Jovana Surillo and All Things Good: How Art, Spirituality, and Self-Awareness Become Pathways to Healing

In a world often centered on hustle, perfection, and productivity, Jovana Surillo and All Things Good offers something radically different: space to heal, reflect, and reconnect with what is still good.

Rooted in storytelling, visual art, spirituality, and mental health coaching, this conversation explores how creativity becomes a bridge between pain and purpose. From poetry-filled notebooks in childhood to intuitive abstract art, from unlearning shame to reclaiming softness, this interview is a powerful testament to what happens when we choose authenticity over survival.

Through honest reflection, spiritual clarity, and lived experience, she reminds us that healing is not about becoming someone new — it’s about remembering who we’ve always been.

1) What first inspired you to blend storytelling, visual art, and coaching into your creative work?

For me, everything I create is a byproduct of who I am at my core: hope and healing. My work exists to be a light in a world so often fixated on despair—to remind people that restoration is possible.

What inspired me to blend storytelling, visual art, and coaching into my creative world was finally embracing myself fully and choosing to live authentically. When I honored who I truly am, my creativity naturally expanded into a space where healing, expression, and transformation could meet.

2) Which came first for you: poetry, art , or podcasting? 

Poetry came first.  As a young girl I would fill my notebooks with story telling and use my imagination to create a world that was different from my current reality.

3) Can you describe a moment when art became a powerful turning point in your own healing journey?

Growing up, I carried many suppressed emotions. It wasn’t until I began to deepen my connection with God that I understood the importance of healing—of allowing myself to feel and release what I had held inside for so long.

I remember one moment in particular: I played an instrumental, began to paint, and found myself crying without knowing what would emerge. When the piece was complete, I titled it Garden of Eden, because I had never felt so held, seen, or close to God in that moment.

4) How have your spirituality and the church helped guide you as a coach , as well as an artist and storyteller?

This is an important question, and I have to answer it honestly—because anything less would dishonor my story.

The church and God are not the same. Being involved in ministry helped shape my path into coaching, because it revealed a lifelong desire to help and serve others. However, the church did not guide me toward my artistry; if anything, it limited it. Anything that existed outside of what was considered “traditional” ministry was often labeled as not of God.

It was spirituality beyond rigid rules and man-made expectations that led me toward acceptance and freedom. In that space, I was finally able to pour into my creativity and fully cultivate the gifts I had been given.

5) How do you feel art heals?

I believe art heals because it allows us to tap deep into our soul and bring to life untold stories untold pain or even untold glory. 

Art doesn't just heal, it celebrates it exposes, it illuminates things that are not often expressed. 

6) What motivated you to start All Things Good

Fun fact about me: I always dreamed of being a radio personality or talk show host. I’ve always been outgoing, expressive, and curious about people. But somewhere along the way, I lost myself.

For years, I didn’t use my voice to share my opinions, experiences, or wisdom. I honestly refused to be seen. I hid parts of myself for a long time.

After detaching from certain organizations and relationships, I made the decision to bet on myself—to take a real chance on my dreams. One day, I sat in silence with myself, and in that stillness, I had a vision of myself podcasting. I asked God what I should name it, and I heard, All Things Good.

The name resonated deeply, because I was in the process of rewiring my subconscious mind to recognize and expect good things. So I trusted it—and I ran with it.

7) How do you choose guests and topics for your show?

I choose guests and topics based on alignment, not popularity. All Things Good is rooted in mental health, self-development, and hope, so every conversation has to serve that purpose.

I’m drawn to guests who are honest about their journey—people who are doing the inner work, not just talking about success. Whether they’re coaches, creatives, or thought leaders, the focus is always on how healing, self-awareness, and growth show up in their lives and in the way they support others.

Topics are chosen intentionally. I center conversations around emotional intelligence, identity, mindset, breaking generational patterns, and learning how to see and create good—even in seasons that are uncomfortable. The goal is for listeners to leave feeling seen, encouraged, and reminded that growth and healing are possible.

8) What patterns do you most often see in people’s stories — and how do you help people reframe them?

I often see people struggle to trust themselves after years of shame and manipulation. Over time, they begin to doubt their inner knowing—questioning what God is speaking to them and second-guessing the decisions they feel called to make, after allowing codependency and shame to lead for far too long.

I help them reframe this story by first accepting what is, then practicing forgiveness. I remind them that they never lost the ability to make the right decisions—they simply forgot what it felt like to choose themselves again.

9) Which episode has challenged you the most, and why?

I would say the episode that challenged me the most was Episode 26 with my guest, Rebel, titled “Embracing Your Divine Feminine.” After years of living in hustle mode and being “strong” within the ministry world, I had to begin unlearning deeply rooted belief systems around masculinity and femininity.

At the time, I was still learning how to balance work and rest, strength and softness, boundaries and emotional openness. Setting boundaries was no longer an  issue for me—but allowing softness, slowing down, and fully embracing my emotions was a lesson still unfolding.

Through this episode, I learned that both masculine and feminine energies exist within all of us, regardless of gender, and that healing comes through learning how to balance these polarities rather than rejecting one for the other.

This conversation challenged me to fully step into the fullness of my femininity and to move away from operating in toxic masculinity—manifested through overworking, constant productivity, lack of rest, and the absence of play, joy, and creativity.

10) Your art is beautiful. Looking at the different pieces, I see themes of music and forms of resilience? What is your process like when creating an art piece?

Thank you so much— that truly means a lot to me. I’m grateful that resilience is a common thread you see woven through both my work and my music. Music has always been my first love, and over time I found myself translating that love into poetry and display it through my art. 

My abstract work is deeply emotional and intuitive rather than something I overthink. I allow myself to flow freely, trusting the process. Only afterward do I reflect on what I was led to create and how it mirrors what may be unfolding in my own life.

My most recent abstract piece, titled “Shift,” was created during a season of profound change—a moment when many things in my life were transforming and moving in a positive direction.

My photo montage work follows a similar rhythm. I’ll see an image of a woman, and ideas begin to pour in naturally. I bring together different elements to create a visual story—one that speaks to shared experiences and resonates deeply with women.

11) Tell us about your support system , how important is it for us creatives to have a support system?

Having support is one thing but having the right support is everything! I think it is important for creatives to listen to listen and trust their gut feeling when something or someone is not sitting right within. The wrong support will cause you to shrink and hide your giftings but the right ones will pour into those talents and create a space for you to be authentically you. Not according to what they think you should do but what feels true to you as an artist. 

I would say do not force or rush connections and support. Let them flow organically or else you will be forcing something and connections that may not be for you. 

12) What inspired you to become a Mental Health coach?

I’ve always had a deep passion for helping people and encouraging them to pursue their dreams. Once I discovered what was holding me back, I realized I could help others uncover what has been holding them back as well—and guide them toward steps that are aligned with their unique journey.

At the core, we all want to understand why we are where we are and how to move forward. I love helping people gain that clarity and supporting them as they reconnect with their most authentic self.

13) You talk about breaking free from shame and codependency — what does that process look like in real life?

Breaking free from codependency and shame is not easy. It takes awareness but it also takes accountability. Accountability for the roles we played in toxic codependent friendships and relationships. 

Shame causes people to forget who they are. It teaches them to shrink, to stay unseen, and in that shrinking they often take on identities that were never theirs to begin with.

This is where self-awareness becomes essential. When we practice self-awareness, we learn to observe our thoughts and behaviors with compassion. We begin to discern which beliefs and patterns are authentically ours—and which ones are imposters formed through pain, fear, or survival. 14) What practices do you recommend for someone reconnecting with themselves after painful experiences?

I always recommend starting with self-awareness and self-compassion. After painful experiences, the goal isn’t to rush into “fixing” yourself, but to gently observe your thoughts, emotions, and patterns without judgment. Creating moments of stillness—through prayer, journaling, or quiet reflection—helps rebuild trust with your inner voice.

I also encourage people to practice honest self-expression, whether through writing, art, or movement, because healing happens when what’s inside is allowed to come out. Just as important is learning to set boundaries that protect your energy while allowing yourself rest, play, and grace. Reconnection isn’t about becoming someone new—it’s about remembering who you’ve always been. 15) How do you balance the spiritual, psychological, and creative elements in your work with clients?

I love this question. I balance the spiritual, psychological, and creative elements in my work by first meeting each client where they are. Everyone's journey is unique so what worked for me may not work for someone else. I think this is often overlooked.  Spiritually, I help clients reconnect with their inner knowing and, when aligned, their relationship with God—learning to trust their intuition again. Psychologically, we explore patterns, beliefs, and behaviors shaped by trauma, shame, or survival, bringing awareness to what has been operating beneath the surface.

Creativity is the bridge that allows both of those worlds to integrate. Through reflection, storytelling, and expressive practices, clients are able to access parts of themselves that logic alone can’t reach. When spirituality brings meaning, psychology brings understanding, and creativity brings expression, healing becomes a reality not just something they hope for. 

16) How do you see your art and podcast influencing your listeners or community in tangible ways?

I see my art and podcast creating tangible impact by helping people reconnect with what is still good within them. Through honest conversations and reflective art, listeners gain clarity around their experiences, begin to trust themselves again, and feel less alone in their healing. All Things Good isn’t just about inspiration—it’s about reminding people that growth, wholeness, and goodness are still possible, even after hard seasons.

17) What’s one lesson from a guest that completely shifted your perspective?

This is a great question, and a difficult one to answer, because every guest has offered wisdom and encouragement in meaningful ways. However, if I had to choose one lesson that stayed with me, it would be something Jackie Cope shared in Episode 47, titled “Shedding the Shadow: Healing Self-Hate.”

She spoke about how colonization and white supremacy are deeply embedded in our culture through perfectionism—the belief that everything must look a certain way or meet an impossible standard. What struck me most was her reminder that we rarely stop to question where these beliefs come from, even though they quietly shape how we see ourselves and our worth.

18) What’s next for you — any new art series, podcast seasons, or collaborations on the horizon? 

Yes! I’m currently working on Season 2 of the All Things Good Podcast. The new season will launch first on Air 24/7 Roku TV, and will also be available across multiple platforms including Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and the WMNF.org 88.5 FM radio website.

Beyond the podcast, I’m intentionally stepping out more to share my poetry and showcase my art. I’ve been a homebody for a while, but this season is about connection and community. I’ve also invested in a drawing class to help bring the dreams and visions I receive into tangible form.

Follow her on Instagram @jovana_surillo @allthingsgood

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