Part of the Arts

This week we’re joined by Jacob Hulland, a performer with experience across stand-up, theatre and immersive performance. After studying Comedy: Jacob went on to make his professional acting debut in 2022 on The Polar Express Train Ride on the South Devon Railway, playing both the Hobo and an Elf.

Since then, he has founded his own children’s theatre company, Hedgehog Theatre, toured his adaptation of Lewis Carroll’s Through the Looking-Glass, and performs regularly in immersive theatre, murder mystery events, museums and bars. He’s also the writer of an animated comedy series, Eternally Rude, about an immortal alien determined to insult every intelligent being in the universe.

This episode is part one of a two-part conversation. In the follow-up episode — recorded after this release — we’ll catch up with Jacob about his latest gig and open up a broader discussion about working conditions in the industry. You will want to part of this!

Jacobs Website

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It’s been a hot minute… did you miss us?! 🎙️✨

We’re back with a bang to kick off the new year, and we’re doing it in style with returning fave guest Yvonne Maxwell. Yes, the dulcet tones of Jordan are back too (you’re welcome, I think). It’s The Traitors Finale tonight, so we dive headfirst into our takes, tactics, and all the industry takeaways—served fresh from the best of recent pop culture. Throw in a little festive flashback, a lot of strong opinions, and even our cuts from our Christmas contracts, and you’ve got an episode that’s equal parts insight and chaos- just how I like it.

New year. Same energy. Let’s go. 🔥🎧

In this episode of Part of The Arts, we spill more than just coffee...

Join Becka & Jordan as they dive back into their creative catch ups- from pugs stealing the spotlight to finding unexpected substnaces on set. We answer your brilliant listener questions, and chat about how AI is shaking up the performance world, and reflect on what it means to stay creative through the chaos.

Expect laughs, honest insights, a few theatrical tangents, and of course, a strong brew or two . Whether you're in the arts of just love a peek behind the curtain, this ones for you!

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Switch It Up with Michael John Lewis. Michael John Lewis is a Brighton-based content creator, interviewer, and “switch up” influencer. After a career in acting and modelling, a medical scare changed everything—leading him to Brighton and a brand-new outlook on life.

Now, Michael champions the idea of the “switch up”: that even the smallest change can spark something positive and break us free from what he calls “dungeon programming.” From an unexpected start at the Gottwood Festival to interviewing people about their own journeys, Michael’s work is all about capturing stories of change, resilience, and creativity.

From stage to storytelling, Michael John Lewis shares how one simple question—“What are you doing to switch it up?” can change everything...And we delve into what it really means to switch it up in life!

MJL on Instagram

My guest on this episode is the definition of a multi-talented creative. Francesca Pim is a Musical Theatre performer who’s graced stages across London, on tour, and in regional productions—and she even won a Great British Pantomime Award for Best Supporting Actress in 2020!

But her passion for performance doesn’t stop at the spotlight. Francesca is also a fully qualified Ballet teacher, sharing her love of dance, musical theatre, and singing with students in Surrey and London.

And if that wasn’t enough, she brings joy and magic to children’s hospital wards through her work with the amazing charity Spread A Smile, entertaining seriously ill children and their siblings.

Join us as we talk about pantos vs musicals, murder podcast shows, and the power of spreading smiles—onstage and beyond.

https://spreadasmile.org/

https://www.instagram.com/francesca.pim/

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This week on Part of The Arts we sit down with writer, director, and performer *Bradley Barlow* to dive into the magic (and mayhem) of storytelling. Based in Southsea, Bradley shares his journey from Artistic Director of Pitchy Breath Theatre Company to directing immersive theatre experiences and professional pantomimes.

We chat about:
- The creative challenges of adapting classics like *Frankenstein* and *Grimms’ Tales*
- Balancing writing, directing and acting
- Making theatre with community at its heart
- The joy (and chaos!) of immersive experiences like *Pompey Dogs*
Whether you're a theatre maker or just curious about the creative process, this episode is packed with inspiration, honesty, and a whole lot of love for the craft.

This episodes guest wears a lot of hats—Hypnosis & NLP expert, talent agent, professor, author, and AI educator. But at the heart of it all? Helping creatives rewire their mindset and build purpose-driven careers.

From booking Broadway roles to breaking through imposter syndrome, they’ve spent over 20 years guiding performers, students, and artists through fear, burnout, and self-sabotage—using tools that blend psychology, performance, and even AI.

We talk about mental blocks, career momentum, what it means to rise above the script, and how artists can use tech without losing their voice.

✨ This one’s for anyone wanting to embrace it all—but wondering how to get out of their own way!

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His Book!

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This episode flips the script—Jordan takes over the mic and asks me the questions. Not just the easy ones, but the raw and real ones about this industry we call our home and what I’ve personally been facing over the past year.

Expect plenty of our usual banter and nonsense, but also a good dose of honesty, vulnerability, and maybe even a peppering of trauma. After all, that’s what Part of the Arts is all about—the good, the bad, and the mad.

Note: Due to a teeny tiny tech issue the last part of the footage will appear out of focus.

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In this Episode of Part of the Arts, I’m joined by the endlessly inspiring Éimear O’Neill—actor, writer, wedding singer, drama school founder, and creative firecracker.

We talk about what it really means to wear many hats—juggling 40-hour weeks as a nursing assistant while building a career in the arts, navigating jobs that pay the bills but don’t always fill your cup, and learning how to find joy in the work and the waiting.

From performing at Shakespeare’s Globe to cold water dunks and singing brides down the aisle, Éimear’s story is one of resilience, heart, and real creative graft. We talk about stage fright, confidence, gaps in the market, auditioning in London, creative transition, and the power of empathy—both on stage and off. She also shares why she founded EPIC Acting Academy, and how access to drama and performance spaces has never been more vital for young people.

Whether she’s acting as a finance bro for a commercial or building her own business from the ground up, one thing is certain: Éimear is all heart, and we are so here for it.

🎧 Tune in for a conversation full of humour, hustle, and hard-won wisdom

Wedding Singer

Epic Acting Academy

Eimear O'neill

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We’re back —with a new season, and a new rhythm.

I'm kicking off season 3 of Part of the Arts with something a little different. Alongside in-depth conversations with guest creatives, I’ll now be sharing regular Creative Catch-Ups with my friend, my long-time collaborator, and all-around brilliant human Jordan Hiscott.

This format has grown out of the work we’ve done together over the past year—moments of pause, reflection, and figuring it all out in real time. It felt natural to start the season here: just the two of us, checking in, chatting honestly, and opening the door to what creativity really looks and feels like behind the scenes.

Expect chats about the process, the mess, the stuck bits, the small wins, and the weird magic of making art when life is full—this time featuring dogs, vaping teens, murder mysteries, broken toilets, and a missing wedding ring (naturally). These Creative Catch-Ups will be a regular part of the season, offering space for honest, behind-the-scenes reflection—and we’re so glad you’re here with us.

If you enjoyed this episode, please consider supporting us by sharing, subscribing, reviewing, or fueling the creativity through coffee. We appreciate you!

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