The Common Creative

Hosted by Paul Fairweather and Chris Meredith

Business Education Society Culture Arts Design

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Episodes

214

Latest episode

Oct 2026

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About the show

The Common Creative - But Never Ordinary A podcast series with Paul Fairweather and Chris Meredith The worlds of business, home and play are all starved of creativity. From an early age, we’re taught how to analyse, critique and simplify but the tools for exploring, ideating and creating are assumed to be instinctive. The Common Creative is all about bringing creativity back into everyday life - understanding the essence of creativity and making creativity a common as a loaf of bread and as well understood as a common language. Hosts Paul Fairweather and Chris Meredith are both creative thought-leaders and have been bonded by a common passion for creating and sharing something new and inspiring every day. Paul paints a watercolour of the household object and posts the image on IG “@everythink”, Chris photographs the same beach each and every day and posts the image on IG “@thisisbalmoral” By day, Paul Fairweather is a Brisbane-based, speaker, author, mentor, architect and artist. Chris Meredith is a Sydney-based, business coach, innovation consultant, and award-winning photo-artist. Each podcast explores a different aspect of creativity. Recent topics have included: Energy, Time, Constraints and even the Impact of Covid-19 (why not?!) The podcasts are ideal for anyone looking to get out of a rut and deliver stuff that goes beyond the norm. Join us for our conversations and surprising guests to unlock your own creativity. https://thecommoncreative.co/ https://www.paulfairweather.com/ https://chrismeredith.com.au/

Listen to episodes

60 recent

November 6, 2026Episode 21332 min

Episode 213: Eleanor O’Rourke - Creative Flow

What if creativity isn't something you have, but something you allow? Coach and creative Eleanor O’Rourke joins Chris and Paul to explore the idea of flow and how fear, perfectionism and the need for approval can get in the way of creativity. They discuss the importance of play, humour, boredom and embracing imperfection to reconnect with our natural creativity, along with why human emotion and lived experience matter in an age of AI. LINKS: Guest: Eleanor O’Rourke Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eleanor.orourke Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eleanororourkecoaching/ Website: https://www.eleanororourke.com/ Paul Fairweather - Co-host https://www.paulfairweather.com Chris Meredith - Co-host https://www.chrismeredith.com.au

October 30, 2026Episode 21220 min

Episode 212: Paul & Chris - The Creative Restart

After a brief pause, Paul and Chris are back with fresh ideas for The Common Creative and reflections on what the break has taught them. Chris has been “pushing himself to slow down”, while Paul has rediscovered the joy of fixing things and embracing the process. There’s also a new creative brief for future episodes: focusing on “one thing” from each guest to uncover deeper insights, spark fresh ideas, and deliver even more value to listeners. LINKS: Paul Fairweather - Co-host https://www.paulfairweather.com Chris Meredith - Co-host https://www.chrismeredith.com.au

September 7, 2026Episode 21134 min

Episode 211: Paul & Chris - Creative Pause

After 210 episodes and six years of conversations, Chris Meredith and Paul Fairweather are pressing pause on The Common Creative. In this reflective episode, they look back on what the podcast has taught them from the power of creative conversations and storytelling to the chemistry that has shaped the show over the years. But this isn’t a farewell it’s a reset. Chris and Paul explore what might come next, including sharper questions, new seasons, fresh formats and potential partnerships. It’s a conversation about knowing when to pause, making space for new ideas, and allowing creativity to evolve.

August 18, 2026Episode 21029 min

S9E210: Episode 210: Paul & Chris - Creative Risk

Chris Meredith and Paul Fairweather spend this episode unpacking risk as a core part of the creative process. It is a conversational, unscripted exchange about why making art, sharing work, and moving beyond a safe formula all involve vulnerability, judgment, and the possibility of rejection.Chris and Paul discuss how risk shows up differently for artists and commercial creatives, using examples from painting, exhibitions, and the careers of artists like Ken Done, Rothko, and Van Gogh. LINKS: Paul Fairweather - Co-host https://www.paulfairweather.com Chris Meredith - Co-host https://www.chrismeredith.com.au See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

August 11, 2026Episode 20939 min

S9E209: Episode 209: Stacy Hall - Make Creative

In this episode, Chris and Paul are joined by Stacy Hall, founder of MAKE and Promosapien, for a conversation about entrepreneurship, creativity, and building businesses that people genuinely connect with. Stacey shares how an unexpected start at a struggling clothing manufacturer became her first real business education, eventually leading her to launch Vancouver’s first retail embroidery store and grow it into two successful brands. Along the way, she discovered the power of creating memorable customer experiences, collaborating with artists, and turning creativity into a practical business advantage. Whether you're an entrepreneur, retailer, creative professional, or simply curious about building brands people love, this episode is packed with insights on innovation, customer experience, and the many ways creativity can drive business success. LINKS: Stacy Hall - Special Guest LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/stacy-hall-445b524/ Websites : Promosapien Promo Inc. - www.promosapien.ca Make - www.makevancouver.com Ole Originals - www.oleoriginals.com Paul Fairweather - Co-host https://www.paulfairweather.com Chris Meredith - Co-host https://www.chrismeredith.com.au See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

July 16, 2026Episode 20829 min

S9E208: Episode 208: Paul and Chris - The Art of Leadership

In this episode, Paul and Chris challenge traditional command-and-control leadership and explore how clear direction, intentional boundaries and creative freedom can help teams do their best work. They unpack the concept of the “three scripts” fully scripted, ad-lib and improv and how leaders can use each approach to balance structure with creativity. They also explore decision-making, the power of constraints, the “seed model” for developing ideas, and the role of leaders in turning chaos into clarity. Whether you're a business leader, entrepreneur or creative professional, this episode offers a fresh perspective on leading with curiosity, confidence and the courage to make decisive choices in an ever-changing world. Paul Fairweather - Co-host https://www.paulfairweather.com Chris Meredith - Co-host https://www.chrismeredith.com.au See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

July 9, 2026Episode 20716 min

S9E207: Episode 207: Graham Bligh - The Art of a Creative Life

What does it mean to stay creative for life? At 93, retired architect Graham Bligh proves that curiosity, creativity, and connection don't have an expiry date. From designing iconic buildings to embracing art and lifelong learning in retirement, Graham reflects on a remarkable career spanning decades. He shares how staying open to new experiences, nurturing community, and continuing to create has kept his passion alive well into his 90s. Whether you're building a career, exploring a new hobby, or redefining retirement, this conversation is a powerful reminder that it's never too late to learn, create, and make a meaningful impact. Graham Bligh - Special Guest Documentation - https://youtu.be/WVtYdncKda4 Paul Fairweather - Co-host https://www.paulfairweather.com Chris Meredith - Co-host https://www.chrismeredith.com.au See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

July 2, 2026Episode 20630 min

S9E206: Episode 206 - Shantanu Starick - Creative Trade

In this episode, Paul and Chris speak with architectural photographer Shantanu Starick about his remarkable Pixel Trade journey, where he travelled the world for over three years without spending money, exchanging photography for food, accommodation, and transport instead. Shantanu shares how trading creativity for human connection transformed his understanding of value, community, and success. Discover why relying solely on money can limit creative fulfilment, and how relationships, trust, and reciprocity can unlock entirely new ways of living and working. Shantanu Starick is an architectural photographer and creator of the internationally recognised Pixel Trade project. He works with architecture, design, hospitality, and wellness brands, and is also the creator of Therefore , a book series exploring architecture through photography and conversation. LINKS: Shantanu Starick- Special Guest Website: shantanustarick.com Paul Fairweather - Co-host https://www.paulfairweather.com Chris Meredith - Co-host https://www.chrismeredith.com.au See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

June 26, 2026Episode 20530 min

S9E205: Episode 205 - Karen Steenkamp - Constrained Creative

How do you stay creative within the structure of a large organisation? Karen Steenkamp shares her journey from designer to creative leader, revealing how constraints can inspire innovation, the balance between artistic expression and commercial outcomes, and how authentic creativity drives better business results. Karen is a marketing and creative leader with over 20 years of experience across advertising agencies, financial services, and in-house creative teams in Africa, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific region. Now leading an in-house agency at one of Australia's Big Four banks, she specialises in combining creativity, strategy, and customer-centred thinking to deliver meaningful business impact. ___________________________________________________________ LINKS: Karen Steenkamp- Special Guest LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-steenkamp-361281171/ Béhance: https://share.google/j6wFcBwWpJcE8BieC Paul Fairweather - Co-host https://www.paulfairweather.com Chris Meredith - Co-host https://www.chrismeredith.com.au See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

June 19, 2026Episode 20427 min

S9E204: Episode 204 - Barton Green: Creative Collab

Unlock Brisbane's creative future with Barton Green, Chair of Brisbane Creative Collab. In this episode, Barton shares how bold ideas, unlikely collaborations, and a passion for the arts can shape a city's identity ahead of the 2032 Olympics. From his early days as a drummer and journalist to becoming a respected communications strategist and board leader, Barton reveals how creativity thrives when business, community, and culture work together. Discover why fostering creativity isn't just good for the arts, it's essential for wellbeing, economic growth, and building a city people are proud to call home. With more than 40 years of executive leadership and communications experience, Barton has served on numerous private, public, and not-for-profit boards. As Chair of Brisbane Creative Collab, he champions a vision of a Brisbane where creativity is embedded in everyday life and celebrated as a catalyst for innovation and community connection. ___________________________________________________________ LINKS: Barton Green - Special Guest LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/barton-green-gaicd-843a6314 Website - www.creativebrisbane.com.au Paul Fairweather - Co-host https://www.paulfairweather.com Chris Meredith - Co-host https://www.chrismeredith.com.au See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.