Creative Consultants

Balloon Tree Productions
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A deep dive into what makes a playful and creative mindset. Join hosts Trudi Boatwright - a Playful Experience Designer and Matt Smolen - a Creative Video Director as they discuss all things play, creativity and how to implement this approach at an individual or organisational level.

  1. 12/01/2025

    Burnt Out or Just Bored? How Play Can Save Your Creativity

    Feeling like your brain’s fried and your to-do list is never-ending? Trudi and Matt dive headfirst into the world of burnout, and reveal the surprising power of play as the ultimate antidote. From lunchtime naughtiness to people-watching secrets, they explore: Why taking intentional “white space” can skyrocket your creativity 🎨 The science behind how play actually rewires your brain for problem-solving 🧠 Cheeky experiments and real-life hacks to beat burnout without feeling guilty 🎙️ Join the conversation: What’s your playful escape? Can a little mischief in the middle of the day actually make you more productive? _____________ Get in touch with Matt Smolen ⁠www.balloontreeproductions.com⁠ Get in touch with Trudi Boatwright ⁠www.trudiboatwright.com

    18 min

  2. 11/17/2025

    Are Robots the New Creatives?

    Ones, zeros, sandwiches, costumes… oh my! In this delightfully messy episode of Creative Consultants, Trudi & Matt dive headfirst into the weird, wonderful and slightly wobbly world of AI and creativity. 🤖 Can a machine really be creative? 🎨 Are we on the brink of a creative renaissance, or a creativity apocalypse? 💡 And what happens when you mash up LEGO, sharks, pirate ships, and artificial intelligence? Join us as we debate, laugh, and share stories, from AI-powered colouring pages for kids to the future of voice actors, to figure out what role humans (and our glorious imperfections) play in an increasingly automated world. 🎙️ Join the conversation: Do you think AI will boost creativity, flatten it, or spark something totally unexpected? _____________ Get in touch with Matt Smolen ⁠www.balloontreeproductions.com⁠ Get in touch with Trudi Boatwright ⁠www.trudiboatwright.com

    29 min

  3. 11/10/2025

    Work-Life Balance or Work-Life BLEND?

    Trudi and Matt flip the script and put Matt in the spotlight! From dreaming up Balloon Tree Productions at 16, to building a thriving creative studio 14 years strong, Matt shares how he’s woven together his life, creativity, business, and family into one big, joyful story. In this episode you’ll hear about: 🌱 The origin story of Balloon Tree Productions 🎭 How theatre kids and collaboration shape creative leadership 🤝 Why hiring with abundance beats scarcity every single time 🎉 The secret to staying playful in business while still growing strong 🎙️ Join the conversation: Drop your thoughts below! Do you believe in “work-life balance”… or “work-life blend”? _____________ Get in touch with Matt Smolen ⁠www.balloontreeproductions.com⁠ Get in touch with Trudi Boatwright ⁠www.trudiboatwright.com

    26 min

  4. 10/20/2025

    Politics Needs More Play? (with Cr Connie Boglis OAM)

    Can politics ever be creative, or is it doomed to potholes, policies, and painfully long council meetings? In this episode of Creative Consultants, Trudi and Matt throw the rulebook out the window and invite the wonderful Cr Connie Boglis OAM into the Treehouse of Curiosity. Connie is many things: counsellor, advocate, author, world-traveller. Today, she’s here to help us explore: ✨ How advocacy and mental health reform require imagination. 🌱 Why co-design and creativity might be the missing link in politics. 🎨 How grief, healing, and children’s storytelling connect to social change. 🌍 And whether creativity is secretly a rebellious force that could reshape communities. 🎙️ Join the conversation: Drop your thoughts below! If every council had a Department of Creativity, what would YOU want it to work on first? _____________ Get in touch with Matt Smolen ⁠www.balloontreeproductions.com⁠ Get in touch with Trudi Boatwright ⁠www.trudiboatwright.com

    36 min

  5. 10/06/2025

    Can Play Change Your Life? Trudi’s 48 Jobs & the Power of Play

    Creative Consultants is back with Season 3! We dive into Trudi’s extraordinary journey: from chocolate workshops to biker bars and everything in between. Over 48 jobs, countless stories, and one big mission: to bring playfulness into places it’s never been before. Do you believe play can change the way you work, think, and live? If you’ve ever thought “I’m not creative” or “play isn’t for me,” this episode might just flip that script. 🎧 What you’ll hear: The surprising story of how Trudi turned “play” into a career. Why play works even in the toughest workplaces. How asking three simple questions: “Why?”, “Why Not?”, and “What If?” can spark possibility in your own life. PLUS: bingo in a telemarketing office, biker bar ethics, and chocolate facts you didn’t know you needed. 🍫 🎙️ Join the conversation: Drop your thoughts below! Where do you see room for play in your life or work? Could you bring a spark of curiosity into your everyday routine? _____________ Get in touch with Matt Smolen ⁠www.balloontreeproductions.com⁠ Get in touch with Trudi Boatwright ⁠www.trudiboatwright.com

    18 min

  6. 08/11/2025

    The art of winning budgets for L&D projects (with Danny Ginsberg)

    Can creativity survive the AI revolution? In this episode of The Creative Consultants, Matt, Trudi, and new recruit Danny Ginsberg tackle everything from West Side Story to robot overlords. They ask: Will AI make us less creative, or free us to become more creative than ever? Join us as we dive into: 💡 Why your favourite musical reveals your true self 💡 The art of winning hearts (and budgets) for L&D projects 💡 How to sneak creativity into corporate culture bit by bit 💡 Why CEOs secretly love dressing up in silly costumes 💡 The coming renaissance for nerds, theatre kids, and creatives everywhere 💡 AI: creativity killer or creativity amplifier? If you’ve ever tried to pitch a playful idea to a serious stakeholder, this episode is your permission slip to keep boiling the frog. _____________ Get in touch with Matt Smolen ⁠www.balloontreeproductions.com⁠ Get in touch with Trudi Boatwright ⁠www.trudiboatwright.com

    22 min

  7. 08/04/2025

    How Theatre Kids can rule the workplace (with Danny Ginsberg)

    What if the secret to great leadership was… tap dancing? This week on The Creative Consultants, Matt and Trudi sit down with special guest Danny Ginsberg to explore: How does a theatre nerd become a powerhouse in learning and development? In this episode, we uncover: 💡 How theatre kids can rule the workplace 💡 The surprising power of tap shoes over footy boots 💡 Why feedback in theatre is a masterclass for business 💡 Courage, creativity, and giving fewer sh*ts as you age 💡 Vulnerability as a leadership superpower 💡 The magic of “yes, and…” in improv and team dynamics 💡 Why play-based learning beats ropes courses (sorry, corporate retreats) If you’ve ever felt too quirky for your corporate job, this one’s for you. _____________ Get in touch with Matt Smolen ⁠www.balloontreeproductions.com⁠ Get in touch with Trudi Boatwright ⁠www.trudiboatwright.com

    24 min

  8. 07/28/2025

    Deep Creativity & how slowing down sparks stronger ideas

    When was the last time you gave yourself permission to think? This week on The Creative Consultants, Trudi and Matt dive into the art of going slow to go fast - and why deep creativity can’t be rushed. Could a little daydreaming unlock your best ideas yet? In this episode, we explore: 💡 Why thinking time is golden (hello, Mind Palace) 💡 How “going slow” actually speeds up your creative execution 💡 The neuroscience behind imagination as a brain spa 💡 Why swimming, play, and daydreaming solve complex problems 💡 How to protect white space in your calendar without guilt 💡 Poker hands, Sovereign Hill, and the compendium of ideas in your brain If you’re feeling stuck in “doing mode,” this conversation will inspire you to embrace wonder, slowness, and the unexpected brilliance that follows. _____________ Get in touch with Matt Smolen ⁠www.balloontreeproductions.com⁠ Get in touch with Trudi Boatwright ⁠www.trudiboatwright.com

    18 min
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About

A deep dive into what makes a playful and creative mindset. Join hosts Trudi Boatwright - a Playful Experience Designer and Matt Smolen - a Creative Video Director as they discuss all things play, creativity and how to implement this approach at an individual or organisational level.

Information

  • Creator
    Balloon Tree Productions
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    16
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Balloon Tree Productions
  • Show Website
    Creative Consultants