Sparkle On With Devi Jags

Joy Melan — Finding Songwriting Freedom Through Fantasy

Singer-songwriter Joy Melan joins Sparkle On to share how fantasy and intentional melancholy fuel her transcendent old pop sound. From discovering her voice at 17 through poetry to performing with her band, The Wild, across Austin's collaborative music scene, she describes the delicate art of writing songs that help her listeners safely revisit their pain. From Lady Gaga's unapologetic expression to the fashion rebellion of early 2000s movie heroines, Joy's style is entirely tied to her sound. In this episode, she explains how she dresses for the vision of her music, how she navigates a song’s story, and why her newest creative challenge is learning to write from a place of happiness rather than tragedy.

Brian Menke — Painting His Way To Healing

Brian Menke joins Sparkle On to share his journey from depression to healing through painting and music. A college friend of Devi's from Xavier University, Brian, opens up about the dark years when he lacked emotional outlets, turning to partying and self-destructive patterns. Years later, Brian discusses how creativity became his lifeline, teaching us that art is “expression, not perfection.” He shares the interplay between his painting and songwriting, how Austin's collaborative creative community gave him permission to fully embrace his authentic self, and proves that our deepest wounds can become our most beautiful work. CHAPTERS * 00:00:00 Introduction and Welcome * 00:00:54 College Depression and Early Struggles * 00:04:00 The Creative Superpower and Self-Destruction * 00:06:28 The Paintbrush Moment * 00:08:34 Music and Painting as Different Expressions * 00:11:10 Moving to Austin and Finding Permission * 00:12:51 Toxic Masculinity and Embracing Feminine Energy * 00:20:22 Expression Not Perfection: Teaching Art * 00:18:17 The Blank Canvas and Trusting the Process * 00:32:49 Vulnerability, Snapshots, and Helping One Person * 00:36:36 What's Next and Touch the Art Show

Amy Scott — Counting Crows, Lainey Wilson, and Breaking The Rules In Filmmaking

Award-winning filmmaker Amy Scott joins Sparkle On to discuss breaking the rules in documentary storytelling, the art of the interview, and what it takes to capture the authentic humanity of music icons. Known for her work on documentaries featuring Counting Crows (HBO’s Have You Seen Me Lately?), Sheryl Crow (SHOWTIME’s Sheryl), and Lainey Wilson (Netflix’s Keepin’ Country Cool), Amy reveals the intricate process of crafting character-driven stories from hundreds of hours of footage, building three-act structures on whiteboards with her team, and knowing when to bend traditional narrative rules to serve the story. From her journey from editor to director, Amy tells us the delicate balance between the artist and the celebrity persona, and why, as a modern filmmaker, she refuses to double down on themes just to serve the algorithm. Amy reminds us that understanding each other through story is the ultimate creative mission, and artists who change an era are those who defy the rules. CHAPTERS * 00:00:00 Introduction and Welcome * 00:00:54 Falling in Love with Documentary Filmmaking * 00:03:24 The Editor's Journey to Director * 00:06:17 Breaking the Three-Act Structure * 00:08:41 The Attention Span Problem and Streaming Templates * 00:12:37 Rule Breakers Deserve Rule-Breaking Films * 00:14:26 The Divisive Band and the Sellout Era * 00:16:51 The Art of the Interview * 00:20:01 Building Trust and Protecting Mental Health * 00:22:37 The Development Game and Pitching Artists * 00:24:18 Keeping Up with Lainey Wilson * 00:25:41 The Artist Versus The Celebrity * 00:27:28 Celebrity Worship and The Golden Rule * 00:30:15 Melissa Etheridge and The Women's Prison * 00:32:02 Understanding Each Other Through Stories * 00:34:01 Finding Grounding Through Motherhood * 00:37:07 Becoming a Director While Becoming a Mom * 00:39:24 The Wild Ride of the Film Industry * 00:40:23 When Do You Feel Most Lit Up? * 00:43:42 Trusting Your Intuition as a Woman Filmmaker

Jenny Tinghui Zhang — Falling Into Superfan Obsession

Author Jenny Tinghui Zhang joins Sparkle On to talk about fandom, following obsessions, and the small, stubborn joys that pull us back to art. Jenny discusses her latest novel, Superfan — a coming‑of‑age story about a lonely freshman who finds belonging in a K‑pop–style fandom. We explore how obsessions, artist cities (hello, Austin, TX), and the bravery to consistently show up fuel creativity. Expect thoughtful riffs on community, limerence, male figure skating, and practical wisdom for turning yearning into art without losing the love that started it. Read Superfan: https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250369666/superfan/ [https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250369666/superfan/] Read Four Treasures In The Sky: https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250811783/fourtreasuresofthesky/ [https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250811783/fourtreasuresofthesky/] Follow Jenny: https://www.instagram.com/sunspotletters [https://www.instagram.com/sunspotletters] CHAPTERS * 00:00:00 Introduction and Welcome * 00:01:23 Falling Down the BTS Rabbit Hole * 00:03:48 The Psychology of Obsession and Limerence * 00:05:22 Middle School Obsessions and Lord of the Rings * 00:07:54 Understanding Young Women and Fandom * 00:13:46 The Power and Dark Side of Fandom * 00:19:22 Post-Debut Depression and Losing Love for Writing * 00:23:27 Finding the Way Back Through Figure Skating * 00:28:02 The Magic of Old Notebooks and Past Selves * 00:33:14 Austin's Creative Community and What's Next * 00:39:43 Re-Romanticizing the Writing Process

Defining You With Fiona Murden

Fiona Murden knows finding the home within you is a lot easier said than done. Psychologist and author of Defining You, Fiona shares her framework for unlocking human potential by harnessing the power of story. Devi and her dive into the nuances of how creativity is vital not just as an artistic pursuit, but as a fundamental aspect of being human, encompassing how we think, imagine, and problem-solve. Fiona explains why many people wrongly believe they aren't creative and details her journey to organizational psychology, driven by a deep curiosity about human thought. She emphasizes that pivotal life moments, even those marked by rage or trauma, often serve as catalysts for self-examination and growth. Fiona introduces the concept of Mirror Thinking and its neuroscientific basis in social learning. She advocates for shifting from the self-defeating question "Why?" (which can lead to depression and anxiety) to the constructive question "What?" (which guides us toward self-awareness and next steps). The episode also explores the vital connection between physical movement and creativity, noting that movement frees the mind and allows for greater clarity, helping us integrate the mind and body. Ultimately, Fiona advises listeners to navigate life's inevitable uncertainties by cultivating self-acceptance and holding things lightly, rather than rigidly adhering to external "shoulds" or focusing solely on outcomes. Fiona’s book, workshops, and podcast can be found at https://www.fionamurden.com/ [https://www.fionamurden.com/">https://www.fionamurden.com/] or @fiona_murden on Instagram.