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"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

“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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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. What began as a commission for a tour documentary turned into Antony Crook’s debut feature film, and all because of a global pandemic! In this very special episode, we caught up with Antony amidst the madness of SXSW, where he premiered If the Stars had a Sound, celebrating legendary Scottish band Mogwai. Originally from Manchester and now based in Upstate New York with his family, Antony started out as a photographer, and has shot icons from David Hockney to Snoop Dogg. He then made the leap into filmmaking with a music video for his friend’s band, Mogwai, which went viral on Nowness over a decade ago. Now he’s come full circle with this film that reflects the personal relationships, integrity and creativity that went into the making of it, and it’s been perfectly summarised by The Austin Chronicle as “A true underdog story and a breathtaking look at community-building”. From throwing out the rulebook to being given Mogwai’s music stems, from sifting through days of GoPro footage to sourcing funding to inviting fans to be part of the journey…Antony reveals the depth, detail and devotion it takes to get a project of this scale off the ground and into the world. “I didn't want the film to be like anything else out there. Mogwai have always done their own thing, their way, and this film had to be consistent with that” If the Stars had a Sound is a must-watch and screens later this month at various festivals, including Sheffield DocFest and Raindance Film Festival. Follow @AntonyCrook and @Mogwaiband for the latest!  EPISODE INSIGHTS Transforming obstacles into opportunitiesWhy relationships matter in the business of creativityHow throwing out the rulebook can reignite possibilityHow subject matter can inform the creative approachWhy mood trumped chronology in the editThoughts on the episode? DM us @creativebloodworld  EPISODE CREDITS Hosted by Laura Conway Produced by Scenery Studios

Welcome to the Creative Blood Experience. One culture-defining creative guest… One passionate host… And a deck of 50 question cards designed to yield incredible creative tips, real life experiences and untold stories from the artists working across the creative industries today! New York-based Casey Brooks began her visual career shooting stills of friends in her dance community, and as her photographic technique developed so did her keen eye for movement and motion.  She’s gone on to collaborate with some of the greatest talent in the dance world. To give a flavour: Beyoncé’s choreographer Dana Foglia, MacArthur Genius Grant recipient Michelle Dorrance, Emma Portner, Soraya Lundy, and principal dancers from The Royal Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, Shen Wei, and Cedar Lake Ballet. In this episode, Casey explains how she navigates between creative and commercially viable projects, the importance of an awe-inspiring outdoor location and what’s next on her artistic agenda. She reveals the preparation, communication and creative pragmatism that goes into getting a job done on schedule and within budget – from ensuring shots are set up precisely to playing your part in a team. EPISODE INSIGHTS How early experiences can make an impression and shape a careerWhy having collaborators who are just as invested as you is crucialHow to get the best out of a performerSubverting the ‘suffering artist’ stereotype Find out more about Casey @caseybrooks_ Thoughts on the episode? Drop us a DM @creativebloodworld Hosted by Laura Conway Produced by Ben Tarrant-Brown Music by Ben Tarrant-Brown

Welcome to the Creative Blood Experience. One culture-defining creative guest… One passionate host… And a deck of 50 question cards designed to yield incredible creative tips, real life experiences and untold stories from the artists working across the creative industries today! Globally renowned for creating iconic hairstyles on famous names and faces across music, film, fashion and art – from supermodels to Hollywood A-listers – session hair stylist Raphael Salley has amassed an awe-inspiring roll-call of devoted clients and collaborators during his expansive career. We’re talking Claudia Schiffer, Kate Moss, Helena Bonham Carter, Charlotte Tilbury, Givenchy, The Vampire's Wife, Versace, Agent Provocateur, Isabel Marant, Juergen Teller, Harley Weir, Nick Knight and Edward Enninful…as well as fashion publications – Dazed, AnOther Magazine and Vogue. From serendipitously bumping into fashion hair legend Eugene Souleiman in make-up mecca Screen Face in West London, to getting approached by global creative talent agency Streeters, to this Dazed and Confused shoot that would lead to hair consultancies for Hollywood directors Jane Campion and Matthew Vaughn, Raph tells us about the moments that shaped his career and lets us in on his secrets for getting the best out of a subject in the styling seat. During the episode, Raph also opens up to us about how he rebuilt his confidence and his career after overcoming a life-changing trauma and the lessons he learned along the way.  “Once the trust is gained with the artist, once that person is feeling comfortable in your chair, you can pretty much do anything! They'll say, yeah, go for it”. Wondering what that book of healing poetry Raph mentioned a certain actor read to him was? Wonder no further.  EPISODE INSIGHTS Developing long-lasting relationships with A-list clientsThe importance of seeing an opportunity and taking itRebuilding a career in the wake of physical traumaStories from an illustrious careerFind out more about Raph @raphaelsalley We’d love to know what you thought of the episode @creativebloodworld EPISODE CREDITS Hosted by Laura Conway Produced by Ben Tarrant-Brown Music by Ben Tarrant-Brown

Welcome to the Creative Blood Experience. One culture-defining creative guest… One passionate host… And a deck of 50 question cards designed to yield incredible creative tips, real life experiences and untold stories from the artists working across the creative industries today! Over twenty years Becky Smith has become a renowned figure within the intertwining worlds of fashion and beauty.   Her edgy, powerful and feminine vision and keen eye for new talent has led to her becoming one of London’s most sought-after creative directors, working with leading fashion magazines and major brands including Stella McCartney, Nike, Prada and Balenciaga among many many others. “Figure out who you are and what you want to achieve. Once you've found that, everything else will click into place." In 2009, she founded Twin Magazine, a biannual hardback set up to showcase disobedient, rebellious and visionary creative voices through art and cultural features, and creative agency Twin Studio. Constantly breaking new ground, she’s recently turned her attention to visual art, with her new Surrey-based Gallery 13. During this episode, Becky remembers how she got her foot in the door at i-D Magazine, the experience of working with top-tier talent (check out one of her favourite shoots, Michelle Yeoh x La Mer) and reveals how she tells the difference between a good photographer and a great one.  Prepare for a no-nonsense masterclass in decision-making within a high-pressure environment, getting noticed in a crowded industry and why being able to execute your vision, from moodboard to reality, is essential. EPISODE INSIGHTS How to get noticed in a saturated industryWhy you should trust and follow your gut instinctsApplying a ‘less is more’ approach to choosing projectsWhy nurturing creativity has its own rewardsAdvice for photographers trying to break into the industry Follow @Twin.studio What did you think of this episode? Drop us a DM @creativebloodworld EPISODE CREDITS Hosted by Laura Conway Produced and mixed by Scenery Studios Show music by Ben Tarrant-Brown

Welcome to the Creative Blood Experience. One culture-defining creative guest… One passionate host… And a deck of 50 question cards designed to yield incredible creative tips, real life experiences and untold stories from the artists working across the creative industries today! A self-confessed studio nerd, Georgia Barnes began her career drumming for Kwes, Kae Tempest and Micachu before signing with Domino records and releasing her self-titled debut album in 2015 to critical acclaim. She earned a Mercury nomination for her second album, Seeking Thrills, and has since gone on to collaborate with everyone from Years and Years’ frontman Olly Alexander and Gorillaz to Shania Twain and Vampire Weekend. We joined the deeply down-to-earth, multi-talented musician for an intimate chat in her home studio. During the episode, Georgia shares the female music influences who’ve shaped her career from Kate Bush to Missy Elliott, waxes lyrical about the joys of analogue, explains how a 9-5 approach can be surprisingly conducive to creativity, and spills the T on how Shania Twain takes her tea, and that’s not even the half of it! “I started out with an idea that I wanted to be this one thing. Over the years, I’ve had to let that go, and I’ve got so much I can offer in different areas” This episode is an audio goldmine of creative insights, personal reflections and industry anecdotes from the mind of an artist who eats, sleeps and breathes music. Has Georgia euphoria rubbed off on us? Absolutely. Check out Georgia's latest single, Too much, too little. Follow Georgia @GeorgiaUK What did you think of this episode? Drop us a DM @creativebloodworld EPISODE INSIGHTS Why overnight success is an industry mythWhy women need to start occupying the engineering spaceHow taking your time can pay offWhy knowledge is an affirmative power that creates resilienceThe importance of being open to different creative pathsWhy routine can be good for creativityEPISODE CREDITS Hosted by Laura ConwayProduced by Scenery StudiosShow music by Ben Tarrant-Brown

Welcome to the Creative Blood Experience. One culture-defining creative guest… One passionate host… And a deck of 50 question cards designed to yield incredible creative tips, real life experiences and untold stories from the artists working across the creative industries today! Last year Max Osinski had barely touched a soccer ball in his life. Now, thanks to his turn in Ted Lasso as spiritual diva and football legend Zava, he’s a fully playable character on FIFA. Born in an Austrian refugee camp, raised in Chicago and now living in London Max’s approach to auditions, preparing for a role being on set and working with legends such as Tom Hanks has seen him in Marvel’s Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D., The Walking Dead: World Beyond as well as the movies “In Time” and “Love and Other Drugs”. This Summer, he came into our Shoreditch Studio, and pulled ten cards from The Creative Blood Experience deck and in the process, revealed the art of navigating the uncertainty of the acting profession whilst maintaining not just resilience, but a sense of wonder and awe along the way.   Here’s Max on insta and his partner in art + life, wife Dichen Lachman. This profile in Vanity Fair gives more insight into the Ted Lasso experience. Improve your own accent game in the The International Dialects of English Archive And join Max (sort of) on the sofa and try Idris Elba’s Hijack. This episode was created in partnership with the brilliant humans here Creative Blood and Scenery Studios. Say hello @creativebloodworld Music by Ben Tarrant-Brown Producer Lina Prestwood Mixed by Rob Martland

Welcome to the Creative Blood Experience. One culture-defining creative guest… One passionate host… And a deck of 50 question cards designed to yield incredible creative tips, real life experiences and untold stories from the artists working across the creative industries today! Travelling the world with just three briefcases, a backpack and his enormous canvases, Samuel de Saboia is considered by many to be a contemporary art prodigy. We caught up with the Brazilian creative nomad in the middle of an art residency in Italy where he was surrounded by birds and statues of deities from around the world.  Samuel’s multimedia paintings and sculptures are huge, swirling, colourful odes to Afro-Presentism. His first major solo show in New York, aged just 20 was called Beautiful Wounds and was about the deaths of five of his friends over a period of just six months.  He has since exhibited in Zurich, Paris, Los Angeles, New York, Marrakesh, Mexico City, and all over Brazil and has close ties with the world of fashion and design; he’s painted the cover for the September issue of Vogue, Brazil, been the cover star of Harper’s Bazaar Art issue  and Comme des Garçons named him their Artist of the year in 2022.  Where on earth is Samuel this month? Check out his insta.   During our conversation Samuel mentioned curator Alayo Akinkugbe whose work as ABlackHistoryofArt can be explored here and Osei Bonsu, the Curator of International Art at Tate Modern, London.  Want to delve further into Samuel’s art? Try this i-D article. This episode was created in partnership with the brilliant humans here Creative Blood and Scenery Studios.  Say hello @creativebloodworld Music by Ben Tarrant-Brown Producer Lina Prestwood Mixed by ORO Audio