Pianist and composer Chad Lawson is a Classical musician whose career has visited byways of various musical genres, including Jazz, Latin, Film scores and Experimental music.

Chad’s compositions have been featured in countless films and television shows such as The Walking Dead, Vampire Diaries and the Award-winning podcast, Lore.

In this episode, Stephen talks with Chad about his background as a musician, what motivates his work and how his journey has led him to the poetic and meditative feel of his current musical expressions.

MusicStephen RoachNovember 28, 2018Chad Lawson, The Walking Dead, Lore, Vampire Diaries, Film Score, Composition

S4 E11: Onward Like A Storm with Liz Vice

Liz Vice is a singer/songwriter based in Brooklyn, NY. She is best known for her Gospel, Soul and R&B roots. On her latest album titled, “Save Me,” Liz breaks the mold of any one particular genre and explores a wide range of musical territory.

In this episode, Stephen talks with Liz about her creative process and the vulnerability within her songs and personal story of overcoming fear.

Music, Singer-songwriterStephen RoachOctober 18, 2018Liz Vice, gospel, R&B, singer-songwwriter, singer/songwriter

S4 E3: Evergreen with Audrey Assad

Audrey Assad is a singer/songwriter from Nashville, Tennessee who has written and recorded ten albums to date, including her recent release, Evergreen. In this episode, Stephen talks with Audrey about the gut-wrenching deconstruction of her faith and the fertile ground of re-birth which fuels the concept behind Evergreen.

Patrons of the podcast can enjoy an additional interview with Audrey at Patreon.com/makersandmystics.

S3 E3: A Journey To The Heart with Ken Helser

Ken Helser is a visual artist, storyteller, musician and founder of the 52-acre retreat center, A Place For The Heart in Sophia, North Carolina. For the past 30 years, Ken has mentored students from across the world, teaching them to hear and journal the voice of God through writing. Currently, Ken partners with his son and daughter-in-law, Jonathan David and Melissa Helser at their 18 Inch Journey School.

In this episode, Ken talks with Stephen about the core motives of the heart and how to navigate the deeper concerns facing many artists today. Ken shares from his own journey through rejection, imitation and the discovery of how "the key to discipline is desire."

Featured Music by Cageless Birds

Season Premiere! S3 E1: Around The Table with Jason Upton

In this episode, Stephen talks with singer/songwriter, Jason Upton about linear versus circular creative processes. This episode features previously unreleased material from the artist.

S2 E13: Naming The Animals

In this keynote talk, Stephen Roach proposes that creativity is our birthright and essential to fulfilling God's original design for humanity. Stephen encourages that we are in the midst of a creative awakening and calls the church to break free from religious oppression into the creative liberty of sons and daughters.

S2 E11: On Vocation and Calling with Josh Garrels Part 2

This episode is Part 2 of a conversation with Josh Garrels. In this episode, Stephen Roach discusses Josh's honest lyricism, how our families and cultural environments inform the art we make.

Music, Process, Singer-songwriterStephen RoachJune 21, 2017Josh Garrels, music, Christian music, art, family

Season 2 E10: On Vocation and Calling with Josh Garrels Part 1

Josh Garrels is a Portland, Oregon-based singer/songwriter who combines elements of hip-hop, world music and folk in his songwriting. His lyrics are characterized by a raw honesty in exploring themes of faith, hope and compassion.

In this episode, Josh discusses his background in music and the pathway which led him to a vocation as a professional, independent musician. Josh talks with Stephen Roach about balancing family life and touring as well as how the choices of our personal lives inform the art we create. This episode is Part 1 of a two-part conversation.

Season 2 E9: An Ethos Of Amazement. Keynote with Sean Feucht

In this keynote, worship leader and founder of the Burn 24/7 prayer movement, Sean Feucht challenges artists to live and create from an "ethos of amazement." Drawing from his work among refugees in Iraq, Sean calls upon artists to have imaginations which will "challenge the dominant reality" and offer hope instead of despair. This keynote was given at the 2017 The Breath & The Clay Creative Arts gathering in Winston-Salem, NC.

Season 2 Episode 2: All Things Sacred: A Conversation w/ John Mark McMillan

Music, Faith and Art, Singer-songwriterStephen RoachFebruary 16, 2017John Mark McMillan, Josh Garrels, Revelators Tour, Makers and Mystics, Makers & Mystics, Christian music, art, faith, The Breath and the Clay

Season 2 E1: The Nearness Of You Is My Only Good - An Interview with Dave Wilton

In this episode, Stephen interviews Colorado artist Dave Wilton of the music group Loudharp. Dave is a producer, recording engineer and also writes and performs under the name A Boy & his kite. His music has appeared in major releases such as The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 2 and the upcoming independent, award-winning film The Remnant.

Music, WorshipStephen RoachJanuary 10, 2017

S1 E13: Liminal Spaces with Sarah Deshields of Broadcast Safe

In this episode, Stephen converses with Scottish artist Sarah Deshields of the band Broadcast Safe. Sarah is a photographer, a visual artist, singer/songwriter and co-founder of the Elysian Arts Collective in Charlotte, North Carolina. Stephen and Sarah discuss contemplation, her band's new album and and what it means to be a working artist, wife and mother.

Episode S1 E11: Blood From The Quill: On The Making of "Stars & Dust" with Songs of Water

In this episode, members of the cinematic orchestra, Songs of Water discuss the beauty and the difficulties of creative collaboration. The discussion centers around reflections on their creative process in making the album Stars & Dust. Throughout the episode, the band shares songs and snippets of the developmental stages of their works in progress. You can find out more about Songs of Water at www.songsofwater.com

Music, ProcessStephen RoachJune 9, 2016Songs of Water, Stephen Roach, Luke Skaggs

S1 E10: Life Beneath The Ashes: A Conversation with Cindertalk

In this episode, Stephen catches up with songwriter/composer Jonny Rodgers of Cindertalk and discusses the creative process in writing music for film. Cindertalk composes using tuned wine glasses combined with acoustic and electronic instrumentation. He recently composed the soundtrack for The Fourth Line Films release, "The Psalms" featuring Bono and Eugene Peterson. Cindertalk has collaborated with a number of artists such as Son Lux, Shara Warden of My Brightest Diamond as well as contributed to music for the movie, The Brother's Bloom. You can find out more about Cindertalk at: http://www.cindertalk.com You can read the blog mentioned in this episode at: http://www.stephenroach.org

MusicStephen RoachMay 11, 2016Cindertalk, Johnny Rodgers, tuned wine glasses