Heart Work: Conversations About Art to Heal the Heart

Heart Work: Conversations About Art to Heal the Heart

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/ [https://www.ecstaticdancecobourg.com/] You can find Justine on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/dj_justinedembo/ [https://www.instagram.com/dj_justinedembo/] Justine speaks about her playlist called Hatching, which you can listen to here: https://soundcloud.com/justinedembo/hatching-live-at-ecstatic-dance-cobourg-may-9-2025-with-voice [https://soundcloud.com/justinedembo/hatching-live-at-ecstatic-dance-cobourg-may-9-2025-with-voice] And you can browse through all of her past sets here:  https://soundcloud.com/justinedembo [https://soundcloud.com/justinedembo] This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit art2healtheheart.substack.com [https://art2healtheheart.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Heart Work: Conversations About Art to Heal the Heart

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 nature. You can find her on Instagram at  https://www.instagram.com/gisellelech.art [https://www.instagram.com/gisellelech.art] Giselle mentioned the Collective of Healthcare Artists fostering resilience through artistic expression and you can see their work on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/collectiveharts [https://www.instagram.com/collectiveharts] Giselle also mentioned connecting with another local artist at the most recent Northumberland Paramedics Survivor Night, which you can read more about here: https://northumberland.ca/news/a-decade-of-hope-and-resilience-celebrated-at-tenth-annual-survivor-night/ [https://northumberland.ca/news/a-decade-of-hope-and-resilience-celebrated-at-tenth-annual-survivor-night/] This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit art2healtheheart.substack.com [https://art2healtheheart.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Heart Work: Conversations About Art to Heal the Heart

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 [https://joditimgren.bandcamp.com/album/weigh-the-needle-down] If you're interested in a CD, you can purchase it through Canoe FM radio station in Haliburton: https://canoefm.com/shop/ [https://canoefm.com/shop/] She's part of Silva Musica Music, a musical duo with Richard Joudrey and you can find their music here: https://silvamusica.bandcamp.com/ [https://silvamusica.bandcamp.com/] Jodi mentioned artist Gord Kidd and you can learn more about him here: https://www.gordkidd.com/ [https://www.gordkidd.com/] Jodi mentioned the Older Women's Network in Peterborough, ON and you can find more information about them here: https://olderwomensnetwork.org/whoweare [https://olderwomensnetwork.org/whoweare] Maureen mentioned working with Emm Gryner as a mentor and producer and you'll find her virtual vocal coaching course here: https://www.grynervoice.com/ [https://www.grynervoice.com/] Maureen mentioned the Girls and Guitars program with Hillside Festival in Guelph and you can learn more about that here: https://hillsidefestival.ca/girls-guitars-2026-songwriting-course/ [https://hillsidefestival.ca/girls-guitars-2026-songwriting-course/] Maureen mentioned artist Michelle Munroe Reid and you can learn more about her here: https://michellemunroereid.com/ [https://michellemunroereid.com/] This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit art2healtheheart.substack.com [https://art2healtheheart.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Heart Work: Conversations About Art to Heal the Heart

Troy Huizinga is a singer, songwriter, producer, and music educator from Ottawa, Ontario, known for his work with Satellite Birdhouse [https://www.satellitebirdhouse.com/], The Escape Society [https://www.escapesociety.ca/], 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 Songwriting School [https://torontosongwritingschool.com/] in the summer of 2022. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit art2healtheheart.substack.com [https://art2healtheheart.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Heart Work: Conversations About Art to Heal the Heart

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 [https://prosandconsprogram.com/]. 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 Island Records here: https://wolfeislandrecords.com/theprosandconsprogram/ [https://wolfeislandrecords.com/theprosandconsprogram/] Chris mentions in particular the songs Lost from the album Undisclosed Location, which you can hear here: https://prosandconsprogram.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/03-Lost.m4a [https://prosandconsprogram.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/03-Lost.m4a] and the song Disbarred from the album Paint in the Forest, which you can hear here: Chris mentions concerts in the prisons and you can learn more about the show at Collins Bay Institution in August 25 via https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/pros-and-cons-prison-arts-program-kingston-prison-jazz-performance-1.7597249 [https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/pros-and-cons-prison-arts-program-kingston-prison-jazz-performance-1.7597249] Chris also mentions the TedX talk by Wilma Derksen, who has engaged deeply with the concept of forgiveness since her daughter was murdered in 1984, which you can watch here: https://tedxwinnipeg.ca/speaker/wilma-derksen/ [https://tedxwinnipeg.ca/speaker/wilma-derksen/] This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit art2healtheheart.substack.com [https://art2healtheheart.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]