One Spark Stories

Hosted by Katie Currens

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Episodes

Latest episode

Sep 2026

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EN-US

About the show

One Spark Stories will leave you feeling empowered to live your purpose by taking action on your own dreams. Listen to innovators, creators, and unsuspecting risk takers share about the highs and lows, laughter and tears that lead to find their spark. From interviews to solo sessions, advice to hilarious mishaps, you will gain perspective and confidence to follow the beat of your own drum. Whether you are in pursuit of your own dreams, looking for hope to guide you through those challenges, or simply love hearing stories of everyday people living an extraordinary life, this podcast will inspire you to take action by connecting, creating, and celebrating unique sparks around the globe, once again proving that it is a small world, after all.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

September 2, 202631 min

Long-Term Impact of the Disney College Program

"It built a confidence to approach people, which has made a huge difference for me and my ability to network later in life." [00:08] Disney Program Alumni and the Long-Term Impact of Disney [04:03] Tim's Disney International Program story [06:37] Careers don't need a perfect plan [09:04] Discovering unexpected career possibilities [12:05] How Disney shaped our approach to our work [17:03] Leadership lessons that lasted beyond the internship [23:11] What we would do differently [28:29] Building your network early What could a college internship possibly teach you that still matters 20 years later? For Tim Dyck and Katie Currens, quite a lot. Neither of them entered their Disney programs knowing exactly where their careers would lead. Yet decades later, they are still carrying lessons about leadership, workplace culture, networking, and how people should be treated. Equally great are the friendships and professional connections that continue to come from it. An internship doesn't have to perfectly match your future job title to shape your future. Sometimes the most valuable thing an experience gives you is a better understanding of how you want to work, who you want to become, and possibilities you didn't know existed. Learn more about Disney Programs: disneyprogramsexperience.com Connect with Tim Dyck World at Work Podcast Website: https://bestculturesolutions.ca/ LinkedIn: Best Culture Solutions, Inc Instagram: @best.culture.solutions Connect with Katie About Katie Order her Books Connect with Katie on LinkedIn Follow Katie on Instagram Follow the Podcast on Instagram

August 19, 202627 min

D23, Fan Expectations, and the Magic You May Have Missed

"Expectations should not become so rigid that reality feels like a consolation prize." Episode chapters [00:09] Looking Beyond the D23 Recaps [03:20] When Fan Theories Become Expectations [08:15] Plan Enough to Participate, Stay Flexible to Experience [10:25] Why the Yeti Repair Was Worth An Announcement [17:15] Repeat Guests Aren't the Only Guests [22:45] Constructive Concern Versus Automatic Disappointment [26:05] Finding Progress Instead of Only Newness [29:50] When Fandom Creates a Spotlight Effect [32:40] Leaving Room for Unexpected Magic Disney D23 2026 brought new attractions, entertainment updates, Imagineering reveals, and plenty of opinions. But what happens when the announcement you expected was never actually promised? In this episode, Katie Currens looks beyond the traditional D23 recap to explore fan expectations, Disney rumors, social media speculation, and how our imagined outcomes can shape our reactions to what actually happens. Expectations can help us dream, but they can also cause us to overlook something quite magical simply because it looks different than we pictured. Ultimately, this conversation reaches beyond Disney fandom to vacations, careers, relationships, and the expectations we create for our own lives. What happens when reality doesn't match the version we've already imagined? And what might we discover if we stay open to something different that we expected? Connect with Katie About Katie Order her Books Connect with Katie on LinkedIn Follow Katie on Instagram Follow the Podcast on Instagram

June 17, 202613 min

Movies That Remind Us Not to Grow Out of Wonder

"Maturity is realizing that you don't have to lose your sense of wonder. You get to learn how to integrate it." Episode Chapters [00:09] Why wonder matters in adulthood [02:06] Hook: Rediscovering play and purpose [03:46] IF: Finding the imagination we forget [04:36] The Power of Imagination [05:43] Jumanji: Courage and life's uncertainty [07:17] Inside Out: Carrying emotions through life [09:38] Matilda: Curiosity and finding your voice [11:24] What these movies teach us about wonder Growing older is required, but living a mundane, dull, and spark-sucking life is completely optional. In this episode of One Spark Stories , host Katie Currens dives into five incredible movies that should not be reserved only for kids. Each of the movies has a unique way of reminding grown-ups that our inner child is still very much alive. If you've been feeling like you're just going through the motions, pause the to-do list. Make space for imagination, curiosity, and wonder. From childhood favorites to recent box-office hits, Katie breaks down how these stories can help us navigate adult challenges, manage big emotions, and reclaim the magic we tend to leave behind. Read the blog for more from this episode. Connect with Katie Follow Katie on Instagram Follow the Podcast on Instagram Connect with Katie on LinkedIn About Katie Order her Books

April 29, 202629 min

Creating Coast to Coast Disney Memories

"The best moments are the ones you experience for yourself." Episode Highlights 00:53 The Basics of Disneyland and Walt Disney World 02:44 Nostalgia and Experiences at Disneyland and Walt Disney World 04:03 Nuances of Iconic Rides: Pirates, Small World, Space Mountain 07:03 Impact of R efurbishments and Seasonal Overlays 11:07 Theming and Park Atmosphere Differences 14:38 The Simplicity of Disneyland 17:15 Each Park Tells Its Own Story 19:24 Iconic Landmarks and Park Size 24:05 What Walt Disney World Got Right 26:30 The Things that Bring Meaning to Each Park This conversation with Kristen Johnson goes beyond comparing Disneyland and Walt Disney World. Instead of simply naming favorites, they explore why certain places, rides, and moments stick with us. From childhood memories to unexpected traditions and evolving park experiences, the episode highlights how personal history, relationships, and curiosity shape the way we experience Disney. Connect with Kristen Instagram @MagicMaker_KristenJ Facebook Magic Maker Kristen J Connect with Katie About Katie Order her Books Connect with Katie on LinkedIn Follow Katie on Instagram Follow the Podcast on Instagram

March 25, 202624 min

Meeting Unexpected People Creates Unforgettable Travel Moments

"The unexpected moments, often not on the itinerary, are the ones that create the lasting memories." [00:32] Exploring connection through travel [01:14] Meeting a competitive puzzler [04:32] A surprising encounter with Disney Imagineer Joe Rohde [09:35] What makes someone meaningful or memorable to you [17:47] Cruise connections turns strangers into friends [21:20] Why small interactions create lasting travel memories In this episode, Katie Currens is joined again by Kristen Johnson for a conversation centered around connection, curiosity, and the unexpected people you meet while traveling. They share how meaningful interactions can happen anywhere when you're open to them. Stories about a chance conversation with a competitive puzzler to a memorable encounter with Disney Imagineer Joe Rohde highlight the impact of being open to new connections. Together, they explore how personal interests shape who we admire, why stepping outside your routine creates opportunities for deeper connection, and how even brief interactions can leave a lasting impact. The conversation also touches on travel experiences like Disney cruises and park visits, where simple moments with strangers often become the most memorable parts of the trip. Connect with Kristen Instagram @MagicMaker_KristenJ Facebook Magic Maker Kristen J Connect with Katie About Katie Order her Books Connect with Katie on LinkedIn Follow Katie on Instagram Follow the Podcast on Instagram

February 19, 202614 min

Play for Adults is Essential, Not Childish

"Curiosity isn't a distraction from real life. It's often the doorway back to it." Notable Moments [00:35] The Power of Childhood Memories [02:22] How the movie "Big" Influenced Maintaining Childlike Wonder [04:15] Traditions and Nostalgia to Stay Connected to Childhood Joy. [05:38] The Essential Nature of Play [06:35] Play in Professional Settings to Enhance Creativity and Collaboration [08:02] Breaking Down Barriers and Overcoming Stigmas Around Play [11:15] The Shift from Curiosity to Efficiency [12:09] Reclaiming Joy Through Play [13:31] Seeing the World Through a Child's Eyes Play is often treated as something we outgrow but it's actually exactly what many adults need. In this episode of One Spark Stories, Katie Currens explores how curiosity, imagination, and play support creativity, connection, and resilience. Through stories inspired by Big, spontaneous Zoltar moments, parenting insights, and a recent adult play session, this episode is a reminder: Play isn't childish, it's essential. If life has started to feel routine, this conversation will help you rediscover wonder and give yourself permission to play again. Connect with Katie About Katie Connect with Katie on LinkedIn Follow Katie on Instagram Follow the Podcast on Instagram Order her Books

February 11, 202635 min

Build Connection and Create Life Magic

"Sometimes you just have to take it out of the group chat and book it." Notable Moments [00:47] Meet Kristen and the spark of lifelong fandom [03:15] From aspiring lawyer to creative entrepreneur [07:22] Leadership, connection, and why culture matters [11:36] A summit, a podcast, and a 10-year friendship [18:12] Longneck Manor and seeing a dream come to life [30:17] What we need to unlearn about growing up You never know which experience or what conversation will change everything. Sometimes, a little bit of both happen and create major life magic. In this conversation, Kristen Johnson joins to share how much connection has made impact on our lives. This episode is about connection, courage, and saying yes. What happens when you stop overthinking and just book the trip? Unexpected friendship, Disney details, bold dreams, and why adults need permission to play again. Connect with Kristen Instagram @MagicMaker_KristenJ Facebook Magic Maker Kristen J Connect with Katie About Katie Order her Books Connect with Katie on LinkedIn Follow Katie on Instagram Follow the Podcast on Instagram

February 4, 202618 min

The Slippery Slope Known as Spotlight Effect

"We are way more forgiving to others than we tend to be with ourselves." 00:27 Introduction to the Spotlight Effect 01:07 Personal Struggles with Self-Perception 03:05 Understanding the Spotlight Effect 06:02 Overcoming the Spotlight Effect 09:06 Building Confidence and Self-Awareness 11:46 The Role of Supportive Relationships 14:38 Embracing Authenticity and Moving Forward This episode explores a common psychological trap known as the Spotlight Effect. It convinces us we're being watched, judged, and evaluated far more than we actually are. This mindset has kept solo episodes unpublished. Eventually I realized that the real issue wasn't rejection, it was hesitation. We explore research that explains why our brains exaggerate attention, how social media amplifies this feeling, and why adults are just as vulnerable to it as kids. I also walk through simple, practical ways to interrupt the spiral, build confidence, and offer ourselves the same grace we freely give others. If you've ever delayed something meaningful because it didn't feel perfect yet, this episode is an invitation to step out of the imagined spotlight and into forward motion. Connect with Katie About Katie Order her Books Connect with Katie on LinkedIn Follow Katie on Instagram Follow the Podcast on Instagram

October 30, 202541 min

Discovering Purpose Through Story and Community

"Transformation doesn't happen alone. You might put in the work, but real change begins when you let others in." Discover how transformation and storytelling intertwine in part two of this conversation between Katie Currens and James Warda. They explore how Disney's sense of wonder reminds us to reconnect with who we truly are and why sharing our stories can help others do the same. Notable Moments [01:12] Reframing what it means to be our truest selves in places of joy. [07:59] When one person shares vulnerably, it gives others permission to do the same. [09:28] The How Does Disney Do That? community [21:47] Discovering the heart of Give Kids the World Village [31:41] "Unlearn the lies that say you're not loved, you don't matter, you don't belong." [35:51] Transformation often lives in the smallest moments. Connect with James howdoesdisneydothat.com jameswarda.com Connect with Katie About Katie Order her Books Connect with Katie on LinkedIn Follow Katie on Instagram Follow the Podcast on Instagram

October 15, 202532 min

Let Yourself Rediscover Wonder

"The way the crowd gasps, it's not the kids, it's the adults. They are the ones that are yelling 'It's Tinkerbell!' And in that moment, it's clear that we all still have that child inside." Katie Currens reconnects with author, speaker, and returning guest James Warda, who shares insights on transformation, storytelling, and the emotional connections people have with Disney. During part 1 of their conersation, they discuss the power of curiosity, the importance of community, and how personal experiences can lead to profound changes in life. James emphasizes the significance of sharing stories by sharing many of his own, including the impact of organizations like Give Kids the World, which provides magical experiences for critically ill children. The conversation highlights the need for adults to reconnect with their childlike wonder and the importance of fostering a supportive community that encourages dreams and creativity. Episode Highlights 02:38 The Impact of Transformative Stories 08:12 Personal Transformations Through Curiosity and Experiences 10:30 The Power of Community and Connection 15:47 The Role of Music and Experience in Transformation 18:37 The Importance of Asking the Right Questions 21:21 The Journey of Writing and Discovery 24:08 The Emotional Connection to Disney 26:34 Rediscovering Our True Selves Connect with James howdoesdisneydothat.com jameswarda.com Connect with Katie About Katie Order her Books Connect with Katie on LinkedIn Follow Katie on Instagram Follow the Podcast on Instagram