Makers: Matt Vogel

MAKERS: MATT VOGEL: GETTING BOOED, BECOMING A MUPPET + RETAINING SOMETHING THAT’S YOURS

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. He shares highlights from his creative journey from getting booed at the high school talent show to debuting triumphantly at the Hollywood Bowl. Matt remains inspired by Jim Henson's mantra to be in service of the best idea, and Kermit's guiding purpose of "making millions of people happy."

Listen HERE.

Creativity Sparks: Cat Dancers and Teddy Roosevelt

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.

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MAKERS: AUTHORS Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus

MAKERS: EMMA MCLAUGHLIN + NICOLA KRAUS: BEYOND THE NANNY DIARIES; OR CLOCK-WATCHING AND DISRESPECT

Susan and Laura talk to the prolific writing duo Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus, co-authors of The Nanny Diaries and so much more. With over 6 million copies of their 10 books in print in over 32 languages, Emma and Nicola share their tips and techniques for successful collaborative writing with a partner as well as how it feels to consciously uncouple when the work is done.

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Creativity Sparks: Flu Apocalypse and A Storytelling of Writers

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. 

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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.

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Creativity Sparks: Bird by Bird and Honey Boy

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. Both sparks speak to the bravery of observing life (your own and others'), taking notes and telling the truth.

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MAKERS: JONATHAN GROFF PART 1

MAKERS: JONATHAN GROFF PART 1: REHEARSAL ROOMS, THE O FACE + 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. We talk the bravery of coming out, and the importance of telling one's own truth. 

CONTENT WARNING: Sexually explicit language

Listen HERE.

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

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?"

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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.

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Creativity Sparks: The Art of Dying Well + Puzzle Peace

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.

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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.

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

CREATIVITY SPARKS + MAKERS: BRUNDIBAR, THE MAD KING + ANTHONY ROTH COSTANZO: RECORDED 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. They also engage in conversation with countertenor, actor, producer, star of the MET Opera's production of Akhnaten, and absolute vocal superhero, Anthony Roth Costanzo. Anthony shares his personal opera origin story, spills all the details about Akhnaten and his mission to bring new audiences to the art form.

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.

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

CREATIVITY SPARKS: LYNNE COX + PATRICIA DOUGLAS: RECORDED 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 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. Please use your discretion.

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.

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

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. Fresh examples of this dynamic include Game of Thrones's Emilia Clarke, Anne Hathaway's Oscar acceptance, and Marlene Dietrich's cabaret performances. They also find sparks in family history when the discovery of the Women's Timber Corps in the UK during WWII, a.k.s the Lumber Jills leads to a search for a personal connection to the Civilian Conservation Corps in the US.

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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.

Creativity Sparks: John Kenley + The Unthought Known

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.

Listen HERE.