The Modern Creative Woman

Dr. Amy Backos

The art and science of creativity, made simple. Through the lens of art therapy, neurocreativity, and cutting-edge research, you’ll learn not just why you create, but how to create with more freedom, intention, and joy. Dr. Amy Backos — author, art therapist, psychologist, professor and researcher, with 30+ years of experience — unpacks the evidence-based psychology behind creative living. Come for the science. Stay for the transformation.

  1. 5d ago

    164. The 3 Biggest Barriers to Creativity (and How to Move Past Them)

    Ask me a question or let me know what you think! Why do so many intelligent, capable women long to be creative but never quite begin? In this episode, Dr. Amy Backos explores three surprisingly common mental barriers that keep women from painting, writing, making art, and expressing themselves creatively. These obstacles aren't a lack of talent or time. They're patterns of thinking that quietly pull us away from the creative life we want. Drawing from psychology, art therapy, and over thirty years of clinical experience, Amy explains why creativity actually increases with age, how life experience becomes a powerful creative resource, and what practical steps you can take this week to reconnect with your creative self. You'll also learn why thoughts are not facts, why over-scheduling quietly steals creativity, and how making space for "nothing" can become one of the most productive things you do. In this episode, you'll discover: Why women often become more creative as they get olderHow creativity grows by combining past experiences into something newThe first barrier: spending too much energy worrying about what other people thinkThe second barrier: conflicting values without a clear planThe third barrier: believing every thought your mind producesWhy thoughts are biological events, not objective truthsHow over-scheduling leaves little room for creativity or reflectionThe importance of protecting unstructured timeWhy art naturally strengthens present-moment awarenessJournaling practices that deepen self-understanding without requiring a daily habitA simple affirmation to help you move toward your values instead of away from themThis Week's Creative Invitation This week, choose one small action: Block off 20 minutes of unscheduled time and resist filling it with chores.Schedule one uninterrupted hour to make art, write, knit, paint, collage, or simply play.Spend time journaling without worrying about doing it "the right way." Write freely, doodle, or write a letter to your future self.Small, consistent moments of creativity help retrain your brain to notice possibility instead of obstacles. Memorable Quote "The only barriers to your creative expression are inside your mind, and thoughts are not facts."Affirmation I am a modern creative woman, and I can figure this out.Resources Mentioned Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)Present-moment awareness and psychological flexibilityThe concept of flowJournaling as a tool for reflection and creativityIf this episode resonated with you, I'd love to hear from you. Send me a message on Instagram or leave a comment. Your support, whether it's sharing the podcast with a friend or becoming a small monthly supporter, helps keep The Modern Creative Woman ad-free and allows us to continue exploring the art and science of creativity together. Support the show Explore the Modern Creative Woman Community https://moderncreativewoman.com Free Goodies and Subscribe to the Monthly Newsletter https://moderncreativewoman.com/subscribe-to-the-creative-woman/ Connect with Dr. Amy on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/dramybackos/

    19 min
  2. Jul 1

    163. Stop Bypassing Your Emotions: Why Uncertainty Might Be the Best Thing for Your Creativity

    Ask me a question or let me know what you think! We spend so much of our lives trying to eliminate uncertainty. We want the right answer, the perfect decision, and reassurance that we're on the right path. But what if uncertainty isn't something to avoid? What if it's actually one of the most important ingredients for creativity, growth, and living a meaningful life? In this episode, Dr. Amy Backos explores why self-doubt is not a flaw to overcome but information to work with. Drawing from psychology, art therapy, and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), she explains why the discomfort of not knowing is often the doorway to discovering what truly matters. The episode also takes a thoughtful look at artificial intelligence and the growing tendency to use AI for emotional reassurance. While AI can be an incredibly useful tool, relying on it to bypass difficult emotions may prevent us from developing the emotional resilience and self-awareness that meaningful change requires. If you've ever found yourself frozen by uncertainty, second-guessing your decisions, or asking, "What's the right choice?" this conversation will help you relate to self-doubt in a completely different way. In this episode you'll learn: Why uncertainty is a normal and necessary part of growthThe difference between healthy self-doubt and becoming stuckHow creativity develops through curiosity rather than certaintyWhy looking for validation can keep you from discovering your own valuesThe hidden risks of using AI as a source of emotional reassuranceWhat "cognitive surrender" means and why independent thinking mattersThree practical strategies for working with uncertainty instead of avoiding itHow identifying your values leads to clearer, more confident decisionsWhy committed action matters more than having perfect confidenceThree Steps for Working with Self-Doubt Name what you're feeling instead of judging it.Clarify the values that matter most to you.Choose one committed action that moves you toward those values, even if uncertainty remains.Memorable Quote "If the path before you is clear, you're probably on someone else's path."— Joseph Campbell Mentioned in this episode Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)Carl Jung and the midlife transitionJoseph Campbell's A Hero with a Thousand FacesArt therapy as a tool for discovering values and meaningCreativity, psychological flexibility, and living intentionallyCall to Action If this episode resonated with you, I'd love to hear what uncertainty you're learning to embrace. Connect with me on Instagram @DrAmyBackos or visit ModernCreativeWoman.com to learn more about my programs for women who want to build a creative, meaningful life grounded in their values. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend who's navigating a season of uncertainty. Support the show Explore the Modern Creative Woman Community https://moderncreativewoman.com Free Goodies and Subscribe to the Monthly Newsletter https://moderncreativewoman.com/subscribe-to-the-creative-woman/ Connect with Dr. Amy on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/dramybackos/

    20 min
  3. Jun 24

    162. Knitting in Public: The Surprising Science of Fiber Arts and Brain Health

    Ask me a question or let me know what you think! Have you ever thought about knitting as preventive healthcare? In this episode, Dr. Amy Backos explores the fascinating intersection of creativity, neuroscience, psychology, and fiber arts. What has often been dismissed as "women's work" is now backed by a growing body of research demonstrating significant benefits for brain health, emotional well-being, pain management, and even cognitive longevity. Drawing from her experience as both a psychologist and a lifelong knitter, Amy examines how knitting, crochet, and textile arts support memory, attention, problem-solving, emotional regulation, and social connection. She also shares surprising research from the Mayo Clinic, emerging discoveries from physics and engineering, and practical reasons why learning to knit may be one of the most accessible investments you can make in your future health. In This Episode Why knitting and crochet are powerful tools for brain healthResearch linking fiber arts to reduced risk of cognitive declineHow knitting supports memory, attention, and cognitive flexibilityThe role of knitting in stress reduction and emotional regulationWhy repetitive handwork functions as active meditationHow fiber arts can support anxiety, depression, and chronic pain managementThe importance of flow states and their connection to creativity and well-beingSocial connection and community building through knitting groupsThe surprising relationship between knitting, physics, architecture, and engineeringWhy learning new creative skills benefits the aging brainHow perfectionism can interfere with creative practice—and what to do insteadKey Takeaways Knitting Supports Cognitive Health Creativity Is Preventive Healthcare Knitting Creates an Active Meditative State Process Matters More Than Perfection Fiber Arts Build Community Knitting Is More Complex Than It Looks Resources Mentioned Mayo Clinic research on knitting and cognitive healthResearch published in Frontiers in PsychologyUniversity of Gothenburg studies on knitting and well-beingRavelry knitting community and pattern databaseElisabeth Zimmermann's Knitting Without TearsResearch from the Georgia Tech School of Physics"Programming Mechanics in Knitted Materials" published in Nature CommunicationsQuotes from the Episode "Being able to use the creative part of your brain and the logical part of your brain gives you tremendous benefits.""The health benefits are cumulative over time.""Perfection is not the goal. The goal is process.""Creativity is one of the most accessible forms of preventive healthcare available to us."Mentioned in the Episode International Knit in Public DayEpisode 161: The Male GazeTextile exhibitions at the Yerba Buena Center for the ArtsTextile and fiber arts exhibitions at the Asian Art MuseumConnect with Dr. Amy Backos If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a five-star review and share it with a friend. Your support helps more women discover the art and science of creativity. The Modern Creative Woman podcast is proudly ad-free and supported by listener contributions. Support the show Explore the Modern Creative Woman Community https://moderncreativewoman.com Free Goodies and Subscribe to the Monthly Newsletter https://moderncreativewoman.com/subscribe-to-the-creative-woman/ Connect with Dr. Amy on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/dramybackos/

    28 min
  4. Jun 17

    161. Disrupting the Male Gaze in Art: Who Gets to Be Seen?

    Ask me a question or let me know what you think! The Male Gaze in Art: Who Gets to Be Seen?In this episode of The Modern Creative Woman, Dr. Amy Backos explores the concept of the male gaze, its origins in art and film, and how it continues to shape what we see in museums, movies, and visual culture today. From feminist film theory to museum curation, this conversation invites listeners to look more critically at the images surrounding them and consider whose stories are being told—and whose are being left out. In This Episode What Is the Male Gaze? The male gaze is a concept that emerged from feminist film theory and describes the tendency to depict women from a heterosexual male perspective. In this framework, women are often portrayed as objects to be looked at rather than fully realized subjects with agency and complexity. Amy discusses how this lens extends beyond film and appears throughout visual art, literature, advertising, and popular culture. The Origins of the Concept The episode traces the development of the male gaze through several influential thinkers: John Berger and his groundbreaking book and BBC series Ways of SeeingLaura Mulvey and her seminal essay Visual Pleasure and Narrative CinemaThe psychoanalytic influences of Jacques Lacan and Sigmund FreudHow ideas about looking, being looked at, and power shape our experience of artMuseums, Curation, and Visibility The conversation expands beyond artists themselves to examine who decides what art is displayed. Questions explored include: Who curates museum collections?Whose work gets purchased and exhibited?How do institutional decisions reinforce existing power structures?What voices and perspectives are still underrepresented?Amy reflects on her own art education and the overwhelming dominance of male artists in textbooks, galleries, and museum collections. Women Artists Who Offered a Different Perspective The episode highlights women artists whose work challenged dominant ways of seeing and centered women's lived experiences. Featured artists include: Mary CassattBerthe MorisotMarie BracquemondElaine de KooningLee KrasnerJoan MitchellAmy discusses how these artists created work outside the traditional framework of the male gaze and contributed important perspectives to art history. The Guerrilla Girls and Art World Activism The episode also explores the work of the feminist activist collective Guerrilla Girls. Topics include: Their anonymous advocacy against sexism and racism in the art worldTheir iconic gorilla masks and public campaignsOngoing disparities in museum representationWhy statistics around gender and racial representation in major museum collections remain troubling decades laterWhy Representation Matters Art does more than decorate walls. It shapes identity, belonging, and how we understand ourselves and others. Amy discusses: The health benefits of engaging with arts and cultureThe importance of seeing diverse experiences representedHow representation influences our sense of connection and communityWhy expanding the stories we encounter through art matters for everyoneSupporting Artists in Your Community The episode concludes with practical ways listeners can support the arts: Visit local open studiosAttend community art eventsPurchase artwork directly from artistsGive art as giftsBecome a museum memberBuy books by artists and art historiansLearn about women artists, artists of color, and underrepresented voicesSupport local creative economiesKey Takeaways The male gaze is a powerful framework for understanding how women have historically been represented in visual culture.Museums and cultural institutions play a significant role in shaping what art we see.Women artists have long offered alternative ways of seeing the world.Representation in the arts remains uneven despite decades of advocacy.Supporting local artists creates meaningful benefits for individuals, communities, and culture as a whole.Art can be both personally enriching and socially transformative.Mentioned in This Episode Ways of SeeingJohn BergerLaura MulveyJacques LacanSigmund FreudWorld Health OrganizationEpisode 160: Art and DesireQuestions for Reflection How has the male gaze shaped the art and media you consume?Which women artists have influenced the way you see the world?What museums, galleries, or community arts organizations in your area are amplifying diverse voices?How might you support artists and creative communities locally this month?Connect with Dr. Amy Backos Follow Amy on Instagram and join The Modern Creative Woman community for more conversations at the intersection of creativity, psychology, art, and women's lives. Support the show Explore the Modern Creative Woman Community https://moderncreativewoman.com Free Goodies and Subscribe to the Monthly Newsletter https://moderncreativewoman.com/subscribe-to-the-creative-woman/ Connect with Dr. Amy on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/dramybackos/

    24 min
  5. Jun 10

    160. The Neuroscience of Pleasure, Desire, and Creativity

    Ask me a question or let me know what you think! Show Notes: The Neuroscience of Pleasure, Desire, and CreativityIn this episode of The Modern Creative Woman, Dr. Amy Backos explores the fascinating connection between creativity, pleasure, and the brain's reward system. Drawing from neuroscience, psychology, art therapy, and her own recent experience completing a new book manuscript, Amy discusses how creativity activates the same neural pathways associated with fundamental human pleasures such as food and sex. She explains how dopamine, anticipation, awe, and artistic engagement contribute to motivation, joy, and overall well-being. Amy also shares practical behavioral strategies she used to complete a major writing project, including reward systems, structured scheduling, environmental design, and values-based action. Along the way, she offers encouragement for anyone working toward a meaningful creative goal. The conversation highlights the work of researchers such as Daisy Fancourt and explores why making art is not a luxury but an essential part of a healthy, engaged human life. In This Episode Why the arts activate the brain's reward circuitryThe role of the nucleus accumbens and dopamine in pleasure and motivationHow anticipation increases enjoyment and creative engagementWhy looking at art slowly can deepen pleasure and insightThe neuroscience of awe, wonder, and peak experiencesStendhal Syndrome and being overwhelmed by beautyHow creativity promotes new perspectives and unexpected insightsThe concept of "cross-training" your brain through artistic activitiesWhy making art is beneficial even when the result is imperfectPractical psychology strategies for completing large creative projectsUsing rewards, schedules, and environmental cues to support motivationThe importance of continuing to live fully while pursuing meaningful goalsKey Takeaways Pleasure is a powerful driver of behavior and creativity.Anticipation often creates as much enjoyment as the experience itself.Art engages neural pathways associated with reward, motivation, and learning.Looking at art and making art can increase experiences of awe, wonder, and insight.Creative activities serve as cognitive cross-training that may improve performance in other areas of life.You do not need artistic skill to benefit from art making.Small, consistent creative practices can support emotional well-being, brain health, and psychological flexibility.Resources Mentioned Daisy Fancourt's research on arts and healthThe World Health Organization report on arts and healthEpisode 125 featuring sex therapist and art therapist Skylar CollieThe Premack PrincipleFlow states and peak experiencesArt journaling as a daily creativity practiceReflection Questions What creative activity consistently brings you pleasure?How might you build more anticipation into your creative life?When was the last time you spent several minutes truly looking at a piece of art?What would happen if you gave yourself permission to make imperfect art?What creative practice could become a daily ritual of joy and connection?Connect with Amy Modern Creative WomanAmy Backos Psychology PracticeIf you enjoyed this episode, share it with a creative friend and subscribe to The Modern Creative Woman wherever you listen to podcasts. Support the show Explore the Modern Creative Woman Community https://moderncreativewoman.com Free Goodies and Subscribe to the Monthly Newsletter https://moderncreativewoman.com/subscribe-to-the-creative-woman/ Connect with Dr. Amy on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/dramybackos/

    31 min
  6. Jun 3

    159. Season 4 Premiere: Creativity, Meaning, & Art Therapy...Answers to Your Most Asked Questions

    Ask me a question or let me know what you think! Season 4 Premiere: Creativity, Meaning, and Art Therapy—Answers to Your Most Asked Questions Welcome to Season 4 of The Modern Creative Woman podcast. As we begin another year together, I'm reflecting on what an incredible journey this podcast has been. What started as an attempt to put words to something I have always understood through experience—the transformative power of art and creativity—has become a global conversation. The podcast is now heard in 114 countries and territories and more than 1,200 cities around the world. Thank you for being part of this creative community. For this season premiere, I'm answering some of the questions I hear most often about art therapy, creativity, and living a meaningful life. We explore what art therapy actually is, why creativity matters for our wellbeing, how to overcome creative blocks, and how art can help us navigate perfectionism, overwhelm, and uncertainty. Whether you're new to art therapy or have been listening for years, this episode offers practical insights into using creativity as a tool for healing, self-discovery, and personal growth. In This Episode We Discuss: What art therapy is and how it differs from taking an art classThe evidence supporting art therapy and creative engagementWhy creativity is essential to wellbeing and human flourishingUnderstanding creative blocks and what to do when you feel stuckWhy so many women lose touch with their creativityThe role of emotional labor, responsibilities, and midlife transitionsHow art can help women who consistently put others firstJournaling as a creative and reflective practiceWhether colors and images have universal meaningsWhat happens in the brain and nervous system when we make artHow art can reduce stress and support emotional regulationWhy the language we use about feeling "overwhelmed" mattersBecoming an art therapist: training, education, and career pathwaysHow art therapy can help with perfectionismWhy you do not need to be an artist to benefit from art therapyCreativity, purpose, values, and finding meaning in uncertain timesInsights from Carl Jung on creativity, development, and self-discoveryKey Takeaway Creativity is not a luxury. It is a form of wellness, self-discovery, and meaning-making. You do not need to be talented, inspired, or even confident to begin. The creative process itself offers a pathway toward greater self-understanding, psychological flexibility, and a richer engagement with life. Resources Mentioned Episode featuring sex therapist Skyler on desire and self-discoveryUpcoming book: The Art Therapy ToolkitInformation about year-long creative coaching and art therapy intensivesConnect with Dr. Amy Backos Share your questions about creativity, art therapy, or living a more creative life. Future listener questions may be featured on the podcast. You can connect with Amy on Instagram at @DrAmyBackos and learn more through The Modern Creative Woman community. If your goal is maximum listener growth, I would actually pair a strong SEO title with a curiosity-driven subtitle: Why Women Lose Touch with Their Creativity (and How to Find It Again): Answers to Your Most Asked Questions About Art Therapy. That title captures the central tension running throughout the entire episode and is likely to resonate with exactly the women you're trying to reach. Support the show Explore the Modern Creative Woman Community https://moderncreativewoman.com Free Goodies and Subscribe to the Monthly Newsletter https://moderncreativewoman.com/subscribe-to-the-creative-woman/ Connect with Dr. Amy on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/dramybackos/

    31 min
  7. May 27

    158. Thoughts Are Not Facts: New Relationship with Your Mind

    Ask me a question or let me know what you think! In this episode of The Modern Creative Woman Podcast, Amy Backos explores one of the most powerful concepts in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): cognitive defusion. What happens when you stop treating your thoughts like facts? What changes when you learn to observe your mind instead of obeying it? Amy walks listeners through the neuroscience of memory, thought formation, and perception, using the metaphor of a beach visualization to demonstrate how vividly the brain can generate experiences that feel real — even when they are simply mental events. From there, she explains the difference between cognitive fusion and cognitive defusion, and why learning to “hold thoughts lightly” can dramatically improve psychological flexibility, creativity, and peace of mind. This episode dives into the common fused thought patterns many women experience, including: Impostor syndrome and the “phony intellectual” narrativeUpper limit thoughts that emerge when growth and visibility increaseTime-based thoughts that delay meaningful actionThe deeply familiar “I’m not good enough” storyHow self-critical thinking impacts creativity and emotional wellbeingAmy also explores how these thought patterns develop through childhood experiences, social conditioning, survival strategies, and the brain’s natural tendency toward comparison and prediction. Rather than trying to eliminate difficult thoughts, she explains how ACT encourages a different relationship with thinking altogether. Throughout the episode, she shares practical examples from her work as a psychologist and art therapist, including how creativity and art-making can help people separate from painful thoughts and move into a more observer-based perspective. You’ll also hear: Why thoughts are biological processes, not objective truthsHow creativity increases adaptability and resilienceWhy the brain prefers familiarity, even when it is painfulThe role of relapse and setbacks in real changeHow metaphors can help create distance from difficult thoughtsWhy observing thoughts creates more freedom than fighting themAmy closes the episode with a powerful art therapy exercise from her upcoming book, The Art Therapy Toolkit. Using metaphor and collage, listeners are invited to visually explore the relationship between themselves and their thoughts. Whether your thoughts feel like weather, software, paint, or trees in a forest, this exercise helps cultivate perspective, insight, and psychological flexibility. If you’ve ever struggled with self-doubt, perfectionism, procrastination, or the feeling that your thoughts control your life, this episode offers a compassionate and deeply practical framework for relating to your mind differently. In This Episode Cognitive fusion vs. cognitive defusionAcceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)Psychological flexibilityCreativity and mental healthImpostor syndromeSelf-critical thinkingArt therapy interventionsMetaphor and visual thinkingThe neuroscience of memory and thoughtCreativity as a human needMentioned in This Episode The Big Leap by Gay HendricksThe work of Pauline Clance and Suzanne Imes on impostor phenomenonAcceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)The Transtheoretical Model of ChangeConnect with Amy Instagram: @DoctorAmyBackosWebsite: The Modern Creative WomanIf you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with another creative woman who may need this reminder: your thoughts are not facts, and creativity begins the moment you create space between yourself and the stories your mind tells you. Support the show Explore the Modern Creative Woman Community https://moderncreativewoman.com Free Goodies and Subscribe to the Monthly Newsletter https://moderncreativewoman.com/subscribe-to-the-creative-woman/ Connect with Dr. Amy on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/dramybackos/

    41 min
  8. May 20

    157. The Creative Power of an Analog Summer

    Ask me a question or let me know what you think! What would happen if you stopped documenting your life long enough to actually experience it? In this episode, we explore the growing cultural movement toward an “analog summer” — intentionally stepping away from constant digital stimulation and reconnecting with slower, more tactile, deeply human ways of living. From knitting and painting to playing cards, baking, reading, walking, and spending time in meaningful third spaces, this conversation is about reclaiming attention, creativity, and presence in a world designed to fragment all three. Amy shares reflections on wanting to be fully present during her son’s last summer before college, the surprising relief of taking several days away from her phone, and the neuroscience behind why our devices are making it harder to focus, create, rest, and connect. This episode also explores: the psychological cost of constant scrollingdopamine loops and digital overstimulationattention fragmentation and “brain rot”the loss of third spaces in modern lifewhy multitasking is damaging to the brainstress hormones, cortisol, and emotional overloadhow excessive screen time impacts creativity and cognitionrebuilding cognitive reserve through novelty, art, movement, and mindfulnesspractical ways to create your own analog summerYou’ll also hear simple, realistic strategies for reducing screen time without perfectionism or shame: switching back to a traditional alarm clockleaving books and art supplies visible around the housereplacing scrolling with tactile activitiescreating environments that make analog living easier and more appealingintentionally seeking out novelty, beauty, and in-person experiencesThis episode is ultimately an invitation to reclaim your attention and return to the kinds of experiences that nourish creativity, emotional health, and meaningful connection. Because creativity is one of the most analog experiences we can have. In This Episode Why your phone feels impossible to put downThe neuroscience behind compulsive scrollingWhat happens to the brain during chronic overstimulationHow digital life has replaced many of our third spacesWhy boredom, slowness, and novelty matter for creativitySmall shifts that can dramatically improve focus and moodHow analog experiences help regulate the nervous systemMentioned in This Episode David SedarisArchitectural DigestEnso drawingFine Points yarn shop in ClevelandKitty Cotton’s “55 Ways I’m Unplugging This Summer”Reflection Question What would an analog summer look like for you? What are 55 things you could do instead of looking at your phone? Support the Podcast If you enjoy The Modern Creative Woman Podcast, be sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode. You can also support the show through monthly sponsorships, which help keep the podcast completely commercial free. Support the show Explore the Modern Creative Woman Community https://moderncreativewoman.com Free Goodies and Subscribe to the Monthly Newsletter https://moderncreativewoman.com/subscribe-to-the-creative-woman/ Connect with Dr. Amy on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/dramybackos/

    28 min
4.9
out of 5
32 Ratings

About

The art and science of creativity, made simple. Through the lens of art therapy, neurocreativity, and cutting-edge research, you’ll learn not just why you create, but how to create with more freedom, intention, and joy. Dr. Amy Backos — author, art therapist, psychologist, professor and researcher, with 30+ years of experience — unpacks the evidence-based psychology behind creative living. Come for the science. Stay for the transformation.

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