Arts For The Health Of It

A documentary starring one of our first patients and Musicians-in-Residence, Cassie, is being filmed in 2024 and we couldn't be more excited to talk about it with her and its producer and director, Josh Cavazos. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/artsforthehealthofit/support

Learn about the health benefits of intentional laughter with the Laughter Ambassador herself, Cathy Nesbitt! Connect with Cathy and sign up for her FREE Tuesday Laughter Workshop at cathysclub.com --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/artsforthehealthofit/support

Golf tournaments, snowmen in Texas, shopping to support, and and patients giving Hearts Need Art a score of 100 out of 100! Donate Shop Top Golf Fundraiser --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/artsforthehealthofit/support

We're celebrating SEVEN YEARS of creating moments of joy, self-expression, and connection with people going through life-altering health challenges. Don't forget that #GivingTuesday is tomorrow, November 28th! heartsneedart.org/donate --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/artsforthehealthofit/support

Hear from Hearts Need Art's Program Coordinators, Surveyors, Director of Philanthropy, and CEO! New program locations! Hearts Need Art's anniversary! Giving Tuesday! Halloween costumes and parties! To become a donor, please visit heartsneedart.org/donate --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/artsforthehealthofit/support

Matthew Perlman uses the arts for health by creating a community while also preventing isolation. The pandemic forced many artists to paint alone in their small studio spaces and apartments. Artishouse was created to provide these individuals with a space to come together, preventing isolation, while also encouraging creative collaboration and community. He uses art and his studio space to bring other creatives together and make sure there is a safe space for artists to collaborate and connect with one another. Matthew is a self-taught artist based in New York City. Matthew is a creative professional specializing in retail visual design, visual merchandising, window display production and event design. Matthew is also the founder and CEO of Artishouse, an innovative co-working studio for artists to practice their craft while also forming a sense of community. You can learn more at https://www.artishousenyc.com --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/artsforthehealthofit/support

Listen in on a Hearts Need Art staff meeting. Hear stories from the hospital, organizational updates, learn about how you can partner with us, and more! The Big Give --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/artsforthehealthofit/support

In this episode, Vocab is on-location with Danielle Campbell Steans, Director of the San Antonio Ballet School. Danielle shares how she began dancing at age four and the career she has built through many years of performing and teaching. Underscoring all of her work is her commitment to making dance accessible through community outreach efforts and scholarships. Of note is her work with at-risk youth at Boys & Girls Clubs in San Antonio which earned her a full-tuition scholarship to attend American Ballet Theatre's National Curriculum Training. Danielle also guides us through a movement exercise and shares how you can get involved in her dance community. More about Danielle: http://www.sanantonioballetschool.com/ http://www.sanantonioballetschool.com/san-antonio-youth-ballet/ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/artsforthehealthofit/support

Joaquin's life experiences and professional practices are vast! Born in the barrio of San Felipe in Del Rio, Joaquin Muerte has strong roots in activism, community organizing, and music from several formative experiences during childhood. He started his professional music career 20 years ago in San Antonio as a street performer playing percussion and guitar and is a founding member of many local bands that compose original music: Los Nahuatlatos, Eddie and the Valiants, the San Antunes, and his own original project titled "Joaquin." Joaquin is a traditional Danzante conchero, whose roots go back to pre-Hispanic America. Hear about these projects along with his career as a community health worker in poor communities of color. He'll guide us through a mindfulness practice around impulse control that teaches us how to think twice and act once. Joaquin is also a creator of his own podcast titled "Xicanx Versus Aliens" where he interviews people who have had extraterrestrial or paranormal occurrences. His additional titles include chef, gardener, photographer, vinyl DJ, father, and husband. Connect with Joaquin: https://www.instagram.com/joaquinsoulmusic/ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/xicanx-versus-aliens/id1448033948 --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/artsforthehealthofit/support

Zach Jewell is the Founder/CEO of Into the Dark Blue, a nonprofit organization focused on men's mental wellness. Zach has always had a passion for bringing people together and creating a positive encouraging space. He'll share about the culmination of his experiences and passions that has led him to creating community and advocating for mental health through the arts. Zach will also guide us through a writing exercise the helps us understand what we're feeling in a visual and written format (all you need is pencil + paper). Lear more about Zach: his website www.intothedarkblue.com his book, Nomad Psalms: https://bit.ly/3kPeVAE follow on social media: www.instagram.com/intothe_darkblue --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/artsforthehealthofit/support

It's hard to believe some of the transformational stories Kim Hamilton, Program Coordinator, shares with us in this month's Hearts Need Art highlight episode. Whether subtle or drastic, Kim shares some of the ways our recent projects and initiatives directly impacted the people who participated in our programs. Large window murals, bedside art, portrait projects, line dancing, conference art projects...get the scoop and get inspired to consider that you are capable of much more than you may think! For more information on how to get involved and/or the Initiatives mentioned in this episode, please visit heartsneedart.org/donate or heartsneedart.org/1000hearts. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/artsforthehealthofit/support

**Content advisory: This episode may contain sensitive topics that can be difficult to discuss, including suicide. If you need help or support, please call 988, or visit www.988lifeline.org.** Jordan Lally is a singer-songwriter, meditation teacher and mental health advocate. Through a unique combination of storytelling, original music and guided meditation, Jordan promotes a proactive approach to mental health. He tours nationally along with his band the Big Infinite sharing their music and message of self-love through the “Power of Expression” - a concert, school assembly and documentary presentation offered in partnership with the Ed Lally Foundation. Join us to hear about his life's work, be guided through a breathing-focused meditation, and see the Big Infinite's documentary trailer. GIVEAWAY: Gain FREE access to the Big Infinite's documentary using promo code HeartsNeedArt at https://vimeo.com/ondemand/powerofexpressiondoc. There are 10 free downloads available, first come, first served. Connect with Jordan: edlallyfoundation.org ; thebiginfinite.com Social media: @edlallyfoundation ; @thebiginfinite --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/artsforthehealthofit/support

Special guest, Jed Craddock, joins us for our Valentine's Day episode! Jed's musical sound can best be described as soul/roots/pop. Jed's dynamic voice serves as a bridge that connects many musical genres. While the vibe may shift from tender acoustic singer-songwriter to heavy hitting trap/dance track, his music maintains a cohesive feel while giving space to an array of different musical voices. Hear the title track from his band's new EP, Runnin' on Empty and the story behind it; write haikus with Vocab; and make some heart-art with Catherine that you can submit to our Make 1000 Give 1000 project! Visit heartsneedart.org/1000hearts to get started! Connect with Jed and hear more of his wonderful music: https://jedcraddockmusic.com/ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/artsforthehealthofit/support

Judy Seaman started Video Memoir Creations as a way to capture the essence of people's stories through dialogue, reflection, and film. She shares what inspired her to start creating memoirs, guides one of our hosts through the memoir discussion process, and provides tips for how you can start recording important history or personal stories (no special equipment needed). Judy will also explain the value of reminiscence especially with aging: the ability to recall and reflect helps older adults with their identity and self-confidence. It gives family members a sense that one's legacy will be preserved and may protect against depression and loneliness. You'll also hear a poem Judy wrote from Andrea VOCAB Sanderson's writing prompt in S2E30. Learn more: - https://videomemoircreations.com/ - @videomemoircreations on Instagram --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/artsforthehealthofit/support

We're one month into the New Year, and it may be a good time to check in with what your plans are for the months ahead. As Hearts Need Art is planning and growing, we're taking a minute to welcome our two newest board members and hear about Hearts Need Art's expansion into more healthcare communities. Vocab shares a growth-themed writing prompt paired with Catherine's tree drawing tutorial (and yes, our Board Members do the projects, too!). You really only need a pencil and paper to clear out some self-doubt, jump in and create with us. To learn how you can further our mission, visit heartsneedart.org/donate. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/artsforthehealthofit/support

Content Warning: This episode may contain references to domestic abuse and trauma. Allison Body is a certified Health Coach and Therapeutic Art Life Coach as well as a visual artist and survivor of domestic abuse. In this episode, Allison shares how art has been key to working through trauma and how she combines health coaching and art to help clients manage stress, find self-expression, and visualize goals. Allison also guides us through a visualization-based art activity to help define your desired future-state. Learn more: alliesbamworkshop.com https://www.facebook.com/AlliesBAMWorkshop https://www.instagram.com/theeallisonbody/ Claim Allison's free book, The Art to Your Dream Life, and set up a free, 30-minute coaching appointment: https://arttoyourdreamlife.com/workbook --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/artsforthehealthofit/support

Reinfred Addo is a speech-language pathologist, writer, and graphic/visual artist. He has written health-related poems and stories, conducted memory journals with his speech therapy patients, and selected other people's health-related poems for a literary journal that he edits. In this episode, hear about his journey to becoming a speech therapist and writer, how he incorporates writing with patients into their treatment and how it can aid the healing process. He also guides us through a writing prompt based on George Ella Lyon's poem, "Where I'm From." The template used for this activity can be found here. You'll hear our co-hosts read their responses to this prompt. We hope you give it a try! To connect with Reinfred, visit his website, https://www.raddocentral.com/, or follow him on Instagram @raddocentral. His books mentioned in this episode include Signs of Life, The Dedicadas, and Washed Over. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/artsforthehealthofit/support

Come make some art with Andrea Nelson, former pre-school special education teacher turned full-time artist and content creator! Her short art videos on Instagram and TikTok are for people who may be intimidated by art or have no artistic experience at all. Her goal is to help people unlock their creativity through art that feels doable and fun. In this episode, you'll hear about... her "origin story" art as a process vs. a product the evolution of her art-making and how it's connected to mental health and well-being how her teaching inspires others to welcome their inner artist, and the connection it has created between communities, families, parents and children and beyond. Andrea also guides us through a simple water color project with expressive color. For the art project, you'll need: paper watercolors brushes, a cup of water, and paper towels a pen Learn more about Andrea / enroll in her classes at https://www.adreamoradayart.com/. Find her on social media: @andrea.nelson.art. Presented by Hearts Need Art. Hosted by Catherine Particini and Andrea “Vocab” Sanderson. Produced by Richard Wilmore. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/artsforthehealthofit/support

We're kicking off 2023 by visiting with Rashard Dobbins, Executive Director of Class Act Detroit, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to empower youth via music and arts education through the elements of hip-hop. Topics include: the power of community, Class Act Detroit's origins, mission, and vision racial healing, equity, and generational change the concept of reaching to teach the new headquarters of Class Act Detroit and how you can support this movement with time, talent, or treasure Connect with Class Act Detroit: Website: https://www.classactdetroit.org/ Video call: https://calendly.com/classactdetroit Other resources: https://hiphoped.com/ Giveaway: Koala Sampler instructional video About Rashard Dobbins: Rashard has more than ten years of experience working in the entertainment industry as a performer and production professional. He has had worked on projects such as The Walking Dead, The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, All Eyez On Me, and The Internship. He has also served as a liaison for a leading talent agency that specializes in cultivating talented youth. Some of his highlights include being a Class Two Fellow of the WKKF Community Leadership Network with the Center for Creative Leadership, Leadership Deli Spring 2020 Cohort Participant, and panelist for various youth organizations. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/artsforthehealthofit/support

Bring a pen and paper to this episode with Andrea “Vocab” Sanderson, new co-host of Arts for the Health of It! Andrea is a San Antonio native and the first Black Poet Laureate of San Antonio, 2020-2023. Her dynamic style is a fusion of poetry, hip hop, and R&B. She is an award-winning poet and a teaching artist who enjoys facilitating workshops nationwide. Andrea discusses how she started writing and making music the therapeutic and recreational uses of creative writing and self-expression through teaching her previous job and how she has been called to continue connecting others with the healing power of the arts Learn more about Andrea: https://andreavocabsanderson.com/ Her book: She Lives in Music https://www.flowersongpress.com/store-j9lRp/p/she-lives-in-music-by-andrea-sanderson Instagram: @vocabulous Watch the episode on YouTube. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/artsforthehealthofit/support

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Rita Ezenwa-Okoro is a Creative Culturist, Performance Activist, & Communications Expert who believes in creative arts as a force for human development. She uses the arts to navigate the journey of difficult emotions in times of challenging events. In this episode, you'll hear about her connection to the arts from a young age and her journey to creating the Street Project Foundation her book, Doing. Being. Becoming: For the love of the creative arts youth programs offered by Street Project Foundation how to connect with creativity / creative communities Links: Book: Doing. Being. Becoming: For the love of the creative arts Street Project Foundation Global Play Brigade --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/artsforthehealthofit/support

Our guest this week believes anything is possible when we come together as a community. Jason Sotiris is the creator of Supertee, a medical garment designed for children that is functional in its ease of use during medical treatment and in its ability to help kids feel empowered while facing major health challenges. He'll share how his daughter's cancer diagnosis and treatment transformed his life as a parent, person, and professional, and how imaginative play + creativity in the face of adversity can drive meaningful change. About Jason: Father to three kids, cancer dad and construction worker with no tertiary education, no corporate experience, never known how to sew a button let alone make a t-shirt and is now an award-winning designer, inventor, patent-holder and CEO of a children's charity distributing his products to all the major children's hospitals of Australia and many pediatric clinics nationwide...all for free. Learn more: http://supertee.au.org/ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/artsforthehealthofit/support

One of our big, birthday wishes is that arts in health becomes part of the standard of care. As you'll hear in this episode, Gracie told Constanza years ago, "We need to remember the reasons WHY we're alive as much as we need the things that keep us alive." Your support ensures more joy, self-expression, and connection with patients and caregivers. Text SIX to 53-555, or visit givebutter.com/hna-birthday to wish us a Happy Birthday! Visit with Constanza Roeder, Hearts Need Art Founder and Chief Visionary Officer, Richard Wilmore, CEO, and Catherine Particini, Director of Marketing. Hear about some of their most memorable interactions with patients and caregivers; marvel at one of Constanza's original, hand-made display boards; find out what they're looking forward to in the coming months and years, and more! Thank you for 6 incredible years! We wouldn't be here without your love and support. givebutter.com/hna-birthday --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/artsforthehealthofit/support

Kate Powell is the Executive Director of Tidewater Arts Outreach (TAO) in Norfolk, VA. Their mission is to bring joy to older adults and those living in isolating circumstances and enhance their well-being through creative engagement with the arts. Key topics Kate discusses include the following: the loneliness epidemic the types of art engagement offered in their community the importance of age-appropriate programming how you can use your own talent to address the loneliness epidemic Learn more at tidewaterartsoutreach.org Connect on social media: @757artsoutreach --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/artsforthehealthofit/support

Amy Latta is an artist and author who is passionate about helping others to discover and express their creativity. She has written five books on hand lettering, a creativity journal, and a book all about how to doodle. In this episode, Amy walks us through some of her doodle tutorials from her Doodle Everything book, shares about her creative process and how her books evolved, and where you might find some secretly autographed copies of her books. Learn more about Amy and purchase her new book at www.amylattacreations.com. Connect with her on social media: @amylattacreations. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/artsforthehealthofit/support

A longtime advocate for comics as a medium for serious storytelling, Sam Hester is a contributor to comics journalism, comics in academia and the graphic medicine movement. She writes and draws comics about life in her hometown of Calgary, in the Treaty 7 region of Alberta, Canada.Particularly special about this episode is Sam sharing about her experience as a caregiver for her mother. Sam uses her artistry with images and words to communicate effectively with healthcare providers so that her mom's preferences and health conditions are at the forefront of her quality of care. Connect with Sam Hester: -Visit the23rdstory.com -Follow on Twitter @calgaryhester --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/artsforthehealthofit/support

Lisa is a proud wife and mother of two boys, ages 7 and 5, who lives just north of Boston, Massachusetts. She is an almost four-year Triple Negative Breast Cancer survivor and a former elementary school teacher who now devotes her time to helping other young adults who are facing a cancer diagnosis. She does this through her work as the Marketing and Communications Manager for the Steven G. Cancer Foundation and Elephants and Tea Magazine, and through her podcast the "Don't Call it a Journey Podcast" (streaming on Apple Podcasts and Spotify). In her free time, she loves to write, cook, and travel and enjoys spending time with her family and friends. Connect with Lisa: @lisaorr714 @elephantsandteamagazine elephantsandtea.com --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/artsforthehealthofit/support

We're visiting with Hannah Garrison, one of our artists-in-residence. Hannah works both virtually and in-person with patients at their bedsides. Using the arts as meditation and a very general form of physical therapy helped her not only cope with a diagnosis of MS, but to also become a better caregiver. Being honest about her diagnosis to herself and to complete strangers is not only effective medicine for her but for them as well. Inside hospitals, she creates large window paintings for patients at their bedside and has witnessed the life-changing effects of art combined with an empathetic ear. Hannah's also teaching you how to make one-line butterflies! Connect with and support Hannah: Hearts Need Art Instagram Her Website --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/artsforthehealthofit/support

"Art is part of who I am. I use art for my health by integrating different artistic styles and mediums into my day or week. Drawing or painting allows me to stay present, practice mindfulness, enter a meditative space, and expand my artistic capabilities. I use art for my mental health. It is an outlet for complex emotions that I may be feeling and gives those feelings a safe outlet to be seen and experienced fully. Art is also there for days I am feeling great and want to create simply for the joy of it. In whatever flux of emotions that occurs, art is solid foundation I can lean on." - Jordyn Ruiz --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/artsforthehealthofit/support

Ella Rosewood (she/her) is a dance educator, entrepreneur, and lifelong Girl Scout based in Brooklyn, NY. She is the founder and CEO of Crelata, a new on-demand dance education platform aimed at making access to dance education in schools more equitable. Rosewood holds dual Bachelor's Degrees in Dance and Elementary Education from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a Masters Degree in Dance Education from the Inaugural Cohort of the Lincoln Center Scholars Alternative Certification Program in partnership with the Arnhold Graduate Dance Education Program at Hunter College. With Ella and one of Crelata's instructors, Bianca Megaro, you'll hear about why dance is so important in schools, including the role diverse dance styles play in connecting students with their communities; how dance impacts positive health; and how to provide access to dance in schools. Visit crelata.com to learn more and get a free Salsa dance lesson! Connect with Ella: crelata.com --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/artsforthehealthofit/support

live music | window painting | poetry | caricatures | origami | games | patient artwork | auctions | special appearances | BIG announcements This and so much more at the 2022 Night of 1000 Hearts! We're close to selling out so don't wait to RSVP: heartsneedart.org/1000hearts --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/artsforthehealthofit/support

In honor of National Grief Awareness Day, we've partnered with our friends from the podcast Out Of Grief Comes Art to have an open and honest discussion about grief. What is it? Why do we do it? How can we express ourselves during it? Catherine shows us an easy art piece that you can make with someone, for someone, or in honor of someone. You can connect with Elizabeth and Halle by visiting griefdialogues.com --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/artsforthehealthofit/support

Danielle Filippone is an OR nurse for Northwell Health and a member of the Northwell Health Nurse Choir; America's Got Talent Season 16 finalists. She uses singing to communicate with her son, and to make patients comfortable for surgery. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/artsforthehealthofit/support

Melanie Ambler is an aspiring physician-artist from Redding, CT. She is currently a medical student at Stanford School of Medicine and a classically-trained cellist. She graduated from Brown University in 2019, then spent a year in Caen, France as a Fulbright Scholar where she researched music and dementia at a neuroimaging lab. She currently plays weekly virtual concerts for critically ill patients and is interested in how the arts can be integrated into the medical field. From Melanie: I believe the arts bring humanity back to the field of medicine. I find that playing cello for patients can be incredibly calming and cathartic for them. In addition, I research the use of music in pediatric surgery and have done work on music and dementia, as well as music and adult surgery. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/artsforthehealthofit/support

Throughout her six years of experience in the field of Arts in Health, Brooke McKinney has witnessed firsthand the healing capacity of the arts. As an Artist-in-Residence with Art with a Heart in Healthcare (AWAHIH), Brooke passionately provides fine art experiences for pediatric patients and their families at Wolfson Children's Hospital in Jacksonville, FL. AWAHIH has hundreds of art tutorial videos using basic art supplies that we encourage listeners to check out. We're doing one of Brooke's personal favorite's, Zentangle, today! Zentangle can be done with just a pen and paper and can be a daily practice. Connect with Brooke: awahih.org --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/artsforthehealthofit/support

Amy L Bernstein writes stories that let readers feel while making them think. Her novels include The Potrero Complex, The Nighthawkers, Dreams of Song Times, and Fran, the Second Time Around. Amy is an award-winning journalist, playwright, speechwriter, and certified nonfiction book coach. PLUS Amy's stretching our creative writing muscles with 2 different writing prompts that you can follow along with to make your own story! From Amy: I believe that cultivating and practicing any artform is intrinsically good for mental and physical health. For me, writing fiction and nonfiction help me, as an introvert, to share and community feelings I might otherwise keep bottled up. For others, drawing, painting, sewing, sculpting, baking, etc., can help so much in managing moods and encouraging positive feelings and a sense of calm. Connect with Amy: amywrites.live --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/artsforthehealthofit/support

Clinton Kirkpatrick is a community artist based in Belfast, Northern Ireland. He graduated in 2008 from the University of Huddersfield, England, with a Paint and Drawing Degree and moved back to Belfast. His work examines the human and explores the systems that bind communities and cultures and the absurd. He's here to teach us a fun and easy way to incorporate drawing into your day. He's been drawing every day for YEARS! We also talk about our favorite paperback books, singing in the choir, and use our Joy Cards from episode 3. Connect with Clinton: https://www.orangepaintbooks.com/clinton-kirkpatrick --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/artsforthehealthofit/support

The day after the school shooting in Uvalde, Marisa Castro drove to the small Texas city to do her part in helping the community heal. Over 2 months later, she is still there making sure that anyone who seeks her help and guidance can find her. She's been a Musician-in-Residence with Hearts Need Art since 2019 and she joins this episode to talk about: the differences between art therapy and arts-in-health how she stays grounded and centered how music therapy is helping a community how it can help you --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/artsforthehealthofit/support

Grab some paint and paper and see what happens! Catherine's showing us how a few simple supplies from the grocery store can make unique art pieces and no two are alike! We're also talking about her art upbringing, how and why she uses the arts for her own well-being (and her son's), what she loves about working with patients, and why she's excited about sitting in the co-host seat on the podcast! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/artsforthehealthofit/support

We wrote a song! You'll meet Catherine, the new co-host of the podcast! Dan Rubins and Jake Gluckman from Hear Your Song, Inc. join us and help write a song about Richard's recent hospital stay that features Ivy the elephant and her love of coffee. Hear Your Song, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in New York City that empowers children and teens with serious illnesses and complex health needs to make their voices heard through collaborative songwriting. Hear Your Song provides power and choice — and a microphone — to young people with a wide range of diagnoses, both mental and physical health conditions, who are so often deprived of both power and choice in living their day-to-day life and in managing their health care journeys. Hear Your Song gives kids who are often cast to the margins the chance to define themselves beyond their diagnoses, embraced and validated by a community that responds with caring, collaborative creativity to help each young person tell their stories through song. Hear Your Song first launched as an undergraduate organization at Yale University in May 2014, piloting partnerships at Yale-New Haven Children's Hospital and Elizabeth Seton Children's in Yonkers, NY. Six years later, at the start of the pandemic, we realized that it was more important than ever to allow children with serious illnesses to share their stories and find a community of support while most isolated and at risk. So, in March 2020, Hear Your Song began a national expansion, offering virtual sessions to kids wherever they are, whether they're staying at a hospital or receiving treatment or recovering at home. Hear Your Song has now supported over 200 children ages 6-18 in writing their own songs. At the same time, we've grown six undergraduate-led, campus-based chapters; engaged hundreds of volunteer musicians around the globe; and built over a dozen partnerships with children's hospitals, specialized schools/camps, and other nonprofits, including the Montefiore Medical Center, Newton-Wellesley Hospital, Double H Ranch Camp, The ELM Project, and the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation. We focus our outreach to new communities on populations often overlooked in pediatric arts programming, especially kids with diagnoses that disproportionately impact communities of color. Hear Your Song website Watch the podcast on YouTube --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/artsforthehealthofit/support

Tasha is the Director of Research at the International Arts + Mind Lab at Johns Hopkins Medicine, and a national leader and consultant in arts and public health. She studies the impact of the arts, music, aesthetics, and social norms on health and well-being. From Dr. Golden: As a career artist, I know that art helps us recognize, navigate, and communicate the human experience. As a public health scientist, I know that when we limit human expression, we limit health, knowledge, and change. TashaGolden.com --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/artsforthehealthofit/support

Claudia Marulanda is a New York City-based visual artist whose passion is empowering women through the beauty of art. She pursued a career in graphic design, working in the publishing industry. However, it wasn't until Claudia hit an emotional rock bottom that she rediscovered her passion for art. Art became her medicine, a source for healing, and a place for self-expression. Claudia states, "Creating art became a way to relieve my pain, release suppressed emotions, and be empowered." For this reason, she now facilitates art workshops and programs to help women struggling with emotional distress, self-expression, and bottling up their emotions. We are also joined by Jill Ortiz, who was a reluctant workshop participant. Jill shares her story of why she joined and the way bringing the arts into her life have changed her. PLUS Grab some color pencils and paper and get ready to explore your creative side with a color wheel project! Connect with Claudia: coloryourwaytofeelingdivine.com marulandaart.com Connect with Jill: jillortizfitness.com --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/artsforthehealthofit/support

Claude is an artist with over two decades of experience working with textiles, paint and collage. She also facilitates workshops for adults and youth in the general population as well as those with developmental disabilities and brain trauma. Her approach to art is accessible to all and she feels that expression through art is a powerful bridge for people who might otherwise be excluded from traditional classes. PLUS Claude teaches us a fun art project using supplies from your back yard AND Catherine joins us to talk about what it means to be an Artist-in-Residence Connect with Claude at ClaudeLarsonArt.com --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/artsforthehealthofit/support

OPH was established in 1993 as a family-friendly theatrical company in Los Angeles, CA, to share the arts and beauty of West African culture with Americans. We have served communities in Washington, DC since 2003. Our purpose is to educate through a holistic, creative curriculum and entertain through performance that deepens intercultural understanding. Veera Oye Yaa-Anna affectionately known as Auntie Oye, is a Liberian-born acclaimed master storyteller who transports her audience to West Africa through "imaginary" interactive storytelling. www.oyepalaverhut.org --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/artsforthehealthofit/support

Kyria Marie MA, NC, CHD, is a holistic nutritional consultant and health coach. She helps clients achieve peak performance and heal stubborn chronic health issues by overcoming the underlying root causes of imbalance, without medications or countless hours of meditation. She brings over a decade of experience combining both modern science and ancient wisdom to support natural healing from anywhere in the world. Kyria and her team specialize in Functional Blood Chemistry Analysis (FBCA) to get clients real answers and clarity on what exactly is out of balance in their bodies. Then they create a custom personalized health program using nutrition and lifestyle strategies to help clients get better results faster. Learn more at: www.kyriahealth.com --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/artsforthehealthofit/support

Are you ready to bring spontaneity and joy back into your life? Rediscover your inner happiness with Joy Cards. With 48 original paintings crafted into fun activity cards, you will be inspired and motivated to experience more happiness daily. The deck also comes with a fun, fact-filled, science-based guidebook that will help you relieve stress and anxiety so you can find and appreciate the joy gems that surround you daily. "Art for us means being creative. We see creativity as an outlet to reduce stress, shift a negative mood and help to release the “happy hormones”. Artistic expression can take a number of forms including dancing, painting, gardening, or cooking. It's a way to rebalance, reengage and feel more joy." Michelle and Lilamani are two women from vastly different cultures. Michelle, a leadership coach and consultant, lives in California and Lilamani, a self taught artist with a background in science travels between New Zealand and London. They met by chance in Seattle, Washington. Michelle was delivering a keynote and training program for Microsoft's World-wide Conference and Lilamani was filming a documentary for the Discovery Channel. They discovered they shared a lot in common including a ruckus laughter, creative spirit and desire to make a positive difference. facebook.com/choosejoy4life --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/artsforthehealthofit/support

Vijay Gupta is a violinist and social justice advocate. An esteemed performer, communicator, educator and citizen-artist, Gupta is a leading advocate for the role of the arts and music to heal, inspire, provoke change, and foster social connection. Vijay is the founder and Artistic Director of Street Symphony, a non-profit organization providing musical engagement, dialogue and teaching artistry for homeless and incarcerated communities in Los Angeles. Vijay is also a 2018 John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Fellow. www.guptaviolin.com @guptaviolin --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/artsforthehealthofit/support

We're back! Season 2 kicks off RIGHT NOW! After spending 16 days in the hospital WITHOUT access to the arts, we'll get an update on Richard's health. PLUS Jeremiah Stemple is here talking about his journey with Cystic Fibrosis and how he's using his love of comic books to inspire kids with chronic illnesses. heroesforcauses.com --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/artsforthehealthofit/support

Dr. Larew helped to guide international food security programs for the US government. And so he has a strong interest in hunger issues. He is also an active poet and founded Poetry X Hunger as a way to enlist many, many poets to write Speak Back to Hunger through their poetry. Hearts Conference 2022 Poerty X Hunger --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/artsforthehealthofit/support