Canvas of the Heart: A Podcast of Art Heals Arizona

Art Heals Arizona (formerly Free Arts)
  • 5.0 (5)
  • Mental Health
  • Updated Daily

Canvas of the Heart is the podcast of Art Heals Arizona, where we explore what it actually looks like when art changes a life. Each episode, we go inside the work — talking with the artists, mentors, staff, volunteers, and community members who show up for children who've experienced trauma. Not just to describe the mission, but also to tell the stories that live inside it. Art Heals Arizona connects children with caring adults and creative experiences that build resilience, identity, and the belief that they can make something. We've been doing this work for over 30 years, across Phoenix, Tucson, and beyond. If you're new here, welcome. If you've been with us a while, you already know — art heals.

  1. May 12

    Stronger Than You Think - An Interview with Sherry Hamby

    What if everything we thought we knew about resilience was only part of the story? In this episode of Canvas of the Heart, host Matt Sandoval sits down with Dr. Sherry Hamby — distinguished research professor, clinical psychologist, and author of the forthcoming book Stronger Than You Think (May 26, 2026) — for a wide-ranging conversation about what it actually takes to heal from trauma and adversity. Dr. Hamby shares how her work in rural Appalachia, on the San Carlos Apache reservation, and with survivors of domestic violence taught her that the people our systems most often underestimate are frequently the ones working hardest to find a way forward. Drawing on decades of research, she walks us through the resilience portfolio model — a framework built around four domains of strength: meaning making, regulatory skills, interpersonal relationships, and physical environment — and explains why real healing rarely looks like toughing it out alone. Together, Matt and Dr. Hamby explore the concept of poly-victimization (why cumulative trauma exposure matters more than any single event), why creative expression belongs at the center of trauma recovery rather than on its margins, and what "trauma-informed care" actually requires of organizations that claim it. This conversation touches the heart of what Art Heals Arizona does every day — meeting people where they are, building on what they already bring, and trusting that a good life is possible. Topics covered: Resilience portfolio model · Deficit lens vs. strengths-based approaches · Poly-victimization and cumulative trauma · Art, music, and creative expression as healing tools · Trauma-informed vs. healing-centered systems · Institutional betrayal · Access to healing outside formal services Connect with Dr. Hamby: Life Paths Research Center or her Book: Stronger Than You Think — available May 26, 2026 Sherry Hamby's website: https://lifepathsresearch.org/ Substack: https://substack.com/@sherryhamby LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sherry-hamby/

    54 min

  2. Mar 11

    Art Heals Arizona!

    For 30 years, we've put the words "abused children" on our letterhead, our emails, our collateral — including the materials our own participants could see. This episode of Canvas of the Heart is about why that had to change. Board President Coree Neumeyer joins Matt to talk about the rebrand from Free Arts for Abused Children of Arizona to Art Heals Arizona — and why now was the time. But there's a moment in this conversation that stopped us cold. Coree was prepping for the podcast, and her son — unprompted, no context — said the first thing that came to his mind: "The name probably doesn't make the children feel very good." That's it. That's the whole argument. A kid said in ten seconds what took us years to fully act on. Same mission. 7,000 children a year. 300+ volunteers. A name that finally tells the truth. #ArtHealsAz #NonprofitLeadership #CanvasOfTheHeart #Rebrand   About the Show Canvas of the Heart is the podcast of Art Heals Arizona, where we explore what it actually looks like when art changes a life.  Hosted by CEO, Matt Sandoval, each episode goes inside the work — talking with the artists, mentors, staff, volunteers, and community members who show up for children who've experienced more than their share of heartbreak. We talk about the mission and tell the stories that live inside it.  Art Heals Arizona connects children with caring adult mentors and creative experiences that build resilience, identity, and the belief that they can make something. We've been doing this work for over 30 years, across Phoenix, Tucson, and throughout Arizona.  If you're new here, welcome. If you've been with us a while, you already know — art heals.  Find us at arthealsaz.org and follow us @arthealsaz.

    29 min

  3. 04/25/2025

    Self-care Spotlight: Navigating our Inner world

    This episode is a solo journey into thoughts, feelings, and taking perspective on our lives that support our growth and transformation. About Free Arts: Free Arts' research-based program model, Art + Mentors = Resilience, helps children build the resilience they need to maintain personal well-being by connecting them with caring adults and creative activities that develop their personal skills and sense of self. Free Arts believes that healthy connections with adults create change. Through partnerships with local child welfare agencies and shelters serving families, Free Arts is able to provide this intervention to children free of cost to program participants.  To become a Free Arts Volunteer Mentor, please visit FreeArtsAZ.org/Volunteer  About Canvas of the Heart: Hosted by Matt Sandoval, CEO of Free Arts   Produced by Alvaro Morello   Music by Epidemic sound: Tell 'em no by Flux Vortex, Free Throw by Timothy Infinite  Contact the podcast at hello@freeartsaz.org  Follow us at   Youtube.com/FreeArtsofArizona  Facebook.com/freeartsaz  Instagram: @freeartsaz  Twitter @freeartsaz  You can make your donations to Free Arts at FreeArtsAz.org/Donate

    30 min

  4. 03/24/2025

    Interview: Dr. Bianca Harper Director of ASU's Arizona Child and Adolescent Survivor Initiative

    In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Bianca Harper, director of ASU's Arizona Child and Adolescent Survivor Initiative (ACASI), whose mission is to foster the healing of intimate partner violence survivors. She walks us through the program's holistic approach to healing and the power of overcoming the stigma around these issues. Perhaps nowhere is the incredible healing power of art better personified than at the vigil ceremony hosted by ACASI and Free Arts, where families honored the memories of their loved ones through art, music, poetry, and storytelling. Free Arts' research-based program model, Art + Mentors = Resilience, helps children build the resilience they need to maintain personal well-being by connecting them with caring adults and creative activities that develop their personal skills and sense of self. Free Arts believes that healthy connections with adults create change. Through partnerships with local child welfare agencies and shelters serving families, Free Arts is able to provide this intervention to children free of cost to program participants. ACASI Website Family Violence Center | School of Social Work To become a Free Arts Volunteer Mentor, please visit FreeArtsAZ.org/Volunteer Hosted by Matt Sandoval, CEO of Free Arts Produced by Alvaro Morello Music by Epidemic sound: Tell 'em No by Flux Vortex, Free Throw by Timothy Infinite Contact the podcast at hello@freeartsaz.org Follow us at: Youtube.com/FreeArtsofArizona Facebook.com/freeartsaz Instagram: @freeartsaz Twitter @freeartsaz You can make your donations to Free Arts at FreeArtsAz.org/Donate

    36 min

  5. 02/14/2025

    Artist Spotlight - Kris Kollasch

    In this episode of Canvas of the Heart, we sit down with Kris Kollasch, an artist who has been involved with Free Arts nearly since our inception 30+ years ago. She shares some of her favorite artist mentorship moments over the years, including the creation of the iconic "Trees Like Me" murals with student participants and fellow artist Linda Pullinsi. She also shares her perspective on the significance of trees in her art—and our logo—as symbols of strength, growth and grounding. Musing on the healing nature of our work, Kris shares that "Art heals. We are not therapists, but making art is therapeutic  Free Arts' research-based program model, Art + Mentors = Resilience, helps children build the resilience they need to maintain personal well-being by connecting them with caring adults and creative activities that develop their personal skills and sense of self. Free Arts believes that healthy connections with adults create change. Through partnerships with local child welfare agencies and shelters serving families, Free Arts is able to provide this intervention to children free of cost to program participants.  To become a Free Arts Volunteer Mentor, please visit FreeArtsAZ.org/Volunteer  Hosted by Matt Sandoval, CEO of Free Arts   Produced by Alvaro Morello   Music by Epidemic sound: Tell 'em no by Flux Vortex, Free Throw by Timothy Infinite  Contact the podcast at hello@freeartsaz.org  Follow us at   Youtube.com/FreeArtsofArizona  Facebook.com/freeartsaz  Instagram: @freeartsaz  Twitter @freeartsaz  You can make your donations to Free Arts at FreeArtsAz.org/Donate

    35 min

  6. 01/20/2025

    Mentor Voices - Listening to the Experiences of Volunteers

    January is National Mentoring Month, and we are celebrating the work of volunteer mentors by listening to two mentors' experiences.  Free Arts' research-based program model, Art + Mentors = Resilience, helps children build the resilience they need to maintain personal well-being by connecting them with caring adults and creative activities that develop their personal skills and sense of self. Free Arts believes that healthy connections with adults create change. Through partnerships with local child welfare agencies and shelters serving families, Free Arts is able to provide this intervention to children free of cost to program participants.  To become a Free Arts Volunteer Mentor, please visit FreeArtsAZ.org/Volunteer  Hosted by Matt Sandoval, CEO of Free Arts   Produced by Alvaro Morello   Music by Epidemic sound: Tell 'em no by Flux Vortex, Free Throw by Timothy Infinite  Contact the podcast at hello@freeartsaz.org  Follow us at   Youtube.com/FreeArtsofArizona  Facebook.com/freeartsaz  Instagram: @freeartsaz  Twitter @freeartsaz  You can make your donations to Free Arts at FreeArtsAz.org/Donate

    48 min

  7. 12/20/2024

    Regulation and Co-Regulation Skills for Children and Families

    Join Matt and Erina as they discuss the Free Arts Family Program, regulation, and co-regulation. Erina gives a brief overview of the history of the Family Program and how it has grown in the past three years and what a Family Empowerment Night looks like. We wanted to share this episode during the holiday season because it can often be a deregulating time for a lot of individuals. Matt and Erina share some amazing art-based examples about how to both regulate and co-regulate - perhaps you will learn some techniques you can try during the next few weeks. You can listen to it on YouTube or your favorite streaming platform!   Free Arts (www.freeartsaz.org) is an Arizona nonprofit organization that uses the power of the arts to help children who have experienced the trauma of abuse, neglect, and homelessness. Free Arts' research-based program model, Art + Mentors = Resilience, helps children build the resilience they need to overcome trauma by connecting them with caring adults and creative activities that develop their skills and sense of self. Free Arts believes that healthy connections with adults create change. Through partnerships with local child welfare agencies, Free Arts is able to provide this intervention to children free of cost to program participants.   To become a Free Arts Volunteer Mentor, please visit FreeArtsAZ.org/Volunteer    Hosted by Matt Sandoval, CEO of Free Arts Produced by Alvaro Morello Music by Epidemic sound: Tell 'em no by Flux Vortex, Free Throw by Timothy Infinite  Contact the podcast at hello@freeartsaz.org Follow us at Youtube.com/FreeArtsofArizona Facebook.com/freeartsaz Instagram: @freeartsaz Twitter @freeartsaz You can make your donations to Free Arts at FreeArtsAz.org/Donate

    45 min

  8. 11/22/2024

    Inside the Mentor Toolkit with the Skill of Treasure Hunting!

    Are you ready to dig into a new season of Canvas of the Heart? Season four kicks off with Matt and Beth talking about a key concept we teach our mentors during our volunteer training, treasure hunting. They explain what it means, offer some examples of what it looks like, and give listeners tools to try it out themselves. Treasure hunting boils down to the truth that any young person has the potential to be successful. Often, all that is needed to realize that potential is recognition and encouragement from a safe individual. It is a skill anyone can use at home with their friends, family, and coworkers, too! Free Arts for Abused Children of Arizona is a nonprofit organization that uses the power of the arts to help children who have experienced the trauma of abuse, neglect, and homelessness. Free Arts' research-based program model, Art + Mentors = Resilience, helps children build the resilience they need to overcome trauma by connecting them with caring adults and creative activities that develop their skills and sense of self. Free Arts believes that healthy connections with adults create change. Through partnerships with local child welfare agencies, Free Arts is able to provide this intervention to children free of cost to program participants.  To become a Free Arts Volunteer Mentor, please visit FreeArtsAZ.org/Volunteer  Hosted by Matt Sandoval, Executive Director of Free Arts   Produced by Alvaro Morello   Music by Epidemic sound: Tell 'em no by Flux Vortex, Free Throw by Timothy Infinite  Contact the podcast at hello@freeartsaz.org  Follow us at   Youtube.com/FreeArtsofArizona  Facebook.com/freeartsaz  Instagram: @freeartsaz  Twitter @freeartsaz  You can make your donations to Free Arts at FreeArtsAz.org/Donate

    34 min
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Ratings & Reviews

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out of 5
5 Ratings

About

Canvas of the Heart is the podcast of Art Heals Arizona, where we explore what it actually looks like when art changes a life. Each episode, we go inside the work — talking with the artists, mentors, staff, volunteers, and community members who show up for children who've experienced trauma. Not just to describe the mission, but also to tell the stories that live inside it. Art Heals Arizona connects children with caring adults and creative experiences that build resilience, identity, and the belief that they can make something. We've been doing this work for over 30 years, across Phoenix, Tucson, and beyond. If you're new here, welcome. If you've been with us a while, you already know — art heals.

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