Stronger Than You Think - An Interview with Sherry Hamby

What if everything we thought we knew about resilience was only part of the story? In this episode of Canvas of the Heart, host Matt Sandoval sits down with Dr. Sherry Hamby — distinguished research professor, clinical psychologist, and author of the forthcoming book Stronger Than You Think (May 26, 2026) — for a wide-ranging conversation about what it actually takes to heal from trauma and adversity. Dr. Hamby shares how her work in rural Appalachia, on the San Carlos Apache reservation, and with survivors of domestic violence taught her that the people our systems most often underestimate are frequently the ones working hardest to find a way forward. Drawing on decades of research, she walks us through the resilience portfolio model — a framework built around four domains of strength: meaning making, regulatory skills, interpersonal relationships, and physical environment — and explains why real healing rarely looks like toughing it out alone. Together, Matt and Dr. Hamby explore the concept of poly-victimization (why cumulative trauma exposure matters more than any single event), why creative expression belongs at the center of trauma recovery rather than on its margins, and what "trauma-informed care" actually requires of organizations that claim it. This conversation touches the heart of what Art Heals Arizona does every day — meeting people where they are, building on what they already bring, and trusting that a good life is possible. Topics covered: Resilience portfolio model · Deficit lens vs. strengths-based approaches · Poly-victimization and cumulative trauma · Art, music, and creative expression as healing tools · Trauma-informed vs. healing-centered systems · Institutional betrayal · Access to healing outside formal services Connect with Dr. Hamby: Life Paths Research Center or her Book: Stronger Than You Think — available May 26, 2026 Sherry Hamby's website: https://lifepathsresearch.org/ Substack: https://substack.com/@sherryhamby LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sherry-hamby/