There’s an intimidating blank page. A blinking cursor staring you down. A looming deadline for a project you haven’t touched. Sometimes, starting something new is the hardest part of the creative process. In this episode, you’ll hear from 5 creative people in 5 different fields offering 5 different strategies for how to start something new.

Featuring novelist Ann Patchett on “The Dutch House,” Pixar director Domee Shi talking about “Turning Red,” “Wicked” composer Stephen Schwartz, the designer Thomas Heatherwick, and salsa legend Rubén Blades.

Follow along (with transcript and photos) at sparkandfire.com.

Listen to the full episodes that inspired this mixtape:

Novelist Ann Patchett: https://listen.sparkandfire.com/AnnPatchettFullEp

Pixar director Domee Shi: https://listen.sparkandfire.com/DomeeShiFullEp

Wicked composer Stephen Schwartz: https://listen.sparkandfire.com/StephenSchwartzFullEp

Designer Thomas Heatherwick: https://listen.sparkandfire.com/ThomasHeatherwickFullEp

Salsa legend Rubén Blades: https://listen.sparkandfire.com/RubenBladesFullEp

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