Big questions, deep conversations and a touch of whimsy.
Deni Todorovic believes the beauty in storytelling and sharing the human experience sits within the lessons.
“When humans come together to share the human experience – we reach new levels of empathy and understand,” says Todorovic, a local non-binary, LGBTQIA activist and stylist to the stars.
“A new sense of awareness that we are all navigating this journey together, on different paths whilst also side by side.”
Todorovic is one of 10 truly inspiring individuals participating in a stimulating new conversation series, provoking deep discussion and giving you all kinds of inspiration on an array of heartening, compelling and uplifting topics.
Curated by the brilliant Kim Elise Cooper – a local singer and vocal coach in the Geelong region – the aptly titled ‘In Conversation with…’ series is committed to making a meaningful contribution to the town through an impressive lineup of guests who will cover topics such as living authentically, being a woman in leadership, living with grief, and exploring a sober curious lifestyle.
Hoping the series will “change people’s Friday nights” by offering “drinks with a difference”, the idea first came to Cooper when she noticed there was a severe lack of movement in the Geelong events space during the back end of 2020 due to Covid.
With a desire to entertain, educate and inspire, she created the series to help bring some employment to local speakers, event stylists and hospitality.
“I truly believe people are looking for more depth in their social interactions after experiencing something like Covid,” Cooper says.
“I figured doing something was better than nothing. We all needed to be working and I had the skills to pull something together. Although the event series was originally meant to launch in September last year, I still feel that anything that creates jobs and inspires depth in people’s weekends is a great thing for our community.”
Spanning eight nights across four months from April 16 to July 23, the line-up includes Geelong Mayor Stephanie Asher; small business success story Bec Connolly of Botanicals by Luxe and new all-inclusive modelling agency, Duo directors, Nicole and Lisa Mitrov, alongside Todorovic who will kick off the series with a conversation about ‘Living Authentically’ on Friday, April 16th.
Also joining the conversation will be ambitious Sober Mates’ founder Sam Wilson; courageous Wellbeing Advisor (from The Well State) Amarra Bowkett; powerhouse stylist Emelia Morris and blogger Romy of This Mums Style; and resilient Jo Betz, author of Grief – a guided journal.
Each night will have a conversation styled interview, alongside an anonymously lead question part where guests will have the opportunity to bring up any burning questions or curiosities.
Hosting conversations with experts or pioneers in their field, this event provides opportunities to not only listen to these awe-inspiring speakers, but also ignite passions, offer support, stimulate minds, and allow moments of indulgence and above all, connection.
The conversations will be hosted at Blank Space Newtown, a stylish cafe that has become a favourite of ours ever since opening its doors on Geelong’s centre of cosmopolitan lifestyle since opening back in 2019. Since then, the business has devoted itself to supporting local businesses, individuals and talented creatives across the region time and time again.
Returning the favour to the café, Cooper’s event will see Blank Space transform from an all-day café into a relaxed spot to start the weekend, gifting guests a destination to indulge in after-work cocktails and delicious eats, whilst also diving into a topic that sparks your interest.
We promise you won’t want to miss this.
In-person tickets are $20, or you can watch via livestream, hosted by Miyagi Live, for $10. Tickets are available via www.myiagi.live and go on sale Tuesday, April 6 8pm.
