The Adventure of Creating Together
with Melissa and Alex Dee
What if we stopped thinking of our creative work as content—and started seeing it as a gift?
In this episode of The Creative Catholics, Alex sits down with Alex and Melissa Dee, the husband-and-wife team behind Saints Alive, the award-winning Catholic audio drama now available on the Hallow app and podcast platforms.
Together, they explore what it takes to create work that is beautiful, meaningful, and lasting. From researching saints and directing voice actors to debating the sound of footsteps on cobblestones, Alex and Melissa share why every detail matters—and why excellence is an act of love.
They also talk honestly about the realities of building a creative mission while raising young children, navigating burnout, protecting time for imagination, and learning how to create together as a married couple.
This conversation is an encouragement to every creative who wants to build something that serves others without losing sight of the reason they began.
In This Episode
How Saints Alive grew from an idea into an award-winning Catholic audio drama
Why quality matters in creative work
The surprising amount of work behind every episode
Creating alongside your spouse while protecting your marriage
Balancing creativity, family life, homeschooling, and business
Practical ways to recover from creative burnout
Why creatives need to "fill their cup" before they can pour into others
The Pixar principle of "feeding the beast" versus "saving the baby"
Why Alex and Melissa think of their work as gifts—not just content
Helping children discover that they are made to become saints
Key Topics Discussed
Creating Gifts, Not Content
Why Catholic creatives should pursue excellence and create work that serves others as a meaningful gift rather than simply producing more content.
Protecting the Creative Life
Practical reflections on overcoming burnout, making space for imagination, and prioritizing quality over constant output.
Marriage, Mission & Creativity
What it's like to build a creative ministry together as a married couple while balancing family life, faith, and work.
Helping Families Encounter the Saints
The vision behind Saints Alive and the power of beautiful storytelling to inspire children—and adults—to pursue holiness.
Resources Mentioned
Hallow
Saints Alive Catholic Audio Drama
Creativity, Inc. by Ed Catmull
Memorable Quotes
"I don't view these as just content. I view them as gifts."
"It's hard to give what you're not receiving."
"Life is hard, but it is so beautiful. And God is going to be present with us through it all, if we let Him."
Connect with Alex & Melissa
Listen to Saints Alive on the Hallow app or wherever you listen to podcasts.
Connect with The Creative Catholics
If this episode encouraged you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with another creative.
Follow @TheCreativeCatholics on Instagram to share your creations and join the community.
Until next time, stay creative—and keep making what matters most.
Sponsors/Links
Intro/outro music by Marie Miller
This episode is sponsored by Riverside
SEO Keywords
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