The Creative Pod

This episode is the first instalment of some casual creative chats, where we take turns answering questions about various aspects of creativity and life. In this chat, Liz and I ponder what makes us feel most inspired, reminisce about our first musical experiences, relive some creative projects, and share many laughs along the way. Join us!

Leo Sayer is an internationally acclaimed singer-songwriter, whose success has spanned the past 6 decades, as a recording artist as well as a captivating live performer. He is best known for his 1978 hit “You Make Me Feel Like Dancing”, which earned him a Grammy Award for R&B Song of the Year. His songs have been sung by other notable artists, including Cliff Richard, Roger Daltrey, and Three Dog Night. With dozens of hit singles and 18 studio albums, Leo has sold millions of records to date, has headlined concerts across the globe, and has played in some of the most iconic venues in the world. Leo began his career in the United Kingdom, but for a long time has proudly called Australia home.In this episode, Sayer joins me for an incredible chat, revisiting some of the standout stories from his life in stardom; explaining how his theatrical persona of pierrot helped him face the stage; and despairing that one of the biggest barriers facing musicians and artists (especially those starting out) is often money. He shares some of the lessons he has learnt along the way during his many years of (ongoing) success; his enthusiastic encouragement for aspiring artists to find their skill; how he continues to have inspiration and passion for this industry which he so clearly loves being part of; and why, no matter his age, he’ll continue to feel like dancing.

Jamie is a multi-hyphenate artist of many skills, many accents, and many passports. They began their career performing in children’s theatre across Australia, before performing, teaching, and writing with American regional theatres, then training and working in London as a writer, performer, and voiceover artist. Their directorial debut ‘Pieces of Us’ (EdFringe) was Offie-nominated, and they served as Movement Consultant for Lionwoman Productions, Texas. They have recently returned home to Melbourne, appearing as Touchstone in As You Like It with Melbourne Shakespeare Company in 2025. Their newest play HUNGRY JOHANNES will be performed as a work-in-progress in the upcoming Explorations season at La Mama in Melbourne.In this episode, Jamie chats with me about the rollercoaster ride of pursuing a life in theatre and arts; how their experience of acting has been different in different parts of the globe; outlines how they go from concept to creation when making a show; and, of course, delves into why they believe theatre and arts are essential in our world. Jamie shares some insights into what we can expect from their upcoming show, HUNGRY JOHANNES, which is showing at La Mama in June. Tickets to the show and more information about La Mama’s incredible Explorations Season can be found at lamama.com.au.

Hayley is a Melbourne-based creative whose creative juices flow mainly in the area of poetry and theatre. She has experience in the performing arts industry in Australia and the UK, as a writer, director, performer, stage manager, and production manager. Hayley is also an established poet, who has been a slam finalist in London and Melbourne, and was recently part of the Melbourne Slamalamadingdong Poetry Team. Playwriting is her love language but overall she loves creative writing and expression in all its forms.In this delightful chat, Hayley takes us back to how her love of writing and theatre first evolved, through porridge rituals in the family kitchen and self-driven classroom plays. We reflect on the stories that stay with us, how storytelling can enrich our lives, and how the political is often personal, and the personal is political. Hayley unpacks some of the journeys and challenges that come with taking a show to a fringe festival, how writing is about connection, and how the stage is a structured space that gives you permission to be loud and to be expressive.

Hara is a dance artist and creative working in the Victorian entertainment industry, with experiences ranging from working with commercial brands to contributing creatively to large-scale live events, including the AFL Grand Final pre-game entertainment. Hara also works as a dance educator and as the Associate Dance Director for the Victorian State Schools Spectacular, where she has choreographed and mentored the next generation of young performers for over a decade. In this episode, Hara joins me to chat about how she fell in love with movement creation; the challenges of trying to suppress excitement when working in a rehearsal room with huge stars; and how she is inspired by the students she works with just as much as she inspires them. Hara outlines what the process of choreography creation and translation can look like the working on a small scale or a huge scale; the incredible work behind the scenes of bringing thousands of students together in a single performance; and how you don’t need a strict schedule or serious reason to dance, it’s just part of who we are as humans.

Mathew Frank is an award-winning composer, sound designer, and music director who has 20+ years of experience and achievements in the Australian music theatre scene and beyond. This of course includes the recent success of My Brilliant Career, adapted into a stage musical from the Miles Franklin classic novel, with co-writers Dean Bryant and Sheridan Harbridge, and earning 5 Green Room Awards. Mathew has numerous other accolades and credits to his name, including creation of several original musicals with partner Dean Bryant; and work with some of Australia’s most highly esteemed shows, companies, and theatres. In this episode, we chat about Mathew’s musical theatre journey; what the process and craft of song-writing typically looks like for him and Dean; and their passion and commitment to the arts. We discuss the early iterations of My Brilliant Career, and reflect on the extraordinary combination of actor-musicians, orchestration, and choreography that now present the show and make it a success. We also delve into the details of some of the songs in the show; consider how magical it was to find Kala Gare as the perfect fit for Sybylla; and reflect on how Sybylla’s story can inspire us to live our best life in the arts.

Jude Perl is an award-winning singer, songwriter, comedian, piano player, teacher, and arts therapist in training. Jude has written and performed several solo comedy shows, wrote and starred in Share House the Musical, and has won numerous Green Room Awards along the way. Jude’s TV credits include The Melbourne Comedy Festival Gala, Spicks and Specks, Aunty Donna’s Coffee Cafe, and Grouse House’s Most Upsetting Guessing Game. Jude has independently produced and released a web series, 5 albums, 3 EPs, and multiple singles and music videos. In this episode, Jude joins me for a fabulous chat about arts as an outlet for expression; the importance of documenting ideas and embracing creativity whenever it strikes; and the challenges and wisdom of being an independent artist. We also banter about our favourite musical movies; the physiological benefits of music and arts; and how in a world of division, we need the arts to heal, to feel okay, and to bring people together.

Adrian Violi is a highly accomplished musician, educator, and all round legend. Predominantly a drummer, he can sometimes also be found on guitar, the MC microphone, or waving the baton for school bands and musicals. He is a member of corporate band Connotations; tribute band DaftWeeknd, contemporary country star Sammi Palinkas; and is currently on tour with Leo Sayer. In this episode, he chats to me about drumming holes in the couch when he was a kid, his obsession with perfecting the sound of his snare, the incredible efforts and communications that happen between a band during performance, and why, no matter how successful he became as a rockstar, he would always want to teach and give back to the world by passing on his knowledge and passion for music.

Caitlyn Burt and Amir Shoenfeld are a pair of musical theatre creators based in London. Caitlyn is a Melbourne-born musical theatre Librettist, Lyricist and Dramaturg; Amir is an Israeli-born composer, songwriter, and music producer, with experience in musical theatre, contemporary dance, and pop music. Together, Caitlyn and Amir have created numerous musicals and songs, including punk/rock musical WHEN WE STRIKE, an all-female/non-binary celebration of the 1888 strike of the match girls, and their newest show in development OTTO WEIDT'S BRUSH AND BROOM WORKSHOP FOR THE BLIND. In this episode, they share their experiences of going from concept to creation, the reality of rewrites and trunk songs, and how creativity is essential enrichment for our lives.

Liz Violi is vocalist, teacher and performer, who describes herself as a “rich tapestry of loose threads!” She is the singer and front woman in corporate band Connotations, can often be found belting tunes at the Paris Cat, is currently on tour as backing vocalist to Leo Sayer, and teaches vocals and music in secondary school. In this episode, we chat about taking singing seriously, about the good old days of mixtapes and CDs, and about how important it is for kids and young people to be allowed to engage in music and arts to explore talents, emotions, and enjoy life.

Nick Murray is a folk-blues musician based in Melbourne. When not working on his own creativity or singer-songwriter catalogue, he also works has a music therapist, supporting children, adolescents, families, and people living with dementia. In this episode, Nick speaks with me about the magical feelings that music can bring, his creative inspirations, some of the challenges in life as a working musician, and the importance of embracing creativity in our lives, no matter who we are.

Mitch Cairns is an award-winning producer, bass player and songwriter. He has has received several ARIA nominations and wins for his work as a producer, including for Russell Morris’ platinum selling album ‘Sharkmouth’. Mitch has written songs for numerous highly acclaimed musicians, and is often found touring with pop legend Leo Sayer, country stars Brooke McClymont and Adam Eckersley, The Black Sorrows, Adam Miller, as well many other artists across various styles. In this episode, Mitch chats with me about his passion for music, how he embraces the ups and downs of life on tour, and how music is an important vessel for feeling our way through the world.

Luke is a Naarm/Melbourne based performer, educator, and all-round arts enjoyer, who is passionate about sharing in the traditions of storytelling via the stage. He is a trained actor with various theatre credits, and also works as a casual relief teacher when he’s not working on something for the stage. In this episode, Luke joins me to talk about the hard work and persistence of pursuing acting; the lessons we can learn from creativity and the arts; and the importance of embracing failure as part of the creative journey.

Sierra Verity-Beasley is a registered music therapist and the creator of Resound Music Therapy, based in Melbourne. Sierra specialises in delivering services to children and families, supporting them to use music intentionally for their child’s development, and to live happier and healthier lives. In this episode, Sierra joins me to chat about the significant difference between music education and music therapy, the importance of not dismissing things in life that are considered “fun” (because fun things can be serious, too!), and the benefits of music therapy and creative relationships in the lives of individuals and society.

Liam Bell is a talented multi-instrumentalist who is best known as the singer, front man, and creative force behind the Aussie-bogan-funk band, Playlunch. He is a powerhouse of talent, working as their CEO, writer, producer, designer - he can do it all! In this episode, Liam joins me to chat about the hard work and reality behind the scenes of being a musician, how creativity and joy have been a driving force in his life and success, and the importance of doing what you love and loving the job you choose to do.

Lucinda Cowden is an actor, improvisor, and educator, among many things, and may be most recognisable from her role as ‘Melanie Pearson’ in Neighbours. In this episode, she joins me to talk about the varying work-life of an actor, the importance of arts and soap operas in creating empathy and connection in our lives, and the consequences for our world when we undervalue the arts. She also tells us about her new works coming up as part of the Flinders Fringe Festival, on from 27th February - 1st March, 2026. Tickets and more info can be found at flindersfringe.com.au