The Common Creative

What makes a team truly creative? In this episode, Dr. Amy Climer joins us for a second time and dives into the key ingredients of teamwork and innovation, drawing from her new book Deliberate Creative Teams. She explores how a clear team purpose, strong dynamics, and a structured creative process can transform any group into a powerhouse of fresh ideas. Amy unpacks the role of psychological safety in fostering innovation, the evolving impact of AI on creativity, and the personal journey behind writing her book. She highlights how creativity isn’t just a talent, it's a skill that can be developed with the right mindset and leadership. If you’re a leader, team builder, or simply curious about how to boost creative collaboration, this episode is packed with actionable insights to help your team thrive. Tune in now and start building a more creative team today! LINKS: Amy Climer - Special Guest Climer Consulting (Amy’s main website): climerconsulting.com Deliberate Creative Teams Book: climerconsulting.com/book  book listing on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4bYCBZu   Climer Cards: climercards.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amyclimer/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amyclimer/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/climerconsulting  BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/amyclimer.bsky.social  X/Twitter: https://x.com/amyclimer Paul Fairweather - Co-host https://www.paulfairweather.com Chris Meredith - Co-host https://www.chrismeredith.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is play just for kids? Think again! In this episode, Trudi Boatwright, global Playful Experience Designer reveals how play is the secret ingredient to creativity, innovation, and human connection.  Trudi takes us on her journey from acting to designing playful experiences that transform workplaces and communities. She shares why play isn’t just about having fun, it's a game-changer for problem-solving, communication, and unlocking fresh ideas. Discover how to use play to spark creativity and innovation, create safe spaces for bold ideas to flourish, and shift to a playful mindset in work and life. Whether you're a leader, creator, or simply curious about the power of play, this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss! LINKS: Trudi Boatwright- Special Guest LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/trudi-boatwright Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trudi.boatwright Website: trudiboatwright.com TBC Creative: https://www.tbccreative.com Institute for Experiential Learning:   https://experientiallearninginstitute.org/team/trudi-boatwright/ Tedx Talk: https://youtu.be/178nWmbgjmM?si=8F6JYticv2qIIcGN Speaking reel: https://youtu.be/mRUP4HA26ig?si=YL6HtUqAMXEEvyuJ 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 week’s episode of the Common Creative Podcast, James Sills shares how singing connects people, builds community, and enhances well-being. From football chants to leading choirs, he explores the joy of group singing, its mental health benefits, and why the process matters more than performance. Chris and James also discuss singing’s role in overcoming loneliness and rekindling human connection. James Sills is a musician, author, and TEDx speaker passionate about connecting people through singing. Founder of Sofa Singers and author of Do Sing, he works globally to inspire community and well-being through music. His latest project, Bantam of the Opera, transforms football fans into performers for a new BBC series. Tune in and rediscover the magic of collective music-making! LINKS: James Sills - Special Guest LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jsillschoirstarter Instagram: @jsillsmusic Facebook: @jsillsmusic X:  @jsillsmusic Website: www.james-sills.com Sofa Singers: www.thesofasingers.com Teambuilding webite: www.onevoiceteambuilding.com Paul Fairweather - Co-host https://www.paulfairweather.com Chris Meredith - Co-host https://www.chrismeredith.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on The Common Creative Podcast, we dive into the game-changing role of generative AI in creativity and productivity. Neo Aplin, a full-time AI trainer at Inventium, shares how AI is more than just a tool. It's a creative partner. He explores the balance between authenticity and automation, the power of human-AI collaboration, and the ethical considerations shaping the future of creativity. With over 20 years in tech and innovation, Neo has helped businesses harness AI for smarter work, better customer experiences, and sustainable growth. In this episode, he breaks down how to integrate AI into creative workflows, navigate its risks, and stay ahead in the evolving landscape. Tune in for a fresh perspective on AI’s role in the creative world! LINKS: Neo Aplin - Special Guest LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/neoaplin/ Website: https://inventium.com.au/genai/ More AI Insights from our previous guests: Marcus Bryne - https://tinyurl.com/mtf2zb7t Jeremy Wagstaff - https://tinyurl.com/2hsnrtr3 Mark van Rijermann - https://tinyurl.com/bdfe22pw 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 week’s episode of the Common Creative Podcast, James Victore shares his journey as a designer and artist, emphasising the importance of embracing one's weirdness and creativity. He discusses the challenges of self-motivation, the impact of childhood experiences on creativity, and the significance of teaching and supporting creative expression in children. James encourages listeners to rediscover their passions and define their purpose, ultimately advocating for a life of creative freedom and authenticity. LINKS: James Victore- Special Guest Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jamesvictore/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesvictore/ Website: yourworkisagift.com  Paul Fairweather - Co-host https://www.paulfairweather.com Chris Meredith - Co-host https://www.chrismeredith.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 navigating and understanding your relationship with the world of work (Meaning, Anchors and Priorities) also an explanation of why the “Movember” charity fund raising scheme fits his  K.I.L.L.E.R. framework for crafting big creative ideas that people will love.Tim is the co-founder of Junkee Media and Chair of the Digital Publishers Alliance. His books Cult Status and Killer Thinking have been widely recognized, and his latest book, Work Backwards, explores new ways to approach work in a changing world. LINKS: Tim Duggan - Special Guest Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tim_duggan/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/timduggan1/ Website: www.timduggan.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.

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 his craft and discovering what resonates in today’s fast-moving digital story telling landscape, whilst launching a new training program for story telling on-line called “Storyfire”. Neil, with his 25+ years in advertising and marketing, knows a thing or two about storytelling. He’s created award-winning campaigns for brands like Budweiser, Lexus, and Sony, and was once ranked among the top ten most awarded creative directors in the world.  Now, with his viral videos inspiring millions, he’s sharing the news about the role of video and how to build your own on-screen presence.  Listen out for tips on the importance of getting great by practicing again, again and again (to the point where you cant ‘act’ anymore). If you want to take your video storytelling game to the next level, this episode is a must-listen. LINKS: Neal Foard - Special Guest Episode 83: Neal Foard - Grateful Creativity - https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/episode-83-neal-foard-grateful-creativity/id1525162918?i=1000621336255 LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/neal-foard-3727403/ Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@nealfoard/videos Instagram -  https://www.instagram.com/nealfoard/ Tiktok - https://www.tiktok.com/@nealfoard Storyfire Course - https://storyfire.mykajabi.com/a/2147962025/fus3Dd28  Website - nealfoard.com 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 discussion, the hosts explore the PARA filing system for organizing creative work. They emphasize its simplicity and effectiveness in prioritizing current projects while archiving finished ones. The conversation also tackles common challenges faced by creatives in managing their workflows. Additionally, they speculate on the future role of AI in enhancing organizational efficiency and creativity.

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 a top-rated business speaker, trainer, and award-winning educator specializing in sales, leadership, and mindset. A master of NLP, he equips teams and leaders with practical tools to drive results. Ian is the author of seven books, and his dynamic, humor-infused keynotes and workshops inspire focus, discipline, and success. Ian is also the convener of the Professional Speakers Association's 2025 conference Cadence. LINKS: Ian Stephens - Special Guest Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ianstephensspeaks/ Website - https://ianstephensspeaks.com/ Paul Fairweather - Co-host https://www.paulfairweather.com Chris Meredith - Co-host https://www.chrismeredith.com.au Two Common Creatives https://www.twocommoncreatives.com/podcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 value of curiosity and an open mind as essential tools for embracing life's adventures. Paul Fairweather - Co-host https://www.paulfairweather.com Chris Meredith - Co-host https://www.chrismeredith.com.au Two Common Creatives https://www.twocommoncreatives.com/podcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.