Sparks Are Flying
/As I’ve said on this blog many a time, I love information and I love learning. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that I’m a big fan of podcasts.
Since I drive to Long Island for work 5-7 days per week, I spend a lot of time in the car, which is where I usually listen to podcasts. And in addition to the history and language podcasts that I’ve taken to, I also try to listen to podcasts about the business and creativity as well.
And it was in this vein that this fall I began listening to The Spark File.
“What is a Spark File?”
“Where do I get one"?”
“What do I file in it?”
These are all excellent questions, and Laura Camien and Susan Blackwell have the answers.
Who?
In case you’re unfamiliar with Laura and Susan, here’s their blurb from The Spark File website:
“Susan Blackwell is a Broadway, film + TV actor, + a writer. She created + played characters based on herself in the original Broadway musical [title of show], + the off-Broadway musical NOW. HERE. THIS. She hosts the chat show ‘Side by Side by Susan Blackwell’ on Broadway.com, now in its 10th year. She is a teacher specializing in creativity + communication.
Laura Camien is a Broadway producer, playwright + screenwriter. She was a long time VP of Communications for Blue Man Group, + Creative Director + Head Writer for Blue Man Group’s book, Blue Man World. As a teacher, she specializes in public speaking, media training, writing + communication.
Laura + Susan have been through a lot of interesting creative shit. They are two great tastes that taste great together.”
I knew Susan’s work from being in love with [title of show] back in college - and if you don’t know this musical, it’s a delightful piece of theatre that you should certainly check out.
These two together are an absolute delight, on the podcast and off the podcast. You know when people are such good friends and have gelled so well together that their energy is just infectious?
Yep, that’s them!
Every week I look forward to listening to Laura and Susan shooting the shit, making jokes, having all the feelings (making me have all the feelings), and amping up their own - and therefore my own - creativity through experiences, stories, and research.
So what is this podcast?
What?
The Spark File comes in two episode formats:
Spark episodes
Maker episodes (“Maker-sodes”)
In the spark episodes, Laura and Susan each come prepared with something from their Spark File (a place where they keep interesting thoughts and ideas with creative potential, which they may want to later explore) and they present them to each other through anecdotes, research, and humor.
It’s a delight.
They don’t tell one another anything about the spark ahead of time, which makes the listening experience even more intriguing. They are both excellent audience members, and even listening to them react to one another is captivating.
And the sparks range from the smallest of ideas, to documentaries, books, movies, philosophy, people, and about anything else you can think of. I’m totally surprised and taken off guard every week, in the best way!
And the entire point of these episodes is for them to come together and share with the world ideas that have sparked them creatively, which may in turn spark other people to (as they say) “get off their asses and make things.” It’s a fantastic idea and a true gift to the world of creativity!
Maker-sodes are interview episodes with some of the creative world’s best and brightest - people like Sarah Bareilles, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Gavin Creel, and many more.
What I love about these episodes is that - more than just being an advertisement for upcoming projects for these people - they talk about what sort of things are creatively driving them and their projects. And it’s a lot of real talk. Some of it gets at the heart of what drives them or doesn’t drive them, and many of them open up about creative struggles that are extremely relatable.
Plus I’ve learned a ton of fascinating information about each of these people that I’m not sure I would have otherwise known. And who doesn’t love behind-the-scenes information about interesting people??
Why?
As Laura says in the introduction to the episodes, “sometimes the well-spring of inspiration runs a little dry, and we’re here to refill it.”
Whether or not you’re hitting a creative block, I think it’s important to learn about the world and hear what sort of ideas are creatively sparking other artists. I usually walk away from an episode with at least one spark for myself, or something I want to research further.
And who knows where that will lead?
A new project, perhaps? A film to keep an eye out for? Or maybe just a little bit of research about something I think is interesting and never think about again.
It’s all about expanding your informational base in the hopes of sparking something creative in you, and I think that is a beautiful goal.
Where?
Now, clearly, you’re all thinking: “Where can I listen to this???”
Clearly.
It’s certainly available on iTunes, which is where I listen. But I’m sure it’s available through other podcatchers as well! Or you can click here to visit the website!
And, if you couldn’t tell, I highly recommend taking a listen.
So, I hope you go forth, take a listen, and perhaps do a little sparking of your own. And have a happy holiday weekend, everyone!!
