In this deeply heart-centered conversation, internationally renowned artist Joel Pfeiffer invites us into the soulful journey behind his life’s work — HeartRoots Studio. From his early creative awakenings to the whimsical magic of Emma and Woody, the dolls that sparked his rise to national and global recognition, Joel reminds us that art can be both a mirror and a bridge.

We explore how the World Clay Stomps, from his backyard to Milwaukee to Russia to Flagstaff, became living sculptures of connection, bringing people together through the primal, grounding rhythm of clay. Each stomp, Joel explains, is a ritual of community and creation; a collective heartbeat that transcends borders, languages and belief systems.

Throughout the episode, Joel shares the story of his creative process, how he listens, responds and co-creates with the spirit of the material itself. His vision is one of peace, oneness and togetherness through art; a gentle yet powerful reminder that transformation begins in our hands, hearts and imagination.

This episode is a celebration of what it means to be human, to create from the heart and to remember that we are, quite literally, all made of the same earth.

show notes:

website:
www.heartrootsart.com

email: joelpfeiffer44@gmail.com

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The power of the pause... in this episode, I share what I've been up to, where I'm at and the future of the podcast. Tune in... this one is full send mode.

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In this episode,The Future is Now: Youth, Civic Power and Sustainable Democracy, John Stuart explores how empowering youth is essential to building a sustainable democracy. Drawing on sustainability principles, real-world research and the UN Sustainable Development Goals, John reveals how SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice & Strong Institutions) can be used as powerful methods for promoting civic engagement. From viewing democracy as an interconnected ecosystem to applying regenerative design thinking, this conversation offers practical strategies for equipping young people with the knowledge, agency and access they need to shape the future. The takeaway is clear: the health of our democracy depends on ensuring the next generation’s voices are not only heard, but built into the foundation of our institutions.

References

Ballard, P. J., Hoyt, L. T., & Pachucki, M. C. (2018). Impacts of adolescent and young adult civic engagement on health and socioeconomic status in adulthood. Child Development, 90(4), 1138–1154. https://doi.org/10.1111/cdev.12998

Paat, Y.-F., Garcia Tovar, D., Myers, N. W., Orezzoli, M. C. E., Giangiulio, A. M., Ruiz, S. L., Dorado, A. V., & Torres-Hostos, L. R. (2025). Leveraging an arts-based approach to foster engagement, nurture kindness, and prevent violence. Behavioral Sciences, 15(6), 799. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15060799

Seider, S., Clark, S., & Graves, D. (2019). The development of critical consciousness and its relation to academic achievement in adolescents of color. Child Development, 91(2), e451–e474. https://doi.org/10.1111/cdev.13262

Sherman, D. J., & Montgomery, D. R. (2023). Environmental science and sustainability (2nd ed.). W. W. Norton & Company.

Nestor, M. A., & Samuel, S. A. (n.d.). Youth activists are now real agents of change at global climate summits. The Conversation. https://theconversation.com/youth-activists-are-now-real-agents-of-change-at-global-climate-summits-232123

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