The Creative Blood Podcast

Creative Blood
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Join us as we delve deep into the personal journeys of culture-defining creatives and industry insiders from the world of fashion, music, film, photography and more. Through intimate conversations with host and Creative Blood Founder Laura Conway – in the spirit of ‘passing it on’ – they reveal the tips, rare stories and insights that have helped them navigate their creative paths, designed to help you navigate yours.  From the influences that sparked their imagination to the creative risks that changed their lives, it’s all in here. Get ready!Creatively Down and Dirty is our new podcast series where we deep-dive with one creator into one project. Prepare to hear it all, from what sparked the initial idea from the high-highs to the low-lows during the making of it and ultimately, how it got released out into the wide world. Subscribe now and be the first to listen.

  1. A Passion Thing Magazine — A Manifesto for Turning Passion into Practice

    MAY 29

    A Passion Thing Magazine — A Manifesto for Turning Passion into Practice

    "Passion is energy. You’ll know it when you have it. Passion is inseparable from pain. If you want and believe in something deeply, you won’t let go, even when the road gets bumpy." What happens when you treat passion not just as a feeling, but as a strategy? This week, we sat down with Sandra Reichl and Karin Novozamsky, the Vienna-based co-founders of A Passion Thing — a biannual magazine celebrating creative trailblazers who have turned what they love, into their business. Launched in 2019, A Passion Thing is more than a magazine — it’s a manifesto for redefining success on your own terms. Sandra and Karin are part of a new creative vanguard championing purpose-driven careers, radical imagination, and the power of leaning into what truly moves you. Consider this episode your blueprint! TOGETHER WE'RE COVERING Definitions of success and passionWhere drive and motivation come fromA team vs a one-man/woman showThe F word (failure) and how to deal with itLessons fear and doubt can teach usFamily business and generational changeWhy being flexible is the new power moveValue systemsOutside the box thinkingThe importance of keeping your coolFollow @apassionthing_magazine A few references that came up in conversation:  The Feldenkrais MethodOttilengi’s spiced pea stew recipeFear, Pain and Other Friendsby Avi GrinbergThoughts on the episode? We’d love to hear them — DM us @creativebloodworld EPISODE CREDITS Hosted by Laura Conway Produced by Scenery Studios Show music by Ben Tarrant-Brown

    33 min
  2. Actor Marsha Thomason on Getting to Where you Want to Go & Everything in Between

    APR 3

    Actor Marsha Thomason on Getting to Where you Want to Go & Everything in Between

    “I’ve always been authentic and that’s always served me well. I remember Eddie Murphy being very amused by my banter.” When Oprah says, “People get to where they want to go because they know where they want to go,” how do you even begin to answer that? Especially when you’re a Mancunian-born actor who’s spent over two decades living and working in Hollywood. That’s exactly what we asked Marsha Thomason in this candid, access-all-areas conversation—recorded from a slightly seismic LA (seriously, listen out for the tremor in the second half!). With infectious enthusiasm, ambition and off-the-charts charisma, Marsha has built an extraordinary career on screen, holding her own alongside legends like Helen Mirren, Richard Griffiths, Terence Stamp, and Eddie Murphy. From Better Things and Las Vegas to Lost, The Haunted Mansion, and ITV’s The Bay, she’s done it all, on both sides of the pond—winning lead roles in major TV shows and Hollywood hits while navigating the industry’s twists and turns. In this episode, Marsha gives us the raw, inside track on how she made it to Hollywood: from cutting her teeth on a Saturday morning kids’ show to how she landed her first US role, to bouncing back from a box office flop (released in the wake of 9/11). You’ll hear all about the chutzpah, resilience, and sheer delusion needed to get ahead and stay the course.  Follow Marsha @iammarshathomason WHAT TO EXPECT  The joy of working with an auteur (Pamela Adlon)Unforgettable career pinch-me momentsThe importance of representation in front of and behind the lens The power of collaboration between cast and crewHow timing can make or break a show’s successThoughts on the episode? We’d love to hear them—DM us @creativebloodworld EPISODE CREDITS Hosted by Laura Conway Produced by Scenery Studios Show music by Ben Tarrant-Brown

    37 min
  3. Creator of Rapid Eye and Photobook Café Lee Williams on Creating a Photographic Universe

    FEB 12

    Creator of Rapid Eye and Photobook Café Lee Williams on Creating a Photographic Universe

    Welcome inside the world of Lee Williams, the creator behind two of London’s photographic institutions- Rapid Eye Darkrooms & the Photobook Cafe - both of which we are proud to say are our neighbours, right here in the heart of Shoreditch.  Typically, you’d find our guest for this episode, Lee Williams, behind the scenes, coming up with ideas that foster community and natural habitats for creative humans working in fashion, advertising and film- alongside (unknowingly) being recognised as a mentor to them.  In this episode, we’re taking you even deeper into Lee’s personal story and how he’s turned his passion into not one, but two thriving businesses.  From leaving his native Wales and working weekends in an East London darkroom,  to receiving a £250 grant from the Princes Trust that led to him setting up his very own, Lee exposes his ambition behind a beloved community institution. And then right back to the present day - on why he encourages photographers to talk about their work during the printing process at Rapid Eye, and how his interest in the concept of  “third spaces”  led to the creation of the Photobook Cafe… It’s also important to mention the two powerhouse women at the helm of both Rapid Eye and Photobook Cafe, making it all actually happen - Lee’s wife Sebi & London nightlife legend Farika Holden. A massive shout-out to you both! Consider this episode your warm and cosy entrance into Lee’s roots, mindset and above all, passion for photography. It’s a truly rare insight into his photographic universe.  Follow @rapideye.darkroom & @photobookcafe EPISODE INSIGHTS Why following your curiosity can lead to everything falling into placeWhy analogue photography is more relevant than everHow personal projects feed passion and help build communityThoughts on the episode? DM us @creativebloodworld EPISODE CREDITS Hosted by Laura Conway Produced by Scenery Studios Show music by Ben Tarrant-Brown

    34 min
  4. Photographer & Filmmaker Casper Sejersen on Fetishes & Creative Freedom

    JAN 22

    Photographer & Filmmaker Casper Sejersen on Fetishes & Creative Freedom

    From his ‘Orgasm Portraits’ for Lars von Trier’s Nymphomaniac to shooting the likes of Harry Styles, Tilda Swinton, Willem Dafoe and Kirsten Dunst (to name a few), Danish-born Casper Sejersen is known for creating iconic visuals for brands including Alexander McQueen, Gucci and Burberry, and editorial platforms such as Dazed, and Beauty Papers… as well as publishing zines, directing a TV series, and that’s just for starters! In this episode, we journey into his psycho-visceral world, as he shares how he found his photographic feet in commercial photography before transitioning into fashion editorial, cinema and fine art, where he found creative freedom. You’ll also hear about the poetry and pianist that inspires him, the deeply personal reason why he began taking more risks, and how – with meticulous preparation and by allowing them to share in his artistic vision – he gets the best out of his creative collaborators – both behind and in front of his lens. “When I shoot Cate Blanchett with, you know, a banana, she's still wearing Gucci. And for me, that kind of cultural icon with the reference to Andy Warhol’s Velvet Underground cover — that’s fashion to me” Until next time, Farvel! Follow @caspersejersenstudio And a big thank you to Julia at MAP for bringing us all together! EPISODE INSIGHTS How a well-prepared, safe space leads to beautiful ‘mistakes’Why having plans A, B, and C is key when working with clientsThe reward of pitching bold ideas to the right peopleHow commercial, editorial, and personal work all feed into each otherThoughts on the episode? DM us @creativebloodworld EPISODE CREDITS Hosted by Laura Conway Produced by Scenery Studios Episode music by Ben Tarrant-Brown

    50 min
  5. Emma Westenberg, Grammy-nominated filmmaker, storyteller and artist, On creating viral videos, vulva trousers and Super Bowl ads

    09/12/2024

    Emma Westenberg, Grammy-nominated filmmaker, storyteller and artist, On creating viral videos, vulva trousers and Super Bowl ads

    When Emma Westenberg landed the job directing the music video for Janelle Monae’s track, PYNK, it opened a Narnia-like door to a whole new world of creative possibility. The video – which featured Monae wearing those iconic vulva trousers – went viral, clocking up more than 16M views to date, earning Emma both a Grammy and MTV Music Video Award-nomination, and perhaps best of all, being described as “a Queen” by Janelle herself. Since then, her career has accelerated in all directions—from a Super Bowl ad spot featuring Zoe Kravitz, to music videos for Troye Sivan, Princess Nokia and Rico Nasty, to commercial work for clients from ASOS to Vogue, to directing a feature starring celebrated Scottish actor, Ewan McGregor (OBE!) and his real-life daughter Clara in Bleeding Love—and it doesn’t stop there! No matter what the scale and nature, Emma brings her distinctly witty and whimsical aesthetic to every project, and, in this beautifully candid episode, she talks us through some of the challenges, lessons and moments of magic along the way—from working with tricky collaborators under pressure, to the simple joy of making art for art’s sake. “I think only the crazy ideas are the brilliant ones. I like things that are unexpected, or offbeat, or that rattle you in some way. You want art to do that, to show you something new or exciting” — Emma Westenberg Follow Emma @emma.westenberg EPISODE INSIGHTS How perseverance and rising to the challenge can reap huge rewardsThe water-off-a-duck’s-back mindset needed to stay focused and resilientWhy tapping back into the joy of art-making is essentialHow projects that feel chaotic in the making can turn out to be the best in the edit Thoughts on the episode? Drop us a DM @creativebloodworld EPISODE CREDITS Episode hosted by Laura Conway Produced by Scenery Studios Show music by Ben Tarrant-Brown Video by Nicola Collins

    43 min
  6. Shantell Martin, Multifaceted artist, On why “a little bit constantly” adds up

    07/24/2024

    Shantell Martin, Multifaceted artist, On why “a little bit constantly” adds up

    Welcome to the Creative Blood Experience. One culture-defining creative guest… One passionate host… And a deck of fifty question cards designed to yield incredible creative tips, real life experiences and untold stories from the artists working across the creative industries today! Shantell Martin is not your average artist. She’s also a public speaker, cultural facilitator, curator, choreographer, songwriter, performer and mentor. And it’s this all-embracing, boundary-blurring approach to creativity and artmaking that forms the basis of this episode. “For those of us who didn’t grow up going to museums and galleries, the art around us is what people are wearing. For us, the museum is the postcard on your fridge, it’s the t-shirt you’re wearing, it’s the sneakers you’re wearing”. Originally from Thamesmead in South East London – the iconic brutalist housing estate where A Clockwork Orange was famously filmed – and now based in LA, Shantell is known for her signature, stream-of-consciousness line drawings, murals and ‘who are you?’ slogan. Her kaleidoscopic CV has seen her collaborate with brands including Max Mara, The North Face, Tiffany and Co., as well as institutions MIT, The Whitney and Boston Ballet (where she also choreographed) and establish her own podcast series What’s the Point? She even has her own open source font ‘Shantell Sans’! And that, if you can believe it, that’s just for starters! Having navigated her way through the murky waters of the ‘art’ world and got to a place where she now has the creative freedom to explore, in this episode she generously and candidly shares her experiences, learnings and insights picked up along the way. From why every artist needs a cocktail of skills, to what feedback to ignore, Shantell shines a light on the practical, proactive mindset needed to thrive within an opaque system. Follow Shantell @shantell_martin  EPISODE INSIGHTS What you don’t get told about the artists who’ve “made it” (and the hustling involved)Why you need to trust in your own visionThe value of peer support, mentorship, patronage and anyone fighting your cornerWhy art can exist everywhere, beyond the museum walls and traditional spaces Thoughts on the episode? DM us @creativebloodworld EPISODE CREDITS Hosted by Laura Conway Produced by Scenery Studios Show music by Ben Tarrant-Brown

    46 min
  7. Emerson Miller, On-set photographer for TV drama series 'Yellowstone', on how a chance encounter led to working with Hollywood royalty

    07/03/2024

    Emerson Miller, On-set photographer for TV drama series 'Yellowstone', on how a chance encounter led to working with Hollywood royalty

    Welcome to the Creative Blood Experience. One culture-defining creative guest… One passionate host… And a deck of fifty question cards designed to yield incredible creative tips, real life experiences and untold stories from the artists working across the creative industries today! Originally from the gritty favelas of São Paulo, Brazil, Emerson Miller moved to Los Angeles to chase his dream of becoming a photographer. While working at a car wash on Hollywood Blvd, he had a chance encounter with Nicole Muirbrook – the wife of Taylor Sheridan, creator of smash-hit TV show Yellowstone – which landed him the gig as the show’s on-set photographer, rapidly transforming dream into reality. Since then, he’s shot everyone from Angelina Jolie to Kevin Costner to Dame Helen Mirren and Sam Elliott, with his work appearing in Vogue, GQ and Elle and on billboards all over the world. The job of an on-set photographer is a little-known, but integral role for any TV show and film, with their photographs used across everything promotional – including billboards, social media, magazines, you name it! Here, Emerson shares his personal experience of how he works on set (spoiler: it may involve interrupting Kevin Costner’s reverie!), how he picks his moments between takes, plus, the charisma, talent and nerve needed to get that shot. “Angelina Jolie said to me “buddy your job here is literally 99% of the marketing and if you want me to climb a tree, I probably will, because we are helping each other”” Follow Emerson @emersonmiller EPISODE INSIGHTS A window into life working on a smash-hit showLearning on the job (fast) and on-set etiquetteHow to identify and capture ‘the moment’The value of a mentorHow personal reinvention can take you where you want to beWhy a photographer’s job is to remain open to the creative process Thoughts on the episode? Drop us a DM @creativebloodworld EPISODE CREDITS Hosted by Laura Conway Produced by Scenery Studios Show music by Ben Tarrant-Brown

    33 min
  8. Ciara O'Shea, Makeup artist & Founder of Proshine, on what it takes to build a beauty brand from scratch

    06/20/2024

    Ciara O'Shea, Makeup artist & Founder of Proshine, on what it takes to build a beauty brand from scratch

    Creatively Down and Dirty is our new podcast series where we deep-dive with one creator into one project. Prepare to hear it all, from what sparked the initial idea from the high-highs to the low-lows during the making of it and ultimately, how it got released out into the wide world. For anyone considering making a brave and bold leap into new territory, welcome to the perfect case study! In this episode, we delve into the story behind Proshine—a portable, natural, high-shine body oil that Ciara, and, as it turned out, the industry, was missing. “I needed a solid body oil. I needed it to be portable, I needed it to be natural, I needed it to be high-shine under direct light. No shimmer, no glitter, no colour…I had such a clear idea” From fear of failure to huge personal financial risks, to the passion, persistence and tenacity needed to reap the rewards, Ciara describes with fierce candour the organic journey she went on to get her product made and onto the shelves. She talks us through how she landed on the idea, perfected the formula, navigated branding and marketing, right through to getting stocked — and all while juggling a demanding career. Originally from Tipperary, Ireland, Ciara has worked with Madonna, Liv Tyler, Millie Bobby Brown, and Alexa Chung, to name a few! Plus brands from J.W. Anderson and Ralph Lauren to Miu Miu and Agent Provocateur, with her work featured on covers for Perfect, Dazed & Confused, Vogue, POP and LOVE magazines. This episode is a must-listen for anyone curious about the graft behind the glamour, and a rare insight into bringing a product to life! Follow @ciaradoesmakeup / @proshine_by_cdm for stockists EPISODE INSIGHTS Balancing an established career with a new, all-consuming enterpriseThe importance of of activating your own networkNavigating the dos and don’ts of social media for businessHow a practical need inspired a practical solutionWhy nothing happens unless you accept the challenge and go on the journeyThoughts on the episode? Drop us a DM @creativebloodworld EPISODE CREDITS Hosted by Laura Conway Produced by Scenery Studios

    54 min
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Join us as we delve deep into the personal journeys of culture-defining creatives and industry insiders from the world of fashion, music, film, photography and more. Through intimate conversations with host and Creative Blood Founder Laura Conway – in the spirit of ‘passing it on’ – they reveal the tips, rare stories and insights that have helped them navigate their creative paths, designed to help you navigate yours.  From the influences that sparked their imagination to the creative risks that changed their lives, it’s all in here. Get ready!Creatively Down and Dirty is our new podcast series where we deep-dive with one creator into one project. Prepare to hear it all, from what sparked the initial idea from the high-highs to the low-lows during the making of it and ultimately, how it got released out into the wide world. Subscribe now and be the first to listen.

Information

  • Creator
    Creative Blood
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2025
  • Episodes
    31
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2025 The Creative Blood Podcast
  • Show Website
    The Creative Blood Podcast