"If we believe we're made in the image of God, a creator God, then that image in us is creative. It's a way of engaging with that divine spark."

In this episode, Matt has a conversation with Shari Green. Shari writes fiction and poetry for children and young adults. Her latest book, SONG OF FREEDOM, SONG OF DREAMS, is a 2024 Governor General’s Literary Award finalist. Her other novels in verse include GAME FACE, MISSING MIKE, Schneider Family Book Award winner MACY McMILLAN AND THE RAINBOW GODDESS, and ROOT BEER CANDY AND OTHER MIRACLES. Shari’s books have been included on international “best of” lists and selected for numerous provincial and state readers’-choice programs.

Much of the conversation centres on Shari’s latest, Song of Freedom, Song of Dreams which has strong themes connected to music and faith and centres around a young pianist in East Germany trying to make sense of love, duty, and the pursuit of dreams during the unsettled months of protest that led to the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989.

Shari and Matt talk about:

* Music/art as a way of processing difficult emotions, connecting with God, and also a vehicle and catalyst in supporting social change.

* Art and faith as a means of finding normalcy, hope, and purpose in challenging times.

* How both faith and creativity are about an openness to awe, wonder, and mystery.

Links / Books

* Shari Green’s Website

* Song of Freedom, Song of Dreams

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mattbrough.substack.com

Story and the Music of Resilience and Hope