In this episode of The Spark, Eric Jackson—founder and CEO of Element 47—shares the journey that shaped his philosophy on leadership, culture, and service. From early lessons in print and web development to building a modern branding and marketing agency, Eric breaks down why self-awareness, communication, and clarity remain the core of every strong creative partnership.

Across the conversation, he and host Mark Scrivner dig into Nashville's evolving creative landscape, the rise of AI as a strategic partner, and the importance of collaboration across agencies rather than competition. Eric also explores his personal mission, "to connect and grow people," and how this purpose continues to guide his work, mentorship, and contributions to Nashville's entrepreneurial community.

• 00:00 – The question that reshaped Eric's purpose and leadership framework

• 01:03 – Eric joins The Spark and reflects on his podcasting experience

• 07:02 – Leaving film production behind and transitioning into web development

• 10:16 – Early days of website development and the "Wild West" internet era

• 15:04 – Discovering purpose, building culture, and creating Next Mile Network

• 27:00 – How AI shapes creative work and why human discernment still matters

• 44:16 – The biggest misconception about the agency business

Show Notes + Resources: https://creativeassembly.agency/ca-podcast/ Connect With Eric Jackson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericpauljackson/ | https://element47.co Connect with Mark Scrivner: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markscrivner | https://snapshotinteractive.com Our Sponsor - Snapshot: https://snapshotinteractive.com

In this episode of The Spark, Mark Scrivner sits down with Brandon Edwards—CEO of Unlock Health and former head of Revive Health—to explore what it takes to build and sustain excellence in healthcare marketing. Brandon shares how early lessons in leadership, the challenges of selling a successful agency, and the pursuit of authenticity continue to shape his vision for Unlock Health.

Listeners will gain insights into how leaders can evolve through change, create cultures that last, and use emerging tools like AI with integrity and purpose. Brandon's practical reflections offer a masterclass in clarity, self-awareness, and long-term thinking for anyone building teams or businesses in fast-changing industries.

Episode Highlights: 00:01 – From politics to healthcare: Brandon's early journey 06:45 – Building Revive Health and knowing when to sell 19:12 – Learning leadership from the hard places 25:10 – Founding Unlock Health and spotting market gaps 33:30 – Authentic healthcare marketing in the post-truth era 35:15 – Redefining workflows through AI integration 46:10 – Assembling smarter teams and leading with humility 52:20 – Advice for founders: surround yourself with the right people

Learn More & Connect Show Notes + Resources: https://creativeassembly.agency/ca-podcast/ Connect With Brandon Edwards: https://www.linkedin.com/in/be615/ | https://unlockhealth.com Connect with Mark Scrivner: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markscrivner | https://snapshotinteractive.com Our Sponsor - Snapshot: https://snapshotinteractive.com

In this episode of The Spark, Mark Scrivner sits down with Dale Addy—veteran designer, agency founder, and Belmont University professor—to talk about creativity, collaboration, and the bridge between professional design practice and education. Dale shares insights from three decades of creative leadership, reflecting on lessons learned at global agencies, the founding of DNA Creative with his wife April, and his transition into teaching.

Listeners will discover how Dale helps young designers balance craft and concept, navigate client relationships, and approach creative work with humility and purpose. From original thinking and black-and-white presentations to teaching design students the value of research and empathy, this conversation highlights what it truly means to design for others—and not just yourself.

Episode Highlights:

• 00:02 — How Dale found his path from art to design and business

• 05:33 — Starting DNA Creative and lessons in small-agency collaboration

• 10:11 — Why originality matters: using your brain before Google

• 11:33 — Teaching design clients with black-and-white first principles

• 21:19 — How Dale found purpose in teaching the next generation

• 26:37 — Designing for your client's client: empathy and research

• 34:14 — The real feedback students need from creative mentors

• 39:09 — Why creative leaders must give back to the next generation

Learn More & Connect Show Notes + Resources: https://creativeassembly.agency/ca-podcast/ Connect With Dale Addy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dale-addy-a8652a5/ | https://belmont.edu Connect with Mark Scrivner: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markscrivner | https://snapshotinteractive.com Our Sponsor - Snapshot: https://snapshotinteractive.com

In this episode of The Spark, hosts welcome Nashville power duo Liza and Jay Graves, the husband-and-wife team behind StyleBlueprint and Blueprint Inc.. From a small blog launched during the 2009 recession to a thriving digital media company with millions of readers, Liza shares how a simple mission to "keep Nashville, Nashville" turned into a platform that celebrates local businesses and regional storytelling.

Together, Liza and Jay explore how to scale with purpose, balance marriage and leadership, and uphold editorial integrity in the AI era. They discuss their evolution from StyleBlueprint to Blueprint Inc., the power of community-driven marketing, and why staying rooted in local values can build national impact.

Episode Highlights:

• 02:03 – How StyleBlueprint started with zero subscribers and a mission to support local businesses.

• 07:42 – Jay's journey from data management in sports to joining Liza at StyleBlueprint.

• 13:34 – How curated "Top Lists" became a breakthrough for small-business clients.

• 17:31 – Navigating business and marriage: boundaries, trust, and shared decision-making.

• 25:43 – From StyleBlueprint to Blueprint Inc.—clarifying brand structure and growth strategy.

• 34:04 – Upholding human creativity and editorial integrity in the age of AI.

• 54:02 – Liza's vision for 100 women-led markets under the StyleBlueprint brand.

Learn More & Connect Show Notes + Resources: https://creativeassembly.agency/ca-podcast/

Connect With Liza Graves: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lizagraves | https://styleblueprint.com

Connect with Jay Graves: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gravesjay/ | https://blueprint.inc

Connect With Mark Scrivner: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markscrivner | https://snapshotinteractive.com

Our Sponsor - Snapshot: https://snapshotinteractive.com

In this inspiring episode of The Spark, host Mark Scrivner sits down with Falon Veit, Founder and CEO of EES Agency—a global experiential marketing and event production powerhouse. Falon shares her incredible journey from volunteering at CMA Fanfare to leading one of the industry's most respected firms, built entirely from grit, faith, and vision.

They dive deep into her philosophy of "leading with love," how she navigated entrepreneurship without outside funding, and what it takes to sustain mental strength and team culture in one of the most demanding industries. Falon also opens up about personal loss, resilience, and her mission to lift others as she climbs. This episode is a masterclass in leadership, humanity, and building a life that means something.

Episode Highlights

• 00:01: Falon's start in experiential marketing and her 26-year creative journey

• 03:58: Taking the leap to launch EES Agency—without investors

• 08:43: Finding mental strength through the toughest early years

• 14:49: How COVID reshaped her leadership and team resilience

• 17:04: Leading with vulnerability and grace through personal loss

• 23:18: "Events as Business Strategy"—EES's transformative approach

• 35:02: What "leading with love" really means inside her company

• 55:21: The Viviendo Foundation and Falon's legacy of lifting others

Learn More & Connect Show Notes + Resources: https://creativeassembly.agency/ca-podcast/ Connect With Falon Veit: https://www.linkedin.com/in/falonveit | https://www.eesagency.com Connect with Mark Scrivner: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markscrivner | https://snapshotinteractive.com Our Sponsor - Snapshot: https://snapshotinteractive.com

#TheSparkPodcast #Marketing #Leadership #Entrepreneurship #ExperientialMarketing #WomenInBusiness #CreativeCommunity

From global chemical corporations to Nashville's fastest-growing boutique agency, Paul Oakley has shaped how industries communicate, lead, and give back. In this episode, Paul—founder and CEO of Tiny Mighty Communications—shares his unexpected path from Dow Chemical and Bridgestone to launching his own firm focused on industrial B2B brands. He unpacks what "Tiny Mighty" really means, why experience matters more than headcount, and how measuring impact instead of activity redefines agency value.

Paul also opens up about mentorship, media responsibility, and why he's investing in the next generation's "right to speak." This is a deep dive into leadership, purpose, and the evolving role of PR in a data-driven, AI-aware world.

Timestamps: 00:49 — Paul Oakley's journey from Dow and Bridgestone to launching Tiny Mighty Communications 02:08 — How early lessons shaped his leadership philosophy and global mindset 09:30 — The leap from corporate life to entrepreneurship in 2019 12:21 — Building a senior-led agency model for industrial brands 16:45 — Why "Tiny Mighty" means delivering big thinking with small teams 23:07 — Measuring impact, not activity—how data drives modern communications 28:07 — Why free press and media integrity still matter in business 34:25 — Philanthropy, purpose, and the "Right to Speak" initiative 51:47 — "Your Rolodex is your net worth"—Paul's timeless advice for entrepreneurs

Learn More & Connect Show Notes + Resources: https://creativeassembly.agency/ca-podcast/ Connect With Paul Oakley: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pauloakleytmc/ | https://tinymightyco.com Connect with Mark Scrivner: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markscrivner | https://snapshotinteractive.com Our Sponsor - Snapshot: https://snapshotinteractive.com

Organizations we support for a free press:

• Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
• Poynter Institute

Paul's current favorite podcast (besides The Spark):

• Mixed Signals from Semafor Media (https://www.semafor.com/hub/mixed-signals-media-podcast)

Katie Peninger, VP of Account Service & Business Growth at Lewis Communications and VP of Membership Engagement for AMA Nashville, joins The Spark to share her journey from designer to agency leader. She reflects on bold marketing choices, mentoring, Nashville's creative evolution, and why intentionality and relationships are at the heart of strong client partnerships. Katie also highlights the power of networking, her community involvement, and how technology like AI is shaping the industry.

Timestamps:

• 02:00 – From graphic design to account leadership

• 09:16 – Insights from the Kentucky Bourbon Trail campaign

• 12:16 – What "bold marketing decisions" really mean

• 18:15 – Advice for young professionals entering agencies

• 24:29 – The importance of communication over Slack/email

• 32:01 – Nashville's growing creative community

• 37:17 – Exploring AI's impact on marketing

What You'll Learn:

• How Katie transitioned from designer to agency leader

• The meaning of bold marketing decisions behind the scenes

• Why strong client partnerships depend on trust and communication

• How Nashville's creative community continues to evolve

• Why networking creates lasting opportunities

• How AI is reshaping the future of agencies

Subscribe to The Spark and never miss an episode featuring Nashville's most inspiring creative leaders.

Learn More & Connect:

• Creative Assembly: https://creativeassemblynashville.com

• Connect with Katie Peninger: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiepeninger/

• Connect with Mark Scrivner: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markscrivner

• Thanks to our Sponsor - Snapshot: https://snapshotinteractive.com

#TheSparkPodcast #NashvilleMarketing #AgencyLeadership #NashvilleCreatives #CreativeAssembly #Snapshot

In this episode of The Spark, Traylor Woodall—founder & CEO of Fivestone Studios shares how mentors, hard-won failures, and a "Culture of Honor" shaped his leadership and creative philosophy. We dig into scaling teams, evolving from animation to immersive experiences, measuring impact, and protecting people while pursuing excellence.

Timestamps

• 03:09 – Learning through failure and humility

• 07:48 – Building culture that nurtures creative excellence

• 15:15 – The "Culture of Honor" philosophy

• 23:25 – From animation to immersive experiences

• 26:39 – Times Square takeover with Kia

• 52:02 – Advice to his younger creative self

• 54:44 – Finding balance beyond the pixels

What You'll Learn

• How early failure can accelerate growth and humility in leadership

• The core of a "Culture of Honor": aggressive pursuit of greatness with deep care for people

• Practical ways to recruit, vet, and collaborate with creative partners at scale

• Why (and how) Fivestone pivoted from motion design to experiential/immersive work

• Tactics for protecting culture in a remote, global studio

• Measuring success for installations, EBCs, and large experiential projects

• Healthy rhythms to "refill your life account" and avoid burnout

Learn More & Connect: Creative Assembly: https://creativeassembly.agency/

Connect with Traylor Woodall: https://www.linkedin.com/in/traylorwoodall/ | https://fivestonestudios.com/

Connect with Mark Scrivner: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markscrivner

Thanks to our Sponsor - Snapshot: https://snapshotinteractive.com

#TheSparkPodcast #BrandBuilding #Leadership #NashvilleCreatives #Storytelling

Welcome to The Spark — where Nashville's creative leaders share their stories of building, leading, and shaping the future.

In this episode, host Mark Scrivner sits down with Mark Blaze, President & CEO of the Greater Nashville Technology Council (NTC). With decades of leadership experience and a passion for community, Mark shares his vision for Nashville's technology sector, the importance of workforce development, and why collaboration is key to building a thriving tech ecosystem.

Why it matters: Nashville's growth depends on its ability to innovate, attract talent, and invest in community. Mark's leadership at the NTC is helping ensure the city continues to rise as a national hub for technology.

What You'll Learn:

• Mark's journey from executive leadership to NTC president

• Why collaboration drives Nashville's tech success

• The challenges and opportunities in workforce development

• How the NTC supports tech companies and entrepreneurs

• Mark's vision for the future of Nashville's innovation economy

Learn More & Connect:

• Creative Assembly: https://creativeassembly.agency/

• Connect with Mark Blaze: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markblaze | https://technologycouncil.com/

• Connect with Mark Scrivner: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markscrivner

• Thanks to our Sponsor - Snapshot: https://snapshotinteractive.com

#TheSparkPodcast #NashvilleMarketing #AgencyLeadership #NashvilleCreatives #CreativeAssembly #Snapshot

What happens when marketing moves beyond transactions and becomes a platform for inclusion and community?

In this episode of The Spark, host Mark Scrivner sits down with Jacqui Hayes, founder of Crayons & Marketers and president of AMA Nashville. Jacqui's work focuses on creating marketing strategies that elevate diverse voices, foster belonging, and help businesses grow with authenticity.

For founders, entrepreneurs, and creative leaders, Jacqui's story offers a roadmap for building brands that don't just sell — they connect. She shares how inclusive marketing can scale businesses, strengthen community impact, and empower the next generation of leaders.

What You'll Learn:

• Why inclusive marketing is more than a buzzword — and how to do it right.

• How Jacqui built Crayons & Marketers into a platform for change.

• The role of storytelling in amplifying underrepresented voices.

• Lessons from her leadership at AMA Nashville.

• Practical ways to align marketing with purpose and community.

Timestamps:

00:00 – Welcome to The Spark

01:00 – Introducing Jacqui Hayes

04:15 – The mission behind Crayons & Marketers

09:20 – The harm of making assumptions in inclusive marketing

14:40 – Transparency when brands make mistakes

20:30 – Market research as a foundation for authenticity

25:15 – How brands fail (and succeed) at cultural relevance

30:20 – Jacqui's advice for creative leaders

Subscribe to The Spark and never miss an episode featuring Nashville's most inspiring creative leaders.

Learn More & Connect:

• Creative Assembly: https://creativeassemblynashville.com

• Connect with Jacqui Hayes: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacquihayes | https://crayonsandmarketers.com

• Connect with Mark Scrivner: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markscrivner

• Thanks to our Sponsor - Snapshot: https://snapshotinteractive.com

#TheSparkPodcast #NashvilleMarketing #AgencyLeadership #NashvilleCreatives #CreativeAssembly #Snapshot