This week on Pain in the Arts, Chris J Birch and Jak Rhys Birch dive into a whirlwind of Welsh arts life — from ghost stories and horror theatre to the very real terrors of comparison culture and unpaid creative work.

Fresh from seeing 2:22 A Ghost Story, the pair unpack why live horror hits differently, how escape rooms expose our overthinking tendencies, and why everyone in Cardiff suddenly owns a fur coat. But beneath the laughs, they tackle two big listener questions: How do you stop comparing your work to everyone else online? And how do you say no to unpaid opportunities without burning bridges?

Expect honest advice, industry insight, and a few spicy truths about funding, freelancing, and the myth of “exposure.”

Whether you’re an artist, performer, freelancer, or creative soul trying to survive the chaos — you’re in good company.

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Welsh arts, creative careers, freelancing, unpaid work, exposure culture, imposter syndrome, comparison culture, horror theatre, 2:22 A Ghost Story, creative confidence, arts funding Wales, creative industry advice, Pain in the Arts podcast

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