<p><strong>In this episode I am joined by one of my best friends on this planet, Artist and Art Therapist Elijah Chong.  Elijah and I have known each other for over a decade and have always been kindred spirits on this journey of cultivating spiritual knowledge and wisdom. In this episode we dive deep into his personal journey and talk extensively about his practice as an art therapist and how that intertwines with his own personal creative practice.  </strong></p><p>--------------------</p><p>Born in Anchorage, Alaska, raised in Houston, Texas, Elijah Kane Chong left home to study Architecture at Texas A&amp;M University, which is where he dedicated himself to the arts and specifically to painting. He then moved on to New Orleans to teach art and establish his career in the post-Katrina revival. There, he met up with like-minded friends and helped to establish the Krewe of Motha Roux, an independent collective of far-out creatives and freethinkers. He rededicated himself to art as service, and journeyed to Santa Fe to study Art Therapy and Counseling at Southwestern College. He currently works as a licensed mental health counselor and art therapist in St. Tammany Parish, LA and continues to expand and grow upon his practice and body of work.</p><p><a href="https://www.elijahkanechong.com/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">Website</a></p><p><a href="https://www.instagram.com/elijahkanechong/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">Instagram</a></p><p><br></p><p><strong>Follow Martin Benson for more insights:</strong></p><p><br></p><p>*To stay updated on the podcast and related content, check out <a href="https://www.instagram.com/martinlbenson/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠<strong>my Instagram</strong>⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠</a></p><p><br></p><p>*To support the show and access exclusive content, consider subscribing for $0.99/month on Instagram (link above).</p><p><br></p><p>Credits: Special thanks to Matthew Blankenship of <a href="http://www.thesometimesisland.com/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠<strong>The Sometimes Island</strong>⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠</a> for our podcast theme music!</p><p><br></p><p>Support this podcast: <a href="https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/martin-l-benson/support" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠<strong>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/martin-l-benson/support</strong>⁠⁠⁠⁠</a></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p>