Podcasts by The Spark File with Susan Blackwell and Laura Camien

Creativity Sparks: Celebrating Endings from 2021-08-30T02:00

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 achievemen...

Makers: Hunter Bell: Connection, Community and Fantasy Island from 2021-08-23T02:00

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...

Makers: John Ellison Conlee: Great Conversation and a Cup of Joe from 2021-08-16T02:00

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 thi...

Creativity Sparks: Imposter Syndrome from 2021-08-09T09:00

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 t...

Creativity Sparks: The Mind of Jill Bolte Taylor, Pt 2: Electric Boogaloo from 2021-08-02T02:00

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 creativit...

Creativity Sparks: Lincoln in the Bardo from 2021-07-26T02:00

This week, Susan and Laura share sparks inspired by the bestseller Lincoln in the Bardo by George Saunders. This exploration of grief led to a greater understanding of Mary Todd Lincoln, perhaps...

Creativity Sparks: The Brain of Jill Bolte Taylor from 2021-07-19T02:00

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 b...

Creativity Sparks: For Love of the Game from 2021-07-12T02:00

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 est...

Creativity Sparks: Performance Anxiety from 2021-07-05T02:00

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, pleas...

Creativity Sparks: Highly Sensitive People + The Art of Gathering from 2021-06-28T02:00

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 appr...

Creativity Sparks: The Best Advice You've Ever Received + The Sixth Stage from 2021-06-21T02:00

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 every...

Creativity Sparks: Write Like Your Parents Are Dead + God Save The Queen from 2021-06-14T02:00

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 y...

Creativity Sparks: Made You Look + The Curated Closet from 2021-06-07T02:00

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,...

Makers: Paul Wontorek: Life-changing Theatre, Record Collections + Broadway.com from 2021-05-24T02:00

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-Chie...

Makers: Jenny Clift: Tapping into our Emotional Freedom from 2021-05-17T02:00

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, an...

Makers: Dax Valdes of Hollaback on the 5 D's of Bystander Training from 2021-05-03T02:00

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 ...

Creativity Sparks: The Attention Economy + Einstein Time from 2021-04-26T02:00

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 allo...

Makers: Taylor Mali: Poetry, Performance, and What Teachers Make from 2021-04-19T04:00

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 ...

Makers: Taylor Mali: Poetry, Performance + What Teachers Make from 2021-04-19T02:00

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...

Creativity Sparks: Champions of Breakfast + The Feedback Process from 2021-04-12T02:00

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 ...

Makers: Sir Richard Eyre: The Opposite of Schadenfreude, Yeats, and a Career in the Arts from 2021-04-05T04:00

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 ...

Makers: Sir Richard Eyre: The Opposite of Schadenfreude, Yeats + a Career in the Arts from 2021-04-05T02:00

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 we...

Creativity Sparks: Making Art Out of Art + Reflections On a Moment from 2021-03-29T02:00

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 re...

Makers: Susan Stroman: Fill Up With the Art of It All from 2021-03-22T02:00

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 ...

Creativity Sparks: The Upper Limit Problem + The Storytelling Secrets of David Sedaris from 2021-03-15T02:00

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...

Makers: Emily Fletcher: From Broadway to Ziva Meditation + Getting Better at Life from 2021-03-08T02:00

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 Me...

Makers: Ryan J. Haddad: New Homes, Solo Plays and Hi, Are You Single? from 2021-02-22T03:00

This week, Ryan 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 c...

Makers: Ryan J. Haddad: New Homes, Solo Plays + Hi, Are You Single? from 2021-02-22T02:00

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...

Makers: Kenyatta Emmanuel: Slavic Soul Party, Carnegie Hall, and The Time Without Time from 2021-02-15T03:00

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 exite...

Makers: Kenyatta Emmanuel: Slavic Soul Party, Carnegie Hall + The Time Without Time from 2021-02-15T02:00

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 ex...

Creativity Sparks: Every Month is Black History Month + Here Is New York from 2021-02-08T02:00

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...

Makers: Billy Eichner: Man on the Street, Risk Taking, and Saying What You Need to Say from 2021-02-01T03:00

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...

Makers: Billy Eichner: Man on the Street, Risk Taking + Saying What You Need to Say from 2021-02-01T02:00

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 ...

Makers: Laura Benanti + Fischer Barnett: HBO Max's Homeschool Musical from 2021-01-18T02:00

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! Laura took some big leaps d...

Makers: Laura Benanti + Venus Fischer: HBO Max's Homeschool Musical from 2021-01-18T02:00

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! Laura took some big leaps d...

Creativity Sparks: Haiku + Collective Creativity from 2021-01-11T02:00

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 t...

Makers: Sutton Foster: Say Yes, Trust Your Gut + Get a Hobby from 2021-01-04T02:00

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,...

Creativity Sparks: The Intrigue of Austen + Toys from 2020-12-28T02:00

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 p...

Makers: Tiffani Gavin: Creative Producing, the Eugene O'Neill + the Broadway Community Project from 2020-12-21T17:00

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 sco...

Creativity Sparks: Helene Hanff + Secret Love from 2020-12-14T02:00

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 t...

Makers: John Early: Search Party, Short Films, and Political Storytelling from 2020-12-07T03:00

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 ...

Makers: John Early: Search Party, Short Films + Political Storytelling from 2020-12-07T02:00

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,...

Creativity Sparks: Garnet's Gold + Land Acknowledgements from 2020-11-30T02:00

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 t...

Makers: Eric Stonestreet: Fizbo the Clown, Outdoor Bathrooms, and Making Memories with Music from 2020-11-23T07:00

Emmy Award winning actor Eric Stonestreet shares some great creative advice with Susan and Laura in the latest episode of @thesparkfile. They cover all the essentials — creativity, clowning, and ho...

Makers: Eric Stonestreet: Fizbo the Clown, Outdoor Bathrooms + Making Memories with Music from 2020-11-23T06:00

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, an...

Creativity Sparks: Furious Dancing + Resilience from 2020-11-16T02:00

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-sa...

Creativity Sparks: Previously On... The Spark File from 2020-09-28T02:00

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 t...

Creativity Sparks: Previously On... The Spark File from 2020-09-28T02:00

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 t...

Creativity Sparks: Previously On... The Spark File from 2020-09-28T02:00

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 t...

Creativity Sparks: Fatigue Fatigue + Creative Cycles from 2020-06-22T01:00

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...

Makers: Michael R. Jackson: Tyler Perry, Truth Telling + the Pulitzer Prize from 2020-06-18T01:00

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 meta?ctional musical, A Strange Loop ...

Creativity Sparks: Mindset + VUCA from 2020-06-15T01:00

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...

Makers: Karen Olivo: Taking a Stand from 2020-06-11T01:00

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 organizat...

Creativity Sparks: The Fight For Equality and Making Change Pt. Deux from 2020-06-08T01:00

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 ...

Makers: Donna Lieberman: NYCLU and The Protection of Neutral Principles from 2020-06-04T01:00

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 from 2020-06-01T01:00

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 hu...

Makers: A Very Special Celia Keenan-Bolger Episode from 2020-05-28T01:00

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! from 2020-05-25T01:00

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 from 2020-05-21T01:00

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 d...

Creativity Sparks: Golden Repair + Vedem from 2020-05-18T01:00

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 stor...

Makers: Bobby Lopez + Kristen Anderson-Lopez: Conscious Dialogue,'Leadership Skills'+ Changing Your Choice from 2020-05-14T01:00

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 flow...

Creativity Sparks: The Show Must Go On...line + Making a Difference from 2020-05-11T01:00

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 t...

Makers: Heidi Blickenstaff Part 2: Growing a Pair, Discovering New Passions and Making a Difference from 2020-05-07T07:00

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 becom...

Creativity Sparks: Ode to USPS + Kittens on a Blanket from 2020-05-04T01:00

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 deli...

Makers: Heidi Blickenstaff Part 1: Soft Clothes, NY Pride + New Creative Projects from 2020-04-30T01:00

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 Broa...

Creativity Sparks: Creative Limitations + Like a Boss from 2020-04-27T01:00

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 hav...

Makers: Erika Henningsen Part 2: White Knuckling Creativity, Unlearning + Embracing Ease from 2020-04-23T01:00

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 ...

Creativity Sparks: The Captain's Log + Bill Withers from 2020-04-20T01:00

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'...

Makers: Erika Henningsen: Part 1: Giant Megaphones, Neutral Prinicipals, and Activism from 2020-04-16T01:00

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 f...

Creativity Sparks: Pandemic Creativity + You Are Doing Enough from 2020-04-13T01:00

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 a...

Makers: Jill Twiss:'Ready, Aim, Recycle', Politics as Comedy and a Great Bunny Name from 2020-04-09T01:00

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) fr...

Creativity Sparks: Colette + In the FLO from 2020-04-06T01:00

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...

Makers: Kate Quarfordt: Part 2: Holding Joy, Catching a Thread, and Being Onto Something from 2020-04-02T01:00

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, ...

Creativity Sparks: Chiaroscuro + The Hidden Life of Trees from 2020-03-30T01:00

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 from 2020-03-26T01:00

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 ge...

Creativity Sparks: Thanks, Semmelweis + We Are The Dream from 2020-03-23T01:00

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 medi...

Makers: Kris Andersson / Dixie Longate: Taking Risks, Charging Forward and Burning the Boats from 2020-03-19T01:00

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 successfu...

Creativity Sparks: Unfinished Business + The Posh Club from 2020-03-16T01:00

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 ...

Makers: Caitlin Kinnunen: Fluidity, Authenticity and Being the Truth Goose from 2020-03-12T01:00

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 a...

Creativity Sparks: Rejected Princesses + The Astor Place Riots from 2020-03-09T01:00

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 t...

Makers: Kelli O'Hara: Having a'Voice', Doing No Harm, and Love of the Game from 2020-03-05T01:00

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 se...

Creativity Sparks: Katherine Hepburn's Career Turnaround + Scotty Bowers and the Secret History of Hollywood from 2020-03-02T01:00

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 v...

Makers: Phillipa Soo: Part 2: Anxiety, Perfection and Letting It Hang Loose from 2020-02-27T01:00

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 from 2020-02-24T01:00

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 ...

Makers: Phillipa Soo: Part 1: Giving Voice to New Characters, and Learning from a Legacy from 2020-02-20T01:00

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 ...

Creativity Sparks: Col. Percy Fawcett + A Room of One's Own from 2020-02-17T01:00

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 ...

Makers: Bonnie Siegler: Chasing Andy Warhol, Signs of Resistance, and the Gift of Certainty from 2020-02-13T07:00

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 “de...

Creativity Sparks: Shop Class to Soul Craft + Introversion from 2020-02-10T01:00

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 Cra...

Makers: Angela Johnson: Investing in Access from 2020-02-06T01:00

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 cr...

Creativity Sparks: Bombshell + Fewer, Better from 2020-02-03T01:00

This week's episode features two very different sparks from Susan and Laura's spark files. First, the surprising and far reaching impact of this Bombshell beauty's life's wor...

Makers: Part 2: Freestyle Love Supreme's Anthony Veneziale and Chris"Shockwave"Sullivan from 2020-01-30T01:00

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&q...

Creativity Sparks: Making Change + Self Reliance from 2020-01-27T01:00

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 f...

Makers: Part 1: Freestyle Love Supreme's Anthony"Two-Touch"Veneziale and Chris"Shockwave"Sullivan from 2020-01-23T01:00

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"...

Creativity Sparks: The Sparks of Nancy Blackwell + My Friend Fear from 2020-01-20T01:00

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 ...

Makers: Meta Wagner Part 2: Identifying Your Creative Type (And Its Evolution) from 2020-01-16T01:00

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 questi...

Creativity Sparks: Creative Spaces / Gathering Places + The Sparks of Amy Poehler from 2020-01-13T01:00

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 f...

Makers: Meta Wagner Part 1: Writing the Book on Creative Types from 2020-01-09T01:00

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....

Creativity Sparks: Hand Lettered Signs + Unfinished Art from 2020-01-06T01:00

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 p...

Makers: Okorie"OKCello"Johnson: Ancient Instruments/Modern Technology, the Energy of Uncertainty, and Liminal Space from 2020-01-02T08:00

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 ...

Creativity Sparks: Our Very First Mailbag Episode! from 2019-12-30T01:00

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...

Makers: Brad Montague: Confetti, a Choir, a T-shirt Canon and a Human Being Who Wants to Be Loved from 2019-12-26T01:00

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, "ju...

Creativity Sparks: Mudlarking + Verbatim Theatre from 2019-12-23T01:00

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 ...

Makers: Matt Vogel: Getting Booed, Becoming a Muppet, and Retaining Something That's Yours from 2019-12-19T01:00

This week on The Spark File, Susan and Laura curl up with the endlessly creative Matt Vogel. At ...

Creativity Sparks: Flu Apocalypse + A Storytelling of Writers from 2019-12-09T01:00

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 t...

Makers: Jonathan Groff Part 2: Hear Me, People of Thebes from 2019-12-05T01:00

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 bri...

Creativity Sparks: Bird by Bird + Honey Boy from 2019-12-02T01:00

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 Jonathan Groff. Jona...

Creativity Sparks: Armchair Treasure Hunts + But What If It Wasn't? from 2019-11-25T01:00

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...

Makers: Lin-Manuel Miranda Part 2: Creative Misdiagnoses, Passion Projects, and Sensory Seeking from 2019-11-21T01:00

This is part 2 of Susan and Laura's conversation with mega-maker Lin-Manuel Miranda. Lin shares how he restocks his creative f...

Creativity Sparks: The Art of Dying Well + Puzzle Peace from 2019-11-18T01:00

In this episode of The Spark File, Susan and Laura discuss the therapeutic qualities of puzzling, including the state of creative meditation, and Listen

Makers: Lin-Manuel Miranda Part 1: Friday Night Meet Ups, The Laundry Room, and Making Space from 2019-11-14T05:00

This episode is Part 1 of Susan and Laura's chit chat with writer-performer-director Lin-Manuel Miranda. Whether taking 7 year...

Creativity Sparks AND Makers: Brundibar + The Mad King and Anthony Roth Costanzo: Live from the MET Opera from 2019-11-08T02:00

In this very special episode, recorded live from the Metropolitan Opera, Susan and Laura each share opera-inspired sparks of creativity, The from 2019-11-07T01:00

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 ref...

Creativity Sparks: Spooky Sparks Special Episode: Aokigahara Forest + Mercedes McCambridge from 2019-11-04T01:00

In this special spooky episode of The Spark File, Susan and Laura share Halloween inspired sparks from the dark side: the eerie calling of Aoki...

Makers: Gavin Creel: Creative Sponges and Meaningful Relationships: Live from The Performing Arts Project from 2019-10-31T01:00

In this episode, recorded LIVE at The Performing Arts Project, Susan and Laura talk with TONY Award winner Celia Keenan-Bolger. Cel...

Creativity Sparks: What It Feels Like on the Inside + Lumber Jills from 2019-10-21T01:00

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 ...

Makers: Julianne Moore and Bart Freudlich Part 2: Because 60/40 was already taken from 2019-10-17T09:00

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 endeavo...

Creativity Sparks: John Kenley + The Unthought Known from 2019-10-14T01:00

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 Julianne Moore (Still Alice, Theranos, Elizabeth Holmes and the legacy of the full Rodney Evans about his very personal documentary, Zachary Quinto. Get to know the thoug...

Creativity Sparks: Survivors of Larry Nassar + Reservoir Noir from 2019-09-23T01:00

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 ...

Makers: Zachary Quinto Pt 1: Uncertainty, Inspiration and Authenticity from 2019-09-19T01:00

Part One of a conversation between co-hosts Susan Blackwell and Laura Camien and prolific actor, producer, creator Zachary Quinto. Zach gives u...

Creativity Sparks: Little House on the Prairie + Speak the Mokita from 2019-09-16T01:00

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 aut...

Makers: Sara Bareilles Part 1: Creative Risks, Songwriting and Broadway from 2019-09-11T09:00

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 ...

Makers: Sara Bareilles Pt 2: Anxiety and Inspirations from 2019-09-11T09:00

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 no...

Creativity Sparks: Breaking Up with Tech + Free Solo from 2019-09-09T16:00

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 techno...

Creativity Sparks: John Mulaney on Failure + Nine Enders from 2019-09-09T14:00

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...

Creativity Sparks: Hilma af Klint + The Diderot Effect from 2019-09-09T10:00

Susan Blackwell and Laura Camien reach into their personal Spark Files and share inspiration from artist Hilma af Klint, a woma...

Trailer: Creating The Spark File theme song from 2019-09-01T11:00

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 Cre...

Trailer: Creating The Spark File theme song from 2019-09-01T11:00

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 Cre...

Trailer: Creating The Spark File theme song from 2019-09-01T11:00

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 Cre...