THE CREATIVE NOWHERE LAND PODCAST – Détails, épisodes et analyse

Send a text

Welcome to the Creative Nowhere Land Podcast. 

On this episode, we are joined by self-portrait artist and my mate Claire Riley.

As a teenager, Claire was diagnosed with M.E and later with bipolar disorder. Claire joins us to talk about her new body of work, 'Do I make you feel uncomfortable?'  Where she's exploring her own mental illness through self-portraiture. 

The project is, in her words, honest, brutal, surprising and maybe a little bit ugly, but it's also very real. And to me, it's incredibly brave. It's a project that Claire hopes can open up more conversations about mental health and hopefully help other people who may be going through something similar.

We discuss Claire's whole creative journey and all of the parts that have led her to now, within this new body of work, not only find what she's supposed to be doing with her creativity, but also find herself. 

In addition to being a practicing artist, Claire is also a marketing manager for an art gallery. Claire gets to spend her days talking about and being surrounded by art and artists, but not only that, she gets to be behind the scenes of a gallery and understand how it all works, which gives her a very unique perspective. And as a result, Claire has learned some great lessons that she kindly shares with us. 

Most important of which being, 'Don't let anyone tell you that your work isn't good enough if you believe in what you're doing, you've already won!'

The masks are off with this one, and there is definitely no sugarcoating it! 

We discussed some topics that may be uncomfortable for some people, including mental illness, medication and suicide, but that's the whole point. We have to be able to have these open and honest conversations, and that's the reason why I've got Claire on the podcast. 

You can check out the links to Claire's social media and see the project below:

Hope you enjoy this episode of The Creative Nowhere Land Podcast.

CLAIRE RILEY INSTAGRAM:  https://www.instagram.com/clairerileyfineart/

Support the show

CNL WEBSITE: https://www.creativenowhereland.com/

SIGN UP FOR THE NEWSLETTER: https://www.creativenowhereland.com/join

CNL INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/creativenowhereland/

CNL PODCAST MUSIC: https://www.instagram.com/jjodabeats/

Send a text

Welcome to the Creative Nowhere Land Podcast. 

Choose life. Choose a job. Choose a career. Choose art!

Well, if you're of a certain age, then that might sound a little bit familiar, but on this episode, we're joined by an artist who has done just that... they've chosen art.  

An artist who now uses their love of creativity, screen prints, fluorescent inks, and, in their words, potty mouth high jinks to shine a light on some of the inequalities and injustices in the world that make them angry.

On this episode, we are joined by Blam from Grow Up Art. 

Blam grew up wanting to be an artist, but not knowing what that looked like, he found himself working as a designer within the film and music industry.

And it was here that Blam helped create some of the most iconic imagery of the nineties. When a brief for the Danny Boyle film Trainspotting landed on his desk, he was asked to design the poster. 

Yeah, that's right! Blam designed the original Trainspotting poster, and that alone would be a great reason to have him on the podcast. But the creative journey didn't stop there.

Leaving the limitations and deadlines of the design world behind him when his children were born. Blam began to pursue different avenues of creativity and, for the next 10 years, worked on his own ventures and, more importantly, on being a dad to his children. 

The transition from designer to artist came much later, when Blam and his eldest son, Jack, began working and creating together as Grow Up Art, producing a wide spectrum of work, all with that comedic potty-mouth edge. 

But now, having grown apart, Blam is riding solo, and with his influences in punk, his work has taken a slightly more political edge, using art and creativity in his words to 'Call out Cunts!'

The most famous of which being the 'Turd Reich'. A piece of work that went viral in 2025, being picked up by The Washington Post, The New York Times, and The Guardian.  And a piece that was released for free and has been downloaded over a hundred thousand times worldwide. 

We discuss the whole journey and so much more. We talk about everything from making work that makes people spit their drinks out. The Broken Filters, Democratic Art and Blam's latest project with Atom Gallery, TrainSpotters, the exhibition. 

An exhibition that takes us full circle, and which celebrates the 30th anniversary of Trainspotting. Revisited and reimagined by 30 other artists, and where some of the profits will go to The Big Issue.

You can check out the links to Blam's work while you're listening to the podcast, of course. 

But we go into so much in this one that it's probably best to leave it up to the Blam to tell the story. 

Hope you enjoy this episode of The Creative Nowhere Land Podcast.

GROW UP ART INSTAGRAM:  https://www.instagram.com/grow_up_art_/

GROW UP ART WEBSITE: https://www.growupart.com/

Support the show

CNL WEBSITE: https://www.creativenowhereland.com/

SIGN UP FOR THE NEWSLETTER: https://www.creativenowhereland.com/join

CNL INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/creativenowhereland/

CNL PODCAST MUSIC: https://www.instagram.com/jjodabeats/

Send a text

Welcome to The Creative Nowhere Land Podcast.

Now, one of the things I love most about doing this podcast is getting to share the stories of people who take their creativity and actually turn it into something real. And today’s guest has done that in the most electrifying way possible—literally. Jack Quddus, the founder of Neon Cow

At just 23 years old, Jack has already achieved what many entrepreneurs spend decades chasing. He’s created custom neon signs for huge names like Gymshark, Selfridges, Harvey Nichols, Premier League football clubs, NFL teams, and even rapper Ja Rule.

But Jack’s story isn’t just about building signs—it’s about building a vision. Starting out at his mum’s kitchen table, Jack taught himself everything he knows through sheer determination, curiosity, and a relentless work ethic. His entrepreneurial spark was lit long before Neon Cow, from selling sweets in the school playground to learning vital business lessons from his grandparents, Derek and Pauline, who’ve run their Birmingham corner shop for over 60 years.

In this episode, we explore Jack’s journey from property finance to a solo trip to New York that changed everything, leading him to leave the corporate world behind and take the leap from side hustle into running his own creative business. 

We discuss what it's taken to get to where Jack is.  The non-negotiables, the power of 1% marginal gains, the importance of self-belief and gratitude, and why focusing on your own path is key to long-term success.

Jack’s story is a reminder that extraordinary things can start small. But if you’re willing to put in the work, the possibilities are endless.

Whether you’re dreaming of starting a side hustle, building a brand, or just looking for some motivation, this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss.

Check out the links below to the Neon Cow Instagram and the Website as you listen. Maybe ry their new AI 

NEON COW INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/neoncowco/

NEON COW WEBSITE: https://theneoncow.co.uk/

Support the show

CNL WEBSITE: https://www.creativenowhereland.com/

SIGN UP FOR THE NEWSLETTER: https://www.creativenowhereland.com/join

CNL INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/creativenowhereland/

CNL PODCAST MUSIC: https://www.instagram.com/jjodabeats/

Send a text

Welcome to The Creative Nowhere Land Podcast.

Sometimes in life, we could all do with a little advice, especially as artists and creatives. Well, on this episode, we're joined by someone who does just that, The Artist Advisor, Dean Melbourne.

As a successful artist himself with multiple solo shows under his belt, Dean has gained both the knowledge and experience in the art world that he now shares with other artists and creatives to help guide them on their journey.

In this episode, we discuss Dean's extensive career, the highs, the lows, and everything in between that gives Dean the social proof to be able to actually be the artist advisor. 

We also talk about the grifters or snake oil salesmen in the art industry. What success looks like as an artist, identity, and imposter syndrome. Why the best way to learn is to teach, and also why it's so important to develop not just the art, but ourselves as well.

Not only that, Dean kindly gives us his Top 5 Tips for Artists and Creatives that will be useful, whatever stage of the journey you are on. So get your pens at the ready, as you may want to take some notes, as this episode is full of inspiring stuff. Hope you enjoy it!

Check out the links below to Dean's Website and Social Media as you listen.

THE ARTIST ADVISOR WEBSITE: https://www.deanmelbourne.co.uk/

THE ARTIST ADVISOR INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/the_artist_advisor/

DEAN MELBOURNE ARTIST WEBSITE: https://www.deanmelbourneartist.com/

DEAN MELBOURNE ARTIST INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/deanmelbourneartist/

Support the show

CNL WEBSITE: https://www.creativenowhereland.com/

SIGN UP FOR THE NEWSLETTER: https://www.creativenowhereland.com/join

CNL INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/creativenowhereland/

CNL PODCAST MUSIC: https://www.instagram.com/jjodabeats/

Send a text

Welcome to Season 2 of the Creative Nowhere Land Podcast.

We've got some great guests lined up for you this season, so let's start as we mean to go on.

I've always said that I want Creative Nowhere Land to be a place that inspires others to do the things that inspire them. And I was racking my brain as to who should be the first guest to start us off for season two. Should it be an artist, a poet, a musician, maybe. 

But after recording this episode, I knew it had to be this guest. Someone who, up until recently, probably wouldn't have even considered themselves creative, but someone who is one of the most authentic and inspiring humans that I've met in a long time...Mr. PJ Ellis.

You might recognise the name as, yes, PJ was on Season 3 of the Reality TV show Big Brother, but that's not the reason why I've got him on the podcast. A lot's happened since then. Trust me! 

A family, a law career, a digital marketing agency, setting up and being part of multiple charities that have raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for amazing causes.  There are the years spent working tirelessly to champion amazing people. And now he's a radio DJ who tries to get people smiling every day. 

Now, if you are a 'creative', you might wonder how this is relevant to you. Well, PJ's story is one of overcoming adversity and anxiety, reinvention, fame and celebrity.  The masks we wear to survive and the moments that strip them away to reveal our true purpose, and most importantly, showing up for ourselves as well as other people. They're human issues, not just creative issues that we all go through, and we go into all of them in this episode. 

So, if you are feeling a little stuck or uninspired, give this one a listen, as I'm sure there's something that you can take away from it that will help you on whatever journey you are on.

I wanna dedicate the first episode of Season 2 of The Creative Nowhere Land Podcast to PJ's mum, Marian Ellis, who is sadly no longer with us, but who, as you'll hear, has left a lasting legacy of warmth, kindness, and generosity, that is evident in everything that PJ does to lift up as many people around him as he can.

PJ's journey reminds us that our most winding paths often lead to our greatest purpose, and that in a world focused on what we acquire, our legacy ultimately rests in what we give.

Check out the links below to PJ's Instagram and The Mommys Boy Website as you listen. And I hope you enjoy the episode...

PJ ELLIS INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/pje122/

PJ ELLIS LINKEDIN: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/pjellis

MOMMYS BOY WEBSITE: https://mommysboy.co.uk/

Support the show

CNL WEBSITE: https://www.creativenowhereland.com/

SIGN UP FOR THE NEWSLETTER: https://www.creativenowhereland.com/join

CNL INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/creativenowhereland/

CNL PODCAST MUSIC: https://www.instagram.com/jjodabeats/

Send a text

Welcome to the Creative Nowhere Land Podcast.

This one's a little different. No guest this time—just you and me.

After 21 incredible episodes with 21 amazing guests—from artists to athletes, entrepreneurs to educators—we’ve officially wrapped up the first season of the Creative Nowhere Land Podcast. 

Over the course of this season, we’ve reached thousands of people across 43 countries, and, more importantly, started to build something that feels like more than just a podcast. A creative community. A conversation. A place to feel a little less alone in whatever it is you’re building, making, dreaming of, or figuring out.

And I couldn’t be more grateful. Grateful to our guests, to you the listeners, and to everyone who’s been part of building this growing CNL community. 

So, this episode is a bit of a reflection. I’ve gone back, listened again (even though hearing my own voice still makes me cringe), and noted down a few of my key takeaways. A bit of a lesson log—21 things I’ve learned from 21 brilliant guests.

You’ll hear insights, like why “creativity looks different for everyone,” how “passion, and consistency” are key ingredients to success, and why you shouldn’t “pull away from the things that could change your life because of fear.” 

We talk about creativity, imposter syndrome, resilience, and why the hardest part is often just starting. I also reflect on what this podcast has taught me—about listening, creating, and pushing through self-doubt.

It’s been humbling and hugely inspiring to reflect back, and I hope that in this episode, you’ll find something that resonates with your own creative or personal journey.

So, if you’re curious about creativity, craving a bit of inspiration, or just want to know what 21 conversations can teach you about persistence, purpose, and passion—this one’s for you.

Whether you’ve been here from episode one or just joined us, thanks for being here. Thanks for listening. Thanks for making Creative Nowhere Land what it is—and what it’s becoming.

None of this works without you.

Season two is already in the works, but for now, take a moment, tune in, re-listen to your favourite episode and maybe reflect on your own creative path.

You've got this!

See you next season! 

And until next time...

EXPLORE. INSPIRE. CREATE.

Support the show

CNL WEBSITE: https://www.creativenowhereland.com/

SIGN UP FOR THE NEWSLETTER: https://www.creativenowhereland.com/join

CNL INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/creativenowhereland/

CNL PODCAST MUSIC: https://www.instagram.com/jjodabeats/

Send a text

Welcome to the Creative Nowhere Land Podcast. 

Now, I've always wanted the Creative Nowhere Land podcast to be a useful resource for people. So it seems fitting that on this episode, we're lucky to be joined by an expert in people, professional thinker, problem solver, leadership advisor, and coach, Alastair Gill of Alchemy Labs. 

Al uses his creativity in a very different way, juxtaposing his creative degree with a seemingly unrelated master's in hr, Al has gone on to do groundbreaking work in his industry, disrupting and changing the way that huge companies like giffgaff, Beavertown, and Just Eat to name just a few, optimise and get the best out of their people. 

You might be thinking, How does that all apply to me?

Well, Al's knowledge and skillset aren't just for high-powered CEOs or big businesses. It can be useful for you as well, whether you're an artist, entrepreneur, or anyone for that matter, looking to get unstuck. Take control of your life and achieve any of your goals.

In this episode, we discuss Al's incredibly interesting journey, and even better than that, Al gives us a powerful list of things that any of us can implement into our lives to try to be the best or better versions of ourselves. 

So if you've got a goal that you wanna achieve and to 'put a dent in the universe' as Al puts it, then you might wanna take some notes, as Al is about to explain why you already have the tools to design your own life. And you can paint your picture layer by layer.

You can either make an excuse or you can make it happen. 

Check out the links below to Al's Instagram and The Alchemy Labs Website as you listen.

ALCHEMY LABS LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/alchemylabs/

AL GILL LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alastair-gill

ALCHEMY LABS WEBSITE: https://www.alchemylabs.co.uk/

Support the show

CNL WEBSITE: https://www.creativenowhereland.com/

SIGN UP FOR THE NEWSLETTER: https://www.creativenowhereland.com/join

CNL INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/creativenowhereland/

CNL PODCAST MUSIC: https://www.instagram.com/jjodabeats/

Send a text

Welcome to the Creative Nowhere Land Podcast.

On this episode, we're joined by someone from a different field of creativity, Executive Chef to the Stars and my friend, Mike Bullard.

Mike is a chef who's already achieved huge amounts within his industry, starting at the bottom of the ladder as a pot washer and working his way up the ranks to cheffing in multiple Michelin-star restaurants. He was the executive chef at a Premier League football club. He's created popups as well as owned and ran his restaurant.

He's been shortlisted for the Chef of the Year competition. And currently works as one of the executive chefs at a location, so exclusive cooking for the rich and famous that they've asked not to be named. Oh, and in his free time, he's a private chef for sports personalities and athletes like Professional Golfer Justin Rose.

Not a bad resume for someone who originally got into cheffing simply to earn a little bit of extra beer money for the weekends. 

In this episode, we discuss all of this and much more. Mike's journey to food becoming his passion, and that passion leading to exploring different flavours, cuisines, and experimenting with dishes to master his craft.

We talk about dealing with the pressures and stress of working in a commercial kitchen, balancing running a business with the desire to create the best culinary experience that you can. And whether cooking is an art, a science, or maybe a mix of both. 

Never afraid to try something new in order to learn and develop his passion.
Mike's story is not only inspiring, but in some sections might make you a bit hungry.  

Check out the links to Mike's social media while you're listening to the podcast, and we hope you enjoy this episode!

MIKE BULLARD INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/chef_mike_bullard/

Support the show

CNL WEBSITE: https://www.creativenowhereland.com/

SIGN UP FOR THE NEWSLETTER: https://www.creativenowhereland.com/join

CNL INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/creativenowhereland/

CNL PODCAST MUSIC: https://www.instagram.com/jjodabeats/

Send a text

Welcome to the Creative Nowhere Land podcast.

On this episode, we're joined by international model, music producer, and all-round creative force, Shelby Billingham.

Shelby Billingham defies the stereotype most people might have about models. Far from being "just a pretty face," this international fashion model has spent a decade building an impressively diverse creative career through sheer determination and an unwavering belief in her own potential.

Shelby’s modelling career started at just 17 when she signed with global agency IMM, but her creative drive began long before that — from performing with the English Youth Ballet to playing guitar and throwing herself into all things expressive. Over the last 10 years, she’s worked with some of the biggest names in the industry, including Gucci, Flannels, Boohoo, and Wella, and built her reputation as a model.

In this episode, Shelby gives us a behind-the-scenes look into the fashion world — not just the glossy highlights, but the tough moments too. We talk about the resilience, hustle, and adaptability it takes to stay grounded and keep pushing in such a high-pressure environment.

But Shelby’s journey doesn’t stop at modelling. We also get into her passion for music production and DJing, where she’s already making waves, performing at events in Dubai and Ibiza. And if that wasn’t enough, she’s now stepping into the world of acting — with roles in the latest Mission Impossible film and an upcoming BBC drama (she’s not allowed to say which one yet…).

Shelby’s story took a harrowing turn when a chemical burn from a skincare product landed her in hospital on a ventilator and could have ended her career. But what followed was a powerful comeback — rebuilding her confidence, rediscovering her creativity, and proving just how strong the human spirit can be.

Shelby's philosophy of opening doors for yourself and never putting all your eggs in one basket offers a masterclass in adaptation and perseverance for anyone navigating creative industries or feeling stuck in their career. So enjoy and we hope it inspires you in some way!

Check out the links below to Shelby's Instagram as you listen.

SHELBY BILLINGHAM INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/shelbybillingham/

Support the show

CNL WEBSITE: https://www.creativenowhereland.com/

SIGN UP FOR THE NEWSLETTER: https://www.creativenowhereland.com/join

CNL INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/creativenowhereland/

CNL PODCAST MUSIC: https://www.instagram.com/jjodabeats/

Send a text

Welcome to the Creative Nowhere Land podcast. 

On this episode, we're lucky to be joined by Contemporary Artist and Mad Professor of Art, Imbue.  

Imbue and his work have been featured in The Guardian, Art Net and in Forbes Magazine.  But, to really understand it, you need to see it for yourself!  And when you see it, you'll understand why I call him the Mad Professor of Art. 

He creates everything from screen prints to chocolate machine guns.  He's stolen a statue from The Louvre and has even made art from £1 million worth of shredded cash!

In his first ever long-form interview, we talk about his creative journey and his work. Which is sometimes hard for even him to put into one particular box.  Some might call it Pop Art?  Often not conforming to any particular medium but always playing with familiar, repurposing and subverting the recognisable.  

With no formal training and just, in his words, a 'give it a go' attitude and a willingness to experiment with ideas, Imbue has turned the art that he creates into a thriving business through unique limited edition pieces and other clever ideas like a 24 Hour Art Club.

There's so much interesting and inspiring information in this episode. So let's dive down the rabbit hole and into the imaginative world of Imbue!

Check out the links below to explore Imbue's work as you listen.

IMBUE WEBSITE: https://imbuesource.com/

IMBUE INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/imbue/

Support the show

CNL WEBSITE: https://www.creativenowhereland.com/

SIGN UP FOR THE NEWSLETTER: https://www.creativenowhereland.com/join

CNL INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/creativenowhereland/

CNL PODCAST MUSIC: https://www.instagram.com/jjodabeats/