Lead & Create

S2E8 On having more power than we think: Climate justice and independent artists — A conversation with Marla King

In this episode of Lead & Create, I sit down with Marla King to talk about climate justice and what’s possible when independent artists realise they have more power than they think. We explore: - How climate justice connects with the arts and why it matters. - The myth that individual impact is too small to count — and how to challenge it. - The strength and energy that comes from artists joining forces. - Practical ways choreographers and independent artists can align their work with sustainability. - Why even small creative actions can ripple out into larger cultural change. This is a hopeful and empowering conversation for artists who want to engage with climate justice but aren’t sure where to start, or who feel their contribution might not make a difference. Links mentioned and further reading: Boycott Bloody Insurance [https://boycottbloodyinsurance.org/]  The Carbon Map [https://www.carbonmap.org/] No Climate Action Without Us [https://juliesbicycle.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/No-climate-action-without-us_FINAL.pdf] Culture Declares Emergency [https://www.culturedeclares.org/] Equity for a Green New Deal [https://linktr.ee/equitygnd?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAae5vkSvfcAo_TIoZIMi5B3PmCPsauwDzwhUpeEf800xCH3x30kOwGnzwBrg6Q_aem_tP-9W8ZTqTOQdzYBlROf9A] Green Rider Campaign [https://www.green-rider.org/] Julie’s Bicycle [https://juliesbicycle.com/] Sustainable Arts in Leeds [https://wearesail.org/] Theatre Green Book [https://theatregreenbook.com/] The Climate Psychology Alliance [https://www.climatepsychologyalliance.org/] Force of Nature - The rise of eco anxiety report [https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5ec405510f879d0420d5581d/t/603d35823bcb991173f60819/1614624142358/Force+of+Nature+%28THE+RISE+OF+ECO-ANXIETY%29.pdf] Digital Carbon Footprint Info [https://www.wholegraindigital.com/digitaldeclutter/] Set Exchange - resource sharing for Theatre, TV, Film, Events, Exhibitions [https://www.set-exchange.co.uk/] 2nd hand materials hub [https://reneematerials.co.uk/] - Rene Materials Restart - London based electronic repair events/advice/upskilling [https://therestartproject.org/about/] Costume Directory - We are Albert [https://wearealbert.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/The-Costume-Directory-Edition-2-18.08.19.pdf] Preworn - Online 2nd hand Store [https://preworn.com/pages/about] Banking on climate chaos [https://www.bankingonclimatechaos.org/?bank=JPMorgan%20Chase#fulldata-panel] Books recommended by Marla for further reading:  It’s Not That Radical by Mikaela Loach Art Wash: Big Oil and the Arts by Mel Evans Emergent Strategy by Adrienne Marie Brown Active Hope by Joanna Macy and Chris Johnstone Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall-Kimmerer It’s Not Just You by Tori Tsui The Future We Choose by Christiana Figueres and Tom Rivett-Carnac This Changes Everything by Naomi Klein Nature is a Human Right edited by Ellen Miles Hope in the Dark by Rebecca Solnit Spinning Out by Charlie Hertzog Young  The Intersectional Environmentalist by Leah Thomas

S2E7 On being yourself in everything you do: A conversation with Sarah Blanc

Sarah Blanc is one of those artists who brings her full self into everything she does—whether that’s creating punk gig-theatre for kids, making socially engaged performance, or showing up in her boldest fashion choices. Her work is funny, political, and always unapologetically her. In our chat, we talk about the real side of leadership: the moments when you can hold the space, and the moments when you need to step back and hand it over (including Sarah’s brilliant phrase, “time bitch”). We also touch on rejection, staying in your lane, and what it actually takes to keep showing up as yourself in this industry. And of course, we get into Punk Alley, her riotous kids’ show that gave young audiences permission to ask questions like “why is my brother smelly?” and “why aren’t trans rights taken seriously?”. It’s a reminder that children often see the world more clearly than we think—and that they’re not afraid to ask the difficult questions. This episode is equal parts funny, honest and thought-provoking—a true reflection of Sarah’s artistry and her way of leading. Check what Sarah's is up to following her IG account [https://www.instagram.com/thesarahblanc/]

S2 E6 This One’s for Teachers: Hidden Dynamics in Your Studio

Why do some student groups feel more motivated, engaged, and willing to take creative risks than others — even when you’re teaching the same curriculum? And as teachers, how much influence do we really have over those hidden dynamics? In this episode of the Lead & Create Podcast (also available on YouTube), Neus Gil Cortés dives into the undercurrents that shape a classroom or studio: How group roles and unofficial “leaders” affect behaviour The power of social norms and how to shift them Why clear definitions of success and expectancy matter What teachers can do (and what’s beyond our control) Drawing on her experience teaching since 2009 — from NDC Wales to Hofesh Shechter Company to the National Centre for Circus Arts — Neus shares practical insights to help teachers better understand and influence the learning environment. If you’ve ever wondered whether group dynamics are fixed or whether you can actively shape them, this episode is for you. Links: Watch this podcast as a video here [https://youtube.com/live/OzQS5umZSLQ] Download the slides to visualise the key ideas of the training here [https://leadandcreate.kit.com/468bb14f0e] Sign up to our newsletter to get more free resources here [https://leadandcreate.kit.com/7dc1f1ed65]

S2 E5 Curiosity, Conflict and Creativity in Circus: A conversation with Adrian Porter

In this episode of Lead & Create, Neus is joined by Adrian Porter, Head of Higher Education at the National Centre for Circus Arts and former Cirque du Soleil coach and performer. Adrian shares his journey from childhood gymnastics to international touring, reflecting on how curiosity and play became the foundations of his practice as both an artist and a leader. The conversation dives into what leadership looks like in different contexts — from the rehearsal studio to higher education — and how expectations, motivation, and trust shape creative learning environments. Adrian and Neus discuss the challenges of conflict, how to approach difficult conversations without blame, and why documenting, reflecting, and reframing are essential tools for growth. Together, they touch on circus training as higher education, the influence of sports science, the importance of creativity and empathy in teaching, and what it really takes to keep both students and professionals motivated over the long run.

S2 E4 On Work Culture: A conversation with Theo Clinkard

What does it take to create actual healthy workspaces in dance — not just the ones we talk about? In this episode, I speak with Theo Clinkard — choreographer, teacher, designer, and longtime advocate for respectful creative processes. We explore what happens when dancers are treated as collaborators rather than vessels, how fear shows up in the studio (in both subtle and obvious ways), and what it really means to lead from a place of clarity without collapsing into people-pleasing. Theo reflects on his journey from dancing in major UK companies to rethinking leadership and ethics in his own practice — from calling out outdated norms to sharing the mistakes and tensions of trying to do better. We also touch on the responsibility of funders and programmers, the pressure to produce “more of the same,” and what a slower, more intentional pace might make possible. This isn’t a conversation full of soundbites — it’s a generous, layered exploration of the systems we’re in and how we might shift them together. 00:00 – Theo joins the podcast and reflects on challenging outdated practices early in his career. 02:39 – We unpack the harm in seeing dancers as “instruments” and why dancer agency matters. 06:40 – Theo shares experiences of toxic work culture and asks why we still tolerate it. 12:50 – What does a truly healthy creative space look like — and how can we make one? 25:09 – How can choreographers be better supported? What does a sustainable practice look like? 30:08 – The pressure of being “a singular vision” and how it affects collaboration. 33:24 – Who holds power in the sector? Theo shares thoughts on funders, programmers, and responsibility. 40:22 – What happens when care and feedback are built into the process from the beginning? 49:31 – The crossover between teaching and choreographing — and how they inform each other. 56:50 – Final reflections on rest, ambition, identity, and staying open as an artist. 🎧 Resources Mentioned in This Episode "As Technique" – Article by Theo Clinkard Download here [https://www.researchgate.net/publication/375445868_%27As_technique%27?utm_source=chatgpt.com] Book: Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman View on Goodreads [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11468377-thinking-fast-and-slow] Book: The Ignorant Schoolmaster: Five Lessons in Intellectual Emancipation by Jacques Rancière Learn more on publisher site [https://www.sup.org/books/sociology/ignorant-schoolmaster] Interested in the leadership for teachers course? Subscribe to our newsletter [https://leadandcreate.kit.com/7dc1f1ed65?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAacbbGa5BE9bJyGVzzXXvn3an0TAe9n10_SiPg3_s3ti5D6BfA9IjWgfwAcaaw_aem_LWKMvrCORY3mve0c4MXOPw] to know when bookings open in early September