The Talent Campus Podcast

Ep 016 Meet Screenwriter Christof Valerian

From Jakarta to London: Courage, Community & Taking the First Step In this episode of the Talent Campus Podcast, host Chris Jones speaks with Christof Valerian, a writer who travelled from Jakarta, Indonesia, to take part in Talent Campus 9 in London. Christof shares a candid and often funny account of what it’s like to step far outside your comfort zone, geographically, emotionally, and creatively. From joining Zoom calls at 3am to walking on fire, pitching under pressure, and discovering the power of creative community, this conversation explores what happens when you stop waiting and start believing in yourself. This is an episode about courage, connection, and why the journey matters just as much as the destination.

Ep 015 Meet Screenwriter, Director and Composer Simon Elvin

In this episode of the Talent Campus Podcast, host Chris Jones sits down with Simon Elvin, a writer, filmmaker, composer, and leadership trainer who recently completed Talent Campus 9.0 Simon shares a deeply honest reflection on what happens when you stop waiting for permission, confront self-limiting beliefs, and reconnect emotionally with your storytelling. From moving out of a “safe” professional identity to embracing creative risk, this conversation explores what it really means to take ownership of your creative destiny. This is an episode about courage, emotional truth, collaboration, and redefining success on your own terms.

Ep 014 Meet Screenwriter, Ellie Wallace

STEPPING THROUGH FIRE: A JOURNEY OF TRUST AND TRANSFORMATION This fascinating conversation between Chris Jones and Ellie Wallace dives deep into the transformative power of firewalking during Talent Campus 9.0. Ellie, initially a complete skeptic who described herself as highly controlled and logical, shares her incredible journey from resistance to rebirth. Chris and Ellie explore the vulnerability that comes after such an intense experience, with Ellie noting that "when we come off the firewalk, it's when we're most vulnerable, but we're also at our strongest." Her biggest takeaway? Learning to trust her instincts and finding the courage to trust good people when she encounters them. It's an inspiring look at how stepping way outside your comfort zone can lead to profound personal growth.

Ep 013 Meet Screenwriter Belona Greenwood

In this episode, Chris Jones speaks with playwright and writer Belona Greenwood about her experience at Talent Campus 9, her journey into writing later in life, and the transformational power of storytelling, community, and creative courage. Belona reflects on theatre as a tool for empathy, personal rewiring, and social change, and explains why Talent Campus was genuinely life-changing for her. 00:00 – Talent Campus Changed My Life 01:51 – Starting Late, Imposter Syndrome & Finding Your Voice 04:29 – Writing With Communities, Not Over Them 06:39 – The Power of Moving an Audience 09:47 – Walking Into Talent Campus: Fear to Belonging 12:23 – Creativity, Courage & Why This Space Works 16:06 – “Don’t Ask Permission — Just Do It” 18:30 – Mentorship, Honest Feedback & Creative Tribe 23:28 – Why Generosity Between Writers Is Rare (And Powerful) 26:55 – Surrender, Challenges & Facing Fear 31:37 – Opening Doors Through Storytelling 40:47 – Believe in Yourself (Advice to My Younger Self)

Ep 012 Meet Screenwriter and Actor Alex Gaumond from TC9.0

ALEX'S TALENT CAMPUS JOURNEY After 25 years as an actor, Alex Gaumond took a leap of faith and joined Talent Campus 9, transforming from someone who felt unprepared to write to a confident screenwriter ready to create his own opportunities. What started as hesitation about applying turned into an eight-day intensive experience that was equal parts craft development and personal breakthrough. With industry heavyweights like Charlie Brooker and Eleanor Greene sharing current insights, plus some unconventional activities like firewalking, Alex discovered that "it's not about the craft—it's about conquering fears and diving deep into your emotional core." The program didn't just teach him screenwriting; it gave him the confidence to stop waiting for the perfect moment and start creating his own projects, proving that sometimes the best opportunities come when we're willing to take that scary first step.