Welcome to
The Elements of Us.
I am Allison.
“If we can only make it clear that feelings are mentionable and manageable, we will have done a great service for mental health.” Fred Rogers identified a problem fifty years ago that we are still working to solve today.
When I set out to build The Elements of Us, it was with a simple insight - if I could make the invisible subject of emotion visible and tangible, it would help many people live better, happier, and more productive lives. That idea led to an academic exploration of the enormous body of research on emotions, attitudes, and behaviors that can lead to better mental health, well-being, and more beneficial relationships to create the most desirable outcomes.
The result of this quest combines art + science to crystallize all this information into a holistic, universal, visual framework reminiscent of the Periodic Table of Elements, enabling us to build research-based emotional strategies as we never have before.
The last few years have provided enormous opportunities to transform how we live + work, a once-in-a-lifetime chance to build a brighter, more sustainable future for ourselves and generations to come. The Elements of Us helps reframe and relearn the skills we need to take on the incredible opportunity with which we find ourselves and bring together people from all backgrounds and perspectives to overcome whatever obstacles stand in our way.
I am grateful for the leaders who have partnered with me to bring The Elements of Us to life. Seeing the impact we can have is energizing and makes me optimistic about our future. I can’t wait to share them with you.
About Allison
CEO + Founder Allison Arden created the Elements of Us. As Publisher of Advertising Age, Allison realized the role of emotion in driving innovation and business transformation as she guided the brand through the most disruptive and inventive decade in its history. This insight led her to a Masters in Psychology at Harvard’s Extension School to dive deep into the research to crystallize a visual framework and language to make it easier for people to come together. Her first book, The Book of Doing: Everyday Activities to Unlock Creativity + Joy, exploring her adventures and reawakening her creativity while juggling motherhood and a high-profile, high-pressure job, is for the kid in all of us. A Brooklyn native, Allison is the Board Chair of Reisenbach Philanthropies, supporting programs to improve the lives of all New Yorkers. She serves as a board member for Materials For the Arts.