In this playful, thoughtful, and occasionally chaotic kickoff to Season 2 of The Creative Consultants, Matt and Trudi unpack the powerful link between creativity and change - at work, at home, and everywhere in between.

From John Cleese quotes to Dan (or is it Dave?) Huberman hot takes, we explore how play unlocks new thinking, why failure needs to be safe, and how the experiential learning cycle quietly underpins everything from office brainstorms to game-changing organisational shifts.

We share stories of creativity-in-action, including a tropical resort design workshop for siloed government teams (yes, really), a cry-worthy trip to an ocean documentary, and how MrBeast’s storytelling might just save the world. Plus, we end on a very mature exercise involving fortune cookies… and the words “in bed.”

Whether you’re leading a team, trying to spark change, or just here for the improv vibes, this episode offers big ideas and belly laughs in equal measure.

🔑 Topics Covered:

• Why creativity is the ultimate change agent

• How to build a culture that truly embraces failure

• The experiential learning cycle and how to use it (without sounding like a consultant)

• The emotional power of storytelling—from oceans to office life

• How to give feedback that doesn’t kill ideas

• And yes… fortune cookies. In bed.

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Get in touch with Matt Smolen

⁠www.balloontreeproductions.com⁠

Get in touch with Trudi Boatwright

⁠www.trudiboatwright.com/⁠