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.

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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.

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 can serve as more than simple entertainment—they can be powerful tools for healing, growth, and connection.

Beside him, our steadfast companion John recounts his own origin story—how he first crossed the threshold into these boundless worlds of imagination. With his own dice-rolling adventures etched into memory, John’s passion matches Josh’s stride for stride. Together, they wield more than twenty years of experience, offering wisdom, encouragement, and the occasional bard-worthy joke.

We delve deep into the magic of play itself—the way stepping into someone else's skin can unlock courage, creativity, and even healing. Josh’s insights remind us that these games can be more than mere pastime; they can be lifelines, invitations to connect, and spaces to safely try on new selves.

As your humble host, I confess to feeling both enchanted and a little daunted by this vast realm. But with my companions at my side, I begin to see that the journey into role-play is not one taken alone.

Whether you are a seasoned hero or a curious newcomer, this episode may just be your call to adventure. Sharpen your pencils, ready your dice, and join us—we promise the quest will be worth it.

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, and ask what our late-night psyche might be trying to say. She describes how intentional dreaming practices can shift our relationship with sleep, opening a space for insight, creativity, and even healing.

Nightmares inevitably enter the picture when talking about dreams. Kiki offers practical and compassionate strategies for shaking off unsettling dreams and reframing them as invitations to explore deeper feelings. Rather than letting nightmares linger or define the tone of our waking hours, she shows us how to ground ourselves, regain balance, and even find meaning within the darker corners of our dreamscapes.

Together, we discuss the idea of dream “messages.” What do they mean? Where do they come from? Kiki shares her perspective on how dreams can act as messengers—sometimes reflecting our daily habits and stressors, and other times offering symbolic insights that encourage us to reflect on our choices, relationships, or emotions. Our conversation also touches on how behaviours in waking life influence what unfolds in dreams, and how dream experiences can, in turn, shape the way we move through our days.

As an artist, Kiki doesn’t stop at simply analyzing or remembering her dreams—she also transforms them into creative work. She talks about her art-making process, how intention guides her, and how creating from dream imagery allows her to deepen her understanding of herself and others. Her reflections highlight how art can serve as a bridge between dream and waking life, helping us process experiences that are difficult to put into words.

This episode is a gentle invitation to rethink the role of dreams in your life. Whether you see them as random, symbolic, spiritual, or simply curious nighttime wanderings, there’s something powerful in choosing to pay attention. By listening to Kiki’s insights, you may discover new ways to honour your dreams, tend to nightmares with care, and experiment with practices that make your sleep more meaningful.

So, grab a cup of tea, settle in, and join us as we journey into the world of dreams. Who knows—you may walk away inspired to start your own dream journal, revisit an old dream that has stayed with you, or turn your nocturnal adventures into art.

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-standing relationship with tattoos and how each one carries its own sentimental meaning. Together, we explore the idea that meaningful pain can be tolerable—sometimes even healing—when it’s chosen and tied to personal significance. We talk about the intimacy that often arises in tattoo sessions, the trust built between tattooer and client, and the deep emotional terrain that can surface while getting inked.

Throughout the episode, we dive into questions about storytelling, identity, and embodiment. Corrine walks us through her creative process, from listening to clients’ stories to transforming them into meaningful designs. She shares her boundaries as an artist, the importance of values in her practice, and the vibrant community she’s found through tattooing. Whether you’re covered in ink or just curious about the culture, this episode offers a thoughtful look into the layered world of tattooing as both art and connection.

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 and the performance of self online.

As we explore the changing landscape of digital platforms, we discuss how social media alters not only how we present our work, but also how we see—ourselves, others, and the world. The conversation moves between critique and curiosity as we unpack the “reel world” versus the “real world,” the rise of AI-generated imagery, and what it means to stay rooted in human expression. Despite the tools and trends, one thing is clear: we still believe deeply in the power of human-made art to connect, challenge, and inspire.

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 jokes (but also kind of means it) that getting a dog has helped him become more social—a lighthearted reminder that connection can come from unexpected places.

The conversation circles back to themes of authenticity from Episode 9, emphasizing the importance of creating space where people can be their full selves. They dive into the struggles of making new friends as adults, swapping stories and strategies that have helped them find and foster meaningful relationships.

Syd offers a striking quote—“treat your friends like lovers, and your lovers like friends”—as an invitation to bring more care, intention, and joy into all types of relationships. The episode doesn’t shy away from the hard stuff either, touching on the pain of friend breakups and how to move through them with grace.

Whether you’re looking to strengthen your current friendships or make new ones, this episode is full of warmth, laughter, and practical reflections on the art of being a good friend.

Check out our insta for the art that John, Syd, and Linnea made for this episode. @tinatthepod

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 talks about how making art feels like “coming home,” emphasizing the grounding and affirming power of creativity when we’re trying to reconnect with our truest selves.

Together, we unpack the desire to be fully ourselves and the external (and internal) pressures that complicate that. We explore how family, friends, and community can either support or stifle our authentic expression. We reflect on the tension that arises when different parts of us want different things—like loving someone deeply but also wishing they would change—and what it means to live with those contradictions.

We also discuss how art-making and creative practices can help us navigate those inner divides and return to a place of honesty and wholeness. To deepen the conversation, we offer a series of reflection questions for listeners to explore in their own lives:

• What does authenticity mean to you?
• When do you feel most like yourself, and what supports that feeling?
• What stories have you been told about who you “should” be?
• How has being authentic helped—or complicated—your life?
• How can we better support each other in showing up as we truly are?

This episode invites you to sit with the beautiful messiness of being human, to make space for your contradictions, and to find freedom in your most honest expression.

Check out the visuals and a link to our playlist on our insta page

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 shares how early inspirations gradually gave way to the work of master artists—especially modern European painters—whose styles continue to shape his own. His work is bold, honest, and deeply reflective of his journey—both personally and culturally.

We talk about the ways art and identity are inseparable for many artists, and how self-expression becomes a form of both resistance and belonging. Mike shares his thoughts on how fashion has been one of his most empowering creative outlets. He discusses a project he’s developing to encourage men to embrace fashion more freely and expressively, pushing back on rigid gender norms and inviting more creativity into everyday life.

Throughout our conversation, we also explore the intersection of art and economics. Mike gives us a candid look at the practical side of being a working artist—how he markets himself, connects with his audience, and considers the financial realities of sustaining a creative life. His approach to building an Instagram following through hand-drawn portraits of his followers offers a beautiful example of how connection and creativity can merge to build community. His strategy left both of us, John and Linnea, feeling inspired to step up our own creative engagement.

Mike reminds us that art is everywhere—woven into the fabric of society whether we notice it or not. We reflect on the courage it takes to live as an artist, and why creativity, while joyful, is not for the faint of heart. It takes vulnerability, consistency, and vision.

This episode is for anyone curious about how art intersects with identity, economy, fashion, and community. Whether you're a practising artist or someone looking to reconnect with your creative side, Mike's insights offer encouragement and inspiration in equal measure.