In this episode of Country Creatives, hosts Caleb Maxwell and Reece Hendy unpack Caleb’s recent adventure: climbing a mountain in the Solomon Islands. What started as a physical challenge became a powerful act of service, as Caleb and longtime friend Mark Morley raised over $15,000 for a school in Fiji—an initiative close to Caleb’s heart and community.

The conversation explores the emotional and physical highs and lows of the journey, the logistics of grassroots fundraising, and the power of friendship in achieving something meaningful. Whether you're a creative, a community-minded adventurer, or someone looking for inspiration to give back, this episode is a heartfelt reflection on how personal goals can drive real-world change.

In this episode of Country Creatives, hosts Reece and Aimee sit down with Bendigo-based writer Rachel Nightingale to explore the winding path of her creative career and the release of her upcoming novel Raluana Lane. Rachel shares insights from her early love of storytelling, her shift between academic and creative writing, and the emotional and logistical challenges of authorship.

Diving into the process behind her latest historical drama—set during World War II and inspired by true events—Rachel discusses the tension between traditional and self-publishing, the impact of global events like the COVID-19 pandemic on narrative themes, and what it takes to write with heart and historical depth.

Rachel’s new book Raluana Lane will be available from July 1st, with a special launch event happening June 29th at the Emporium Creative Hub.

Learn more about Rachel HERE

In this solo episode of Country Creatives, host Caleb Maxwell takes a deep dive into one of the most powerful tools in a creative's toolkit: personal branding.

Far from being about logos or catchy slogans, Caleb unpacks personal branding as the way others perceive, describe, and ultimately trust you. He shares why being known matters, and how building a brand can open doors to more opportunities, higher impact, and greater pricing power.

With thoughtful insights, real-world experiences, and actionable advice, Caleb offers a roadmap for creatives who want to build their personal brand authentically and intentionally.