The Modern Creative Woman
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.
Episodes
157 episodes
156. Art Is Political: Creativity, Democracy, and the Courage to Speak
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.F...
155. Procrastination Cure
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...
154. A New Way to Respond to Uncertainty
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 limitin...
153. From Brain Fog to Clarity: How the Arts Restore Your Mind
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 eng...
152. Art Is Human: Why Creating Is Essential to Your Life
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...
151. “Play” Like Yourself Every Time: Authentic Style and Creativity
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...
150. Power, Perception, Prestige & Desire: Interview with Dr. Tanetha Jamay Fisher
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 a...
149. Art as Medicine: The Science of Creativity and Well-Being
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. Dr...
148. The Million Dollar Question
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 oursel...
147. Creative Rest in Turbulent Times
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 ...
146. Unhooking from your “I’m Not Enough” Story: Changing your Relationship to Thoughts
Have you ever believed a thought about yourself so completely that it felt like fact? I’m not good enough. I’m a fraud. I can’t handle this. In this episode, Dr. Amy Backos explores what Acceptance and Commitment Therapy calls cogni...
145. Process vs. Product: Why Being In the Moment Changes Everything
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 ...
144. The Myth of Motivation (and What Actually Gets You Moving)
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 thi...
143. Staying Steady in Difficult Times: Psychological Flexibility
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 doe...
142. Art Therapy & Cultural Humility: Special Guest Dr. Louvenia Jackson
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...
141. Getting into Your Zone
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.
140. Containers, Not Motivation
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 a...
139. How Beauty Heals: Neuroaesthetics, Art, and Peace
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 neur...
138. Creativity Built the World—Now It’s Your Turn
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...
137. Live Your Values in the New Year
"Each time a woman stands up for herself, she stands up for all women." -Maya Angelou As we cross the threshold from 2025 into 2026, this episode invites you to pause, reflect, and choose a different way forward—one rooted in values...
136. The Break Your Brain Is Begging For
“Self-care is how you take your power back.”— Lila Delia🧠 In This EpisodeWhy purpose = values + committed action (from an ACT perspective)How values differ from goals — and why that matters for lo...
135. The Neuropsychological Change Process and the Art Response
In this episode of The Modern Creative Woman, Dr. Amy Backos continues the conversation on creating more chill holidays by exploring the neuropsychology of choice, habit, and tradition. She weaves personal reflection wi...
134. Stop Doing Too Much: Create Your Chill Holiday
The Process Is the Way: How to Actually Enjoy Your Holiday SeasonIn this episode, Amy shares the surprising truth about the exact right moment to pause, relax, and return to yourself: when you fe...
133. That Quiet Drift Away From Ourselves...and How to Return
In this episode, Dr. Amy Backos takes you inside a moment every creative woman knows too well—the quiet drift away from our creativity and, in many ways, from ourselves. What begins as a blank page or stalled idea can quickly snowball into self...
132. Taking Control of Your Brain
In this week’s episode, Dr. Amy Backos invites listeners into a grounding and honest conversation about the power of values—especially as we head into a season filled with expectations, pressure, and anticipatory anxiety. Using the Buddha’s tea...