Florida State University Professor of Art Therapy and director of the Institute for Arts & Art Therapy with the Imprisoned, Dave Gussak, has launched a podcast exploring how the arts are transforming the lives of incarcerated individuals, according to a May 28 announcement.
On “Creativity Unconfined,” Gussak, who has authored numerous books on art therapy in correctional settings, interviews guests involved in prison arts programs and advocacy efforts. The podcast aims to raise awareness about the positive impact of arts programs in prisons, spark new ideas among practitioners, and inspire others to get involved.
“I’m incredibly excited to bring together leading voices from across the field for conversations about emerging research and personal stories about the impacts of art and art therapy in prison settings,” Gussak said. “My hope for this podcast is that it can be a space that’s welcoming and informative not only for therapy practitioners, but for anyone — including corrections professionals, community activists and artists, and of course, formerly incarcerated individuals and loved ones.”
The first eight episodes will be available May 31 on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube. New episodes will be released each Monday. Initial guests include Chris Fausto Cabrera, an artist and activist who credits art and writing with helping him survive 21 years in a Minnesota prison; Antonio Espinosa, a former prison guard who became an advocate for safer prison environments through the arts after his partner’s death during a prison altercation; as well as Julie and Mike McBride, whose son was sentenced to life in prison for a murder he committed when he was young.
The podcast is produced by FSU art therapy graduate students Malea Burroughs and Sydney Nichols. More information about Arts & Art Therapy with the Imprisoned is available at AATI.fsu.edu.
