The Spark File with Susan Blackwell and Laura Camien

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 Ambiguous world we're living in. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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

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 it throughout history; and the many ways artists and creatives are making change in these tumultuous times. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Fighting for the neutral principles we believe in -- freedom of speech, right to peaceful protest and so much more -- the ACLU and the NYCLU are the angels protecting our inalienable rights. Learn more abou...

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 human being can make a difference in a corrupt system much bigger than us all.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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

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

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 determines success and failure? These two are a creative masterclass, illustrating the value of putting the people you collaborate with before the work you are creating.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit m...

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 story of Vedem, an act of creative resistance and resilience, offers a glimpse into how art just might help us survive. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 flowing creative team than these two. On Part One, find out how they found their own voices, and each other. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 to continue despite the recent closures and cancellations. Plus, Laura gives appreciation to all the educators out there, holding it all together, including a shout out to her Kansas State University. Thanks to Tayl...

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 become the bonfire called Broadway Because.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 delivering them, plus, ideas for making a day at home special and meaningful, including the joy of kittens on a blanket. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 Broadway debut in The Full Monty, as well as her latest passion -- producing. Her GenZStayHome project has been a labor of love and is just the tip of the iceburg...Tune in next week for Part 2! Learn more abou...

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 have you feeling Like a Boss! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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

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's) wheel!⁠ Plus, Bill Withers, a man very much in charge of his own destiny, took a most fascinating journey through the music business and beyond, leaving us with the most wonderful gifts to listen to on this lovely day....

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 for good -- from registering people to vote, and increasing literacy rates, to helping teen girls find their footing in the ever-shifting social landscape and beyond. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit...

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 are focused on taking care of yourself and your family, You Are Doing Enough. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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) from current events, and how constantly pitching new things lead to writing her successful children's books, A Day in the Life of Marlon Bundo, and The Someone New. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit meg...

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 power of living in flo to optimize your creative output by aligning with your infradian rhythms. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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, and take a trip back to three weeks ago when things felt normal. We discuss our Grandmothers, the Resistance Revival Chorus and the power of music and art in any movement for change. Learn more about your ad choices. Visi...

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

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 genius" to the discipline required to transcend into kairos time, this episode is dream for artists or Artists at every juncture. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 medical profession that hand washing matters, plus the incredible true story of the uplifting oratorical festival presented by California students for the benefit of us all.  Learn more about your ad choices. V...