Son of Fire - The Hearth Tales Sessions

In this episode, The Harrower is spoken aloud as a short story.What begins as an ordinary evening walk between two brothers becomes an encounter with something ancient, deliberate, and watching. One runs. One remains. Between them, fear, witness, and transformation take hold.Told through shifting perspectives — human, witness, and other — The Harrower explores initiation, terror, mercy, and the burden of knowledge that cannot be shared. It asks what it means to be chosen, what it costs to see, and how the wild marks those it touches.This is not folklore remembered, but myth happening now. A story of the field where worlds meet.

The Telling of the Keeper is a modern myth spoken from the edge of the sea.A lighthouse, a storm, and a man charged with holding the light steady as unseen forces move through the night. This episode explores duty, witness, and the cost of looking without intervening.Nothing is explained. Everything is illuminated.

In this episode of HeARTh Tales, Rich McCoy speaks with artist, gardener, and third-generation Riverside Community member Che Vincent, whose creative journey bridges sculptural metalwork and the living, evolving art of bonsai. Che shares insights into his deep connection with place, his fascination with growth patterns and fractals, and how native New Zealand species are shaping a unique bonsai style. From shaping flame-cut copper chandeliers to planting immersive forest cathedrals, Che’s work is as much about ecological intimacy as it is about personal expression. A rich, thoughtful conversation about time, patience, creativity, and the quiet protest of growing a tree in a pot.

Welcome to Heart Tales, the podcast that shares the stories at the heart of Aotearoa’s rich cultural landscape. Today, we’re honoured to have Donna McLeod with us — an artist whose journey began in a curtain-making workshop in New Plymouth during the Think Big era, where family, creativity, and community came together.Donna’s path has been shaped by early encounters with iconic New Zealand artists and theatre groups, nurturing Māori stories through libraries and public art. Her work carries a deep spiritual connection — a bolt of lightning that can strike anywhere, anytime.Join us as Donna shares her experiences weaving Māori heritage into contemporary art, the magic of collaboration across communities, and the vital role of storytelling in preserving culture. We’ll explore the taniwha of Motuika, the power of public spaces for Māori expression, and her inspiring vision for the future of Māori art in Aotearoa and beyond.

In this interview, Jamie Smith, co-founder of Kiln Studio and Nelson Clay Week, unpacks the complexities of running a successful creative venture. Hear his experiences on valuing your work, navigating the market, and practical tips for getting your art seen, alongside a discussion on the evolving landscape of pottery in the digital age.

This engaging interview features Antoinette from Happen Films, a documentary filmmaking duo based in Upper Moutere, Tasman, and Victoria, Australia. Host Rich McCoy, himself navigating the challenges of an alternative off-grid lifestyle in the Tasman region and currently facing bureaucratic hurdles with the local council, warmly welcomes Antoinette. She recounts her unconventional journey into filmmaking after two decades in book publishing, finding a natural partnership with co-founder Jordan Osmond. Their shared passion for addressing global sustainability issues evolved into a focus on telling the stories of individuals making positive lifestyle changes, aiming to inspire wider societal shifts towards a lighter ecological footprint.Antoinette reflects on the challenges of sustaining motivation through lengthy film projects and the unique power of independent documentaries to reconsider established social narratives. She shares insights into Happen Films' ethical approach to representing their subjects, prioritising trust and ensuring the final product resonates with the individuals sharing their lives. Looking ahead, Antoinette outlines their keen interest in exploring themes of village life, localisation, and community resilience, resonating with Rich's experiences of seeking self-sufficiency and community in the face of external pressures. She also allows listeners to connect with Happen Films and view their inspiring work online and at local screenings.

This episode of Hearth Tales opens with a personal introduction from the host, delving into their own reflections and ongoing work concerning cultural imperialism. They share thoughts on critiquing media behemoths like Marvel and Disney, touching upon the sometimes humorous ways this critical work has been misunderstood or misjudged.The core of the episode features an insightful conversation with illustrator and writer Mat Tait. Mat discusses his journey, focusing on his passion for creating children's picture books that often tackle significant Māori narratives like The Adventures of Tupaea and his bilingual retelling of the Rangi and Papa separation story, Te Wehenga – a project born from a story that deeply resonated with him since childhood. He shares his process, which involves deep research through reading and consulting with knowledge holders, and developing text (often initially in te reo Māori) and imagery side-by-side from rough sketches.Mat reflects on the permeable boundary between myth and the tangible world, acknowledging the responsibility of carrying these living stories and the guidance found within that connection. He explores the multi-layered truths within these narratives, discussing how interpretations evolve and how they manifest as vital cultural throughlines in contemporary society. The conversation also covers the practicalities of working with publishers like Allen & Unwin, navigating the New Zealand book market, and Mat offers valuable advice for aspiring creators, emphasizing that perseverance is often more crucial than innate talent. He also touches upon the character he felt particularly connected to while illustrating – Tupaea.Adding another layer of personal reflection, the host also shares a poignant anecdote from their own life about the simple act of making a box, connecting it to a meaningful experience with their father dating back 30 years.Join us for an episode blending critical cultural commentary, Mat Tait's deep artistic insight into bringing myth and history to life, practical advice for creatives, and resonant personal storytelling.

This week, Rich takes a break from formal interviews for a candid, free-flowing chat, offering a glimpse into life on the land in a bus under the oak trees. With autumn rains setting in, they discuss the challenges of off-grid living, from rainwater collection to managing solar power and preparing for the upcoming winter.Alongside the practicalities of bus life, Rich delves into their own artistic endeavours, exploring the liminal spaces between painting, sculpture, and digital media. They touch on their ongoing sculptural projects, inspired by the "Heart Songs from Summerland" paintings, and their commentary on the current housing crisis.The conversation then shifts to the powerful intersection of art and politics, highlighting the work of Hans Belmer, a surrealist whose anti-Nazi stance and resistance efforts resonate deeply. The host reflects on their own politically charged artwork and their upcoming project of creating pointed, edgy t-shirts to raise awareness and funds for charities.Listeners are invited to share their thoughts and feedback and are encouraged to support the podcast through "buy me a coffee" or by subscribing and liking. Rich also previews upcoming interviews, including Ewan McDougall and Aly Brown, and promises to continue alternating between interviews and these more personal, rambling episodes.