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In this bonus episode, I speak with one of today’s favorite mental health advocates, Dani Parks. Dani is a public speaker, author, minister and mentor of young adult girls. In our conversation, she shares her story about her struggles with depression, suicide attempts, and the mental suffering she endured for over ten years due to the incorrect treatment of her bipolar disorder.  Get Dani’s Journal

In this episode, I talk with Author and Professor ,Mary McCampbell about her book, Imagining Our Neighbors As Ourselves: How Art Shapes Empathy. In our conversation, we discuss how narrative art serves as an invitation to awaken and expand our capacity for empathy. Buy Mary’s Book Support The Podcast! Your generosity enables this work to continue. Featured music by: Jessamyn Day Interlude music by: Luke Vandergriff

Sho Baraka is a globally recognized recording artist, performer, culture curator, activist, and writer. His work combines his artistic platform with his academic history to contribute a unique perspective, elevating the contemporary conversation on faith, art, and culture. In this episode I talk with Sho about his book, He Saw That It Was Good: Reimagining Your Creative Life to Repair a Broken World We discuss how art and imagination address the issues we face in today’s society in ways other forms of communication cannot.  Patrons of the podcast can enjoy an additional interview segment with Sho Baraka as well as other guests of the podcast Brightbell Creative: Meaningful Marketing for The Creative Artist

In this Round Table Discussion, I talk with visual artist and performance speaker, Scott Erickson along with trauma therapist, ritual-maker and NYC-based artist, Heather Stringer. In this round table, we talk candidly about disorientation and the process of re-orienting after two years of social and personal upheaval. Join the Creative Collective Official Website Follow Us on Instagram

Joshua Luke Smith is a British rapper, poet, and producer with a dramatic, socially conscious style rooted in explorations of the Christian faith. He was born in London raised in Pakistan, and holds a degree in philosophy, which informs his music with a unique perspective on the world both from his education and experience.  In this episode, I talk with Joshua about his upbringing, his creative process as well as well as philosophy and overcoming addiction. Get Joshua’s new book Something You Once Knew Join The Creative Collective to access additional patron only interview segments in our creative collective. SIGN UP FOR OUR SUMMER BOOK CLUB Brightbell Creative: Meaningful marketing for the creative artist.

Naming The Animals is a new podcast by Makers and Mystics! This eight episode series follows a chapter by chapter discussion of Stephen Roach’s book Naming The Animals: An Invitation To Creativity. Each week, Stephen will be joined by Square Halo’s Creative Director, Ned Bustard and a variety of biblical scholars, professional artists and creative thought leaders on topics such as inspiration, contemplation and beauty. This podcast is an accompaniment to the Makers and Mystics Creative Collective Book Club, running June 8th - July 27th, 2022. To join the Book Club, sign up for the Maker tier of patronage at Patreon.com/makersandmystics

William Day is an American painter known for his large-scale compositions of colorful shapes and energetic marks. His process leads him to create paintings in series, each focusing on different nuances of the human experience. In this episode, Stephen talks with Will about his latest series titled Breakout which explores themes of reset and rebirth. This discussion includes topics such as: The impact of isolation, How to handle negative critique and living beyond fear.  Patrons of the podcast can enjoy additional interview segments with Will at patreon.com/makersandmystics Brightbell Creative: Offering meaningful marketing for the creative artist.

In this episode Stephen Roach talks with philosopher, James K.A. Smith about the role of imagination in "re-storying" the narratives we believe about ourselves and society. connect with James K.A. Smith Sponsor: Brightbell Creative: Meaningful Marketing For The Creative Artist Support The Podcast! Contributing as little as one to ten dollars a month makes a huge difference in our ability to produce quality content and lift a voice of encouragement to artists and creatives around the world. Patrons receive access to additional interview segments, online book clubs and discussions on art and the spiritual life.

Ryan Lott of the experimental, electronic trio talks with Stephen Roach about composing for the film Everything, Everywhere, All At Once. Son Lux Everything, Everywhere, All At Once Brightbell Creative: Creating Meaningful Marketing For the Creative Artist.

This Artist Profile explores the spiritual life of French Philosopher Simone Weil. Join the Makers & Mystics Creative Collective! We have some new stuff happening in the crew! Brightbell Creative: Meaningful Marketing for The Creative Artist. Let us help you clarify the language your art speaks and connect your work with your audience.

In this third and final segment of The Artist Round Table on Mental Health, Stephen, John Mark and Vesper talk about neo-monasticism, the worship of youth culture, art as a means of therapy, and making sense of the darker parts of our existence with Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama. Sponsor: Brightbell Creative: Meaningful Marketing for The Creative Artist Join Our Creative Collective!

In this second segment of our 3 part conversation on mental health and the artist, my discussion with singer/songwriter John Mark McMillan and author/illustrator Vesper Stamper takes us to topics of art and identity, genius and madness and the dangers of isolation. Listen to the NPR talk about Kanye West and Mental Health Brightbell Creative: Meaningful Marketing for The Creative Artist Join Our Creative Collective!

What does Kanye West, Thomas Edison and Psychologist Adam Grant have to do with Social Media, Depression, Suicide and the Pursuit of Calling? These are all discussed in this round table discussion on Mental Health and the Artist with John Mark McMillan, Vesper Stamper and Stephen Roach. This discussion begins with the question, "Can you separate the art from the artist.... and should you?" Listen to the NPR talk about Kanye West and Mental Health Brightbell Creative: Meaningful Marketing for The Creative Artist Join Our Creative Collective!

In this episode social worker Holly Oxhandler discusses chronic burnout, compassion fatigue and Holly’s latest book, The Soul Of The Helper: Seven Stages To Seeing The Sacred Within Yourself So You Can See It In Others.  Holly Oxhandler The Soul of The Helper Book CXMH podcast Become a Patron of the Makers & Mystics Podcast Brightbell Creative: Meaningful Marketing for the Creative Artist Composer Sean Williams

In this season opening episode, Stephen Roach returns to the podcast for this timely conversation with trauma therapist Dan Allender about creativity, the troubled nature of the artist and Dan’s latest book, Redeeming Heartache: How Past Suffering Reveals Our True Calling. Connect with Dan Allender Join the Makers & Mystics Creative Collective! Instagram Music by Sean Williams Mentions In The Episode: Picasso, Shegal, Trauma, Therapy. The World Needs Your Art! We Provide Meaningful Marketing Strategies for the Creative Artist with Stephen Roach

Gabrielle Grace Porchlight Network Become a Patron of the podcast!

Carly Taich Porchlight Art + Hospitality Become a Patron of the Podcast! Join our exclusive book clubs, community discussions and receive patron only content!

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John Hendrix Website Vesper Stamper mid-roll soundscape provided by Sean Williams Join our Creative Collective! Instagram

Silicone Boone: Official Website Instagram Sign up for our September book club featuring Art & Faith by Makoto Fujimura. Follow Makers & Mystics on Instagram! Visit our website for over 200 artist conversations and episodes. Guest-host John Mark McMillan