The Art of Connection

In this episode of The Art of Connection, Yana records from her “mobile office” and offers a tender life update on moving from her beloved Croydon home to a little cottage in the hills. She reflects on the house that held early motherhood and the seed of Oak & Haven, and how transition can hold grief and gratitude in the same breath. With gentle rituals; early nights, incense, pink paint for Daisy’s “Marshmallow Magic” room; and a commitment to ask for help, she shares what it takes to land softly. Back in the shop, she looks toward summer and Christmas: a candlelit VIP evening with mocktails and making, a “golden moments” Communi-Tee shirt created with poet-artist Sophie Rowlands, and the joy of thoughtful, values-aligned gifting. Strength training becomes a metaphor for resilience; presence with customers, a practice of care. This is an invitation to notice the season you’re in, let the old unfurl, and welcome what’s arriving.

Reporting poolside from Tugun on the Gold Coast, Yana is joined by poet, mentor and “word florist” Sophie Rowlands for a spacious conversation about creativity that grows like a garden; seasonal, cyclical and deeply human. They explore the language of intuition, the “fertile dark” that precedes new work, and the tender link between pleasure and expression. Sophie shares the story behind her hand-typed Poetry Posies (crafted on her beloved green typewriter, Alice), and the heart of her offerings—The Hive, Honeycomb and The Secret Garden—where women are witnessed without fixing and encouraged to create from their own rhythm. Together they reflect on blooming in your season, composting what no longer serves, and tending a “digital garden” that grows at the pace of real life. A gentle, sun-dappled episode that feels like a deep exhale, and an invitation to make a little more room for honey, poetry and everyday connection.

In this episode of The Art of Connection, Yana sits down with Mikka Richter, founder of The Hearth Café & Providore in Mudgeeraba, QLD. What began as a dream and an online offering has become a soulful bricks-and-mortar space where food, family, and community weave together. Mikka shares how her maternal line of women shaped her love of cooking, why food is more than fuel, and what it takes to follow a dream that carries both risk and profound reward. Together, they explore nourishment as an art form, the courage required to create something bigger than yourself, and the magic of spaces that feel like a warm hug; places where connection, care, and creativity come alive.✨ Find out more about Mikka and her café here: @a.nourishedwoman / @thehearth_cafe

In this episode of The Art of Connection, Yana explores the fertile, surprising relationship between early motherhood and creativity. She shares how the rawness of postpartum life; its sleepless nights, shifting identity, and moments of deep presence can awaken a powerful surge of inspiration and ideas. What might seem like a season of loss can also be one of self-discovery, where dreams, artistry, and even new businesses are born from the same life force that nurtures our children. With warmth and honesty, Yana offers gentle encouragement to honour these sparks, however small, as part of the transformation of becoming both mother and maker.

Lately I’ve had so many conversations with friends about the fear of letting go — of relationships that have run their course, of clothes or things tied to a past self, of identities that don’t feel right anymore. Here’s what I’ve come to believe: letting go creates space for life to surprise you. The void never stays empty. This week on The Art of Connection, I’m sharing my own story — from leaving behind a 13-year relationship and a teaching career, to releasing old versions of motherhood, to now packing up my home and stepping into a new chapter with my family. I’m not afraid of letting go anymore, because I know what’s waiting on the other side. With love, Yana.

In this episode of The Art of Connection, Yana reflects on the unexpected parallels between strength training and working with clay. At first glance they seem worlds apart; one rooted in sweat, movement, and resistance, the other in earth, stillness, and form. Yet both invite us to centre ourselves, breathe with intention, honour good form over force, and embrace the steady rhythm of learning through repetition. From the kiln’s slow transformation to the body’s response to resistance, Yana explores how strength and softness coexist, reminding us that growth comes not from rushing, but from showing up, listening deeply, and allowing the right kind of pressure to shape us.

In this episode of The Art of Connection, Yana reflects on the toll of busyness and the reminder of why she chose to step away from the fast-paced, burnout-driven way of working. From the hum of overfull weeks, she contrasts her past life as a teacher with the slower, intentional rhythm she has designed now; one that honours rest, motherhood, creativity, and nervous system care. She shares candidly about boundaries, letting go of hustle culture, and the deep value of building a life that fits your energy rather than forcing yourself to fit a system. This episode is a gentle reminder that it’s possible to thrive by slowing down, honouring your limits, and trusting the steady rhythm that sustains you.

In this heartfelt episode of The Art of Connection, Yana reflects on turning 34 and the gratitude she feels for motherhood, partnership, creativity, and community. She shares tender moments from her birthday celebrations, alongside the bittersweet process of farewelling her beloved honey-bricked home. Through poetry and reflection, she honours the space that nurtured her healing and creativity before stepping into a new chapter with her partner and daughter. With Oak & Haven entering a new season, this episode offers a gentle reminder of the beauty in transition and the joy of trusting what unfolds next.

After a two-year pause, Yana returns to The Art of Connection with a heartfelt reintroduction, honouring the vision that first sparked this podcast and the journey that’s unfolded since. She reflects on the opening of Oak & Haven and the immense growth of her business over the past year, while candidly sharing the fears that once held her back from fully stepping into her creative path. This episode is an invitation into Yana’s renewed devotion to the podcast as both a creative outlet and a space for deeper conversations—beyond the confines of social media squares. With plans for solo episodes and rich dialogues with artists, makers, writers, health practitioners, and community voices, the podcast now moves forward as a homecoming to creativity, motherhood, intentional living, and the heart’s work that connects us all.

I’m here today with Yaz Del Mar of tiny cupboard creatives, the most effervescent and bold creator, art teacher and mentor, sole business woman, mother and absolute powerhouse I have the honour of knowing. Yaz is not like any other woman I have met before, and our chance meeting was written in the stars in 2021, connecting us through another artist and creator, which we’ll get into. Yaz teaches art on a term by term basis to adults and children alike in her tiny cupboard, which is now a shop! Today we sit down to talk about our connections with art, how it saves us, soothes us, and lends us a conduit to our higher selves and the connection to others we are satiated by. Especially during a big time of transition from married woman to single mother, and from business partner to solo business woman. From cancer patient to cancer survivor. Thank you, Yaz, for being with me here and sharing your connections to art and the nourishment it brings to your life. Follow Yaz at @tiny_cupboard_creatives on IG

In episode two of The Art of Connection, I share the deep and nourishing impact travelling to the seaside surf town of Bermagui (Yuin country) has on my creativity and connection as a result of consciously and intentionally making time to spend with my family. I hope this episode guides you towards satiating and soulful connections with loved ones in your life, and reminds you to take inspired action to continue to thread enjoyment and curiosity into daily practices and connections in the tapestry that is your reality. With love, Yana xx

Welcome to The Art of Connection — a space created to explore true connection with the arts and conscious creators in our community.Thank you for being here. I’m Yana — host, conscious creator, teacher, mother and founder of Oak & Haven ceramics. TAOC explores how art led connection guides us to satiating, soulful fulfilment, and welcomes us home to ourselves.I can’t wait to unravel and discuss the vast tapestry of connections life brings us, alongside insightful guests who are recognising the same in their own lives. Thank you for being here — it’s a pleasure to have you.With love, Yana x