Art & Faith Conversations

Andrew Nemr is an international tap artist, TED Fellow, speaker, mentor, and writer. 

Andrew started tapping at the age of 3 being mentored by Gregory Hines starting at a very young age. He’s a solo artist in dance, visual art and music but also travels the world as a speaker, mentor, and coach in a variety of settings and has had his life story featured in an independent film by Windrider called Identity.  

We discuss a significant moment in his life when he hit a wall and experienced burnout throughout his whole body, mind, and spirit in a visceral way. Andrew shares vulnerably what that expereince was like, how he got through it, and offers insight to artists who may be close to experiencing burnout themselves. 

Andrew regularly offers a 4 week spiritual formation course you can find more about and connect with him at: https://andrewnemr.com

Andrew's TED Talk

Libby and the Podcast

Jaclyn Williams is a preacher, chaplain, educator, and performing artist. She is an assistant professor of the practice of preaching and chaplaincy at Fuller Seminary. She joins the podcast to talk about embodied preaching and the unique style she has of integrating her performing art skills to enhance her pedagogical practice with students.

As well as her MDiv and PhD in theological studies, she also holds an MFA in theater and has a background in dance. We discuss the connections between the process of craft as an artist and the process of spiritual formation and how artists can be significant contributors to teaching formational practices. 

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Mark Buchanan is a professor of pastoral theology at Ambrose University. He has authored several book on spiritual formation and rhythms of the soul. He joins the podcast to talk about his book, God Walk-Moving at the Speed of Our Soul. We discuss the spiritual practice of physically walking and how formative it is for our faith when we slow down enough to keep pace with a 3mph God. We talk about how walking affects our memory and our attention spans and rehumanizes us in an increasingly digital world. 

Mark Buchanan 

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Julianna Rubio Slager is the artistic director and co-founder of Ballet 5:8 dance company out of Chicago. She returns for the second time to the podcast to talk about the powerful language of the body through dance and how it can speak in ways words cannot. We discuss misconcenptions about the body and dance among church culture and the importance of making peace with our bodies in surrender to God's work in our lives.

Julianna is known for her unique ability to engage audiences in discussions of life and faith through her choreography. She has created over 50 works for the Company and School during her tenure at Ballet 5:8. In 2023 she was awarded the coveted position of National Visiting Fellow at the School of American Ballet.

Ballet 5:8

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Dr. Curt Thompson is a leading psychiatrist in the field of interpersonal neurobiology and spiritual formation. We discuss why art and artists are invaluable to understanding what it means to be human and to live a purposeful life. 

Curt specializes in helping others seek and discover the intrinsic desire we all have to feel known, loved, and connected and shares how beauty and creativity play a crucial role in that pursuit. He is the author of several books such as Anatomy of the Soul, The Soul of Shame, and his most recent book on suffering, The Deepest Place.

https://curtthompsonmd.com

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David Taylor returns to the podcast to talk about his latest book, A Body of Praise-Understanding the Role of our Physical Bodies in Worship.

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We discuss our five senses as the way we experience God's closeness and grace and how artists give us language and portals to engage our senses more fully in worship and life. David aruges that the body is not merely a neutral spectator or something to overcome but that God has an essential purpose for good for our bodies in worship. 

David Taylor is a theologian, author, speaker, priest, and director of initiatives in art and faith. A professor at Fuller Theological Seminary, he has lectured widely on the arts, from Thailand to South Africa. He has written for The Washington Post, Image Journal, Theology Today, Worship, Religion News Service, Christianity Today, and Books & Culture, among others. He lives in Austin with his wife Phaedra, a visual artist and gardener, and his daughter Blythe and son Sebastian.

Music for the podcast provided by Gray North

Contact Libby John: https://vividartistry.org

Instagram: @artandfaithpodcast

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Jane Boutwell is an artist who describes herself as having an inquisitive mind, a heart connected to nature and a soul yearning towards God…a child of dirt and dance…a beauty bringing blessing writer… a poetic painter and potter.

Her creative work includes tactile, intuitive, and deeply-in-touch-with-nature ways of being in the world. She finds her passion in a variety of creative mediums and expressions which include gardening, quilting, writing, painting, sketching, ceramics, dancing, creative coaching, podcasting, and family life with her husband and four children in the Atlanta Georgia area. 

We take a deep dive into a mini series she featured on her podacst, Growing Creative, about living a life of listening and how vital it is as a practice for our creative and spiritual lives. 

Visit Jane's work at:

The Birdhouse Retreat Center

https://www.janeboutwellstudio.com

Connect with the Podcast: https://vividartistry.org

IG: @artandfaithpodcast

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Justin McRoberts returns to the podcast to talk about his newest book, Sacred Strides: The Journey to Belovedness in Work and Rest. In this episode we discuss the myth of finding balancing but rather discovering the tensions and rhythms in different seasons of life. We also talk about the significance of practicing a day of Sabbath and the pitfalls of focuisng on utitliy in our creative and spiritual lives.

Jusitn is a speaker, author, mentor, and musician. Some of his previous books include It Is What You Make of It and the books of prayer collaboration project with Scott Erickson.

https://justinmcroberts.com

Donate to the production of new episodes: https://givebutter.com/artandfaithpodcast 

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Week 5 of a series of audio meditations to guide you through the season of Lent.

Each Lent episode is an exceprt of a more in-depth writtten series that includes movement prayer and visual art as well as poetry and scripture. 

Visit Lent Week 5 to go deeper

Music provided by Dear Gravity

Journal Prompt Questions:

What are some ways you can slow down and be cared for in this season?

How might you need to re-position yourself to see beauty?

Email: [email protected]

Instagram: @artandfaithpodcast

Week 4 of a series of audio meditations to guide you through the season of Lent.

Each Lent episode is an exceprt of a more in-depth writtten series that includes movement prayer and visual art as well. 

Visit Lent Week 4 to go deeper

Music provided by Dear Gravity

Journal Prompt Questions:

• What are some things that make you feel securely planted?

• What kind of a season do you sense you are becoming ready for?

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