Sparks Journal

• Samantha Wills | Brand Magic: Storytelling, Intuition & Creative Commercialism

  Samantha Wills - creative entrepreneur, bestselling author of Of Gold and Dust, designer behind her iconic jewellery brand, and creator of the Marigold children’s series - joins The Sparks Journal for a powerful conversation about creativity, intuition, imposter syndrome and building a life that feels true.From selling handmade jewellery behind the bike sheds in Port Macquarie to becoming one of Australia’s most recognisable creative founders, Samantha’s story is defined by creative exploration, the power of intuition, grit and resilience, and above all, the courage to follow your own path.In this conversation, we explore the creative intuition that shaped her career, the emotional truth-telling that defined her brand, and the remarkable courage it took to close the business that made her famous at its commercial peak.Samantha discusses:• the childhood “green lights” that revealed her creative identity• building the Samantha Wills world before social media• why creativity is a form of intelligence - especially for children• designing for your actual customer rather than your aspirational one• the power of storytelling, enchantment and “surprise and delight”• the iconic wooden jewellery boxes - and why taking irrational risks matters• imposter syndrome: why she never “beat” it, but learned to live beside it• fear, procrastination and her inch-by-inch method for building momentum• sensitivity as a creative superpower — and the toll of the hustle years• the scaffolding of female friendships and why they are an unfair advantage• choosing the right business partner through values, not spreadsheets• the crossroads moment at the Omega Institute that changed everything• closing her global brand at its peak to honour her health and her legacy• writing The Marigold Effect and creating for “the little girl she once was”• creativity as intuition, spirituality and a way of seeing the worldThis episode is for creatives, founders and anyone learning to trust themselves more deeply - a practical and deeply resonant exploration of intuition, courage and the beautiful, risky work of building a life that feels true.

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• Laura Day | The Science of Intuition: Healing Ego & Rewriting Your Future

  Laura Day — bestselling author, world-renowned intuitive and creator of The Prism — joins The Sparks Journal for an intimate exploration of intuition, healing and human possibility.In this conversation, Laura shares how intuition works not as mysticism but as data, how trauma shapes the ego, and why healing must begin with action in the present moment — not analysis of the past.We explore:• her childhood discovery of intuitive knowing• how intuition is trained, not gifted• the seven ego centres in The Prism• why the future is easier to read than the past• how trauma distorts our inner and outer world• the science of synchronicity and emotional contagion• why skeptics often become the strongest intuitives• ADHD, sensitivity and the hidden strengths in neurodiversity• why healing yourself improves the collectiveThis is a powerful, grounded and practical conversation for anyone wanting to transform their patterns, strengthen their intuition, and create a life aligned with their true purpose.

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• Scott Gooding | The Alchemy of Reinvention: Grit, Growth & Turning Fear Into Fuel

  Chef, author, My Kitchen Rules alum and Good Farm Shop co-founder Scott Gooding is one of those rare people who has done the deep inner work to turn a difficult start into a life of meaning, discipline and love.Scott spent his childhood living in English pubs - surrounded by drunk adults, chaos and the ever-present possibility of violence. It forged a tough exterior, a readiness to fight and a constant sense of vigilance. That same energy might have consumed him. Instead, over decades, he learned to reframe and redirect it:Aggression into ambitionAnxiety into anticipationFear into fuelIn this wide-ranging and emotionally honest conversation, we explore:Growing up in pubs: learning to read danger, hold his ground and the cost of living on high alertSliding-door moments: key points where he consciously chose not to escalate, and in doing so, chose a different man to becomeReinvention in Australia: booking a ticket, leaving the old persona behind and building a new life from scratchSeven years of chronic back pain: losing the athletic identity he’d built, moving through depression, and finding empathy and perspective on the other sideMy Kitchen Rules and stage fright: why he almost scared himself out of it, what it took to get through filming while “white-knuckling” anxiety, and how the show became a springboard rather than a vanity playSaying yes for a year: the deliberate decision to say yes to every opportunity for 12 months to dismantle long-held self-limiting beliefsGood Farm Shop with Matilda: creating a business rooted in “healthy comfort food” that reflects his values around nourishment, care and communityFatherhood and masculinity: how all of this inner work shows up in the way he parents - as a present, emotionally available, deeply engaged dadScott doesn’t present as a guru. He’s disarmingly humble, quick to laugh at himself, and the first to say he’s not “the best” at anything. But in that humility lies his real genius: an unwavering commitment to show up, to work, to keep going, and to use every challenge as a chance to grow.For founders, creatives and leaders, this episode is a blueprint for:Integrating your past rather than running from itBuilding true resilience instead of just performance armourHonouring your opportunities - and the people you love - by continually walking towards what scares youIf you’re navigating your own reinvention, trying to turn a rough beginning into a life of depth and contribution, Scott’s story will stay with you long after the credits roll.Subscribe to The Sparks Journal for more conversations at the intersection of creativity, courage and commercial reality.Listen on Spotify & Apple Podcasts, or watch the full series here on YouTube.

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• Andrew Bolton | Art x Commerce: The Met Gala, Meaning, and the Power of Dress

  The Met Gala, from the man who curates it.Andrew Bolton—Curator in Charge of The Met’s Costume Institute and Anna Wintour’s long-time collaborator—explains how the red carpet functions as a moving gallery and an extension of the exhibition itself. We explore Savage Beauty, Camp, and Heavenly Bodies; the interplay of meaning and marketing; how younger designers build community before scale; and why the best exhibitions ask questions rather than answer them.Andrew also previews his next frontier: decoding the “anonymous” designer through the creative decisions embedded in a garment.Listen on: Spotify • Apple PodcastsFollow: @TheSparksJournalSubscribe for weekly conversations at the edge of fashion, culture, and commerce.

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• Matt Kaness | American Retail’s Best-Kept Secret: Building Purpose into Profit

  Matt Kaness has quietly helped shape the modern playbook for purpose-driven retail — where creativity and commercial discipline amplify each other.At URBN (Anthropologie, Free People, Urban Outfitters), he helped triple revenue and grow e-commerce from ~10% to ~40% of the business.As CEO of ModCloth, he defined the mission “ModCloth is pioneering inclusive fashion,” a clarity that galvanised its community and ultimately led to Walmart’s acquisition.Later, at GoodwillFinds, he reimagined “donation” as a customer-centric circular marketplace, driving ~2 billion organic visits with no ad spend.In this episode of The Sparks Journal, Matt reveals how to scale purpose and profit in parallel — aligning founder DNA, brand “why,” and performance culture to build brands that endure.Key takeaways:• Distil founder “magic” into strategic advantage• Turn brand purpose into a moat and growth engine• Apply the “brand bank account” test to every decision• Build omnichannel CX that immerses the customerFollow and subscribe for more stories on building brands with heart and rigour — at the intersection of creative vision, cultural impact, and commercial outperformance.

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