THE SPARK FILE PODCAST

What is a 'spark file'?

spark file (noun) - A place where one consistently collects creative inspirations + fascinations.

The Spark File (proper noun) - Hosted by Laura Camien + Susan Blackwell, The Spark File is a fun, funny podcast obsessed with creativity + inspiration.

Each week on The Spark File podcast, Susan Blackwell + Laura Camien reach into their spark files and share stories, ideas + fascinations to ignite your imagination.

Obsessed with creativity, Blackwell + Camien also talk with artists + makers who have taken the spark of inspiration + fanned it into a flame, such as:

Julianne Moore, Zachary Quinto, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Sara Bareilles, Eric Stonestreet, Bobby Lopez + Kristen Anderson-Lopez, Leslie Odom, Jr., Jonathan Groff, Kelli O’Hara, Michael R. Jackson, Sutton Foster, John Early, Celia Keenan-Bolger, Karen Olivo, Erika Henningsen, Caitlin Kinnunen, Phillipa Soo, Gavin Creel, Matt Vogel and so many more!

Refill your creative fish pond with new ideas + fresh perspectives.

Listen, then take it + make it!

MAKERSODE: EMILY FLETCHER

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!

Listen HERE.

MAKERS: JONATHAN GROFF PART TWO

MAKERS: JONATHAN GROFF PART TWO: 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? 
From his belief that "we're all bad at all different points in the process" to his emerging desire to Pay it Forward, it is impossible to not be inspired by the absolute openess and authenticity of our favorite mindhunter.

Listen HERE.

Makers: Lin-Manuel Miranda Part 2

MAKERS: LIN-MANUEL MIRANDA PART 2: CREATIVE MISDIAGNOSES, PASSION PROJECTS + SENSORY SEEKING

This is part 2, Lin-Manuel Miranda shares how he restocks his creative fishpond whenever the well runs dry, and reveals his secret to avoiding creative blocks. Find out how he fuels his creativity and gains inspiration from “the sensitive" and “the sensory seeker" in his life.

Listen HERE.

Makers: Lin-Manuel Miranda Part 1

MAKERS: LIN-MANUEL MIRANDA PART 1: FRIDAY NIGHT MEET UPS, THE LAUNDRY ROOM + 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. Find out how he uses "time and a deadline" to make it all happen.

Listen HERE.

Makers: Leslie Odom, Jr

MAKERS: LESLIE ODOM, JR: THE LION, THE BEAR + THE 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. Always open to the next challenge, Leslie shares the vulnerability and the joy that comes with truly taking a swing.

Listen HERE.

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

CREATIVITY SPARKS: 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.

A video referenced in this episode of Linda Blair’s performance, followed by Mercedes McCambridge’s voiceover performance in The Exorcist.

Listen HERE.

Makers: Gavin Creel

MAKERS: GAVIN CREEL: CREATIVE SPONGES + MEANINGFUL RELATIONSHIPS: RECORDED 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. From tears to flatulence in 30 seconds flat, from the divinity of creation to a creativity inspired case of the sh*ts, this episode has everything.

Listen HERE.

Makers: Celia Keenan-Bolger

MAKERS: CELIA KEENAN-BOLGER: AUTHENTICITY, BRIDGE-BUILDING + WANTING 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. Celia's theatrical career spans To Kill a Mockingbird to Glass Menagerie, Putnam County Spelling Bee, Peter and the Starcatcher, The Light in the Piazza and so much more.

Listen HERE.

Makers: Julianne Moore and Bart Freudlich Part 2

MAKERS: JULIANNE MOORE + 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. 

Listen HERE.

Makers: Julianne Moore + Bart Freudlich Part 1

MAKERS: JULIANNE MOORE + BART FREUNDLICH PART 1: COOKING BRANZINO + 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). Award winning creatives in their own right, they also merge creative endeavors with marriage and parenthood. In Part One of our conversation, we learn what creative risks Julianne and Bart have been taking recently, how they mix their personal and creative energies and what makes for a creatively satisfying experience. 

Listen HERE.

Makers: Zachary Quinto PART 2

MAKERS: ZACHARY QUINTO PART 2: INSPIRED COLLABORATION, THEATRE + CREATIVE ASPIRATIONS

Part Two of a conversation between co-hosts Susan Blackwell and Laura Camien and actor, producer, creator Zachary Quinto. Get to know the thoughtful, original mind of this prolific maker as he shares experiences from a creative life full of blockbuster films, Broadway theater, and off the beaten path Netflix options.

Listen HERE.

Makers: Zachary Quinto PART 1

MAKERS: ZACHARY QUINTO PART 1: UNCERTAINTY, INSPIRATION + AUTHENTICITY

Part One of a conversation between co-hosts Susan and Laura 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. Zach takes us from Broadway to blockbuster films, Glass Menagerie to Star Trek and well beyond.

Listen HERE.

Makers: Sara Bareilles Part 1

MAKERS: SARA BAREILLES PART 1: CREATIVE RISKS, SONGWRITING + BROADWAY

Susan and Laura 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. From Grammy, TONY, and EMMY Award nominations to glorious collaborations, Sara gives us real talk about living the creative life.

Listen HERE.