Mental Health, Murals & Representation

04/24/25 • 24 min

What does inclusive public art look like when it comes from lived experience?

In this episode of Coffee Can’t Fix Everything, I sit down with Marissa Hernandez—a artist from the Des Moines art scene—to talk about mental health, faceless portraits, and how her murals bring representation and healing to public spaces across Iowa.

Topics we cover:

Art and identity in the Iowa art community
Mental health and creativity as a BIPOC artist
Why faceless portraits create deeper emotional connection
Community-driven art and youth collaboration
Navigating the art industry and pricing your work fairly
How murals can empower young artists and change public spaces

If you care about mental health in the arts, representation in public art, or just want a powerful story on how art can be a voice for the voiceless, you need to watch this.

💬 Join the conversation in the comments:
What kind of representation is missing in your city’s public art?

☕ Enjoyed the episode? Support the show:
buymeacoffee.com/coreydionlewis

Subscribe for more stories blending mental health, culture, and community.

#MentalHealthPodcast #BIPOCArtist #DesMoinesArtScene #FacelessPortraits #PublicMurals #ArtAndRepresentation #CoffeeCantFixEverything

What does inclusive public art look like when it comes from lived experience?

Topics we cover:

Art and identity in the Iowa art community
Mental health and creativity as a BIPOC artist
Why faceless portraits create deeper emotional connection
Community-driven art and youth collaboration
Navigating the art industry and pricing your work fairly
How murals can empower young artists and change public spaces

If you care about mental health in the arts, representation in public art, or just want a powerful story on how art can be a voice for the voiceless, you need to watch this.

💬 Join the conversation in the comments:
What kind of representation is missing in your city’s public art?

☕ Enjoyed the episode? Support the show:
buymeacoffee.com/coreydionlewis

Subscribe for more stories blending mental health, culture, and community.

#MentalHealthPodcast #BIPOCArtist #DesMoinesArtScene #FacelessPortraits #PublicMurals #ArtAndRepresentation #CoffeeCantFixEverything

Previous Episode

Leading Through Life: Navigating Disappointment, Balance, and Growth

In this episode of Coffee Can’t Fix Everything, we sit down for a raw and insightful conversation on the realities of leadership, parenting, and personal growth. We dive into the mental health challenges that come with leading in both professional and personal spaces, the impact of burnout, and how to develop emotional resilience in the face of setbacks. Our guest shares their journey through leadership challenges, self-doubt, and the lessons they've learned about balancing work, faith, and family. Whether you're a nonprofit leader, entrepreneur, working parent, or someone striving for personal and professional growth, this conversation will leave you with valuable insights on staying grounded, navigating rejection, and leading with authenticity.

Show Notes:
00:00 - Welcome to Coffee Can’t Fix Everything an introduction to today’s guest
02:20 - The realities of leadership: balancing passion with the unexpected challenges
07:03 - Burnout and work stress: why setting boundaries is key to long-term success
10:37 - Dealing with disappointment and navigating rejection as a leader
15:43 - Parenting and leadership: lessons from raising kids while leading a career
20:28 - The power of faith and mental health in staying resilient through tough times
24:33 - The importance of self-reflection and how to develop a growth mindset
28:05 - Emotional intelligence and staying in control of your emotions in high-pressure moments
32:00 - The power of mentorship, community leadership, and giving back
37:09 - The reality of nonprofit management and work-life balance
40:27 - Final thoughts: How to stay anchored in your values and keep moving forward

Tune in for this real, unfiltered conversation about leadership, mental health, and the everyday struggles that come with trying to make an impact. If you enjoy the episode, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who needs to hear it!

Support the Podcast & Stay Connected:

☕ Love the show? Buy me a coffee! → https://buymeacoffee.com/coreydionlewis
Follow Coffee Can’t Fix Everything for more real conversations on mental health and leadership
Learn more about our guest and their work
Connect with us on social media for updates and behind-the-scenes content

🎧 Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts!

Next Episode

Pressure, Identity & Mental Health as a Creative

Steven Lewis joins the show to talk pressure, identity, and mental health as a creative. From routines to social media stress, we unpack how to stay grounded while building your brand.

Mental Health Resources:

Therapy for Black Men: https://therapyforblackmen.org
NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness): https://nami.org
Mental Health America: https://mhanational.org
The Steve Fund (Supporting the mental health of young people of color): https://www.stevefund.org
Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 or visit https://www.crisistextline.org

Stay connected with host Corey Dion Lewis:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/coreydlewis/
https://www.instagram.com/coreydionlewis/
https://www.tiktok.com/@coreydionlewis
Connect with the guest
https://www.instagram.com/sight_lives/
https://www.instagram.com/sightseyephotography/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCw7f8lKeJMxW9mjvhyczTZA

📬 Join the Mental Health Coffee Club newsletter for real conversations, resources, and weekly check-ins: www.healthyproject.co