S6E6 - Laura Benanti / The Town Hall Spark Sessions

This week on The Town Hall Spark Sessions, we welcome luminary actress and singer Laura Benanti. Best known for her revolutionary performance in the 2008 revival of Gypsy, for which she won the Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical, Benanti made her broadway debut at 18 playing Maria in the Sound of Music on Broadway.

S6E5 - Sofronio Vasquez / The Town Hall Spark Sessions

This week, we welcomed the golden-voiced Sofronio Vasquez, winner of NBC’s The Voice Season 26. With his championship win, Sofronio became the first Filipino and Asian man to win a major singing competition in the United States.

S6E4 - Griffin Newman / The Town Hall Spark Sessions

In this week’s episode of The Town Hall Spark Sessions, we were thrilled to welcome Griffin Newman. For a decade, with his co-creator David Sims, Griffin has hosted the wildly popular podcast Blank Check with Griffin and David.

S6E3 - Sean Mayes / The Town Hall Spark Sessions

In this week’s Town Hall Spark Session, we welcomed Sean Mayes, the visionary conductor and founder of Pops of Color, as he takes us behind the scenes of creating an orchestra that’s building bridges and breaking barriers.

S6E2 - Eisa Davis / The Town Hall Spark Sessions

For our second round The Town Hall Spark Sessions award-winning actor, writer, and singer-songwriter, Eisa Davis. In addition to co-writing the Warriors concept album with Lin-Manuel Mirana, she wrote and starred in Angela’s Mixtape, and was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in Drama for her play Bulrusher.

S6E1 - Lin-Manuel Miranda / The Town Hall Spark Sessions

Surprise! We’re back, with some hot, fresh creative sparks for you—and this time, we’re at the Town Hall! In the first episode of The Town Hall Spark Sessions, we’re thrilled to feature a new conversation with Lin-Manuel Miranda about legacy, creativity, and the upcoming Spring Shout at the Town Hall—a benefit performance honoring him!

Introducing The Town Hall Spark Sessions

The Town Hall, New York City’s landmark cultural venue, is teams up with The Spark File, the acclaimed creativity podcast hosted by Susan Blackwell and Laura Camien, in this brand-new podcast series: The Town Hall Spark Sessions.

Season 5 Finale

After 20 spark-filled episodes, we’re wrapping up the season with a celebration! Join us as we look back at this remarkable season of spark, discuss highlights, and share just how we made this season happen. Bringing Season 5 of the Spark File podcast was a challenge.

Stephen King On Writing

Closing Ceremonies: Blue Man Group

Recently, we learned that the beloved Blue Man Group will be closing their New York City and Chicago companies in 2025. This news was bittersweet, to say the least.

Hug An Author Today

We know that writing a book is hard work—longform creativity takes patience, stamina, and an extraordinary drive to make it to the finish line.

Making Change Pt. 3

As the New Year barrels on, bringing an abundance of uncertainty with it, we wanted to return to a topic that has sparked us many times before: Making change.

Primordial Soup

When Oxford revealed its annual “Word of the Year” earlier this month, we had some questions—and not just because “Brain Rot” is two words. The truth is, we scroll past hundreds of images, sounds, and writings every day, pumping into our brains faster than any information has ever moved before.

Gifts & Creativity

We have found that the more we tap into our creativity, the more we enjoy the holiday season. In this week’s episode of The Spark File Podcast, we explore creativity in the form of gift-giving. Join us as we discuss the history of giving tangible gifts and why the tradition continues.

Menopause + Creativity

This week, we’re exploring an experience shared by more than half of the world’s population: Menopause. If you are thinking to yourself, “Oh, that topic isn’t for me.” We’re here to tell you the truth: menopause impacts everyone.

Go All The Way There

Like many artists, we deeply empathize with the world around us. It can be hard to manage all the tough feelings that come up. A lot is happening in the world—a lot to laugh about, cry about, shout about, and rage about.

Reaching Out

In our opinion, creating a connection with others is the most singularly powerful tool any creative has in their armory. Unfortunately, a lot of us find that it’s easier said than done. This week, Susan and Laura explore Molly Beck’s book Reach Out: The Simple Strategy You Need to Expand Your Network.

Join The Joiners

Lately it feels like so many of us are longing for belonging, but finding it harder than to connect. But why? In this week’s episode of The Spark File podcast, we dig in to find the answer.

Catharsis, Comfort & Change

The weight of the world felt heavy this week, but tough moments are when we feel luckiest to have this incredible community. Like we always say, everyone is creative but smart creative people do not go it alone!

The Creative Act

Here at the Spark File, creativity is a way of life and a way of being in the world. In this week’s episode of The Spark File Podcast, Laura digs into Rick Rubin’s book The Creative Act: A Way of Being.

Moral Distress Signal

Have you ever found yourself giggling at the most unexpected insult, like "sparrow's fart"? Join us as we kick off this episode of The Spark File with laughter and a light-hearted exchange that sets the stage for a journey through creativity and introspection.

Spooky Sparks from SPARKfest

In this week’s episode of the Spark File podcast, we head back to the beautiful Saunders Farm in Ottawa, Canada, where we were fortunate to host our almost annual SPARKFest. This week, on the eve of Halloween, we’re embracing the spooky season.

Them's The Rules

Every so often we hear the question: what is that “special sauce” that helps make up this “warm clan of creatives.” The truth is, a healthy culture and community requires a commitment to that mission from every single person involved.

Sparks from SPARKfest (Part 1)

In this week’s episode, you’ll get an extra special glimpse into SPARKfest 2024, our Spark File community retreat, held last fall at the beautiful Saunders Farm in Ottawa, Canada. When we say that The Spark File is a warm and wonderful clan of creatives, this is what we mean!

WWGD? (Learning from Gavin Creel)

As we grieve the loss of our dear friend Gavin Creel, Susan called out for memories, wisdom, and lessons learned from Gavin, and we were touched by the outpouring of love from all across the globe. In this week’s episode, titled “WWGD?

Grief & Creativity

In this special episode, we draw from Laura’s experiences having lost both of her parents and discuss the ways in which creativity can help us to move through grief. We share thoughts on the non-linear path of grieving, and how to meet grief in the sometimes-unexpected places that it manifests.

Shining Your Creative Light

Here’s a summary of the key takeaways from this episode! In this week’s episode, we discuss the idea of “shining the light” on your creative work.What do we mean by “shining the light”?

Certainty v. Creativity

Certainty or Creativity - which will you choose?This week, Nathan Hill’s novel “Wellness” serves as a springboard for Laura’s spark. The specific line that ignited our conversation?

Creativity Sparks: Season 4 Finale!

Holy Moly! Season 4 of The Spark File is coming to an end! In this episode, Susan + Laura reminisce on some of our favorite sparks from this season.

Creativity Sparks: From Good to Great

Ever wonder what's needed to take your creative project to the next level? Or wonder if maybe good is good enough? How do we know when to invest the additional time and energy it's going to take to go from Good to Great?

Creativity Sparks: You Have a (true) Story to Tell

Is there anything better than a well-crafted personal story told with humor, authenticity and heart? Even better if its a TRUE story, right? Well, the folks at The Moth have boiled the art of storytelling down to a science.

Creativity Sparks: Processing Creative Conclusions and Milestones

Friends, trust us when we say it is valuable, meaningful, and potentially essential that you take the time to celebrate your creative wins - large and small! Join us this week as Susan and Laura discuss why it's so important that we take the time to acknowledge and reflect on the milestones and the conclusions, the hits and the misses.

Creativity Sparks: The Imperfect Perfectionist

Do you have a creative project that has never seen the light of day because you just don't think it's ready to share yet? Despite years of effort even? Do you have a creative project you've dreamt of making but you haven't even started yet?

Creativity Sparks: AI + Creativity

Have you gotten into the AI craze yet? Have you asked Chat GPT to write your next marketing plan or promotional copy? Have you asked it to write lines of dialogue, jokes for a stand up routine or a synopsis for your pitch? Have you asked it to write your resume?

Creativity Sparks: The Ah-ha Moment

Ever wonder what exactly is going on in your brain when you have an Ah-ha moment? On this week's episode of The Spark File podcast, Susan + Laura discuss what is transpiring in your head when you get that spark of an idea - and the rush of excitement that goes with it!Wouldn't it be great if we could understand it so that we can create conducive conditions to invite more and more Ah-ha moments to happen?!

Creativity Sparks: Jesse James and the KGC Gold

Were there stashes of gold hidden around the country after the Civil War? Did leaders of the confederate south intend this money fund a second Civil War? Was the outlaw Jesse James responsible for hiding some of this treasure?

Creativity Sparks: The New Rules

This week, Laura and Susan discuss that tremor in the force you felt a few weeks ago when New York Magazine's The Cut handed us all The New Rules.These 194 rules on how to exist in polite society, sparked conversations everywhere.

Creativity Sparks: Let's Talk about Death over Dinner

You know at The Spark File, we are not afraid to contemplate our own mortality, especially if doing so enhances our lives and our creativity.

Creativity Sparks: I'm Sorry

This week, Laura and Susan get sparked by a corporate apology that was so authentic it made the news. Discovering the components necessary for an apology to be sincere, this episode explores the painful blocks that keep good people from being able to apologize, AND the creative ways artists have used apologies (or the absence of apologies) to inspire their creative work.

Creativity Sparks: The 7 Day Happiness Challenge

Ever wonder what you can accomplish in an 8 minute phone call?Turns out... A LOT! In this week's episode of The Spark File podcast, Susan + Laura dig into the The New York Times feature "The 7 Day Happiness Challenge" and explore the little things that can make a BIG difference in our relationships and our lives.

Creativity Sparks: I'll Sleep When I'm Dead

Do you feel that people value you only for your output, so you put work above all else, even above getting a good night’s sleep?

Creativity Sparks: Change

Why is it so hard for us to break patterns that are keeping us from our goals? In this episode, Susan and Laura discuss and discover the ways in which we as humans and artists can navigate lasting positive change.

Creativity Sparks: Stealing (a) Home

What do a 1998 wall calendar, a couple’s disappearance, and a half-burned postcard have to do with one man’s quest to create the perfect home? In this episode, Laura and Susan discuss the true story of a film editor who took his own obsession for acquiring his dream home perhaps a little too far.

Creativity Sparks: Toni Morrison

Words and language have real power. In this episode, Susan and Laura explore the amazing works and incredible life of someone who managed to harness that power to the benefit of so many: Toni Morrison, Nobel and Pulitzer prize winning author and recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Creativity Sparks: Artists & Athletes

Artists and athletes have a lot more in common than one might think, but our culture seems to encourage choosing one over the other. In this episode, Laura and Susan discuss what artists can learn from athletes...including training, incremental progress, the discomfort of having a beginner’s mind, and so much more.

Creativity Sparks: Creativty + Mental Health

You know the old trope that one must suffer for their art? That creativity is somehow the byproduct of mental illness or addiction or self-harm? It is time for that idea to go! An examined life can contribute greatly to our enjoyment of life, and to our creative work.

Creativity Sparks: Making Marketing Part of Your Creative Process: The Blue Man Group Edition

Susan and Laura have found that when they bring up the idea of promoting one’s own work with their creative clients, the idea is almost always met with a sense of dread. So, how can creators combat this feeling? By making marketing part of the creative process.

Creativity Sparks: Write Like Your Parents Are Dead Again

Many people have the desire to spin their lived experience into their creative self-expression, Susan and Laura included. This desire can present a conundrum as these creations can feature people other than the creator, or have ideas in them that might make a loved one uncomfortable, or are about a topic that some close to us might consider to be taboo.

Creativity Sparks: The Creative Comfort Crisis

In Michael Easter's book, The Comfort Crisis, he shares his belief that the modern day creature comforts – air conditioning, food storage, etc., have made us more comfortable as a society and in turn given us extra time that we have filled with worry and anxiety.

Creativity Sparks: A Creative Approach to Reproductive Rights

This spark itself is so vast, but in order to right-size it for this episode, Susan and Laura stay on this important thread: creativity as it relates to abortion rights activism.

Creativity Sparks: The Seduction of Camp Siegfried

They hiked, they swam, they danced, they learned archery, all while being immersed in a horrific ideology. Susan and Laura dive into the shocking true story behind Camp Siegfried, located in the idyllic hamlet of Yaphank, New York, and the beautiful, seductive piece of theater that playwright Bess Wohl crafted out of it all.

Creativity Sparks: Creation from Destruction

Sparks of creativity can come from so many experiences including gratitude and joy, loss and devastation, and even total destruction.

Welcome Back, Sparklers!

'Tis the season, everyone! The 4th season, to be exact! Time to jump back into our spark files and share some creative inspiration! This week we're just dippin' our toes in and teasing out a few of the topics we're gonna cover in the coming weeks!Remember, if you hear something that piques your interest, you gotta take it and make it!Happy creating, y'all!

Creativity Sparks: Season 3 Finale!

For everything there is a season, friends! And this season is winding down. Time for a brief respite. But, before we go, let’s talk season highlights! And we’ll leave you with an excerpt from In Your Light by Rumi...

Makersode: Lynne Cox

Long time listeners will know what a joy this episode was for us! In the way back times, Susan introduced us to a human spark named Lynne Cox - a celebrated athlete who set swimming records around the world and achieved astonishing feats of strength and endurance (including swimming with a baby gray whale - eighteen feet long!

Creativity Sparks: Dead Eyes

John Lennon said, “Everything will be okay in the end. If it’s not okay, it’s not the end” This week, we admire the imagination and, frankly, the balls of @connorratliff, creator of Dead Eyes podcast.

Makersode: Marc Janowitz

This week, Susan and Laura got to hang with bad ass lighting designer and friend, Marc Janowitz, whose holistic, dynamic lighting designs illuminate a story and light up an audience. His bold, no holds barred lighting transforms comedians into a rock stars and rock stars into gods.

Creativity Sparks: Beauty + Sorrow

This week, after experiencing unexpected loss, Laura and Susan discuss the role of grief and friendship, and the bittersweet and inevitable intermixing of joy and heartbreak along this journey we call life.

Makersode: Mike Michalowicz

This week, Susan and Laura had the distinct pleasure of unpacking the mind of Mike Michalowicz, the man Simon Sinek claims might be “the patron saint of entrepreneurs”. We have to agree. He’s a saint, but our kind of saint - comfortable with subversive humor served with a dash of profanity.

Creativity Sparks: Creatives for Ukraine

Whether the war in Ukraine is causing feelings of unease, uncertainty, or outrage, there are creative ways to activate and support. There are ways to use your talents and resources for the power of good.

Creativity Sparks: The Art of the Con

Everywhere you look these days there is a con going down… Inventing Anna, The Tinder Swindler, The Dropout, The Puppermaster, Super Pumped, WeCrashed… Con artists are having a moment.

Creativity Sparks: Creatives + Money

Tired of the “starving artist” trope? Sick of the storyline that says “I’m creative and eccentric, I’m no good with numbers” Isn’t it time you felt a sense of personal agency over your finances? You are smart and capable.

Creativity Sparks: Does Our Inner Chatter Matter?

You know that voice in your head? The one that drives you crazy sometimes? The one that points out your flaws and re-plays your mistakes over and over? What is the point of that voice?

Creativity Sparks: The Florida Highwaymen

Sit back and marvel at this true tale of limitations inspiring ART as a survival job in less than ideal circumstances. That’s right. The Florida Highwaymen turned to art to elevate themselves and their community out of poverty while reflecting the beauty of Florida landscapes.

Creativity Sparks: Fertile Wordle

Want to know what every single creative can learn from the development and launch of Wordle, the simple and most unexpected game of the century?

Creativity Sparks: The Unstoppable Voice of Martha Wash

You have undoubtedly heard her unforgettable voice on hits such as “Everybody, Everybody”, “It’s Raining Men” and so many more. But Martha Wash had to use her voice to fight to make sure you knew her name.

Creativity Sparks: Rewilding Your Attention

If you’ve ever found yourself scrolling through your feeds or combing through google search results thinking “there must be something more out there”, well, this episode is for you!

Creativity Sparks: Wintering

This week, snuggle up and join Susan and Laura as they delve into Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times by Katherine May.If you've ever wondered why we feel a pull to retreat indoors and slow down as the days get darker - look no further.

Creativity Sparks: Money Money Money

This week, Laura and Susan dig into this taboo topic and explore how and why shame keeps us from talking about money, and sometimes even doing anything about money. But valuing ourselves for the amount of money we have accrued has not always been the norm, in fact, it is a rather new framework.

Creativity Sparks: Operation Paperclip

Sometimes a spark is so surprising, so complex and thought provoking it can stun you into silence.

Creativity Sparks: Creative Resistance; OR, The Monster at the End of this Episode

What keeps us from writing those pages we say we WANT to write? What keeps us from taking that first small step toward our goal? What keeps us from doing anything at all related to our creative vision? Why, its our dear ol’ pal, Creative Resistance.

Creativity Sparks: The Collaborative Wisdom of Metallica

This week, Susan and Laura dip their toes into the topic of Collaboration via the Metallica Masterclass. They discuss how the members of Metallica, guided by their mantra “whatever’s best” for the project, share how they communicate, keep their egos in check, get the most out of everyone, and how they stay inspired to come together to create great things.

Creativity Sparks: Creative Mornings / Street Wisdom

Here at The Spark File, our mission is to spark creativity, free innate self-expression, and grant permission to fear less and create more. In this episode, we share two recently discovered like-minded creative organizations that have completely lit us up!

Creativity Sparks: The Spark Side of Social Media

This week, Susan and Laura delve into the very best ways social media can be used - to inspire, educate and spread joy.

Creativity Sparks: What If...?

This week, Laura and Susan explore the inexplicable craving to consume pandemic-related entertainment during a pandemic - not entertainment about the current state of the world, no, we prefer imaginary pandemics dreamed up in the minds of fiction writers and TV writers like Station Eleven by Emily St.

Welcome Back, Sparklers!

Welcome back, Sparklers! All are welcome here. As long as no one is being a d**k, you are invited to be your real, open, authentic selves. This week on The Spark File, Susan and Laura get warmed up for Season 3!

Creativity Sparks: Celebrating Endings

In the season 2 finale of The Spark File podcast, Susan and Laura celebrate the highlights of the past year - revisiting favorite sparks of inspiration, and recognizing the incredible achievements of the participants in The Spark File Select Group Creativity Coaching program.

Makers: Hunter Bell: Connection, Community and Fantasy Island

This week, Susan and Laura got to spend extra time with their beloved Hunter Bell, Tony and Drama Desk nominee, Spark File Creativity Coaching client, and creative / writer / maker extraordinare! Tune in to feel the love and the belly laughs.

Makers: John Ellison Conlee: Great Conversation and a Cup of Joe

This week, Susan and Laura take a deep dive with Tony-award nominee (and Creativity Coaching Client) John Ellison Conlee, and discuss the creation of a life in addition to a career. Plus, in this very special episode, The Spark File debuts a short story written and read by John Ellison Conlee himself - Cup of Joe.

Creativity Sparks: Imposter Syndrome

On this episode of The Spark File, Susan and Laura examine that deep seated fear that you're just not as good / worthy / capable as others think you are. Imposter Syndrome. Check out this episode and you just might find ways to let go of those coping mechanisms and start to believe in your own abilities.

Creativity Sparks: The Mind of Jill Bolte Taylor, Pt 2: Electric Boogaloo

This week, Susan and Laura, still super sparked by the life-changing whole brain approach of Jill Bolte Taylor, take an even deeper dive into her work, applying her philosophies to our creativity.

Creativity Sparks: Lincoln in the Bardo

This week, Susan and Laura share sparks inspired by the bestseller Lincoln in the Bardo by George Saunders.

Creativity Sparks: The Brain of Jill Bolte Taylor

This week on The Spark File, Susan and Laura discuss The Brain of Jill Bolte Taylor - one hell of a managed mind! The woman who taught us to "Please take responsibility for the energy you bring into this space" is the source of this weeks creativity spark.Tune in to hear Dr.

Creativity Sparks: For Love of the Game

This week, Susan and Laura serve up a single spark -- a spark 30 years in the making! Learn about the little card game that could - Canasta - and how it rose to fame, despite the Bridge Club establishment trying to keep it down!

Creativity Sparks: Performance Anxiety

This week, Susan shares a spark so vast, we give it all our attention - Performance Anxiety. If you've ever felt tormented by fear, panic or anxiety related to your chosen profession, please do not miss this episode!

Creativity Sparks: Highly Sensitive People + The Art of Gathering

This week, Susan and Laura dig into the realities of living as a Highly Sensitive Person and/or an Empath (and how to know for sure if you are one!), Plus, Priya Parker's life-changing approach to bringing people together in The Art of Gathering.

Creativity Sparks: The Best Advice You've Ever Received + The Sixth Stage

This week, Susan and Laura take a spin through some of the best advice they've ever received (including "don't pickle it!") plus, the very encouraging signs that people everywhere are entering the sixth stage of grief - finding meaning.

Creativity Sparks: Write Like Your Parents Are Dead + God Save The Queen

Wanting to write about your lived experience, but worried about how the other key players in your life might react? This week, Susan and Laura offer up various ways you can approach it so that your creativity is free flowing and feelings don't get hurt.

Creativity Sparks: Made You Look + The Curated Closet

This week, the documentary Made You Look sparks a conversation about the phenomenon of justification and how our brains work overtime when we've done something we shouldn't have, PLUS, the joy-filled approach to closet curation that promotes self-expression and creativity over consumption!

Makers: Paul Wontorek: Life-changing Theatre, Record Collections + Broadway.com

This week, Susan and Laura are thrilled to talk all things Broadway with someone who has loved theatre since birth, and spent their lives amplifying the joy of it - Paul Wontorek, Editor-in-Chief of Broadway.com!

Makers: Jenny Clift: Tapping into our Emotional Freedom

This week, Susan and Laura delve into EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques) with Jenny Clift, Coach for classical musicians and stage performers. Jenny paves the way to wealth, success, balance, and inner peace using the scientifically proven power of tapping.

Creativity Sparks: WHY + The Creative Habit

This week, Susan and Laura dig into two worthy explorations -- Do you know your Why? Do you know why your Why matters? So many ways to consider how we can act intentionally, on and with purpose. Plus, they revisit Twyla Tharp's classic book: The Creative Habit.

Makers: Dax Valdes of Hollaback on the 5 D's of Bystander Training

This week, Susan and Laura have the honor of spending time with artist extraordinaire Dax Valdes of Hollaback, discussing their free bystander intervention trainings aimed at making the world a better, and safer, place for us all.

Creativity Sparks: The Attention Economy + Einstein Time

This week, Susan and Laura dive into two new sparks of creativity - the attention economy that will literally eat up all of your time (if you let it) and the Einstein Time concept that will allow you to make more time, if you need it!

Makers: Taylor Mali: Poetry, Performance + What Teachers Make

This week, Susan and Laura talk to poet, teacher, speaker Taylor Mali. Called "a ranting comic showman and a literary provocateur" by The New York Times, Taylor is one of the most well-known poets to have emerged from the poetry slam movement and one of the original poets to appear on the HBO series “Def Poetry Jam”.

Creativity Sparks: Champions of Breakfast + The Feedback Process

This week, Laura and Susan take a deep dive into the fascinating tale of betrayal, corporate espionage, and family feuds that resulted in the world's most famous breakfast cereals, and how the feedback process can work in service and support of the artist to the benefit of all.

Makers: Sir Richard Eyre: The Opposite of Schadenfreude, Yeats + a Career in the Arts

This week, Susan and Laura have a bloody delightful time talking with Sir Richard Eyre, whose creative work has spanned all manner of Arts -- directing theatre, film, television and opera, as well as writing books and plays.

Creativity Sparks: Making Art Out of Art + Reflections On a Moment

This week, Susan and Laura offer up two new sparks of creativity - the many ways we can be sparked to make art out of art, plus, a myriad reflections on the tumultuous past few weeks, and how reflecting might just put us on the path to healing.

Makers: Susan Stroman: Fill Up With the Art of It All

This week, the incomparable Susan Stroman sits down to share it all with Susan and Laura, including lessons learned from the lockdown, insights from her 5x Tony Award Winning career, as well as what it's all for.

Creativity Sparks: The Upper Limit Problem + The Storytelling Secrets of David Sedaris

This week on The Spark File, Susan and Laura explore how an Upper Limit Problem (as defined in The Big Leap by Gay Hendricks) might be keeping you from pursuing or completing your creative goals; AND file under "Insight from The Greats"-- storytelling secrets gleaned from the David Sedaris masterclass.

Makers: Emily Fletcher: From Broadway to Ziva Meditation + Getting Better at Life

This week, Broadway performer turned meditation and mindfulness expert, Emily Fletcher gives us all the details on how learning to meditate makes us better at life. The mastermind behind Ziva Meditation, Emily has our mental support covered -- now including Ziva Kids!

Creativity Sparks: Imagine If... in honor of Sir Ken Robinson

This episode of The Spark File is dedicated to the memory of one of our creative heroes, Sir Ken Robinson. Laura shares the tale of how Ken walked into her life and left an indelible mark on her creativity and on The Spark File company she and Susan are now building.

Makers: Ryan J. Haddad: New Homes, Solo Plays + Hi, Are You Single?

This week, Ryan J. Haddad, writer and star of Hi, Are You Single? (now playing virtually through February 28 at Woolly Mammoth Theater) shares secrets of storytelling via solo shows. His passion for centering "gay, disabled and arabic communities" is palpable and essential.

Makers: Kenyatta Emmanuel: Slavic Soul Party, Carnegie Hall + The Time Without Time

This week, Susan and Laura have the honor of speaking with Kenyatta Emmanuel, musician, singer, songwriter, and storyteller. Kenyatta shares his personal story of how, on October 21, 2019, he exited a New York state prison after 24 1/2 years incarcerated, and at 6pm that same evening, he performed at Carnegie Hall.

Creativity Sparks: Every Month is Black History Month + Here Is New York

The Spark File is kicking off February celebrating Black History Month while asserting that Every Month is Black History Month! Creative sparks fly with conversations about Jackie Shane, William + Ellen Craft and more! Plus, E.B.

Makers: Billy Eichner: Man on the Street, Risk Taking + Saying What You Need to Say

This week, Susan and Laura have the pleasure of speaking with Billy Eichner about his many creative endeavors, including Man on the Street, Friends from College, and making his singing debut on The James Corden Show.

Creativity Sparks: Burnout + My Octopus Teacher

This week on The Spark File -- news you can really use! Two hot sparks of inspiration, starting with the book Burnout by Emily Nagoski and Amelia Nagoski, and the ways we can complete the stress cycle to avoid feeling fried.

Makers: Laura Benanti + Venus Fischer: HBO Max's Homeschool Musical

Recorded LIVE from The Spark File New Year 2021 Creativity KickOff, Susan and Laura have a lively conversation with the one and only TONY Award winner Laura Benanti!

Creativity Sparks: Haiku + Collective Creativity

Riding high from the recent Spark File New Year 2021 Creativity KickOff, Susan and Laura discuss the highlights, and share two sparks inspired by the event - the enduring artform of Haiku, and the power we yield when we make things together, such as the work done at quilting bees, crafting bees, raising bees -- also known as collective creativity.

Makers: Sutton Foster: Say Yes, Trust Your Gut + Get a Hobby

What a way to ring in the New Year! This week on The Spark File, Susan and Laura dig in deep with Uber Maker Sutton Foster. In addition to her TONY Award winning career on Broadway, and in film, television, and music, Sutton is a maker extraordinaire -- cross stitching, crocheting, drawing, teaching and writing.

Creativity Sparks: The Intrigue of Austen + Toys

This week on The Spark File, Susan and Laura are serving up two pipin' hot sparks... Join them as they suss out their obsession with Jane Austen -- is it the repressed sexual tension? the perfect witty, cutting remark?

Makers: Tiffani Gavin: Creative Producing, the Eugene O'Neill + the Broadway Community Project

This week, Tiffani Gavin, the new Executive Director of the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center, shares her passion for supporting emerging artists, and the desire to educate the world on the scope and impact of the industry overall - with the Broadway Community Project.

Creativity Sparks: Helene Hanff + Secret Love

This week on The Spark File, Susan and Laura offer up two sparks of inspiration... First, Helene Hanff and her classic theatre book, 'Underfoot in Show Business' paints a picture of the early days of Broadway; and then the infinite spark power of secrets kept and secrets shared.

Makers: John Early: Search Party, Short Films + Political Storytelling

On this week's episode of The Spark File, Susan and Laura laugh as much as they listen while conversing with comedian John Early, star of HBO's Search Party, The Characters on Netflix, and so much more.

Creativity Sparks: Garnet's Gold + Land Acknowledgements

On this week's episode, Susan and Laura reach into their spark files and share two fresh sparks of inspiration. First, the documentary Garnet's Gold weaves a tale of lost treasure in the Scottish highlands, but actually explores the pain of adventures not taken, lives not fully lived.

Makers: Eric Stonestreet: Fizbo the Clown, Outdoor Bathrooms + Making Memories with Music

Emmy Award winning actor Eric Stonestreet shares some great creative advice with Susan and Laura in the latest episode of The Spark File. They cover all the essentials — creativity, clowning, and how to build your dream bathroom in the woods.

Creativity Sparks: Furious Dancing + Resilience

Susan and Laura are back with Season 2 of The Spark File - rested, refreshed and creative fishpond restocked! They take a deep dive in search of the value of Creativity, and discover its life-saving attributes; AND they explore the need for resilience, and how to find it if you're not feeling it.

Creativity Sparks: Previously On... The Spark File

Susan and Laura are back with a few reflections and the latest and greatest updates on Season 1 topics, PLUS a projection for Season 2. Keep your eyes (and ears) peeled for new episodes coming this fall!

Creativity Sparks: Fatigue Fatigue + Creative Cycles

In the Season One finale, Susan and Laura discuss the various ways the world is exhausting us right now -- Zoom fatigue, Compassion fatigue, Caution fatigue and more. Plus, how knowing where you are in the Creative Cycle can help determine where your Hero goes from here.

Makers: Michael R. Jackson: Tyler Perry, Truth Telling + the Pulitzer Prize

This week, Susan and Laura sit down with the Pulitzer Prize winning truth teller, Michael R. Jackson who will blow your hair back with his authenticity. His metafictional musical, A Strange Loop explores the transformational story of an artist confronting issues of sexuality, race and identity.

Creativity Sparks: Mindset + VUCA

This week, Susan and Laura are sparked by the possibilities created by the Growth Mindset vs. Fixed Mindset, and explore the VUCA assessment tool to describe the Volatile, Uncertain, Complex and Ambiguous world we're living in.

Makers: Karen Olivo: Taking a Stand

This week, Susan and Laura connect with Karen Olivo as she shares her recent vow to withhold her artistic services from "any theatre, company, or persons, who would knowingly fund organizations that would perpetuate inequality." Standing fully in her artistic power, Karen inspires with her leadership and action.

Creativity Sparks: The Fight For Equality and Making Change Pt. Deux

On this episode of The Spark File, Susan and Laura share sparks of creativity that have lit up this week. The continued fight for equality and the many ways individuals and groups have demanded it throughout history; and the many ways artists and creatives are making change in these tumultuous times.

Makers: Donna Lieberman: NYCLU and The Protection of Neutral Principles

This week, Susan and Laura talk with Donna Lieberman from the NYCLU. If there ever were a time to understand the important work of this tireless woman and this incredible organization, its now.

Creativity Sparks: The Apocalypse Now + Russ Ewing

This week on The Spark File, Susan and Laura deliver two sparks of creativity... First, giving thought to the apocalypse now, what is it revealing to YOU? And the story of Russ Ewing, how one human being can make a difference in a corrupt system much bigger than us all.

Makers: A Very Special Celia Keenan-Bolger Episode

In this very special episode, Susan and Laura talk with Celia Keenan-Bolger, who reads an original piece for us about the inspiration behind Broadway Feeds Bellevue, and the beauty of community.

Creativity Sparks: Mailbag #2!

Susan and Laura dip into the mailbag and hear sparks of creativity from YOU! Sharing your grief, guilt, and guilty pleasures during quarantine and the many ways creativity is feeding your soul...

Makers: Bobby Lopez + Kristen Anderson-Lopez Part 2: Kindness, Confidence and Creative Collaborations

This is Part 2 of Susan and Laura's conversation with the inspirational and aspirational Bobby Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez, all about creative collaborations, big wave riding and who determines success and failure?

Creativity Sparks: Golden Repair + Vedem

Two fresh new sparks of creativity -- first, a look at how the art of golden repair, Kintsugi, might give us proper perspective on our collective scars as we heal our broken world. And, the story of Vedem, an act of creative resistance and resilience, offers a glimpse into how art just might help us survive.

Makers: Bobby Lopez + Kristen Anderson-Lopez: Conscious Dialogue, 'Leadership Skills' + Changing Your Choice

This week on The Spark File Makersode, because there is no better duo to laugh, cry and talk shop with than Bobby Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez. Dare you to find a more talented and free flowing creative team than these two.

Creativity Sparks: The Show Must Go On...line + Making a Difference

In this week's sparks of creativity episode, Susan shares a glimpse into The Show Must Go On...line mindset that allowed Orange County School of the Art's production of Now.Here.This to continue despite the recent closures and cancellations.

Makers: Heidi Blickenstaff Part 2: Growing a Pair, Discovering New Passions and Making a Difference

Part two of Susan and Laura's conversation with Heidi Blickenstaff digs deeper into the spark that inspired her to create GenZStayHome, and how she fanned it into a flame that has now become the bonfire called Broadway Because.

Creativity Sparks: Ode to USPS + Kittens on a Blanket

This week, Susan and Laura share some recent sparks of creativity that have inspired them while the world is upside down. First, an ode to the beauty of handwritten letters and the USPS for delivering them, plus, ideas for making a day at home special and meaningful, including the joy of kittens on a blanket.

Makers: Heidi Blickenstaff Part 1: Soft Clothes, NY Pride + New Creative Projects

Susan and Laura talk with dear friend Heidi Blickenstaff, who perfectly puts into words the benefits of continual learning, curiosity and creative growth. She shares the origin story of her Broadway debut in The Full Monty, as well as her latest passion -- producing.

Creativity Sparks: Creative Limitations + Like a Boss

In this week's episode, Laura and Susan explore the idea of Creative Limitation, and how constraints can lead to liberation, plus, tips on how to approach your work from home routine to have you feeling Like a Boss!

Makers: Erika Henningsen Part 2: White Knuckling Creativity, Unlearning + Embracing Ease

In part 2 of Susan and Laura's conversation with actress/activist Erika Henningsen focuses on doing double duty of delivering on interpretive work and weaving the gentle thread of activism through every experience.

Creativity Sparks: The Captain's Log + Bill Withers

This week on The Spark File, if you're feeling the need to be the master of your fate / the captain of your soul, The Captain's Log just might inspire you to get behind the (ship's) wheel!⁠ Plus, Bill Withers, a man very much in charge of his own destiny, took a most fascinating journey through the music business and beyond, leaving us with the most wonderful gifts to listen to on this lovely day.

Makers: Erika Henningsen: Part 1: Giant Megaphones, Neutral Principles, and Activism

Back before the quarentine, Susan and Laura had the opportunity to cozy up with Erika Henningsen, of Mean Girls the Musical on Broadway fame. Erika shares her passion to use her mega-megaphone for good -- from registering people to vote, and increasing literacy rates, to helping teen girls find their footing in the ever-shifting social landscape and beyond.

Creativity Sparks: Pandemic Creativity + You Are Doing Enough

This week, in the first episode recorded during the quarantine, The Spark File offers two sparks of creativity -- whether you are inspired to produce any form of Pandemic Creativity, or if you are focused on taking care of yourself and your family, You Are Doing Enough.

Makers: Jill Twiss: 'Ready, Aim, Recycle', Politics as Comedy and a Great Bunny Name

This week on The Spark File, Susan and Laura talk with Emmy Award winning comedy writer, Jill Twiss about her years on Last Week Tonight with John Oliver making people laugh (rather than cry) from current events, and how constantly pitching new things lead to writing her successful children's books, A Day in the Life of Marlon Bundo, and The Someone New.

Creativity Sparks: Colette + In the FLO

In this week's episode of The Spark File, the pioneer Colette, fighting for credit of her work and leading the way for women to follow their creative pursuits and earn that money; plus, the power of living in flo to optimize your creative output by aligning with your infradian rhythms.

Makers: Kate Quarfordt: Part 2: Holding Joy, Catching a Thread, and Being Onto Something

This week on The Spark File, part 2 of Susan and Laura's conversation with Artist Kate Quarfordt. If you find yourself "teetering on the knifes edge" these days, sit back, relax, and take a trip back to three weeks ago when things felt normal.

Creativity Sparks: Chiaroscuro + The Hidden Life of Trees

In this weeks episode of The Spark File, Susan and Laura dive into an exploration of light and dark with Chiaroscuro plus the story of the understory and the Hidden Life of Trees.

Makers: Kate Quarfordt: Part 1: On Being a Creative Instigator, Shit Stirrer, Capital “A” Artist

This week on The Spark File, Laura and Susan are treated to the wisdom, the joy, the laughter and the luminosity that is Kate Quarfordt, Artist. From learning how "your weirdness is your genius" to the discipline required to transcend into kairos time, this episode is dream for artists or Artists at every juncture.

Creativity Sparks: Thanks, Semmelweis + We Are The Dream

This week on The Spark File with Susan Blackwell and Laura Camien, two fresh new sparks of creativity -- first, the doctor who risked his career and went to his grave trying to convince the medical profession that hand washing matters, plus the incredible true story of the uplifting oratorical festival presented by California students for the benefit of us all.

Makers: Kris Andersson / Dixie Longate: Taking Risks, Charging Forward and Burning the Boats

This week on The Spark File, Susan and Laura catch up with Kris Andersson, accidental hyphenate, who gives us an exclusive scoop, his biggest creative risk so far — shuttering his uber successful show, Dixie’s Tupperware party.

Creativity Sparks: Unfinished Business + The Posh Club

This week on The Spark File, Susan and Laura dig into the value and comfort that comes with completing Unfinished Business - creative or otherwise, plus, the anti-lonliness campaign being waged by The Posh Club (something we could all use right about now, regardless of age!)

Makers: Caitlin Kinnunen: Fluidity, Authenticity and Being the Truth Goose

This week on The Spark File, Susan and Laura get to chat with the fabulous, fun, authentically awesome Caitlin Kinnunen. Caitlin shares openly and easily about everything from Tony nominations and failure, soapbox opportunities, and how the struggle is shared.

Creativity Sparks: Rejected Princesses + The Astor Place Riots

This week on The Spark File, Susan and Laura share two sparks of creativity -- the treasure trove of phenomenal women throughout history featured in Rejected Princesses books and website, plus the history under our feet: The Astor Place Riots fought over who was the most talented actor, of all things.As always, if any ideas strike your fancy, we invite you to take it and make it!

Makers: Kelli O'Hara: Having a 'Voice', Doing No Harm, and Love of the Game

On this episode of The Spark File, Susan and Laura connect with the extraordinarily talented and kind human being, Kelli O'Hara. Kelli shares a valuable artist life hack -- her backstage self-talk. You won't want to miss her secret for beating performance anxiety!

Creativity Sparks: Katherine Hepburn's Career Turnaround + Scotty Bowers and the Secret History of Hollywood

When Susan and Laura were invited to intro a NYC showing of The Philadelphia Story recently, they challenged themselves to find sparks related to the movie -- and they didn't have to look very far!

Makers: Phillipa Soo: Part 2: Anxiety, Perfection and Letting It Hang Loose

Susan and Laura had so much fun talking to TONY-nominated Phillipa Soo, they went for a Part 2! Pippa shares fears, "failure" and her process of letting it all hang loose.

Creativity Sparks: Preparation + Boredom

Two random sparks of creativity today, pulled from Susan and Laura's spark files give us the yin and the yang, two ends of the spectrum... how extra Preparation may be behind the sensation of effortlessness, and how allowing ourselves bouts of Boredom makes room for new creative connections in our brain.

Makers: Phillipa Soo: Part 1: Giving Voice to New Characters, and Learning from a Legacy

In this week's bonus episode of The Spark File, Susan and Laura connect with Tony nominee, Phillipa Soo. Pippa shares her love of rehearsal, her dreams of directing, and her perspective on the recently announced film featuring the original cast of Hamilton.

Creativity Sparks: Col. Percy Fawcett + A Room of One's Own

In this week's episode of The Spark File, Susan and Laura share two new sparks of creativity: the enduring legend of Col. Percy Fawcett's final journey into the Amazon and the eternal search for personal creative space and a room of one's own, inspired in part by Caridad De La Luz and El Garaje.

Makers: Bonnie Siegler: Chasing Andy Warhol, Signs of Resistance, and the Gift of Certainty

This week on The Spark File, Susan and Laura get to talk to Bonnie Siegler, graphic designer of all things — books, TV shows, editorial, brand logos — and author of “signs of resistance” and “dear client”.

Creativity Sparks: Shop Class to Soul Craft + Introversion

In this weeks episode of The Spark File, Susan and Laura dive into an exploration of the value of work, particularly working with your hands, described in Shop Class to Soul Craft by Matthew Crawford, and the beauty and benefits of Introversion, explained by Susan Cain in her book, Quiet.

Makers: Angela Johnson: Investing in Access

In the latest bonus episode of The Spark File, Susan and Laura talk to Angela Johnson, Founder & CEO of Invest in Access about how important inclusion and access are to our creativity and creative endeavors.Angela Johnson is an Accessibility Strategist on a mission to increase equity for individuals living with disabilities.

Creativity Sparks: Bombshell + Fewer, Better

This week's episode features two very different sparks from Susan and Laura's spark files.

Makers: Part 2: Freestyle Love Supreme's Anthony Veneziale and Chris "Shockwave" Sullivan

This week's episode of The Spark File is Part 2 of Susan and Laura's conversation with Freestyle Love Supreme's Anthony "Two-Touch" Veneziale and Chris "Shockwave" Sullivan.

Creativity Sparks: Making Change + Self Reliance

This week on The Spark File, Susan and Laura share new inspirations — the many ways the arts (and crafts!) can come to the rescue when it's time for Making Change, and the increasing need for Self Reliance in a world of uncertainty.

Makers: Part 1: Freestyle Love Supreme's Anthony "Two-Touch" Veneziale and Chris "Shockwave" Sullivan

In this episode, recorded LIVE from The Spark File New Year 2020 Creativity Workshop, Susan and Laura share in the flat out delight of Freestyle Love Supreme's Anthony "Two-Touch" Veneziale and Chris "Shockwave" Sullivan.

Creativity Sparks: The Sparks of Nancy Blackwell + My Friend Fear

In this weeks episode, recorded LIVE from the The Spark File 2020 New Year Creativity Workshop, Susan and Laura share sparks near and dear to their hearts. From the deeply personal and close to home, The Sparks of Nancy Blackwell to the universally spark-ish, equally feared and revered, My Friend Fear, inspired by the book by Meera Lee Patel.

Makers: Meta Wagner Part 2: Identifying Your Creative Type (And Its Evolution)

Ready for Part 2 of The Spark File conversation with Creativity Expert Meta Wagner? Susan and Laura dig into the remaining Creative Types — Sensitive Souls, Gamechangers and Activists and question whether we can evolve into other areas?

Creativity Sparks: Creative Spaces / Gathering Places + The Sparks of Amy Poehler

This week, Susan and Laura dig into their personal spark files and share new ideas ready for the taking and making, including the endless ways Creative Spaces / Gathering Places can light your fire; and the entire multi-spark-verse of Amy Poehler -- a woman truly lit with inspiration.

Makers: Meta Wagner Part 1: Writing the Book on Creative Types

This week, Susan and Laura dig into the meaty topics of talent, dedication and purpose with Meta Wagner, author of What's Your Creative Type? Harness the Power of Your Artistic Personality. In Part 1 of 2, Meta shares the driving passion and purpose behind the 5 Creative Types.

Creativity Sparks: Hand Lettered Signs + Unfinished Art

In this week’s episode, Susan and Laura dig into two fresh sparks — the skill and the psychology behind Hand Lettered Signs and Unfinished Art — the compassion to complete it, the foresight to plan for it, and the only way to avoid it.

Makers: Okorie "OKCello" Johnson: Ancient Instruments/Modern Technology, the Energy of Uncertainty, and Liminal Space

In this weeks bonus episode, Susan and Laura talk with the singular maker Okorie "OKCello" Johnson about his exploration of the cello as a path to self-expression. Creating while in a liminal space, Okorie draws energy from the tension of uncertainty and questions unanswered.

Creativity Sparks: Our Very First Mailbag Episode!

In this special episode, Susan and Laura reach into the mailbag and share sparks and creative results from our fearless listeners. From the desire to reconnect to that spark of creativity within us to making a creative leap or navigating a creative transition…we respond to your heartfelt and humor-filled letters to us.

Makers: Brad Montague: Confetti, a Choir, a T-shirt Canon and a Human Being Who Wants to Be Loved

In this episode of The Spark File, Susan and Laura connect with the magic and the genius that is Brad Montague - Writer, Director, Illustrator, Creator of Kid President, but ultimately, "just a human being who wants to be loved." Join us to hear about Brad's mission to seek good, create good, and celebrate good.

Creativity Sparks: Mudlarking + Verbatim Theatre

In this episode of The Spark File, Susan and Laura share a tinderbox of sparks with the treasure-hunting, archeology-digging, historical-fact-finding adventure that is Mudlarking and the use of language as an entry point into character with Anna Deavere Smith's creation of Verbatim Theatre.

Makers: Matt Vogel: Getting Booed, Becoming a Muppet, and Retaining Something That's Yours

This week on The Spark File, Susan and Laura curl up with the endlessly creative Matt Vogel. At Sesame Street and in his roles as Kermit the Frog and Big Bird, Matt utilizes his skills as an actor, puppeteer, songwriter, director, and so much more.

Creativity Sparks: Cat Dancers + Teddy Roosevelt

In this episode of The Spark File, Susan and Laura surprise each other with sparks from their personal files -- the tragic story of Ron and Joy Holiday (aka Cat Dancers) and the paradoxes and duality of the Man in the Arena himself, Theodore Roosevelt.

Makers: Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus: Beyond The Nanny Diaries; or Clock-watching and Disrespect

In the latest 'makersode' of The Spark File, Susan and Laura talk to the prolific writing duo Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus, co-authors of The Nanny Diaries and so much more.

Creativity Sparks: Flu Apocalypse + A Storytelling of Writers

In this week's episode of The Spark File, Susan and Laura surprise each other with topics that are sparking their creativity at the moment -- from the flu of 1918 to World War Z, its time to consider the inevitability of the next FLU Apocalypse and the delicate collaboration necessary to participate and thrive in a Storytelling of Writers.

Makers: Jonathan Groff Part 2: Hear Me, People of Thebes

In this episode of The Spark File, Susan and Laura get another snuggle sesh with the ever-eager Jonathan Groff. Jonathan shares how a bad review of his performance in The Bacchae lead him to bring a new level of BDE to the part. Who's the Greek God now?

Creativity Sparks: Bird by Bird + Honey Boy

On this week's episode of The Spark File, Susan and Laura share two sparks from their personal spark files: The infinite wisdom and inspiration of Anne Lamott's Bird by Bird and the hopeful possibility of redemption and healing of Shia LaBeouf's Honey Boy.

Makers: Jonathan Groff Part 1: Rehearsal Rooms, the O Face, and Telling the Truth

In the latest bonus episode from The Spark File, Susan and Laura snuggle up with actor/singer/dancer/truth-teller, Jonathan Groff. Jonathan shares his visceral responses to most everything, including his approach to choosing roles and relationships.

Creativity Sparks: Armchair Treasure Hunts + But What If It Wasn't?

In the latest installment of The Spark File, Susan and Laura deliver two new Creative Sparks -- the thrill of the chase provided by Armchair Treasure Hunts and the endlessly applicable wisdom of The Grinder's 'But What If It Wasn't?"

Makers: Lin-Manuel Miranda Part 2: Creative Misdiagnoses, Passion Projects, and Sensory Seeking

This is part 2 of Susan and Laura's conversation with mega-maker Lin-Manuel Miranda. Lin shares how he restocks his creative fishpond whenever the well runs dry, and reveals his secret to avoiding creative blocks.

Creativity Sparks: The Art of Dying Well + Puzzle Peace

In this episode of The Spark File, Susan and Laura discuss the therapeutic qualities of puzzling, including the state of creative meditation, and The Art of Dying Well - how talking about and even preparing for death may be the most life-affirming thing we can do.

Makers: Lin-Manuel Miranda Part 1: Friday Night Meet Ups, The Laundry Room, and Making Space

This episode is Part 1 of Susan and Laura's chit chat with writer-performer-director Lin-Manuel Miranda. Whether taking 7 years to write Hamilton, or 7 seconds to spit out a rhyme in the 100% improvised Freestyle Love Supreme, this guy is firing on all pistons.

Creativity Sparks AND Makers: Brundibar + The Mad King and Anthony Roth Costanzo: Live from the MET Opera

In this very special episode, recorded live from the Metropolitan Opera, Susan and Laura each share opera-inspired sparks of creativity, The Mad King Ludwig of Bavaria, and the intense significance of the opera Brundibar.

Makers: Leslie Odom, Jr: The Lion, The Bear, and his Brand New Album, 'Mr'

In the latest bonus episode of The Spark File, Susan and Laura talk to Leslie Odom, Jr, on the eve of his new album launch. Leslie reflects on the life lessons learned from 5th grade teacher, Mrs. Francis Turner, mentor Billy Porter, and so many more.

Creativity Sparks: Spooky Sparks Special Episode: Aokigahara Forest + Mercedes McCambridge

In this special spooky episode of The Spark File, Susan and Laura share Halloween inspired sparks from the dark side: the eerie calling of Aokigahara Forest in Japan and the spine-chilling true life story of The Exorcist's voice of satan: Mercedes McCambridge.Content Warning: suicide, addiction, violence.

Makers: Gavin Creel: Creative Sponges and Meaningful Relationships: Live from The Performing Arts Project

In this episode, recorded LIVE at The Performing Arts Project, Susan and Laura talk with TONY Award winner Gavin Creel about making space for creativity, heartbreak, being a sponge, and practicing tiny victories.

Creativity Sparks: Lynne Cox + Patricia Douglas: Live from The Performing Arts Project

In this very special episode, recorded LIVE at The Performing Arts Project in North Carolina, Susan and Laura explore the sweeping inspiration of swimmer and author Lynne Cox as well as one of the best kept secrets of the Hollywood studio system era - the legacy of Patricia Douglas.PLEASE NOTE: This episode of The Spark File podcasts contains mature themes.

Makers: Celia Keenan-Bolger: Authenticity, bridge-building and winning the TONY Award

Episode #19 is brimming with sparks of creativity as Susan and Laura talk theater with TONY Award winner, Celia Keenan-Bolger. Celia shares her origin story, how she learned she was a bridge-builder, and the freedom of owning her desire to win a TONY award.

Creativity Sparks: What It Feels Like on the Inside + Lumber Jills

In this week's episode of creativity sparks, Susan and Laura discuss their personal quests for authenticity and the dissonance felt when What it Feels Like on the Inside doesn't match What it Looks Like on the Outside.

Makers: Julianne Moore and Bart Freudlich Part 2: Because 60/40 was already taken

Part Two of Susan and Laura's conversation with Oscar-winning actress Julianne Moore and filmmaker Bart Freundlich. These two award winning creatives discuss their union of creative endeavors, dealing with perceived failure, their shared production company and things they need to do before they're done.

Creativity Sparks: John Kenley + The Unthought Known

This week on The Spark File, Susan and Laura dish up two lively and thought-provoking sparks -- the legacy of the summer stock pioneer, legendary theatrical producer John Kenley and The Unthought Known -- things we know to be true, but can not allow ourselves to think about, a concept illustrated by Dani Shapiro in her book, Inheritance.

Makers: Julianne Moore and Bart Freudlich Part 1: Cooking Branzino and Diving In Head First

Susan and Laura sit down with Oscar-winning actress Julianne Moore (Still Alice, The Hunger Games, Far From Heaven, The Kids are All Right, After the Wedding) and writer/director/filmmaker Bart Freundlich (The Myth of Fingerprints, Wolves, After the Wedding).

Creativity Sparks: The Full Sanpaku + @cheapoldhouses

Susan and Laura serve up a load of creativity sparks this week examining Theranos, Elizabeth Holmes and the legacy of the full Sanpaku along with the seemingly universal dream of acreage, Fixer Uppers and @cheapoldhouses.

Makers: Rodney Evans: Vision Portraits, Liminal Space and Truth-telling

In this week's maker-sode, Susan and Laura talk with award-winning filmmaker Rodney Evans about his very personal documentary, Vision Portraits. Rodney shares the details of his loss of vision and and what it means to be a blind or visually impaired creative artist.

Creativity Sparks: Golden Palace + Poet Mary Oliver

In this Creativity Sparks episode, co-hosts Susan Blackwell and Laura Camien discuss the original spark that inspired Susan to write the piece 'Golden Palace" for the Off-Broadway show NOW.HERE.THIS at the Vineyard Theatre, as well as the overflowing gift of sparks poet Mary Oliver left for the world.

Makers: Zachary Quinto Pt 2: Inspired Collaboration, Theater and Creative Aspirations

Part Two of a conversation between co-hosts Susan Blackwell and Laura Camien and actor, producer, creator Zachary Quinto.

Creativity Sparks: Survivors of Larry Nassar + Reservoir Noir

In this episode of The Spark File, Susan Blackwell and Laura Camien discuss a dark spark -- the legacy of Larry Nassar and the powerful, inspiring army of survivors and champions who told their stories, including Katelyn Ohashi, Lindsey Smith, Valorie Kondos Field, Rachael Denhollander and Kate Wells.

Makers: Zachary Quinto Pt 1: Uncertainty, Inspiration and Authenticity

Part One of a conversation between co-hosts Susan Blackwell and Laura Camien and prolific actor, producer, creator Zachary Quinto. Zach gives us the 411 on his backstory, key moments in his creative career, and how "uncertainty" can be the most enticing guide.

Creativity Sparks: Little House on the Prairie + Speak the Mokita

Co-hosts Susan Blackwell and Laura Camien serve up some delicious creative sparks in the form of little-known controversies surrounding the beloved Little House on the Prairie series and its author, Laura Ingalls Wilder.

Bonus: What is a Spark File and Why Every Creative Needs One

Co-hosts Susan Blackwell and Laura Camien serve up the basics of The Spark File podcast -- what is a Spark File? What do you put in it? and why does every creative need one?

Makers: Sara Bareilles Part 1: Creative Risks, Songwriting and Broadway

Susan Blackwell and Laura Camien talk to favorite songwriter, actor, producer, author and all around prolific creator, Sara Bareilles. Hear how Sara tackles the fear of not knowing, and how she continues to thrive creatively regardless of bouts with anxiety and depression.

Makers: Sara Bareilles Pt 2: Anxiety and Inspirations

This is the second helping of creative conversation with master creator, Sara Bareilles. Susan Blackwell and Laura Camien dig in deeper to hear what is next for Sara and what is inspiring her now.

Creativity Sparks: Breaking Up with Tech + Free Solo

Co-hosts Susan Blackwell and Laura Camien once again surprise each other with ideas and inspiration from their personal creative spark files. They explore the benefits of breaking up with technology and the impact it could have on your outlook, your productivity, and your creativity.

Creativity Sparks: John Mulaney on Failure + Nine Enders

Susan Blackwell and Laura Camien share two new sparks of inspiration from their creative spark files. John Mulaney's interview on You Made It Weird and his personal experiences with failure (perceived or otherwise) give hope to everyone who has ever attempted to create something.

Creativity Sparks: Hilma af Klint + The Diderot Effect

Susan Blackwell and Laura Camien reach into their personal Spark Files and share inspiration from artist Hilma af Klint, a woman whose other-worldly work was way ahead of her time (and her male contemporaries'), and their fascination with the The Diderot Effect, and how one man's spiraling consumption became his enduring legacy.

Trailer: Creating The Spark File theme song

A lot goes into writing a brief, catchy theme song. On the debut episode of The Spark File, Susan Blackwell + Laura Camien share the origin story of their opening theme song, featuring Gavin Creel, Lilah Guaragna, Sophie Hearn, and The Performing Arts Project.