Comfort Cases: Unpacked Podcast | Episode 5 | Matt Sandoval
September 29, 2026
Comfort Cases: Unpacked Podcast | Episode 5 | Matt Sandoval
Today on Comfort Cases: UnPacked, I’m joined by Matt Sandoval, M.Ed., M.S.W., LMSW, Chief Executive Officer of Art Heals Arizona, formerly known as Free Arts. Matt is a social worker, educator, and nonprofit leader who helps children and teens transform trauma into resilience through art and mentorship. His work is especially focused on young people experiencing trauma, instability, or separation from their families.
In this conversation, we explore why creativity can be such a powerful tool for healing, how a consistent relationship with a caring adult can help young people feel seen and supported, and what research and program evaluation can teach us about the impact of these approaches.
IN THIS EPISODE
- Why art can be much more than a recreational activity and how creative expression can support healing and resilience
- How art-based mentorship helps children and teens experiencing trauma, parental separation, and instability build meaningful relationships
- Why creativity can give young people a way to process difficult emotions when they may not yet have the words to describe what they have experienced
- The connection between art and mentorship and why the relationship with a trusted adult is such an important part of the model
- How Art Heals Arizona evaluates its programs and measures outcomes like resilience, connection, and emotional well-being
- Practical ways foster parents, caregivers, educators and social workers can bring more creativity into their work with children
- What Matt hopes more communities will understand about the role art, mentorship, and creativity can play in helping young people heal
ABOUT MATT SANDOVAL
Matt Sandoval, M.Ed., M.S.W., LMSW, is the Chief Executive Officer of Art Heals Arizona, formerly Free Arts, a nonprofit dedicated to helping children and teens transform trauma into resilience through art and mentorship. Under Matt’s leadership, the organization has expanded its services across Arizona and grown its role as a thought leader in resilience-building programs.
Matt is a speaker and trainer on trauma-informed care, mentorship, and healing through the arts. He also has clinical experience using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Emotionally Focused Therapy.
He holds a master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Northern Arizona University and a Master of Social Work from Arizona State University.
ABOUT ART HEALS ARIZONA
Art Heals Arizona works with children and teens experiencing trauma, instability and separation from their families, using the combination of creative expression and mentorship to help young people build resilience and develop healthier ways to process difficult experiences. The organization recently hosted its Resilience Hearts Symposium in Scottsdale, bringing together professionals focused on resilience-building and trauma-informed work.
LEARN MORE
Website: http://www.arthealsaz.org
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📩 Have thoughts or questions, or an idea for a future guest? Reach out at fosteringchange@comfortcases.org – we’d love to hear from you! From all of us at Comfort Cases: Unpacked, thank you for listening, for sharing this journey with us through seven incredible seasons, and for believing that every child deserves dignity, belonging, and hope.