Nick Bolton is an actor, writer, director and producer whose creative career has rarely followed a straight line. He's also the co-founder of production company Ten Alphas and Chair of Screen Illawarra.

In this episode of Secret Creative Life, Nick talks about building a sustainable career in the creative industries, balancing commercial work with personal projects, and the importance of surrounding yourself with good people.

We explore the journey behind his short film Mate, which went from months of festival rejection to winning the International Grand Prix at Clermont-Ferrand and being longlisted for an Academy Award.

Nick also shares his experiences as an actor, filmmaker and business owner, and discusses the mentors and relationships that have shaped his career.

At the heart of our conversation is an idea Nick calls “psychic income” — the value we get from making something beyond what it pays us.

It's a conversation about taking creative risks, finding opportunities and building a career that makes room for the work you really want to do.