JPII & the Diocletian Baths - Christopher West

What do JP II, Greek baths, and Catholic Creatives have to do with each other? Well. Quite a lot, turns out. Hear all about it in this special edition of the Catholic Creatives podcast.

It’s been a minute, but because of the feast of JPII, we decided to dust off this interview that Matt Meeks and Anthony D’Ambrosio did with Christopher West. Christopher discovered a retreat that JP II gave to artists, and had it translated to English and published for the first time ever, complete with commentary from himself and some other notable theologians. Their conversation about JPII’s insights got into some really interesting and very vulnerable waters. What JPII outlines is a path for us creatives and artists to use our creative gifts in ways that can us from our culture’s distorted and shamed relationship with the human body. As usual when talking to Christopher, the Holy Spirit revealed some profound truths to us.

The book is called God is Beauty, and you can find it at bit.ly/godisbeauty

Before we jump in, just a note from our sponsors:

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Creating Out of Darkness: Matt Maher

Since his 2008 major label debut, Matt Maher has become a staple in the artistic and songwriting community. A nine time-GRAMMY® nominee and three time-GMA Dove Award winner. Matt Maher shares how his experience with tragedy and trauma has made him a better artist. In this conversation, he and Anthony D’Ambrosio talked on Facebook Live about how they are approaching quarantine, and about their hopes for how Catholic creatives will use this time to truly grapple with their own heartbreak.

We hope this conversation encourages you to share your creations with us and the world. Be part of the Through Fire campaign by posting your work with #ThroughFire and #CatholicCreatives.

Thanks to our sponsor The Little Catholic Box, who is offering a $20 discount on your first order of a new quarterly subscription when you use the code CCBEAUTY at checkout. And grab one of their new, limited-time “Be Not Afraid” mini-box.

Beauty is Essential: Charles and Amanda Shepard

Photo by Nate Proulx

Amanda and Charles Shepard share stories of their experiences curating, running, and building up the Fort Wayne Museum of Art — and why they believe art and beauty are no less important in these days of the COVID-19 pandemic. Charles has been the President and CEO of the museum since 2003, after multiple directorships throughout the country; Amanda, Vice President and COO, studied studio painting at Notre Dame before joining the FWMoA staff in 2007. They share how necessary it is to continue patronizing artists, appreciating beauty, and creating our own work.

We hope this conversation encourages you to share your creations with us and the world. Be part of the Through Fire campaign by posting your work with #ThroughFire and #CatholicCreatives.

Thanks to our sponsor The Little Catholic Box, who is offering a $20 discount on your first order of a new quarterly subscription when you use the code CCBEAUTY at checkout. And grab one of their new, limited-time “Be Not Afraid” mini-box.

Hey Weirdo, That'll Never Work: CC Summit 2018

At the CC Summit in 2018, Jeff Schiefelbein and Matt Pinto led a panel on entrepreneurship and making your crazy dreams work. Matthew Pinto is a speaker, author, and the founder of Ascension Press; and Jeff Schiefelbein is the Chief Culture Officer of 5, an energy consulting firm. Together, they shared their best practices for running businesses, sticking to your convictions, and tempering activity with receptivity.

To hear more talks like this, get an invite to the 2020 CC Summit! It’s going down in Dallas from April 30 - May 3.

Thanks to our sponsor The Little Catholic Box!

Support Catholic Creatives by donating or leaving a review.

Resources mentioned in this episode: The Vocation of the Business Leader

Additional music provided by Blue Dot Sessions.

The Narthex with Bradley Santos

Bradley Santos is the lead designer for the University of Washington central marketing team and the creative director of One Secret Mission, a creative studio leading a conversation to Christ with beauty. Bradley’s work in photography, graphic design, and art direction — and his Filipino background — help him tell untold stories and see beauty in new places. He joins us in the Narthex to geek out about Kanye and tell his story.

Thanks to our sponsor The Little Catholic Box! Visit their website now and click the pink banner along the top to have a chance at a free year’s worth of boxes.

Resources mentioned in this episode: Cory Heimann CC Podcast Episode, The Freshest Kids breakdancing documentary, God Is (Acoustic Cover) by Noah Pepmeyer

Additional music provided by Blue Dot Sessions.

Wealth Is More Than Financial: Thomas Yep

Thomas Yep is a partner and the CEO at the Archetype Group, a Catholic business incubator, accelerator, and holding group that helps launch businesses to grow the economy of salvation. Together with his wife Christina (Archetype’s Chief Creative Officer), he is a father to four children.. Thomas works with entrepreneurs to coach them through the process of running a profitable business while bringing eternal value and human dignity to the culture, making a way for creative business owners to bring goodness, beauty, and truth to the world.

Check out this episode’s sponsor, The Little Catholic Box, and order your first box before they ship in early February 2020!

Resources mentioned in this episode: As Kingfishers Catch Fire, Gerard Manley Hopkins; Start With Why, Simon Sinek; Why Your Critics Aren’t the Ones Who Count, Brene Brown; Abiding Together Podcast

Additional Music from Blue Dot Sessions

The Narthex with Clare McCallan

In the Narthex this month is spoken word artist and thrifting queen Clare McCallan! Clare has traveled all over performing poetry, serving, and bringing the mic to underrepresented voices. She joined us in the Narthex to share stories of her Brooklyn adventures before she jetted off to Washington to be the Grunewald Guild artist-in-residence. If you’d like to bring Clare to perform poetry at your church, school, or home, get in touch with her through Instagram or email.

Thanks to this month’s Narthex sponsors: The Little Catholic Box and Sock Religious!

Blue Dot Sessions provided select music for this episode.

Header photo by Pat Dunford.

The Vocation of Business: Andreas Widmer and Luke Burgis

Andreas Widmer and Luke Burgis work at the Ciocca Center for Principled Entrepreneurship at the Catholic University of America. Andreas founded and directs the Ciocca Center; he is the author of The Pope and the CEO. Luke is the current Entrepreneur in Residence at the Ciocca Center and co-authored the book Unrepeatable: Cultivating the Unique Calling of Every Person.

Together, they teach the popular “Vocation of Business” course. Luke is now adapting that class for a high school course called the “Catholic Entrepreneurship and Design Experience,” or CEDE.

Additional music from this episode provided by Blue Dot Sessions.

The Narthex with Nick Roach

Nicholas Gerald Roach hails from Washington, where he began his career in entrepreneurial business and ecommerce marketing. He has worked with Filson and Lucchese Boots; recently, he began his own ecommerce and marketing consulting service — and is continuing to pursue photography and music. In the Narthex, Nick shares his hope to use meaningful, holistic work to help others. You can get in touch with Nick at nick@runningwindriver.com.

Keep making this podcast possible by supporting Catholic Creatives.

Additional music for this episode provided by Blue Dot Sessions.

Authentic Diversity: Deacon Charlie Echeverry

Deacon Charlie Echeverry is the founder of the Black//Brown Collective, an accelerator based in Los Angeles that aims to connect emerging technology with emerging audiences. As a former executive for media companies like mitu, Univision, and Walt Disney, and as a chairperson for Catholic Answers and Catholic Association of Latino Leaders, Deacon Charlie is actively working to create a world that sees diversity as a strength, not as a checklist or imposition. He and Anthony discuss practical ways we can all work towards a truly unified Catholic experience.

Get in touch with Deacon Charlie at charlie@blackbrown.us.

Thank you to Sock Religious for making this podcast possible!

Additional music provided by Blue Dot Sessions.

The Narthex with Ali Hoffman

Welcome to The Narthex! It’s our new short-form podcast where we can be a little louder, a little less reverent, and just as inspired. We’ll be dropping new episodes from The Narthex every month.

In The Narthex this week is Ali Hoffman, the curly-haired mastermind behind Oodles of Doodles. Ali is the Youth Director at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church in Carrollton, Texas; a Catholic speaker; a hand lettering instructor; and an all-around inspiration who believes that everyone is loved, wanted, and necessary.

Resources mentioned in this episode: Consoling the Heart of Jesus by Fr. Michael Gaitley, Tattoos on the Heart by Fr. Greg Boyle

Music for this episode provided by Blue Dot Sessions

Home Office Romance: Paul and Jamie Duda

Jamie and Paul Duda's best creations include their creative agency Francis and Louise, the award-winning 8beats film "Almost Home," and their son Hank.

Being married coworkers has its challenges and opportunities, so Jamie and Paul joined host Marcellino D’Ambrosio and his wife Augusta for a conversation that pulls back the curtain on the idealized version of marriage, revealing something even richer, deeper, and way more fun.

Paul and Jamie live in Detroit, where they work with Unleash the Gospel and other clients who want to bring stories to life.

Music in this episode by Blue Dot Sessions

BONUS! You're Welcome World: Christmas

In the final episode of You're Welcome World, we go beyond St. Nicholas and learn about the many Catholics who shaped Christmas ... including a jacked axe-wielding bishop.

Do you have the next big idea? Visit OSVChallenge.com to learn about the OSV Innovation Challenge and join the ranks of the Catholic innovators who have gone before us.

BONUS! You're Welcome World: Tennis

It's the game of choice for Serena Williams and Roger Federer ... and the 12th century French monks who invented it. The latest episode of You're Welcome World uncovers the Catholic beginnings of tennis, as well as the way Christians have carried on the tradition of sport.

Do you have the next big idea? Visit OSVChallenge.com to learn about the OSV Innovation Challenge and join the ranks of the Catholic innovators who have gone before us.

BONUS! You're Welcome World: Pretzels

It's the ultimate theme park food, the mall food court go-to, the reliable stadium snack. But the pretzel had humble (Catholic) beginnings. The latest bonus podcast episode is all about the history of this twisted treat.

Do you have the next big idea? Visit OSVChallenge.com to learn about the OSV Innovation Challenge and join the ranks of the Catholic innovators who have gone before us.

BONUS! You're Welcome World: Coffee

Coffee lovers everywhere should know the name Pope Clement VIII. Discover the way this pope brought our favorite brew into the Western world, changing mornings and increasing productivity forever.

Do you have the next big idea? Visit OSVChallenge.com to learn about the OSV Innovation Challenge and join the ranks of the Catholic innovators who have gone before us.

BONUS! You're Welcome World: Beer

Did you know that Catholics played an essential role in making beer what it is today? This bonus episode explores the history of St. Hildegard, St. Benedict, and all the Catholic innovators who helped brew this iconic beverage.

Do you have the next big idea? Visit OSVChallenge.com to learn about the OSV Innovation Challenge and join the ranks of the Catholic innovators who have gone before us.

The Church Needs Innovators: Jason Shanks

As the President of the OSV Institute, Jason Shanks gives grants to initiatives within the Church, which offers him a fascinating perspective on innovation (or the lack thereof) in the world of Catholic ministry. He and Anthony discuss the state of the Church, especially why we need new ideas from entrepreneurial Catholics. Jason also shares the lessons he’s learned about effective innovation — how to stay centered, measure results, and make transformative changes.

Visit OSVChallenge.com to learn about the OSV Innovation Challenge.

Resources mentioned in this episode: Good to Great and Built to Last by Jim Collins

Creative Conflict and YouTube Fame: Katherine Cimorelli

Katherine Cimorelli is a singer, writer, and one-sixth of the group Cimorelli, a band she and her sisters started which gained popularity on YouTube and now releases original music. She tells Anthony the lessons she’s learned in collaboration, affirming others’ strengths, and harnessing her talents. The second of 11 kids, Katherine shares how she and her sisters launched their music career with a viral video, and what it’s been like to navigate a family business. They also dive into the daily practices — spiritual, creative, and physical — that keep Katherine grounded.

Thank you to all our Patreon sponsors who make this podcast possible!