Kris Johnson: A day in the life of amazing

For Liz Brister, Music has the power to transform. Even an entire city.

Being president of Downtown Jackson Partners is the privilege of a lifetime for Liz Brister. She grooves on planning for the future and “really thinking about things differently." In the effort to entice more businesses and people downtown, she says, "we are turning it upside down.” One of the recent upside-down-turners for Mississippi’s capital city has been the Levitt AMP Music Series—a set of 10 free concerts each year for the next three years—that’s lighting things up and bringing everybody out. Artists. Foodtrucks. Families. Community. “It is a wonderful thing to see,” says Liz. As for what's coming up for downtown in the City With Soul, Liz adds, "Just watch what's gonna happen, 'cause it's exciting." Listen in and get the full story. And don't miss any of the remaining shows in the Levitt AMP Series at historic Smith Park: * July 4: Stars, Stripes & Symphony with the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra, 7:30 – 9 p.m. at the Old Capitol (Classical) * September 10: Soul City Swingers, 5 – 8 p.m. (Funk and Soul) * September 17: Cary Hudson, 5 – 8 p.m. (Country, Folk, Blues and Rock and Roll) * September 27: The Wailers, 4 – 7 p.m. (Reggae) * October 1: Grits and Greens, 5 – 8 p.m. (Psychedelic Y'Alt Rock) Let The Sparks Fly is the podcast about inspiration and creative fire, hosted by MWB.

In the kitchen, creativity can be instantly gratifying or instantly devastating

Acclaimed chef Nick Wallace knows very well the highs and lows of culinary creativity. In this episode, Nick and Marc delve into the joys of cooking, whether for the crowds at JXN Food and Wine Festival, while trying to conjure up new recipes at the midtown kitchen at 4 in the morning, or just among friends who happen to stop by for a beer and smoked trout. Listen to find out what can be gained from the heartfelt lessons of Grandmother Miss Lennell, the importance of hanging on to thousands of your own jam-packed, hand-written notebooks, and what it means to have a share in mentoring the next generation of local, budding talent. Let The Sparks Fly is the podcast about inspiration and creative fire, hosted by MWB.

For Ed Foose, video editing began as child’s play. And in many ways, it still is.

Ed Foose started out as a kid in his room, playing around and putting stories together. He'd get his toys - Matchbox cars, action figures, whatever - and use them to bring short, simply-animated or video stories to life. Flash forward a decade or two, and he’s still making cool stuff in his room. The edit tools and toys may have changed, but the process really hasn’t. In whatever creative endeavor you’re engaged in—whether finding an alternative route to work, or creating a full motion-graphics video—Ed says, “You’ve got to trust yourself.” Listen in to get the full story. Let The Sparks Fly is the podcast about inspiration and creative fire, hosted by MWB.

As Emily says, without creativity, life loses its color.

At MWB, Emily Foose is known as someone who walks into a room and instantly makes everything better. First, with her bright, cheerful personality. And second, with her beautiful illustrations. Join Emily and host Marc Leffler as they chat about playground superheroes, carefree timelessness, and finding the time to doodle creatively, whatever kind of doodling it is that you do like to do. And, check out some of the drawings from Emily's sketchbook on the MWB Instagram post. Let The Sparks Fly is the podcast about inspiration and creative fire, hosted by MWB.

Hear the beat of a different drummer? It’s likely Denny Burkes.

For this episode, host Marc Leffler is happy to welcome lifelong friend and compatriot in many creative endeavors, Denny Burkes. In a brave attempt to put all inside jokes aside, the two talk rather seriously about the groundwork needed to truly take flight, improvisationally speaking. And, all the astounding generations of Jackson music, going-way-back-when to right now. And, the incredible importance of mentors, musical and otherwise. Then Denny somehow still remembers how to play a masterful solo he learned in 10th grade. Let The Sparks Fly is the podcast about inspiration and creative fire, hosted by MWB.