Best Page and Screen Creative Podcasts (2025)

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Ep. 014 - "Terminal Lucidity" by Jo Loveday 15:43

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3d ago15:43

15:43

Welcome to episode 13 of Cliffhangers & Page Turners with Paige and Cliff. Today we are discussing "Terminal Lucidity" by Jo Loveday. This episode does contain spoilers so if you'd like to read the book first, turn back now. Let us know in the comments what you thought of the book or suggest what book we should read next! Join us next week for "Nev…

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Leadership in Creative Projects 46:32

4d ago46:32

46:32

We’re back for part two of our deep dive into the softer (but no less vital) side of filmmaking - leadership, management, and all things organisation. If you’ve ever wondered how to strike the balance between managing a project and becoming that micromanager, this one’s for you. We unpack how trust, empathy, boundaries, and delegation can transform…

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Teaching, Empathy, and Living Abroad with Alex Poppe 1:08:14

5d ago1:08:14

1:08:14

Writer, teacher, and humanitarian aid worker Alex Poppe joined me last year to talk about her journey from acting to teaching to writing, and how her experiences abroad influenced her journey. She returns to the show today to talk about her new memoir, Breakfast Wine, which chronicles her time teaching in Iraq. We also talk about what we each learn…

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Ep 480: Branching out with escapist, emotionally resonant novels 58:23

6d ago58:23

58:23

Feeling more confident about finding the right reads is a common bookish goal. In today's conversation, Anne welcomes Tynisha Coleman to the show to talk about her current reading goals. Tynisha is a leadership development coach, university lecturer, and sci-fi and fantasy lover from New Jersey. She doesn't shy away from books that tackle tough plo…

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Ep. 013 - "To the End of the Line" by Sage Greer 16:49

6d ago16:49

16:49

Welcome to episode 13 of Cliffhangers & Page Turners with Paige and Cliff. Today we are discussing "To the End of the Line" by Sage Greer. This episode does contain spoilers so if you'd like to read the book first, turn back now. Let us know in the comments what you thought of the book or suggest what book we should read next! Join us next week for…

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Communication, Collaboration, and Creative Leadership: Navigating the Human Side of Filmmaking 33:18

11d ago33:18

33:18

Ever found yourself in a creative project thinking, “Wait, why is this so chaotic?” You’re not alone. In this episode, we dive into the behind-the-scenes magic that makes film projects actually function - communication, organisation, leadership, and yes, those so-called “soft skills”. We chat about what real leadership looks like, how communication…

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CPT #105: 16 and Faking It 4:48

12d ago4:48

4:48

Here's a super-short story: something a friend said to me once that's stuck with me, and why I think it might help you keep some needed perspective on yourself and your creative efforts. If you’ve been tearing up when you encounter other people’s art because you’ve lost touch with your own, we should talk. Want more tips? Check out with all my prev…

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Ep 479: Balancing backlist with shiny new releases 1:12:38

13d ago1:12:38

1:12:38

Every year we get some variation of this question: how can a reader like today’s guest, Elise Brancheau, balance all the shiny new books of summer with the backlist titles that are already patiently waiting on her to-be-read list? Elise is a New Jersey-based professional classical singer who describes herself as a huge reading-planning nerd. We kno…

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Ep. 012 - "The Cavern" by Kelly Keevins 15:41

17d ago15:41

15:41

Welcome to episode 12 of Cliffhangers & Page Turners with Paige and Cliff. Today we are discussing"The Cavern" by Kelly Keevins. This episode does contain spoilers so if you'd like to read the book first, turn back now. Let us know in the comments what you thought of the book or suggest what book we should read next! Join us next week for "To the E…

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Millan's Journey Through Humanitarian Storytelling 47:24

19d ago47:24

47:24

This week, we’re chatting with Millan, the writer and director of Nothing But Blue, a powerful short film. Millan takes us behind the scenes of his emotionally gripping story about two Jewish people hiding during the Holocaust, told in a beautifully subtle way that focuses on humanity and hope amidst despair. We dive into everything - from the uniq…

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Harnessing Nature's Wisdom with Jocelyn Hastie 1:02:34

19d ago1:02:34

1:02:34

Jocelyn Hastie spent 30 years as an accountant before the combination of a stage 4 cancer diagnosis and a sudden job loss forced a radical turn, leading her to work full-time with horses as a way to foster leadership skills and personal growth. She joins me to talk about why it’s not fair to judge accountancy as boring, how bad management and leade…

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Ep 478: A snippet from the 2025 Summer Reading Guide 10:33

20d ago10:33

10:33

We're taking you behind the scenes of our 2025 Summer Reading Guide and sharing an excerpt from our live Unboxing party. Our 2025 Guide includes 35 books across a range of genres which we've grouped into six categories. Today you'll hear Anne's commentary of three books from the first category, Family Sagas. Our Summer Reading Guide and Unboxing ar…

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Ep. 011 - "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" by Mark Twain 14:13

24d ago14:13

14:13

Welcome to episode 11 of Cliffhangers & Page Turners with Paige and Cliff. Today we are discussing "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" by Mark Twain. This episode does contain spoilers so if you'd like to read the book first, turn back now. Let us know in the comments what you thought of the book or suggest what book we should read next! Join us n…

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John Parr's Journey Through Film, Music, and Storytelling 41:30

26d ago41:30

41:30

In this episode, we’re joined by composer and filmmaker John Parr for a heartfelt conversation about storytelling, music, and representation in film. John shares the inspiration behind his latest project Pack of Five, which brings the story of Welsh poet Hedd Wyn to life through powerful visuals and a moving choral soundtrack. We talk about the emo…

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CPT #104: Limitations 4:28

26d ago4:28

4:28

It's counterintuitive, but sometimes limitations are your best friend, especially when you're doing something creative. I explain why in this super-short episode. Listen to my conversation with Nick Morrison here. If you’ve been tearing up when you encounter other people’s art because you’ve lost touch with your own, we should talk. Want more tips?…

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Ep 477: A summer reading road trip 59:40

27d ago59:40

59:40

We're kicking off Summer Reading Season with our fourteenth annual Summer Reading Guide, coming this Thursday! Today on the podcast Anne is joined by a special guest who is particularly well qualified to go behind the scenes of our 2025 Summer Reading Guide with her: Will Bogel! Many of you consider Anne's husband Will to be your book twin, and tod…

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Ep. 010 - "A New America" by Aaron Morell 14:01

1M ago14:01

14:01

Welcome to episode 10 of Cliffhangers & Page Turners with Paige and Cliff. Today we are discussing "A New America" by Aaron Morell. This episode does contain spoilers so if you'd like to read the book first, turn back now. Let us know in the comments what you thought of the book or suggest what book we should read next! Join us next week for the li…

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Blank Pages & Big Plans 26:14

1M ago26:14

26:14

Episode 4: Blank Pages & Big Plans Every writer hits the wall at some point. No matter how hard they try, they have no idea what comes next. In this episode of Nothing Trivial, we tackle practical tips to overcome writer’s block and explore some ways to add depth and engagement to characters. And later, we unpack the often-misunderstood difference …

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When Adaptations Get It Right (and Really, Really Wrong) 48:08

1M ago48:08

48:08

In this episode, we're diving into the magical - and often chaotic - world of book-to-screen adaptations. From the faithful beauty of The Lord of the Rings to the… loosely inspired World War Z, we’re breaking down what makes an adaptation shine or flop. We also touch on video game adaptations like The Last of Us, Super Mario Bros, and Arcane, and d…

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Building Worlds on Page and Screen with Josh Mendoza 57:15

1M ago57:15

57:15

My guest today is Josh Mendoza, an award-winning filmmaker known for his post-apocalyptic feature film, What Still Remains. His debut novel, Shadow of the Eternal Watcher, which combines sci-if and film noir, was released in January. Josh joins me to talk about his start in creative writing and his move into film, the similarities and differences i…

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Ep 476: Offbeat, intricately plotted books for an ambitious reading project 1:13:42

1M ago1:13:42

1:13:42

Reading projects take all shapes and sizes, and today's guest has set a goal to read all the Women's Prize for Fiction shortlists and winners. Today, Anne is talking books with Kathryn, who lives on the island of Okinawa, Japan, with her military husband and energetic golden retriever. Kathryn works for a nonprofit and spends her leisure time readi…

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Thunderbolts* Because not everybody can be an Avenger 25:10

1M ago25:10

25:10

🎙️ Episode Title: Thunderbolts* Because not everybody can be an Avenger 📅 Release Date: May 2, 2025 🎧 Episode Length: [Insert Duration] 💥 Episode Summary: In this episode, Lori dives headfirst into the morally murky, emotionally layered world of Marvel's Thunderbolts. Forget the headlines calling them the “Discount Avengers” — Lori is here to unpac…

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Ep. 009 - "Toothsucker" by Kaden Love 13:29

1M ago13:29

13:29

Welcome to episode 9 of Cliffhangers & Page Turners with Paige and Cliff. Today we are discussing "Toothsucker" by Kaden Love. This episode does contain spoilers so if you'd like to read the book first, turn back now. Let us know in the comments what you thought of the book or suggest what book we should read next! Join us next week for "A New Amer…

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Diversification in Casting 28:47

1M ago28:47

28:47

Let’s talk about diversity in casting - beyond the tick boxes and token roles. In this episode, we get into what real representation actually looks like in film and TV, why it matters for storytelling, and how authenticity changes everything. From Bridgerton to Hamilton to the backlash around Percy Jackson, we’re sharing our honest takes, casting w…

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CPT #103: Celebrate Your Wins 4:57

1M ago4:57

4:57

Building on my conversation with Amber Petty last week: I look at how and why you should celebrate your accomplishments in this short episode. If you’ve been tearing up when you encounter other people’s art because you’ve lost touch with your own, we should talk. Want more tips? Check out with all my previous Creative Pep Talks in this playist! Cou…

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Ep 475: Help for a fiction lover who wants to read more nonfiction 48:59

1M ago48:59

48:59

Today's guest is an avid reader, retired social worker, and What Should I Read Next? completist who lives in New Jersey. Jill Jaclin has a reading conundrum: she really wants to read more nonfiction, but she's struggled to find a way to incorporate it into her reading life. As she told Anne, she also knows that there are nonfiction books out there …

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Ep. 008 - "Sunrise on the Reaping" by Suzanne Collins 11:18

2M ago11:18

11:18

Welcome to episode 8 of Cliffhangers & Page Turners with Paige and Cliff. Today we are discussing "Sunrise on the Reaping" by Suzanne Collins. This episode does contain spoilers so if you'd like to read the book first, turn back now. Let us know in the comments what you thought of the book or suggest what book we should read next! Join us next week…

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Casting Realities & Industry Safety 34:06

2M ago34:06

34:06

In this week’s episode, Amber and I continue our no-fluff chat about casting - what’s working, what still needs work, and the invisible stuff no one tells you about until you're in it. We’re talking about the emotional toll of rejection, the rise of intimacy coordinators post-Me Too, and why casting is more like matchmaking than box-ticking. We als…

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Navigating Feedback and Building Creative Confidence with Amber Petty 1:01:58

2M ago1:01:58

1:01:58

Amber Petty helps creatives get bylines and build audiences. She's written for the New York Times, Parade, Bustle, and others, and her clients have been published in outlets like the New Yorker, Washington Post, New York Times and many more. Amber talks with me about how she moved from teaching singing to teaching freelancing, how easy it is to dow…

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Ep 474: Burnout and the reading life 51:22

2M ago51:22

51:22

Readers, if you are feeling burned out right now, you are not alone. In our team meeting last week, we talked about the fact that things are hard right now. That's why this feels like a great time to revisit a favorite past episode from another time not so long ago when we were also feeling burned out. Today we're sharing Anne's May 2021 conversati…

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Ep. 007 - "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee 15:05

2M ago15:05

15:05

Welcome to episode 7 of Cliffhangers & Page Turners with Paige and Cliff. Today we are discussing "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee. This episode does contain spoilers so if you'd like to read the book first, turn back now. Let us know in the comments what you thought of the book or suggest what book we should read next! Join us next week for "…

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The Art of Casting 40:20

2M ago40:20

40:20

In this episode, we are pulling back the curtain on the casting process - warts, wonders, awkward self-tapes, and all. From open casting calls that start at 4am to the power of a well-timed chemistry read, we’re sharing what we’ve learned from sitting on both sides of the table: actor and director. We talk about why the energy you bring to a self-t…

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CPT #102: Write It Down 4:15

2M ago4:15

4:15

This might be the most functionally important pep talk ever—and you may even know it already! It bears repeating, though, and I tell you why in this super-short episode. Want more tips? Check out with all my previous Creative Pep Talks in this playist! Could you leave a review? It's really easy, and it helps SO much. Thanks! If you'd like to stay u…

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Ep 473: Refining an out-of-date TBR system 1:00:46

2M ago1:00:46

1:00:46

When the world feels heavy, many of us look to books for distraction, inspiration, or reassurance. Today's guest has a unique spin on what she's seeking and would love Anne's help in figuring out how the types of reads she wants right now fit into her existing to-be-read (TBR) system. Émilie Weidl lives in Wales, where she's taken a year off before…

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King of Kings: Is the latest release from Angel Studios a Miracle or a Miss? 17:12

2M ago17:12

17:12

Miracle or Miss? Our Review of King of Kings" This week, Lori put on her finest robes, grabbed some popcorn (and maybe a scroll or two), and journeyed into Angel Studios' latest epic: King of Kings. Spoiler alert: it’s a visual feast worthy of a king… but does it reign supreme or just recline on the throne? 👑 In This Episode: We marvel at the film’…

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Ep. 006 - "The Waiting Game" by Nicola Clark 11:25

2M ago11:25

11:25

Welcome to episode 6 of Cliffhangers & Page Turners with Paige and Cliff. Today we are discussing "The Waiting Game" by Nicola Clark. This episode does contain spoilers so if you'd like to read the book first, turn back now. Let us know in the comments what you thought of the book or suggest what book we should read next! Join us next week for "To …

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The Art of Practical Effects in Cinema 45:30

2M ago45:30

45:30

In this nostalgic-meets-nerdy episode, we go all in on one of our favourite filmmaking obsessions: practical effects. From the animatronic shark in Jaws to painted backdrops, set illusions, and that iconic roller-skating moment from Chaplin - we explore how filmmakers have been bending reality long before VFX took over. We also share stories from o…

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Preserving Memories with Andrew Darlow 58:34

2M ago58:34

58:34

Andrew Darlow is a New Jersey-based photographer, inventor, author, and digital workflow coach. For over 25 years he has helped people preserve, protect and back up their irreplaceable photos, videos and other digital files. His photography, tips and reviews have appeared in many publications and media outlets, including: People magazine, Animal Pl…

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Ep. 005 "Deep End" by Ali Hazelwood 19:33

2M ago19:33

19:33

Welcome to episode 5 of Cliffhangers & Page Turners with Paige and Cliff. Today we are discussing "Deep End" by Ali Hazelwood. This episode does contain spoilers so if you'd like to read the book first, turn back now. Let us know in the comments what you thought of the book or suggest what book we should read next! Join us next week for "The Waitin…

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CPT #101: What's Your Truth? 7:50

2M ago7:50

7:50

What's your truth? Do you know? You might not—we're often not taught how to tell what's true for us, and instead, we're told what should be true for us. So why should we care, and how do we find out? I'll give you some suggestions in this short episode. Want more tips? Check out with all my previous Creative Pep Talks in this playlist! Could you le…

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Ep 472: Literary + Genre = match made in heaven 56:55

2M ago56:55

56:55

Finding highly discussable books for book clubs often feels like a full-time job, especially if you're a member of multiple long-standing book clubs like today's guest, Lara. Today, Lara joins Anne to talk about her constant search for fiction that explores the human condition in all its messy glory. She loves these sorts of books because they give…

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Ep. 004 "The Crash" by Freida McFadden 13:02

2M ago13:02

13:02

Welcome to episode 4 of Cliffhangers & Page Turners with Paige and Cliff. Today we are discussing "The Crash" by Freida McFadden. This episode does contain spoilers so if you'd like to read the book first, turn back now. This episode contains discussions of triggering material; viewer discretion is advised. Let us know in the comments what you thou…

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Physical Storytelling with Robin Hellier 43:36

2M ago43:36

43:36

Ever wondered how actors make stage fights look so real without actually getting hurt? In this episode, we chat with fight and intimacy director Robin Hellier, who pulls back the curtain on what really goes into choreographing physical storytelling. Robin breaks down how character, story, safety, and collaboration all come together in fight scenes …

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Wrangling the Doubt Monster with Amy L. Bernstein 57:52

3M ago57:52

57:52

Amy L. Bernstein is a multi-genre novelist, award-winning journalist, speechwriter, playwright, poet, and nonfiction book coach. Her new book is Wrangling the Doubt Monster: Fighting Fears, Finding Inspiration. Amy teaches a variety of writing workshops and is a frequent guest on podcasts to discuss writing, publishing, and creativity. Amy joins me…

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The Creative Life, Career Advice, and Biscuits with the Boss 44:40

3M ago44:40

44:40

If you’re passionate about the creative arts, this episode is a must-listen! Lori dives into her journey as a creative, the fine line between a hobby and a career, and the game changing advice she received from her mentor. Plus, she shares some thoughts on that new Ted Lasso news. Don’t miss out! Timestamps: 00:00:00 Intro 00:00:34 The Creative Chi…

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Ep 471: Don't let perfectionism ruin your reading life 1:07:42

3M ago1:07:42

1:07:42

Over the past few years, today's guest has been on a journey of self-discovery. Florida reader Casey has been working on coming to terms with her perfectionism and along the way, she's been noticing what it means for her reading life. Casey's noticed she tends to save highly anticipated books for later: some uncertain time down the road when circum…

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Ep. 003 "The Outsiders" by S.E. Hinton 18:39

3M ago18:39

18:39

Welcome to episode 3 of Cliffhangers & Page Turners with Paige and Cliff. Today we are discussing "The Outsiders" by S.E. Hinton. Every third week will be a literary classic. This episode does contain spoilers so if you'd like to read the book first, turn back now. Let us know in the comments what you thought of the book or suggest what book we sho…

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Legend: New Zealand's Anti-Drink Driving Ad 33:58

3M ago33:58

33:58

What happens when the police stop using scare tactics and start using humour? In this episode, we break down New Zealand’s “Legend” campaign, an anti-drink driving ad that ditched the doom and gloom for Kiwi comedy - and actually worked. The ad took a fresh approach by leaning into relatability, social pressure, and self-aware humour to connect wit…

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CPT #100: Take a Chance 5:49

3M ago5:49

5:49

Sometimes we don't act on ideas because we're convinced we can't sustain them long-term. Here's why you should take a chance—and how taking the leap on creative pep talks worked out for me. 🎉 Spoiler: This is pep talk ONE HUNDRED!!! 🎉 Want more tips? Check out this playlist with all my previous Creative Pep Talks! Could you leave a review? It's rea…

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Ep. 002 "Tell Me What You Did" by Carter Wilson 11:27

3M ago11:27

11:27

Welcome to episode 2 of Cliffhangers & Page Turners with Paige and Cliff. Today we are discussing "Tell Me What You Did" by Carter Wilson. This episode does contain spoilers so if you'd like to read the book first, turn back now. Let us know in the comments what you thought of the book or suggest what book we should read next! Join us next week for…

Page And Screen Creative Podcasts