Creativity Found: Stories of new-found artistic experiences

Creativity Found is an interview podcast where Claire Waite Brown talks with creatives who FOUND – or re-found – their CREATIVITY as adults. From visual, written and performing arts,  the show explores what it is that people value and gain from their new-found artistic experiences, and how their creative lives enrich their practical, necessary, everyday lives.

Now with more than sixty episodes in the back-catalogue, Claire has found success as a solo podcaster, with nominations for the International Women’s Podcast Awards and recently with features on the Amazon Music app. We caught up with Claire to ask her all about it…

Creativity Found has been listed as 10 Inspiring Indies in a featured list on Amazon Music in the US – how do you feel?

Excited that people who may not have otherwise come across the podcast might now find it, and also proud that some clever people at Amazon think its worthy of being highlighted and promoted this way. I know its worthy, but it’s always nice to know someone else thinks so too.

What was the first podcast you ever listened to?

Bear Brook from New Hampshire Public Radio. It’s a true crime series. I still listen to a lot of true crime, shows about cults, and podcasts about podcasts and podcasting.

Why did you decide to start podcasting in the first place?

Because I realized I could. I accidently went on an online workshop about using Anchor, which I don’t use, that showed me that I could audio edit and produce something good. I had been speaking to people in general about returning to an artistic endeavour after time away for whatever reason, and thought it was an interesting topic to explore. And it is! And other people want to hear about it too, so two years down the line and I am booking guests six months in advance.

Which podcasts do you take inspiration from?

I am inspired by my new podcast buddies that I have met since starting, in particular all the indies doing absolutely everything themselves, as I do. Podcasts with similar themes to Creativity Found are More Than Work by Rabiah Coon and The Second Chapter by Kristin Duffy. Clare Murigande’s Narratives of Purpose is really interesting, and Zoe Langley-Wathen’s Head Right Out is about outdoor adventuring, which is NOT something I do but great to hear how other people do it. I was very impressed with the production of Conning the Con by Sarah Ferris. She has done more shows now but for a first series it was very skilful.

Who’s your dream guest for the podcast?

All of my guests so far are dreams, and I love them all equally! I did ask Johnny Vegas to come on. He talked on Grayson’s Art Club about using Naomi Woolf’s book The Beauty Myth as influence for his final show at uni, and I used it for my dissertation. I was at a crime writer’s event recently and asked author Clare Macintosh and the rest of the panel a question – I was very nervous. I managed to make it relevant to the podcast and asked Clare if she’d like to be a guest – she used to be a police officer. That one may actually happen, which is exciting.

What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learnt so far as a podcaster?

That I like people! I always thought I was a bit of a lone bird, but I love meeting new people and having a good chat.

Which episode would you say is the perfect introduction to your podcast?

My guests cover all disciplines of the arts, so you might choose to hear from a photographer if photography is something you’re interested in, for example. There’s also an element of the emotions of an episode. If you are in the mood for something touching and emotional, I would recommend the episodes with Lou Hamilton, Leanne Tibiatowski, Andrea Carter Brown or Anna Lovind. For something more light-hearted, I’d suggest Maxyne Ryan, Tara L Lacey or Rabiah Coon.

Listen to Creativity Found on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music and other popular podcast apps.