Creativity Chats

In this episode, ever wondered How do you juggle creativity and business without burning out? In this energising episode, goldsmith, creative business expert and wordsmith with 20+ years' experience in jewellery, retail, operations & management Sophie Broadhead dives into the personal qualities and professional tools every creative entrepreneur needs to thrive. Learn how to balance business demands with creative drive, stay motivated through uncertainty, and develop practical habits for growth. From spinning multiple plates to finding time for your craft, this conversation is packed with insights to help you stay focused, in control, and moving forward.Welcome to Creativity Chats with Alan Swan, the podcast series by Carlow County Council, proudly funded by Creative Ireland in collaboration with Craftwork 4.0 All, where imagination meets enterprise. This is your backstage pass to the world where creativity fuels commerce - where makers, artists, designers, and cultural entrepreneurs share how they turn passion into profit. Each episode explores key themes such as monetising creative skills, building resilient business models, leveraging cultural heritage, and embedding sustainability in creative practice. You'll hear real-world insights from inspiring creatives, business strategists, funding experts, and digital innovators, all sharing practical tools and opportunities to grow your creative enterprise. For more information on this series go to https://carlow.ie/ Special thanks to: Carlow County Council – Culture Team & Stakeholders. Executive producers were Kieran Comerford, John Shortall and Lisa Hutton for Carlow County Council with sound production design by SwanMcG.

Struggling to turn networking into real opportunity? Calodagh McCumiskey unpacks how creatives can use collaboration and connection to unlock growth. In this hands-on session, learn how to find your tribe, make cross-sector partnerships work, and transform casual conversations into lasting professional relationships. With a focus on fun, purposeful networking, this episode is a must-listen for creatives ready to expand their reach and build community.Welcome to Creativity Chats with Alan Swan, the podcast series by Carlow County Council, proudly funded by Creative Ireland in collaboration with Craftwork 4.0 All, where imagination meets enterprise. This is your backstage pass to the world where creativity fuels commerce - where makers, artists, designers, and cultural entrepreneurs share how they turn passion into profit. Each episode explores key themes such as monetising creative skills, building resilient business models, leveraging cultural heritage, and embedding sustainability in creative practice. You'll hear real-world insights from inspiring creatives, business strategists, funding experts, and digital innovators, all sharing practical tools and opportunities to grow your creative enterprise. For more information on this series go to https://carlow.ie/ Special thanks to: Carlow County Council – Culture Team & Stakeholders. Executive producers were Kieran Comerford, John Shortall and Lisa Hutton for Carlow County Council with sound production design by SwanMcG.

In this episode, ever wondered can creativity be a force for environmental change? In this episode, Yosef Dvores explores the powerful role of artists and makers in shaping a sustainable future. From using found materials and reducing waste to embedding climate awareness into your practice, discover how your creativity can inspire action and leave a lighter footprint.Welcome to Creativity Chats with Alan Swan, the podcast series by Carlow County Council, proudly funded by Creative Ireland in collaboration with Craftwork 4.0 All, where imagination meets enterprise. This is your backstage pass to the world where creativity fuels commerce - where makers, artists, designers, and cultural entrepreneurs share how they turn passion into profit. Each episode explores key themes such as monetising creative skills, building resilient business models, leveraging cultural heritage, and embedding sustainability in creative practice. You'll hear real-world insights from inspiring creatives, business strategists, funding experts, and digital innovators, all sharing practical tools and opportunities to grow your creative enterprise. For more information on this series go to https://carlow.ie/ Special thanks to: Carlow County Council – Culture Team & Stakeholders. Executive producers were Kieran Comerford, John Shortall and Lisa Hutton for Carlow County Council with sound production design by SwanMcG.

Welcome to Creativity Chats with Alan Swan, the podcast series by Carlow County Council, proudly funded by Creative Ireland in collaboration with Craftwork 4.0 All, where imagination meets enterprise. This is your backstage pass to the world where creativity fuels commerce - where makers, artists, designers, and cultural entrepreneurs share how they turn passion into profit. Each episode explores key themes such as monetising creative skills, building resilient business models, leveraging cultural heritage, and embedding sustainability in creative practice. You'll hear real-world insights from inspiring creatives, business strategists, funding experts, and digital innovators, all sharing practical tools and opportunities to grow your creative enterprise.In this episode, Aisling leads a dynamic, hands-on session to help creative entrepreneurs identify their most marketable skills, connect with the right audiences, and explore diverse income streams, whether service-based, product-focused, or passive. If you're ready to turn your talent into a thriving business, this episode is your perfect starting point.For more information on this series go to https://carlow.ie/Special thanks to: Carlow County Council – Culture Team & Stakeholders. Executive producers Kieran Comerford, John Shortall and Lisa Hutton for Carlow County Council with sound production design by SwanMcG.

Welcome to Creativity Chats with Alan Swan, the podcast series by Carlow County Council, proudly funded by Creative Ireland in collaboration with Craftwork 4.0 All, where imagination meets enterprise. This is your backstage pass to the world where creativity fuels commerce - where makers, artists, designers, and cultural entrepreneurs share how they turn passion into profit. Each episode explores key themes such as monetising creative skills, building resilient business models, leveraging cultural heritage, and embedding sustainability in creative practice. You'll hear real-world insights from inspiring creatives, business strategists, funding experts, and digital innovators, all sharing practical tools and opportunities to grow your creative enterprise.In episode two, how do creatives get discovered in the crowded digital world? Sheelagh Moloney shares a game-changing guide to building visibility, crafting your story, and connecting with the right people. Discover how to market your work authentically, grow your audience, and turn your creative talents into income-generating opportunities. This episode breaks down communication, marketing, networking, and mindset strategies to future-proof your creative business. Sheelagh's work can be found here https://2020curates.com/For more information on this series go to https://carlow.ie/Special thanks to: Carlow County Council – Culture Team & Stakeholders. Executive producers Kieran Comerford, John Shortall and Lisa Hutton for Carlow County Council with sound production design by SwanMcG.

Welcome to Creativity Chats with Alan Swan, the podcast series by Carlow County Council, proudly funded by Creative Ireland in collaboration with Craftwork 4.0 All, where imagination meets enterprise. This is your backstage pass to the world where creativity fuels commerce - where makers, artists, designers, and cultural entrepreneurs share how they turn passion into profit. Each episode explores key themes such as monetising creative skills, building resilient business models, leveraging cultural heritage, and embedding sustainability in creative practice. You'll hear real-world insights from inspiring creatives, business strategists, funding experts, and digital innovators, all sharing practical tools and opportunities to grow your creative enterprise.In episode one, what happens when heritage meets innovation? In this inspiring conversation, acclaimed artist and glassmaker Róisín de Buitléar shares stories from her diverse career. She reveals how traditional craft practices can be powerful engines for artistic expression, economic opportunity, and global recognition. This talk explores how culture can be a launchpad for creative business success through public art, exhibitions, community engagement, and storytelling. Róisín's work can be found here https://www.rdebuitlear.com/For more information on this series go to https://carlow.ie/ Special thanks to: Carlow County Council – Culture Team & Stakeholders. Executive producers were Kieran Comerford, John Shortall and Lisa Hutton for Carlow County Council with sound production design by SwanMcG.