Creative Consultants

Feeling like your brain’s fried and your to-do list is never-ending? Trudi and Matt dive headfirst into the world of burnout, and reveal the surprising power of play as the ultimate antidote.From lunchtime naughtiness to people-watching secrets, they explore:Why taking intentional “white space” can skyrocket your creativity 🎨The science behind how play actually rewires your brain for problem-solving 🧠Cheeky experiments and real-life hacks to beat burnout without feeling guilty🎙️ Join the conversation: What’s your playful escape? Can a little mischief in the middle of the day actually make you more productive?_____________Get in touch with Matt Smolen⁠www.balloontreeproductions.com⁠Get in touch with Trudi Boatwright⁠www.trudiboatwright.com

Ones, zeros, sandwiches, costumes… oh my! In this delightfully messy episode of Creative Consultants, Trudi & Matt dive headfirst into the weird, wonderful and slightly wobbly world of AI and creativity.🤖 Can a machine really be creative?🎨 Are we on the brink of a creative renaissance, or a creativity apocalypse?💡 And what happens when you mash up LEGO, sharks, pirate ships, and artificial intelligence?Join us as we debate, laugh, and share stories, from AI-powered colouring pages for kids to the future of voice actors, to figure out what role humans (and our glorious imperfections) play in an increasingly automated world.🎙️ Join the conversation: Do you think AI will boost creativity, flatten it, or spark something totally unexpected?_____________Get in touch with Matt Smolen⁠www.balloontreeproductions.com⁠Get in touch with Trudi Boatwright⁠www.trudiboatwright.com

Trudi and Matt flip the script and put Matt in the spotlight! From dreaming up Balloon Tree Productions at 16, to building a thriving creative studio 14 years strong, Matt shares how he’s woven together his life, creativity, business, and family into one big, joyful story.In this episode you’ll hear about:🌱 The origin story of Balloon Tree Productions🎭 How theatre kids and collaboration shape creative leadership🤝 Why hiring with abundance beats scarcity every single time🎉 The secret to staying playful in business while still growing strong🎙️ Join the conversation: Drop your thoughts below! Do you believe in “work-life balance”… or “work-life blend”?_____________Get in touch with Matt Smolen⁠www.balloontreeproductions.com⁠Get in touch with Trudi Boatwright⁠www.trudiboatwright.com

Can politics ever be creative, or is it doomed to potholes, policies, and painfully long council meetings?In this episode of Creative Consultants, Trudi and Matt throw the rulebook out the window and invite the wonderful Cr Connie Boglis OAM into the Treehouse of Curiosity.Connie is many things: counsellor, advocate, author, world-traveller. Today, she’s here to help us explore:✨ How advocacy and mental health reform require imagination.🌱 Why co-design and creativity might be the missing link in politics.🎨 How grief, healing, and children’s storytelling connect to social change.🌍 And whether creativity is secretly a rebellious force that could reshape communities.🎙️ Join the conversation: Drop your thoughts below! If every council had a Department of Creativity, what would YOU want it to work on first?_____________Get in touch with Matt Smolen⁠www.balloontreeproductions.com⁠Get in touch with Trudi Boatwright⁠www.trudiboatwright.com

Creative Consultants is back with Season 3!We dive into Trudi’s extraordinary journey: from chocolate workshops to biker bars and everything in between.Over 48 jobs, countless stories, and one big mission: to bring playfulness into places it’s never been before.Do you believe play can change the way you work, think, and live? If you’ve ever thought “I’m not creative” or “play isn’t for me,” this episode might just flip that script.🎧 What you’ll hear:The surprising story of how Trudi turned “play” into a career.Why play works even in the toughest workplaces.How asking three simple questions: “Why?”, “Why Not?”, and “What If?” can spark possibility in your own life.PLUS: bingo in a telemarketing office, biker bar ethics, and chocolate facts you didn’t know you needed. 🍫🎙️ Join the conversation: Drop your thoughts below! Where do you see room for play in your life or work? Could you bring a spark of curiosity into your everyday routine?_____________Get in touch with Matt Smolen⁠www.balloontreeproductions.com⁠Get in touch with Trudi Boatwright⁠www.trudiboatwright.com

Can creativity survive the AI revolution?In this episode of The Creative Consultants, Matt, Trudi, and new recruit Danny Ginsberg tackle everything from West Side Story to robot overlords.They ask: Will AI make us less creative, or free us to become more creative than ever?Join us as we dive into:💡 Why your favourite musical reveals your true self💡 The art of winning hearts (and budgets) for L&D projects💡 How to sneak creativity into corporate culture bit by bit💡 Why CEOs secretly love dressing up in silly costumes💡 The coming renaissance for nerds, theatre kids, and creatives everywhere💡 AI: creativity killer or creativity amplifier?If you’ve ever tried to pitch a playful idea to a serious stakeholder, this episode is your permission slip to keep boiling the frog._____________Get in touch with Matt Smolen⁠www.balloontreeproductions.com⁠Get in touch with Trudi Boatwright⁠www.trudiboatwright.com

What if the secret to great leadership was… tap dancing?This week on The Creative Consultants, Matt and Trudi sit down with special guest Danny Ginsberg to explore:How does a theatre nerd become a powerhouse in learning and development?In this episode, we uncover:💡 How theatre kids can rule the workplace💡 The surprising power of tap shoes over footy boots💡 Why feedback in theatre is a masterclass for business💡 Courage, creativity, and giving fewer sh*ts as you age💡 Vulnerability as a leadership superpower💡 The magic of “yes, and…” in improv and team dynamics💡 Why play-based learning beats ropes courses (sorry, corporate retreats)If you’ve ever felt too quirky for your corporate job, this one’s for you._____________Get in touch with Matt Smolen⁠www.balloontreeproductions.com⁠Get in touch with Trudi Boatwright⁠www.trudiboatwright.com

When was the last time you gave yourself permission to think?This week on The Creative Consultants, Trudi and Matt dive into the art of going slow to go fast - and why deep creativity can’t be rushed.Could a little daydreaming unlock your best ideas yet?In this episode, we explore:💡 Why thinking time is golden (hello, Mind Palace)💡 How “going slow” actually speeds up your creative execution💡 The neuroscience behind imagination as a brain spa💡 Why swimming, play, and daydreaming solve complex problems💡 How to protect white space in your calendar without guilt💡 Poker hands, Sovereign Hill, and the compendium of ideas in your brainIf you’re feeling stuck in “doing mode,” this conversation will inspire you to embrace wonder, slowness, and the unexpected brilliance that follows._____________Get in touch with Matt Smolen⁠www.balloontreeproductions.com⁠Get in touch with Trudi Boatwright⁠www.trudiboatwright.com

Is PowerPoint killing your creativity?This week on The Creative Consultants, Matt and Trudi tackle the death by PowerPoint epidemic and ask:What would happen if we ditched slides altogether?In this episode, we explore:💡 Why theatre kids make the best presenters💡 How many slides really fit into a 2-minute video (it’s wild)💡 The art of “popcorn PowerPoint”💡 Why images beat bullet points every single time💡 Emotional storytelling that makes CEOs cry (in a good way)💡 How to break free from your toxic marriage with slidesIf you’ve ever sat through an endless Arial-12-point slog, this one’s for you._____________Get in touch with Matt Smolen⁠www.balloontreeproductions.com⁠Get in touch with Trudi Boatwright⁠www.trudiboatwright.com

In this playful, thoughtful, and occasionally chaotic kickoff to Season 2 of The Creative Consultants, Matt and Trudi unpack the powerful link between creativity and change - at work, at home, and everywhere in between.From John Cleese quotes to Dan (or is it Dave?) Huberman hot takes, we explore how play unlocks new thinking, why failure needs to be safe, and how the experiential learning cycle quietly underpins everything from office brainstorms to game-changing organisational shifts.We share stories of creativity-in-action, including a tropical resort design workshop for siloed government teams (yes, really), a cry-worthy trip to an ocean documentary, and how MrBeast’s storytelling might just save the world. Plus, we end on a very mature exercise involving fortune cookies… and the words “in bed.”Whether you’re leading a team, trying to spark change, or just here for the improv vibes, this episode offers big ideas and belly laughs in equal measure.🔑 Topics Covered:Why creativity is the ultimate change agentHow to build a culture that truly embraces failureThe experiential learning cycle and how to use it (without sounding like a consultant)The emotional power of storytelling—from oceans to office lifeHow to give feedback that doesn’t kill ideasAnd yes… fortune cookies. In bed._____________Get in touch with Matt Smolen⁠www.balloontreeproductions.com⁠Get in touch with Trudi Boatwright⁠www.trudiboatwright.com/⁠

What if your company had someone whose only job was to make people feel good?In this joyful and thoughtful episode, we chat with Alyce Lampe, a self-described “day maker,” who shares her dream role: Chief Happiness Officer. It’s part career manifesto, part workplace rethink - and 100% wholesome energy.We talk about:• The power of manifesting your dream job• Why emotional well-being should be part of your business strategy• How small acts of kindness make a big impact• …and whether Alyce should actually take the job we offer her live on the show✨ If you’ve ever wanted more joy at work (or just a masseur on payroll), this one’s for you. _____________Get in touch with Matt Smolen⁠www.balloontreeproductions.com⁠Get in touch with Trudi Boatwright⁠www.trudiboatwright.com/⁠

How do you make the mundane magical?In this episode, we explore the tiny, powerful ways to inject creativity into the everyday - no big budgets or rebrands required. Our guest Alyce Lampe shares a beautiful piece of advice sparked by a moment in one of Trudi’s legendary workshops: what if we made the ordinary playful?From whispered spy names at summits to shaking up the seating plan in a boardroom, we unpack how small shifts in perspective can create big ripples in connection, collaboration, and creativity.✨ Whether you’re stuck in a routine or just looking to bring more fun into your workday, this conversation is your permission slip to play.What you’ll hear in this episode:Why introducing yourself like a secret agent changes the whole roomHow creativity doesn’t need a line item in your budgetTips for sparking fresh energy in meetings, workshops, and daily ritualsThe value of connection through shared sillinessPlay isn’t just for kids. It’s a powerful tool for grown-ups, too._____________Get in touch with Matt Smolen⁠www.balloontreeproductions.com⁠Get in touch with Trudi Boatwright⁠www.trudiboatwright.com/⁠

What does Green Eggs and Ham have to do with brand messaging? Everything.In this episode, we crack open the real power of storytelling - why it matters, how it works, and what makes it essential for individuals and organisations trying to make meaningful change.You’ll hear:Why storytelling is not just fluff - but a tool for deep understandingHow simple language (like 50 words from Dr. Seuss) can unlock complex ideasWhat happens when creativity and responsibility collideWhy resisting storytelling might mean missing out on something truly transformationalWhether you’re leading a team, building a brand, or just trying to be heard, this one’s a reminder: stories aren’t just nice - they’re necessary._____________Get in touch with Matt Smolen⁠www.balloontreeproductions.com⁠Get in touch with Trudi Boatwright⁠www.trudiboatwright.com/⁠

What if the secret to better performance, more profit, and happier teams… was play?In this episode, we tumble headfirst into the world of creative thinking at work - with a tip of the hat to Viola Spolin, the grandmother of improvisation. Discover why setting playful boundaries can unlock serious innovation, how routine might be strangling your potential, and why embracing creativity isn’t just feel-good fluff - it’s a business strategy.What you’ll hear in this episode:Why creativity isn’t a luxury - it’s a productivity toolHow “rules of the game” create safety and spark innovationThe ROI of playful workflows (spoiler: it’s more than smiles)What you’re missing if you never challenge the status quoA case for joy, connection, and a little less doom-and-gloom in the officeWork doesn’t have to be a spreadsheet-shaped prison. Let’s break the mould, and maybe even have fun doing it._____________Get in touch with Matt Smolen⁠www.balloontreeproductions.com⁠Get in touch with Trudi Boatwright⁠www.trudiboatwright.com/⁠

Welcome to the very first convening of The Creative Consultants! In this inaugural episode, Matt (Chief Content Consultant) and Trudi (Chief Communication Consultant) dive deep into one deceptively simple question: How can you afford creativity? (Spoiler: The real question might be, how can you afford not to?)From playful processes and conference parodies to champagne metaphors and radioactive bananas, Matt and Trudi explore why creativity isn’t just a nice-to-have - it’s a vital force for innovation, engagement, and impact in any organisation. They talk budgets, buy-in, ROI, and how creativity can sneakily become your most powerful tool for transformation.It’s equal parts practical, philosophical, and slightly unhinged… in the best possible way.You’ll hear about:Why creativity often gets mistaken for “expensive fluff”The power of play in problem-solvingHow to Trojan Horse your way to genuine team buy-inThe ripple effect of creativity across culture, leadership, and engagementThe difference between painting a wineglass and creating meaningful momentum💥 Whether you’re leading a team, shaping culture, or pitching big ideas - this episode is a must-listen for anyone who wants to make creativity work.LINKS SHARED:The importance of Creativity in the workplace:https://hrdailyadvisor.blr.com/2024/09/13/the-importance-of-creativity-in-the-workplace/ Ideas are born in the field of play:https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0191308506270035 Creativity’s bottom line:https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0191308506270035_____________Get in touch with Matt Smolenwww.balloontreeproductions.comGet in touch with Trudi Boatwrightwww.trudiboatwright.com/

A tease of what to expect from the upcoming Creative Consultants podcast!