Episode 154: Autism, photography and the beauty of everyday things – with Joseph Hill

The episode transcript is below.

Carolyn Kiel: [Art Heals All Wounds podcast promo] Before we get started with today’s episode, I wanted to tell you about another great podcast I’m enjoying. It’s called Art Heals All Wounds. It’s a podcast where you’ll meet artists who are transforming people’s lives with their work. Their stories will inspire you to live your best creative life, find empathy for others and feel compassion for yourself — as you hear from artists who experience many of the same challenges that we all grapple with.

The podcast’s host Pam Uzzell dives deep into the lives of these artists, bringing out their trials and tribulations as well as the healing joy and wonder that comes with creating artwork.

As an artist, filmmaker & storyteller herself, Pam has a natural talent for leading honest conversations that showcase the healing power of art.

Her interviews with a wide range of creative people —filmmakers, artists, musicians, and performers—all feel like kitchen table conversations sparked by genuine curiosity and a shared understanding of the challenges and rewards of making art and telling stories.

Stay tuned to the end of this episode to hear the trailer for Art Heals All Wounds and find out where you can listen to this podcast.

Carolyn Kiel: [Introduction] Welcome to Beyond 6 Seconds, the podcast that goes beyond the 6 second first impression to share the extraordinary stories of everyday people. I’m your host, Carolyn Kiel.

Thank you for joining me for another episode of Beyond 6 Seconds! I’ve got a great episode for you today. I first learned about my guest, Joseph Hill, from a newspaper article in his local North Carolina town about him and his photography business. After I read it, I knew I had to invite him on the show to share his story with you!

Today you’ll hear Joseph talk about what it was like for him growing up as a child with autism, how he found his passion for photography and how he started his photography business with the support of his parents and a family friend. Through his photography, he describes how he looks at everyday things differently and captures their beauty to share with the world. I’ve seen some of his photos on Twitter and I can attest that he has a true talent for this.

He also takes the time to encourage other entrepreneurs and others who are trying to make their dreams come true and find their place in the world. You’ll definitely want to stay tuned to the end of this episode to hear what he has to say about that. I can tell you, it really spoke to my heart.

Another point I wanted to touch on before we get started – in most of my interviews with neurodivergent guests, you’ve probably heard us use what’s called “identity first” language. So, “autistic person” would be an example of identity first language. Most of the time, my guests prefer to use identity first language to describe themselves. Before Joseph and I started recording this interview, though, he told me he prefers to use “person first” language to describe himself – so that’s things like “person with autism” or “person who has autism.” On an individual level, people often have their own preferences about how they use language to refer to themselves. This is something I’ve learned to ask each guest before we start recording. So if you hear us use person first language in this interview, what normally you might hear me use identify first language, that’s why.

If you enjoy stories like this, please take a moment to follow this podcast in your favorite podcast app! Or if you prefer to listen on my website, beyond6seconds.net, please subscribe to my free email newsletter to get notified whenever a new episode comes out. And if you’ve already done that, I appreciate that so much! Thank you.

And now, here’s my interview with Joseph.

On today’s episode, I’m really excited to be speaking with Joseph Hill. Joseph is a photographer with autism who is known as the unofficial mayor of Southern Pines, North Carolina. He’s currently the exclusive photographer for the Southern Pines Welcome Center, where many of his pictures are available for purchase as postcards. His work has been featured in PineStraw Magazine and on the front page of The Pilot newspaper. Joseph is on a mission to spread positivity and prove that individuals with autism and autism spectrum disorders can be successful entrepreneurs. Joseph, welcome to the podcast.

Joseph Hill: Thank you for welcoming me and it’s a pleasure and a huge honor to be on your podcast. And I’m speechless a little bit, but mostly thankful and humbled, and thank you.

Carolyn Kiel: Thank you. Well, it’s a real honor and privilege for me to be able to talk to you and to help share your experience with my listeners. I think I found you, I saw an article about you in one of the local North Carolina papers. I think it might’ve been The Pilot, and I was just so interested in your story and wanted to learn more about it. So thank you.

I understand you were diagnosed with autism at a pretty young age. So I guess during most of your school years, you knew you had autism and I guess the people around you knew as well. But what was your experience like in school? As a young boy with autism going through the school system, what was it like?

Joseph Hill: Okay. I was diagnosed at two and really, growing up in life, I didn’t exactly understood autism, but I did knew and felt that was different than everyone, from living life to going to school where I felt I have different characteristics than my fellow classmates and schoolmates. So throughout school I would just be as kind, as caring, like we all are in school. And I would do my best to follow the assignments, go to class like everyone and just learn as much as I can so I can jump to the next grade and so on.

Carolyn Kiel: Yeah. Were there specific things that you struggled with in school or, or found challenging?

Joseph Hill: I think for some of us, math.

Carolyn Kiel: Yeah.

Joseph Hill: Especially when you get to like multiplications and division.

Carolyn Kiel: Yeah. Yeah. I remember division was hard. It took me a long time to figure out how that worked and just get it in my head. Yeah.

Joseph Hill: Yes. It’s so much to calculate and you try and then somehow you miss some numbers, so, and you try again and you’ll, you’ll get it. And, very challenging.

Carolyn Kiel: Yeah, definitely. Yeah. And did you, do you remember getting any kind of special supports in school? I don’t know, like extra time on tests or even if you needed that sort of thing when you were in school, or they did that?

Joseph Hill: When it came to tests, I would take like your EOG test with everyone in the class. I did go to special ed, like I would be with teachers and I would like practice writing and do all kinds of writing and so that kind of thing. Yes. But more likely I was able to take testing with all the students in my class.

Carolyn Kiel: Okay. Hey, very cool. Now your career is you’re a photographer. So how did you discover your passion for photography?

Joseph Hill: It all goes back to my mom. My mom, Teresa Hill was doing photojournalism assignments for CCCC, Central Carolina Community College, in Sanford. She did photojournalism assignments to where like on any day or weekends, she would take her camera, and I would go with her with my dad, place to place. We would go places for assignments like around Vass, where I’m originally from. We’ll go other places like Sanford and also Southern Pines.

And one of the assignments one day on a Saturday was at a lake, Crystal Lake, that’s towards Vass, my hometown. That day, she would take photojournalism assignments, and I wasn’t like the interest yet, because back then I was more of a, I could think of better things to do than photography. And so during one of the photojournalism assignments, heard a train coming, and I love trains. So as it was coming, I wanted to take the camera and wanted to get the first few pictures of it as it came by.

And so I did. And then afterwards I couldn’t wait to see how it turned out. And it turned out okay. And just great. I mean, I was able to take pictures of a train for the very first time and thanks to mom and that assignment that day is what changed everything, from me not interested in photography to now it is an interest.

Carolyn Kiel: Yeah. And how old were you when you took your first picture of that train?

Joseph Hill: 13.

Carolyn Kiel: Oh, wow, cool. And what kind of camera did you have? Was it like sort of a, a smartphone camera or like a professional type of camera?

Joseph Hill: At that time, I had a small camera. It was called Cobra. You probably don’t hear too many cameras with that name, but that’s what I had at time. It was a small Cobra, gray digital camera.

Carolyn Kiel: All right. Very cool. So you said you were about 13, so that’s, that’s around high school age. So throughout high school, did you keep taking photographs of different things or keep up with that interest at that time?

Joseph Hill: Well, at first I took pictures cause like it was like in the summer and I think going on, cause he was like September when that happened. And it’s been right at 15 years this year since I took the first few pictures, and I hope to make a big event.

So after that I took pictures now and then. I didn’t exactly advance till I got older. And until after I graduated school. But during the school, like middle school, it was kind of challenging by not, not just like assignments and all, because I would do my best to do my, do my homework. Follow all the rules in class. And it’s just, the challenging parts was fitting in. And I just felt different than everyone.

And I’m like, I have friends, but I didn’t exactly socialize as I liked to. And that kind of led me to depression in many ways. And it was just the advanced part of feeling different than everyone. And they came to where before high school, my mom, my both my mom and my dad, they suggest that I be homeschooled the rest of high school.

So I did high school. And then while doing school and high school together. I did photo photography. I did continue, but I didn’t advance until I get older. Like that, that first year, 2007 I took a few pictures. And the next year I took a few more and next year and so on. And so I took more pictures and just advanced in time.

Carolyn Kiel: Yeah, that sounds like a, a difficult and challenging situation to be in with high school. And it sounds like at least photography was there to give you an interest to kind of slowly develop and form over time. What kind of photography or types of things do you like to take pictures of, usually?

Joseph Hill: I more likely photograph, follow what my eye follows. Cause I take pictures of, almost you name it. Like I take pictures of sunsets and sunrises, nature, landscapes, food, trains, architecture, travel, sometimes people. There’s much more than that. That’s just the main few I can name so far, but mostly it’s all eye-catching photography, as I call it. You’re following your eye on what you find interesting. It’s like something you’ve seen every day, but at a certain angle, it’s something we haven’t all seen before. And it’s really beautiful.

Carolyn Kiel: Yeah. So something that catches your eye in that way. I guess you must have developed an instinct at this point. How do you know if something is going to make an, an interesting photo when you are looking around and see things like that?

Joseph Hill: Well, for all of us, we all see things, what we call mundane. Like we see certain things, everyday life as we’re walking by, or even if it’s at home or if it’s in town or so. Like say you see something every day, but at a certain angle, Position up or position on the ground. Like it’s just something in a way you can describe beautiful about it. Or just something, just something that you haven’t seen before that’s really interesting. And, you take that picture.

Carolyn Kiel: Yeah. Well, that’s good to really have a good eye and see, you know, so the interesting angles and interesting ways of the mundane things in the environment, in our lives.

Yeah. So you were starting and doing different photography throughout your high school years. What inspired you to pursue it as your profession?

Joseph Hill: For sure, my mom, she inspired me. And so back to that first year, as she continued her photojournalism assignments, I would sometimes take pictures myself, during those photojournalism assignments. Like we would go to Siler City. I would take a few pictures there. And then Raleigh, even though that was a part of assignment, but I took pictures there. So it was, for any time we went out was always a possibility to take a camera with you. At those times I didn’t always take a camera with me as I do now. But it was like, a now and then thing with, with taking the camera with me, where I went to, even if it was just to a store and back or in town and back, or just out of county and back. It was all learning and growing experience in time.

Carolyn Kiel: Yeah. So you continue to spend time with your mom as she went on assignments. And I’m, I’m thinking back to the article that I read, where I first learned about your story. And I think there was one photo that you took. I think it was of a, a napkin holder that sort of almost kickstarted your, your photography career or at least get the attention of other people in the town where you are.

So tell me about that story. Like taking that picture and then what happened afterwards with it?

Joseph Hill: Okay. So I actually took that picture while I was with my dad, and both me and my dad were meeting with a family friend Suzanne. She lived in town at the same town I live in now, Southern Pines. And at that time all three of us were at the ice cream parlor with that napkin holder. We were talking and well I think, well, well, my dad and Suzanne were chatting. I saw that napkin holder and took one of my cameras I brought with me that time and just took a picture at that position. And the way it was positioned that really caught my interest in wanting to get a picture before I left that time. Then it’s, you can say it’s one of those that did upstart my photography level and my interest to advancing in photography.

Carolyn Kiel: Yeah. How did you share that photo where it got the attention of some of the people in the town?

Joseph Hill: Okay. So about seven years ago, back in 2013, my family friend Suzanne, who I’ve just spoke about earlier, with my mom and me together talked about starting a photography business, to where I could sell photos on everyday products.

And that photo was selected. Suzanne and my mom, and I would check out photos I’ve taken in past years from sunsets to pictures of the park with ducks and photos of my town. And we would select a few of those photos, including one with the ice cream napkin holder, as one of the first photos on products to be ready for Spring Fest event, an event that happens in my town that comes like in spring. And we wanted to give that a try as we start our photography business and wanting to be ready for our first event. And that photo was one of them.

Carolyn Kiel: Okay. Cool. So then I guess people saw it at the photography festival and it got some more interest from there, it sounds like?

Joseph Hill: Yeah, it’s a really nice festival. Spring Fest is an event where entrepreneurs get to come and sell, sell their products. He and her, whether it’s art or photography, like what I do. Crafts. And it’s really fun to go to. And it was, it was, it was amazing moment where I got to go to for the very first time, because usually in past years I would go there, but as a spectator or possibly wanna buy something.

And I went from being a spectator to have my own booth there for the very first time. And that is truly life changing and cool experience.

Carolyn Kiel: Yeah, that sounds cool. It sounds like a great event that gets all entrepreneurs together to sort of show and sell what they’re working on. And yeah, that sounds really awesome.

And what a great experience to be able, you know, at still a relatively young age to have a booth there and be starting your business, that’d be really exciting for you. So, wow. So we said in your bio that you’re often called the unofficial mayor of Southern Pines, North Carolina, and the official photographer for the welcome center. How did that come about? Like how did you get that title?

Joseph Hill: Okay. So the next year after my first Spring Fest event, which is back in 2015, the next year of 2016 my family friend, Suzanne who runs the Southern Pines Welcome Center, she saw some of my photos I’ve taken at certain times, and including the napkin holder, and wanted to buy them, wanted to buy some as postcards. And to this day, they are displayed there to where anytime you can go there and visit and see them all on a special rack.

Carolyn Kiel: Oh, that’s really cool. Do people call you the unofficial mayor of Southern Pines? I guess you’re probably a local celebrity at this point with your photography.

Joseph Hill: Yeah. For me, I just go with like, well known. As thankful as I am to be recognized for my photography and what I do, I’m still your average person. Like no big change, like no limousines. No, no, no big houses. No, no mansions no, no like glamor or anything like that. I’m just, I’m just being, I’m just thankful to be recognized for what I do. And that’s what photography, that’s what led me to reach this moment. Even being interviewed right now.

Carolyn Kiel: Well, that’s fantastic. Yeah. I, I think that’s great at, you know, especially right after high school to be building your own business and have it focused on a passion of yours that you’ve been developing for several years now. That is, that’s really cool.

Joseph Hill: It’s a wonderful, it’s a wonderful passion. And before I, even before I graduated high school, the plans of a possible photography business was talked about with me, my mom and my dad. To where one, just one night, like over a month before I graduated high school, we started channeling ideas of how the good, all these pictures I’ve taken in past years could be put in use. Because even by then, even before I graduated high school, I’ve been taking pictures for like a few years. I got I took beautiful sunsets from where I live, and sunrises. And we really saw possible ideas of what those photos could be put into good news for. Like being put on shirts or postcards, note cards, calendars, that we just, we just channeled so many ideas one night.

And to where after that, the plans of a photography business was a go. And leading up to 2013, it became official with the very first few of my followers being on everyday products with t-shirts calendars, postcards, and note cards and mugs. And it’s just, we went from talking about it to actually putting it in the action.

Carolyn Kiel: Wow. That’s great. Yeah. It’s gotta be so rewarding and exciting to see your photographs on like physical objects or like postcards and t-shirts and that’s really cool.

Joseph Hill: Yeah. And they also got a little nervous because of how things would turn out because with, with pricing and all, pricing and all, and you don’t know if that product’s going to sell well and all.

So there was some excitement and a little bit of nervousness at what could be the outcome, but we, but we still, that’s what we, we felt we wanted to do and what I wanted to do. And as excited as I was, I I still didn’t exactly have like the business mindset, cause there’s really a lot into photography business. Well more than just taking pictures and it’s selling, it’s keeping up with your photos and keeping up with products, and when trying to figure out what’s the next event and if you’ll be ready in time, and investments. It’s just, there’s just so much of it. And all of that became, was very new to me at the time. But a realization that there’s much more, there’s much more to a photography business and right to this day, I hope to to continue doing my best to be both photographer and business savvy.

Carolyn Kiel: Yeah, you’re right. There really is a lot that goes into I guess running any kind of business, especially as an entrepreneur and all these things that are, you know, as you said, pricing and the running of the business and investing and keeping up with events.

But yeah, it’s a lot. And yeah, but it sounds like your your family friend, Suzanne is, has been supportive over time. Your, your parents have been supportive and yeah, that’s really great.

Joseph Hill: Thank you.

Carolyn Kiel: Yeah. And on your website, where you have actually a lot of your photos and you share a lot of photos on your social media as well, but also on your website, you say that you’re on a mission to spread positivity and prove that individuals with autism can be successful entrepreneurs. So tell me a little bit about your advocacy around autism in that way.

Joseph Hill: Okay. Sure. As long as I’ve been autistic as long as I’ve been known, like, cause in a way like growing up, I didn’t exactly understood the definitions of autism. Like I would hear the word, but I didn’t exactly know what it mean until like, until I got more older. And I just understand that for me and for, for just about every person with autism, we still live in a world where being ourselves can be challenging. Fitting in and we’re trying to make it in life. And there’s, there’s ableism where, because of, because of us being ourselves, it’s, it’s challenging to make friends. It’s challenging to find work and it’s challenging to be on our own when it comes to that point. And I just wanted to be as best as I can be an advocate for not just autism, but for people with disabilities and, and altogether. So that, knowing that for all of us, that in life there are challenges, but we can still turn out, we can still make it. We could still be our kindhearted self. We can still be the best we can be.

And if I could be at least someone who lifts he and her up, then that could be something right there. I mean, you got so many good hearted people with autism and disabilities and everyday people doing extraordinary things all around the world. And the best I can do, if not that, at least give people the courage to do good things, extraordinary things. And to know that there is someone, whether you know me or not, that does believe in you.

Carolyn Kiel: Yeah, that’s really wonderful. I, I think you’re right. There are a lot of stereotypes and misconceptions about people with autism and what, and disabilities and what they’re capable of. And it’s always really important to have people like you who are succeeding in all different kinds of fields. Just as an example of, you know, this is, this is something that’s possible, if it’s something that interests you as someone who’s autistic. So it’s really, I think it’s really great that you’re able to provide that, that example for people.

Joseph Hill: Thanks, I could say the same for you. I believe what you do is also uplifting. I’m sure right to this very moment, you are inspiring so many people with or without disabilities, and it’s very touching. I thank you for all you do, and I wish you all the absolute very best.

Carolyn Kiel: Thank you. It’s a great, it’s an honor and a learning experience for me. It’s just, you know, talking with people. You know, it’s not always easy for me to talk with new people, but every time I do, I just, I learn so much and I love hearing people’s stories and, you know, I just love hearing what people are doing and, and what it’s been like for them, and how they’re inspiring other people to, with, through the work that they do and, and all of that. That’s wonderful. And, do, I mean, obviously we’re talking about autism right now on this podcast, but do you do other, like speaking engagements where you talk about like autism and entrepreneurship or photography like that?

Joseph Hill: Well, last year a friend of a friend named Elton, he does his own podcast and I was interviewed for that. Cause we follow each other on social media. And he was interested in doing a podcast and we got together and we talked. And we talked about the same things we discussed, like my, my journey, being autistic, and just, and life itself and how each of us can better our lives and better others. Yeah. So I have been interviewed on podcasts before. This would be my second time. Thank you.

I had done public speaking before maybe not a whole lot, but now and then I have. One of the first few times I did public speak was at Sandhills Community College, where back in 2016, I received a Marilyn Neely Award for my photography. I didn’t even know at the time. So when I was receiving the award, I made a speech and I was so shaky at the time because I didn’t exactly know that was gonna happen. But even though I was a little shaky, I still spoke words of encouragement for not just, and thanks of winning the award, but I wanted to speak encouragement and confidence to all young and older people in business about success. And knowing that it’s a long, it’s a long way for all of us when it comes to succeeding in life and in business and with courage and with the knowledge and taking it steady, you too can succeed.

Carolyn Kiel: Yeah, absolutely. It takes a lot of focus and dedication, but if you have your eye on what you want to do to succeed and you keep focused on it, that’s something to achieve.

Joseph Hill: Eyes on the prize, and it doesn’t hurt to have courage on the side.

Carolyn Kiel: Definitely. That always helps. Absolutely. So what other goals do you have for your photography? Long-term in terms of things you’d like to do with it, things you’d like to photograph.

Joseph Hill: Oh, thank you. I often think about it just about all the time. One of the goals I really hope to do someday photography wise is to travel the country, this country, like go to all 50 states and see what I can do photography wise in each of the states. And just go to every state and see what I can do from there.

I really like to think I can do something like that. I don’t know exactly when that will happen, but I hope in my lifetime and photography world, that can happen. If anything, I’ll start with my home state of North Carolina first and then travel down the south. And then I think go back up north and then just visit every state and see what I can do from there. And who knows? I could probably even advertise for a state, for each state, including this, especially this one.

Carolyn Kiel: Yeah, that’d be really cool to see the country and photograph all the interesting things there that, yeah, that’s, that’s really exciting.

Joseph Hill: Oh man. It’s, it’s like, you can picture that happening. I hope that you do get this. Like, you can picture yourself in every state and you can just be photographing and just see something in a way that no one has yet. Even though so many photographers have taken so many pictures of this and that in every state. And, but maybe there’s a chance I could take a picture or you could take a picture of something specific that we haven’t seen yet.

Carolyn Kiel: Yeah, it’s funny. So many of us look at the same things over and over every day, but to really see things in a different light or angle it’s, it’s special, it really is up to the eye of the photographer that’s taking the picture.

Joseph Hill: Yes. Another goal I hope to do with my photography is in a way, better communities.

By being mayor of, the unofficial mayor of Southern Pines, I like to, in many ways continue using that title proudly, but not just be a photographer, but doing good will, like find creative ways to better community. And even with taking pictures, like help support small businesses and take pictures of that. Or help local businesses or charities and special organizations. And by taking pictures of it, it can also help spread the word how important that business is. And yeah, they may even show interest to visit that said place. I mean, there’s just, there’s just so much good photography can do. And I hope to lead to me as best I can show that.

Carolyn Kiel: That’s interesting. Yeah, because I’d imagine a lot of smaller businesses, like may not have the time because they’re so focused on other things, may not have the time to take pictures and advertise in that way. So I could see how that would help bring the community together and bring attention to that business or that organization.

Joseph Hill: Yeah. I mean like, like every business does have their own social media page and they do take their own pictures. I just often take pictures as I walk from place to place and just take a specific scene like the views would see on my social media, I take pictures of ice cream parlor at a special view, or at sunset, you know, and other places with the right angle and all, and it really turns out. And the other thing, by doing that it’s not only helping the business, but it also shows how great photography is. Just there’s so many pluses, you can put photography into good use for, especially with your own community and your own state.

Carolyn Kiel: Yeah, absolutely. It helps bring people together in that way. Yeah. So this is really cool. Thank you so much, Joseph, for telling me about your story. How can people get in touch with you if they want to see more of your photography or maybe purchase some of it? Where can they find you?

Joseph Hill: Okay. You can contact me like on Gmail. Social media wise, you can find me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and I have my own website. I think it’s labeled JosephHillPhoto.com I hope to expand social media sites in the future. But for now, you’ll just find me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram. And product-wise, you can find my photo postcards, notecards at the welcome center. And I hope to, especially when we overcome winter like as we go to spring, you’ll see me more at pop-up events, like Spring Fest, like I just talked about, or other pop up events, like in town or somewhere else. And I can share the word about that then.

Carolyn Kiel: That’s great. Yeah. I’ll put links to your website and your social media pages in the show notes of this podcast. So people can just click on it from there and, and find your work there.

Joseph Hill: Oh thank you.

Carolyn Kiel: Yeah. So, yeah. Thanks again, Joseph, for being on my show. As we close out, just as a final question, is there anything else that you’d like our listeners to know or anything that they can do to help or support you?

Joseph Hill: First, I want to say how thankful I am to be on your podcast because it’s, it’s really, it’s really touching and it means a whole lot to me. Because I’ve really come a long way. Because like 15 years ago. I would’ve never imagined something like this happening. I probably didn’t even know the word “podcast” then. I mean, they were around, I just didn’t know the word or I didn’t listen to it then. Anyway. I just wanted, I just think, I just look back at how thankful I am and I, well as thankful as I am. I hope to, as best I can, keep influencing every good hearted person in this world that he and she matters, and that he and her does have what it takes to live a successful life, including people with autism or any disability.

And I like to, as best as I can, share with everyone that I do believe, whether you know me or you don’t, I really do believe in you. I know that for any talent you have, both he and she can put it into good use, and not only better his life, his or her life, they can also better lives and they can also even make the world a better place and go a better direction. I really do believe that.

Carolyn Kiel: That’s wonderful. That’s really, that’s really touching and just so motivational. So yeah. Thank you for your photography. I think it’s so exciting to see your business grow and the goals that you have for the future. So, yeah. Congratulations on the success you’ve had so far, and I know you’ll have much more in the future as well.

And thank you so much for being on the show and sharing your story. I really enjoyed talking with you.

Joseph Hill: I enjoyed talking to you too. And thanks for having me. I look forward to returning someday.

Carolyn Kiel: Absolutely. Would love to get an update someday. Sounds great.

Carolyn Kiel: Thanks for listening to Beyond 6 Seconds. Please help us spread the word about this podcast. Share it with a friend. Give us a shoutout on your social media or write a review on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast player. You can find all of our episodes on our website and sign up for our free newsletter at www.beyond6seconds.net. Until next time.

Carolyn Kiel: And now, here’s the trailer for Art Heals All Wounds.

[Art Heals All Wounds trailer]

Speaker 1: I don’t know if I even realized what the term artist meant when I first started making things.

Pam Uzzell (Host): Welcome to Art Heals All Wounds, the podcast where we meet artists transforming lives with their work.

Speaker 2: And this opera company in Orange County, Southern California, wanted to do a project that focused on the Latino cultural experience. That sort of began my trajectory into writing opera.

Speaker 3: To see this representation that reflected back a part of the history that actually included my, my people that made me feel seen in this powerful way.

Speaker 4: Very often a poem begins in absence for me, because then it opens up a realm of imagined possibility.

Pam Uzzell (Host): We hear their stories of how their work grapples with all of the issues that we all grapple with.

Speaker 5: She wanted the best for me. I mean, being a single mom, I remember she gave me a Fisher-Price camera. I would carry it everywhere.

Speaker 6: People being evicted left and right. And I remember walking down the streets and just saying, oh my God, this is not my city anymore. And then the melody came, and a whole song came, and it came so quickly.

Speaker 7: As I became an adult, I started getting terms like feminist terms and political terms and ways of understanding what it means to be different. And I started wanting to change the field of media.

Speaker 8: And I started to make friends with people that didn’t have disabilities. And I used to try and act as much as I could like them because I wanted to be what you would call normal.

Pam Uzzell (Host): Through stories, we gain empathy for others and we find compassion for ourselves.

Speaker 9: So the stories that you tell yourself are the story of that you’re making of your life, it’s not the truth of who you are. It’s the story that you’re living.

Speaker 10: When it comes to stories around disability, that there’s joy, there’s sex, there’s humor.

Pam Uzzell (Host): This podcast is an invitation to find inspiration together.

Speaker 11: I say I’m a personal accountability partner. You tell me what you want to do, and let’s find a way to get it done.

Speaker 12: Creativity is a human right. We’re all born being artists.

Speaker 13: I’m a human being first and foremost. And then I am a creator.

Pam Uzzell (Host): Listening to the stories of these artists helps us to live our best creative lives.

Speaker 14: If you can keep your joy, no matter what brings you joy, there are just so many modalities of art. There’s no way you can’t be a better person.

Pam Uzzell (Host): You can find us anywhere you listen to podcasts or at our website, ArtHealsAllWoundsPodcast.com.