12 What 11 Creatives Taught Me About Spiritual Growth

12 What 11 Creatives Taught Me About Spiritual Growth

SHOW NOTES If you've been carrying an unwritten message, a story that feels scattered, or a calling that seems stalled, this episode is for you. In the Season 1 finale of Welcoming Slow Growth — a podcast for writers and creatives walking a faith-filled path — book coach Emily Grabatin reflects on what 11 creatives taught her about spiritual growth through one unexpected thread: the word came before the breakthrough. Through stories of chronic illness, homelessness, life's heaviness, and humble faithfulness, you'll discover: - Why your hidden place isn't wasted time — it's where formation happens before the first draft - Why abiding in Christ is a creative practice, not a detour from your calling - How a focus word or word of the year becomes more than a spiritual practice — it becomes the tether you didn't know you'd need - Why your slow pace doesn't disqualify you from the God-given message you carry You are not behind. You are beloved. CONNECT WITH EMILY GRABATIN: Website: emilygrabatin.ca [https://emilygrabatin.ca] The Heart's Calling Substack [https://theheartscalling.substack.com/] Welcoming Slow Growth community [https://theheartscalling.substack.com/s/welcoming-slow-growth-podcast] This is a space for the sacred, the soulful, and the slow creative. Welcome to the journey. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theheartscalling.substack.com [https://theheartscalling.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

11 Linger with God in Your Creative Calling

SHOW NOTES Word of the Year: Linger Christian fiction author Melissa Alyse shares how a single word linger refreshed her creative calling. Through her spiritual practice, she learned how important it is to move at God's pace instead of the world's—especially amid the expectations and shoulds of being a new author. A delightful episode for any writer or creative navigating purpose, patience, and spiritual growth. In this episode we cover: - What happens when God strips your plate down to one thing — and why that's not loss - Why spiritual growth for writers doesn't always look like a writing course - The unexpected lesson linger actually taught her (hint: it wasn't about slowing down) - What it really looks like to abide in Christ as a creative - Why your calling is not behind schedule — no matter your detours Guest Melissa Alyse writes grace-filled Christian cozy non-murder mysteries and sweet romance novels. With no formal writing training, she published her first novel in June 2025 and has since released seven books — proof that when God calls you, and you respond, He also equips you. Find her at melissaalyse.com [http://melissaalyse.com]   BOOKS & RESOURCES MENTIONED A Place to Belong [https://www.melissaalyse.com/willow-creek-series] by Melissa Alyse (Book 1 in her series; book 3 includes a character who adopts a word of the year) One Perfect Word [https://debbiemacomber.com/books/one-perfect-word] by Debbie Macomber Scripture References: Romans 12:2 | Colossians 2:2–4 | Colossians 2:6–7 | John 15 CONNECT WITH EMILY: Website: emilygrabatin.ca [https://emilygrabatin.ca] The Heart's Calling Substack [https://theheartscalling.substack.com/] Welcoming Slow Growth community [https://theheartscalling.substack.com/s/welcoming-slow-growth-podcast] This is a space for the sacred, the soulful, and the slow creative. Welcome to the journey. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theheartscalling.substack.com [https://theheartscalling.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

10 Listen to Your Life: Finding Your Writer's Voice

SHOW NOTES Focus Words: Listen to Your Life What does it look like to write from your best self — not your most pressured, depleted, or comparison-weary one? Writer and educator Bailey Gillespie joins Emily for a conversation that is honest and subtly liberating. Since age fifteen, Bailey has lived with chronic illness and long-term pain — and rather than write around it, she writes from the contemplative space of faith and formation and what it means to walk with God when life is slow and tender (and very much unresolved). If you’ve ever felt behind in your creative calling, weary of shortcuts and screens, or disconnected from the voice that first made you want to write — this episode was made for you. In this episode: - Why your limitations might be the very thing shaping your most authentic voice - How analog journaling quietly restores what digital shortcuts slowly take - What Frederick Buechner’s “listen to your life” quote means as a daily creative and spiritual practice - How restorative rhythms empower you to show up more fully — not less - Why becoming the kind of person who can make great work matters more than the work itself Bailey shares how returning to analog writing practices — pen, notebook, nature — helped her reclaim originality and create from a place of soul care rather than striving. Mentioned in this episode: Frederick Buechner [https://www.frederickbuechner.com] — Presbyterian minister and writer; the origin of the phrase "listen to your life" Andrew Peterson [https://www.andrewpeterson.net] — author and musician; Bailey's entry point into Buechner's work Justin McRoberts [https://www.justinmcroberts.com] — author, podcaster, and creative coach Emily P. Freeman [https://www.emilypfreeman.com] — author and podcaster known for her work on reflection and discernment Telling the Truth: The Gospel as Comedy, Tragedy, and Fairytale [https://bookshop.org] — Frederick Buechner ABOUT THE GUEST: Bailey Gillespie is a writer and educator from Northern California who loves a good road trip to the coast. She writes from the contemplative space of faith and formation and what it means to walk with God when life is slow and tender (and very much unresolved). Website: baileygillespie.com [http://baileygillespie.com]Live Your Life Substack: baileygillespie.substack.com [http://baileygillespie.substack.com] CONNECT WITH EMILY: Website: emilygrabatin.ca [https://emilygrabatin.ca] The Heart's Calling Substack [https://theheartscalling.substack.com/] Welcoming Slow Growth community [https://theheartscalling.substack.com/s/welcoming-slow-growth-podcast] This is a space for the sacred, the soulful, and the slow. Welcome to the journey. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theheartscalling.substack.com [https://theheartscalling.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

09 Word of the Year Reflection Exercise #1

SHOW NOTES Word of the Year: Grace You chose a word for the year. Maybe you made a vision board, wrote it in your journal, felt that quiet sense of this is it. And then life got full — and your word got a little lost. This solo episode is your sweet invitation back. In this word of the year reflection exercise, Emily Grabatin offers a journalling prompt for anyone who chose an intention or focus word and wants to go deeper than January allowed. Using her own story of choosing grace — and the reluctant prayer that followed — she explores the question that unlocks everything else. In this episode: - Why the first feeling your word stirs up might be the most important one to pay attention to - What your fear around your word is quietly trying to tell you about where your real growth lies - How a bathroom renovation became an unexpected answer to a reluctant prayer about grace Your word story is still being written. Come create the next chapter in your spiritual growth. MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: emilygrabatin.ca/wordsurvey [https://emilygrabatin.ca/wordsurvey] CONNECT WITH EMILY: Website: emilygrabatin.ca [https://emilygrabatin.ca] The Heart's Calling Substack [https://theheartscalling.substack.com/] Welcoming Slow Growth community [https://theheartscalling.substack.com/s/welcoming-slow-growth-podcast] This is a space for the sacred, the soulful, and the slow. Welcome to the journey. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theheartscalling.substack.com [https://theheartscalling.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

08 How a Spiritual Wilderness Leads to Creative Abiding

SHOW NOTES Focus word: Abide Have you ever felt trapped in a spiritual wilderness, wondering if your creative calling still matters? Artist, writer, and podcaster Hayley Rawnsley knows that exhausting tension between faith and creativity — and the crushing pressure to perform. Graduating during the pandemic, she found herself unraveling from years of striving, until painting and contemplative prayer opened an unexpected door into abiding in Jesus. In this episode, Hailey shares how her wilderness season became the very place she discovered a slower, deeper way to create — rooted in presence rather than performance. We cover: - Why your spiritual wilderness season is not wasted - How contemplative prayer transforms your creative process - Breaking free from performance and striving as a Christian creative - What abiding in Jesus actually looks like in daily creative life - Why the story you're carrying deserves a rooted foundation, not a rushed platform This conversation is for the Christian writer or artist who is tired of performing and longs for a way to experience peace and purpose in their creative calling. About the Guest: Hayley Rawnsley is an artist, writer, and podcaster whose creative work is inspired by faith and spiritual wilderness. Her passion is helping creatives break free from performance and learn to create from abiding in Jesus. Website + Abiding Creative Workbook: desertsblooming.com [https://desertsblooming.com] Substack: https://substack.com/@desertsblooming [https://substack.com/@desertsblooming] Podcast: Abiding Creatives [https://open.spotify.com/show/6idPdmgTAQPLijlLq6W4UX?si=V-ao4Mm1RlKmvarlOVK3-w] CONNECT WITH EMILY: Website: emilygrabatin.ca [https://emilygrabatin.ca] The Heart's Calling Substack [https://theheartscalling.substack.com/] Welcoming Slow Growth community [https://theheartscalling.substack.com/s/welcoming-slow-growth-podcast] This is a space for the sacred, the soulful, and the slow. Welcome to the journey. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theheartscalling.substack.com [https://theheartscalling.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]