The Spark File with Susan Blackwell and Laura Camien

S7E15 - Ambiguous Grief

18 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

What do we do with the grief that doesn’t come with a funeral, a clear ending, or even a name? In this tender and powerful episode of The Spark Fil...

S7E14 - Dopamine Reset

11 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

What happens when the thing you reach for to soothe yourself starts quietly stealing your time, your attention, and your creative life force? In “D...

S7E13 - Flip The Script

04 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Our latest episode of The Spark File Podcast, Flip the Script, is a dark spark with a bright creative payoff. When Laura has a vivid, unsettling dream...

S7E12 - Creating Community

25 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

This episode of The Spark File Podcast, Creating Community is your reminder that creativity doesn’t thrive in a vacuum — it thrives in connection....

S7E11 - Creation by Recombination

18 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

What if creativity isn’t a lightning bolt… but a mashup? In this episode, Laura shares a Blue Man Group–born concept that can instantly dissolv...

S7E10 - I Love You vs. Small Talk

11 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

In this week’s episode of The Spark File, “I Love You vs. Small Talk,” Laura opens up a BIG spark (100 pounds of topic in a five-pound bag): lov...

S7E9 - Making For Minnesota

04 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

In “Making for Minnesota,” we’re asking a question that feels both tender and urgently practical: when the world is loud and scary, what can you...

S7E8 - Words We Love

27 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

This week on The Spark File, we’re cultivating delight with an episode we’re calling “Words We Love.” Susan went spelunking through her massiv...

S7E7 - A Good Cry

21 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of The Spark File, Laura and Susan celebrate the art, science, and deep humanity of a good cry. Sparked by poems, personal stories, an...

S7E6 - How Easy Can It Be?

14 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

This week on The Spark File, we’re asking a question that might just unclench your whole nervous system: How Easy Can It Be? Susan shares a beloved...

S7E5 - A Window Not A Mirror

07 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

A Window; Not a Mirror is your new permission slip. In this episode, Laura shares a line she overheard in a NYC café that snapped her nervous system ...

S7E4 - The Alchemist

31 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Life attracts life. So if you want more creativity, more connection, more possibility… you can’t wait it out on the couch. In this episode of The...

S7E3 - A Spooky Winter Story

24 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this wintery, true-crime-meets-ghost-story episode, Susan shares the chilling tale of the 1892 “hex murder” at the Stone Arch Bridge. A poor fa...

S7E2 - From Strength to Strength

17 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of The Spark File, Susan shares a spark that hit her straight in the nervous system: From Strength to Strength by Arthur C. Brooks —...

S7E1: Immaculate Perception

10 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome to Season 7 of The Spark File podcast with Susan Blackwell and Laura Camien! On this episode, Laura and Susan discuss the wisdom of neuroscien...

S6E7 - Sara Bareilles / The Town Hall Spark Sessions

24 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This week on The Town Hall Spark Sessions - a podcast collaboration between NYC's Town Hall and The Spark File, we welcome the iconic singer, songwrit...

S6E8 - Melay Araya / The Town Hall Spark Sessions

30 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This week on The Town Hall Spark Sessions, we welcome Melay Araya, Artistic Director at the Town Hall. In addition to her work as Artistic Director, M...

S6E6 - Laura Benanti / The Town Hall Spark Sessions

02 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This week on The Town Hall Spark Sessions, we welcome luminary actress and singer Laura Benanti. Best known for her revolutionary performance in the 2...

S6E5 - Sofronio Vasquez / The Town Hall Spark Sessions

18 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we welcomed the golden-voiced Sofronio Vasquez, winner of NBC’s The Voice Season 26. With his championship win, Sofronio became the first...

S6E4 - Griffin Newman / The Town Hall Spark Sessions

04 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this week’s episode of The Town Hall Spark Sessions, we were thrilled to welcome Griffin Newman. For a decade, with his co-creator David Sims, Gr...

S6E3 - Sean Mayes / The Town Hall Spark Sessions

28 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this week’s Town Hall Spark Session, we welcomed Sean Mayes, the visionary conductor and founder of Pops of Color, as he takes us behind the scen...

S6E2 - Eisa Davis / The Town Hall Spark Sessions

14 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

For our second round The Town Hall Spark Sessions award-winning actor, writer, and singer-songwriter, Eisa Davis. In addition to co-writing the Warrio...

S6E1 - Lin-Manuel Miranda / The Town Hall Spark Sessions

07 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Surprise! We’re back, with some hot, fresh creative sparks for you—and this time, we’re at the Town Hall! In the first episode of The Town Hall ...

Introducing The Town Hall Spark Sessions

07 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The Town Hall, New York City’s landmark cultural venue, is teams up with The Spark File, the acclaimed creativity podcast hosted by Susan Blackwel...

Season 5 Finale

05 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

After 20 spark-filled episodes, we’re wrapping up the season with a celebration! Join us as we look back at this remarkable season of spark, discuss...

Stephen King On Writing

29 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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Closing Ceremonies: Blue Man Group

22 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Recently, we learned that the beloved Blue Man Group will be closing their New York City and Chicago companies in 2025. This news was bittersweet, to ...

Hug An Author Today

15 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We know that writing a book is hard work—longform creativity takes patience, stamina, and an extraordinary drive to make it to the finish line.  Th...

Making Change Pt. 3

08 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

As the New Year barrels on, bringing an abundance of uncertainty with it, we wanted to return to a topic that has sparked us many times before: Making...

Primordial Soup

31 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

When Oxford revealed its annual “Word of the Year” earlier this month, we had some questions—and not just because “Brain Rot” is two words. ...

Gifts & Creativity

24 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

We have found that the more we tap into our creativity, the more we enjoy the holiday season.  In this week’s episode of The Spark File Podcast, we...

Menopause + Creativity

18 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we’re exploring an experience shared by more than half of the world’s population: Menopause. If you are thinking to yourself, “Oh, th...

Go All The Way There

11 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Like many artists, we deeply empathize with the world around us. It can be hard to manage all the tough feelings that come up. A lot is happening in t...

Reaching Out

04 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In our opinion, creating a connection with others is the most singularly powerful tool any creative has in their armory. Unfortunately, a lot of us fi...

Join The Joiners

27 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Lately it feels like so many of us are longing for belonging, but finding it harder than to connect. But why?  In this week’s episode of The Spark ...

Catharsis, Comfort & Change

20 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The weight of the world felt heavy this week, but tough moments are when we feel luckiest to have this incredible community. Like we always say, every...

The Creative Act

13 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Here at the Spark File, creativity is a way of life and a way of being in the world.  In this week’s episode of The Spark File Podcast, Laura digs ...

Moral Distress Signal

06 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Have you ever found yourself giggling at the most unexpected insult, like "sparrow's fart"? Join us as we kick off this episode of The Spark File with...

Spooky Sparks from SPARKfest

30 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this week’s episode of the Spark File podcast, we head back to the beautiful Saunders Farm in Ottawa, Canada, where we were fortunate to host our...

Them's The Rules

23 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Every so often we hear the question: what is that “special sauce” that helps make up this “warm clan of creatives.” The truth is, a healthy cu...

Sparks from SPARKfest (Part 1)

16 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this week’s episode, you’ll get an extra special glimpse into SPARKfest 2024, our Spark File community retreat, held last fall at the beautiful...

WWGD? (Learning from Gavin Creel)

09 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

As we grieve the loss of our dear friend Gavin Creel, Susan called out for memories, wisdom, and lessons learned from Gavin, and we were touched by th...

Grief & Creativity

02 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this special episode, we draw from Laura’s experiences having lost both of her parents and discuss the ways in which creativity can help us to mo...

Shining Your Creative Light

25 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Here’s a summary of the key takeaways from this episode! In this week’s episode, we discuss the idea of “shining the light” on your creative w...

Certainty v. Creativity

18 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Certainty or Creativity - which will you choose?This week, Nathan Hill’s novel “Wellness” serves as a springboard for Laura’s spark. The spec...

Creativity Sparks: Season 4 Finale!

03 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Holy Moly! Season 4 of The Spark File is coming to an end! In this episode, Susan + Laura reminisce on some of our favorite sparks from this season. ....

Creativity Sparks: From Good to Great

26 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Ever wonder what's needed to take your creative project to the next level? Or wonder if maybe good is good enough? How do we know when to invest the a...

Creativity Sparks: You Have a (true) Story to Tell

19 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Is there anything better than a well-crafted personal story told with humor, authenticity and heart? Even better if its a TRUE story, right? Well, the...

Creativity Sparks: Processing Creative Conclusions and Milestones

12 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Friends, trust us when we say it is valuable, meaningful, and potentially essential that you take the time to celebrate your creative wins - large and...

Creativity Sparks: The Imperfect Perfectionist

05 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Do you have a creative project that has never seen the light of day because you just don't think it's ready to share yet? Despite years of effort even...

Creativity Sparks: AI + Creativity

29 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Have you gotten into the AI craze yet? Have you asked Chat GPT to write your next marketing plan or promotional copy? Have you asked it to write lines...

Creativity Sparks: The Ah-ha Moment

22 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Ever wonder what exactly is going on in your brain when you have an Ah-ha moment? On this week's episode of The Spark File podcast, Susan + Laura dis...

Creativity Sparks: Jesse James and the KGC Gold

15 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Were there stashes of gold hidden around the country after the Civil War? Did leaders of the confederate south intend this money fund a second Civil W...

Creativity Sparks: The New Rules

08 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week, Laura and Susan discuss that tremor in the force you felt a few weeks ago when New York Magazine's The Cut handed us all The New Rules.Thes...

Creativity Sparks: Let's Talk about Death over Dinner

01 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

You know at The Spark File, we are not afraid to contemplate our own mortality, especially if doing so enhances our lives and our creativity. Accordi...

Creativity Sparks: I'm Sorry

22 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week, Laura and Susan get sparked by a corporate apology that was so authentic it made the news. Discovering the components necessary for an apol...

Creativity Sparks: The 7 Day Happiness Challenge

15 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Ever wonder what you can accomplish in an 8 minute phone call?Turns out... A LOT! In this week's episode of The Spark File podcast, Susan + Laura dig ...

Creativity Sparks: I'll Sleep When I'm Dead

08 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Do you feel that people value you only for your output, so you put work above all else, even above getting a good night’s sleep? Or have you ever be...

Creativity Sparks: Change

01 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Why is it so hard for us to break patterns that are keeping us from our goals? In this episode, Susan and Laura discuss and discover the ways in which...

Creativity Sparks: Stealing (a) Home

25 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

What do a 1998 wall calendar, a couple’s disappearance, and a half-burned postcard have to do with one man’s quest to create the perfect home? In ...

Creativity Sparks: Toni Morrison

18 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Words and language have real power. In this episode, Susan and Laura explore the amazing works and incredible life of someone who managed to harness t...

Creativity Sparks: Artists & Athletes

11 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Artists and athletes have a lot more in common than one might think, but our culture seems to encourage choosing one over the other.  In this episode...

Creativity Sparks: Creativty + Mental Health

04 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

You know the old trope that one must suffer for their art? That creativity is somehow the byproduct of mental illness or addiction or self-harm?  It ...

Creativity Sparks: Making Marketing Part of Your Creative Process: The Blue Man Group Edition

28 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Susan and Laura have found that when they bring up the idea of promoting one’s own work with their creative clients, the idea is almost always met w...

Creativity Sparks: Write Like Your Parents Are Dead Again

21 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Many people have the desire to spin their lived experience into their creative self-expression, Susan and Laura included. This desire can present a co...

Creativity Sparks: The Creative Comfort Crisis

14 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In Michael Easter's book, The Comfort Crisis, he shares his belief that the modern day creature comforts – air conditioning, food storage, etc., hav...

Creativity Sparks: A Creative Approach to Reproductive Rights

07 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This spark itself is so vast, but in order to right-size it for this episode, Susan and Laura stay on this important thread: creativity as it relates ...

Creativity Sparks: The Seduction of Camp Siegfried

30 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

They hiked, they swam, they danced, they learned archery, all while being immersed in a horrific ideology. Susan and Laura dive into the shocking true...

Creativity Sparks: Creation from Destruction

23 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Sparks of creativity can come from so many experiences including gratitude and joy, loss and devastation, and even total destruction. On this episode,...

Welcome Back, Sparklers!

16 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

'Tis the season, everyone! The 4th season, to be exact! Time to jump back into our spark files and share some creative inspiration! This week we're j...

Creativity Sparks: Season 3 Finale!

27 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

For everything there is a season, friends! And this season is winding down. Time for a brief respite. But, before we go, let’s talk season highlight...

Makersode: Lynne Cox

20 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Long time listeners will know what a joy this episode was for us! In the way back times, Susan introduced us to a human spark named Lynne Cox - a cele...

Creativity Sparks: Dead Eyes

13 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

John Lennon said, “Everything will be okay in the end. If it’s not okay, it’s not the end” This week, we admire the imagination and, frankly, ...

Makersode: Marc Janowitz

06 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This week, Susan and Laura got to hang with bad ass lighting designer and friend, Marc Janowitz, whose holistic, dynamic lighting designs illuminate a...

Creativity Sparks: Beauty + Sorrow

30 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This week, after experiencing unexpected loss, Laura and Susan discuss the role of grief and friendship, and the bittersweet and inevitable intermixin...

Makersode: Mike Michalowicz

23 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This week, Susan and Laura had the distinct pleasure of unpacking the mind of Mike Michalowicz, the man Simon Sinek claims might be “the patron sain...

Creativity Sparks: Creatives for Ukraine

16 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Whether the war in Ukraine is causing feelings of unease, uncertainty, or outrage, there are creative ways to activate and support. There are ways to ...

Creativity Sparks: The Art of the Con

09 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Everywhere you look these days there is a con going down… Inventing Anna, The Tinder Swindler, The Dropout, The Puppermaster, Super Pumped, WeCrashe...

Creativity Sparks: Creatives + Money

02 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Tired of the “starving artist” trope? Sick of the storyline that says “I’m creative and eccentric, I’m no good with numbers” Isn’t it ti...

Creativity Sparks: Does Our Inner Chatter Matter?

23 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

You know that voice in your head? The one that drives you crazy sometimes? The one that points out your flaws and re-plays your mistakes over and over...

Creativity Sparks: The Florida Highwaymen

16 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Sit back and marvel at this true tale of limitations inspiring ART as a survival job in less than ideal circumstances. That’s right. The Florida Hig...

Creativity Sparks: Fertile Wordle

09 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Want to know what every single creative can learn from the development and launch of Wordle, the simple and most unexpected game of the century?  Rec...

Creativity Sparks: The Unstoppable Voice of Martha Wash

02 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

You have undoubtedly heard her unforgettable voice on hits such as “Everybody, Everybody”, “It’s Raining Men” and so many more. But Martha W...

Creativity Sparks: Rewilding Your Attention

26 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

If you’ve ever found yourself scrolling through your feeds or combing through google search results thinking “there must be something more out the...

Creativity Sparks: Wintering

19 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This week, snuggle up and join Susan and Laura as they delve into Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times by Katherine May.If you'...

Creativity Sparks: Money Money Money

12 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This week, Laura and Susan dig into this taboo topic and explore how and why shame  keeps us from talking about money, and sometimes even doing anyth...

Creativity Sparks: Operation Paperclip

05 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Sometimes a spark is so surprising, so complex and thought provoking it can stun you into silence. And so it was when Susan shared Operation Paperclip...

Creativity Sparks: Creative Resistance; OR, The Monster at the End of this Episode

29 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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 do...

Creativity Sparks: The Collaborative Wisdom of Metallica

22 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week, Susan and Laura dip their toes into the topic of Collaboration via the Metallica Masterclass. They discuss how the members of Metallica, gu...

Creativity Sparks: Creative Mornings / Street Wisdom

15 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

Creativity Sparks: The Spark Side of Social Media

08 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

Creativity Sparks: What If...?

01 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week, Laura and Susan explore the inexplicable craving to consume pandemic-related entertainment during a pandemic -  not entertainment about th...

Welcome Back, Sparklers!

24 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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 o...

Creativity Sparks: Celebrating Endings

30 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In the season 2 finale of The Spark File podcast, Susan and Laura celebrate the highlights of the past year - revisiting favorite sparks of inspiratio...

Makers: Hunter Bell: Connection, Community and Fantasy Island

23 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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,...

Makers: John Ellison Conlee: Great Conversation and a Cup of Joe

16 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

Creativity Sparks: Imposter Syndrome

09 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

Creativity Sparks: The Mind of Jill Bolte Taylor, Pt 2: Electric Boogaloo

02 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week, Susan and Laura, still super sparked by the life-changing whole brain approach of Jill Bolte Taylor, take an even deeper dive into her work...

Creativity Sparks: Lincoln in the Bardo

26 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week, Susan and Laura share sparks inspired by the bestseller Lincoln in the Bardo by George Saunders. This exploration of grief led to a greater...

Creativity Sparks: The Brain of Jill Bolte Taylor

19 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week on The Spark File, Susan and Laura discuss The Brain of Jill Bolte Taylor - one hell of a managed mind! The woman who taught us to "Please t...