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Makers & Mystics

Stephen Roach

Makers & Mystics is the podcast for the art-driven, spiritually adventurous seekers of truth and lovers of life.

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  • 26 episodes
  • weekly
  • Avg 37 min
  • English

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Episodes 26

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  • S16 · E3
    January 27 · 39 min

    The Beauty of Authenticity with songwriter John Van Deusen

    The Beauty of Authenticity — John Van Deusen Songwriter John Van Deusen joins Makers & Mystics to explore the beauty of authenticity in art, faith, and vocation. In a creative landscape that often rewards certainty and success, John reflects on the cost—and freedom—of making honesty the point. At the center of the conversation is his latest album, As Long As I Am In The Tent of This Body I Will Make A Joyful Noise, a shape-shifting, faith-inflected collection that resists tidy resolutions and embraces vulnerability, doubt, joy, and embodied life. Together, host Stephen Roach and John Van Deusen talk about creative calling, audience expectation, near-successes, family life, and why authenticity remains a risky—but faithful—posture for artists. Send us Fan Mail Support the show CONNECT WITH US Website: http://www.makersandmystics.com Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/makersandmystics Support the show: patreon.com/makersandmystics Sign Up for Our Newsletter! http://eepurl.com/g49Ks1 GET A MAKERS X MYSTICS COFFEE MUG

  • S16 · E1
    January 13 · 26 min

    How Beauty Will Save The World with Winfield Bevins

    What role does beauty play in a fractured and hurried world—and what might happen if we allowed it to slow us down? This episode marks the beginning of a new Makers and Mystics series, The Pace of Beauty, exploring how beauty invites us into a more attentive and spiritually grounded way of living. In this opening conversation, Stephen Roach is joined by Winfield Bevins, author, artist, and founder of Creo Arts, a missional arts community awakening the world to the beauty of the Christian story. Together, they explore the themes of Winfield's book How Beauty Will Save the World and reflect on the intersection of art, faith, and community. Winfield shares personal stories of how art became a lifeline during a formative season of his life, and how creative practices can function as spiritual disciplines. He emphasizes the transformative power of beauty and the arts in a broken world, advocating for a deeper integration of creativity within the church. Book Offer for Listeners Oaks Press is offering listeners of Makers and Mystics a free copy of Winfield Bevins’s book How Beauty Will Save the World. Simply cover the cost of shipping and use the code MAKERS at checkout. Get your copy here: How Beauty Will Save the World — Oaks Press Resources How Beauty Will Save the World by Winfield Bevins Creo Arts Makers and Mystics Podcast Send us Fan Mail Support the show CONNECT WITH US Website: http://www.makersandmystics.com Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/makersandmystics Support the show: patreon.com/makersandmystics Sign Up for Our Newsletter! http://eepurl.com/g49Ks1 GET A MAKERS X MYSTICS COFFEE MUG

  • S16 · E2
    January 13 · 37 min

    Beauty and Resistance with Jonathan P. Walton

    What if beauty isn’t an escape from the outrage and exhaustion of the world—but a form of resistance against it? In a culture overrun with anxiety and uncertainty, turning toward beauty can feel almost defiant. In this episode of Makers & Mystics, host Stephen Roach is joined by theologian, poet, and cultural critic Jonathan P. Walton to explore how beauty forms us for resilience, integrity, and repair—both personally and communally. Drawing from his book Beauty and Resistance: Spiritual Rhythms for Formation and Repair, Walton reflects on the spiritual and emotional work required to live truthfully in a hurried, narcissistic culture. Together, they discuss the tension between joy and guilt, the importance of celebration and lament, and the danger of the false self in spiritual formation. Jonathan introduces the Four Rs—Rest, Restore, Resist, Repeat—as a crafted rule of life that helps us resist what deforms us while cultivating beauty, depth, and intentional living. He also shares the backstory behind his poem “Change of Plans,” offering insight into how community, faith, and honesty shape the long journey toward wholeness. This conversation is an invitation to slow down, tend to what is wounded, and rediscover beauty not as escape—but as faithful resistance. Resources & Links Beauty and Resistance: Spiritual Rhythms for Formation and Repair — Jonathan P. Walton Support The Podcast — Join our Patreon growing community! http://www.patreon.com/makersandmystics Send us Fan Mail Support the show CONNECT WITH US Website: http://www.makersandmystics.com Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/makersandmystics Support the show: patreon.com/makersandmystics Sign Up for Our Newsletter! http://eepurl.com/g49Ks1 GET A MAKERS X MYSTICS COFFEE MUG

  • January 12 · 3 min

    The Pace of Beauty

    Moving at the Pace of Beauty Season Introduction — Makers & Mystics Podcast Elaine Scarry writes that “beauty quickens. It adrenalizes. It makes the heart beat faster.” Beauty is immediate in this way. It strikes us unaware and de-centers us, throwing us off balance and ushering us into a moment of euphoria. Beauty comes to us in a flash, a sudden recognition, or a moment of beholding; however, its effects call for a much slower pace, one of deliberation and contemplation. The pace of beauty runs counter to the breakneck speed of modern society. When we are hurrying along from one task to the next, we don’t take time to notice the tiny flowers along the roadside. We don’t see the grains within the hardwood or the elaborate stitching within a hand-woven rug. Beauty, then, is sometimes hidden and only reveals itself to those willing to slow down and surrender their gaze. In this new series of Makers and Mystics, we’re going to explore the pace of beauty and how it serves as a conduit of grace and creative unction. We’re going to hear from a collection of artists, theologians, and creative instigators on how beauty impacts them spiritually and creatively. Send us Fan Mail Support the show CONNECT WITH US Website: http://www.makersandmystics.com Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/makersandmystics Support the show: patreon.com/makersandmystics Sign Up for Our Newsletter! http://eepurl.com/g49Ks1 GET A MAKERS X MYSTICS COFFEE MUG

  • January 6 · 56 min

    The Person and The Persona: Mental Health, Fame, and the Artist’s Soul

    In this episode of Makers and Mystics, host Stephen Roach is joined by Jared Farley of Porter’s Call, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting the emotional and mental health of touring artists and their families. Together, they explore the tension between persona and person, stage life and home life, and the unique pressures artists face when identity becomes brand. The conversation examines the impact of fame on the human soul, the importance of sustainable rhythms, and why community and storytelling are essential for healing and wholeness. Jared shares insights into why the soul is not built for fame, how isolation fuels addiction, and how intentional care and connection help artists return to themselves. Whether you’re a touring musician, a creative professional, or someone seeking greater integration in your life, this conversation offers practical wisdom for the journey toward wholeness. Resources Porter’s Call: https://www.porterscall.com Backline: https://backline.care/ Makers and Mystics Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/makersandmystics Send us Fan Mail Support the show CONNECT WITH US Website: http://www.makersandmystics.com Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/makersandmystics Support the show: patreon.com/makersandmystics Sign Up for Our Newsletter! http://eepurl.com/g49Ks1

  • Dec 16, 2025 · 47 min

    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 8 Send us Fan Mail Support the show Sign Up for Our Newsletter! http://eepurl.com/g49Ks1 Connect with Makers & Mystics Website: https://makersandmystics.com Patreon: https://patreon.com/makersandmystics Instagram: https://instagram.com/makersandmystics

Showing 21–26 of 26 episodes