Creativity is king: GSE counseling alum uses animation to transform pain into peace

Two summers ago, Withrow wanted to expand his messaging to teens after writing multiple books. He consulted his agent and felt animation was the best medium to reach young people, but there was just one problem: “I don’t draw,” said Withrow with a laugh. “I can make a decent stick figure, and that’s about it.”

A lack of artistic ability did not stop Withrow from thinking creatively. He had an idea and a strong foundation for a script based on his books, but he needed to delegate to others who could bring it all to life. That’s where Emperium Studios came in. “You have to find other people who are strong where you are weak,” explained Withrow. “A lot of the animated shows we see are created just for laughs or for a quick heartthrob moment. They’re not trying to teach anything. I wanted to create something that helps young people build inner resilience, character and discipline—teaching them what they truly need.”

Connecting with a professional studio meant Withrow’s stories could come to life, but it also came with challenges. “Sometimes you have a vision in your mind, but studios may not have the capacity or the mindset to carry it out. That’s part of the process—you have to step in, collaborate and figure out what’s actually doable,” said Withrow.

After over a year of collaboration, Withrow and his team produced “Thoughts of Creativity King” and “Conversations You Need,” animated features that are based on Withrow’s books. Both features bring to life themes of emotional growth, self-discovery and the importance of connection. Each series is still being developed, but the trailers are now live.

Withrow aimed to incorporate emotional education into entertainment, a concept he believed was lacking in current animated shows. “I wanted to create something that schools just don’t teach, and parents may not have time to explain,” he said.

These animated series expand on Withrow's books, which draw on his training in GSE’s mental health counseling program, as well as his everyday experiences and conversations with the people around him. “The program really sent me on my way to do what I am doing now,” said Withrow. “My latest book, ‘A Poetic Epiphany,’ pulls together everything I’ve learned—self-esteem, grief, multicultural perspectives, all of it. I make it my own by telling my stories and weaving in the concepts I learned in school. It keeps the human, relatable side intact. You’re not reading a science textbook, but you still get the message.”

Withrow has also been participating in taekwondo classes at Master Gorino’s Tae Kwon-Do in Amherst, New York. There, he learned to discipline his mind and meditate on key conversations he would have throughout his day. One discussion stuck out and helped create new ideas for his books and shows. “Our school does a great job of building community. At our annual banquet, I spoke with a classmate in his 70s who told me about his family’s tradition: Every Sunday, his kids and grandkids pile into his house for a chaotic, crazy meal. It’s messy, but it creates real unity,” said Withrow. “I kept thinking—how do I take that conversation, capture its meaning on the page, and then transform it into an animated show?”

Growing his own personal brand means making business decisions, but this is an endeavor Withrow believes can help his community. “I want to be out doing workshops and reaching people where they are,” said Withrow. “I don’t want these lessons I have learned to be locked away from those that really need it, given the kind of gatekeeping that can happen in the mental health field. I want to reach people directly and creatively.”