Creativity Steve Martin and Hayley Hayes are back with another edition of the radio promotions, marketing and production podcast. Only one of them has a cold: see if you can work out who. This time, the Earshot podcast is all about creativity. Our two interview guests are experts in creative thinking and the processes that support it: Play here Earshot podcast: Dr Becky Spelman and John Vorhaus (duration 33’18”, 192kb/s stereo mp3, file size 46.2 MB) Subscribe to the Earshot podcast via iTunes or PocketCasts or Google Play Music. John Vorhaus John Vorhaus is a writer and creative trainer. His work as an advertising copywriter and television sit-com developer has helped feed a string of books on creativity and comedy writing. We discuss The Comedy Toolbox: how to be funny even when you’re not in this show. You’ll hear tips on overcoming the fear of not being funny and learn some great ways to work towards genuinely funny characters, situations and jokes. There’s something for writers, producers and on air personalities in John’s advice. Dr Becky Spelman Dr Becky Spelman DPsych Couns Psych, PG Dip Couns Psych, PG Dip (Cog Thp), BABCP (Accred), HPC Reg, B.Psych (Hons) is a London-based registered psychologist and cognitive behavioural therapist, specialising in psychodynamic therapy, eye movement desensitisation reprocessing, dialectical behaviour therapy and mindfulness. She has a very large business card. Dr Becky explains what happens in our brains when we have an idea, how to overcome the temptation to procrastinate, how to activate the parts of your brain that will let creativity flow and shares lots of practical tips for making the most of your creative ability. Also in the show What is “Voice Fry” and does it annoy you? One Earshot listener takes issue with what he feels is an increasing prevalence of the effect on air. And, since we’re recording in December, Aleksander Lilleøien provides a festive treat from his Christmas station in Norway, P7. The station’s singalong Top of Hour ident became so popular with listeners that he and production company Wise Buddah have now turned it into a full length song. Here’s a rough translation of the lyrics: Christmas bells are ringing Now the time is here Everybody’s coming home from far and near The wait is over So let’s sing along To our Christmas favorites ‘till Santa can be seen Hello, hi everybody, it’s good to meet again Here’s family, here’s friends, and everyone we know The Christmas feeling With children laughing, winter, snow On the square, there is a Christmas tree And maybe Santa will come home to you The radio’s playing P7 Klem It is the wonderful Christmas feeling Merry Christmas All the lights are lit and the calm feeling returns We’re all excited to see If santa’s on his way Christmas food and a crackling fire place At the table, there’s nothing but smiles to see The night has only just begun And the presents are waiting when we’re full Hello, hi everybody, it’s good to meet again Sharing good memories, when the stars are shining, on heaven high above With children laughing, winter, snow On the square, there is a Christmas tree And maybe Santa will come home to you The radio’s playing P7 Klem It is the wonderful Christmas feeling Merry Christmas Hello, hi everybody, it’s good to meet again Here’s family, here’s friends, and everyone we know The Christmas feeling With children laughing, winter, snow On the square, there is a Christmas tree And maybe Santa will come home to you The radio’s playing P7 Klem It is the wonderful Christmas feeling Merry Christmas With P7 Klem If you’d like to get in touch or share your production just email us. We love to play audio from around the world – any station – any format, especially if it has an interesting story behind it. Credits Contributors: Dr Becky Spelman, John Vorhaus and Aleksander Lilleøien. Research and audio editing: Hayley Hayes Ambassador of Radio: Steve Martin Earshot Creative Review theme music by the Tiger Club Band. Voiceover is Elly Fairman at Hobsons. Any views expressed are personal. The contributors acknowledge all rights held by the owners, creators and performers of the recorded works which are included solely for the purposes of education and review. From Earshot where views are personal and original writing is licensed under Creative Commons. Follow @earshotcreative and send story ideas and examples of great creative work to the editor @smartin