I Channeled My Anger into Art

Summary

Podcast Summary: Dr. Laura Call of the Day – "I Channeled My Anger into Art"

Episode Title: I Channeled My Anger into Art
Host: Dr. Laura Schlessinger
Release Date: July 22, 2025
Podcast Platform: SiriusXM Triumph 111
Category: Kids & Family + Parenting

---

Introduction

In the episode titled "I Channeled My Anger into Art," Dr. Laura Schlessinger engages in a heartfelt conversation with Bridget, a listener who sought advice on managing her longstanding anger stemming from a troubled childhood. This episode delves into Bridget's transformative journey of self-improvement through artistic expression and the subsequent challenges she faces in redefining her familial responsibilities.

Bridget’s Journey: Channeling Anger into Art

Bridget initiates the discussion by referencing previous advice from Dr. Laura, which encouraged her to channel her rage over her difficult upbringing into creative outlets. She shares her experience of adopting Shrinky Dinks, a simple yet effective art project, as a method to cope with her emotions.

Bridget [00:48]: "I decided to do Shrinky Dinks... it really was really helping me."

This creative endeavor marked the beginning of significant positive changes in Bridget's life. She highlights how engaging in art provided her with a constructive way to manage her anger and redirect her energy towards more fulfilling activities.

Positive Changes and Personal Growth

Since embracing art, Bridget has experienced a multitude of improvements in her daily life. She elaborates on the various aspects that have benefited from this transformation:

• Habit Formation and Goal Setting:
  “I was struggling to stick to habits, to set goals and actually follow them through. And as soon as I started the Shrinky Dinks, that was not a problem anymore.”
  [01:18]

• Spiritual and Physical Well-being:
  “Just a week after I established regular prayer and scripture study and I started exercising.”
  [01:16]

• Family Relationships and Personal Time:
  Bridget describes how her commitment to daily walks with her husband, maintaining a cleaner home, reducing screen time, and fostering deeper connections with her family members has led to a more harmonious and peaceful household.

• New Hobbies and Calmer Disposition:
  “I’ve picked up some additional hobbies. I’ve started embroidery. I’m just a lot calmer and more at peace today than I was a year ago.”
  [01:22]

These changes underscore the profound impact that channeling negative emotions into creative and productive activities can have on an individual's overall well-being.

New Challenges: Redefining Familial Responsibilities

Despite the numerous positive outcomes, Bridget confronts a new dilemma: her diminishing desire to assist her mother with household chores and yard work. This shift prompts an internal conflict regarding her responsibilities towards her struggling mother.

Bridget [02:44]: "I lost the desire to help other people in their homes clean or do yard work. I don't want to do that anymore."

Dr. Laura probes deeper into Bridget's motivations, seeking to understand whether her previous role in assisting her mother was a distraction from her own distress or a genuine expression of familial love.

Dr. Laura [05:49]: "Did you fall off the earth? Which is flat. It's..."

Bridget reveals the underlying reason for her reluctance:

Bridget [06:29]: "My mother, she's struggled with depression my whole life and with her health. And when I go to her house, it makes me very, very sad to see her struggling so much now."

Dr. Laura’s Guidance: Establishing Healthy Boundaries

Addressing Bridget's concerns, Dr. Laura emphasizes the importance of self-care and setting healthy boundaries. She reassures Bridget that prioritizing her own family's well-being does not equate to selfishness but rather reflects a necessary step towards personal stability and happiness.

Dr. Laura [08:32]: "Oh, okay, then this is not you changing into an unkind person who doesn't want to help others. This is you starting to lead your own life, separate from the family drama of your mother and your brother, perfectly healthy."

Dr. Laura further encourages Bridget to recognize that disengaging from unmanageable family responsibilities is a sign of reengaging with her own life, not an indication of unkindness. She advises Bridget to continue utilizing her creative outlets, such as Shrinky Dinks, to manage moments of sadness and emotional strain.

Dr. Laura [09:25]: "You have kids, you have a husband, you have a house, you have your mental and physical health... You’re fine. Sweetheart. This doesn’t mean you’re a bad person. It means you’re reengaged in your life, which is healthy."

Maintaining Compassion Without Overextending

When Bridget inquires about the extent to which she should assist her mother, Dr. Laura acknowledges the delicate balance between showing compassion and preserving one's own well-being. She suggests that while occasional support is commendable, ongoing, unreciprocated efforts may not be sustainable or healthy.

Dr. Laura [10:21]: "She has your brother. She has... But every day she handles things. The other days of the week and the brother's there, and their ridiculous relationship will continue."

Conclusion

The episode concludes with Bridget expressing gratitude for Dr. Laura's insightful advice, which has empowered her to prioritize her own family's needs without feeling guilty about distancing herself from unmanageable familial obligations. Dr. Laura reinforces the importance of self-care and maintaining personal boundaries to ensure long-term emotional and mental health.

Bridget [10:34]: "Thank you for saying it feels odd inside to think that my mother is not my responsibility. She's been sick my whole life."

Dr. Laura [11:02]: "I think... I still think you ought to get her some."

Through this candid dialogue, the episode illuminates the delicate balance between familial duty and personal well-being, offering listeners valuable insights into managing complex emotional landscapes.

---

For more insights and support, listeners are encouraged to tune into Dr. Laura Schlessinger’s daily radio program on SiriusXM Triumph 111 or visit DrLaura.com.

Transcript

[Birch Lane Advertiser]

It's the Black Friday in July sale at Birch Lane July 24th through the 28th. Save up to 70% off timeless furniture and decor. Create a home you love with great deals on made to last beds, sofas, patio furniture and more. They're all on sale for a limited time only. Plus enjoy fast free delivery that's classic style for joyful living. Don't miss huge savings during Birch Lane's Black Friday in July Shop July 24 through 28 at birchlane.com thanks for listening.

[Dr. Laura]

To my Call of the Day podcast. You can hear my live radio program Monday through Friday from 2 to 5pm Eastern Time on Sirius XM Triumph 111. Bridget, welcome to the program.

[Bridget]

Hello, Dr. Laura. Wonderful to talk to you.

[Dr. Laura]

Thank you. What's up?

[Bridget]

Hi. I have. Eight months ago, you gave advice to a caller last fall that for her rage over her bad childhood, that she should channel it into art. And I related a lot to that caller. So I took that advice. I decided to do Shrinky Dinks. Do you remember Shrinky Dinks?

[Dr. Laura]

Yeah.

[Bridget]

Yeah. It's kind of a simple art project. But I started. It was something easy that I could do, and I started doing it and. And it really was really helping me. And before I started doing the art, I was struggling to stick to habits, to set goals and actually follow them through. And as soon as I started the Shrinky Dinks, that was not a problem anymore. I even. Just a week after I established regular prayer and scripture study and I started exercising. I now go on daily walks with my husband. My house is a lot cleaner. I spend less time on my screens and more time connecting with my husband and my children. I get out of the house more often. I've picked up. I've even picked up some additional hobbies. I've started embroidery. I'm just. I'm a lot calmer and more at peace today than I was a year ago. So I want to thank you for that advice.

[Dr. Laura]

You're very welcome. Thank you for taking the advice. Yeah.

[Bridget]

One change. I just have a question about one of the changes.

[Dr. Laura]

Okay. Here.

[Bridget]

Go. I was spending time helping my mom out at her house. I would go over once a week and help her clean or help her in her yard. And as soon as I started doing the art, the Shrinky Dinks, I lost the desire to help other people in their homes clean or do yard work. I don't want to do that anymore. And so I thought, may.

[Dr. Laura]

May I add something here before you go on?

[Bridget]

Yes, please.

[Dr. Laura]

You said that after the shrinky dinks. You started paying more attention to your kids. You started paying more attention to your home, to your husband. That was the time you gave to your mother. Now you're giving it to your house, your kids and your husband. Life doesn't have to be so complicated. Walmart helps you simplify. They're your one stop shop for daily essentials like groceries, snacks, school supplies, and thanks to Walmart Pharmacy, you can count on them for your prescription needs too. Use the Walmart app to easily manage your family's medications and save time by getting prescriptions delivered right to your door. Switch your prescriptions to Walmart Pharmacy Delivery not available for all prescriptions and exclusions apply. Did you know that skin care can start in the laundry room? The Dr. Laura program is happy to be partnering with our sponsor All Free Clear Laundry Detergent. My peeps with kids are especially thrilled to use it because it's 100% free of dyes and perfumes. All Free Clear is the number one laundry detergent brand recommended for sensitive skin by pediatricians, dermatologists and allergists. For a clean you can feel good about, all you need is All Free.

[Whole Foods Advertiser]

Clear fresh, sweet and bursting with flavor. It's Summer Fruit Fest now at Whole Foods Market. Look for juicy sales on organic yellow peaches, blueberries and red cherries. You'll also find savings on no antibiotics ever meats and sustainable wild caught seafood. Heading to a picnic? Grab prepared sandwiches, sushi and strawberry quinoa mint salad. Celebrate Summer Fruit Fest at Whole Foods Market, in store and online.

[Birch Lane Advertiser]

Now is your time to get into a new Dr. Horton home by taking advantage of their national Red Tag sales event, now extended through July 27. Stop by any of their participating communities and find select red tag homes at Incredible Pricing. So whether you're buying your first home or looking for an upgrade, you don't want to miss. The Red Tag Sales event extended to July 27th. Discover the Dr. Horton Difference at Dr. Horton.com Dr. Horton, America's builder and equal Housing opportunity Builder.

[Dr. Laura]

Yes, it's not a matter of becoming a selfish bitch. There are just so many hours and energy in a day. Now, did you go over and do this because you liked spending time with your mother? It was a distraction for you because when you were doing the yard work, you weren't thinking about other things that distressed you. Were you doing it because you liked spending time with your mother? So tell me, what was your motivation for doing the yard work?

[Bridget]

My mother, she's struggled with depression my whole life and with her health. And when I go to her house. I. It makes me very, very sad to see her struggling so much now.

[Dr. Laura]

Is she struggling because she's a lazy ne' er do well or she's struggling because she didn't get a lucky body? Is it her attitude? Is it her health? Is it both? That's important because you were depressed and then you did your shrinky dinks. You did something about your depression.

[Bridget]

Yeah.

[Dr. Laura]

Maybe you should get her some shrinky dinks. Mom. This helped me. Still trying to fix mom, or do you like Mom? You still didn't answer. You avoided that part. Do you like mom, yes or no? I didn't ask you about love. I asked you if you liked her. Liked her means if she weren't your mother, you'd want to spend time with her.

[Bridget]

Yeah. No, I don't enjoy spending time with my mom.

[Dr. Laura]

Okay. What does she do? Does she have friends? Does she have a spouse? Does she date? Does she have a dog, a cat, a bird?

[Bridget]

She has two cats and two dogs. My brother lives there with her.

[Dr. Laura]

Oh, okay, then this is not you changing into an unkind person who doesn't want to help others. This is you starting to lead your own life, separate from the family drama of your mother and your brother, perfectly healthy. Did you fall off the earth? Which is flat? It's.

[Bridget]

Thank you for saying it feels odd inside to think that my mother is not my responsibility. She's been sick my whole life.

[Dr. Laura]

I know, but you. You have kids, you have a husband, you have a house, you have your mental and physical health. You have me to contend with, you know, stuff like that. You're fine. Sweetheart. This doesn't mean you're a bad person. It means you're reengaged in your life, which is healthy.

[Bridget]

When my sadness comes up, what. What should I do?

[Dr. Laura]

Shrinky dinks? Grab a shrinky dink. I'm serious, Siri. Keep them around you. Grab her shrinky dink. Media will play softer.

[Bridget]

Should I ever help her at all with anything she needs.

[Dr. Laura]

She has your brother. She has. Well, of course, anybody who show compassion for stuff like that. But every day she handles things. The other days of the week and the brother's there, and their ridiculous relationship will continue.

[Bridget]

Okay. Okay. Thank you. That makes a lot of sense.

[Dr. Laura]

Sometimes it's hard just to realize you don't have to get involved. You need to be a good person and a nice daughter. She gets surgery, of course. Your ass should be over there making tea. Yeah, for sure. But every day she didn't take out her shrinky dinks.

[Bridget]

Yeah.

[Dr. Laura]

I think. I still think you ought to get her some. Call me again sometime. My number 1-800-375-2872. Check out my social media on Facebook and Instagram. I post stories, photos and videos seven days a week and feature some of what you sent me too. There's always something interesting going on there. You can find me at facebook.com drlaura and instagram.com drlauraprogram.

[Whole Foods Advertiser]

We can't gatekeep this any longer. The secret to adding easy, delicious protein to your meals is Gorton Seafood. That's right, America's oldest and most beloved frozen seafood brand is your protein. Go to with many so, so many easy prep fish and shrimp products like their classic fish sticks or their new Double Crunch Shrimp. If you want to keep protein a part of your routine and enjoy restaurant quality at home, look for Gortons in the freezer aisle. Visit www.gortons.com to learn more, find a store and get recipe inspiration.