The End of Things?  Reflecting on Change, Communication, and What’s Next In this thought-provoking and emotional episode of Country Creatives, hosts Reece Hendy and Caleb Maxwell explore the shifting landscape of communication—past, present, and future. From the decline of social media to the rise of AI, they reflect on how technology continues to transform the ways we connect and create. But this episode is also a personal one. After four incredible years of conversations, community, and creativity, Reece and Caleb share a major announcement about the future of Country Creatives and a look back on the podcast’s impact and lessons learned. It’s a thoughtful, inspiring, and deeply grateful reflection—on endings, evolution, and everything that comes next.

In this episode of Country Creatives, Caleb, Aimee, and Reece reflect on the powerful role adults play in shaping the creativity of children. They share personal stories about how encouragement—or lack of it—impacted their own creative journeys, and explore how adults can either nurture or stifle curiosity and imagination. The conversation highlights the importance of balanced support, moving beyond rigid career expectations, and creating environments where kids are free to experiment and discover their unique talents. This thoughtful discussion is a reminder of how vital it is to give the next generation room to grow creatively.

In this special episode of Country Creatives, hosts Caleb and Reece are joined by Aimee to answer a series of deep, thought-provoking questions left by last week’s guest, Mayan Gagliardi. Together, they explore the delicate balance between creating art for personal fulfillment and making work for commercial purposes, and the unique challenges young creatives face as they find their footing in the industry. The trio reflects on the impact their work has on others, the struggles and rewards of the creative process, and the role of persistence in building a sustainable career. They also share updates on their current projects and dive into an open conversation about the role of manifestation in the creative journey. It’s an honest, wide-ranging discussion that offers inspiration for artists at any stage of their career.

In this episode of Country Creatives, Caleb sits down with emerging creative Mayan Gagliardi for an inspiring conversation about stepping into the arts industry as a young person. Recorded at the Emporium Creative Hub, where Mayan spent a week immersed in creative projects, this chat offers a glimpse into the mindset and motivations of the next generation of artists. Mayan shares how his diverse influences, including music, street art, film set building and storytelling, have shaped his creative journey so far. From navigating personal setbacks to working on collaborative projects and exploring new creative technologies, he reflects on the importance of community and the many pathways available in the arts today. This episode is a candid look at what it takes to find your voice, build your craft, and pursue creativity with purpose. Click HERE find out more about the RIVE software Mayan mentions in the episode

In this episode of Country Creatives, Reece and Caleb dive into the world of community festivals, focusing on the iconic Eaglehawk Dahlia and Arts Festival and a new initiative called the Ideas Forum. As president of Eaglehawk Festivals Inc., Reece shares the vision behind the forum—an open call for new ideas to help evolve the festival while honouring its deep local roots. They explore the importance of community involvement, the realities of post-COVID adaptation, and the challenge of volunteer fatigue—all while offering a hopeful look at how creativity and collaboration can breathe new life into beloved traditions.   Whether you're a creative, a community-builder, or just love a good festival, this episode is a celebration of reinvention, inclusion, and collective imagination.   Find out more on the festival HERE

In this episode of Country Creatives, hosts Caleb Maxwell and Reece Hendy unpack Caleb’s recent adventure: climbing a mountain in the Solomon Islands. What started as a physical challenge became a powerful act of service, as Caleb and longtime friend Mark Morley raised over $15,000 for a school in Fiji—an initiative close to Caleb’s heart and community. The conversation explores the emotional and physical highs and lows of the journey, the logistics of grassroots fundraising, and the power of friendship in achieving something meaningful. Whether you're a creative, a community-minded adventurer, or someone looking for inspiration to give back, this episode is a heartfelt reflection on how personal goals can drive real-world change.

In this episode of Country Creatives, hosts Reece and Aimee sit down with Bendigo-based writer Rachel Nightingale to explore the winding path of her creative career and the release of her upcoming novel Raluana Lane. Rachel shares insights from her early love of storytelling, her shift between academic and creative writing, and the emotional and logistical challenges of authorship. Diving into the process behind her latest historical drama—set during World War II and inspired by true events—Rachel discusses the tension between traditional and self-publishing, the impact of global events like the COVID-19 pandemic on narrative themes, and what it takes to write with heart and historical depth.   Rachel’s new book Raluana Lane will be available from July 1st, with a special launch event happening June 29th at the Emporium Creative Hub. Learn more about Rachel HERE

In this solo episode of Country Creatives, host Caleb Maxwell takes a deep dive into one of the most powerful tools in a creative's toolkit: personal branding. Far from being about logos or catchy slogans, Caleb unpacks personal branding as the way others perceive, describe, and ultimately trust you. He shares why being known matters, and how building a brand can open doors to more opportunities, higher impact, and greater pricing power. With thoughtful insights, real-world experiences, and actionable advice, Caleb offers a roadmap for creatives who want to build their personal brand authentically and intentionally. 

In this episode of Country Creatives, hosts Caleb and Reece sit down with returning guest Patrick Thompson to unpack his bold leap from agency life to full-time freelance business owner. After years at Blunt Agency, Patrick shares what it’s been like to step into self-employment—navigating the highs, the challenges, and the learning curves of managing both client work and business development. The conversation dives into the nuances between freelancing and running a business, building a sustainable work rhythm, and how to align your professional life with your creative energy. Whether you're thinking about going out on your own or simply curious about what it takes, this episode is full of honest insights and practical advice.

In this mini Country Creatives snippet, hosts Caleb Maxwell and Reece Hendy dive into the kinds of guests and conversations that light them up. They reflect on the types of creatives they’re drawn to—philosophical thinkers, bold innovators, and people who’ve taken unconventional paths in their creative careers. The hosts also extend a warm invitation to listeners: Know someone inspiring? Want to nominate yourself? They're open to guest suggestions from anywhere, not just Bendigo. This short and thoughtful episode is a call-out for meaningful conversations and new connections, with a few hints at exciting future plans—including revisiting favourite past guests and aiming high for new voices. Find the form HERE

In this episode of Country Creatives, hosts Reece Hendy and Caleb Maxwell sit down with the Honourable Colin Brooks, Victoria’s Minister for Industry and Advanced Manufacturing and Minister for Creative Industries. The conversation explores how government portfolios are assigned, the fascinating relationship between the creative industries and advanced manufacturing, and Colin’s surprising love for contemporary dance. He reflects on the critical importance of equitable access to creative opportunities, especially for people in regional areas and underrepresented communities. Colin also shares insights into current and upcoming government initiatives designed to support creatives across Victoria, offering listeners a rare peek behind the policy curtain. The episode wraps with a lighthearted yes-or-no round that gives us a playful glimpse into the Minister’s personality. Whether you’re a practicing artist, creative entrepreneur, or policy nerd—this episode is packed with thought-provoking ideas and genuine moments.

In this special mini episode of Country Creatives, recorded live at a late 2024 media event, Aimee catches up with the brilliant Dr. Karen Annett, Director of La Trobe Art Institute in Bendigo. Dr. Annett reflects on the challenges young creatives face when building community and accessing opportunities—especially in regional and smaller towns. She speaks to the importance of networking, mentorship, and accessible exhibition spaces, and the real-world barriers of things like grant writing and industry connection. This insightful conversation dives into the many pathways into a creative career, whether through formal education or self-taught exploration, and why interdisciplinary collaboration is key to the future of creative work. Dr. Annett also highlights the role of institutions like the La Trobe Art Institute in providing both educational and experiential opportunities, helping young creatives pair their passion with practical skills for long-term success. It’s a short but powerful conversation about creativity, opportunity, and the future of regional creative industries. Learn about Latrobe Art Institute HERE

In this episode of Country Creatives, hosts Caleb Maxwell and Reece Hendy reflect on their experience at The Wands exhibition by Ben Wrigley, an immersive and collaborative art event held at Bendigo’s historic Beehive building. They break down the creative elements that brought the event to life, including Ben's sculptures, Kelly Hartland’s aphorisms, Aimee Chapman’s sound design, Ivan Sun’s documentary screening, and Jason Kerr’s ceremonial smoking performance. Beyond the event itself, they explore the power of creative collaboration—how grassroots art projects evolve, the balance between DIY exhibitions and traditional galleries, and the snowball effect of partnerships in scaling creative work. Whether you're an artist, curator, or creative entrepreneur, this episode is packed with insights on building community-driven projects that leave a lasting impact.

In this episode of Country Creatives, hosts Caleb Maxwell and Reece Hendy sit down with Les Watson, the productivity powerhouse known as the 'Time Lord.' With decades of experience in time management and personal development, Les shares his expert strategies for boosting productivity, overcoming procrastination, and mastering your daily schedule. From getting tasks out of your head and into a trusted system to setting clear goals and managing email overload, this episode is packed with practical tips to help creatives take control of their time. Les also introduces a time management challenge and shares insights from his book, Get Back an Hour in Every Day. If you’re looking to work smarter, not harder, this conversation is a must-listen! 🎧 For Les’s data dump exercise visit - https://www.getmoretime.com.au/trigger-list To grab Les’s 25 Time Tips For Busy People freebie visit - https://www.getmoretime.com.au/timetips  

In this episode of Country Creatives, Reece and Caleb sit down with Ben Wrigley, a multifaceted creative whose journey is deeply rooted in the arts. From growing up in a creative household to carving out a career in architectural and heritage photography, Ben shares how his perceptive approach has shaped his work. He reflects on moments from his remarkable career, including photographing icons like Bob Hawke and Desmond Tutu, and delves into his passion for sculpture, particularly his latest project, The Wands. Sacred sculpture created from a 100-year-old pine tree, this spiritually and emotionally charged exhibition explores the relationship between material, memory, and transformation. Tune in for an inspiring conversation about creativity, resilience, and the power of seeing the world through a perceptive lens. For information on The Wands event visit HERE For more about Ben visit HERE

In this episode of Country Creatives, Reece and Caleb sit down with Dan Walsh, a seasoned film industry professional who recently returned from Canada with nearly 20 years of experience. Dan takes us behind the scenes of the camera department, breaking down the intricacies of roles like focus puller and explaining the complex coordination required to bring films and TV shows to life. With an impressive career working on productions for Apple, Amazon, Disney, and Netflix and more, Dan shares captivating stories from the set, the essential soft skills that make a great crew member, and valuable advice for aspiring filmmakers. If you’ve ever been curious about the inner workings of high-level film production, this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss!  

Starting Strong: Creative Planning and Goal-Setting for 2025 Welcome to the 2025 premiere of Country Creatives! 🎉 Reece and Caleb kick off the year with an inspiring discussion about their planning and goal-setting strategies for the year ahead. From the power of taking a break to recharge to creating vision boards and using tools like the Eisenhower Matrix for prioritisation, this episode is packed with practical advice to help you hit the ground running. The hosts also share insights from their own creative projects and community-focused roles, exploring how to balance personal ambitions with contributing to the broader creative landscape. Plus, they want to hear from you—what are your 2025 goals? Drop them a line and join the conversation! Tune in to start your year with clarity, purpose, and creative inspiration. 🎧 Available now on your favourite podcast platform! If you'd like to explore a visual example of the Eisenhower Matrix: https://www.smartsheet.com/content/eisenhower-matrix-templates If you'd like to know more about the Eaglehawk Festival Volunteering: https://eaglehawkfestivals.com.au/volunteers   

Welcome to the Country Creatives Summer Series! In this encore episode, Caleb and Reece revisit one of their favourite conversations of the year: their book review episode. This thoughtful and inspiring discussion dives into two books that profoundly shaped their creative journeys in 2024. Reece shares his experience with Rick Rubin's The Creative Act: A Way of Being, a philosophical exploration of creativity as an intrinsic part of life. Caleb reflects on Ed Catmull's Creativity, Inc., a practical and insightful guide to balancing creativity and business, drawn from Catmull's experience as co-founder of Pixar. With personal anecdotes and lessons learned, Caleb and Reece unpack how these books have influenced their perspectives as creatives and professionals. Whether you're an artist, entrepreneur, or simply someone looking to deepen your creative practice, this episode offers inspiration, practical wisdom, and a few laughs along the way. Tune in, soak up the insights, and enjoy this replay as you kick back this summer!

🎙️ Encore Episode: Chris Kennett on Turning Creativity into a Career This summer, we're revisiting some of our most inspiring episodes while we prepare exciting new content for 2025! First up: a listener favorite featuring Bendigo-based illustrator and author, Chris Kennett. Chris's journey from doodling as a kid to illustrating Star Wars Little Golden Books and bestselling children's series like School of Monsters and The Nerd Herd is nothing short of remarkable. In this encore episode, he shares his insights on:✨ Seizing opportunities by simply "sending the email"✨ Protecting your creative time✨ Navigating the publishing world as a creative professional Whether you're starting out or seeking fresh inspiration, Chris's story will motivate you to take that next step in your creative journey. Tune in and rediscover the magic of simply doing the work! #CountryCreatives #EncoreEpisode #ChrisKennett #CreativeCareers #Illustration   Find out more about Chris HERE

In this special year-end episode of Country Creatives, hosts Caleb and Reece are joined by their producer, Aimee, for a lively look back at 2024. Together, they reflect on personal and professional highlights, from Aimee’s transformative role with the Emporium Creative Hub to Caleb’s rollercoaster year with Hebron Films, and Reece’s efforts to prioritize focus and meaningful projects. The conversation is packed with insights on overcoming challenges, celebrating wins, and learning from the past year. Plus, the trio gives an exciting glimpse into the podcast’s future—think expansion, live recordings, and even TV appearances! Whether you’re reflecting on your own year or planning for a creative 2025, this episode is a heartfelt reminder of the power of community, collaboration, and setting bold goals. Tune in and get inspired!