The Common Creative

After 210 episodes and six years of conversations, Chris Meredith and Paul Fairweather are pressing pause on The Common Creative. In this reflective episode, they look back on what the podcast has taught them from the power of creative conversations and storytelling to the chemistry that has shaped the show over the years.

But this isn’t a farewell it’s a reset. Chris and Paul explore what might come next, including sharper questions, new seasons, fresh formats and potential partnerships.

It’s a conversation about knowing when to pause, making space for new ideas, and allowing creativity to evolve.

Chris Meredith and Paul Fairweather spend this episode unpacking risk as a core part of the creative process. It is a conversational, unscripted exchange about why making art, sharing work, and moving beyond a safe formula all involve vulnerability, judgment, and the possibility of rejection.Chris and Paul discuss how risk shows up differently for artists and commercial creatives, using examples from painting, exhibitions, and the careers of artists like Ken Done, Rothko, and Van Gogh.

LINKS:

Paul Fairweather - Co-host

https://www.paulfairweather.com

Chris Meredith - Co-host

https://www.chrismeredith.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Chris and Paul are joined by Stacy Hall, founder of MAKE and Promosapien, for a conversation about entrepreneurship, creativity, and building businesses that people genuinely connect with.

Stacey shares how an unexpected start at a struggling clothing manufacturer became her first real business education, eventually leading her to launch Vancouver’s first retail embroidery store and grow it into two successful brands. Along the way, she discovered the power of creating memorable customer experiences, collaborating with artists, and turning creativity into a practical business advantage.

Whether you're an entrepreneur, retailer, creative professional, or simply curious about building brands people love, this episode is packed with insights on innovation, customer experience, and the many ways creativity can drive business success.

LINKS:

Stacy Hall - Special Guest

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/stacy-hall-445b524/ 

Websites : 

Promosapien Promo Inc. - www.promosapien.ca

Make - www.makevancouver.com

Ole Originals - www.oleoriginals.com

Paul Fairweather - Co-host

https://www.paulfairweather.com

Chris Meredith - Co-host

https://www.chrismeredith.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Paul and Chris challenge traditional command-and-control leadership and explore how clear direction, intentional boundaries and creative freedom can help teams do their best work.

They unpack the concept of the “three scripts”  fully scripted, ad-lib and improv and how leaders can use each approach to balance structure with creativity. They also explore decision-making, the power of constraints, the “seed model” for developing ideas, and the role of leaders in turning chaos into clarity.

Whether you're a business leader, entrepreneur or creative professional, this episode offers a fresh perspective on leading with curiosity, confidence and the courage to make decisive choices in an ever-changing world.

Paul Fairweather - Co-host

https://www.paulfairweather.com

Chris Meredith - Co-host

https://www.chrismeredith.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What does it mean to stay creative for life? 

At 93, retired architect Graham Bligh proves that curiosity, creativity, and connection don't have an expiry date. From designing iconic buildings to embracing art and lifelong learning in retirement, Graham reflects on a remarkable career spanning decades. He shares how staying open to new experiences, nurturing community, and continuing to create has kept his passion alive well into his 90s.

Whether you're building a career, exploring a new hobby, or redefining retirement, this conversation is a powerful reminder that it's never too late to learn, create, and make a meaningful impact.

Graham Bligh - Special Guest

Documentation - https://youtu.be/WVtYdncKda4

Paul Fairweather - Co-host

https://www.paulfairweather.com

Chris Meredith - Co-host

https://www.chrismeredith.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Paul and Chris speak with architectural photographer Shantanu Starick about his remarkable Pixel Trade journey, where he travelled the world for over three years without spending money, exchanging photography for food, accommodation, and transport instead.

Shantanu shares how trading creativity for human connection transformed his understanding of value, community, and success. Discover why relying solely on money can limit creative fulfilment, and how relationships, trust, and reciprocity can unlock entirely new ways of living and working.

Shantanu Starick is an architectural photographer and creator of the internationally recognised Pixel Trade project. He works with architecture, design, hospitality, and wellness brands, and is also the creator of Therefore, a book series exploring architecture through photography and conversation.

LINKS:

Shantanu Starick- Special Guest

Website: shantanustarick.com

Paul Fairweather - Co-host

https://www.paulfairweather.com

Chris Meredith - Co-host

https://www.chrismeredith.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How do you stay creative within the structure of a large organisation?

Karen Steenkamp shares her journey from designer to creative leader, revealing how constraints can inspire innovation, the balance between artistic expression and commercial outcomes, and how authentic creativity drives better business results.

Karen is a marketing and creative leader with over 20 years of experience across advertising agencies, financial services, and in-house creative teams in Africa, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific region. Now leading an in-house agency at one of Australia's Big Four banks, she specialises in combining creativity, strategy, and customer-centred thinking to deliver meaningful business impact.

___________________________________________________________

LINKS:

Karen Steenkamp- Special Guest

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-steenkamp-361281171/

Béhance: https://share.google/j6wFcBwWpJcE8BieC 

Paul Fairweather - Co-host

https://www.paulfairweather.com

Chris Meredith - Co-host

https://www.chrismeredith.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Unlock Brisbane's creative future with Barton Green, Chair of Brisbane Creative Collab. In this episode, Barton shares how bold ideas, unlikely collaborations, and a passion for the arts can shape a city's identity ahead of the 2032 Olympics.

From his early days as a drummer and journalist to becoming a respected communications strategist and board leader, Barton reveals how creativity thrives when business, community, and culture work together. Discover why fostering creativity isn't just good for the arts, it's essential for wellbeing, economic growth, and building a city people are proud to call home.

With more than 40 years of executive leadership and communications experience, Barton has served on numerous private, public, and not-for-profit boards. As Chair of Brisbane Creative Collab, he champions a vision of a Brisbane where creativity is embedded in everyday life and celebrated as a catalyst for innovation and community connection.

___________________________________________________________

LINKS:

Barton Green - Special Guest

LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/barton-green-gaicd-843a6314 

Website - www.creativebrisbane.com.au

Paul Fairweather - Co-host

https://www.paulfairweather.com

Chris Meredith - Co-host

https://www.chrismeredith.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Join Chris Meredith as he chats with musician, composer, producer, and choir master Mitchell Kwanten about the transformative power of singing. Together, they explore how music fosters connection, supports mental wellbeing, breaks down barriers, and unlocks creativity in all of us.

Mitchell is a Sydney-based multi-instrumentalist, composer, and producer who has performed and toured with some of Australia's leading artists, including David Campbell, Shannon Noll, Casey Donovan, and Marcus Corowa. A graduate of the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, he is also a member of the band Bow and Arrow and has released several original works, including Triad and 7 Forces.

If you've ever felt self-conscious about singing or believed you weren't "musical enough," this episode will inspire you to find your voice and embrace creativity in a whole new way.

LINKS:

Mitchell Kwanten- Special Guest

Website - https://sydneyvocalarts.com/portfolio/mitchell-kwanten/

Paul Fairweather - Co-host

https://www.paulfairweather.com

Chris Meredith - Co-host

https://www.chrismeredith.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Discover how John Sharpe (“Sharpey”) turned a passion for art, engineering, and adventure into some of Australia’s most iconic tourism experiences. From the Story Bridge Adventure Climb to Brisbane’s upcoming Flying Fox project, Sharpey shares lessons on creativity, entrepreneurship, navigating challenges, and bringing bold ideas to life.

With more than 25 years of experience creating innovative and inclusive adventure attractions, Sharpey reveals how curiosity, resilience, and a willingness to embrace uncertainty can transform passions into experiences that inspire people of all abilities.

John is the founder of several renowned adventure tourism ventures, including the Story Bridge Adventure Climb, Riverlife Adventure Centre, Vertigo, Walkabout Creek Adventures, and Tangalooma Water Sports. A leader in accessible tourism, he continues to develop pioneering experiences that help position Brisbane and Queensland as world-class destinations ahead of the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

LINKS:

John Sharpe- Special Guest

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/brisbaneflyingfox/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61589836615814

Website - https://www.sharpey.co/

Paul Fairweather - Co-host

https://www.paulfairweather.com

Chris Meredith - Co-host

https://www.chrismeredith.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.