Stronger Than You Think - An Interview with Sherry Hamby

Stronger Than You Think - An Interview with Sherry Hamby

Author: Free Arts for Abused Children of Arizona May 12, 2026 Duration: 53:42
What if everything we thought we knew about resilience was only part of the story? In this episode of Canvas of the Heart, host Matt Sandoval sits down with Dr. Sherry Hamby — distinguished research professor, clinical psychologist, and author of the forthcoming book Stronger Than You Think (May 26, 2026) — for a wide-ranging conversation about what it actually takes to heal from trauma and adversity. Dr. Hamby shares how her work in rural Appalachia, on the San Carlos Apache reservation, and with survivors of domestic violence taught her that the people our systems most often underestimate are frequently the ones working hardest to find a way forward. Drawing on decades of research, she walks us through the resilience portfolio model — a framework built around four domains of strength: meaning making, regulatory skills, interpersonal relationships, and physical environment — and explains why real healing rarely looks like toughing it out alone. Together, Matt and Dr. Hamby explore the concept of poly-victimization (why cumulative trauma exposure matters more than any single event), why creative expression belongs at the center of trauma recovery rather than on its margins, and what "trauma-informed care" actually requires of organizations that claim it. This conversation touches the heart of what Art Heals Arizona does every day — meeting people where they are, building on what they already bring, and trusting that a good life is possible. Topics covered: Resilience portfolio model · Deficit lens vs. strengths-based approaches · Poly-victimization and cumulative trauma · Art, music, and creative expression as healing tools · Trauma-informed vs. healing-centered systems · Institutional betrayal · Access to healing outside formal services Connect with Dr. Hamby: Life Paths Research Center or her Book: Stronger Than You Think — available May 26, 2026 Sherry Hamby's website: https://lifepathsresearch.org/ Substack: https://substack.com/@sherryhamby LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sherry-hamby/      

Canvas of the Heart is a quiet space where stories of healing and creativity intersect. Produced by Free Arts for Abused Children of Arizona, this podcast explores the profound impact of artistic expression on young lives marked by trauma, abuse, neglect, and homelessness. From its home in Phoenix, the organization pairs trained adult mentors with children and teens, using creative work as a steady path from pain toward resilience. Each episode offers a genuine look into this process, sharing voices and experiences that might otherwise go unheard. You'll hear about the legacy of this work not as a simple success story, but as a complex, human journey. The conversations within this podcast naturally unfold to reveal how a brushstroke, a written line, or a performed moment can begin to rebuild a sense of safety and self. It’s about the tangible ways art functions as a language for emotions that are too difficult to speak aloud. Tuning in, you become part of a wider conversation on mental well-being, the necessity of human connection, and the quiet strength found in making something new. This is more than a series about a program; it’s an auditory window into the transformation that happens when a caring community provides the tools and the space for creativity to flourish. The Canvas of the Heart podcast documents these subtle, powerful shifts, emphasizing that healing is not a solitary act but a collaborative masterpiece in progress.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 27

Canvas of the Heart
Podcast Episodes
Art Heals Arizona! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:33
For 30 years, we've put the words "abused children" on our letterhead, our emails, our collateral — including the materials our own participants could see. This episode of Canvas of the Heart is about why that had to cha…
Self-care Spotlight: Navigating our Inner world [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:17
This episode is a solo journey into thoughts, feelings, and taking perspective on our lives that support our growth and transformation. About Free Arts: Free Arts’ research-based program model, Art + Mentors = Resilience…
Artist Spotlight - Kris Kollasch [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:55
In this episode of Canvas of the Heart, we sit down with Kris Kollasch, an artist who has been involved with Free Arts nearly since our inception 30+ years ago. She shares some of her favorite artist mentorship moments o…
Mentor Voices - Listening to the Experiences of Volunteers [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:07
January is National Mentoring Month, and we are celebrating the work of volunteer mentors by listening to two mentors' experiences. Free Arts’ research-based program model, Art + Mentors = Resilience, helps children buil…
Regulation and Co-Regulation Skills for Children and Families [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:51
Join Matt and Erina as they discuss the Free Arts Family Program, regulation, and co-regulation. Erina gives a brief overview of the history of the Family Program and how it has grown in the past three years and what a F…
Inside the Mentor Toolkit with the Skill of Treasure Hunting! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:09
Are you ready to dig into a new season of Canvas of the Heart? Season four kicks off with Matt and Beth talking about a key concept we teach our mentors during our volunteer training, treasure hunting. They explain what…
Stigma and Mental Health [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:23
In this episode, we discuss the social effects of stigma on those who experience adversity, trauma, and mental illness. At Free Arts, our language and approach to participants reflect a respect for the whole person and t…
Ep. 18 The Power of Choice [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:09
An important part of the Free Arts experience is creating choices for the children, teens, and families served by its trauma-informed programs. In this episode, listen to Jenna, Matt, and Beth discuss why "choice" assist…
10 Ways That Art Heals [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:25
Free Arts for Abused Children of Arizona is a nonprofit organization that uses the power of the arts to help children who have experienced the trauma of abuse, neglect, and homelessness. Free Arts’ research-based program…