Episode 137: Joy, Rest, and Showing Up in Your Zone of Genius

Welcome back to The Innovative Therapist Podcast! This episode marks a small milestone for the show—I’ve officially upgraded my mic setup! After 137 episodes of recording with a free noise-canceling headset (and occasionally in my car on my phone), I finally invested in a proper mic and pop filter. Let’s just say my tech journey involved a bit of user error, but here we are, and I hope the sound quality is noticeably better for you!

But that’s not the heart of today’s episode. Instead, we’re diving into a topic that’s been front and center in my mind lately: the delicate balance between joy, rest, and purpose in the work we do as therapists and healers.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

A Business and Life Update: I’ll share a transparent look at where I am professionally and personally as 2024 comes to a close. Reflecting on the past year helps me process lessons learned and set intentions for the future.
The Challenge of Balancing Rest and Passion: When you truly love your work, carving out time for rest can feel tricky (or even counterintuitive). I’ll talk about my ongoing journey with this balance and what’s worked (and hasn’t).
The Zone of Genius Concept in Action: I’ll discuss how I’m applying the idea of working in your Zone of Genius—not just professionally, but in everyday life—and what it’s teaching me about alignment and joy.
Money and Meaningful Work: Money is a theme that keeps popping up in my reflections and conversations. While I’m not diving deeply into it in this episode, I’m previewing plans for upcoming episodes in 2025 that will explore the relationship between money, worth, and sustainable joy in our work.
A Look Ahead: I’ll share my plans for taking a rest period as we pause the podcast over the holidays, what rest looks like for me right now, and some ideas for upcoming episodes when we return.
Living a Big Life: You’ll hear a bit about this Marvelous Mrs. Maisel clip and what I love so much about it. And what a big life looks like to me.

Why This Episode Matters

This episode is a chance for us to take a pause together, reflect on the intersection of healing work, creativity, and rest, and celebrate the progress we’ve made. If you’ve ever felt torn between your love for your work and your need for downtime—or wondered how to tap more deeply into your gifts—this one’s for you.

Resources Mentioned:

Free PDF with ideas for Creative Ways to Make Money as a Therapist

Tune In

Grab a cup of coffee (or your beverage of choice) and join me for this honest, reflective, and slightly vulnerable episode. Let’s explore how we can continue to show up in the work we were called to do—joyfully, meaningfully, and with plenty of room for rest.

Listen to the episode now, and let me know your thoughts! What does rest look like for you at this stage in your journey? How are you leaning into your Zone of Genius? Drop me a message or share your reflections—I’d love to hear from you.

Here’s to a restorative end to 2024 and an inspired start to 2025!

Wanting more support beyond these podcasts?

I help therapists, helpers, and other humans navigate the nuance and develop deep trust with their bodies, so they can go live the life of their dreams.
I am currently accepting new therapy clients if you live in one of these 42 states in the US.
My rate for an intake session is $220 and for a 45 minute follow up is $195.
If interested in learning more, including my availability and details about my practice, email me at info@drshawnhondorp.com or call 616-227-0001.
Or if you are a therapist of helping professional looking to connect in community and explore creative methods for healing, get on my email list here and/or email me at info@drshawnhondorp.com to introduce yourself!

Disclaimer: This blog and podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for individual professional advice or treatment, including medical or mental health advice. It does not constitute a provider-patient relationship.

Disclosure: Using the Bookshop.org links in this post means that I would get an affiliate fee if you purchase from the online bookshop (this supports my business, and local bookstores too!).

Joy, Rest, and Showing Up in Your Zone of Genius (Innovative Therapist Update)