The Spark File with Susan Blackwell and Laura Camien

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 (Star Trek), television hits (Heroes, American Horror Story), Broadway theater (Boys in the Band, Glass Menagerie), and his personal off the...

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. They also look beneath the surface of Reservoir Noir and the spark-filled stories of towns that d...

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. Zach takes us from Broadway to television to blockbuster films, Glass Menagerie to American Horror Story to Star Trek and well beyond. Lear...

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. We also explore the Mokita -- the truth everyone knows but no one will talk about -- how it defines our work cultures and how it can be used to great dramatic (or comedic) effect....

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

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? From the visual artists to performing artists, writers, dancers, filmmakers, instagramers -- artists, makers and creators of all kinds need to restock our creative fishponds and build a reserve of ideas and inspirations. Liste...

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. From Grammy, TONY, and EMMY Award nominations to glorious collaborations, Sara gives us real talk about living the creative life as a singer, songwriter, author, producer and performer. Learn more about...

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. And they discuss the sparks within the award-winning documentary film, Free Solo, looking at the parallels between...

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. There is strength to be gained from Robert F. Kennedy, John Mulaney and others who have lived through public defeat. Me...

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices