The Common Creative

In this week’s episode of the Common Creative Podcast, James Sills shares how singing connects people, builds community, and enhances well-being. From football chants to leading choirs, he explores the joy of group singing, its mental health benefits, and why the process matters more than performance. Chris and James also discuss singing’s role in overcoming loneliness and rekindling human connection.

James Sills is a musician, author, and TEDx speaker passionate about connecting people through singing. Founder of Sofa Singers and author of Do Sing, he works globally to inspire community and well-being through music. His latest project, Bantam of the Opera, transforms football fans into performers for a new BBC series.

Tune in and rediscover the magic of collective music-making!

LINKS:

James Sills - Special Guest

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jsillschoirstarter

Instagram: @jsillsmusic

Facebook: @jsillsmusic

X:  @jsillsmusic

Website: www.james-sills.com

Sofa Singers: www.thesofasingers.com

Teambuilding webite: www.onevoiceteambuilding.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.

This week on The Common Creative Podcast, we dive into the game-changing role of generative AI in creativity and productivity. Neo Aplin, a full-time AI trainer at Inventium, shares how AI is more than just a tool. It's a creative partner. He explores the balance between authenticity and automation, the power of human-AI collaboration, and the ethical considerations shaping the future of creativity.

With over 20 years in tech and innovation, Neo has helped businesses harness AI for smarter work, better customer experiences, and sustainable growth. In this episode, he breaks down how to integrate AI into creative workflows, navigate its risks, and stay ahead in the evolving landscape.

Tune in for a fresh perspective on AI’s role in the creative world!

LINKS:

Neo Aplin - Special Guest

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

Website: https://inventium.com.au/genai/

More AI Insights from our previous guests:

Marcus Bryne - https://tinyurl.com/mtf2zb7t

Jeremy Wagstaff - https://tinyurl.com/2hsnrtr3

Mark van Rijermann - https://tinyurl.com/bdfe22pw

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 week’s episode of the Common Creative Podcast, James Victore shares his journey as a designer and artist, emphasising the importance of embracing one's weirdness and creativity. He discusses the challenges of self-motivation, the impact of childhood experiences on creativity, and the significance of teaching and supporting creative expression in children.

James encourages listeners to rediscover their passions and define their purpose, ultimately advocating for a life of creative freedom and authenticity.

LINKS:

James Victore- Special Guest

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

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

Website: yourworkisagift.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 is the future of work?  How hard should we work?  How can we navigate work life balance? Meet Tim Duggan, author of Work Backwards, who answers many of these questions (and more!) in this weeks episode.

And as an added bonus, Tim takes us through the KILLER ideas framework from his book on creativity called  Killer Thinking.

Stand by for a deep-dive into his MAP framework for navigating and understanding your relationship with the world of work (Meaning, Anchors and Priorities) also an explanation of why the “Movember” charity fund raising scheme fits his  K.I.L.L.E.R. framework for crafting big creative ideas that people will love.

Tim is the co-founder of Junkee Media and Chair of the Digital Publishers Alliance. His books Cult Status and Killer Thinking have been widely recognized, and his latest book, Work Backwards, explores new ways to approach work in a changing world.

LINKS:

Tim Duggan - Special Guest

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

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/timduggan1/

Website: www.timduggan.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.

This week, we welcome back the brilliant Neall Foard to The Common Creative Podcast for a deep dive into the evolving world of storytelling especially through video. Neal inspired us so much with his first Common Creative conversation (see episode no 83 “Grateful Creativity”) that he’s the first ever guest to be invited back for more.

Over the past 18 months, Neil has been honing his craft and discovering what resonates in today’s fast-moving digital story telling landscape, whilst launching a new training program for story telling on-line called “Storyfire”.

Neil, with his 25+ years in advertising and marketing, knows a thing or two about storytelling. He’s created award-winning campaigns for brands like Budweiser, Lexus, and Sony, and was once ranked among the top ten most awarded creative directors in the world. 

Now, with his viral videos inspiring millions, he’s sharing the news about the role of video and how to build your own on-screen presence.  Listen out for tips on the importance of getting great by practicing again, again and again (to the point where you cant ‘act’ anymore).

If you want to take your video storytelling game to the next level, this episode is a must-listen.

LINKS:

Neal Foard - Special Guest

Episode 83: Neal Foard - Grateful Creativity - https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/episode-83-neal-foard-grateful-creativity/id1525162918?i=1000621336255

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/neal-foard-3727403/

Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@nealfoard/videos

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

Tiktok - https://www.tiktok.com/@nealfoard

Storyfire Course - https://storyfire.mykajabi.com/a/2147962025/fus3Dd28 

Website - nealfoard.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 week’s conversation of the Common Creative Podcast, Chris Meredith and Paul Fairweather discuss the PARA filing system, a method for organizing projects, areas, resources, and archives. They explore the simplicity and effectiveness of this system, emphasizing the importance of keeping current projects front and center while maintaining a disciplined approach to archiving. The conversation highlights the challenges creatives face in organising their work and the potential future role of AI in streamlining this process.

Paul Fairweather - Co-host

https://www.paulfairweather.com

Chris Meredith - Co-host

https://www.chrismeredith.com.au

Two Common Creatives

https://www.twocommoncreatives.com/podcast

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this week’s episode of the Common Creative Podcast, Ian Stephens shares his inspiring journey from a corporate career to becoming one of Australia's leading speakers. He shares so many insights, including the courage it took to step away from the security of a career to follow his passion, and an area where he had no idea what to do. The hall mark of a creative act. 

Ian Stephens is a top-rated business speaker, trainer, and award-winning educator specializing in sales, leadership, and mindset. A master of NLP, he equips teams and leaders with practical tools to drive results. Ian is the author of seven books, and his dynamic, humor-infused keynotes and workshops inspire focus, discipline, and success.

Ian is also the convener of the Professional Speakers Association's 2025 conference Cadence.

LINKS:

Ian Stephens - Special Guest

Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ianstephensspeaks/

Website - https://ianstephensspeaks.com/

Paul Fairweather - Co-host

https://www.paulfairweather.com

Chris Meredith - Co-host

https://www.chrismeredith.com.au

Two Common Creatives

https://www.twocommoncreatives.com/podcast

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this conversation of the Common Creative Podcast, Chris Meredith and Paul Fairweather discuss the importance of being prepared for spontaneous opportunities in life, using the metaphor of always carrying swimming trunks and a beach towel. They explore how creativity is tied to being observant and taking notes, whether through sketches, words, or photographs. The conversation emphasises the value of curiosity and an open mind as essential tools for embracing life's adventures.

Paul Fairweather - Co-host

https://www.paulfairweather.com

Chris Meredith - Co-host

https://www.chrismeredith.com.au

Two Common Creatives

https://www.twocommoncreatives.com/podcast

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this week's conversation, Paul and Chris dive into Indigenous Australian perspectives on problem-solving and respect with our guest, Paulina Larocca. Drawing on the work of Tyson Yunkaporta, Paulina explores the idea that true respect begins with acknowledging our own ignorance, an approach that contrasts sharply with conventional problem-solving methods.

Paul Fairweather - Co-host

https://www.paulfairweather.com

Chris Meredith - Co-host

https://www.chrismeredith.com.au

Two Common Creatives

https://www.twocommoncreatives.com/podcast

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this week’s conversation, Paul and Chris delve into the concept of 'daily-ish' habits, inspired by Oliver Berkman's insights. They discuss the importance of flexibility in habit formation, especially for those with busy lives or distractions. The conversation transitions into the relationship between creativity and mindset, emphasizing that a creative approach to life can be more beneficial than rigid daily outputs. They explore how journaling and curiosity can enhance creativity without the pressure of constant production.

Paul Fairweather - Co-host

https://www.paulfairweather.com

Chris Meredith - Co-host

https://www.chrismeredith.com.au

Two Common Creatives

https://www.twocommoncreatives.com/podcast

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.