Art, whether you're creating it or experiencing it, is capable of literally rewiring your brain. That's what I explore on this episode with Ivy Ross and Susan Maximum. Specifically, you'll learn 1. Tips on how to use colors, textures, and lighting in your home to stimulate your body's natural ability to relax and restore. 2. You'll discover why picking up an art like singing, dancing, or painting, regardless of how good you are at it, is so beneficial for your brain and body. 3. You'll gain insights on how creating art actually helps develop resilience in children that they then carry on into adulthood. If you're looking for new ways to bring joy, balance, and well being into your life, you don't want to miss this episode. Susan and Ivy’s insights in "Your Brain on Art" bring to light the profound connection between creative expression and mental well-being, suggesting that art might be key to not just surviving, but thriving. Step into a world where the space around you shapes how you feel and heal. We uncover the hidden ways our environment—its colors, textures, and even the lighting—affects us more deeply than we might expect. This conversation dives into the personal journey of discovering which art forms resonate with each of us, whether it's the shared rhythm of a dance or the solitary reflection in writing. We also champion the role of arts in education and the broader community. As we discuss California's move to bring art teachers into every classroom, we're advocating for a renaissance in how we approach learning and healing. Art, as we see it, is a vital tool for building resilience, fostering joy, and connecting us to one another. This episode is an open invitation to embrace creativity—for the sake of our health, our children, and the very fabric of our society. Join us as we celebrate the arts not as a luxury, but as a necessity, with Ivy and Susan guiding us through this transformational landscape. International Arts and Mind Lab at John Hopkins University Your Brain on Art