The Common Creative

In this episode of the Common Creative Podcast, Jillian Reilly discusses her journey from the US to South Africa and the inspiration behind her book, 'The Ten Permissions.' She emphasises the need for adults to navigate profound changes in a volatile world, advocating for a new operating system for life that embraces creativity, self-permission, and intentional living. Gillian shares insights on the importance of looking for challenges, engaging with one's desires, and celebrating individuality as a means to contribute meaningfully to society. Jillian Reilly is a founder, writer, keynote speaker, and consultant with 30 years of experience driving change across Africa, Asia, and Central Europe. She helps individuals and organisations navigate transformation and growth. Her upcoming book, The Ten Permissions, empowers readers to redesign their lives for the disruptive realities of the 21st century. Jillian’s work has appeared in The Washington Post, Newsweek, and the LA Times. Her memoir, Shame, reflects on her early career in international aid, explored further in her TEDx talk Vain Aid. She also hosted the Ford Foundation-funded podcast Courageous Conversations, featuring African activists and change makers. _____________________________________________________________________ LINKS: Jillian Reilly- Special Guest LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jillianreilly/ Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/thetenpermissions/?hl=en Website:  www.tenpermissions.com Substack: https://substack.com/@thetenpermissions Paul Fairweather - Co-host https://www.paulfairweather.com Chris Meredith - Co-host https://www.chrismeredith.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode Paul and Chris sit down with Andy Balzat, founder of the (very a-peeling) Banana Life, a Brisbane-based consultancy that’s been bringing creativity and team building to the workplace for over a decade. They dive into how practical hands-on experiences like scavenger hunts and skateboard building can transform workplace dynamics and liberate creativity. Andy also shares why inclusiveness, and “a little bit of weird” are essential ingredients for high-performing teams. With a background in organisational psychology and a passion for adventure, Andy suggests that curiosity, craft and courage are the foundation stones for business success. LINKS: Andy Balzat- Special Guest LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/banana-life/                  https://www.linkedin.com/in/andybalzat/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/banana_life/ Website: bananalife.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.

In this episode of The Common Creative Podcast, Chris and Paul explore the heart of creativity. How it connects us, and why authenticity matters more than ever in public speaking. Paul offers a behind-the-scenes look at his new keynote, Bold, Brave, Better Together, revealing how creativity is a process of constant evolution and how courage and vulnerability on stage can create deeper, more meaningful connections. Together, the hosts unpack the common fears around public speaking, the value of truly seeing and being seen by others, and the growing crisis of authenticity in today’s digital world. With candid stories and thoughtful reflections, Paul encourages listeners to embrace their own creative voice and the human connections it can inspire. If this episode resonates with you, share it with a friend, leave us a review, and subscribe for more conversations that celebrate creativity, courage, and connection. _____________________________________________________________________ LINKS: Paul Fairweather- Special Guest/Host LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/paulfairweather Website: https://www.paulfairweather.com _______________________________________________________________ Chris Meredith - Co-host https://www.chrismeredith.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this insightful snippet, Frank Newman unpacks the complex dance between ego and creativity. He explains how ego, often seen as a creative force, must be kept in check with empathy, collaboration, and an openness to audience feedback. Frank also highlights the often-overlooked power of play in adult creativity, suggesting that structured play can lower defences and unlock fresh thinking. Whether you're leading a team or pursuing personal projects, this conversation offers practical wisdom on how to harness ego without letting it hijack your creative process. LINKS: Frank Newman - Special Guest LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/frank-newman-2a55329a Article {Creativity; what actually is it?): https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/creativity-what-actually-frank-newman/ trackingId=p%2FhzyaWRTOCc%2BO6VhyUFPA%3D%3D Selena Bartlett Episode - https://tinyurl.com/35fs8vtc Paul Fairweather - Co-host https://www.paulfairweather.com Chris Meredith - Co-host https://www.chrismeredith.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What happens when you combine a theatre director, teacher and facilitator with a passion for ‘ideas at the edge’? Say ‘hi’ to Frank Newman, who takes us on a fascinating journey from grassroots activism to the world of theatre and education. Along the way, he unpacks the powerful connections between creativity and business, making the case for valuing process over product in creative work. Frank challenges us to confront unconscious biases that can limit innovation and explains why careful observation is key to truly understanding creativity. He also delves into transdisciplinary learning and how creative leadership can shape more dynamic, inclusive, and forward-thinking organisations. Get ready for insights about emergent vs connective creativity and also the creative power of reflection.  Whether you're a seasoned creative or just starting out, Frank offers practical insights and everyday strategies to help you tap into your creative potential. _____________________________________________________________________ LINKS: Frank Newman - Special Guest LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/frank-newman-2a55329a Article {Creativity; what actually is it?): https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/creativity-what-actually-frank-newman/ trackingId=p%2FhzyaWRTOCc%2BO6VhyUFPA%3D%3D Selena Bartlett Episode - https://tinyurl.com/35fs8vtc Paul Fairweather - Co-host https://www.paulfairweather.com Chris Meredith - Co-host https://www.chrismeredith.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What does it really take to change a young person’s life?In this episode of The Common Creative podcast, we sit down with John Godwin, an educator, social entrepreneur, and founder of the Inspiring Brighter Futures Foundation to find out. With over 25 years leading schools, national programs, and community organisations, John has dedicated his life to empowering young people through education, mentorship, and real-world opportunities. He’s also the founder of Inspiring Positive Futures Foundation, running mentoring programs for at-risk youth and the long term unemployed. His work blends strategic leadership with grassroots action, creating lasting impact in local and national communities. John shares his journey from the classroom to running not-for-profit organisations, the importance of restorative education models, and the transformative power of giving young people hope and skills for a better future.Whether you're an educator, leader, or someone passionate about making change, John's story will inspire you to think bigger about what’s possible. Tune in and discover how you can help create brighter futures too. LINKS: John Godwin - Special Guest LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/john-godwin-b35490b Website - http://www.inspiringbrighterfutures.com/ | http://www.cpff.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.

 “The key is to recognise that creativity is not connected to your identity. Whether your creative project succeeds or fails, it doesn’t make you a better (or worse) person. Its not about you. All that matters is the process”. This week’s guest on the Common Creative Podcast is author, composer, artist and filmmaker Robert Fritz.  For many, an act of creativity is all about instinct and intuition.  But for Robert Fritz, creativity is the result of “structural tension” - the gap between where things are today and how you’d like them to be.  It means that creativity is an output of a clearly defined process that aims to close the gap between these two forces. Robert is a multi-award winning filmmaker and composer and author of  Your Life As Art, the best seller The Path of Least Resistance and also The Path of Least Resistance for Artists. He is a pioneer in applying creative structure to human development (in the opinion of the show hosts!) a true creative rock star. Tune in to transform the way you think about the process of creativity. LINKS: Robert Fritz- Special Guest LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/robert-fritz-84a92b48 Website - www.robertfritz.com/wp/ Paul Fairweather - Co-host https://www.paulfairweather.com Chris Meredith - Co-host https://www.chrismeredith.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Can art really change the way we do business? In this episode, Dr. Cathryn Lloyd shows us how creativity, curiosity, and a dash of serendipity can unlock fresh thinking and drive meaningful change in the workplace. She takes us on her journey from graphic designer to thought leader at the intersection of art and business. She shares how her year-long creative project, MM365, sparked new ways of seeing and doing, and why daily practice can be a powerful tool for transformation. As Australia’s first certified creativity coach and founder of Maverick Minds, Cathryn works with organisations to challenge assumptions, re-frame problems, and inspire new possibilities. Her unique approach blends visual arts, systems thinking, and experiential learning to create spaces where innovation can thrive. If you're a leader, a creative, or simply curious about how to bring more imagination into your work, this episode is packed with ideas to shift your mindset and energise your approach. Creativity isn’t just for artists it’s a way of thinking, leading, and connecting.  Don’t miss this inspiring conversation. LINKS: Dr. Cathryn Lloyd - Special Guest Instagram: @maverickminds1 | @cathrynlloydart  Linked In: www.linkedin.com/in/drcathrynlloyd Website - https://www.maverickminds.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.

What does it take to lead in a way that inspires, not just instructs? In this episode of The Common Creative Podcast, Leadership coach, Jonno White shares his journey from individual contributor to global mentor, offering practical insights on leading with purpose, clarity, and creativity. He talks about the challenges of leading volunteers, why engagement goes beyond money, and how to find meaning in everyday work. We also explore the limits of rigid systems and why simplicity is key to building a truly creative culture. Jonno White is the author of the bestselling book Step Up or Step Out: How to Deal With Difficult People, Even If You Hate Conflict, which has sold over 10,000 copies globally. He is also the host of The Leadership Conversations Podcast, with over 230 episodes and listeners in 150+ countries. As Co-Founder of Clarity Group Global, Jonno helps leaders and teams build healthy culture, lead through change, and develop practical communication strategies that work. LINKS: Jonno White- Special Guest Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonno.white LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonno-white-983486136/ Website: https://www.consultclarity.org Book: Step Up or Step Out on Amazon Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/leadership-conversations-with-jonno-white-podcast/id1593825558  Paul Fairweather - Co-host https://www.paulfairweather.com Chris Meredith - Co-host https://www.chrismeredith.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How does a former lifeguard and accountant become a leader in human-centered design? Denise Belling shares her journey, revealing how creativity, empathy, and storytelling shape meaningful design. They explore the connection between drawing, writing, and communication, highlighting the role of listening, playfulness, and psychological safety in fostering innovation. Denise also unpacks the power of ethnographic research and the iterative design process. If you're curious about how design thinking can transform the way we work and connect, this episode is packed with insights to inspire your next big idea. Tune in now!  LINKS: Denise Belling - Special Guest LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/denise-belling-3354843 Paul Fairweather - Co-host https://www.paulfairweather.com Chris Meredith - Co-host https://www.chrismeredith.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.