We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Shanna Stoker Henson a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Shanna, thank you for being such a positive, uplifting person. We’ve noticed that so many of the successful folks we’ve had the good fortune of connecting with have high levels of optimism and so we’d love to hear about your optimism and where you think it comes from.
My optimism comes from a deep understanding of the natural cycles of life — the ebb and flow of joy and hardship—and a belief in the transformative power of perspective. While I’ve struggled with depression and moments of darkness, I’ve learned that emotions, whether labeled as “good” or “bad,” are all essential parts of being human. Embracing this idea has allowed me to find balance, peace, and ultimately, a lasting sense of hope.
One pivotal moment in my life that truly shaped my outlook was a near-fatal car accident in 2018. I was on my way to an audition when I lost consciousness and collided with the tail end of a semi-truck. The aftermath left me physically broken and emotionally drained. I endured months of recovery, feeling like a burden and questioning my will to move forward. Yet, in that darkness, I chose to return to the performing arts — a decision that sparked a series of blessings, including meeting my husband. That experience taught me that what feels like a setback can actually be a slingshot, building momentum for incredible growth.
I credit much of my optimism to practices like daily gratitude, self-reflection, and an intentional effort to understand my emotions. When I feel unpleasant emotions, especially, I treat them as teachers, guiding me to identify untold truths within myself that I may not want to look at straight on. I also find strength in the philosophy, psychology, and spirituality books I read, which reinforce my belief that I control my destiny.
Through my life so far, I’ve realized optimism isn’t about ignoring pain or pretending everything is perfect. It’s about honoring the full spectrum of human emotion and still choosing to believe in the good. By living authentically, expressing gratitude, and sharing stories of resilience and love, I aim to inspire others to see their challenges as opportunities for growth.
For me, optimism is a quiet faith — not in avoiding life’s hardships, but in embracing them as part of a larger, beautiful cycle of growth and harvest.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
The Ghoulish Garb is something really special to me and my business partner, Francis. We’ve poured our hearts into this brand, creating designs that reflect my particular affinity for all things witchy, whimsical, and spooky. We come up with the concepts ourselves and then collaborate with a small team of talented artists to bring them to life. But what I love most is connecting with our customers — our lovely Ghouls, as I like to refer to them. We always try to make every interaction personal and genuine because we truly care about their experience and the community we’re building.
Two of my absolute favorite creations are our Terror Tarot Major Arcana Decks — one in vibrant color and the other in striking black and white (aka the “Shadow Edition”). They’re just so beautiful to look at and work with with their rose-petal matte finish and rounded edges. Alongside the decks, we also have Battholomew, our adorable little bat plushie who can hang upside down as a unique way to display him. I still get so excited when I see pictures of him in classrooms or in someone’s home. Knowing our work is bringing joy to people makes it all so worth it.
Right now, we’re finishing up a new Major Arcana deck that I’m really excited about. This one is themed around goddesses and femme figures from mythology and history such as Hecate, Yemaya, Freya, Marie Laveau, and The Morrigan. It feels like such a powerful project, and I can’t wait to share it.
Looking ahead, I’m also working on launching The Ghoulish Gal’s YouTube channel this year. It’ll be a mix of tarot, history (my academic background), and all the mystical and macabre things I am enchanted by. It’s a way to share more of myself and connect with people in a completely new way.
At the end of the day, what matters most to me is building a community where people feel seen, inspired, and hopefully a little more magical. The Ghoulish brand is more than a business to me — it’s a reflection of who I am and what I believe in.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Looking back, I’d say three things have been the most impactful in my journey: gratitude, curiosity, and self-reflection.
Gratitude has been a cornerstone for me. It’s not just about appreciating the good moments but also finding something to hold onto during the hard times. When I was recovering from my accident, gratitude kept me grounded. Focusing on what I had instead of what I’d lost gave me the strength to move forward. For anyone starting out, I recommend making gratitude a daily habit. It doesn’t have to be complicated — even just pausing to recognize something small, like a kind word or a moment of peace, can create a ripple effect of positivity.
Curiosity has been another driving force. It keeps life exciting and opens the door to endless possibilities. Whether it’s diving into tarot symbolism, exploring history and philosophy, performing, learning a new language, or dreaming up new designs for The Ghoulish Garb, curiosity pushes me to grow and learn. My advice to anyone starting out is to follow your curiosity. Let it lead you to unexpected places, and don’t be afraid to step outside your comfort zone — that’s where the magic happens.
And finally, self-reflection has been essential. Taking the time to understand myself — what I truly want, why I feel a certain way, and how I can grow to embody the woman I aim to be — has helped me navigate challenges and stay true to my path. Whether it’s journaling, meditation, or simply taking a walk, giving yourself that space to process can bring clarity and peace.
Each of these — gratitude, curiosity, and self-reflection — has shaped not only who I am but also what we’ve built with The Ghoulish Garb. I hope to inspire others to embrace this life with an open heart and a curious mind.
Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
Yes, we’re always open to collaboration! Currently, we’re looking for shops that would be interested in carrying The Ghoulish Garb products. We offer a variety of wholesale items, including our Terror Tarot Major Arcana Decks, Battholomew plushie (with more plushies on the way!), tapestries, blankets, mugs, and stickers. We’d love to build relationships with and support other small businesses.
In addition to that, once we launch The Ghoulish Gal’s YouTube channel, I’d love to collaborate with other creators who share a passion for the mystical, the macabre, and all things witchy. Whether it’s for tarot content, storytelling, or other creative projects, I’m always open to ideas!
If you’re a business interested in wholesale or a creator looking to collaborate, feel free to reach out. You can email us at support@theghoulishgarb.com for The Ghoulish Garb or helloghoulishgal@gmail.com for The Ghoulish Gal. Let’s get in touch!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/theghoulishgarb
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_ghoulish_garb
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@the_ghoulish_garb
Image Credits
The Ghoulish Garb®️ and Taylor Hadley (for one photo)
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
