Sparkle On With Devi Jags

If you’re in a creative slump, according to Laura Desirée, the solution is simple: go masturbate. As an Intimacy Coordinator, Creative Director at SNCTM, Sex Educator, and Activist, Laura shares her journey of unlocking her erotic force and explains why it is the essential engine behind the power of creativity. From her early days as a dancer in the Lower East Side, to her vision designing immersive, cinematic events at SNCTM, she explores how artistic escapes allow us to reclaim the most intimate relationship we possess — the one with our own bodies.Laura reveals that sexual energy and creative energy are fundamentally the same, the "erotic" being the very home of creation itself. By igniting the flame of the erotic within ourselves, we do more than just pursue pleasure; we settle into a flow state that permits us to stand proud and move forward in our work. Reclaiming our desire is the ultimate act of self-development, ensuring that we remain purposeful, inspired, and ready to Sparkle in everything we create.

Fiona Murden knows finding the home within you is a lot easier said than done. Psychologist and author of Defining You, Fiona shares her framework for unlocking human potential by harnessing the power of story.Devi and her dive into the nuances of how creativity is vital not just as an artistic pursuit, but as a fundamental aspect of being human, encompassing how we think, imagine, and problem-solve. Fiona explains why many people wrongly believe they aren't creative and details her journey to organizational psychology, driven by a deep curiosity about human thought. She emphasizes that pivotal life moments, even those marked by rage or trauma, often serve as catalysts for self-examination and growth.Fiona introduces the concept of Mirror Thinking and its neuroscientific basis in social learning. She advocates for shifting from the self-defeating question "Why?" (which can lead to depression and anxiety) to the constructive question "What?" (which guides us toward self-awareness and next steps). The episode also explores the vital connection between physical movement and creativity, noting that movement frees the mind and allows for greater clarity, helping us integrate the mind and body. Ultimately, Fiona advises listeners to navigate life's inevitable uncertainties by cultivating self-acceptance and holding things lightly, rather than rigidly adhering to external "shoulds" or focusing solely on outcomes.Fiona’s book, workshops, and podcast can be found at https://www.fionamurden.com/ or @fiona_murden on Instagram.

Devi sits down with the talented Casey Hodge—actor, model, content creator, and now a self-published author under the pseudonym Cynthia Scarlett. Casey discusses her journey, from committing to her childhood dream of acting and modeling to moving to LA and diversifying her career during the shutdown. She shares how she handles rejection and how creating content, often with her husband, Riley, on TikTok, has helped her professionally.Casey reveals the fun, collaborative process of writing the fantasy-smut novel Shadow of Mortalis with friends, a method more common in TV or podcasting than book writing. They explore why fantasy and smut are so popular, offering a crucial escape for many women.Casey also emphasizes that, thanks to the power of social media and platforms like Amazon, independent authors in this genre have successfully bypassed traditional publishing. Finally, Casey shares her personal practices for finding her Sparkle through hobbies and self-care.

Meet Hana Tanaka and Wesley Barker, best friends who transformed their Wicked obsession into a viral sensation. Their social media series, which has garnered over 2 million views and counting, follows their journey to (hopefully) get them to the Green Carpet!Never singing before led to six months of vocal training, and a one-night performance that honored friendship, Oz, and the unique challenge to 'defy' expectations, together. Let's help them get to the 'Wicked: For Good' premiere! Hana Tanaka TikTok:https://www.tiktok.com/@hanaisfinechina?lang=enWesley Barker TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@wesleyrbarker?lang=enWicked Movie TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@wickedmovie?lang=en

What does it truly mean to live your purpose? We welcome Reena SenGupta, astrologer, coach, and founder of Sundara Dharma, a movement focused on decolonizing yoga and guiding creative entrepreneurs to embody their rawest form of purpose (Dharma).We dive into Reena’s intuitive toolkit, starting with the basics of Sun, Moon, and Rising signs in astrology, and demystifying the TikTok trends around a Saturn Return. Reena explains how to integrate astrology into your life without losing accountability, and how cosmic cycles can actively inform and accelerate your creative process.

In the span of ten days, Jason Hancock lost his mother, his job, and his connection to meaningful work. So he moved to Japan and never looked back. As an actor and performer, Jason wanted to create a new stage for someone else, one that had never been done before. Special Beauty is the first beauty pageant of its kind in Japan, celebrating special needs youth with their unique and beautiful talents. Each year, participants partner with makeup artists for a runway fashion show and talent competition, and provide a platform for the youth to Sparkle.

Suuvi is not just an artist; she’s a multidisciplinary force—a renowned cello soloist, composer, and mental health advocate. In this raw and inspiring episode of Sparkle On, Devi Jags sits down with Suuvi to learn about a life built on musical excellence that came at a cost.As a child prodigy at Juilliard, Suuvi opens up about the immense pressure of a career built on pleasing others, revealing that despite achieving massive milestones in classical music (including a Carnegie Hall debut), she felt miserable. After her breaking point, Suuvi reveals the five-year journey she undertook to confront darkness and discover who she truly was as an artist.Through her practice with The Artist Way, and learning how to choose happiness, she found her most authentic voice (and sound) with her latest album, Dark Therapy. In the shadows, Suuvi reinvented and transformed herself, and in turn, her music.

Before you can heal, you have to be willing to look at your pain. Join host Devi Jags as she sits down with Nicole Zimmermann, a trauma-informed integral somatic coach, ceremonialist, and breathwork facilitator. Nicole was once an artist lost in the world of modeling, seeking acceptance and fitting in. She candidly shares her journey from battling addiction to a rock-bottom moment at 24 that led to a powerful realization: her body knew she needed to change before her mind did.Nicole dives into the first steps she took to reclaim her life, and the moments that helped her realize her deepest wounds led her to her greatest purpose. Through the power of somatic healing and breathwork, Nicole reclaimed her power and shifted her whole lifestyle and career. Her story urges us to look at the simplicity of one’s breath as a starting point to seek power in healing through the arts, the magic of rediscovering your inner child, and the importance of becoming a teacher for others on their own healing journeys.Breathe on, and Sparkle On.

Join singer-songwriter Ataia on Sparkle On as she discusses the healing power of music and finding resilience through sound. Inspired by her musician father, Ataia shares insights into her creative process, revealing how she crafts vulnerable and relatable lyrics from personal truths. With influences spanning pop, hip hop, trap, and bass, Ataia offers a unique blend of genres. Discover her journey of transformation, release, and radical self-trust in this captivating episode. Tune in for an inspiring conversation with this rising artist who uses music to illuminate life's challenges.

Christina Tasooji helps women unleash their feminine power. Through her executive coaching and being the founder of the Antidote Women’s Collective, she helps awaken what she calls the Conscious Feminine Leader. But her work didn’t begin with this intuitive and empowered 1:1 work. She is a licensed CPA working with multiple Fortune 500 companies, and a climbing to be a successful Hollywood media executive until she was diagnosed with the earliest stages of cervical cancer. Christina joins Sparkle On this week to guide us in using menstrual cycle awareness and cyclical rhythms as practical tools for understanding and embracing our most creative and authentic selves.

In this inspiring episode of Sparkle On, we sit down with Amy Peterson—founder of Rebel Nell and a true advocate for empowering women. Living next to one of Detroit’s most well-known shelters sparked her passion for helping marginalized women, ultimately leading to the creation of Rebel Nell, a social enterprise that transforms fallen graffiti into powerful, wearable art.Driven by a love for Detroit’s vibrant street art and a mission to create meaningful change, Peterson saw more than just discarded paint—she saw opportunity. Rebel Nell doesn’t just craft beautiful jewelry; it provides employment, financial literacy, business education, and wellness resources to women facing barriers, helping them build a path to independence.Recorded spontaneously during the SXSW conference after an inspiring week at the Midwest House activation, this episode captures the heart of Peterson’s mission and the energy that fuels her work. Tune in to hear how art, community, and purpose can come together to create something truly transformative.

The journey to success in Hollywood is rarely a straight line—it's a maze of triumphs, setbacks, and unexpected twists. Jasper Grey, founder of management and production company The Vendetta Group, knows this all too well. His company has brokered deals with every major network, studio, and streaming platform on behalf of its talented roster of writers and directors. Yet, despite his professional success, Grey shares a sobering reality: passion doesn't always pay the bills.In this episode of Sparkle On, Grey opens up about his career journey, but more importantly, he sheds light on the often-overlooked mental health struggles that creatives face. As someone who once ran a suicide hotline, Grey offers a honest perspective on what it means to navigate the darkest moments and emerge stronger. He discusses the portrayal of mental health in the media, the importance of empathy, and—ultimately—how to stay grounded in an industry that can often feel like it's losing touch with humanity.

It’s not easy to walk away from a multi-million dollar revenue-generating startup, but Roslyn McLarty had to. Co-founder of the women-run sports media brand The GIST, Roslyn tells her compelling tale of battling chronic burnout and discovering that healing isn’t a destination. It’s a journey. Roslyn believes there is a better way to build a successful company, and now, she’s found her true Sparkle, helping founders through coaching, content, and community in her new endeavor called Within. On this episode, we reveal why we even burnout in the first place, tapping into your zone of genius, and how to actually work from “within.”

She always wanted to be a Disney kid. Still, arguably, Eva has made more of a splash with her feature film debut in Billy Porter’s Anything’s Possible, a coming-of-age romantic dramedy that can be streamed on Amazon Prime Video. Eva Reign is an award-winning journalist and actress. She has won a Peabody Award, a GLAAD Media Award, and an NLGLA Award for her work as a correspondent and producer in the Vice News docu-series Transnational — a groundbreaking docuseries about transgender rights and resilience across the globe. Her writing has also appeared in Vogue, The Cut, and PAPER. This episode of Sparkle On dives into Eva's journey commitment to staying true to herself in an industry that notoriously tells you to be someone else, the power of a supportive community, and the importance of coming-of-age and diverse storytelling in the media landscape.

For Sparkle On’s Season 2 launch, we have Spencer Paysinger join us on the show, displaying the importance of owning our history. Paysinger is a retired NFL linebacker who was part of the Superbowl XLVI (46)-winning team with the New York Giants. He played seven seasons in the league before getting to where he is today — a Hollywood filmmaker widely known as the co-producer of the CW’s television series All American, inspired by his life’s story. He has co-founded Moore Street Productions, which tells stories at the intersection of sports and community. As a native of South Central LA, Spencer is co-owner of Hilltop Coffee & Kitchen, which has multiple locations across the city. If there is anything to know about Spencer, whether that is portrayed in his fictional character or here today in real life, his commitment to the community and telling the stories of those around him is unwavering. On this episode we dive into fatherhood, community, and the importance of telling stories as a form of activism.

According to Samara Bay, we all have a voice story. She is a highly sought-after speech coach, speaker, and thought leader whose clients span Hollywood celebrities, political powerhouses, and business leaders. She has had clients such as Rachel McAdams, has been interviewed by Deepak Chopra, and worked on blockbusters such as Wonder Woman and Guardians of the Galaxy.For her, voice is the vehicle to speak with confidence and joy, and in her words, “truly make sh*t happen.” She’s the author of the 2023 bestseller Permission to Speak: How to Change What Power Sounds Like, Starting With You, and her work has been featured in The New York Times Magazine, TIME, CBS Sunday Morning, Tamron Hall, Fast Company, Glamour, and Entrepreneur Magazine.On this episode of Sparkle On, we dive into the importance of voice, how to use it to get what you want, and how to step into our power!

When I ask Ajay Nwosu what comes after 1, 2, 3, his answer is 7, 8, 9. At his core, Ajay is a visionary. As an investor, advisor, and former CEO of Teqball USA, he has scaled over 27 companies across diverse industries. You may be familiar with some of them—PATH Water, Hyperice, and TMRW Sports.This episode explores the unique perspectives and lifestyles of thriving entrepreneurs, with a special focus on how the power of community unlocks our full potential. Ajay's journey spans four continents and includes experiences in professional soccer and aerospace engineering. It’s a testament to his nonlinear path, which has shaped his ability to invest in founders—people who possess the integrity, vision, and conviction to drive their goals forward.Ajay teaches us that true resilience isn't about never giving up but about relentlessly pursuing our passions.

Happy Thanksgiving! This week on Sparkle On, Devi Jags takes a solo journey of reflection, sharing intimate anecdotes and insights from her podcasting journey so far. From navigating the ups and downs of writing and friendships to finding inspiration in the most defying movie of the decade, "Wicked," Devi encourages listeners to embrace their personal growth this holiday season. Tune in for a conversation about navigating challenges, embracing change, and loving that our strength has been there all along.

Becoming viral might happen overnight, but the road to get there does not. Sidney Raz is a full-time content creator based in LA with over 5 million followers across his platforms. He is also a dad, a husband, a lifehacker, a learner, and much more. What is special about Sid’s story is that he has been trying to be a content creator for over 15 years. You might recognize him from videos over the years on YouTube, Vine, and Instagram, but in 2021, he posted, “Something I didn’t know until I was in my 30s.”Since then, he has built a following by telling people tips and tricks. His videos have been watched almost a billion times, and he’s received coverage in international media, such as the Today Show Australia, Good Morning America, the Drew Barrymore Show, the Daily Mail, and has worked with brands like Toyota, Cascade, and LA Library. Now, Sidney Raz is winning at life.

Jimmy Spencer has battled severe anxiety since he was a kid. As Senior Vice President of Talent Partnerships at The SpringHill Company (founded by LeBron James and Maverick Carter), he has worked with the world’s most influential athletes and influencers within the sports industry. The job comes with its own pressures, but his advocacy for mental health makes him a unique voice among the ones at the top of the media industry. On this episode of Sparkle On, Jimmy dives into the power storytelling has had on his life, helping communities access mental wellness care through his work with Cheatcode Foundation, and the profound changes faith has had in improving his anxiety.