Second City Works presents "Getting to Yes, And" on WGN Plus

Follow Second City Works presents "Getting to Yes, And" on WGN Plus
Share on
Copy link to clipboard

Second City Works presents "Getting to Yes, And" on WGN Plus from WGN Radio in Chicago.

WGN Plus


    • Jun 3, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • weekly NEW EPISODES
    • 379 EPISODES

    4.9 from 58 ratings Listeners of Second City Works presents "Getting to Yes, And" on WGN Plus that love the show mention: improv, innovation, human, learning, favorite podcast, subscribe, interesting, guests, work, new, life, listen, great, love, kelly leonard, getting to yes.


    Ivy Insights

    The Second City Works presents "Getting to Yes, And" on WGN Plus podcast is a phenomenal show hosted by the incredible Kelly Leonard. Not only is Leonard the Mac Daddy Godfather of Second City, but he is also a behavioral scientist, conducting research with some of the top academics in their fields. The knowledge he possesses and the connections he has are truly impressive. Additionally, Leonard has authored his own book called YES, AND, which is an absolute bomb!

    One of the best aspects of this podcast is its ability to be both thought-provoking and unexpectedly funny. Each episode tackles interesting and informative topics that always leave the listener wanting more. The discussions on the benefits of improv training at work and in everyday life are insightful and relatable. Leonard's expertise in improv allows him to draw parallels that resonate with learners who are open to growing and experimenting.

    Furthermore, Kelly Leonard brings his A-game to every episode, along with an array of great guests. The discussions stay focused on the theme while incorporating plenty of entertaining stories along the way. Bravo to Leonard for his exceptional interviewing skills and for being thoroughly prepared with thoughtful questions based on each guest's book or area of expertise.

    As someone involved in media production, theater, and arts advocacy, "Getting to Yes, And" resonates deeply with me. It informs all aspects of my life and remains at the top of my "must-listen" list. The show embodies humility, intelligence, vulnerability, wit, and a genuine collaborative spirit. Each episode offers new perspectives and inspires more thoughtful approaches to work and life. Plus, it's just plain fun! I highly recommend subscribing right away.

    On the downside, there doesn't seem to be many negative aspects about this podcast. It consistently delivers interesting content that keeps listeners engaged throughout each episode.

    In conclusion, "Getting to Yes, And" is an outstanding podcast that combines improv comedy with valuable insights applicable to various aspects of life. Kelly Leonard's expertise and ability to connect with guests make this podcast a go-to for anyone interested in learning and applying improv methods. As an entrepreneur, I find the show especially inspiring for its fresh perspectives on leadership and creativity. Whether you're curious about improv comedy or simply looking for thought-provoking discussions, this podcast is definitely worth listening to. Just say "yes, and" to this delightful show!



    More podcasts from WGN Plus

    Search for episodes from Second City Works presents "Getting to Yes, And" on WGN Plus with a specific topic:

    Latest episodes from Second City Works presents "Getting to Yes, And" on WGN Plus

    Getting to Yes, And… | Daisy Auger-Dominguez – ‘Burnt Out to Lit Up'

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 3, 2025


    Kelly connects with Daisy Auger-Dominguez who once held the position of Global Chief People Officer at Vice Media Group. Her new book is called, “Burnt Out to Lit Up: How to Reignite the Joy of Leading People.”  “Everybody wants to manage people until they have to manage people.”  “Management is like a high-wire act of care.”  […]

    Getting to Yes, And… ‘Christopher DiCarlo – The Ethics of AI'

    Play Episode Listen Later May 27, 2025


    Kelly has a fascinating conversation with University of Toronto professor Christopher DiCarlo where they discuss his new book: “Building a God: The Ethics of Artificial Intelligence and the Race to Control It.”  “Let me be very clear: the threat from AI of existential risk and annihilation to humanity is very real.”  “The word ‘robot' is derived […]

    Getting to Yes, And… | Sarah Ruhl – ‘Lessons From My Teachers'

    Play Episode Listen Later May 23, 2025


    Kelly welcomes renowned playwright, poet and teacher Sarah Ruhl back to the podcast. Sarah is a two-time Pulitzer Prize finalist, a Tony Award nominee, and the recipient of the MacArthur Genius Fellowship. She has a new book, it's called “Lessons from My Teachers.”  “Our phones can give us facts but not story; information, but not relation.”  […]

    Getting to Yes, And… | Rosalind Chow – ‘The Doors You Can Open'

    Play Episode Listen Later May 20, 2025


    Kelly opens the door for Rosalind Chow, an associate professor of organizational behavior and theory at Carnegie Mellon University. Her new book is called “The Doors You Can Open: A New Way to Network, Build Trust, and Use Your Influence to Create a More Inclusive Workplace.” “Mentors talk to you; sponsors talk about you.” “The […]

    Getting to Yes, And… | Zach Mercurio – ‘The Power of Mattering'

    Play Episode Listen Later May 13, 2025


    Kelly speaks with Zach Mercurio, a positive leadership and organizations researcher and Honorary Fellow of Psychology in the Center for Meaning and Purpose at Colorado State University. He has a new book: The Power of Mattering: How Leaders Can Create a Culture of Significance. “We can't have healthy organizations with unhealthy people.”  “Noticing is an ongoing […]

    Getting to Yes, And… | Melody Wilding – ‘Managing Up'

    Play Episode Listen Later May 12, 2025


    Kelly speaks to Melody Wilding, an executive and leadership coach, licensed social worker and a former researcher at Rutgers University. She is a professor of Human Behavior at Hunter College and is a contributor to Harvard Business Review, Forbes, and Business Insider. She has a new book, “Managing Up: How to Get What You Need from […]

    Getting To Yes, And… | Sandra Matz – Mindmasters – Big Data and Behavior Change

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 29, 2025


    Kelly connects with Columbia Business School professor Sandra Matz to discuss her new book “Mindmasters: The Data-Driven Science of Predicting and Changing Human Behavior.” “We are fighting for attention. We want to be seen.”  “Behavioral residues are the by-product of our lives.”  “Each of us comes in many different versions.” 

    Getting To Yes, And… | Scott Barry Kaufman – ‘Rise Above and the Victim Mindset'

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 22, 2025


    Kelly welcomes Scott Barry Kaufman back to the podcast to talk about his new book “Rise Above: Overcome a Victim Mindset, Empower Yourself, and Realize Your Full Potential.”  “We're living in a time when we identify so strongly with our victimhood that our potential has taken a back seat to our pain.”  “There's big money in trauma […]

    Getting to Yes, And… | Raffi Grinberg – ‘How to Be a Grownup'

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 15, 2025


    Kelly connects with Raffi Grinberg, a business leader, author, and educator based in Washington, DC. When teaching at Boston College, Raffi created a popular class called “Adulting 101.” He’s turned the teachings from that class into the book, “How to Be a Grownup.”  “Many newly minted adults are more educated than ever, yet more lost […]

    Getting to Yes, And… | Abby Davisson – ‘Money and Love'

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 8, 2025


    Kelly talks to former Gap executive Abby Davison, who has co-written a book with legendary Stanford University Professor Myra Strober called, “Money and Love: An Intelligent Roadmap for Life's Biggest Decision” “Talking about money often ranks high on the list of least favorite conversations.”  “Productive fighting is better for a relationship than poor communication.”  “We can't make […]

    Getting to Yes, And… | Wes Adams & Tamara Myles – ‘Meaningful Work'

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 1, 2025


    Kelly connects with CEO Wes Adams and Professor Tamara Myles about their new book, “Meaningful Work: How to Ignite Passion and Performance in Every Employee.”  “Trust at work – like in improv – is the oil that keeps the gears turning smoothly.”  “Storytelling can be a powerful tool to create belonging.”  “Micromanagement is a meaning […]

    Getting to Yes, And… | Jenny Wood – ‘Wild Courage'

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 25, 2025


    Kelly gets courageous with former Google executive Jenny Wood to talk about her new book, “Wild Courage: Go After What You Want and Get It.”  “Wild courage will change your life.”  “Serendipity isn't found; it's made.”  “Success mindset precedes success.” 

    Getting to Yes, And… | Dr. Sandy Jo MacArthur, Dr. Luann Pannell and Tyler Dean Kempf – ‘Improv and the Policing Leadership Academy'

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 18, 2025


    Kelly talks with Dr. Sandy Jo MacArthur and Dr. Luanne Pannell from the University of Chicago Crime Lab and Second City’s Tyler Dean Kempf about the work we’re doing together bringing improvisation into the Policing Leadership Academy.  “Cops are dropped into a scene and they have to improv every single thing they do in the […]

    Getting to Yes, And… | Olga Khazan – ‘Me, But Better: The Science and Promise of Personality Change'

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 11, 2025


    Kelly connects with The Atlantic journalist Olga Khazan whose new book, “Me, But Better: The Science and Promise of Personality Change,” follows her as she attempts to change her own personality including taking improv classes in order to boost her extroversion.  “Improv taught me I can rely on others to supply their side of the […]

    Getting to Yes, And… | Martha Jones – ‘The Trouble of Color'

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 4, 2025


    Kelly welcomes Martha Jones back to the podcast. She is the Society of Black Alumni Presidential Professor and professor of history at the SNF Agora Institute at Johns Hopkins University. We spoke to her last about her book “Vanguard.” Her new book is called “The Trouble of Color: An American Family Memoir.”  “So much of the historical record was […]

    Getting to Yes, And… | Dannagal Young – ‘Improv, Media and Disinformation'

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 25, 2025


    Kelly connects with Dannagal Goldthwaite Young, a professor in the Department of Communication at the University of Delaware. Her research interests include political media effects, public opinion, political satire and the psychology of political humor. Her books include Irony and Outrage and Wrong. She’s also an improviser.  “First rule of comedy: know your audience.”  “We – all of us – are […]

    Getting to Yes, And… | Ethan Kross – ‘Shift'

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 20, 2025


    Kelly talks to University of Michigan Professor Ethan Kross about his new book: “Shift: Managing Your Emotions – So They Don't Manage You.” “Emotions aren't good or bad; they are just information.”  “There are things you can control and things you can't. Emotions are both.”  “The effect music has on our emotions feels like magic.” 

    Getting to Yes, And… | Charles Piller – ‘Doctored'

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 18, 2025


    Kelly goes behind the scenes of Alzheimer’s research with science writer Charles Piller whose new book is called “Doctored: Fraud, Arrogance, and Tragedy in the Quest to Cure Alzheimer's.”  “Disproving someone else's experiment can be a death wish in science.”  “Most academic bio-scientists depend on the National Institute of Health to keep the lights on.”  “Eleven […]

    Getting to Yes, And… | Eli Finkel and Paul Eastwick – ‘The Love Factually Podcast'

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 14, 2025


    Kelly hosts a special Valentine’s Day Bonus Pod with professors Eli Finkel and Paul Eastwick who host the “Love Factually” podcast. Eli and Paul are relationship scientists at Northwestern and The University of California, Davis. Their podcast looks at a modern romantic comedy each week through the lens of the science of relationships.  “Relationship outcomes […]

    Getting to Yes, And… | Dr. Steven J. Heine – ‘Start Making Sense'

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 11, 2025


    Kelly connects with Dr. Steven J. Heine, Professor of Social and Cultural Psychology at the University of British Columbia. They discuss his new book, “Start Making Sense: How Existential Psychology Can Help Build Meaningful Lives in Absurd Times.” “The world seems confusing, and people no longer seem to agree on the basic facts of what is […]

    Getting to Yes, And… | Siri Chilazi – ‘Make Work Fair'

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 4, 2025


    Kelly talks about workplace fairness with Harvard’s Siri Chilazi, who co-wrote the book “Make Work Fair: Data-Driven Design for Real Results” with Iris Bohnet. “Very few people are against fairness, but we don't all agree on what it entails.”  “The biggest determinant of remote work is education.”  “Bias from above is complemented by bias from below.” 

    Getting to Yes, And… | Kalifa Oliver – ‘I Think I Love My Job'

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 28, 2025


    Kelly converses with Kalifa Oliver, an international experience coach, executive advisor, keynote speaker, author and expert in building brilliant experiences using people-centered design and analytics. Her new book is called, “I Think I Love My Job: Secrets to Designing a People-Centered Employer Value Proposition (That You Can Actually Boast About.” “You simply cannot predict the […]

    Getting to Yes, And… | Alison Wood Brooks – ‘TALK: The Science of Conversation and the Art of Being Ourselves'

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 21, 2025


    Kelly connects with Harvard professor Alison Wood Brooks, who studies the science of conversation. Her new book is called “TALK: The Science of Conversation and the Art of Being Ourselves.”  “Conversation is an ongoing act of co-creation.”  “We're all making it up as we go along.”  “People who ask more questions are better liked.”

    Kurt Gray – ‘Outraged'

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 16, 2025


    Kelly sits down with Kurt Gray, a professor in psychology and neuroscience at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he directs the Deepest Beliefs Lab and the Center for the Science of Moral Understanding. He has a new book, “Outraged: Why We Fight About Morality and Politics and How to Find Common […]

    Dr. Sunita Sah – ‘Defy: The Power of No in a World That Demands Yes'

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 14, 2025


    Kelly connects with Dr. Sunita Sah, an award-winning professor at Corenell University and an expert in organizational psychology. She is also a trained physician, who practiced medicine in the UK. She has a new book, it's called “Defy: The Power of No in a World That Demands Yes.”  “A True no is a process, not a […]

    Getting to Yes, And… | Michael Chad Hoeppner – ‘Don't Say Um'

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 7, 2025


    Kelly starts the new year talking about effective communication skills with Michael Chad Hoeppner, CEO and founder of GK Training. He teaches his unique approach to communications at Columbia University Business School in the PhD and MBA programs and coaches the faculty. He has a new book, “Don't Say Um: How to Communicate Effectively to Live a Better […]

    Getting to Yes, And… | Richard Cytowic – ‘Your Stone Age Brain in the Screen Age'

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 31, 2024


    Kelly sits down with Richard Cytowic, MD, Professor of Neurology at George Washington University and the author of “Your Stone Age Brain in the Screen Age.” “Screens act like secondhand smoke.”  “Waldorf Schools may be the best kept secret in education.”  “You cannot rush learning any more than you can accelerate thinking.” 

    Getting to Yes, And… | Aylon Samouha – ‘Extraordinary Learning for All'

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 24, 2024


    Kelly talks to Aylon Samouha, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Transcend Education. Previously he served as Chief Schools Officer at Rocketship Education. He is the co-author of “Extraordinary Learning for All: How Communities Design Schools Where Everyone Thrives.”  “Students today report higher levels of stress and anxiety than ever before.”  “Employability is based on more than […]

    Getting to Yes, And… | Second City's Creative Leadership Team – Happy Birthday, Second City!

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 17, 2024


    To celebrate The Second City’s 65th anniversary, Kelly sits down with the members of the legendary theatre’s creative leadership team to talk about how each of them found their way to The Second City. “Ensemble lay at the heart of the work at Second City.” “The Second City’s creative process is sacred to the work […]

    Getting to Yes, And… | Bob Moesta – ‘Job Moves'

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 10, 2024


    Kelly connects with Bob Moesta, founder, maker, innovator, speaker, and professor. He is the president and founder of The Re-Wired Group, as well as an adjunct lecturer at the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern and a research fellow at the Clayton Christensen Institute. He is the author of Choosing College (with Michael Horn), Demand-Side […]

    Getting to Yes, And… | Stephan Meier – ‘The Employee Advantage'

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 3, 2024


    Kelly sits down with Stephan Meier, the James P. Gorman Professor of Business Strategy and the chair of the management division at Columbia Business School. Previously, Meier worked at the Center for Behavioral Economics and Decision-Making at the Federal Reserve Bank. HIs new book is called “The Employee Advantage: How Putting Workers First Helps Business Thrive.”  […]

    Getting to Yes, And… | Ravin Jesuthasan – ‘The Skills-Powered Organization'

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 26, 2024


    Kelly connects with Ravin Jesuthasan, a recognized futurist and authority on the future of work, human capital and automation. He is Senior Partner and Global Leader for Transformation Services at Mercer and a member of the World Economic Forum's steering committee on work and employment. He is the author of many books and his latest is called “The […]

    Getting to Yes, And… | Alok Soma – ‘The Money Trap: Lost Illusions Inside the Tech Bubble' 

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 19, 2024


    Kelly sits down with Alok Soma, the former President and CFO of SoftBank Group International to discuss his new book ‘The Money Trap: Lost Illusions Inside the Tech Bubble.” “Impressing powerful men is a core skill for investment bankers.” “The world romanticizes the causal relationship between adversity and breakout success.”  “Money doesn't talk, it swears.” 

    Getting to Yes, And… | David Livermore – ‘Leading with Cultural Intelligence: The Real Secret to Success' 

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 12, 2024


    Kelly welcomes Boston University professor David Livermore back to the podcast to discuss the latest edition of his successful leadership book, “Leading with Cultural Intelligence: The Real Secret to Success.”  “I sometimes ask executives, ‘Will anyone tell you your joke isn't funny?'”  “At its core, culture intelligence is about how we connect with another as humans.”  […]

    Getting to Yes, And… | Mike Thomas – ‘Carson the Magnificent'

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 7, 2024


    Kelly sits down with old friend Mike Thomas to talk about “Carson the Magnificent,” a book about the iconic talk show host Johnny Carson. The legendary Bill Zehme began the book but never finished it. Years after Bill’s death, Mike was brought on board to complete the book. “And so, like sun and moon and […]

    Getting to Yes, And… | Lindsey Cormack – ‘How to Raise a Citizen'

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 5, 2024


    Kelly talks with Lindsey Cormack, a tenured professor of Political Science at Stevens Institute of Technology about her latest book “How to Raise a Citizen (And Why It's Up to You to Do It).”  “Politics doesn't have to feel as dire as it sometimes does.”  “The system of voting is too complicated.”  “It's hard to trust something you […]

    Getting to Yes, And… | Sarah Jaffe – ‘From The Ashes'

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 29, 2024


    Kelly connects with journalist Sarah Jaffe who wrote the best seller “Work Won’t Love You Back.” They talk about her new book “From The Ashes: Grief and Revolution in a World on Fire.” “In accepting loss we make possible the future.”  “We carry our ghosts with us everywhere.”  “There is no love without pain or […]

    Getting to Yes, And… | Mo Bunnell – ‘Give to Grow'

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 22, 2024


    Kelly talks to business leader, author and podcast host Mo Bunnell about his new book, “Give to Grow: Invest in Relationships to Build Your Business and Your Career.” “It's amazing how creative we can be to avoid acting.”  “Showing someone attention is one of the most meaningful things you can do.”  “Top performers fall in love with […]

    Getting to Yes, And… | Michael Morris – ‘Tribal'

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 15, 2024


    Kelly connects with Michael Morris of Columbia University to talk about his timely book “Tribal: How the Cultural Instincts That Divide Us Can Help Bring Us Together.” “Tribal living is what made us truly human.”  “Our species became wiser thanks to our tribes.”  “Killing the old culture happens top-down, then building the new culture happens […]

    Karen Brooks Hopkins – ‘BAM…And Then It Hit Me'

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 8, 2024


    Kelly connects with Karen Brooks Hopkins, the former president of the Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM), to discuss her book “BAM…And Then It Hit Me” “In an odd way, there is a kind of nobility in fundraising.”  “The first thing you need to know about fundraising is that it's not brain surgery. It's harder than brain surgery.”  […]

    Getting to Yes, And… Dr. Kathleen Smith – ‘True to You'

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 2, 2024


    Kelly welcomes Dr. Kathleen Smith back to the podcast. Dr. Smith is a licensed therapist and associate faculty member of the Bowen Center for Study of the Family. She is the author of “Everything Isn't Terrible.” Her new book is called “True to You: A Therapist's Guide to Stop Pleasing Others and Start Being Yourself.”  “We look […]

    Getting to Yes, And… | Chip Massey – ‘Convince Me'

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 24, 2024


    Kelly talks to former FBI Hostage Negotiator Chip Massey about his new book “Convince Me: High-Stakes Negotiation Tactics to Get Results in Any Business Situation.”  “You may have truth on your side, but persuasion does not hinge on what is true.”  “Business is all about give and take, but there is a shelf life for an ask.”  […]

    Claim Second City Works presents "Getting to Yes, And" on WGN Plus

    In order to claim this podcast we'll send an email to with a verification link. Simply click the link and you will be able to edit tags, request a refresh, and other features to take control of your podcast page!

    Claim Cancel