Heart Work: Conversations About Art to Heal the Heart

Today’s guest is Libby Hortop . She’s a singer-songwriter and music educator, and has been for making, sharing, and teaching music more than 20 years. More recently, she’s learned to play the autoharp. You’ll find some of her music on Bandcamp and you’ll want to find out more about the Sad Girl Cafe open mic in Ottawa, too! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other sub...

Content Note: This episode discussed child abuse and substance use. Derek Downham is a renowned producer, session and live musician who’s performed and recorded with many prominent Canadian artists. Music has been a big part of his own healing journey, and that’s the focus of our conversation about how making and sharing art can heal the heart. This is a public episode. If you would like to discus...

This week's guest is Suzanne Jarvie . A life-long musician, Suzanne was spurred into becoming a creator through traumatic experience, and so the longest Heart Work podcast episode yet is a deep dive into trauma as a well-spring for the creative process and the ways we change in the aftermath of traumatic events as we find our way to who we are now. Recording her music with Hugh Christopher Brown a...

Today's guest is Rob Horgan, an educator and disabled artist who has both found and offered healing with The November Project, a multi-media art experience based on love letters between his grandparents during WWII. You can watch 5 episodes of The November Project on Bell FibeTV1 . You can also find it in live events, currently in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Rob mentions Two Blue Shirts Productions , ba...

Today's guest is Alli Temple. She's an indie author writing queer fantasy and romance who believes in the healing power of story, song and K Pop. She lives in Toronto with her very patient husband and their team of rescue pets. Find out more about Alli and her work here:  https://www.allisontemplebooks.com/ ***Content Note*** This episode of Heart Work includes conversation about Medical Assistanc...

Todays guest is multifaceted artist Adam Tario. He's a musician, a comedian, a writer and a visual artist.  Adam performs with two bands:  You can hear a song by The Mickies here:  https://open.spotify.com/track/6TmZROjEfcY3IxUNFIQbTX?si=bf67d0285f434cbd You can hear a song by The Doomsday Poets here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wBcA9tcLKmY Maureen mentions Katherine Wheatley , a skilled guita...

In this episode of Heart Work, Maureen interviews Chris Fraser. A writer and community-builder, Chris is the founder of  Firefly Creative Writing , which welcomes writers of all kinds to find their voices in community. Chris shares Spring Thaw with us, a poem dedicated to her cousin's daughter, Temia. You'll find more about Chris and Firefly Creative Writing here:  https://fireflycreativewriting.c...

Today's guest is Megan Elliot. Megan's a singer-songwriter, a visual artist, and educator and an arts advocate. You can see her work as a visual artist on Instagram here:  https://www.instagram.com/stripedshirtstudio/   You can follow her open mic on Instagram here:  https://www.instagram.com/eastendweekendmusicopenmic/ Megan and Maureen mentioned the Toronto Songwriting School , Old School Camps...

In this episode of Heart Work, Maureen interviews Michelle Munroe-Reid. Michelle's an Occupational Therapist working in the field of mental health, and she's also a singer-songwriter who has found writing and performing personal songs to be transformative. She shares a personal song about facing challenges called Your Love Ain't One. You can learn more about Michelle here:  https://michellemunroer...

Today's guest is Ghrian Shine , who has written a memoir called Breathing the Night Out: A Story of Intergenerational Sexual Violence and Healing as part of her own healing journey.  She mentioned The Gatehouse , an organization in Toronto offering programs  built to support survivors of childhood sexual abuse with trauma-informed care, peer support, and a safe community to heal.   This is a publi...

In this episode of Heart Work, Maureen interviews Nina Willow. Nina describes herself as a doctor, a maker, and a chaser of light and colour.  Nina's work can be found on Instagram  and on Substack Maureen and Nina met through Firefly Creative Writing . This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit art2healtheheart.substac...

In this episode of Heart Work, Maureen interviews Sean Danby . A filmmaker, director and editor, Sean is one of the founders of Grief Stories , creating a free, accessible virtual resource for those who are grieving and the ones who want to support them. Sean is also the founder and owner of Forever Legacy Videos , where he makes personal films that preserve stories, memories and messages for love...

In this episode of Heart Work, Maureen interviews Eve Goldberg. Eve is a songwriter, a song interpreter, a guitar and ukulele player. In the world of community and folk music, Eve is a teacher, facilitator and performer. Community music has been part of her life since her youth. You can find out more about Eve, her music and her workshop offerings here:  https://evegoldberg.com/ Eve performs as pa...

In this episode of Heart Work, Maureen interviews Nathalie Kleinschmit. When Nathalie traded in her business suit for a pair of jeans to work as an artist manager, she never imagined how their creativity would fuel her own, leading her on a path of songwriting, drama and writing.  You can follow Nat on Instagram here:  https://www.instagram.com/nathaliekleinschmit/ and subscribe to her account on...

In this episode of Heart Work, Maureen interviews Dan Blomme. Dan is a registered psychotherapist and a college instructor who performs original music as singer-songwriter Daniel Raymond. You can learn more about Dan and listen to his music https://danielraymondmusic.com/music You can follow Dan on Instagram here:  https://www.instagram.com/danielraymondmusic/ Dan and Maureen met at Old School Cam...

In this episode of Heart Work, Maureen interviews Catherine Cheeseman. A Post Neo Expressionist, Catherine's work translates into emotional graffiti rooted in the subconscious.  ***Content Note*** This episode of Heart Work discusses mental health matters, including pregnancy loss, medical termination, and suicide. If you’re in distress, you can call or text 988 from anywhere in Canada for support...

In this episode of Heart Work, Maureen interviews Dennis Gebhardt and Tom Harris, who are multifaceted artists enjoying life together for 46 years and counting. In the midst of their many individual artistic pursuits, and in addition to their service to the Bridge Hospice and other community organizations, together they created the School House Gardens, which were open to the public for many years...

In this episode of Heart Work, Maureen interviews Gail Bury and her son Jake Bury. Gail is a recovering accountant and lifelong creator who trusts the act of creating and making art for grounding her in daily life. She’s also a former prison mom and an advocate for change. Jake works full time as an audio technician. As a formerly incarcerated person, he volunteers with the Pros and Cons Prison Ar...

In this episode of Heart Work, Maureen interviews Justine Dembo, MD, FRCPC, a psychiatrist, psychotherapist and DJ who is an enthusiastic explorer of the relationship between embodiment, healing and thriving. You can learn more about ecstatic dance and the community Justine is building here:  https://www.ecstaticdancecobourg.com/ You can find Justine on Instagram at  https://www.instagram.com/dj_j...

In this episode of Heart Work, Maureen interviews Giselle Lech, a paramedic who makes art as an extension of her worldview and in connection with her lived experience. With half her life spent as a paramedic, Giselle has always seen the world through a creative lens — blending quick thinking with wild imagination. She channels her energy into raw, intuitive art inspired by the wild intelligence of...

In this episode of Heart Work, Maureen interviews Jodi Timgren. A retired Registered Nurse and Social Service Worker, Jodi has a passion for using music to share the lessons she's learned about hope and healing. You can stream Jodi's music in the usual places and you'll find her album on Bandcamp here:  https://joditimgren.bandcamp.com/album/weigh-the-needle-down If you're interested in a CD, you...

Troy Huizinga is a singer, songwriter, producer, and music educator from Ottawa, Ontario, known for his work with Satellite Birdhouse , The Escape Society , and Everything Is Angles. His music blends experimental textures with emotionally direct storytelling, often exploring themes of resilience and personal growth. Troy and Maureen met at the first Songwriter Summer Camp held by the Toronto Songw...

In this episode of Heart Work, Maureen interviews Hugh Christopher Brown. A musician and producer, Chris is the founder of the Pros and Cons Prison Arts Program . Operating for fourteen years now, the Pros and You’ll find more about the work of the Pros and Cons program here: https://prosandconsprogram.com/ and you can also access the music created through this program in conjunction with Wolfe Is...

In this episode of Heart Work, Maureen interviews Matty McKechnie. A singer-songwriter who releases music and performs under the artist name Graven, Matty is also the host of Graventown, a positivity podcast with a focus on mental health and music-based magic. You can learn more about Graven’s music here: https://www.graven.ca/ You can find his podcast, Graventown, wherever you stream your podcast...

In this episode of Heart Work, Maureen interviews Ron Hawkins . A singer-songwriter who has fronted several bands, including the legendary Lowest of the Low, Ron is also a talented visual artist with bold vision. Ron shares his song Saskia Begins, written for friends whose baby was born very prematurely, to help sustain them during that tense time. He also shares the story of the piece of art titl...