The Common Creative

In this episode, Paul and Chris are joined by Johanna Fink, who shares the story behind Yellow Shelf, a platform designed to help busy people discover books and podcasts through short, focused interviews. Joe reflects on his transition from corporate life to creative storytelling, and how clarity and brevity can help ideas cut through the noise. The conversation explores concise communication, content curation, and building a community of authors and podcast hosts from around the world. Joe also discusses how Yellow Shelf was shaped by founder Johanna’s 25+ years in corporate roles across people, culture, and organisational leadership. This episode offers a practical look at how thoughtful curation and short-form storytelling make cultural discovery more accessible, meaningful, and easy to engage with. LINKS: Johanna Fink - Special Guest LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/finkjohanna/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yellowshelf_podcast/ Website: https://yellowshelf.com.au/ Paul Fairweather - Co-host https://www.paulfairweather.com Chris Meredith - Co-host https://www.chrismeredith.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of the Common Creative Podcast, Paul and Chris are joined by Nina Sunday, educator, author, speaker, and host of the global podcast Manage Self, Lead Others. Nina shares her creative journey across education, film, television, and leadership, and offers sharp insights into how ideas live or die inside organisations. The conversation explores psychological safety, constructive conversations, vision boards, and why practices like free writing and doodling matter more than we think. Drawing on decades of experience through her company Brainpower Training, Nina brings a practical, human lens to leadership, curiosity, and real change at work. This episode is a thoughtful look at how creativity, communication, and self-leadership shape the way we lead and the cultures we create. LINKS: Nina Sunday - Special Guest Brainpower Training Pty Ltd: https://www.brainpowertraining.com.au/signature-programs/ NinaSunday.com:  https://www.ninasunday.com/ linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ninasunday/ Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/nina.sunday instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nina_sunday X: https://x.com/ninasunday Paul Fairweather - Co-host https://www.paulfairweather.com Chris Meredith - Co-host https://www.chrismeredith.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of the Common Creative Podcast, Chris interviews award-winning crime writer Natalie Conyer about her journey from a career in administration to becoming a successful author later in life. Natalie shares her love of crime fiction, the pivotal moment that led her to pursue writing full-time, and insights into her creative process including the challenges, discipline, and rewards of following a creative calling. Her debut novel, Present Tense, won the Ned Kelly Award for Best Debut Crime Novel in 2020, with her second novel, Shadow City, shortlisted for both the Ned Kelly and Danger Awards. Her third novel, Finding the Bones, will be released in March 2026. Natalie’s short fiction has also been published in anthologies and in her collection The Book Club and Other Stories. Based in Sydney, Natalie is a swimmer, TV tragic, world-class procrastinator, and lifelong crime fiction devotee, a passion she explored so deeply she completed a doctorate on the genre. LINKS: Natalie Conyer - Special Guest Website: https://natalieconyer.com/ X: https://twitter.com/natalieconyer LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/dr-natalie-conyer-93257826 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/natalieconyer1/ Paul Fairweather - Co-host https://www.paulfairweather.com Chris Meredith - Co-host https://www.chrismeredith.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this heartfelt episode, Paul Fairweather and Chris Meredith pay tribute to Paul's late mother, Enid Margaret Fairweather, who recently passed away at the age of 94. The episode revisits an earlier interview with her, celebrating her vibrant creativity and resilience throughout her life. Despite facing challenges like polio, Enid lived a life full of artistic expression, from painting to writing a memoir. Her story serves as an inspiration to embrace creativity at any age. Links: Special Guest: Enid Fairweather Paul Fairweather - Co-host https://www.paulfairweather.com Chris Meredith - Co-host https://www.chrismeredith.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of The Common Creative Podcast, Claire Gray shares her journey from behavioural science to founding Thriving Culture. She talks about the shift from traditional HR to people and culture, and why creativity, psychological safety, and strong leadership matter more than ever. Claire draws on over two decades of experience helping organisations build confident leaders, aligned teams, and cultures of accountability. Known for simplifying complexity and bringing clarity, she works with clients across Australia, New Zealand, Asia, and the UK. Based in Byron Bay, Claire is an accredited coach, facilitator, and speaker who is passionate about helping people thrive at work. Claire Gray - Special Guest Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thriving.culture/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leadership-coach-facilitator/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thrivingculture Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thrivingculture.com.au/ Website: https://thrivingculture.com.au/ Thriving Teams | Thriving Leadership book : https://thrivingculture.com.au/products Podcast : https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/claire-gray6/episodes/Its-here----the-Thriving-Leaders-Podcast--Leadership-Styles-e2ihvr5/a-ab69q5k Paul Fairweather - Co-host https://www.paulfairweather.com/ Chris Meredith - Co-host https://www.chrismeredith.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Chris and Paul chat with Dr Ken Hudson, speaker, author and organisational creativity expert. Ken shares how his journey from senior marketing roles at American Express, Citibank and Dunlop Slazenger led him into the world of creativity, innovation and his signature approach: switch thinking. They explore why leaders often struggle with creativity, how different brain networks shape our thinking, and simple, practical ways teams can switch modes to spark fresh ideas. Ken also reflects on his academic work  including a PhD in Organisational Creativity, his three internationally released books, and his teaching and course design across UTS, AIM, the Marketing Institute of Singapore and the China Institute of Innovation. A fast, insightful conversation about thinking differently and making creativity accessible to everyone. Dr Ken Hudson- Special Guest LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mykeldixon/ Website: drkenhudson.com | switchthinking.net Paul Fairweather - Co-host https://www.paulfairweather.com/ Chris Meredith - Co-host https://www.chrismeredith.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this week’s episode of The Common Creative, Chris and Paul sit down with Mykel Dixon speaker, author, musician, and all-round creative catalyst. Mykel shares his journey from rebellious student to professional musician to one of Australia’s most sought-after voices in creative and cultural transformation. The conversation dances between music, creativity, and meaning exploring how art and nature can reawaken our aliveness, how to stay human in an age of AI, and why participation and presence matter more than ever. A master of mixing poetry with provocation, Mykel designs experiences that ignite people from the inside out. Part concert, part campfire, part corporate intervention this one’s a must-listen for anyone who believes creativity still has the power to change everything. Mykel Dixon - Special Guest LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mykeldixon/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/mykeldixon/ Website - www.mykeldixon.com Paul Fairweather - Co-host https://www.paulfairweather.com Chris Meredith - Co-host https://www.chrismeredith.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week's episode, Amanda Stevens shares her journey from running a successful marketing agency to becoming a renowned keynote speaker. She discusses the challenges and rewards of public speaking, the importance of creativity and innovation, and the power of positioning in business. Amanda also offers insights into using humor effectively and the significance of speaking with intention. Amanda Stevens, CSP is one of Australia’s most engaging and in-demand keynote speakers. Entertaining, inspiring, and memorable, she’s captivated audiences in 14 countries with her unique blend of humour, insight, and practical wisdom. A specialist in customer experience and brand advocacy, Amanda combines her double degree in marketing and consumer psychology with over a decade of consulting for major brands including Microsoft, Westpac, Foxtel, and Priceline. With five books to her name and a reputation for tailoring every presentation to her audience, Amanda delivers powerful messages that stick and inspire action long after the event.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.