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When @jorenaranas was a kid, he was building wild imaginary worlds out of cardboard and legos. So sitting down with Joren Catalino-Aranas —Creative Director behind some of Australia’s biggest (and let’s be honest, coolest) media and event companies like B&T Australia, Cairns Crocodiles, and The Misfits Media Company—felt a bit like reconnecting with that same childhood magic.

In this episode, we dive into what it really means to find creative flow, freedom, and a fun full-time gig in the creative industry. Spoiler alert: it’s not all lollipops and rainbows.

Joren opens up about the beautifully messy reality of his path—convincing his dad to let him pursue design, navigating ADHD and imposter syndrome, and even the chapter where he was living in his car.

His honesty makes this conversation feel like a warm pep talk for anyone who’s ever felt out of place, underestimated, or unsure whether their creativity could actually pay the bills.

From flipping burgers to mastering graphic design, from college breakthroughs to landing an internship that changed the course of his life, Joren takes us behind the curtain on how he carved his place in a competitive industry. We talk self-advocacy, knowing your worth, negotiating fair pay, stepping into leadership, and the ongoing dance between professional success and personal fulfilment.

Joren’s reframing of imposter syndrome—as a sign you’re expanding, not failing—lands like the gentle shove forward so many creatives need. His journey is a testament to passion, perseverance, and the magic that happens when you refuse to shrink your dreams.

By the end of the episode, you’ll feel fired up, seen, and reminded that building a creative life you’re obsessed with isn’t just possible—it’s powerful when you give yourself permission to grow boldly, live freely, and create on your own terms.

Connect with Joren Aranas & Misfits Media here:

Instagram: @jorearanas

Misfits Media: @themisfits.media

Cairns Crocodiles: @cairnscrocodiles

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In this conversation, Stephanie Pringle, co-founder of Chicken and Chips Casting, shares her journey from a rural upbringing to becoming a prominent casting director. She discusses the importance of conscious casting, the challenges faced by emerging actors, and the role of the Audition Academy in educating both actors and filmmakers.

Stephanie Pringle does a deep dive on the need for diversity and representation in the industry, and her commitment to empowering underrepresented talent. The conversation highlights the evolution of casting practices and the future of the creative industry.

In this conversation, Stephanie discusses the often undervalued role of casting directors in filmmaking, emphasising the art and strategy behind assembling a cast. She highlights the importance of diversity in casting practices and shares innovative strategies for reaching a broader range of talent, particularly from underrepresented communities.

The discussion also delves into the significance of building relationships within the industry, navigating the pitching process, and the resources available for emerging filmmakers.

Episode highlights

• From the Farm to Film: Stephanie Pringle’s inspiring journey from rural roots to becoming a conscious casting powerhouse
• The Hidden Art of Casting: Why this often-overlooked role can make or break a film.
• Conscious Casting in Action: How diversity and representation are reshaping authentic storytelling.
• Breaking Barriers: Why emerging actors struggle to get in the room—and how to change that.
• Audition Academy 101: Educating both actors and filmmakers to level the playing field.
• Empowering the Undervalued: Championing underrepresented talent and unique voices.
• Juggling Roles: The real challenges of balancing motherhood and a creative career.
• Networking That Matters: Building authentic industry relationships (and why pitching isn’t just about the sell).
• Future-Proofing Film: Collaboration, social media, and funding as tools for inclusive storytelling.
• Redefining Success: Why presence, purpose, and personal growth matter more than material wins.

Connect with Stephanie Pringle & Chicken and Chips Casting Here:

Chicken and Chips Casting: https://www.chickenandchips.com.au/

Instagram : http://instagram.com/chickenandchips_/

Instagram: http://instagram.com/itsstephaniepringle

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Get your 2026 tickets to Cairns Crocodiles Presented by Pinterest

https://cairnscrocodiles.com/

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Instagram.com: @nat.asia

Instagram.com: @thepersonhood

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In this episode, we get deep with Jess and Stef Dadon, the Creators and Founders of TWOOBS, a sustainable, vegan and planet conscious footwear brand. We get down to the sole (pun intended) of their journey from fashion bloggers to entrepreneurs, the importance of self-care, and creating a supportive work environment as leaders.

The sisters share their insights into the challenges of fast fashion, the significance of asking 'dumb' questions, and the importance of the human element in business. Jess and Stef dig into navigating the climate crisis, building a conscious business, and the power of kind leadership. We also walk in their shoes as we explore their future aspirations for TWOOBS and the importance of community in their brand's success.

Episode Highlights

• TWOOBS is a sustainable footwear brand founded by sisters Jess and Stef.
• The importance of self-care rituals in maintaining mental health.
• Creating a supportive work environment is crucial for team morale.
• Asking 'dumb' questions can lead to innovative solutions.
• Being human and vulnerable in business fosters connection.
• TWOOBS aims to challenge fast fashion by promoting sustainability.
• The importance of capturing attention in a crowded market.
• Pivots in business are necessary for growth and adaptation.
• Kind leadership can lead to a more engaged and productive team.

Connect with TWOOOBS from Jess and Stef here:

TWOOBS

Instagram :@twoobs

Instagram: @jessdadononyoga

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Instagram.com: @thepersonhood

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In this episode, we vibe with Callum Rei from Music By Rei, an electro-haka artist from Aotearoa, New Zealand, who’s pioneering a powerful fusion of traditional Māori music and modern music.

From freestyle teenage beats to world-stage dreams, Rei's journey is a creative masterclass in courage, cultural pride, and staying true to your roots while evolving your rhythm.

Together, we explore how blending heritage with modern music genres can be a powerful force for storytelling, representation, and impact. Rei shares how music, language, and social media collide in his creative process—and how staying grounded is key when you’re making waves globally.

Episode Chapters:

The Spark of a Musical Journey
Rei shares how his teenage love for music ignited his path and how early passion evolved into a career rooted in both culture and innovation.

Electro-Haka: Blending Tradition
A deep dive into how Rei fuses traditional Māori elements with electronic beats—honoring his roots while pushing creative boundaries.

Māori Language as a Creative Superpower
We explore why language matters in music, and how using Māori language is both an artistic choice and a cultural statement.

Creative Discipline in a Digital World
Rei breaks down his process: consistency, experimentation, and building habits that fuel his artistry.

Social Media and Independent Artist Life
From TikTok to Insta, Rei talks strategy, community-building, and how to thrive as an indie artist in the algorithm age.

Indigenous Language in the Limelight
The episode dives into the power of normalising indigenous language in modern music—and how that creates ripples beyond the stage.

Grounded in Community
Rei emphasizes how connection and collaboration anchor his journey, and why building authentic relationships matters more than going viral.

Music and the Money Side
Let’s talk streams and dreams—Rei shares thoughts on monetising music, diversifying income streams, and turning your art into a sustainable life.

Festival Dreams and Cultural Representation
Rei shares future goals—from global tours to inspiring a generation of indigenous creators to embrace and celebrate their culture.

🤝 Connect with Music By Rei

🔗 https://www.instagram.com/musicbyrei/
🔗https://www.tiktok.com/@musicbyrei
🔗 https://linktr.ee/musicbyrei
🔗 Spotify: Rei

🤝 Connect with Cairns Crocodiles

Learn about Cairns Crocodiles here

Win 1 of 6 Media Passes to Cairns Crocodiles here

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Connect with Nat Siagian x The Personhood

Instagram.com: @nat.asia

Instagram.com: @thepersonhood

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Here's my personal and professional highlights and learnings from Cairns Crocodiles Creative Conference & Retreat 2024:

A little bit more about Cairns Crocodiles:

To bring together the most innovative and daring minds in the world of advertising, media, marketing, communications, tech, and all the creative fields in between in Far North Queensland.

This is a Creative Conference powered by Pinterest & B&T Australia, produced by Misfits Media Company.

Why am I doing these solo eps?

I'm on a mission to create with impact and to educate. I was lucky enough to represent The Personhood for the people and creators so that you can learn in real-time with me.

Learn more about Cairns Crocodiles:

Cairns Crocodiles x The Personhood: Passion to Paycheck Podcast

Connect with Natalie Siagian from The Personhood

Instagram: @nat.asia

LinkedIn: Natalie Siagian

Instagram: @thepersonhood

Website: www.thepersonhood.com

I acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land on which we are meeting. I pay my respects to their Elders, past and present, and the Aboriginal Elders of other communities who may be here today.

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Connect with Nat Siagian x The Personhood

Instagram.com: @nat.asia

Instagram.com: @thepersonhood

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In this episode, we sit down with the creative spiritual baddie, Bianca Beers who is a colourful artist, designer, content creator and lover based in the Western Suburbs of Sydney, Australia.

Bianca's work transcends the digital kaleidoscope of artistry specialising in digital illustration and creative direction. Having launched her career in late 2017, Bianca has since gained strong momentum and a dedicated following with her first solo exhibit supported by Microsoft in 2019. Her work truly speaks for itself having brands and clients like Nike, Adobe, Ebay, The Iconic, Pinterest, Sony Music, Adidas, Binance, Foot Locker, and Puma to name a few.

Bianca’s work aims to create community & uplift others by bringing colour, joy & meaning to the spaces she and her works occupy.

Bianca and Nat go beyond her work and unpack everything from neuroplasticity, pricing transparencies, navigating big life changes as an artist, and how this has led her to find deeper spiritual practices to integrate into her creative craft and creations.

Episode Highlights:

• How Bianca paved her way as an artist and creative rebel with true grit, perseverance, pivots and passion to become a thriving colourful artist
• The steps Bianca 'accidentally' took to launch her career in 2017 with her first solo exhibit supported by Microsoft in 2019
• Why spirituality is an important practice and ritual to higher creativity and getting out of creative block

Connect with Bianca Beers here:
https://www.biancabeers.com/
https://www.instagram.com/biancabeers/

Connect with Natalie Siagian from The Personhood

Instagram: @nat.asia

LinkedIn: Natalie Siagian

Join The Personhood Passion to Paycheck Podcast and Project where we are on a mission to democratise entrepreneurship and financial literacy for marginalised creatives and founders

Instagram: @thepersonhood

Website: www.thepersonhood.com

I acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land on which we are meeting. I pay my respects to their Elders, past and present, and the Aboriginal Elders of other communities who may be here today.

Support the show

Connect with Nat Siagian x The Personhood

Instagram.com: @nat.asia

Instagram.com: @thepersonhood

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In this episode, we sit down and learn from Tantri Mustika, a Melbourne-based ceramic artist renowned for crafting a diverse yet distinctive array of highly detailed ceramics.

Tantri’s ceramic works are often inspired by the natural world, reflected by her use of intricate textures. Her colourful yet earthy-toned palette mirrors the allure of natural stone with various applications of meticulously hand-stained and marbled clays.

Tantri and Nat go deep in this chat, exploring the topics we often don't talk about in our creative and entrepreneurial journeys. We do a deep dive discussing everything from navigating burnout and creative well-being to the power of slowing down to find your creative flow - which also meant Tantri's restructure of her ceramics business in Collingwood Yards.

Episode Highlights:

• Navigating burnout in our creative journeys and lives as a ceramic artist
• The power of prioritising creative well-being, flow and slowing down
• The struggles of opening up her first shop in Collingwood Yards in the middle of a pandemic and her way forward in restructuring her ceramics business

Connect with Tantri Mustika here:
https://www.tantrimustikaceramics.com/
https://www.instagram.com/tantrimustikaceramics/

Connect with Natalie Siagian from The Personhood

Instagram: @nat.asia

LinkedIn: Natalie Siagian

Join The Personhood Passion to Paycheck Podcast and Project where we are on a mission to democratise entrepreneurship and financial literacy for marginalised creatives and founders

Instagram: @thepersonhood

Website: www.thepersonhood.com

I acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land on which we are meeting. I pay my respects to their Elders, past and present, and the Aboriginal Elders of other communities who may be here today.

Support the show

Connect with Nat Siagian x The Personhood

Instagram.com: @nat.asia

Instagram.com: @thepersonhood

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In this episode, we sit down and learn from Brook McCarthy, a seasoned business coach, digital marketing trainer and self-employment advocate for female entrepreneurship.

Brook shares her transformative journey from self-doubt to self-employment in the last 16 years and highlights the unique challenges women face in the business world. She dives into the importance of self-advocacy and aligning one's business with personal values, emphasising that the path to self-employment is as much about personal growth as it is about professional success.

Brook shares her experiences from the 2008 financial crash and the recent pandemic, demonstrating resilience and adaptability in the face of adversity. Throughout the episode, Brook offers practical strategies for overcoming our self-limiting beliefs, why we should embrace an entrepreneurial mindset, and how we can navigate the digital landscape.

We do a deep dive into value-based pricing, income diversification, and the power of storytelling in marketing. Brook's advice is a masterclass in leveraging skills, embracing opportunities, and fostering confidence in the entrepreneurial journey.

Episode Highlights:

- The impact of societal pressures on women's financial beliefs and self-worth
- Overcoming self-doubt and undervaluing natural talents
- The importance of self-advocacy and aligning business with personal values
- Strategies for resilience and adaptability during economic downturns
- Practical tips on value-based pricing and income diversification
- The critical role of storytelling and marketing in business success

Connect with Brook McCarthy here:
https://brookmccarthy.com/
https://www.instagram.com/brookmccarthy/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/brookmccarthy/

Connect with Natalie Siagian from The Personhood

Instagram: @nat.asia

LinkedIn: Natalie Siagian

Join The Personhood Passion to Paycheck Podcast and Project where we are on a mission to democratise entrepreneurship and financial literacy for marginalised creatives and founders

Instagram: @thepersonhood

Website: www.thepersonhood.com

I acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land on which we are meeting. I pay my respects to their Elders, past and present, and the Aboriginal Elders of other communities who may be here today.

Support the show

Connect with Nat Siagian x The Personhood

Instagram.com: @nat.asia

Instagram.com: @thepersonhood

Learn about The Personhood: Passion to Paycheck Podcast & Project

Get Spicy Starters, our Conversation Cards Game into your hands