Episode #127: Creativity and Finding Purpose

Creativity & Finding Purpose with Jenny Leigh Hodgins

In this inspiring episode of ”Aging With Purpose and Passion”, Jenny Leigh Hodgins takes us on a transformative journey of healing and self-discovery through creativity. Growing up in a dysfunctional family, Jenny found refuge in music at a young age, using the piano as her emotional sanctuary. What began as a source of comfort became her life’s passion and career, leading her to become a composer, teacher, and creative empowerment coach.

After discovering Buddhism in her twenties, Jenny grounded her life in its principles, helping her navigate life’s challenges with a fresh perspective. This spiritual foundation guided her through years of personal growth, including her time in Japan, where she recorded music and immersed herself in a different culture.

Returning to America, Jenny faced one of her toughest challenges yet—becoming a full-time caregiver for her mother. This chapter in her life led her to redefine her boundaries, shedding lifelong patterns of overextension. It also sparked her transition from teaching music to launching an online creative coaching business. Now, Jenny helps others overcome creative blocks, rediscover their authentic voice, and find purpose through self-expression.

Jenny’s message is clear: ‘Creativity is not just a hobby—it’s a path to healing, purpose, and fulfillment’. Tune in to hear how embracing your creative potential can transform your life, no matter where you are in your journey.

Key Takeaways from Creativity & Finding Purpose

Coping Through Creativity: 

Jenny reflects on how growing up in a chaotic and emotionally difficult household shaped her use of music and creativity as a means of survival. From a young age, she gravitated toward piano, songwriting, and poetry as a refuge — a private space to process her feelings without having to explain them to anyone. Music offered her both protection and a therapeutic outlet, allowing her to express difficult emotions that words couldn’t touch. What began as an escape evolved into a lifelong devotion to beauty, nature, and creativity — all of which became healing tools in her personal and professional life.

Spiritual Growth Through Buddhism:

Jenny discovered Nichiren Buddhism in her twenties and was struck by its empowering message: that obstacles don’t have to define us. Instead of being overwhelmed by life’s challenges, she learned to elevate her life condition through chanting and inner work. Even when her external circumstances remained unchanged, the practice gave her a profound sense of calm and a renewed hope. Buddhism has since become the anchor in her life — not just a spiritual path, but a daily practice of self-awareness, compassion, and transformation.

Creative Exploration Abroad:

After graduating from college, Jenny took a leap of faith and moved to Japan to deepen her spiritual roots. While there, she experienced both the richness of a new culture and the challenges of living as a foreign woman in a deeply hierarchical society. Still, she found ways to thrive creatively — forming a band, recording a 14-track album (Butterfly Believe), and performing widely. This chapter marked a major expansion in her identity as both an artist and a global citizen. Despite the growth, the call to return home and reconnect with her roots eventually brought her back to the U.S.

Burnout & Career Transition:

Jenny spent over a decade teaching music in public schools, working with hundreds of students each week. While she loved the students and the mission of education, the demands of the system left her exhausted and disconnected from her deeper purpose. After the loss of her father and her own health scare, she decided to make a bold move: leave teaching, sell her home, and return to caregiving for her mother — all while building an online business aligned with her creative and spiritual passions. It was a shift born out of both necessity and longing for a more aligned, sustainable life.

Boundary-Setting & Breaking Old Patterns:

Becoming her mother’s caregiver unearthed long-standing family dynamics that Jenny could no longer ignore. Years of overextending herself and playing the “peacekeeper” had taken a toll — habits rooted in childhood dysfunction. She describes the emotional labor of having to learn, often the hard way, how to set and reassert boundaries with family members, friends, and even her own inner expectations. Jenny’s story is one of ongoing transformation — reclaiming her time, energy, and agency after decades of putting others first. It’s a process that continues to challenge and liberate her.

Creativity as an Inherent Human Trait:

Jenny passionately believes that creativity is not a gift reserved for the few, but a birthright we all share. Having worked with countless people who claimed, “I’m not creative,” she sees this as a symptom of self-doubt and internalized criticism — not truth. Creativity, she argues, is simply the act of expressing who we really are. Whether through music, design, writing, or movement, tapping into that inner wellspring can bring healing, clarity, and joy. Her coaching work focuses on helping women quiet the inner critic, access their natural creative flow, and honor their voice.

Creativity for Wellness & Purpose:

Jenny sees creativity as a direct route to well-being — mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Far from being just a hobby or an “extra,” she frames it as a core part of self-care and personal purpose. The creative process, she explains, invites people to go inward, listen closely to their authentic voice, and reconnect with what really matters. It’s also a scientifically supported tool for reducing stress, building resilience, and elevating one’s mood. For anyone feeling disconnected from their “why,” creativity can be the compass that points the way home.

Coaching Women to Reclaim Their Voice:

In the final part of the interview, Jenny shares how her journey has evolved into a mission: helping other women reconnect with their creativity, set boundaries, and live with purpose. Through workshops, coaching, and events, she empowers women to stop sidelining their dreams and start creating lives that feel vibrant and true. Whether someone is recovering from burnout or just unsure of their next step, Jenny offers a space to explore, express, and grow. Her upcoming creativity and wellness panel reflects this passion — inviting others to step into their power through creative empowerment.

Connect with Jenny Leigh Hodgins

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https://www.linkedin.com/in/beverleyglazer/

Need advice? Schedule a time to talk: https://calendly.com/reinventimpossible/15min