<![CDATA[Creative Influence]]>Welcome to Creative Influence!

I am Claire French, host and founder. I am a choreographer, educator, dance artist, researcher, artistic co-director (Restless Productions), producer, and podcaster. I have spent the last three decades grappling with and revelling in a creative life in professional, academic, and community contexts.

Conversation is a large part of my work, as is collaboration. I love to learn how different people relate to their creative pursuits. I am delighted to present extended conversations with creatives from multiple disciplines, invited by me. For the first series, and the launch of the Creative Influence podcast, the conversations are loosely themed around money and creativity and how my guests relate to notions of striving and thriving creatively.

I love how open, generous and candid my guests are and being able to share these conversations with you makes these experiences even more meaningful.

Follow me:

https://www.patreon.com/cw/creativeinfluence https://substack.com/@creativeinfluence

@cr8iveinfluence

@clairefrenchchoreographs


Design by Lisa Rose Metz

Music by James Maxwell and Claire French/ Restless Productions

--------------------------

Check out The Dance Centre podcast too! https://thedancecentre.ca/dance-centre-podcast/

Five years ago, The Dance Centre invited me to host their podcast. I continue to interview their programmed artists and special guests each season. I have recorded 60+ episodes so far and look forward to more!



]]>https://www.patreon.com/cw/creativeinfluenceRiverside.fm (https://riverside.com)Mon, 12 Oct 2026 20:19:28 GMTThu, 24 Sep 2026 16:12:02 GMT60Claire French<p><b><strong>Welcome to Creative Influence!</strong></b></p><p><b><strong>I am Claire French, host and founder. I am a choreographer, educator, dance artist, researcher, artistic co-director (Restless Productions), producer, and podcaster. I have spent the last three decades grappling with and revelling in a creative life in professional, academic, and community contexts.</strong></b></p><p><b><strong>Conversation is a large part of my work, as is collaboration. I love to learn how different people relate to their creative pursuits. I am delighted to present extended conversations with creatives from multiple disciplines, invited by me. For the first series, and the launch of the Creative Influence podcast, the conversations are loosely themed around money and creativity and how my guests relate to notions of striving and thriving creatively.</strong></b></p><p>I love how open, generous and candid my guests are and being able to share these conversations with you makes these experiences even more meaningful.</p><p>Follow me:</p><p><a href="https://www.patreon.com/cw/creativeinfluence" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">https://www.patreon.com/cw/creativeinfluence</a> <a href="https://substack.com/@creativeinfluence" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">https://substack.com/@creativeinfluence</a></p><p>@cr8iveinfluence</p><p>@clairefrenchchoreographs</p><p><br /></p><p>Design by Lisa Rose Metz</p><p>Music by James Maxwell and Claire French/ Restless Productions</p><p><b><strong>--------------------------</strong></b></p><p><b><strong>Check out The Dance Centre podcast too! </strong></b><a href="https://thedancecentre.ca/dance-centre-podcast/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">https://thedancecentre.ca/dance-centre-podcast/</a></p><p>Five years ago, The Dance Centre invited me to host their podcast. I continue to interview their programmed artists and special guests each season. I have recorded 60+ episodes so far and look forward to more!</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>episodicClaire Frenchclairefrench@restlessproductions.comno<![CDATA[S01 E05-Dayna Szyndrowski]]>In this episode, I talk with Dayna Szyndrowski about many topics, including life on Galiano Island, the Leña Artist Research and Residency Centre, travel, dance practice, and culture. Dayna speaks eloquently about living with intention, privilege and authenticity. What I take away from this conversation is that how we practice creativity and how we create community matters.

@lenaresidency

lenaresidency.com

daynaszyndrowski.com

]]>dc84cbfe-4f48-464b-8d8b-0df058a47a04Thu, 08 Oct 2026 01:07:05 GMT<p><b><strong>In this episode, I talk with Dayna Szyndrowski about many topics, including life on Galiano Island, the Leña Artist Research and Residency Centre, travel, dance practice, and culture. Dayna speaks eloquently about living with intention, privilege and authenticity. What I take away from this conversation is that how we practice creativity and how we create community matters.</strong></b></p><p>@lenaresidency</p><p><a href="http://lenaresidency.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">lenaresidency.com</a></p><p><a href="http://daynaszyndrowski.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">daynaszyndrowski.com</a></p>no01:11:07S01 E05-Dayna Szyndrowskifull<![CDATA[S01 E04-Travis Knights]]>Travis Knights 

In this episode, I am joined by tap dancer extraordinaire Travis Knights.  This was recorded in June 2025. We talk about teaching and learning, emotions, legacy, minstrelsy, national identity, age, performance and finding your own shuffle. He hosts his own podcast, TapLoveTour. Please check it out after this. 

Thank you, Travis, so much, for you and for all the work you do. 

So much more to explore about his numerous projects here: 

https://www.travisknights.com/

https://www.taplovetour.com/podcast

Email: t.knights@gmail.com

]]>d15dc52f-ee4c-4f8a-a378-d5443e9ec65eThu, 08 Oct 2026 00:54:14 GMT<p><b><strong>Travis Knights </strong></b></p><p>In this episode, I am joined by tap dancer extraordinaire Travis Knights.  This was recorded in June 2025. We talk about teaching and learning, emotions, legacy, minstrelsy, national identity, age, performance and finding your own shuffle. He hosts his own podcast, TapLoveTour. Please check it out after this. </p><p>Thank you, Travis, so much, for you and for all the work you do. </p><p>So much more to explore about his numerous projects here: </p><p><a href="https://www.travisknights.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">https://www.travisknights.com/</a></p><p><a href="https://www.taplovetour.com/podcast" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">https://www.taplovetour.com/podcast</a></p><p><b><strong>Email:</strong></b> <a href="mailto:t.knights@gmail.com" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">t.knights@gmail.com</a></p>no01:12:1414S01 E04-Travis Knightsfull<![CDATA[S01 E03-Joanne Hart]]>In this podcast episode, I talk with jewellery designer and business owner of Luxe Jewellery Design, Joanne Hart. 

Our conversation covers childhood whimsy, sculpture, tariffs, dogs noses, the price of silver and gold, and how connection creates purpose. I am sure you will agree Joanne is humorous, grounded and full of wisdom. 

E: luxe@luxe-design.com

www.luxe-design.com

https://www.facebook.com/LuxeDesignJewellery

https://www.instagram.com/luxedesignjewellery/

https://www.pinterest.ca/LuxeDesignJewelry

https://www.tiktok.com/@luxedesignjewellery

]]>731a6966-4468-4197-83c8-6050650d73d6Thu, 08 Oct 2026 00:24:52 GMT<p><b><strong>In this podcast episode, I talk with jewellery designer and business owner of Luxe Jewellery Design, Joanne Hart. </strong></b></p><p><b><strong>Our conversation covers childhood whimsy, sculpture, tariffs, dogs noses, the price of silver and gold, and how connection creates purpose. I am sure you will agree Joanne is humorous, grounded and full of wisdom. </strong></b></p><p>E: <a href="mailto:luxe@luxe-design.com" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">luxe@luxe-design.com</a></p><p><a href="http://www.luxe-design.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">www.luxe-design.com</a></p><p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/LuxeDesignJewellery" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">https://www.facebook.com/LuxeDesignJewellery</a></p><p><a href="https://www.instagram.com/luxedesignjewellery/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">https://www.instagram.com/luxedesignjewellery/</a></p><p><a href="https://www.pinterest.ca/LuxeDesignJewelry" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">https://www.pinterest.ca/LuxeDesignJewelry</a></p><p><a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@luxedesignjewellery" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">https://www.tiktok.com/@luxedesignjewellery</a></p>no01:27:0213S01 E03-Joanne Hartfull<![CDATA[S01 E02-Stephen Fisher]]>In this episode, my former colleague Stephen Fisher, describes himself as a Creative Technologist. He has created an avatar of himself and shares how it supports his work and personal well-being. I love where this part of the conversation goes. 

Stephen explains more about the Digital Aquarium space and new ventures. We also discuss resourcefulness, neurodiversity, and accessibility. 

https://uk.linkedin.com/in/intarmedia

https://www.digital-aquarium.com/

]]>91bedae1-b8a2-41b1-acc1-1d66d8952c83Wed, 07 Oct 2026 22:54:46 GMT<p>In this episode, my former colleague Stephen Fisher, describes himself as a Creative Technologist. He has created an avatar of himself and shares how it supports his work and personal well-being. I love where this part of the conversation goes. </p><p>Stephen explains more about the Digital Aquarium space and new ventures. We also discuss resourcefulness, neurodiversity, and accessibility. </p><p><a href="https://uk.linkedin.com/in/intarmedia" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">https://uk.linkedin.com/in/intarmedia</a></p><p><a href="https://www.digital-aquarium.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">https://www.digital-aquarium.com/</a></p>no00:46:4412S01 E02-Stephen Fisherfull<![CDATA[S01 E01-Heather Laura Gray]]>Heather Laura Gray and I dive deep into the world of choreography. We met in 2008 and have worked together several times. Here, we mainly talk about how Heather's career has evolved over the years and especially how it has taken off in the film and TV industry. Heather is an Emmy Award winner and Leo Award winner and has received numerous nominations. They keep coming!

We talk about dance creation in general, about awards and award categories, about production, collaboration and sustaining a creative life. 

@hlghlg

https://heatherlauragray.com

]]>eded8f1b-d3f9-43b6-a56c-43584985e9a0Wed, 07 Oct 2026 19:57:00 GMT<p>Heather Laura Gray and I dive deep into the world of choreography. We met in 2008 and have worked together several times. Here, we mainly talk about how Heather's career has evolved over the years and especially how it has taken off in the film and TV industry. Heather is an Emmy Award winner and Leo Award winner and has received numerous nominations. They keep coming!</p><p>We talk about dance creation in general, about awards and award categories, about production, collaboration and sustaining a creative life. </p><p>@hlghlg</p><p><a href="https://heatherlauragray.com" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">https://heatherlauragray.com</a></p>no01:29:3611S01 E01-Heather Laura Grayfull