🎨 Meet Sadie: Art, Anxiety & the Power of Expression

In a special episode of The Healthy Project Podcast, host Corey Dion Lewis sat down with Sadie, an artist whose journey through anxiety, creativity, and self-discovery is both moving and inspiring. This conversation was part of a collaboration with the Freedom of Expression (FOE) Project, a public arts and culture initiative launched in 2022.

The FOE Project is all about creating space for voices of all abilities, backgrounds, and experiences. Every year, it brings artists and communities together to explore the power of creativity and the right to self-expression. Sadie’s story is a perfect example of how art isn’t just a hobby — it’s healing. It’s belonging. It’s power.

From folding her first origami crane to filling the room with glitter (literally), Sadie shares how art became her way of navigating anxiety and building confidence. “Each time you make a mistake,” she says, “you fold that crease and let it go.” Her story is raw, joyful, and deeply human — a reminder that creativity doesn’t have to be perfect. It just has to be yours.

You’ll also hear about the people who’ve supported Sadie along the way — her parents, mentors, church community, and of course, Jill from the FOE Project (shoutout!). Together, they’ve helped her feel seen, supported, and safe to shine. “I want people to know they’re loved and accepted no matter where they’re from,” Sadie says. “Just come in and be yourself.”

Listen to the episode:
How Art Helped Me Heal: A Story of Creativity, Anxiety, and Belonging

Watch the interview with Sadie on YouTube:
Watch here

To learn more about the Freedom of Expression Project and how it's uplifting voices like Sadie’s, visit foeproject.com.