Podcast
Art Heals All Wounds
Hosted by Pam Uzzell · EN
Do you think art can change the world? So do I! We’re at a pivotal moment when scientists, medical practitioners, and creatives are coming together in recognition of the ways that art plays an indispensable role in our well-being, as individuals, communities, and societies. In each episode we hear from artists and creatives who share their inspiration for their work and its wider impact. These conversations about transformative artistic practices show the ways that art can be a catalyst for healing and change.
How do we change the world? One artist at a time.
18episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Suga' from Bundle of Sticks: Black Queer Identity, Gender Freedom, and Healing Through Art
3w ago01:03:25Tap to summarizeSuga' with Bundle of Sticks: Black Queer Identity, Gender Freedom, and Healing Through ArtI'm so glad to welcome back Dazié Grego-Sykes and Derrick Miller-Handley of Bundle of Sticks Art Collective for a conversation about their upcoming performance ritual, Suga'. This art collective has spent over 25 years exploring the intersection of Blackness and queerness through performance art, visual art, and community building — and their newest work may be their most personal yet.Suga' is an immersive performance ritual in which Derrick steps into the performer role for the first time in over 20 years, using art as a vehicle for gender identity exploration, radical self-acceptance, and spiritual healing. We talk about what it means to exist outside of society's containers, the power of Black ancestry as a spiritual resource, and why embracing your authentic self is an act of liberation.If you're in the Bay Area, Suga' runs May 29–31 at Eastside Arts Alliance in Oakland. Find tickets by searching Suga' on Eventbrite.Topics Covered:[0:47] Introducing Bundle of Sticks Art Collective[4:19] The intersection of Blackness, queerness, visual art, and performance[6:00] Trust, safety, and creative collaboration[10:13] What is Suga' — and why call it a ritual?[13:47] The many meanings of the word "Suga'"[16:53] "Suga' in your tank" — reclaiming a slur as a source of power[22:03] The immersive space: artifacts, ancestry, and performance[26:17] The tension — and natural harmony — between Blackness and queerness[31:08] Gender identity, legibility, and refusing society's containers[37:59] How Suga' came to be and why now[54:44] Why this work matters in today's political and social climate[59:32] Tickets and show detailsFind Tickets to Suga'Bundle of Sticks websiteArt Heals All Wounds websiteSupport the show
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Do You Want to Die Not Knowing? One Artist's Leap Into Art as Service and Healing
4w ago00:41:09Tap to summarizeDo You Want to Die Not Knowing? One Artist's Leap Into Art as Service and HealingHave you ever had someone ask you a question that completely changed the direction of your life? In this episode, I talk with commission artist Shawn B. Standley, whose wife asked him exactly that kind of question — and it launched him into a new chapter as a full-time artist dedicated to healing and community service.Shawn's journey is anything but a straight line — from aerospace engineering student to carpenter, Navy veteran, restaurant manager, and Alaskan wilderness dweller — before finally committing to his true calling: creating deeply personal commission art that captures people's stories, memories, and life transitions.Now based in Conway, Arkansas, Shawn is partnering with wellness organizations, end-of-life doulas, and medical institutions to bring the healing power of art to people navigating major life changes. He also oversees the urban farming and community garden program at the Faulkner County Library — proof that art and service can take many forms.In this episode we cover:(1:42) How Shawn's father discouraged him from pursuing art as a career — and how he found his way back(11:51) Dropping out of aerospace engineering school and the winding road that followed(13:17) Moving to Whidbey Island and finding his first real artistic community and mentor(16:03) Going to art school at Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle — and why he left(18:11) How Alaska got under his skin and changed everything(22:07) The question his wife Shell asked that became the turning point of his artistic life(23:54) Discovering the profound emotional power of commission art and creating work that tells someone's personal story(24:40) Why Conway, Arkansas — and what surprised him about building an art practice there(28:45) Finding his why through the Artist Inc. fellowship and the Artists in Business mentorship program(32:15) Partnering with end-of-life doulas, the University of Arkansas Medical Sciences wellness program, and the Arkansas Wellness Network(37:55) His vision for combining art and healing as a full-time practiceConnect with Shawn: Website: shawnbstudios.com Social media: @shawnbstudiosConnect with me: arthealsallwoundspodcast.com | SubstackMusic by Ketsa and Lobo LocoSupport the show
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Climate Justice, Indigenous Rights, and Geoengineering in Mona Shomali's Debut Novel
Apr 2300:43:04Tap to summarizeWater Mamas: Climate Fiction That Challenges Everything | Mona Shomali on Geoengineering, Indigenous Rights, and the AmazonIn this episode, I sit down with author and visual artist Mona Shomali to discuss her debut novel Water Mamas — a gripping work of climate fiction that explores the collision of indigenous human rights, environmental justice, and geoengineering in a near-future Amazon on the brink of collapse.Mona's background is as rich as her storytelling. Before writing Water Mamas, she spent years as a college professor teaching Indigenous Human Rights and International Environmental Governance, worked as a case researcher on the landmark indigenous rights case Kichwa Indigenous People of Sarayaku vs. Ecuador, and served as an environmental policy analyst lobbying the UN on behalf of small island states facing extinction due to sea level rise. This is a conversation that goes deep.Water Mamas doesn't give you easy answers — and that's exactly what makes it so powerful. If you care about climate change, indigenous sovereignty, and the ethics of technological intervention in our ecosystems, this episode is for you.Timestamped Highlights:(00:00) Introduction to Water Mamas and its themes of climate crisis and indigenous rights(03:12) Mona's academic background — teaching Indigenous Human Rights and International Environmental Governance(03:52) Her work on the landmark case Kichwa Indigenous People of Sarayaku vs. Ecuador and indigenous land rights(08:06) The central conflict: cloud seeding, geoengineering, and indigenous consent in the Amazon(10:16) Why geoengineering is more complicated than it seems — and who it's already helping(13:18) Meet Afa, the protagonist: a UN representative torn between mission and conscience(14:44) How Mona's work with small island states facing sea level rise shaped Afa's backstory(18:32) The water mamas: indigenous spirituality, mythology, and a chilling dream sequence(21:38) The real Macuxi mythology behind the water mamas — and why it matters(24:33) Vishnu, the love interest: a character you'll keep changing your mind about(28:42) Could there be a sequel to Water Mamas? Mona shares what she's thinking(39:07) Where to find Water Mamas, Mona's Substack, and her environmental art collection Invisible StainsResources & Links:📖 Water Mamas by Mona Shomali — available at independent bookstores and Amazon🎨 Mona's artwork and environmental collection Invisible Stain: monashomali.com✍️ Mona's Substack on international environmental issues and mythology: search Mona Shomali on Substack🎙️ Learn more about the show: arthealsallwoundspodcast.comMusic in this episode by Ketsa and Lobo Loco.Support the show
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Practicing Radical Joy in Community-Led Placemaking
Apr 1600:54:50Tap to summarizeWhat happens when artists are brought in at the beginning of public space design — not as an afterthought, but as essential problem solvers? In this episode I sit down with Nikko Kimzin, founder of Kimzin Creative, an arts and equity consulting firm based in Petaluma, California. Nikko shares how his team uses the power of art to unlock community imagination, inform city planning, and build public spaces that truly reflect the people who use them. Plus, Nikko makes a passionate case for radical joy as a daily practice and a force for social change — and honestly, I left this conversation feeling more hopeful than I have in a long time.Timestamped Highlights0:47 — I share my thoughts on the lack of community-designed public spaces, including some honest reflections on my own neighborhood in Deep East Oakland2:41 — I introduce my guest Nikko Kimzin and the work of Kimzin Creative6:19 — Nikko explains his "why": uplifting the human spirit through art and community11:07 — Nikko's origin story: from a Mexican-American household to musical theater and New York City13:18 — The turning point: how Nikko shifted from performer to producer and educator, telling more complex stories for marginalized communities18:40 — The Petaluma River Park project: a two-year community engagement process for a 35-acre park24:34 — "I wish this could be…" — how a simple sticker activity unlocked community dreams29:02 — Why a patch of grass is not a park: Nikko makes the case for raising the standard for public spaces38:07 — Radical joy as a daily practice and a tool for social change — this part of our conversation really stayed with me47:13 — Nikko's passionate case for artists as problem solvers in policy, planning, and beyondGuest LinksWebsite: nikkokimzin.comConsulting: kimzincreative.comSubstack: Nikko Kimzin — Advice from a NobodyInstagram & TikTok: @nikkokimzinIf you enjoyed this episode, please follow Art Heals All Wounds on your favorite podcast app and leave a five-star rating or review. You can get in touch with me at arthealsallwoundspodcast.com or find me on Substack.Music by Ketsa and Lobo Loco.Support the show
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Earth Day 2026: How Art and Activism Are Changing the World
Apr 200:40:51Tap to summarizeI sit down with Evan Raskin, National Campaign Manager for Earthday.org, to explore the powerful relationship between art and environmental activism. Evan shares how artists have been central to the Earth Day movement since its very first gathering in 1970 and how creative expression continues to drive climate action today.Evan shares his own life as an artist and how art helps him find harmony in a world full of dissonance. We discuss why collective action — starting at the local level — matters more than ever.🔗 Find Earth Day events in your community: earthday.org 🎵 Find Evan's music on Spotify: search Raskin 🌍 Learn more about the Global Halt street art project: search #EarthDay2020HaltTimestamped Highlights[00:00] I introduce the episode and its Earth Day theme[01:03] Why I'm dropping this episode now: Earth Day is right around the corner[01:34] I introduce my guest, Evan Raskin, National Campaign Manager for Earthday.org[02:03] We introduce this year's Earth Day theme: Our Power, Our Planet[03:22] I ask Evan what a National Campaign Manager actually does — he breaks down his role[05:03] I learn that Evan is also a musician, painter, and poet — and just published his first book![05:43] I ask Evan which art form he turns to when he needs release — his answer about music and rhythm is beautiful[07:29] Evan explains how art can open perspectives, build empathy, and call people to civic action[10:54] I ask Evan about his origin story: growing up with a Hollywood hairdresser mom and a Cirque du Soleil / hospital clown dad[13:13] Evan tells me how a required college art class unlocked his visual creativity[14:08] Evan makes the case that everyone has latent creative potential — and why you should just pick up that paintbrush[15:15] I share my recent conversation with scientist Daisy Fancourt and her book Art Cure — even 10–15 minutes of creativity a day has measurable benefits[16:27] I ask Evan how he came to work at Earth Day — it started with a college internship phasing out single-use plastics at the British Embassy[17:49] Evan walks me through the history of Earth Day and how the 1970 movement used art, music, and protest to spark real policy change[22:23] I'm amazed to learn that the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, and the EPA were all born from Earth Day 1970[22:48] We do a deep dive into this year's theme: Our Power, Our Planet and what it means at every level[25:51] I bring up the current political climate — Evan responds with hope, local action, and the wisdom of Fred Rogers: "Look for the helpers"[29:37] Evan shares an encouraging stat: solar power has been the leading source of new U.S. electricity for nearly 25 months[32:51] Evan tells me about his visit to COP 27 in Egypt, where global artists displayed installations made from pollution collected in their home countries[33:20] Evan introduces me to Earthday.org's Artists for the Earth program and the annual official Earth Day poster[33:52] The Global Halt Project: I love this — 500 artists across the world painted climate murals under cover of darkness, unveiled on Earth Day 2020[35:47] Evan shares how YOU can get involved: visit earthday.org, find local events, organize a community cleanup, and start conversations in your school, faith community, or family[38:10] I ask Evan where we can find his music and artSupport the show
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It's Never Too Late: Reclaiming Your Creative Identity with Clarissa Castillo-Ramsey
Mar 1900:41:23Tap to summarizeIn this episode, I sit down with Clarissa Castillo-Ramsey, abstract painter, life coach, and host of the Painting Your Path podcast — for a rich conversation about how she reclaimed her own creative identity and how she coaches her clients, usually women in midlife, to do the same. We talk about overcoming self-doubt, and building resilience in the face of unexpected challenges.Clarissa shares her winding journey from retail management to graphic design to finding her true calling as an artist and coach, and how a diagnosis of spasmodic dysphonia — a rare neurological voice disorder — forced her to reimagine her work and reconnect with her deepest purpose.We also discuss:How well-meaning discouragement in childhood can silence our creative instincts for decadesPractical strategies for processing rejection as a creative personWhy "giving yourself grace" is the foundation of any creative practiceClarissa's work supporting the Altadena community in the aftermath of the devastating 2025 Eaton Fire through artWhether you're an artist, a creative in midlife, or someone rebuilding after loss, this episode with Clarissa offers genuine wisdom and encouragement.00:00:12 — Introduction to the show and host Pam Uzzell00:01:10 — Podcast updates: new schedule and hiatus explanation00:01:53 — Introduction of guest Clarissa Castillo Ramsey and her background00:02:37 — Clarissa's diagnosis with spasmodic dysphonia00:03:08 — Clarissa's resilience and involvement with the Altadena community after the Eaton Fire00:04:03 — Interview begins; Clarissa introduces herself00:05:57 — Clarissa's life coaching work with women in midlife00:07:13 — Growing up and receiving discouraging messages about pursuing a creative career00:09:33 — The journey back to art: from retail management to graphic design to painting00:11:40 — Discovering painter Rassouli at Agape International Spiritual Center00:16:22 — Clarissa's spasmodic dysphonia diagnosis and how it affected her work00:21:12 — Pam shares her own experience with myotonic dystrophy and voice challenges00:24:56 — Theories on resilience and what keeps Clarissa going00:27:55 — Dealing with rejection as a creative person; the TEDx talk rejection00:36:16 — The Altadena community after the Eaton Fire and the healing power of art00:39:11 — Where to find Clarissa and her podcast, Painting Your Path 🎙️ Find Clarissa on Instagram: @clarissacastilloramsey.art 🎙️ Listen to her podcast: Painting Your Path. Clarissa's Website.Support the show
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How Artists Resist Oppression: Barbara Benish on Lessons from Cold War Czechoslovakia for Today's Democracy
Mar 1200:43:11Tap to summarizeIn this episode, I speak with artist, curator, and author Barbara Benish about her book ArtMill: A Story of Sustainable Creativity in Bohemia — a hopeful, timely memoir about artistic resistance, creative community, and rebuilding culture after totalitarianism.In This Episode:[0:12] Host Pam Uzzell introduces the episode, reflecting on fear of communist countries during the Cold War and how that connects to today's political climate in the US[2:34] Introduction to Barbara Benish's book ArtMill: A Story of Sustainable Creativity in Bohemia and why it feels especially relevant now[3:49] Barbara describes her memoir — from leaving California as a young artist to integrating into Cold War Czechoslovakia, working with underground artists, and eventually founding a rural arts center[6:14] Growing up in Southern California with Czech immigrant heritage, witnessing the Soviet invasion of Prague in 1968, and losing connection to the Czech language[7:42] Crossing the Iron Curtain as a young American backpacker — navigating fear, border crossings, and Cold War propaganda[10:41] Connecting with dissident artists in Prague — serendipity, secret networks, and the surveillance state[12:08] Life under the secret police — being followed, bugged venues, and how artists developed coded communication to resist oppression[13:53] Barbara's frustration with the commercialization of art in 1980s Los Angeles and what drew her to the underground art scene in Czechoslovakia[15:14] The Art Dialogue exchange — bringing together LA and Czech artists during the Cold War and the challenges of mounting a cross-cultural exhibition under an authoritarian regime[16:57] The Velvet Revolution of 1989 — why it's also called the Artist Revolution, the role of playwright-turned-president Václav Havel, and lessons from The Power of the Powerless for democracy today[21:47] Buying the Červený Mlýn (Red Mill) in rural Bohemia — a $17,000 ruin, a leap of faith, and the beginning of a new life[26:28] Renovating the mill, building a rural arts community, and the reality behind the romance[27:46] ArtMill today — artist residencies, children's programs, university study abroad, and regenerative creativity in rural Central Europe[29:12] Art as sustainability — how creative practice connects to environmental stewardship, indigenous ways of knowing, and regenerative living[34:42] What today's political resistance in the US has in common with Cold War Czechoslovakia — and what comes after resistance[38:45] Barbara reads a moving passage from ArtMill about climate, beauty, dignity, and hope for future generations[40:35] Where to find Barbara Benish, upcoming California readings, and how to get the bookResources & Links:Barbara Benish's website: barbarabenish.comArtMill: A Story of Sustainable Creativity in Bohemia — published by New Village Press, distributed by NYUArt Heals All Wounds Podcast: arthealsallwoundspodcast.comSupport the show
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What If We Put Children First? Migration, Trauma, and Education with Harvard's Dr. Gabrielle Oliveira
Mar 500:47:52Tap to summarizeWhat really drives families to make the dangerous journey to the United States? And what happens to them — especially their children — after surviving detention and family separation at the border?In this episode, I speak with Dr. Gabrielle Oliveira, Jorge Paulo Lemann Associate Professor of Education and Brazil Studies at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Gabrielle's new book, Now We Are Here: Family Migration, Children's Education, and Dreams for a Better Life, documents the lives of 16 families from Central and South America who experienced detention and separation at the US border in 2018 and 2019 — and how they rebuilt their lives afterward.Gabrielle shares how she spent three years building deep, trust-based relationships with these families, and why that kind of research — done with people, not on them — matters so much. We explore the surprising role that the dream of an American education plays in the decision to migrate, why children process trauma so differently than adults, and what a truly equitable, child-centered classroom might look like.We also discuss a quietly unforgettable moment: a first-grade morning meeting where two children, asked what they wanted for lunch, spontaneously connected over eating frozen burritos in an immigration detention center — and what that reveals about how trauma lives in children's bodies and memories.Gabrielle's core message is both simple and urgent: what if we made policy — immigration policy, education policy — by putting all children first?Now We Are Here is available at your local independent bookstore, on Amazon and Barnes & Noble, or directly from Stanford University Press. Find Gabrielle on Instagram and at gabrielleoliveira.com.[00:00:12] Intro — "Do you believe art can change the world?"[00:00:48] Pam introduces the topic — migrant family detention and separation at the border[00:01:48] Introduction of Dr. Gabrielle Oliveira and her book Now We Are Here[00:04:06] Interview begins — Gabrielle describes her book and the 16 families she documented[00:05:14] Discussion of research methodology — doing research with people, not on them[00:08:28] Gabrielle reflects on being an immigrant herself and how trust is built over time[00:10:04] How the book idea originated and how the research focus evolved[00:13:57] Education as a driving force behind migration — beyond just fleeing hardship[00:15:12] Moving past the "suffering subject" narrative — immigrant families and the desire for an ordinary life[00:19:20] How trauma affects three groups differently — parents, teachers, and children[00:23:03] The fajita/burrito story — how a first-grade morning meeting unlocked detention memories[00:28:19] How teachers respond to children's trauma — and why "that's in the past" doesn't work[00:33:29] Imagining a more equitable, trauma-informed classroom[00:38:24] The problem with over-structured early childhood education and the loss of play[00:42:08] Gabrielle's wish list — what she hopes readers take away from the book[00:45:43] Where to find the book and follow Gabrielle's work[00:47:06] Pam's closing reflections and outroFollow Gabrielle!WebsiteBook, Now We Are HereFollow Pam!arthealsallwoundspodcast.comSupport the show
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Can Art Actually Heal You? Dr. Daisy Fancourt, Author of Art Cure, Shares the Science Behind Art as Medicine
Feb 2600:44:05Tap to summarizeWhat if the arts weren't just entertainment — but medicine? In this episode, I talk with Dr. Daisy Fancourt, one of the world's most cited scientists and author of Art Cure, about the growing body of research showing that creative engagement — music, dance, visual art — can reduce the risk of depression, slow dementia, help Parkinson's patients maintain motor function, and even slow biological aging. Daisy also shares personal stories, including her own daughter's recovery in the NICU, and practical tips for incorporating the arts into daily life.00:00 — Intro & Pam's personal story: moving to Arkansas and witnessing the lingering divide of a recently desegregated school01:39 — The music class that changed everything: Mrs. Gilbert and the upright piano02:38 — Introducing today's guest, Dr. Daisy Fancourt04:10 — Interview begins04:47 — Why reading Art Cure kept Pam up at night05:34 — "We are a planet of 8 billion artists" — we are all innately creative06:37 — The "seatbelt moment": when art becomes as automatic as putting on the seatbelt in the car08:01 — The many ways art affects our health: wellbeing, prevention, and treatment09:58 — Daisy's background: from professional pianist to professor at UCL11:41 — Arts on prescription and individual stories from the book12:23 — Josh's story: cerebral palsy, magic camp, and the Magic Circle14:32 — Emily's story: how magic gave a shy girl her voice15:27 — Daisy's personal story: singing to her premature daughter in the NICU18:50 — Dance and Parkinson's disease: what the studies show21:29 — How music affects the brain — and slows aging22:51 — Music, language acquisition, and why we sing to babies26:08 — "Spit Girl": Daisy's PhD in psychoneuroimmunology and saliva research29:09 — Drumming circles and the visceral power of rhythm30:32 — Why your favorite genre is the healthiest music for you33:10 — Elevator music, Muzak, and why grocery store playlists keep you shopping35:12 — Threats to arts funding in the UK and US — and the economic case for the arts37:42 — Practical tips for incorporating art into your daily life39:39 — Why art binges don't work — and what does41:04 — Where to find Art Cure and follow Daisy's research42:24 — Closing thoughts: how arts education broke down barriers in schoolFollow Daisy's Work!https://sbbresearch.org/Reach Pam at arthealsallwoundspodcast.comSupport the show
Transcribe →We're Back! Art, Burnout, and Why Creativity Has to Come First
Feb 2400:02:28Tap to summarizeHello everyone! After a very long hiatus, Art Heals All Wounds is coming back! After a very long hiatus. I was so burned out. And I realized that I wasn’t really practicing what I preach! There was no time for art or creativity in my life. So, during this pause, I decided to fix that. I joined a writing group. I started going to a drum circles. Then drum classes. There is nothing like drumming with a group to adjust your attitude for the better. But now the show is back!This Thursday, February 23rd, I’ll be sharing the first full episode of the season with an interview with Dr. Daisy Fancourt, author of Art Cure. Doctor Fancourt is a professor of psychobiology and epidemiology at the University College London, where she heads the social Biobehavioral research Group. She's also director of the World Health Organization Collaborating Center on Arts and Health, and is listed as one of the most highly cited scientists in the world.Daisy’s book Art Cure was such an inspiring read for. I hope you’ll Join me this Thursday to hear her talk about it!In an attempt to not burnout again, I’ll be releasing mini-seasons. About four episodes or so, then a month break. I hope that you’ll stay with the show despite the short seasons and regular breaks. I appreciate your listening more than you can know!I’m also continuing my break from social media. If you like this show and want to share it with a friend, that will help the podcast continue to grow. If you’d like to reach me, you can always connect with me through my website, arthealsallwoundspodcast.com.Thanks for listening! Support the show
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