Parenting, Creativity, and Community: Dr. Charity Marsh on GRR, Queer Family Structures, and Raising Kids in the Arts

In this episode of Parenting Creative, I talk with Dr. Charity Marsh—community-engaged researcher, multidisciplinary artist, parent, and professor of Creative Technologies and Design at the University of Regina.

We explore:

• How creative practice sustains parents through crisis
• The intersection of queerness, parenting, and chosen family
• Charity’s work with GRR (formerly Girls Rock Regina) and its shift toward gender inclusivity
• Raising children in grassroots arts communities
• How art-making with children invites vulnerability, joy, and innovation
• The powerful impact of community radio during the pandemic
• Family structures beyond binaries and embracing new language for kinship

Charity shares her journey as a queer, solo parent raising two creative kids, her reflections on systemic sexism in music culture, and how she models creativity as resistance and resilience.

• Imagine This Music - Radio w/ Kids reflection
• Releasing Perfectionism w/ Amber Goodwyn - Parenting Creative
• Nichole Huck: A Journalist's Perspective on Parenting and Creativity - Parenting Creative
• Welcome to GRR!

To check out Charity's documentary I'm Gonna Play Loud: Girls Rock Regina and the Ripple Effect, email Charity at charity.marsh@uregina.ca for access.

• The story behind the creation of Parenting Creative
• Why “balance” is the wrong goal for creative parents
• Parenting and creating through climate anxiety, social injustice, and digital overwhelm
• How creative practice helps resist burnout, reclaim rest, and build meaningful connection
• An invitation to help shape the next chapter of Parenting Creative

• Rest as resistance
• Reflection as clarity
• Creative expression as processing
• Interdependence and shared learning
• Joy, grief, nourishment, and the art of staying human

Read the evolving vision for Parenting Creative:

In a world that feels unmoored, you're searching for something to hold onto.

Something steady. Solid. Whole.

Parenting Creative is a gathering place for caregivers, meaning-makers, and anyone seeking steadiness in disorienting times.

We explore practices that anchor us: creative expression, joy, interdependence, nourishment, rest, and reflection.

This isn't about finding balance. It's about accountability and belonging—to ourselves, our kids, and each other—in defiance of a world that wants us fragmented.

We don’t have easy answers. But we offer questions worth asking, practices worth returning to, and stories worth sharing.

--

And let me know:

• What resonates?
• What’s missing?

DM me or send a voice note. I want your voice in this.

If this episode moved you:

• Leave a review on Apple or Spotify
• Share it with your creative circle
• Follow on Instagram: @parentingcreative
• Or join the free email newsletter for deeper connection + bonus episodes

All links in the show notes. Thanks for being here.

On this episode, host Nikko Snyder talks to entrepreneur, sex educator, and author Melissa Pintor Carnagey. Based in Austin, Texas, Melissa is the parent of three young people ages 11, 15, and 26. They're also the founder of Sex Positive Families, which delivers inclusive, sex positive, shame-free sex education to families worldwide through their newsletter and online workshops.

Melissa has also written two books, including Sex Positive Talks to Help with Kids: A Guide to Raising Sexually Healthy, Informed, Empowered Young People; and the hot off the presses puberty book for kids 11 to 14 called Growing Into You: An inclusive, shame busting, get real guide to your changing body and mind.

In our conversation we talk about starting your parenting journey as a teenager, tapping into your childhood passions to guide your adult dreams, the journey to becoming a published author, honouring your truth enough to risk leaving a bad situation to start your own business, disrupting the system by living your best life, breaking cycles, and giving ourselves self-compassion and forgiveness for the mistakes we inevitably make in this wild experiment called parenting.

There's a bonus episode of Parenting Creative with even more of our conversation. You can get that by signing up for our free email newsletter.

In addition to bonus content, I use the newsletter to share guest announcements, sneak peeks, glimpses behind the scenes, and deeper reflections on every episode.

In this conversation (part 2 of 2), Kris Alvarez shares her journey as a theatre artist and parent, exploring the integration of creativity into family life. She discusses her upbringing as a child of immigrants, how she navigates the complexities of aging parents, and making theatre with non-performers (including her own parents). Kris emphasizes the significance of both suffering and joy in personal growth, the importance of intergenerational relationships, and the need to tolerate each other's learning and mistakes.

And don't miss the first part of our conversation, where we talk about about real, serious play and navigating the serious mental illness of a child.

• Mann Art Gallery - Prince Albert SK
• Home | Common Ground Arts Society
• Curtain Razors
• Kris Alvarez on Instagram

You can support Parenting Creative by leaving us a five-star review, signing up for our free email newsletter, or sending us a tip.

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takeaways

• Kris emphasizes the importance of being authentic and present in life.
• She integrates her family into her art, creating a unique blend of personal and professional.
• The immigrant experience shapes her perspective on creativity and family dynamics.
• Aging parents bring both joy and challenges, requiring a balance of care and understanding.
• Kris believes in the power of art to foster community and connection.
• She rejects compartmentalization, advocating for a more integrated approach to life and creativity.
• Suffering can lead to growth and a deeper understanding of oneself and others.
• Kris's upbringing instilled a sense of playfulness and affection that she shares with her audience.
• She aims to create spaces where people can embrace their creativity and connect with others.
• Kris's journey reflects the complexities of parenting, art, and intergenerational relationships.

Chapters

00:00

The Essence of Being: Embracing Authenticity

01:51

Creative Parenting: Integrating Art and Family

03:18

The Immigrant Experience: Family, Culture, and Creativity

12:01

Compartmentalization vs. Integration

19:03

Suffering and Growth: The Silver Linings of Life

24:03

Creating Space for Learning: Tolerance and Understanding

30:03

The Journey of Integration: Embracing Wholeness

keywords

creativity, parenting, immigrant experience, intergenerational relationships, art integration, personal growth, community building, family dynamics, aging, aging parents, authenticity

If you or a young person in your life is struggling with mental health, know that you are not alone and that help is out there. If you are in crisis, you can call 9-8-8, ANYTIME, 24/7.

Part one of a two-part conversation with theatre artist, community magic maker and parent of two young adults, Kris Alvarez. In part one, host Nikko Snyder talks to Kris about fighting for the space to play - and not the pretend or performed play that a lot of adults do with kids, but the real serious play that has zero agenda apart from simple shits and giggles. They also talk about the fundamental importance of kindness, the gift of mentorship, and paying that forward. And they talk about navigating the serious mental illness of a child, processing that journey by making art, and how the experience can blow your capacity for unconditional love wide open.

And that's just part one! Don't miss the next episode where Kris talks about creating theatre with non-performers (including her own parents), being the child of immigrants, the integration of art into all aspects of life, and the importance of great snacks.

Parenting Creative explores the places where creative life and parenting collide, and all the magic and mess that ensues. Through deep, honest conversations with diverse artist-parents who are walking the walk, we explore both the struggles and the real, practical ways to make creativity and parenthood work—on your own terms, in ways that sustain and inspire you for the long haul. And we do it in community—because neither parenting nor creative life can thrive in isolation.

Subscribe to our free email newsletter for sneak peeks and guest announcements, behind the scenes stories and deeper reflections on each episode. Follow Parenting Creative on Instagram and Bluesky, and visit our website at parentingcreative.com.

You can also support the podcast by leaving a tip at the following link or by sending an e-transfer to info@parentingcreative.com.

Support Parenting Creative

Takeaways

• Kris emphasizes the importance of being human in front of others to allow them to embrace their humanity too.
• Play is a vital part of Kris's artistic and parenting practice.
• Kris fights for the space to really play, which she believes is often overlooked by adults.
• Creating safe spaces for storytelling is central to Kris's art practice.
• Kris's parenting journey has evolved as her children have grown into young adults.
• Mental health challenges have deepened Kris's capacity to love unconditionally.
• Kris's art reflects her personal experiences and the complexities of her identity.
• The importance of kindness in teaching and creating art is paramount for Kris.
• Kris believes in the power of vulnerability and modeling it for her children.
• Kris's project 'I do my best crying in the car' explores the emotional landscape of parenting and mental health.

Keywords

parenting, creativity, mental health, art, community, kindness, play, immigrant experience, unconditional love, storytelling

In this mini episode, host Nikko Snyder wraps up season 1 and ties a bow around it with special thanks to season 1 guests, listeners, and supporters. She also outlines how best to support season 2 of Parenting Creative:

• Keep listening (and make sure to follow or subscribe to the podcast!)
• Tell a friend (or 10)... word of mouth is everything, especially when you're on a micro budget
• Leave us a review (Apple podcasts or podchaser.com are good places to do this) - it only take a couple minutes, but it helps others discover the podcast and trust that it's worth a listen
• Follow Parenting Creative on social media (IG, Threads, and Bluesky @parentingcreative), but BETTER YET sign up for our free email newsletter for sneak peeks, behind-the-scenes bits, guest announcements, resources and recommendations, and deeper reflections into each episode.
• If you're in a position to do so, send us a tip to support our independent podcast. You can do this in USD at Support Parenting Creativeor by e-transfer directly to info@parentingcreative.com.

Thanks for listening, and come back next week for the launch of season 2!

summary

In this episode of Parenting Creative, host Nikko Snyder speaks with poet, songwriter, teacher, and single parent of two Melissa Boulianne about the intersection of creativity and parenting. Melissa shares a lot of beautiful and vulnerable poetry on social media that explores her journey with single parenting and parenting a child on the autism spectrum. In their conversation they talk about the transition to single parenting, autism spectrum disorder, normalizing neurodiversity, living and writing with constant interruptions, using screen time to stay sane, learning to relent, confidence or lack thereof, when writing saves your life, and growing in ways you never imagined growing.

Parenting Creative explores the places where creative life and parenting collide, and all the magic and mess that ensues. Through deep, honest conversations with diverse artist-parents who are walking the walk, we explore both the struggles and the real, practical ways to make creativity and parenthood work—on your own terms, in ways that sustain and inspire you for the long haul. And we do it in community—because neither parenting nor creative life can thrive in isolation.

Visit parentingcreative.com to join our email newsletter, or follow Parenting Creative on Instagram and Bluesky. You can also support the podcast by leaving a tip or becoming a founding member.

Support Parenting Creative

takeaways

• Parenting and creativity often collide, leading to unique challenges.
• Single parenthood can be abrupt and isolating, impacting emotional well-being.
• Writing poetry has been a therapeutic outlet for processing emotions.
• Teaching can be both draining and creatively fulfilling.
• Screen time is a complex issue for modern parents, requiring balance.
• Raising a child on the autism spectrum brings both challenges and growth opportunities.
• Emotional complexity is a central theme in parenting experiences.
• Finding time for creativity often requires early mornings and intentional planning.
• Parenting can lead to feelings of isolation and judgment from others.
• Visibility and normalization of neurodiversity are important for societal understanding.

Chapters

02:12

Meet Melissa Boulianne: Poet and Single Parent

09:50

Transitioning to Single Parenthood

14:54

The Role of Teaching in Creative Life

20:06

Navigating Screen Time with Kids

22:06

Parenting a Child on the Autism Spectrum

28:11

Understanding Neurodiversity in Parenting

32:49

Visibility and Normalization of Neurodiversity

38:27

Finding Time for Creativity

41:01

Overcoming Creative Barriers

43:00

The Power of Poetry in Parenting

keywords

parenting, creativity, single parent, single parenting, autism spectrum, autism, autism spectrum disorder, poetry, teaching, screen time, neurodiversity, emotional complexity, motherhood

Nikko Snyder talks to Regina SK-based interdisciplinary artist, musician, poet, and parent Amber Goodwyn. In our conversation, Amber and I talk about parenting when parenting isn't central to your identity, the universality of birth and death, clear divisions of labor, performing parenting on social media, prioritizing art and refusing to feel bad about it, the final deadline (otherwise known as death), releasing perfectionism and the need for perfect conditions, and becoming ready by simply doing the thing.

• Amber Goodwyn on Instagram
• Natural Sympathies on Instagram
• The Love Project
• Natural Sympathies – homemade music and more xo
• Four Violins by Tony Conrad
• Toboggan hill – Sask Dispatch
• Welcome to GRR!

Parenting Creative explores the places where creative life and parenting collide, and all the magic and mess that ensues. Through deep, honest conversations with diverse artist-parents who are walking the walk, we explore both the struggles and the real, practical ways to make creativity and parenthood work—on your own terms, in ways that sustain and inspire you for the long haul. And we do it in community—because neither parenting nor creative life can thrive in isolation.

Visit parentingcreative.com to join our email newsletter, or follow Parenting Creative on Instagram and Bluesky. You can also support the podcast by leaving a tip or becoming a founding member.

Support Parenting Creative

takeaways

• Art is central to Amber's identity and well-being.
• Parenting can be isolating, but art helps navigate challenges.
• The urgency of creation is influenced by the awareness of mortality.
• Balancing family responsibilities with creative pursuits is essential.
• Modeling values for children through personal artistic practice is important.
• Rejecting the performative aspects of parenting is liberating.
• Playfulness enhances both art and parenting experiences.
• Maintaining joy and balance in adulthood is a continuous journey.
• Embracing mistakes is crucial for growth in creativity.
• Discipline and habit are key to sustaining artistic practice.

chapters

00:00 The Intersection of Art and Parenting

08:36 Navigating Parenthood and Artistic Identity

15:05 The Role of Death and Urgency in Creation

22:05 Balancing Creative Life and Family Responsibilities

25:33 Influences of Upbringing on Artistic and Parenting Styles

30:04 The Reality of Parenthood and Social Media

33:17 The Role of Play in Creativity and Parenting

42:08 Embracing Failure and Mistakes in Creative Practice

44:37 Overcoming Perfectionism and Finding Balance

46:25 The Importance of Discipline and Habit in Art

52:45 Current and Future Projects

keywords

art, parenting, creativity, identity, motherhood, performance, playfulness, play, balance, discipline, community, perfectionism; artist parent