Unofficial Art Therapy with Dr Liz and Coombesy

In this episode Coombesy introduces Dr Liz to two of his favourite humans, Julie and Mel. Like Madonna, Prince, Adele and Beyonce they are so fabulous that you only need their first names. Also like Madonna and co they know their way around a good live show, and in this episode we hear about their best. Come for the natter, stay for the sob in the middle, and don't mind the background noise (not a...

Hello dear Art Therapians (Artys? Artisterists? We're working on that!) Today Coombesy and Dr Liz talk about Groundhog Day the Musical - well Coombesy tells Dr Liz about it, and Dr Liz tries not to get too jealous! There are some spoilers from the Tim Minchin show here, but by now there's also lots already around about it so lean in or put this on pause until you've had a chance to see if if you'r...

This episode Coombesy and I have the great pleasure of talking to Emma Powel l - an Australian legend of multi arts and culture. Here Coombesy admits to having seen Emma live 50 times (more than her family!) but we also get to hear about how deserved that is - what a talented, practical and just bloody lovely person she is. We cut it a bit short because Coombesy's bed was calling, but we'll try to...

Welcome to 2024 friends - we're so glad we're all here. This ep is the first catch up in a while - Coombesy gives some of his highlights from 2023 as well as some wishes for 2024, while Dr Liz mostly listens in awe and with the possible promise of baggsing an extra special guest in the coming months. It's a bit raw and loose, but just as we like it. As always, if you need something, please ask. We...

This piece of unofficial art therapy celebrates the gentle art of watching your favourite flick, even though you've seen it 10000 times already, on TV just ONE MORE TIME given it's on right now. Yes, you could watch it on demand anytime and you know how it ends and every word in between, but there's something about watching it in real time, ads and all, that's hard to resist. This film is Grease f...

This episode we stretch a bit to talk about Birthday Days as Unofficial Art Therapy. Hear us out though - what's better in terms of building happy memories, serving happy tummies and showing and feeling love? Whether it was an old school tin and smarties, the wonder of the Women's Weekly Birthday Book or some new wonderful wizardry, let's hope that you leave us a bit happier, if not a bit hungrier...

So doing rundowns with Greg Sowell is something we're loving doing - so much so that here's another one. Hopefully you'll love it too - come for the secret men's business and arguments over who the best Ted Lasso character actually is, and stay for the insights into how Ted really is here, among us, with these conversations. As always, ask if you need anything, we appreciate you. Also this one sta...

We're so lucky to have two amazing guests with us this week, Alana Tranter and Joe Kosky. Not only is Coombesy well across their work (so much he gives better CVs than LinkedIn - you watch), we also talk how about how musical theatre and sport really IS related, what happens when you're not on stage and some other fun behind the scenes stuff. We also pay small tribute at the end to Cal Wilson, an...

Ah, friends, Ted Lasso. We know it's now technically over (or at least for now, as the wonderful makers have said), but Coombesy's just catching up and damn it's wonderful to relive. If you're already onboard come for the ride- with wonderful insight from Coombesy's previous experience as a coach - fact and fiction really crossing over at times. If you've still not got onboard, then maybe use this...

Adam Richard is a national bloody treasure here in Australia. Self proclaimed as the Fabulous Adam Richard, we happily sing it loud and proud and with no prompting as well. A standup, podcaster, broadcaster, writer, sometime actor and general amazing person, we howled with (sometimes a bit naughty) laughter, and we hope you do too. As always, ask for professional help if that's what you're needing...

In this episode Coombesy and Dr Liz talk to musician and teacher Matthew Slager. Although they've never met in real life (and maybe never will), Matt and Coombesy have an amazing bond. Music is not a universal language, but instead a really special and distinct one - it means so many different things to different people - and that's what's so incredible about it. If you want to know more about Mat...

Bonus episode time, friends! Our lovely guest Greg Sowell is back again - he recommended that Coombesy and Dr Liz watch In and Of Itself - a one man show by Derek DelGaudio - originally live but we watched the recording on Disney + here in Australia (not sure where else it is in the world, but you're all clever, you can find things). We had lots of thoughts - some really insightful, others really...

Here Coombesy tells some great stories about the Melbourne musical theatre folk he knows as the joy (and art therapy) of musical theatre. Dr Liz chimes in with awe and fangirliness - also remembering how Sydney's not as cool as it thinks it is, but also that musical theatre can also be on TV, on Disney, and wherever you get it. As always, we are only well meaning not actual practitioners of well b...

Please welcome our first guest to Unofficial Art Therapy - Greg Sowell. A legend of a guy, a prolific podcaster with the Why Am I pod and someone who's just generally lovely to listen to, in this episode we talk podcasting as therapy, Coombesy and Greg compare hairstyles and we learn the origins of Dr Pepper. Like Liz, not a real Dr, but still lots of fun. As always, if you need anything, please a...

Coombesy is not only a former medical professional, but also sport professional. And still, Dr Liz makes up with what she lacks in experience with enthusiasm. Here we talk about sport as therapy - not just the physical side of doing it (which of course we know - any movement can help if you can get to it) - but also the mental support that being a supporter of any kind can provide. Get into footy,...

Coombesy and Dr Liz love Reuben Kaye and we don't care who knows it. Actually, we want everyone to know. He counts as (unofficial) art therapy for us because of his talent, his love, his wickedness and his beautiful boldness - a true innovator who Coombesy is lucky enough to know as a friend and who has knocked Dr Liz's socks off. Not like that, dirty listener! But Reuben, if you're ever lonely......

Music videos and cover versions are everywhere, and we love their constant companionship. Bring your own faves to the episode, including our recommendations for the best songs for surgery and how video has only helped the radio star. Harry Styles! Reuben Kaye! All the beautiful people, they're all here. It may not fix you, but it certainly can't hurt. 

In this episode Coombesy and Dr Liz talk about Television - watching it, being on it, watching it being made, and the general joy it is to have a moving art gallery in your lounge room. Come for the stories of Coombesy's near mega quiz win, stay for Liz's swooning of baby Wil Anderson and vomit advice from Adam Hills. Or was it the other way around? Either way, remember this is just a serving sugg...

Welcome! In this episode we do a bit of an intro as well as a deep dive into Coombesy's backstory - a former nurse and paramedic, now lover of arts of all forms. Dr Liz chimes in too - a Doctor of Media, Music and Cultural Studies for her art is a way of keeping sane, staying grounded and connecting. Be it Shakespeare or (Harry) Styles, it's all good if it helps you. There are a few swears here, a...