Spark Media

09/16/2026

Just read this terrific profile of Christopher Haley in Up.St.ART Annapolis.

This is a great article about his life and work as an archivist, historian, author, actor, and filmmaker.

We’re really lucky to have Chris on The People's Recorder's team! His narration gives the podcast its heart (and plus, it’s always a fun time whenever we work together!)

Congrats, Chris!

+ by Jeff Muller + photos courtesy of Chris Haley Sitting with Chris Haley in the backroom of 49 West Coffeehouse, Winebar & Gallery in Annapolis on an early summer day, it is apparent that he is a…

09/15/2026

Historian Clay Risen and journalist Joanne Lipman sit down—in advance of the 2026 midterm elections—to discuss the past, present, and possible future of socialism in America.

09/10/2026

Seven years ago, Scattering CJ had its world premiere at the Camden International Film Festival.

Since that first screening in a packed, darkened theater, the Twomey family’s journey through grief, and their resilience in the face of tremendous loss, continues to shine a light on the importance of su***de prevention and mental health awareness.

Today, September 10th, marks World Su***de Prevention Day. It is a solemn day of remembrance for those we have lost to su***de and an opportunity to raise awareness about how we, as a global community, can work together to save lives.

Learn more and find resources at the International Association for Su***de Prevention at https://www.iasp.info/wspd/

If you or someone you know is in need of support, do not hesitate to seek help. Contact 988 Su***de & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988. Caring people are available 24 hours a day. You are not alone.

09/04/2026

Gloria Steinem pushed. She questioned. She changed what was possible for generations of women.

May her memory be both a blessing and a call to keep pushing us forward.

08/27/2026

Excited to see the Sacramento Observer including Vivien Thomas on their list of “Black Medical Pioneers Who Reshaped Emergency Care.”

https://www.theobserver.media/health/black-medical-pioneers-who-reshaped-emergency-care/

The story of Vivien Thomas continues to inspire us, and it was an honor to be able to tell his story in Partners of the Heart.

That film is available for free on YouTube. You can check it out at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYM3A15cr0A

Narrated by Morgan Freeman and featuring Courtney B. Vance as the voice of Vivien Thomas, Partners of the Heart was originally broadcast on American Experience | PBS and was produced with support from National Endowment for the Humanities, Maryland Humanities, Humanities DC, Humanities Tennessee and Mississippi Humanities Council.

From early heart surgery to blood plasma preservation and vaccine research, Black medical pioneers helped reshape emergency care despite systemic exclusion.

08/25/2026

So saddened to hear of the passing of the legendary Dolly Parton. She has always been an inspiration – her music, her wit and wisdom, and especially her passion for philanthropy, including Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, which has gifted hundreds of millions of free books to children.

I had a chance to watch Dolly live at the Newport Folk Festival in 2019. Here she is singing “I Will Always Love You” with Brandi Carlile. Such a magical performance.

She gave us so much: music, laughter, generosity, and a spirit as radiant as the rhinestones. We will miss her terribly - and we will always love her.

08/25/2026

We just heard this amazing news about our friends at Retro Report.

CONGRATULATIONS to Retro Report on receiving the Edward R. Murrow Award!

“What Japan’s Atom Bomb Survivors Have Taught Us About the Dangers of Nuclear War” is a powerful piece and this honor is so well-deserved.

The documentary is available on YouTube. Check it out here: https://retroreport.org/video/what-japans-atom-bomb-survivors-have-taught-us-about-the-dangers-of-nuclear-war-2/

This doc was produced with support from The Pulitzer Center, and its producer was Scott Michels.

We are so thrilled to be working with Retro Report, Scott, and The Pulitzer Center on the upcoming Gospel of Fear. More details to come on that very soon!

Retro Report is an independent, nonprofit newsroom creating trusted documentary videos and classroom resources.

08/11/2026

Physical media is making a comeback.

As DVDs and other physical formats find their way back into people’s hands, it’s worth remembering that accessibility matters at every step, including the design of DVD menus.

We were excited to see GBH re-share a developer’s guide to creating more accessible DVD menus, originally produced by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting/WGBH National Center for Accessible Media (NCAM).

We were especially proud that NCAM used our documentary Partners of the Heart as one of its projects!

Broadcast on American Experience | PBS, narrated by Morgan Freeman, and featuring Chris Haley as Vivien Thomas in its dramatic recreations, Partners of the Heart tells an important story—and we’re proud to have been part of NCAM’s work to make media more accessible to everyone.

You can find the developers guide here: https://www.wgbh.org/ncam-resources/2026-08-06/developers-guide-to-creating-talking-menus-for-set-top-boxes-and-dvds-problems-solutions

Learn more about Partners of the Heart at https://www.partnersoftheheart.com

07/16/2026

06/05/2026

DC DOX Festival is around the corner and I am excited to hear that “The Baddest Speechwriter of All” is coming to town. Directed by Academy Award-winner Ben Proudfoot and Stephen Curry, the short doc tells the remarkable story of the amazing and inspiring Dr. Clarence B. Jones - MLK’s lawyer, speechwriter and trusted confidant.

We lost Clarence last month and I dearly miss his courage, clarity and grace. He was truly a legend and his legacy will always inspire me.

Winner of the Short Film Grand Jury Prize at Sundance, "The Baddest Speechwriter of All" is a wonderful film and an amazing testament to Clarence’s commitment to justice and fighting the good fight. It’s playing on Sunday, June 14, at 11:30 am. Learn more here: https://dcdoxfest.com/films/the-baddest-speechwriter-of-all/

One of the city’s premier film festivals, DC/DOX brings powerful documentary storytelling from around the world right to our nation’s capital. I was proud to screen my 2024 film, Public Defender, at the festival.