The Modern Creative Woman

140. Containers, Not Motivation

Ask me a question or let me know what you think! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2199359/open_sms] If your creative energy feels fragile right now, ask yourself not how to push harder or where to recruit more willpower. Instead, ask yourself what kind of container it's been asked to survive in.  This episode draws your attention away from motivation and willpower, and towards creating containers where your creativity can grow and expand. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2199359/support] Explore the Modern Creative Woman Community https://moderncreativewoman.com [https://arttherapycentersf.com/] Free Goodies and Subscribe to the Monthly Newsletter https://moderncreativewoman.com/subscribe-to-the-creative-woman/ [https://mcusercontent.com/53c5579a5feca0090377003c7/files/b4f5b916-6160-01d5-e760-40b1327eac06/Modern_Creative_Woman_Manifesta.pdf] Connect with Dr. Amy on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/dramybackos/ [https://www.instagram.com/dramybackos/]

139. How Beauty Heals: Neuroaesthetics, Art, and Peace

Ask me a question or let me know what you think! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2199359/open_sms] There is enormous variety in the universe of visual art—and in this episode of The Modern Creative Woman, we explore why that matters so deeply to the human brain and nervous system. Inspired by research from the field of neuroaesthetics, this conversation bridges cognitive science, art therapy, and lived experience to help you understand how beauty, art, and the spaces we inhabit can genuinely support healing and well-being. From moments of awe and wonder to the calming effects of viewing art, we explore how aesthetic experiences influence mood, regulation, perspective, and even physiology. You’ll hear reflections on: * Why beauty can create feelings of awe and meaning * How viewing art supports emotional regulation and mental health * What neuroaesthetics teaches us about architecture, space, and wellness * Why art museums, sacred spaces, and expansive environments feel so soothing * How your personal aesthetic preferences matter more than you think * Simple ways to bring more beauty and creative intention into daily life In a time when so much feels uncertain, this episode is an invitation to stay connected to art—not as escape, but as a powerful source of healing, reflection, and restoration. Beauty is not frivolous. Creativity is not optional. They are essential to how we care for ourselves and one another. And as always, the question remains: now that you know, what will you create? Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2199359/support] Explore the Modern Creative Woman Community https://moderncreativewoman.com [https://arttherapycentersf.com/] Free Goodies and Subscribe to the Monthly Newsletter https://moderncreativewoman.com/subscribe-to-the-creative-woman/ [https://mcusercontent.com/53c5579a5feca0090377003c7/files/b4f5b916-6160-01d5-e760-40b1327eac06/Modern_Creative_Woman_Manifesta.pdf] Connect with Dr. Amy on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/dramybackos/ [https://www.instagram.com/dramybackos/]

138. Creativity Built the World—Now It’s Your Turn

Ask me a question or let me know what you think! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2199359/open_sms] In this episode, I’m welcoming 2026 with a reflection on creativity as a fundamental human force—the energy behind civilization, healing, meaning, and change. As I begin the early, tender labor of writing my next book, I wanted to share some of what has been stirring in my mind and heart during this season of intention-setting and renewal. We explore creativity not as something reserved for “artists,” but as an essential way of thinking, making, and knowing. From the objects in our homes to the systems that shape our societies, creativity is the invisible thread that connects ideas, innovation, and emotional healing. I reflect on art as both an intellectual process—integrating disparate ideas—and a deeply human, embodied act of making with our hands. Drawing on art therapy, psychology, and thinkers like de Botton, Armstrong, and Pat Allen, this episode invites you to reconsider your relationship with art and creativity. We talk about why so many adults stop creating, what we lose when we do, and how returning to simple acts of making can support nervous-system regulation, clarity, insight, and emotional well-being. If you’re seeking inspiration, grounding, or a gentle reminder that creativity belongs to you—no art degree required—this episode is an invitation to open your eyes to the creative world already surrounding you and to ask yourself: Now that you know, what will you create? I also share details about the upcoming Paris art therapy retreat and a special bonus for podcast listeners. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2199359/support] Explore the Modern Creative Woman Community https://moderncreativewoman.com [https://arttherapycentersf.com/] Free Goodies and Subscribe to the Monthly Newsletter https://moderncreativewoman.com/subscribe-to-the-creative-woman/ [https://mcusercontent.com/53c5579a5feca0090377003c7/files/b4f5b916-6160-01d5-e760-40b1327eac06/Modern_Creative_Woman_Manifesta.pdf] Connect with Dr. Amy on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/dramybackos/ [https://www.instagram.com/dramybackos/]

137. Live Your Values in the New Year

Ask me a question or let me know what you think! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2199359/open_sms] "Each time a woman stands up for herself, she stands up for all women." -Maya Angelou  As we cross the threshold from 2025 into 2026, this episode invites you to pause, reflect, and choose a different way forward—one rooted in values rather than willpower. Opening with Maya Angelou’s reminder that when one woman stands up for herself, she stands up for all women, we explore how values guide our decisions, actions, and sense of meaning across every area of life. Instead of setting resolutions that often fade within weeks, this conversation reframes the New Year as an opportunity to reconnect with what truly matters to you. Values—freely chosen, deeply personal, and ever-evolving—become a compass for how you want to live, relate, create, and care for yourself. We unpack the critical difference between goals and values, and how values provide the fuel that goals alone often lack. You’ll be guided through four powerful value domains to consider for the year ahead: self-talk, mental health, inner boundaries, and outer boundaries. Through personal stories, psychological research, and practical examples, this episode explores how kindness toward yourself, value-based self-talk, and clear boundaries—both internal and external—create consistency, self-trust, and sustainable change. This episode is an invitation to reflect on who you want to be, how you want to show up, and what you want to move toward in 2026. By choosing a value—or a word—to guide your year, you begin living in alignment with what matters most, one small, meaningful action at a time. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2199359/support] Explore the Modern Creative Woman Community https://moderncreativewoman.com [https://arttherapycentersf.com/] Free Goodies and Subscribe to the Monthly Newsletter https://moderncreativewoman.com/subscribe-to-the-creative-woman/ [https://mcusercontent.com/53c5579a5feca0090377003c7/files/b4f5b916-6160-01d5-e760-40b1327eac06/Modern_Creative_Woman_Manifesta.pdf] Connect with Dr. Amy on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/dramybackos/ [https://www.instagram.com/dramybackos/]

136. The Break Your Brain Is Begging For

Ask me a question or let me know what you think! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2199359/open_sms] “Self-care is how you take your power back.” — Lila Delia 🧠 In This Episode * Why purpose = values + committed action (from an ACT perspective) * How values differ from goals — and why that matters for long-term wellbeing * What happens in your brain after 50–90 minutes of focused work * Why breaks improve productivity, creativity, learning, and memory * What doesn’t count as a break (hint: scrolling your phone) * How micro-breaks support your prefrontal cortex * Signs your nervous system is asking for a pause * Why art-making and flow activities are especially powerful forms of rest * How mindful breathing differs from guided breathing * How to identify what felt heavy in 2025 — and what you may be ready to let go of 🔑 Key Takeaways * Alignment creates happiness. When what you think, say, and do are in harmony, your nervous system feels safer and more regulated. * Breaks are biologically necessary. They restore focus, consolidate memory, reduce stress, and support creative problem-solving. * Values need protection. Like something precious, they require boundaries and conscious choices. * Elimination creates space. Letting go of what drains you allows more room for what matters most. * Presence is a practice. Asking “What is most important and valuable right now?” brings you back into the moment. ✍️ Reflective Prompts from the Episode 1. What is most important and valuable right now? (Pause. Ask yourself again. Let the answer deepen.) 2. What felt heavy in 2025? What slowed you down or created unnecessary stress? 3. What are you ready to eliminate? What can you let go of to create more space for value-based living? 🎨 Restorative Breaks (That Actually Work) * A 5–20 minute walk (especially after learning something new) * Stretching, dancing, or intentional movement * Art-making without pressure (doodling, scribbling, painting) * Flow hobbies (knitting, running, repetitive creative tasks) * Mindful breathing (simply observing your breath) * Brief solitude or time in nature * Shifting tasks (writing → editing, thinking → organizing) Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2199359/support] Explore the Modern Creative Woman Community https://moderncreativewoman.com [https://arttherapycentersf.com/] Free Goodies and Subscribe to the Monthly Newsletter https://moderncreativewoman.com/subscribe-to-the-creative-woman/ [https://mcusercontent.com/53c5579a5feca0090377003c7/files/b4f5b916-6160-01d5-e760-40b1327eac06/Modern_Creative_Woman_Manifesta.pdf] Connect with Dr. Amy on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/dramybackos/ [https://www.instagram.com/dramybackos/]