Pain In The Arts

What happens to your goals when life completely changes? In this episode, Lyndon and Breallyn explore goal setting—but not in the way you might expect. They share how a decade ago they stopped planning for the future entirely, and why. When their daughter Birdie was diagnosed with Phelan-McDermid Syndrome, their goals shifted from creative ambitions to survival. They discuss the "impossible goals" they pursued around her communication and the miraculous shifts that have emerged. A conversation about disability, parenting, and finding your way back to the future.Content note: This episode discusses disability, parenting a child with complex medical and neuropsychiatric needs, and statistics around vulnerability for girls with intellectual disabilities.

Are you drowning in "micro-decisions"? In the Season 2 premiere of Pain In The Arts, Lyndon and Breallyn explore why the smallest daily choices - from returning camping gear to hardware store runs - can sap the mental energy needed to show up for your craft. After a summer of extreme weather and evacuations, they discuss the idea of "strategic stillness" and whether routines or rituals are the best way to protect your creative space. It’s a conversation about clearing the mental clutter so you can return to the art that reinvigorates you.The Travelling Professor

Lyndon and Breallyn are once again joined by Dulgubarra-Yidinji writer Skye Cusack to talk writing, culture, and creative momentum. Skye reflects on the journey of her second book, Checked Out, including an emotionally intense return to Country and time spent reconnecting with her heritage and family.They also touch on her debut novel, The Dangers of Just One Person, and Skye shares a glimpse into her current work-in-progress—a new horror manuscript. It’s a conversation about writing, cultural connection and finding humour in the unpredictable rhythms of creative life.Skye Cusack on ABCThe Dangers Of Just One Person - by Skye Cusack https://www.instagram.com/magabalabooks

We're officially back from camping - and yes, we have plenty of mozzie bites and stories to tell once we're back in the studio - but while we’re technically still on our summer break, we wanted to revisit this conversation from April 8th, 2025.In this episode, Brea and I dive into the 'Deep Work' debate. We’ve all heard that rigidly scheduled, uninterrupted blocks of time are the only way to get real work done, but we wanted to see if there’s room for a more flexible flow. Do we actually need those massive windows of time to be creative?We explore the stress that kicks in when a dedicated creative window gets unexpectedly cut short, and we contrast the 'Deep Work' concept with the more fluid, inspiration-driven side of making art. We also talk about mental preparation, the frustration of losing momentum, and whether years of experience can eventually help you create meaningful work in shorter, sharper bursts.Full Transcript: https://paininthearts.life/index.php/transcript/ep-15-the-deep-work-dilemma-finding-focus-in-creative-chaos/

For this re-release, we wanted to revisit a conversation that feels more relevant every day. We sat down with Ricki Wood—a seasoned musician who has spent years touring Australia—to tackle the one thing most of us artists dread: self-promotion.We got into the weeds of how to actually get your work seen without sacrificing your sanity (or your soul) to social media. Ricki shared his experience booking gigs across the country, and we talked a lot about the power of authenticity and integrity. His approach is less about chasing "viral moments" or algorithm approval and more about building a sustainable career through real-world connections and genuine relationships.Whether you’re a musician or a creator in another field, we hope this chat offers some clarity on how to connect with your audience without losing yourself in the process.Get the transcript https://paininthearts.life/index.php/transcript/ep-19-beyond-likes-sustainable-self-promotion-for-independent-musicians/More from Ricki Woodhttp://www.rickiwood.comhttps://rickiwood.bandcamp.com/

We’re currently away camping, so we’re opening the vault to give you a sneak peek of our bonus feed. Backstage Banter is where we keep the raw conversations usually reserved for our members.This first episode covers Brea's 5-cubic-meter 'mulch mountain' driveway fiasco, a coffee-ordering saga that makes me sound like a total Boomer, and the day a ranger showed up to reclaim a cat trap while I was out of town. We also touch on some Grand Final heartbreak and a poorly timed birthday migraine.If you enjoy this unfiltered side of the show, come join us on Patreon!This episode was originally aired as a Patreon Exclusive on 15/11/2025 Thanks for hanging out with us backstage.

"We wrestle with whether we can curate our lives as we go, or only recognize the shape of it when we look back."We are currently away from the studio for a few weeks - trading the microphones for the sounds of the bush on a summer camping trip - so we wanted to take this opportunity to re-share a conversation that remains one of our most meaningful.In this heavy yet heartfelt episode, we step into deeper waters to reflect on the life and legacy of our dear friend, Salima. We explore the idea that every life—intentionally or not—becomes a living work of art. From grief to philosophy, from memory to meaning, we wrestle with whether we can truly curate our lives as we go, or if we can only recognize the shape of them when we look back.This episode was originally released on 14/04/2025.

Celebrate a full year of Pain In The Arts as Lyndon and Brea look back on 52 weeks of creative pursuit. Revisit the moments that resonated most, including their most popular episode, "Is Life Art?" (remembering Salima), and the high-energy session with writer Dom Shorthouse. From the professional highs of touring with Gretta Ziller and playing festival stages to the precarious repairs of a vintage Jayswan camper, the duo discusses the beauty of fitting art into the chaotic reality of real life. Plus, a look at their growing Patreon community and what’s in store for 2026.