THE LULLABY(ISH) EPISODE with Demet Divaroren, Erica Wagner, Paula Kelly Paull and Tony Eaton

The WestWords Podcast

#Books #Arts #Podcasting Education #WestWords

26:18

How do you know when it’s time to make your next big career move? With International Women’s Day around the corner, we are excited to feature Avni Patel Thompson, Founder and CEO of Milo. Avni is building technology that directly supports the often overlooked emotional and logistical labor that falls on parents—especially women. Milo is an AI assistant designed to help families manage that invisible load more efficiently. In this episode, Avni shares her journey from studying chemistry to holding leadership roles at global brands like Adidas and Starbucks, to launching her own ventures. She discusses how she approaches career transitions, the importance of unpleasant experiences, and why she’s focused on making everyday life easier for parents. [01:26] Avni's University Days and Early Career [04:36] Non-Linear Career Paths [05:16] Pursuing Steep Learning Curves [11:51] Entrepreneurship and Safety Nets [15:22] Lived Experiences and Milo [19:55] Avni’s In Her Ellement Moment [20:03] Reflections Links: Avni Patel Thompson on LinkedIn Suchi Srinivasan on LinkedIn Kamila Rakhimova on LinkedIn Ipsos report on the future of parenting About In Her Ellement: In Her Ellement highlights the women and allies leading the charge in digital, business, and technology innovation. Through engaging conversations, the podcast explores their journeys—celebrating successes and acknowledging the balance between work and family. Most importantly, it asks: when was the moment you realized you hadn’t just arrived—you were truly in your element? About The Hosts: Suchi Srinivasan is an expert in AI and digital transformation. Originally from India, her career includes roles at trailblazing organizations like Bell Labs and Microsoft. In 2011, she co-founded the Cleanweb Hackathon, a global initiative driving IT-powered climate solutions with over 10,000 members across 25+ countries. She also advises Women in Cloud, aiming to create $1B in economic opportunities for women entrepreneurs by 2030. Kamila Rakhimova is a fintech leader whose journey took her from Tajikistan to the U.S., where she built a career on her own terms. Leveraging her English proficiency and international relations expertise, she discovered the power of microfinance and moved to the U.S., eventually leading Amazon's Alexa Fund to support underrepresented founders. Subscribe to In Her Ellement on your podcast app of choice to hear meaningful conversations with women in digital, business, and technology.…

há 3 anos 13:25

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Lullabys are universal, and in this episode, four writers and literature experts share lullabys and vague approximations of same with James Roy. I'f you'd like to share a lullaby with us, please email admin@westwords.com.au

Views expressed by guests on this podcast are not necessarily those of the WestWords organisation

87 episódios

The WestWords Podcast

THE LULLABY(ISH) EPISODE with Demet Divaroren, Erica Wagner, Paula Kelly Paull and Tony Eaton

The WestWords Podcast

published há 3 anos

MP3•Home de episódios

Views expressed by guests on this podcast are not necessarily those of the WestWords organisation

87 episódios

#Books #Arts #Podcasting Education #WestWords

Todos os episódios

The WestWords Podcast

1
Creating space for your own writing while juggling life - Elizabeth Walton interviews Michelle Hamadache 33:09

há 16 weeks33:09

33:09

Welcome to a special series of episodes, where WestWords Academy alumni interview their favourite creatives. In this episode, Academy alumni Elizabeth speaks to Michelle Hamadache in depth about her written works, and together they share strategies and ways to continue one's own creative writing journey while maintaining a busy career and home life. Michelle talks about how her role as course director of Creative Writing at Macquarie University uniquely situates her within the arts industry, surrounds her with creative writing skills and practice day in and day out, and the fulfilment gained by working with other writers. But how does Michelle maintain focus and energy towards her own creative works? Take a listen to learn more Michelle Hamadache is Course Director of the undergraduate and Master of Creative Writing programs at Macquarie University. She has worked as editor of Southerly , Australia's longest running journal, and of Mascara Literary Review . She has published short stories, essays and poems in US, UK and Australian journals. She was longlisted for the 2018 Elizabeth Jolley short story prize and the 2021 Overland Sidney Neilma Short Story prize. Elizabeth Walton is a freelance writer, musician, and photographer. Elizabeth has contributed writing to The Guardian, New York Times, ABC, The London Reader, ArtsHub, OzArts, The Australian, Huffpost, Penguin Books, The Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre, Reuters, WIN TV, The Independent, Timber and Steel as well as newspapers and magazines in Europe, North America, Australia and Asia.…

The WestWords Podcast

1
Queer South Asian Representation and the role of the Creative Practitioner - Sheryl Fernandes Dixit interviews Sonam Mahatme 17:17

há 34 weeks17:17

17:17

Welcome to a special series of episodes, where WestWords Academy alumni interview their favourite creatives. In this episode, Academy alumni Sheryl speaks to Sonam Mahatme about her identity as Queer South Asian person living in Australia, and her experiences navigating family, community and culture. Together they discuss what role a creative practitioner, whether they are a writer, composer or artist, can play in representing marginalised identities in their creative work. Sonam Mahatme is an organisation development consultant with a broad range of experience. She has served on the Board of the Aurora Group, an LGBTQIA+ community-led funding organisation. Sonam works for a not-for-profit with a focus on improving gender equality issues in workplaces both in Australia and globally. She started her career as a lawyer and has used her experience and expertise to advocate for positive change, to make a difference. She strongly feels that awareness, education, empathy and action are key to changing mindsets. Sheryl Fernandes Dixit is a marketing professional with a passion and flair for writing. People, animals, absurdity and humour are her forte and she enjoys creating stories from memories and life.…

The WestWords Podcast

1
Writing a novel as your PHD - Zohra Aly interviews Hayley Scrivenor 31:28

há 50 weeks31:28

31:28

Welcome to a special series of episodes, where WestWords Academy alumni interview their favourite creatives. In this episode, Academy alumni Zohra speaks to Hayley Scrivenor about Hayley's experience writing her award-winning novel Dirt Town as a part of her creative writing PHD. Together they discuss knowing when your novel is finished, working out your writing routine, and tackling the editing process when you're not a natural plotter. Hayley Scrivenor is a former Director of Wollongong Writers Festival. Originally from a small country town, Hayley now lives and writes on Dharawal country and has a PhD in Creative Writing from the University of Wollongong on the south coast of New South Wales. Dirt Town is her first novel. An earlier version of the book was shortlisted for the Penguin Literary Prize and won the Kill Your Darlings Unpublished Manuscript Award. Zohra Aly writes essays, short fiction and poetry and has been published in various literary journals and anthologies. She has been a guest curator and chair for Boundless and the South Coast Writers Festival and interviewed writers for WestWords.…

The WestWords Podcast

1
How long does it truly take to learn to write a novel? - Elizabeth Walton interviews Trish Bolton 25:54

há 1 year25:54

25:54

Welcome to a special series of episodes, where WestWords Academy alumni interview their favourite creatives. In this episode, Academy alumni Elizabeth speaks to Trish Bolton about the release of her debut novel Whenever You're Ready . Trish details her journey to publication, how to build a CV as an emerging writer, upending ageist stereotypes, and together they discuss the changing attitudes towards grief. Trish Bolton is a Melbourne writer whose words have appeared in Overland, New Matilda, The Big Issue, The Age, Sunday Age, Sydney Morning Herald and Canberra Times . Whenever You're Ready is her debut novel. Elizabeth Walton is a freelance writer, musician, and photographer. Elizabeth has contributed writing to The Guardian, New York Times, ABC, The London Reader, ArtsHub, OzArts, The Australian, Huffpost, Penguin Books, The Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre, Reuters, WIN TV, The Independent, Timber and Steel as well as newspapers and magazines in Europe, North America, Australia and Asia.…

The WestWords Podcast

1
Songwriting and the distortion of meaning - Paul Traynor and Marc Stanislas interview Bryan Estepa 32:16

há 1 year32:16

32:16

Welcome to a special series of episodes, where WestWords Academy alumni interview their favourite creatives. In this episode, Paul and Marc speak to musician and songwriter Bryan Estepa about the emotions that inspire them to write, how words, lyrics and music allow us to distort meaning, imposter syndrome, and writing for yourself first. Bryan Estepa is an Australian singer-songwriter who has been part of the Australian independent music scene for over 20 years and once been labelled one of ‘Sydney’s best kept secrets’. Estepa has released 7 critically acclaimed studio albums ( All The Bells And Whistles, Sunday Best, Vessels, Heart Vs Mind, Every Little Thing, Sometimes I Just Don’t Know and Adeline ‘The Early Years’), 2 EP’s (Back To The Middle and Start Again) and undertaken several tours through Australia, Europe, USA, Japan and The Philippines. https://bryanestepa.com/about-bryan/ Paul Traynor is a writer and musician based in western Sydney, a member of the 2022 WestWords Academy and recipient of a 2022 Sydney Review of Books/WestWords Digital Residency, with short stories published in collections through Hawkeye Books, WestWords Living Stories, and ZineWest. Paul is also occasionally known, mainly musically, as klangmoss. Marc Stanislas , former lead singer of the mighty 'WHYGAO' has made a comeback after 25 years as The Bardsmith. The Bardsmith proposition is simple: Articiulate, resonate! The Bardsmith provides a weekly lyrical song and endeavours to bring back the majesty of album buying experience in this digital world. www.thebardsmith.com…

The WestWords Podcast

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Arts advocacy, and the Special Envoy to the Arts - Libby Hyett interviews Susan Templeman MP, and Michael Campbell 32:07

há 1 year32:07

32:07

Welcome to a special series of episodes, where WestWords Academy members, and Alumni, interview their favourite creatives. Susan Templeman MP is an Australian politician. She is the member for Macquarie in the Australian House of Representatives and is Australia's Special Envoy for the Arts. Michael Campbell is the Executive Director of WestWords. With over 35 years of experience Michael has worked as CEO, Artistic Director, an arts consultant and strategist, artistic co-ordinator, producer, events manager, librettist, editor, writer, events manager, director, choreographer and dancer. Libby Hyett is a WestWords Academian alumni, working on her first novel, Firedance. She's rewritten the manuscript countless times (it's true- she's ran out of fingers) and it's getting rather good. Libby is working towards publication. She's an emerging picture book author and illustrator with several (again, has run out of fingers) self published titles to her name. Libby is looking forward to working with Dirtlane Press in 2024 to develop and publish her children's book, Bowen's Story. Libby is a prolific, award winning artist, enjoying painting landscapes and portraits in oils and watercolour [although not all at the same time. As that would be weird]. In 2023, her landscape Sunlight Balances Shadows won Hawkesbury Resident highly commended in the Hawkesbury Art Prize, a major Australian art prize. Libby displays her art at the Ferry Artists Gallery at Wisemans Ferry, NSW. Please link www.ferryartists.org…

The WestWords Podcast

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Identity, Standing-out, and Writers as Performers - Joanne Macias interviews Maria Tran 25:06

há 1 year25:06

25:06

Welcome to a special series of episodes, where WestWords Academy members, and Alumni, interview their favourite creatives. Maria Tran is a Vietnamese-Australian actor, filmmaker, and martial artist who has won multiple awards for her work in film, TV, stage, and performance. She also specializes in fight action choreography and is the founder of Phoenix Eye Films, a female-led production company based in both Australia and the US. She is a multi-talented Vietnamese-Australian artist who has made a name for herself in various fields such as acting, filmmaking, and martial arts. She has worked in film, TV, stage, and fight action choreography. https://www.mariatran.co/ Academy Member Joanne Macias is a multi-disciplinary writer from Sydney who has had her first publication in the Living Stories Anthology, and upcoming second publication with Illographo Press. Her works explore themes of discovery, identity and internal strength. Although Joanne has only been writing for a short period of time, being creative was nothing new, as she is an avid photographer and line artist. Her art has been recognised and shared by well known musicians and has her first photo being published in an upcoming anthology with Illographo press. Acceptance into the Academy in 2023 pushed me to have more faith in my writing, find out how to become a well rounded author with all the little bits and pieces never normally thought of, and most importantly, become connected with amazing creatives, both emerging and established to inspire and guide for long term success.…

The WestWords Podcast

1
AUTHORSHIP, ACTIVISM AND ACADEMIA with Victoria Brookman 32:15

há 2 years32:15

32:15

Victoria Brookman is an activist, author and academic from the Blue Mountains. In this interview with James Roy she describes how her own perceived inability to push through writer's block, along with a catastrophic natural disaster, led her to write her debut novel , Burnt Out (Harper Collins), a funny and angry look at climate change, activism and political influence. Note: Opinions and views expressed in this podcast are not necessarily those of WestWords.…

The WestWords Podcast

1
"SIGNS OF LIFE" – FOURPLAY STRING QUARTET AND NEIL GAIMAN COLLABORATION (Pt 2) with Peter Hollo 29:26

há 2 years29:26

29:26

Peter Hollo is a professional cellist and founding member of FourPlay String Quartet, a musical ensemble who recently collaborated to record a second spoken word/music album with writer and creative powerhouse Neil Gaiman. The title of the latest album is Signs of Life , and in the second half of this interview with James Roy and Paris Rosemont, Peter talks about the origins, challenges and rewards that came with collaborating in such an interesting creative space, and how Signs of Life first began. You can hear more from and about FourPlay by going to their website at https://www.fourplay.com.au/ NOTE: Opinions expressed in this podcast are not necessarily those of the WestWords organisation.…

The WestWords Podcast

1
"SIGNS OF LIFE" – FOURPLAY STRING QUARTET AND NEIL GAIMAN COLLABORATION (Pt 1) with Peter Hollo 34:36

há 2 years34:36

34:36

Peter Hollo is a professional cellist and founding member of FourPlay String Quartet, a musical ensemble who recently collaborated to record a second spoken word/music album with writer and creative powerhouse Neil Gaiman. The title of the latest album is Signs of Life , and in the first half of this interview with James Roy and Paris Rosemont, Peter talks about the origins, challenges and rewards that came with collaborating in such an interesting creative space. You can hear more from and about FourPlay by going to their website at https://www.fourplay.com.au/ NOTE: Opinions expressed in this podcast are not necessarily those of the WestWords organisation.…

The WestWords Podcast

1
CHOOSE/SELECT/DETERMINE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE/EXPERIENCE/PLOT with George Ivanoff 28:39

há 2 years28:39

28:39

George Ivanoff is a Melbourne writer who has written over 130 books for young people, including a series of tense and thrilling interactive adventure books. Listen to this podcast to find out how he does it, especially if for you (like the host, James) plot is harder to do than character. georgeivanoff.com.au NOTE: Opinions expressed in this podcast are not necessarily those of the WestWords organisation.…

The WestWords Podcast

1
POSTCARDS FROM THE URBAN DESERT with Pete Shmigel 33:02

há 2 years33:02

33:02

Pete Shmigel is a freelance writer and journalist who has just returned from his second visit to Ukraine in 2023, where he began to write the stories of the people on the frontline of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. In this interview he talks about what compelled him to voluntarily enter a war zone, and what he took from the experience, both as a person, and as a writer. NOTE: Opinions expressed in this podcast are not necessarily those of the WestWords organisation.…

The WestWords Podcast

1
KEEPING ON KEEPING ON with Catherine Jinks 39:20

há 2 years39:20

39:20

Catherine Jinks is a multi-award winning author of books for all ages, with over fifty books published in a 35 year career. In this conversation with James Roy, Catherine talks about trends in publishing and where writing might be heading as a profession, gives her theories on why royalties are shrinking despite books still being massively popular, what elements are influencing how we write, and provides some nuggets of wisdom for those writers who might be struggling to keep on keeping on.…

The WestWords Podcast

1
OWN STORIES with Fiona Murphy 36:07

há 2 years36:07

36:07

Fiona Murphy is a journalist, memoirist and non-fiction writer. As a Deaf writer, she is very interested in the rise of Own Voices as an important consideration for any artist working in a diverse space, be that around race, language, culture, sex/gender identity, disability or any other of the many diverse stories that can be told. In this interview, Fiona talks about Own Voices as an approach that should value listening over ticking boxes, and discusses sensitivity reading, the obligations of writers vs editors/publishers, and much more. This was recorded as part of Fiona's participation in WestWords' Daffodil Cottage residency program. NOTE: Views expressed in this podcast are not necessarily those of the WestWords organisation.…

The WestWords Podcast

1
LIFE IN THE PETRIE DISH with Augusta Supple 31:05

há 2 years31:05