Makers & Mystics

Matthew Perryman Jones is performing songwriter by trade, though at heart, he is actually a seeker. With each entry into his discography, his musical and moral compass points toward an artistic horizon he has yet to explore. Sometimes, he turns his gaze to examine his own inner world. Other times, he looks to the inspirations found in the letters Vincent Van Gogh penned to his brother Theo, or in the idea of duende as proffered by Federico García Lorca, and in the poetic verses of Sufi poets Hafiz and Rumi. In this episode, Stephen Roach talks with Matthew about the inspirations behind his songs, the nuances within his art and the signposts along the way which give meaning and direction to his creative path.Learn more about Matthew Perryman Jones -https://www.mpjmusic.com/Special Thanks to Luke Skaggs, Ann Marie Mueller and Liza Kawaller for their help on this episode!Here is a link to The Trimble House where we recorded this episode.https://www.avvay.com/nashville/space/3982/venue/creative-space/trimble-houseJoin Our Creative Collective - http://www.patreon.com/makersandmystics**Since 2016, Makers and Mystics has produced over 100 free episodes of inspiring conversations and keynote talks that fuel the creative spirit.Because I treat every episode of this show as an individual work of art, it takes me around twenty hours or more per week to research, record and produce each episode. This is a joyful labor of love I hope to continue for years to come. I believe in the mission of Makers and Mystics to create and sustain a greater understanding of the relationship between art, faith and culture. Your support really makes a difference. If you find any inspiration and resonance in what I do, please consider becoming a monthly Patron with a recurring donation of your choosing. From the price of a cup of coffee to a date night at the movies, you can partner with me in building creative culture and changing the understanding of why art matters to the life of the spirit.Send us a textSupport the show Get Tickets to The Breath and The Clay 2026 featuring Malcolm Guite, Jon Guerra, and Jonathan Pageau! March 20-22 in Winston-Salem, NC.

John Fluevog is a celebrated Canadian shoe designer known for his witty and unconventional style. Colourful, Art Deco-inspired and inscribed with uplifting messages, his distinctive footwear has graced dance floors and boardrooms alike and are worn by everyone from Alice Cooper to Lady Gaga to nurses, teachers, lawyers, bikers, baristas and someone down your street. Today, John Fluevog owns 27 stores across North America, Australia and Europe. He lives in Vancouver, sketches new designs every day and he knows he's weird.  In this episode, Stephen travels to Tribeca, New York City to talk with John about his fifty-year legacy of shoemaking and the inspirations behind his work.  John Fluevog - https://www.fluevog.com/Join Our Creative Collective - http://www.patreon.com/makersandmysticsMusic in this episode is provided by: Cindertalkhttp://www.cindertalk.comSince 2016, Makers and Mystics has produced over 100 free episodes of inspiring conversations and keynote talks that fuel the creative spirit.Because I treat every episode of this show as an individual work of art, it takes me around twenty hours or more per week to research, record and produce each episode.This is a joyful labor of love I hope to continue for years to come. I believe in the mission of Makers and Mystics to create and sustain a greater understanding of the relationship between art, faith and culture. Your support really makes a difference.If you find any inspiration and resonance in what I do, please consider becoming a monthly Patron with a recurring donation of your choosing. From the price of a cup of coffee to a date night at the movies, you can partner with me in building creative culture and changing the understanding of why art matters to the life of the spirit.Send us a textSupport the show Get Tickets to The Breath and The Clay 2026 featuring Malcolm Guite, Jon Guerra, and Jonathan Pageau! March 20-22 in Winston-Salem, NC.

William Blake was an English poet, printmaker and painter born November 28, 1757 in London, England. Today, he is considered one of the most important figures in English poetry and art, although during his lifetime, his work remained largely overlooked. His writings were spiritually and politically lethal and publishers shunned his works for fear of being accused of inciting insurrection.Contemporary poet and musician, Patti Smith heralded William Blake as the spiritual ancestor of generations of poets. William Blake fueled the creative fires of Bob Dylan, Allen Ginsburg, Jack Kerouac, John Lennon, Bono and Jim Morrison who named the Doors after Blake’s verse, “If the doors of perception were cleansed every thing would appear to man as it is, Infinite.”JOIN OUR CREATIVE COLLECTIVESend us a textSupport the show Get Tickets to The Breath and The Clay 2026 featuring Malcolm Guite, Jon Guerra, and Jonathan Pageau! March 20-22 in Winston-Salem, NC.

Ashley Mary is a Minnesota-based muralist and abstract artist whose paintings tap into concepts of youth and playfulness and curiosity through the use of thick textures, vibrant colors, and organic and familiar shapes. Her process is influenced heavily by her collage work, patterns, vintage ephemera, and her background in graphic design. Ashley’s work pays attention to the unintentional and leaves space to be surprised. Her murals and product designs can be seen nationwide in large scale collaborations with brands such as Google, Starbucks, and Anthropologie.Outside of her work as an artist, Ashley is the Co-Founder and Creative Director of Curiosity Studios. A creative learning space for those stuck and blocked.Patrons of the podcast can enjoy an additional interview segment with Ashley on book recommendations for sparking curiosity. Ashley’s InstagramAshley’s Official SiteCuriosity StudiosBecome a Patron: Since 2016, Makers and Mystics has produced over 100 free episodes of inspiring conversations and keynote talks that fuel the creative spirit.Because I treat every episode as an individual work of art, it takes me around twenty hours or more per week to research, record and produce each episode.This is a joyful labor of love I hope to continue for years to come. I believe in the mission of Makers and Mystics to create and sustain a greater understanding of the relationship between art, faith and culture. Your support really makes a difference!If you find any inspiration and resonance in what I do, please consider becoming a monthly Patron with a recurring donation of your choosing. From the price of a cup of coffee to a date night at the movies, you can partner with Makers & Mystics to develop a greater cultural understanding of why art matters to the life of the spirit and why artists are called to be "Architects of Hope" for our generation. Send us a textSupport the show Get Tickets to The Breath and The Clay 2026 featuring Malcolm Guite, Jon Guerra, and Jonathan Pageau! March 20-22 in Winston-Salem, NC.

Jeremy Cowart is an award-winning photographer, artist, and entrepreneur whose mission in life is to "explore the intersection of creativity and empathy." He was named the “Most Influential Photographer on the Internet” by Huffington Post, Forbes and Yahoo in 2014. Jeremy has published four books including his latest release titled I’m possible: Jumping into fear and discovering a life of purpose.His latest endeavor is The Purpose Hotel, a planned global for-profit hotel chain designed to fuel the work of not-for-profit organizations. He’s also the founder of a global photography movement, called Help-Portrait, which connects photographers, hairstylists and makeup artists all around the world with people in need to take their picture, print their picture and then deliver it—free of charge.In this episode, Stephen Roach talks with Jeremy about his work as a photographer and visual artist and how empathy and hope inform the art he makes.Jeremy CowartThe Purpose Hotel Help PortraitJoin The Makers and Mystics Creative CollectiveOur collective is currently reading is The Artisan Soul by Erwin McManus. Patrons can join Stephen Roach and other participants online each Wednesday night in November for a community discussion. Makers and Mystics official websitePlease consider supporting Makers and Mystics podcast. Your generosity enables these conversations to happen. For as little as one dollar per month, you can gain access to additional content and help bring these conversations to the world. Send us a textSupport the show Get Tickets to The Breath and The Clay 2026 featuring Malcolm Guite, Jon Guerra, and Jonathan Pageau! March 20-22 in Winston-Salem, NC.

Rebekah Lyons is a national speaker and bestselling author of You Are Free: Be Who You Already Are and Freefall to Fly: A Breathtaking Journey Toward a Life of Meaning. Rebekah has been described as an old soul with a contemporary, honest voice, revealing her own battles to overcome anxiety and depression— Her work has been featured on Good Morning America, CNN, Huffington Post, Publisher’s Weekly, and more.In this episode, Stephen talks with Rebekah about her latest book titled, Rhythms of Renewal: Trading Stress and Anxiety for a Life of Peace and Purpose. Through transparent personal stories and in-depth research, Rhythms of Renewal invites the reader to establish daily habits of creating and sustaining emotional, relational and spiritual health. Rhythms of Renewal offers four mindful rhythms of rest, restore, connect and create. Many artists and creatives wrestle with stress and anxiety in their personal lives and in the creative processes. The wisdom Rebekah lives on the pages of her book offers not only a sense of hope but a practical pathway to get there. Rebekah LyonsJoin Our Creative Collective!SUPPORT THE PODCAST: Your generosity makes these conversatsions possible. Thank you! Send us a textSupport the show Get Tickets to The Breath and The Clay 2026 featuring Malcolm Guite, Jon Guerra, and Jonathan Pageau! March 20-22 in Winston-Salem, NC.

Andrew Peterson is an award-winning singer-songwriter and author. The second book in his Wingfeather Saga, North! Or Be Eaten won the Christy Award for Young Adult Fiction, and the fourth, The Warden and the Wolf King won World Magazine’s Children’s Book of the Year in 2015. In 2008, Andrew founded a creative arts community called The Rabbit Room, which led to a yearly conference, countless concerts and symposiums, and Rabbit Room Press, which has published thirty books to date. In this episode, Stephen sits down with Andrew to talk about his latest book, Adorning The Dark which is a collection of personal stories from his journey through the intersections of songwriting, storytelling, and vocation, along with offering a nuts-and-bolts exploration of the great mystery of creativity.Adorning The Dark BookAndrew Peterson Support The Podcast! Join our creative collective for additional content, access to our private creative collective and live interactions with the Makers and Mystics online community! Send us a textSupport the show Get Tickets to The Breath and The Clay 2026 featuring Malcolm Guite, Jon Guerra, and Jonathan Pageau! March 20-22 in Winston-Salem, NC.

The artist known as Propaganda, is a Los Angeles based poet, political activist, academic & emcee.  His body of work challenges listeners with difficult and sometimes controversial topics such as systemic injustice and racism. With musical roots ranging from aggressive battle raps to smooth introspective rhythms, Propaganda’s music crosses cultural spectrums while his deep lyrical prowess appeals to both the heart and intellect alike. In this episode, Stephen talks with Propaganda about the motivations behind his poetry, music and social conscience.Support The Podcast. Keep These Conversations alive!PropagandaSend us a textSupport the show Get Tickets to The Breath and The Clay 2026 featuring Malcolm Guite, Jon Guerra, and Jonathan Pageau! March 20-22 in Winston-Salem, NC.

Flannery O’ Connor was a Southern, fiction writer and essayist born March 25th 1925 in Savannah, Georgia.  She was a devout Roman Catholic with a penchant for satire, dark humor and wild, religious imagination. Today, O’Connor is considered to be one of America’s greatest fiction writers and an apologist for the Catholic faith. Her stories are far from what you might imagine coming from a Southern Christian writer in the 1950’s. They are full of shocking scenes of violence, depravity and shady, sometimes comic Christian characters such as a bible salesman who steals a prosthetic leg or a pseudo-prophet who steals mummified dwarfs.  Her character’s twisted views of reality warps the basic tenets of the faith they profess. Their situations often end in bloodshed. Join Our Creative Collective!Music in this episode by Songs of WaterSend us a textSupport the show Get Tickets to The Breath and The Clay 2026 featuring Malcolm Guite, Jon Guerra, and Jonathan Pageau! March 20-22 in Winston-Salem, NC.

Lewis Hyde is a scholar, essayist, translator, cultural critic and writer whose scholarly work focuses on the nature of imagination, creativity, and property. His book, THE GIFT: Creativity and the Artist in the modern world is now considered a classic. Written over twenty-five years ago, this book is even more necessary today than when it first appeared. The Gift brilliantly orchestrates a defense of the value of creativity and of its importance in a culture increasingly governed by money and overrun with commodities. In this episode, Stephen talks with Lewis Hyde about his books The Gift, Trickster Makes This World and how the artist makes his way through today’s world. If you’d like to go deeper into the conversation, we have a short interview segment with Lewis Hyde for our patrons on his most recent book, A Primer for forgetting: Getting Past The PastLewis HydeIf you have been inspired by this or other conversations on the Makers and Mystics podcast, please consider supporting us on Patreon. We have lots of additional content and a thriving creative collective where we share ideas, regular, live interactions and works in progress. Send us a textSupport the show Get Tickets to The Breath and The Clay 2026 featuring Malcolm Guite, Jon Guerra, and Jonathan Pageau! March 20-22 in Winston-Salem, NC.