Ask me a question or let me know what you think! In this powerful and deeply personal episode of The Modern Creative Woman, Dr. Amy Backos explores the inseparable relationship between art and politics, and why creativity is not a luxury—but a necessity for a healthy society. From political cartoons and protest imagery to community art and everyday creative expression, art has always been a catalyst for social change, empathy, and revolution. Amy reflects on the alarming decline of arts educa...

Ask me a question or let me know what you think! What actually creates a meaningful life? In this episode of The Modern Creative Woman, Dr. Amy Backos explores the deep connection between meaning, motivation, values, and behavior. Drawing from psychological research, personal stories, and her own creative process, Amy unpacks why fulfillment is not found through certainty, productivity, success, money, or external validation—but through acting in alignment with what matters most to us. Amy sh...

Ask me a question or let me know what you think! When life feels uncertain or overwhelming, it’s natural to return to familiar ways of coping. These patterns often developed for good reason—they worked at one point in time. But as circumstances change, those same strategies can become limiting, keeping us stuck in cycles that no longer support our well-being. In this episode of The Modern Creative Woman, Dr. Amy Backos explores the psychology of change and why moments of stress are often the ...

Ask me a question or let me know what you think! The arts are not a luxury. They are a biological necessity. In this episode of The Modern Creative Woman, Dr. Amy Backos explores the powerful connection between creativity and health—breaking down the neuroscience behind why engaging in the arts improves not only emotional well-being, but cognitive functioning and even physical health. From brain fog and low mood to attention and memory challenges, the impact of stress on our thinking is real....

Ask me a question or let me know what you think! Art is not a luxury—it’s a defining feature of what it means to be human. In this episode of The Modern Creative Woman, Dr. Amy Backos explores the deep psychological, biological, and cultural roots of creativity, starting with a powerful idea: humans have been making art for over 70,000 years—and we still underestimate its value. This is a conversation about more than art-making. It’s about storytelling, identity, and how we shape our lived ex...

Ask me a question or let me know what you think! What does it actually mean to have YOUR style? Not just in how you dress—but in how you think, create, relate, and move through the world. In this episode of The Modern Creative Woman, Dr. Amy Backos explores style as a way of being—a deeply personal, psychologically rooted expression of self. Inspired by a moment at a San Francisco Symphony League event, where a pianist shared, “I try to play like myself every time,” this episode becomes an in...

Ask me a question or let me know what you think! What if the biggest limitation on your creative work isn’t your talent—but your perception of its value? In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Tanetha Jamay Fisher—leadership professor, former Capitol Hill strategist, and luxury business advisor—to explore the powerful intersection of power, perception, and prestige. Together, we unpack how high-level creative women can move beyond the “starving artist” myth and into positions of leadership, inf...

Ask me a question or let me know what you think! When was the last time you intentionally engaged with the arts—not just as background noise, but as a tool for your well-being? In this episode, Dr. Amy Backos explores the powerful intersection of creativity, neuroscience, and health. Drawing from the landmark 2019 World Health Organization report analyzing over 3,000 studies, she unpacks why the arts are now being recognized as a critical component of whole-person care—supporting mental, phys...

Ask me a question or let me know what you think! Have you ever noticed the kinds of questions you ask yourself throughout the day? In this episode of The Modern Creative Woman Podcast, Dr. Amy Backos explores the powerful role of our inner dialogue and how the questions we ask ourselves shape the answers our brains produce. Many women are familiar with harsh inner questions like “What’s wrong with me?” or “Why am I always like this?”—questions that tend to generate equally harsh responses. Dr...

Ask me a question or let me know what you think! In this episode of The Modern Creative Woman Podcast, Dr. Amy Backos explores an important question: How do we care for ourselves when the world feels overwhelming? Drawing from positive psychology and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, she reminds listeners that acknowledging suffering in the world does not require abandoning our own joy, rest, or creativity. Sustainable advocacy and meaningful engagement depend on our ability to restore ourse...