Growing Inspiration

By: Shana McLean
  • Summary

  • Welcome to Growing Inspiration, the podcast that nurtures your passion for the arts and creativity! Join me as we explore the vibrant world of culture, from literature and music to the performing and visual arts, travel, and beyond. Each episode is a delightful journey designed for those who appreciate the beauty of art but wish to deepen their understanding without the overwhelm. In Growing Inspiration, I bring you engaging interviews with a diverse range of artistic and creative individuals, delving into their unique creative processes and the stories that fuel their work. Whether you’re a seasoned enthusiast or just starting your exploration of the liberal arts, our conversations will inspire you to dive deeper into your favorite artistic mediums. Expect to learn about the nuances of classical music, discover new books to read, savor the rich world of food and wine, and explore roots of inspiration. My mission is to cultivate your appreciation for the arts and encourage you to engage with culture in meaningful ways. Why Listen? - Educate Yourself: Gain insights into various artistic fields and learn how to appreciate them more fully. - Inspiration Awaits: Discover new perspectives and ideas that will spark your creativity. - Community Connection: Join a community of fellow art lovers who share your passion for culture. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to enrich your life with the arts! Visit my website at http://www.gardenofmydelights.com, subscribe to my newsletter for exclusive content, and never miss an episode by subscribing to the podcast. If you enjoy the show, please share it with friends and help grow our community of art enthusiasts! Tune in to Growing Inspiration and let your creative journey begin!
    Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
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Episodes
  • The Science and Art of Winemaking with Seth Chambers
    Feb 19 2025

    In this conversation, Seth Chambers shares his journey into the world of winemaking at Winery at La Grange, discussing his unique background in organic chemistry and how it informs his approach to winemaking. He talks about his love of Petit Manseng and Petit Verdot, the art in blending, and his innovative approach to sparkling wines. Seth also highlights his personal aspirations of starting his own vineyard, the significance of terroir, and the creative process behind crafting wines that resonate with consumers.

    Seth Chambers has been making wine in Virginia for twenty years. He got his Bachelor of Science degree from Penn State University (PSU), with a concentration in Organic Chemistry, and a minor in Plant Biology. He also obtained an enology certificate from Washington State University (WSU) in 2011. He has managed production at Winery at La Grange since 2016. He spends his free time with his family or on his family farm cultivating a vineyard of Petit Verdot and Petit Manseng, much like the vineyard at La Grange.

    Links: https://wineryatlagrange.com/

    https://wine.wsu.edu/

    Chapters

    00:00 Introduction to La Grange and Winemaking Journey

    02:38 The Science Behind Winemaking

    04:28 Grape Sourcing and Virginia Viticulture

    08:27 Exploring Sparkling Wines in Virginia

    11:03 The Art of Petit Manseng Winemaking

    15:23 Understanding Petit Verdot and Blending

    18:33 Starting a Vineyard: Personal Aspirations

    22:03 Education and Experience in Winemaking

    25:43 Inspiration and Creativity in Winemaking

    30:56 The Future of Winemaking in Shenandoah

    Don't forget to like and subscribe to make sure you don't miss an episode! Find me at www.gardenofmydelights.com and subscribe to my newsletter. Follow me on Instagram at gardenofmydelights.

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    39 mins
  • The Discipline of Inspiration: Incarnation and Surrender with Carey Wallace
    Feb 19 2025

    In this conversation, Carey Wallace discusses her book 'The Discipline of Inspiration,' exploring the nature of inspiration in art, the role of the artist, and the spiritual disciplines that can enhance creativity. She emphasizes the importance of surrendering to inspiration and the interconnectedness of artists and audiences in the creative process. The discussion delves into how inspiration is perceived, the significance of attention, and how anyone can engage in artistic expression through the act of creation. In this conversation, Carey Wallace and Shana McLean explore the intricate relationship between discernment, inspiration, and the creative process. They discuss the importance of recognizing true art, the role of community in nurturing creativity, and the significance of establishing a creative discipline that can persist through various life stages. The dialogue emphasizes the need for artists to remain connected to their daily lives while also highlighting the voices of those who contribute to the artistic landscape, particularly those who uplift others' creativity.

    Carey Wallace is the author of The Discipline of Inspiration: The Mysterious Encounter With God At The Heart of Creativity (Eerdmans), The Blind Contessa’s New Machine (Penguin), and The Ghost In The Glass House (Clarion). She works to help people from all walks of life find inspiration and build strong creative habits to sustain a lifetime of creation. She performs as a songwriter, exhibits her own fine art, and has spoken on art, faith, and justice with students at Princeton, Julliard, Emory, Pratt, and Yale. Her articles and poems have appeared in Time, Detroit’s Metro Times, and America. She is the founder of a retreat for artists in Michigan, and the Creative Discipline Class to form strong creative habits, which has been in operation for over a decade across the US and internationally. She grew up in small towns in Michigan, and lives and works in Brooklyn.

    Links:

    https://www.disciplineofinspiration.org/

    https://www.careywallace.com/books

    https://www.lenglewritingretreats.com/

    https://www.freerrecords.com/team/bl-shirelle-nph47

    Chapters

    00:00 Introduction to The Discipline of Inspiration

    01:10 The Genesis of the Book

    03:28 Understanding Inspiration in Art

    07:43 The Role of Incarnation in Creativity

    09:41 The Cascade of Inspiration

    14:15 Spiritual Disciplines for Artists

    15:55 The Discipline of Attention

    20:21 Surrendering to Inspiration

    23:13 The Role of Discernment in Art

    26:31 Understanding True Inspiration

    30:21 Creative Discipline and Habit Formation

    33:44 Art in the Context of Daily Life

    35:33 Highlighting Creative Voices

    38:12 Closing Thoughts and Future Projects

    Don't forget to like and subscribe to make sure you don't miss an episode! Find me at www.gardenofmydelights.com and subscribe to my newsletter. Follow me on Instagram at gardenofmydelights.

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    40 mins
  • Vulnerability and Community in Art: A Conversation with Brady Buchanan
    Feb 19 2025

    In this conversation, Brady Buchanan shares insights into his artistic journey as a guitarist, poet, and songwriter. He discusses his evolution in creativity, the impact of community engagement through the Bridge Literary Arts Center, and the differences in his creative processes for poetry and songwriting. Brady reflects on his sources of inspiration, including nature and personal relationships, and expresses his admiration for those who embrace their creativity later in life.

    Brady Buchanan is a poet and musician from Western Pennsylvania. He is active in several writing groups and is a member of the steering committee for The Bridge Literary Arts Center, which holds various events–open mics, workshops, lit fests–in and around Venango County, PA. His poems have appeared in The Watershed Journal and the North/South Appalachia Anthology. He uses his experiences in the woods and small towns of his region to inspire his work.

    Links: http://www.bridgeliteraryartscenter.org/

    Chapters

    00:00 Introduction to Creativity and Art

    03:00 The Journey into Poetry and Music

    05:54 Community Engagement through the Bridge Literary Arts Center

    12:01 Creative Process: Poetry vs. Songwriting

    17:56 Inspiration and Future Aspirations

    Don't forget to like and subscribe to make sure you don't miss an episode! Find me at www.gardenofmydelights.com and subscribe to my newsletter. Follow me on Instagram at gardenofmydelights.

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    24 mins

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