The Spark Podcast: Nashville

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

What happens when bold creativity meets community leadership?

In this episode of The Spark, host Mark Scrivner sits down with Bethany Newman, founder and principal of ST8MNT, a creative agency shaping brand identities for leaders in entertainment, retail, hospitality, and beyond. As a past president of EO Nashville, Bethany has also been a driving force in championing entrepreneurship and community among Nashville's business leaders.

For founders, creatives, and entrepreneurs, Bethany's story offers a playbook for building brands with boldness, leading with clarity, and investing in the people and communities that fuel success.

What You'll Learn:

• Why bold ideas are essential in brand building

• How Bethany balances creative leadership with business growth

• Lessons from leading EO Nashville's entrepreneurial community

• The importance of authenticity in branding and storytelling

• How creatives can shape impact beyond their work

Subscribe to The Spark for inspiring stories from Nashville's most creative leaders.

Learn More & Connect:

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

• Connect with Bethany Newman: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bethanynewman | https://st8mnt.com/

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

• Snapshot: https://snapshotinteractive.com

What happens when a corporate marketer takes a leap of faith and builds an "accidental agency" that becomes a thriving creative business?

In this episode of The Spark, we sit down with Michelle Keckler, co-founder of KNC Marketing. With 15 years of experience at brands like Bridgestone and Franke, Michelle's story is one of resilience, partnership, and embracing the unknown. From navigating a sudden layoff in her family to taking the risk of launching her own agency while raising a one-year-old, Michelle shares how clarity, storytelling, and trust turned a scary leap into a sustainable business.

This conversation is a candid look at entrepreneurship, brand building, and the creative process in B2B industries. For founders, leaders, and creatives who have faced career pivots or wondered if they're ready to start something of their own, Michelle's journey is both practical and deeply inspiring.

What You'll Learn

• How an unexpected layoff sparked the launch of KNC Marketing.

• The power of partnership in navigating uncertainty and growth.

• Why storytelling and clarity are key in B2B brand building.

• The role of trust and organic referrals in scaling an agency.

• Lessons on balancing family life, leadership, and entrepreneurship.

Don't miss this inspiring story of courage and creativity. Subscribe to The Spark and join us every week as we amplify Nashville's creative voices.

Learn More & Connect

• Creative Assembly

• Snapshot Interactive

• Connect with Michelle Keckler: LinkedIn | KNC Marketing Website

• Follow The Spark on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.

The best cultures aren't built on slogans or perks. They're built on daily investments in people.

In this episode of The Spark, Arnie Malham shares how he built cj Advertising and Legal Intake Professionals into thriving companies by putting people first. From paying employees to read, to rethinking how leaders show up every day, Arnie's unconventional approaches created lasting impact inside and outside the business.

For founders, entrepreneurs, and creative leaders, this conversation is a powerful reminder that growth starts with what we feed our minds and how we empower our teams.

What You'll Learn:

• Why small, consistent habits transform people and culture

• How investing in employees creates stronger client outcomes

• Why culture is built in daily choices, not company slogans

• The power of reading and learning as tools for growth

Subscribe to The Spark and join us each week as we share stories of Nashville's most creative leaders.

Learn More & Connect:

Connect with the Guest:

Arnie Malham

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arniemalham/

Company: https://betterbookclub.com/

Website: https://www.worthdoingwrong.com/

Connect with the Host

Mark Scrivner:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markscrivner/

Organization: https://creativeassembly.agency/

Company: https://snapshotinteractive.com

#TheSparkPodcast #Leadership #CompanyCulture #CreativeLeadership #Entrepreneurship #GrowthMindset

From skateboarding in New Jersey to leading creative projects in Nashville, Kyle Bush's journey is anything but ordinary.

In this episode of The Spark, Kyle shares how a love for skate videos evolved into a thriving career in video and creative leadership. From learning the craft through subculture storytelling to navigating the professional creative landscape, his story is a testament to passion meeting persistence.

If you're a founder, creative entrepreneur, or leader in the arts, Kyle's insights on staying adaptable, pushing creative boundaries, and building community-driven work will resonate deeply.

What You'll Learn:

• How skateboarding culture shaped Kyle's creative lens.

• The moment he knew storytelling was his calling.

• Strategies for balancing artistic vision with client needs.

• Why adaptability is essential for creative leadership.

• Lessons in building a creative career in a competitive city.

Subscribe to The Spark and join us each week as we share inspiring journeys from Nashville's creative community.

Learn More & Connect:

Connect with Host – Mark Scrivner:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markscrivner/

Organization: https://creativeassembly.agency/

Company: https://snapshotinteractive.com

Connect with Kyle Bush:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyle-bush-a822a8b4/

Cumberland Creative: https://www.cumberlandcreative.co/

What if the story holding your brand back isn't on your website—it's in your head?

In this episode of The Spark, we sit down with Colton Mulligan, founder and managing partner of FoxFuel Creative, to unpack how personal narrative, unaddressed shame, and internal misalignment quietly derail brand strategy. From leading teams to leading yourself, Colton shares how rewriting the story beneath the surface can unlock clarity, confidence, and conversion.

Whether you're a founder, creative, or strategist, this conversation will challenge how you think about brand clarity—and how much your internal story is shaping your external results.

What You'll Learn:

• How shame impacts brand strategy and team communication

• Why storytelling isn't just external—it's internal alignment first

• The danger of "junk drawers" in brand messaging

• How leaders accidentally dilute their own brand story

• The practical framework Colton uses to guide clients through narrative alignment

Don't miss this one—subscribe to The Spark and follow along as we spotlight Nashville's boldest creators and changemakers.

Learn More & Connect:

Connect with Host – Mark Scrivner:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markscrivner/

Organization: https://creativeassembly.agency/

Company: https://snapshotinteractive.com

Connect with Colton Mulligan:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/coltonmulligan/

FoxFuel Creative: https://foxfuelcreative.com/

From national campaigns to unforgettable customer experiences, Kamron Kunce has mastered the art of building momentum that lasts.

In this episode of The Spark, we sit down with Kamron Kunce, head of marketing and client success at RJ Young, whose career spans both agency and corporate worlds. Kamron shares his approach to developing brand strategies that drive results, leading collaborations that thrive, and navigating the evolving challenges of today's marketing landscape.

For creative leaders, entrepreneurs, and brand builders, this conversation is a masterclass in how to leverage partnerships and strategic thinking to generate sustained impact.

What You'll Learn:

• How to align agency and corporate priorities for win-win outcomes

• Strategies for creating brand momentum in a crowded market

• The role of customer experience in long-term success

• Lessons from leading national-level marketing campaigns

• Why adaptability is key in an ever-evolving industry

Subscribe to The Spark for more inspiring conversations with Nashville's creative voices.

Learn More & Connect:

Connect with Host – Mark Scrivner:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markscrivner/

Organization: https://creativeassembly.agency/

Company: https://snapshotinteractive.com

Connect with Kamron Kunce:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kamronkunce/

RJ Young: https://www.rjyoung.com/

From restaurant hustle to tech founder — Alane Boyd's journey is anything but ordinary.

In this episode of The Spark, Alane Boyd, co-founder of Biggest Goal, shares her evolution from managing a family restaurant to building automation systems that empower creative entrepreneurs. She opens up about burnout, reinventing your business model, and why authenticity and systems are key to sustainable leadership.

If you're a founder balancing creativity and growth, Alane's insights offer a practical blueprint for using automation to scale without sacrificing soul.

What You'll Learn:

• The surprising role burnout played in redefining her business.

• How Alane uses automation to create space for creativity.

• Why founders need systems before they scale.

• Building a business that aligns with your personal values.

• How "Biggest Goal" helps entrepreneurs thrive.

Subscribe to The Spark and never miss a story that fuels your journey.

Learn More & Connect:

Visit Creative Assembly: https://creativeassembly.agency/ Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/creative-assembly-agency/

Connect with Alane:

Company: https://bgboco.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alaneboyd/

Connect with Host – Mark Scrivner:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markscrivner Company: https://www.snapshotinteractive.com Organization: https://creativeassembly.agency/