The Creative Spark

Brenda Adelman is an award-winning actor, speaker, the recipient of a Hero of Forgiveness award from the Hawaii International Forgiveness Project & has been interviewed on over 200 media outlets including NPR, Fox TV & CBS. She runs Forgiveness and Freedom Coaching and is also the founder of Your Story Made Simple. She’s performed her critically acclaimed one-woman show, My Brooklyn Hamlet, for over 12,000 people worldwide. She's a digital course creator, coach, and has developed & directed over 200 Ted style talks and stories for the stage for her clients. And she also wrote a book titled, My Father Killed My Mother and Married My Aunt: Forgiving the Unforgivable. Join Brenda and I as we talk about sharing her incredibly powerful and vulnerable one-woman show, My Brooklyn Hamlet, the power of forgiveness and how to tap into your creativity and share authentically. I got so much out of this truly enjoyable discussion and know you will too!  So many thoughtful nuggets of wisdom for creatives, those going through an incredibly tough time, as well as those who are struggling with forgiveness.  To learn more about today's guest Brenda Adelman please visit: Website: https://forgivenessandfreedom.com   Free FB Group - Unforgettable Speakers Society  https://www.facebook.com/groups/unforgettablespeakerssociety To learn more about host G. Brian Benson: www.gbrianbenson.com www.thecreativesparklife.com www.patreon.com/gbrianbenson www.habitsforsuccessbook.com Instagram: www.instagram.com/gbrianbenson Facebook: www.facebook.com/gbrianbensonmedia LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gbrianbenson/ Produced by Casey Jarombek ✌ Brought to you by Reawaken Media www.reawakenmedia.com 

Episode 203 - Guest Diane Foy Ready to slide into the spotlight with the impact (and income) to match? Then you should know Diane Foy, the creator of the Superfan Attraction Method. During her 2 decades in arts and entertainment PR, Diane represented talents such as Jane’s Addiction’s Perry Farrell, South Africa’s The Parlotones, and One Day at a Times’s Mackenzie Phillips, and Pretty Little Liars Tyler Blackburn.   Diane draws on her multi-passionate background of photography, makeup artistry, PR, marketing and creative psychology in her personal brand coaching. She empowers purpose-driven creatives to ditch self doubt, maximize their talents and promote themselves with ease. Diane also hosts the Superfan Attraction podcast. Join Diane and I as we talk about multi-passionates (we both definitely are) and the creative process of personal branding. Enjoy! To learn more about today's guest Diane Foy please visit: Website: https://dianefoy.com/ Free discovery session! https://dianefoy.com/booking Superfan Attraction Playbook dianefoy.com/freebie Twitter Handle: https://twitter.com/DianeFoyArts  Facebook Page:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/superfanattraction Instagram Handle:  https://www.instagram.com/dianefoyarts/  To learn more about host G. Brian Benson: www.gbrianbenson.com www.patreon.com/gbrianbenson www.habitsforsuccessbook.com Instagram: www.instagram.com/gbrianbenson Facebook: www.facebook.com/gbrianbensonmedia LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gbrianbenson/ Produced by Casey Jarombek ✌ Brought to you by Reawaken Media www.reawakenmedia.com 

Episode 202 - Jeffrey Weissman is an actor’s actor. He would have been going by horseback or wagon from town to town before the advent of film and television, reciting Shakespeare or performing plays in small towns all over the countryside.  He acts, produces, writes, and directs, and has worked with legendary film actors such as Clint Eastwood and Michael J. Fox. Jeffrey has over 100 theater stage credits and over 80 film and TV credits and has been a working actor since the mid-1970’s. He has been a player and artistic director in many improv troupes as well as co-starred in many storied Hollywood features such as Back to the Future II & III, Pale Rider, and Twilight Zone the Movie. On television, he has appeared in such fabled shows as Diagnosis Murder, Dallas, Saved by the Bell, Max Headroom, and Scarecrow and Mrs. King, just to name a few. Jeffrey continues to work in theater and film, while venturing into theme parks, trade shows, improv and sketch shows with a great deal of success. He is also a mentor, teacher, and coach. Join Jeffrey and I as we talk about his creative process of acting as well as all of the amazing roles he has had throughout his career in Hollywood. Enjoy! To learn more about today's guest Jeffrey Weissman please visit: Website: http://www.JeffreyWeissman.com Twitter Handle: @JefWeissman Facebook Page:  @JeffreyWeissmanActor Instagram Handle:  @jeffreyjweissman IMDB = https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0919297/?ref_=nv_sr_1 Back to the Future Reunion Charity Event: http://www.backto1885.com/ 

Ep. 201 - My guest this week is Emily Otteson, an incredibly talented artist, songwriter, and entertainer from Nashville, TN.  Her voice is unique, almost angelic at times and her choice of melodic improvisations make her stand out and allow her to claim her own place in a town known for great singers. Her laugh is contagious and her personality shines through whether she's singing or connecting with her audience.  Emily started singing in church at the age of 12, started singing in coffee shops at 18, started singing in bars at 21, and eventually moved to Nashville, TN in 2016 to continue her musical pursuits. In 2017, Emily sang her original song “Wild Boy” on the Grand Ole Opry stage for Reba McEntire and released her first single “I Baked You a Pie” in 2018. Since then, she has released two other EPs, toured the country, and plans to release her next single “Rio Grande” this year followed by an album.  Join Emily and I as we talk about her rising music career, living in Nashville, her creative musings and her slightly silly nature which adds levity and good vibes to wherever she goes. She also sings her latest song "Rio Grande" live! You don't want to miss this episode! 

Ep. 115  -My guest this week is Mike "Smidi" Smith, an award-winning songwriter, musician, mixer, producer and record label owner who now has a media branch that is beginning to produced TV and Film projects.  He is an Emmy, Clio and Addy Award winner who has written and produced songs that have sold over 14 million copies worldwide including multiple #1 songs, albums and top ten hits.  Smith has worked with Giorgio Moroder, Sia, Coldplay, Ke$ha, Miley Cyrus, Britney Spears, One Republic, Tyrone Wells and many others.  Smidi began his career as a keyboardist, playing in bands with Keith Urban and Ben Folds.  After moving to Los Angeles, Smith signed a publishing deal with Sony ATV and began focusing on album writing and production.   Smidi’s music has been licensed and placed in thousands of TV shows and commercials.  He has 4 Emmy nominations for his work in television and won BMI’s Film and TV award in 2019.   Internationally, Smidi is known for his global theme for Live Earth, the largest televised concert in history.  His theme opened the event delivered across 7 continents with concerts in New York, London, Sydney, Tokyo, Shanghai, Rio de Janeiro, Johannesburg and Hamburg.  Most recently, Smidi is co-founder of the music and media label Saint Rogue along with his partner TJ Stafford. His tenured licensing experience has been instrumental to Saint Rogue’s rapid success in TV and film. Join Mike and I as we talk about his career in the rapidly changing music industry, some of his special projects and where he thinks the music industry is headed.  You won't want to miss it! Learn more about Mike: Websites: https://www.smidimusic.com https://www.saintrogue.com Social Media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smidicity/ Twitter: @SmidiMusic Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Smidi To learn more about host G. Brian Benson: www.gbrianbenson.com www.habitsforsuccessbook.com Instagram: www.instagram.com/gbrianbenson Facebook: www.facebook.com/gbrianbensonmedia LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gbrianbenson/   Produced by Casey Jarombek ✌ Brought to you by Reawaken Media www.reawakenmedia.com 

Ep. 114  -My guest this week is Erin Gavin, a Scottish actress, singer, entrepreneur and keynote speaker. As a child and teen actress, Erin had numerous roles in theater and in UK television series. After moving to Los Angeles, she continued to find success in films, theater and television. In 2014 Erin played for the first time, the role of Marilyn Monroe in the stage play, Marilyn: My Secret at the Macha Theatre in Hollywood.  Since then, she has played Marilyn many more times including the recently released audio podcast Marilyn, Behind the Icon.   In addition to being a celebrated actress, Erin is an incredibly accomplished entrepreneur.  She created the Erin Gavin Agency (EGA), which has become one of the United Kingdom’s leading providers of models, dancers and Film & television background artists.  Erin also recently signed a record deal with Serdica Records and her first track was released last October title "I'm through with love". Join us as we talk about her career, what it's like to portray Marilyn Monroe as well as what it takes to succeed as an entrepreneur in the entertainment business! Learn more about Erin: eringavin.biz  www.behindtheicon.com https://www.serdicarecords.com/erin-gavin/ Social Media: Twitter: https://twitter.com/eringavinartist Facebook Page:  https://www.facebook.com/eringavinacting Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/eringavinartist/ To learn more about host G. Brian Benson: www.gbrianbenson.com www.habitsforsuccessbook.com Instagram: www.instagram.com/gbrianbenson Facebook: www.facebook.com/gbrianbensonmedia LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gbrianbenson/   Produced by Casey Jarombek ✌ Brought to you by Reawaken Media www.reawakenmedia.com 

Episode 113 - If you are a big sports fan like myself, you will definitely recognize this week’s guest Kevin Negandhi.  He is everywhere on ESPN.  He’s an anchor on SportsCenter, he also covers ESPN College Football on ABC.  He’s hosted Baseball Tonight, College Football Live and Outside the Lines.  He has also been a fill-in anchor on NFL Live and First Take.  He has also hosted the Rose Parade, Special Olympic World Games and USA Games on ESPN and ABC. And to top it all off, Kevin hosted the first ever NBA Draft that aired on ABC in 2020.  And Kevin is the first anchor of Indian-American descent to be on a national sports network in American television history.  Join me as I chat Kevin up about his fantastic work on ESPN, his creative process as well as his role as a trailblazer in the sports journalism field.  You won't want to miss this conversation! To learn more about Kevin: https://www.instagram.com/kevinnegandhi/ https://www.facebook.com/KNegandhiESPN To learn more about host G. Brian Benson:   www.gbrianbenson.com www.habitsforsuccessbook.com Instagram: www.instagram.com/gbrianbenson Facebook: www.facebook.com/gbrianbensonmedia LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gbrianbenson/   Produced by Casey Jarombek ✌ Brought to you by Reawaken Media  www.reawakenmedia.com 

Episode 112.   Growing up in Oklahoma, my next guest Whitney Reynolds always knew that she wanted to have her own television show. As a child, she started interviewing her friends with a makeshift microphone in her living room. During her adolescence, her family's difficult personal journey gave her the desire to share delicate stories that must be told. At the age of 23, her childhood dream became her adult mission and her talk show was born.  Since then, her show has grown and expanded through hard work and a very caring nature that helps her connect with her guests and audience.   She is a television talk show host, media personality, podcast host, author, producer, philanthropist, Emmy nominated and a Telly Award winner. Whitney is widely known for her talk show The Whitney Reynolds Show, a nationally syndicated talk show that airs on PBS stations all across the United States.   Join Whitney and I as we have a fantastic chat about what it takes to produce and host a nationally syndicated talk show!  You won't want to miss it! -Link to show that I was a guest on Whitney's show! https://youtu.be/mnEo1lVF-0c To learn more about Whitney: Website: www.whitneyreynolds.com Twitter: www.twitter.com/whitneyreynolds Facebook:  www.facebook.com/whitneyreynoldstv Instagram:  www.instagram.com/whitney_reynolds To learn more about host G. Brian Benson: www.gbrianbenson.com www.patreon.com/gbrianbenson www.habitsforsuccessbook.com Instagram: www.instagram.com/gbrianbenson Facebook: www.facebook.com/gbrianbensonmedia LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gbrianbenson/ Produced by Casey Jarombek ✌ Brought to you by Reawaken Media

Episode 111 - Samba Schutte is a Dutch-Mauritanian actor, comedian and writer who was born in the Sahara Desert and grew up in Ethiopia until the age of 18. He's currently starring in the HBO Max pirate comedy "Our Flag Means Death" alongside Taika Waititi, Fred Armisen and Rhys Darby. He starred as the first Ethiopian character on an American sitcom - Hakim - on the NBC sitcom Sunnyside, alongside Kal Penn. Schutte is also known for the award-winning Netflix film The Tiger Hunter, having written for acclaimed video game Battlefield V, as well as performing motion capture for award-winning games Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War, Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus and more.  Join Samba and I as we talk about his creative process of acting and what it takes to break through in Hollywood. Enjoy! To learn more about today's guest Samba Schutte please visit: Website: https://www.sambaschutte.com Twitter Handle: @SambaSchutte Facebook Page:  SambaSchutte     Instagram Handle:  @SambaSchutte To learn more about host G. Brian Benson: www.gbrianbenson.com www.patreon.com/gbrianbenson www.habitsforsuccessbook.com Instagram: www.instagram.com/gbrianbenson Facebook: www.facebook.com/gbrianbensonmedia LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gbrianbenson/ Produced by Casey Jarombek ✌ Brought to you by Reawaken Media www.reawakenmedia.com 

Episode 110.   Guest Nita Sweeney is an award-winning wellness author of the running and mental health memoir, Depression Hates a Moving Target: How Running with My Dog Brought Me Back from the Brink and co-creator of the writing journal, You Should be Writing: A Journal of Inspiration & Instruction to Keep Your Pen Moving. She is also a certified meditation leader, mental health advocate, ultra-marathoner and former assistant to writing practice originator Natalie Goldberg.    Nita founded the groups Mind, Mood and Movement to support well-being through meditation, exercise, and writing practice, and The Writer's Mind, to share using writing practice to produce publishable work. Nita also publishes the writing resource newsletter, Write Now Columbus.    Join Nita and I as we talk about her journey back from depression and the creative process of writing. Enjoy! To learn more about today's guest Nita Sweeney please visit: Website: www.nitasweeney.com Twitter: @NitaSweeney Facebook:  @NitaSweeneyAuthor Instagram:  @NitaSweeney To learn more about host G. Brian Benson: www.gbrianbenson.com www.patreon.com/gbrianbenson www.habitsforsuccessbook.com Instagram: www.instagram.com/gbrianbenson Facebook: www.facebook.com/gbrianbensonmedia LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gbrianbenson/ Produced by Casey Jarombek ✌ Brought to you by Reawaken Media 

Episode 109 - Matteo Esposito is an autistic playwright and disability arts advocate from Oakville, Ontario. He has been wanting to write, produce and direct plays all his life. He got his start as a member of West End Studio Theatre in Oakville, working on props and was the assistant set designer for award-winning set designer Dr. Jane Coryell. And from there his inspiration and writing talent grew.  "Moon Child" is his latest work and shares the story of a young boy learning how to believe in his abilities and passion for painting while having to overcome his father's hesitance.   Join host G. Brian Benson and Matteo as they chat about his new play "Moon Child" and positive representation of people on the autism spectrum in the performing arts. To learn more about Matteo please visit: https://about.me/matteoesposito To learn more about host G. Brian Benson:   www.gbrianbenson.com www.habitsforsuccessbook.com Instagram: www.instagram.com/gbrianbenson Facebook: www.facebook.com/gbrianbensonmedia LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gbrianbenson/   Produced by Casey Jarombek ✌

Episode 108.   Guest Tanmaya Bingham is an award-winning painter whose drawings and paintings are a direct reflection of her fascination with the human condition and have been exhibiting both nationally and internationally in places such as Santa Fe, New York City, Sydney, Hong Kong and Berlin and have been featured in publications such as Hi-Fructose and Vogue. She has also studied painting and art history in Florence, art and architecture in Paris, and 3D digital modeling and sculpting in London and Vancouver, BC.  Academically, Tanmaya has a Bachelor of Arts from Antioch University, Santa Barbara, CA, and a Master of Fine Arts, from the Australian National University, Canberra.    Join Tanmaya and I as we talk about her work, her extensive arts education and industry experience as well as what it means to be an artist in the 21st century. Enjoy! To learn more about today's guest Tanmaya Bingham please visit: Website: www.tanmayabingham.com Facebook:  @tanmaya.bingham Instagram:  @tanmayabingham To learn more about host G. Brian Benson: www.gbrianbenson.com www.patreon.com/gbrianbenson www.habitsforsuccessbook.com Instagram: www.instagram.com/gbrianbenson Facebook: www.facebook.com/gbrianbensonmedia LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gbrianbenson/ Produced by Casey Jarombek ✌ Brought to you by Reawaken Media

Episode 107 -Blake Robbins is an award-winning actor, writer and director. In 2012, after years in front of the camera in such notable tv shows and movies as Oz, Sons of Anarchy, The Office, and Firefly, he stepped behind it to write, direct, produce and act in his feature film debut The Sublime and Beautiful, which world premiered at the 20th annual Slamdance Film Festival in 2014 and enjoyed a very successful film festival run which included many awards and nominations.   More recently Blake directed the well-received and reviewed film, The Scent of Rain and Lightning and is currently enjoying a successful screenwriting competition run with his latest script, Into the Lake of Fire.  Blake also co-authored the book, Acting Q’s: Conversations with Working Actors with casting director and author Bonnie Gillespie.   FB – www.facebook.com/blake.robbins Twitter - www./twitter.com/robbins_blake IG - www.instagram.com/blake.robbins/ To learn more about host G. Brian Benson:    www.gbrianbenson.com www.patreon.com/gbrianbenson www.habitsforsuccessbook.com Instagram: www.instagram.com/gbrianbenson Facebook: www.facebook.com/gbrianbensonmedia LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gbrianbenson/   Produced by Casey Jarombek ✌ Brought to you by Reawaken Media

Episode 106 - Jamie Whitmore raced as a professional Xterra Athlete (swim, mtn. bike, run) for 7 years winning 37 races, 1 World Championship, 6 US Championships and 2 European Tour Titles!  After being diagnosed with cancer in 2008 and a paralysis of most of her left leg, she began a second career as a US Paralympic Cyclist where she competed in both the 2016 Rio and 2020 Tokyo Paralympic games.  At the Rio games, Jamie won a gold medal in the Road Cycling race and a Silver in the 3k Pursuit.  In Tokyo, she had 2-7th place finishes and an 8th place finish.  In addition to her 2 Olympic medals, Jamie has won a total of 20 medals in World Championship cycling competition. In 2014 Jamie won an Espy award for the Best Female Athlete with a Disability. Join Jamie and I as we talk about her inspiring story of overcoming multiple bouts of cancer and finding athletic success both before and after adversity.  Jamie has a very unique story to tell and an incredible Spirit! To learn more about host G. Brian Benson:    www.gbrianbenson.com www.patreon.com/gbrianbenson www.habitsforsuccessbook.com Instagram: www.instagram.com/gbrianbenson Facebook: www.facebook.com/gbrianbensonmedia LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gbrianbenson/   Produced by Casey Jarombek ✌

Episode 105 -Michael Bentt is one of the most highly decorated amateur boxers in US history and in 1993 defeated Tommy Morrison with a first round knockout to win the WBO Heavyweight Boxing Championship. He also survived an abusive father, a suicidal experience and 4 days in a coma with swelling on his brain after his last fight. Post boxing, Michael tapped into his creative side and began writing, directing and acting in such movies as “Ali”, Public Enemies, numerous television shows, theater and was featured in the Netflix series “Losers." Join Michael and I as we unwrap it all and dive into his process as an actor, writer and being vulnerable in today's society. To learn more about Michael Bentt:    Website - www.michaelbentt.com    To learn more about host G. Brian Benson:   www.gbrianbenson.com www.patreon.com/gbrianbenson www.habitsforsuccessbook.com Instagram: www.instagram.com/gbrianbenson Facebook: www.facebook.com/gbrianbensonmedia LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gbrianbenson/   Produced by Casey Jarombek ✌

Episode 104 - Guest Derek Vanderhorst is a film and documentary supervising sound editor and Americana Music Artist. Derek has worked on some of the biggest films of the last two decades including No Country for Old Men and Hidden Figures, and Derek’s first solo album Wildflower launched this past November.  In addition to being an incredibly creative person, Derek has a very inspirational story to share that played a driving part in helping him find his voice in a way that he had not done before.   It started with stage 4 head and neck cancer. Derek was told he might lose his voice or worse die. The moment he was diagnosed, he knew his lifelong dedication to music could no longer take a back seat. Now 5-years cancer free, and after hundreds of hours of vocal rehab, Derek Vanderhorst has claimed his voice as an Americana music artist.  To learn more about Derek Vanderhorst:   Website:  www.derekvmusic.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/derekvmusic Instagram: www.instagram.com/derekvhmusic   To learn more about host G. Brian Benson:   www.gbrianbenson.com www.patreon.com/gbrianbenson www.habitsforsuccessbook.com Instagram: www.instagram.com/gbrianbenson Facebook: www.facebook.com/gbrianbensonmedia LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gbrianbenson/   Produced by Casey Jarombek ✌

Episode 103 - Guest Gina Nemo is an award-winning Producer, Director, Writer, Actress, and is the founder of Ventura Actors Studio and Gina Nemo Studios. She is producing and directing films, television shows, pilots and documentaries through her production and marketing company G Plan Media & Entertainment. Currently all of her films have won awards all over the world. She will be shooting three feature films in 2022.  She was a series regular on the hit TV series 21 Jump Street. Join Gina and I as we talk about acting, screenwriting and producing in Hollywood.  Enjoy!  To learn more about Gina Nemo: Website - www.ginanemo.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/GINANEMO IG: www.instagram.com/officialginanemo/ Facebook Public Page: https://www.facebook.com/officialginanemo/ To learn more about host G. Brian Benson: www.gbrianbenson.com www.patreon.com/gbrianbenson www.habitsforsuccessbook.com Instagram: www.instagram.com/gbrianbenson Facebook: www.facebook.com/gbrianbensonmedia LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gbrianbenson/  Produced by Casey Jarombek ✌

Episode 102.   Guest Brian Fitzpatrick is an award-winning author, screenwriter, paranormal investigator and speaker. Imagine being just 7 years old and accidentally watching the horror classic, Night of the Living Dead.  For Brian Fitzpatrick, that’s precisely what happened.  It became the catalyst for a life-altering path forward.  After a week of sleepless nights, he became fascinated with the idea that he could be so scared, yet be perfectly safe.  At his mom’s suggestion, he put pen to paper and has been creating horror and science fiction tales ever since.  Brian is the author of the popular science fiction trilogy Mechcraft which can be found on Amazon.  Brian also has numerous screenplays in the works.  Join Brian and I as we talk about the creative process of writing science fiction and screenplays as well as discuss some aspects of marketing both.  Enjoy! To learn more about today's guest Brian Fitzpatrick please visit: Website: http://www.brianfitzpatrickbooks.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheWritingFitz Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/AuthorBrianFitzpatrick Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorbrianfitzpatrick/ To learn more about host G. Brian Benson: www.gbrianbenson.com www.patreon.com/gbrianbenson www.habitsforsuccessbook.com Instagram: www.instagram.com/gbrianbenson Facebook: www.facebook.com/gbrianbensonmedia LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gbrianbenson/ Produced by Casey Jarombek ✌

The Creative Spark -Episode 101.  With host/guest G. Brian Benson.  Brian shares his backstory and goals for The Creative Spark as well as gives listeners an idea of what to expect with future guests. G. Brian Benson is an award-winning and #1 best-selling self-improvement and children’s book author, actor, filmmaker, project coach, podcast host and TEDx speaker. As a 4x Ironman triathlete and cross-country bicyclist, Brian knows the value of hard work and never giving up on his dreams, a message he shares with audiences through each of his creative expressions. Brian’s latest book “Habits for Success – Inspired Ideas to Help You Soar” was an Amazon #1 Best-Seller and was selected as a 2019 Book Excellence Award Winner in the Motivational book category. To learn more about G. Brian Benson: www.gbrianbenson.com www.habitsforsuccessbook.com www.patreon.com/gbrianbenson Produced by Casey Jarombek ✌