Calodagh McCumiskey: Creative Networking - Building Bridges in the Sector
Struggling to turn networking into real opportunity? Calodagh McCumiskey unpacks how creatives can use collaboration and connection to unlock growth. In this hands-on session, learn how to find your tribe, make cross-sector partnerships work, and transform casual conversations into lasting professional relationships. With a focus on fun, purposeful networking, this episode is a must-listen for creatives ready to expand their reach and build community.Welcome to Creativity Chats with Alan Swan, the podcast series by Carlow County Council, proudly funded by Creative Ireland in collaboration with Craftwork 4.0 All, where imagination meets enterprise. This is your backstage pass to the world where creativity fuels commerce - where makers, artists, designers, and cultural entrepreneurs share how they turn passion into profit. Each episode explores key themes such as monetising creative skills, building resilient business models, leveraging cultural heritage, and embedding sustainability in creative practice. You'll hear real-world insights from inspiring creatives, business strategists, funding experts, and digital innovators, all sharing practical tools and opportunities to grow your creative enterprise. For more information on this series go to https://carlow.ie/ Special thanks to: Carlow County Council – Culture Team & Stakeholders. Executive producers were Kieran Comerford, John Shortall and Lisa Hutton for Carlow County Council with sound production design by SwanMcG.
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Yosef Dvores: Sustainable Creativity; Balancing Passion and Planet
In this episode, ever wondered can creativity be a force for environmental change? In this episode, Yosef Dvores explores the powerful role of artists and makers in shaping a sustainable future. From using found materials and reducing waste to embedding climate awareness into your practice, discover how your creativity can inspire action and leave a lighter footprint.Welcome to Creativity Chats with Alan Swan, the podcast series by Carlow County Council, proudly funded by Creative Ireland in collaboration with Craftwork 4.0 All, where imagination meets enterprise. This is your backstage pass to the world where creativity fuels commerce - where makers, artists, designers, and cultural entrepreneurs share how they turn passion into profit. Each episode explores key themes such as monetising creative skills, building resilient business models, leveraging cultural heritage, and embedding sustainability in creative practice. You'll hear real-world insights from inspiring creatives, business strategists, funding experts, and digital innovators, all sharing practical tools and opportunities to grow your creative enterprise. For more information on this series go to https://carlow.ie/ Special thanks to: Carlow County Council – Culture Team & Stakeholders. Executive producers were Kieran Comerford, John Shortall and Lisa Hutton for Carlow County Council with sound production design by SwanMcG.
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Aisling Kearney Burke: Crafting Success and Monetising Creative Skills
Welcome to Creativity Chats with Alan Swan, the podcast series by Carlow County Council, proudly funded by Creative Ireland in collaboration with Craftwork 4.0 All, where imagination meets enterprise. This is your backstage pass to the world where creativity fuels commerce - where makers, artists, designers, and cultural entrepreneurs share how they turn passion into profit. Each episode explores key themes such as monetising creative skills, building resilient business models, leveraging cultural heritage, and embedding sustainability in creative practice. You'll hear real-world insights from inspiring creatives, business strategists, funding experts, and digital innovators, all sharing practical tools and opportunities to grow your creative enterprise.In this episode, Aisling leads a dynamic, hands-on session to help creative entrepreneurs identify their most marketable skills, connect with the right audiences, and explore diverse income streams, whether service-based, product-focused, or passive. If you're ready to turn your talent into a thriving business, this episode is your perfect starting point.For more information on this series go to https://carlow.ie/Special thanks to: Carlow County Council – Culture Team & Stakeholders. Executive producers Kieran Comerford, John Shortall and Lisa Hutton for Carlow County Council with sound production design by SwanMcG.
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Sheelagh Moloney: The Future of Work, Creativity in the Digital Economy
Welcome to Creativity Chats with Alan Swan, the podcast series by Carlow County Council, proudly funded by Creative Ireland in collaboration with Craftwork 4.0 All, where imagination meets enterprise. This is your backstage pass to the world where creativity fuels commerce - where makers, artists, designers, and cultural entrepreneurs share how they turn passion into profit. Each episode explores key themes such as monetising creative skills, building resilient business models, leveraging cultural heritage, and embedding sustainability in creative practice. You'll hear real-world insights from inspiring creatives, business strategists, funding experts, and digital innovators, all sharing practical tools and opportunities to grow your creative enterprise.In episode two, how do creatives get discovered in the crowded digital world? Sheelagh Moloney shares a game-changing guide to building visibility, crafting your story, and connecting with the right people. Discover how to market your work authentically, grow your audience, and turn your creative talents into income-generating opportunities. This episode breaks down communication, marketing, networking, and mindset strategies to future-proof your creative business. Sheelagh's work can be found here https://2020curates.com/For more information on this series go to https://carlow.ie/Special thanks to: Carlow County Council – Culture Team & Stakeholders. Executive producers Kieran Comerford, John Shortall and Lisa Hutton for Carlow County Council with sound production design by SwanMcG.
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Róisín de Buitléar: Tapping into Local Identity for Global Appeal
Welcome to Creativity Chats with Alan Swan, the podcast series by Carlow County Council, proudly funded by Creative Ireland in collaboration with Craftwork 4.0 All, where imagination meets enterprise. This is your backstage pass to the world where creativity fuels commerce - where makers, artists, designers, and cultural entrepreneurs share how they turn passion into profit. Each episode explores key themes such as monetising creative skills, building resilient business models, leveraging cultural heritage, and embedding sustainability in creative practice. You'll hear real-world insights from inspiring creatives, business strategists, funding experts, and digital innovators, all sharing practical tools and opportunities to grow your creative enterprise.In episode one, what happens when heritage meets innovation? In this inspiring conversation, acclaimed artist and glassmaker Róisín de Buitléar shares stories from her diverse career. She reveals how traditional craft practices can be powerful engines for artistic expression, economic opportunity, and global recognition. This talk explores how culture can be a launchpad for creative business success through public art, exhibitions, community engagement, and storytelling. Róisín's work can be found here https://www.rdebuitlear.com/For more information on this series go to https://carlow.ie/ Special thanks to: Carlow County Council – Culture Team & Stakeholders. Executive producers were Kieran Comerford, John Shortall and Lisa Hutton for Carlow County Council with sound production design by SwanMcG.
Creativity takes many forms — a handwoven textile, a piece of original art, a digital design, a craft steeped in heritage — and each carries within it a story. Carlow County Council's Economic Development Section, working hand in hand with the Library Service, is bringing those stories to life in a new way with the launch of Creativity Chats, a six-part podcast series presented by Alan Swan and funded by Creative Ireland.
At its heart, the series is about transformation: how crafts, art, and design can move from passion projects to sustainable income streams, and how creative voices, both local and international, can inspire each other.
The Creativity Chats podcast series takes listeners on a journey through Irish creativity, exploring how crafts, art, and design can become sustainable enterprises. Across six episodes, distinguished contributors share inspiring stories, practical advice, and expert insights to guide creatives on their professional journeys.
The series includes "Crafting Success: Monetising Your Creative Skills", presented by Aisling Kearney Burke, highlighting how creative entrepreneurs turn their artistry into viable livelihoods and exploring funding, mentorship, and collaborative opportunities. "The Business of Creativity: Essential Tools for Growth", with Sophie Broadhead, offers a practical roadmap for managing and scaling creative ventures, covering business planning, financial management, and digital marketing.
"Cultural Capital: Tapping into Local Identity for Global Appeal", presented by Roisin DeBuitlear, shows how heritage and storytelling can create unique, globally resonant products. In "Sustainable Creativity: Balancing Passion and Planet", Yosef Dvores examines eco-conscious design and sustainable practices that align passion with environmental responsibility. Finally, "Creative Networking: Building Bridges in the Sector", with Calodagh McCumiskey, explores collaboration and cross-sector partnerships, demonstrating how connection can amplify impact and open new opportunities.
The series was developed by SwanMcG, with Alan Swan serving as the presenter throughout the podcast. Speaking about the project, Alan said, "Creativity Chats is designed to shine a light on the incredible talent within our creative communities and to share experience to assist develop each other. Each episode gives listeners an inside look at how artists, designers, and makers can transform their passion into sustainable, thriving enterprises. We wanted to create a platform where stories are shared, lessons are learned, and inspiration flows freely, helping both emerging and established creatives navigate the opportunities and challenges of their industries."
Across all episodes, Creativity Chats celebrates the journeys, expertise, and ambitions of Irish creatives, offering a rich tapestry of advice, inspiration, and practical tools. The series underscores the idea that creativity is not just an art form, but a pathway to sustainable careers, community engagement, and global impact.
Creativity Chats will be available to download from all major podcast platforms including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Google Podcasts. The first episode will be available from 21st August 2025 with a episode published weekly until end September.
Ireland