The Creative Pod

Leya Mackus

How good are the arts?! How good are people who work in the arts?! Wouldn’t it be awesome if someone interviewed a bunch of these creative people and made a podcast for everyone to listen to?! Well, you’re in luck! Welcome to The Creative Pod, an Australian-based podcast where I, Leya Mackus, chat to an array of artsy individuals working across various creative industries. Join me as I find out about what they do, why they do it, and discuss the importance of arts in our world today. Each episode, I will speak with a creative to hear about the goings-on in their creative life and in their pocket of the arts world. Think performers, directors, musicians, writers, actors, dancers, artists, designers, etc. The intention is to highlight the incredible work and people within Australia’s creative industries, and bring insight and inspiration to other existing or aspiring creatives and young people. We’ll unpack different creative industries, opportunities, experiences, and challenges (and goodness knows there are lots of those in the arts!), as well as get inspired by some of the brilliant things that are happening within our country and beyond. And, most importantly, we’ll hear from a variety of people who know it best, just why the arts are so important in our lives. This podcast is recorded by Radio Carrum, at Karrum Karrum, on the lands of the Bunurong People. I pay my respects to Indigenous Peoples past and present, and feel honoured to share creative stories and conversations on the land where countless creatives and stories have come before me.

Episodes

  1. 11 - Mathew Frank - Composer, Sound Designer, Musical Director - 'My Brilliant Career', and Mathew's Brilliant Career

    2D AGO

    11 - Mathew Frank - Composer, Sound Designer, Musical Director - 'My Brilliant Career', and Mathew's Brilliant Career

    Mathew Frank is an award-winning composer, sound designer, and music director who has 20+ years of experience and achievements in the Australian music theatre scene and beyond. This of course includes the recent success of My Brilliant Career, adapted into a stage musical from the Miles Franklin classic novel, with co-writers Dean Bryant and Sheridan Harbridge, and earning 5 Green Room Awards. Mathew has numerous other accolades and credits to his name, including creation of several original musicals with partner Dean Bryant; and work with some of Australia’s most highly esteemed shows, companies, and theatres. In this episode, we chat about Mathew’s musical theatre journey; what the process and craft of song-writing typically looks like for him and Dean; and their passion and commitment to the arts. We discuss the early iterations of My Brilliant Career, and reflect on the extraordinary combination of actor-musicians, orchestration, and choreography that now present the show and make it a success. We also delve into the details of some of the songs in the show; consider how magical it was to find Kala Gare as the perfect fit for Sybylla; and reflect on how Sybylla’s story can inspire us to live our best life in the arts.

    50 min
  2. 10- Jude Perl - Musician, Comedian, Writer - Comedy, Musicals, Creativity, and Why We Really Just Need the Arts

    APR 30

    10- Jude Perl - Musician, Comedian, Writer - Comedy, Musicals, Creativity, and Why We Really Just Need the Arts

    Jude Perl is an award-winning singer, songwriter, comedian, piano player, teacher, and arts therapist in training. Jude has written and performed several solo comedy shows, wrote and starred in Share House the Musical, and has won numerous Green Room Awards along the way. Jude’s TV credits include The Melbourne Comedy Festival Gala, Spicks and Specks, Aunty Donna’s Coffee Cafe, and Grouse House’s Most Upsetting Guessing Game. Jude has independently produced and released a web series, 5 albums, 3 EPs, and multiple singles and music videos. In this episode, Jude joins me for a fabulous chat about arts as an outlet for expression; the importance of documenting ideas and embracing creativity whenever it strikes; and the challenges and wisdom of being an independent artist. We also banter about our favourite musical movies; the physiological benefits of music and arts; and how in a world of division, we need the arts to heal, to feel okay, and to bring people together.

    1h 4m
  3. 9 - Adrian Violi- Musician & Educator - Music as Life, and the Important Balance of Drumming and Teaching

    APR 23

    9 - Adrian Violi- Musician & Educator - Music as Life, and the Important Balance of Drumming and Teaching

    Adrian Violi is a highly accomplished musician, educator, and all round legend. Predominantly a drummer, he can sometimes also be found on guitar, the MC microphone, or waving the baton for school bands and musicals. He is a member of corporate band Connotations; tribute band DaftWeeknd, contemporary country star Sammi Palinkas; and is currently on tour with Leo Sayer. In this episode, he chats to me about drumming holes in the couch when he was a kid, his obsession with perfecting the sound of his snare, the incredible efforts and communications that happen between a band during performance, and why, no matter how successful he became as a rockstar, he would always want to teach and give back to the world by passing on his knowledge and passion for music.

    56 min
  4. 8 - Caitlyn Burt & Amir Shoenfeld - Musical Theatre Creators - From Concept to Creation, and How Creativity is Enrichment For Life

    APR 16

    8 - Caitlyn Burt & Amir Shoenfeld - Musical Theatre Creators - From Concept to Creation, and How Creativity is Enrichment For Life

    Caitlyn Burt and Amir Shoenfeld are a pair of musical theatre creators based in London. Caitlyn is a Melbourne-born musical theatre Librettist, Lyricist and Dramaturg; Amir is an Israeli-born composer, songwriter, and music producer, with experience in musical theatre, contemporary dance, and pop music. Together, Caitlyn and Amir have created numerous musicals and songs, including punk/rock musical WHEN WE STRIKE, an all-female/non-binary celebration of the 1888 strike of the match girls, and their newest show in development OTTO WEIDT'S BRUSH AND BROOM WORKSHOP FOR THE BLIND. In this episode, they share their experiences of going from concept to creation, the reality of rewrites and trunk songs, and how creativity is essential enrichment for our lives.

    45 min
  5. 7 - Liz Violi - Musician and Educator - Singing, Mixtapes, Music, and Arts, as Essential Parts of Life

    APR 9

    7 - Liz Violi - Musician and Educator - Singing, Mixtapes, Music, and Arts, as Essential Parts of Life

    Liz Violi is vocalist, teacher and performer, who describes herself as a “rich tapestry of loose threads!” She is the singer and front woman in corporate band Connotations, can often be found belting tunes at the Paris Cat, is currently on tour as backing vocalist to Leo Sayer, and teaches vocals and music in secondary school. In this episode, we chat about taking singing seriously, about the good old days of mixtapes and CDs, and about how important it is for kids and young people to be allowed to engage in music and arts to explore talents, emotions, and enjoy life.

    45 min
  6. 6 - Nick Murray - Musician - The Magic of Music, Inspiration, and Creativity

    MAR 26

    6 - Nick Murray - Musician - The Magic of Music, Inspiration, and Creativity

    Nick Murray is a folk-blues musician based in Melbourne. When not working on his own creativity or singer-songwriter catalogue, he also works has a music therapist, supporting children, adolescents, families, and people living with dementia. In this episode, Nick speaks with me about the magical feelings that music can bring, his creative inspirations, some of the challenges in life as a working musician, and the importance of embracing creativity in our lives, no matter who we are.

    55 min
  7. 5 - Mitch Cairns - Musician and Producer - The Ups, Downs, and Importance of Music in Life

    MAR 19

    5 - Mitch Cairns - Musician and Producer - The Ups, Downs, and Importance of Music in Life

    Mitch Cairns is an award-winning producer, bass player and songwriter. He has has received several ARIA nominations and wins for his work as a producer, including for Russell Morris’ platinum selling album ‘Sharkmouth’. Mitch has written songs for numerous highly acclaimed musicians, and is often found touring with pop legend Leo Sayer, country stars Brooke McClymont and Adam Eckersley, The Black Sorrows, Adam Miller, as well many other artists across various styles. In this episode, Mitch chats with me about his passion for music, how he embraces the ups and downs of life on tour, and how music is an important vessel for feeling our way through the world.

    43 min
  8. 4 - Luke Mason - Actor and Teacher - What Acting and Failure Can Teach Us About Learning, Life, and Success

    MAR 12

    4 - Luke Mason - Actor and Teacher - What Acting and Failure Can Teach Us About Learning, Life, and Success

    Luke is a Naarm/Melbourne based performer, educator, and all-round arts enjoyer, who is passionate about sharing in the traditions of storytelling via the stage. He is a trained actor with various theatre credits, and also works as a casual relief teacher when he’s not working on something for the stage. In this episode, Luke joins me to talk about the hard work and persistence of pursuing acting; the lessons we can learn from creativity and the arts; and the importance of embracing failure as part of the creative journey.

    27 min
  9. 3 - Sierra Verity-Beasley - Music Therapist - How Music Therapy Helps Our Brains, and Why Fun Can Still Be Serious

    MAR 5

    3 - Sierra Verity-Beasley - Music Therapist - How Music Therapy Helps Our Brains, and Why Fun Can Still Be Serious

    Sierra Verity-Beasley is a registered music therapist and the creator of Resound Music Therapy, based in Melbourne. Sierra specialises in delivering services to children and families, supporting them to use music intentionally for their child’s development, and to live happier and healthier lives. In this episode, Sierra joins me to chat about the significant difference between music education and music therapy, the importance of not dismissing things in life that are considered “fun” (because fun things can be serious, too!), and the benefits of music therapy and creative relationships in the lives of individuals and society.

    42 min
  10. 2 - Liam Bell (Playlunch) - Musician - The Importance of Creativity and Joy for Success

    FEB 27

    2 - Liam Bell (Playlunch) - Musician - The Importance of Creativity and Joy for Success

    Liam Bell is a talented multi-instrumentalist who is best known as the singer, front man, and creative force behind the Aussie-bogan-funk band, Playlunch. He is a powerhouse of talent, working as their CEO, writer, producer, designer - he can do it all! In this episode, Liam joins me to chat about the hard work and reality behind the scenes of being a musician, how creativity and joy have been a driving force in his life and success, and the importance of doing what you love and loving the job you choose to do.

    49 min
  11. 1 - Lucinda Cowden - Actor - The Power of Soap Operas and How Arts Can Save Us

    FEB 26

    1 - Lucinda Cowden - Actor - The Power of Soap Operas and How Arts Can Save Us

    Lucinda Cowden is an actor, improvisor, and educator, among many things, and may be most recognisable from her role as ‘Melanie Pearson’ in Neighbours. In this episode, she joins me to talk about the varying work-life of an actor, the importance of arts and soap operas in creating empathy and connection in our lives, and the consequences for our world when we undervalue the arts. She also tells us about her new works coming up as part of the Flinders Fringe Festival, on from 27th February - 1st March, 2026. Tickets and more info can be found at flindersfringe.com.au

    25 min
  • 11 Episodes

About

How good are the arts?! How good are people who work in the arts?! Wouldn’t it be awesome if someone interviewed a bunch of these creative people and made a podcast for everyone to listen to?! Well, you’re in luck! Welcome to The Creative Pod, an Australian-based podcast where I, Leya Mackus, chat to an array of artsy individuals working across various creative industries. Join me as I find out about what they do, why they do it, and discuss the importance of arts in our world today. Each episode, I will speak with a creative to hear about the goings-on in their creative life and in their pocket of the arts world. Think performers, directors, musicians, writers, actors, dancers, artists, designers, etc. The intention is to highlight the incredible work and people within Australia’s creative industries, and bring insight and inspiration to other existing or aspiring creatives and young people. We’ll unpack different creative industries, opportunities, experiences, and challenges (and goodness knows there are lots of those in the arts!), as well as get inspired by some of the brilliant things that are happening within our country and beyond. And, most importantly, we’ll hear from a variety of people who know it best, just why the arts are so important in our lives. This podcast is recorded by Radio Carrum, at Karrum Karrum, on the lands of the Bunurong People. I pay my respects to Indigenous Peoples past and present, and feel honoured to share creative stories and conversations on the land where countless creatives and stories have come before me.

Information

  • Creator
    Leya Mackus
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    11
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Leya Mackus 2026
  • Show Website
    The Creative Pod