In this episode of the Common Creative Podcast, Chris interviews award-winning crime writer Natalie Conyer about her journey from a career in administration to becoming a successful author later in life. Natalie shares her love of crime fiction, the pivotal moment that led her to pursue writing full-time, and insights into her creative process including the challenges, discipline, and rewards of following a creative calling.

Her debut novel, Present Tense, won the Ned Kelly Award for Best Debut Crime Novel in 2020, with her second novel, Shadow City, shortlisted for both the Ned Kelly and Danger Awards. Her third novel, Finding the Bones, will be released in March 2026. Natalie’s short fiction has also been published in anthologies and in her collection The Book Club and Other Stories.

Based in Sydney, Natalie is a swimmer, TV tragic, world-class procrastinator, and lifelong crime fiction devotee, a passion she explored so deeply she completed a doctorate on the genre.

LINKS:

Natalie Conyer - Special Guest

Website: https://natalieconyer.com/

X: https://twitter.com/natalieconyer

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/dr-natalie-conyer-93257826

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/natalieconyer1/

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 of the Common Creative Podcast, Toni Powell shares her journey from marrying young and raising a family to becoming one of Australia’s most loved storytellers and keynote speakers. She explores the power of gratitude, the role of creativity in overcoming life’s challenges, and how pain can be a powerful teacher when met with perspective and purpose.

Renowned for her hilarious, story-driven talks, Toni is a leading voice in positive culture and wellbeing. She’s a two-time international business award winner, author of two books, whose Goalcast talk has over 15 million views, and the founder of the Heart of Gold International Film Festival, featured on ABC’s Australian Story (Let There Be Light).

LINKS:

Toni Powell- Special Guest

Website: https://www.tonipowell.com/

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/tonipowell

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 heartfelt episode, Paul Fairweather and Chris Meredith pay tribute to Paul's late mother, Enid Margaret Fairweather, who recently passed away at the age of 94. The episode revisits an earlier interview with her, celebrating her vibrant creativity and resilience throughout her life. Despite facing challenges like polio, Enid lived a life full of artistic expression, from painting to writing a memoir. Her story serves as an inspiration to embrace creativity at any age.

Links:

Special Guest: Enid Fairweather

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 of The Common Creative Podcast, Paul chats with Warwick Heathwood about his journey from Outback Queensland to leading creative strategy on the world stage. Warwick shares how his early life, love for music, and agency experience shaped his views on storytelling, intuition, and the creative process. The conversation highlights the power of curiosity and the importance of understanding human behaviour in great strategy.

Warwick is a strategic leader with over 20 years’ experience in brand, creative, and business strategy. He’s helped drive growth for global brands, startups, and nonprofits, blending commercial acumen with sharp behavioural insight to create award-winning work across Australia, San Francisco, and New York.

It’s a conversation packed with wisdom, humility, and creative inspiration.

LINKS:

Warwick Heathwood - Special Guest

Website: https://subfrac.com/

LinkedIn: https://au.linkedin.com/in/warwick-heathwood-9aa3682a

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 of The Common Creative Podcast, Claire Gray shares her journey from behavioural science to founding Thriving Culture. She talks about the shift from traditional HR to people and culture, and why creativity, psychological safety, and strong leadership matter more than ever.

Claire draws on over two decades of experience helping organisations build confident leaders, aligned teams, and cultures of accountability. Known for simplifying complexity and bringing clarity, she works with clients across Australia, New Zealand, Asia, and the UK.

Based in Byron Bay, Claire is an accredited coach, facilitator, and speaker who is passionate about helping people thrive at work.

Claire Gray - Special Guest

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thriving.culture/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leadership-coach-facilitator/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thrivingculture

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thrivingculture.com.au/

Website: https://thrivingculture.com.au/

Thriving Teams | Thriving Leadership book : https://thrivingculture.com.au/products

Podcast : https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/claire-gray6/episodes/Its-here----the-Thriving-Leaders-Podcast--Leadership-Styles-e2ihvr5/a-ab69q5k

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 sits down with Ally Nitschke, a former professional ballet dancer turned leader in communication, influence, and executive development. Ally shares her unconventional career journey from the discipline of ballet to the structure of banking and how these experiences shaped her approach to leadership.

They dive into the evolving role of leaders in the age of AI, exploring creativity, communication, and the ethics of emerging technology. Ally also discusses the key ideas behind her book Grunt, Grit and Grace, offering practical insights on resilience, courage, and leading with heart.

Ally Nitschke is a powerhouse in leadership and communication, known for her neuroscience-backed, holistic approach that integrates mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being. As the Founder of Made For More, she partners with executives and senior teams across industries to ignite potential, build resilience, and elevate performance.

Ally Nitschke - Special Guest

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ally.madeformore/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ally-nitschke/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ally-nitschke

Website: https://www.madeformore.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.

In this episode, Chris and Paul chat with Dr Ken Hudson, speaker, author and organisational creativity expert. Ken shares how his journey from senior marketing roles at American Express, Citibank and Dunlop Slazenger led him into the world of creativity, innovation and his signature approach: switch thinking.

They explore why leaders often struggle with creativity, how different brain networks shape our thinking, and simple, practical ways teams can switch modes to spark fresh ideas. Ken also reflects on his academic work  including a PhD in Organisational Creativity, his three internationally released books, and his teaching and course design across UTS, AIM, the Marketing Institute of Singapore and the China Institute of Innovation.

A fast, insightful conversation about thinking differently and making creativity accessible to everyone.

Dr Ken Hudson- Special Guest

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mykeldixon/

Website: drkenhudson.com | switchthinking.net

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 of The Common Creative Podcast, Chris and Paul dive into the creative journey behind Paul’s new book, Bold, Brave and a Bit Quirky.

Paul opens up about the challenges and triumphs of writing, illustrating, and publishing a book that’s part memoir, part manifesto, and full of creative insights. The conversation explores themes of creativity, storytelling, and the courage to embrace your quirks with Paul reflecting on his own growth and the lessons learned along the way.

You can grab a copy of Bold, Brave and a Bit Quirky from the publisher: https://www.andalsobooks.com/shop/boldbraveandabitquirky, or directly from the author here: https://www.paulfairweather.com/book 

Paul Fairweather - Special Guest

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mykeldixon/

Website: https://www.paulfairweather.com

Chris Meredith - Co-host

https://www.chrismeredith.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this week’s episode of The Common Creative, Chris and Paul sit down with Mykel Dixon speaker, author, musician, and all-round creative catalyst. Mykel shares his journey from rebellious student to professional musician to one of Australia’s most sought-after voices in creative and cultural transformation.

The conversation dances between music, creativity, and meaning exploring how art and nature can reawaken our aliveness, how to stay human in an age of AI, and why participation and presence matter more than ever.

A master of mixing poetry with provocation, Mykel designs experiences that ignite people from the inside out. Part concert, part campfire, part corporate intervention this one’s a must-listen for anyone who believes creativity still has the power to change everything.

Mykel Dixon - Special Guest

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mykeldixon/

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

Website - www.mykeldixon.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 of The Common Creative Podcast, Paul Fairweather and Chris Meredith chat with creative consultant Chris Doherty, who helps organisations navigate change through creativity, design, and storytelling.

Chris shares how intention, tension, and imperfection fuel creativity  and why handmade, human-centred work builds stronger connections. From his innovative “silence workshops” to blending illustration with strategy, Chris reveals how creative practices can transform teams and spark meaningful change.

Based in Canberra with the Holan Group, Chris draws on a background in theatre, psychology, and design to help people imagine  and build  a better tomorrow.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.