Country Creatives

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.

Episode 025: Harry Morton

When Reece and Caleb speak to a successful podcast producer about podcasting inside the Country Creatives podcast- it's a recipe to get very meta!  This addictively interesting chat is with Harry Morton, CEO of the podcasting production company Lower Street, who have worked with some of the biggest international brands to create a stable of successful podcasts.  Harry brings a wealth of knowledge, not only about the podcast industry and some key considerations if you are thinking of stepping in front of the mic yourself, but also valuable insight into the way he has navigated growth from a sole trader to heading up a company of 20+ employees and how he is able to do all of this from a regional town outside of London with 100% remote team dialling in from around the world.  He even graces Caleb and Reece with a bit of feedback on Country Creatives.

Episode 024. Seasons in Creative Careers

Caleb and Reece have reconvened to bring you a brand new episode for 2023.  The duo are catching up on where they find themselves in business and life which instigates a great discussion on embracing different seasons in your creative journey.  They explore where opportunities for career growth might be hiding in plain sight, figuring out which opportunities to pick up or put down and how you might integrate them into your ever-changing creative career.  

Episode 023: How to have difficult conversations in business

Reece & Caleb are revisiting the tricky business of difficult conversation in a work environment in this encore episode of Country Creatives.If you struggle with asking your clients 'what is your budget?'. If you find it hard to put boundaries in when they ask you 'for just a little change', if you find your ego in the drivers seat when a client doesn't like the work you deliver, or when a project simply all goes a bit awry and you need to pick up the pieces pronto, then this episode is for you. Using real life situations from their own creative careers, Reece and Caleb unpack communication fails and troubleshoot how to ensure better outcomes as well as sharing their key strategies and scripts for all too common pitfalls when navigation the client/creative relationship.
The link to the book referenced by Reece in the episode can be found at:https://www.booktopia.com.au/twelve-and-a-half-gary-vaynerchuk/book/9780063203839.html

Episode 022: ENCORE Lauren Starr

In this encore episode Caleb and Reece are revisiting a chat they had with Bendigo creative on the rise Lauren Starr.  This talk occurred just before Lauren took out Australia's richest art prize so tune in to get some incredible motivation and inspiration from this incredible prize winning creative.
Lauren discusses how Bendigo has influenced her art and the creative goldmine that she has found in embracing her shadow side. There is also some great insight into how Lauren has struck a fantastic balance between artist and day job until she is ready to make the flip to full-time and she also gives Reece and Caleb the scoop on what creative adventures lie just on the horizon.

Episode 021.ENCORE Troy Firebrace

Caleb and Reece are revisiting a few of their compelling conversations and discussions from 2022 starting with their first ever guest on the podcast- Troy Firebrace.
Troy Firebrace is a Yorta Yorta and Dja Dja Wurrung man making incredible visual art via his company Firebrace Designs. In this episode of Country Creatives Caleb and Reece find out about Troy's path to creating a significant and varied artistic career.  They learn about the process and motivation underpinning his evolving practice on canvas and on walls whilst juggling his work as an Aboriginal Educational Officer at Sandhurst Catholic Education Office Bendigo.  Recorded on 26 January 2022, this interview also contains some fantastic discussion around this current public holiday in Australia and other invaluable insight from this generous and talented guest.
 

Episode 020: The 2022 Wrap Up

Say sayonara to the year that was and contemplate your creative year to come with the latest Country Creatives podcast episode. Reece and Caleb are tying a big festive bow on 2022 with a chat about their personal highlights from the year that was, including some of the guest conversations that have really stuck with them.  The duo then look forward to their plans and aspirations for 2023.  

Episode 019. Craig Barker

In a career that has so far seen him move from teaching in the education system, to creating a successful freelance stock video production business, to finding a current place as the creative director of a fast growing online platform, Craig Barker is a country creative with a whole lot of ingenuity, curiosity and business skills to spare, as we find when he joins Caleb and Reece for their final podcast episode for the year.
 
In this fascinating chat, Craig discusses the choices, work ethic and processes that have helped him make the move from primary school teacher to the biggest producer of stock video footage in Australia, then transform from solo operator to content creation roles inside larger businesses. Caleb and Reece then uncover how Craig built on the sum of all these skills to now remotely manage content creators and other contributors from all over the world from his home in Bendigo, alongside tips for managing teams and productivity tools to make the whole experience a breeze.