Behind the Panels — Episode 9 | Building Community, Mental Health & Creative Spaces

In Episode 9 of Behind the Panels, we switch things up for a special conversation with Ashley Alvarez (Apothic Ash) — an event organizer, creative, and advocate for mental health and community building.This episode goes beyond comics and dives into something just as important for creators:Having a space to connect, create, and take care of yourself.Ashley shares her journey of creating events that bring together artists, gamers, cosplayers, and creatives from all backgrounds — building environments where people can network, collaborate, and simply feel seen.In this episode, we discuss:The importance of community in the creative spaceHow events can spark collaborations and long-term connectionsMental health, burnout, and navigating creative pressureThe impact of isolation and the need for real human interactionCreating safe spaces for artists to express themselvesTurning passion into purpose through events and outreachWe also touch on real conversations around depression, self-doubt, and how creators can channel those experiences into their work instead of letting it define them .This episode is a reminder that while creating can sometimes feel like a solo journey — community is what keeps it alive.🎙️ Subscribe to Behind the Panels for real conversations with creators, innovators, and community builders shaping the indie space and beyond.