Episode 144: From Dark Night of the Soul to Creative Renewal with Leah Guzman
This week on the Tillage Podcast I had the pleasure of sitting down with Leah Guzman, an artist, art therapist, and creative entrepreneur who has such an inspiring story. Leah opens up about what it’s like to hit a breaking point, how she found her way back through creativity, and how she’s built a life that feels aligned and full. If you’ve ever felt stuck or like you’re giving to everyone else but running on empty yourself, this episode is for you.
The Dark Night of the Soul
Leah talks honestly about the season of her life when everything looked fine on the outside but felt completely off on the inside. She was giving to her family and her work but had nothing left for herself. Through art therapy, she learned to tune back in, listen to her soul, and rediscover her creativity. One of the biggest shifts for her was learning to set boundaries and say no, and it changed everything.
Finding Freedom Through Creativity
Sharing her work online wasn’t easy at first, and Leah admits it was scary and uncomfortable. However, she leaned on journaling, reflection, and the willingness to make mistakes along the way. That courage opened the door to writing children’s books, leading retreats, and building a membership community. Leah reminds us that when we take one small step, it creates ripples that can grow into something bigger than we ever imagined.
A New Relationship With Money
Like so many of us, Leah had a complicated relationship with money. She realized her fear came from old stories she had carried since childhood. By using her art, she gave shape to those fears and rewrote the story she wanted to believe instead. Now, she sees money as safe and supportive. With simple practices like affirmations and money “dates,” she’s been able to shift her mindset and welcome abundance.
I loved this conversation with Leah because it’s such a beautiful reminder that we are allowed to want more out of life. We can set boundaries, dream big, and create with intention. Leah’s advice is simple but powerful: start your mornings with a little journaling and an intention for the day. That one practice can change everything.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
You can have a good family, a steady job, and all the “right things” and still feel stuck. Naming that season a dark night of the soul or a divine storm can be the turning point.
Healing begins when you give yourself permission to get help, create space to breathe, and listen to what your soul is asking for. Often, that means returning to creativity, saying no when you mean no, and building gentle routines that calm your nervous system.
Money stories and self-worth go hand in hand. When you rewrite old patterns of scarcity into new beliefs of safety and possibility, you open the door to growth and abundance.
The most important shift is embodying the person you’re becoming, through small daily choices that ripple outward and shape the life you long for.
Connect with Leah:
Leah is a Board Certified Art Therapist and professional artist. She has been an artist all her life and practicing art therapy for over 20 years. She provides online art therapy services to creatives supporting their mental well-being. Leah is an international best selling author. Her book, Essential Art Therapy Exercises, has been published in 5 different languages. She also wrote "The Art of Healing and Manifesting: Creative Exercises to Living an Abundant LIfe" ,a children's book, "RAD is SMAD!!", and her newest book, "Art as Therapy for Youth: Creative Ways to Express BIG Emotions" .
7 day free trial of the Creative Soul Society membership.
https://www.leahguzmanstudio.com/free-trial-creative-soul-society-membership
Emotional Healing Art Retreat
Monday, Sept. 22nd to Wednesday, Sept.24th
https://www.leahguzmanstudio.com/emotional-healing
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