Breaking Up With Acting with Nick Clark

In this episode Bronte Charlotte chats to Nick Clark, an ex-actor who made the choice to take a step back from the creative industries and study psychology. Nick speaks on the importance of non-judgment, empathy, different ways of defining yourself, finding joy every single day, and understanding human behaviour and mental health. We delve into the types of changes that need to happen within society to remove the stigma of mental health, our experiences of the Australian education system and where we truly believe it needs changing. We dig deep into Nicks’ transition out of acting, the moments that brought him to the decision, how his life has changed since, and the power of gardening. 

Content Warning: At moments we do mention suicide in relation to mental health, and talk pretty openly about our own experiences of anxiety and depression.

During this episode we discuss:

• [01:57] A wide vocabulary and its power, feminist young adult books, sexisim and women using alias’ to be respected as men are.
• [07:51] The shortcomings of the Australian education system, sexual health and queer education in schools, the discrepancy of education levels between public and private schools and between states in Australia.
• [16:10] Understanding addiction, suicide, and mental health, how equipping people with the tools to deal with whatever comes their way will always have a better outcome, and supporting those who need it in the way that they need it.
• [28:12] What drew Nick to the creative arts in the first place, the Launceston Competitions, and moving to Melbourne to study at the VCA.
• [35:01] Why Nick left the creative arts, expression and storytelling taking a back seat as human behaviour comes to the foreground.
• [41:34] The three experiences that pushed Nick to psychology over horticulture, the lack of skills/knowledge/money/time those in charge of a creative process have to properly support creatives through a high-stress experience.
• [47:59] The power structures that need to shift, the responsibility of those who put on a show needing to change, the all-encompassing experience of the performer and the far too common experience of not being taken seriously.
• [53:30] Stepping out of the circle of theatre and suddenly being able to vocalise the political issues within the circle.
• [57:11] The stigma of leaving your creative profession, the idea of ‘failure’ or ‘giving up,’ and others forcing their opinions onto you.
• [1:05:54] Creating a robust sense of who you are, filling your day with joy if you face a hardship, and being content with every single part of your journey because you are exactly where you are because you are meant to be.
• [1:09:35] The concept of ‘Self,’ of not defining who you are by what you do, of being okay with your actions in a day and letting that be your personal measure of success.
• [1:14:32] Creativity synthesising into other parts of Nick’s’ life, gardening, cooking and studying being their own outlets, finding what truly satisfies him.
• [1:17:08] Lighting designing and operating for Stock Take: Bitches in Business by The Daughters Collective and Poopie Tum Tums by Hot Department.

Head over to the @chats.w.creatives
Follow our host Bronte Charlotte on Instagram @bronteandsunshine
Follow this week's guest Nick Clark on Instagram @mrnickclark