This week on Pain in the Arts, Chris J Birch and Jak Rhys Birch dive into a whirlwind of Welsh arts life — from ghost stories and horror theatre to the very real terrors of comparison culture and unpaid creative work.

Fresh from seeing 2:22 A Ghost Story, the pair unpack why live horror hits differently, how escape rooms expose our overthinking tendencies, and why everyone in Cardiff suddenly owns a fur coat. But beneath the laughs, they tackle two big listener questions:How do you stop comparing your work to everyone else online? And how do you say no to unpaid opportunities without burning bridges?

Expect honest advice, industry insight, and a few spicy truths about funding, freelancing, and the myth of “exposure.”

Whether you’re an artist, performer, freelancer, or creative soul trying to survive the chaos — you’re in good company.

-

Welsh arts, creative careers, freelancing, unpaid work, exposure culture, imposter syndrome, comparison culture, horror theatre, 2:22 A Ghost Story, creative confidence, arts funding Wales, creative industry advice, Pain in the Arts podcast

Pain in the Arts is our Brand New Podcast about the Tales (& woes) of a Life in the Welsh Creative Sector. We'll be answering your Questions while commenting on what we've been up to each and every week

A fur coat, Tina Turner, immersive theatre panic, uncontrollable cackling, six dogs, and a very emotional game of bingo… it’s been a week.

In this episode of Pain in the Arts, Chris and Jak dive into a packed seven days across Wales’ creative scene. From gearing up for the iconic Tina – The Tina Turner Musical at the Wales Millennium Centre, to a surprisingly emotional one‑woman show at the Sherman Theatre, they unpack the highs, the laughs, and the unexpected tears.

They also explore Janet Chaplin’s vibrant new exhibition in Penarth, share half‑term creative picks for families, and tackle a listener question about how to get friends and family to take your creative career seriously. Spoiler: it’s not just a “fun little hobby”.

If you work in the arts, want to work in the arts, or just love watching the chaos from a safe distance, you’re in good company here.