Ep. 262 Maria Bowler - Beyond Productivity: Reclaiming Our Creative Selves

Jan 21, 2025

Maria Bowler, author of "Making Time," engages listeners in a thought-provoking discussion about redefining creativity and self-worth beyond productivity. She shares her journey as a new mom during the pandemic, prompting a profound exploration of identity when external accomplishments fade. By highlighting the significance of meaningful engagement over hustling, Maria inspires a fresh perspective on creativity rooted in love and connection. She emphasizes embracing one's unique gifts and the importance of community support in navigating the emotional complexities of the creative journey.

Ask episode

Chapters

Books

Transcript

Episode notes

Intro

00:00 • 2min

Redefining Creativity and Identity

02:17 • 12min

Navigating the Tension Between Control and Connection

13:48 • 4min

Navigating Effort and Creativity

18:17 • 7min

Embracing Individual Creativity and Connection

25:20 • 3min

Navigating the Creative Journey

28:11 • 18min

Embracing Creativity: From Production to Making

46:12 • 3min

You know, there's this thing that happens - we get so caught up in the doing, the productivity, the hustle. We define ourselves by what we accomplish, by the checkboxes we can tick off. But what if there's another way? What if we're not just cogs in a machine, but creative beings made in the image of a creative God? In this episode, we dive into that question with author Maria Bowler. She shares how becoming a new mom during the pandemic forced her to confront this head-on - when the doing was stripped away, who was she really? The answer, it turns out, lies not in what we produce, but in our very being. Maria invites us to consider a new vision - one where we're not just doers, but makers. Where the effort we exert isn't about forcing our will, but about deep engagement. Where we trust that our heart's desires and the things that break it open are clues to the creative work we're meant to do. So take a deep breath, my friends. This conversation just might be the permission slip you need to let go of the pressure to perform and instead embrace the freedom to create. To make time for the things that truly matter - not just what we can check off the list. The world is waiting for the unique gifts only you can bring.

Maria Bowler is a writer, coach, and retreat leader. She holds a masters in religion and the arts from Yale University, is a former magazine editor, and has taught creative writing at the university level. Canadian by birth, she now lives in the Driftless region of the US with her family.

Maria's Book:
Making Time

Maria's Recommendations:
Parable of the Sower
Parable of the Talents

Join Our Patreon for Early Access and More: Patreon

Subscribe to Our Substack: Shifting Culture

Connect with Joshua: jjohnson@allnations.us

Go to www.shiftingculturepodcast.com to interact and donate. Every donation helps to produce more podcasts for you to enjoy.

Follow on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Threads, Bluesky or YouTube

Consider Giving to the podcast and to the ministry that my wife and I do around the world. Just click on the support the show link below

Subscribe today at shiftingculture.substack.com

Support the show