Episode 1: I Start A Podcast, The Neighborhood Catches Fire

Episode 2: The Creative Exorcism

So apparently, using art to cope with life’s emotional dumpster fires is a thing—and surprise! It actually works. In this episode, I get real about my own (very imperfect) artistic healing journey: the messy, the moody, and the “why do I only make stuff when I’m sad?” kind of vibes. We’re talking: 🧠 Why art messes with your brain in a good way (hello, serotonin). 🖼️ How even looking at art can calm your nervous system. 🤯 The myth of “I’m not artistic” and why your stick figures still count. 🎭 The mental health perks no one tells you about until you’re elbows-deep in paint wondering why you suddenly feel better. I also dig into the science-y side of things: * How creating art can reduce cortisol (aka stress) and boost dopamine * What happens in your brain when you enter a “flow state” * Why humans are literally built to create—and how we got tricked into thinking we’re not "good enough" at it And because I’m not here to just trauma dump and bounce, I’m also serving up some practical, no-pressure ways for you to get started—even if your last creative moment was a macaroni necklace in third grade. ✨ Here are a few simple ways to start using art as a coping tool: * Doodle freely without overthinking. Set a timer for 5–10 minutes and let your hand move across the page. * Draw with your non-dominant hand. This helps you let go of perfection and tap into different parts of the brain. * Try finger painting or using messy materials. Focus on the sensory experience rather than the outcome. * Use color to express emotion. Choose colors that reflect how you’re feeling and fill a page with shapes, lines, or abstract designs. * Create a collage. Cut out images, words, or textures from magazines and arrange them in a way that reflects your current mood or a memory. * Keep an art journal. Combine drawing, painting, writing, and collage in a sketchbook or notebook to reflect on your inner world. * Start with prompts. Examples: “Draw what stress feels like,” “Make a safe space using only shapes,” or “Create a self-portrait using only symbols.” No experience needed. No rules. Just permission to make a mess—and maybe feel a little better while you're at it.

Episode 1: I Start A Podcast, The Neighborhood Catches Fire

In this first episode of The Names Have Not Been Changed, I’m explaining why I finally decided to start this podcast—recording from my closet (where all podcasts are recorded right?!) and finally following through after joking about it for far too long. What really pushed me to do it, though? Being unemployed and needing something to distract me while I look for a new job. I figured, why not create something that might help me feel a little less lost—and maybe help others feel the same way? I talk about why this podcast matters (because, apparently, life isn’t just about scrolling or watching Netflix and avoiding real feelings), what I’m hoping it brings (connection and a little bit of empowerment), and what to expect in future episodes—mostly me talking to myself, with the occasional guest thrown in. So, if you're doing something like folding laundry or pretending to care about a Zoom call, hit play, and let's go down some rabbit holes together.