In this season finale, Stephen Roach closes out our exploration of creative flow with a rich conversation with several artists from the Makers & Mystics Patreon community. Joining the discussion are artist and educator Angela Houk, writer and branding expert Steve Brock, and poet and visual artist Corey Frey.Together, the crew explores the interplay between resistance and flow—how creative blocks, limitations, and even frustrations can actually become the conditions that allow new work to emerge and personal character to develop. As Wendell Berry reminds us, “the impeded stream is the one that sings.”This episode examines:Why resistance can be a gift in the creative process.How Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi’s theory of flow connects to happiness and fulfillment.The balance between focus and receptivity in both art and relationships.How preparation, practice, and openness set the stage for flow.The “radical middle” where challenge and skill convergeConnecting the experience of flow to the Holy SpiritThis is a thoughtful, inspiring conversation on navigating resistance, finding flow, and staying open to the creativity that emerges when we least expect it.Connect with the guests:Angela HoukSteve BrockCorey Frey–––Support the Podcast If you’d like to go deeper in these conversations and be part of the Makers & Mystics creative collective, consider joining us on Patreon. You’ll gain access to monthly online gatherings, bonus content, creative prompts, and a vibrant community of artists pursuing faith and imagination together.👉 Join the community on PatreonSend us a textSupport the show
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S15 E14: Sound Symbols: Foley Art in Film with Ronnie Van Der Veer
Behind the curtain of cinema lies a hidden language, spoken not in words, but in sound.In this episode of Makers and Mystics, Stephen Roach interviews Foley artist Ronnie Van Der Veer, exploring the intricate world of sound design in film. Ronnie shares his journey into Foley art, the importance of creating realistic sound effects, and the techniques he employs to enhance the cinematic experience. The conversation explores the creative process behind sound symbolism, and practical advice for aspiring Foley artists. Through case studies of films like 'The Occupant' and 'The Forgotten Battle,' listeners gain insight into the art of sound and its profound impact on storytelling.About the guest: Ronnie van der Veer is an award winning foley artist from the Netherlands. From his studio just outside Amsterdam he has worked on movies like The Lobster by Yorgos Lanthimos, Girl by Lukas Dhont, war movie The Forgotten Battle and various Netflix, Disney and Amazon Originals. Ronnie uses his background as a drummer in his work as a foley artist.See more of Ronnie's work:www.foleytales.comInstagram https://www.instagram.com/foley.tales/Films referenced in this episode: The Forgotten Battle: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10521092/?ref_=nm_knf_t_2The Occupant: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7230422/?ref_=nm_flmg_job_1_cdt_t_6Connect with Makers and Mystics:Patreon: http://www.patreon.com/makersandmysticsInstagram: http://www.instagram.com/makersandmysticsAPPLY FOR OUR NOVEMBER 21-23, 2025 WRITER'S RETREAT IN THE BEAUTIFUL MOUNTAINS OF N.C. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScaiDW84Ktc1KH1JLt236fNPaiKW22E_XnzJqIgjHc5zijzfA/viewform?usp=headerSend us a textSupport the show
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Artist Profile Series 39: Simeon Stylites
What does the life of a bizarre fifth-century monk have to offer our lives in the modern world today? This episode of the Makers and Mystics podcast explores the life and influence of Simeon Stylites, a Syrian Christian ascetic known for his extreme devotion and outlandish lifestyle of standing atop a pillar for 37 years. Stephen Roach highlights Simeon's early life, his ascetic practices, and the profound impact he had on society during his time. The discussion reveals how Simeon's unwavering commitment to prayer and his role as a public figure offers an example for how we stand atop our own pillars and digital platforms today. Join the Makers and Mystics creative collective Apply to attend The Breath and The Clay writer's retreat, November 21-23rd, in Moravian Falls, NC. Support The PodcastSend us a textSupport the show
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S15 E13: Confessional Transcendence with Poet and Actor Amy Leigh Wicks
Amy Leigh Wicks is a poet, actress, and educator from New York City. She holds a PhD in Creative Writing from Victoria University of Wellington in New Zealand and an MFA from The New School in New York. She recently served as Dean of Performing Arts at Bethel Conservatory of the Arts and is the author of The Dangerous Country of Love and Marriage (Auckland University Press, 2019) and Orange Juice and Rooftops (Eloquent Books, 2009).In this episode, Stephen Roach talks with Amy about the intersection of presence, performance, and poetic confession. Their conversation explores the emotional depth of character work, the daily rhythms that sustain creativity, and the subtle terrain where vulnerability gives way to transcendence.At the heart of the conversation, Amy unpacks the idea of confessional transcendence—the mysterious way raw honesty in art can lead beyond self-expression into something sacred and universal. Through personal stories and reflections, she explores how poetry and acting together deepen her awareness of beauty, pain, and the human condition. The episode culminates in a moving reading of her poetry that embodies the very themes explored.Resources: Get Amy's Book: The Dangerous Country of Love and MarriageSupport The Podcast! Show some love! If this, or other episodes, have helped you in your creative/spiritual journey, become a monthly patron. Follow us on InstagramSend us a textSupport the show
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S15 E12: The Ghost Life with Prasanta Verma
As artists, we live our lives between worlds, the one in which we imagine and the one in which we must survive. But what do we do when the life we imagine and the life we live are incongruent? Often our lives look much different on paper than they do in our dreams. Joining us for this conversation is author, speaker, and public health professional Prasanta Verma. Prasanta's first book, Beyond Ethnic Loneliness, was released in April 2024 and is a 2024 INDIES Foreword Book of the Year Finalist. Prasanta is a graduate of the Kenyon Writers Workshop, a Write On Door County Writing Residency, and one of her essays won Honorable Mention in the WI Writers Jade Ring Essay Contest in 2023. Prasanta writes to help us feel seen and find a sense of belonging, and wants to help us envision a society where we are healthier and more connected. She is both an academic and creative, and is currently working on her doctorate in public health.In this episode, Prasanta shares about the concept of the ghost life and how art bridges the gap between our lived experiences and our aspirations. She shares insights on the importance of community, the difference between solitude and isolation, and the need for radical acceptance to keep creative flow through life's unexpected turns.Resources: Join the Makers and Mystics Creative Collective Follow Us on InstagramPrasanta's SubstackSend us a textSupport the show
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