To celebrate March in style, Lauren and Nick sit down with Christopher Saunders to talk about creating social change through art. Not only is he an actor, enabler and creative producer, Christopher is also endlessly curious about how we work together to reframe our stories and connect ourselves to the real humans represented in the tales we tell. Through his work with BIGhART, and currently as General Manager of Renew Newcastle, Christopher shares some sage advice on sustainability and drawing on the resources you have to hand, as well as thinking outside the box to make things happen. It's an enjoyable discussion on how to keep your sense of creativity and motivation alive. Jam packed into the audio alongside this, Lauren and Nick take the opportunity to realign and focus, establish routine and talk about some amazing creative projects happening in Newcastle and Melbourne currently.

The Act of Storytelling

Ch02.Podcast08 Christopher Saunders

In the first full length podcast for 2018, our hosts take the spotlight as they carve out a special hour that is dedicated to turning the interviewers into the interviewees. Both Nick and Lauren take turns delving into key factors that have driven them to be the individual artists they are today. The discussion winds passionately from the importance of specificity and curiosity in designing our artistic lives, to musings around the fundamental nature and meaning of existence. In a delightful splash of extra goodness, they take the time to review their favourite podcasts of the long running series, and serve up their greatest learnings and insights in a neat and tasty package for you to enjoy. It’s the closest thing to a ‘best of’ episode you’re likely to get!

Ch02.Podcast7 Nick Cain & Lauren Bailey

It's a double dose of talent on this storyteller snapshot! Nick and Lauren meet with two childhood friends turned indie filmmakers - Director Hayden Gregory and Producer Opie Sayner-Hassall - to discuss the experience of creating Australian phsychological thriller, The Rip. It's a bite-sized insight into the expectations of the filmmaking process, crowdfunding and developing an engaging narrative!

Ch01.Snapshot01 Hayden Gregory & Opie Sayner-Hassall

This month's podcast guest, Sue Maslin, weighs in on our Artist's Toolkit topic: Social Media. Listen to the full interview here: https://theactofstorytelling.com.au/stories/sue-maslin Music © Anita Quayle

TAOS Ch02P06 - How do you approach social media?

You are invited to explore the inner thoughts of one of Australia's most successful film, television and digital content producers, Sue Maslin, in this fascinating and expansive discussion on the whys and wherefores of script to screen storytelling. Sue brings a wealth of knowledge to the microphone as she discusses some topical and fundamental ideas including empowering women in the arts and creating space for female leadership, embracing the challenge of having your project knocked back, and how to create work from ideas that matter. We cover the process of getting her most recognised project so far - The Dressmaker - from concept to cinema and harnessing the growing power of the webseries through her latest series, Other People’s Problems. Nick and Lauren also discuss the importance of career continuity and the role of social media engagement in an artist’s digital footprint.

Ch02.Podcast06 Sue Maslin

It's the penultimate month of November but it is very much a continuation of all things storytelling on the TAOS podcast.  Nick and Lauren discuss 'holding the line', creating space and being present before turnign their attention to a great conversation, and a lot of laughter, with actress, producer, creative director and Melbourne WebFest General Manager, Sally McLean. This podcast brings so much laughter along with a wealth of insight into making work that is relevant today, prioritising schedules, being fearless in your approach to expanding your network and creativity, and so much more!

Ch02.Podcast05 Sally McLean

Nick and Lauren check in bi-continental this month from LA to Sydney to compare keeping on track vs letting go, following words with actions and being grateful for the journey. Then it’s a wonderful ride inside the motivational life of Ali Kadhim, who is, among other things, a Parkour practitioner, martial artist, filmmaker and movement specialist. Having just received the Kirk Robson Award from the Australia Council for the Arts, this young man has many wise words to share on reframing obstacles, doing what you love and releasing yourself from fear. Buckle up kids, it’s just a four storey drop on the jump to the next building!

Ch02.Podcast04 Ali Kadhim

This month on the podcast, Nick and Lauren turn their attention to the images we allow ourselves in pursuit of our dreams, and the way leadership defines our actions. Then they sit down for a fascinating conversation with actor, filmmaker and teacher, Chum Ehelopola, about the restrictions we place on ourselves when we aim for perfection, establishing boundaries as an artist, and the funny thing about failure in terms of success. Chum’s journey covers creativity in the aftermath of war, what he has learnt about starting out as an actor and the importance of having a voice as an artist. This podcast is sure to leave you inspired about your ability to tackle your next creative obstacle, however big or small it may be.

Ch02.Podcast03 Chum Ehelepola

The importance of self-nourishment as an artist comes into focus this month, as our fearless hosts share poetic verse and moments of vulnerability in a podcast equal parts intimacy and hilarity. Our charismatic guest, Mr. Budi Miller, takes us on a gripping journey through world culture and its influence on his art, in particular the artists’ search for the divine. The visionary teacher and change-maker also shares some intimate personal stories about art's ability to affect and shape our lives, as well as updating us on his influential role at the Victorian College of the Arts.

Ch02.Podcast02 Budi Miller

Welcome to Chapter 2 Podcast 1 and a shiny new version of The Act of Storytelling focussing on challenging the human experience by speaking to people who impact the world through art. And to do just that, this month we sit down with blind, Egyptian-Italian stand-up comedian, Maysa Abouzeid!  Sharing stories from the New York stand up scene to creating her own shows for the Melbourne Fringe festival and the benefits her role as a social work lends to everything she does, this podcast provides an inspiring, funny and heartfelt look into the sometimes messy artistic world.

Ch02.Podcast01 Maysa Abouzeid

The Act of Storytelling, Chapter 2 begins in a couple of days... but right now, we are incredibly excited to share the new TAOS theme music, composed by magically talented musician and sound designer, Anita Quayle, and amazingly mixed and mastered by Winnie at Thirty Mill Studios. If, like us, you want to challenge the human experience, head over to theactofstorytelling.com.au, and share Nick and Lauren's journey as they talk to people who are impacting the world through art.

Chapter 2 Theme music by Anita Quayle

Like a bumper holiday sale, Podcast 28 delivers on both value and festive cheer. In an attempt to help you combat what can be a confusing time for artists, Nick and Lauren flipped back through the rolodex of storytelling alumni and asked some of the podcast's guests to share the gift of insight on how to deal with the holiday period as a creative. It's a bonanza of great advice packaged up into short, bite-sized snippets from the legends of podcasts past! As another year draws to a close, we also find our hosts providing an in-depth reflection and acceptance of the year that was. Using the previous podcasts, they contemplate following your energy and ideas on gradually finding clarity in your voice as a storyteller. With that in mind, they bookend the podcast by providing their own gifts to listeners. If that wasn't enough, they finish up with a couple of really exciting announcements and major developments for The Act of Storytelling moving into 2017, so be sure to listen all the way through! Happy Holidays listeners, we hope you feel spoiled and loved! Until next time... For all links mentioned in the podcast, please visit www.theactofstorytelling.com.au

Ch01.Podcast28 Happy Holidays!

This month Nick and Lauren sit down with Anthony Scundi, actor and General Manager, to discuss Q44 Theatre Company's upcoming production of Shining City by Conor McPherson, starringAnthony Scundi as Ian, Sebastian Gunner as John, Madeline Claire French as Neasa, Nick Cain as Laurence Set in Dublin, Conor McPherson’s Shining City tells the haunting and beautiful story of a grieving widower who claims to have been visited by the ghost of his recently deceased wife. Terrified and guilt ridden, John begins therapy sessions with Ian, a counsellor who is struggling with demons of his own. As John’s sessions unfold, truth and lies are revealed for both men, as the two lost and lonely souls seek out the answers to their desperate need for connection and ultimately, to find some sense of meaning to their own existence. Tickets for Shining City at Q44 Theatre Company, 550 Swan St, Richmond - available at www.q44.com.au/event/shining-city/ Season runs: Nov 8th - Nov 27th Performance Times: Wed-Sat: 7.30pm, Sun: 6pm Pay It Forward Tickets Supporting the Black Dog Institute: $30 Check out the Vlog and shownotes @ theactofstorytelling.com.au

Ch01.Snapshot03 Anthony Scundi

Spring has sprung, and with it arrives a new podcast that blooms into being! Nick & Lauren discuss universal cycles, the benefits of looking inside yourself for answers, and the 'seasonality' of being aligned as an artist and storyteller at this time of the year. The fabulous Bryce Ives is this month's podcast guest - arts facilitator, theatre and media producer, and more! He provides a detailed analysis of his considered perspectives on the voice of storytelling in the Australian arts industry, and regales us with stories of his extraordinary career balancing a strong connection to presenting cutting-edge performance work alongside steering youth organisations and broadcasters. His interview sees an uplifting and interesting hour fly by incredibly quickly! The hosting duo also find time to launch The Act of Storytelling first ever gift for our listeners! Created using artwork by one of treasured podcast guests and available for purchase online soon. Enjoy the sunshine of Podcast 27!

Ch01.Podcast27 Bryce Ives

Due to some scheduling and sound issues we are a few weeks behind with Podcast 26 this month… but we promise you, it will have been worth the wait! This month Nick and Lauren are on a journey to live intentionally and align with their inner activists and Nick has a few ideas how to make it all happen. And to celebrate the end of winter here in Australia, they sit down over Skype with the sunny and superb, Elke Berry! In one half of her life Elke is an amazing and talented LA-based, Australian actress, and in the other, she’s a Corporate Affairs and Talent Acquisition Specialist for D'Alessio Law Group. But why do we need to choose only half?! In this fantastic interview we find out about how Elke balances the different areas of her life to stay focussed on her goals, her thoughts on how to view rejection positively and how to remain endlessly optimistic about the wonderful things that might just be in store for you. Welcome to Podcast 26!

Ch01.Podcast26 Elke Berry

Challenging the human experience by speaking to people who impact the world through art.

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The Act of Storytelling

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