This is Not Art Therapy (The Podcast)

In this episode John and Linnea dive into the wild and at times sad world of capitalism. Fresh of the spending sprees of the holiday season, they sit and discuss their favourite(?) and least favourite parts of capitalism. Discussing their favourite local stores to shop at and support. John tries to sell people on Costco, and enthuses about the 1 dollar hot dog, which frank-ly, (hot dog pun!) we need more then ever. (And guess what, Linnea is not buying it)We share tales of our favourite ways to protest capitalism, and exchange experiences with some cool folks in the world who are fighting the system. John comes up with yet another business idea, providing interventions for billionaires, in hopes of filling the hole in their hearts with woodworking and meaningful connections. In the end, you might feel hopeless as the system is so large and beyond our control. Linnea finds comfort in making crafts (but what else is new?). This episode might not give you all the solutions but at least you are not alone.

In this episode, John and Linnea dig into their fears, curiosities, and complicated feelings about technology and the rapidly shifting digital world we’re all trying to live inside of. From flatchulent cows and climate anxiety to AI slop, algorithm fatigue, and the strange emotional weight of social media, the conversation moves between humour, discomfort, and genuine reflection. (Like how can I get more real cats in my reels?) We talk openly about the ways technology both connects and disconnects us, and how easy it is to feel overwhelmed, suspicious, or burnt out by it all.As always, art weaves its way into the conversation. We invite listeners to make art about their own experiences of navigating this weird technological landscape — the fears, the grief, the fascination, and the hope (if you can find any?)— as a way to process what words sometimes can’t quite hold.True to form, we also circle back to the importance of real-life connection. We gently (and not-so-gently) encourage people to engage with others IRL, with John making a strong case for shared physical space — including the underrated intimacy of simply existing in the same room temperature — as a key ingredient for meaningful connection.John opens the episode with the intention that listeners leave feeling a little more hopeful than when they arrived. While we don’t pretend to have answers or solutions, (or even knowledge on most of the things we yap about...) this episode offers curiosity, laughter, and a reminder that even in a hyper-digital world, being human together still matters.

In this episode, John and Linnea settle into the holiday spirit with a light exploration of the meaning and history of the winter solstice. We share some of our favourite holiday movies, from nostalgic classics to questionable cult picks, and debate which ones truly deserve a spot in the yearly rewatch lineup. Along the way, we reminisce about the weird, wonderful, and downright confusing Christmas gifts we’ve received over the years.We also talk about how holiday traditions shift as we grow older, what parts still feel grounding, and why certain rituals stick around. Of course, things get lively when we reveal our controversial favourite Christmas movies—prepare for strong opinions and unexpected choices. Cozy, curious, and full of laughter, this episode invites you to reflect on your own seasonal memories and maybe discover a new favourite holiday film to watch this year.

In this episode, we sit down with Johnny of Clay More Studios, a young East Coast artist known for his stunning painted landscapes and hands-on work with clay. Johnny shares how he first found his way into art and what keeps him committed to learning and growing as an artist. We talk about his exploratory, self-directed approach to creativity, curiosity, and skill-building. And, of course, no conversation would be complete without detours into Godzilla, Lord of the Rings, and the unexpected ways pop culture shapes creative inspiration.

In this episode, John and Linnea dive into the often heavy—and at times strangely universal—experience of breakups. With December 11th being the most common day to get broken up with, we wanted to release this episode for anyone who might (unfortunately) need a bit of extra support right now.Breakups are never simple. They touch every part of us: our routines, our self-confidence, our hopes, and sometimes our sense of who we are. In this conversation, we talk about the messy emotions that come with heartbreak, why it can feel so overwhelming, and the very human ways we try to make sense of it all.We also share grounding advice, creative strategies, and gentle reminders to help you move through the toughest moments. Whether you’re grieving the end of a relationship, reflecting on past heartbreak, or simply curious how others navigate the in-between, this episode offers compassion, humour, and a bit of perspective.Breakups are hard—but you don’t have to sit in those heavy feels alone.

In this episode we bring on Nico, a longtime friend of John and an ultra-distance runner who casually covers more than 100 kilometres at a time—basically the length of a small road trip. Nico now lives on Vancouver Island, arguably one of the best places in Canada to be a long-distance runner. He and his partner also host a podcast called PEP Talk, where they dive into all things endurance running.Nico shares stories of resilience, the dedication behind his craft, and what it truly takes—physically and mentally—to run distances most of us can’t even imagine. His grit and mindset leave Linnea in awe, while John (in classic John fashion) urges listeners to go for a run… or at least enjoy a nice outdoor walk if that’s more your pace.If you want to learn more about Nico, check out his coaching insta account

In this episode, we meet Nova Scotia’s very own C-Stile — a rapper, performer, and all-around hyper-fun good-time girl. She shares how music has shaped her life since childhood, the eclectic sounds she grew up with, and how she turned her dream of becoming a rapper into a reality. John talks about the kindness and encouragement C-Stile brings to the gym they both attend, and her enthusiasm and sweet energy shine throughout the episode.C-Stile opens up about her writing process and, at the end of the conversation, she shares her newest track — a Christmas song. The conversation leaves both John and Linnea glowing, inspired, and carried by C-Stile’s unmistakable shine.

In this episode, we connect with international filmmaker Antonio Herrera Trujillo. John (along with countless people across the internet) was captivated by a viral video Antonio filmed during an unexpected fight he witnessed in Madagascar. The clip sparked our curiosity, and we were eager to learn more about the person behind the camera.Antonio talks about how he first stepped into the world of filmmaking in his beloved oceanside town, a place known for its powerful winds and thriving wind-sport community. He reflects on how the landscape, the people, and the rhythm of coastal life shaped his creative eye.John dives into what makes Antonio’s videos so engaging and inspiring, and Antonio walks us through how he’s honed his craft—learning to capture the best shots, trusting his instincts, and teaching himself to edit with both intention and emotion.Our conversation left us energized, grateful, and ready to pick up our own cameras. Antonio reminded us that filmmaking isn’t only about dramatic moments; it’s also about staying open to everyday beauty, paying attention to the small details that surround us, and letting curiosity guide the lens.

In this episode, we welcome the delightful Art Therapist Taylor from Wellness Grove. Together, we explore some of the big—and sometimes heavy—feelings that surface in response to our changing climate. Taylor guides us through supportive, playful tools that can help us move through these emotions with care and creativity.We start by asking how climate-related feelings show up for people in their daily lives. From there, we unpack the differences between eco-grief, eco-anxiety, and a new term Linnea learned during the conversation: solastalgia. Taylor offers grounded definitions and shares how these feelings can be understood through both an emotional and creative lens.We also talk about the power of local action. What can ordinary people do in their neighbourhoods to ease eco-stress and build resilience? Taylor highlights simple, accessible ways to contribute, reminding us that community care and environmental care often go hand in hand.Before we wrap up, John brings in a dose of hope by sharing his own efforts to make thoughtful, sustainable choices. Taylor closes the conversation by reconnecting us to her lifelong love of nature and art making. She offers an open invitation for listeners to slow down, notice the natural world around them, and nurture a sense of appreciation and connection.

In this episode, we bring in Linnea’s good friend and former art school classmate, John. In addition to being a talented painter and ceramicist, John is also a passionate mental health advocate and a student in Carleton University’s Industrial Design program. He and Linnea have had countless conversations about how designers today are invited to engage with topics like sustainability and longevity.The intention behind this episode was to highlight the positive changes happening in the design world and lay some hopeful groundwork for our next episode, where we explore climate anxiety, grief, and other big feelings. But as often happens, the conversation took an unexpected turn — a little doom and gloom slipped in. Who would have guessed that talking about the environment could actually leave us feeling hopeful?In true Josiah (our other John) fashion, he swoops in with some uplifting thoughts, reminding us to do our best — and to trust that others are doing their best, too. How fun.

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 way.In this episode, the two reconnect to share what it was actually like pretending to be each other. John reflects on the afterglow of shaving his head and the surprisingly deep (and occasionally awkward) conversations sparked by asking strangers their astrological signs. Meanwhile, Linnea reveals what it was like to channel her inner John for a week and how it shifted her perspective on discipline, identity, and strength.What started as a social experiment—or maybe even a bit of performance art—turned into something deeper. Both came away with new insights, a few laughs, and perhaps even some unexpected new hobbies.

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. The results are anything but predictable.John is first up, bravely selecting from Linnea’s famously long and meticulously written list of favourite tasks. From creative rituals to grounding practices, he dives into activities that are meaningful in Linnea’s world—some familiar, some completely foreign to his usual rhythm. Along the way, he shares honest reflections, unexpected discoveries, and a few moments of delightful awkwardness.Meanwhile, Linnea takes on some classic “John challenges.” These tasks stretch her comfort zone in a totally different way, inviting her to approach goals with John’s signature style and energy (but in reality, only John can be John). Whether it’s stepping into a new kind of workout, fashion experimentation, or simply trying things she might not pick for herself, Linnea approaches it with curiosity and humour. Together, their swapped experiences turn into a fascinating blend of social experiment and performance art, sprinkled with real moments of insight and goal setting. By walking in each other’s shoes—even temporarily—they uncover new perspectives on their habits, priorities, and creative identities. Tune in for laughter, reflection, and maybe a little inspiration to shake up your own routine.

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 inward, connect with their bodies, and listen to the quieter parts of themselves. Nature plays a powerful role in her work, and she shares how being outside becomes a space for magic, grounding, and healing.Together, we explore many ways that people can heal and connect more deeply — especially through the lens of belonging. Can we belong everywhere and nowhere? How do we feel at ease in liminal spaces? And how can we help others feel they belong, too? These questions unfold in a warm, thoughtful, and expansive conversation.

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 video games, Red Dead Redemption. The story behind the drawing leads to reflections on inspiration, memory, and how creative work can shift as it unfolds.Linnea shares artwork she created during a recent creative conference. She talks about some of the insightful art questions she picked up from workshops and gets vulnerable about moments of not fully fitting in with her peers. Her reflections spark a conversation about belonging, creativity, and the courage it takes to share art honestly.Together, John and Linnea explore different ways of talking about each other’s work and asking meaningful questions that deepen connection. While they share some contrarian, slightly misanthropic tendencies, their unique paths to belonging emerge through the dialogue, offering a thoughtful and authentic look at how friends can connect through art.

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 is heaps of growth to come.Together, we explore the ways our audience and cohost dynamic have grown, the surprises that came with the process, and the challenges that shaped us. (Oh an spoiler alert, Linnea swears for the first time on air, oopes, sorry Dad). We also share listener feedback that left a lasting impression and talk about how the podcast has impacted us personally and creatively. (Also, John and Linnea talk about starting another podcast about MMA, will they do it? Stay tuned!) While endlessly grateful for all the supportive feedback, we hope to keep learning and developing our interviewing skills. Looking forward, we imagine what the next year could hold—dreaming up new formats, guests, and goals for building community, deepening conversations, and expanding our creative reach. Above all, we talk about how we want listeners to feel when they tune in: supported, inspired, and part of something meaningful.

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 pieces drew him in and offers his honest, first-impression interpretations. While he doesn’t claim any formal expertise, his reflections capture the raw wonder of encountering art for the first time. Linnea, who visited back in February, brings a more seasoned (but still very vibe based) and personal lens. She lights up while talking about Nikki de Saint Phalle, a beloved artist whose colourful, larger-than-life figures even inspired a tattoo on the back of her arm.Together, they explore how art has shifted through time, musing about what “contemporary art” really means.(We later googled it, and learn some new things!) Their conversation celebrates curiosity, personal connection, and the joy of exploring art without needing to be an expert—reminding listeners that art belongs to everyone who takes the time to look (or listen?)

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 culturally informed, experiential approach, often engaging with the Caribbean diaspora. Her practice emphasizes fiber arts, storytelling, and the ways art can serve as both a therapeutic medium and a lens for understanding relationships, culture, and identity.Hannah reflects on “healing in relationships,” describing how childhood experiences—being dismissed or criticized—can shape adult interactions. She emphasizes that relational healing happens incrementally through repeated moments of trust, acceptance, and connection. Art-making is central to this process, offering a safe space to experiment, embrace imperfection, and process experiences. Hannah shares examples from her knitting practice, where shared experiences and even mistakes are woven into the work, embodying relational stories and memory.Ultimately, the episode illustrates how creativity and relational work are deeply intertwined. Art models adaptability and acceptance, while relationships provide emotional richness and stories that inform creativity. Hannah emphasizes that healing and growth are cumulative, arising from small moments of connection, trust, and experimentation. Through stories of art, family, partnerships, and community, listeners are invited to consider how creativity and intentional relational work foster resilience, understanding, and emotional well-being.

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 three-dimensional sculptures—before landing on something truly distinctive: highly original, colorful, and functional furniture that pushes the boundaries of what art can be. Along the way, we hear about the drive, curiosity, and playfulness that fuel his process.Linnea shares her creative response to Ry’s piece Writer’s Block—a thrifted jean jacket dripping with golden ooze (“I can feel the stagnation ooze out of me”), while John reveals his own sketches inspired by Ry’s work, including early ideas for furniture that blend practicality with imagination. Ry also takes us behind the scenes of his latest houseware collection, Go Big and Go Home, a bold and joyful project that captures his evolving vision.What shines through most is how awesome Ry is—not only as an artist but as a human. His creativity is matched by his entrepreneurial spirit, as he draws on his background in business to market and share his newest projects with the world. He’s a reminder that artistry and strategy can go hand in hand, and that following your creative impulses can lead to incredible places.We’d love for you to connect with Ry, explore his vibrant work, and support his journey. You can check out his website and follow him on Instagram for a closer look at his latest pieces and future projects.Follow us on instagram to get access to the images and the art we share.

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 how the idea of “being held” has been present since early childhood. This theme of containment naturally ties into the structure of the sandtray itself, which provides both freedom for expression and boundaries for safety.Nature also plays an important role in this discussion. The three explore the grounding and restorative qualities of being in relationship with the natural world, whether it’s walking in the woods, sitting near water, or simply noticing the cycles around us. Wholeness, they suggest, is not just an internal process but also a reconnection with what is bigger than ourselves.Mindy offers generous and practical insights for listeners interested in trying sandtray therapy on their own. She shares how to set up a personal sandtray at home, but also emphasizes that you don’t need sand to engage with these practices. Everyday objects, simple rituals, or creative arrangements can serve as meaningful invitations into symbolic play and self-reflection.Whether you’re someone who loves the beach and the feel of sand beneath your feet, or you’re simply curious about expressive therapies, this episode offers an accessible entry point. It blends storytelling, personal reflection, and hands-on ideas that invite you to explore your own journey toward wholeness.

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 permanent Maud Lewis collection and uncovered the remarkable story of her resilience, creativity, and self-taught artistry.Together, John and Linnea reflect on what it means to carve out an artistic path outside of traditional training. Linnea shares their own complicated journey with art school—how it shaped, but also at times stifled, their sense of creativity. John brings in his perspective on persistence, describing how confidence and a tough skin have helped him keep creating even when faced with setbacks.The conversation expands beyond Maud herself, touching on other works they encountered in the gallery. They discuss the transformative power of standing in front of great art—how certain pieces spark joy, curiosity, or even discomfort, and how these feelings can push us toward new creative directions.From highlights of Maud’s world-famous painted house to candid moments about what they loved (and didn’t love) in the gallery, this episode blends personal reflection with art appreciation. At its heart, it’s a celebration of creativity in all its forms—whether it grows in an art school studio, a backyard shed, or a tiny house by the sea.