Are you treating feedback like a burden, or using it to build stronger customer connections?

From a $14 “kids-cup” smoothie to a vegan pizza with no toppings, we share two real-world customer-service clangers and turn them into lessons makers can actually use. Along the way we celebrate community events, share fresh news from the craft and design world, and Angela rounds up a jam-packed week of cultural inspiration.

• Sh*t Customer Service (Two-Parter): Renee’s smoothie and sandwich saga, Angela’s Melbourne trip of queues, hotels and restaurants and how customer service could have turned it around.
• Events Breakdown: A recap of the Crafting Conversation: Jewellers Edition panel in Ballarat, and a look ahead to November’s Artists Edition.
• Making News: From Made590’s new sticker range and Sydney Craft Week to CJ Hendry’s DIY product photography and Maryanne Moodie’s workshops return.
• This Week I: Angela’s cultural whirlwind : exhibitions by Tim Gresham and Bren Luke, NGV’s French Impressionism, Bangarra Dance Theatre’s Illume, and the Makers Film Festival at the Rare Trades Centre.

Head to the MGTH website for show notes, transcripts and links.

Instagram: @mgth.com.au

Brand artwork by Mel Baxter Moonshine Madness

Brand photography by Maja Baska Photography

We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we produce this podcast, that of the Wadawurrung People, as well as the Gayamaygal and Garigal people. We pay our deepest respects to Elders past and present.

Content disclaimer: All opinions expressed in this podcast are for informational and entertainment purposes only and are not being shared as facts. Guests opinions are their own and not of Make Good Things Happen. Make Good Things Happen, our podcast hosts and distributors are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our ladies launch the Now’s a Good Time For… segment with timely tips for makers, plus chat US postage changes, clicks vs sales, and share some good news to keep you inspired.

What can makers do right now to stay resilient, focused and ready for the season ahead?

What we cover in this episode

• From Scroll to Cart: Angela and Renée unpack Australia Post’s pause on parcels to the US and chat about why measuring conversions, not just clicks, matters for makers.
• Making News: They share some brighter stories, including NSW’s first fashion strategy and Aussie label Ajé heading to Paris Fashion Week.
• Now’s a Good Time For: A new segment with timely tips! Think market prep, Christmas products, shipping updates and a quick social spring clean.
• This Week I: Angela and Renée swap their latest watch and read, featuring the Netflix series Untamed to Taylor Jenkins Reid’s Atmosphere.

For transcript, show notes, links and more head to our website.

Instagram: @mgth.com.au

Brand artwork by Mel Baxter Moonshine Madness

Brand photography by Maja Baska Photography

We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we produce this podcast, that of the Wadawurrung People, as well as the Gayamaygal and Garigal people. We pay our deepest respects to Elders past and present.

Content disclaimer: All opinions expressed in this podcast are for informational and entertainment purposes only and are not being shared as facts. Guests opinions are their own and not of Make Good Things Happen. Make Good Things Happen, our podcast hosts and distributors are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Shoppers are drowning in ads, knock-offs and ghost websites. So how do real makers earn real trust?

In our Season 2 opener, Angela and Renée unpack what’s changed in online shopping, how to spot (and avoid) dodgy storefronts, and the trust signals that help genuine makers stand out. We talk local shipping, quality that lasts, transparent “About” pages and customer care that actually cares. Plus a scam story, your listener invites for Season 2, and what we’re watching and reading.

What we cover in this episode:

• Ghost websites and cheap imports are flooding feeds and how makers can win trust through story, quality, and care.
• Renée’s scam story shows why trust signals (About page, clear returns, authentic connection) really matter.
• Local makers often ship faster than global giants and how to use this as a selling point.
• Educate buyers on “buy it for life” thinking: durable, heirloom-quality products over disposable trends.

Head to our website for links, transcript and show notes.

Instagram: @mgth.com.au

Brand artwork by Mel Baxter Moonshine Madness

Brand photography by Maja Baska Photography

We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we produce this podcast, that of the Wadawurrung People, as well as the Gayamaygal and Garigal people. We pay our deepest respects to Elders past and present.

Content disclaimer: All opinions expressed in this podcast are for informational and entertainment purposes only and are not being shared as facts. Guests opinions are their own and not of Make Good Things Happen. Make Good Things Happen, our podcast hosts and distributors are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In part 3 and the final bonus episode in this special Event Breakdown series on Craft Lab 2025, we zoom in on The Great Takeaway; a curated dinner like no other, where every detail is handmade and every guest takes home more than just memories.

Angela shares the behind-the-scenes magic of commissioning 60 unique dinner sets from local makers, coordinating logistics that would make most of us dizzy, and setting the stage for an unforgettable night of food, art, and storytelling.

What we cover in this episode:

• What The Great Takeaway actually is
• How local artists created bespoke ceramic plates, glasses, and napkins
• The magic of moody lighting, meaningful themes, and live music
• Why no two diners have the same experience, literally
• All the deliciously complex logistics and the lessons they brought

Instagram: @mgth.com.au

Brand artwork by Mel Baxter Moonshine Madness

Brand photography by Maja Baska Photography

We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we produce this podcast, that of the Wadawurrung People, as well as the Gayamaygal and Garigal people. We pay our deepest respects to Elders past, present and emerging.

Content disclaimer: All opinions expressed in this podcast are for informational and entertainment purposes only and are not being shared as facts. Guests opinions are their own and not of Make Good Things Happen. Make Good Things Happen, our podcast hosts and distributors are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In part 2 of this special Event Breakdown bonus episode series of Make Good Things Happen, Renée and Angela take a deep dive into the exhibition component of Craft Lab 2025, curated by Angela.

From plinth shapes and colour theory to lighting magic and the emotional journey of community connection, Angela shares what goes into crafting an experience that’s more than just a display, it’s a moment of awe.

Our gals talk staging, symbolism, and creative pivots in the face of illness, and the incredible support of Ballarat’s arts community.

It’s a powerful look behind the curtain at what it really takes to make a world-class event for makers.

Instagram: @mgth.com.au

Brand artwork by Mel Baxter Moonshine Madness

Brand photography by Maja Baska Photography

We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we produce this podcast, that of the Wadawurrung People, as well as the Gayamaygal and Garigal people. We pay our deepest respects to Elders past, present and emerging.

Content disclaimer: All opinions expressed in this podcast are for informational and entertainment purposes only and are not being shared as facts. Guests opinions are their own and not of Make Good Things Happen. Make Good Things Happen, our podcast hosts and distributors are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this special bonus episode, Angela D'Alton and Renée Baker take us behind the scenes of Craft Lab 2025, an ambitious sector development program led by the City of Ballarat. Angela, who serves as the curator, shares the story of how this project supports regional craft practitioners through professional development, mentorship, and a curated public exhibition.

Together, they explore the depth of the program, from the origins of Craft Lab and how it's evolved, to the curation of the central exhibition, the powerful Deep Listening installation led by First Nations artist Jenna Oldaker, and the thoughtfully integrated dining experience, The Great Takeaway.

Whether you're a maker, curator, or creative business owner, this episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in community-driven, purpose-built arts initiatives.

• What Craft Lab 2025 is and who it’s for
• How the program supports local craftspeople
• Angela’s curatorial process and creative framework
• The role of First Nations culture and the Deep Listening project
• The evolution of Craft Lab's central installation
• Behind-the-scenes of the immersive dining event, The Great Takeaway
• The challenge of reclaiming the word “craft”

Instagram: @mgth.com.au

Brand artwork by Mel Baxter Moonshine Madness

Brand photography by Maja Baska Photography

We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we produce this podcast, that of the Wadawurrung People, as well as the Gayamaygal and Garigal people. We pay our deepest respects to Elders past, present and emerging.

Content disclaimer: All opinions expressed in this podcast are for informational and entertainment purposes only and are not being shared as facts. Guests opinions are their own and not of Make Good Things Happen. Make Good Things Happen, our podcast hosts and distributors are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the XL Season Finale, our ladies talk cost per wear, innovative fabrics, AI dolls and making good things like exhibitions happen .

• Gruen LITE - Collective Closets' value proposition of cost per wear marketing angle for their collection of sustainable and ethical fashion;
• Making Headlines - Innovations in eco-fabrics by Stella McCartney, the return of lowercase lettering for Gen Z and the AI dolls vs Illustrators online discussion;
• Making History - Once Upon, the exhibition that started it all, what Angela and Renee learned about managing artists (hint: more artists = more emails);
• This Week I... - Angela's major curation project of Craft Lab 2025 and managing exhibition events 16 years later.

Instagram: @mgth.com.au

Brand artwork by Mel Baxter Moonshine Madness

Brand photography by Maja Baska Photography

We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we produce this podcast, that of the Wadawurrung People, as well as the Gayamaygal and Garigal people. We pay our deepest respects to Elders past, present and emerging.

Content disclaimer: All opinions expressed in this podcast are for informational and entertainment purposes only and are not being shared as facts. Guests opinions are their own and not of Make Good Things Happen. Make Good Things Happen, our podcast hosts and distributors are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Angela and Renee dig up some dirt on their past projects with a ripper Making History segment, and a dive into the data from PayPal's ecommerce report.

• From Scroll to Cart - PayPal's Ecommerce Index for 2025, the key findings and how they affect your choices as a maker in business;
• Making Good Things Happen - Grandmacore and cosy pursuits, why they've always been a part of Renee's life;
• Making History - the OG partnership, the collaborators, the photoshoots and the importance of product photography;
• This Week I... - BOTH our ladies are enjoying Survival of the Thickest on Netflix.

Instagram: @mgth.com.au

Brand artwork by Mel Baxter Moonshine Madness

Brand photography by Maja Baska Photography

We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we produce this podcast, that of the Wadawurrung and Dja Dja Wurrung People, as well as the Gayamaygal and Garigal people. We pay our deepest respects to Elders past, present and emerging.

Content disclaimer: All opinions expressed in this podcast are for informational and entertainment purposes only and are not being shared as facts. Guests opinions are their own and not of Make Good Things Happen. Make Good Things Happen, our podcast hosts and distributors are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.