This week, we sit down with Dan Zimmermann — a name that might not be on the tip of your tongue yet, but one you won’t forget after hearing this. Dan is a renowned automotive design leader with over 20 years in the game. From iconic muscle cars at Dodge SRT to innovative concept builds at Mopar, Dan’s fingerprints are on some of the most thrilling vehicles on the road today.But behind the polished exteriors and high-speed innovation is a kid who just loved drawing cars — and had to fight like hell to turn that passion into a profession.🎤 Hosted by Rich Wright, this deep-dive interview is more than just a career retrospective — it's a survival guide for the modern artist.✨ Whether you're a student at CCS, a weekend sketcher, a gearhead, or someone questioning their creative path, Dan's journey will move you, fuel you, and maybe even change your mind about what’s possible.🎧 LISTEN as Dan reveals:The surreal moment when a teacher stopped a math test mid-class to tell him: “You don’t belong here—you belong in art.”How BMX culture, Hot Wheels, and a Sublime Green ‘70 Challenger shaped his design DNA.What it felt like to be the misunderstood artist in a household ruled by logic and science (his dad helped develop Loctite superglue).The hard truth about surviving art school, the burnout, the critiques, and how he pushed through.Why being a car designer means more than “just drawing”—it’s about negotiation, leadership, and translating creative chaos into production perfection.💥 Viral Moment Alert: Dan’s story about setting a phone book on fire to finish an art school project might just be one of the most honest, hilarious, and inspiring tales of spontaneous creativity you’ve ever heard.🔥📖🚀 WHO SHOULD WATCH THIS?Artists seeking validation in a world that demands practicality.Designers who dream of breaking into the auto industry.Anyone who’s ever been told “you need a real job.”Creatives navigating family trauma, burnout, or the pressure to “prove it.”Connect with Dan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-zimmermann-a11Connect with Rich:Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richwrightunltdInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/richwrightunltdCoaching by Rich: https://www.theartistrecovery.com/coachingFirst Looks and Bonuses: https://www.artrecroom.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/theartrecX: https://www.x.com/theArtistrecRich's WOW ESP: https://www.theartistrecovery.com/white-owl-wisdom💬 Drop a comment if you resonated with Dan’s story or if you’ve ever had to fight for your creative dream.👍 Like, Share & Subscribe to fuel more stories like this.#DanZimmermann #ArtistRecoveryPodcast #CarDesign #BMXCulture #AutomotiveInnovation #ArtSchoolStories #FunctionalArtist #CreativeJourney #DetroitDesign #PodcastInterview #Mopar #DodgeSRT #InspiredDesign #DanZimmermanninterview #automotivedesigner #podcast #DodgeSRTinteriors #Moparconceptdesign #ArtistRecoveryPodcast #BMXartiststory #creativeburnout #overcomingfamilypressureasanartist #cardesigncareer #artistinspiration2025 #functionalartistjourney #realartschoolstories #Detroitcarculture.

In this must-watch episode of the Artist Recovery Podcast, we sit down with Sherry James—mental health advocate, CXO of Phoenix Speaks Inc., founder of 2020 Lives Changed, and host of Creating Mental Wealth—for a raw, emotional, and inspiring conversation that will stay with you long after the video ends.

** This episode contains some very traumatic experiences, please take time for yourself if you are affected by this conversation, pause and come back when you are ready. **🎙 Timestamps & Viral Moments:00:00 – Intro02:37 – Born at a funeral: The start of an unimaginable journey06:02 – A generational cycle of trauma, and her grandfather’s unseen fight to rescue her13:20 – From teenage motherhood to supporting her daughter’s path to nursing22:10 – Co-parenting redemption: Breaking family chains28:39 – Raising a creative son: Music, photography, and chess dreams35:16 – Behind the scenes of the artist management business: Pre-streaming struggles41:13 – A Christian rapper’s rejected deal that turned into a YouTube empire46:59 – Life after a stroke: “I have red bottoms to wear—I will walk again.”53:44 – 💰 Mental Wealth: A life-changing reframing of emotional health💡 Sherry reveals how her Mental Wealth philosophy helps people treat emotional resilience like a bank account—assigning value to joy, reframing trauma as growth, and cutting “mental withdrawals” to preserve peace.🧠 You’ll also hear how:Her traumatic childhood shaped her mission.She navigated abuse, addiction, and loss—and still chose love.She raised two thriving kids across generations, one in nursing and one an emerging creative.She blends AI with Carl Jung’s Red Book to help Gen Z discover their identity.🔥 Game-Changing Insight: Sherry’s upcoming project “I Am AI” teaches students to uncover their shadow selves through AI and Jungian psychology—bridging the gap between tech, mental health, and identity exploration.💬 Top Quote:“Your mental wealth is the only wealth that truly matters.”❤️ Why Watch?If you’re a creative, a survivor, a parent, or just someone trying to navigate this chaotic world, Sherry’s resilience will move you—and her wisdom will guide you. Whether you're battling burnout or building something beautiful out of pain, this episode will empower you to heal out loud.👇 Join the conversation:🌐 What’s your “mental wealth” deposit today?💭 Have you reassessed your story as a strength?📢 Don’t forget to:✅ LIKE✅ SUBSCRIBE✅ HIT THE BELL✅ SHARE with someone who needs to hear this messageConnect with Sherry: https://phoenixspeaksinc.com/Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sjamespmp/Connect with Rich: https://www.theartistrecovery.comLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richwrightunltdInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/richwrightunltdJoin the Community: https://www.artrecroom.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thartrecTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/thartrecCoaching with Rich: https://www.theartistrecovery.com/coachingGet WOWed: https://www.theartistrecovery.com/coaching#MentalHealth #SherryJames #ArtistRecovery #TraumaSurvivor #CreatingMentalWealth #BlackWomenHealing #MentalWealthBank #PodcastInterview #ArtistSupport #HealingOutLoud #AIAndMentalHealth #RedBook #PhoenixSpeaks

🔥 In this powerful episode of the Artist Recovery Podcast, we sit down with LA-based illustrator Rey Paez, whose nostalgic, rebellious art style has made waves across pop culture giants like Stranger Things, Star Wars, Topps, and more. Rey opens up in one of his most vulnerable and inspiring interviews yet, sharing how a kid born with spina bifida in East LA became a nationally recognized creative force—armed with nothing but a pencil, passion, and unstoppable mindset.🎨 Whether you're an artist, creative entrepreneur, or someone searching for your next step, this conversation will leave you inspired to push past limitations and redefine your path.🚀 What You'll Discover in This Episode:✅ How Rey’s childhood love for Garbage Pail Kids & Ren & Stimpy fueled his artistic identity✅ Overcoming spina bifida and staying grounded with an unshakable positive mindset✅ The emotional moment that reignited his art career—after nearly giving it up✅ Why he almost quit after visiting a top art school and how he turned rejection into resilience✅ A behind-the-scenes story of getting commissioned by Topps for official Star Wars sketch cards✅ The dark side of unsupportive relationships—and the creative rebirth that followed✅ Lessons from the Reimagine Conference and how a “failed” mentorship became a launchpad✅ The viral moment that made Pixar take notice of Rey’s art✅ His philosophy on style, authenticity, and creating emotional impact through illustration✨ Viral Moment:“More of this,” a Pixar artist messaged Rey after seeing his sketch of a kid making candy angels—a moment that reshaped how Rey thought about storytelling and emotion in art.💥 Mic Drop Quote:“It’s not about how perfect the drawing is. It’s about what people feel when they see it.”💡 Why You Should Watch: This isn’t just an art interview—it’s a masterclass in resilience, creativity, and finding your way when the road isn’t clear. Rey’s story is raw, funny, and full of golden moments that creatives of all kinds can relate to.🎯 Perfect For:Aspiring artists & illustratorsCreatives recovering from burnoutAnyone seeking purpose, inspiration, or clarityFans of Star Wars, Stranger Things, & 80s/90s nostalgiaPeople who feel stuck in the “wrong path” but dream of more#ReyPaez #ArtistRecoveryPodcast #StarWarsArt #StrangerThingsArt #IllustrationCareer #SpinaBifidaSurvivor #CreativeEntrepreneur #ArtInspiration #ReimagineConference #LAArtist #PopCultureArt #SelfTaughtArtist #IllustratorInterview #DigitalArtJourney #RichWrightUnlimited #RichWrightArtist #RenAndStimpyFan #DrawingAsTherapy #ReyPaezInterview #InspiringCreatives #ReyPaezPodcast #ArtCommunityStories📱 Connect with Rey PaezLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reypaez1/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rey.paezhttps://www.instagram.com/rey.paez.drawsConnect with Rich:https://www.theartistrecovery.comLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richwrightunltdInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/richwrightunltdInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/theartrecCommunity Subscription: https://www.artrecroom.comCoaching: https://www.theartistrecovery.com/coaching💬 Drop a comment with your favorite moment or quote from Rey’s story!

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