Sparkle On With Devi Jags

Episodes

• 
  The Before Sunrise Writer on Limerence, Dopamine & Writing from the Subconscious | Kim Krizan 28.10.2026 1h 3m

  Kim Krizan, the Academy Award–nominated writer behind the Before trilogy, joins Sparkle On to unpack limerence, dopamine, and the creative power of writing from the subconscious. Kim reveals how she and her co-writer, Richard Linklater, built Before Sunrise around chemistry, the rare animal instinct that connects two people before words ever do. She unpacks the neuroscience behind limerence, the involuntary obsession fueled by dopamine that can feel as powerful as a drug, and why creative people have the bandwidth to channel that intensity into art instead of destruction. We dive into Kim's writing process and her journey studying Anaïs Nin's buried letters and original manuscripts, which led to her book, The Spy in the House of Anaïs Nin. Kim proves that your Sparkle isn't about staying stuck in the pain. It's about reaching for the sun until every petal unfolds. Read The Spy in the House of Anaïs Nin: https://a.co/d/089aEPq7 Watch Before Sunrise: https://tubitv.com/movies/100055410/before-sunrise?utm_source=web_share&utm_medium=Share&utm_campaign=copy_link&utm_content=title_detail_page Follow Kim Krizan: https://www.instagram.com/kimkrizan/?hl=en Chapters 00:00:00 Introduction and Welcome 00:02:32 Writing Before Sunrise 00:07:59 Method Acting on the Page: Channeling Characters 00:13:34 The Animal Story: Intuition and the Creative Process 00:19:06 The Captain and the Child: Balancing Structure and Creativity 00:21:07 The Paris Writing Workshop: Dancing and Discipline 00:29:45 Before Sunrise: Love or Limerence? 00:33:17 The Dopamine Roller Coaster: Understanding Limerence 00:38:26 The Primal Wound: Finding the Origin of Your Story 00:48:04 Anaïs Nin and the Spy in the House of Nin: Reclaiming Female Sexuality 00:52:55 The Cafe in Space: Diaries, Journals, and Leaving Records 00:57:52 The Rose Unfolds: Growth, Reaching, and Never Stopping
• 
  BookTok Made Fantasy Romance Too Big to Ignore | Casey Hodge 21.10.2026 40m

  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. This episode is a rerun from Season 2.
• 
  Screenwriting, Songwriting, and Screaming | Mina Tobias 14.10.2026 1h

  Actress, musician, and writer Mina Tobias grew up in her dad’s recording studio and on her mom’s film sets — but it took leaving athletics, starting therapy, and a pandemic full of insomnia before she found a creative voice that was her own. This conversation explores how screenwriting, picked up purely for fun with no intention of anyone ever reading it, became the thing that unlocked everything else — and why Mina believes a song and a scene are the same craft in different structures. She unpacks what the athlete’s mindset gave her, and what she had to unlearn from it, starting with the belief that discipline means sacrifice. Mina also takes us inside the rock EP she wrote in the bath, leading the indie horror film The Vanishing Tour on a set that caught fire on day two, and co-founding Don’t Mind Me, the mental health organization she built with her family. Mina proves that your Sparkle isn’t one craft. It’s the curiosity running underneath it all. Listen to Mina’s new song! https://open.spotify.com/album/7GPbsKlxO81uQPgQBquEZw?si=m8340plJSx6qV9lBG6MPFw Follow Mina Tobias: https://www.instagram.com/minatobias_/?hl=en Learn more about Don't Mind Me: https://www.dontmindme.org/ Chapters 00:00:00 Introduction and Welcome 00:02:17 Growing Up in the Studio: The Creative Foundation 00:02:45 The Athletic Mindset: From Competition to Creativity 00:03:49 Therapy as the Turning Point: Finding Your Voice 00:05:30 Pandemic Screenwriting: When Insomnia Becomes Inspiration 00:06:49 Screenwriting and Songwriting: Two Sides of the Same Scene 00:13:15 Discipline vs. Sacrifice: Redefining What It Means to Show Up 00:18:09 The Divorce Dad Rock Playlist: Finding Your Sound 00:20:28 The Rocky EP: Writing in the Bath and Letting Flow Happen 00:26:24 The Vanishing Tour: Fire, Screaming, and Finding Your Edge 00:34:43 Horror as Metaphor: When Genre Becomes the Vehicle 00:38:55 Mental Health on Set: Routines, Fuel, and Preparation 00:40:21 Don't Mind Me: Born from Anger and a Brother's Crisis 00:43:18 Direct Impact: Scholarships and Building a Treatment Center 00:44:23 Artists and Mental Health: The Network That Saves Lives 00:44:43 The Language of Crisis: Learning to Navigate the System 00:47:48 Creating from Anger to Joy: Transmuting Pain into Purpose 00:51:13 Community Over Isolation: The Artist's Greatest Tool 00:54:42 Letting Go of Gatekeepers: Learning the Business to Throw It Away 00:57:41 Building the Catalog: The New Artist's Blueprint
• 
  The Three-Month Limerence Crash Out That Became an Album | Eva Rose 07.10.2026 1h 1m

  Singer-songwriter Eva Rose joins Sparkle On to unpack her debut album The Last Laugh, a project born from a three-month limerence crash-out that turned into 11 tracks of raw, guitar-driven storytelling. This conversation explores the psychology of limerence, the mental state of involuntary obsession that inspired one of her lead singles, If You Want to Be Adored. We dive into her muses, how she approaches her breakup anthems, and how the complexities of relationships find their light through her music. Eva proves that your Sparkle isn't just surviving the crash out; it's turning it into something you're proud of. Listen to The Last Laugh: Available September 25th on all streaming platforms Follow Eva Rose: https://www.instagram.com/evahrose/?hl=en https://www.tiktok.com/@evarosemusic https://open.spotify.com/artist/22cqM1VQJSdXQ04OYTAQ5z https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-uXz3xB3NSQ_4EOqxXLKQQ/featured Chapters 00:00:00 Introduction and Welcome 00:01:47 The Seed of The Last Laugh: From Breakup to Album 00:08:47 The Writing Process: Sessions, Spontaneity, and Voice Memos 00:15:57 Getting Over a Two-Year Relationship in Two Weeks 00:20:06 Give Me a Good Reason: The Song That Predicted Her Future 00:22:38 Writing Without Intention: The Best Way to Be Honest 00:24:01 Career vs. Creativity: Writing for Yourself First 00:27:18 The Three-Month Limerence Crash Out: When Ghosting Becomes Obsession 00:33:03 If You Want to Be Adored: The Psychology of Ignoring Someone 00:37:55 What Is Limerence? The Involuntary Obsession No One Talks About 00:38:34 Breaking the Limerence Curse: Getting Busy and Shadow Work Journals 00:41:48 The Muse vs. Limerence: Distance, Projection, and Fictional Characters 00:43:14 Digesting the Deeds: The Author-Narrator-Character Split 00:46:13 Musical Influences: From Avril Lavigne to Alex G 00:49:01 Nashville Sessions and the Art of Storytelling 00:51:43 Finding Your Voice: When a Song Is Distinctly Yours 00:56:09 Favorite Songs on The Last Laugh: If You Want to Be Adored and Look Back and Laugh 00:58:45 What 2016 Eva Would Think: From Shy Songwriter to Confident Artist
• 
  Student Journalists Exposed What Cornell University Tried to Hide 30.09.2026 12m

  I cannot talk about spreading light, love, and creativity with the darkness that led me and the Sparkle On mission here. In this week’s news, student journalists from The Cornell Daily Sun exposed the heinous gang rape of a 20-year-old woman by seven fraternity members of Chi Pi. Over 50 men did nothing to report the Snapchat evidence. Cornell University expelled two of the seven men. The DA closed the criminal case because of insufficient evidence. Now, two years later, a public outcry prompted them to reopen the case. The fabric of Sparkle On is ingrained with my experience of campus sexual violence, and the hundreds of my peers harmed during my time at school. In the wake of my violence, I became a writer. I wrote for healing; I wrote for survival; I wrote to make a change. I don’t have the answers. I don’t even have the solution. What I do know is that silence about the crimes that are actively silencing students, women, and artists is unacceptable. This episode is dedicated to fearless student journalists, survivors, and, more importantly, Jane Doe. We see you, we believe you, and I hope you know that nothing can ever take away your Sparkle💖✨
• 
  The Prodigy Cellist Who Stopped Playing Other People's Music | Suuvi 25.09.2026 1h 1m

  Suuvi is a Cuban-Chinese multidisciplinary artist who was accepted into Juilliard at 10 years old, launching a 15+ year career performing on world-renowned stages. But by her early twenties, she was miserable. Despite achieving every milestone she was supposed to want, Suuvi realized she had spent her entire life playing other people's music, driven by the need to please her parents and meet elite classical institutions' expectations. She shares how she reclaimed her relationship with the cello by writing her own music, how she learned to give herself permission to sing, and why her album Dark Therapy guides listeners through shadow work without keeping them stuck in the past. Suuvi proves your darkness doesn't have to define your future. Follow Suuvi: https://www.instagram.com/callmesuuvi/?hl=en This episode is a rerun from Season 2, July 2025. Chapters 00:00:00 Introduction and Welcome 00:01:22 The Artist's Way and Morning Pages: Finding Creative Clarity 00:07:28 The Multidisciplinary Artist: Breaking Free from Labels 00:09:37 Sneaking Out of Juilliard: The Rebellious Artist at 15 00:11:04 The Pandemic Pivot: From Stage to Screen 00:12:09 I'm Not a Classical Musician Anymore: Redefining Identity 00:14:21 The Timeline: Graduating High School at 15 and Racing Through Paris 00:22:12 Reclaiming the Cello: Writing Your Own Music After Playing Everyone Else's 00:26:47 Permission and Mental Blocks: When You Don't Allow Yourself to Create 00:27:47 The Compounding Effects of Suppressed Creativity 00:32:48 The Breaking Point 00:38:22 Three Years of Numbness: The Stranger Who Changed Everything 00:39:54 The Transformation: Sobriety, Meditation, and Choosing Happiness 00:56:03 The Only Way Out Is In: Finding Light After Darkness 00:56:32 Dark Therapy: The Album About Shadow Work and Facing Your Past
• 
  I Was Ready to Quit. He Didn't Let Me. 16.09.2026 50m

  Devi and Tom talk about burnout, creative depression, and what it means to be a partner when someone wants to quit the thing they love most. Fresh off a transformative trip to Paris, Devi found herself in a depressive spiral so deep she was ready to shut down the podcast entirely. Together, Devi and Tom explore the myth that artists need to suffer to create great work, pulling from Tom's background in mental health and rehabilitation to ask: do creatives inherently struggle with mental health, or is it something we can actively work on? This episode is for anyone who's ever wanted to quit something they care about, who's felt too depressed to create, or who's wondered if their partner truly understands what it means to hold space without fixing. Chapters 00:00:00 Introduction and Welcome 00:00:14 The Breaking Point: When Burnout Hits the Creative 00:00:46 Mental Health Toolkits Change Over Time 00:01:45 When You Can't Pull Yourself Out: The Role of Partnership 00:02:11 Tom's Perspective: Recognizing Depression vs. Quitting 00:05:30 The Big Question: Do Artists Need Mental Illness to Create? 00:07:45 The Road Less Traveled: Mental Health as a Practice 00:22:30 Missing the Forest for the Trees: The Practice Over the Product 00:23:03 Dreams, Connection, and Lucid Dreaming 00:33:30 When Your Partner Says the Right Thing: Holding Space 00:37:44 The Function vs. The Outcome: Why We Create 00:40:08 Straddling Both Sides: Creating for Fun and for Money 00:46:05 Relinquishing Control: When Projects Take Their Own Shape 00:48:18 The Podcast as Filter: Repetition and Accountability 00:49:16 The Real Takeaway: Was This Episode Useful?
• 
  The Mother-Daughter Jewelry Brand Worn at the Met Gala | Tanya Myers Shah 09.09.2026 59m

  Tanya Myers Shah is the visionary behind the South Asian jewelry brand MAABAE. MAABAE celebrates dual heritage, where Indian and Western wardrobes coexist. That’s where Tanya’s mission lives: bridging two cultures through jewelry intentionally crafted in the heart of Rajasthan. Doechii, SZA, and Lilly Singh have worn MaaBae at the Met Gala, red carpets, & more, proving that your roots aren't something to hide but something to wear proudly. This is another story about how heritage and place can help our creativity flourish when artists like Tanya find that spark again. Shop MAABAE: Available at https://www.maabae.com Follow Tanya Myers Shah: https://www.instagram.com/tanyamyersshah/?hl=en Chapters 00:00:00 Introduction and Welcome 00:01:37 The Origin Story: From Mom's Fashion Workshops to MAABAE 00:03:55 The Two Wardrobes Meeting: When East Meets West 00:05:29 The Pivot: Leaving Skincare to Follow the Signs 00:11:06 The Difference Between Fighting and Flow 00:15:46 Going to the Source: The Jaipur Jewelry Journey 00:18:48 Becoming a Designer: Just Draw It 00:23:46 Oxidized Silver and Archival Inspiration 00:30:14 The Met Gala Moment: Doechii Wears MAABAE 00:36:32 Culture Club: Designing Jewelry That Transcends Cultures 00:38:04 The Korean Customer and the Chai Cup 00:40:07 The Haitian Tiffin Box and the Samosa Challenge 00:43:35 You Don't Have to Choose: Blending All Your Cultures 00:51:35 Curiosity, Problem Solving, and Living a Colorful Life 00:54:52 The Red Era: Signals, Chakras, and Shopping Addiction
• 
  Margot Robbie's Company Is Adapting Her Novel | Olivia Gatwood 02.09.2026 1h

  Poet and novelist Olivia Gatwood joins Sparkle On to trace her journey from writing spy stories as a kid to becoming an internationally recognized voice on girlhood, queerness, and the complexities of women friendships. Olivia reveals how she transformed rage into advocacy, and eventually into stories that center joy, vulnerability, and the messy humanity of women's relationships with each other. She unpacks the creation of her debut novel, Whoever You Are, Honey, a fembot story set in Santa Cruz that interrogates internalized misogyny, the fear of intimacy between women, and what it means to be created from the male gaze. Olivia walks us through her writing process, the danger of trauma bonding, and why she believes resilience isn't about staying in pain but about returning to difficult subjects from a place of strength. Stay on the lookout for the upcoming film adaptation of Olivia’s novel with Margot Robbie's Lucky Chap, and be sure to order a copy of her book! Read Whoever You Are, Honey: Available now wherever books are sold Follow Olivia Gatwood: https://www.instagram.com/oliviagatwood Chapters 00:00:00 Introduction and Welcome 00:01:30 The Writer Origin Story: From Journals to Performance Poetry 00:05:42 Speak Like a Girl: The Performance That Changed Everything 00:08:41 From Athlete to Advocate: Choosing Poetry Over Soccer 00:11:31 The First Poem: Catcalling, Rage, and Riling Up the Boys 00:14:23 Navigating Perception: Self-Care as a Young Woman on Stage 00:17:00 The Doxxing Incident: When Rage Shifted to Love 00:18:28 Life of the Party and New American Best Friend: Poetry Collections on Girlhood 00:19:46 Writing as Processing: You Don't Need Pain to Create 00:21:45 Prompts for Processing: Letters, Odes, and Writing to Shame 00:23:52 Breaking Out of the Box: Exploring Different Writing Mediums 00:27:52 The Birth of Whoever You Are, Honey: Fembots and Female Friendships 00:29:41 Santa Cruz as Character: Tech, Gentrification, and Playing God 00:32:42 The Pick Me Girl: Understanding Fear and Intimacy Between Women 00:36:17 Developing Complex Characters: The Lifeguard Analogy 00:38:08 Writing Into Fear and Obsession: What Are You Not Saying? 00:44:40 Title IX Education: Trauma Bonding and Campus Culture 00:46:09 Creative Education Under Restriction: Teaching Consent Without Talking About Sex 00:48:32 The Army Base Workshop: Teaching Empathy to Those Trained to Kill 00:50:28 Writing From Joy: Celebrating Survival and Self-Compassion 00:52:26 Reading From the Novel: Lena and Sebastian's First Meeting 00:57:41 The Movie Adaptation: Working With Lucky Chap and Margot Robbie 00:58:56 Small Wins: Making Friends in Adulthood
• 
  He Wrote the All American Pitch Between NFL Practices | Spencer Paysinger 27.08.2026 53m

  From winning Super Bowl 46 with the New York Giants to co-producing the CW's hit series All American, Spencer Paysinger shares how community, identity, and storytelling became the foundation of everything he's built. This conversation explores how Spencer discovered screenwriting as therapy during his NFL career, spending every Tuesday off-day in movie theaters studying story structure before he even knew what it was called. He unpacks the creation of All American, and how he's had to reconcile watching a fictionalized version of his own life rewrite his personal history. Spencer reveals the universal truth that sold the show: the importance of teaching the next generation that ownership, creativity, and self-definition are acts of power. Spencer proves that your Sparkle isn't just one thing; it's everything you choose to pour yourself into. Watch All American on Netflix and the CW Watch BS High on HBO Max Chapters 00:00:00 Introduction and Welcome 00:00:55 The 2011 NFL Draft: Overcoming Rejection and Making the Giants Roster 00:05:16 The Transition Period: Depression, Uncertainty, and Finding Community 00:06:52 Discovering Screenwriting: Movies as Therapy During NFL Career 00:11:57 The Artist Identity: Football Was Never Everything 00:18:29 The Power of Pitching Yourself: From Special Teams to Hollywood 00:23:24 The Birth of All-American: Pitching the Universal Truth of Being an Outsider 00:30:35 When Fiction Rewrites Your History: Spencer James vs Spencer Paysinger 00:33:25 Finding Joy in the Global Impact: All-American's Reach and Legacy 00:35:45 BS High Documentary: Exposing the Youth Sports Coaching Crisis 00:39:57 Raising Black Kids in America: Community, Identity, and Education 00:44:50 Hilltop Coffee and Kitchen: Creating Ownership in the Neighborhood 00:48:26 What's Next: Writing, Directing, and Redefining Systems at 36 00:50:25 Parenting with Presence: Real Conversations and Breaking Generational Cycles
• 
  She Opened for Demi Lovato at 16, Then Sang at Eurovision | Laura Rizzotto 19.08.2026 1h 10m

  From opening for Demi Lovato at 16 to representing Latvia at Eurovision, singer-songwriter Laura Rizzotto shares how performing in four languages became her creative superpower. Born and raised in Rio de Janeiro with Latvian heritage, Laura reveals how translating Brazilian songs into English at age 11 taught her the art of phrasing, melody, and cross-cultural storytelling that now defines her bilingual pop sound. Laura walks us through writing in Portuguese, English, Spanish, and Italian, explaining how each language carries its own rhythm, resonance, and emotional vulnerability. Her latest single, Viralata, celebrates Brazilian identity and the power of embracing all your roots. Follow Laura Rizzotto: https://www.instagram.com/LauraRizzotto Listen to Viralata: Available on all streaming platforms: https://laurarizzotto.com/music/ Chapters 00:00:00 Introduction and Welcome 00:01:00 First Memories: Writing Poetry and Translating Brazilian Songs 00:02:57 The Art of Multilingual Songwriting and Finding Your Voice 00:05:05 Choreography, Language, and the Papaya Versions 00:09:38 The Completionist vs The Perfectionist: Letting Songs Reveal Themselves 00:14:58 Opening for Demi Lovato at 16 and Trusting Your Instinct 00:21:51 Reconnecting with the Inner Child and Daydreaming as an Adult 00:30:25 The Jennifer Lopez Story: When Opportunity Calls on a Friday Night 00:38:36 Eurovision 2018: Representing Latvia and Embracing the Journey 00:45:50 Viralata: The Brazilian Dream and Embracing Your Roots as a Superpower 00:50:05 Home Is a Feeling: Building Community and Safety as an Artist 00:55:25 Purpose, Narcissism, and Taking Up Space as a Woman Artist 01:06:54 Affirmation Cards: Abundance, No Judgment, and Sparkle On
• 
  I Used to Go to Paris to Chase Boys. At 30, I Went to Write. 12.08.2026 30m

  Devi Jags returns for a solo episode reflecting on turning 30, her complicated relationship with Paris, and what it means to return to a place that once symbolized escape, perfection, and the pursuit of love. From her first trip to Paris at 17 after a devastating running injury, to her unhinged early twenties spent chasing boys and macarons, Devi unpacks how Paris has evolved from a romanticized escape into a city that now represents creative commitment and self-discovery. Chapters 00:00:00 Introduction and Welcome 00:01:21 The First Paris Trip: Heartbreak and Escape 00:07:03 The Macaroon Moment and State Championship Regret 00:08:52 The Seine Boat Cruise: Seeing Life Beyond Running 00:10:25 College Years: Chasing Boys and Escaping Reality 00:12:32 Counting Crows and Finding Her Writer Self 00:13:35 Travel as Cultural Education and Community Building 00:14:38 Turning 30: From Chasing Boys to Chasing Writing 00:17:03 Embracing Imperfection: Paris as Metaphor for Her 30s 00:24:27 The Writing Class and Future of Sparkle 00:27:16 What to Expect: Content, Vlogs, and Spontaneous Episodes 00:29:55 Sparkling in Paris: Place as a Charge for Creativity
• 
  Trauma Doesn't Make You Stronger. Here's What Does. | Dr. Sherry Hamby 05.08.2026 52m

  Dr. Sherry Hamby, award-winning professor and author of Stronger Than You Think: Building Lifelong Resilience, joins Sparkle On to dismantle the myth that resilience is something you either have or don't. With over 30 years of studying trauma and resilience, Dr. Hamby reveals that resilience is not about toughness or grit, but a modifiable process that anyone can develop at any stage of life. She explains why trauma is never required to build strength, why the field of psychology has been stuck on outdated definitions of resilience, and how healing requires far more than just pushing through. This conversation explores the context of trauma, the power of narrative writing, the difference between being exposed and being truly seen, and why achievement culture is making us miserable. This episode is a reminder that resilience is not about doing more, but about building a life that includes meaning, relationships, regulation, and a supportive environment. Read Stronger Than You Think: Building Lifelong Resilience: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/739902/stronger-than-you-think-by-sherry-hamby/ Follow Dr. Sherry Hamby: https://www.sherryhamby.com Chapters 00:00:00 Introduction and Welcome 00:00:48 The Big Question: Do You Need Trauma to Build Resilience? 00:02:36 Rediscovering Purpose After Trauma 00:04:35 Dr. Hamby's Personal Catalyst: Growing Up in Dysfunction 00:07:16 Why Resilience Got Confused With Toughness 00:10:09 Challenging Academic Norms and Conservative Research 00:12:29 The Power of Narrative and Writing as Healing 00:23:13 Joyce's Story: The Importance of Context in Trauma Therapy 00:30:10 Exposure vs. Being Seen: Social Media and Authentic Connection 00:41:04 Beyond Achievement: The Four Domains of the Resilience Portfolio 00:45:52 The Personal Journey of Writing Stronger Than You Think 00:50:49 The Bridge Between Academia and Personal Narrative
• 
  Almost 8 Years, No Ring: Why Marriage Is My Biggest Fear 29.07.2026 1h 5m

  Devi Jags and her boyfriend Tom Paolini return for their most vulnerable, unfiltered conversation yet about marriage, commitment, and why nearly eight years together hasn't led to a marriage proposal. Devi unpacks her deepest fear around marriage, challenges the idea that marriage is the ultimate accomplishment, and what it means to define marriage on your own terms. This conversation is for anyone who's ever felt pressured to follow a timeline that doesn't feel right, who's questioned whether marriage is necessary for a committed relationship, or who's struggled to reconcile personal ambition with societal expectations. Chapters 00:00:00 Introduction and Welcome 00:01:31 The Marriage Question: Why Devi Isn't Ready at 30 00:04:47 The Childhood Trauma: Her Grandfather's Death and Marriage Fear 00:09:50 College Relationships and the Party Girl Facade 00:13:37 The Ace of Spades Tattoo and Choosing Art Over Everything 00:15:27 Marriage as a Cage: History, Women, and Creative Freedom 00:16:15 Tom's Perspective: When Marriage Doesn't Define Love 00:19:20 Marriage as Status Symbol: Why It Shouldn't Be the Biggest Accomplishment 00:21:42 The Therapy Breakdown: Would Tom Stay Without Marriage? 00:23:48 Tom's Nonchalant Response and Feminist Views on Marriage 00:27:45 The Power of No Pressure: Why Their Relationship Works 00:30:51 Redefining Marriage: Love vs. Institution Across History 00:44:19 The Uber Driver's Wisdom: The Right Relationship Won't Hold You Back 00:46:38 Myth Busting: When You Know, You Know (Or Do You?) 00:49:05 Two Whole People: Creating a Relationship Without Losing Yourself 00:52:19 Feeling Fragmented in Your Twenties and Deserving Fullness 00:53:33 Visualizing the Future: Wedding Playlists, Not Marriage Vows 00:55:50 The Wedding Industry vs. Marriage: Why They're Inseparable for Devi 01:00:02 The Bottom of the To-Do List: When Marriage Means Everything and Nothing 01:03:30 Final Thoughts: Marriage on Nobody's Terms But Theirs
• 
  How One Tree Hill Made Indie Cooler Than Pop | Lindsay Wolfington 22.07.2026 1h 3m

  Emmy-nominated music supervisor Lindsay Wolfington is known for her work that defined One Tree Hill and the indie rock era. Lindsay walks us through the creative chaos of sourcing indie artists in the early 2000s, and the art of the end montage. She unpacks the difference between being literal and being on the nose when choosing the perfect song for a scene, and why and how she convinced producers that indie music was cooler than pop, even when everyone was pitching them the opposite. From opening mail bins stacked with CDs to placing Jimmy Eat World's "23,” Lindsay proves that the right song doesn't just complement a scene, it becomes the scene. Lindsay reminds us that music supervision is more than matching vibes; it's licensing, negotiation, instinct, and the ability to cry at your own work. She co-hosts the podcast Sad Song Queens with Lara Webb, where they celebrate the songs that make you feel everything. Follow Lindsay Wolfington: https://www.instagram.com/lonewolflindsay/?hl=en Listen to Sad Song Queens: https://www.instagram.com/sadsongqueens/?hl=en Chapters 00:00:00 Introduction and Welcome 00:03:14 Reality Bites, MTV, and the Power of Soundtracks 00:08:52 The Music Supervision Process: Lyrics, Tone, and Dynamics 00:11:08 Building One Tree Hill's Iconic Music Identity 00:14:45 Sourcing Indie Music: CDs, Mail Bins, and Third-Party Pitchers 00:18:38 Peyton's Playlist and Casting Musicians: Tyler Hilton and Kate Voegele 00:24:45 Tric Nightclub, Sheryl Crow, and Jimmy Eat World's Iconic Moment 00:32:17 The Art of the Montage: Keane's 'She Has No Time' and Finding the Perfect Song 00:34:26 The Fast Pace of Early 2000s TV: 22 Episodes and Real-Time Music Drops 00:38:25 Sad Songs, Literal Lyrics, and the U2 Reality Bites Moment 00:41:30 TikTok, Clipping Culture, and the Changing Landscape of Music in Media 00:44:47 Breaking Into Music Supervision: Internships, The Guild, and Getting Your Foot In 00:53:06 The Streaming Era: Shorter Seasons, Split Attention, and Losing the Ensemble 00:58:01 Sad Song Queens: The Podcast, Favorite Sad Songs, and Why We Cry 01:03:16 Closing Thoughts and Sparkle On
• 
  Why Time Apart Is the Secret to Our Relationship 15.07.2026 1h 4m

  Tom Paolini, Devi’s boyfriend, returns to Sparkle On for a long overdue conversation about the one thing that keeps relationships healthy — creative independence. In Tom’s led episode (sort of), Devi and him unpack why partners need their own creative outlets, and why spending time alone might actually be the secret to a healthy relationship dynamic. This episode dives into the messy, honest reality of balancing support with individual pursuit with the belief that creative outlets aren't just hobbies, they're lifelines. Chapters 00:00:00 Introduction and Welcome 00:03:27 The Astrology Reading: Tom Takes the Reins 00:06:14 The Hot Take: Why Couples Need Individual Creative Outlets 00:09:45 Artist Dates and Finding Your Own Space 00:14:13 The Kitchen as Tom's Creative Sanctuary 00:16:25 Food as Foundation: How Cooking Built Their Relationship 00:27:50 The Instacart Tangent and Grocery Store Dynamics 00:30:48 Confronting the Past Through Creative Expression 00:36:19 The Ocean Metaphor: Waves and Foundation 00:40:34 Finding Your Creative Outlet: The Inner Child Connection 00:46:55 Doodles, Stars, and Butterflies: Visual Mapping of Creativity 00:50:29 Safety and Permission: Creating Space for Creativity 00:51:53 Hobby vs. Business: When Creativity Becomes Work 01:00:12 Athletes as Creative Beings and The Laundry Question "
• 
  She Got Prince to Wear Lace: The Designer Behind Purple Rain | Marie France 08.07.2026 57m

  Visionary costume designer Marie France shares the untold story behind the wardrobe for Prince's Purple Rain and Under the Cherry Moon, and how one sketch of a white ruffled shirt changed fashion history. From convincing Prince to wear lace for the first time to designing Apollonia's rock-and-roll rebellion in red and black, Marie reveals the high-pressure moment when she had to win over the music icon and trust her creative instincts. Beyond her time working with Prince, Marie discusses her collaborations with Tina Turner, Rod Stewart, and Tupac, and how her different visions are fueled by reading, art, and philosophy, which she believes are just as essential to her craft in costume design. Marie reminds us that every project is a new puzzle, that boredom is the enemy of creativity, and that sometimes the most radical act is refusing to compromise your vision even when the industry tries to make you invisible. Read Marie's interview in Black Star Rising and Purple Rain: The Sonic Afterlives of David Bowie and Prince (Duke Press): Chapter 18 https://www.dukeupress.edu/blackstar-rising-and-the-purple-reign Chapters 00:00:00 Introduction and Welcome 00:01:33 The Purple Rain Meeting: Convincing Prince to Hire Her 00:07:36 Designing the Iconic Ruffled Shirt in Real Time 00:12:24 Color Palettes and Character Design Philosophy 00:14:43 The Approval Process and Working with Prince's Vision 00:16:39 The Met Museum Exhibition and Fighting for Credit 00:20:51 Lace, Purple, and Shaping Prince's Fashion Legacy 00:22:59 The Difficult Transition: Leaving Prince's World for Cinema 00:28:32 Music vs Film: Different Design Approaches and Fan Connection 00:30:54 Navigating Marketing, Product Placement, and Creative Integrity 00:37:36 Working with Directors and Actors: Balancing Multiple Visions 00:41:42 The Accidental Career: From Paris to Bay Area to LA 00:44:35 Finding Purpose: The Moment She Knew This Was Her Path 00:46:30 Reflections on a Changing Industry and Advice for Young Artists 00:50:02 Global Cinema, Government Support, and the Future of Film
• 
  From Young Elsa in Frozen 2 to Becka in Hulu's The Testaments | Mattea Conforti 01.07.2026 28m

  American actress Mattea Conforti’s career started on Broadway before she could drive. But lately, she attends Harvard and manages her breakout role of ‘Becka’ on Hulu's The Testaments. From playing young Elsa in Frozen 2 and starring in Matilda the Musical to now embodying Becka, a young woman navigating rebellion in The Handmaid’s Tale sequel, Mattea reveals what it takes to hold space for characters who are constantly fighting to express themselves in a world designed to silence them. She walks us through the process of building Becka's emotional arc across the season, from working with director Shana Stein (our previous episode!) to how some of her favorite courses at Harvard became essential for her character’s moral breaking point. Watch The Testaments on Hulu: https://www.hulu.com/series/the-testaments-9e859f3c-4ba0-48ed-8421-37b34ceffa04 Follow Matea Conforti: https://www.instagram.com/matteaconforti/?hl=en Chapters 00:00:00 Introduction and Welcome 00:00:46 Landing the Role of Becka While at Harvard 00:01:58 Balancing Academic Learning with On-Set Experience 00:04:03 Justice, Ethics, and Playing Becka 00:05:14 Reuniting with Director Shanna Stein 00:06:59 Filming Intense Scenes and Self-Care on Set 00:08:57 Growing Up as an Actor: Independence and Collaboration 00:10:52 Building the World of The Testaments and Sisterhood 00:12:43 Becka's Rebellion and Non-Verbal Storytelling 00:15:32 Playing Becka's Sexuality and Breaking Point 00:17:35 Finding Yourself in a Character 00:19:48 Psychology, The Heroine's Journey, and Women's Stories 00:20:52 What's Next for Becka in Season Two 00:22:15 Why Acting Brings Joy and Happiness 00:24:47 From Competitive Dance to Matilda: The Origin Story 00:26:42 Telling Stories That Inspire and Motivate 00:27:45 Closing Thoughts and What's Ahead
• 
  Directing The Testaments, the Handmaid's Tale Sequel | Shana Stein 24.06.2026 51m

  Director and executive producer Shana Stein joins Sparkle On to trace her path to directing some of television's most politically charged series, including Hulu's The Testaments, Amazon's The Boys, Power, 56 Days, Jack Ryan, and The Lincoln Lawyer. She shares how youth rebellion became the beating heart of her work on The Testaments (sequel to The Handmaid’s Tale) — a story about young women born into oppression who discover their power, rather than women who had freedom taken from them. Shana walks us through how she thinks as a director: approaching each show as its own puzzle, finding the DNA that keeps fans coming back while bringing something new, and treating violence, movement, and color as tools to build tension rather than spectacle. Her signature, she explains, is giving showrunners more of what they love while quietly elevating it. This conversation also reaches beyond the set — into the privilege of saying no, the power of mentorship, and the leap of faith it took to leave a fast-tracked agent career at William Morris and betting on herself at AFI. Shana reminds us that the stories we tell can shape the next generation, and that sometimes the most radical act is playing make-believe for a living. Follow Shana Stein: https://www.instagram.com/shanasteindirect/?hl=en Chapters 00:00:00 Introduction and Welcome 00:00:45 The Process of Being Chosen for Major TV Shows 00:02:31 Meeting on The Testaments After the 2024 Election 00:05:59 Youth Rebellion and The Testaments' Hopeful Energy 00:07:35 Entering Different Worlds and Embodying Dystopia 00:09:49 Working with Young Actors and Creating Safety on Set 00:12:53 Different Styles: The Testaments vs The Boys 00:15:21 Building Tension and Becka's Pivotal Arc 00:22:41 Research, Meditation, and Staying Open to Ideas 00:24:07 Color Grading, LUTs, and the Made-for-Hulu Look 00:28:14 Improving Your Craft and Cracking Each Show's Puzzle 00:31:49 The Four-Year-Old Who Wanted to Move to Hollywood 00:32:57 The Awakening: Theater Camp and Seeing Broadway 00:37:40 Quitting the Agency and Betting on Film School 00:39:25 The Path from Producing to Directing 00:40:49 The First Directing Opportunity and Taking the Leap 00:42:48 Betting on Herself 00:45:13 Saying No and Choosing Family Over Fear 00:48:19 Raising the Next Generation and Mentorship 00:50:27 Closing Thoughts and Sparkle On
• 
  The Corporate Exit From Wall Street to Music in Moana & Avatar | Grace Hong 18.06.2026 46m

  Grace Hong (Nolo Grace) joins Sparkle On to share how creativity became her corporate exit strategy and why building a life aligned with your artistry is worth the decade-long journey. As the founder of Parasol Music, an artist-driven agency and music label with placements in Disney's Moana, Avengers Doomsday, and Avatar Fire and Ash, Grace reveals the winding path from Wall Street to songwriting, production, and vocal direction for projects like the Olympics Closing ceremony with Kate Hudson. From crying in Bali to releasing a single with Sean Kingston, Grace walks us through her transformation into an artist. She shares why leaving her corporate career to travel the world was the only way to deprogram and stop running from her true creativity. She reminds us that false starts aren't failures, rejection is part of the process, and sometimes it takes 10 years of feeling lost before everything clicks into place. Her story proves that the creative journey is never linear, and the only way forward is to trust yourself, collaborate with intention, and keep building even when you can't see the finish line. Follow Grace Hong / Nolo Grace: https://www.instagram.com/nolograce/?hl=en Parasol Music: https://www.parasolmusic.com Chapters 00:00:00 Introduction and Welcome 00:00:40 First Memories of Music and Early Creative Blocks 00:01:48 Journaling as Creative Expression and Escape 00:03:56 Discovering Musical Ancestry and Breaking Through Fear 00:06:21 The Corporate Path and the Illusion of Struggle 00:07:26 Burnout, the Leap, and the Metamorphosis 00:08:47 The Slow Rebirth: Teaching Herself Music from Scratch 00:14:23 Meeting Her Producer Husband and Finding Her Voice 00:18:13 Relationships as Mirrors and Creative Containers 00:23:52 Collaborating with Kate Hudson, Ludacris, and the Olympics 00:28:31 Giving Notes Without Crushing the Artist 00:31:20 From Negative Self-Talk to Love Is Worth It All 00:34:14 Writing Truth: Pain, Beauty, and the Song Called Mother 00:36:29 Turning Fragments into Songs Through Collaboration 00:38:35 Community, Wealth, and the Nomad Journey 00:41:23 Building the Ultimate Creative Project 00:43:53 Ten Years of False Starts and the Album I Exist