Hey friends. Welcome back to the Innovative Therapist Podcast. I’m so glad you’re here for this one — it’s our first episode of 2026!

Today’s episode came from a place of reflection, space, and intention. I recorded this on the Friday before it drops on Monday, January 5th, curled up in sweats with still-wet hair after a long winter walk in the snow — so if you can feel the cozy in this episode, that’s exactly where I was.

I just finished mapping out my goals and intentions for 2026, and I also finished designing a brand new workshop I’ve been working on for several weeks: Mapping Your Magic. In today’s episode, I talk about both of those things — not just to promote the workshop, but to share why this work matters so much.

Whether or not you join us live on Wednesday, January 14th from 1–2pm Eastern, there are important ideas here about how to move toward what you want without burning out, overthinking, or defaulting to fear-driven striving.

I’ve spent the last few years unwinding the ways I chase achievement.

I’m in what feels like a three-year cycle of slowing down, healing, and relearning how to pursue goals that feel energizing, aligned, and meaningful, rather than fear-based or perfectionistic.

I still care about outcomes — I still set goals and move toward things I want — but the why behind them looks very different now.

Instead of pushing, proving, or hustling harder, I ask:

This isn’t about lowering the bar. It’s about pursuing goals in a way that feels fierce and resilient — on your terms.

We live in a world of growing uncertainty — and as things feel less certain, it’s normal to jump straight to strategy:

Early in my entrepreneurship journey, that’s exactly what I did. The strategy always came before the self-clarity — and it led to exhaustion.

What I’m learning now is this: clarity precedes strategy.

Before you ask what you should do — ask who you are and what lights you up.

When you pursue goals from alignment instead of scarcity, your body, nervous system, creativity, and energy all follow.

If you need a space to pause before planning, I designed a workshop for that.

Mapping Your Magic is happening live on Wednesday, January 14 from 1–2pm Eastern inside our Inspired Innovators community.

In this workshop, I walk you through a creative process I’ve been using privately for years to clarify:

This is inspired by the ikigai framework, but expanded into something interactive, visual, and personalized.

We’ll slow down before we speed up.

You’ll receive:
✔ A Canva template to visually map your gifts
✔ A workbook with reflection prompts
✔ The live workshop + replay
✔ Tools you can revisit year after year

This isn’t a lecture. It’s experiential, interactive, and designed to help you explore your unique zone of genius — not just your marketable skills.

👉 Learn more and register here (full link: https://pages.drshawnhondorp.com/products/mapping-your-magic-workshop)

This workshop gives you three ways to access your gifts:

You’ll walk away with clarity, visuals, and a process you can return to again and again — not just a list of to-dos.

And if you love a small, intimate container for work that feels alive and generative, this will feel like home.

At the end of the workshop, I’ll also share how you can explore our community more deeply — including a discount on your first month if you choose to join us.

In the podcast episode I shared a quote that has changed how I think about goals:

“Your purpose is not what you do, it’s what happens to people when you do what you do.”
— Viola Davis

This shift has been profound for me.

Goals aren’t just about outcomes.

They’re about:
✨ autonomy
✨ courage
✨ agency
✨ becoming more of who you truly are

When goals are in service of this kind of growth, they don’t deplete you — they enliven you.

If you want to explore your strengths and creativity further but can’t make the workshop (or want to do both!), I’ve created a free resource called:

✨ Uncover Your Zone of Genius

It’s a reflection guide designed to help you begin mapping your gifts and strengths in a grounded, soulful way.

👉 Download it here:
https://pages.drshawnhondorp.com/zone

This also signs you up for my email list, where I share:
✔ reflections like this
✔ upcoming workshops
✔ grounded approaches to goals, creativity, and entrepreneurship
✔ community news and invitations

If you’re feeling that familiar urgency to “figure it out now,” I hear you. That’s the part of you seeking agency, control, safety — and there’s nothing wrong with that.

But what if the first step isn’t doing more —
but knowing yourself better?

Pause. Clarify. Align. Then move.

If this resonates, I’d love to see you at Mapping Your Magic on January 14.

And if you can’t make it live, you’ll still receive the replay and all workshop materials.

Here’s to a year of goals that feel aligned, grounded, and deeply invigorating.

Disclaimer:
This blog and podcast content are for educational and informational purposes only and do not constitute medical or mental health advice.

You were made to create from your Zone of Genius.
💛 Grab the free guide and start crafting work that energizes (not drains) you.
👉 https://pages.drshawnhondorp.com/zone

If you’re a therapist or helper feeling the pressure to pivot, niche down, diversify your income, or “future-proof” your career, this episode is an invitation to pause before jumping to strategy.

AI is evolving everything rapidly. The field of therapy is shifting fast. Economic uncertainty is real. And it makes total sense that many of us feel a sense of urgency to figure out what’s next.

But in this impromptu solo episode, I want to offer a gentle counterbalance:

Before you pivot, diversify, or commit to a new strategy — listen to this.

Because when uncertainty rises, it’s incredibly easy to skip the most important step:

Asking yourself what actually feels alive, aligned, and right for you.

Recently, I read a Substack article by Dr. Chris Hoff (host of The Radical Therapist Podcast) outlining predictions about the field of therapy in 2026. I’ll link it here because it sparked a lot of reflection and conversation for me, my friends, and members of our online community.

There were so many interesting ideas — therapists as consultants, architects, innovators, leaders outside the traditional therapy room.

And while those ideas are exciting, they also highlight something I see over and over:

We jump to questions like:

Those are smart questions.

But if we skip over desire, creativity, and embodied knowing, we risk building something that looks good on paper and feels deeply wrong in our bodies.

Most of our systems don’t encourage us to ask:

What do I want?

They encourage us to:

So when we start tapping into creativity, play, and desire, it can feel… unsettling. Even threatening.

But in my experience, that discomfort is often a sign that something real is waking up.

Creativity isn’t just a “nice extra.”

It’s how we:

I see this every day with kids. When they play, they’re not “wasting time.” They’re honing skills — conflict resolution, storytelling, problem-solving, frustration tolerance — because play is engaging enough to keep them trying.

As adults, play works the same way.

Here’s what I’ve learned personally and through years of working with therapists and helpers:

When we pivot from fear, we often recreate the same burnout in a new form.

When we pivot from creativity and clarity, we’re far more likely to build something sustainable.

This doesn’t mean you quit your stable income overnight.

In fact, I’ve intentionally kept my one-on-one therapy work as a grounding foundation while exploring podcasting, community, retreats, writing, and collaborations.

And I know that this creative work has made me a better therapist — more present, more energized, more engaged.

Inside the Inspired Innovators Community, I teach a workshop every other month. That rhythm works well for me — I love teaching on topics like these.

In January, I’m leading a workshop called:

This workshop walks you through a process I did for myself: Creating a visual map of your unique gifts and strengths.

Not just what you can do — but:

Some of this process was inspired by Human Design — not because you need to “believe” in it, I’m still not 100% sure I do, but because it helped me put language to my lived experience in a surprisingly accurate way.

And if Human Design isn’t your thing, there are many other ways we’ll explore this: Reflection prompts, feedback from trusted people, and pattern-spotting from your own history.

One of my gifts is being deeply moved by life and art.

I can tear up listening to the same song over and over. That sensitivity didn’t feel like a gift for most of my life — it felt like something to suppress.

But naming it changed everything.

Because that sensitivity helps me:

And so often, the very things we’ve tried to quiet are the exact gifts the world needs from us.

Before you jump to strategy, try sitting with these questions:

✨ What actually makes me come alive?
✨ What creative impulses keep returning?
✨ What am I curious about, even if it “doesn’t make sense”?
✨ What parts of me show up when I imagine changing directions?
✨ What would it look like to build from clarity instead of fear?

Because when you come alive, that is part of your contribution.

🧭 Uncertainty makes us want quick answers — but clarity takes listening.
🧠 Strategy without desire often leads to misalignment and burnout.
🎭 Play and creativity help us tolerate uncertainty and change.
🔥 Your gifts aren’t random — they’re clues.
🌿 You don’t need to rush a pivot to be evolving responsibly.
💛 Before diversifying your income, reconnect with what actually energizes you.

I don’t know exactly what I’m building — and I’m more comfortable with that than I used to be.

What I do know is what I love:
deep conversations, podcasting, small-group community, creativity, play, retreats, and helping therapists and helpers reconnect with what makes them feel alive.

And I trust that continuing to follow those breadcrumbs will keep revealing the next right step.

If you’re feeling pressure to pivot, maybe your first move isn’t a strategy shift.

Maybe it’s simply listening — to yourself.

The Inspired Innovators Community is a small, intentionally intimate space for therapists and helpers exploring creativity, aligned work, and courageous next steps — together.

I’m also considering opening Mapping Your Magic as a one-time, low-cost workshop option for those who want to experience this work before joining the community.

📩 Email me: [email protected]
(or reply to any email you receive — it comes straight to me)

This blog and podcast are for informational and educational purposes only. They do not constitute medical or mental health advice and are not a substitute for professional consultation or treatment.

✨ Want to explore your own breadcrumbs?
Download my free guide: Uncover Your Zone of Genius
👉 https://pages.drshawnhondorp.com/zone
Join my newsletter: https://drshawnhondorp.com/contact/

You were made to create from your Zone of Genius.
💛 Grab the free guide and start crafting work that energizes (not drains) you.
👉 https://pages.drshawnhondorp.com/zone

If you’ve ever felt pulled toward creativity or play — and immediately felt guilt, fear, or the worry you’re being “lazy” — this episode is for you.

Following joy should feel simple… but most of us quickly discover it’s incredibly vulnerable.
Because reconnecting with play doesn’t just open the door to joy — it also awakens grief, old protective parts, and long-buried fears about productivity, worth, and being “too much.”

In this solo episode, I’m sharing what I’ve been exploring inside the Inspired Innovators online community, in recent talks with psychology interns, and in my own journey with creativity and dance. This one is tender, honest, and very real.

Play looks lighthearted on the outside…
but internally, it stirs everything.

When we try on a new color, order something different for dinner, sign up for a dance class, or say yes to a creative urge, we bump into old beliefs:

These messages come from protector parts — loyal, hardworking, and terrified of vulnerability.

Play isn’t just fun.
It’s revealing.

No one talks about the grief that surfaces when we start playing again.

The sadness of:

Grief doesn’t mean you’re doing it wrong.
It means the joy is real.

As Brené Brown teaches, we can’t selectively numb.
When joy returns, grief is often sitting right beside it.

For me, returning to dance brought both: pure aliveness and deep tenderness for the years I didn’t let myself have it.

This came up inside our community and in conversations with clients:

“What if I start following my joy and I can’t stop?”
“What if I lose all structure?”
“What if play makes me irresponsible?”

These fears make total sense.

When you’ve been starved of play, rest, or joy, it’s normal for the playful parts to want freedom. They’re not trying to derail your life — they’re trying to catch up.

You’re not lazy.
You’re under-nourished.

And the only way to build trust with your playful parts is by actually letting them out — in small, safe doses.

Creative practice is how we:

Especially in a world where AI is shifting the landscape of therapy and helping professions, our uniquely human capacities — empathy, intuition, creativity, storytelling — matter more than ever.

Watching my kids play recently reminded me:

Play is not just fun — it’s how we learn.

Kids problem-solve, negotiate, switch roles, and move through discomfort because the play matters enough to keep going.

As adults, we need that space too:

It strengthens courage, presence, clarity, and connection — all things our field desperately needs.

Try these as gentle starting points:

✨ How did I love to play as a kid?
✨ What tiny “joy breadcrumb” is calling to me right now?
✨ Which protector shows up when I consider doing it?
✨ What grief does this joy uncover?
✨ Who are the people who can hold this with me?

Because play requires safety — and community is where that safety grows.

🎭 Play feels vulnerable because it reconnects us with long-silenced parts.
🌧️ Grief naturally arises when joy returns — it’s part of the healing.
🧠 Fear of being “lazy” is a protector trying to keep you safe, not a truth.
🌿 Creativity strengthens your resilience, intuition, and capacity to adapt.
🧩 You don’t have to choose between productivity and joy — both matter.
🔥 Play helps you tolerate the hard things, just like it does for kids.
💛 You’re not behind. You’re awakening.

If play feels scary, that’s not a sign to stop.

It’s a sign something alive inside you is waking up.

This is the work:
Following tiny breadcrumbs, saying yes to what lights you up, holding the parts who feel afraid, and letting yourself feel joy and grief without making either wrong.

That’s how we return to ourselves.
And that’s the journey we’re on together.

The Inspired Innovators Community is a small, intimate group of therapists and helpers co-creating joyful, courageous, aligned lives — together.

We gather on Voxer, meet on Zoom, and will come together in person at the next Innovative Therapist Retreat along Lake Michigan in October 2026.

If you want to join us or get more info:

📩 Email me: [email protected]
(or just reply to any email — it goes straight to me)

This blog and podcast are for informational and educational purposes only. They do not constitute medical or mental health advice and are not a substitute for professional consultation or treatment.

✨ Want to explore your own breadcrumbs?
Download my free guide: Uncover Your Zone of Genius
Join my newsletter: https://drshawnhondorp.com/contact/

Therapists, helpers, and creatives — you weren’t made to burn out.
You were made to create from your Zone of Genius.
💛 Grab the free guide and start crafting work that energizes (not drains) you.

Episode 153. Dancing Myself Back to Life: What a Solo Taught Me About Healing and Aliveness

It’s not every day that you feel yourself come fully alive on stage.

This past Sunday at ArtPrize, I had the chance to perform a solo I choreographed — and it turned out to be one of the most healing, transformative experiences of my life.

For 3 minutes and 41 seconds, I told my story through movement. I wasn’t muted, apologetic, or self-conscious. I was calm, confident, strong, and excited. Most of all, I felt so incredibly alive.

This moment didn’t come out of nowhere.

Four years ago, I followed a tiny nudge and signed up for a beginner tap class. After nearly two decades away from dance, I quickly noticed how self-consciousness and perfectionism crept in on stage.

My body felt stiff, my anxiety was high, and though the stage was exciting, true playfulness felt distant.

But I kept following the breadcrumbs.

And step by step, those breadcrumbs led me here: creating a solo to a song by my middle school friend, Courtney Gayle, the incredible voice of the band Gritty Sunset.

Here’s what I told myself while preparing for ArtPrize: Even if I get on stage and feel nervous and stiff, it’s okay. The healing has already come from creating the dance and sharing it with my friends.

But then something unexpected happened.

When it was time to perform, the nerves I’d been bracing for never came.

It was as if a fierce young part of me — a protector who had been muted early in life — finally had permission to come back out and shine.

The video of my actual performance wasn’t captured — but it doesn’t matter.

Because I know what happened.

I know how I felt.

And most importantly: I believe myself above all else.

That, my friends, is the true gift.

This experience reminded me that aliveness doesn’t come from waiting for external validation, or perfect conditions, or even a flawless recording. It comes from listening to our inner breadcrumbs, saying yes to what lights us up, and allowing ourselves to be seen.

I was honored to be part of a lineup of nine incredible pieces my teacher Amber put together. You can watch them all here:
👉 Watch the performances

I can’t close without pointing you to the voice that carried me through this piece: my friend Courtney Gayle of @iamcourtneygayle and @grittysunset.

She is living proof of what it looks like to follow your dreams and share your unique gifts with the world.

This conversation with Randi Rubenstein, parent coach and dear friend, was part reflection, part Internal Family Systems parts processing, and part celebration. Randi has been on the podcast several times before—talking about Pack Leadership and play—and in this episode, we explored what it looks like to bring that same grounded, confident leadership into creative expression and business.

Main Takeaways

Whether through dance, writing, therapy, or entrepreneurship — we all have breadcrumbs to follow. They might feel small, awkward, or even scary. But when we keep saying yes, step by step, they can lead us back to aliveness.

And that’s the work I want for myself, for my clients, and for you.

Disclaimer:
This blog and podcast are for informational and educational purposes only. They do not constitute medical or mental health advice and are not a substitute for professional consultation or treatment.

✨ Want to explore your own breadcrumbs?
Download my free guide: Uncover Your Zone of Genius
Or join my newsletter to stay connected: Sign up here

Therapists, helpers, and creatives — you weren’t made to burn out.
You were made to create from your Zone of Genius.
💛 Grab the free guide and start crafting work that energizes (not drains) you.

If you’ve felt the tug between meaningful work and your own wellbeing, you’re not alone. After a slow summer and a lot of reflection, I’m more grounded and aligned than I’ve ever been—and I want that for you, too. This post shares what shifted: embracing seasons, following creative breadcrumbs, rethinking the limits of 1:1 therapy, and intentionally building community that restores rather than depletes.

I talk often about the butterfly life cycle: we all move through catalyst → cocoon (a.k.a. the goo stage) → emergence. This summer was goo season for me. I pared back, tended to what needed tending, and trusted that momentum would return—and it did. If you’re in a cocoon right now, you’re not broken. You’re becoming.

I didn’t plan a solo. Life nudged me, I asked a musician friend for a track, and everything clicked. That “yes” led to one of the most healing experiences of my year and reminded me: creativity isn’t extra—it’s a way back to aliveness and clarity in every other part of life.

I’m grateful for therapy—and I’m also honest about its limits inside traditional containers. Some of my deepest healing has come outside the therapy room: through movement, story, laughter, friendship, and small groups that hold me while I build a life that fits. That’s part of why I’m building spaces for therapists and creatives to do this work together.

Pink argues we’re moving from the Information Age into the Conceptual Age—where six “senses” become indispensable:

If you’re a therapist or helper, you’re already fluent in many of these. The invitation is to bring them to the center of your work—not just the edges.

We crave contribution—to help, teach, build, and heal. But contribution alone leads to self-sacrifice and burnout. We also need fulfillment—creative passion, joy, and work that feels like us. Fulfillment alone can veer into emptiness. The sweet spot? Both.

I’ve launched a small, co-creative, online community for therapists, helpers, and creative entrepreneurs who want to build work that feels alive, sustainable, and aligned—and do it together.

What’s inside (founding version):

If you’re craving a small, brave community to explore your Zone of Genius and build energizing income streams without burning out, send me a note at [email protected] or hop on Voxer (linked in my emails) to feel into whether it fits.

P.S. Not ready for a group? Start with the Zone of Genius Guide—it’s free and it’ll get you moving: pages.drshawnhondorp.com/zone
Want updates on meetups, workshops, and retreats? Join the list: drshawnhondorp.com/contact/

This blog and podcast are for informational and educational purposes only. They do not constitute medical or mental health advice and are not a substitute for professional consultation or treatment.

✨ Free Resource: Uncover Your Zone of Genius
Feeling stuck or burned out? Consider this your permission slip to come alive again.
Grab my free Zone of Genius guide here: https://pages.drshawnhondorp.com/zone

What if your burnout is actually a signal that it’s time to shift?
What if the path back to fulfillment isn’t more certifications or better time management—but more creativity, play, and aligned living?

If you’re a therapist, helping professional, or creative entrepreneur feeling burned out, stuck, or unsure how to keep showing up in this field you used to love… this episode is for you.

In this solo season finale of The Innovative Therapist Podcast, I share what I’ve learned in Season 5—and in my own life—about why creativity isn’t optional anymore. Not just as a bonus. But as a necessary part of sustainable, meaningful work.

This season has been the most “me” the podcast has ever felt. We talked about creative living, storytelling, nervous system regulation, entrepreneurship, embodiment, and how to do more of the work that lights us up.

And behind the scenes? I turned 40.
I danced in a contemporary show.
I choreographed a duet with my friend Allie about perfectionism and authenticity.
I celebrated, rested, cried, and reimagined what I want to build.

And most importantly—I listened.
To my body. To my joy. And to the parts of me that still get scared when I try something new.

Many of us became therapists or helpers because we’re deeply empathetic and want to create change. But somewhere along the way, you might find yourself asking:

I hear these questions all the time from folks in my community. And I’ve asked them myself.

Which is why this episode is about offering both reflection and direction. Because creativity, when we make space for it, helps us unlock new answers to these questions.

Here’s what I believe:
Creativity and joy aren’t frivolous. They’re essential.

They help us connect with our own aliveness. They open up possibilities. They offer healing not only for ourselves, but for our clients and communities.

And they are especially important for therapists and helping professionals navigating:

In short? Creativity is your asset.
Not a distraction. Not a hobby. But a path to deeper alignment and more sustainable impact.

If you’re feeling stuck, uninspired, or unsure how to move forward, here are two simple ways to begin reconnecting with your Zone of Genius:

🔍 Free Resource: Uncover Your Zone of Genius Guide
A short, powerful reflection tool to help you identify the work that brings you joy and flow. It’s helped dozens of therapists and creative entrepreneurs start imagining new ways to use their skills—with more ease and purpose.
➡️ Download it here

🌿 New Offering: The Intentional Collective
A virtual, low-pressure weekly gathering for therapists and helpers who want to make space for creativity, rest, or aligned work.
We meet for 45 minutes on Monday mornings to ground, reflect, and set intentions for the week.
This isn’t a course. It’s a container for support, accountability, and space to explore your next right step.

Get more details and join here.

✨ You don’t need to have it all figured out to join—just a desire to reconnect with what matters most.

This season featured some incredible guests—all modeling how to integrate creativity, embodiment, and alignment into their work:

Each of them is doing work that aligns with their unique gifts. Each one offers a different version of what’s possible when we give ourselves permission to come alive.

I’ll be taking a summer pause from the podcast to rest, reflect, and create behind the scenes.
Here’s what’s in the works:

🌀 The Inspired Innovators Circle – A 3-part in-person Grand Rapids series integrating yoga, creativity, and the book Big Magic by Liz Gilbert.
📬 The Intentional Collective – Weekly virtual gatherings + Voxer accountability for ongoing creative support.
📖 Future Retreats + Workshops – Stay tuned for a potential 3-night creative retreat, and new writing and movement workshops.

➡️ See all upcoming offerings here: drshawnhondorp.com/events

I’ll leave you with a quote I’ve loved for years, from Howard Thurman:

“Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.”

So if you’re asking yourself:
“What do I do now?”
“How else can I use my skills as a therapist?”
“What if I want something more?”

Start here:

You don’t need to burn everything down. You just need to start listening again.

🎧 Listen to Episode 151: Why Creativity Isn’t Optional Anymore for Therapists and Helpers
📬 Join the email list for updates + resources: drshawnhondorp.com/contact
🌀 Grab your free Zone of Genius guide: pages.drshawnhondorp.com/zone

Disclaimer:
This blog and podcast are for informational and educational purposes only. They do not constitute medical or mental health advice and are not a substitute for professional consultation or treatment.

Episode 150: Finding Community, Healing Together, and Living in Alignment with Randi Rubenstein

What does it mean to find real community in a world that often feels disconnected?

In this episode of The Innovative Therapist Podcast, I sat down with Randi Rubenstein for the final conversation in our three-part series on Creativity, Entrepreneurship, and Living an Aligned Life. This time, we explored the transformative role of community in healing, leadership, and building a more connected and joyful life.

From the mastermind group Randi accidentally created years ago to the healing communities I’ve found through dance, parenting circles, and entrepreneur spaces, we both reflect on the power of being seen, held, and co-creating with others. But we also don’t shy away from the complexity—how community can also bring up fear, past wounding, and the need for strong Pack Leadership (Randi’s term for grounded, non-reactive leadership rooted in care).

Here’s what we explore in this deep and energizing conversation:

✨ What makes a community feel safe, healing, and energizing (vs. performative or depleting)
✨ How strong Pack Leadership creates safety and builds trust
✨ Why we often carry wounds from early communities and how to find spaces that help us heal
✨ The connection between novelty, leadership style, and nervous system regulation
✨ Why co-creating (vs. top-down leading) is the secret to sustainable group work
✨ How our own zones of genius show up in leadership roles
✨ Navigating sensitivity and overwhelm when leading or participating in group spaces

One of the biggest takeaways? While we are wounded in community, we are also healed in community. The difference lies in the presence of safe, emotionally regulated leadership. Randi shares how the community she built within Mastermind Parenting grew out of a simple parenting course—and how the women in that group didn’t want to leave because they finally felt held. That accidental community is now a co-created space that has helped women start businesses, change their lives, and feel a sense of deep belonging.

We unpack how Pack Leadership (a grounded, non-reactive presence that models calm confidence and sets clear boundaries) is essential for a safe group space. But not the “dominate or control” kind of leadership—this is about responding from our Self energy and encouraging everyone to bring their voice and genius to the table.

Co-creation is the heart of it all. Whether it’s a mastermind group, a dance retreat, or a kitchen-table podcast, there is power in shared ownership. That’s what turns a program or group into a community.

As two sensitive leaders, Randi and I also talk about how it can be hard to feel the pain of others so deeply—and how to stay grounded and effective as a community builder. Whether you’re leading a large group or building small, intentional spaces, trusting your energy, pace, and personal capacity is vital.

We also explore how our nervous systems guide us toward the right communities. Randi shares her “straightjacket or skinny dipping” metaphor for gauging how a space feels in your body. Does it feel constrictive or expansive? Energizing or draining? That intuitive guidance is part of aligned leadership.

From mastermind groups to dance studios, local creative meetups, and therapist circles, we reflect on where we’ve found aligned, life-giving community. It takes courage to find your people—and to walk away from spaces that don’t feel right. But it’s worth it.

If you’re a therapist or creative entrepreneur in the Grand Rapids area, make sure you’re on my email list to hear about upcoming events, including my next in-person collaboration with yoga teacher and therapist Jen Bullen. We’ll be launching a local group experience that blends yoga, creativity, and community care.

🌐 Learn more about Randi’s work: https://mastermindparenting.com/
📩 Join the community: https://drshawnhondorp.com/contact/

Disclaimer:
This blog and podcast are for informational and educational purposes only. They do not constitute medical or mental health advice and are not a substitute for professional consultation or treatment.

Episode 150: Writing, Play, and the Power of Creative Connection with Michelle Ringle & Alyssa Jewell

Have you ever felt the quiet nudge to write something down, even if just for yourself?

In this heartwarming and deeply thoughtful episode, I sit down with two gifted educators and writers, Michelle Ringle and Alyssa Jewell, to explore the transformative power of creative writing. This conversation was one I truly looked forward to—and it didn’t disappoint. Michelle and Alyssa bring so much depth, honesty, and encouragement to the question so many of us carry: What might open up if we let ourselves write?

We cover so much ground: how writing can be a form of self-connection and healing, how creative practice doesn’t have to look like rigid daily routines, and how society’s productivity obsession often blocks our creative energy before we even begin. Whether you’ve been writing for years or feel creatively stuck, this one’s for you.

In this episode, we explore:

✨ Why writing is for everyone—not just “writers”
✨ How creative writing can help us heal grief, rage, and burnout
✨ What happens when we write with no agenda (and why that’s powerful)
✨ Why play is essential for adult women—and how Michelle created a whole Secret Society around it
✨ Bridging the gap between language learning and creative expression
✨ The real reasons many of us feel creatively blocked—and how to unblock
✨ The power of story to reconnect us with ourselves and others

Meet the Guests: Writers, Educators, & Creative Facilitators

Michelle Ringle is a mother, educator, adventure facilitator, and poet currently pursuing her MFA in Poetry at Western Michigan University. With over two decades of teaching experience, Michelle brings her trauma-informed, feminist lens to creative and educational spaces. She’s also the founder of the Secret Society of Ladies Uniquely Trying Stuff—a playful initiative encouraging women, especially mothers, to re-engage with physical play and joy.

Alyssa Jewell holds a Ph.D. in Creative Writing and Poetry, and her work explores the connection between creative writing and English as a Second Language (ESL) education. She teaches college-level ESL, English composition, and creative writing in Grand Rapids, MI. Alyssa’s poetry has appeared in Cherry Tree, Poetry Daily, Virginia Quarterly Review, and more, and she’s passionate about using writing to heal and connect across differences.

Writing as a Life-Giving Practice

For both Michelle and Alyssa, writing is less about producing something for others—and more about tuning into their own inner worlds. Michelle shares how morning pages and nature walks help her process emotions and stay grounded, while Alyssa opens up about writing her grandfather’s eulogy and the healing power of naming truth through story.

Writing doesn’t need to look like publishing a novel. It can be 10 minutes in the morning. It can be one sentence you write down while walking in the woods. It can be a eulogy, a journal entry, or a line of poetry that cracks you open.

“Our bodies often know before we do,” Michelle reflects. “Writing gives those feelings space to live.”

From Burnout to Creativity: Permission to Choose What’s Life-Giving

Michelle shared how pursuing an MFA while raising three children was a radical act of reclaiming joy. After years of teaching others how to write, she realized she wasn’t making space for her own creative voice—and that needed to change.

Alyssa describes the journey of bridging her two worlds—ESL education and poetry—and why giving ESL students space to tell their stories is not just powerful, but essential.

“I think we’re meant to create,” Alyssa says. “We heal through it. We grow through it. And sometimes, we even find our people through it.”

A favorite quote from this episode:

“We are in a culture that values logic—and I believe that’s a patriarchal ideal. Emotional knowing is just as important, but it takes practice. Creativity helps us build that muscle.” — Michelle Ringle

First Steps for New Writers (and Curious Non-Writers)

Both Michelle and Alyssa encourage anyone curious about writing to start small. Try a few minutes of free writing. Notice your senses while sitting in nature. Jot down lines you overhear in a coffee shop. There’s no right or wrong way to begin.

Recommended resources from this episode:

🖋️ The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron
🖋️ Poetry Unbound podcast by Pádraig Ó Tuama
🖋️ The Cure for Chronic Pain podcast with Nicole Sachs (featuring expressive writing for healing chronic pain) → Listen here

Future Collabs & Events Coming Soon!

We’re actively dreaming up some creative gatherings with Michelle and Alyssa—think writing, nature, yoga, and soul-nourishing community. If this episode sparked something in you, make sure you’re on my email list so you’re the first to hear when new offerings launch.

💌 Join the community here

Connect with Michelle & Alyssa

🌐 Learn more about Alyssa’s work and writing: alyssajewell.org

Stay tuned for more from these two incredible humans—I have no doubt we’ll be hearing more from them soon.

This blog and podcast are for informational and educational purposes only. They do not constitute medical or mental health advice and are not a substitute for professional consultation or treatment.

What does it take to turn pain into purpose—and how can creativity, food, and cultural traditions transform how we approach mental health?

In this episode of The Innovative Therapist Podcast, I had the absolute pleasure of talking with Elisa Pérez-Arellano, LMSW—founder of Inclusive Empowerment Services and the visionary behind Recetas que Sanan (Recipes That Heal), a wellness initiative that reduces stigma and improves access to healing resources.

Elisa’s story is one of incredible resilience, innovation, and heart. From her lived experiences as an immigrant and survivor of teen dating violence to creating a therapeutic cooking show with her husband, she’s inspiring new ways to connect, heal, and build community through authenticity and cultural wisdom.

✨ Elisa’s journey immigrating from Mexico to the U.S. at age 16
✨ The trauma and resilience that shaped her as a therapist
✨ Why she left traditional systems to build her own bilingual practice
✨ The creation of Recetas que Sanan—a cooking show that opens mental health conversations through food
✨ How creative expression, storytelling, and joy support healing
✨ Why therapists need their own therapy (and how healing enables deeper impact)
✨ The importance of speaking out about collective pain and the current political climate

After years of working in traditional clinical settings and feeling deeply unfulfilled, Elisa decided to start her own private practice in 2020—right as the pandemic hit. With clarity about her gifts and a drive to create meaningful, culturally responsive care, she launched Inclusive Empowerment Services, LLC.

But Elisa’s work goes far beyond therapy sessions. As a bilingual public speaker, trainer, and educator, she’s passionate about bringing stories, lived experience, and emotional wisdom into schools, businesses, and community organizations.

“I knew I had gifts I wasn’t using—and I had to do something about it.”

What happens when you combine traditional cooking, storytelling, and emotional education? You get something completely magical—and that’s exactly what Elisa created with Recetas que Sanan.

This bilingual wellness initiative uses food as a gateway into deeper conversations about mental health and emotional well-being—particularly in Latinx and Spanish-speaking communities where stigma remains high.

Cooking intuitively and sharing her personal stories while preparing traditional meals, Elisa helps viewers feel seen, nourished, and safe to explore emotions in a way that feels natural and culturally resonant.

“Cooking is my magic. It’s where my feelings live—and where connection begins.”

Elisa generously shares about her early years in the U.S.—navigating family reunification, language barriers, and role reversal as a teen helping her parents navigate systems. She also opens up about surviving teen dating violence, and how that lived experience fuels her trainings and outreach today.

Her commitment to authenticity is woven throughout her work. Whether she’s leading a community workshop or filming an episode of Recetas que Sanan, she brings her full, human self—breaking the mold of what a therapist “should” be.

“I’m cool. I’m human. I show up as myself—and I want others to feel safe doing the same.”

Elisa is currently seeking sponsors to grow her bilingual show and expand access to culturally-grounded mental health conversations. Your support helps cover kitchen rental, ingredients, and tech equipment.
🌐 Learn more and connect: https://www.facebook.com/IESMichigan/
🔗 Elisa Pérez-Arellano on LinkedIn

Elisa offers individual therapy, consulting, and dynamic trainings on inclusive practices, mental health, and trauma-informed care.
🌐 Visit her website: www.616ies.com

💌 Join my email list for therapist resources, creative community, and upcoming events! [Sign up here]

Disclaimer:
This blog and podcast are for informational and educational purposes only. They do not constitute medical or mental health advice and are not a substitute for professional consultation or treatment.

Episode 147: Redefining Success, Healing Through Business, and Sustainable Online Growth with Melvin Varghese, PhD

What if your business could be a source of healing—not just hustle?

In this episode of The Innovative Therapist Podcast, I had the joy of talking with Dr. Melvin Varghese—licensed psychologist, host of the Selling the Couch podcast, and founder of one of the most thoughtful, heart-centered online business communities for therapists.

Melvin is someone I deeply admire—not only because he’s built a wildly successful podcast and sustainable business—but because he’s done it with integrity, intention, and a whole lot of wisdom. We went deep in this honest, funny, and eye-opening conversation about what it really takes to build a business that supports your life (and doesn’t deplete it).

We talked about so much, including:

Melvin didn’t jump into online business overnight. After years of juggling group practice, community mental health, and part-time clinical work, a snowstorm in Philly changed everything—he lost 21 client hours in one week and began wondering: Is there another way?

Inspired by mentors like Pat Flynn and driven by a desire for more time freedom, Melvin launched Selling the Couch in 2015 – using an ironing board in his home for some of the early interview episodes. His early episodes were recorded before sunrise and edited by hand between client sessions. Slowly and strategically, he built a podcast that now reaches listeners in over 120 countries and has surpassed 1.8 million downloads.

“I wanted to design a career around my family and health instead of fitting my family and health around a career.”

Unlike many therapists who try to leap into online business and end up burned out (🙋‍♀️), Melvin took a long-game approach.

He shares how:

We also explored the deeper internal work of entrepreneurship—especially for those of us raised in systems or cultures where “working harder” was equated with worth. As the child of Indian immigrants, Melvin shares how he had to unlearn deeply held messages about laziness, productivity, and success.

“If I wasn’t grinding myself to the bone, I felt like I was dishonoring my parents’ sacrifices.”

Through years of personal therapy, brainspotting, and reflection, he’s found a new rhythm—one grounded in self-trust, presence, and purpose.

Today, Melvin works a Monday–Thursday schedule filled with focused deep work, daily hikes, learning blocks, and time with his daughter. Fridays are for rest, restoration, and a weekly trip to the wellness spa. It didn’t happen overnight—but it did happen by design.

“Most people are trying to build their lives around their careers. I wanted to build my career around my life.”

If you’ve ever felt like online business wasn’t for you—or that it had to mean compromise, hustle, or slick marketing—you’ll want to listen to this one.

Melvin’s story is proof that you can build a business with heart, rest, integrity, and purpose—and that it’s never too late to redefine what success means to you.

🌐 Learn more about Melvin’s work: sellingthecouch.com
💼 Connect with Melvin on LinkedIn

Want More Support & Connection?
💡 Join my email list for therapist resources, creative community, and upcoming retreats! [Sign up here]

Disclaimer:
This blog and podcast are for informational and educational purposes only. They do not constitute medical or mental health advice and are not a substitute for professional consultation or treatment.