The Common Creative
Paul Fairweather and Chris Meredith
The Common Creative - But Never Ordinary A podcast series with Paul Fairweather and Chris MeredithThe worlds of business, home and play are all starved of creativity. From an early age, we’re taught how to analyse, critique and simplify but the tools for exploring, ideating and creating are assumed to be instinctive. The Common Creative is all about bringing creativity back into everyday life - understanding the essence of creativity and making creativity a common as a loaf of bread and as well understood as a common language.Hosts Paul Fairweather and Chris Meredith are both creative thought-leaders and have been bonded by a common passion for creating and sharing something new and inspiring every day. Paul paints a watercolour of the household object and posts the image on IG “@everythink”, Chris photographs the same beach each and every day and posts the image on IG “@thisisbalmoral”By day, Paul Fairweather is a Brisbane-based, speaker, author, mentor, architect and artist. Chris Meredith is a Sydney-based, business coach, innovation consultant, and award-winning photo-artist.Each podcast explores a different aspect of creativity. Recent topics have included: Energy, Time, Constraints and even the Impact of Covid-19 (why not?!) The podcasts are ideal for anyone looking to get out of a rut and deliver stuff that goes beyond the norm.Join us for our conversations and surprising guests to unlock your own creativity.
https://thecommoncreative.co/
https://www.paulfairweather.com/
https://chrismeredith.com.au/
https://thecommoncreative.co/
https://www.paulfairweather.com/
https://chrismeredith.com.au/
Episodes
Mentioned books
Dec 18, 2025 • 32min
S8E183: Episode 183 - Toni Powell: Sh!t Happy Creative
In this episode of the Common Creative Podcast, Toni Powell shares her journey from marrying young and raising a family to becoming one of Australia’s most loved storytellers and keynote speakers. She explores the power of gratitude, the role of creativity in overcoming life’s challenges, and how pain can be a powerful teacher when met with perspective and purpose. Renowned for her hilarious, story-driven talks, Toni is a leading voice in positive culture and wellbeing. She’s a two-time international business award winner, author of two books, whose Goalcast talk has over 15 million views, and the founder of the Heart of Gold International Film Festival, featured on ABC’s Australian Story (Let There Be Light). LINKS: Toni Powell- Special Guest Website: https://www.tonipowell.com/ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/tonipowell Paul Fairweather - Co-host https://www.paulfairweather.com Chris Meredith - Co-host https://www.chrismeredith.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dec 9, 2025 • 27min
S8E182: Episode 182 - Enid Fairweather: The Arts and Craft of Creativity
In this heartfelt episode, Paul Fairweather and Chris Meredith pay tribute to Paul's late mother, Enid Margaret Fairweather, who recently passed away at the age of 94. The episode revisits an earlier interview with her, celebrating her vibrant creativity and resilience throughout her life. Despite facing challenges like polio, Enid lived a life full of artistic expression, from painting to writing a memoir. Her story serves as an inspiration to embrace creativity at any age. Links: Special Guest: Enid Fairweather Paul Fairweather - Co-host https://www.paulfairweather.com Chris Meredith - Co-host https://www.chrismeredith.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dec 4, 2025 • 33min
S8E181: Episode 181 - Warwick Heathwood: The Creative Strategist
In this episode of The Common Creative Podcast, Paul chats with Warwick Heathwood about his journey from Outback Queensland to leading creative strategy on the world stage. Warwick shares how his early life, love for music, and agency experience shaped his views on storytelling, intuition, and the creative process. The conversation highlights the power of curiosity and the importance of understanding human behaviour in great strategy. Warwick is a strategic leader with over 20 years’ experience in brand, creative, and business strategy. He’s helped drive growth for global brands, startups, and nonprofits, blending commercial acumen with sharp behavioural insight to create award-winning work across Australia, San Francisco, and New York. It’s a conversation packed with wisdom, humility, and creative inspiration. LINKS: Warwick Heathwood - Special Guest Website: https://subfrac.com/ LinkedIn: https://au.linkedin.com/in/warwick-heathwood-9aa3682a Paul Fairweather - Co-host https://www.paulfairweather.com Chris Meredith - Co-host https://www.chrismeredith.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Nov 27, 2025 • 28min
S180E8: Episode 180: Claire Gray- Creative Culture
In this episode of The Common Creative Podcast, Claire Gray shares her journey from behavioural science to founding Thriving Culture. She talks about the shift from traditional HR to people and culture, and why creativity, psychological safety, and strong leadership matter more than ever. Claire draws on over two decades of experience helping organisations build confident leaders, aligned teams, and cultures of accountability. Known for simplifying complexity and bringing clarity, she works with clients across Australia, New Zealand, Asia, and the UK. Based in Byron Bay, Claire is an accredited coach, facilitator, and speaker who is passionate about helping people thrive at work. Claire Gray - Special Guest Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thriving.culture/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leadership-coach-facilitator/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thrivingculture Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thrivingculture.com.au/ Website: https://thrivingculture.com.au/ Thriving Teams | Thriving Leadership book : https://thrivingculture.com.au/products Podcast : https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/claire-gray6/episodes/Its-here----the-Thriving-Leaders-Podcast--Leadership-Styles-e2ihvr5/a-ab69q5k Paul Fairweather - Co-host https://www.paulfairweather.com/ Chris Meredith - Co-host https://www.chrismeredith.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Nov 21, 2025 • 31min
S8E179: Episode 179: Ally Nitschke - Made for More Creativity
In this episode, Paul sits down with Ally Nitschke, a former professional ballet dancer turned leader in communication, influence, and executive development. Ally shares her unconventional career journey from the discipline of ballet to the structure of banking and how these experiences shaped her approach to leadership. They dive into the evolving role of leaders in the age of AI, exploring creativity, communication, and the ethics of emerging technology. Ally also discusses the key ideas behind her book Grunt, Grit and Grace, offering practical insights on resilience, courage, and leading with heart. Ally Nitschke is a powerhouse in leadership and communication, known for her neuroscience-backed, holistic approach that integrates mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being. As the Founder of Made For More, she partners with executives and senior teams across industries to ignite potential, build resilience, and elevate performance. Ally Nitschke - Special Guest Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ally.madeformore/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ally-nitschke/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ally-nitschke Website: https://www.madeformore.com.au/ Paul Fairweather - Co-host https://www.paulfairweather.com/ Chris Meredith - Co-host https://www.chrismeredith.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
10 snips
Nov 14, 2025 • 31min
S8E178: Episode 178: Dr Ken Hudson - Creative Switch
Dr. Ken Hudson, an organisational creativity expert and author, shares insights from his journey in marketing at major corporations to pioneering the Switch Thinking framework. He discusses why creativity often feels unwelcome in workplaces and how leaders can change that narrative. Listeners learn about practical strategies, like quick two-minute exercises, to spark creativity and the power of simple tools such as imagery and doodling. Ken also highlights the importance of emotional engagement in understanding customer needs.
Nov 5, 2025 • 29min
S8E177: Episode 177 - Paul Fairweather: Bold, Brave and a Bit Quirky
In this episode of The Common Creative Podcast, Chris and Paul dive into the creative journey behind Paul’s new book, Bold, Brave and a Bit Quirky. Paul opens up about the challenges and triumphs of writing, illustrating, and publishing a book that’s part memoir, part manifesto, and full of creative insights. The conversation explores themes of creativity, storytelling, and the courage to embrace your quirks with Paul reflecting on his own growth and the lessons learned along the way. You can grab a copy of Bold, Brave and a Bit Quirky from the publisher: https://www.andalsobooks.com/shop/boldbraveandabitquirky, or directly from the author here: https://www.paulfairweather.com/book Paul Fairweather - Special Guest LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mykeldixon/ Website: https://www.paulfairweather.com Chris Meredith - Co-host https://www.chrismeredith.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Oct 31, 2025 • 31min
S8E176: Episode 176 - Mykel Dixon: Everyday Creative
In this week’s episode of The Common Creative, Chris and Paul sit down with Mykel Dixon speaker, author, musician, and all-round creative catalyst. Mykel shares his journey from rebellious student to professional musician to one of Australia’s most sought-after voices in creative and cultural transformation. The conversation dances between music, creativity, and meaning exploring how art and nature can reawaken our aliveness, how to stay human in an age of AI, and why participation and presence matter more than ever. A master of mixing poetry with provocation, Mykel designs experiences that ignite people from the inside out. Part concert, part campfire, part corporate intervention this one’s a must-listen for anyone who believes creativity still has the power to change everything. Mykel Dixon - Special Guest LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mykeldixon/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/mykeldixon/ Website - www.mykeldixon.com Paul Fairweather - Co-host https://www.paulfairweather.com Chris Meredith - Co-host https://www.chrismeredith.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Oct 23, 2025 • 39min
S8E175: Episode 175 - Chris Doherty: The Crafted Creative
In this episode of The Common Creative Podcast, Paul Fairweather and Chris Meredith chat with creative consultant Chris Doherty, who helps organisations navigate change through creativity, design, and storytelling. Chris shares how intention, tension, and imperfection fuel creativity and why handmade, human-centred work builds stronger connections. From his innovative “silence workshops” to blending illustration with strategy, Chris reveals how creative practices can transform teams and spark meaningful change. Based in Canberra with the Holan Group, Chris draws on a background in theatre, psychology, and design to help people imagine and build a better tomorrow.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Oct 16, 2025 • 34min
S8E174: Episode 174 - Amanda Stevens: Taking Creative Position
This week's episode, Amanda Stevens shares her journey from running a successful marketing agency to becoming a renowned keynote speaker. She discusses the challenges and rewards of public speaking, the importance of creativity and innovation, and the power of positioning in business. Amanda also offers insights into using humor effectively and the significance of speaking with intention. Amanda Stevens, CSP is one of Australia’s most engaging and in-demand keynote speakers. Entertaining, inspiring, and memorable, she’s captivated audiences in 14 countries with her unique blend of humour, insight, and practical wisdom. A specialist in customer experience and brand advocacy, Amanda combines her double degree in marketing and consumer psychology with over a decade of consulting for major brands including Microsoft, Westpac, Foxtel, and Priceline. With five books to her name and a reputation for tailoring every presentation to her audience, Amanda delivers powerful messages that stick and inspire action long after the event.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
