#168 Kim Tapper and Tom Sweitzer, Creating Hope and Finding AWE Through Music Therapy and More (Co-Founders of 'A Place to Be')

Friends for over 20 years. Business partners for almost as long. Using music, performance, and the expressive arts to heal not only themselves but over 450 families per week. Kim Tapper and Tom Sweitzer have created a non-profit https://aplacetobeva.org based in Northern, VA "where everyone is accepted for their humanity, not defined solely by their challenges. " My son and I attended their holiday show last month. Imagine seeing a young client, using her feet to strum a guitar to contribute to a song, while many of her other limbs wouldn't function as well. Imagine the pride of parents and locals, seeing a child "twirl" on stage to receive loads of applause. Not necessarily about the skill, but rather from the effort. This is what I learned from them, from their heartfelt efforts, and from their contributions to helping others FIND AWE: 1. Power of Empathy in Arts: Both Kim and Tom emphasized the transformative power of the arts, used empathetically. They highlighted how artistic expression can provide therapeutic benefits, not just entertainment, stressing the importance of humanity and compassion in creative fields. 2. Collaborative Impact: Their story of meeting and forming a powerful professional partnership due to shared life philosophies and empathetic approaches is a testament to the impact of collaboration. This underscores the value of finding like-minded individuals who share your vision and values to create meaningful projects. 3. Resilience and Personal Challenges: Both speakers shared deeply personal stories of overcoming adversity and using their experiences to fuel their work. This teaches the value of resilience and using one’s personal journey as a catalyst for helping others, highlighting that personal struggles can lead to profound professional and philanthropic contributions. 4. Community and Inclusion: The work at A Place to Be is a strong example of building community and fostering inclusion through the arts. They create a space where everyone, regardless of ability, can contribute and feel valued. This can inspire listeners to seek or create similar inclusive environments in their own communities. 5. Therapeutic Power of Self-Expression: The episode illustrates the healing power of self-expression through music, dance, and performance, encouraging listeners to explore these avenues for personal growth and healing. Whether it's through professional therapy or personal exploration, engaging in expressive arts can be a powerful tool for emotional well-being. This episode is being sponsored by: https://merchmadnessgroup.com For corporate gifting ideas, please visit their website and support their efforts to create memorable moments through appreciation of thoughtful gifts. For information on the availability for future podcast sponsorships, visit and submit inquiry form. https://bartaberkey.com/podcast