The Common Creative

What is the future of work?  How hard should we work?  How can we navigate work life balance? Meet Tim Duggan, author of Work Backwards, who answers many of these questions (and more!) in this weeks episode. And as an added bonus, Tim takes us through the KILLER ideas framework from his book on creativity called  Killer Thinking. Stand by for a deep-dive into his MAP framework for n...

This week, we welcome back the brilliant Neall Foard to The Common Creative Podcast for a deep dive into the evolving world of storytelling especially through video. Neal inspired us so much with his first Common Creative conversation (see episode no 83 “Grateful Creativity”) that he’s the first ever guest to be invited back for more. Over the past 18 months, Neil has been honing...

In this week’s conversation of the Common Creative Podcast, Chris Meredith and Paul Fairweather discuss the PARA filing system, a method for organizing projects, areas, resources, and archives. They explore the simplicity and effectiveness of this system, emphasizing the importance of keeping current projects front and center while maintaining a disciplined approach to archiving. The convers...

In this week’s episode of the Common Creative Podcast, Ian Stephens shares his inspiring journey from a corporate career to becoming one of Australia's leading speakers. He shares so many insights, including the courage it took to step away from the security of a career to follow his passion, and an area where he had no idea what to do. The hall mark of a creative act.  Ian Stephens is...

In this conversation of the Common Creative Podcast, Chris Meredith and Paul Fairweather discuss the importance of being prepared for spontaneous opportunities in life, using the metaphor of always carrying swimming trunks and a beach towel. They explore how creativity is tied to being observant and taking notes, whether through sketches, words, or photographs. The conversation emphasises the valu...

In this week's conversation, Paul and Chris dive into Indigenous Australian perspectives on problem-solving and respect with our guest, Paulina Larocca. Drawing on the work of Tyson Yunkaporta, Paulina explores the idea that true respect begins with acknowledging our own ignorance, an approach that contrasts sharply with conventional problem-solving methods. Paul Fairweather - Co-host https://www....

In this week’s conversation, Paul and Chris delve into the concept of 'daily-ish' habits, inspired by Oliver Berkman's insights. They discuss the importance of flexibility in habit formation, especially for those with busy lives or distractions. The conversation transitions into the relationship between creativity and mindset, emphasizing that a creative approach to life can be more benefici...

Would you have the courage to sell your house in order to fund a retro startup in the music industry? Neil Wilson is co-owner of Suitcase Records, a family-owned vinyl pressing business based in Brisbane, Australia. Neil shares his fascinating journey from the safe world of urban planning and architecture to co-founding one of only three vinyl record manufacturers in the country.  He provides...

How can businesses embrace artistic processes and become more innovative? Chloe Preece works at the intersection of arts and marketing, focusing on how businesses can learn from artists' creative processes. Drawing on her observations of the way real artists work, she beats the drum for concepts such as play, experimentation, and embracing failure in fostering a creative culture within business.&n...

In this mini episode, Chris Meredith and Paul Fairweather discuss the concept of 'Quarter by Quarter', inspired by Anne Lamott's book 'Bird by Bird'. Paul shares his personal struggle with completing self-initiated projects due to his tendency to get distracted by new ideas. He introduces his plan to undertake 100 side projects over the next 25 years, with each project lasting approximately 90 day...

Who wouldn’t want to be a “Creative Catalyst”!  With a background as both a practicing and academic creative, Paulina Larocca shares her powerful insights about the role of respect, the importance of ‘movement’ and the need to ask the right questions when developing creative ideas.  For her, ideas are easy - it's framing the questions in the right way that g...

In this engaging conversation, Paul Fairweather and Chris Meredith explore the intersection of creativity, woodworking, and personal organization. Chris shares his unique approach to organizing his workshop, using whimsical 'ministries' to categorize tools and materials. The discussion evolves into a broader reflection on the importance of creativity in organization and the balance between followi...

We’re re-publishing this incredible episode with Rachel Barnard because we want more people to hear her amazing story of creativity and social change. She’s the founder of Young New Yorkers, a program that uses art and creativity to help young offenders avoid criminal records. (Yes! Art can be used to avoid a criminal record!) An Australian-born architect and with no experience of the...

In the world of elite sports, discipline, commitment and resilience tend to reign supreme. So, is there a role for creativity?   In this episode, Rowena Meredith (double olympian and also Chris’ daughter) shares her journey from a young athlete trying various sports to becoming a medal-winning Olympian. She discusses the pivotal moments that led her to take rowing seriously, the co...

In many ways, Marion Deuchars is the ultimate poster child for the Common Creative.  A successful illustrator and author and illustrator of her own books, she also has a powerful creative philosophy. Key elements of her creative formula are embracing deadlines (even if they’re self-imposed) curiosity, observation and playfulness.   Faced with the overwhelming amount of material tha...

In this week’s episode of the Common Creative Podcast, Hanne Kristiansen shares her journey from Denmark to Barcelona and her evolution into a creativity consultant. She introduces the Creative ID concept, which emphasizes that everyone is creative in their own way. Hanne discusses the importance of breaking down traditional views of creativity in corporate settings and presents five distinct type...

Is Lewis Rossignol an illustrator, visual storyteller or a comedian?  And what IS the secret of drawing an Australian or a person with Down’s Syndrome?   In this episode Lewis shares his journey from a non-creative background to becoming a successful visual artist with a jittery, nervous style that somehow captures more of the essence of his subject than a more traditional portrait In the discussi...

In this conversation, Paul Fairweather and Chris Meredith delve into the themes of creativity, visual art, and storytelling, particularly focusing on Chris's upcoming photographic exhibition titled 'Spirits of Balmoral.' The discussion explores the unique aspects of Chris's digital art, its resemblance to Renaissance paintings, and the deeper narratives behind the images, including the representat...

In this episode of the Common Creative Podcast, Mark Shayler shares his journey as a sustainability and innovation consultant, delving into the intersection of creativity, storytelling, and personal growth. He discusses the power of visual communication, and the humorous yet impactful story of his singing experiences. Mark also explores the symbolism of lemons and how they relate to creativity and...

In this episode of The Common Creative, Chris Meredith and Paul Fairweather delve into the insights from Anne Lamott's book 'Bird by Bird'. They discuss the intersection of writing and life, emphasising how humour and authenticity play crucial roles in storytelling. The conversation highlights the importance of self-discovery through creative expression and the lessons learned from both fiction an...

Sparketypes, “One” Beer, and a singer who is a semi-tone out! Mark Truelson fits the mold of the passionate creative. Join us as he shares his journey from leading innovation at Foster's to becoming a consultant focused on sparking creativity in organizations. Mark explores how leaders can build supportive environments, engage employees, and lower the stakes to drive innovative projects. He introd...

In this episode of the Common Creative Podcast, Shivani Gupta. Shivani shares her transformative journey from being an engineer to becoming an entrepreneur and educator. She discusses the pivotal moment during her travels in Nepal that led her to reassess her life choices and pursue a path that aligns with her passions. Throughout the conversation, Shivani emphasizes the importance of creativity,...

In this week’s episode of The Common Creative our guest, Masami Sato, founder of B1G1, shares her journey in creating a social good enterprise that’s making a global impact. B1G1 (Buy1GIVE1) aims to foster a world of giving, where everyday actions lead to real change. Businesses can choose high-impact projects and link their daily activities to measurable outcomes. With over 300 million giving imp...

In this week’s episode of The Common Creative, we sit down with Mark Schenk, co-founder of Anecdote, to explore why he feels business communication is broken.  Interestingly, Mark suggests that the word  "story" is too soft or irrelevant in a corporate environment, and flips the script arguing that simple, everyday events are the key to engaging, authentic communication. Mark shares the value of b...

Matthew Dicks is one of the world’s storytelling greats.  In this show, Chris and Paul challenge him to reveal the secrets of his storytelling tricks and probe for ideas on how to use stories in the world of work. (Listen out for ideas like “life homework” and how to spot those “five second moments” which are central to every great story) The result is a 30 minute pot of “podcast inspiration” for...