circular creative processes. This episode features previously unreleased material from the artist.

S2 E13: Naming The Animals with Stephen Roach

In this keynote talk, Stephen Roach proposes that creativity is our birthright and essential to fulfilling God's original design for humanity. Stephen encourages that we are in the midst of a creative awakening and calls the church to break free from religious oppression into the creative liberty of sons and daughters.

Season 2 Episode 12: On Process and Productivity with Matt Tommey

Matt Tommey is a woven sculpture artist living in Asheville, North Carolina. Matt has authored several books including "Unlocking The Heart of The Artist" and "Crafting Your Brand:
Simple Strategies for Cultivating a Successful Creative Career". In this episode, Matt and Stephen discuss Matt's process of utilizing natural materials for his sculptural works. The two talk through differentiations between process and product and how artists can move from concepts and ideas to a lifestyle of creative expression. *This episode features music by Zach Winters from the album "To Have You Around".

Faith and Art, marketing, sculpture, authors, Inspiration, ProcessStephen RoachJuly 19, 2017art, sculpture, process

Season 2 E9: An Ethos Of Amazement. Keynote with Sean Feucht

In this keynote, worship leader and founder of the Burn 24/7 prayer movement, Sean Feucht challenges artists to live and create from an "ethos of amazement." Drawing from his work among refugees in Iraq, Sean calls upon artists to have imaginations which will "challenge the dominant reality" and offer hope instead of despair. This keynote was given at the 2017 The Breath & The Clay Creative Arts gathering in Winston-Salem, NC.

Season 2 E 8: The Holy Spirit & The Art Of Becoming Human

"Art is often viewed as being inherently spiritual. But what does it mean to describe an experience of art or beauty as "spiritual"? Is there a relationship between the spiritual experience a person has in the presence of a work of art and the Holy Spirit of Christian faith?"

In this episode, Stephen Roach explores these ideas with theologian, Dr. Steven Guthrie. Their discussion centers on elements from Dr. Guthrie's book, Creator Spirit: The Holy Spirit & The Art Of Becoming Human. In their discussion, Stephen and Dr. Guthrie reference ideas from Plato, Russian abstract artist Kandinsky and the composer, Arnold Schoenberg. Dr. Guthrie unpacks how each of these artist's and philosopher's views of spirituality compares to the bible's depiction of the Holy Spirit.

Season 2 E 7: #poetryismyprotest

In the month of February 2017, Stephen Roach composed and posted a new poem each day of the month. These poems were written in response to the "artless and often contemptible mood" found within social media. Stephen set out to offer "choreography instead of industry", beauty instead of hostility and to place "a carnation in the barrels of loaded guns". In observance of National Poetry Month, Stephen shares several of his poems from this collection of writings featuring music by Timbre, Songs of Water, Loudharp and Brandon Willet. #poetryismyprotest

Joining Stephen in this episode is artist, Melina Daniels of Overflow Studios in Boone, NC. Melina shares a story of how she and her husband Jacob responded to the 2016 Charlotte protests surrounding the shooting of Keith Lamont Scott by setting up an outdoor art studio in the midst of the uprising.

Poetry is a vehicle of transcendence and social change. It is both protest and praise, a means of lifting the spirit and calling for action. In this episode, Stephen turns to the “ancient and analog” art of poetry as a means of response to the current challenges of our day.

**Special thanks goes out to Timbre, Loudharp, Songs of Water, and Brandon Willet for providing musical landscapes accompanying the poetry of this episode. Also, a special thanks to Elisa Cox, Eloise Corlett, Catherine Mi-Sook Roemer and Sarah Roach for voiceover contributions.

You can purchase a copy of Stephen's February poems at: stephenroach.org

poetry, Faith and Art, Justice, ProcessStephen RoachApril 25, 2017National Poetry Month, Stephen Roach, Poetry, Protest

Season 2 E 6: A Renaissance Of Hope With Ray Hughes

In this keynote, Ray calls artists and creatives to dive deeper into the fathomless depths of God's presence as the source of hope and creative expression.

Faith and Art, Encouragement, Inspiration, keynotesStephen RoachApril 4, 2017creativity, music, art, Saint Patrick

Season 2 E 5: Beauty Will Save The World Part 2

In everything from our worship, to the art we make to the way we live our lives amidst a secularized culture, beauty is the often overlooked, yet powerful component of sharing the reality of the gospel.

Faith and Art, Beauty, authors, contemplation, Philosophy, theologyStephen RoachMarch 22, 2017Brian Zahnd, Stephen Roach, beauty, faith, art

Season 2 E4: Beauty Will Save The World Part 1 - An Interview with Brian Zahnd

The loss of beauty as a principal value has been disastrous for Western culture and especially for the church. In this episode, author Brian Zahnd discusses the importance of returning to a Christian aesthetic and presenting the gospel as a beautiful alternative to the commercialism of society.

Season 2 E3: Cultivating A Lifestyle of Creativity With Bright Ideas Creative Collective

Faith and Art, Encouragement, InspirationStephen RoachMarch 1, 2017Bright Ideas, Creativity, Creative Consultation

Season 2 Episode 2: All Things Sacred: A Conversation w/ John Mark McMillan

Music, Faith and Art, Singer-songwriterStephen RoachFebruary 16, 2017John Mark McMillan, Josh Garrels, Revelators Tour, Makers and Mystics, Makers & Mystics, Christian music, art, faith, The Breath and the Clay

S1 E15: Finding True North: On Shock Value vs. Risk Value with Marie Teilhard

Marie Teilhard is a concept photographer, literary artist, and public speaker. She holds a M.A. in Public Policy & Fine Arts from Carnegie Mellon University and a B.A. in Art History from the University of Chicago. She has also earned a Graduate Certificate in Science - Faith Apologetics from Hope International University.

In this Episode, Stephen and Marie discuss Surrealism, the artist Bjork and the use of unconventional symbols within Christian art. Marie gives a fabulous discourse on the difference between shock value and risk value.

Photography, Inspiration, Faith and ArtStephen RoachNovember 26, 2016Marie Teilhard, Stephen Roach, Bjork, surrealism

S1 E13: Liminal Spaces with Sarah Deshields of Broadcast Safe

In this episode, Stephen converses with Scottish artist Sarah Deshields of the band Broadcast Safe. Sarah is a photographer, a visual artist, singer/songwriter and co-founder of the Elysian Arts Collective in Charlotte, North Carolina. Stephen and Sarah discuss contemplation, her band's new album and and what it means to be a working artist, wife and mother.