Artists for Joy
Episodes
Advent Songbook: What child was this?
12 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 no...
252: Advent Songbook: Major Prophets and Minor Chords
05 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Merideth records live from New York City (!) and continues the new Advent Songbook series. The series, which goes live on Mondays on Subst...
251: Holy Indifference with Sara Billups
28 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Today on the podcast, Merideth chats with Seattle-based writer Sara Billups, who explores faith and culture in her new book, Nervous Systems. They di...
250: Holiday Survival Guide
21 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 o...
249: Joy Session: Self-Judgment (Alicia)
14 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 t...
248: When words sting
07 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week, I share three powerful shifts for navigating the sting of hurtful words. Drawing on my experience with negative feedback, I've gained insig...
247: Creative Cauldron: Finding Freedom from the Unfinished
31 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 "haun...
246: What's bringing joy this fall
24 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 mod...
245: Finding your flow when motivation dips
17 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 we...
244: The Art of Technique (5 things for when you're discouraged)
10 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 w...
243: Joy Session: Finding Your Voice When Life Changes (Rachel)
03 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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...
242: The power of "what if"
26 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week we explore the power of "iffirmations" – positive statements prefaced with "what if" – as a way to navigate anxiety and foster hope, esp...
241: Find a way in
19 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 "f...
240: Micro Joys for Macro Grief
12 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 pr...
239: What's bringing me joy this summer
05 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Season 6 debut! New season, new podcast cover art, new intro! Listen for six things bringing me joy this season. Links: Slippers Become a JOY...
238: Summer Enneagram Throwback: 9s
15 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 unf...
237: Summer Enneagram Throwback: 8s
08 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 a...
236: Summer Enneagram Throwback: 7s
01 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 unfa...
235: Summer Enneagram Throwback: 6s
25 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 unfa...
234: Summer Enneagram Throwback: 5s
18 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 unfa...
233: Summer Enneagram Throwback: 4s
11 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 unfa...
232: Summer Enneagram Throwback: 3s
04 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 unfa...
231: Summer Enneagram Throwback: 2s
27 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 unfa...
230: Summer Enneagram Throwback: 1s
20 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 unfa...
229: Throwback: Rest
06 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week, I'm recovering from an unexpected surgery! I will have more to say about this soon, but for now, enjoy these words I wrote about rest back ...
228: What's bringing me joy this spring
16 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week: a rare unscripted episode! Merideth chats candidly about what's bringing her joy this spring. From shoes to hair accessories to writing pla...
227: Joy Session: Being a Beginner Again (Rene)
09 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In today's Joy Session, Merideth coaches Rene, a musical theater writer and composer. Rene opens up about navigating a creative block that feels a bit...
226: Joy Session: Why not me? (Lexy)
02 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 h...
225: Joy in Long Form
25 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week on the podcast, author Maria Bowler (Making Time) returns to talk with Merideth about the creative process behind long-term projects. They d...
224: Art's Open Door: Let go let go let go
18 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 a...
#223: Throwback: Creative Archetypes
11 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A throwback episode to remind you to join us live on Patreon for our Enneagram & Motivation workshop on April 11th at 3 PM EST! Register or check out...
222: Joy Session: Courage + Chronic Illness (Amber)
04 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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...
221: Joy Session: Abundance + Impact (Margie)
28 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In today's Joy Session, Merideth chats with Margie, an author and speaker, who struggles with financial abundance despite having plenty of work. She r...
220: Throwback: Creating in the Cracks
21 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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...
219: Shadow Careers and Simple Gifts
14 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 artis...
218: What's bringing me joy this winter
07 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In today's episode, Merideth shares six things that are bringing her joy this winter. From bathrobes to new mindsets to female medieval theologians, y...
217: The Artist's Oath with Christina, Jennifer, and Janet
28 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In today's podcast episode, you'll hear inspiring artist oaths from Christina Mathis, Jennifer Gatz, and Janet Parker, members of the inaugural Artist...
216: Creating through grief with author Rebe Huntman
21 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Today, Merideth's guest is Rebe Huntman, author of "My Mother in Havana: A Memoir of Magic and Miracle." Rebe shares her journey as a multi-passionate...
215: Joy Session: Being Present (Katie)
14 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In today's Joy Session, Merideth coaches Katie, an interdisciplinary artist who desires to be more present with her daughter, plus pursue her art and ...
214: Art's Open Door: A Portfolio Life
07 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In today's episode, Merideth shares an essay from her Substack series, "Art's Open Door," which explores the intersection of creativity and spirituali...
213: It's never too late with Angie Kim
31 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Merideth chats with Angie Kim, award-winning author of Miracle Creek and Happiness Falls. Angie shares her journey of publishing her ...
212: Making Time with Maria Bowler
24 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Today, Merideth's guest is the delightful Maria Bowler, a writer, coach, and retreat leader who views creativity as a spiritual, political, and existe...
211: Hang on to the thread
17 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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...
210: Joy Session: Taking Yourself Seriously (Sarah)
10 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 fam...
209: Joy Session: Procrastination (Robyn)
03 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week on the podcast, Merideth coaches Robyn, a writer and editor who struggles with procrastination. Through the Joy Session, Robyn identifies th...
208: Word(s) of the Year 2025
27 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
207: Advent Art: Creator Sets Free
20 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week on the podcast, our annual Christmas episode: a meditation originally released in essay form for the Advent Art series on Substack. This ref...
206: How to practice with joy
13 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week on the podcast, Merideth answers one listener question with a WHOLE episode: how do you cultivate a more joyful daily practice routine? ...
Throwback: How to be you
06 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 jou...
204: Festive Focus
29 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 dur...
203: Joy Sessions: Perfectionism (Carrie)
22 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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...
202: Q&A: Burnout, Gratitude, Spirituality, and more
15 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week on the podcast, Ask Merideth Anything! Merideth answers listener questions about creativity, burnout, parenting, and spirituality. You'll ...
201: Beyond Self-Criticism: Take the Wheel
08 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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...
200: We are not alone
01 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Celebrate 200 episodes of Artist for Joy with listeners offering their best advice for artists + something they've learned from Artists for Joy. Mer...
199: Joyful Mashup
25 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 tu...
198: 10 things bringing me joy this fall
18 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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...
197: Throwback: How can we go on?
11 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This episode originally aired in October 2023. Enjoy this throwback while Merideth practices some self-care ;) Read "Let Art Be Light," Merideth's ...
196: Joy Sessions: Authenticity (Christina)
04 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In today's podcast, the final installment of our Joy Sessions series, Merideth chats with Christina, a musician, coach, and teacher who wants to reexa...
195: Joy Sessions: Process over Product (Mara)
27 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 iden...
194: Joy Sessions: The Discipline Button (Jessi)
20 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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...
193: Joy Sessions: Intentionality (Ericka)
13 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Introducing: Joy Sessions. Each week I'll feature excerpts from real sessions with artists of all disciplines, pulling back the curtain on creative co...
#192: Art's Open Door-- The Spiritual Song of Created Things
06 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 exp...
#191: Musical Meditation for Making Sense of Life
30 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week on the podcast: a musical meditation for making sense of life. In this guided reflection, explore the following: Consider your life's ...
#190: Making Sense of Life
23 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week on the podcast, a new metaphor to cultivate more resilience, perspective, and joy while we work to make sense of our lives. Join the next Cr...
#189: Time Management Pep-Talk
16 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week on the podcast, Merideth offers a pep talk for artists and creatives who feel overwhelmed or unmotivated, particularly during transitional p...
#188: 3 Q's for when you're procrastinating
09 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week Merideth offers some strategies to overcome procrastination to embrace a more joyful and fulfilling creative life. She offers 3 common lies ...
#187: Throwback--How to Celebrate
02 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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...
#186: "The Mother Artist" with Catherine Ricketts
26 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Catherine Ricketts, essayist, songwriter, writing instructor, and author of The Mother Artist: Portraits of Ambition, Limitation, and Creativity, is m...
#185: "I joyfully swear to forgive myself."
19 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In the final installment of this inspiring series, Robin White, Joshua Long, Lorrie Fredette, and Merideth Hite Estevez read their Artist's Oath. The ...
184: "I joyfully swear to make the art."
12 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This episode features Artist's Oaths, written and read by Elmer Perry, David Westerlund, Sara McMahon, and Sila Wolf. The culmination of Merideth's b...
#183: "I joyfully swear to be my own hero."
05 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This episode features Artist's Oath's written and read by Kelsey Bogan, David James, and Karen Rege. The culmination of Merideth's book, "The Artist...
#182: "Oath to Joy," Music and Community with Angela Sheik
28 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In today's episode, Merideth chats with artist, composer, and songwriter Angela Sheik. Angela (whose name you may recognize from every episode's credi...
#181 "The Artist's Joy" Deep Dive, with special guest Kenneth Moton
21 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week on the podcast, Merideth gives the mic to Kenneth Moton, a TV news journalist and childhood friend, and together they dive deep into her new...
#180: Why Joy?
14 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week, I am reading an excerpt from The Artist's Joy-- this time from the Prelude (that's what I call the Introduction) of the book. I explore why...
#179: Imposter Syndrome: 5 C's of Inner Strength
07 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Do you ever worry they will figure out you actually have no idea what you are doing? Studies show that imposter syndrome, the feeling of being a fr...
#178: Joy for the Long Haul
31 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Merideth chats with two fellow writers, Sarah E. Westfall and Jenai Auman. They explore ways to foster joy for the long haul as they discus...
#177: Your Creative Devotion Routine
24 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Merideth reads an excerpt from Chapter 3, "Ode to Creative Devotion," from her forthcoming book, The Artist's Joy. THE most important tool ...
#176: The Themes That Return with special guest, Rebe Huntman
17 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In today's episode, I give you a sneak peek into the overarching structure of my new book, The Artist's Joy, and share a bit about the meaning behind ...
#175 Mind the Gap
10 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Today's episode encourages us all to "mind the gap" between our dreams and reality, between the current state of a creative project and where we long ...
#174: There's another way
03 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Season 5 Premiere! What if inside every creative block is an invitation? Today on the show: a story about what a chance traffic encounter taugh...
Creating in the Wilderness with Sarah Bessey
22 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
SEASON 4 Finale! This openhearted, vulnerable conversation with author and knitter Sarah Bessey is the perfect way to tie a bow on Season 4 of Artis...
Walking the Creative Path with Emily P. Freeman
15 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Emily P. Freeman is a writer and spiritual space-maker. She is the author of six books, including the Wall Street Journal Bestseller "The Next Right T...
Mini-Joys: Self-Coaching Exercise–Creative Reflection
08 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Merideth offers a self-coaching exercise to help you create your path. 1. Name what's on your mind before we begin: Is there a fork in the ...
Creating Your Path
01 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
What scripts are holding you back from creating your own unique path? What would you do if you weren't so afraid? What parts of yourself have you been...
Mini-Joys: Rewriting the Unhelpful Story
23 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week, a coaching exercise we're calling "Rewriting the Unhelpful Story." Take a few moments and fully realize the unhelpful story you're tellin...
Write a New Story About Disappointment
16 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week's episode explores the challenge of persevering through creative disappointment. We meet Ian, a musician whose band falls apart, and learn t...
Mini-Joys: 3 Steps for Ordering the Chaos
09 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week on the podcast, Merideth offers three simple (non-judgmental!) steps for taking action when faced with chaos. This episode will help you acc...
Order the Chaos
02 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week on the podcast, the final word-of-the-year installment (less word, more motto): "Order the Chaos." What freedom awaits when we stop resistin...
Musical Meditation: Open-handed
26 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Coaching Questions: 1. Think of a time when you transitioned or crossed one of life's thresholds. What was it like for you? Who did you become in th...
Open-handed
19 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week on the podcast, the second installment of my words of the year: Open-handed. What are we missing when we hold too tightly to our expectation...
Mini-Joys: Life's Algorithm
12 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
3 ways to cultivate abundance in your life today: Enjoy what you have. Say out loud what you're grateful for and what delights you. Give more than yo...
Abundance
05 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Where is the line between the power of positivity and foolish denial? How do we become more comfortable asking for more, hoping for more, believing th...
Choose your word(s) of the year
29 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This week on the podcast, Merideth helps you choose your word(s) of the year. Grab your journal and earbuds and explore the prompts paired with medita...
Joy Actually: An Invitation to a Wholehearted Holiday
22 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
What if all your feelings were welcome this season? This week on the podcast, Merideth offers a meditation on persistent joy, an invitation to a whole...
The Spiritual Invitation of Movement
08 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Have you felt a spiritual stirring during a long walk or a workout? What connection do creativity and movement have? Why did so many famous artists th...
Mini-Joys: 3 Tips for thriving this "Gigmas"
01 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This week on the podcast Merideth offers 3 ways to thrive this month. "Gigmas," or the holiday creativity vortex that hits freelancers like a polar ex...
Meet an artist who wastes nothing (with Heather Lanier)
24 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Merideth chats with writer Heather Lanier about creating in the cracks, why she writes, and how to become more comfortable with the inheren...
Nothing is wasted
17 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This week on the podcast, something we all need to remember: no creative act is wasted. If you find yourself wondering what the point of all the tiny ...
Mini-Joys: Off/On Ramps
10 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This week on the podcast, a Mini-Joys episode all about something that's really helping me recently: an off/on ramp! Listen to learn more, and tel...
Throwback: Letting Go
03 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
It's hard to podcast when you have no voice! This week in lieu of Ariel from The Little Mermaid (post- encounter with Ursula), you're getting a throwb...