In October 2025, Radical Joy’s Earth Exchange Café featured board member Michael Novotny—artist, founder of Warrior Heart Gallery, and retired U.S. Army First Sergeant. Drawing from a personal pilgrimage, Mike shared reflections on what it means to be a warrior in our time and explored his work restoring relationships with military lands and communities connected to places where he served.

Mike’s creative practice weaves together spirituality, science, mythology, philosophy, and depth psychology, with terrapsychology serving as a guiding influence. Through art and trauma-aware creative practices, he supports personal and collective transformation while honoring the deep interconnectedness between people, place, and the more-than-human world.