Makers & Mystics

Hildegard von Bingen was a German Benedictine abbess. She was a writer, composer, philosopher, playwright and visionary.

Cole NeSmith is the founder and Executive Director of the Creative City Project and producer of IMMERSE, an annual performing and interactive arts event in the heart of Downtown Orlando. Cole started the award-winning Creative City Project in 2012 to cultivate creative community locally and to help shape the global perception of Orlando as a place known for creativity and innovation. In this episode, Stephen talks with Cole about the role of the arts in cultural transformation. 

Howard Finster was a folk artist and backwoods preacher from rural Georgia. He was known for his elaborate visions and the creation of his own Paradise Gardens. During the eighties, Howard's collaboration with the bands R.E.M. and Talking Heads catapulted him onto a global platform for his art and message. 

Ben Stamper is a filmmaker and artist based in the northeastern United States. His work spans narrative, documentary and contemplative genres with a particular interest in the patterns of nature and human movement. Ben has worked with groundbreaking artists and institutions, including Meredith Monk, the Paul Taylor American Modern Dance Company, New Chamber Ballet, and Matthew Rushing of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. Ben’s recent projects include Grisha, which is a sign language film based on a short story by Leo Tolstoy, (C)arbon, which is a three-gallery video installation at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in collaboration with choreographer Andrea Miller and Gallim Dance. In this episode Stephen talks with Ben about his intuitive approach to flmmaking, the role perception plays in our understanding of the world and the form of art he terms as “Visual Haiku.”

Nicholas Berdyaev was a Russian philosopher who believed our mission as human beings is to be collaborators with God in His continuing creation of the world. In this episode, Stephen highlights a passage from Berdyaev's book, The Meaning of The Creative Act on creativity and redemption. 

Julia Frey is a London based food writer, photographer and blogger. After moving from Canada to the UK seven years ago with her husband and children, she was homesick and between jobs. In order to occupy herself and have a creative outlet, she started an online recipe journal called Vikalinka. A few years later the online journal turned into a full-time job and allowed Julia to transition from teaching English to working for herself as a food writer and photographer.  In this episode, Stephen talks with Julia about her inspirations, the art of food and how creativity extends beyond the fine arts into every aspect of life. 

David Taylor is a professor of theology and culture at Fuller Theological Seminary 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.

Most people know Oswald Chambers as the author of the famous devotional, My Utmost For his Highest, but few people know Oswald was a passionate artist who longed to see the arts become a vibrant expression of faith.

Latifah Alattas is a singer/songwriter, producer, recording engineer and performer. Her project Moda Spira is a musical exploration of emotional honesty, characterized by intimate vocals and cinematic overtones.  In this episode, Stephen talks with Latifah about her upcoming album, her creative process and an in-depth look into her experience of journeying through grief. 

Audrey Assad is a singer/songwriter from Nashville, Tennessee who has written and recorded ten albums to date including her latest release, Evergreen. In this episode, Stephen talks with Audrey about the gut-wrenching deconstruction of her faith and the fertile ground of re-birth which fuels the concept behind Evergreen.

A look into the work of English detective novelist and theologian, Dorothy Sayers.

Erik Lokkesmoe is the owner of Aspiration Entertainment, a Nashville-based company that produces, markets and distributes “screen forward” entertainment for aspirational audiences. He is an executive producer of the 2015 New York Times Critics Pick film LAST DAYS IN THE DESERT, starring Ewan McGregor. In this episode, Stephen talks with Erik about his work in the film industry and what Erik terms as "the middle place," where artists with a faith background engage the general market with creativity and conviction.

A brief introduction to the work of Dutch scholar and philosopher, Hans Rookmaaker.

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. 

This episode was recorded live at The Breath & the Clay creative arts conference. Listen in to this conversation starter with Jonathan and Melissa Helser on emotional health and the creative process.