In this episode of the EZ Conversations podcast, Karen DeLoach discusses the transformative power of art and creativity as a form of self-Therapy. Drawing from her extensive experience as an artist, coach, filmmaker, art teacher, and actor, Karen delves into how engaging in creative activities can help people overcome psychological challenges and enhance their well-being. Karen highlights art’s therapeutic benefits by sharing personal anecdotes, including her students’ stories. She also covers online resources for those interested in exploring their creative potential. The episode emphasizes that creativity is innate and accessible to everyone, regardless of age or skill level.

Karen DeLoach is an award-winning artist/art teacher, author, minister, wife, mother, grandmother and speaker/coach. She has a BFA in painting/ drawing and an MA in Studio Art. She has written three art books, How to Draw, How to Paint, and Art History & Appreciation, which she has used in college and online classes.

Find Karen online: gettingcreativewithkaren.com

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Guest

00:59 Karen’s Journey into Art and Teaching

04:15 The Healing Power of Art

07:14 Engaging the Right Brain

11:17 Creativity in Everyday Life

16:05 Overcoming Criticism and Embracing Creativity

20:31 Rediscovering Childhood Passions

21:40 Rediscovering Creativity Through Art Therapy

22:51 The Universal Starting Point in Arts and Music

23:21 Overcoming Left Brain Bully

24:08 The Healing Power of Art

26:49 Transitioning to Filmmaking

30:06 Art as a Lifeline

38:28 Art and Technology: Embracing AI

41:24 Connecting Through Creativity

Sponsors of the Podcast:

• BetterHelp: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://betterhelp.com/ez10⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for 10% off your first month of therapy
• WeShape: https://weshape.postaffiliatepro.com/scripts/dcfogwyuk?a_aid=FurkhanDandia&a_bid=d7508fa8 for 35% all plans.
• Aura: https://aura.com/ez10 for a free two-week trial
• Plunge: https://plunge.com/ez
• Mint Mobile: ⁠https://trymintmobile.com/ez10⁠ for 15$ for an unlimited cell phone plan
• Mental: ⁠https://getmental.com/ez
• NuCalm: https://nucalm.com/free-trial?/ref=ez for a one-week free trial

If you would like to support EZ Conversations, here are all the ways you can do that:

• Instagram⁠⁠:⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/eunoiazen⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://m.facebook.com/eunoiazen⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• YouTube⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrqBp_zdRiIfBRV4wURSZ2A⁠⁠⁠
• LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/furkhan-dandia-ccc-mba-072a8a1ba/
• Patreon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/EzConversations⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Or find Furkhan’s Book, Pursuit of Self Love: 30 Uplifting Messages and Reflections. The Kindle version is available on Amazon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.amazon.ca/Pursuit-Self-Love-Uplifting-Messages-Reflections-ebook/dp/B0C4D1XYL1⁠⁠⁠

Subscribe to the EZ Reflections Newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ez-reflections-newsletter.beehiiv.com

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Furkhan Dandia Therapist and Coach

I am a men's coach, therapist, group facilitator, podcaster and author. My journey began five years ago when I was going through a separation. I found myself alone and in a shame spiral that our culture and society covertly exert on people due to the perceived "failure" of a marriage. Unfortunately, I personalized that message which led me to fall deeper into a hole, causing me to surround myself with people that did not serve me and engage in substance abuse. While seeking therapy, I was not making the wholesale changes I needed.

As part of my experience with therapy, I realized that I am not alone in the challenges men my age experience (I separated at the age of 34/35). I realized I could be a voice for men like myself and offer support in this space. In the middle of the pandemic, I applied for a Master's degree in Psychology to become a therapist. This change was a significant shift for me as I worked in the corporate world as an engineer. Once I leaned into the space of supporting other men, I also started a podcast to normalize these difficult conversations and started a men's group a year later with the support of a friend.

I thought I was giving something back when I started the men's group. However, I quickly realized I was getting substantially more from the connections I built than I initially anticipated. It was also something I needed because I was going through another breakup.

At that point, I also realized that I had not taken the time to heal, and I was outsourcing my healing through romantic relationships, substances, material acquisitions and superficial relationships. I decided to step away from the outgoing lifestyle and started to focus on my healing which was another phase of evolution for me on my journey. Over the last year and a half, I have become mindful of the people I spend my time with. I have cleaned my lifestyle of substances, toxic environments and behaviours. I have focused on my sleep, my health and my knowledge. I have improved my spiritual relationship with myself, which was lacking the most over the past five years. This is the best I have felt.

As part of my solitude journey and to find myself again, I also released a book encapsulating my journey, which I hope to share with others. My book is titled: The Pursuit of Self-Love.