Anxiety and the Artist

In this week's Mindfulness Minute therapist Audrey Grubb walks us through "Imagined Place" an exercise that one of her students taught her and she offers us her own variation on it as well. This exercise is an example of a grounding technique which can help reduce anxiety and bring you back to the living in the moment.

Therapist and producer of the college edition of "This is My Brave", Audrey Grubb joins us to talk about her experience with anxiety. We explore the shape shifting of her anxiety that eventually led to an eating disorder and how she found empowerment in sharing her story and helping others who are also struggling. Audrey also shares some of her favorite exercises for mitigating anxiety and we discuss navigating depression and anxiety during COVID.

Former ballet dancer and Broadway performer turned writer and educator Michelle Loucadoux joins us to chat about audition anxiety, nurturing your inner critic and the importance of self care. We also talk about the era of the multi-hypenate artist and pivoting during COVID-19.

In this bonus episode, host Allison Sheff leads a simple breathing exercise to calm the nervous system and reduce stress and anxiety.

Performer turned therapist George Livengood talks about eating disorders, positive body image and maintaining a healthy mindset while meeting industry demands. We also talk about forming a healthy sense of self, creating a supportive community and how those in leadership have the power to create positive change in the industry.

In this episode I chat with queer artist, educator and mental health advocate Tyler C. Picone (aka Magenta Milian). Tyler clarifies some LGBTQ terms and how they relate to identity. We explore co-dependency in relationships, and the need for control in our everyday lives. We also discuss the purpose and service of so-called negative emotions.

Michael Cedar shares how his background in acting, company management and producing informed his successful personal development career. In this episode we talk about how early life experiences can be the root of anxiety later in our life, the danger of comparison, spiritual bypasses, and the freedom in disappointing others.

Actor and Producer Erin Cronican discusses what she learned when a cancer diagnosis forced her to face some underlying anxiety and depression, how it's inspired her outlook and informing her art.

Emmy Winning Performance Artist, Medical Clown and TED Speaker Matthew A. Wilson discusses the importance of play in our adult lives. We also explore what being a medical clown has taught him about dealing with anxiety and how being in touch with his physicality has brought him a deeper understanding of his own emotions.

In this episode I chat with Karen Elliott, a Broadway performer, Hypnotist and Strategic Mindset Coach. Karen discusses how a debilitating car accident led her to hypnosis, which led her to use mental skills modalities to help other artists achieve success. We discuss the pros and cons of The Law of Attraction and the poverty mindset trap.