Art for Anxiety: How the Zentangle® Method Can Calm a Restless Mind

Art for Anxiety: How the Zentangle® Method Can Calm a Restless Mind

Have you ever let perfectionism steal the joy from your own creative expression? In this episode of Hypothetically Intentional, I sit down with Laura Marks, Certified Zentangle Teacher (CZT), life coach, and the founder of Indy Tangles. Laura shares her profound journey from traditional visual arts—where competitive exhibits left her feeling burned out and soul-crushed—to discovering the liberating, structured method of Zentangle.  Together, we explore how repetitive, non-representational patterns serve as a literal pressure release valve for a stressed nervous system. Laura opens up about her ten years of work facilitating expressive art sessions for cancer survivors and caregivers, demonstrating how a single pen stroke can teach us resilience, presence, and surrender when life gets turned upside down. Whether you consider yourself an artist or haven't picked up a pen since childhood, this conversation is an invitation to step out of your rigid mind and drop straight into your heart space.  In this episode, we discuss: * Why traditional art spaces can feel soul-crushing and how to heal your inner artist.  * The definition of Zentangle and why it is different from aimless doodling.  * How non-representational art silences the perfectionist critic in your head.  * The beautiful way art leads to personal confidence and community connection.  * How to handle the "unplanned lines" we draw in our art and in our lives.  * Using simple creative tools to find instant pockets of reprieve and regulate your nervous system.  About Our Guest: Laura Marks is a Certified Zentangle Teacher (CZT), health and life coach, and the heart behind Indy Tangles. With a master's degree in counseling and a background in visual arts, Laura blends deep emotional connection with tactile creativity. For over a decade, she has facilitated expressive arts for the integrative therapy program at Hartford Hospital, helping cancer survivors and caregivers navigate health crises through the soothing rhythm of repetitive patterns. When she isn’t teaching public workshops online or hosting regional art retreats, she brings her regulating creative practices into her full-time work within a fast-paced law firm environment.  Connect with Laura: * Website: https://www.indytangles.com/ [https://www.indytangles.com/] * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IndyTangles/ [https://www.facebook.com/IndyTangles/] * Instagram: @lauramarks297 [https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.instagram.com/lauramarks297] * Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/o/laura-marks-czt-29639185071 [https://www.eventbrite.com/o/laura-marks-czt-29639185071] Connect with Michelle: * Join the Event: Aligned & Integrated Virtual Summit [https://chooseyourself.com/virtual-summit-june/] * Soul Care Support: Tap into your highest alignment by requesting a spot on our Free Reiki Grid or booking a one-on-one Soul Growth Tarot Coaching session. Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2174822/fan_mail/new] This podcast is provided for educational, informational, and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute providing professional medical advice, diagnosis, treatment, or professional healthcare services. -------------------------------------------------------------- Want more from Michelle? Visit ChooseYourself.com [http://jaideewellness.com] https://michelleaalbers.com/ Find us on Social Media  Facebook: facebook.com/michelleaalbers/ [https://www.facebook.com/michelleaalbers/] Instagram: @michelleaalbers [https://www.instagram.com/michelleaalbers/] Facebook: facebook.com/JaiDeeWellness/ [https://www.facebook.com/JaiDeeWellness/] Instagram: @jaideestudio [https://www.instagram.com/jaideestudio/] Music Credit Through Season 3 Episode 41 Title: Ebb and Flow Author: Fabian Measures https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Fabian_Measures/ [https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Fabian_Measures/] Source: Free Music Archive https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Fabian_Measures/Singles_Album/Ebb_and_Flow_1829/ [https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Fabian_Measures/Singles_Album/Ebb_and_Flow_1829/] Licence: CC BY 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ [https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/]

The Sacred Art of Fatherhood: Breaking Cycles & Finding Forgiveness | Javier Santana

In this episode of Hypothetically Intentional, we are again honoring parenthood, this time focusing on Father's Day. Following our recent Mother's Day conversation about parenthood, we are turning our curiosity toward the experience of fatherhood —examining the expectations we place on parents and how we navigate our own upbringings.  I am joined by my dear friend Javier Santana, a father of three daughters who chose to consciously process his relationship with his past so he could show up with complete, undivided presence for his family.  Javier shares his powerful story of navigating the absence of his own father, the massive transition of moving from Puerto Rico to Virginia at age 11 without knowing English, and the incredible three-hour drive that ultimately allowed him to find true forgiveness and closure. Together, we unpack why true growth means moving past parental blame, how to step into accountability for our current choices, and look at the profound question every parent needs to answer: We always say we would die for our children—but are we willing to live for them?  Connect with Javier Santana: * Vida Brand Lab: VidaBrandLab.com [http://vidabrandlab.com/]   * Vivir Coffee Company: VivirCoffee.com [http://vivircoffee.com/] (Sign up for updates on the lifestyle brand launching later this year!)  Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2174822/fan_mail/new] This podcast is provided for educational, informational, and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute providing professional medical advice, diagnosis, treatment, or professional healthcare services. -------------------------------------------------------------- Want more from Michelle? Visit ChooseYourself.com [http://jaideewellness.com] https://michelleaalbers.com/ Find us on Social Media  Facebook: facebook.com/michelleaalbers/ [https://www.facebook.com/michelleaalbers/] Instagram: @michelleaalbers [https://www.instagram.com/michelleaalbers/] Facebook: facebook.com/JaiDeeWellness/ [https://www.facebook.com/JaiDeeWellness/] Instagram: @jaideestudio [https://www.instagram.com/jaideestudio/] Music Credit Through Season 3 Episode 41 Title: Ebb and Flow Author: Fabian Measures https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Fabian_Measures/ [https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Fabian_Measures/] Source: Free Music Archive https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Fabian_Measures/Singles_Album/Ebb_and_Flow_1829/ [https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Fabian_Measures/Singles_Album/Ebb_and_Flow_1829/] Licence: CC BY 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ [https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/]

How to Stop "Avoidant Seeking" and Begin True Self-Healing

Have you ever felt like an expert in the language of healing, yet still feel trapped in the same old patterns? In this solo episode, I share a sneak peek into my upcoming book, Never Broken, Never Healed, Always Whole. Together, we explore the concept of the Avoidant Seeker. The Avoidant Seeker keeps us in the loop of constantly gathering tools, books, and appointments as a subconscious shield against doing the actual, internal integration work. I break down the vital difference between your lowercase "s" self (the part shaped by wounds and conditioning) and your capital "S" Self (your wise, authentic observer). If you are tired of treating your healing journey like a transactional demolition project, this episode is your invitation to pause, surrender, and remember that you are already whole. In this episode, we discuss: * Why we treat healing like a transaction and expect others to "fix" us. * The trap of "avoidant seeking" and why our humanness prefers a painful known to an unpredictable unknown. * Understanding the Lowercase "s" self vs. the Capital "S" Self. * A powerful real-life client story illustrating the alchemy of surrender. * The structural rhythm of the Choose Yourself® journey. Connect with Michelle: * Ready to stop seeking and start landing? Book a personalized Soul Growth Tarot Coaching session with me to uncover the path your inner observer is trying to show you. * Need a space to rest and just be? Submit your name to my Free Reiki Grid Requests and allow yourself to simply receive. Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2174822/fan_mail/new] This podcast is provided for educational, informational, and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute providing professional medical advice, diagnosis, treatment, or professional healthcare services. -------------------------------------------------------------- Want more from Michelle? Visit ChooseYourself.com [http://jaideewellness.com] https://michelleaalbers.com/ Find us on Social Media  Facebook: facebook.com/michelleaalbers/ [https://www.facebook.com/michelleaalbers/] Instagram: @michelleaalbers [https://www.instagram.com/michelleaalbers/] Facebook: facebook.com/JaiDeeWellness/ [https://www.facebook.com/JaiDeeWellness/] Instagram: @jaideestudio [https://www.instagram.com/jaideestudio/] Music Credit Through Season 3 Episode 41 Title: Ebb and Flow Author: Fabian Measures https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Fabian_Measures/ [https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Fabian_Measures/] Source: Free Music Archive https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Fabian_Measures/Singles_Album/Ebb_and_Flow_1829/ [https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Fabian_Measures/Singles_Album/Ebb_and_Flow_1829/] Licence: CC BY 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ [https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/]

The Art of the Mindful Pause: Finding Stillness in Turbulent Waters

What do you do when life presents you with the ultimate duality: a season of profound celebration alongside a season of "unthinkable" challenge? In this raw solo episode, Michelle pulls back the curtain on her own currently "messy" reality. From the joy of witnessing her son’s wedding to navigating complex personal waters, she explores why we don’t have to choose between being human and being divine. We are always both. Michelle discusses: * The Urge to Hide: Recognizing when pride or embarrassment makes us want to "tuck things into boxes" instead of feeling them.  * The Choice to Sit: Why "moving through" an emotion sometimes just means being in a pause.  * Nervous System Signals: How nature (and even birdsong) reminds us that we are safe, even when things are complicated.  * The Rock in the Stream: A powerful visualization for staying grounded when the current of life feels too fast.  This episode is a gentle invitation to stop judging your own process and to trust that you have every tool you need to figure it out. Take it one drop at a time.  Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2174822/fan_mail/new] This podcast is provided for educational, informational, and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute providing professional medical advice, diagnosis, treatment, or professional healthcare services. -------------------------------------------------------------- Want more from Michelle? Visit ChooseYourself.com [http://jaideewellness.com] https://michelleaalbers.com/ Find us on Social Media  Facebook: facebook.com/michelleaalbers/ [https://www.facebook.com/michelleaalbers/] Instagram: @michelleaalbers [https://www.instagram.com/michelleaalbers/] Facebook: facebook.com/JaiDeeWellness/ [https://www.facebook.com/JaiDeeWellness/] Instagram: @jaideestudio [https://www.instagram.com/jaideestudio/] Music Credit Through Season 3 Episode 41 Title: Ebb and Flow Author: Fabian Measures https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Fabian_Measures/ [https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Fabian_Measures/] Source: Free Music Archive https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Fabian_Measures/Singles_Album/Ebb_and_Flow_1829/ [https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Fabian_Measures/Singles_Album/Ebb_and_Flow_1829/] Licence: CC BY 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ [https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/]

Intentional Parenting: Navigating Fear, Control, and Soul Growth with Sam Franklin

Happy Mother’s Day! Whether you are a parent, have a parent, or are currently "in progress," today’s conversation is a deep dive into the most challenging and rewarding relationship we can navigate as humans.  In this Season 4 premiere of Hypothetically Intentional, I’m joined by therapist and Intuitive Coach, Sam Franklin. Sam is currently awaiting the arrival of their first child, and we explore the profound transition from the spiritual soul realm into the messy reality of the human experience.  In this episode, we unpack: * The Mount Everest of Control: How parenthood forces us to confront our need for certainty and embrace the beauty of surrender.  * Modeling Humanness: The power of the parental apology and why moving away from hierarchy creates deeper intimacy.  * Beginner’s Mind: Reclaiming the sense of wonder we often lose as adults through the eyes of our children.  * The Healer’s Lens in Parenting: Navigating the "empath’s dilemma", feeling your child’s pain without needing to fix it.  Join us for an honest, vulnerable reflection on authoring a new narrative for your family, one rooted in intentionality, kindness, and grace. Connect with Sam: Website: https://www.samintuitivecoach.com/ [ https://www.samintuitivecoach.com/] Social Media: @samintuitivecoach Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2174822/fan_mail/new] This podcast is provided for educational, informational, and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute providing professional medical advice, diagnosis, treatment, or professional healthcare services. -------------------------------------------------------------- Want more from Michelle? Visit ChooseYourself.com [http://jaideewellness.com] https://michelleaalbers.com/ Find us on Social Media  Facebook: facebook.com/michelleaalbers/ [https://www.facebook.com/michelleaalbers/] Instagram: @michelleaalbers [https://www.instagram.com/michelleaalbers/] Facebook: facebook.com/JaiDeeWellness/ [https://www.facebook.com/JaiDeeWellness/] Instagram: @jaideestudio [https://www.instagram.com/jaideestudio/] Music Credit Through Season 3 Episode 41 Title: Ebb and Flow Author: Fabian Measures https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Fabian_Measures/ [https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Fabian_Measures/] Source: Free Music Archive https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Fabian_Measures/Singles_Album/Ebb_and_Flow_1829/ [https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Fabian_Measures/Singles_Album/Ebb_and_Flow_1829/] Licence: CC BY 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ [https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/]