Kids Love Balloons

Professionally he's my enemy. Lucky this is an amateur podcast! Gavin has been one of the most actively supportive friends of this podcast for a number of years, so it's great to finally have him on. I mean sure, he buggered up the episode structure by adding his songs to the Ever-growing Playlist of Joy before the half way point, but I can forgive it. Gav plays with creativity every single day. Has turned what is considered fun in to successful professional career and some entertaining hobbies, including a new podcast of his own - The Empty Page. I hope this inspires you to dive in to some of your own.

Search Kids Love Balloons on Spotify to find the playlist alongside all other episodes!

Adventures in gallivanting! Back for another episode and this one runs deep. I always admire the guts it takes to travel across the seas and chase a dream inside you... taking on all the risks... what if it doesn't work? Passion leads us to incredible places.

Tamara (HANSSØN) is an Australian who has now lived in New York for 9 years, busy writing her second album, while navigating this year of pandemic, protests and all sorts of associated change. Family relationships. Work. Travel. All our plans are cooked - how is it affecting your mindset? I love that we spoke meaningfully on these matters, and found tangents in to TV shows Who Dares Wins, Gladiators and The Extraordinary. It sounds like we're lifelong mates having a late night D&M... yet we'd never held a conversation before.

It's an episode that makes me feel good about making this podcast. That it's worthwhile and there are stories that are better off shared and listened to. Plus there's some love for Pluto! Planet or not, it still exists and still kicks arse. What makes you happy?

Don't forget to check out the Kids Love Balloons playlist on Spotify which matches each episode with its 3 songs chosen for the Ever-growing Playlist of Joy.

I took a lot from this. Actor, songwriter and Play School host... Zindzi has the perfect skill set for delving in to a childlike mind-frame and talking joy, creativity and happiness! We hear insights in to the creation of Play School and also the spin off Art Time. "Those kids were not thinking at all. Their imaginations literally had no bounds. It was the best reminder ever, because they came up with the most amazing things..."

The art of being in the moment. Taking time to find that. I need to work on clearing my mind and finding presence.

Thank you so much Zindzi for sharing so much of your wisdom and experience. "Music is still a space where... I find myself getting more and more free; but I'm not fully free, yet."

The song choices are top shelf. I give a chef's kiss which I trust you can visualize.

If you smile, learn or discover anything from listening to this, please let me know. Have a great one.

Quit your job, run your own business, be your own boss. He dared to dream, took the plunge and backed himself, and I'm so stoked to have watched this guy's journey vicariously for the best part of the decade. Josh even helped me get this podcast up and running when I had no idea what as RSS feed was 6 years ago. One of the good dudes. He's committed his efforts into creating positive memories for people on one of their milestone days - their wedding ceremony. Shattering the rule book, encouraging rebellion, traveling the world doing so. Even though he added Nickelback to the Ever-growing Playlist of Joy, I'll forgive him, because he's followed the other rules of the podcast. Channeling his passions and skills in to something positive for the universe.

"Why wouldn't I have a space band? And give it a red hot crack?" Zoë's attitude is precisely what I want to learn about with this podcast. She lives her life diving in to the child-like mindset of enjoying herself, channeling happiness, meditating on joy. Being present. It was fascinating spending time on the phone with her and I hope to make regular, positive change from her lessons. The way Zoë switched the mundane chore of balancing spreadsheets in to a detective-like investigation adventure is just magic. The type of magic us adults forget we are capable of. "It's so easy to get stuck on autopilot and then you'll probably like wake up and realize that you've missed your whole life". PLAY is the one word answer. I'm so stoked I had this chat, and here it is for you to listen to. Cheers.

The very first song added to the Ever-growing Playlist of Joy was The Chariot by Melbourne, Australia band The Cat Empire. Today's guest is a member of that band. A man integrally responsible for many moments of happiness in my life, and that of hundreds and thousands of others around the world. The episode begins very reflective and sober, then works in to the excitement of songwriting, performing, and the energy between performers and audience that really creates an undeniable feeling. AFL and somehow even cricket get a mention, burnt coffee and a healthy mix of routine with improvisation. Even some Old Fashioned Mayhem! Check out Harry's new song now.

We're back again. Kids Love Balloons. Now more than ever I need a regular reminder to look for happiness, and now more than most times, I have the spare time to do it! My first guest is the effervescent Mikey Cahill. There's only one of this guy. DJ, writer, promoter, mascot(!) and so much more. Stoked he said yes and gave me some time to muse over what happiness means to us. The three songs he adds to the Ever-Growing Playlist of Joy are brilliant. What makes you happy?

The single greatest answer to any question I could possibly ask. @TheSongNerd

The OGAE are an organisation with branches around the world for fans of the Eurovision Song Contest. As I explain in the intro of this podcast episode, in their glorious wisdom, welcomed Slavko as their guest of honour to 2018's Australian Eurovision preview parties. Search OGAE to find your local group.

Slavko's passion for art is the level it should be. He lives and breathes it. I hope some of his passion for music and connection rubs off on you while you listen to this podcast. I'll say no more.

Check out his 3 additions to the Ever-growing Playlist of Joy.

https://play.spotify.com/user/thesongnerd/playlist/1PjMUX8R9cwbvl62O0HFpT 

As always I love hearing your feedback. Subscribe away!

Provider of the greatest "Hey Mum!" in Australian history, Tania Doko is a songwriting powerhouse. In songwriting partnership with James Roche, Bachelor Girl had 3 top 50 singles, 5 ARIA nominations and a Songwriter of the Year award over 1998 and 1999. This freaks me out but we're approaching the twentieth anniversary of this period. Crazy.

So after years of writing songs based in Stockholm, I've managed to catch Tania during a three week Melbourne trip, where she's creating a new Bachelor Girl album with James to mark this occasion. We discuss the move overseas, the challenges involved with creating with such strict time pressures, the joy of performing, differences between Sweden and Australia, how success affected her social life and attitudes... all through the prism of "what make you happy?" and the Kids Love Balloons vibe.

We could've gone on for hours and hours - Tania was fascinating to speak with and got right in the zone. For more of an understanding of what she's been up to since the Bachelor Girl days, check out taniadoko.com

The music that makes her happy is soulful, uplifting and fun - you can see her 3 additions right at the top of the updated Ever-growing Playlist of Joy.

https://play.spotify.com/user/thesongnerd/playlist/1PjMUX8R9cwbvl62O0HFpT 

Please share your thoughts and comments!