Live with Nicolene Burger

Most people do not come and sit down in front of me because they want to talk about relationships. They arrive with questions about creativity, blocks, uncertainty, and the life they long to create. Yet, inevitably, our conversations lead us towards relationships. Our relationships are creations too. They ask for enormous creative energy, especially when we want them to remain alive across many ye...

Nicolene sits down with her life partner, Thabo Krouwkam, for a candid conversation about living a creative life beyond the nine-to-five. Together, they explore how music becomes a doorway into deeper emotional connection, the courage it takes to find and free your voice, and the unexpected ways creativity unfolds when shared with others. Recorded in the comfort of their home, this tender exchange...

In this intimate, reflective conversation recorded beside Silvermine Lake, Nicolene sits down with German co-founder of Orbio Earth, Forbes 30 under 30 Europe 2025 nominee, and fellow creative thinker, Robert Huppertz, for conversation to explore what it truly means to live a life in alignment with evolving values. Nicolene and Rob share a deep curiosity about transformation—personal, collective,...

In 2024, I hosted a talk/discussion called, Transformation Through Creative Play. The participants in the recording are Anine Hollander, Sasha Dolgina, and Willem Botha/Simba. Relearning to play was the first change I made to my creative practice (and life) to break through a big block and depression I had during my undergraduate studies.  However, it was not easy or comfortable - because I was fa...

I'd love to contextualize this episode with an intro blurb, but at the moment I am on vocal rest because I hurt my voice :( So, please read this to understand the larger context of this episode: In October last year, Jana and I recorded what we call an "airing" (referencing the podcast we have together called Air It ) about my performance piece, The Bizarre Bazaar. This was an open-ended and unstr...

Sarah has recreated her life many times. During the heavy lockdown a couple of years ago, she moved off-grid and left her old life and creations behind in Cape Town. In this episode, I ask her about what was required for her to undergo such a complete transformation, and how she has dealt with the "death" of past selves and leaving successful projects behind. We discuss the role of trust in the pr...

I live in a magical community of people who actively create their lives and around us SUCH creative people orbit in a very inspiring way. I have decided to do interviews with these weird and wonderful folks to understand what creative practices, philosophies, disciplines, stories, routines, etc. underpin their process of consciously claiming their creative power. This little blurb is an introducti...

After a year of consulting on Jana's PhD project, Nicolene checks in with her on how her writing, relationship with her creative practice, and organizational abilities have grown.

Julia asks me to help her find her artistic voice. This question leads us to a discussion on the audacity to call yourself an artist, how to start, resistance, desire, fear, and a couple of practices. I recommend you listen to this episode when you can follow along and have a journey ready. Here is a link to the FREE Creative Fire Challenge I mention in the episode: https://www.youtube.com/playlis...

In this episode, I do a live Persephone Unblocking Session with a student of scenography. We had some technical difficulties, but I didn't feel like editing them out (if it irritates you maybe you can be my editor ;) hehe)

Starting a project is one of the biggest blocks for many creatives. In this episode, I share why starting is often so difficult, how we block ourselves from starting, and practices you can do to make starting easier.  Follow these links for: My Creative Container options to work with me 1-1 Elizabeth Gilbert Ted Talk Art in Context

There is a misunderstanding in our modern society that art is reserved for after-hours, hobbies, and the select few that choose to call themselves artists. However, art is so deeply embedded in what it means to be human that there is no way to imagine our species without the making of art. In this episode, I talk through an article I wrote for ArtFileMagazine on this topic.  Links:  Why...

What started out as a normal Tuesday, turned into the day I casually made a dream happen that I had in 2018! And so, I announce the first mental art dump that will constitute N.B. Art Notes Podcast! This is an introduction episode to who I am (Nicolene Burger), my chronological story with art, how I come to call myself a Creativity Doula and finally, why I'm starting this podcast.  Follow me:...