In this episode, Sam Bell speaks with Michelle Crawford about building a creative life across photography, styling, writing, food, hospitality and community, and becoming more fully yourself through decades of practice.
Michelle is a Tasmanian-based stylist, photographer, writer and host whose work has appeared in Country Style, Graziher, Galah, Inside Out, Lunch Lady and Delicious. She has co-written Not Just Jam and Better Brain Food, and her memoir A Table in the Orchard was published by Random House. She has curated food and cultural experiences for MONA, The Taste of Tasmania and the Huon Valley Mid-Winter Festival.
Today, Michelle brings these many creative modalities together at The Bowmont, a restored 22-room former bank in Franklin, Tasmania. It is now her home, a design-led place to stay, and a setting for workshops, photo shoots, dinners and intimate gatherings.
The conversation moves through creative instinct, Tasmanian silence and produce, making a brave tree change with “no jobs, no money and no idea”, restoring rather than replacing, and the patience required to grow into your own work. Michelle’s quiet influence comes through in the beautiful spaces, images, meals and connections she creates around others.
What you’ll hear:
• How The Bowmont became a home for Michelle’s many creative practices
• Why beauty, silence and natural surroundings support her creativity
• Moving from Sydney to Tasmania and trusting what felt right
• Food, produce and the distinctive creative culture of Tasmania
• Allowing skill and identity to deepen over time
• Japanese craft, repair and respecting the hands behind beautiful objects
• Community building through hospitality, workshops and shared experiences
Guest links:
• Michelle Crawford: https://www.michellecrawford.com.au
• Michelle on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_michellecrawford
• The Bowmont: https://www.thebowmont.com.au/
• The Bowmont on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebowmont
Conversation mentions:
• Do Lectures: https://thedolectures.com/
• fforest: https://www.coldatnight.co.uk/
• Jen Goss’s natural genius: https://youtu.be/wT2YAhpx4MI
Chapters:
00:13 Introducing Michelle Crawford
02:50 Restoring The Bowmont and bringing many skills under one roof
07:06 Beauty, sensitivity and the creative power of silence
10:14 Moving from Sydney to Tasmania
17:30 Taking the leap and allowing time to become yourself
21:02 Family, travel, craft and the long trail of hands
26:00 Designing The Bowmont through history, repair and instinct
33:51 Freelance life, visibility and creating from rest
Explore further:
Discover Natural Genius: https://naturalgenius.com.au
Learn more about Sam: https://samanthabell.com.au
Subscribe to hear future episodes.
Listen via other platforms: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568387
Credits:
Hosted by Samantha (Sam) Bell in Kiama and Franklin, Tasmania, 16 June, 2026.
Produced at the Kiama office, 16 June - 16 July, 2026.
Photo: Lean Timms.
Natural Genius Podcast https://naturalgenius.com.au
