The Spark File with Susan Blackwell and Laura Camien

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 celebrated athlete who set swimming records around the world and achieved astonishing feats of strength and endurance (including swimming with a baby gray whale - eighteen feet long! - in open waters)She is internationally famous for swimming the world’s most difficult waterways without a wet suit, and she is able to endure water temperatures so cold they would kill anyone else.Lynne is the acclaimed best-selling author of Swimming to Antarctica and many more books, including her upcoming Tales of Al.She is also a beautiful human being who recognizes and celebrates all forms of athleticism and creativity in others!And this week, we got to talk to Lynne!! Join us as we explore the creative mindset of Lynne Cox - her resilience, gravitas, discipline, imagination… (make us stop because we could go on and on…)  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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, the balls of @connorratliff, creator of Dead Eyes podcast.Connor created an unbelievable podcast experience in order to solve what he calls “a very stupid mystery that has haunted him for two decades: why Tom Hanks fired him from a small role in the 2001 HBO mini-series, Band of Brothers.”Instead of running from the experience, he dove directly into the mix of emotions surrounding the event  - confusion, shame, humor - and found a very entertaining way to explore it all.He took a perceived ‘failure’ and created a new (and very satisfying) ending to the story.In other words, he gave himself quite possibly the best “Let Me Try That Again” that we’ve ever seen. By taking charge of ALL the stories of perceived failure, Collin has empowered us all to rewrite the ending.And we are here for it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Susan and Laura got to hang with bad ass lighting designer and friend, Marc Janowitz, whose holistic, dynamic lighting designs illuminate a story and light up an audience.His bold, no holds barred lighting transforms comedians into a rock stars and rock stars into gods.Tune in to hear how Marc approaches designs for concerts for My Morning Jacket, The Lumineers, Fun., and many others, and comedy specials like Chris Rock, Adam Sandler, Flight of the Conchords, Bo Burnham, theatre shows like Blue Man Group and Forbidden Broadway and so much more… Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, after experiencing unexpected loss, Laura and Susan discuss the role of grief and friendship, and the bittersweet and inevitable intermixing of joy and heartbreak along this journey we call life. Inspired by the genius of Brene Brown, Karen Walrond and Susan Cain, Laura and Susan agree with the conclusion that our broken hearts connect us all. And as creators all we can hope to do is make works of profound sadness and beauty. Break our hearts. Use all of the pain. Like Marcus Aurelius said, “A blazing fire makes flame and brightness out of everything that is thrown into it” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 saint of entrepreneurs”.We have to agree.He’s a saint, but our kind of saint -  comfortable with subversive humor served with a dash of profanity. On a mission to end entrepreneurial poverty, Mike changed our lives (and the way we think about making a living) with his book, Profit First. He has done the same for millions of other entrepreneurs as well.If you want a fresh, bold perspective on earning a living as a creative entrepreneur, please tune in! Mike is a joy to talk to, and life-changing to learn from! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 use your talents and resources for the power of good.Tune in this week to hear of creative acts by artists and others to support our colleagues in Ukraine. If you’ve wondered how you can put your thoughts and prayers into action – this episode is for you! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Everywhere you look these days there is a con going down… Inventing Anna, The Tinder Swindler, The Dropout, The Puppermaster, Super Pumped, WeCrashed… Con artists are having a moment.  Tune in this week to learn more about the hustle, and how you can avoid being a “sucker”, a “stooge”, or a “gull” – Better yet, turn the confidence game into an inspired spark! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 time you felt a sense of personal agency over your finances? You are smart and capable. Tune in for some tips on how you can be even smarter and more capable. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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? What is the point of that voice?Tune in this week as we gain an understanding of how to tame this voice, and put it to good use, thanks to Chatter: The Voice in our Head, Why it Matters, and how to Harness it by Ethan Kross. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 Highwaymen turned to art to elevate themselves and their community out of poverty while reflecting the beauty of Florida landscapes.These master painters (some trained and some self-taught) captured the beauty they saw around them, and supported their community with the profits. Dive into the lives and the legacy they painted for themselves… Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices