Unofficial Art Therapy with Dr Liz and Coombesy
Coombesy is the medical professional, Dr Liz writes descriptions not prescriptions. We talk about different types of art from across eras and genres, and how these have helped us in good times and bad. Don’t mistake this for actual medical advice, but do come along for the jokes, the name drops and the delightfully daggy love of music videos. Based in Australia, we are lovers of pop, sport, theatre, comedy, magic, cabaret and more. Art IS therapy and a vital part of being alive.
Episodes

Sunday Oct 20, 2024
Sunday Oct 20, 2024
We're back after a little break - thanks for hanging in - just Coombesy and Dr Liz this time. Talking about feedback from the Stephen ep, as well as the goings on from the last couple of weeks - Coombesy takes the lead with some chat towards the end about how fandom binds us and reminds us to take care of each other, and a little detail into the big birthday bash planned later in the year. As always, seek help whenever you need it - it doesn't need to be crisis point, it can just be the everyday bits that might need some assistance - we appreciate you xx

Thursday Sep 19, 2024
Thursday Sep 19, 2024
In this episode Coombesy, Liz and Greg Sowell, our lovely co-host from the Why Am I pod, talk about Stephen. You'll get to know why this is important, and he is important, as well as some literal coming together of unofficial and official forms of therapy. As always, ours is only well meaning so do seek professional advice if you need it, and a warning that this episode includes discussions about self harm so please do reach out if you need or skip along to another piece if you are feeling unable to listen to this today. Some of the songs talked about were Life At the Outpost and Heavy Heart, as well as a lovely poem Death is Nothing at All. We appreciate you

Monday Aug 05, 2024
Monday Aug 05, 2024
You heard it here first, friends - Coombesy is shaking the ol' family tree for some fruity funny nuggets! Well actually, we might have mentioned it before, but the idea here is to dig into how this works as unofficial art therapy - why telling stories helps, and who it can help, and how to make it funny. There's also some lovely appreciation happening (Liz's turn for a little cry this time), but a process of sharing, which we hope helps you as much as it does us. As always, for official and professional help please ask - we appreciate you.

Sunday Jun 30, 2024
Sunday Jun 30, 2024
This episode we bring back The Sowellman aka Greg Sowell from the Why Am I podcast, and introduce his partner in life, crime and pod today KTG (aka Kristy The Great). As well as being a legendary person in her own right , and we hear her story in this ep too, here we really value the insight she and Greg give on comedy, disability and who has a right to tell stories. Spurred on by Greg's suggestion we watch Daniel Sloss's 2018 special Dark, there was lots of laughing, a few near tears and of course plenty of Unofficial Art Therapy. As always, if you need help, please ask. We appreciate you xx And also yes, we know that's a lot of nicknames - we're Australian, we can't help it...

Wednesday Jun 19, 2024
Wednesday Jun 19, 2024
This is a special Happy Birthday episode to the infamous 'Peter B'. Anyone who knows Coombesy's story knows of Peter B - the keeper of the bucket list and shorthand for the rock to Coombesy's role. Here Coombesy tells the origin story of their friendship, how they've grown together and how today (well very soon) will be a big milestone for the big B. We should all be so lucky to have someone as loving as him - and have that love so returned. We also start with a big of Unofficial Art Therapy in the form of chat about Casey Donovan's swansong in her local run of &Juliet - another legend of course. We appreciate you, and happy birthday Peter B!

Monday May 27, 2024
Monday May 27, 2024
This week we go naked! Coombesy fans will already know about Naked Tuesday - and if you're here because his Naked Tuesday Facebook page got you here, then extra special welcome! This week, along with longtime friend and Naked Tuesday community member Annabelle, we talk about how getting your kit off can help. And if you can't do yours, maybe watching other daft duffers can be just as good :) As always, remember just To Be or Not To Be is an achievement (and please ask for help if you need it). We appreciate you.

Sunday May 12, 2024
Sunday May 12, 2024
A super short (for us) episode today - Coombesy has been 'in the Reuben' position for the last coupla days feeling particularly poorly, while Dr Liz has been out on the town seeing Wil Anderson's newbie Wiligitimate. A long time fan (first show was 2000 or 2001) it was fab to talk about how it's continued to go on, Coombesy's place from 'inside the circle', and of course, the Wil Meaning of it all. As always, we recommend unofficial art therapy to help, but if you need something more medical and precise (as opposed to delightful dick jokes) - then please do reach out. And as always, we appreciate you x

Wednesday May 01, 2024
Wednesday May 01, 2024
Coombesy and Dr Liz Heart Reuben Kaye. And it's not just because he's gorgeous (he is) or talented (also that) or hilarious (indeed) or with the voice of an angelic devil (and the Grammy goes too....). We love him because of the complexity and nuance of his work - both off stage and on - and the range of unofficial art therapies we've received as a result. If you don't know who Reuben is then waste no more time (!), but even if you don't know his work, use this chat as a way to consider how the artists you love help with all types of ailments. For us it's not just being at the show, it's being part of the community - and sometimes even just supporting a show you can't get to, in whatever way you can, can make things feel a bit better. You can also hear Reuben on his own pod Come to Daddy (we're here if you're needing guests darl), and in this fantastic chat with Wil Anderson.

Tuesday Apr 23, 2024
Tuesday Apr 23, 2024
We're joined this episode by our favourite American Greg Sowell of Why Am I? Pod. This time Greg, Coombesy and Dr Liz unpack some recent Unofficial Art Therapy in the form of the Australian kids show and international phenomenon Bluey - a show that despite feeling very Aussie to us is translating all over the world. Come for the chat about kids shows and dog puns, and stay for the free Dad advice for these two legends. As always, we appreciate you - and a warning that if this episode brings up anything that you might need help with please do reach out.

Sunday Apr 14, 2024
Sunday Apr 14, 2024
In this episode Coombesy introduces Dr Liz to two of his favourite humans, Julie and Mel. Like Madonna, Prince, Adele and Beyonce they are so fabulous that you only need their first names. Also like Madonna and co they know their way around a good live show, and in this episode we hear about their best. Come for the natter, stay for the sob in the middle, and don't mind the background noise (not a euphemism - it was a lovely but busy afternoon). As always, we appreciate you, and if you need help, please ask x

Unofficial Art Therapy
Dr Liz has a PhD in Music, Media and Cultural studies. Coombesy is a retired medico, former nurse and paramedic. We are great mates who use all types of art as therapy, including talking about it. Come for the recommendations, stay for the name dropping and tall stories, and always remember, if you need help, ask. xx