The Common Creative

Discover how creativity and nature are deeply intertwined and how this connection can shift the way you see the world.

In this episode, award-winning author and illustrator Megan Forward shares how observation, storytelling, and visual art can deepen our relationship with the natural environment even in the middle of busy urban life. Beyond children’s books and illustrations, Megan reveals how artistic curiosity can become a powerful tool for understanding, appreciating, and protecting the world around us.

Megan Forward is a Brisbane-based author and illustrator of twelve children’s picture books, twice shortlisted for the Children’s Book Council of Australia Awards. With a background in visual arts and education, she creates stories and workshops that connect creativity, science, and nature. Megan is passionate about sustainability education and inspiring young people to explore the natural world through curiosity, play, and artistic expression. 

This conversation is an invitation to start where you are using creativity as a lens to reconnect with nature, spark curiosity, and inspire meaningful action. 

LINKS:

Megan Forward - Special Guest

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

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meganforwardstudio/

Website: https://www.meganforwardstudio.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.

Unlock the secret to harnessing your innate creativity, it’s not just for artists or entrepreneurs, it’s for everyone. 

In this special milestone episode celebrating 200 inspiring shows, hosts Paul and Chris reveal the surprising lessons, stories, and science behind the creative mind that can transform your personal life, career, and wellbeing.

Discover how creativity is a powerful form of self-expression, no matter your profession or background. From a young doodler turned successful artist to neuroscientists explaining the brain’s hidden networks, this episode unpacks actionable insights on how to unlock your creative potential whenever you need it most. Learn why rest, curiosity, and playfulness are your secret weapons, and how you can switch your brain into a creative mode on demand.

Join us for a lively conversation packed with stories, science, and practical wisdom that will inspire you to see yourself as a creator every day. Essential listening for anyone eager to unlock their potential and bring more joy, innovation, and authenticity into their life. Hit play and start your creative journey today.

Paul Fairweather - Co-host

https://www.paulfairweather.com

Chris Meredith - Co-host

https://www.chrismeredith.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Most of us are unknowingly wasting hours each day that could fuel creativity, improve focus, and boost productivity. But what if the secret to achieving more isn’t working harder, it’s learning how to rest better? 

In this insightful episode, bestselling author and future-of-work expert Alex Soojung-Kim Pang shares how intentional rest can become a powerful tool for creativity, performance, and well-being.

Drawing on research from elite athletes, Nobel Prize winners, and high performers, Alex explores how practices like microbreaks, physical activity, deep play, and shorter workweeks can help unlock better thinking and sustainable productivity. This conversation offers practical ways to integrate meaningful rest into everyday life so you can work smarter, think clearer, and feel better. He is the Director of Research and Innovation at 4 Day Week Global and the bestselling author of Rest: Why You Get More Done When You Work Less, Work Less, Do More: Designing the 4-Day Week, Shorter: Work Better, Smarter, and Less Here’s How, and The Distraction Addiction.

LINKS:

Alex Soojung-Kim Pang - Special Guest

Strategy+Rest: www.strategy.rest

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/askpang

Twitter and Instagram: @askpang

Paul Fairweather - Co-host

https://www.paulfairweather.com

Chris Meredith - Co-host

https://www.chrismeredith.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Unlocking the secret to blending creativity with everyday life, Peter Hickson's surprising journey from accountant to artist reveals how curiosity, humor, and bold experimentation can transform your world. If you've ever felt stuck in a routine or unsure how to start your creative passion, this episode is your blueprint for unleashing the artist within. 

Peter Hickson is a former accountant, cattle property owner, and award-winning photographer with deep ties to rural Australia. Born in Sydney and raised partly in the Gulf of Carpentaria, he built an international career with Touche Ross and Price Waterhouse before co-founding accounting firm MHM in 1996, later retiring in 2017 after its acquisition by RSM. He continues to own his family’s cattle property, Melinda Downs, and is passionate about travel, golf, and photography. His acclaimed photographic work has won numerous international and domestic awards, with his current series, Australian Gothic, blending humour, rural Australian landscapes, and a touch of absurdity.

LINKS:

Peter Hickson - Special Guest

Instagram: @peterhicksonphotographer 

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 , retired architect, author, and educator, Mark Jones to explore the connection between creativity, happiness, and profitability. Drawing from decades of experience and extensive interviews with architects, Mark shares how principles like simplicity, opportunity recognition, and design thinking can improve both business performance and personal fulfilment.

Dr. Mark Jones LFRAIA is an Australian architect whose career spans more than 35 years across professional practice, leadership, and academia. He founded Mark Jones Architects, later served as Director at , and has held key roles within the , including Queensland Chapter President. Awarded Life Fellowship in 2023, Mark also holds Masters degrees in Management, Business, and Sustainable Urban Development from , as well as a PhD from . He is currently an Honorary Associate Professor at.

LINKS:

Mark Jones - Special Guest

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-jones-lfraia-63073746/ 

Website: https://www.markjonesarchitect.au/ 

Avail his book here: https://www.andalsobooks.com/#/success-in-architectural-practice-forthcoming/ 

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 really take to call yourself an artist?

In this episode, David Hinchliffe shares the moment that shifted his identity after more than 50 years of creating when a single word on his passport changed how he saw himself. It’s a powerful reminder that confidence often follows belief, not the other way around.

A globally exhibited painter with over 100 solo shows, David is known for his contemporary impressionist style and distinctive technique of painting from dark to light using negative space. From oils to acrylics, galleries to global workshops, his career spans decades of evolution and exploration.

His message is simple: painting isn’t reserved for the few. With the right attitude and persistence, anyone can learn the craft.

LINKS:

David Hinchliffe- Special Guest

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/david-hinchliffe-77277b16 

Website: https://www.davidhinchliffe.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, Jenn Just shares her journey from young entrepreneur to creative force in the LEGO and fandom space. We explore how she leverages neurodiversity as a strength, builds a business around her passions, and why authenticity is a competitive edge in today’s world.

Jenn is the founder of The Brick Chick, a niche brand creating custom-printed LEGO elements, fan-inspired merchandise, and small-batch creative products for a global audience. Blending creativity with sharp business systems, she manages everything from product development to cross-border logistics in-house.

Through her work, Jenn champions creative independence, ownership, and building unconventional paths to resilience and long-term success.

LINKS:

Jenn Just- Special Guest

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebrickchick/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thebrickchick/ 

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

Website: https://thebrickchick.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.

Step inside the creative mind of Brad Walls, a photographer redefining perspective through precision, constraint, and bold artistic choices. In this episode, we explore how limitations can unlock innovation, why patience is a creative superpower, and how a clear artistic vision turns everyday subjects into extraordinary work.

Brad Walls is an Australian visual artist celebrated for his striking aerial compositions that blend symmetry, space, and form. From synchronized swimmers to ballet dancers, his minimalist bird’s-eye perspective transforms the familiar into something unexpected. Originally from Sydney and now based in New York, Brad gained global recognition through his Pools From Above series launching international exhibitions, awards, and a growing collector following.

Like his photography, Brad’s exhibitions are thoughtfully immersive inviting audiences to see the world differently, one perspective at a time.

LINKS:

Brad Walls - Special Guest

Instagram: @bradscanvas

LinkedIn: @bradscanvas

Website: https://bradscanvas.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.

What really drives someone to buy art?

In this episode, Miriam Schulman unpacks the powerful role of self-awareness, storytelling, and emotional insight in increasing art sales. Drawing from her journey from Wall Street to becoming a leading art sales coach, Miriam reveals why selling isn’t about pushing products, it's about creating connections. You’ll learn how to tap into the emotional motivations of collectors, craft authentic stories around your work, and position your art in a way that resonates deeply and sells.

Miriam Schulman is a luxury-market messaging and pricing strategist for creative entrepreneurs. She is the author of Artpreneur: The Step-by-Step Guide to Making a Sustainable Living from Your Creativity (HarperCollins) and host of The Inspiration Place podcast, ranked in the top 1% globally. Her work has been featured in Forbes, Entrepreneur, Igniting Creativity, and Where Women Create.

Miriam helps creatives position their work as premium, what she calls “reassuringly expensive” so they attract clients who value taste, certainty, and execution… not discounts.

LINKS:

Miriam Schulman- Special Guest

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/schulmanart/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/schulmanart

Website: https://schulmanart.com

Podcast: https://schulmanart.com/podcast

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

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, Dave Brown explores the depths of creativity through playful inquiry, long-term projects, and the interplay of whimsy and logic. This episode delves into creative principles, the art of collaboration, and how to foster innovation in both arts and business. Dave shares seven foundational principles he's developed over 40 years from limiting your palette to mapping and reflecting that help unlock creative potential at any stage of the process. Learn why patience, persistence, and playful experimentation matter more than you think, and how these elements lead to deeper, more layered outcomes.

Join us for a conversation that challenges the conventional, encourages experimentation, and celebrates the wonder of discovery because your next big idea may just be a whimsy away.

LINKS:

Dave Brown- Special Guest

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

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

Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/brownpaperboat

Blog- https://sevenwell77.substack.com/

Company-  https://thepaperboats.org/

Paul Fairweather - Co-host

https://www.paulfairweather.com

Chris Meredith - Co-host

https://www.chrismeredith.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.