The Modern Creative Woman

Dr. Amy Backos
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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

    145. Process vs. Product: Why Being In the Moment Changes Everything

    Ask me a question or let me know what you think! How much of your life are you actually experiencing… and how much of it are you trying to finish? In this episode, Dr. Amy Backos explores the difference between process and product — and why our culture’s obsession with outcomes quietly steals so much of our satisfaction, creativity, and peace. From childhood art classes to professional life, we’re often taught to focus on what we produce: the paycheck, the clean house, the finished painting, the perfect result. But art therapy, mindfulness research, and neuroscience all point in another direction. Well-being comes from how we engage with the experience itself. Amy shares how shifting your attention from outcome to process can transform everyday life — your work, your relationships, your creative practice, even washing the dishes. When you learn to stay present with what you’re doing instead of rushing toward what you’ll get, tasks become more meaningful, mistakes feel lighter, and pleasure is no longer postponed. You don’t have to wait until everything is finished to feel good. This episode offers a practical and compassionate reframe for modern women who are tired of chasing the next milestone and ready to enjoy their lives as they’re happening — one small, intentional moment at a time. In this episode, you’ll explore: The art therapy distinction between process and productWhy outcome-focused thinking increases stress and perfectionismHow mindfulness and creativity increase everyday satisfactionSimple ways to bring more presence and pleasure into ordinary tasksHow process-orientation supports psychological flexibility and resilienceIf you’re craving a slower, richer, more creative way of living — this conversation is for 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/

    20 min

  2. FEB 18

    144. The Myth of Motivation (and What Actually Gets You Moving)

    Ask me a question or let me know what you think! Many of us think we have a motivation problem. We call ourselves lazy. We say we’re procrastinating. We wait to “feel ready.” But motivation isn’t a personality trait — and it isn’t something you have to wait for. In this episode, psychologist and art therapist Amy Backos breaks down what 70 years of research actually says about motivation — including intrinsic vs. extrinsic drive, expectancy–value theory, attribution styles, and self-efficacy — and why labeling yourself “unmotivated” quietly undermines your ability to act. You’ll learn: What motivation really is (and what it isn’t)Why calling yourself lazy backfires neurologically and psychologicallyThe simple formula that predicts whether you’ll take actionHow your internal “story” shapes effort and persistenceACT-based cognitive defusion tools to stop believing every thought your mind throws at youHow to act before you feel readyIf you’ve been waiting for motivation to show up before starting your creative work, this conversation will change how you approach action entirely. Because you don’t need more motivation. You need a different relationship with your thoughts. 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/

    30 min

  3. FEB 11

    143. Staying Steady in Difficult Times: Psychological Flexibility

    Ask me a question or let me know what you think! If I could gift everyone one psychological skill right now, it would be this: psychological flexibility. Because when the world feels overwhelming — when the news is heavy, systems feel broken, and old wounds get stirred up — rigidity doesn’t help. Avoidance doesn’t help. Doom-scrolling doesn’t help. Adopting a stance of Psychological Flexibility does help. In this episode, I step back from the headlines and talk about something deeper: how humans historically respond when widespread trauma is exposed. We look at the psychology of denial, backlash, and disbelief — and why our nervous systems sometimes push away what feels unbearable. Then I teach you the skill I rely on most in my clinical work and in my own life: psychological flexibility. It’s the ability to stay present, make room for difficult emotions, and choose actions that align with your values — instead of reacting from fear or overwhelm. This isn’t about consuming more information. It’s about staying steady enough to make a difference. If you’ve been feeling anxious, discouraged, or emotionally flooded by the state of the world, this episode will help you ground yourself, protect your energy, and move forward with intention. Because we don’t need more reactivity right now. We need clarity, compassion, and values-based action. Welcome to The Modern Creative Woman. 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/

    29 min

  4. FEB 4

    142. Art Therapy & Cultural Humility: Special Guest Dr. Louvenia Jackson

    Ask me a question or let me know what you think! In this deeply meaningful conversation, I sit down with Dr. Lavinia Jackson — Chair and Professor of Art Therapy at Marymount University, scholar, educator, and one of the most important voices shaping the future of our field. Dr. Jackson is the author of Cultural Humility and Art Therapy, a book that has profoundly influenced both my teaching and my clinical work. Her leadership has helped move art therapy beyond “cultural competence” and toward something much more human and honest: cultural humility — a way of being grounded in curiosity, critical self-reflection, and respect for the lived expertise of the people we serve. Together, we talk about the origins of cultural humility, born out of the social unrest following the Rodney King riots, and how this framework asks us to move beyond checklists and techniques into deeper accountability — personally, relationally, and institutionally. We explore: why humility is the foundation of ethical therapy workthe difference between competence and curiosityhow relationship — not information — is what truly healsthe risks of disconnection in our AI and algorithm-driven worldand how retreat, travel, art-making, and embodied practices help us step back, reflect, and return to ourselvesThis episode is both scholarly and soulful — a conversation about integrity, presence, and what it really means to show up for others with openness. If you care about creativity, healing, justice, and becoming a more thoughtful human and clinician, this one is for you. Welcome to The Modern Creative Woman — where we explore the art and science of living creatively. 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/

    51 min

  5. JAN 28

    141. Getting into Your Zone

    Ask me a question or let me know what you think! Pick our metaphor to make your life a little easier and more enjoyable. Getting into your zone is the key to living your purpose with clarity, intention, and creativity. 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/

    12 min

  6. JAN 21

    140. Containers, Not Motivation

    Ask me a question or let me know what you think! If your creative energy feels fragile right now, ask yourself not how to push harder or where to recruit more willpower. Instead, ask yourself what kind of container it's been asked to survive in.  This episode draws your attention away from motivation and willpower, and towards creating containers where your creativity can grow and expand. 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/

    10 min

  7. JAN 14

    139. How Beauty Heals: Neuroaesthetics, Art, and Peace

    Ask me a question or let me know what you think! There is enormous variety in the universe of visual art—and in this episode of The Modern Creative Woman, we explore why that matters so deeply to the human brain and nervous system. Inspired by research from the field of neuroaesthetics, this conversation bridges cognitive science, art therapy, and lived experience to help you understand how beauty, art, and the spaces we inhabit can genuinely support healing and well-being. From moments of awe and wonder to the calming effects of viewing art, we explore how aesthetic experiences influence mood, regulation, perspective, and even physiology. You’ll hear reflections on: Why beauty can create feelings of awe and meaningHow viewing art supports emotional regulation and mental healthWhat neuroaesthetics teaches us about architecture, space, and wellnessWhy art museums, sacred spaces, and expansive environments feel so soothingHow your personal aesthetic preferences matter more than you thinkSimple ways to bring more beauty and creative intention into daily lifeIn a time when so much feels uncertain, this episode is an invitation to stay connected to art—not as escape, but as a powerful source of healing, reflection, and restoration. Beauty is not frivolous. Creativity is not optional. They are essential to how we care for ourselves and one another. And as always, the question remains: now that you know, what will you create? 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

  8. JAN 7

    138. Creativity Built the World—Now It’s Your Turn

    Ask me a question or let me know what you think! In this episode, I’m welcoming 2026 with a reflection on creativity as a fundamental human force—the energy behind civilization, healing, meaning, and change. As I begin the early, tender labor of writing my next book, I wanted to share some of what has been stirring in my mind and heart during this season of intention-setting and renewal. We explore creativity not as something reserved for “artists,” but as an essential way of thinking, making, and knowing. From the objects in our homes to the systems that shape our societies, creativity is the invisible thread that connects ideas, innovation, and emotional healing. I reflect on art as both an intellectual process—integrating disparate ideas—and a deeply human, embodied act of making with our hands. Drawing on art therapy, psychology, and thinkers like de Botton, Armstrong, and Pat Allen, this episode invites you to reconsider your relationship with art and creativity. We talk about why so many adults stop creating, what we lose when we do, and how returning to simple acts of making can support nervous-system regulation, clarity, insight, and emotional well-being. If you’re seeking inspiration, grounding, or a gentle reminder that creativity belongs to you—no art degree required—this episode is an invitation to open your eyes to the creative world already surrounding you and to ask yourself: Now that you know, what will you create? I also share details about the upcoming Paris art therapy retreat and a special bonus for podcast listeners. 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/

    11 min
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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.

Information

  • Creator
    Dr. Amy Backos
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    146
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Modern Creative Woman
  • Show Website
    The Modern Creative Woman