The Habit

Kate Gaston’s essays are usually hilarious and always wise. She is the proprietor of the Substack That Middle Distance and a regular at the Rabbit Room. She will also be a featured guest at The Habit's Focus Retreat at the end of October. In this episode, Kate and Jonathan Rogers discuss her essay, "The Heavy Lift of Creativity."Support the show: https://therabbitroom.givingfuel.com/memberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr. Louis Markos, a Professor of English and authority on C. S. Lewis, discusses classical thought and creativity. He explores the differences between wishes and choices, emphasizing the moral implications of our decisions. Markos connects Aristotle's eudaimonia to Christian joy and highlights how adopting virtues can be likened to developing tastes through habit. He also champions active contemplation as key to creativity, revealing how it fuels inspiration and the creative process. Markos draws on influential thinkers, providing a rich tapestry of ideas.

Carey Wallace, an inspiring author and speaker committed to supporting writers and artists, shares her insights on creativity and spirituality. She discusses the delicate dance between inspiration and discipline, emphasizing that artists shouldn't just wait for inspiration to strike. Incorporating anecdotes from musicians like Peter Frampton, she highlights the element of surprise in creative breakthroughs. Carey also advocates for the power of rest, showing how taking breaks can enhance creative thinking and enrich literary expression.

Speaker and author Vicki Courtney has been writing books for women since the late 90s. Her new book is Motherhood Is Not Your Highest Calling: The Grace of Being a Good-Enough Mother. Vicki says iIt’s the book she would have liked to read when she was a young mother unable to shake the idea that motherhood defined her identity. In this episode, Vicki and Jonathan Rogers talk about swapping “perfect” for “good enough.” We talk about fitting a writing life into motherhood. And we talk a little about what it’s like to change your mind about something you published twenty years ago.  This episode is sponsored by The Habit's Focus Retreat, October 26-30 in Nashville. Find out more at TheHabit.co/Retreats.Support the show: https://therabbitroom.givingfuel.com/memberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this engaging conversation, David Taylor, an Associate Professor of Theology & Culture, teams up with Steve Guthrie, a Professor of Theology and the Arts. They delve into the fascinating relationship between the Holy Spirit and artistic inspiration, negotiating how divine influence shapes creativity. The duo shares insights on interdisciplinary collaboration in their essay collection, ‘Naming the Spirit,’ and reflects on the church's historical role in fostering the arts. Their lively dialogue emphasizes the significance of acknowledging spiritual presence within communal creativity.

Jason M. Baxter, a college professor and author, dives into the enduring importance of literature in our tech-driven age. He discusses how storytelling can heal and connect people, emphasizing literature as a 'technology for inwardness.' Baxter highlights literature's role in countering the superficiality of online content and stresses the need for critical thinking. He also reflects on the power of immersive experiences in deepening self-understanding and championing beauty in art. Inspirations from literary greats like C.S. Lewis and Dante further enrich the conversation.

Father Damian Ference, a Cleveland priest and philosophy professor at Borromeo Seminary, discusses the philosophical roots of Flannery O’Connor’s storytelling. He argues that O'Connor’s 'hillbilly Thomist' perspective is deeply influenced by Thomas Aquinas. Delving into how sensory experience shapes our understanding of art and reality, Father Ference emphasizes the interplay between meaning and human experience. He also explores the nuances of storytelling, the pursuit of virtue, and critiques the limitations of artificial intelligence in grasping true human existence.

Heidi White is a teacher, a podcaster, a speaker, and an author. In her speaking and writing she explores literature, education, and the Christian imagination. Her new book is The Divided Soul: Duty and Desire in Literature and Life. In this episode, Heidi and Jonathan Rogers talk about the division and ultimate reunification of “want” and “ought,” and they discuss the truth that this division is central to all story because it is central to the human experience.Support the show: https://therabbitroom.givingfuel.com/memberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Karen Swallow Prior, a public intellectual and writer, delves into the complexities of passion and vocation. She challenges the mainstream idea of 'following your passion', suggesting that true fulfillment comes from hard work and self-awareness. Dr. Prior emphasizes the importance of knowing one's limitations and the need for community support in discovering true callings. She also reflects on how pursuing truth, goodness, and beauty can lead to a richer life, highlighting unexpected interests like men's fashion along the way.

Mitali Perkins (mitaliperkins.com) has written many books for young readers, including You Bring the Distant Near (nominated for a National Book Award) and Rickshaw Girl (adapted into a film), all of which explore crossing different kinds of borders. Her goal is to make readers laugh or cry, preferably both, as long as their hearts are widening. Her new book is for grownups. It’s called Just Making: A Guide for Compassionate Creatives. In it, Mitali begins answering the questions, “Why should we make art while injustice and suffering wreak havoc?” “How can we justify making beautiful things?” and “How do we keep doing the work?” In this episode Mitali Perkins and Jonathan Rogers talk about justice and creativity, the ups and downs of Mitali's career, five destructive interior forces that keep us from doing creative work, and practices that counteract those forces.Support the show: https://therabbitroom.givingfuel.com/memberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.