This is Not Art Therapy (The Podcast)

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 encouragement gave him the confidence to explore and take risks in his art.

Over the years, Ry has shifted and experimented with many mediums—tattoos, murals, and large thre...

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 around the idea of wholeness—what it means to feel whole, how we can nurture it, and why it matters in our personal and collective lives. Linnea shares their own lifelong relationship with the concept of containment, reflecting on...

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 painted home and whimsical scenes continue to capture hearts worldwide. During a recent trip to the Nova Scotia Art Gallery, they explored the perm...

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 of a seasoned Game Master, weaving quests, shaping worlds, and guiding heroes through trials both epic and absurd. From bustling taverns of imagination to shadowed dungeons of the mind, Josh shares how these games...

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 how she approaches them with curiosity rather than fear or dismissal. Instead of treating dreams as random fragments of the subconscious, she encourages listeners to slow down, pay attention, an...

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 parallels between tattooing and energy work, and offering insight into how deeply personal and transformative the practice can be—for both artist and client.

Co-host John reflects on his long-s...

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 value art. The conversation explores the difference in tone between words like “art” and “content,” and how language itself can shift our relationship to creativity. We get candid about the tensions between authenticity a...

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 continue to show up for the people in our lives, even when it’s hard, and how friendship can be a grounding force in uncertain times. John...

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-modified tool chest—an unexpectedly tender and creative expression of care, function, and individuality.

Linnea shares artwork that reflects on past relationships, including a piece made about an ex, and others that celebrate originality and self-acceptance. She...

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 immersing himself in the techniques of the greats, Mike reflects on how his style has evolved over time. What began as playful fan art grew into a deep appreciation for both classical and contemporary influences. He shar...

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 legendary hugs, you know exactly what we mean — the kind that can bend pans!).

From there, we explore the threads that make connections meaningful. We talk openly...

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 during times of doubt.

We talk about how our relationships with our own art have shifted over time. What once felt playful or experimental has, for bo...

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 reflections were made on the deep impact of her grandmother’s presence in her life. Together, we explore how healthy relationships give life richness and depth.

Linnea revisits a past art piece centred...

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 rejection can be reframed, and what healing or wisdom might emerge when we sit with our discomfort. We also unpack the common trap of comparing pain, ultimately land...

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’s even a surprise: John experiments with colour! As we meet new characters and watch their stories unfold, we’re left wondering—what’s next for Tomo? Tune in and find out.

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 to look at life in its multiplicities. Together they share their creative paths, the benefits but also the struggles. Shout out to John for acknowledging that they would both be awkward...

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.