Maria Schaedler-Luera shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Maria, we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
Archery has been bringing me a lot of joy lately. I joined a club back in April, and I was genuinely surprised by how much I enjoy it. It’s become a weekly ritual that’s both grounding and energizing. There’s something about the combination of physical movement, breath, and focus that makes it a wonderful stress reliever. And beyond the practice itself, the social connection with fellow archers has been a really lovely bonus.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Maria Schaedler-Luera, and I’m a Brazilian-born educator, artist, consultant, and speaker whose work blends theatre, music, mindfulness, Ayurveda, and cross-cultural engagement. Through my company, Atomica Arts, I partner with schools, nonprofits, and arts organizations to design creative, trauma-informed programs that make learning more embodied, imaginative, and culturally responsive. I create arts integration initiatives, bilingual and cross-cultural experiences, and wellness workshops that support emotional literacy and community resilience.
Atomica Arts is unique because it brings together all the strands of my practice, applied theatre, mindfulness, breathwork, improvisation, and Ayurvedic principles, to help people access grounding, creativity, and agency. My work is strongly shaped by my studies with Augusto Boal, and I use Theatre of the Oppressed and other embodied techniques to help groups connect, reflect, and transform. I collaborate nationally with organizations like Focus 5 Inc., the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, the Sarasota Performing Arts Center Foundation, and the Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County to support creative learning and community engagement.
As a speaker, I’m passionate about sharing accessible creative tools that help people navigate uncertainty with resilience and imagination. I recently delivered a keynote for the Global Applied Improvisation Network Conference and have spoken at national arts integration conferences, mental health gatherings, and community learning events. These experiences inform the work I’m developing now, including my ‘Resilient Protagonist’ framework and my upcoming book, which explores how story, embodiment, and mindful awareness can help us reclaim our narrative in chaotic times.
At the heart of everything I do is a simple belief: the arts and holistic practices aren’t extras, they are powerful pathways to connection, clarity, and well-being. Atomica Arts allows me to weave creativity, cultural awareness, healing, and community building into experiences that help people of all ages feel seen, grounded, and empowered.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
The part of me that has served its purpose, and that I’m learning to release, is the part that believes I have to do it all. The part that feels responsible for being strong for everyone, all the time. That version of me was shaped by necessity, but it’s no longer sustainable. I’m letting go of the pressure to hold everything together and making more space for support, rest, and shared responsibility.
Is there something you miss that no one else knows about?
Yes, there’s a lot I miss that most people don’t know about. Being an immigrant comes with a kind of quiet, constant longing. I navigate new languages and cultures very well, and it’s easy for me to code-switch and blend in, so people often forget that I haven’t lived in this country for most of my life, and that English isn’t my first language. I had an entire life before moving to the U.S., with people, places, and moments that shaped me deeply. Many of those things were left behind, but they’re still part of who I am. So I’m always missing something or someone… and most people around me never see that invisible layer of homesickness I carry.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. Is the public version of you the real you?
Yes, the public version of me is real, but it’s not the whole story. What people see is genuinely who I am: warm, grounded, creative, and deeply invested in others. I don’t put on a persona. But like anyone, I also carry quieter layers that don’t always make it into public spaces, the tender parts, the tired parts, the immigrant nostalgia, the moments of uncertainty. The public me is true, just curated. The private me is the same person, just with fewer responsibilities to hold everything together for everyone else. So the answer is yes… but there’s more.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
I’m doing what I was born to do. It just took me a long time to recognize it. No one told me to become an artist, an educator, or a facilitator, in fact, choosing this path often meant stepping outside of what felt practical or expected. But everything I do now, working with creativity, story, community, healing, and cross-cultural understanding, feels like a return to who I’ve always been. I’m using the gifts that come naturally to me: connecting people, creating spaces for expression, and helping others find their voice. So yes, this feels like my true path. Not the path I was told to take, but the one I finally allowed myself to follow.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://atomica-arts.com/
- Instagram: @atomica_arts
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/schaedlerluera/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/atomica.arts
Image Credits
for the first picture with the purple/pink dress: Photographer, Alexander Stephens
for the headshot: Sorcha Augustine Photography
