The Creative Spark

In our first episode of 2022, I sit down with director (and former actor) Jessica Harmon. As an actress, Jessica is known for her work on long-running series the CW's “The 100” and “iZombie”. In the last two years, Jessica has directed eight feature films, including one I wrote for UpTV titled “Fixing Up Christmas” which stars The Flash's Natalie Dreyfuss. Jessica offers great insight into how to make a career shift within the entertainment industry, advice on the actor's mindset, and how to age gracefully in the industry. About Jessica: Canadian director and actress, Jessica Harmon is best known for portraying Esrin in the Syfy science fiction web series Battlestar Galactica: The Face of the Enemy, FBI Agent Dale Bozzio in the CW supernatural drama series iZombie, and Niylah in the CW science fiction drama series The 100. As a director, she's directed multiple movies for Hallmark including The Angel Tree, My Best Friend's Bouquet and The Vows We Keep. Her 2021 Christmas movie, Fixing Up Christmas which was written by Ansley Gordon and stars Natalie Dreyfuss and Marshall Williams and was one of the top-rated movies on UpTV for their 2021 holiday season. --------- CONNECT WITH JESSICA Instagram CONNECT WITH ANSLEY IMDb Instagram --------- MUSIC: Come Along by Jay Someday | https://soundcloud.com/jaysomedayMusic promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.comCreative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en_US

In this episode, I sit down with actress and graphic designer Stephanie Bennett. We dive into how to overcome audition nerves, how to rest your creativity, the power of saying no, and her transition from actress to graphic designer to actress/graphic designer and how she juggles both! About Stephanie: Born and raised in Vancouver, Canada, Stephanie Bennett studied ballet at a young age, including two years at a Canada's National Ballet School. Stephanie began training as an actress in 2010, studying with local renowned acting coaches. She has starred in numerous television series including Netflix's ‘Travelers', Freeform's ‘Shadowhunters', History Chanel's Project ‘Blue Book' as well as leading on the CBC series ‘21 Thunder' and ‘The Romeo Section'. Stephanie has led a variety of TV Movies, including ‘Stolen Dreams' which achieved Stephanie her Leo Award win, as well as ‘The Nine Lives of Christmas' and ‘The Last Bridesmaid'. Stephanie has demonstrated her versatility in Tim Burton's ‘Big Eyes', The CW Series ‘iZombie', the Lifetime series ‘UnReal', as well as Snow White for the Disney Channel's ‘Descendants'. This past spring, Stephanie lead the psychological thriller in Calgary, Canada, ‘Remote Danger' to be released early 2022. She has also been busy starring in a number of Romantic Comedies for Reel One Entertainment and the Hallmark channel, including ‘Love for Starters,' ‘Listening to Love' and ‘Love in Yellowstone' all the be released late of this year. --- Connect with Stephanie INSTAGRAM GRAPHIC DESIGN WORK ---- Connect with Ansley INSTAGRAM WEBSITE --------- MUSIC: Come Along by Jay Someday | https://soundcloud.com/jaysomedayMusic promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.comCreative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en_US

In this episode I sit down with TV Host, Comedian and Designer Trish Suhr! Best known as “The Yard Sale Diva,” Trish appeared in over 200 episodes of the Emmy winning makeover show “Clean House” where she helped families across America clean, declutter and get organized! Trish's keen eye and attention to detail, has made her an expert in functional design and organization - specializing in clutter management and interiors. Trish has delivered her comedic take on living your best life on numerous television shows including Good Morning America, Good Day LA, Hallmark's Home & Family, as well as commentary on FOX, E!, CMT and GAME SHOW NETWORK. A native of Kentucky, this Emmy winner and Lifestyle Expert, uses her southern sensibilities to navigate life on the road. Trish puts the “southern” in Southern California. ------ Trish Recommends: The Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod The Miracle Morning Documentary - https://miraclemorning.com/movie/ It's Not Your Money by Tosha Silver You Are a Badass at Making Money Jen Sincero Idillianire - https://idillionaire.com/shop/books.html ---- Connect with Trish Instagram Website ---- Connect with Ansley Instagram Website --------- MUSIC: Come Along by Jay Someday | https://soundcloud.com/jaysomeday Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en_US

In this episode I sit down with actress and singer/songwriter Jerusha Cavazos! A first generation American, an ex-gymnast, an ex-pageant girl and a lot of NERD. Jerusha was raised in central Florida in a little town right behind Walt Disney World. After honing her craft and gaining a BFA she made the move to NYC to chase the dream. Within her first few months in NYC she appeared in a National spot for Google, participated in high profile workshops for new musicals such as Clueless, Love Sick, EMMA, and The Prom. She also made her Network TV debut on the Emmy Award winning TV show ATLANTA starring Donald Glover. Jerusha was most recently seen on Broadway in the hit musical comedy, The Prom directed by Casey Nicholaw. (see more here) ​UP NEXT: Jerusha will be making her NYC principal debut in the new highly anticipated original musical Between The Lines (based off the bestselling book by Jodi Picoult) at 2ndStage Theatre. . Available now on Apple Podcasts and Spotify! . Connect with Jerusha Instagram Website Connect with Ansley Instagram Website ___________________________ MUSIC: Come Along by Jay Someday | https://soundcloud.com/jaysomeday Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en_US

In this episode I sit down with actress, singer, songwriter and producer Skyler Day. Skyler is the definition of a multi-hyphenate - from her successful acting career working on shows like Parenthood, Pretty Little Liars and currently recurring on Fox's The Resident to writing and producing her own EP, Songs from the Greenhouse, in a studio she and her husband created in their backyard. Skyler has captured the attention of fans across the globe, including GRAMMY-winning artist Kacey Musgraves, who handpicked her for a mentorship that focuses on putting more women on stage at major music festivals, including ACL Festival, which Day is slated to play this fall. She has also sold out venues like the Troubadour and Hotel Cafe in Los Angeles, and was named a finalist in the International Acoustic Music Awards and International Songwriting Competition for her song “6 Feet Apart”, produced and co-written by Steve Solomon (“Say You Won't Let Go” James Arthur). Connect with Skyler Instagram Website “Songs from the Greenhouse” – available wherever you stream your music! Connect with Ansley Instagram Website ___________________________ MUSIC: Come Along by Jay Someday | https://soundcloud.com/jaysomeday Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en_US

What is creativity? How does it work? In this podcast, I sit down with leading creatives across a myriad of fields – from interior designers, to actors, comedians and musicians to fitness professionals and business owners – to discuss how they found that magical, elusive, tantalizing thing inside of themselves called creativity and hopefully help you spark it inside of yourself. I'm your host Ansley Gordon and this is The Creative Spark! Creative conversations with creative individuals. https://www.thecreativesparkpod.com/ ___________________________ MUSIC: Come Along by Jay Someday | https://soundcloud.com/jaysomeday Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en_US