#134. How Art Journaling Can Help You Heal, De-Stress, and Rediscover Joy with Susan Hensley

In this warm and inspiring episode of Pockets of Knowledge, host Desiree Stanley sits down with Susan Hensley, transformational coach, speaker, and author of The Art for Your Sanity, to explore how the simple act of play—through art journaling—can help us navigate chaos, reconnect with ourselves, and unleash unexpected joy. Susan shares her deeply personal story of stumbling into art journaling during a busy corporate career and how that playful “accident” became a powerful tool for emotional processing, creativity, and self-discovery.

Susan explains how picking up crayons, watercolors, or a glue stick—without any pressure to create something “perfect”—can offer a safe and healing outlet for our most complex emotions. Whether you're managing anxiety, feeling stuck in a life transition, or battling perfectionism, she encourages listeners to drop the pressure, reconnect with their inner child, and embrace curiosity over mastery. Desiree and Susan also explore the idea of using art to navigate emotional duality, build resilience, and even uncover hidden inner wisdom through symbols and imagery.

From honoring messy feelings to giving yourself permission to simply play, Susan makes the case that art journaling isn’t about being artistic—it’s about giving yourself space to feel, reflect, and grow. She also shares why this practice is especially powerful during life transitions, and how color, shape, and collage can tell us more than words alone. With a refreshingly down-to-earth tone, she reminds us that creativity is accessible to everyone—and that healing doesn’t have to be heavy or complicated.

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, creatively blocked, or stuck in perfectionism, this episode offers a hopeful nudge to try something new—without the pressure to get it right. Grab a crayon, let go of judgment, and rediscover the joy of creating just for you.

Bio:

Susan Hensley is a transformational coach, speaker, and author dedicated to helping people navigate life’s transitions with joy, creativity, and resilience. With decades of experience as a corporate executive and leadership coach, Susan deeply understands the challenges and opportunities that come with major life changes.

Drawing on her extensive background in HR, coaching, and journalism, Susan’s mission is to empower people to unlock their inner wisdom, creativity, and sense of play during times of uncertainty and change. She guides clients through workshops, speaking engagements, and one-on-one coaching to rediscover their authentic selves and infuse their lives with more color, meaning, and joy.

Connect with Susan:

Website: https://susan-hensley.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/susanhensleyartjournal/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susan-hensley-63a4753/

TEDx Talk: Dare to Be Bad: A Path to Joy and Wisdom - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hl0CVLgBZHk&t=77s

Books mentioned:

Art for Your Sanity: How Art Journaling Can Help You Manage Chaos and Unleash Joy by Susan Hensley (Author) - https://amzn.to/4gV14kd

———

If you enjoyed tuning into this podcast, then do not hesitate to write a review. You can also share this with your friends so that they can be educated, informed, inspired & empowered!

Questions? Contact me through my website, www.PocketsofKnowledge.com.

———

This podcast is intended to educate, inspire, and empower you on your personal journey. This episode may contain advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode. This is not intended to treat any medical condition. I am not a medical doctor and do not offer any professional health or medical advice. If you are suffering from any medical conditions, please seek help from a qualified health professional.