Who are you and what’s your podcast about?

I’m Abbie Atkinson, an early career actor from Harrogate in North Yorkshire. My podcast Don’t Let Dave Win is about opening up the conversation surrounding mental health within the arts industry. ‘Dave’ is the nickname I have given to my negative inner voice. I named the voice in order to humanise it and make it seem less intimidating. So in each episode, I chat to a guest who works within the creative industry about their inner voice, how they combat it, and whether theirs has a name!

Why did you decide to start podcasting in the first place? What was it about the medium that felt right for this project?

I decided to start this podcast to create change within the arts industry. I was having a lot of really important conversations in private with fellow actors about mental health and what needs to change within the industry to better support people. These conversations felt too important to keep private, so I decided to start recording them. The podcast medium felt right for these conversations because I wanted to give my guests the freedom to chat in whichever way felt the most comfortable – whether that be in person, over a video call, or over an audio call. As a medium, it allows for flexibility in that aspect.

Did you take inspiration from any other podcasts?

I took some inspiration from Fearne Cotton’s Happy Place. I discovered Happy Place when I was in a really dark headspace and it helped me to feel uplifted and to be reminded that I’m not alone in feeling this way. This is one of my key aims with my podcast – to create a safe space in which listeners can feel that they are not alone. Especially in the world of the arts, because it can be a very lonely place.

Who’s your dream guest for the podcast?

My dream guest would be Fearne Cotton because her podcast was the first one I started listening to religiously, and because of the influence it’s had on my own work.

You’re an actor used to playing other people – how have you found it being yourself as the host?

I’ve actually really enjoyed being myself as a podcast host. It’s scary, not having a character to hide behind, but it’s been very liberating too. I’m usually an introvert, so it’s been a good challenge for me to speak openly and honestly, and to prove to myself that I am enough. I don’t need to be a character, or to learn a script, in order to have something to say.

Where can the Pod Bible readers find out more about you?

You can follow Don’t Let Dave Win on Instagram and Twitter to find out more about me and more about the podcast.

The Instagram handle is: @dont.let.dave.win

The Twitter handle is: @DontLetDaveWin

Listen to Don’t Let Dave Win on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and other popular podcast apps >>

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That is why Claire started the Creativity Found memberships, to connect the creatively curious with the creativity confident. We asked her more about what the community offers to members – as well as how the community helps Claire as well…

What does membership offer your community?

I run two memberships. One to help anyone that is creatively curious get past whatever is holding them back and give them access to new creative activities and experiences to try. The other supports and promotes businesses that teach creative activities or sell kits and supplies. All members have access to monthly online meetups, an online members’ pack with arts and crafts and business resources, a private chat group, money-saving discounts for arts and crafts events and activities, and opportunities to meet other members in real life to go to arts events that their family or other friends might not be so keen on going to. Business members get a dedicated page on the Creativity Found website explaining how they can help you get creative, with links to their own websites and social media accounts, plus opportunities for podcast appearances and adverts.

How did you realise there was a need for this more in-depth membership?

The podcast episodes were getting such a good response that I wanted to take that inspirational aspect further and share opportunities for listeners to follow in the footsteps of my guests and access their own ‘creativity found’. Like many of my guests, I am self-employed, and I understand how isolating that can be. The small business owners that join the Create a Scene membership are in the same boat, and I knew I wanted them to be connecting with each other and sharing their highs and lows. You tend to think you are alone in a particular predicament, but usually you’re not, and someone else who has been there may be able to help you, or even just chatting through the situation can lighten the load. I wanted to connect creative business owners with each other and with more customers, and connect those looking for creativity with small businesses that I trust and can recommend.

What’s been the reaction from people who have signed up as members?

Supportive. It’s a great community and now each member knows that other members are their cheerleaders, as well as me of course. There have also been some collaborations on events, which I love.

One thing creators can find difficult is deciding on their ‘value’ in literal terms. Can you give us an idea of how you went about valuing yourself and deciding on price bands?

I pragmatically thought about what I would be willing to pay for the benefits that the membership offers. I also considered what I already pay for groups that I am a member of and get value from. As the Creativity Found community widens, the value that it already offers will organically grow, with no extra cost to the member.

What does the membership give to you as the leader?

A load of new friends, for starters. An insight into all the opportunities there are out there, and the wealth of disciplines for you to try. It turns out that I am a bit of a people person, and a good networker, and there is nothing I like more than being able to connect people with others that can help them, or they just might love to have as a friend.

Is there anything you haven’t done with the Creativity Found community that you would like to do in the future?

A big in-person meetup. That won’t be easy, since we have members from Scotland to Brighton, but I would love to see all members in a big room, showing off their creative talents and teaching others all about their art or craft.

If you are looking for arts and crafts classes, courses, kits or supplies; memberships to support you on your first steps to creativity or help you grow your creative business; or an inspirational podcast telling the stories of adults who have found their creativity as grown- ups, you can find all of this – and more – at creativityfound.co.uk

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This article was produced as part of a paid advertising package. To enquire about advertising with Pod Bible email info@podbiblemag.com.

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His second show, Shaun Keaveny’s Creative Cul-de-sac, sees Shaun explore creativity – and the lack of it – by riffling through 20 years worth of old ideas trapped in notebooks, on old hard drives, scribbled on the backs of beer mats and the like. He then asks creative people – from Vic Reeves to Greg James – to do the same, and share with us those ideas they themselves have clung to, that never saw the light of day.

The show was launched in February alongside Shaun’s Community Garden Radio, a new radio station available through a Patreon page, with money generated going towards the podcast. We spoke to Shaun to learn more about the inspiration behind the new show, and the Community Garden Radio.

It seems you have the podcast bug now! What do you love about podcasts?

There is a freedom to podcasting. Like ALL freedoms they’re not always intrinsically positive, however in pod world they mostly are. Freedom to talk to whoever you want, say what you want within some mostly self-set limits, and freedom of form and length etc. It is a bit intoxicating after the necessary strictures of radio.

Which finished idea – and it can be anything in the world – do you wish you’d come up with?

Ooo good one… I feel like most good scripts dramas and comedies I feel that about, as, despite having tried a few times, I have never been able to get that part of my brain going. Anything from Schitt’s Creek to Cheaters, Blackadder to Breaking Bad... I would LOVE to be able to think structurally like that, and deliver the actual dialogue too. I think it’s an amazing skill. I also wonder at the people who invented musical instruments… I know it happens evolutionarily over time but, imagine thinking up a fucking guitar!!!

What would you think if someone listening takes one of your abandoned ideas and makes it into a massive success?!

Oh CHRIST I haven’t thought of that….(calls patent lawyer) Hmm… I suppose it’s better that it’s out in the world as opposed to in a notebook at the bottom of my Mahogany Box of Dreams. That is kinda the whole beauty of the idea, releasing ideas like doves at a Rolling Stones gig… only for most of them to be brutally slaughtered by predators minutes afterwards…

Can you tell us a bit more about the Community Garden Radio?

This is a beautiful thing. On my last ever link at 6 Music I basically made the point that people should not see radio shows as “just radio shows”. They are a community, a gathering point for like minds. They are beautiful, organic things. I used this phrase, “community garden”. Yes there is a person who starts the thing, but then all these other people come and contribute and tend to the idea, the concept, they buy in. This then flowered into an entity when my producer Ben Tulloh said in an offhand way “ya know, we have the tech, we could do a radio show on the Patreon”… and the rest is, if not history, a lovely weekly collection of some of the people who loved what we did at 6.

The Friday shows are kind of free, wild, silly, and it is growing all the time. There’s music, carefully curated by me, and loads of bits of daft shite I have thought of as the week has gone on. Listeners get involved and it’s just FUN. It’s going to get better and better.

Lastly, what are your go to podcasts when you’re specifically looking for inspiration?

I am a terrible old stick in the mud, I have my faves and I don’t deviate too much. I LOVE music stuff like Rockonteurs, Andrew Hickey’s History of Rock in 500 Songs, Nina Conti’s Richard and Greta, Now Where Were We with the late great Barry Cryer, Alex Lowe/Clinton Baptiste’s Paranormal Podcast is hilarious. I need to pick up some new habits so I will take some tips from you guys…

Listen to Shaun Keaveny’s Creative Cul-de-sac on APPLE PODCASTS, SPOTIFY and other popular podcast players.

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Stu Whiffen caught up with Shaun Keaveny to discuss his new show Shaun Keaveny’s Creative Cul-de-Sac! The pair discuss the idea behind the podcast as well as Shaun’s new Patreon based radio show.

Listen to Creative Cul-de-Sac Podcast on Spotify.

Listen to the Pod Bible Podcast on Acast or Spotify.

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Creativity is used daily from suited business executives to stay at home parents. It is an omnipotent tool that anybody can use in their everyday lives to create valuable outcomes. There is no rulebook and no spells to mutter! Here are 10 podcasts to help you tap into your inner creativity:

The Honest Designers

The Four-tet Tom Ross, Ian Barnard, Lisa Glanz and Dustin Lee have engineered a brutally honest deep dive into what it takes to become successful in the creative industry. Unearthing the non-glamourous side of the business like ‘how to land more clients’ and the hoops you need to jump through. Perfect for serious creatives looking to jumpstart a hobby into a career. Listen >>

Beautiful Anarchy

David Duchemin is a former stand-up comedian turned prolific creative. He is a photographer, writer, publisher and recalls vivid experiences with passion and comedy. Episodes are only 10-15 minutes long and aren’t a serious commitment although if you listen to one, you will click next. Listen >>

The Daily Creative

With an archive of 150 episodes, Todd Henry explains what it takes to produce creative and focused work. They come in the form of 3 minute bitesized tips and tricks. A wonderful addition to your day! My challenge is to try and only listen to one… It’s like opening a bag of skittles only to find they are all red. Good luck. Listen >>

Hex Code Black

A podcast coming out in early October hosted by Three’s a Crowd network where conversations with Black creative professionals address classism, racism and general hurdles faced by the black community in the workplace and everyday life. With professors, industry accelerators and scholars all featuring giving their stories, we cannot wait for this one! Listen >>

No Such Thing As A Fish

Not so much a podcast on the process of creativity but more a work shop on creative genius at work. Sit back and revel as the people who made the hit BBC panel show QI present their favourite facts of the week with swift wit and bickering. Listen >>

Magic Lessons

Brought to you by the author of Big Magic, one of the most successful books on creativity ever released. Elizabeth Gilbert sadly only has 21 episodes however each one is soaked with fantastic information on how to navigate through the struggles of creativity. If her podcast wasn’t already good enough, she has THE most soothing voice, perfect for your journey home. Listen >>

The Go Creative show

For creatives involved in the realm of film, creative artist Ben Consoli delves into relevant topics discussing a wide range of successes, tools, ‘not-so-successes’  and much more. His analytical approach is immediately trustworthy and sometimes amplified by special guests. For film lovers and creatives alike, Ben is your guy! Listen >>

21st Century Creative

Mark McGuiness is a creative coach! From personal wisdom to interviews with experts in the creative fields you can expand your creative interests! Not only is the content scintillating, Mark also provides creative challenges for the listener to get stuck in! Listen >>

Creative Rebels

For those of you who have rebelled against the 9 to 5, hosts David Speed and Adam Brazier inspire with advice on how to follow their example. The process of co-founding Parlour Tattoo and Graffiti life is well documented as well as interviews from other fellow rebels who have carved their own paths. Listen >>

Overshare

The simple premise of this podcast is to bring to your attention topics that simply don’t get enough ‘talk time’ in the industry. Co-founder Justin Gignac converses with friends and fellow creatives to ‘overshare’ on their personal experiences. So eloquent, you feel as if you are at the table with them. Listen >>

Bonus Pick:

The Futur

A podcast aimed at sustainability conscious creatives! Chris Do who also hosts the Youtube channel ‘The Process’ aims to empower creative people to live sustainably whilst simultaneously indulging in their passions and making a living from them. Based in Santa Monica, California you can imagine the vibe! Listen >>

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Who are you and what’s your podcast about?

I’m Laura Kidd, a music producer, songwriter and solo artist known as Penfriend, beaming songs and podcast episodes into peoples’ ears from my home studio The Launchpad in Bristol, UK. With “Attention Engineer”, my mission is to encourage creativity in every listener by sharing deep, honest conversations with some of the artists I admire the most. We talk about where ideas come from, celebrate the magic of making things and travel through topics like productivity, mental health, balancing online and offline life and everything in between. It’s aimed at listeners who are interested in how things are made, who might want to be more creative in their own lives and would appreciate a friendly nudge in the right direction.

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

An “attention engineer” is someone who works for a big tech company, deploying sneaky techniques to keep you stuck to your screens as much as possible. After building up a sizeable audience for my music using the internet, I started feeling concerned that not only was I expected to spend all day on social media telling people about myself, but that I was encouraging my audience to do the same thing. After reading books like “Deep Work” and “Digital Minimalism” by Cal Newport, amongst others, I’ve been working to retain better control over my time and attention, two of the most valuable resources we have.

I’ve always been a performer who wants to meet the people in the audience after the show – the idea of the person on stage being more important than those who paid to come and see them has always felt weird and wrong to me. With my podcast, I want to keep breaking down these barriers by really humanising the artists I speak to – there’s no room for starryness or a load of PR hot air and selling on “Attention Engineer”.

At its basic level, my podcast is an attempt to create something more meaningful, resonant and valuable than a bunch of tweets about my face, and it means so much to me that listeners have found it helpful as well as entertaining.

What was the first podcast you ever listened to?

It was the Ricky Gervais Show – I was an extra on his show “Extras” around the same time as the podcast began (yes, that’s me standing next to David Bowie in the singalong scene!). The first to make a deep impact on me, though, was WTF by Marc Maron. I was introduced to it on a UK tour in 2012 and have listened loyally ever since.

Which podcasts do you take inspiration from?

WTF is a big inspiration – Marc has always asked such great questions about the craft behind creative careers, and I love discussing that sort of thing because I always want to learn how other people make their work. It was due to hearing many guests on WTF talk about their experiences of meditation that led me to try it, which was life-changing. My new interest in mindfulness led me to another podcast that has had a profound effect, “Hurry Slowly” by Jocelyn K. Glei. It’s about mindful productivity, slowing down and going deeper, and I’ve come across so many great people through that series, like Austin Kleon, whose books on creativity are really wonderful. My other favourite is “Creative Pep Talk” by Andy J. Pizza, which is a must-listen for artists of all stripes. I love how Andy’s goals are so clear – each episode is packed with really practical tips on how to supercharge your creative practice and get your work out there. I highly recommend all three.

Who’s your dream guest for the podcast?

I have to say, I’ve had several dream guests on the podcast already – Tanya Donelly, Corin Tucker, Miles Hunt, Mark Chadwick, Lemn Sissay, Bernard Butler…BUT early on in the planning stages for the series I made a list that had Shirley Manson from Garbage at the top of it. I’ve loved her work since I was a teenager, so it would be a total dream come true to have a conversation with her.

What are the biggest lessons you’ve learned so far as a podcaster?

I thought I knew what I was getting into, because I’d already made a podcast series for someone else before starting my own, but the additional workload was an adjustment. I was already a very busy person before I started “Attention Engineer”, but I’m glad I decided from the start to publish consistently every Wednesday. It’s a real commitment, especially as I make the whole thing myself, but it’s so rewarding to get regular feedback from fans of the show. I love hearing that someone has been inspired to pick up the guitar again after years of not playing, or that something discussed on the show sparked an idea, or encouraged them to give something new a try. That’s what it’s all about.

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

That’s a tough one, but I’d go with ‘Episode 18 – Miles Hunt (The Wonder Stuff)’. I’m thrilled to have known Miles for nearly a decade now, after being a fan since I was kid, and he’s been a big supporter of my music over the years. I’m always very happy to delve deep with guests, whether I’ve met them before or not, but listeners have told me this episode felt like they were overhearing a chat between friends down the pub. We talked about the magic of songwriting, how the internet has changed musicians’ careers and how Covid-19 dashed Miles’ dreams of becoming a long distance truck driver.

Where can Pod Bible readers find out more about you?

Visit my website penfriend.rocks and you’ll find my music, writing and all the podcast episodes, of course. I’ll even send you two free songs immediately when you sign up to my friendly online community. I’m @penfriendrocks on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.

LISTEN ON ACAST

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