Our Creative Connection Podcast

Our Creative Connection Podcast

By Chris ChinnockSociety & Culture
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Our Creative Connection Podcast episodes

  • Art of Connection - 4 Domains of Creative Health
    After a bit of a hiatus, we're launching a new series inspired by our Arts Council England funded project, The Art of Connection.Across the series we'll be exploring creativity, connection, community and well-being through conversations with people working at the intersection of arts, health and social change.Our first episode features a conversation with the National Centre for Creative Health, reflecting on the four domains of creative health and what they might mean for communities, organisations and practitioners.This podcast explores community centred ways to demonstrate impact in arts and creative health projects, emphasising relational, process-driven, and narrative approaches over traditional metrics. Key topicsImpact measurement in arts and healthCapabilities framework for evaluationStorytelling and narrative in impact assessmentKeywordscreative health, impact measurement, arts impact, storytelling, capabilities framework, relational evaluation, community arts, intergenerational work, arts and health, creative connectionChapters00:00 Introduction to the Art of Connection Podcast03:08 The Power of Art in Community Health06:01 Exploring the Capabilities Framework09:11 Intergenerational Work and Its Impact12:14 Creative Practices and Storytelling15:10 Navigating Individual and Collective Creative Practices18:06 The Role of Environment in Creative Engagement20:53 Iterative Processes in Community Projects23:58 Moments of Impact and Reflection27:04 The Complexity of Measuring Change29:59 Empathy and Relationships in Creative Practices39:23 Bridging Generational Gaps41:50 The Art of Conversation43:38 Creative Connections and Community46:03 Challenging Misconceptions of Aging47:27 Redefining Health and Well-Being55:26 Exploring the Capabilities FrameworkResourcesHillary Cottum's Radical Help - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Radical-Help-Revolutionise-Welfare-State/dp/1786074684Arts Council England - https://www.artscouncil.org.ukCapabilities Framework (by Stacey Durham) - https://example.com/capabilities-frameworkArt of Connection Project - https://example.com/art-of-connection
    1 hr 6 min
  • Project CREATE: Arts Based Mental Health Research. In conversation with Danelle Lee and Professor Paul Cooke from Leeds University

    Summary


    In this episode of the Our Creative Connection podcast, I am joined by Danelle Lee and Paul Cooke from the University of Leeds to discuss Project CREATE.

    An initiative focused on involving young people in arts-based mental health research. The conversation explores the importance of creative health, the challenges of co-production, and the unique perspectives of young people on loneliness and mental health.

    The discussion highlights the complexities of measuring the impact of creative practices and the need for a shared understanding between arts and science.

    The episode concludes with reflections on the future of Project CREATE and the ongoing journey of understanding the role of creativity in mental health.


    Takeaways


    Project CREATE focuses on arts-based mental health research.

    Youth engagement is central to the project's success.

    Co-production can be messy but is essential for genuine collaboration.

    Understanding young people's perspectives is crucial for effective research.

    The meaning of research varies between arts and clinical contexts.

    Tensions exist between quantifying art and recognizing its unique value.

    Group dynamics significantly influence the creative process.

    Different art forms impact mental health in varied ways.

    The project aims to explore mechanisms of change in creative practices.

    Future directions for Project CREATE include ongoing engagement and research.


    Chapters
    00:00 Introduction to Project CREATE
    01:45 Genesis of Project CREATE
    07:15 Youth Engagement and Loneliness
    10:26 Co-Production in Creative Health
    14:35 Insights from Young People
    18:32 Understanding Research in Creative Contexts
    22:55 The Tension of Creative Health
    25:10 The Intersection of Introspection and Collectivity
    26:37 The Tension Between Art and Quantification
    28:39 Navigating the Messiness of Creative Health
    30:29 The Importance of Relationships in Creative Projects
    34:37 Understanding Mechanisms of Change in Group Dynamics
    38:40 Project CREATE: Progress and Future Directions
    42:59 Podcast Intro -6.mp4
    You can find out more about Project Create by visiting the website https://create.leeds.ac.uk and instagram https://www.instagram.com/p/DCExIvoAy5u/
    Also check out the Not.Soalone podcast which is run by the young people involved https://open.spotify.com/show/7LGLkQ8qD4RTuCiTKJrPvssi=bd58cd82b66845a4
    You can see details of the living lab that I took part in here https://www.ourcreativeconnection.org/blog/arts-based-research-leeds-uniOur Creative Connection is a Social Enterprise, using Photography for Social Change - this podcast was made possible with funding from Arts Council England.
    Hugely grateful to Danelle and Paul for sharing their experiences with me - I hope you enjoy the show!



    44 min
  • Cormac Russell - Exploring community strengths through the lens of Participatory Photography
    Summary
    In this conversation, Chris Chinnock and Cormac Russell discuss the concepts of asset-based community development (ABCD) and participatory photography. Exploring the idea of a good life and how it can be interpreted in different ways by individuals and communities.
    They emphasize the importance of building relationships and trust when working with communities, and the need to relocate authority to the community level.
    They also discuss the power dynamics between institutions and communities, and the limitations of top-down approaches. The conversation highlights the value of using photographs as a tool for expression and storytelling, and the role of community associations in building collective strength.
    The conversation explores the power of community and the importance of recognizing and valuing the contributions of individuals within a community. It emphasizes the need for institutions to shift from a mindset of doing things to people to one of working with people.
    The conversation also highlights the role of storytelling and photography in capturing the essence of a community and challenging negative narratives. The upcoming book by Cormac Russell will focus on the concept of 'harmless help' and the universal practices that can support effective community engagement.
    About Cormac Russell
    Cormac is a social explorer, an author and a much sought-after speaker. He is the Founding Director of Nurture Development and a member of the Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD) Institute, at DePaul University, Chicago.
    Over the last 25 years, Cormac’s work has demonstrated an enduring impact in 35 countries around the world. He has trained communities, agencies, NGOs and governments in ABCD and other community-based approaches in Africa, Asia, Australia/Oceania, Europe and North America.
    His most recent books are https://theconnected.community/ (Coauthor John McKnight); Berrett-Koehler Publishers, 2022, and http://rekindlingdemocracy.net/; Cascade Books, 2020.
    Chapters
    00:00 Introduction and Overview
    03:04 Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD)
    11:45 Power Dynamics in Community-Centered Approaches
    17:46 The Impact of COVID-19 on Community Dynamics
    24:37 Reimagining the Role of Institutions in Community Development
    29:57 Embracing Diversity and Individual Perspectives
    30:45 Exploring the Concept of a 'Good Life'
    37:57 The Power of Photographs in Personal Narratives
    41:25 Creating a Safe Space for Sharing and Building Trust
    46:37 Collective Storytelling and Community Connections
    56:00 The Power of Photo Voice and ABCD
    01:02:47 Inward Looking: Organizational Piece
    01:05:30 Exploring What Helping Means without Causing Harm
    Keywords
    asset-based community development, participatory photography, good life, relationships, trust, authority, power dynamics, institutions, communities, storytelling, community associations, community, institutions, storytelling, photography, harm, help, practices
    1 hr 21 min
  • Joanna Grace - The Sensory Projects

    Jo Grace, founder of the Sensory Projects, discusses her work in creating inclusive experiences for people with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities. She shares her journey from teaching to developing sensory stories and the importance of ongoing learning and improvement in the field of inclusion. Jo emphasizes the value of simplicity and accessibility in her work, using everyday materials to create meaningful experiences. She highlights the power of monosensory experiences for individuals with profound disabilities and the need to break down complex concepts into manageable components. Jo Grace discusses the importance of inclusive research and the challenges of conducting research with people with profound intellectual disabilities. She shares her journey of obtaining funding for her sensory projects and her six-month research period to understand how people with disabilities perceive the world. Jo emphasizes the need for silence and allowing processing time for individuals with disabilities. She also talks about her current PhD research on identity and belonging for people with profound intellectual disabilities.


    Find out more about Jo's work here https://www.thesensoryprojects.co.uk


    Keywords

    inclusion, sensory projects, profound intellectual disabilities, multiple disabilities, sensory stories, accessibility, monosensory experiences, inclusive research, profound intellectual disabilities, sensory projects, processing time, identity, belonging.


    Chapters


    00:00 Introduction and Background

    04:38 The Journey Towards Sensory Stories

    07:21 Challenges and Reflections on Inclusion

    10:18 The Power of Sensory Stories in Education

    17:23 Kickstarter Campaign and Funding

    23:34 Bringing Glastonbury to School

    26:48 The Impact of Sensory Stories

    30:04 The Joy of Sensory Engagement

    34:37 The Power of Simplicity in Sensory Engagement

    35:59 Reimagining Photo Voice Work

    38:21 The Power of Silence and Processing Time

    45:13 Navigating the Challenges of Inclusive Research

    53:54 The Journey to Recovery

    01:04:33 Creating an Accessible and Inclusive World


    I am so grateful to Jo for sharing her story in this conversation! I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

    1 hr 10 min
  • Dr Tasha Golden - Art & Creativity for Health & Wellbeing
    In this epsiode Dr. Tasha Golden discusses the intersection of art and health, highlighting the importance of creativity in promoting well-being. Tasha shares her journey from being a singer-songwriter to pursuing a PhD in public health, focusing on how the arts can affect our health and well-being.
    Tasha emphasizes the need to bridge the gap between the possibilities of art and the limitations of other spaces, such as workplaces and clinics. She also explores the concept of well-being and the role of art in creating thriving communities.
    The conversation touches on the challenges of defining art in the context of health and the importance of recognizing the value of art in promoting human survival. The conversation explores the impact of arts and creativity on health and well-being, specifically through the lens of arts on prescription programs.
    Tasha shares her experiences working with incarcerated girls and how their poetry and creative expression can influence judges, policymakers, and law enforcement.
    The conversation also delves into the creation of a field guide for arts on prescription programs in US communities.
    The discussion highlights the importance of creativity in communication and the potential for arts and health initiatives to challenge perceptions and create positive change.
    About Dr Tasha Golden
    Dr. Tasha Golden, PhD is a speaker, consultant, and Director of Research at the International Arts + Mind Lab at Johns Hopkins. As an internationally-recognized leader in the science of “Creativity x Wellbeing,” Golden’s talks and publications have helped catalyze paradigm shifts in healthcare, public health, and the creative sector—such as her work on “Arts on Prescription”: a growing model of care that is reshaping how “health” is defined and created.
    Holding a PhD in Public Health, Golden's work is informed by her history as a career singer/songwriter, founder of Project Uncaged: a trauma-informed creative writing program for incarcerated youth, and developer of “How We Human”: a pioneering Mental Health training designed specially for creative professions. Bridging research and action, Golden’s partnership tools and “Health IDEAS Framework” have helped thousands of leaders reimagine and enhance their work, grow their reach, and ignite their social impact. Recent projects focus on arts/culture assets as untapped health resources, and the wellbeing impacts of design and immersive experiences—emphasizing practical applications for city- and industry leaders. Learn more at ⁠tashagolden.com⁠. This episode is funded by Arts Council England as part of the Sensory Stories project being delivered by Our Creative Connection.
    Keywords
    art, health, well-being, creativity, community, thriving, meaning, connection, togetherness, asset-based community development, arts, creativity, health, well-being, arts on prescription, incarcerated girls, poetry, judges, policymakers, law enforcement, field guide, US communities, UK, communication, perceptions, positive change
    45 min
  • Yoga & Photography - in conversation with Ellie Firth from Umbrella Yoga

    In this episode of the Our Creative Connection Podcast join me in conversation with Ellie Firth from Umbrella Yoga to discuss a recent collaborative project with Barnardos. Together, we worked with four diverse groups in community settings, employing a blend of yoga and photography to explore the senses and delve into the concept of self.We reflect on the practical aspects of our project—how the combination of yoga and photography provided a unique avenue for connecting with individuals in community settings. We'll share insights into the methods used to engage participants and the tangible impact observed in their sense of self-awareness.This episode offers a down-to-earth exploration of the intersection between mindfulness practices, creative expression, and community engagement. Tune in for an authentic look at our journey together and the lessons learned along the way

    1 hr 3 min
  • Photovoice Worldwide - building a community of practice around Participatory Photography

    Stephanie Lloyd & Lee Ann Tourigny from Photovoice Worldwide join me in conversation to reflect on our shared passion for all things Photovoice! 

    In this podcast we're talking about the need to support practitioners, share learning and create opportunities for collaboration in the world of Photovoice as well as sharing thoughts and experiences from our own practice using this method!It was wonderful to chat with two people who care about Photovoice as much as I do!


    I would highly recommend you check out the the work that Photovoice Worldwide do and get involved in the movement! https://www.photovoiceworldwide.com

    38 min
  • Heidi Fisher MBE - Social Enterprise & Measuring Impact

    It was great to welcome Heidi Fisher from Make An Impact CIC on to the show!

    Heidi works with social enterprises, public sector organisations and purpose-led businesses who want to create MORE impact in the world as effortlessly as possible.

    We cover a LOT of ground in this conversation reflecting on our experiences in the world of Social Enterprise and drawing on Heidi's expertise with demonstrating impact.
    Heidi specialises in health, social care, wellbeing and training/skills organisations to develop impact or social value measurement systems to automate your data collection and analysis.
    Having received an MBE for Services to Innovation in Social Enterprise and to Impact Measurement, following 20 years of hard work, Heidi has helped over 2,100 social enterprises, from start-ups to those with over £1bn of income in the UK and internationally.
    Heidi is the author of “Social Enterprise: How to successfully set up and grow a social enterprise” (http://amzn.to/2ehu5XN) and “Impact First: The social entrepreneur’s guide to measuring, managing and growing your impact” (https://makeanimpactcic.co.uk/about-2/my-book-impact-first/).
    You can also check Heidi's own 'Make an Impact' podcast here (http://bit.ly/MAIpodcast).

    49 min
  • Shy Burhan - Socially Engaged Photographer talking about creativity, well being and community

    In this episode join me and Shy Burhan as we discuss our different paths towards 'Socially Engaged Photography'

    I am so grateful to Shy for sharing her story and her work with me - we cover creativity, well being, community and of course - photography!!

    Shy is a socially engaged photographer and storyteller whose work has tackled diverse topics, such as food wastage and food poverty, positive body representation, survival stories of domestic abuse victims, regeneration of city centres, turning the big ’40’, and celebrating women of colour who work in industries where they’re under-represented. She’s also run participatory photography workshops with people seeking sanctuary and young people from inner city areas of her home city of Bradford as she’s passionate about giving agency to under-represented groups to relay their own visual narratives where possible.

    You can see Shy's work on her website https://shybphotography.com and https://www.instagram.com/shybphotography/?hl=en


    58 min
  • Georgina Clarke from Ascent Wellbeing - Psychological Safety

    It was lovely to chat with Georgina Clarke from Ascent Wellbeing to explore this question and much more in the latest Our Creative Connection Podcast! 🎙

    In this conversation we discuss how Psychological Safety can help create an environment where every person feels heard, valued, and respected. 🌟

    I am fascinated at the almost parallel worlds of community development and organisational development. A different language is build up around each but fundamentally it’s about people coming together to do ‘stuff’ isn’t it? Well if that’s the case then I have a hunch that Photography might just enhance that experience (but then I would say that)!

    Tune in for insights, practical tips, and real-life examples of how Psychological Safety can make a difference in your organization.

    You can see more about Georgina's work at Ascent Wellbeing here https://www.ascentwellbeing.com



    44 min

About Our Creative Connection Podcast

From the publisher's feed

Exploring the world of Social Change through the lenses of Participatory Photography, Community Development & Creative Health.