228: What's bringing me joy this spring

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 here. 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 [email protected]  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. Holly’s website Holly’s newsletter Holly’s book Jerome Lubbe’s teaching Connect with Christina Whitlock: Piano Instructor, Beyond Measure Podcast Connect with Stephanie Miller: Author, Writing Coach, Spiritual Growth Coach David Gate Enneagram Poem Postcards Buy Merideth a Coffee Register for the Artists for Joy enneagram workshop

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 here. 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 [email protected]  Original show notes: Perfectionism can keep us from starting altogether, stop us mid-art, and suck the joy out of the finished creative project. Can you relate?  This week on the podcast, Merideth chats with Enneagram One, Kendra Adachi (aka The Lazy Genius) about holding creative goals loosely, embracing imperfection, and becoming the architecture of your creative life.  Invitation:  1. Kendra's advice: "Ask someone you trust what they believe you bring to the creative process." 2. Explore The Lazy Genius' Magic Question: "What can I do now to make something easier later?" 3. Kendra says she lives by Suzanne Stabile's question, "What is mine to do?" Take this question to your journal and see what comes up.    Kendra Adachi’s Lazy Genius Collective Elizabeth Joy Hooker’s IG David Gate, poet, Enneagram Postcards Enneagram Workshop with Artists for Joy Enjoy the episode? Buy Merideth a coffee

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 in 2020, the first year of this podcast. What are your favorite ways to creatively rest? Tell me in the comments for this post on IG Burnout Talk @ International Double Reed Society Convention in Indy June Joyster Meet-Up Original Show notes: Do you know how to rest? This week Merideth explores the full spectrum of rest from an artist's perspective-- from mind-numbing TV to the REM cycles of the coveted 8 hours of sleep. She explores one writer's idea on how to do nothing, how we might translate our knack for creativity into a practice of restorative rest, and how this idea is built right into the creative process itself.  Read more about Jenny Odell's book here. Listen to Jessica X. Osborne here.  Download Jason Blythe's music here. 

This week: a rare unscripted episode! Merideth chats candidly about what's bringing her joy this spring. From shoes to hair accessories to writing playlists and everything in between, give it a listen and let us know what brings you joy in the comments for this episode on IG: @artistsforjoy. Some links (non-affiliate) Gola sneakers from Anthropologie Robe curls Writing playlist on Spotify  Become a Joyster on Patreon and support the podcast Subscribe to Merideth's email list  Read some early material from my new book, Art is How God Loves Us

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 like living in the show Severance. Despite a lifelong connection to the piano, she finds herself staring at 88 keys like they’re strangers. So what happens when something you love becomes inaccessible? Rene shares candidly about the emotional weight of turning her passion into her profession, and how that shift introduced pressure, shame, and sky-high expectations that made creativity feel more like a performance than a joy.  Merideth and Rene explore the connection between being a beginner at speaking a new language and rediscovering the wonder of music. Leveling up a skill can feel uncomfortable, but it can also be an opportunity to grow and restore a sense of awe. Rene’s exploration is a gift to anyone who’s ever felt stuck, scared, or unsure if they can still do the thing they used to love. If you’re trying to find your way back to creativity — or moving forward to a new find a version of it — this one’s for you. Apply to record a joy session with Merideth Support the show on Patreon Learn about the Creative Leap Mini-Mastermind Tell us what resonated about the episode on IG  

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 hoped to include her own artwork, Lexy found herself creatively blocked. As the conversation unfolds, she realizes she’s been overlooking just how far she’s come. Shifting from the lens of an “abused child” to one of “why not me?” opens a new sense of possibility, allowing her to embrace her strength and resilience rather than fear of vulnerability. Lexy recalls the courage it took to ask for help with the illustrations and feels pride in the accomplishment of collaboratively moving forward with a lifelong dream of getting her work published.  Lexy reminds us that while both encouragement and criticism can shape how we see ourselves, we ultimately hold the power to decide our own self-view. By choosing kindness and gentleness over guilt and shame, we create a more joyful and sustainable path forward. Apply to record a joy session with Merideth Support the show on Patreon Learn about the Creative Leap Mini-Mastermind Subscribe to the Email List Tell us what resonated about the episode on IG

This week on the podcast, author Maria Bowler (Making Time) returns to talk with Merideth about the creative process behind long-term projects. They dive into the emotional highs and lows—from starting something big, navigating the messy middle, facing self-doubt, and detaching identity from the work. Learn how to find support, balance creativity with marketability, and celebrate the finish line—with a mantra to carry you through the whole journey. Join the next Creative Leap Mastermind Maria Bowler's Substack

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 and violin, we explore the profound act of letting go: in parenting, in art, and in our relationship with the divine.  Tell me what you think about this episode on IG Read the transcript on Substack here Content warning: birth and medical trauma

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 the replay when it becomes available here.  Check out the Spotify playlist with all the episodes of the Enneagram series here. Original shownotes: Without further ado, our summer Enneagram series begins now! Merideth chats with enneagram coach Lee Fields (the impetus for this entire series) about how each Enneagram number's energy is needed in bringing a creative project from ideation to completion. Invitation: read through the list and circle a few that resonate with you. If you don’t know your type yet, check out these other enneagram resources. 8’s strive to feel powerful, resist other peoples’ boundaries 9’s strive to feel peaceful, resist their own priorities 1’s strive to feel perfect, resist relaxing 2’s strive to feel connected, resist tending to their own needs 3’s strive to feel outstanding, resist slowing down 4’s strive to feel unique, resist ordinary tasks 5’s strive to feel detached, resist engaging with others 6’s strive to feel secure, resist trusting others, the process, or themselves 7’s strive to feel excited, resist stillness, savoring, or appreciating what they have Connect with Lee Submit a "Sounds of Joy" video: [email protected] Love the show? Buy Merideth a coffee.

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 in the midst of chronic illness. She has already done the brave work of dreaming what’s possible, but the next step is to figure out how to make it happen while honoring her capacity and maintaining her energy. Together, they unpack the challenges of fear, self-doubt, grief, and financial uncertainty.  Amber reminds us that bravery is a practice, there isn’t only one way to be a successful and fulfilled entrepreneur, and that no action is too small.  Apply to record a joy session with Merideth Become a Joyster and join the Enneagram and Motivation Meet-Up Read Merideth’s latest Substack