Take an Art Break

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, hosts Lisa and Lauren sit down with Holly Woods, founder of the Emergence Institute and creator of the Living Portal initiation, to explore her perspective that creativity isn't reserved for a select few who call themselves "artists," but a life force moving through everyone, and that reclaiming our own creative expression directly shapes the world...

Send us Fan Mail In this rich and wide-ranging conversation, hosts Lisa and Lauren sit down with Cathy Malchiodi, expressive arts therapist and psychologist, to explore one of the most fundamental questions about human creativity: what can art actually do for us emotionally? Cathy draws on decades of experience to explain why art has been humanity's go-to healing tool long before psychology e...

Send us Fan Mail Join us for an inspiring conversation with London-based artist Carrie Reichardt, whose work transforms craft into a powerful tool for healing, social change, and connection. Carrie shares her journey from personal trauma to using art as therapy, how community-focused projects and “craftivism” gave her a voice, and the ways she’s used creativity to bridge divides and amplify storie...

Send us Fan Mail In this conversation, Samorn Selim, daughter of Lao refugees, Berkeley Law grad, and career coach shares how she moved from poverty to Big Law, faced a toxic workplace, and rebuilt a life anchored in truth, art, and service. She talks about journaling as a “place of truth,” the power of five-minute practices to beat burnout, and the shift away from always chasing more. Along the w...

Send us Fan Mail Lisa and Lauren have a conversation with 2025 Art Break Day hosts from all over the world about why they hosted Art Break Day this year, how it went and tips for anyone interested in hosting an Art Break Day in the future. Learn about each host on their websites here: Tessa Hollingsworth with Moon Sluice Art (https://www.moonsluice.com/), Krupa Jhaveri with Sankalpa: Art Journeys...

Send us Fan Mail In this podcast episode, Lisa and Lauren chat with Cali Gilbert, the founder of Tower 15 Productions (https://www.tower15productions.com/), about using art as a way to reconnect with someone. From sparking shared memories to creating new ones, art has a unique way of bridging distances — both physical and emotional — and opening doors to deeper understanding. Support the show Lear...

Send us Fan Mail In this inspiring conversation, we sit down with Bethel Afework, the founder and director of a thriving recreational art center, to explore how art can be a powerful connector across cultures, generations, and backgrounds. She shares how creativity often transcends spoken language—allowing people to express themselves, connect with others, and build a sense of belonging in their c...

Send us Fan Mail Lisa and Lauren talk with Anna Reyner about the magic of making art together as a group and what happens to the individual and the community as a whole when people sit down and get creative together. Art is the "secret sauce" that breaks down boundaries between strangers and helps them connect with one another. Anna also speaks to the benefit of teaching caretakers, soci...

Send us Fan Mail  Lisa and Lauren are joined by Stacie Aamon Yeldell to discuss the ongoing situation in Los Angeles, California, following the wildfires. They reflect on the devastating impact on local communities and the emotional toll on residents as they navigate recovery challenges, including temporary displacements, uncertainty about rebuilding their homes, and potential environmental change...

Send us Fan Mail Lisa and Lauren chat with current President of The American Art Therapy Association, Founder of Creative Studio, and Professor of Continuing Education at the Anáhuac University in Mexico City, Nadia F. Paredes ( https://www.artfooddreamers.com/ )  and the positive impact that can have on them, their community, and the world. They also talked about the challenge of when a creative...

Send us Fan Mail Lisa and Lauren chat with a few of this year's Art Break Day hosts about their experience hosting and what tips they have for anyone thinking of joining the Art Break Day event next year. Admittedly, we had several issues with this podcast, both technical and schedule wise. Check out the webpage to get written reflections from some of this year's hosts. And, feel free to...

Send us Fan Mail Anger has been on the rise for the last several years. Erica Curtis, LMFT, ATR-BC noticed this in her own community and her own research. Knowing that she can people manage anger, she felt as though that maybe there are other things we need to do with anger - express it, harness it, soothe it, have a conversation with it and so much more. Check out her recent book, "Working T...

Send us Fan Mail Lisa and Lauren chat with the creators of Recipes for Connection ( https://www.recipesforconnection.com/ ) about the benefits of the arts when it comes to social emotional learning in schools. Dr. Jessica Bianchi and Amber L. Cromwell share some of their art-based social and emotional strategies to support student mental health, strengthen relationships and create positive school...

Send us Fan Mail Lisa and Lauren chat with Jenny and Stephanie, co-founders of Creative Nector Studio ( https://www.creativenectarstudio.com/ ) about why creativity is the answer for them, why it might be the answer for you, and how you can let go of judgement and face your fear surrounding the act of making art or what making art might make you confront. Support the show Learn more about the Take...

Send us Fan Mail As their 16th year of collaboration gets underway, Lisa and Lauren, the artists behind Art is Moving, reflect on why they are still here. Why are they still working together and collaborating as Art is Moving to get everyone to join the Take an Art Break Movement? Support the show Learn more about the Take an Art Break Movement on the Art is Moving website here.

Send us Fan Mail Lisa and Lauren chat with The Calling, three women artists following a call....a call back to the feminine. The conversation starts with the question, "Can art shift a paradigm?" and leads in many directions including an introduction and encouragement to be a part of their latest project, The 6000 Circle Project. Learn more about The Calling, The 6000 Circle Project and...

Send us Fan Mail Lisa and Lauren talk with Katherine Josten, founder of The Global Art Project for Peace, and discuss the relationship between making art and creating peace in the world. Can one individual change the world through art? Listen to the conversation and let us know what you think. Learn more and join The Global Art Project for Peace at https://www.globalartproject.org/ Support the sho...

Send us Fan Mail Lisa and Lauren continue their conversation about what happens to you when you make art part of your daily life. Today's conversation revolves around your soul and what happens to your soul, your spirit, when you make art. Have a story or comment to share regarding this question? Feel free to comment below or reach out through our website at https://artismoving.org/ Support t...

Send us Fan Mail As we continue the conversation in regards to the positive impact art can have on you, let's dive in to what happens to your body when you make art. Listen to Amy Li, founder of Dance4Healing, as she talks about her personal experience with art and it's healing powers and her current NIH study developing an intergenerational telehealth program for minority diabetes patie...

Send us Fan Mail Lisa and Lauren, Co-founding Directors of Art is Moving, chat with Ivy Ross and Susan Magsamen about their new book, "Your Brain on Art: How the Arts Transform Us." A great deal is covered in the conversation including how the education system fails students when it comes to taking an art break, why fear plays a huge role in understanding the positive impact of art, and...

Send us Fan Mail Art is Moving chats with John Brandon Sills about how he personally moves through fear to make his art and how you can do it too. For more from John, visit: http://johnbrandonsillsfineart.com/ Support the show Learn more about the Take an Art Break Movement on the Art is Moving website here.

Send us Fan Mail Lisa and Lauren, Co-founding Directors of Art is Moving talk about what AIM accomplished this year as well as what questions were covered on this season's podcast episodes. All of this year's conversations can be listened to on our website at: artismoving.org/podcast Consider donating to Art is Moving so we can continue to make the world better, one art break at a time....

Send us Fan Mail Lisa and Lauren catch up with Deane Bowers again to get an update about the Together While  Apart Project and the fundraising campaign to benefit health and wellness for nurses that sprung from it. Deane has found herself diving deep into and out of her own fears and is using art as a catalyst for positive change in herself and the community. All of her current projects can be fou...

Send us Fan Mail Lisa and Lauren talk with Barbara Vaughan about her experience using art to help people find their way back to themselves when their lost, feel their future has been pre-determined and dread it, or want to know why they feel what they feel and what they can do about it. If you are into psychology, art therapy, the healing power of art, positive transformation stories or are lookin...

Send us Fan Mail Lisa and Lauren chat with Esther Maloney (https://carmelfutures.com/) about the seasons of creativity and how important all of them are to ones creativity. The ups, downs and in between activities, emotions, and thoughts are part of your work. Ideas for making the most out of your day to day life are given in support of the cycle that is life and creativity and art and everything...