Country Creatives

Episode 035- AI and the future of Creativity with Bailey Cook

Join Caleb, Reece, and video production wizard Bailey Cook as they delve into the rapidly growing world of AI. Whether you're an AI enthusiast or trying to avoid it altogether, this episode is a must-listen. Discover how this trio has been integrating AI into their creative processes, learn beginner and advanced tips, and also gain insights into the future of AI in the creative industries.

Episode 034: Creativity as a driver for business success- with Kira Hyde

Business and creativity, not always an instant match made in heaven but with this week’s guest Kira Hyde, creative mastermind behind KH studio, harnessing creativity to serve business becomes a piece of cake.
Reece, Caleb and Kira talk about the client process from onboarding right through to celebrating the end of the project and along the way you’ll get tips and understanding of the communication required and the best tools to have in place. You’ll be inspired to ensure you have nailed your proposal to save you headaches down the track and you’ll learn that asking for and receiving feedback is a crucial piece of achieving business success as a creative.  If you have been exploring just how to run a creative business that achieves exceptional business outcomes, but still manages to stay creative, then buckle up, because this is an episode just for you!

Episode 033. Take back your time with Automation

Do you find yourself dragging your feet when sending invoices, writing up that quote, emailing that customer enquiry back? is it sucking a huge amount of your time and energy?  Perhaps you are actually pretty effective at keeping all the the admin balls in the air - but Caleb and Reece want to ask you in this episode - is there a way for that work to happen without you? (spoiler- that’s a redundant question… you need to automate those things!!)
It's short and sweet episode where Caleb and Reece will help you take back significant amounts of time in your work day by implementing simple strategic automated tools and sleek systems to finesse your processes across high quality leads and sales, finance and communications. 
So settle in for a listen now and be inspired to have a few processes automated before your head even hits the pillow tonight.
 

Episode 032. Lauren Starr- Big Wins and the bigger decisions that follow

It's time to check in with Bendigo based photographic artist Lauren Starr who, when Caleb and Reece had her on the show 12 months ago, was working at striking a balance between artist and day job until she was ready to make the flip to full-time. Fast forward to 2023 and Lauren has very much made that transition, focussing full time on her creative future after taking out the Bluethumb Art Prize 2022.
In this Part 2- We delve into where Lauren finds herself,  the pressures that come with taking out such a lofty award, the pathways she has needed to weigh up, as well as the mindset she continues to cultivate and the exciting project that she is now injecting her time and energy into creating.   Listen in as Lauren offers some wonderful relatability and strategies for surviving the journey into the unknown as an artist.

Episode 031. Thomas McCarthy. Putting the power of film finance in the hands of audience and the filmmakers.

Thomas McCarthy is putting the power of film finance directly into the hands of the audience and filmmakers with his game changing startup Jub Jub.
If you are a filmmaker, a film lover, a champion of the arts, a creative entrepreneur, a start up business operator or anything in between then this is an episode of Country Creatives you don't want to miss.
Explore how Thomas who has worked extensively across the industry as a filmmaker both independent and with industry behemoths such as Industrial Light and Sound,  is now poised to launch an app that has the potential to completely disrupt how films are financed and consumed.  There are some dense insights into how Tom has approached his start up that are required listening if you are considering exploring your own,  and some very inspiring talk on how Jub Jub will enable diverse voices on film to have a viable platform and audience. Strap in!
 

Episode 030- The Imposter Syndrome Club

It was only a matter of time before Alice Edy and Jessamy Gee, the talented Melbourne based artists and presenters of The Imposter Syndrome Club Podcast, and our very own Reece Hendy and Caleb Maxwell of Country Creatives Podcast got together in a room for a far reaching chat about the tricky act of juggling multiple creative balls simultaneously, the vulnerability of putting your creative work into the world and more. 
Recorded live in front of a studio audience at the Emporium Creative Hub, creative dynamos Jessamy, Alice, Reece and Caleb, draw on their collective wisdom to bring a thoughtful, lively discussion on defining your creative self, doing meaningful creative work and setting yourself up to thrive despite sometimes feeling like a total imposter.
Tune in now for a tune up of your creative spark.

Episode 029: Jimmy Buscombe

Jimmi Buscombe from Warnambool in Victoria's South West, is a stunning visual artist with an array of impressive large scale mural work in his catalogue.  In this episode Reece Hendy talks with Jimmi about his transition from full-time chef to full-time artist, which opens up some really interesting conversation around taking risks and seizing opportunities (even when it's out of your comfort zone), capitalising on becoming a surprise viral sensation (anyone for 60+million views?!), sharing your expertise with other regional creatives and some nuanced thoughts around the tricky question what makes good public art  There is a lot to take in during this episode, so settle in for an incredibly satisfying chat.

Episode 028: Justin Balmain

Justin Balmain is a regionally based multi-disciplined artist who has cultivated an engaging creative process driven by a deep inquisitiveness.  Reece Hendy, who is minus Caleb in the hosting seat for this episode, uncovers Justin’s path from painter to his current work in long form art video work and in particular a project that began when Justin read a chance paragraph in a book that then took him to France to uncover the interesting story of a haunted object, through to the creation of a complex video work that has involved Justin scriptwriting, directing and editing in new and challenging ways.  Listen in now to uncover this Country Creative doing highly innovative and inspiring creative work.

Episode 027: Andre Sardone

Joining Caleb and Maxwell in this latest episode is Country Creatives number 1 fan Andre Sardone who, when he’s not listening to the podcast and giving valuable feedback and cheerleading to the team,  is a successful sculpture artist who has produced thought provoking public art works alongside small intimate works from his studio in a bush setting of Bendigo Victoria. 
This lively chat explores Andre’s journey from full time tradie to full time artist, his refreshingly honest take on building and sustaining creative business, his creative process integrating sustainability and nature,  and the phenomenally challenging balancing act of making stuff because you want to explore creative itches versus making stuff because you have to pay the bills.
With so much to think about in this episode, you may want to head out into nature and listen whilst on a long walk- just like Andre! Enjoy.

Episode 026: Hiring People- When, Why Who and How?

You might be a creative who currently hires other people to work inside your business, you may be considering expanding your team in the near future or perhaps you hadn't even considered additional hands on deck before?  Wherever you find yourself in the staffing game, this episode is going to get you thinking about what staffing situation can best help you nurture and grow your creative career.
Caleb & Reece sort out your full timers from your casuals, your freelancers from your outsourcers and all the variations in between.  Using real examples from their respective businesses alongside the processes they've developed to make the whole process a breeze, the Country Creatives will hand you a strong set of starting points for when and why to hire people, who is going to be the best person for the job and specifically how to find and onboard your dream team.