Actor

MAKERSODE: Lynne Cox

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! - in open waters)

She is internationally famous for swimming the world’s most difficult waterways without a wet suit, and she is able to endure water temperatures so cold they would kill anyone else.

Lynne is the acclaimed best-selling author of Swimming to Antarctica and many more books, including her upcoming Tales of Al.

She is also a beautiful human being who recognizes and celebrates all forms of athleticism and creativity in others, human or otherwise!

And this week, we got to talk to Lynne!!

Join us as we explore the creative mindset of Lynne Cox - her resilience, gravitas, discipline, imagination… (make us stop because we could go on and on…)

MAKERSODE: Marc Janowitz

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.

Tune in to hear how Marc approaches designs for concerts for My Morning Jacket, The Lumineers, Fun., and many others, and comedy specials like Chris Rock, Adam Sandler, Flight of the Conchords, Bo Burnham, theatre shows like Blue Man Group and Forbidden Broadway and so much more…

MAKERSODE: Mike Michalowicz

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.

On a mission to end entrepreneurial poverty, Mike changed our lives (and the way we think about making a living) with his book, Profit First. He has done the same for millions of other entrepreneurs as well.

If you want a fresh, bold perspective on earning a living as a creative entrepreneur, please tune in!

Mike is a joy to talk to, and life-changing to learn from!

MAKERSODE: Hunter Bell

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. Too much is never enough Hunter Bell.

Listen HERE.

MAKERSODE: John Ellison Conlee

MAKERS: JOHN ELLISON CONLEEE: 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.

Listen HERE.

MAKERSODE: DAX VALDES OF HOLLABACK!

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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. Tune in to hear how you can make a difference in ending harassment in all its forms.

Listen HERE.

MAKERSODE: RYAN J. HADDAD

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MAKERS: RYAN J. HADDAD: NEW HOMES, SOLO SHOWS, + HI, ARE YOU SINGLE?

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 centering "gay, disabled and arabic communities" is palpable and essential. Susan and Laura celebrate Ryan's message to us all - "You don't have to wait for anyone to approve. Your stories are compelling."

Listen HERE.

MAKERSODE: BILLY EICHNER

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MAKERS: BILLY EICHNER

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. We even get a glimpse into the new gay rom-com he's writing, plus some truly helpful advice -- stand up for yourself, say what you need to say to get the quality of work you envision.

Listen HERE.

MAKERSODE: LAURA BENANTI + VENUS FISCHER : HBO Max's Homeschool Musical

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MAKERS: LAURA BENANTI + VENUS FISCHER

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 during the quarantine, and shares how an idea from the heart spilled onto instagram and grew into an HBO Max special -- Homeschool Musical: Class of 2020. Plus... one of the stars of that very show, Venus Fischer, joins in on the fun, sharing her experiences on the show, and how her creativity has evolved over the course of this year.

Listen HERE.

MAKERSODE: SUTTON FOSTER

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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. Her upcoming book (tentatively called HOOKED: How Crafting Saved My Life) is all about her life seen through the things she has made. Sutton shares with us just how powerful it is to always have something of your own.

Listen HERE.

MAKERSODE: JOHN EARLY

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MAKERS: JOHN EARLY: SEARCH PARTY, SHORT FILMS, AND POLITICAL STORYTELLING

On this week's episode of The Spark File, Susan and Laura laugh more than they listen to comedian John Early, star of HBO's Search Party, The Characters on Netflix, and more.

Listen HERE.

MAKERSODE: Eric Stonestreet

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Makers:

Eric Stonestreet:

Fizbo the Clown, Outdoor Bathrooms + Making Memories with Music

Emmy Award winning actor Eric Stonestreet, Laura and Susan cover all the essentials — creativity, clowning, and how to build your dream bathroom in the woods.

Listen HERE.

Makers: Michael R. Jackson

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MAKERS: MICHAEL R. JACKSON: TYLER PERRY, TRUTH TELLING + THE PULITZER PRIZE

The Pulitzer Prize winning truth teller, Michael R. Jackson 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. 

Listen HERE.

Makers: Karen Olivo

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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.

Listen HERE.

Makers: Erika Henningsen Part 2

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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. 

Listen HERE.

Makers: Kris Andersson / Dixie Longate

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MAKERS: KRIS ANDERSSON / DIXIE LONGATE: TAKING RISKS, CHARGING FORWARD + BURNING THE BOATS

This week, 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. With his eye on new creative ideas and endeavors, Kris shares his gratitude for Dixie’s adventures and his vision for brand new shenanigans.

Listen HERE.

Makers: Caitlin Kinnunen

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MAKERS: CAITLIN KINNUNEN: FLUIDITY, AUTHENTICITY + 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. 

Listen HERE.

Makers: Kelli O'Hara

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MAKERS: KELLI O’HARA: HAVING A ‘VOICE’, DOING NO HARM + 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 her philosophy on doing no harm, plus a valuable artist life hack -- her backstage preshow self-talk. You won't want to miss her secret for beating performance anxiety!

Listen HERE.

Makers: Phillipa Soo Part 2

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MAKERS: PHILLIPA SOO PART 2: ANXIETY, PERFECTION + 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. 

Listen HERE.

Makers: Phillipa Soo PART 1

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MAKERS: PHILLIPA SOO PART 1: GIVING VOICE TO NEW CHARACTERS + 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. 

Listen HERE.
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