Why Music and Performing Arts are Key to Creative Aging, with John-Morgan Bush, Dean of Juilliard Extension School

How a Painter Found Community at The Art Students League of New York

In this episode, I reflect on my trip to The Art Students League and how it influenced my friend and podcast guest John Kneapler’s journey as an artist.  The Art Students League has been making art education and studio space accessible in New York City. This kind of community is important for making art and also for improving our health. In her book Art Cure, Daisy Fancourt says social prescribing as the practice of referring patients to “community-based activities that can support their health, with arts being one of the most popular.”  John Kneapler is an artist who grew up in Miami, Florida, with an early talent for art. Discouraged by his parents from pursuing fine art as a career, he studied at Pratt Institute and founded John Kneaper Design, a prominent graphic design and branding company in New York. His firm worked with high-profile clients such as MoMA and Citerella. Following significant life events, including the loss of his parents and the closure of his business during the pandemic, he retired from graphic design to pursue his lifelong passion for painting.   He serves on the board of the Art Students League in New York City. Links: Full interview with John Kneapler: https://youtu.be/V2OwR--129U?si=SBj224Ac3aV9jeQM [https://youtu.be/V2OwR--129U?si=SBj224Ac3aV9jeQM]  The Art Students League: https://www.artstudentsleague.org/why [https://www.artstudentsleague.org/why]  John Kneapler’s website: https://johnkneaplerpaintings.com/ [https://johnkneaplerpaintings.com/]  Art Cure: The Science of How the Arts Saves Lives by Daisy Fancourt: https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250364531/artcure/ [https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250364531/artcure/] Webinar on social prescribing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ocnv9rzJeYY [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ocnv9rzJeYY]  Please rate and review on Apple Podcasts.  And see more about Betsy Bush and her guests at www.yourcreativemidlife.com.  Are you on your own artistic or creative journey?  We want to know about you!  Please contact us through the website.  Dare to follow your muse!

If You Want to Try Collage, This Episode is for You

I’ve explored collage a lot this past year. In fact, my collage roommate has become an exceptional collage artist after retiring from her career in corporate communications. Her creative pivot has been a huge inspiration. This episode is a compilation of my interview with Lela and my own journey into the world of collage.  Links: Watch the full interview with Lela: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C2vc2HvS2zo&t=793s [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C2vc2HvS2zo&t=793s]  Collage Lab: https://explore.collage-lab.com/join2026 [https://explore.collage-lab.com/join2026]  Kolaj Magazine: https://kolajmagazine.com/content/ [https://kolajmagazine.com/content/]  How to Make a Collage: https://www.yourcreativemidlife.com/resources-for-creativity-midlife/how-to-make-collage [https://www.yourcreativemidlife.com/resources-for-creativity-midlife/how-to-make-collage-8pln8] Please rate and review on Apple Podcasts.  And see more about Betsy Bush and her guests at www.yourcreativemidlife.com.  Are you on your own artistic or creative journey?  We want to know about you!  Please contact us through the website.  Dare to follow your muse!

This Book is Taking Over the Art World: Reflections on Art Cure by Dr. Daisy Fancourt

I met Dr. Daisy Fancourt in May, when she was a featured speaker at a longevity conference. If you’ve heard of her, it’s because her latest book Art Cure, has taken over the art world on social media.  In this special solo episode, I share my thoughts on this revelatory book, the questions it asks, and what I think needs to happen next.  Resources: Art Cure: The Science of How the Arts Save Lives: https://bookshop.org/p/books/art-cure-the-science-of-how-the-arts-save-lives-daisy-fancour [https://bookshop.org/p/books/art-cure-the-science-of-how-the-arts-save-lives-daisy-fancourt/5ba7caef8f2663d1?ean=9781250364531&next=t] Learn more about Dr. Daisy Fancourt: https://profiles.ucl.ac.uk/44526-daisy-fancourt [https://profiles.ucl.ac.uk/44526-daisy-fancourt]  Please rate and review on Apple Podcasts.  And see more about Betsy Bush and her guests at www.yourcreativemidlife.com.  Are you on your own artistic or creative journey?  We want to know about you!  Please contact us through the website.  Dare to follow your muse!

You’re Not Stuck with Your Professional Identity: Betsy Bush and Flora White on Evolution Now

You can have a whole new identity if you want. You can pick up something new or pursue that creative impulse that has been in the back of your mind.  This week on Your Creative Midlife, I am in the hot seat! I sat down with my friend and fellow podcaster, Flora White, who is the CEO of Evolution Content.  We talk about the inspiration behind Your Creative Midlife, what it was like to go back to school in my mid-fifties, and why creativity is essential for long-term wellbeing.  Links: Columbia School of General Studies: https://www.gs.columbia.edu/ [https://www.gs.columbia.edu/]  Older Adult Auditing Program, Purchase College: https://www.purchase.edu/offices/registrar/older-adult-auditing-program/ Juilliard Extension School: https://www.juilliard.edu/stage-beyond/juilliard-extension  Art Cure: The Science Behind Why Art Saves Lives by Daisy Fancourt: https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250364531/artcure/ [https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250364531/artcure/] About Evolution Content: https://www.evolutioncontent.co/ [https://www.evolutioncontent.co/] Please rate and review on Apple Podcasts.  And see more about Betsy Bush and her guests at www.yourcreativemidlife.com.  Are you on your own artistic or creative journey?  We want to know about you!  Please contact us through the website.  Dare to follow your muse!

Don’t Wait for Retirement to Write That Book, with Chris Shirley, Award-Winning Fiction Writer

Do you want to write a book, either now or in retirement? Rather than put off his writing dreams until retirement, Chris embraced the challenges through courses, mentorship, community, and self-education. He went on to write a debut novel and is working on his third book.  Chris’s story offers inspiration, empathy, and encouragement for anyone who dreams of writing but doesn’t know where to start. About the guest: Chris Shirley writes contemporary fiction that blends emotional depth with high-stakes storytelling. His debut novel, Playing by the Book (Magnus Books), won a National IPPY Award in religious fiction, becoming the first LGBTQ coming-out novel to receive that distinction. His current novel, Bloody Hell, is an upmarket thriller set in the world of global pharmaceuticals. Before turning to fiction full-time, Chris Shirley led executive communications teams at three Fortune 500 companies—experience that informs the corporate realism of his work. Links: About Chris Shirley: https://www.schrisshirley.com/ [https://www.schrisshirley.com/]  Chris’ recommendations for books on writing: https://www.schrisshirley.com/books-on-writing [https://www.schrisshirley.com/books-on-writing]  The Writer’s Institute, CUNY: https://www.gc.cuny.edu/writers-institute [https://www.gc.cuny.edu/writers-institute]  Please rate and review on Apple Podcasts.  And see more about Betsy Bush and her guests at www.yourcreativemidlife.com.  Are you on your own artistic or creative journey?  We want to know about you!  Please contact us through the website.  Dare to follow your muse!