Heart Work: Conversations About Art to Heal the Heart

Maureen Pollard: Art to Heal the Heart
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In this weekly podcast, host Maureen Pollard, an artist and therapist, interviews guest artists about the healing power of making and sharing art as individuals and in community. art2healtheheart.substack.com

  1. 1d ago

    Heart Work: Conversations About Art to Heal the Heart

    In this episode of Heart Work, Maureen interviews Gail Bury and her son Jake Bury. Gail is a recovering accountant and lifelong creator who trusts the act of creating and making art for grounding her in daily life. She’s also a former prison mom and an advocate for change. Jake works full time as an audio technician. As a formerly incarcerated person, he volunteers with the Pros and Cons Prison Arts Program, sharing what was once shared with him. Together with Jake’s sister Madeline, they created the Prison Family Podcast. Learn more about the Pros and Cons Prison Arts Program here: https://prosandconsprogram.com/ Gail mentioned the Moms Offering Mutual Support (MOMS) Program based in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada and you can learn more about their programming here: https://www.momsottawa.com/ You can listen to the Prison Family Podcast, created by Gail, her son Jake and Jake’s sister Madeline here: https://prisonfamilypodcast.podbean.com/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit art2healtheheart.substack.com

    1h 8m

  2. May 30

    Heart Work: Conversations About Art to Heal the Heart

    In this episode of Heart Work, Maureen interviews Justine Dembo, MD, FRCPC, a psychiatrist, psychotherapist and DJ who is an enthusiastic explorer of the relationship between embodiment, healing and thriving. You can learn more about ecstatic dance and the community Justine is building here: https://www.ecstaticdancecobourg.com/ You can find Justine on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/dj_justinedembo/ Justine speaks about her playlist called Hatching, which you can listen to here: https://soundcloud.com/justinedembo/hatching-live-at-ecstatic-dance-cobourg-may-9-2025-with-voice And you can browse through all of her past sets here:  https://soundcloud.com/justinedembo This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit art2healtheheart.substack.com

    35 min

  3. May 23

    Heart Work: Conversations About Art to Heal the Heart

    In this episode of Heart Work, Maureen interviews Giselle Lech, a paramedic who makes art as an extension of her worldview and in connection with her lived experience. With half her life spent as a paramedic, Giselle has always seen the world through a creative lens — blending quick thinking with wild imagination. She channels her energy into raw, intuitive art inspired by the wild intelligence of nature. You can find her on Instagram at  https://www.instagram.com/gisellelech.art Giselle mentioned the Collective of Healthcare Artists fostering resilience through artistic expression and you can see their work on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/collectiveharts Giselle also mentioned connecting with another local artist at the most recent Northumberland Paramedics Survivor Night, which you can read more about here: https://northumberland.ca/news/a-decade-of-hope-and-resilience-celebrated-at-tenth-annual-survivor-night/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit art2healtheheart.substack.com

    42 min

  4. May 16

    Heart Work: Conversations About Art to Heal the Heart

    In this episode of Heart Work, Maureen interviews Jodi Timgren. A retired Registered Nurse and Social Service Worker, Jodi has a passion for using music to share the lessons she's learned about hope and healing. You can stream Jodi's music in the usual places and you'll find her album on Bandcamp here: https://joditimgren.bandcamp.com/album/weigh-the-needle-down If you're interested in a CD, you can purchase it through Canoe FM radio station in Haliburton: https://canoefm.com/shop/ She's part of Silva Musica Music, a musical duo with Richard Joudrey and you can find their music here: https://silvamusica.bandcamp.com/ Jodi mentioned artist Gord Kidd and you can learn more about him here: https://www.gordkidd.com/ Jodi mentioned the Older Women's Network in Peterborough, ON and you can find more information about them here: https://olderwomensnetwork.org/whoweare Maureen mentioned working with Emm Gryner as a mentor and producer and you'll find her virtual vocal coaching course here: https://www.grynervoice.com/ Maureen mentioned the Girls and Guitars program with Hillside Festival in Guelph and you can learn more about that here: https://hillsidefestival.ca/girls-guitars-2026-songwriting-course/ Maureen mentioned artist Michelle Munroe Reid and you can learn more about her here: https://michellemunroereid.com/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit art2healtheheart.substack.com

    38 min
  5. Heart Work: Conversations About Art to Heal the Heart

    May 9

    Heart Work: Conversations About Art to Heal the Heart

    Troy Huizinga is a singer, songwriter, producer, and music educator from Ottawa, Ontario, known for his work with Satellite Birdhouse, The Escape Society, and Everything Is Angles. His music blends experimental textures with emotionally direct storytelling, often exploring themes of resilience and personal growth. Troy and Maureen met at the first Songwriter Summer Camp held by the Toronto Songwriting School in the summer of 2022. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit art2healtheheart.substack.com

    44 min

  6. May 2

    Heart Work: Conversations About Art to Heal the Heart

    In this episode of Heart Work, Maureen interviews Hugh Christopher Brown. A musician and producer, Chris is the founder of the Pros and Cons Prison Arts Program. Operating for fourteen years now, the Pros and You’ll find more about the work of the Pros and Cons program here: https://prosandconsprogram.com/ and you can also access the music created through this program in conjunction with Wolfe Island Records here: https://wolfeislandrecords.com/theprosandconsprogram/ Chris mentions in particular the songs Lost from the album Undisclosed Location, which you can hear here: https://prosandconsprogram.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/03-Lost.m4a and the song Disbarred from the album Paint in the Forest, which you can hear here: Chris mentions concerts in the prisons and you can learn more about the show at Collins Bay Institution in August 25 via https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/pros-and-cons-prison-arts-program-kingston-prison-jazz-performance-1.7597249 Chris also mentions the TedX talk by Wilma Derksen, who has engaged deeply with the concept of forgiveness since her daughter was murdered in 1984, which you can watch here: https://tedxwinnipeg.ca/speaker/wilma-derksen/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit art2healtheheart.substack.com

    37 min

  7. Apr 25

    Heart Work: Conversations About Art to Heal the Heart

    In this episode of Heart Work, Maureen interviews Matty McKechnie. A singer-songwriter who releases music and performs under the artist name Graven, Matty is also the host of Graventown, a positivity podcast with a focus on mental health and music-based magic. You can learn more about Graven’s music here: https://www.graven.ca/ You can find his podcast, Graventown, wherever you stream your podcasts, including here: Matty mentions his interview with Mark Sasso of Elliot Brood and you can catch that episode here: Matty also mentions the song This Year by the Mountain Goats, and you’ll find the official video here: Matty and Maureen both agree that their friend Ron Hawkins is pretty cool and you can catch Matty’s interview with him here: This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit art2healtheheart.substack.com

    59 min

  8. Apr 18

    Heart Work: Conversations About Art to Heal the Heart

    In this episode of Heart Work, Maureen interviews Ron Hawkins. A singer-songwriter who has fronted several bands, including the legendary Lowest of the Low, Ron is also a talented visual artist with bold vision. Ron shares his song Saskia Begins, written for friends whose baby was born very prematurely, to help sustain them during that tense time. He also shares the story of the piece of art titled I AM STILL HERE/I AM STILL/ I AM HERE 36x36” (Acrylic, spray paint, charcoal, marker and handmade paper flower on birch panel) Ron mentions portrait artist Alice Neel, and you can learn more about her work here: https://www.aliceneel.com/ Ron mentions the song People Who Died by The Jim Carroll Band and you can have a listen here: https://youtu.be/tf4d7VxcQ30?si=wB2O0TcZN2OpwPgs And if you like that one, you can listen to Easy Come, Easy Go by the Decemberists here: https://youtu.be/r1_PffH3VtA?si=7VhW940b7XjS3yEQ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit art2healtheheart.substack.com

    1h 5m
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In this weekly podcast, host Maureen Pollard, an artist and therapist, interviews guest artists about the healing power of making and sharing art as individuals and in community. art2healtheheart.substack.com

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