I sit down with Evan Raskin, National Campaign Manager for Earthday.org, to explore the powerful relationship between art and environmental activism. Evan shares how artists have been central to the Earth Day movement since its very first gathering in 1970 and how creative expression continues to drive climate action today.

Evan shares his own life as an artist and how art helps him find harmony in a world full of dissonance. We discuss why collective action — starting at the local level — matters more than ever.

🔗 Find Earth Day events in your community: earthday.org 🎵 Find Evan's music on Spotify: search Raskin 🌍 Learn more about the Global Halt street art project: search #EarthDay2020Halt

Timestamped Highlights

[00:00] I introduce the episode and its Earth Day theme

[01:03] Why I'm dropping this episode now: Earth Day is right around the corner

[01:34] I introduce my guest, Evan Raskin, National Campaign Manager for Earthday.org

[02:03] We introduce this year's Earth Day theme: Our Power, Our Planet

[03:22] I ask Evan what a National Campaign Manager actually does — he breaks down his role

[05:03] I learn that Evan is also a musician, painter, and poet — and just published his first book!

[05:43] I ask Evan which art form he turns to when he needs release — his answer about music and rhythm is beautiful

[07:29] Evan explains how art can open perspectives, build empathy, and call people to civic action

[10:54] I ask Evan about his origin story: growing up with a Hollywood hairdresser mom and a Cirque du Soleil / hospital clown dad

[13:13] Evan tells me how a required college art class unlocked his visual creativity

[14:08] Evan makes the case that everyone has latent creative potential — and why you should just pick up that paintbrush

[15:15] I share my recent conversation with scientist Daisy Fancourt and her book Art Cure — even 10–15 minutes of creativity a day has measurable benefits

[16:27] I ask Evan how he came to work at Earth Day — it started with a college internship phasing out single-use plastics at the British Embassy

[17:49] Evan walks me through the history of Earth Day and how the 1970 movement used art, music, and protest to spark real policy change

[22:23] I'm amazed to learn that the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, and the EPA were all born from Earth Day 1970

[22:48] We do a deep dive into this year's theme: Our Power, Our Planet and what it means at every level

[25:51] I bring up the current political climate — Evan responds with hope, local action, and the wisdom of Fred Rogers: "Look for the helpers"

[29:37] Evan shares an encouraging stat: solar power has been the leading source of new U.S. electricity for nearly 25 months

[32:51] Evan tells me about his visit to COP 27 in Egypt, where global artists displayed installations made from pollution collected in their home countries

[33:20] Evan introduces me to Earthday.org's Artists for the Earth program and the annual official Earth Day poster

[33:52] The Global Halt Project: I love this — 500 artists across the world painted climate murals under cover of darkness, unveiled on Earth Day 2020

[35:47] Evan shares how YOU can get involved: visit earthday.org, find local events, organize a community cleanup, and start conversations in your school, faith community, or family

[38:10] I ask Evan where we can find his music and art

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In this episode, I sit down with Clarissa Castillo-Ramsey, abstract painter, life coach, and host of the Painting Your Path podcast — for a rich conversation about how she reclaimed her own creative identity and how she coaches her clients, usually women in midlife, to do the same.  We talk about overcoming self-doubt, and building resilience in the face of unexpected challenges.

Clarissa shares her winding journey from retail management to graphic design to finding her true calling as an artist and coach, and how a diagnosis of spasmodic dysphonia — a rare neurological voice disorder — forced her to reimagine her work and reconnect with her deepest purpose.

We also discuss:

• How well-meaning discouragement in childhood can silence our creative instincts for decades
• Practical strategies for processing rejection as a creative person
• Why "giving yourself grace" is the foundation of any creative practice
• Clarissa's work supporting the Altadena community in the aftermath of the devastating 2025 Eaton Fire through art

Whether you're an artist, a creative in midlife, or someone rebuilding after loss, this episode with Clarissa offers genuine wisdom and encouragement.

00:00:12 — Introduction to the show and host Pam Uzzell

00:01:10 — Podcast updates: new schedule and hiatus explanation

00:01:53 — Introduction of guest Clarissa Castillo Ramsey and her background

00:02:37 — Clarissa's diagnosis with spasmodic dysphonia

00:03:08 — Clarissa's resilience and involvement with the Altadena community after the Eaton Fire

00:04:03 — Interview begins; Clarissa introduces herself

00:05:57 — Clarissa's life coaching work with women in midlife

00:07:13 — Growing up and receiving discouraging messages about pursuing a creative career

00:09:33 — The journey back to art: from retail management to graphic design to painting

00:11:40 — Discovering painter Rassouli at Agape International Spiritual Center

00:16:22 — Clarissa's spasmodic dysphonia diagnosis and how it affected her work

00:21:12 — Pam shares her own experience with myotonic dystrophy and voice challenges

00:24:56 — Theories on resilience and what keeps Clarissa going

00:27:55 — Dealing with rejection as a creative person; the TEDx talk rejection

00:36:16 — The Altadena community after the Eaton Fire and the healing power of art

00:39:11 — Where to find Clarissa and her podcast, Painting Your Path

🎙️ Find Clarissa on Instagram: @clarissacastilloramsey.art 🎙️ Listen to her podcast: Painting Your Path. Clarissa's Website.

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In this episode, I speak with artist, curator, and author Barbara Benish about her book ArtMill: A Story of Sustainable Creativity in Bohemia — a hopeful, timely memoir about artistic resistance, creative community, and rebuilding culture after totalitarianism.

In This Episode:

• [0:12] Host Pam Uzzell introduces the episode, reflecting on fear of communist countries during the Cold War and how that connects to today's political climate in the US
• [2:34] Introduction to Barbara Benish's book ArtMill: A Story of Sustainable Creativity in Bohemia and why it feels especially relevant now
• [3:49] Barbara describes her memoir — from leaving California as a young artist to integrating into Cold War Czechoslovakia, working with underground artists, and eventually founding a rural arts center
• [6:14] Growing up in Southern California with Czech immigrant heritage, witnessing the Soviet invasion of Prague in 1968, and losing connection to the Czech language
• [7:42] Crossing the Iron Curtain as a young American backpacker — navigating fear, border crossings, and Cold War propaganda
• [10:41] Connecting with dissident artists in Prague — serendipity, secret networks, and the surveillance state
• [12:08] Life under the secret police — being followed, bugged venues, and how artists developed coded communication to resist oppression
• [13:53] Barbara's frustration with the commercialization of art in 1980s Los Angeles and what drew her to the underground art scene in Czechoslovakia
• [15:14] The Art Dialogue exchange — bringing together LA and Czech artists during the Cold War and the challenges of mounting a cross-cultural exhibition under an authoritarian regime
• [16:57] The Velvet Revolution of 1989 — why it's also called the Artist Revolution, the role of playwright-turned-president Václav Havel, and lessons from The Power of the Powerless for democracy today
• [21:47] Buying the Červený Mlýn (Red Mill) in rural Bohemia — a $17,000 ruin, a leap of faith, and the beginning of a new life
• [26:28] Renovating the mill, building a rural arts community, and the reality behind the romance
• [27:46] ArtMill today — artist residencies, children's programs, university study abroad, and regenerative creativity in rural Central Europe
• [29:12] Art as sustainability — how creative practice connects to environmental stewardship, indigenous ways of knowing, and regenerative living
• [34:42] What today's political resistance in the US has in common with Cold War Czechoslovakia — and what comes after resistance
• [38:45] Barbara reads a moving passage from ArtMill about climate, beauty, dignity, and hope for future generations
• [40:35] Where to find Barbara Benish, upcoming California readings, and how to get the book

Resources & Links:

• Barbara Benish's website: barbarabenish.com
• ArtMill: A Story of Sustainable Creativity in Bohemia — published by New Village Press, distributed by NYU
• Art Heals All Wounds Podcast: arthealsallwoundspodcast.com

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What really drives families to make the dangerous journey to the United States? And what happens to them — especially their children — after surviving detention and family separation at the border?

In this episode, I speak with Dr. Gabrielle Oliveira, Jorge Paulo Lemann Associate Professor of Education and Brazil Studies at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Gabrielle's new book, Now We Are Here: Family Migration, Children's Education, and Dreams for a Better Life, documents the lives of 16 families from Central and South America who experienced detention and separation at the US border in 2018 and 2019 — and how they rebuilt their lives afterward.

Gabrielle shares how she spent three years building deep, trust-based relationships with these families, and why that kind of research — done with people, not on them — matters so much. We explore the surprising role that the dream of an American education plays in the decision to migrate, why children process trauma so differently than adults, and what a truly equitable, child-centered classroom might look like.

We also discuss a quietly unforgettable moment: a first-grade morning meeting where two children, asked what they wanted for lunch, spontaneously connected over eating frozen burritos in an immigration detention center — and what that reveals about how trauma lives in children's bodies and memories.

Gabrielle's core message is both simple and urgent: what if we made policy — immigration policy, education policy — by putting all children first?

Now We Are Here is available at your local independent bookstore, on Amazon and Barnes & Noble, or directly from Stanford University Press. Find Gabrielle on Instagram and at gabrielleoliveira.com.

[00:00:12] Intro — "Do you believe art can change the world?"

[00:00:48] Pam introduces the topic — migrant family detention and separation at the border

[00:01:48] Introduction of Dr. Gabrielle Oliveira and her book Now We Are Here

[00:04:06] Interview begins — Gabrielle describes her book and the 16 families she documented

[00:05:14] Discussion of research methodology — doing research with people, not on them

[00:08:28] Gabrielle reflects on being an immigrant herself and how trust is built over time

[00:10:04] How the book idea originated and how the research focus evolved

[00:13:57] Education as a driving force behind migration — beyond just fleeing hardship

[00:15:12] Moving past the "suffering subject" narrative — immigrant families and the desire for an ordinary life

[00:19:20] How trauma affects three groups differently — parents, teachers, and children

[00:23:03] The fajita/burrito story — how a first-grade morning meeting unlocked detention memories

[00:28:19] How teachers respond to children's trauma — and why "that's in the past" doesn't work

[00:33:29] Imagining a more equitable, trauma-informed classroom

[00:38:24] The problem with over-structured early childhood education and the loss of play

[00:42:08] Gabrielle's wish list — what she hopes readers take away from the book

[00:45:43] Where to find the book and follow Gabrielle's work

[00:47:06] Pam's closing reflections and outro

Follow Gabrielle!

Website

Book, Now We Are Here

Follow Pam!

arthealsallwoundspodcast.com

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What if the arts weren't just entertainment — but medicine? In this episode, I talk with Dr. Daisy Fancourt, one of the world's most cited scientists and author of Art Cure, about the growing body of research showing that creative engagement — music, dance, visual art — can reduce the risk of depression, slow dementia, help Parkinson's patients maintain motor function, and even slow biological aging. Daisy also shares personal stories, including her own daughter's recovery in the NICU, and practical tips for incorporating the arts into daily life.

• 00:00 — Intro & Pam's personal story: moving to Arkansas and witnessing the lingering divide of a recently desegregated school
• 01:39 — The music class that changed everything: Mrs. Gilbert and the upright piano
• 02:38 — Introducing today's guest, Dr. Daisy Fancourt
• 04:10 — Interview begins
• 04:47 — Why reading Art Cure kept Pam up at night
• 05:34 — "We are a planet of 8 billion artists" — we are all innately creative
• 06:37 — The "seatbelt moment": when art becomes as automatic as putting on the seatbelt in the car
• 08:01 — The many ways art affects our health: wellbeing, prevention, and treatment
• 09:58 — Daisy's background: from professional pianist to professor at UCL
• 11:41 — Arts on prescription and individual stories from the book
• 12:23 — Josh's story: cerebral palsy, magic camp, and the Magic Circle
• 14:32 — Emily's story: how magic gave a shy girl her voice
• 15:27 — Daisy's personal story: singing to her premature daughter in the NICU
• 18:50 — Dance and Parkinson's disease: what the studies show
• 21:29 — How music affects the brain — and slows aging
• 22:51 — Music, language acquisition, and why we sing to babies
• 26:08 — "Spit Girl": Daisy's PhD in psychoneuroimmunology and saliva research
• 29:09 — Drumming circles and the visceral power of rhythm
• 30:32 — Why your favorite genre is the healthiest music for you
• 33:10 — Elevator music, Muzak, and why grocery store playlists keep you shopping
• 35:12 — Threats to arts funding in the UK and US — and the economic case for the arts
• 37:42 — Practical tips for incorporating art into your daily life
• 39:39 — Why art binges don't work — and what does
• 41:04 — Where to find Art Cure and follow Daisy's research
• 42:24 — Closing thoughts: how arts education broke down barriers in school

Follow Daisy's Work!

https://sbbresearch.org/

Reach Pam at arthealsallwoundspodcast.com

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Hello everyone! 

After a very long hiatus, Art Heals All Wounds is coming back!  After a very long hiatus.  I was so burned out. And I realized that I wasn’t really practicing what I preach! There was no time for art or creativity in my life. 

So, during this pause, I decided to fix that. I joined a writing group. I started going to a drum circles. Then drum classes. There is nothing like drumming with a group to adjust your attitude for the better. 

But now the show is back!

This Thursday, February 23rd, I’ll be sharing the first full episode of the season with an interview with Dr. Daisy Fancourt, author of Art Cure. 

Doctor Fancourt is a professor of psychobiology and epidemiology at the University College London, where she heads the social Biobehavioral research Group. She's also director of the World Health Organization Collaborating Center on Arts and Health, and is listed as one of the most highly cited scientists in the world.

Daisy’s book Art Cure was such an inspiring read for. I hope you’ll Join me this Thursday to hear her talk about it!

In an attempt to not burnout again, I’ll be releasing mini-seasons. About four episodes or so, then a month break. I hope that you’ll stay with the show despite the short seasons and regular breaks. I appreciate your listening more than you can know!

I’m also continuing my break from social media. If you like this show and want to share it with a friend, that will help the podcast continue to grow. If you’d like to reach me, you can always connect with me through my website, arthealsallwoundspodcast.com.

Thanks for listening!

Support the show

I’m letting you know that the current season of Art Heals All Wounds—focused on arts in medicine—has come to an end and that the podcast will be going on a temporary break. My increased workload and other creative commitments necessitate some time away, but I intend to use this pause to return with renewed perspective and fresh ideas.

This is a challenging climate for the arts in the United States. Recent threats to arts funding is resulting in the rescinding of grants for many organizations, including some previously featured on the show. I hope listeners can support the local arts organizations whenever possible. I also encourage you to harness creativity as a tool for community connection and personal well-being.

Please send in suggestions and ideas for future episodes through the podcast’s website. Thank you to all of the listeners of this show! More to come!

Key Takeaways:

• The current season is ending; the podcast is taking a few months’ break but will return.
• Juggling a demanding day job and other creative projects, leading to the need for a pause.
• Recent political developments in the US threaten funding for the arts, impacting many organizations.
• Support local arts and cultural centers, especially during times of uncertainty.
• You are invited to share feedback and ideas for future episodes via arthealsallwoundspodcast.com.
• Gratitude is extended to the global creative community and the podcast’s listeners.
• Stay tuned—more episodes and inspiration are coming!

Links:

• Art Heals All Wounds Website

Contact:
Have suggestions or feedback? Reach out through the website!

Thanks for listening, and stay creative!

Support the show

Discover how arts in medicine transform hospitals to support healing, well-being, and community engagement.

In this episode of Art Heals All Wounds, I sit down with Larissa Trinder, the Assistant Vice President for Arts in Medicine at NYC Health + Hospitals. Larissa shares the transformative power of art within healthcare, discussing how intentional art initiatives and community engagement can improve hospital environments, support staff, and promote wellness for patients—including those in marginalized communities.

Key Topics Covered

·       Larissa’s Path to Arts in Medicine:
Larissa shares her personal journey, starting with her son’s experience with dyslexia and the role of art in boosting his self-esteem, ultimately leading to his career as an animator. 

·       History of NYC Health + Hospitals’ Art Collection:
The hospital system holds over 7,500 works of art, one of the largest public art collections in NYC, originating from the 1930s Works Progress Administration. The collection includes iconic works like Abram Champanier’s Alice in Wonderland panels and a Keith Haring mural raising AIDS awareness.

·       Art as a Tool for Engagement and Healing:
Larissa explains how art programs serve not just to beautify spaces, but to foster community, support staff well-being, and highlight critical social issues like gun violence and support for asylum seekers.

·       Highlighted Projects:

o   Art programs in correctional health services at Rikers Island, including a mural at the reentry center co-created by incarcerated individuals and artist Dindga McCannon.

o   Guns Down, Life Up—an arts initiative embedded in hospital violence prevention programs.

Upcoming Events & Announcements

·       Documentary Premiere:
Hidden Art Healing Walls will air on WNET’s Treasures of New York and all PBS stations in early 2026, showcasing the Art in Medicine program.

·       Major Exhibition:
An exhibition of the Abram Champanier murals opens at the Museum of the City of New York, June–September 2026—the museum’s largest show of the year.

·       New Exhibitions:

o   We Belong Here (opens June 4, 2026): An exhibition highlighting immigrant support through NYC Care, with works by three immigrant artists displayed citywide.

o   Housing for Health/Street Health Outreach: In collaboration with NYU’s Healing Arts Week (fall 2026), featuring art created by patients experiencing homelessness.

How to Learn More

·       Bloomberg Connects App:
Search for NYC Health + Hospitals Arts in Medicine to view a digital collection and learn more about their programming.

·       Official Website:
NYC Health + Hospitals – Arts in Medicine
(Note: The site is being updated but contains extensive information.)

·       Book:
Healing Walls – Features photos and stories of the community mural program.

·       Therman Statom

·       Roger Ulrich

Connect with Art Heals All Wounds

Website: arthealsallwoundspodcast.com

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Selma Zollman shares how music therapy in hospitals helps with grief, emotional healing, and creative well-being.

In this episode, I’m joined by Selma Zollman, a music therapist and member of Brazilian Voices—a nonprofit female vocal group based in South Florida. For over 22 years, Brazilian Voices has been bringing the tranquil sounds of Bossa Nova into hospitals, medical facilities, and schools, uplifting patients, families, and healthcare workers through music.

What You'll Hear:

• Pam’s personal journey with grief and how art and music can provide solace in times of loss.
• Selma Zollman’s story of following her passion for music therapy and joining Brazilian Voices.
• The transformative power of harmony—how Brazilian Voices uses soft, multi-part singing to create a gentle ambiance in hospitals, allowing patients, families, and staff to simply “be.”
• Why the group’s presence is about illumination, not cure, and how performing with “no expectations” brings peace for both singers and listeners.
• Heartfelt anecdotes about the response from patients (including those at end-of-life), their families, and healthcare workers touched by the music.
• Selma’s thoughts on the importance of expanding similar music programs to more hospitals and healthcare settings, despite the challenges around privacy and logistics.
• Ways to follow and learn more about Brazilian Voices, including their Instagram, Facebook, and website.

Learn More:

Find out more about Brazilian Voices:

• Instagram: @brazilianvoices
• Facebook: Brazilian Voices
• Website: brazilianvoices.org

Connect with the Show:

Host Pam Uzzell welcomes your feedback and stories. Reach out via arthealsallwoundspodcast.com.

Credits:

• Music in this episode: Ketsa, Lobo Loco, and Brazilian Voices
• Editing by Iva Hristova

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Episode Summary:

Explore yoga and mindfulness programs for teens that reduce stress and promote creative healing in education.

 In this heartfelt episode, I sit down with Amanda Bush, a yoga practitioner in residence with Arts in Medicine at Shands UF Health in Gainesville, Florida. Together, we explore Amanda’s vision of bringing yoga and mindfulness practices into middle schools to help students better cope with stress and challenging situations. Drawing on her extensive experience as a middle school educator, Amanda discusses the emotional landscape of adolescence, the potential benefits of integrating yoga and mindfulness into school curriculums, and the obstacles educators face due to underfunding and overburdened staff. The conversation is deeply personal, with both of us sharing our experiences as parents and educators, and it highlights the transformative power of art and movement in healing and supporting young people.

Topics Discussed:

• Amanda’s background in yoga, community outreach, and education
• The unique challenges faced by middle schoolers and the lack of coping resources
• How yoga and mindfulness can provide critical tools for emotional regulation
• Amanda’s experiences implementing yoga and movement workshops for youth
• Barriers to integrating programs like this into schools, including funding and teacher burnout
• The potential for empowering teachers with mindfulness strategies
• Personal stories of transformation through yoga and meditation
• Amanda’s next steps in making her vision a reality

Key Takeaways:

• Middle schoolers are often in emotional limbo, facing adult-level stress without the necessary tools
• Mindfulness and movement can help students manage anxiety, increase self-awareness, and improve resilience
• Making these practices part of the school day (not just after school) would increase accessibility and long-term impact
• Teachers are overwhelmed and underfunded, but can be a powerful ally in supporting student well-being if given the right resources
• Amanda’s work is ongoing, and she aims to expand access and education in this vital area

About the Guest:
Amanda Bush is a yoga practitioner, educator, and community outreach facilitator. She is passionate about integrating yoga and mindfulness into education to support the holistic well-being of young people.

Find Amanda:

• Website: elevatedyogaandwellness.com
• Instagram: @elevatedyogaandwellness and @amanda.elevated.yoga

About the Host:
Pam Uzzell is the creator and host of Art Heals All Wounds, a podcast spotlighting artists whose work brings healing, understanding, and transformation to individuals and communities.

Resources Mentioned:

• Shands UF Health, Gainesville, Florida
• Girls Place (summer camp)
• Breathe for Change (yoga teacher training program focused on educators)

How to Support the Show:

• Follow Art Heals All Wounds on your favorite podcast app
• Leave a five-star rating or review
• Reach out via arthealsallwoundspodcast.com

Credits:

• Music by Ketsa and Lobo Loco
• Podcast editing by Iva Hristova

Thank you for listening! Be sure to connect with Amanda Bush for updates on her journey and the evolution of mindfulness in education.

Support the show