Dr. Sarah Zappe - From Crafting to Community - Navigating Mental Health Through Creativity

We’re excited to welcome Dr. Sarah Zappe, an Educational Psychologist and owner of Kaleidoscope PA!

In this episode of the Know Your Fundamentals podcast, Dr. Sarah Zappe discusses the mind-body benefits of art and its positive impact on mental health and well-being. She shares her personal journey from crafting to establishing Kaleidoscope PA, an art wellness community, and explores themes of generational trauma, and personal growth. The conversation emphasizes the role of art as a tool for mindfulness, healing, and self-expression, while also highlighting the significance of a growth mindset in creative endeavors.

Takeaways

• Engaging in creative activities can lead to mindfulness and flow states.

• Art is a valuable tool for self-expression and healing.
• Silence in creative spaces indicates deep engagement and focus.
• Creating art can provide a healthy dopamine boost.
• The journey of life is more important than the destination.

• Embracing a growth mindset can transform your creative process.
• Finding time for creativity is essential for personal fulfillment.
• Perfectionism can hinder creativity; it's important to accept failure.

• Playfulness in art can lead to unexpected joy and discovery.
• It's okay to prioritize creative time over household chores.
• Social media can create unrealistic comparisons; focus on your own journey.
• Taking classes can help overcome fears of starting something new.
• Authentic connections with others can enrich your creative experience.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Art and Mental Health

05:07 Sarah's Journey: From Crafting to Kaleidoscope PA

10:07 Generational Trauma and Personal Growth

15:08 The Role of Therapy in Mental Health

19:51 Art as a Tool for Mindfulness and Healing

25:06 The Process of Creating: Embracing Growth Mindset

30:34 The Journey of Artistic Growth

36:10 Embracing the Process of Creation

40:03 Overcoming Barriers to Creativity

46:18 Fundamentals of a Creative Mindset

51:37 The Importance of Playfulness in Art

Dr. Zappe's FundaMENTALs: Dr. Zappe will share the importance of creating inclusive learning environments and how psychological principles can be applied in everyday life to help individuals and families thrive.

Join the FundaMENTALs Life, Family & Career Wellness FB group for exclusive content, free trainings, resources, podcast guest Q&A access, and a supportive community await!

Follow: Follow Sarah and learn more about her services on Facebook and Instagram @kaleidoscope_pa

About Me & the Podcast:

I’m Kelly Berthold, a licensed clinical social worker, and I’m passionate about helping others experience well-being and flourishing. I founded Know Your FundaMENTALs to make the science of flourishing accessible and practical for everyone, especially working moms. My goal is to simplify the core principles of well-being and help individuals and families integrate these foundational skills across all areas of life—parenting, relationships, careers, and personal growth.

Through my work, I connect the science and skills of flourishing with real-life applications, empowering people to live their most fulfilling lives. The Know Your FundaMENTALs podcast is where I have meaningful conversations with neighbors and community members about what truly matters to them. In each episode, I connect the science and skills of flourishing to personal experiences and key life lessons, offering practical wisdom on how to live more intentionally and thrive.

Follow ⁠@knowyourfundamentals ⁠for access to organized foundational fundamentals for life, relationships, parenting and career!