Season 01, episode 10 May 25, 2025 Originally recorded December 17, 2024 SPEAKERS Dayna Del Val and Laura Zabel SUMMARY In this conversation, Laura Zabel discusses the vital role of arts in building community, the importance of recognizing creativity as a fundamental human right, and the need to demystify and de-hierarchicalize the arts. She emphasizes the significance of economic security for artists and the impact of guaranteed income on creative freedom. The discussion also touches on the commodification of art and the necessity of fostering connections between rural and urban communities through artistic endeavors. In this conversation, Laura Zabel discusses the innovative approaches of Springboard for the Arts, emphasizing the…
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Brave Middle Ground | Sally Z
Season 01, episode 09 May 11, 2025 Originally recorded April 30, 2025 SPEAKERS Dayna Del Val and Sally Z SUMMARY In this conversation, Sally Z and Dayna Del Val explore the complexities of motherhood, the emotional journey of parenting and the importance of supporting children in their identity journeys. They reflect on personal experiences, the significance of Mother’s Day and the challenges of navigating the evolving relationship with their children as they grow. The discussion also delves into the concept of ‘brave middle ground’ in parenting, emphasizing the need for honesty and discomfort in fostering growth and understanding. In this conversation, Sally Z and Dayna Del Val explore the complexities…
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Brave Middle Ground | Dorie Clark
Season 01, episode 08 April 27, 2025 Originally recorded January 14, 2025 SPEAKERS Dayna Del Val & Dorie Clark SUMMARY In this conversation, Dayna and Dorie Clark discuss the concept of middle ground, emphasizing its strength as a compromise and the importance of open-mindedness. They reflect on the challenges of communication in today’s polarized environment and the need for thoughtful dialogue. Dorie also explores the value of a liberal arts education in fostering holistic thinking and the significance of networking and social proof in achieving professional success. The discussion highlights the interconnectedness of content creation, social proof and networking as essential components for recognition and influence. In this conversation, Dorie…
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Reflect, Celebrate, Release: Let’s Close the Year Feeling Extraordinary
As 2024 ends, I’m reflecting on the moments that shaped me—like finishing my memoir and attending a transformative writing retreat. This year reminded me that extraordinary doesn’t always look big; it’s found in small wins and facing challenges with courage. What are your reflections? What are you proud of? What have you let go of? As we look to 2025, I’m excited to flourish—hosting Spark events in Florence and launching Brave Middle Ground. Here's to closing the year with gratitude and stepping into a new one with purpose and joy!
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Embrace change: Work toward your Spark in May
2016 Dayna Del Val would ruefully laugh in your face if you showed her this blog post. That year, only months before Mazz got sober, I was, again, contemplating how to leave him, how to walk away from what felt like an endless, slow, sad spiral to a bottom I couldn't see and didn't understand. There was no indication that anything was going to get better or ever be different.
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Birthing your dream
My carefully constructed blueprint might not have all the details I will discover or dream up. Plans I'm sure will work now might prove to be unusable when tasked with carrying this memoir from start to finish. Hopefully I'll conceive of ideas that are more valuable than anything I've yet imagined at this early juncture.
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Join the Spark movement: Let’s collaborate and grow together
For close to four years, I've been offering various opportunities for people to say yes to Spark work. I've loved the hundreds of people I've worked with in all these many ways we've engaged in this joyful work together, but it's time for me to change it up.
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Eat. Drink. Spark! and the (re)Discover Your Spark retreat is coming to Hopkins, MN in October!
Calling everyone in the Twin Cities area to an #extraordinary Eat. Drink. Spark! dinner + 1-day Discover Your Spark retreat coming OCTOBER 20 AND 21. When I met Kathleen Crandall earlier this summer, I knew I was going to like her, but then she suggested we work together with our programs and offered to host a 2-part, three-ways-to-engage opportunity, and I’m so excited! I can’t wait to see you there! OPTION ONE: Eat. Drink. Spark! FRIDAY DINNER What: The Eat. Drink. Spark! Dinner experience includes the beginning of Discover Your Spark work, a sumptuous 3-course meal prepared by a chef from Minneapolis-based chef Jo Seddon’s team, complemented by three exclusive Spark cocktails or NA cocktails, if…
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Asking for and receiving answers
I was in another one of those weird funks I get in when I don’t have a book I find engaging. We went to the library, and I was scanning the new nonfiction books, looking for the covers that would grab me. This is the way I find nearly all the books I read, unless someone else recommends something specific. I am a great believer in judging literal books by their covers. I wasn’t having much luck, so I asked the Universe to guide me to whatever book I needed most to read this week, and I kept wandering, searching for something to draw me in. Then one word, “Illogical”…
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Grant funded (re)Discover Your Spark virtual weekend retreat for ND-based artists & makers now available
Fargo-based arts leader welcomes North Dakota artists and makers to attend virtual retreat focused on personal exploration OCTOBER 20, 2022—Two years ago, a spark of inspiration ignited a shining new vision for The Arts Partnership President and CEO Dayna Del Val, one that has since helped her—and many others—rediscover passions, projects and purposes that have long since fallen into the shadows. But first, she had to walk into those shadows. Del Val recalls the moment the idea for (re)Discover Your Spark hit her where she needed to feel it the most: right in her head and her heart. “In September 2020, I was awarded a two-week Artist in Residence with…
