Making Space for Creative Community: Behind the Scenes of Breath and Clay 2026

In this episode, Stephen Roach sits down with creative collaborators Justin McRoberts, Whitney Hancock, and Corey Frey for a conversation about the art of building authentic creative community.From introducing their new online offering, "The Light Between," to a behind-the-scenes look at the upcoming Breath and the Clay 2026 event, themed "Making Space," this conversation explores how artists can create meaningful spaces for vulnerability, process, and mutual discovery in their creative work.This episode is a celebration of artistic collaboration, meaningful friendship, and the quiet transformation that happens when we make room for mystery. About the Guests:Corey Frey is a visual artist, poet, and musician based in Frederick, Maryland. Alongside his wife Christy, he co-founded The Well Collaborative, a community devoted to wonder, hospitality, and creativity. Corey serves as Exhibitions Manager at the Delaplaine Arts Center and is also a co-host of the Makers & Mystics Creative Collective book clubs.Justin McRoberts is an author, speaker, musician, and spiritual director whose work bridges storytelling, faith, and creative formation. Through books, retreats, and mentorship, Justin helps people uncover their voice and live with greater authenticity. His work invites individuals and communities into deeper reflection, meaningful transformation, and a more embodied approach to creativity and spiritual life.Whitney Hancock is an embodiment coach and creative director whose work centers on restoring presence, emotional honesty, and embodied spirituality. A former founding director of the Redding City Dance Company, Whitney now leads spaces—online and in person—where movement, breath, and nervous system awareness help people reconnect with the sacred intelligence of their bodies.Stephen Roach is the founder of The Breath & The Clay and host of the Makers & Mystics podcast. He is a poet, creative mentor, and multi-instrumentalist with a background in ethnomusicology and film composition. His forthcoming book, How To See Invisible Things, will be published in October 2026 with Zondervan Reflective.Opportunities & Resources:🎟 Get tickets for The Breath & The Clay 2026 thebreathandtheclay.com🖋 Connect with Corey Frey coreyfrey.substack.com📘 Justin McRoberts’ new book InTheLow.com🌿 Learn about Whitney Hancock’s Woven Method The Woven Method🤍 Support the podcast & join the Makers & Mystics Creative Collective patreon.com/makersandmystics✨ REGISTER HERE: “THE LIGHT BETWEEN” Gathering — January 8Send us a textSupport the showJoin the Makers and Mystics Creative Collective Get Tickets to The Breath and The Clay 2026 featuring Malcolm Guite, Jon Guerra, and Jonathan Pageau! March 20-22 in Winston Salem, NC.

In this inter-seasonal episode, Stephen Roach is joined by returning guests Paul Anleitner and John Mark McMillan for a discussion of Guillermo del Toro’s new Frankenstein adaptation. Together they explore del Toro’s visual storytelling, the spiritual and theological roots of Mary Shelley’s original vision, and why horror remains one of the most powerful vehicles for truth in our modern age.What We DiscussMary Shelley’s Origin Story The Geneva “ghost story” challenge, volcanic winter, and the dream that inspired Frankenstein—plus the timely synchronicity with Stephen’s upcoming book.Del Toro’s Visual Parable Color symbolism, the contrast between Victor and the creature, and how the film communicates its meaning through pure imagery.Theology, Philosophy & Monsters Del Toro’s spiritual connection to the story, humanity’s desire to play creator, and how horror works only within a moral universe.Ambition, Ego & Shadow Victor and the creature as two halves of the same self, crucifixion imagery, and why many successful people feel they’ve “created monsters” of their own.Why Horror Still Haunts Us Horror as enchantment, ancient narrative patterns, and our longing for stories that reveal hidden cosmic significance.GuestsPaul Anleitner – paulanleitner.substack.comJohn Mark McMillan – johnmarkmcmillan.comHostStephen Roach, author of the upcoming How to See Invisible Things (October 2026). makersandmystics.com • thebreathandtheclay.comSend us a textSupport the showJoin the Makers and Mystics Creative Collective Get Tickets to The Breath and The Clay 2026 featuring Malcolm Guite, Jon Guerra, and Jonathan Pageau! March 20-22 in Winston Salem, NC.

In this brief inter-seasonal update, Stephen Roach shares what is happening within the Makers and Mystics community, where the podcast is headed next, and what to expect at the next Breath and The Clay event, March 20-22, 2026. The Breath and The ClayJoin our creative collectiveSend us a textSupport the showJoin the Makers and Mystics Creative Collective Get Tickets to The Breath and The Clay 2026 featuring Malcolm Guite, Jon Guerra, and Jonathan Pageau! March 20-22 in Winston Salem, NC.

In this season finale, Stephen Roach closes out our exploration of creative flow with a rich conversation with several artists from the Makers & Mystics Patreon community. Joining the discussion are artist and educator Angela Houk, writer and branding expert Steve Brock, and poet and visual artist Corey Frey.Together, the crew explores the interplay between resistance and flow—how creative blocks, limitations, and even frustrations can actually become the conditions that allow new work to emerge and personal character to develop. As Wendell Berry reminds us, “the impeded stream is the one that sings.”This episode examines:Why resistance can be a gift in the creative process.How Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi’s theory of flow connects to happiness and fulfillment.The balance between focus and receptivity in both art and relationships.How preparation, practice, and openness set the stage for flow.The “radical middle” where challenge and skill convergeConnecting the experience of flow to the Holy SpiritThis is a thoughtful, inspiring conversation on navigating resistance, finding flow, and staying open to the creativity that emerges when we least expect it.Connect with the guests:Angela HoukSteve BrockCorey Frey–––Support the Podcast If you’d like to go deeper in these conversations and be part of the Makers & Mystics creative collective, consider joining us on Patreon. You’ll gain access to monthly online gatherings, bonus content, creative prompts, and a vibrant community of artists pursuing faith and imagination together.👉 Join the community on PatreonSend us a textSupport the showJoin the Makers and Mystics Creative Collective Get Tickets to The Breath and The Clay 2026 featuring Malcolm Guite, Jon Guerra, and Jonathan Pageau! March 20-22 in Winston Salem, NC.

Behind the curtain of cinema lies a hidden language, spoken not in words, but in sound.In this episode of Makers and Mystics, Stephen Roach interviews Foley artist Ronnie Van Der Veer, exploring the intricate world of sound design in film. Ronnie shares his journey into Foley art, the importance of creating realistic sound effects, and the techniques he employs to enhance the cinematic experience. The conversation explores the creative process behind sound symbolism, and practical advice for aspiring Foley artists. Through case studies of films like 'The Occupant' and 'The Forgotten Battle,' listeners gain insight into the art of sound and its profound impact on storytelling.About the guest:  Ronnie van der Veer is an award winning foley artist from the Netherlands. From his studio just outside Amsterdam he has worked on movies like The Lobster by Yorgos Lanthimos, Girl by Lukas Dhont, war movie The Forgotten Battle and various Netflix, Disney and Amazon Originals. Ronnie uses his background as a drummer in his work as a foley artist.See more of Ronnie's work:www.foleytales.comInstagram https://www.instagram.com/foley.tales/Films referenced in this episode:  The Forgotten Battle: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10521092/?ref_=nm_knf_t_2The Occupant: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7230422/?ref_=nm_flmg_job_1_cdt_t_6Connect with Makers and Mystics:Patreon: http://www.patreon.com/makersandmysticsInstagram: http://www.instagram.com/makersandmysticsAPPLY FOR OUR NOVEMBER 21-23, 2025 WRITER'S RETREAT IN THE BEAUTIFUL MOUNTAINS OF N.C. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScaiDW84Ktc1KH1JLt236fNPaiKW22E_XnzJqIgjHc5zijzfA/viewform?usp=headerSend us a textSupport the showJoin the Makers and Mystics Creative Collective Get Tickets to The Breath and The Clay 2026 featuring Malcolm Guite, Jon Guerra, and Jonathan Pageau! March 20-22 in Winston Salem, NC.

What does the life of a bizarre fifth-century monk have to offer our lives in the modern world today? This episode of the Makers and Mystics podcast explores the life and influence of Simeon Stylites, a Syrian Christian ascetic known for his extreme devotion and outlandish lifestyle of standing atop a pillar for 37 years. Stephen Roach highlights Simeon's early life, his ascetic practices, and the profound impact he had on society during his time. The discussion reveals how Simeon's unwavering commitment to prayer and his role as a public figure offers an example for how we stand atop our own pillars and digital platforms today. Join the Makers and Mystics creative collective Apply to attend The Breath and The Clay writer's retreat, November 21-23rd, in Moravian Falls, NC. Support The PodcastSend us a textSupport the showJoin the Makers and Mystics Creative Collective Get Tickets to The Breath and The Clay 2026 featuring Malcolm Guite, Jon Guerra, and Jonathan Pageau! March 20-22 in Winston Salem, NC.

Amy Leigh Wicks is a poet, actress, and educator from New York City. She holds a PhD in Creative Writing from Victoria University of Wellington in New Zealand and an MFA from The New School in New York. She recently served as Dean of Performing Arts at Bethel Conservatory of the Arts and is the author of The Dangerous Country of Love and Marriage (Auckland University Press, 2019) and Orange Juice and Rooftops (Eloquent Books, 2009).In this episode, Stephen Roach talks with Amy about the intersection of presence, performance, and poetic confession. Their conversation explores the emotional depth of character work, the daily rhythms that sustain creativity, and the subtle terrain where vulnerability gives way to transcendence.At the heart of the conversation, Amy unpacks the idea of confessional transcendence—the mysterious way raw honesty in art can lead beyond self-expression into something sacred and universal. Through personal stories and reflections, she explores how poetry and acting together deepen her awareness of beauty, pain, and the human condition. The episode culminates in a moving reading of her poetry that embodies the very themes explored.Resources: Get Amy's Book: The Dangerous Country of Love and MarriageSupport The Podcast! Show some love! If this, or other episodes, have helped you in your creative/spiritual journey, become a monthly patron. Follow us on InstagramSend us a textSupport the showJoin the Makers and Mystics Creative Collective Get Tickets to The Breath and The Clay 2026 featuring Malcolm Guite, Jon Guerra, and Jonathan Pageau! March 20-22 in Winston Salem, NC.

As artists, we live our lives between worlds, the one in which we imagine and the one in which we must survive. But what do we do when the life we imagine and the life we live are incongruent? Often our lives look much different on paper than they do in our dreams.  Joining us for this conversation is author, speaker, and public health professional Prasanta Verma. Prasanta's first book, Beyond Ethnic Loneliness, was released in April 2024 and is a 2024 INDIES Foreword Book of the Year Finalist. Prasanta is a graduate of the Kenyon Writers Workshop, a Write On Door County Writing Residency, and one of her essays won Honorable Mention in the WI Writers Jade Ring Essay Contest in 2023. Prasanta writes to help us feel seen and find a sense of belonging, and wants to help us envision a society where we are healthier and more connected. She is both an academic and creative, and is currently working on her doctorate in public health.In this episode, Prasanta shares about the concept of the ghost life and how art bridges the gap between our lived experiences and our aspirations. She shares insights on the importance of community, the difference between solitude and isolation, and the need for radical acceptance to keep creative flow through life's unexpected turns.Resources: Join the Makers and Mystics Creative Collective Follow Us on InstagramPrasanta's SubstackSend us a textSupport the showJoin the Makers and Mystics Creative Collective Get Tickets to The Breath and The Clay 2026 featuring Malcolm Guite, Jon Guerra, and Jonathan Pageau! March 20-22 in Winston Salem, NC.

“How do we hold both urgency and intimacy in our creative practices? How can an artist become a vessel of divine presence — not only in churches, but on club stages, in studios, and in everyday life?”In today’s episode, I’m joined by jazz and gospel pianist Julian Davis Reid — a Chicago-based artist-theologian whose work sits at the crossroads of sound, spirit, and scholarship. Julian is a founding member of the jazz-electronic fusion group The JuJu Exchange and the creator of Notes of Rest, a ministry that invites the weary into the rest of God practiced in the Bible and Black music.In our conversation, Julian and I talk about finding flow as a spiritual discipline, the tension between performance and presence, and what it means to make art that is both urgent and intimate. Support the Makers and Mystics podcast! Follow us on InstagramSend us a textSupport the showJoin the Makers and Mystics Creative Collective Get Tickets to The Breath and The Clay 2026 featuring Malcolm Guite, Jon Guerra, and Jonathan Pageau! March 20-22 in Winston Salem, NC.

How does imagination shape not only our art but our spiritual formation? And what does it mean to hold space for play, growth, and even disappointment within our creative process?In this episode, Stephen Roach is joined by Jon Guerra — a singer, songwriter, and film composer based in Austin, Texas, whose work is marked by its devotional nature and spiritual depth.Jon shares the inspiration behind his latest record, Jesus, a deeply personal and contemplative album born from the tension between daily life and artistic calling. The conversation explores his experience scoring Terrence Malick’s A Hidden Life, the unpredictable and iterative nature of the creative process, and how imagination serves as a vital tool in both spiritual formation and the search for creative flow.Topics Include:Imagination as a tool for spiritual and artistic formationFinding creative flow amidst life’s changing seasonsThe role of play, growth, and disappointment in the creative processScoring for film and the collaborative, iterative nature of that workThe inspiration behind Jon’s new album JesusThe relationship between daily demands and sustained creativitySupport The Podcast:One time donation or monthly Send us a textSupport the showJoin the Makers and Mystics Creative Collective Get Tickets to The Breath and The Clay 2026 featuring Malcolm Guite, Jon Guerra, and Jonathan Pageau! March 20-22 in Winston Salem, NC.