Creative or Dead

Aleesha Callahan and David Constantine

5.0 (7)
DESIGN

Hosted by industry pals Aleesha Callahan and David Constantine, this interview-style show features conversations with creatives to unravel their process, and get a glimpse into each guests unique way of thinking – all with equal parts levity and depth. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

28/09/2025

Todd Anthony and the non-linear guide to a dream career

Head of Fashion Programming at Melbourne Fashion Festival Todd Anthony joins us for a zig-zagging chat about creativity with substance. Todd traces a wonderfully non-linear path from professional Latin ballroom dancer to studying fashion design, to teaching and mentoring, to his current dream job at Melbourne Fashion Festival. Along the way we unpack a process grounded in purpose, reflection and the ever-useful post-its. He explains why the runway is very much alive, how AI can actually slow teams down in the best way, and why relationships (and kindness) are the real engine of creative work. We also talk burnout prevention, the power of daily observation rituals (including a documentary with breakfast), and the small, thoughtful easter eggs that keep personal voice in in work. Stay to the end for Todd’s delightfully dramatic, Elizabethan-tinged answer to our signature 'curate your own death' question. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

54 min
10/08/2025

Ship more widgets with Christopher Boots

Not enough people are making work with the intention of it still being around in 200 years. But Christopher Boots isn’t like anyone else. In this wide-ranging, thought-provoking conversation, we hear from lighting and object designer Christopher Boots, where he sprinkles us with a bit of his magic dust creativity. And spoiler: he proves that the best ideas are marinated and well-seasoned. From scavenging childhood treasures in the backyard to sculpting monumental crystal-and-bronze chandeliers, Christopher shares how time, process and materials shape his work. Along the way, we dive into material literacy, the psychology of objects, running a creative business without losing your soul, and how there’s no shortcut for quality, time and contemplation. Show notes: Look up Christopher Boots' work here https://christopherboots.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1h 8m
03/08/2025

Immersive brand-building with Ren Kimber

What happens when sharp strategy meets boundless creativity? Ren Kimber. In this episode, we sit down with the entrepreneurial powerhouse and strategic half of menswear label Christian Kimber to talk about creative partnerships, crafting a brand world and the art of taking calculated risks. Ren shares her knack for blending business smarts with creative intuition – expect insights on brand storytelling, immersive retail design and travel-fuelled inspirations. Relevant links Christian Kimber website https://christiankimber.com InteriorsAU design write-up on the new store https://architectureau.com/articles/christian-kimber-store-by-brahman-perera/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

43 min
27/07/2025

Post-POMO with Nicole Durling (Craft Victoria)

Nicole Durling has never followed the rules, which might be why she’s helped reshape some of Australia’s most exciting cultural and creative spaces. In this episode, we dive deep into the role of the maker in a world hungry for meaning, the tension between art and commerce, and why craft (with a little ‘c’) is having a very big moment. Nicole reflects on the tactile joy of materials, the heft of handmade objects, and what it means to support creative practice from the inside out. She’s sharp and generous, sharing the winding path that has led her to her current role as Executive Director of Craft Victoria. We talk slow making, fast change and the very human urge to leave something behind. Links Craft Victoria: https://craft.org.au/ Artist Edmund de Waal: https://www.edmunddewaal.com/ Daniel Mudie Cunningham's Curating Grief https://danmudcun.com/criticism/curating-grief Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1h 6m
20/07/2025

Layers of meaning and invisible design with Dr Emma Luke

Dr Emma Luke is a designer, jeweller, academic and accidental VJ. She’s the head of RMIT’s Master of Design Innovation and Technology, and her work skirts at the edge of wearables, speculative tech and fine art jewellery. In this episode, we talk about designing talismans for the future, the role of intention in craft, and what it means to make magic matter – literally. Emma's story spans industrial design, the post-digital, trail running, and building community through the rave and research scenes alike. Expect philosophical tangents, a touch of techno, and plenty of thought-provoking moments on the creative process. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1h 1m
13/07/2025

Ideate, build, break, repeat with Steven John Clark (aka denHolm)

What do rave fashion, a small Scottish village and limestone stone masonry have in common? Steven John Clark. In this episode, sculptor, furniture stonemason and founder of denHolm, Steven takes us on the winding path from sewing rave outfits on his gran’s machine to crafting heavyweight stone sculptures that can be found in galleries around the world. We talk early creative impulses, the madness of running a growing studio, the weird poetry of materials and the fuel that helps him keep pushing into unknown territory. There are stories of missed plumbing jobs, tidiness as a mantra, and the kind of 3D thinking that turns limestone into language. Pull up a chair and listen in. Links https://www.den-holm.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

58 min
06/07/2025

Sketching out ideas with interior designer Beck Trenorden

Interior designer Beck Trenorden has spent two decades working at some of Melbourne’s most well-known design studios. But it wasn’t until she stepped out on her own – launching Versa, a studio grounded in adaptive reuse and sustainability – that she fully rewrote the rules of how she wanted to work. In this episode, Beck joins David and Aleesha to chat about building a values-led practice from the ground up. She shares the creative thinking behind Versa’s streamlined systems, the surprising power of sketching in real time, and how implementing a four-day work week reshaped both culture and output. Along the way, Beck reflects on formative experiences, growing up in a hands-on family and learning in a science shed. It’s a generous, honest and deeply human episode from a designer who sees creativity not just in the work, but in how we live. Find Versa at versastudio.com.au Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1h 4m
29/06/2025

A case of curious creativity: Bonus episode with David and Aleesha

In this special bonus episode, Creative or Dead hosts Aleesha Callahan and David Constantine turn the mic on themselves. The friends and collaborators reflect on their own creative journeys – from childhood instincts to circuitous career paths – and how they’ve each found space for expression, experimentation and impact across disciplines. Aleesha opens up about her accidental pivot from interior design to editorship, the vulnerability of writing, and the slow-burn joy of a long-term creative project. David shares insights from his multidisciplinary practice as a creative consultant and Chief Creative Officer, including his enduring belief in curiosity, reflection, and the value of being an astute observer. Together, they touch on themes that run through the podcast’s DNA: trusting your instincts, making space for creative percolation, the messiness of opinion, and how to build a meaningful life by connecting what you're good at, what brings joy, what pays the bills – and what the world needs. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1h 3m

5

out of 5

7 Ratings

Hosted by industry pals Aleesha Callahan and David Constantine, this interview-style show features conversations with creatives to unravel their process, and get a glimpse into each guests unique way of thinking – all with equal parts levity and depth. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Creator

Aleesha Callahan and David Constantine
Years Active

2024 - 2025
Episodes

14
Rating

Explicit
Copyright

© Creative or Dead
Show Website

Creative or Dead