Episode 1
Vulnerability and Community in Art:
A Conversation with Brady Buchanan
In this conversation, Brady Buchanan shares insights into his artistic journey as a guitarist, poet, and songwriter. He discusses his evolution in creativity, the impact of community engagement through the Bridge Literary Arts Center, and the differences in his creative processes for poetry and songwriting. Brady reflects on his sources of inspiration, including nature and personal relationships, and expresses his admiration for those who embrace their creativity later in life.
Brady Buchanan is a poet and musician from Western Pennsylvania. He is active in several writing groups and is a member of the steering committee for The Bridge Literary Arts Center, which holds various events–open mics, workshops, lit fests–in and around Venango County, PA. His poems have appeared in The Watershed Journal and the North/South Appalachia Anthology. He uses his experiences in the woods and small towns of his region to inspire his work.
Episode 2
The Discipline of Inspiration:
Incarnation and Surrender with Carey Wallace
In this conversation, Carey Wallace discusses her book 'The Discipline of Inspiration,' exploring the nature of inspiration in art, the role of the artist, and the spiritual disciplines that can enhance creativity. She emphasizes the importance of surrendering to inspiration and the interconnectedness of artists and audiences in the creative process. The discussion delves into how inspiration is perceived, the significance of attention, and how anyone can engage in artistic expression through the act of creation. In this conversation, Carey Wallace and Shana McLean explore the intricate relationship between discernment, inspiration, and the creative process. They discuss the importance of recognizing true art, the role of community in nurturing creativity, and the significance of establishing a creative discipline that can persist through various life stages. The dialogue emphasizes the need for artists to remain connected to their daily lives while also highlighting the voices of those who contribute to the artistic landscape, particularly those who uplift others' creativity.
Carey Wallace is the author of The Discipline of Inspiration: The Mysterious Encounter With God At The Heart of Creativity (Eerdmans), The Blind Contessa’s New Machine (Penguin), and The Ghost In The Glass House (Clarion). She works to help people from all walks of life find inspiration and build strong creative habits to sustain a lifetime of creation. She performs as a songwriter, exhibits her own fine art, and has spoken on art, faith, and justice with students at Princeton, Julliard, Emory, Pratt, and Yale. Her articles and poems have appeared in Time, Detroit’s Metro Times, and America. She is the founder of a retreat for artists in Michigan, and the Creative Discipline Class to form strong creative habits, which has been in operation for over a decade across the US and internationally. She grew up in small towns in Michigan, and lives and works in Brooklyn.
Links:
https://www.disciplineofinspiration.org/
https://www.careywallace.com/books
Episode 3
The Science and Art of Winemaking
with Seth Chambers
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In this conversation, Seth Chambers shares his journey into the world of winemaking at La Grange, discussing his unique background in physics and organic chemistry, and how it informs his approach to winemaking. He emphasizes the importance of education and experience in the industry, the challenges of sourcing grapes in Virginia, and his innovative approach to sparkling wines. Seth also highlights his personal aspirations of starting his own vineyard, the significance of terroir, and the creative process behind crafting wines that resonate with consumers.
Seth Chambers has been making wine in Virginia for twenty years. He got his Bachelor of Science degree from Penn State University (PSU), with a concentration in Organic Chemistry, and a minor in Plant Biology. He also obtained an oenology certificate from Washington State University (WSU) in 2011. He has managed production at Winery at La Grange since 2016. He spends his free time with his family or on his family farm cultivating a vineyard of Petit Verdot and Petit Manseng, much like the vineyard at La Grange.
Episode 4
Fairy Tales for All Ages: Sarah Arthur on her new book Once a Castle
In this engaging conversation, Sarah Arthur discusses her journey as a writer, the themes explored in her Carrick Hall series, and the influence of classic authors like C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien on her work. She delves into the creative process behind her books, the importance of world-building, and the transition from nonfiction to fiction writing. Sarah also shares insights on writing in community, the role of reader feedback, and her connection to Madeleine L'Engle's legacy. As she prepares for the release of her third book, she reflects on the interconnectedness of stories and the importance of acknowledging our shared humanity.
Sarah Arthur is a fun-loving speaker and the bestselling author of a dozen books for teens and adults, including Once a Castle, Book 2 of the Carrick Hall Novels (WaterBrook; on sale 2/11/25) the bestselling and the Christy Award-nominated Once a Queen, Book 1 of the Carrick Hall Novels. Among other nerdy adventures, she has served as preliminary fiction judge for the Christianity Today Book Awards, was a founding board member of the annual C. S. Lewis Festival in Northern Michigan, and codirects the Madeleine L’Engle Writing Retreats. Sarah worked with young people in various settings for more than 20 years. She lives in Michigan with her husband Tom and their preteen/teen sons, whose feedback on her fiction both harrows and delights her soul. Connect with Sarah at SarahArthur.com and @HolyDreaming on social media.
Links:
Saraharthur.com
https://www.lenglewritingretreats.com/