The Power of Art and Healing with Robin Hall

On today's episode of the "Helping Families Be Happy" podcast, host Dr. Carla Marie Manly, a clinical psychologist, wellness advocate, and author based in Sonoma County, California is going to talk to Robin Hall. She has written a book called "The Littlest Weaver." Robin describes herself as someone who enjoys creating and has a variety of creative outlets such as writing, quilting, and basket making. 

 

Episode Highlights:

• 02:39: Carla asks Robin about her basket weaving skills. Robin explains that she started weaving baskets in 2016 when she took a class at the Community Center with a kind woman named Susan. 
• 04:00: Robin discusses her favorite color, green, and her experience living in a less green environment.
• 04:18: Carla asks about the connection between green and Robin's book, "The Loose Weaver.
• 05:10: Robin explains how the Tohoku tsunami and earthquake in Japan inspired her to write the story of a man who moved away from the sea to heal.
• 06:30: Robin shares details of her book, "The Littlest Weaver," and displays a spread with beautiful illustrations of the Appalachian area.
• 07:49: Carla discusses the 10 habits of happy families and asks how Robin's book fits into those habits.
• 08:23: Robin emphasizes on the themes of healing, small acts of kindness, and the power of art in her book.
• 09:31: Robin shares how she hopes her book will inspire families to create together and plans to create videos demonstrating weaving techniques.
• 12:02: Robin envisions her book as a source of joy and recognition of sadness, helping families move towards joy and unity while appreciating each other's presence.
• 13:00: Robin expresses the desire for carpets that children can create themselves, introducing the idea of a coloring page for creating their own carpets.
• 13:19: Carla admits the fear of acknowledging grief and emphasizes the importance of experiencing joy during the grieving process. They mention that joy and grief can coexist and that moments of joy can be found even while mourning.
• 14:18: Carla mentions that grief can extend beyond the loss of a human being, including the loss of pets or relationships.
• 16:15: Robin highlights the significance of persistence and following one's passion in any field or role.

3 Key Points:

1. Robin briefly introduces her book and reads a short passage from the introduction.
2. Carla discusses the connection between creativity and healing and asks about the potential use of the book for families in need of healing.
3. Robin discovered the story of 'The Little Sweeper' after the Tohoku tsunami and earthquake in Japan in 2011, a tragic event that touched the lives of many.

Tweetable Quotes:

• "Taking pottery courses and engaging in repetitive activities like knitting calms me down and bring me joy." - Robin Hall
• "I love exploring different patterns and tools in pottery, it's a soothing and creative process." - Robin Hall

• "Creating baskets and other handmade items has become my passion, filling my basement with a variety of beautiful creations." - Robin Hall
• "I absolutely adore the color green; it's my favorite color and I find it incredibly soothing." - Robin Hall
• "Living in a green environment is essential to me, as I felt a bit out of place in the dry, desert-like surroundings of 29 Palms." - Robin Hall
• "The book highlights the resilience and courage of a father who returns to his devastated home, showcasing the strength of the human spirit." - Robin Hall

Resources Mentioned

• Helping Families Be Happy Podcast Apple
• Familius.com
• Podcast Editing