Community, Craft, and Mental Health

This week on the Creative Business Community Podcast, hosts Erin Madeley and Ronnie Motroni chat about the powerful link between creativity and mental health. In a world of fast-paced living and doom scrolling, we explore how making with your hands slows you down, boosts dopamine, lowers stress, and helps you drop into that restorative “flow” state. From pottery, knitting and scrapbooking to makeup, gardening, cooking, Lego and even rearranging your furniture, they unpack why creativity is for everyone—not just “arty” types—and why the process matters far more than a perfect end result. You’ll hear: Practical ways to swap your phone for a short, creative moment How boredom and repetition build neuroplasticity and better problem-solving Gentle permission to start small, not finish every project, and keep some things just for you Tips on finding community—DIY craft clubs, workshops, online groups Budget-friendly supplies from op shops and Kmart Personal stories of burnout, recovery and using creativity as a genuine antidote to stress Tune in for science-backed insights, real talk and easy habits to help you feel calmer, more present and more inspired—one small creative act at a time.   TED Talk on How Boredom Can Lead to Your Most Brilliant Ideas with Manoush Zomorodi: https://youtu.be/c73Q8oQmwzo?si=lbkM-oGkois-w975  This week's Creative Business Spotlight: Fremantle Pottery Instagram: @fremantlepottery Stocked at Common Ground Collective in Fremantle