The Spark File with Susan Blackwell and Laura Camien

What do a trad-wife time travel thriller, influencer culture, motherhood, nostalgia, and the deep human need to be seen have in common?

In this episode of The Spark File Podcast, Laura shares a spark inspired by the bestselling novel Yesteryear—a story about a modern trad-wife influencer who suddenly finds herself living in the 1850s - a life she’s been romanticizing online. What follows is a fascinating conversation about the stories we tell ourselves, performative identities, digital personas, internalized misogyny, motherhood, and the seductive pull of a "simpler" past.

Along the way, Susan and Laura explore a provocative question: What happens to us when we're constantly being watched—or when we desperately want to be? From social media and influencer culture to acting, creativity, and the neuroscience of being seen, this spark leads to an unexpected and moving discovery about how our sense of self is formed—and how it can be restored.

If you've ever wondered whether you're fully living your life or somehow watching it from the sidelines, this conversation may put a few sparks in your file.

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What if one of the greatest creative gifts you could offer someone… was your attention?

In this episode of The Spark File Podcast, Susan Blackwell and Laura Camien explore the transformative work of Nancy Kline and her groundbreaking book Time to Think. Together, they unpack the idea of “thinking environments” — spaces where people can think clearly, creatively, and courageously because they are being listened to without interruption, judgment, rushing, or fixing.

They discuss thinking partnerships, the surprising power of silence, why uninterrupted attention can unlock buried insight, and how modern life may be making it harder than ever to hear our own thoughts.

If you’ve been craving clarity, creative momentum, deeper listening, or simply a little more room to think… this episode is for you.

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Feeling stuck, numb, overwhelmed… or just weirdly “off”?

In this episode of The Spark File Podcast, Susan Blackwell and Laura Camien explore the brain’s four major feel-good chemicals — dopamine, serotonin, endorphins, and oxytocin — and the surprising ways creativity helps activate every single one of them.

What starts as a conversation about burnout and anhedonia turns into a hopeful deep dive into creativity, connection, movement, laughter, art, and the science of feeling better. Along the way, Susan and Laura unpack “cheap dopamine,” creative flow states, the power of community, and why your right amygdala might be the unsung hero of your emotional well-being.

A neuroscience-meets-creativity episode for anyone who could use a little more wonder, possibility, and joy right about now.

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What if the people in our lives came with warning labels, gift receipts or invisible instruction manuals?

In this episode of The Spark File Podcast, Laura and Susan explore the invisible “rule books” we all carry — the hidden needs, sensitivities, communication styles, expectations, and emotional landmines that shape our relationships and creative collaborations.

From feedback preferences to friendship dynamics to the phrase “I might cry, but I still want you to tell me the truth,” this conversation gets honest, funny, vulnerable, and unexpectedly practical.

Because maybe a little more clarity and awareness about who we are could save us all a little heartbreak.

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What if the muse isn’t something you wait for, but something you meet?

In this episode, Susan and Laura explore the evolution of the creative muse — from ancient Greek mythology (yes, daughters of Zeus included) to modern-day metaphors like demons, geniuses, broccoli, and even… a monkey driving a speedboat.

Along the way, they unpack a powerful truth: The most creative people aren’t waiting for inspiration, they’re showing up – consistently – so inspiration has somewhere to land.

Featuring insights from Stephen King, Elizabeth Gilbert, Anne Lamott, and more, this episode reframes creativity as a practice, not a lightning bolt strike.

Plus, you’ll get a simple, doable way to build your own creative ritual – just 10 minutes a day – that can transform how you experience your creativity (and yourself).

Because the key isn’t waiting for the muse to visit you, it’s visiting the muse.

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