The Creative Catholics Podcast

A. Cahill

Can creativity become a form of prayer?
Is there meaning in the work no one sees?
Is this desire to create a calling—or a distraction?

The Creative Catholics is a podcast for Catholic creatives who feel called to create— but aren’t sure how to begin or how it fits into their faith and daily life.

Hosted by a theatre professor turned homeschooling mother, this podcast explores the meeting place of creativity and faith. Through reflective solo episodes and honest conversations, each episode offers gentle guidance for the real rhythms of creative life—how to begin in small, real ways; how to stay faithful when your work goes unseen; and how to create without chasing recognition.

You don’t need perfect conditions or hours of free time—just a small space to begin, even now, as you listen.

Come as you are.

Bring what is unfinished, unseen, still becoming.

Even here—in the hidden, slow work of your hands—something sacred is taking shape.

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#22
Yesterday · 29 min
The Temptation of AI and the Art of Being Human
What happens to our creativity, our prayer, and even our humanity when we let AI do too much for us? In this episode of Creative Catholics, Alex Cahill explores the temptation of AI from a distinctly Christian perspective. Rather than asking simply whether AI is good or bad, she asks a deeper question: What is using AI doing to us? AI can write, compose, create images, answer questions, and make our lives remarkably efficient. But what happens when convenience begins to replace the difficult, beautiful work of being human? What happens when we stop thinking, creating, praying, learning, or communicating because a machine can do it faster? Drawing on Magnifica Humanitas, the Tower of Babel, Genesis, the saints, and the Christian understanding of creativity, Alex reflects on why our struggles and limitations may be more important than we realise. Creativity isn't simply about producing something impressive—it is about participating in God's creation with the particular gifts, experiences, memories, and perspective He has given us. The question isn't simply, Should I use AI? It's: What am I using it for? What am I allowing it to replace? And what kind of person am I becoming because of the way I use it? Because we're not machines. We're human beings, made in the image of God, called to create, love, work, pray, and ultimately become saints. Sponsors/Links Marie Miller Music: mariemillermusic.com Sponsored by Riverside Connect with The Creative Catholics! Our Website: creativecatholicspodcast.com On Instagram: @thecreativecatholics
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#21
September 28 · 23 min
Catholic Art, Tattoos, and Finding Beauty Everywhere with Hannah Golonka-Flores
What happens when God puts a creative desire on your heart—and asks you to say yes? In this episode, Alex sits down with Catholic artist Hannah Golonka-Flores to talk about following God’s call into a life of creativity. Hannah shares the story of how a conversation with a nun in Poland gave her the courage to pursue art full-time, and what it looks like to trust God when the path forward isn’t always clear. Hannah also talks about her unique style of Catholic art, including religious imagery inspired by tattoo art, finding God through the beauty of creation, and the unexpected inspiration she found while visiting an aquarium. Together, Alex and Hannah explore what it means to create with faith, work through creative blocks, and recognize that inspiration can be found in the most ordinary places. They also discuss creating through seasons of chronic migraines, learning to receive rest rather than seeing it as wasted time, and discovering how suffering can be united with Christ. Whether you’re an artist, someone who feels creatively stuck, or simply someone wondering what God might be asking you to create, this episode is an invitation to look for beauty, trust the process, and—most importantly—never stop creating. Connect with The Creative Catholics Website: thecreativecatholicspodcast.com Instagram: @thecreativecatholics Connect with Hannah Golonka-Flores Website: https://hannahgolonka.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hg_ur/ Sponsors Riverside Marie Miller Music
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#20
September 21 · 29 min
How God Used Our Creativity to Write the (Second) Best Love Story
What if God had bigger plans for your creative interests? Sometimes we work on creative projects that we think will never go anywhere. They don’t become a side hustle but they do bring us an internal sense of peace and understanding. But what if God had bigger plans for our creative interests? Something beyond money and recognition. In this episode, I sit down with my husband Tom to discuss how God used each of our creative interests to bring us together. We discuss how God inspired our creative interests, kept those interests alive through the years, and how certain opportunities led to our meeting. If you’re wondering about how your creative interests might play out in God’s plan for your life…or if you’re just a bit of a romantic, hopefully you’ll enjoy this personal episode of The Creative Catholics. Connect with The Creative Catholics Follow along for future episodes, guest interviews, and reflections on faith, creativity, craftsmanship, beauty, and the hidden life. Instagram: @thecreativecatholics Website: thecreativecatholics.com Sponsors/Links Intro/outro music by Marie Miller This episode is sponsored by Riverside
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#19
September 14 · 31 min
A Litany for Creative Souls
Creating a Personal Litany for Your Creative Soul What if the saints aren't simply people we admire, but friends who can accompany us in our creative lives? Creativity can be joyful and life-giving — but it can also feel lonely. We wonder whether our ideas matter, whether we're wasting our time, or even whether making things is somehow self-indulgent. In this episode, we explore the idea of creating a personal litany for your creative soul, inspired by the wisdom of St Francis de Sales. Rather than choosing saints simply because they are patrons of a particular profession, we look for the saints whose lives, struggles, gifts and virtues speak to us. From writers and artists to musicians, performers, makers, cooks and creative entrepreneurs, we meet saints who can teach us about hidden work, beauty, perseverance, humility, imagination, hospitality and the temptation to seek recognition. Most importantly, we consider how our creativity can become part of our life with God — not something separate from our holiness. You don't need to become somebody else to become holy. You can become holy as the particular person God created you to be. So, who is the saint you need as a friend? Sponsors/Links Thank you to Marie Miller for her beautiful music. Thank you to Riverside for sponsoring this episode. Don't Stop Praying song on YouTube Connect with The Creative Catholics Instagram: @thecreativecatholics Website: creativecatholicspodcast.com
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#18
September 7 · 23 min
From Flowers to Rosary Beads: Flowers and Faith with Cecilia Gardner
What if a simple creative idea became a vocation? In this episode of The Creative Catholics, Alex Cahill sits down with Cecilia Gardner, founder of Mary’s Bouquet, a business that transforms meaningful flowers into beautiful rosaries. Cecilia’s journey began in 2020 during daily Rosary walks around her grandparents’ property. Surrounded by the beauty of nature and uncertain about what God was calling her to do, she had a simple thought: Could I make rosary beads from real flowers? What began as an experiment gradually became a craft, a business, and ultimately a way of living out her vocation. Cecilia shares how flowers, the Rosary, and creativity have shaped her faith—and why she sees making a rosary from flowers as a beautiful way of offering something back to Our Lady. Alex and Cecilia also explore perseverance, discerning God’s will, finding creativity in motherhood, and the reminder that we don't have to accomplish anything to have infinite value. A beautiful conversation about flowers, prayer, creativity, vocation, and saying yes to God. Thank you to Marie Miller for her music for the intro and outro Thank you to Riverside for sponsoring this episode - check out Riverside if you want to record or edit audio files. Connect with The Creative Catholics on Instagram Check out our website! Connect with Mary's Bouquet on Instagram and online If this episode has inspired you, please share it with others you think may be interested and please subscribe for our future episodes! Thank you and God Bless!
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#17
August 31 · 24 min
Creating Our Own Crosses
What if some of the burdens weighing us down aren’t crosses God has asked us to carry—but stories we’ve created around the life we wish we had? In this vulnerable and deeply personal episode, Alex reflects on the difference between real suffering and the additional weight we can create through comparison, expectations, resistance, and attachment to a particular outcome. Drawing on the wisdom of St. Francis de Sales, St. Thérèse, Job, the three young men in Daniel, and Christ in Gethsemane, she explores what it means to desire good things without allowing our peace to depend on receiving them. Using the image of the wooden cup and the silver cup, this episode is an invitation to stop waiting for the “perfect” circumstances to begin living faithfully—and instead to recognise the grace, love, and life God is offering us right now. Can we still hope, pray, dream, and work towards change while surrendering the outcome to God? Can we want the silver cup, while still gratefully drinking the water? A reflection on surrender, spiritual freedom, unnecessary suffering, and learning to become holy in the life we actually have. Thank you to Marie Miller for her music for the intro and outro Thank you to Riverside for sponsoring this episode - check out Riverside if you want to record or edit audio files. Connect with The Creative Catholics on Instagram Check out our website! If this episode has inspired you, please share it with others you think may be interested and please subscribe for our future episodes! Thank you and God Bless!
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S1 · E16
August 24 · 34 min
When God Calls You to Create: Faith, Motherhood & The Courage to Begin with Olivia Spears
What does it look like to follow God’s call while raising a family, homeschooling, and creating something meaningful? In this episode of The Creative Catholics, Alex sits down with Olivia Spears, founder of Into the Deep, to talk about the intersection of faith, motherhood, creativity, and work. Olivia shares the story behind Into the Deep and how what began as a resource for her own children grew into a mission serving Catholic families. Together, they explore the difference between simply teaching the faith and helping children truly fall in love with it, the tension mothers can feel between family life and creative work, and what it means to recognize that these different parts of ourselves can coexist. They also dive into discernment, perseverance, failure, social media, and the hidden ways God uses our work to refine us. Olivia offers a beautiful reminder that when we prayerfully make the best decision we can, we don't have to be afraid of getting it wrong—God's grace goes with us. This is a conversation about trusting God with the things we're building, learning to steward rather than control our work, and remembering that holiness can be found in every part of our lives. Plus, Olivia shares what's new at Into the Deep, including Virtus: A Treasury for the Good Life, an upcoming study on Confession, and the next level of their full-year catechesis curriculum. Thank you to Marie Miller for sharing her music Check out Riverside to record or edit audio files Connect with The Creative Catholics on Instagram @thecreativecatholics Read the show notes at creativecatholicspodcast.com Connect with Into the Deep on Instagram Check out Into the Deep's Curriculum on their website If this episode inspired you, please share it with others and leave a review
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#15
August 23 · 13 min
Our Creative God: St Joseph's Staircase
In this episode of Creative Catholics, Alex continues the mini-series on Our Creative God by reflecting on the mysterious beauty of the famous staircase in the Loretto Chapel in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Through the story of an unknown carpenter, a novena to St. Joseph, and a staircase that seems to rise without visible support, Alex explores why beauty can move us before we understand it. From Scripture and St. Augustine to C. S. Lewis and St. Bonaventure, this episode considers how creation points beyond itself toward its Creator—and why every beautiful thing can awaken in us a longing for something more. Beauty doesn't simply satisfy us. It lifts our eyes. It reminds us of Eden, points us toward heaven, and whispers that we were made for home. Perhaps the greatest work of the Master Carpenter isn't a staircase at all, but the human soul. A reflection on beauty, wonder, mystery, creativity, and the God who is still making all things new. Sponsor/Links Check out Riverside for recording/editing audio files! Huge thank you to Marie Miller for letting us use her music for the intro and outro! Connect with The Creative Catholics! Website: creativecatholicspodcast.com Instagram: @thecreativecatholics
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#14
August 10 · 21 min
Creating Joy with Catholic Cartoons with Josh Masterson
In this episode of The Creative Catholics, I sit down with Catholic cartoonist Josh Masterson, creator of the beloved Father Otto comics, to explore how humor, creativity, and faith can come together to reveal the beauty of ordinary parish life. Josh shares the story of how he discovered his creative calling, why he chose cartoons over fine art, and how following the gifts God had already given him brought a deep sense of peace. We also talk about the role of joy in evangelisation, using creativity to share the faith, and why laughter can be a powerful bridge to God. Whether you're an artist, writer, musician, or simply someone discerning how God is calling you to use your gifts, this conversation is a wonderful reminder that creativity can become a joyful path to holiness. In this episode, we discuss: Josh's journey to becoming a Catholic cartoonist The inspiration behind Father Otto Why humor is a powerful tool for sharing the faith Creative calling, discernment, and trusting God's plan Finding joy in the creative process Josh's upcoming animated Christmas special If this episode encouraged you, please consider following the podcast and leaving a review—it helps more people discover conversations on creativity, faith, and the hidden life. Connect with The Catholic Cartoonist On Instagram: @the_catholic_cartoonist https://www.the-catholic-cartoon.com/ Sponsor/Links Check out Riverside for recording/editing audio files! Huge thank you to Marie Miller for letting us use her music for the intro and outro! Connect with The Creative Catholics! Website: creativecatholicspodcast.com Instagram: @thecreativecatholics
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#13
August 3 · 24 min
Prayer, Rest and The Creative Life
What does it mean to embrace holy rest in a world that never stops? If you're experiencing creative burnout, struggling to balance your work with your faith, or wondering how Catholic creativity fits into God's plan, this episode is for you. In this episode of Creative Catholics, we explore the biblical and Catholic understanding of Sabbath, rest, prayer, and the creative life. Looking to Scripture, the Catechism of the Catholic Church, and the wisdom of saints like St. Augustine and St. Francis de Sales, we discover that rest isn't the opposite of creativity—it's an essential part of it. Whether you're a writer, artist, musician, designer, content creator, or simply someone seeking to integrate faith and creativity, you'll be encouraged to step away from the pressure to constantly produce and rediscover the peace that comes from communion with God. Alex also shares a personal story about praying the 54-Day Rosary Novena during a season of uncertainty, reflects on the witness of a holy parish priest in his final months of life, and offers practical encouragement for building a rhythm of prayer and rest that nourishes both your soul and your creative work. In this episode, you'll discover: Why God rested after creation—and what that teaches us about Catholic creativity How Sabbath and prayer renew our hearts and our creative work Why Christian artists and creatives need rhythms of rest How to overcome creative burnout without guilt What the saints teach about prayer, surrender, and trust in God's providence Why your identity is found in Christ, not in what you produce Practical ways to cultivate a healthier relationship between faith and creativity If you've ever felt exhausted by the pressure to keep creating, this conversation is a gentle reminder that before you were a creator, you were created—and infinitely loved. Sometimes the holiest thing you can do is rest. Sponsor/Links Check out Riverside for recording/editing audio files! Huge thank you to Marie Miller for letting us use her music for the intro and outro! Connect with The Creative Catholics! Website: creativecatholicspodcast.com Instagram: @thecreativecatholics
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#12
July 27 · 38 min
Creating with Hope with Jana Pingel
In this episode of Creative Catholics, I'm joined by artist, author, and founder of January Jane Shop, Jana Pingle, for a heartfelt conversation about creating with hope. Jana shares how prayer shapes her creative process, why beauty has become an anchor in seasons of waiting, and what it means to co-create with the Holy Spirit. Together, we explore the hidden work of faithfulness, the stories behind her beloved saint collections, and how creativity can become an act of surrender, even in the midst of grief and uncertainty. We also discuss: How Jana's childhood nurtured a lifelong love of creativity The inspiration behind Humans of Heaven and the January Jane Shop Finding hope through her Land of the Living collection The role of beauty in suffering and waiting Protecting a prayerful heart while running a creative business Encouragement for artists who feel weary, discouraged, or stuck Please note: This episode includes a conversation about infertility and miscarriage. Whether you're an artist, a maker, or simply someone longing to find God in the ordinary moments of life, this conversation is a beautiful reminder that the Lord is at work—even in the hidden seasons. Connect With The Creative Catholics Follow along for future episodes, guest interviews, and reflections on faith, creativity, craftsmanship, beauty, and the hidden life. Instagram: @thecreativecatholics Website: https://www.creativecatholicspodcast.com/ Sponsors/Links Intro/outro music by Marie Miller This episode is sponsored by Riverside Thank you for listening. If this episode encouraged you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with another creative who might need a little inspiration this week.
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#11
July 20 · 13 min
The Creative Steward: Why We Confuse Trust with Passivity
God mean stepping back and waiting for Him to act, or does it mean working as though everything depends on us? In this episode, Alex explores the tension between surrender and responsibility, challenging the common misconception that trust in God requires passivity. Drawing on Scripture, the Catechism, the Parable of the Talents, and the wisdom of St. Augustine, she unpacks what it means to be a faithful steward rather than an owner of the gifts God has entrusted to us. Whether you're an artist, writer, entrepreneur, parent, or simply trying to discern God's will for your life, this conversation offers a freeing perspective on creativity, ambition, and faith. You'll discover why Christian surrender isn't about caring less—it's about holding your work, your dreams, and your gifts with open hands, trusting God with the outcome while giving Him your wholehearted effort. In this episode, we explore: Why "letting go" doesn't mean giving up. The difference between stewardship and ownership. What the Parable of the Talents teaches about creativity and vocation. How our deepest fears are often revealed by what we struggle to surrender. Why God calls us to faithfulness rather than worldly success. If you've ever wrestled with perfectionism, control, or the fear of whether your work matters, this episode is an invitation to work wholeheartedly, trust deeply, and remember that while we steward the gifts, God always owns the harvest. Connect With The Creative Catholics Follow along for future episodes, guest interviews, and reflections on faith, creativity, craftsmanship, beauty, and the hidden life. Instagram: @thecreativecatholics Website: https://www.creativecatholicspodcast.com/ Sponsors/Links Intro/outro music by Marie Miller This episode is sponsored by Riverside Thank you for listening. If this episode encouraged you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with another creative who might need a little inspiration this week.
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S1 · E10
July 13 · 30 min
The Little Way of Creativity with Marie Miller
Why does beauty move us so deeply? Why can a piece of music, a work of art, or a breathtaking landscape leave us longing for something we can't quite put into words? In this episode of The Creative Catholics, I'm joined by singer-songwriter Marie Miller for a thoughtful conversation about beauty, creativity, and the human longing for God. Together, we explore how music can become a form of prayer, why the writings of the saints continue to inspire new creative work, and what St. Thérèse of Lisieux taught Marie about letting go of the pursuit of success in order to faithfully follow God's will. We also discuss the hidden seasons of the creative life, the tension between excellence and ambition, and why our greatest creative work isn't about building an audience—but about leading souls closer to Christ. Whether you're an artist, musician, writer, homemaker, entrepreneur, or simply someone longing to create with greater purpose, this conversation is a beautiful reminder that every genuine encounter with beauty can awaken within us a hidden nostalgia for God. In this episode, we discuss: How beauty awakens our longing for God Music as prayer and the wisdom of the saints St. Thérèse of Lisieux and the Little Way Moving from performance to purpose Creating through hidden and ordinary seasons Excellence without chasing recognition The importance of personal prayer for creatives Why all authentic creativity ultimately points back to the Creator Resources Mentioned Letter to Artists - John Paul II “Ash Wednesday” Poem - TS Eliot The Letters of JRR Tolkien The Great Divorce - CS Lewis The Lord of the Rings - JRR Tolkien Connect With The Creative Catholics Follow along for future episodes, guest interviews, and reflections on faith, creativity, craftsmanship, beauty, and the hidden life. Instagram: @thecreativecatholics Website: thecreativecatholics.com Sponsors/Links Intro/outro music by Marie Miller This episode is sponsored by Riverside Thank you for listening. If this episode encouraged you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with another creative who might need a little inspiration this week.
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S1 · E9
July 6 · 15 min
Our Creative God: The Lady in the Rock
What if one of the greatest sources of creative inspiration isn't another artist—but God Himself? In this first episode of a brand-new mini-series, Our Creative God, we begin with one of the most extraordinary Marian shrines in the world: Our Lady of Las Lajas in Colombia. After a simple conversation around the dinner table led me to discover the remarkable story behind this sanctuary, I found myself captivated not only by the apparition of Our Lady, but by the mystery of the rock itself. Why would God choose a mountainside as His canvas? And what does this miracle reveal about the Creator who delights in beauty? Together, we'll explore the official story of Our Lady of Las Lajas, the fascinating mystery of the miraculous image embedded within the rock, and why the breathtaking basilica was designed to highlight—not replace—the miracle at its heart. As Catholic creatives, we spend so much time seeking inspiration from books, nature, architecture, and great works of art. But before there were artists, before there were cathedrals, before there were masterpieces, there was God. Perhaps one of the greatest gifts we can give ourselves as creatives is simply to slow down and marvel at the Original Creator. In this episode, we discuss: The story of Our Lady of Las Lajas The mystery of the miraculous image in the rock Why mountains have such a significant place throughout Scripture How the basilica was built to honour God's creativity Wonder as the beginning of creativity Why every creative work ultimately points back to the Original Creator Welcome to Our Creative God—a new mini-series where we pause to marvel at the beauty, mystery, and creativity of God revealed through His creation.
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#8
June 29 · 29 min
The Adventure of Creating Together with Melissa and Alex Dee
What if we stopped thinking of our creative work as content—and started seeing it as a gift? In this episode of The Creative Catholics, I'm joined by Alex and Melissa Dee, the husband-and-wife team behind Saints Alive, the award-winning Catholic audio drama that brings the lives of the saints to life for families around the world. We explore what it takes to create work of lasting quality, why stories have the power to form hearts, and how pursuing excellence can become an act of love. Alex and Melissa also share the realities of building a creative ministry while raising a young family, working together as spouses, navigating burnout, and protecting the time and space needed for imagination to flourish. Whether you're an artist, writer, entrepreneur, homemaker, teacher, or simply someone trying to create something meaningful, this conversation is a reminder that our work doesn't have to be driven by algorithms or endless output. Instead, we can create with intentionality, beauty, and a desire to offer something that truly serves others. In this episode, we discuss: Why stories help us fall in love with the truth The creative process behind Saints Alive Creating with excellence instead of simply creating more Balancing marriage, family life, and a shared creative mission Recovering from creative burnout and protecting your imagination Why quality always matters more than quantity The difference between making content and giving a gift Helping children discover they are made to become saints If you've ever felt the pressure to produce more, move faster, or constantly create for the algorithm, this episode is an invitation to slow down and remember why you started creating in the first place. Because the most meaningful creative work isn't just content. It's a gift. Resources mentioned: Hallow Saints Alive Catholic Audio Drama Creativity, Inc. by Ed Catmull Connect with The Creative Catholics: Instagram: @thecreativecatholics Website: thecreativecatholics.com Sponsors/Links Intro/outro music by Marie Miller This episode is sponsored by Riverside Follow @TheCreativeCatholics on Instagram to share your creations and join the community. Share This Episode If this episode encouraged you, please share it with a friend, leave a review, and subscribe to The Creative Catholics Podcast. A Catholic podcast exploring creativity, faith, vocation, and the hidden life.
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S1 · E2
June 29 · 40 min
Creating the Best Option With Fr Michael Rossmann, SJ
What if discernment isn’t about finding the single “perfect” path… but about committing deeply enough to create something beautiful with God? In this episode of The Creative Catholics Podcast, Alex sits down with Jesuit priest, author, theologian, and creator Fr. Michael Rossmann, SJ, for a thoughtful conversation about creativity, vocation, discernment, and the hidden spiritual life. Together, they explore what it means to create a life with God in a culture shaped by endless options, comparison, distraction, and fear of commitment. Fr. Michael shares the powerful idea of “creating the best option” instead of constantly looking over our shoulder wondering if there is something better somewhere else. The conversation dives deeply into: Ignatian imagination and praying with Scripture creativity as a path to holiness vocation and discernment creating with God in ordinary life God as relationship social media evangelisation Catholic creativity and the digital age pre-evangelisation and reaching people before theology young adults returning to the Catholic faith masculinity, identity, and meaning in modern culture Fr. Michael also shares insights from his books The Freedom of Missing Out and Online Pre-Evangelization, reflecting on how Catholics can live more rooted, meaningful, and faithful lives in an age of distraction and endless consumption. Whether you are an artist, homemaker, writer, teacher, entrepreneur, parent, or simply someone trying to live more intentionally and faithfully, this episode is an encouragement to stop endlessly optimizing your life — and instead begin co-creating something meaningful with God. This episode explores: Catholic creativity creativity and faith the hidden life ordinary holiness Catholic creative living faith-filled creativity creativity in ordinary life Catholic vocation and discernment meaningful Catholic living Connect with Fr. Michael: Substack: The Ruckus Instagram: @rossmannsj Fr Michael Rossmann's Books The Freedom of Missing Out Online Pre-Evangelization Sponsors/Links Intro/outro music by Marie Miller This episode is sponsored by Riverside Enter the Launch Giveaway 25 May – 1 June 2026 Follow @TheCreativeCatholics on Instagram to share your creations and join the community. #CatholicPodcast #CatholicCreatives #CreativityAndFaith #OrdinaryHoliness #CatholicLife #FaithAndCreativity #CreativeLiving #HiddenLife
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#7
June 22 · 12 min
The Search for Inspiration
Where do creatives find inspiration? It's a question I've asked nearly every guest on The Creative Catholics, and over the past few months I've noticed a surprising trend. Whether speaking with artists, writers, musicians, illustrators, homemakers, or entrepreneurs, the answers are rarely dramatic. Inspiration isn't usually found through lightning-bolt moments or waiting for brilliance to strike. More often, it begins with paying attention. In this solo episode, I reflect on why Catholic creatives may have a unique advantage when it comes to finding inspiration. If creation truly reveals the Creator, then beauty, wonder, and meaning are all around us—hidden in gardens, conversations, ordinary moments, and even in the overlooked corners of a thousand-year-old abbey. Drawing on a personal story about an obscure stone carving that led to an embroidery project, I explore: Why inspiration is often closer than we think The relationship between beauty, wonder, and creativity What artists mean when they talk about "stealing like an artist" How human creativity differs from artificial intelligence Why not everything we create needs to be monetized The gift of inheriting two thousand years of Catholic beauty and imagination If you've been feeling creatively stuck, uninspired, or overwhelmed by the pressure to constantly produce, this episode is an invitation to slow down, pay attention, and rediscover the beauty God has already placed before you. Because perhaps inspiration isn't something we find. Perhaps it's something we notice. Keywords Inspiration, Creativity, Catholic, Art, Pope Leo, AI, Artificial Intelligence, Artists Resources Mentioned: Steal Like an Artist by Austin Kleon Recent reflections on AI and creativity Sacred art and architecture of the Catholic tradition Connect with The Creative Catholics: Instagram: @thecreativecatholics Website: thecreativecatholics.com Sponsors/Links Intro/outro music by Marie Miller This episode is sponsored by Riverside Share This Episode If this episode encouraged you, please share it with a friend, leave a review, and subscribe to The Creative Catholics Podcast. A Catholic podcast exploring creativity, faith, vocation, and the hidden life.
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#6
June 15 · 29 min
When Someone Else’s Success Stops Feeling Like a Threat
For years, I viewed life through the lens of competition. Theatre was competitive. University admissions were competitive. Careers were competitive. And somewhere along the way, I started believing that if someone else succeeded, there was somehow less room for me. Less opportunity. Less purpose. Less possibility. But looking back on my own life—from a devastating rejection from my dream university, to studying theatre, moving to Scotland, meeting my husband, and building a life I never could have planned for myself—I’ve come to realize something: ✨ God’s plan for my life is not threatened by someone else’s success. In this solo episode of The Creative Catholics, I share the story of a closed door that changed everything and explore what Scripture teaches us about competition, calling, comparison, and God’s providence. Together we discuss: 🌿 Why comparison is so exhausting 🌿 What John the Baptist teaches us about abundance and mission 🌿 How the Body of Christ challenges a competitive mindset 🌿 Why God’s providence is often easier to see in reverse 🌿 How to stop measuring your life against someone else’s If you've ever felt like you've fallen behind, missed an opportunity, or watched someone else receive the thing you thought you wanted, I hope this episode encourages you. Because perhaps the goal was never to become the best. Perhaps the goal was to become who God created you to be. ✨ Resources mentioned: One L by Scott Turow John 3:23–30 1 Corinthians 12 Connect with The Creative Catholics: Instagram: @thecreativecatholics Website: thecreativecatholics.com Sponsors/Links Intro/outro music by Marie Miller This episode is sponsored by Riverside Follow @TheCreativeCatholics on Instagram to share your creations and join the community. Share This Episode If this episode encouraged you, please share it with a friend, leave a review, and subscribe to The Creative Catholics Podcast. A Catholic podcast exploring creativity, faith, vocation, and the hidden life.
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#5
June 8 · 32 min
The Art of Dragon Slaying with Dr John Wood
What if one of the most effective ways to help children grow in virtue isn't through rules or lectures—but through stories? In this episode of The Creative Catholics, Alex sits down with Dr. John Wood—eye doctor, author, speaker, and founder of Extraordinary Mission—to explore the creative world behind his inspiring Seven Deadly Dragons series and the deeper truths hidden within fantasy, imagination, and storytelling. Together they discuss why dragons resonate so deeply with children, how stories shape the moral imagination, and how families can use the language of "dragon slaying" to talk about sin, temptation, virtue, and God's grace in everyday life. John also shares the unexpected journey that led him from medicine to ministry, the family collaboration behind the Seven Deadly Dragons books, and why creativity, storytelling, and wonder remain powerful tools for evangelization in today's world. In this episode, we discuss: The inspiration behind the Seven Deadly Dragons series Why stories help us remember, love, and live the truth The connection between imagination and spiritual formation Building a family mission through creativity Encouraging children to develop their God-given gifts Why fairy tales and fantasy matter The dragons families face most in modern culture Trusting God when He calls us somewhere unexpected At its heart, this conversation is about more than dragons. It's about helping children—and ourselves—recognize the spiritual battles we face, grow in virtue, and become the saints God created us to be. Resources Mentioned The Seven Deadly Dragons: A seven-book fantasy series helping children understand virtue, vice, and the spiritual life through the metaphor of dragon slaying. Extraordinary Mission: Faith formation resources, retreats, books, games, and media for Catholic families. Dragon Slayers TV: Streaming platform featuring family-friendly Catholic content, podcasts, and educational resources. Connect with Dr. Wood: extraordinarymission.com Connect with The Creative Catholics: Instagram: @thecreativecatholics Website: thecreativecatholics.com Until next time, stay creative and keep making what matters most.
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#4
June 1 · 43 min
Motherhood, Leisure, and the Art of Home with Adele Collins
What if creativity isn't something reserved for artists, entrepreneurs, or people with lots of free time? What if it can be found in a family meal, a garden bed, a bedtime song, or a simple act of hospitality? In this episode of The Creative Catholics, Alex sits down with Adele Collins of Simple Life Musings to explore the hidden creativity woven throughout family life, motherhood, and the home. Together they discuss cultivating beauty in seasons of scarcity, building a strong family culture, finding joy in hospitality, and why the second decade of parenting may be one of the great untold gifts of family life. Adele also shares insights from Josef Pieper's Leisure: The Basis of Culture, reflecting on the importance of Sabbath rest, presence, wonder, and the role of leisure in a world obsessed with productivity. Whether you're a parent, artist, homemaker, gardener, or simply someone longing to live more intentionally, this conversation is a beautiful reminder that holiness is often found in the ordinary moments of daily life. In this episode: How My Ántonia shaped Adele's vision of motherhood Creating beauty and hospitality on a tight budget Why family life becomes richer over time Homemaking as a deeply creative vocation Gardening, pruning, and spiritual growth The wisdom of Leisure: The Basis of Culture Building family culture around the table Why mothers are guardians of culture The role of books, music, and beauty in the spiritual life Books Mentioned My Ántonia — Willa Cather Leisure: The Basis of Culture — Josef Pieper East of Eden — John Steinbeck The More-with-Less Cookbook — Doris Janzen Longacre Connect With Adele Collins Follow Adele online: @simplelifemusings Sponsor This episode is sponsored by Riverside.fm — the platform used to record this episode. Share This Episode If this episode encouraged you, please share it with a friend, leave a review, and subscribe to The Creative Catholics Podcast. A Catholic podcast exploring creativity, faith, vocation, and the hidden life. Until next time, stay creative and keep making what matters most.
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