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
Welcome to 2026! This episode starts with a bit of sadness (talking about the loss of lovely Joan), and with that we also move to what unofficial Art Therapy can do to help us get by. There's lots across forms like theatre, music, and tennis - hang in to see if Coombesy's current ailment is actually due to some tennis training! As always, we appreciate you, take good care and if you need help please ask. You're worth it.
Somehow we've made it to the end of 2025 (well almost, close enough). As things wind down we review the best of Art Therapy this year, while also acknowledging that for so many this has been a very hard one. Our love is with those we have lost and those who have lost loved ones, and our solidarity is with those who have been targeted. As always, please reach out for help if you need it - you are worthy of help, love and support. We...
Another ep so quickly? Why not? In this one we natter about what makes a joke good or not - and often it's not just the content but who's listening and what power they have. We also talk our faves, and have a few recommendations (not always safe for work though - be warned). As always, we appreciate you, and please reach out if you need xx
Sorry it's been a while - it's been a bit of a time! Since we've been off the mic there's been highs and lows, but importantly good (unofficial) art therapy and excellent support from friends. This one is a bit shorter than usual but hopefully still with the right vibe - including a recommendation to get into Pub Choir and the wonderful work of Astrid Jorgensen in whatever way your location and budget will allow. As always, we are ...
This episode Coombesy talks a lot about plans. Plans for when he's here, for when he's not, and the plans he made for a mate who had a theatre experience like no other! Please excuse a bit of noise on the feed (we were up against it) - and please hold dear those you love. We appreciate you, and ask if you need anything. With love, AMY! xx
This week Coombesy reports back on his epic Mega Dose of musical theatre and excellent humans - so joyful to hear his take as well as the spring in his step. Towards the end we do talk about some of the overarching themes, so there is a bit of talk about death if that triggers you or someone you love. As always, there is help available - please reach out. We appreciate you (and especially you, Colleen!)
This week Cooombesy talks about megadosing on the art therapy - a little unexpected mini festival he's undertaking that is happening around the time of a big anniversary for him too. We talk musicals, being a critic (or a selector) and of course Beetlejuice, new musicals and a bit of Rueben Kaye for good measure. As always, if you need anything please do reach out. We appreciate you x
This week Coombesy talks about his new exercise work. Guided by heart specialists he's out (or inside) walking and cycling, as well as moving towards more mindful eating. We talk about the highs and lows, the temptation and motivation, all guided by Eddie Perfect's Beetlejuice, Wil Anderson's advice on bodies and a bit random lovely nonsense in between. As always, we appreciate you.
This episode we talk a bit about all of the things - whatever music, or the rest, gets you through the night. While Coombesy works out the side effects (and sound effects) of some new meds, we give some special listener shout outs and some more comedy context. As always, we appreciate you - if you need anything, please do reach out. And look up funny monkey videos on the internet - they are always funny xx
How well do you think your bum looks now, compared to 10 years ago? Two men who can do a confident comparison are our Coombesy, and Adam Hills. Hillsey got The Man up to get his gear off as part of an onstage gag a decade ago today for the show Clown Heart. This chat looks back at, well, that backside, to see how things have changed, how we all feel, and how comedy really is the best medicine. There's some heavy discussion here in ...
In this episode Coombesy's back from one expected procedure, and one very unexpected one. There's also a heroic feat in between, and a good chat about how music is medicine. With some fun recommendations (least of all with some more shameless Reuben Kaye love - especially for his Down Under), we're thrilled to be back. There's also a chat here about mental health struggles, so if you need something please remember services like Lif...
This is a chat we recorded with our bestie Greg Sowell - it was before Christmas but only publishing now. You'll hear Coombesy is quite unwell and we need to finish up early - it's been his decision to post this anyway - not just because it's lovely to hear Christmas comparisons, but also in the interests of sharing -all in- as darling Connie told us. As always, we appreciate you
This week we talk about Coombesy's upcoming op, and importantly what music he should pick to help him calm, compose and reclaim some agency. It's a bit silly, a bit saucey, and very much open to your suggestions - we'd love to know what you would choose or think he should! Part 2 to come after is a pre-Christmas show we recorded with the Sowell man, which we explain here and will upload soon. As always, we appreciate you
This episode we celebrate 10 years of the phrase 'In Your Face, Cancer, In Your Face!', talking about the unofficial art therapy of getting your butt out to the wind (with your besties) and the joy of Tatts. Also, Coombesy is 61 not out - woo hoo! As always, we appreciate you, and if you need something, please reach out to professionals xx
This episode Coombesy and Dr Liz talk about food - are we stretching the definition of Art? Maybe. But heavens it can help - food to comfort, food to support, food as a way to do something practical for someone at a time when other stuff just doesn't seem right. Hope it doesn't make you too hungry - and hand into the end for Liz's gourmet recipe for garlic bread :) As always, if you need anything, please reach out - we appreciate y...
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 ...
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 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 ...
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 spec...
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...
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