Advertise on podcast: The Creative Trust

In this episode of The Creative Trust Podcast, host Amanda Henderson sits down with architect Clare Cousins and designer Grazia Materia - longtime collaborators and friends whose work challenges the idea that design is a luxury. Together, they explore how trust, friendship and shared values form the backbone of their creative process, and why good design should be thoughtful, utilitarian and accessible to everyone - not just those with the budget for bespoke architecture or high-end furniture. This conversation moves between the practical and the philosophical: designing when the end user is unknown, advocating for better everyday spaces in Australian suburbs, and the balance between function, longevity and quiet moments of delight. Clare and Grazia remind us that design is about solving problems, improving how we live, and creating things we’d want to use ourselves. A smart, generous reminder: work with people you like, build with the community around you, and remember - your next great collaboration might already be sitting across the table.

In this energised conversation, Andy Kelly, founder of Oigall Projects, shares how he transformed a neglected corner building on Gertrude Street into a thriving gallery and how the uncertainty of lockdown became the catalyst for action. Andy’s career led him from visual merchandising to becoming the founder of one of Melbourne’s most groundbreaking galleries. Andy reflects on the power of just beginning, the importance of bringing your audience along for the journey, and why networking isn’t just useful — it’s everything. He opens up about the mentors who shaped him and how he’s developed his own ‘bloodhound’ instinct for sniffing out good creative partnerships. Andy talks about developing meaningful mentor relationships, trusting your instincts, and leaning into the culture of ‘now’ as a creative force. It’s a refreshing reminder that momentum starts the moment you begin. Tune in for a conversation filled with honest insights and momentum-building advice for creatives at any stage.

Meet Australia’s pre-eminent Branding and Marketing wizard for creative small businesses. Fiona Killackey is the Founder of My Daily Business, brand building strategist, coach, author and podcaster (with over a million downloads so far!). Fiona’s new book ‘Business to Brand’ is the complete authority on how to move your brand from transaction to transformation. Amanda Henderson sits down to conversation filled with Fiona’s practical advice on building a brand, what are the best AI platforms and openly shares her wisdom when it comes to vital business knowledge that no one talks about. Listen as we hear how Fiona has found the right balance of family, freedom and a rewarding career. Please enjoy!

This is an episode packed with the humble wisdom of Lucy Feagins , Founder , Owner and ‘Chief Collaborator’ of The Design Files . In this conversation we find out how Lucy went from creating a tiny design blog to become one of Australia’s most influential design platforms – a media company reaching over 1.6 million design lovers each month ! Together with Amanda Henderson Lucy chats openly on why so many business women want to be liked, why Australian interior design is having a ‘moment’ globally and listen for clues as to what might be next for Lucy and the team. Lucy generously shares her insights on how to stand out in a cluttered media space, how to find your authentic voice on social media, and why the team have launched a magazine for their die hard fans

It’s always an easy conversation when two creatives sit down to talk about the things they adore. In this episode, Amanda Henderson sits down with designer Brahman Perera to discuss what it means to be an "engineer of atmosphere." With creativity grounded in hospitality and fashion, Brem shares how he designs interiors with landscaping and movement, as well as his collaborations with Melbourne’s makers. Tune in for an inspiring conversation about Brem’s pursuit of experiential beauty.

Welcome back to The Creative Trust Podcast! We’re excited to kick off Season 5 with a captivating episode featuring two of Australia’s most influential figures in the creative and event industries: Bruce Keebaugh, founder and director of The Big Group, and Robyn Lea, an internationally renowned photographer, author, and creative visionary. Bruce, who co-founded The Big Group with his wife Chyka in 1990, has transformed the company into one of the largest and most innovative hospitality and event providers in the country. Robyn, with a career spanning over three decades, has authored 18 books and photographed for leading global publications, capturing the essence of creativity in everything from art to design. In this special edition episode, Bruce and Robyn join Amanda Henderson to discuss their exciting new collaboration, By Invitation Only, which offers a rare behind-the-scenes look into the world of event curation and design. Together, they share their wealth of experience, offering insights into the evolving Australian event industry and the creative processes behind their work. Bruce’s expertise in high-profile events like the Spring Racing Carnival and the Australian Open Tennis, combined with Robyn’s eye for beauty and design, makes this conversation a must-listen for anyone interested in the intersection of creativity, hospitality, and innovation. Tune in for a compelling discussion with two of Australia’s most respected thought leaders!

We are excited to introduce colour expert Bree Leech as this week’s guest on The Creative Trust Podcast. As an interior designer, trend forecaster, dreamscape scenographer and colour master… Bree creates beautiful spaces with colourful futures. Renowned for her work with Dulux, creating colour trend forecasts over the past decade, we learn that when it comes to trend forecasting it isn’t an exact science, however it does all start with a “mood”. In this episode Amanda and Bree discuss her creative beginnings that lead to her love of colour and how baking in the family kitchen later evolved her creative process. Bree shares how creatives can provide structure for themselves in a freelance world. They chat about what she is currently experimenting with in her own home, what to wear to Milan Design Week, the current colour zeitgeist of warmth and the rise of mid tones. Just what we love, more talk of colour! Enjoy.

On this episode of The Creative Trust, we discover how Amanda’s love of coaches came later in life and now obsessed, she wants to share. What if there was a way for creatives to have more freedom? Andrew Mitchell of The Design Coach and MR MITCHELL a successful interior design practice, is passionate about the magic and freedom that systems can create for designers. Amanda and Andrew talk about how to find the right coach, how to deal with resistance in new challenges and how the investment in a great coach will provide you with skills for you to use in decades to come. We are about life long learning here at Gloss Creative and Andrew provides those goods. Please enjoy.

In this episode Amanda sits down with Lauren Li of Sisalla Interior Design for an in-depth conversation on business and design – two of our favourite things. In celebration of the publication of her first book, Lauren shares ‘The New French Look”, the first in a new Style Study series due out this month. Lauren's interior design style is part “scandi", part "lived in spaces”. She works with her clients to establish a feeling for the space then allows the decisions to flow from there. Aside from being a published author and having her busy interior design practice, Lauren is a prolific leader in the design community. She regularly writes for The Design Files and has founded The Design Society, an online space where she mentors her community through their own businesses. Lauren believes that having the courage to do the thing that makes you happy, is the key to it all… and we wholeheartedly agree. Please enjoy.

Introducing the 2023 Dulux Colour Awards Grand Prix Award recipients... Sibling Architecture. Amanda sits down with Nicholas Braun, one of the four principal architects of Sibling. Based in Melbourne/Naarm, Australia, Nicholas along with Amelia Borg, Qianyi Lim and Timothy Moore have created an architecture practice that does things differently. From their non-hierarchical structure to their non-traditional philosophy... It is a practice that cares about making people's lives better. In this episode, hear how Sibling are challenging the status quo of Architecture, how playfulness is infused into every project and the social responsibility of architecture within public and private realms. Amanda & Nick discuss taking a holistic approach to each project, balancing the real world constraints with creativity and of course it wouldn't be a Creative Trust episode if they didn't dedicate time to discussing COLOUR.Please enjoy this episode.

This episode is for the foodies. Amanda sits down for a panel discussion on Food Styling - a photographer, a food stylist and an interior designer are the quintessential Melbourne food culture creatives. So of course we got the tea on their favourite spots in Melbourne. Three very different, very inspiring paths all lead Interior Designer Lucienne Hemingway, Photographer Marcel Aucar and Food Stylist & Writer Leesa O’Rielly to working with food. All three have had incredible mentors through their careers that have taught them to have trust, confidence and why speaking up at the right moment can change a career. They discuss how to make food look good, the research that goes into a food styling shoot and how to pick the perfect plate for the dish. This group are the quiet achievers; their work usually does the talking... but today we are shining a light on them.

Amanda joins Cherrie Miriklis Founder and Owner of Flowers Vasette along with Sonya Wilson their Creative Director for a discussion on floristry and business. From the sunflower outside the door of their Brunswick Street, Fitzroy flagship, Flowers Vasette is a beacon of excitement and joy for all those who visit. But their business is not just the rare and abundant flowers you're greeted with... it's the team behind the retail space, the relationships with growers, the creative collaborators, the generational mentoring and of course their fearless leaders. In this episode we explore Cherrie's stockbroking beginnings and the origin and timeline of Vasette's rich 30 year history. We discuss the the backend of floristry, the stamina required, the importance of your team, social media being the lens through which they do business and how you can never go wrong with nature.Please enjoy.

"The future is already here - it's just not evenly distributed" - William Gibson Meet Martin Raymond & Chris Sanderson of The Future Laboratory, a global futures forecasting consultancy based in London. Amanda sat down alongside Joel Bartfeld of Joel Found during their visit to Australia. The Future Laboratory create better futures for their clients. Martin & Chris are looking for ways to unlock opportunities for business growth whilst also creating better outcomes for humanity. Both Martin & Chris are yin and yang when it comes to their creative beginnings. Martin is driven by his love of knowledge and words and Chris by his desire to peel back the layers and reveal what makes people tick. In this longform conversation, prepare to have your mind blown as Amanda, Joel, Martin & Chris discuss everything from why creativity is best with challenging boundaries and how changing your environment could be your secret weapon in problem solving. This episode is dedicated to life long learning. Please enjoy.

In our first ever 'community questions' episode Amanda is joined by producer of the podcast Zara Guastella. As an established Makeup Artist of 11 years & all-round creative, Zara shares her insights from a recently-transitioned-to-fulltime-creative perspective... she's also Amanda's daughter which brings a fun, candid vibe to the episode.There is so much universal knowledge in this episode we encourage you to share it with those you love. Those who you work with. Those who have been in the creative industry for 30 years or just 3. We hope this answers your questions. We hope this inspires new ones. We received so many great questions so there are many topics covered... here are just a few... -how to do full time & side hassle at the same time -how to deal with ‘mansplaining’. -Evolution & reinvention (especially after a hiatus, hello maternity leave) -Amanda’s thoughts on life coaches-why you shouldn’t worry about what people think of your work

Every Creative has experienced it... The free pitch. We’ve all been asked to give our ideas away without compensation. It is a mindfield that we are often not skilled to deal with. Sometimes it feels like there is no way out of it. What if I told you there was another way of procuring work and you do not need to free pitch? This episode is dedicated to solving the never talked about, never explained mystery of free pitching. In this episode Amanda talks with Steff D’Alberto – Creative Director of The Big Group, Kelly Thompson – Creative Director and CEO of Makers Mrkt and Zara Guastella Founder of ZAR Makeup about how they have navigated their way through and found constructive solutions and approaches to help you decide “to pitch or not to pitch ?”