Zuzu's Haus of Cats Presents...

About Zuzu's Haus of Cats Presents...

Join AuDHD artist Elinor Trier aka Zuzu (who might possibly be a pile of cats in a sparkly trench coat) as she talks to her fellow artists and creatives about the magic of the creative process - what they make and, in particular, how they make it - their rituals and workflows, inspirations and disenchantments, ebbs and flows. If you enjoy conversations about art, creativity, neurodivergence, and business, then you’re in the right place. Find out more at https://zuzushausofcats.com/ (https://zuzushausofcats.com/)

Publisher

Eli Trier aka Zuzu

Category

arts

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

4 Jun 2024

Latest episode

2 Sept 2025

Latest episodes

19 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   2 Sept 2025

   Ep#19 - Shame, sex, and saying the unsayable - with author Marianne Power

   In the Season 2 finale, I had the absolute pleasure of chatting with my dear friend Marianne Power, author of the international bestseller Help Me! and her latest book Love Me!. It was such a joy to dive deep into her incredible journey from journalist to bestselling author. Marianne shared the story behind both her books - from her year-long experiment living by self-help books that became Help Me!, to her courageous exploration of sexuality, relationships, and what it means to live happily as a single woman in Love Me!. What struck me most about our conversation was Marianne's raw honesty about the cost of creating vulnerable art. She didn't shy away from discussing how terrifying it was to write about her most intimate experiences, from her sexual insecurities to her journey through tantra retreats. We talked about the difficulty of accepting praise, the inherited shame around sexuality, and how her Irish Catholic background shaped her relationship with both pleasure and success. Her courage in tackling the subjects that society tells us not to discuss - and doing so with such humour and humanity - is truly remarkable. This conversation was a beautiful reminder of why I love doing this podcast - getting to witness the magic that happens when artists are brave enough to tell their truth, and how that courage ripples out to help others feel less alone in their own struggles. ✍ Read the full show notes here: https://zuzushausofcats.com/journal/ep19-marianne-power (https://zuzushausofcats.com/journal/ep19-marianne-power) 💌 Never miss an episode - sign up here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://zuzushausofcats.com/keepintouch⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (https://zuzushausofcats.com/keepintouch) 🎶 Music by the incredible Caspar Riis: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://soundcloud.com/caspar-riis⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (https://soundcloud.com/caspar-riis). Used with permission.

2. 

   26 Aug 2025

   Ep#18 - Unmasking and finding your true creative voice - with illustrator Gracie Klumpp

   In this episode, I had the absolute pleasure of speaking with Gracie Klumpp, an autistic author and illustrator who tells stories with words and pictures. What struck me most about our conversation was how much we had in common - both being late-diagnosed AuDHD artists who've had to navigate the complex journey of unmasking whilst building creative careers. Gracie shared her fascinating path from film student to animator to illustrator, and how she's now circling back to narrative storytelling through graphic novels and comics. Her approach to letting each story dictate its own medium resonated deeply with how I work with concepts and ideas in my own practice. The heart of our conversation centred around the unique challenges of being neurodivergent creatives in a world that wasn't designed for us. Gracie spoke beautifully about the process of archaeological self-discovery - peeling back layers of masking to find who you really are beneath all the "shoulds" and expectations. We discussed how art can be both a tool for processing our experiences and a way to help others feel less alone, particularly when we're brave enough to explore the darker, more difficult aspects of the human experience alongside hope and transformation. I was so inspired by my conversation with Gracie and I know you will be too. ✍ Read the full show notes here: https://zuzushausofcats.com/journal/ep18-gracie-klumpp (https://zuzushausofcats.com/journal/ep18-gracie-klumpp) 💌 Never miss an episode - sign up here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://zuzushausofcats.com/keepintouch⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (https://zuzushausofcats.com/keepintouch) 🎶 Music by the incredible Caspar Riis: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://soundcloud.com/caspar-riis⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (https://soundcloud.com/caspar-riis). Used with permission.

3. 

   19 Aug 2025

   Ep#17 - Painting from a place of wonder - with artist Gabriella Buckingham

   In this episode, I sit down with Gabriella Buckingham, a British contemporary painter known for her experimental still life and intuitive landscape work. Gabriella's journey from graphic design student to successful fine artist is anything but conventional - after initially studying graphic design, she made an emotional plea to switch to illustration, launched a greeting card business that swiftly turned into what felt like a “sweatshop operation”, and eventually transitioned to fine art via a supermarket job during COVID! What makes Gabriella truly fascinating is her multifaceted practice that seamlessly weaves together art-making, teaching, and spiritual exploration. She runs online painting courses where she literally “speaks her brain” while demonstrating techniques, and writes weekly esoteric mailings covering astrology, tarot, and energy work. Gabriella's approach to both art and life is refreshingly intuitive. Perhaps most moving is Gabriella's openness about her spiritual connection to her work, including a profound experience with her guardian angel that shaped her business name: From a Place of Wonder. I loved this conversation and I’m sure you will too! ✍ Read the full show notes here: https://zuzushausofcats.com/journal/ep17-gabriella-buckingham (https://zuzushausofcats.com/journal/ep17-gabriella-buckingham) 💌 Never miss an episode - sign up here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://zuzushausofcats.com/keepintouch⁠⁠⁠⁠ (https://zuzushausofcats.com/keepintouch) 🎶 Music by the incredible Caspar Riis: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://soundcloud.com/caspar-riis⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (https://soundcloud.com/caspar-riis). Used with permission.

4. 

   12 Aug 2025

   Ep#16 - Nostalgia, longing, and landscapes - with artist & curator Victoria J. Fry

   In this episode, Victoria J. Fry opens up about her journey from art school graduate to successful multi-passionate creative entrepreneur. Based in New York City, Victoria is not only a talented landscape painter but also the founder of Visionary Art Collective, New Visionary Magazine, and Warnes Contemporary Gallery. She shares candidly about the post-graduation depression that many artists experience when the supportive bubble of art school suddenly disappears, and how it took her nearly a decade to find her artistic confidence again. Victoria's landscapes are infused with a profound sense of longing and nostalgia, rooted in her childhood experience of leaving the English countryside at age seven. Her dreamlike paintings, dominated by blues and greens, capture what she describes as an eternal yearning for something just out of reach - a feeling that resonates with the Welsh concept of "Hiraeth," a homesickness for a place that may not even exist. Through her intuitive painting process, she transforms these deep emotional experiences into work that speaks to universal feelings of displacement and the search for home, both literal and metaphorical. Our conversation also explores the practical realities of balancing multiple creative pursuits with running a business. Victoria shares her strategies for maintaining both her studio practice and her various enterprises, including setting firm boundaries around weekends and evening hours, embracing the cyclical nature of creativity, and allowing herself the freedom to experiment across different mediums. Her advice for aspiring full-time artists is refreshingly practical: develop multiple income streams, transition gradually from full-time employment, and most importantly, allow the journey to unfold organically rather than forcing overnight transformation. ✍ Read the full show notes here: https://zuzushausofcats.com/journal/ep16-victoria-j-fry (https://zuzushausofcats.com/journal/ep16-victoria-j-fry) 💌 Never miss an episode - sign up here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://zuzushausofcats.com/keepintouch⁠⁠⁠⁠ (https://zuzushausofcats.com/keepintouch) 🎶 Music by the incredible Caspar Riis: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://soundcloud.com/caspar-riis⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (https://soundcloud.com/caspar-riis). Used with permission.

5. 

   5 Aug 2025

   Ep#15 - Deliberately seeking out joy - with illustrator Helen C. Stark

   I'm absolutely delighted to share my conversation with Helen C. Stark, the brilliant artist behind The Time Foragers Club on Substack. Helen's journey from postnatal depression to successful artist is both inspiring and deeply moving - she discovered her love of creating again through a local art group that literally kept her alive during her darkest moments. From there, she built an illustration career that included creating the first Edinburgh colouring book, before eventually moving to Yorkshire where she stripped everything back to focus on what truly mattered to her: colour, joy, and the practice of noticing beauty in everyday life. What I find most captivating about Helen's work is how she's created this entire world around the concept of ‘time foraging’ - gathering moments of beauty and meaning from both the past and present. Her weekly visual journals are like love letters to the ordinary magic that surrounds us, from blackberry picking rituals inspired by her childhood in France to creating watercolours from earth pigments collected on beaches where the Brontës once walked. Her recent Ode to Charlotte collection, which sold out incredibly quickly, perfectly demonstrates how she weaves together historical inspiration, personal ritual, and artistic practice into something truly special. Helen's approach to creativity feels revolutionary in its simplicity - she's chosen to look for joy as a deliberate act of resistance against the darkness in the world. Through The Time Foragers Club, she's building a community of people who want to carve out time for creativity and noticing. Her story reminds us that being an artist is a lifelong practice of curiosity, play, and finding beauty in the most unexpected places. ✍ Read the full show notes here: https://zuzushausofcats.com/journal/ep15-helen-c-stark (https://zuzushausofcats.com/journal/ep15-helen-c-stark) 💌 Never miss an episode - sign up here: ⁠⁠⁠https://zuzushausofcats.com/keepintouch⁠⁠⁠ (https://zuzushausofcats.com/keepintouch) 🎶 Music by the incredible Caspar Riis: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://soundcloud.com/caspar-riis⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (https://soundcloud.com/caspar-riis). Used with permission.

6. 

   29 Jul 2025

   Ep#14 - Comedy, criticism, & the politics of drag - with drag queen Annie Rection

   In one of my favourite episodes of the pod to date, I sit down with Copenhagen drag legend Annie Rection for a conversation that had me in stitches from start to finish. Annie is a comedy drag queen known for her sharp wit, high-energy performances, and incredible hosting skills. In 2025, she even toured Europe opening for Bob the Drag Queen after impressing him with an impromptu comedy set! We dive deep into the art of drag comedy, exploring how Annie balances multiple creative disciplines - from makeup artistry to joke writing to lip-syncing. She shares brilliant insights about her creative process, including how she approaches structuring a show, and how she manages to translates her material between Danish and English. Our conversation touches on some heavier topics too - the responsibility of being many people's first introduction to drag, the reality of running a creative business, and the recent protests against drag performances in Denmark. Annie's perspective on art as activism and the inherent political nature of drag is both moving and inspiring. What struck me most about Annie is her incredible warmth and vulnerability. She's the perfect gentle entry point for drag newcomers whilst still being razor-sharp in her comedy. Her advice for aspiring creatives is honest and practical - it's hard work, you'll make sacrifices, but if it's truly important to you, it will make you happier than you can imagine. If you've never been to a drag show, Annie's infectious enthusiasm will have you booking tickets immediately. And if you're a fellow creative navigating the challenges of turning your art into your livelihood, you'll find wisdom and solidarity in abundance. ✍ Read the full show notes here: https://zuzushausofcats.com/journal/ep14-annie-rection (https://zuzushausofcats.com/journal/ep14-annie-rection) 💌 Never miss an episode - sign up here: ⁠⁠https://zuzushausofcats.com/keepintouch⁠⁠ (https://zuzushausofcats.com/keepintouch) 🎶 Music by the incredible Caspar Riis: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://soundcloud.com/caspar-riis⁠⁠⁠⁠ (https://soundcloud.com/caspar-riis). Used with permission.

7. 

   22 Jul 2025

   Ep#13 - Building an art career without social media - with artist Louise Stigell

   In this episode, I sit down with Swedish watercolour artist, educator, and creative business coach Louise Stigell for an honest conversation about building a sustainable creative practice on your own terms. Louise's journey is one of transformation and intentional choice-making. After burning out from her career as a freelance writer and web designer in 2020, she rediscovered art as therapy and never looked back. What started as painting birds for healing became a thriving multi-faceted creative business that includes original artwork, YouTube content creation, online courses, and voice coaching for fellow creatives. Louise doesn't mince words about what she calls the "pornification of art" on social media platforms. We dive deep into why Instagram's highlight reel culture creates unrealistic expectations and how she's built her business primarily through YouTube and email marketing instead. From her game design background, Louise brings a fascinating perspective on gradually "levelling up" your comfort zone. We explore how she overcame social anxiety to start a YouTube channel and how that confidence translates across all areas of her creative practice. Finally, Louise offers invaluable advice about the tension between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation when you turn your art into your livelihood. She's refreshingly honest about the challenges of maintaining your love for your craft when it becomes your income source. ✍ Read the full show notes here: https://zuzushausofcats.com/journal/ep13-louise-stigell (https://zuzushausofcats.com/journal/ep13-louise-stigell) 💌 Never miss an episode - sign up here: ⁠⁠⁠https://zuzushausofcats.com/keepintouch⁠⁠⁠ (https://zuzushausofcats.com/keepintouch) 🎶 Music by the incredible Caspar Riis: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://soundcloud.com/caspar-riis⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (https://soundcloud.com/caspar-riis). Used with permission.

8. 

   15 Jul 2025

   Ep#12 - Capturing emotional landscapes - with artist Orla Stevens

   In this delightful episode, the wonderful Orla Stevens takes us on a journey through the Scottish landscapes that have shaped her artistic vision - from the mists of the Trossachs to the wild beauty of Orkney. We delve into how she transforms the often grey and green Scottish countryside into explosively colourful works that capture not just what she sees, but how these places make her feel. Orla also shares her unique practice of incorporating sound into her visual work, drawing what she hears in the landscape and translating music into colour palettes. We chat about the reality of being a full-time artist, and how you're really juggling two full-time jobs. One of my favourite insights from our conversation is Orla's approach to business and art as mutually supportive rather than competing forces. Her teaching and community-building work creates space for her personal painting practice, showing how both sides of an art business can feed each other. ✍ Read the full show notes here: https://zuzushausofcats.com/journal/ep12-orla-stevens (https://zuzushausofcats.com/journal/ep12-orla-stevens) 💌 Never miss an episode - sign up here: ⁠https://zuzushausofcats.com/keepintouch⁠ (https://zuzushausofcats.com/keepintouch) 🎶 Music by the incredible Caspar Riis: ⁠⁠⁠https://soundcloud.com/caspar-riis⁠⁠⁠ (https://soundcloud.com/caspar-riis). Used with permission.

9. 

   8 Jul 2025

   Ep#11 - Patterns, performance, & painting the vibes - with artist Kyla Yager

   Artist Kyla Yager discusses her journey of using ADHD as a creative superpower, transforming personal experiences into maximalist paintings and live performances in this interview with Zuzu, offering insights into art as therapy.

10. 

    1 Jul 2025

    Ep#10 - Zines, punk, and creative fearlessness - with artist Dave Conrey

    Host Zuzu interviews artist Dave Conrey about zines, punk culture, and fearless creativity, exploring how experimentation fuels artistic expression and inspires tangible art.

11. 

    24 Jun 2025

    Ep#9 - Studio journals, sea swimming, and sensory memory - with artist Tara Leaver

    Artist and educator Tara Leaver discusses her journey back to creativity, translating sensory experiences into art, and integrating life's context into sustainable artistic practice in an interview with Zuzu.

12. 

    17 Jun 2025

    Ep#8 - Why it’s your job to be delusional & unrealistic - with writer Amie McNee

    Author Amie McNee discusses why everyone has a right to be creative, the connection between art and healing, and why artists must be unrealistic in their ambitions in this interview.

13. 

    10 Jun 2025

    Ep#7 - Art, activism and the long game of self-trust - with artist Andrea Schroeder

    Artist Andrea Schroeder discusses embracing self-doubt, authentic creative expression, and resisting societal pressures through hope, in this interview, offering insights for sustainable personal growth.

14. 

    12 Dec 2024

    Ep#6 - Growing an art business through genuine connection - with artist Tracy Verdugo

    Artist Tracy Verdugo shares how building genuine connections and staying true to herself has grown a thriving art business despite chronic illness and business demands.

15. 

    10 Oct 2024

    Ep#5 - Telling sensitive stories with compassion - with writer Rachel Catherine Allen

    You're in for an absolute treat with this episode! I had the utter joy of chatting with the phenomenal Rachel Allen - a writer, journalist, and memoirist who's as sharp as a tack and twice as insightful. Rachel and I dove headfirst into the glorious mess of creative writing, particularly when it comes to tackling sensitive subjects. We talked about everything from how she approaches writing about trauma (including her own) to the importance of treating every single person with compassion and humanity - even those society might deem 'unworthy'. I was utterly gobsmacked by Rachel's ability to find the humanity in everyone she encounters. She has this incredible knack for excavating stories from the most unexpected places - from prison guards to taxi drivers. We also chewed over the challenges of balancing honesty and authenticity in storytelling with respecting the privacy and feelings of those involved. And of course, we couldn't help but touch on the importance of self-care when dealing with heavy subjects. If you're fascinated by the human condition and love a good, juicy story (who doesn't?), then pop the kettle on and settle in for a listen. I promise you'll come away feeling inspired, uplifted, and maybe even a tad more compassionate towards your fellow humans. ✍ Read the full show notes here: https://www.elinortrierstudio.com/podcast/ep5-rachel-allen (https://www.elinortrierstudio.com/podcast/ep5-rachel-allen) 💻 Visit Rachel's website here: https://www.rachelcatherineallen.com/ (https://www.rachelcatherineallen.com/) 💌 Never miss an episode - sign up for notifications here: https://www.elinortrierstudio.com/podcast (https://www.elinortrierstudio.com/podcast) 🎶 All music by the incredible Caspar Riis: https://soundcloud.com/caspar-riis (https://soundcloud.com/caspar-riis). Used with permission.

16. 

    12 Sept 2024

    Ep #4 - Dealing with censorship as a queer, erotic artist - with Edward Ficklin

    Join me for a delightful conversation with the wonderful Edward Ficklin! In this episode of Zuzu's Haus of Cats Presents… we explore the risqué world of Edward's erotic art and discuss the hurdles of being an erotic artist in our increasingly conservative digital landscape. Edward and I chat about everything from the beauty of comics as a medium (not just a genre) to the frustrations of dealing with censorship on social media platforms. We share a laugh over his clever ways of working around the rules and talk about the importance of creating your own community when the mainstream isn't quite ready for you. But it's not all heavy stuff - we also discuss Edward's creative process, his fondness for flowers (Georgia O'Keeffe would approve), and how he juggles his art with a day job. Plus, we delve into the wonderfully subversive world of creating art that's filthy without breaking any rules - how's that for clever? So, if you're feeling a bit daring and want to push at your edges a little bit without being shut down by the Internet, this episode is a must listen. Enjoy, darling! ✍ Read the full show notes here: https://www.elinortrierstudio.com/podcast/ep4-edward-ficklin (https://www.elinortrierstudio.com/podcast/ep4-edward-ficklin) 💻 Visit Edward's website here: https://edwardficklin.com/ (https://edwardficklin.com/) 💌 Never miss an episode - sign up for notifications here: https://www.elinortrierstudio.com/podcast (https://www.elinortrierstudio.com/podcast) 🎶 All music by the incredible Caspar Riis: https://soundcloud.com/caspar-riis (https://soundcloud.com/caspar-riis). Used with permission.

17. 

    15 Aug 2024

    Ep #3 - Autism, creativity, and pursuing a multi-passionate career - with artist & author Lucy H. Pearce

    I had the absolute pleasure of chatting with the multi-talented Lucy H. Pearce this week, and let me tell you, it was a corker. Lucy is one of those people who does ALL THE THINGS - she's an artist, an author, an editor, and runs her own publishing company (Womancraft Publishing). We had a proper natter about what it's like to be neurodivergent and creative, and how getting diagnosed with autism later in life can crack your world wide open. We dug into the nitty-gritty of being a "multi-passionate" creative (hello, kindred spirit!) and how to juggle all those balls without dropping dead from exhaustion. Lucy shared some fantastic insights about her creative process and how she approaches making art that resonates on a gut level. And of course, we couldn't help but dive into the whole neurodiversity and creativity thing. It was fascinating to hear how Lucy's diagnosis has shaped her understanding of herself and her work, and she dished out some proper good advice for other creatives who might be feeling a bit out of step with the world too. If you're into the intersection of creativity and neurodiversity, or just fancy hearing about forging your own unique path in the arts, you're going to love this episode - it's chock-full of inspiration and practical tips. Give it a listen and let me know what you think! ✍ Read the full show notes here: https://www.elinortrierstudio.com/podcast/ep3-lucyhpearce (https://www.elinortrierstudio.com/podcast/ep3-lucyhpearce) 💻 Visit Lucy's website here: http://www.lucyhpearce.com/ (http://www.lucyhpearce.com/) 💌 Never miss an episode - sign up for notifications here: https://www.elinortrierstudio.com/podcast (https://www.elinortrierstudio.com/podcast) 🎶 All music by the incredible Caspar Riis: https://soundcloud.com/caspar-riis (https://soundcloud.com/caspar-riis). Used with permission.

18. 

    11 Jul 2024

    Ep#2 - Balancing art, business, and parenthood with artist Carrie Brummer

    In this illuminating episode, I sit down with the brilliant Carrie Brummer to explore the beautiful chaos of combining artmaking with entrepreneurship and raising kids. Carrie shares her journey of integrating creativity into daily life, and offers some invaluable insights for anyone seeking to make creativity their full-time gig. Carrie shares some fab tips for making space for creativity amongst the endless duties of small business ownership and parenting little ones. Her flexible, go-with-the-flow approach feels so liberating in a world that constantly urges us to hustle and grind, no matter the cost. From finding creative fuel in the humour and mundanity of domestic life, to chasing artistic dreams in unconventional ways, to giving yourself permission to ebb and flow - Carrie's hard-won wisdom feels like a warm hug. Whether you're a fellow artist/parent striving to make room for it all, a creative entrepreneur looking for a fresh perspective, or simply someone craving more artful presence amidst the rush of daily life - this candid conversation is sure to refill your cup. LINKS: Click here for the full show notes (https://www.elinortrierstudio.com/podcast/ep-2-carrie-brummer/)

19. 

    4 Jun 2024

    Ep#1 - Sketchbooks as refuge, ritual, & reflection with artist Helen Wells

    Do you ever find yourself feeling paralysed by that crisp new sketchbook, scared to make the first mark? My guest this week, the wonderful artist Helen Wells, knows that feeling all too well. But you won't want to miss how she finally broke through that fear and learned to embrace her sketchbooks as a playground for experimentation and growth - no judgments allowed! 🙌 We'll dive into Helen's journey as she shares juicy behind-the-scenes tales of pursuing art as a full-time career. How does she define success on her own terms? What helped build her resilience in the face of all those artistic struggles and rejections we all deal with? She's dishing out so much fantastic advice. Whether you're just starting to dip your toes into the creative entrepreneurship waters or you're a seasoned pro, Helen's wisdom (and delightful sense of humor!) is sure to inspire you. Maybe you'll even get that extra nudge you need to quit being so precious with your sketchbook! So grab that sketchbook you've been avoiding, a cup of something delicious, and join us for what's sure to be an energising creative pep talk. I cannot wait to share this one with you! 🎉 LINKS: Click here for the full show notes (https://www.elinortrierstudio.com/podcast/ep-1-helen-wells)

Who has been a guest on Zuzu's Haus of Cats Presents...

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Kyla Yager
• Dave Conrey
• Tara Leaver
• Amie McNee
• Andrea Schroeder

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

43,171

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

2 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 43 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

39

Social presence

0

YouTube

85

Engagement

32