Blank canvas.Blank canvas.
Breaking The Habit
Kristian and Imogen talk about how art, values and honest conversation can support life after addiction, drawing on Imogen’s childhood around substance use and her work in the recovery sector. They share personal experiences of therapy, trust and creativity as different ways to handle difficult emotions.
49:44•24 Sept 2026
Blank Canvas: Art, Trust and Honest Talk in Recovery
Episode Overview
- Creativity, from doodling to fine art, can be a powerful way to express feelings when words are hard to find.
- Recovery support works best when people are offered different options and can choose what suits them personally.
- Growing up around addiction can shape both career choices and emotional patterns, even when someone isn’t using substances themselves.
- Trust, respect, confidentiality and non-judgement are crucial values in any supportive relationship.
- Talking to the right people and feeling genuinely heard can make more difference than formal therapy alone for some individuals.
“"You don't even have to be creative, like in terms of having a talent. You can just doodle and it is still therapeutic."”
What makes a recovery story truly inspiring? This conversation between host Kristian Clark and his friend Imogen gives a fresh, honest look at how creativity and human connection can support life after drugs and alcohol. Imogen, only 21 and already working full-time in the drug and alcohol sector, talks about how her childhood around addiction quietly shaped her path.
She explains how a university module combining fine art with a local recovery service sparked something: supporting people through creativity suddenly "just clicked" for her. Kristian highlights how mature and effective she is in practice, despite her age, and how powerful her impact can be on someone's recovery journey. A big theme is options in recovery. Kristian reflects on his own past resistance to help, admitting he once "was so unwilling to try these things" that might actually support him.
Imogen shares how her role is to offer choices, never promises: "I can never say to someone, try this, and you're going to be fixed," but she can lay out pathways like fellowships, different support services and holistic approaches. Art becomes the heart of the chat. Imogen describes running creative groups in the service and how a simple "blank canvas" can be a safe outlet for emotion, especially for those who struggle to talk.
As she puts it, "You don't even have to be creative... you can just doodle and it is still therapeutic." They also touch on journalling, trust, values like respect and non-judgement, and what it’s like to be the loved one watching addiction from the outside. This easy-going, often funny, but very open conversation is ideal if you're curious about using creativity in recovery, work in the sector, or love someone who struggles with substances.
Could a pen, a paintbrush or a simple conversation be the outlet you've been missing?
Do you want to link to this podcast?
Get the buttons here!
More From This Show
The latest episodes from the same podcast.