This week we chat with Ruth Woods, creative practitioner and founder of Craft School Oz, about her winding creative journey — from jobs that fuelled her imagination to those that simply paid the bills.

Ruth shares brilliant insights into running a creative business, the balance between creativity and admin, and how social media can be a friend (not a foe) for makers. We also talk about her self-publishing success, her new workshops on getting your own book out there, and the importance of doing it now — at any age.

An inspiring listen for anyone who’s ever said, “I’ll start when…”

https://www.craftschooloz.com

It's a bit of a whirl-wind this week - we're getting ready for a show, doing Susan's hair, and recording a podcast all at once (because...multi- tasking creatives right?!) In between the tonging and the pre-show nerves, we chat about what it really means to be an 'emerging artist' - and why that label shouldn't just belong to the young! We talk about the challenges of building a creative career outside of big cities, and why your post-code shouldn't define your potential. A funny, honest, behind the scenes catch-up from two artists who are still very much emerging - just with better hair!

You can book tickets for Glitter Guilt and Good Intentions on our website now!

www.belle-street.com/gigs

This week. we're joined by multi-disciplinary artist, musician, illustrator, performer and mermaid Anne-Louise Richards, who shares her journey of accidentally falling into a creative career and embracing it full-time over the last year.

We talk about the reality of collaborating with others, the pressure to have it all figured out by thirty, and how comparison can cloud your creative path. Anne - Louise also opens up about mental health, managing her energy (and her 'spoons'), and why knowing when to say no is just as important as saying yes.

From finding inspiration to juggling disciplines, she reminds us all to hang in there, trust your gut, and remember - it does get better.

@ALRjewellery @mermaidnerissa @anne_louise_sings

It's just us this week - no guests, just stories, laughs and a few lessons form the road. We're talking about a frustrating gig into a teachable moment, why you're always learning as a creative, and how communication, delegation, and better systems can make all the difference.

We share why artists are sometimes reluctant to delegate, what venues and organisers could do better, and the bravery it takes to get your show to new places.

Light hearted, honest, and (hopefully) a little reassuring you've ever walked away from a gig thinking ; "Well... that could have gone better."

In this episode, we sit down with singer-songwriter Ben Francis to talk about the power of manifestation, the people who believe in us, and why mental health should never be a taboo subject.

Ben shares openly about the struggles of songwriting, the search for authenticity, and the questions every creative faces: Is this what I truly believe in, or am I just doing it for someone else?

It’s an honest, uplifting conversation about creativity, courage, and what it really means to be part of something bigger.

If any of the issue we chat about in this episode we can recommend getting in touch withThe Brave and Determined - a mental health charity who help provide life saving early intervention counselling.

We’re back with Season 5! And we’re kicking off with some honesty: if you want to create, perform, or put yourself out there — you’ve got to be prepared to suck (at least at first).

In this episode, we catch up on life, talk about facing fears 100 times over, why telling the truth works when selling your work, and what to do when imposter syndrome barges in. From crawling up Gold Hill in Shaftesbury to falling on your arse, we share the messy, funny, and very real side of showing up as creatives.

We also dive into energy exchange with venues and clients, whether you should ever work for free, and the importance of building evidence that you can do this — because you’ve done it before.

Join us, laugh with us, and keep going with us. And if you want extra encouragement for your creative victories, come and join our “Dare to Do” Facebook group.

In our season finale, we're turning the tables and answering your questions. From how we met, who inspires us, and the musicals we'd cast ourselves and our guests in - nothing's off limits.

It's funny, it's honest and a little unexpected.... the perfect way to wrap up the season.

This week, we’re joined by artist Andrea Jenkins, whose creative journey has taken her from painting in a hyper-realistic style to embracing bold, abstract expression.

We talk about the music that fuels her work, the joy and freedom she’s found since becoming a full-time artist, and the power of finding your creative tribe when you work alone. Andrea shares why she retired early from teaching art, the compromises creatives sometimes face between making money and making art, and the advice she’d give to anyone wanting to start now — no matter their age or experience.

It’s an honest, joyful conversation about reinvention, persistence, and trusting the creative process.