153. From Brain Fog to Clarity: How the Arts Restore Your Mind

154. A New Way to Respond to Uncertainty

Ask me a question or let me know what you think! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2199359/fan_mail/new] When life feels uncertain or overwhelming, it’s natural to return to familiar ways of coping. These patterns often developed for good reason—they worked at one point in time. But as circumstances change, those same strategies can become limiting, keeping us stuck in cycles that no longer support our well-being. In this episode of The Modern Creative Woman, Dr. Amy Backos explores the psychology of change and why moments of stress are often the most important times to try something new. Rather than retreating into old habits, these are the moments that invite experimentation, flexibility, and growth. Drawing from behavioral psychology, this episode breaks down the fundamental reasons we seek or avoid change—either to reduce discomfort or to increase pleasure—and how these motivations shape our decisions. Dr. Backos also explores three core drivers of change: movement toward our values, the process of self-actualization, and the innate human drive to explore and create. A central focus of this conversation is the role of creativity in disrupting automatic patterns. When we engage in art, we create space between thought and action. Instead of reacting immediately, we are able to observe our internal experience, externalize it, and approach it with greater curiosity and perspective. This shift allows for more intentional choices and opens the possibility for new ways of responding. You’ll also learn how subtle psychological tools—such as nudges, environmental design, and behavioral anchors—can support meaningful and sustainable change. These small adjustments reduce decision fatigue and make it easier to follow through on the behaviors that align with your values. This episode also explores: * Why we return to old coping strategies during times of stress * How to recognize when you are ready for change * The difference between rapid life changes and gradual behavioral shifts * How admiration, frustration, and comparison can signal a desire for growth * Practical ways to use your environment to support new habits * Why consistency—not perfection—is essential for lasting change Creativity is not just a form of expression. It is a mechanism for change. Through creative practice, you can begin to shift long-standing patterns, expand your responses to stress, and develop a more flexible, adaptive way of engaging with your life. 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/]

153. From Brain Fog to Clarity: How the Arts Restore Your Mind

Ask me a question or let me know what you think! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2199359/fan_mail/new] The arts are not a luxury. They are a biological necessity. In this episode of The Modern Creative Woman, Dr. Amy Backos explores the powerful connection between creativity and health—breaking down the neuroscience behind why engaging in the arts improves not only emotional well-being, but cognitive functioning and even physical health. From brain fog and low mood to attention and memory challenges, the impact of stress on our thinking is real. But research shows that creative engagement—from listening to music to making art—can actually change how the brain communicates with itself, improving clarity, focus, and overall mental functioning. This episode goes beyond inspiration and into evidence. Drawing from neuroimaging research and global studies, including work from the World Health Organization, you’ll learn how the arts reduce cognitive symptoms, expand your behavioral choices, and interrupt the negative cycles that keep you stuck. You’ll also discover why how you engage matters. Passive consumption isn’t enough—true benefit comes from intentional, focused participation in the arts. Dr. Backos also introduces the concept of thought–action repertoires—the patterns that shape how you respond to your emotions—and how creativity can expand those patterns, opening up new ways of thinking, feeling, and acting. This is especially important during times of transition, stress, or reinvention. Whether you’re navigating a new phase of life or feeling disconnected from yourself, the arts offer a pathway back—to clarity, identity, and possibility. In this episode, you’ll learn: * How stress and depression impact cognitive functioning (attention, memory, planning) * What brain scans reveal about the effects of music and art on neural connectivity * Why focused, intentional engagement with art is key to its benefits * How creativity expands your “thought–action repertoire” and disrupts negative cycles * The role of the arts in identity development, self-compassion, and reinvention * What research says about the dosage needed to experience real change * Why long-term engagement—not one-off experiences—leads to lasting transformation You’ll walk away with both the science and the strategy to begin integrating the arts into your life in a way that is sustainable, meaningful, and deeply supportive of your well-being. Because the question isn’t whether art “works.” The question is whether you are willing to engage with it in a way that can change you. 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/]

152. Art Is Human: Why Creating Is Essential to Your Life

Ask me a question or let me know what you think! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2199359/fan_mail/new] Art is not a luxury—it’s a defining feature of what it means to be human. In this episode of The Modern Creative Woman, Dr. Amy Backos explores the deep psychological, biological, and cultural roots of creativity, starting with a powerful idea: humans have been making art for over 70,000 years—and we still underestimate its value. This is a conversation about more than art-making. It’s about storytelling, identity, and how we shape our lived experience through creative expression. You’ll learn why waiting for the “right time” is quietly disconnecting you from your most essential self, and how small, daily creative acts can transform your relationship with your life. Blending art therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and real-life stories, this episode invites you to stop consuming and start creating—because your life is the art. * Why creativity is a biological imperative, not a hobby * The psychological cost of waiting to enjoy your life * How storytelling shapes your identity and daily experience * The difference between consuming art vs. creating it * Why comparison kills creativity—and what to do instead * How to use tiny pockets of time to build a creative practice * ACT-based strategies to diffuse from limiting thoughts * How to make everyday life feel more meaningful, intentional, and alive Practical Takeaways * Spend 15–20 minutes a day on what matters (especially creativity) * Wear the clothes, use the dishes, burn the candle—now * Ask: What would I create if I didn’t need to be good at it? * Notice and name thoughts that delay your life (“later, when…”) * Replace passive consumption with active creation Journal Prompts * What am I waiting for before I allow myself to enjoy my life? * Where am I choosing consumption over creation? * If I treated today like something special, what would I do differently? * What story am I telling about my creativity—and is it true? Share your process and tag @DoctorAmyBackos on Instagram—I want to see how you’re embracing your humanness through art. Support the Show This podcast is intentionally ad-free. If you’d like to support The Modern Creative Woman, you can: * Sponsor the show ($3–$5/month) * Share this episode with a friend * Leave a review on your favorite platform 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/]

151. “Play” Like Yourself Every Time: Authentic Style and Creativity

Ask me a question or let me know what you think! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2199359/fan_mail/new] What does it actually mean to have YOUR style? Not just in how you dress—but in how you think, create, relate, and move through the world. In this episode of The Modern Creative Woman, Dr. Amy Backos explores style as a way of being—a deeply personal, psychologically rooted expression of self. Inspired by a moment at a San Francisco Symphony League event, where a pianist shared, “I try to play like myself every time,” this episode becomes an invitation to examine where you may be editing, performing, or over-referencing others in your own life. This is not a surface-level conversation about “being yourself.” It’s a deeper, clinically informed look at psychological flexibility, authenticity, and creative alignment. Dr. Backos weaves together art therapy, neuroscience, and lived experience to explore: * Why over-referencing (social media, celebrities, trends) disconnects you from your own voice * The psychological cost of self-editing before rejection * How authenticity is built through alignment—not performance or perfection * The role of novelty and neuroplasticity in reigniting creativity * Why technically “good” art—and even a well-curated life—can still feel emotionally flat * How developmental conditioning, trauma, and social expectations shape your personal style Drawing on the artistic philosophy of Georgia O’Keeffe and the deeply original work of the Gee’s Bend Quilters, this episode highlights what becomes possible when you stop performing and start creating from within. You’ll also be guided through a powerful self-audit practice to help you identify: * Where your life feels natural, easeful, and aligned * Where you may be over-editing or borrowing from others * How to begin reconnecting with your own creative instincts This episode is both a reflection and a challenge: Where are you not “playing like yourself”? And what might shift if you did—just once this week? 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/]

150. Power, Perception, Prestige & Desire: Interview with Dr. Tanetha Jamay Fisher

Ask me a question or let me know what you think! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2199359/fan_mail/new] What if the biggest limitation on your creative work isn’t your talent—but your perception of its value? In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Tanetha Jamay Fisher—leadership professor, former Capitol Hill strategist, and luxury business advisor—to explore the powerful intersection of power, perception, and prestige. Together, we unpack how high-level creative women can move beyond the “starving artist” myth and into positions of leadership, influence, and meaningful wealth creation. Dr. Fisher brings a rare and compelling blend of academic rigor and real-world strategy. With a background spanning political science, education, and high-stakes PR, she now helps experts translate their innate brilliance into language that resonates in the marketplace—without losing integrity or depth. This conversation moves far beyond business tactics. We explore: * The psychology of prestige and how desire shapes leadership, visibility, and success * How emotions drive decision-making—in politics, business, and personal growth * The role of feminist, Indigenous, and anti-racist research methodologies in expanding how we understand human experience * Why narrative, phenomenology, and qualitative inquiry create more human-centered, impactful work * The shift from luxury products to luxury experiences—and what that means for creative entrepreneurs * How to monetize your genius in a way that reflects your values and expands your impact * The hidden cost of scarcity thinking in helping professions—and how to move beyond it We also talk about the importance of creative rest, mentorship, and prestige positioning—and why investing in yourself is not indulgent, but essential for sustaining your mission. Dr. Fisher challenges conventional narratives around money, success, and creativity. Her work reframes financial growth not as excess—but as an act of leadership, agency, and legacy-building for the modern woman. If you’ve ever felt the tension between creativity and income, purpose and power, or artistry and visibility—this episode will expand what feels possible. Connect with Dr. Fisher Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/jamayfisher/]@jamayfisher References Feminism and Intersectionality in Academia [https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-319-90590-7] Pedagogy of the Oppressed [https://www.bloomsbury.com/us/pedagogy-of-the-oppressed-9781501314162/] 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/]