Hearth Tales

Hearth Tales invites you to bask in the warm glow of creativity. Join Rich McCoy as he listens to the tales of artists, makers, creative souls and those that love them. These luminaries share their wisdom, illuminating the path. Through their stories, we discover the power of passion, the resilience of the human spirit, and the transformative nature of art and creativity.

Episodes

Ep13 - Renee Hadlow, Printmaker

August 5, 2025 • 30 mins

Hearth Tales invites you to bask in the warm glow of creativity. Join Rich McCoy as he listens to the tales of artists, makers, creative souls and those that love them.

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ep12 - Steve Ford - Street and Portrait Photographer

July 22, 2025 • 30 mins

In this episode, HeARTh Tales speaks with photographer Steve Ford of Wise Dog Studios in Nelson about street and portrait photography. We explore his background as a punk rock ship’s photographer in the Royal Navy, his adventures travelling the world on a shoestring budget, capturing scenes in Italian market squares, what makes a great photograph, and the story behind what he considers the best photograph he’s ever taken—a slightly...

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Hearth Tales - Jul 09 2025 ep11 - Che Vincent - Sculptor, Bonsai master, gardener extraordinare.

July 8, 2025 • 28 mins

In this episode of HeARTh Tales, Rich McCoy speaks with artist, gardener, and third-generation Riverside Community member Che Vincent, whose creative journey bridges sculptural metalwork and the living, evolving art of bonsai. Che shares insights into his deep connection with place, his fascination with growth patterns and fractals, and how native New Zealand species are shaping a unique bonsai style. From shaping flame-cut copper ...

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Hearth Tales - Jun 25 2025 ep10 - Darryl Frost of Frost & Fire Gallery

June 25, 2025 • 29 mins

In this episode of HeARTh Tales, Rich McCoy speaks with acclaimed ceramic artist Daryl Frost about his decades-long journey from builder to potter, and his deep dedication to the Anagama wood-firing technique. Daryl shares the raw realities behind his bold, elemental work crafted through fire, clay, and intuition—including firing his 100th kiln and even using his own hip bone in a glaze. With humour and depth, he reflects on risk, ...

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Hearth Tales - Jun 11 2025 ep09 - Ewan McDougall - Painter

June 10, 2025 • 28 mins

In this episode of HeARTh Tales, host Rich McCoy talks with celebrated Dunedin painter Ewan McDougall about his wild journey from law school dropout and rock musician to a self-taught, full-time artist. Ewan shares how a near-fatal accident and a mural painted in rehab sparked his creative rebirth, leading to his bold, raw, and joyfully chaotic style. With humour and honesty, he reflects on artistic freedom, refusing to sell out, a...

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Hearth Tales - May 28 2025 ep08 - Jaime Smith, Potter & Entrepreneur

May 27, 2025 • 31 mins

In this episode of HeARTh Tales, Rich McCoy speaks with potter and teacher Jamie Smith, co-founder of Kiln Studio Gallery in Whakatū Nelson. Jamie reflects on his journey into ceramics, the founding of a shared creative space, and how teaching has deepened his connection to the craft. With quiet insight, he discusses the value of community, the vulnerability of the creative process, and the power of clay to bring people together.

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Hearth Tales - May 07 2025 ep07 - Antoinette Wilson, Happen Films

May 6, 2025 • 29 mins

In this episode of HeARTh Tales, Rich McCoy speaks with documentary filmmaker Antoinette Wilson of Happen Films. Antoinette shares her unconventional path from two decades in book publishing to creating films that explore sustainability, resilience, and new ways of living. She reflects on the ethics of storytelling, the role of hope in documentary work, and the quiet strength of community-led change. A thoughtful and grounded conve...

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Hearth Tales - Apr 30 2025 ep06 - Donna McLeod Playwright

April 29, 2025 • 30 mins

In this episode of HeARTh Tales, Rich McCoy speaks with Donna McLeod — playwright, poet, and champion of Māori arts and storytelling. Rooted in tikanga and driven by deep sensory connection, Donna shares how her creative practice weaves language, performance, and lived experience into work that uplifts and celebrates te ao Māori. With warmth and insight, she reflects on the power of storytelling to heal, connect, and carry culture ...

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Hearth Tales - Apr 16 2025 ep05 - Mat Tait Illustrator and Writer

April 16, 2025 • 28 mins

In this episode of HeARTh Tales, Rich McCoy chats with celebrated illustrator and author Mat Tait. Mat shares why he believes stories—especially tāonga tuku iho (treasured stories)—thrive by being retold: they link us to culture, ground us, and keep our heritage living. We explore his creative process, the responsibilities of visual storytelling, and how weaving legends with artistry helps sustain Aotearoa’s living narratives. A wa...

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Hearth Tales - Apr 02 2025 ep04 - Rennie Pearson Travelling Minstrel

April 1, 2025 • 30 mins

In this episode of HeARTh Tales, Rich McCoy chats with multi-instrumentalist Rennie Pearson, whose mastery of Celtic flute and music bridges heritage and heart. Rennie reflects on rediscovering his traditional Irish roots, drawing inspiration from nature, spiritual practice, and other musicians. He opens up about the fragility of creativity—the ever-present imposter syndrome—and how heartfelt performance and storytelling bring his ...

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Hearth Tales - Mar 19 2025 ep03 - Conway Jeune, Fat Freddies Drop and Toi

March 18, 2025 • 35 mins

In this engaging interview, Conway Juene, guitarist and vocalist for Fat Freddy’s Drop and leader of TOI, shares his journey from a musical childhood to becoming a full-time professional artist. He discusses his early passion for guitar, his formal music training, and the challenges of balancing a demanding career with family life. Conway’s story offers an honest and inspiring look at the dedication needed to succeed as a musician ...

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Hearth Tales - Mar 05 2025 ep02 - Ali Brown Weaver

March 7, 2025 • 28 mins

In this insightful interview, Ali Brown, a skilled flax weaver and author, shares her journey into the world of harakeke craftsmanship. From her first experience at Ōnuku Marae in 1999 to becoming a published author of five instructional books, Ali discusses the evolution of her practice and the importance of accessible resources for learning. She reflects on her diverse creative background, including knitting, sewing, and silversm...

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Hearth Tales - Feb 19 2025 ep01 - Artist Ari Edgecombe

February 18, 2025 • 29 mins

In this intimate interview, Ari Edgecombe—a painter, sculptor, and filmmaker—shares insights into his creative journey and practice. He discusses his deep connection to tactile art-making, including portraiture, installation, and the use of fire in his work. Ari reflects on his late entry into formal art education at age 33 and the influence of mentor Julia Morrison in challenging his artistic boundaries. He also addresses the impo...

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