The World Needs Creatives with Rachael Sardelich

Today we enter into the wise and mystical world of Mia Taninaka, a multidisciplinary artist whose work invites us to peer beyond the veil into the heart of the imaginative consciousness. In this conversation, Mia opens up about navigating the internal battle between creating for yourself and creating for others—a struggle familiar to so many artists. We explore the archetype of the "starving artist" and how it blocks our reclamation of the artist’s role as a conduit of something greater. Mia shares her wisdom on trusting your own creative flavour, the power of saying no, and surrendering to the process—especially when self-doubt creeps in.We delve into the alchemical nature of art-making, where even the darkest moments of frustration with a piece can be transmuted into breakthroughs, offering a richer depth to both the work and the artist. Mia’s practice of Vedic meditation and kriya yoga has deepened her connection to her creative process, allowing her to channel energy from her lineage-based spiritual practices directly into her work. Through her spiritual practices she has learned to cultivate and trust the energy that fuels her artistic evolution.Mia reminds us that part of this process is embracing the chaos and dialogue that unfolds between the artist and the canvas, even when it feels like you might have to burn the piece. It's about surrendering, taking space, and returning with new eyes. This episode is an invitation to dance with the unseen forces that shape our creative lives, to trust, to surrender, and to level up as we lean into our deepest artistic selves. The key juicy ideas we deepen into today are:- How to unveil the depths of imaginative consciousness- Overcoming the starving artist stereotype- Balancing personal creativity with external expectations- Cultivating the confidence to say no and embrace your unique essence- Emphasizing trust and surrender within the creative journey- Redefining self-doubt as an inherent aspect of artistic growth- Incorporating dark times into the creative process- Understanding how ancient spiritual practices unlock imaginative potential- Enhancing creative expression through Vedic meditation- Leveraging ancestral myths to enrich artistic pursuits- Inviting your inner genius into your creative space- Utilising different spiritual practices at different stages of the creative process- Catapulting your evolution through Kriya and Himalayan breath-work KEY EPISODE LINKS:Learn more about Rachael's 1:1 Creative Partnership 2025Explore Mia's website Explore Mia's instagramElizabeth Gilbert's Ted TalkYou can follow The World Needs Creatives on Instagram HERE. Explore working or collaborating with Rachael at rachael@rachaelsardelich.com and learn more about her work HERE. You can join the wider conversation and our community over on Substack via THIS LINK. The original painted work in the show design was hand painted by artist Sarah Darling. The creation of our original musical score was created by Camilla Rose Sullivan.

This week, we’re diving into a topic that’s not only close to my heart but also vital for the future of creative industries. We’re talking exhaustion, burnout, and the cultures that perpetuate them.I am thrilled to welcome Dan Sipple—a highly sought after naturopath, nutritionist, and herbalist who’s deeply passionate about helping people heal from the inside out.  Dan is also a touring musician, so he truly understands the demanding and often exhausting nature of the creative industries. In this conversation, we’ll explore the very real issue of extended exhaustion and what burnout really looks like, what happens when we ignore the signs, and how we can start noticing when we’re on the edge. We’ll explore the pivotal role of sleep and how things like artificial light can disrupt our natural rhythms. Dan will offer insights into how to reclaim a deeper quality of rest, and guide us through the fascinating connection between gut health and cognition—a relationship that plays a critical role in how we access creativity and flow.This episode is packed with practical advice and grounded wisdom for artists, creatives and those who work in the industries that support them. Here are some of the key topics we traverse today:- The role of a Naturopath and how it differs from a GP- What is "burnout" and what happens when we ignore the signs and push through.- How to notice when you're experiencing burnout.- What happens when we don’t get enough sleep.- How artificial light affects our sleep cycles.- A deep dive into the connection between gut health and cognitive function.- Tools and practices for when you're on the road, working late and in front of a screen- The effects of meditation and breath-work on health and stress reduction.- How botanical medicines can support healing.- How our inner dialogue influences our physical health and overall well-being.KEY EPISODE LINKS:Stay connected to the show and join our mailing listExplore Dan's workFollow Dan's Instagram The book - Why We Sleep by Matthew WalkerYou can follow The World Needs Creatives on Instagram HERE. Explore working or collaborating with Rachael at rachael@rachaelsardelich.com and learn more about her work HERE. You can join the wider conversation and our community over on Substack via THIS LINK. The original painted work in the show design was hand painted by artist Sarah Darling. The creation of our original musical score was created by Camilla Rose Sullivan.

Today we journey into the remarkable life and artistry of Natalie Childs, known to many as 'Woman of the South.' Natalie walks barefoot through life, living off-grid, and deeply connected to the land, guided by the spirits of her ancestors, with kinship ties to the Bundjalung Nation. As an artist, videographer, gallery owner, and mother to her beautiful daughter Kaylee, Natalie weaves together the threads of Country, womanhood, ceremony, and sacredness into her work.In this episode, Natalie reflects on how the spirit of her beloved Nan guided her to awaken her artistry, igniting a journey of reviving her ancestry and healing her lineage. She shares her relationship to the land as her muse, foraging natural materials and setting a sacred space to create art that embodies both beauty and purpose. Through her night sky pieces, she channels a quiet but powerful activism, allowing her work to reveal truths rarely told.We explore her choice to live off-grid, how she manifested her dream tiny home, and how she embraces a life with deep trust and intentionality. Natalie walks us through her creative process—learning out loud as she connects with nature’s gifts, weaving her ancestry into each piece. Natalie shows us that with small, deliberate steps, we can create a ripple effect that brings about meaningful change. In creating her own world, Natalie has built a sanctuary of creativity, culture, and deep connection to the land.Join us as we dive into the timeless magic of Natalie’s canvas, where we are reminded to trust our gifts, to open to the world around us, and to surrender to a path laid out by those that went before us.EPISODE LINKS:Stay connected to the show and join our mailing listExplore Natalie's art instagram page - Woman of the South Explore Natalie's film instagram page - Barefoot and OffgridExplore Natalie's journey off-grid via her YouTube seriesExplore Natalie's new art gallery  - Our Gallery MiltonExplore Tio's work - His full name is Kurun WarunYou can follow The World Needs Creatives on Instagram HERE. Explore working or collaborating with Rachael at rachael@rachaelsardelich.com and learn more about her work HERE. You can join the wider conversation and our community over on Substack via THIS LINK. The original painted work in the show design was hand painted by artist Sarah Darling. The creation of our original musical score was created by Camilla Rose Sullivan.

Today, we step into a radiant, joyful conversation with Dee Kawai Tang—a remarkable storyteller and the perfect guide to set the vibe for this next season.Dee leads us through the intricate dance of love, loss, and creative expression with her magnetic energy. Her laughter, wisdom, and openness ripple through this exchange, inviting us to linger in the depths of what it means to live and create from a place of wholeheartedness. As a stylist, scavenger of second-hand treasures, illustrator, writer, and visionary, Dee embodies the spirit of transformation. Her book Love Is—a grown-up’s story wrapped in the simplicity of a children's picture book—explores the profound themes of love, loss, and the delicate balance between the physical and the unseen worlds. As she works on her second book, Dee also shares her creative journey through her Substack newsletter, woo-tang, where she offers a gentle guide to living on Earth with style, care, and heart.Yet, this conversation travels far beyond Dee’s creative work. It becomes an intimate exploration of her journey through grief, revealing how treasure can be found in trauma. Dee's path is one of metamorphosis and awakening, and as we move deeper, we touch on the idea of releasing karmic knots and uncovering threads of past lives that shape who we are today. Through Dee’s eyes, grief becomes not only a bridge to deeper love but also a way to free ourselves from old patterns and embrace a life filled with greater purpose.Some of the other juicy topics we touch on today include:Moving beyond being offendedChanneling from our higher selfMeditation as a vessel for learning and accessing the unseen worldHow Dee returned back to herself through griefThe essence of Kawa, Dee’s angel daughterPast lives and karmic knotsAuthenticity over growthWhat happens when admiration and Inspiration veers into replication Episode Links:Join the mailing list to be a part of the family.Dee’s InstagramKawa Heart Studio InstagramDee’s websiteRead “woo-tang” Dee’s Substack NewsletterPurchase Dee’s Book - “Love Is”Book in a 1:1 creative chat with DeeHypnosis with Rachel CretharYou can follow The World Needs Creatives on Instagram HERE. Explore working or collaborating with Rachael at rachael@rachaelsardelich.com and learn more about her work HERE. You can join the wider conversation and our community over on Substack via THIS LINK. The original painted work in the show design was hand painted by artist Sarah Darling. The creation of our original musical score was created by Camilla Rose Sullivan.

A new season of The World Needs Creatives starts on 27 September.This season, we’ll be guided by the theme Where Creation and Compassion Collide. Together, we’ll delve into conversations that awaken the creative spirit and deepen our connection with the living world, inviting stories of personal transformation, activism, and the raw power of artistic expression.How can we become vessels for creative energy, rooted in integrity and care? How do we hold compassion as a guiding force in a rapidly changing world? What does it mean to reimagine creativity through a lens of inclusion, while honouring the earth that sustains us?In a time shaped by AI and global shifts, we’ll explore how to cultivate a meaningful expression of self, return to our bodies, and listen to the unseen forces shaping our lives. These conversations are an invitation to imagine new possibilities, hold space for ethical creativity, and rekindle our sense of wonder.The usual mix of creation stories, expert deep dives and solo musings will be woven together for you to devour.See you there.You can follow The World Needs Creatives on Instagram HERE. Explore working or collaborating with Rachael at rachael@rachaelsardelich.com and learn more about her work HERE. You can join the wider conversation and our community over on Substack via THIS LINK. The original painted work in the show design was hand painted by artist Sarah Darling. The creation of our original musical score was created by Camilla Rose Sullivan.

The season finale of The World Needs Creatives Podcast is here, and I’m excited to invite you into the precious and generous world of Cade McConnell -  A cook, poet, maker and author.Cade’s artistry is born from reviving traditional ways with food and he lives by the philosophy of consciousness over convenience.Today, we explore what it means to treat food production and consumption as a sacred act. We’ll also walk the path of Cade’s creation story and learn how the unfolding nature of initiation helps us to reveal the fullness of who we are.In today’s conversation we go deep, exploring everything from: Cade’s experience healing masculine woundsWhat is means to live in integrityThe energetics of foodOur collective disconnection with food production and preparation How to add more soul to our mealsThe gifts that are born from presence and patienceThe difference between conventional, organic, biodynamic and regenerative farming methodsHow earth made cooking materials provide lasting healing benefitsAnd Cade shares why the act of cooking is profoundly worthy of our time and care.As a final parting gift, I asked Cade to share one of his recent poetic pieces to land us all in our hearts as we close this seasonal cycle.EPISODE LINKS:Stay connected to the show and join our mailing listCade McConnell's InstagramCade McConnell's websiteExplore Cade's cookbookExplore Cade's Clay & StonewareYou can follow The World Needs Creatives on Instagram HERE. Explore working or collaborating with Rachael at rachael@rachaelsardelich.com and learn more about her work HERE. You can join the wider conversation and our community over on Substack via THIS LINK. The original painted work in the show design was hand painted by artist Sarah Darling. The creation of our original musical score was created by Camilla Rose Sullivan.

Today I experiment with our first Q&A episode. Drawing from questions my community has slid into my DMs, together we explore:- The internal conflict we feel when questioning whether to leave a big vision that isn't serving us- How to start the process of capturing a seed of an idea and bringing it to life- What might be in the way if we aren't getting noticed and our work isn't being met- How to move with creative cognition in our meditation practiceHere's a link to the "How to trust in the pull toward reinvention" episodeLearn more about Quiet Rebellion 1:1 Creative MentorshipYou can follow The World Needs Creatives on Instagram HERE. Explore working or collaborating with Rachael at rachael@rachaelsardelich.com and learn more about her work HERE. You can join the wider conversation and our community over on Substack via THIS LINK. The original painted work in the show design was hand painted by artist Sarah Darling. The creation of our original musical score was created by Camilla Rose Sullivan.

Today we get to see the world through the eyes of Matty Hannon, a writer, director, producer, filmmaker, painter, father, and ecologist.Matty is the creative force behind the captivating film "The Road to Patagonia," a stunning and intimate series of love letters within a documentary – firstly a love between two people, and secondly between humanity and the Earth. In 2014, Matty embarked on the adventure of a lifetime. He planned to ride his motorbike solo from the top of Alaska to the bottom of Patagonia, surfing all the way. But deep in the wilderness - alone with wolves and bears - Matty’s plans take an unexpected turn. After losing everything, and on the cusp of quitting his mission, he meets the woman of his dreams, a permaculture farmer named Heather who throws caution to the wind and sells her urban-farm to buy a bike of her own and continue the journey together. As they navigate through adversity and discovery, Matty documents a series of rare and remarkable interviews with wisdom keepers, shamans and rebels along the way. Matty unveils a poignant message woven through the threads of their encounters—a message rooted in the Earth itself, beckoning to be shared with the world.Today, we delve beyond the film and trace the 16 year journey that led to the realisation of this meaningful creation. We’ll hear how Matty straddles the realms of materialism and animism, trace his evolution as a filmmaker amidst the wild terrain of his experiences, and we unravel the layers of wisdom embedded within Matty's narrative. A testament to the power of creativity, resilience, and reconnection to the world around us.Episode Links:Quiet Rebellion - 1:1 Creative Mentorship with RachaelMatty Hannon's InstagramThe film - The Road to PatagoniaLink to the Gofundme to build a traditional rainforest school in MentawaiYou can follow The World Needs Creatives on Instagram HERE. Explore working or collaborating with Rachael at rachael@rachaelsardelich.com and learn more about her work HERE. You can join the wider conversation and our community over on Substack via THIS LINK. The original painted work in the show design was hand painted by artist Sarah Darling. The creation of our original musical score was created by Camilla Rose Sullivan.

The experience of rejection comes hand in hand with the creative life... and it hurts.In this episode I share a recent experience of rejection and how I moved through it. I also discuss the psychology of rejection, why we do everything we can to avoid it and how we might reframe this very human experience as a helpful guide on our path to creative evolution.Episode Links - Internal Family SystemsQuiet Rebellion - 1:1 Creative MentorshipYou can follow The World Needs Creatives on Instagram HERE. Explore working or collaborating with Rachael at rachael@rachaelsardelich.com and learn more about her work HERE. You can join the wider conversation and our community over on Substack via THIS LINK. The original painted work in the show design was hand painted by artist Sarah Darling. The creation of our original musical score was created by Camilla Rose Sullivan.

An extra mini-episode for you this week that shines a light away from the fortuitous feeling of creative flow and honours the deeply uncomfortable, grit-producing glory that transforms us not only into our best selves but also into the people we need to be to deliver our best work.In this mini episode I delve into:- What we can learn from our meditation practice to shift our perspective about the creative process- Why people give up, burnout and miss the opportunity of transformation- A reframe on the sticky, hard and intense parts of our creative journey- How we might use irritation and discomfort to blast through our glass ceilings and take the leaps we've been dreaming of- The empowerment and ease that arises when we make our purpose and WHY stronger than our fears- A reading from Kim Krans Alchemy Deck on her take on the new pearl- My current experience with grit and irritation and how it has evolved my way of being as a creativeDoors are open for the next intake of Quiet Rebellion, my 1:1 6-month creative mentorship for creative minds and visionary leaders. Learn more hereYou can follow The World Needs Creatives on Instagram HERE. Explore working or collaborating with Rachael at rachael@rachaelsardelich.com and learn more about her work HERE. You can join the wider conversation and our community over on Substack via THIS LINK. The original painted work in the show design was hand painted by artist Sarah Darling. The creation of our original musical score was created by Camilla Rose Sullivan.