Father Christopher Foley is the priest at Holy Cross Orthodox Church in Kernersville, NC where he has been serving for 17 years. Fr. Christopher is a convert to the Orthodox faith from an Evangelical background. While studying missiology and art history in college, he became interested in Eastern Orthodoxy and went on to receive a Master of Divinity degree at Saint Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary in NY. 

In addition to his duties as a parish priest, Fr. Christopher has been active in writing and recording music with his band, Luxury, for over 30 years. The documentary Parallel Love tells the story of the band and how three of its members each became Orthodox priests. 

In this episode Fr. Christopher discusses art in sacred contexts, the tension between embracing tradition and the artist’s aversion to being labeled. Stephen and Fr. Christopher talk about what it means to be haunted by Eden and how the longing for transcendence stays with us even for those who have deconstructed their faith.

 Patrons of the podcast can enjoy an additional interview segment on idols and icons.

Watch the documentary: Parallel Love

Fr. Christopher’s interview with Jonathan Pageau

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Brie Stoner is a bilingual indie rock musician and songwriter, creative thinker and podcaster.

She co-hosted Richard Rohr’s “Another Name for Every Thing” podcast before launching her own podcast titled “Unknowing”, which explores the unexpected path of creative possibility with guest artists, authors, and activists.

Brie studied at the Chicago Theological Seminary and served as program designer at the Center for Action and Contemplation in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

In this episode, Brie brings a thoughtful perspective on art and the urge for transcendence. She talks with Stephen about embodiment, being grounded and the somatic connections of our deeper, spiritual yearnings.

Brie’s Upcoming Tour Dates

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Kevin "KB" Burgess is a Dove-Award winning rapper, speaker and podcaster with four full-length albums to his name.

In this episode, KB talks to me about the importance of staying rooted in truth as an antidote to living the status quo.

His book Dangerous Jesus much like his music, presents a disruptive, subversive, system threatening portrait of jesus that counters the Christianity of the land and our own tendency toward complacency.

Be sure to listen to the end of this episode to hear KB share his perspective on our theme of art and the urge for transcendence.

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This is Part 2 of our Roundtable discussion on Art & The Urge For Transcendence, featuring cultural theologian, author, and fellow podcaster Paul Anleitner (Deep Talks Podcast,) Chicago pastor, Ted Kim and singer/songwriter John Mark McMillan.

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This Roundtable discussion on Art & The Urge For Transcendence, features cultural theologian, author, and fellow podcaster Paul Anleitner (Deep Talks Podcast,) Chicago pastor, Ted Kim and singer/songwriter John Mark McMillan.  

In this loose discussion, the conversation meanders its way to the subject of longing and survival and how these sometimes competing drives can lead us to the doorway of transcendence. 

Check Out Paul’s Deep Talks Podcast

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Wynn Everett is an American actor based in Atlanta Georgia. She has acted in films such as Justin Timberlake’s Palmer, HBO’s Doom Patrol, Marvel’s Agent Carter as well as familiar Television shows - Modern Family, The Walking Dead and will appear in the upcoming season of Sweet Magnolia’s.

In this episode, Wynn and Stephen discuss the contrast between performing and transforming, discovering transcendence within the ordinary and what it is like for an actor to take on the emotions of another.

Join the Makers & Mystics Creative Collective and gain access to exclusive interview segments with Wynn and other guests of the podcast.

Participate in our next book club starting March 8 with a discussion of Nick Cave’s Faith Hope and Carnage.

Episode Sponsor: Hope Words Writer’s Conference

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Aundi Kolber is a licensed professional counselor and author of the critically acclaimed Try Softer. She specializes in trauma- and body-centered therapies and is passionate about the integration of faith and psychology.

In this episode Stephen talks with Aundi about her latest book Strong Like Water and how we can move through pain into the expansiveness of our deeper yearnings for transcendence, beauty, and wonder.

Music for this episode is provided by Nashville singer/songwriter Lynn Marie. Patrons of the podcast can listen to a special Meet The Artist interview with Lynn on our Patreon.

Episode Sponsor: Hope Words Writer’s Conference

Use this link with the code “MANDMHW10” to receive a special Makers and Mystics listener discount.

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In this Season Opening Primer, Makers & Mystics host Stephen Roach sets the stage for the season’s conversations on Art & The Urge For Transcendence.

You can download a transcript of this episode here

Music provided by Some Were At Sea.

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The human heart is designed to be astonished. We carry within us, an innate yearning for wonder, for awe, for reverence.  This deep-rooted urge to reach beyond ourselves, to be immersed in that which is greater than our own limitation, greater than our own materiality is where the spiritual and the creative impulses overlap.

What does it mean to carry within us, such deep longings for something beyond ourselves and how can the arts act as both a catalyst and the overflow of these yearnings?

I invite you to follow along over these next few months as we hear from artists, musicians, therapists, and theologians. We’re going to take a deep dive into this subject. Be sure to subscribe to the podcast and get ready to gain a deeper understanding on how art and the urge for transcendence can transform your own creative work.

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Jeri Jones Sparks is a Tamil Indian-Australian poet and writer living on Wangal Country.

She is the winner of the third annual Bright Wings Poetry Contest hosted in partnership with Ekstasis Magazine.

She works as the Outreach Pastor at St James Anglican Church in the Inner West of Sydney.

In this bonus episode, Jeri shares her winning poem, January Born.

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