The Spark File with Susan Blackwell and Laura Camien

What keeps us from writing those pages we say we WANT to write? What keeps us from taking that first small step toward our goal? What keeps us from doing anything at all related to our creative vision?

Why, its our dear ol’ pal, Creative Resistance.

This week, Laura and Susan dive into the warm and cozy distractions that keep us safe from the consequence of risk - creative risk, that is. These tactics show up anytime we are close to creating something of meaning or significance and make for damn sure we don’t go anywhere near it. 

Are we supposed to say thank you? The answer is more complex than you think…

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

This week, Susan and Laura dip their toes into the topic of Collaboration via the Metallica Masterclass. They discuss how the members of Metallica, guided by their mantra “whatever’s best” for the project, share how they communicate, keep their egos in check, get the most out of everyone, and how they stay inspired to come together to create great things. 

They share a commitment to the music, yes, but an even larger commitment to each other.

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

Here at The Spark File, our mission is to spark creativity, free innate self-expression, and grant permission to fear less and create more.  In this episode, we share two recently discovered like-minded creative organizations that have completely lit us up!

Here’s how it happened…First, Pam Harris introduced us to @creativemornings and Creative Mornings introduced us to @streetwisdom_  and Street Wisdom introduced us to @davidpearl_here and David Pearl introduced us to his book Wanderful: Human Navigation for a Complex World… and we now we have newfound space for reflection, joy and yes, even more CREATIVITY in our lives. 

Whew! You heard it here first, folks. That is how contagious joyful self-expression and creativity can be. Pass it on.

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

This week, Susan and Laura delve into the very best ways social media can be used - to inspire, educate and spread joy.  We call this The Spark Side of Social Media.
Listen and light yourself up with tales of legacy-worthy chocolate via @morticianinthekitchen, kneel at the alter of @andy_birkey's gothic woodworking, and marvel at the beauty of fore edge printing (did you know this even existed?!?) Turns out, good and meaningful things exist on social, when you know where to look!

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

This week, Laura and Susan explore the inexplicable craving to consume pandemic-related entertainment during a pandemic -  not entertainment about the current state of the world, no, we prefer  imaginary pandemics dreamed up in the minds of fiction writers and TV writers like Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel, The End of October by Lawrence Wright, The Walking Dead and more.  These are some of the works imagined by creative minds at a time when an actual pandemic was a scary but far-fetched idea…

Listen in to hear how Laura made her way through a tunnel of imaginary pandemic entertainment and emerged on the other side with extreme respect and admiration for #NormanReedus.

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

Welcome back, Sparklers! All are welcome here. As long as no one is being a d**k, you are invited to be your real, open, authentic selves. This week on The Spark File, Susan and Laura get warmed up for Season 3! They share their gratitude and a mini-spark about indigenous food from The New York Times and an article about Sean Sherman, creator of The Sioux Chef.

The Spark File is created on the lands of the Lenape.

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

In the season 2 finale of The Spark File podcast, Susan and Laura celebrate the highlights of the past year - revisiting favorite sparks of inspiration, and recognizing the incredible achievements of the participants in The Spark File Select Group Creativity Coaching program. 

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

This week, Susan and Laura got to spend extra time with their beloved Hunter Bell, Tony and Drama Desk nominee, Spark File Creativity Coaching client, and creative / writer / maker extraordinare! Tune in to feel the love and the belly laughs. Too much is never enough Hunter Bell.

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

This week, Susan and Laura take a deep dive with Tony-award nominee (and Creativity Coaching Client) John Ellison Conlee, and discuss the creation of a life in addition to a career. Plus, in this very special episode, The Spark File debuts a short story written and read by John Ellison Conlee himself - Cup of Joe.

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

On this episode of The Spark File, Susan and Laura examine that deep seated fear that you're just not as good / worthy / capable as others think you are. Imposter Syndrome. Check 
out this episode and you just might find ways to let go of those coping mechanisms and start to believe in your own abilities.

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