Creative Conversations

How do you fit in to a new country with a different culture from your own? How can we develop a sense of belonging while celebrating our differences especially when we are migrants or expats trying to make a home in a new place? On today’s Creative Conversations podcast, host Yang-May Ooi is joined by cross cultural consultant and expatriate coach, Patti McCarthy. Patti was born in the UK and grew up all over the world. After living and working in Australia, she has returned to the UK and settled in Oxford - for now. She joins me to talk about how to spark cultural chemistry in order to be happy and successful when living or working with others from a different culture. For photos, links and music credits, go to the shownotes page at bit.ly/creativeconversations-podcast or www.tigerspirit.co.uk/blog  and click through to Creative Conversations. Creative Conversations with Yang-May Ooi – Season 04 Episode 07 ¦ Sparking Cross-Cultural Chemistry - Patti McCarthy ¦  CCV0407 __ Creative Conversations is a podcast about creativity in the arts, life and business. It is part of the Tiger Spirit family of creative content, conceived and presented by writer and podcaster Yang-May Ooi ¦  www.tigerspirit.co.uk Oxford Moments is a personal blog by author Yang-May Ooi, exploring the city of Oxford, its people and places. “Oxford inspired me as a student and I’m excited to be back here making a new home and rebuilding my life. This project is my multi-faceted discovery of the moments that can give us a sense of home, belonging and enrichment.”  Follow Oxford Moments at bit.ly/OxfordMoments

How has the pandemic and restrictions on travel affected place-based tourism? What is a destination city like Oxford doing to face the post-pandemic challenge of bringing people back to the city centre - both tourists and local residents alike? Our guest on Creative Conversations today is Oxford City Councillor Mary Clarkson who is the Council Labour Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure and Tourism. She talks passionately to host Yang-May Ooi about bringing together town and gown in Oxford for the good of the local economy as well as the university that the city is famous for. She also tells us frankly about the challenges for tourism in Oxford due to the pandemic and discusses how the City Council is working with local businesses and residents to encourage visitors back into the city centre. For photos, links and music credits, go to the shownotes page at bit.ly/creativeconversations-podcast or www.tigerspirit.co.uk/blog  and click through to Creative Conversations. Creative Conversations with Yang-May Ooi – Season 04 Episode 06 ¦ The Future of Tourism in Oxford - Mary Clarkson CCV0406 __ Creative Conversations is a podcast about creativity in the arts, life and business. It is part of the Tiger Spirit family of creative content, conceived and presented by writer and podcaster Yang-May Ooi ¦  www.tigerspirit.co.uk Oxford Moments is a personal blog by author Yang-May Ooi, exploring the city of Oxford, its people and places. “Oxford inspired me as a student and I’m excited to be back here making a new home and rebuilding my life. This project is my multi-faceted discovery of the moments that can give us a sense of home, belonging and enrichment.”  Follow Oxford Moments at bit.ly/OxfordMoments

Actor Janet Behan and writer Damian Le Bas join Creative Conversation host, Yang-May Ooi, in today’s show to talk about Telling Family Stories in the context of their respective Irish, Gypsy and Chinese backgrounds. Along the way they explore language, stereotyping and identity. Damian Le Bas is a writer of Gypsy and Irish descent. His book The Stopping Places is a personal journey exploring his heritage and the history of the Romany people. Janet Behan is an actor and playwright. Her father was Irish and  her mother was from Yorkshire. Her latest play Kathleen and Me is the story of her irish grandmother told in Kathleen Behan's own words. For those of you who may not know Yang-May Ooi outside of this podcast, she is of Chinese heritage, born in Malaysia. She wrote and performed a play, Bound Feet Blues, inspired by her great-grandmother who had bound feet - and there is also a family memoir in book form of the same name. For photos, links and music credits, go to the shownotes page at bit.ly/creativeconversations-podcast or www.tigerspirit.co.uk/blog  and click through to Creative Conversations. Creative Conversations with Yang-May Ooi – Season 04 Episode 05 ¦ Telling Family Stories - Janet Behan and Damian Le Bas CCV0405 ~~ Creative Conversations is a podcast about creativity in the arts, life and business. It is part of the Tiger Spirit family of creative content, conceived and presented by writer and podcaster Yang-May Ooi ¦  www.tigerspirit.co.uk

In a world dominated by Youtube videos and Instagram images that can take you anywhere in the world, is there still a place for travel writing? How can the different types of writing about travel tell us about where we come from and who we are? Travel writer and Oxford resident Callum Ruddock joins Creative Conversations host Yang-May Ooi in a wide ranging conversation about the art of writing about travel, where they discuss the different types of travel writing and what travel can teach us about life.  As both of them are Oxford residents and neighbours, they also reflect on whether we can bring the curiosity of travel to the place where we live, especially in the context of the global pandemic and travel restrictions. For photos, links and music credits, go to the shownotes page at bit.ly/creativeconversations-podcast or www.tigerspirit.co.uk/blog  and click through to Creative Conversations. Creative Conversations with Yang-May Ooi – Season 04 Episode 04 ¦ What Travel Writing can tell us about Life - Callum Ruddock CCV0404 __ Creative Conversations is a podcast about creativity in the arts, life and business. It is part of the Tiger Spirit family of creative content, conceived and presented by writer and podcaster Yang-May Ooi ¦  www.tigerspirit.co.uk Oxford Moments is a multimedia blog by Yang-May, exploring the city of Oxford, its people and places. “Oxford inspired me as a student and infused much of my life over the last few decades. I have now moved back here and this project is my multi-faceted rediscovery of a city that I have always loved.”  Follow Oxford Moments at bit.ly/OxfordMoments

Theatre is not limited, says Hillary May, founder of The Michael Knight Theatre Company. It is open to everyone to take part, it is part of the community, theatre gives a voice to those who would not normally have a chance to tell their story. In today’s episode, Creative Conversations host Yang-May Ooi talks with Hillary May and some of the members of the Michael Knight Theatre Company and hear their stories of how theatre changed their lives and how they are evolving their creative craft through lockdown. For photos, links and music credits, go to the shownotes page at bit.ly/creativeconversations-podcast or www.tigerspirit.co.uk/blog  and click through to Creative Conversations. Creative Conversations with Yang-May Ooi – Season 04 Episode 03 ¦ Theatre is Not Limited - The Michael Knight Theatre Company CCV0403  __ Creative Conversations is a podcast about creativity in the arts, life and business. It is part of the Tiger Spirit family of creative content, conceived and presented by writer and podcaster Yang-May Ooi ¦  www.tigerspirit.co.uk

When we think of Oxford, we tend to think of the city created by the University, with its dreaming spires and architecture of learning. But there is a whole lot more to explore. Oxford is also the Hollywood of Stories and a melting pot of cultural diversity - says author Sylvia Vetta, talking to writer Yang-May Ooi on the Creative Conversations podcast. For photos, links and music credits, go to the shownotes page at bit.ly/creativeconversations-podcast or www.tigerspirit.co.uk/blog  and click through to Creative Conversations. Creative Conversations with Yang-May Ooi – Season 04 Episode 02 ¦ Oxford, the Hollywood of Stories - Sylvia Vetta CCV0402 ¦ Creative Conversations [podcast] and Oxford Moments __ Creative Conversations is a podcast about creativity in the arts, life and business. It is part of the Tiger Spirit family of creative content, conceived and presented by writer and podcaster Yang-May Ooi ¦  www.tigerspirit.co.uk Oxford Moments is a multimedia blog by Yang-May, exploring the city of Oxford, its people and places. “Oxford inspired me as a student and infused much of my life over the last few decades. I have now moved back here and this project is my multi-faceted rediscovery of a city that I have always loved.”  Follow Oxford Moments at bit.ly/OxfordMoments

What do ABBA, Hadrian’s Wall and Grecian Urns have in common? They are all part of the world’s heritage. Steve Slack, writer and heritage interpretation consultant joins Creative Conversations host, Yang-May Ooi in this first episode of 2021 to talk about creativity and collaboration behind the scenes in the museum world For photos, links and music credits, go to the shownotes page at bit.ly/creativeconversations-podcast or www.tigerspirit.co.uk/blog  and click through to Creative Conversations. Creative Conversations with Yang-May Ooi – Season 04 Episode 01 ¦ Behind the Scenes in the Museum World - Steve Slack, author of Interpreting Heritage ¦ CCV0401 __ Creative Conversations is a podcast about creativity in the arts, life and business. It is part of the Tiger Spirit family of creative content, conceived and presented by writer and podcaster Yang-May Ooi. www.tigerspirit.co.uk

Ultrarunner and personal trainer Kristian Morgan talks to Creative Conversations host Yang-May Ooi about the natural high that comes from physical activity and running – and also shares his adventures running two of the most challenging endurance races in the world, the Marathon des Sables and the Tour of Giants. For photos, links and music credits, go to the shownotes page at bit.ly/ccv-naturalhigh or www.tigerspirit.co.uk/blog  and click through to Creative Conversations. Creative Conversations with Yang-May Ooi – Season 03 Episode 09 ¦ Kristian Morgan on The Natural High of Running CCV0309 __ Creative Conversations is a podcast about creativity in the arts, life and business. It is part of the Tiger Spirit family of creative content, conceived and presented by author and podcaster Yang-May Ooi. www.tigerspirit.co.uk

Savile Row tailor, Carol Alayne, talks to Creative Conversations host Yang-May Ooi about the art of creating unique clothing tailored exactly for each individual client - where each piece shows off the personality as well as the best features of the wearer. She also shares how she evolved this very personal service during lockdown and social distancing to empower women to take charge of their own style and look. For photos, links and music credits, go to the shownotes page at bit.ly/creativeconversations-podcast or www.tigerspirit.co.uk/blog  and click through to Creative Conversations. Creative Conversations with Yang-May Ooi – Season 03 Episode 08 ¦ Carol Alayne on The Art of Bespoke Tailoring ¦ CCV0308 __ Creative Conversations is a podcast about creativity in the arts, life and business. It is part of the Tiger Spirit family of creative content, conceived and presented by author and podcaster Yang-May Ooi. www.tigerspirit.co.uk

Dulwich based author Stevie Henden talks with Creative Conversations host Yang-May Ooi about his family’s multi-generational connection to South London and his London-inspired “spiritual fantasy” novels. Stevie also shares with us his fascination with the architecture and buildings of South London – and how World War Two and the Blitz impacted on the area. For photos, links and music credits, go to the shownotes page at bit.ly/ccv-flyingbombs or www.tigerspirit.co.uk/blog  and click through to Creative Conversations. Creative Conversations with Yang-May Ooi – Season 03 Episode 07 ¦ Stevie Henden on Family, Flying Bombs and Fantasy CCV0307 __ Creative Conversations is a podcast about creativity in the arts, life and business. It is part of the Tiger Spirit family of creative content, conceived and presented by author and podcaster Yang-May Ooi. www.tigerspirit.co.uk

In this special edition of Creative Conversations recorded on location in Fowey, host Yang-May Ooi speaks to Lynn Goold, Chair of the Fowey Festival. We learn about the history of this beautiful Cornish coastal town and its association with Daphne du Maurier, author of Rebecca, The Birds and Frenchman’s Creek. Lynn also talks passionately about the Fowey Festival, an annual hub of literary events, arts and culture and music, taking place in this spectacular part of Cornwall. The podcast was recorded on the terrace of Fowey Hall Hotel high up on the cliffs overlooking the sea. For photos, links and music credits, go to the shownotes page at bit.ly/creativeconversations-podcast or www.tigerspirit.co.uk/blog  and click through to Creative Conversations. Creative Conversations with Yang-May Ooi - Season 03 Episode 06 ¦ Lynn Goold on The Fowey Festival and Daphne du Maurier CCV0306 __ Creative Conversations is a podcast about creativity in the arts, life and business. It is part of the Tiger Spirit family of creative content, conceived and presented by author and podcaster Yang-May Ooi. www.tigerspirit.co.uk

Ann Lewis, an amateur photographer based on the Isle of Wight, talks to Creative Conversations host Yang-May Ooi, about how her passion for nature photography showed her a new way of looking at the world and also made her more confident out and about on her own. For photos, links and music credits, go to the shownotes page at bit.ly/ccv-naturephotography or www.tigerspirit.co.uk/blog  and click through to Creative Conversations. Creative Conversations with Yang-May Ooi - Season 03 Episode 05 ¦ Ann Lewis on How Nature Photography Can Change Your Life CCV0305 __ Creative Conversations is a podcast about creativity in the arts, life and business. It is part of the Tiger Spirit family of creative content, conceived and presented by author and podcaster Yang-May Ooi. www.tigerspirit.co.uk

Yang-May Ooi’s acclaimed solo theatre show Bound Feet Blues was inspired by the oral stories told in her family, passed down through the generations. In this podcast, we have a unique opportunity to go back in time and hear her grandfather telling the story of their family - and how the act of recording this interview at the age of 13, laid the foundation for Yang-May’ s creative career as a writer and podcaster. For photos, links and music credits, go to the shownotes page at bit.ly/ccv-familystory or www.tigerspirit.co.uk/blog  and click through to Creative Conversations. Creative Conversations with Yang-May Ooi - Season 03 Episode 04 ¦ My Grandfather Lim Swee Aun on The Story of a Family CCV0304 __ Creative Conversations is a podcast about creativity in the arts, life and business. It is part of the Tiger Spirit family of creative content, conceived and presented by author and podcaster Yang-May Ooi. www.tigerspirit.co.uk

How can we maintain our creativity during Covid lockdown? Could this crisis be an opportunity for creative renewal for creative organisations as well as individuals? Cultural commentator Joanne Ooi joins Yang-May Ooi on Creative Conversations to talk about  Covid and Creativity. For photos, links and music credits, go to the shownotes page at bit.ly/ccv-covidandcreativity or www.tigerspirit.co.uk/blog  and click through to Creative Conversations. Creative Conversations with Yang-May Ooi - Season 03 Episode 03 ¦ Joanne Ooi on Covid and Creativity CCV0303 (Apologies for some sound distortion during the recording due to internet connectivity l issues) __ Creative Conversations is a podcast about creativity in the arts, life and business. It is part of the Tiger Spirit family of creative content, conceived and presented by author and podcaster Yang-May Ooi. www.tigerspirit.co.uk

Many of us live in big cities like London. We are surrounded by noise, crowds – and a lot of pollution. Is that lifestyle seriously damaging us? And can re-connecting with nature save our health? Ex-lawyer and creative consultant Tony Dillon joins Creative Conversations host Yang-May Ooi to tell us how re-connecting with nature re-invigorated his life. For photos, links and music credits, go to the shownotes page at bit.ly/ccv-reconnectingwithnature or www.tigerspirit.co.uk/blog  and click through to Creative Conversations. Creative Conversations with Yang-May Ooi - Season 03 Episode 02 ¦ Tony Dillon on Re-Connecting with Nature CCV0302 (Apologies for some sound distortion during the recording due to technical issues outside of my control) __ Creative Conversations is a podcast about creativity in the arts, life and business. It is part of the Tiger Spirit family of creative content, conceived and presented by multimedia author Yang-May Ooi. www.tigerspirit.co.uk

Why is it so difficult to talk about sex? Fran Bushe, comedian and creator of The Diary of My Broken Vagina and Ad Libido, joins Creative Conversations host Yang-May Ooi to talk about talking about sex - and how we can all be more empowered by being honest about what we like or don't like when we make love. Trigger warning: Fran and Yang-May talk frankly about sex and sexual activity and we also refer to the male and female anatomy including reference to genitalia. If you think you might find such content offensive, upsetting or uncomfortable in any way, please do not listen to this episode. For photos, links and music credits, go to the shownotes page at bit.ly/ccv-talkingsex or www.tigerspirit.co.uk/blog  and click through to Creative Conversations. Creative Conversations with Yang-May Ooi - Season 03 Episode 01 ¦ Fran Bushe on Talking about Sex CCV0301 __ Creative Conversations is a podcast about creativity in the arts, life and business. It is part of the Tiger Spirit family of creative content, conceived and presented by multimedia author Yang-May Ooi. www.tigerspirit.co.uk

Our modern daily lives can be stressful. Worry and anxiety can feel overwhelming. How can we develop greater resilience and bounce back with vigour from difficulties and setbacks? Resilience coach Simon Pimenta shares some tips and advice with Creative Conversations host Yang-May Ooi  on how to build resilience in life and at work. For photos, links and music credits, go to bit.ly/ccv-buildingresilience ¦ Episode  CCV0209 ¦ Creative Conversations is part of the Tiger Spirit family of creative content, conceived and presented by multimedia author Yang-May Ooi. Find out more at bit.ly/creativeconversations-podcast -- Creative Conversations with Yang-May Ooi - Season 2 Episode 9

In this episode of the Creative Conversations podcast, host Yang-May Ooi drops in on actress and playwright Janet Behan and theatre director Jessica Higgs during rehearsals for Janet’s new one woman play Why Shouldn’t I Go?. They take a break to talk about their experiences of working in the theatre and also go in depth on creating the characters and world of Why Shouldn’t I Go? For photos and links as well as dates and venues of Janet's play, go to the shownotes page at bit.ly/ccv-janetbehanplay or www.tigerspirit.co.uk and click through to Blog and look for Creative Conversations. Creative Conversations Season 02 Episode  8 CCV0208 __ Creative Conversations is a podcast talking about creativity in the arts, life and business. It is part of the Tiger Spirit family of creative content, conceived and presented by multimedia author Yang-May Ooi. www.tigerspirit.co.uk

In this episode of Creative Conversations, we try something different. Host Yang-May Ooi meets author Anna Sayburn Lane at Tate Britain to record their views and impressions as they visit the William Blake exhibition. We also hear from one of the curators of the exhibition, Martin Myrone, offering his personal reflections on his work putting together the exhibition over the last few years. For photos and links to some of the things we talked about go to the shownotes page at bit.ly/ccv-williamblake - or go to www.tigerspirit.co.uk, click through to Blog and look for Creative Conversations Creative Conversations Season 2 Episode 7 CCV0207 -- Creative Conversations is a podcast talking about creativity in the arts, life and business. It is part of the Tiger Spirit family of creative content, conceived and presented by multimedia author Yang-May Ooi. www.tigerspirit.co.uk

   Cheryl Robson, founder and managing editor of Aurora Books, joins Creative Conversations host Yang-May Ooi to talk about her three decades steering a successful independent publisher of non-fiction, fiction and plays by diverse authors and playwrights - and shares tips for emerging writers on developing stand out work.    For photos, links and music credits, go to bit.ly/ccv-aurorametro. ¦ Episode  CCV0206 ¦ --  Creative Conversations is part of the Tiger Spirit family of creative content, conceived and presented by multimedia author Yang-May Ooi. Find out more at bit.ly/creativeconversations-podcast 

In this third episode of our three part mini-series recorded in Westward Ho! in North Devon, well-known local artist and photographer Stephen Ring talks with Creative Conversations host Yang-May Ooi about how the beauty of North Devon informs his art and photography.  For photos, links and music credits, go to bit.ly/ccv-beautifulnorthdevon. ¦ Episode  CCV0205 ¦  Creative Conversations is part of the Tiger Spirit family of creative content, conceived and presented by multimedia author Yang-May Ooi. Find out more at bit.ly/creativeconversations-podcast 

In the second episode of our three part mini-series recorded in Westward Ho! in North Devon, the "Music Man" John Barton talks with Creative Conversations host Yang-May Ooi about a lifetime of music and song.   For photos, links and music credits, go to bit.ly/ccv-sandseasong. ¦ Episode CCV0204 ¦  Creative Conversations is part of the Tiger Spirit family of creative content, conceived and presented by multimedia author Yang-May Ooi. Find out more at bit.ly/creativeconversations-podcast 

In the first of a three part mini-series recorded in Westward Ho! in North Devon, kitesurfer Pete Sawyer talks with  Creative Conversations host Yang-May Ooi about how his passion for kitesurfing helped him create a new business and rebuild his life by the Atlantic Ocean after insolvency and divorce. For photos, links and music credits, go to bit.ly/ccv-kitesurfing. ¦ Episode CCV0203 ¦  Creative Conversations is part of the Tiger Spirit family of creative content, conceived and presented by multimedia author Yang-May Ooi. Find out more at bit.ly/creativeconversations-podcast 

 Malaysian journalist Zaharah Othman joins Creative Conversations podcast host Yang-May Ooi to talk about her lifetime in journalism covering both heartwrenching events like the MH17 tragedy and heartwarming personal stories of Malaysians overseas - and also her fascination with love stories from the past and across cultures.  For photos and links, go to bit.ly/ccv-loveacrosscultures ¦ Episode CCV0202 ¦  Creative Conversations is part of the Tiger Spirit family of creative content, conceived and presented by multimedia author Yang-May Ooi. Find out more at bit.ly/creativeconversations-podcast 

 We open Season 2 of Creative Conversations with a superstar episode to kick off 2019. Stage actor and performing artist Stephanie van Driesen joins host Yang-May Ooi to talk about what it takes to be a superstar in musical theatre in South East Asia, and why she is passionate about always learning and developing her craft. For photos, links and resource credits go to the shownotes page at bit.ly/ccv-superstar. ¦  Episode CCV0201 ¦ Creative Conversations is part of the Tiger Spirit family of creative content, conceived and presented by multimedia author Yang-May Ooi. Find out more at bit.ly/creativeconversations-podcast

Actor “Walter Plinge” (aka Philip Blaine) talks about his life as an actor in repertory theatre in the 1950s and it is a fascinating historical record of an exciting time in British theatre as well as an inspiring personal story. This special episode of Creative Conversations is taken from multimedia author Yang-May Ooi’s podcast archive recorded in 2008 for her first podcast series Fusion View (now closed). For photos and links, please go to the Creative Conversations shownotes page for this episode at bit.ly/ccv-anactinglife ¦ Episode CCV006 ¦ Creative Conversations is part of the family of creative content produced by TigerSpirit.co.uk A note from Yang-May Ooi: "Philip passed away a few years ago and the recording feels to me now a valuable part of our cultural history as well as a personal account of the life of a wonderful friend and a talented actor."

Author and playwright Michael McManus talks to Yang-May Ooi about his play An Honourable Man set in a dystopic post-Brexit world... Episode CCV005 ¦ Creative Conversations is part of the Tiger Spirit family of creative content, conceived and presented by multimedia author Yang-May Ooi ¦ www.TigerSpirit.co.uk

Actor and playwright Daniel York joins Creative Conversations host Yang-May Ooi to talk about his new play Forgotten, an epic story about the Chinese Labour Corps who worked in the trenches during the First World War. Episode CCV004 ¦ Creative Conversations is part of the Tiger Spirit family of creative content, conceived and presented by multimedia author Yang-May Ooi ¦ www.TigerSpirit.co.uk

Relationship coach Sue Plumtree joins host Yang-May Ooi on Creative Conversations to tell her story of divorcing at age 60 and how she found the courage and creativity to create a new life and business - and how she found true love at age 70. Episode CCV003 ¦ Creative Conversations is part of the Tiger Spirit family of creative content, conceived and presented by multimedia author Yang-May Ooi ¦ www.TigerSpirit.co.uk

Novelist Terry Bailey joins Yang-May Ooi on Creative Conversations to chat about his paranormal thriller Dead in Time and how he uses his own experiences in his fiction. Find out more about Terry at www.facebook.com/terencebaileyauthor ¦ Creative Conversations is the Tiger Spirit podcast exploring - and celebrating - the creative process in the arts, life and business, conceived and presented by author and creative actionista, Yang-May Ooi ¦ www.TigerSpirit.co.uk

James Zarzana joins Creative Conversations to talk with Yang-May Ooi about the benefits and challenges of self-publishing. James is the author of the Marsco Saga - www.jamesazarzana.com. Creative Conversations is a Tiger Spirit podcast hosted by multimedia author Yang-May Ooi, celebrating the creative process in the arts, life and business. ¦ www.TigerSpirit.co.uk