Alex introduces his new cover image and intro track and takes us on a journey through their creation, meandering through the creative commons, via the enchanted lands of the Amen Break before falling into the foetid swamp of copyright to learn that sharing is indeed caring. Amen!

Alex goes deep, discussing the role of novelty and scarcity in art, how beauty emerges from complexity, and how diversity is essential for creativity to exist. The question is, how does all that relate to Lego, James Joyce, sports cars, John Carpenter’s The Thing, and perms.

Alex introduces his new podcast Creative Squares where he and Mark Burden discuss the intersection between art, science, maths and technology. In episode 1 they discuss the fascinating concept of the Golden Ratio, exploring its significance in art, nature, and mathematics. They delve into the Fibonacci sequence and its relationship to the Golden Ratio, questioning whether these compositional paradigms represent a true aesthetic beauty or merely a conformity that limits creativity.

Alex discusses how attention is the most valuable commodity in the world and asks whether you are using yours wisely.

Alex talks to comedy improv artist Jen DeHaan about the transformative power of improvisational comedy

From his studio Alex discusses the importance of understanding your own learning style and recounts his own experiences of learning how to learn.

Alex, while discovering he’s really not a closet fan of romance literature, finds that there is a certain magic to doing one thing really well, through a journey via identity crisis and Barbara Cartland.

Alex talks to artist Caitlin Hanna, about grief, mental health, and neurodiversity. Caitlin discusses her art as therapy, creating zines, and the challenges of emotional expression in art.

Content warnings: The discussion includes cancer, death of a loved one, grief, disability, surgery, medications, chronic mental illness, and suicide.

Where to find Caitlin:

Alex discusses his approach to 2025 and most definitely doesn’t make any New Year’s resolutions. He rants quite a lot but also says lots of nice, calming things too.

A video version of this episode is available on YouTube: https://youtu.be/TjvTZtxikYM

Alex talks to Rob Parkinson aka The Painting Nomad about his epic artistic odysseys across the UK, flat horizon deficiently, the healing powers of the great outdoors, and using art to fund the nomadic lifestyle.

Find Rob at: