Makers & Mystics

In 1837, Reverend Preston Cooper began to have a series of dreams where an angel appeared to him saying, "Dig Cooper, dig."Featured Music: Abstract In The SkyJoin the Makers & Mystics 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.

Nico Cox is an Antiquarian Horologist, which is a technical term for a clock and watchmaker who specializes in the conservation and restoration of antique automata and mechanical musical objects. Her workshop, Memoria Technica is located in Seattle, Washington where she teaches, creates and brings mechanical music, singing birds and complex clocks back to life again. In this episode, Stephen talks with Nico about the magic of horology and the critical thinking involved in her unique art of restoration. Patrons of the podcast can enjoy an additional interview with Nico on “The Church’s bizarre use of automata during Middle Ages” at http://www.patreon.com/makersandmystics  Featured Music in this episode: Unwed Sailor Featured Music: Unwed SailorVisit Nico’s ShopSupport The PodcastListen to the bonus interview with Nico on “The Church’s bizarre use of automata during the Middle Ages.”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.

Sadhu Sundar Singh was a Christian mystic from the region of Punjab. His life was characterized by elaborate visions, long journeys and parables and stories inspired by the life of Jesus.Support The PodcastMusic: Christopher HaleSend 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.

CJ Casciotta is a writer and communicator who is passionate about helping organizations and individuals discover their inherent uniqueness. In his debut book, Get Weird, CJ asks the question, What if the outrageous, imaginative, crazy ideas that live inside your wildest dreams are actually there on purpose, divinely preinstalled to help others?He says, Knowing what makes you weird is the best thing you can offer your art, your business, your friends, your family, and yourself. It's the essence of creativity, the stuff of movements, and the hope for humanity. It's time to quit painting by numbers, conforming to patterns, and checking off boxes. It's time to GET WEIRD.In this episode CJ and Stephen discuss the ideas he presents in his book and unpack what it means to live fully and truly as that unique version of ourselves we were designed to be.CJ CasciottaSupport The Podcast!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.

Hildegard von Bingen was a German Benedictine abbess. She was a writer, composer, philosopher, playwright and visionary.Guest host: Vesper Stamper Support The PodcastSend 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.

Cole NeSmith is the founder and Executive Director of the Creative City Project and producer of IMMERSE, an annual performing and interactive arts event in the heart of Downtown Orlando. Cole started the award-winning Creative City Project in 2012 to cultivate creative community locally and to help shape the global perception of Orlando as a place known for creativity and innovation. In this episode, Stephen talks with Cole about the role of the arts in cultural transformation. Creative City ProjectCole NeSmithSupport The PodcastMusic Provided By: Fascinating Earthbound ObjectsSend 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.

Howard Finster was a folk artist and backwoods preacher from rural Georgia. He was known for his elaborate visions and the creation of his own Paradise Gardens. During the eighties, Howard's collaboration with the bands R.E.M. and Talking Heads catapulted him onto a global platform for his art and message. Music Provided by: SeamonsterIntroductory Audio Clips by Calvin Burgamy & Kenny GraySupport Makers & Mystics Podcast!Visit Howard Finster’s Paradise GardensSoundscapes by Ben StamperSend 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.

Watch Ben’s Film: BegottenWatch Ben’s Visual HaikuBook Discussed: The Poetics of SpaceJoin The Makers & Mystics Creative CollectiveGRISHA (trailer)The Deep PlaceBen Stamper Vimeo PageSend 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.

Music provided by: KetsaSongs of Water Support The PodcastSend 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.

Julia Frey is a London based food writer, photographer and blogger. After moving from Canada to the UK seven years ago with her husband and children, she was homesick and between jobs. In order to occupy herself and have a creative outlet, she started an online recipe journal called Vikalinka.A few years later the online journal turned into a full-time job and allowed Julia to transition from teaching English to working for herself as a food writer and photographer. In this episode, Stephen talks with Julia about her inspirations, the art of food and how creativity extends beyond the fine arts into every aspect of life. Follow Julia's Food and Travel writing here.Patrons of the podcast can enjoy an additional interview here. Music for this episode is provided by Benjamin James. You can follow Benjamin James on Spotify and The Music Bed. Follow Julia's Food and Travel writing here.Patrons of the podcast can enjoy an additional interview here.Music for this episode is provided by Benjamin James. You can follow Benjamin James on Spotify and The Music Bed.Support Makers & Mystics!Works and Artists mentioned in this episode:Elizabeth GilbertGustav KlimtSend 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.