Welcome back babes to another episode of Making Her History — the space where women stop shrinking, share their truths, and turn their moments into roars.

Today’s guest is Annie Cullen — a high school art teacher, professional fine artist, and Doctor of Education (EdD) who’s blending research, creativity, and real-life lived experience to create safer, more human spaces for students and adults.

Annie’s story is full of pivots (and bold detours): from moving to New York City with a paper resume and portfolio, to wedding photography, to the classroom, to earning her doctorate in May 2024 — not to “move on,” but to better serve the kids she sees every day.

This conversation is about so much more than art class. We talk about confidence as a muscle, why relationships shape resilience, what trauma-informed care actually looks like in everyday moments, and how wellness can be as simple as breathing, boundaries, and learning to be kinder to yourself in real time.

In this episode, we explore:

• Why Annie pursued her doctorate so her ideas would be taken seriously — and used locally to help students
• How art becomes a safe space for teens because it’s expressive and not performance-based
• The role of one supportive adult as a resilience factor for kids experiencing adversity
• A practical, research-backed approach to confidence building (especially for teens)
• Why “self-care” doesn’t need to be big — sometimes it’s breathing, unclenching your jaw, and saying no
• The need for more spaces where men can experience softness, creativity, and support too
• How Annie’s fine art, workshops, and Wellness Wednesday content all connect under one mission: helping people exist with more compassion, autonomy, and agency

Connect with Annie Cullen

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annie.cullen.artist/

If you loved this episode, share it with a friend who needs a little more support, softness, and permission to be human.

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