This is Not Art Therapy (The Podcast)

In our previous episode, John and Linnea challenged each other to complete a list of tasks that they themselves would normally do — but this time, as the other person. Linnea’s whimsical list for John included everyday Linnea activities like making art and avoiding gluten, while John tasked Linnea with some classic “John-type” challenges, including heavy weightlifting and a few surprises along the...

In this special two-part episode, John and Linnea take on a playful challenge inspired by the classic “Freaky Friday” body swap—except this time, no actual magic is involved. Instead, they decide to step directly into each other’s routines and tackle the meaningful, personal, or just plain quirky tasks that define their weeks. The idea is simple: trade places for a few days and see what happens. T...

In this episode, we welcome the lovely Celeste — counsellor, healer, and cold plunge enthusiast — for a rich conversation on belonging . Celeste shares her journey into the soulful and niche world of transpersonal psychotherapy, a path that weaves intuition, deep reflection, and embodied awareness. She speaks about her highly intuitive approach to therapy, one that invites individuals to turn inwa...

In this episode, John and Linnea bring in pieces of art they created over the past week with the intention of talking about them and asking each other thoughtful questions. John shares a drawing he made of a friend who had recently come to visit. He talks about how the scene came together organically, and how, by the end, the portrait unexpectedly resembled a character from one of their favourite...

In this special milestone episode, we pause to reflect on how far the podcast has come and where we’d like it to go next. We ask each other big questions: What are we most proud of? Which episodes and moments stand out as highlights? How has our confidence, skill, and creative voice shifted since those very first recordings? And although we both get a sense that we have grown, we know that there i...

In Episode 19, John and Linnea each visit the Musée des beaux-arts in Montréal—at different times—and reunite (via the pod) to compare their experiences. John, a newer member of the art world, approaches the gallery with curiosity and openness. Together they review the pieces (via some pictures) and (quite non-academically,) what we thought of some of the most memorable pieces. He shares which pie...

In this episode, Hannah explores the intersections of creativity, relational healing, and personal experience, sharing insights from her work as an art therapist and her own life journey. With five years of professional experience, Hannah draws on her background in art, small business, and cultural exploration. Originally from Yorkshire, England, and living in Canada for 15 years, she brings a cul...

This week’s episode is full of time-jumping, storytelling, and the kind of connections that remind us why creativity matters. Ry joins us from Halifax, and right away he and John bond over their East Coast roots and accents, trading stories of growing up on the coast and how place shapes identity. Ry reflects on the huge role his parents played in supporting his creative path, sharing how their en...

In this episode, Linnea and John are joined by their dear friend, art therapist, educator, and artist Mindy Alexander for a rich conversation about sandtray therapy and the meaning of wholeness. Together, they open up the wonderfully complex and playful world of sandtray, where miniature objects and shifting sand become tools for expression, integration, and healing. The conversation unfolds aroun...

Have you ever wondered who Linnea and John would bring to a dinner party, alive or dead? (I bet you’re a bit curious now.) Can you guess who turns their dinner party into a fight club between historical figures? Spoiler alert: Maud Lewis would be in for a treat. In this week’s episode, John and Linnea dive into the colorful world of Maud Lewis, the beloved Nova Scotia folk artist whose tiny painte...

In this week’s chapter of our grand podcasting saga, our adventuring party gathers ‘round the campfire to explore a realm brimming with dragons, daring, and dice—the fantastical world of Tabletop Role-Playing Games. Guiding us through these enchanted lands is our good friend and master storyteller, Josh Giroux. Once merely a guest in someone's Star Wars campaign, Josh has since claimed the mantle...

Do you often have vivid dreams? Are other people’s dreams fascinating to you? Do you keep a dream journal, or wonder if your dreams have hidden messages? In this episode, we explore the mysterious world of dreams with Kiki, a newly minted art therapist who brings a rich background as a speech therapist into her creative and therapeutic practice. Kiki shares her personal experiences with dreams and...

In this episode, we’re joined by tattoo artist, muralist, and educator Corrine Blouin—also known as Coblou—for a rich conversation about the art and experience of tattooing. Corrine shares her journey into the world of tattoos, from her early love of art to the challenges and growth of her apprenticeship. She opens up about what it means to work closely with people’s bodies and stories, drawing pa...

In this episode, we’re joined by our good friend Dan—film maker and lover, photographer, traveller, writer, and all-around creative—to dive into a lively and thoughtful conversation about AI, social media, and their evolving impact on the art world. We reflect on our personal experiences with how social media has changed over the years, especially in the ways it shapes how we share, view, and valu...

In this heartfelt episode, John and Linnea sit down with their dear friend Syd, a counselor based in Halifax, to unpack the many layers of friendship—how we build it, sustain it, and why it matters so deeply. Syd is known for being incredibly intentional in her relationships, and her wisdom shines through as the three explore what it truly means to be a friend. Together, they reflect on why we con...

In this rich and reflective episode, we dive deep into the concept of authenticity—what it means, how we experience it, and what gets in the way. Josiah/John opens up about their name preferences and the questions those choices have sparked from listeners. Their thoughtful explanation becomes a beautiful starting point for exploring identity and self-definition. They also reveal their custom-modif...

In this vibrant and thought-provoking episode, we sit down with multidisciplinary artist Mike Kasongo (@mikkells_) originally from the Congo and now based in Nova Scotia. Mike brings his unique lens on creativity, fashion, and identity, offering listeners a glimpse into how art has shaped—and continues to shape—his life. From childhood memories of sketching Dragon Ball Z characters to later immers...

In this episode, we dive deep into the theme of connection — with ourselves, with others, and within our communities. John kicks things off by sharing how pivotal it is for him to connect with his body every day through physical activity. He doesn’t just talk the talk — this guy doesn’t mess around when it comes to putting that philosophy into practice (and if you’ve ever received one of his legen...

In this episode of This is Not Art Therapy , we’re joined by Ottawa-based musician Trevor, who shares his creative journey and the role music has played in shaping his identity. We explore how he adapted during the pandemic, discuss how creative constraints can fuel innovation, and talk about the joy of collaboration. Plus, we launch a community playlist for you to tune into!

In this episode of This is Not Art Therapy , we dive into the roots of creativity and what keeps us inspired to keep making art. John reflects on the powerful influence his sister had on his artistic journey—how her creativity helped spark his own, and how her support planted the early seeds of confidence. He shares how his drive to improve has remained a steady force behind his practice, even dur...

In episode four of This is Not Art Therapy , we explore the theme of meaning-making through art, memory, and connection. John shares new comics and characters, opening up about the influential experiences—and struggles—that have shaped him. We talk about how challenge and vulnerability can become powerful threads in building personal meaning. Anita, John’s girlfriend, made some art as well, and re...

In episode three of This is Not Art Therapy , John and Linnea dig into the tender terrain of rejection —what it feels like, how we process it, and how we show up for others when they're going through it too. We begin with the immediate sting of rejection and explore how, over time, that pain can shift—sometimes even becoming a path to growth or transformation. Together, we question whether rejecti...

In this episode, John and Linnea dive into the nuanced differences between rest, relaxation, and recharging—what they mean, how they feel, and why we need them all. We revisit our art from the first episode, and John shares his personal rest ritual, crafted to help him decompress after work. He also introduces us to Tomo, a fruit-of-wisdom-eating monkey who refuses to return to his old self. There...

John and Linnea spend the time reconnecting and reminiscing about how they know each other. Linnea is an art therapist who wishes to share art resources and encourage everyone to make some art about it . John, new to the art game, shares his heroic tale of exploring art land as a creative notice with little to know art background. The art directives centre around self-exploration, and invites us t...

Hello from Linnea. :) This is a quick introduction to the podcast, Linnea shares the format and the inspiration behind how this came to be. Don't worry, John will be joining next episode.