Podcasts about Annoyance Theatre

It's our first ever CHICAGO LIVE SHOW! Take the jump with us as we take on the Annoyance Theatre with another fully improvised musical - and a surprise? Confused comas, purchased Portugals, grumbling grannies, and more on this week's Charm Scene! Cast: Lily Ludwig, Austin Packard Music Director: Sam Scheidler Drums: Chris Ditton Special thanks to Sam MacNerland, Christian Pitsch, Kathryn Courtney, Rockie Wenrich, John Moore, James Salvatore, Jennifer Estlin, and everyone at our home - The Annoyance. Follow us @CharmScenePod on Instagram and YouTube, or shoot us a message at CharmScenePod@gmail.com!

Thomas dishes about his latest trip across the pond while Kevin loses some locks. Then the boys take a horrifying look at the past before playing Wordle.00:00 Intro & Check Ins13:56 Internet History42:43 WordleTrigger Happy: https://www.theannoyance.com/show/trigger-happy%3A-annoyance-signature-improvSecret Family at the Annoyance Theatre:https://www.theannoyance.com/show/secret-familyA Streetcar Named Desire in Winnipeg (June 11 - 15):https://www.the28thminute.com/a-streetcar-named-desireCheck out our DnD show: 'What We Do in the Basement': https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/what-we-do-in-the-basement/id1552947049FOLLOW Oops All Segments on Instagram: www.instagram.com/oopsallsegmentsFOLLOW Oops All Segments on TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@oopsallsegmentsSUBSCRIBE to Oops All Segments on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@oopsallsegments

Funny friend Jillian Mueller swings through. After Thomas and Kevin try to get Jillian to feature them in the Chicago Reader, they do a Conclave Oops All Segments-style (spin the wheel). Thomas poses to Kevin and Jillian his deeply troubling Cupcake Quandary. Things get repetitive for a while before Jillian gets the boys into sharing beverages with cryptids! 00:00 Intro & Check Ins12:06 The Cupcake Quandry22:21 Repeater25:35 Coffee with a CreatureJillian Mueller:Trigger Happy: https://www.theannoyance.com/show/trigger-happy%3A-annoyance-signature-improvChicago Reader: https://chicagoreader.com/Secret Family at the Annoyance Theatre:https://www.theannoyance.com/show/secret-familyA Streetcar Named Desire in Winnipeg (June 11 - 15):https://www.the28thminute.com/a-streetcar-named-desireCheck out our DnD show: 'What We Do in the Basement': https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/what-we-do-in-the-basement/id1552947049FOLLOW Oops All Segments on Instagram: www.instagram.com/oopsallsegmentsFOLLOW Oops All Segments on TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@oopsallsegmentsSUBSCRIBE to Oops All Segments on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@oopsallsegments

Improviser, actor, and teacher Mary Cait Walthall directed Feed Wolf Ice Cream, the one-man show this podcast grew from. I talk to her about how the project has evolved and the comas that lead away from the dream of fame.Content warning: punishment, parenting, enlightenment, death of childhood friends, talking circle funeral, Karens.If you believe in This Is Your Afterlife and want fun bonus episodes, become a patron for $5 or $15/month at patreon.com/davemaher. Mary Cait's improv team, Super Human, performs on Thursday nights at the Annoyance Theatre in Chicago.Get tickets to the play she's in, Comet, at Rhino Fest 2024. There are two more performances, on June 19 and 28.Follow this show on IG: @thisisyourafterlife, and get more info at thisisyourafterlife.com. Have thoughts on the show? Email thisisyourafterlifepodcast@gmail.com.Follow me @thisisdavemaher on Instagram and Twitter.All music by This Is Your Afterlife house band Lake Mary.Check out my other podcast, Genre Reveal Party!, where I analyze TV and movies with my friend, writer and cultural critic Madeline Lane-McKinley.

Dr. Laura welcomes special guest Erin Diehl to the show to talk about radical empathy and Erin's new book “I See You!: A Leader's Guide to Energizing Your Team Through Radical Empathy”. Erin Diehl is a Business Improv Edutainer, author, and keynote speaker who hosts the improve it! podcast. Dr. Laura and Erin talk about Erin's recent journey of self-exploration and why she was called to write her book after emerging from an oppressive hustle mentality.Erin understands how people get to a place of being overloaded, stressed, burnt out, and feeling like they don't matter. Her desire through the book and her work is to help people, including leaders, give to themselves and take moments of self-reflection. She shares her journey through struggles with infertility and the physical pain that came from overwork. Erin's story of how she decluttered her life, found her purpose, and claimed inner peace is inspiring. The revelations and discoveries in her book are for everyone to apply to their own lives, especially those in management positions so toxic leadership can be replaced by leaders who are empathetic and supportive.“And it's so crazy how our thoughts really affect every cell in our body. And I'll tell you this, I didn't heal, I had chronic back pain, like shoulder pain and back pain that was so tight... I would literally cry myself to sleep at night because I was just so frustrated. … I took every ergonomic chair on Amazon into my office. I tried all the things, all the pillows, and went to all the doctors. And no one could say what was wrong. And I finally realized it was just my own mental emotions and my own thoughts that were really stagnating me. And I had not dealt with a lot of things.” Erin DiehlAbout Erin Diehl:Erin “Big” Diehl is a Business Improv Edutainer, Failfluencer, and Professional Zoombie. Through a series of unrelated dares, Erin created improve it!, a unique professional development company that pushes others to laugh, learn, play, and grow. Among her many accolades, Erin is most proud of successfully coercing over 30,000 professionals to chicken dance.Erin Diehl is a graduate of Clemson University, and a former experiential marketing and recruiting professional as well as a veteran improviser from the top improvisational training programs in Chicago, including The Second City, i.O. Theater and The Annoyance Theatre.Erin has spoken on global stages both virtually and in person - with companies like Uber Freight, Walgreens, Motorola, LinkedIn and The Obama Foundation (to name a few)! She is a member of The Chicago Innovation Awards Women's Cohort and a graduate of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Business Program. She is also the proud host of a Top 1% Global Podcast, The improve it! Podcast, which you can find anywhere you listen to pods!When she's not playing pretend or facilitating, she enjoys walking on the beach with her husband, son, and eight-pound toy poodle, BIGG DIEHL.Resources:Website: LearnToImproveIt.comThe improve it! PodcastErin Diehl on Instagram“I See You!: A Leader's Guide to Energizing Your Team Through Radical Empathy” by Erin DiehlMarie Kondo“When the Body Says No: The Cost of Hidden Stress” by Gabor Maté MDBestseller Masterclass with Gabby Bernstein“The Artist's Way” by Julia CameronLearn more about Dr. Laura on her website: https://drlaura.liveFor more resources, look into Dr. Laura's organizations: Canada Career CounsellingSynthesis Psychology

Laura Dellis makes a triumphant comeback on the Steve Cochran Show, bringing with her the buzz about the latest installment of her hit production, 'Halfway to Fifty 2'. At just 26 years old, she brings a wealth of experience to the stage, ready to entertain audiences with stories of young adulthood, infused with her signature blend of humor, sincerity, and wit. Catch 'Halfway to Fifty 2' on Saturday, March 30th at The Annoyance Theatre. Tickets available at www.lauradellis.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hide your arms AND your heads because this week we're discussing season 2, episode 10 of Lucha Underground entitled "El Jefe is Back". Come along as we talk saying hi, NYE, HP stans, house bands, The Simpsons comics, Matt McMuscles, arm breaking, fancy outfits, paranormal investigating, nipples, Total Divas, dating apps, Marty's riches, "The Comedy", reverb on songs, math, Rey + Dario beef, The Annoyance Theatre, & more! Want to hear more from your favorite Marsh Land Media hosts? Hear exclusive shows, podcasts, and content by heading to Patreon.com/MLMpod! Buy some Shuffling the Deck / MLMpod MERCH, including our "Natty With Otters" shirt, over at redbubble.com/shop/msspod! Follow James @MarshLandMedia on Twitter, @MLMpod on Instagram, and listen to his music under "Marsh Land Monster" wherever music is found! Follow Sean on Twitter @SeanMarciniak and on Twitch @GooseVK! Join our Discord! Have fan mail, fan art, projects you want us to review, or whatever you want to send us? You can ship directly to us using "James McCollum, PO Box 180036, 2011 W Montrose Ave, Chicago, IL 60618"! Send us a voice mail to be played on the show at (224) 900-7644! Find out more about James' other podcasts "Mostly Speakin' Sentai", "Hit It & Crit It", and "This Movie's Gay" on our website, www.MLMPod.com!!! Plus, download all Marsh Land Monster albums there, too!

I'm on the last day of a five-day, 12-hour daily intensive Improv class at The Annoyance Theatre. Our instructor comes in and has us count off by threes. Once that's done, he instructs us to find everyone else with the same number. Then he tells us: “Whoever's in your group, you all are now an Improv team. And you're going to perform tonight live on the main stage for a public audience.” I'm thinking, “These teams are made up of people I barely know.” They come from all around the world with different backgrounds, styles, strengths, and varying levels of Improv experience. And that's when I realize that's what's so cool about this whole thing! We can bring all that to the table in our performance. My made-up-on-the-spot team and I spend the rest of the day creating, refining, rehearsing, and doing it over again, based on our collective suggestions and ideas as a collective. That night, when we hit the stage and show our stuff, it's a huge success. And I know a big part of it is due to the collective diversity of the group and the openness to learning from each other as well as respecting and honoring everyone's contribution. Speaking of spotlights and collectives, today's special guest, Lindsay Ravage, is a veteran of the Improv community in addition to working as an actress. And in this episode of the Storytelling School Podcast, she's here to dive into how the world of Improv can influence you as a storyteller and answer questions such as: Why are you already an experienced Improv storyteller, even if you've never performed it on a stage? How does having trust in others influence the ability to create a bigger story? Why is it so important for kids at a young age to learn how to express themselves and be creative in telling stories? And how do shared experiences make for powerful storytelling? What you will learn in this episode: Why saying “yes” opens the door for new stories to occur How an audience's response to your narrative can affect your storytelling in real-time Why having a first-person point of view makes your story more interesting Who is Lindsay? Growing up just outside of New York City, Lindsay Ravage fell in love with the stage at a young age. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Southern California's Theatre School and studied at the esteemed British Academy of Dramatic Arts in London. She is also a graduate of The Second City Conservatory program and UCB Improv program and has performed Improv all over Los Angeles in various Improvisation and sketch troupes. In addition to still acting in commercials and television, she has worked as a casting associate for some of the most successful commercial casting offices in Los Angeles. Lindsay has also worked with children most of her adult life. But she felt there was a lack of theatre classes in the L.A. area for her own kids. Wanting to create a fun and creative outlet for non-professional kids, she started Tiny Spotlight--Los Angeles' premiere children's theater academy that offers musical theater, Improv, and sketch comedy classes to kids aged 3-11. These classes are taught by top-notch directors in a real theatre setting. They're designed as fun-filled performance experiences to build confidence and let kids know that their ideas are important and what they have to say matters. Tiny Spotlight classes are held at the charming Two Roads Theater in Little Tujunga Village in the heart of Studio City, California, and at The Pico Theatre in West LA. Links and Resources: Tiny Spotlight @tinyspotlight on Instagram @tinyspotlight on Facebook The Annoyance Theatre & Bar Storytelling School Website @storytellingschool on Instagram @storytellingSchool on Facebook

In this throwback, If This Is True would like to introduce you to the Sohns! Rich and Rebecca Sohn are improvisers/actors/directors living in Los Angeles. They are both veterans of the Second City and Annoyance Theatre. Rebecca has also performed with Steppenwolf, Remy Bumppo and About Face Theatres. She is also an ensemble member of the No Stakes Theater Project. Rich is teaching at the Pack Theater and at Second City, We talked about being married improvisers, working with each other and their teaching styles. Give it a listen!

We talk about Big Friendly Improv Collective, Michael Chekhov, Rudolf Laban, running a jam, TBC, introversion in improv, sleeping on Steve Roe's living room floor, Hoopla Impro, Pan Left, a more personal way of playing 8 Things, Hitchhiker, A to Z, playing the Edinburgh festival, accessibility, diversity, organising improv, Welcome to your Nightmare, Crickle Creek, Amy Cooke-Hodgson, Pippa Evans, corporate training, word association with data engineers, Half Life, puppets, Annoyance Theatre, Mick Napier, Susan Messing, puppets, Mara Joy Craig, and slowing down.

When you find your voice, you don't find something new inside of you; instead, you find a little more of yourself. That's what our guest for today helps her clients “get comfortable with the uncomfortable.” CEO and Founder of Improve It! Erin Diehl shares how she helped countless individuals find their voice through the art of improvisation.   Erin Diehl is a graduate of Clemson University and former experiential marketing and recruiting professional as well as a veteran improviser from the top improvisational training programs in Chicago, including The Second City, i.O. Theater and The Annoyance Theatre. Erin conducts workshops across the country leveraging improvisational techniques to improve employees' skills in corporate settings.   Her work with clients such as United Airlines, PepsiCo, Groupon, Deloitte, Motorola, Lowe's, Accenture, Walgreens, and The Obama Foundation earned her the 2014 Chicago RedEye Big Idea Award and has nominated her for the 2015-2019 Chicago Innovations Award. Erin was a speaker for Disrupt HR Chicago, hosted the 2016 RedEye Big Idea Awards, and has been a speaker for HRMAC Chicago, SHRM Chicago, Disrupt HR, the Business Marketing Association, and Emerging Leaders of the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce. She is also a proud member of The Chicago Innovation Awards Women's Cohort and a graduate of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Business Program.    Among her many accolades, Erin is most proud of successfully coercing over 12,000 professionals to chicken dance.   Connect with her at: Website: https://www.learntoimproveit.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erindiehl/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/keepinitrealdiehl   Listen to her podcast: The improve it! Podcast at: https://www.learntoimproveit.com/podcast Access her Hybrid Hype worksheet: https://www.learntoimproveit.com/hybrid-hype   Show notes: [0:00] Intro [0:10] Her experiences with the people who take her course [3:43] On having her own podcast: The improve it! Podcast [6:14] Her rewards for having her podcast [7:40] What does money mean to Erin? [9:17] Where to find more of Erin? [11:00] Outro Connect with Bill Bloom  Web: https://www.bloomfinancialco.com/ https://bloomfinancialco.kartra.com/page/bNJ87 Email: bill@bloomfinancial.us  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bloomfinancial/ FB: https://www.facebook.com/retireasyoudesirepodcast   Securities and investment advisory services are offered through Woodbury Financial Services, Inc. (WFS), member FINRA/SIPC. WFS. is separately owned, and other entities and/or marketing names, products, or services referenced here are independent of WFS.   Views expressed in this podcast are for general informational purposes only and are not intended to provide or be a substitute for specific professional financial, tax or legal advice or recommendations for any individuals. Information is based on sources believed to be reliable; however, their accuracy or completeness cannot be guaranteed.

When you find your voice, you don't find something new inside of you; instead, you find a little more of yourself. That's what our guest for today helps her clients “get comfortable with the uncomfortable.” CEO and Founder of Improve It! Erin Diehl shares how she helped countless individuals find their voice through the art of improvisation.   Erin Diehl is a graduate of Clemson University and former experiential marketing and recruiting professional as well as a veteran improviser from the top improvisational training programs in Chicago, including The Second City, i.O. Theater and The Annoyance Theatre. Erin conducts workshops across the country leveraging improvisational techniques to improve employees' skills in corporate settings.   Her work with clients such as United Airlines, PepsiCo, Groupon, Deloitte, Motorola, Lowe's, Accenture, Walgreens, and The Obama Foundation earned her the 2014 Chicago RedEye Big Idea Award and has nominated her for the 2015-2019 Chicago Innovations Award. Erin was a speaker for Disrupt HR Chicago, hosted the 2016 RedEye Big Idea Awards, and has been a speaker for HRMAC Chicago, SHRM Chicago, Disrupt HR, the Business Marketing Association, and Emerging Leaders of the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce. She is also a proud member of The Chicago Innovation Awards Women's Cohort and a graduate of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Business Program.    Among her many accolades, Erin is most proud of successfully coercing over 12,000 professionals to chicken dance.   Connect with her at: Website: https://www.learntoimproveit.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erindiehl/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/keepinitrealdiehl   Listen to her podcast: The improve it! Podcast at: https://www.learntoimproveit.com/podcast Access her Hybrid Hype worksheet: https://www.learntoimproveit.com/hybrid-hype   Show notes: [0:41] How Erin started in the world of comedy [3:51] Transitioning to making scripts from scratch [5:23] Being able to find her voice through improvisation [8:15] On people not finding their BIG [10:00] Outro   Connect with Bill Bloom  Web: https://www.bloomfinancialco.com/ https://bloomfinancialco.kartra.com/page/bNJ87 Email: bill@bloomfinancial.us  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bloomfinancial/ FB: https://www.facebook.com/retireasyoudesirepodcast   Securities and investment advisory services are offered through Woodbury Financial Services, Inc. (WFS), member FINRA/SIPC. WFS. is separately owned, and other entities and/or marketing names, products, or services referenced here are independent of WFS.   Views expressed in this podcast are for general informational purposes only and are not intended to provide or be a substitute for specific professional financial, tax or legal advice or recommendations for any individuals. Information is based on sources believed to be reliable; however, their accuracy or completeness cannot be guaranteed.

Welcome back to the pod! This week we are talking twins with twins! Brooke (the podcast's resident twin) and Ryan are joined by Jordan (Brooke's very own twin) to talk Gravity Falls! We talk Alex Hirsch working too hard, Gravity Falls Trivia, and what today's kids are into! (Hint: it's anime!)If you like the show, don't forget to rate, review, and subscribe. Follow our Instagram and Twitter @cartoonbookclub, and follow our hosts @thebrookesmith and @ryanwithcheese on Twitter&http://brookeerinsmith.comhttp://ryangstevens.comBIG THANKS TO:Jacob Menke for our themeFollow them @menkemaster&Urvashi Lele for our art Learn more about Urvashi Lele's animations by visiting http://www.sirpeagreenstudios.com and follow their endeavors on instagram at @sirpeagreen and @maisonaudmi&Our very special guest Jordan `Old Bean' Smith!& a special thanks of the week to Alex Hirsch for inviting us to the mysterious little town of Gravity Falls, Oregon, and to the cast and crew that makes Gravity Falls one of our favorites!The State of Animation is TWINS!!Episodes we mentioned:S1 E9: The Time Traveler's PigS2 E3: The Golf WarS2 E5: Soos and the Real GirlReal World Recs:Jordan: LED lights from the discount section of Target for your home!Brooke: The Americans on huluRyan: For The Love of the Game on http://itch.io by Blank City Games:https://blank-city-games.itch.ioBlue moon at the Annoyance Theatre in Chicago IL (8/9-8/16-8/23)!https://theannoyance.thundertix.com/events/201342/performancesThis podcast is a part of Audio Mint. If you want to follow us, check us out on Instagram(@audiomintchi) or on Facebook, at Audio Mint. If you wanna support us even more, check out our Patreon by searching Audio Mint on the app or the website!

If This Is True would like to introduce you to the Sohns! Rich and Rebecca Sohn are improvisers/actors/directors living in Los Angeles. They are both veterans of the Second City and Annoyance Theatre. Rebecca has also performed with Steppenwolf, Remy Bumppo and About Face Theatres. She is also an ensemble member of the No Stakes Theater Project. Rich is teaching at the Pack Theater and at Second City, We talked about being married improvisers, working with each other and their teaching styles. Give it a listen! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/christopher-hall7/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/christopher-hall7/support

Susan Messing, a NJ native and graduate of Northwestern University's Theatre School, has been an improviser and comedian for 35 years. She is an alumna of the iO Theatre, Second City's Mainstage, and a founding member of Chicago's infamous Annoyance Theatre. Susan created and taught her curriculum at iO Chicago, iO West in Hollywood, The Annoyance Theatre, The Second City, and around the world. Susan was an adjunct instructor for DePaul University and taught for The School at Steppenwolf, and currently teaches at the University of Chicago. Her standup act with her puppet, Jolly, was featured at the HBO/US Comedy Arts Festival in Aspen, and on Comedy Central's Premium Blend and NBC's Late Fridays, and her most impressive bit movie role was as a bad stripper in a halo brace in Let's Go to Prison! Since the pandemic began, Susan has shifted to teaching on zoom, and is restarting her drop in class for The Annoyance. Recently, she performed in Chicago's World Comedy Expo and headlined the Baton Rouge Improv Festival with the brilliant John Lehr. Every Friday night you can find her with her friends in ‘High Society' on Twitch. “Improviser of the Year” – Chicago Improv Festival “Best Improviser” – Chicago Reader “Funniest Woman in Chicago” – Chicago Magazine Paul Vato is an on camera and voice actor, improvisor, podcaster and entrepreneur. Connect with Paul Vato: PaulVato.com • VATO.tv • y.at/

Jo Scott has been writing and performing comedy for over 14 years. Most of that time was spent in Chicago, where Jo was a member of the Second City Touring Company, produced and performed in Annoyance Theatre's Holy F*ck Comedy Hour, and improvised at the iO Theater. In 2020, Jo made it to the west coast where she co-hosts Funny Games at Elysian Theater. You can see Jo on Adult Swim in Joe Pera Talks With You. Jo hails from South Bend, Indiana, and served two years in the jungles of Suriname as a Peace Corps volunteer. Jo and her husband, Peter, are proud parents to twin monsters. #comedy #writer #adultswim #secondcity #losangeles #california #funny #video #podcast #twins #momlife #mom

This week on Yes But Why, I talk to improviser, Chris Griswold.Chris Griswold is the founder and Academic Director of Thunderbolt Comedy.Having taught improv since 1999, Chris is currently one of the world's most prolific improv instructors, coaching more than 800 hours in 2014 alone. Chris is a writer and actor, appearing in commercials for Android and the Brother P-Touch Label Maker, as well as PSAs for the United Nation's #HeForShe program, and Project #UROK.Originally self-taught through weekly Pittsburgh improv jams, Chris has since trained with Upright Citizens Brigade, The PIT, Magnet Theater, The Annoyance Theatre, and Arcade Comedy Theater. Chris is now supporting the improv community in the San Francisco Bay area with Thunderbolt Comedy. They also teach private workshops for business and conferences on topics such as branding, team-building, and creativity training.I was absolutely enchanted by Chris, as I'm sure you will all be as well. In our conversation, we discussed how Chris immersed themselves in the NYC improv scene, and how they have now relocated to the San Francisco Bay area. Such big important improv communities; so much going on. Chris talked a lot about how important it is for people to be nice to each other. They said that when they teach improv, the effort is to unlock a performer's true potential, to show the students how they are great. We got into a big discussion about some bad behaviors Chris witnessed in improv communities across the country. We discuss diversity and inclusivity. When the pandemic hit, Chris had been coaching steadily through Thunderbolt Comedy. But then, when in person meetings stopped, they had to find another way. So Chris and developer friend Michael Parlato created Pineappl, a Video App for Live Performance. It is an alternative to Zoom, that functions better for live collaborative performance like improv. This app is used regularly by such institutions as Queen City Comedy to host their online jams. Chris Griswold is a kind-hearted performer and teacher. Support Chris by connecting with Thunderbolt Comedy about coaching (in person and online available) and by checking out and using the Pineappl app! Yes But Why Podcast is a proud member of the HC Universal Network family of podcasts. Visit us at HCUniversalNetwork.com to join in on the fun. #YesButWhy #Podcast #HCUniversalNetworkThis episode of Yes But Why podcast is sponsored by audible - get your FREE audiobook download and your 30 day free trial at http://www.audibletrial.com/YESBUTWHY. This episode of Yes But Why is also sponsored by PodcastCadet.com. Go to PodcastCadet.com to connect with us so we can help you with your podcast! Save money by putting in offer code YBY20 to get 20% off the first service or workshop you buy!(production notes: recorded zoom meeting via Rodecaster on 3/14/2022; posted on 4/25/2022)

We've been working really hard to make this one happen! Katie Tuten from The Hideout and Jennifer Estlin from Annoyance Theatre join us to discuss what it's like to own and run their historic venues in Chicago. They also get into detail about how CIVL (the Chicago Independent Venue League) was formed and how it helped all our treasured community venues band together to survive a devastating pandemic and live to tell about it. Our Chicago music community is coming back stronger and more diverse because of women like Katie and Jennifer. Support your local music scene! Time Stamps: 1:12: We are joined today by Katie Tuton and Jennifer Estlin 1:30: How did you get involved in The Hideout? 4:15: We own the bar, one beer at at time 6:15: How did you get involved with The Annoyance? 11:05: What makes your community so unique (The Annoyance)? 12: What about your community (The Hideout)? 14:30: When did both hit your stride and feel like "this is going to work"? 16:31: Is that community feel unique to Chicago? 21:30: Jennifer, do you remember the first time you heard about CIVL? 25:20: We should have done this sooner 27:15: Get ready to be annoyed! (Know Before You Go) 29:55: CIVL has been very action oriented, did that come easily to the group? 33: Has joining together through CIVL helped with your interactions with the city? 37:45: What is something you've taken away from CIVL that you've brought back to your space? 39:45: Is what you thought CIVL was going to be versus what it ended up being different? 42:30: What are some ideas that you've taken from the pandemic and decided to implement moving forward? 45:50: What was that level of communication like between clubs like prior to CIVL? 47:40: What things are you most excited about with your venue in the next year? 50: Deep dish vs. thin crust? 50:40: Favorite space to see music/a comedy show (aside from your own club)? 53: What do you think makes Chicago so unique? 55:21: What have you been listening to lately? 57:28: Favorite cheap drink? 58:45: Anything you'd like to plug on your way out? (edited) 

YOU are the secret ingredient to getting your business noticed online. If you aren't infusing your business with your personality then you are missing out of a HUGE part of what makes your business unique.This week I am chatting with Erin Diehl all about how to add a dash of personality to your business and make it fun! Erin Diehl is a graduate of Clemson University and former experiential marketing and recruiting professional as well as a veteran improviser from the top improvisational training programs in Chicago, including The Second City, i.O. Theater and The Annoyance Theatre. Erin conducts workshops across the country leveraging improvisational techniques to improve employees' skills in corporate settings.Website:www.learntoimproveit.comSocial Media Links:IG: @KeepinitrealdiehlLI: linkedin.com/in/erindiehlimprove it! Podcast: https://www.learntoimproveit.com/podcastFree Hybrid Hype Download: https://www.learntoimproveit.com/hybrid-hype

This week, James and Rob are joined by director, theatre owner, and improv legend: Mick Napier!   They talk with Mick about the beginning of the Annoyance, improv "rules", video games, directing, and what's going on with the new iO.    Follow Mick on instagram @ mickjnapier   Check out his books Improvise: Scenes from the Inside Out and Behind the Scenes: Improvising Long Form   Also, go see shows and take classes at The Annoyance Theatre   Like what we do? Support our PATREON   As always, please rate, review, and subscribe. 

Dave Gaudet joined the CSz Chicago roster in 1988, served as their Artistic Director from 1989-1992 and 2006-2007, and is currently a co-owner, President, and Chairman of the Board. He initially found his love for improvisation as a member of the Burpee's Seedy Theatrical Company, the nation's oldest collegiate improv troupe, developed by Steve Carell. In addition to ComedySportz, his list of theatrical credits include several performances with the Annoyance Theatre and various teams at iO Chicago. When he grows up, he wants to be just like Dick Chudnow. The ComedySportz Podcast is an independent production made by CSz players. The views and opinions expressed by the podcast host and any guests are their own and do not represent the views and opinions of any CSz location or CSz Worldwide. Vocabulary used by the host and guests is not necessarily representative of the CSz brand.

When you find your voice, you don't find some new thing inside of you; instead, you find a little more of yourself. That's what our guest for today helps her clients “get comfortable with the uncomfortable.” CEO and Founder of Improve It! Erin Diehl shares how she helped countless individuals find their voice through the art of improvisation.   Erin Diehl is a graduate of Clemson University and former experiential marketing and recruiting professional as well as a veteran improviser from the top improvisational training programs in Chicago, including The Second City, i.O. Theater and The Annoyance Theatre. Erin conducts workshops across the country leveraging improvisational techniques to improve employees' skills in corporate settings.   Her work with clients such as United Airlines, PepsiCo, Groupon, Deloitte, Motorola, Lowe's, Accenture, Walgreens, and The Obama Foundation earned her the 2014 Chicago RedEye Big Idea Award and has nominated her for the 2015-2019 Chicago Innovations Award. Erin was a speaker for Disrupt HR Chicago, hosted the 2016 RedEye Big Idea Awards, and has been a speaker for HRMAC Chicago, SHRM Chicago, Disrupt HR, the Business Marketing Association, and Emerging Leaders of the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce. She is also a proud member of The Chicago Innovation Awards Women's Cohort and a graduate of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Business Program.    Among her many accolades, Erin is most proud of successfully coercing over 12,000 professionals to chicken dance.   Connect with her at: Website: https://www.learntoimproveit.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erindiehl/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/keepinitrealdiehl/   Listen to her podcast: The improve it! Podcast at: https://www.learntoimproveit.com/podcast   Access her Hybrid Hype worksheet: https://www.learntoimproveit.com/hybrid-hype   Show notes: [1:53] How Erin started in the world of comedy [5:03] Transitioning to making scripts from scratch [6:35] Being able to find her voice through improvisation [9:27] On people not finding their BIG [11:14] Her experiences with the people who take her course [14:59] On having her own podcast: The improve it! Podcast [17:29] Her rewards for having her podcast [18:55] What does money mean to Erin? [20:32] Where to find more of Erin?   Connect with Bill Bloom  Web: https://www.bloomfinancialco.com/ https://bloomfinancialco.kartra.com/page/bNJ87 Email: bill@bloomfinancial.us  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bloomfinancial/ FB: https://www.facebook.com/retireasyoudesirepodcast     Securities and investment advisory services offered through Woodbury Financial Services, Inc. (WFS) member FINRA/SIPC. WFS. is separately owned and other entities and/or marketing names, products or services referenced here are independent of WFS.     Views expressed in this podcast are for general informational purposes only and are not intended to provide or be a substitute for specific professional financial, tax or legal advice or recommendations for any individuals. Information is based on sources believed to be reliable; however, their accuracy or completeness cannot be guaranteed.

Our guest this week is Chicago-based award-winning actor, improviser, comedian and teacher SUSAN MESSING!  Susan is a New Jersey native and a graduate of Northwestern University's Theatre School. She has been an improviser and comedian for over 35 years! Susan is an alumna of Chicago's beloved iO Theatre and The Second City's Mainstage.  Susan is a founding member of Chicago's Annoyance Theatre. It's an infamous theatre and associated ensemble that deals with absurd and outrageous humour.  Some of her notable performances are with Blaine Swen in BLESSING at the iO, with Norm Holly in MOLLY, the critically acclaimed MESSING WITH A FRIEND at The Annoyance and with The Boys at The Second City.  She was in the lineup for the TBS Just For Laughs festival all 5 years of its residence in Chicago.  She presented BRAVING THE UNKNOWN at an independently organized Ted X event at the University of Chicago.  Susan's standup act with her puppet, JOLLY, has been featured at the HBO US Comedy Arts Festival in Aspen, on Comedy Central's PREMIUM BLEND and NBC's LATE FRIDAYS. Her most impressive bit movie role was as a bad stripper in a halo brace in LET'S GO TO PRISON!   Susan created and taught her curriculum at Chicago's iO and LA's iO West, along with The Annoyance Theatre, The Second City and around the world.  She was an adjunct instructor for Chicago's Loyola University at DePaul University, The School at Steppenwolf, and now she teaches at The University of Chicago.   Twitter: @MessingSusan Instagram: @susanalicemessing World Comedy Expo, March 25-27, 2022 in Chicago, Susan will be performing with “Messing with Mason” and also the lady supergroup “1Zs”. https://worldcomedyexpo.com/show/landry-and-summers-messing-with-mason/ https://worldcomedyexpo.com/festival-lineup/ Podcast Team Head Producer and Editor: Winnie Wong @wonder_wong Editor:  Shayne Stolz @shaynestolz Graphic: Vicki Brier @brier2019 To listen to the podcast: https://linktr.ee/firecrackerdept   Subscribe to our newsletter at https://www.firecrackerdepartment.com and follow us @firecrackerdept!

Bob Kulhan is the Founder, President, and CEO of Business Improvisations, an interactive learning program that uses the tenants of improvisations to enhance all levels of a business. He is the Author of Getting To “Yes And”: The Art of Business Improv, and an adjunct professor at Duke Fuqua and Columbia business schools. He was an improv instructor at Chicago's famed Second City, an improv performer at the Annoyance Theatre, and was in the improv Baby Wants Candy.  In this episode… Are you looking to improve and scale your business at all levels of your organization? What steps can you take to be more innovative and revolutionize your workplace? Bob Kulhan of Business Improvisations, is focused on guiding professional organizations through out-of-the-box thinking to inspire and transform their brand into an enduring enterprise. Bob's experience and research have uncovered proven strategies and techniques to improve results, build innovative and cohesive teams, and operate more effectively to increase success. Are you ready to transform your organization into something exceptional?  In this episode of Access To Anyone, Michael Roderick and Bob Kulhan, Founder, President, and CEO of Business Improvisations, talk about creating impactful change and scaling your brand through improvisation. Bob discusses bringing successful improvisational strategies to the workplace, the importance of adapting to change, and effectively handling conflict.

Need help spurring innovation, seeing things with a new set of eyes, or looking at the way you work differently? Then we've got a quick show for you. On today's minisode, one of our improve it! facilitators, Shadee Vossoughi, is here to talk to us about how improv is a great tool for spurring creativity in the workplace. About the Guest: Shadee Vossoughi is an Iranian American actor, writer, and veteran improviser based in Chicago, IL. After receiving her BFA in Acting from Southern Oregon University, Shadee moved to Chicago to study comedy. Shadee has trained, performed, and coached at some of the top comedy institutions in Chicago, including The Annoyance Theatre, iO Theater, and The Second City. Shadee was a recipient of the NBCUniversal Second City Bob Curry Fellowship in 2018. Shadee is represented by Stewart Talent Chicago. Connect with Shadee Vossoughi: Instagram: @shadeev Twitter: @shadee_v Email Erin: info@learntoimproveit.com “I love this podcast and I love Erin!!” If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing this podcast! This helps Erin support more people – just like you – move toward the leader you want to be. Click here, click listen on Apple Podcasts, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with 5 stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let Erin know what you loved most about the episode! Also, if you haven't done so already, subscribe to the podcast. That way you won't miss any juicy episodes! Thanks in advance, improve it! Fam :)

Failed it! Fam, you're in for a special treat. In today's episode, we're sharing some of the highlights of our greatest moments we've had on the show thus far. Tune in and listen as we celebrate the fails past and those to come with Erin!   Links from show discussions: Episode 11 with Jai Brown Episode 42 with Rich Robles Episode 43 with Ravyn Miller Episode 58 with Betsy McCann   About the Host: Erin Diehl is the founder and Chief “Yes, And” officer of improve it! and host of the failed it! Podcast. She's a performer, facilitator and professional risk-taker who lives by the mantra, “get comfortable with the uncomfortable.” Through a series of unrelated dares, Erin has created improve it!, a unique professional development company that pushes others to laugh, learn and grow. Her work with clients such as United Airlines, PepsiCo, Groupon, Deloitte, Motorola, Walgreens, and The Obama Foundation earned her the 2014 Chicago RedEye Big Idea Award and has nominated her for the 2015-2019 Chicago Innovations Award. This graduate from Clemson University is a former experiential marketing and recruiting professional as well as a veteran improviser from the top improvisational training programs in Chicago, including The Second City, i.O. Theater, and The Annoyance Theatre. When she is not playing pretend or facilitating, she enjoys running and beach dates with her husband and son, and their eight pound toy poodle, BIGG Diehl. You can follow the failed it! podcast on Instagram @learntoimproveit and facebook, and you can follow Erin personally on Instagram @keepinitrealdiehl here. You can also check out improve it! and how we can help your organization at www.learntoimproveit.com. We can't wait to connect with you online!  

Failed it! Fam – Are you trying to grow swiftly in your career? On today's minisode, our Podcast Manager, Rachel Oliveros, is back again to talk to us about how she was able to set herself up for growth in her career using the yes, and mentality. Listen in to hear the steps it takes to really help you climb the ladder quickly!   About the Guest: Rachel Oliveros is a Loyola University Chicago alumni where she majored in Marketing and studied abroad in Rome. Rachel has had a history with improve it! prior to working on the podcast, starting as an intern to a Client Services Associate. And now, as the Podcast Manager of failed it!, she works closely with Erin to do all things podcast and help listeners understand that you must fail in order to improve. On top of being creative with show graphics and communicating with inspiring podcast guests, she also enjoys working in Digital Advertising Sales with ViacomCBS. Reach out to her if you're interested in being a guest on The failed it! Podcast!   About the Host: Erin Diehl is the founder and Chief “Yes, And” officer of improve it! and host of the failed it! Podcast. She's a performer, facilitator and professional risk-taker who lives by the mantra, “get comfortable with the uncomfortable.” Through a series of unrelated dares, Erin has created improve it!, a unique professional development company that pushes others to laugh, learn and grow. Her work with clients such as United Airlines, PepsiCo, Groupon, Deloitte, Motorola, Walgreens, and The Obama Foundation earned her the 2014 Chicago RedEye Big Idea Award and has nominated her for the 2015-2019 Chicago Innovations Award. This graduate from Clemson University is a former experiential marketing and recruiting professional as well as a veteran improviser from the top improvisational training programs in Chicago, including The Second City, i.O. Theater, and The Annoyance Theatre. When she is not playing pretend or facilitating, she enjoys running and beach dates with her husband and son, and their eight pound toy poodle, BIGG Diehl. You can follow the failed it! podcast on Instagram @learntoimproveit and facebook, and you can follow Erin personally on Instagram @keepinitrealdiehl here. You can also check out improve it! and how we can help your organization at www.learntoimproveit.com. We can't wait to connect with you online!

“So my goal is, my parents have always taught me, that whatever you want for yourself and your family, you need to also want the same for your friends and for your coworkers and for your community.” - Amena Karim   Failed it! Fam, we'd like to introduce you to our guest, Amena Karim, an award-winning health equity activist who truly leads with conviction when it comes to what she believes in and supports. She has worked with startups and tech companies to raise money for BIPOC communities.   In today's episode, Amena talks to us about: Her role in helping BIPOC communities Creating Feeding South Shore/Chicago Families Using tech companies to help disenfranchised communities Putting implementation and action into what you support   Links from show discussions: Amena's Accomplishment Contact improve it! To Drop Some F-Bombs   About the Guest: Amena is an award-winning health equity activist, a master relationship builder in Brazil oriented leader with an evidence-based orientation with more than 15 years of experience at technology marketing and community engagement, she has demonstrated experience working with startups and enterprise technology organizations, where she is accustomed to wearing many hats. Now in 2020, she raised more than $500,000 to support food insecure, BIPOC communities.   About the Host: Erin Diehl is the founder and Chief “Yes, And” officer of improve it! and host of the failed it! Podcast. She's a performer, facilitator and professional risk-taker who lives by the mantra, “get comfortable with the uncomfortable.” Through a series of unrelated dares, Erin has created improve it!, a unique professional development company that pushes others to laugh, learn and grow. Her work with clients such as United Airlines, PepsiCo, Groupon, Deloitte, Motorola, Walgreens, and The Obama Foundation earned her the 2014 Chicago RedEye Big Idea Award and has nominated her for the 2015-2019 Chicago Innovations Award. This graduate from Clemson University is a former experiential marketing and recruiting professional as well as a veteran improviser from the top improvisational training programs in Chicago, including The Second City, i.O. Theater, and The Annoyance Theatre. When she is not playing pretend or facilitating, she enjoys running and beach dates with her husband and son, and their eight pound toy poodle, BIGG Diehl. You can follow the failed it! podcast on Instagram @learntoimproveit and facebook, and you can follow Erin personally on Instagram @keepinitrealdiehl here. You can also check out improve it! and how we can help your organization at www.learntoimproveit.com. We can't wait to connect with you online!  

“We compare the worst of ourselves to the best of others. We are so much tougher on ourselves than we are on our friends." - Erin Diehl   Failed it! Fam, are you a leader who constantly compares yourself to someone else? Well, leading is a mental game. We are only as strong as our weakest thought, and you have other eyes and ears looking to you for guidance. And if your weakest thoughts are the loudest thoughts in your ear, how are you going to lead your peeps? How are you going to build up your team? In today's episode, Erin talks to us about: The comparison spiral Triggers and how to quiet your mind when they show up unannounced Exercises to help overcome “comparisonitis”   Links from show discussions: Book a Workshop with improve it!   About the Host: Erin Diehl is the founder and Chief “Yes, And” officer of improve it! and host of the failed it! Podcast. She's a performer, facilitator and professional risk-taker who lives by the mantra, “get comfortable with the uncomfortable.” Through a series of unrelated dares, Erin has created improve it!, a unique professional development company that pushes others to laugh, learn and grow. Her work with clients such as United Airlines, PepsiCo, Groupon, Deloitte, Motorola, Walgreens, and The Obama Foundation earned her the 2014 Chicago RedEye Big Idea Award and has nominated her for the 2015-2019 Chicago Innovations Award. This graduate from Clemson University is a former experiential marketing and recruiting professional as well as a veteran improviser from the top improvisational training programs in Chicago, including The Second City, i.O. Theater, and The Annoyance Theatre. When she is not playing pretend or facilitating, she enjoys running and beach dates with her husband and son, and their eight pound toy poodle, BIGG Diehl. You can follow the failed it! podcast on Instagram @learntoimproveit and facebook, and you can follow Erin personally on Instagram @keepinitrealdiehl here. You can also check out improve it! and how we can help your organization at www.learntoimproveit.com. We can't wait to connect with you online!  

Failed it! Fam – Have you heard of Yes, And? On today's minisode, our improve it! Lead Facilitator-  Rosie Moan, is here to talk to us about the importance of Yes, And within your team. Listen in to hear how it can open up a safe space for your team to explore new ideas, boost creativity and enhance morale. Yes it works, AND we are here to spill the beans on how!   About the Guest: Empirical evidence has shown that improvisational training has the ability to improve an employee's trust, teamwork, communication, presentation skills, creative problem solving, and can improve a company's overall corporate culture. No one knows that better than Rosie Moan, a North Carolina native with a Midwest heart. She has lived in Chicago since 2011 and in that time has trained at Second City, iO (formerly Improv Olympic), and the Annoyance theater. On top of regularly performing and teaching at all three, she is also an on-camera coach and actor mentor. Outside of the stage, she has 7 years of Corporate experience, 5 of which are in recruiting. Rosie has trained thousands of corporate professionals all over the country and can say with confidence, she is a master of the chicken dance. Rosie has conducted workshops with improve it! across the country leveraging improvisational techniques to improve employees' soft skills in corporate settings, including PepsiCo and American Marketing Association. improve it! has worked with clients such as United Airlines, Motorola Solutions, Groupon, Deloitte, The PrivateBank and the Illinois CPA Society. improve it! earned the Chicago RedEye Big Idea Award in 2014 and has been nominated for the Chicago Innovation Award for the past four consecutive years. Rosie will be sharing her thoughts on how to effectively communicate by using the methodologies of improvisation. We invite you to join us for this unforgettable experiential learning opportunity! Favorite improv quote: “Change is the only constant. Learn to surf your life instead of planting your feet.” - Amy Poehler     About the Host: Erin Diehl is the founder and Chief “Yes, And” officer of improve it! and host of the failed it! Podcast. She's a performer, facilitator and professional risk-taker who lives by the mantra, “get comfortable with the uncomfortable.” Through a series of unrelated dares, Erin has created improve it!, a unique professional development company that pushes others to laugh, learn and grow. Her work with clients such as United Airlines, PepsiCo, Groupon, Deloitte, Motorola, Walgreens, and The Obama Foundation earned her the 2014 Chicago RedEye Big Idea Award and has nominated her for the 2015-2019 Chicago Innovations Award. This graduate from Clemson University is a former experiential marketing and recruiting professional as well as a veteran improviser from the top improvisational training programs in Chicago, including The Second City, i.O. Theater, and The Annoyance Theatre. When she is not playing pretend or facilitating, she enjoys running and beach dates with her husband and son, and their eight pound toy poodle, BIGG Diehl. You can follow the failed it! podcast on Instagram @learntoimproveit and facebook, and you can follow Erin personally on Instagram @keepinitrealdiehl here. You can also check out improve it! and how we can help your organization at www.learntoimproveit.com. We can't wait to connect with you online!

“Instead of spending time trying to find yourself, you should use that time to create yourself.”  - Mark Metry Failed it! Fam, we'd like to introduce you to our guest, Mark Metry. Mark is a Forbes featured keynote TEDx speaker, host of a global top 100 podcast, bestselling author, documentary series cast member. Once upon a time, he couldn't make direct eye contact with anyone and barely had friends, due to various issues like mental health, social anxiety, being a first generation immigrant, experiencing poverty, and more. Now, he dedicates his life to being of service to others by making an impact in the industries of mental health, careers and personal branding, speaking, and documentary filmmaking. In today's episode, Mark talks to us about: Entrepreneurship at a young age Overcoming social anxiety Shifting negative thoughts and fine tuning them to positive, actionable steps forward   Links from show discussions: Four Hour Cookbook Book a Laugh Break with improve it!   About the Guest (in his words):. As a 23 year old, I've been featured on over 250+ podcasts and media like Forbes, Mindvalley, Influencive, Inc Magazine, Huffington Post, Fearless Motivation, Spartan and many others. My podcast, Humans 2.0. In total, my thoughts, views, podcasts, and videos have been viewed over 50+ Million times. My podcast hit #96 of the top podcasts in the world with Tim Ferriss, NPR, Lewis Howes & Gary Vaynerchuk. I am an international (virtual) speaker at conferences, schools, and Fortune 500's delivering meaningful & transformative current edge applicable knowledge through speaking engagements, panels, host, MC, workshops, and more. I am a podcast strategist consulting funded start-ups, founders, entrepreneurs, creators and organizations to sustainably start, grow & brand build their way through the competition in the age of vanity metrics with marketing experience for over 13 years and accumulation of over 100M+ overall impressions. Over the past several years I have dedicated time to teaching professionals, entrepreneurs, and anyone who wants to learn how to optimize and maximize their LinkedIn results and teach a Linkedin Training 2.0: https://bit.ly/2RwZtYw   About the Host: Erin Diehl is the founder and Chief “Yes, And” officer of improve it! and host of the failed it! Podcast. She's a performer, facilitator and professional risk-taker who lives by the mantra, “get comfortable with the uncomfortable.” Through a series of unrelated dares, Erin has created improve it!, a unique professional development company that pushes others to laugh, learn and grow. Her work with clients such as United Airlines, PepsiCo, Groupon, Deloitte, Motorola, Walgreens, and The Obama Foundation earned her the 2014 Chicago RedEye Big Idea Award and has nominated her for the 2015-2019 Chicago Innovations Award. This graduate from Clemson University is a former experiential marketing and recruiting professional as well as a veteran improviser from the top improvisational training programs in Chicago, including The Second City, i.O. Theater, and The Annoyance Theatre. When she is not playing pretend or facilitating, she enjoys running and beach dates with her husband and son, and their eight pound toy poodle, BIGG Diehl. You can follow the failed it! podcast on Instagram @learntoimproveit and facebook, and you can follow Erin personally on Instagram @keepinitrealdiehl here. You can also check out improve it! and how we can help your organization at www.learntoimproveit.com. We can't wait to connect with you online!  

“Seeing is believing y'all. So you have to see what it is you want in order to believe it.”  - Erin Diehl Failed it! Fam, you were absolutely meant to hit play on today's episode. What is one thing you want to cultivate, manifest, and bring into existence in your life? Listen in as Erin takes us through her five step plan on how to get what you want! In today's episode, Erin talks to us about: The 5 step process to ask for what you want - TODAY Changing your perspective to seeing is believing How to use failure improvisation   Links from show discussions: Vision Setting Episodes Episode 34 Episode 36 Episode 38 The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron Asana Book a Virtual Workshop with improve it!   About the Host: Erin Diehl is the founder and Chief “Yes, And” officer of improve it! and host of the failed it! Podcast. She's a performer, facilitator and professional risk-taker who lives by the mantra, “get comfortable with the uncomfortable.” Through a series of unrelated dares, Erin has created improve it!, a unique professional development company that pushes others to laugh, learn and grow. Her work with clients such as United Airlines, PepsiCo, Groupon, Deloitte, Motorola, Walgreens, and The Obama Foundation earned her the 2014 Chicago RedEye Big Idea Award and has nominated her for the 2015-2019 Chicago Innovations Award. This graduate from Clemson University is a former experiential marketing and recruiting professional as well as a veteran improviser from the top improvisational training programs in Chicago, including The Second City, i.O. Theater, and The Annoyance Theatre. When she is not playing pretend or facilitating, she enjoys running and beach dates with her husband and son, and their eight pound toy poodle, BIGG Diehl. You can follow the failed it! podcast on Instagram @learntoimproveit and facebook, and you can follow Erin personally on Instagram @keepinitrealdiehl here. You can also check out improve it! and how we can help your organization at www.learntoimproveit.com. We can't wait to connect with you online!  

“It's one of those moments where it was like, we did very little, but also like that's the impact you have is that you make a space for someone else to exist.” - Betsy McCann Failed it! Fam, happy pride month! On today's episode we have Pack at Embroker's Vice President of People Operations with us, Betsy McCann! Listen in as she tells us how she helps her peers create a better and safer workplace for individuals at work, and the importance of celebrating and accepting the LGBTQ+ community as the workplace shifts and evolves. In today's episode, Betsy talks to us about: Disrupting HR + transgender employees Inclusivity and how to celebrate LGBTQ+ communities at work Workplace evolution A Disney reference that will blow your mind   Links from show discussions: How to Talk to your Trans Employees Book a Virtual Workshop with improve it!   About the Guest: Dr. Betsy McCann (she/her) is an enthusiastic optimist birthed in the tender fires of the Midwest. Growing up as a queer kid on a farm in a small town, she learned a lot about loving nature, raising pigs, and the necessity of authentically loving yourself. Currently residing in Salt Lake City's mountain paradise, Betsy enjoys hiking, bicycles, and ice cream. On her journey she has been a speech coach, taught pit composting in Guatemala, and has used her time in the pandemic to fall more in love. Currently, she spends her days with the Pack at Embroker as Vice President of People Operations where she fails every day and is thrilled to be creating magic while building the future of Insurtech.   About the Host: Erin Diehl is the founder and Chief “Yes, And” officer of improve it! and host of the failed it! Podcast. She's a performer, facilitator and professional risk-taker who lives by the mantra, “get comfortable with the uncomfortable.” Through a series of unrelated dares, Erin has created improve it!, a unique professional development company that pushes others to laugh, learn and grow. Her work with clients such as United Airlines, PepsiCo, Groupon, Deloitte, Motorola, Walgreens, and The Obama Foundation earned her the 2014 Chicago RedEye Big Idea Award and has nominated her for the 2015-2019 Chicago Innovations Award. This graduate from Clemson University is a former experiential marketing and recruiting professional as well as a veteran improviser from the top improvisational training programs in Chicago, including The Second City, i.O. Theater, and The Annoyance Theatre. When she is not playing pretend or facilitating, she enjoys running and beach dates with her husband and son, and their eight pound toy poodle, BIGG Diehl. You can follow the failed it! podcast on Instagram @learntoimproveit and facebook, and you can follow Erin personally on Instagram @keepinitrealdiehl here. You can also check out improve it! and how we can help your organization at www.learntoimproveit.com. We can't wait to connect with you online!  

Failed it! Fam – Why so serious? On today's minisode, our very own improve it! Facilitator, E.J. Cameron, is here to talk to us about why creating a connection with your team through laughter is so important in the work place and beyond!   About the Guest: (Pronouns: He/Him/His) He's lived in Chicago for nine years, where he has graduated from and performed at The Second City, iO and Comedy Sportz. He was a recipient of The Second City Training Center's Bob Curry Fellowship in 2016 before joining the cast of the e.t.c.'s 43rd revue, Grinning from Fear to Fear and e.t.c.'s 44th revue. Prior to moving to Chicago, E.J. received his BFA in Acting at Columbus State University (not Ohio!) and performed with multiple troupes. He is represented by Paonessa Talent and is an avid pro-wrestling fan who loves the color purple. Follow @Ej_Cam19 on Twitter and Eeeezeejeeezus19 on Instagram!   About the Host: Erin Diehl is the founder and Chief “Yes, And” officer of improve it! and host of the failed it! Podcast. She's a performer, facilitator and professional risk-taker who lives by the mantra, “get comfortable with the uncomfortable.” Through a series of unrelated dares, Erin has created improve it!, a unique professional development company that pushes others to laugh, learn and grow. Her work with clients such as United Airlines, PepsiCo, Groupon, Deloitte, Motorola, Walgreens, and The Obama Foundation earned her the 2014 Chicago RedEye Big Idea Award and has nominated her for the 2015-2019 Chicago Innovations Award. This graduate from Clemson University is a former experiential marketing and recruiting professional as well as a veteran improviser from the top improvisational training programs in Chicago, including The Second City, i.O. Theater, and The Annoyance Theatre. When she is not playing pretend or facilitating, she enjoys running and beach dates with her husband and son, and their eight pound toy poodle, BIGG Diehl. You can follow the failed it! podcast on Instagram @learntoimproveit and facebook, and you can follow Erin personally on Instagram @keepinitrealdiehl here. You can also check out improve it! and how we can help your organization at www.learntoimproveit.com. We can't wait to connect with you online!

“Failure is not for the weak at heart. It's not, you have to own your failures in persevere through it because they allow you to grow.” - Lisa Stokes Failed it! Fam, on today's episode we have a sports and entertainment expert with us, Lisa Stokes! Listen in as she tells us stories of overcoming setbacks in her career, how 2020 was the hardest year of her professional and personal life, and how hardships can lead to some of your greatest gifts. In today's episode, Lisa talks to us about: A day in the life of a sports business professional When life throws you unexpected hardships Resilience and perseverance   Links from show discussions: F Words at Work with improve it! Instagram & Twitter: @LisaAStokes NeverLoseYourCape.com   About the Guest: Lisa Stokes has been in the sports and entertainment world for over 15 years as a Director of Casting, Talent Booking and Athlete Marketing. With two years in non-profit public relations and 13 years at ESPN, she has extensive experience within all areas of television and film talent procurement, celebrity and athlete booking, as well as influencer castings. Through her career, Lisa has built a large team and managed many areas of the sports business world. Lisa works with agents, PR firms, publicists, production companies and movie studio clients on a regular basis. You can see her work in commercials for Sony Pictures, Netflix, Land Rover, Universal Pictures, Warner Brothers, Paramount, Kellogg and other major national companies and brands (campaigns can be seen in the “My Portfolio” tab). Negotiating and executing all talent contracts and strategies is also one of her seasoned skills. Lisa also was the casting director and booker for ESPN's high acclaimed annual espnW Women + Sports Summit. In Lisa's previous roles, she ran the talent content booking department for seven years, securing guests for all ESPN television shows. This also included visitors to ESPN who go through the “Bristol Car Wash,” the somewhat tongue-in-cheek term for the often-hectic schedule sports and entertainment celebrities undertake in appearing all over ESPN family of digital, social and linear networks. Lisa also worked for the Women's Sports Foundation in public relations, managing logistics of events such as press conferences, satellite media tours and professional and Olympic athlete appearances. She also wrote stories for and edited publications, was a ghost writer for the CEO, president and founder, and worked with the media on increasing the foundation's profile.Lisa graduated summa cum laude from Georgetown University with a graduate degree in Sports Business Management and Boston's Suffolk University with a bachelor's degree in communications and journalism.  Lisa is also graduate school professor at NYU and Georgetown University. The former college hooper also coached basketball at every level for 15 years. She resides in the Boston area with her husband and three young children.   About the Host: Erin Diehl is the founder and Chief “Yes, And” officer of improve it! and host of the failed it! Podcast. She's a performer, facilitator and professional risk-taker who lives by the mantra, “get comfortable with the uncomfortable.” Through a series of unrelated dares, Erin has created improve it!, a unique professional development company that pushes others to laugh, learn and grow. Her work with clients such as United Airlines, PepsiCo, Groupon, Deloitte, Motorola, Walgreens, and The Obama Foundation earned her the 2014 Chicago RedEye Big Idea Award and has nominated her for the 2015-2019 Chicago Innovations Award. This graduate from Clemson University is a former experiential marketing and recruiting professional as well as a veteran improviser from the top improvisational training programs in Chicago, including The Second City, i.O. Theater, and The Annoyance Theatre. When she is not playing pretend or facilitating, she enjoys running and beach dates with her husband and son, and their eight pound toy poodle, BIGG Diehl. You can follow the failed it! podcast on Instagram @learntoimproveit and facebook, and you can follow Erin personally on Instagram @keepinitrealdiehl here. You can also check out improve it! and how we can help your organization at www.learntoimproveit.com. We can't wait to connect with you online!  

“I wasn't responsible for my blindness, but I had to be accountable for my life and its outcomes. It's my life. I have to own it. It's your life. You have to own it.” - Chad Foster   Failed it! Fam, on today's episode we have inspirational speaker, Chad Foster with us! He truly took lemons and made lemonade with the visual impairment he acquired in college. With his blindness, he has done so much more than thought possible – a Harvard Business School Leadership Program graduate who climbed the corporate ladder and only wants to share his story so people don't have to go through what he's gone through to learn what he's learned. Please give a warm welcome to Chad Foster! In today's episode, Chad talks to us about: Living life blind Overcoming challenges through resilience “Ambitionitis” #SargeTheGuideDog   Links from show discussions: Book an improve it! Virtual Workshop https://chadefoster.com/ https://www.facebook.com/FindChadEFoster https://www.instagram.com/FindChadEFoster https://www.linkedin.com/in/chadfoster https://twitter.com/ChadEFoster Blind Ambition Book   About the Guest: Chad Foster is a husband, a father, and an avid snow skier who is not just competing with his condition, he is competing with the world's most successful people. Chad believes he is not successful in spite of being blind, but rather he is successful because he is blind. He embraced his problem and turned it in to a solution. Can you imagine going blind as a teenager? When most people were preparing for the adventure of adult life, Chad Foster was watching the world he grew up in fade to black, but that didn't stop him from becoming the first blind person to graduate from the Harvard Business School Leadership Program and climbing the corporate ladder as a successful sales executive throughout his career. His financial strategies and decisions have resulted in the creation of countless jobs. Billions of dollars in revenue industry leading growth and best in class margins. He works at Red Hat, one of the most innovative tech companies and the world's largest open source software company, which was recently purchased by IBM for 34 billion. With determination, ambition and drive, he created what Oracle said would be impossible. He gave millions of people the ability to earn a living by becoming the first to create customer relationship software for the visually impaired. While with speaking invites from London to Beijing and the Atlanta Opera commissioning an opera inspired by his life story, Chad inspires people to overcome their own blind spots.   About the Host: Erin Diehl is the founder and Chief “Yes, And” officer of improve it! and host of the failed it! Podcast. She's a performer, facilitator and professional risk-taker who lives by the mantra, “get comfortable with the uncomfortable.” Through a series of unrelated dares, Erin has created improve it!, a unique professional development company that pushes others to laugh, learn and grow. Her work with clients such as United Airlines, PepsiCo, Groupon, Deloitte, Motorola, Walgreens, and The Obama Foundation earned her the 2014 Chicago RedEye Big Idea Award and has nominated her for the 2015-2019 Chicago Innovations Award. This graduate from Clemson University is a former experiential marketing and recruiting professional as well as a veteran improviser from the top improvisational training programs in Chicago, including The Second City, i.O. Theater, and The Annoyance Theatre. When she is not playing pretend or facilitating, she enjoys running and beach dates with her husband and son, and their eight pound toy poodle, BIGG Diehl. You can follow the failed it! podcast on Instagram @learntoimproveit and facebook, and you can follow Erin personally on Instagram @keepinitrealdiehl here. You can also check out improve it! and how we can help your organization at www.learntoimproveit.com. We can't wait to connect with you online!  

“Celebrating is so good for the soul. Celebrating the fails reminds everyone that they're human, that they're trying, and that they can come up with solutions to make the place they work, a place that they want to come to for years to come.” - Erin Diehl Do you lead a team at work and are prepping to go hybrid? In this episode, Erin reflects back from when the pandemic started to now and how much change we've endured. Listen in as she provides tips on how to lead rock star remote or hybrid teams! In today's episode, Erin talks to us about: improve it!'s evolution Helpful tips for leaders during this time The importance of celebrating wins and losses   Links from show discussions: Book an Improve it! Laugh Break Minisode 1: How to Throw a Failure Party   About the Host: Erin Diehl is the founder and Chief “Yes, And” officer of improve it! and host of the failed it! Podcast. She's a performer, facilitator and professional risk-taker who lives by the mantra, “get comfortable with the uncomfortable.” Through a series of unrelated dares, Erin has created improve it!, a unique professional development company that pushes others to laugh, learn and grow. Her work with clients such as United Airlines, PepsiCo, Groupon, Deloitte, Motorola, Walgreens, and The Obama Foundation earned her the 2014 Chicago RedEye Big Idea Award and has nominated her for the 2015-2019 Chicago Innovations Award. This graduate from Clemson University is a former experiential marketing and recruiting professional as well as a veteran improviser from the top improvisational training programs in Chicago, including The Second City, i.O. Theater, and The Annoyance Theatre. When she is not playing pretend or facilitating, she enjoys running and beach dates with her husband and son, and their eight pound toy poodle, BIGG Diehl. You can follow the failed it! podcast on Instagram @learntoimproveit and facebook, and you can follow Erin personally on Instagram @keepinitrealdiehl here. You can also check out improve it! and how we can help your organization at www.learntoimproveit.com. We can't wait to connect with you online!  

Failed it! Fam – Are you confident in your career? On today's minisode, our improve it! Director of Talent, Cristy Mercier, is here to talk to us about owning your confidence at work and how it can benefit you both professionally and personally.   About the Guest: Empirical evidence has shown that improvisational training has the ability to improve an employee's trust, teamwork, communication, presentation skills, creative problem solving, and can improve a company's overall corporate culture. No one knows that better than Cristy Mercier, she's studied and performed this amazing art form at many institutions, some of which are The Second City, the iO Training Center, the Annoyance, and Comedy Sportz . As the Director of Talent for improve it!, Cristy has conducted workshops across the country, leveraging improvisational techniques to improve employees' skills in corporate settings, facilitating sessions for clients such as Exelon, Motorola Solutions, Groupon, Elkay Manufacturing, Accenture, The PrivateBank, Quicken Loans, Milhouse Engineering, Crowe Horwath, and many more.   About the Host: Erin Diehl is the founder and Chief “Yes, And” officer of improve it! and host of the failed it! Podcast. She's a performer, facilitator and professional risk-taker who lives by the mantra, “get comfortable with the uncomfortable.” Through a series of unrelated dares, Erin has created improve it!, a unique professional development company that pushes others to laugh, learn and grow. Her work with clients such as United Airlines, PepsiCo, Groupon, Deloitte, Motorola, Walgreens, and The Obama Foundation earned her the 2014 Chicago RedEye Big Idea Award and has nominated her for the 2015-2019 Chicago Innovations Award. This graduate from Clemson University is a former experiential marketing and recruiting professional as well as a veteran improviser from the top improvisational training programs in Chicago, including The Second City, i.O. Theater, and The Annoyance Theatre. When she is not playing pretend or facilitating, she enjoys running and beach dates with her husband and son, and their eight pound toy poodle, BIGG Diehl. You can follow the failed it! podcast on Instagram @learntoimproveit and facebook, and you can follow Erin personally on Instagram @keepinitrealdiehl here. You can also check out improve it! and how we can help your organization at www.learntoimproveit.com. We can't wait to connect with you online!  

“Start right now. Don't wait for anything to happen. Don't wait for the next car, the next house, the next relationship. Don't wait for something else to happen for you to start pursuing your dreams, to take one step towards your dreams.” - Sara Safari   Failed it! Fam, today we have an inspirational and passionate woman who converted sadness and darkness into a powerful, positive experience to help raise awareness, donate, and fight a cause that's so important. Please give a warm welcome to Dr. Sara Safari! In today's episode, Dr. Safari talks to us about: Outfluencer v. Influencer Not letting fears make decisions Women empowerment   Links from show discussions: Improve it! Five Day Challenge - scroll to the bottom and enter your email! http://www.sarasafari.com/ Climb Your Everest | Sara Safari | TEDxIHEParis Sara's Instagram http://sarasafari.com/iwanttoclimbmyEverest/ Would you like to join Sara to the entire trip to Nepal?! Contact her at Sara@empowernepaligirls.com!   About the Guest: Dr. Sara Safari is an author, speaker, mountain climber, college professor, Electrical Engineer and advocate for women empowerment. She has received the award for The Global Citizen from United Nations Association in 2015. She is a board member and director of development in Empower Nepali Girls foundation. She also has received the award for Outstanding Practice with Broad Impact in the area of women and leadership from International Leadership Association in 2017. Sara will be the first Iranian in history to climb the Seven Summits, the seven highest peaks in each continent. She is climbing to raise funds for seven organizations who are empowering women.   About the Host: Erin Diehl is the founder and Chief “Yes, And” officer of improve it! and host of the failed it! Podcast. She's a performer, facilitator and professional risk-taker who lives by the mantra, “get comfortable with the uncomfortable.” Through a series of unrelated dares, Erin has created improve it!, a unique professional development company that pushes others to laugh, learn and grow. Her work with clients such as United Airlines, PepsiCo, Groupon, Deloitte, Motorola, Walgreens, and The Obama Foundation earned her the 2014 Chicago RedEye Big Idea Award and has nominated her for the 2015-2019 Chicago Innovations Award. This graduate from Clemson University is a former experiential marketing and recruiting professional as well as a veteran improviser from the top improvisational training programs in Chicago, including The Second City, i.O. Theater, and The Annoyance Theatre. When she is not playing pretend or facilitating, she enjoys running and beach dates with her husband and son, and their eight pound toy poodle, BIGG Diehl. You can follow the failed it! podcast on Instagram @learntoimproveit and facebook, and you can follow Erin personally on Instagram @keepinitrealdiehl here. You can also check out improve it! and how we can help your organization at www.learntoimproveit.com. We can't wait to connect with you online!  

“Matrescence is a very big deal and it changes you forever, personally and professionally, so any support that I can give to those women, I want to continue doing that.” - Christine Michel Carter  Failed it! Fam, today we have a parent, teacher, entrepreneur, speaker, author, and multi-passionate person. Please give a warm welcome to Christine Michel Carter!   In today's episode, Christine talks to us about: Being a working mom A balanced, fluid workforce Advocating for others   Links from show discussions: Celebs on Sandwiches Improve it! F Words at Work Mom AF Book Christine's Facebook Christine's Website Twitter and Instagram: @cmichelcarter   About the Guest: Best-selling author Christine Michel Carter is the #1 global voice for working moms. Her writing has reached parents and working families in more than 150 countries. At home she's Mommy to Maya and West, the two cutest damn kids on the planet. Featured in The New York Times and The Washington Post, Christine contributes to ForbesWomen as a senior contributor. She has written hundreds of articles with over one million views for several publications, including TIME and Parents. Christine's insights have been included by other authors in their books. Her own best-selling children's book Can Mommy Go To Work? was ranked as an “empowering book” and a “life changing book to guide feminist parenting.” Her book MOM AF is a sister circle in a book, inspired both by Carter's life and her published articles. Christine clarifies misconceptions about working mom consumers and multicultural consumers for brands and serves as an amplifier of their personal truths. From delivering consumer insights and brand marketing content to helping HR and diversity teams attract and retain these hardworking professionals, Christine works with advertising agencies, research firms and companies to ensure they're at the forefront of the minds of female consumers. Christine also works to advance policies on a range of health issues that affect women and families. She does this particularly through collaborations with other organizations focused on eliminating racial disparities in maternal health, addressing the social determinants of health, and a range of women's health policy issues. Christine has worked with the Congressional Caucus on Black Women & Girls, the Fam Tech Founders Collaborative, the U.S. Department of Labor and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce on maternal and child care related issues. She has also received a Congressional Citation from the U.S. Senate for going “above and beyond in ensuring that Black Moms and Moms of Color have access to important health information for their children and families.” In addition to interviewing former Senator and the first female Vice President of the United States Kamala Harris, Christine has also worked on her maternal initiatives. Christine is the founder of Mompreneur and Me, the nation's first free mommy and me professional development event. Christine's co-hosted conference, The State Of Black Mothers In America, is the largest global conference for Black mothers. As an executive committee member of Mom Congress, Christine wants Black mothers around the world to stop suffering in silence.   About the Host: Erin Diehl is the founder and Chief “Yes, And” officer of improve it! and host of the failed it! Podcast. She's a performer, facilitator and professional risk-taker who lives by the mantra, “get comfortable with the uncomfortable.” Through a series of unrelated dares, Erin has created improve it!, a unique professional development company that pushes others to laugh, learn and grow. Her work with clients such as United Airlines, PepsiCo, Groupon, Deloitte, Motorola, Walgreens, and The Obama Foundation earned her the 2014 Chicago RedEye Big Idea Award and has nominated her for the 2015-2019 Chicago Innovations Award. This graduate from Clemson University is a former experiential marketing and recruiting professional as well as a veteran improviser from the top improvisational training programs in Chicago, including The Second City, i.O. Theater, and The Annoyance Theatre. When she is not playing pretend or facilitating, she enjoys running and beach dates with her husband and son, and their eight pound toy poodle, BIGG Diehl. You can follow the failed it! podcast on Instagram @learntoimproveit and facebook, and you can follow Erin personally on Instagram @keepinitrealdiehl here. You can also check out improve it! and how we can help your organization at www.learntoimproveit.com. We can't wait to connect with you online!  

Failed it! Fam – Are you currently feeling defeated as a leader? You're in luck, because on today's minisode we have our improve it! Lead Facilitator, Catharine Savag on to talk through tips and tricks on how to change your mindset through improv.   About the Guest: Originally from Massachusetts, Catharine Savage is a graduate from Brown University with a degree in History and Gender Studies. She has trained at iO and The Second City and is a performer with The Second City's National Touring Company. Off the stage, she has five years of corporate experience, having worked in sales enablement and management/technology consulting. She loves bringing levity to the office and finding ways we can be better people at our jobs. Catharine has conducted workshops with improve it! across the country leveraging improvisational techniques to improve employees' soft skills in corporate settings, facilitating sessions for clients such as HUB International, Quicken Loans, Embarc Chicago, Vantage Leadership Consulting, Motorola Solutions, Elkay Manufacturing, PepsiCo, and many more.   About the Host: Erin Diehl is the founder and Chief “Yes, And” officer of improve it! and host of the failed it! Podcast. She's a performer, facilitator and professional risk-taker who lives by the mantra, “get comfortable with the uncomfortable.” Through a series of unrelated dares, Erin has created improve it!, a unique professional development company that pushes others to laugh, learn and grow. Her work with clients such as United Airlines, PepsiCo, Groupon, Deloitte, Motorola, Walgreens, and The Obama Foundation earned her the 2014 Chicago RedEye Big Idea Award and has nominated her for the 2015-2019 Chicago Innovations Award.   This graduate from Clemson University is a former experiential marketing and recruiting professional as well as a veteran improviser from the top improvisational training programs in Chicago, including The Second City, i.O. Theater, and The Annoyance Theatre. When she is not playing pretend or facilitating, she enjoys running and beach dates with her husband and son, and their eight pound toy poodle, BIGG Diehl.   You can follow the failed it! podcast on Instagram @learntoimproveit and facebook, and you can follow Erin personally on Instagram @keepinitrealdiehl here. You can also check out improve it! and how we can help your organization at www.learntoimproveit.com. We can't wait to connect with you online!  

“The fact we wear so many hats and still manage to get so many things accomplished should allow anyone to feel more confident about themselves.” - Erin Diehl Failed it! Fam, first and foremost, Happy (early) Mother's Day to you or your loved ones. We're dedicating this episode to all the mothers, those who have mothers, or the special individuals in your life who act like a mother. On today's episode, our host, Erin Diehl, is sharing the importance of achievable parenting skills you can incorporate anywhere. Listen in as Erin talks to us about "soft skills” parenting in a pandemic.   Links from show discussions: Improve it!'s Virtual Trainings Episode 49 - Failures in Fertility: Why our Fertility Stories Matter Episode 51 - Leaders, It's Time to Talk About Infertility: with Dr. Angie Beltsos of Vios Fertility   About the Host: Erin Diehl is the founder and Chief “Yes, And” officer of improve it! and host of the failed it! Podcast. She's a performer, facilitator and professional risk-taker who lives by the mantra, “get comfortable with the uncomfortable.” Through a series of unrelated dares, Erin has created improve it!, a unique professional development company that pushes others to laugh, learn and grow. Her work with clients such as United Airlines, PepsiCo, Groupon, Deloitte, Motorola, Walgreens, and The Obama Foundation earned her the 2014 Chicago RedEye Big Idea Award and has nominated her for the 2015-2019 Chicago Innovations Award. This graduate from Clemson University is a former experiential marketing and recruiting professional as well as a veteran improviser from the top improvisational training programs in Chicago, including The Second City, i.O. Theater, and The Annoyance Theatre. When she is not playing pretend or facilitating, she enjoys running and beach dates with her husband and son, and their eight pound toy poodle, BIGG Diehl. You can follow the failed it! podcast on Instagram @learntoimproveit and facebook, and you can follow Erin personally on Instagram @keepinitrealdiehl here. You can also check out improve it! and how we can help your organization at www.learntoimproveit.com. We can't wait to connect with you online!  

“We have an opportunity on social media to empower and educate and to really just kind of loosen it up a little bit so people can hear some of the opportunities to become parents.” - Dr. Angie Beltsos   Failed it! Fam, we have an incredible, selfless guest who helps bring humans into the world. Literally. She recognizes the power of social media to help educate and normalize infertility. Please give a warm welcome to Dr. Angie Beltsos!   In today's episode, Dr. Beltsos talks to us about: How she educates and normalizes infertility on social media Three forces to take leadership to a new dimension in culture The importance of creating safe spaces internally and externally How to share your “gifts” with the world     Links from show discussions: Episode 49 Improve it! Laugh Break Conscious Leadership Book Beltsos' Website Beltsos' Instagram Beltsos' TikTok Vios Fertility Instagram Vios Fertility Facebook Vios Fertility YouTube   About the Guest: Angeline N. Beltsos, MD is the CEO and Chief Medical Officer of Vios Fertility Institute. She is double board certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology and in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility (REI). Dr. Beltsos completed medical school at Michigan State University. Shen then went on to do her residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Loyola University in 1995 followed by a fellowship in REI at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, completed in 1997. Dr. Beltsos is also part of the Clinical Research team at Vios and participates in a number of research projects and scientific publications. She has received numerous awards in teaching and has been honored as “Top Doctor” from Castle Connelly for several years. She is a popular speaker, both nationally and internationally, and a frequent media resource on the topic of infertility. Dr. Beltsos is the executive chairperson for the Midwest Reproductive Symposium International, an international conference of fertility experts. She helps educate future OB/GYN doctors as the previous REI Division Education Director for the Obstetrics and Gynecology residency programs of Illinois Masonic Medical Center, Lutheran General Hospital, St. Joseph's Hospital Chicago, and Mercy Chicago. She is also a Clinical Assistant Professor for the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at University of Illinois at Chicago. She continues to mentor REI doctors as well as students of all stages of education.   About the Host: Erin Diehl is the founder and Chief “Yes, And” officer of improve it! and host of the failed it! Podcast. She's a performer, facilitator and professional risk-taker who lives by the mantra, “get comfortable with the uncomfortable.” Through a series of unrelated dares, Erin has created improve it!, a unique professional development company that pushes others to laugh, learn and grow. Her work with clients such as United Airlines, PepsiCo, Groupon, Deloitte, Motorola, Walgreens, and The Obama Foundation earned her the 2014 Chicago RedEye Big Idea Award and has nominated her for the 2015-2019 Chicago Innovations Award. This graduate from Clemson University is a former experiential marketing and recruiting professional as well as a veteran improviser from the top improvisational training programs in Chicago, including The Second City, i.O. Theater, and The Annoyance Theatre. When she is not playing pretend or facilitating, she enjoys running and beach dates with her husband and son, and their eight pound toy poodle, BIGG Diehl. You can follow the failed it! podcast on Instagram @learntoimproveit and facebook, and you can follow Erin personally on Instagram @keepinitrealdiehl here. You can also check out improve it! and how we can help your organization at www.learntoimproveit.com. We can't wait to connect with you online!

Failed it! Fam – Have you ever thrown your team a failure party? What is a failure party? Why should you throw one? Welcome to our first of many minisodes on the failed it! podcast. Today we have our Podcast Manager, Rachel Oliveros, on to talk through the importance of these fabulous failure parties, as well as what to expect from these mini episodes moving forward. Welcome to failed it! (minisodes).   About the Guest: Rachel Oliveros is a Loyola University Chicago alumni where she majored in Marketing and studied abroad in Rome. Rachel has had a history with improve it! prior to working on the podcast, starting as an intern to a Client Services Associate. And now, as the Podcast Manager of failed it!, she works closely with Erin to do all things podcast and help listeners understand that you must fail in order to improve. On top of being creative with show graphics and communicating with inspiring podcast guests, she also enjoys working in Digital Advertising Sales with ViacomCBS. Reach out to her if you're interested in being a guest on The failed it! Podcast!   About the Host: Erin Diehl is the founder and Chief “Yes, And” officer of improve it! and host of the failed it! Podcast. She's a performer, facilitator and professional risk-taker who lives by the mantra, “get comfortable with the uncomfortable.” Through a series of unrelated dares, Erin has created improve it!, a unique professional development company that pushes others to laugh, learn and grow. Her work with clients such as United Airlines, PepsiCo, Groupon, Deloitte, Motorola, Walgreens, and The Obama Foundation earned her the 2014 Chicago RedEye Big Idea Award and has nominated her for the 2015-2019 Chicago Innovations Award. This graduate from Clemson University is a former experiential marketing and recruiting professional as well as a veteran improviser from the top improvisational training programs in Chicago, including The Second City, i.O. Theater, and The Annoyance Theatre. When she is not playing pretend or facilitating, she enjoys running and beach dates with her husband and son, and their eight pound toy poodle, BIGG Diehl. You can follow the failed it! podcast on Instagram @learntoimproveit and facebook, and you can follow Erin personally on Instagram @keepinitrealdiehl here. You can also check out improve it! and how we can help your organization at www.learntoimproveit.com. We can't wait to connect with you online!  

“We have to embrace all of who we are, the mistakes, the good part, the bad part. I mean, it is who we are. I think there's some valuable lesson. There is some source of inspiration that can help another person.” - Dionna Griffin Failed it! Fam, we have an amazing guest who is such a light in the improv world. Get ready to hear the crazy journey that Dionna Griffin went through as she strived to overcome failure by embracing her true self. In today's episode, Dionna talks to us about: How fearing a huge pivot in her life was exactly what she needed How a stint in jail changed her life The importance of sharing failures   Links from show discussions: Improve it!'s Laugh Break Dionna Griffin's Website Dionna Griffin's Instagram   About the Guest: Dionna Griffin-Irons is a writer, comedy producer, and the longtime former Director of Talent Diversity and Inclusion for The Second City U.S. and Canada.  She's delighted to share her story on the "You Failed It" podcast. For two decades, she's used her inclusion and belonging strategy "finding your truth voice" in boardrooms, prisons, shelters, classroom spaces, and stages, to create personal transformation around leadership, empathy, and resilience. As an instructor and consultant, Griffin-Irons has facilitated 200+ workshops to corporations, organizations, and students around the globe including Embassy Norway and Latvia, using improvisation as a creative tool for social change. Her work has been featured on ABC, NBC, American Theatre Magazine, Diversity Journal, and with University of Chicago's TEDx, The Incredible Unknown.   Griffin-Irons teaches at DePaul University in the Computer Digital Media program, core faculty with Story Studio Chicago, Chicago Dramatists, and The Second City Film School nurturing the next wave of storytellers. Her signature class "Telling Your Truth" has helped students and professionals who fear the writing process, go from one page to 15 pages in a month. #slaytheegoandwrite   About the Host: Erin Diehl is the founder and Chief “Yes, And” officer of improve it! and host of the failed it! Podcast. She's a performer, facilitator and professional risk-taker who lives by the mantra, “get comfortable with the uncomfortable.” Through a series of unrelated dares, Erin has created improve it!, a unique professional development company that pushes others to laugh, learn and grow. Her work with clients such as United Airlines, PepsiCo, Groupon, Deloitte, Motorola, Walgreens, and The Obama Foundation earned her the 2014 Chicago RedEye Big Idea Award and has nominated her for the 2015-2019 Chicago Innovations Award. This graduate from Clemson University is a former experiential marketing and recruiting professional as well as a veteran improviser from the top improvisational training programs in Chicago, including The Second City, i.O. Theater, and The Annoyance Theatre. When she is not playing pretend or facilitating, she enjoys running and beach dates with her husband and son, and their eight pound toy poodle, BIGG Diehl. You can follow the failed it! podcast on Instagram @learntoimproveit and facebook, and you can follow Erin personally on Instagram @keepinitrealdiehl here. You can also check out improve it! and how we can help your organization at www.learntoimproveit.com. We can't wait to connect with you online!  

  “We all carry the weight of overwhelmed differently, friend. You are not failing. You will persevere.” - Erin Diehl Today, we're getting personal. This podcast serves as a safe space for many to be their truest, most vulnerable self and we hope you feel a little less alone and a little more understood after listening. On today's episode, our host, Erin Diehl, is sharing her infertility story. While it's a topic not many talk about, we hope you leave this episode knowing you're not alone and that your voice, indeed, does matter! In today's episode, Erin talks to us about her infertility journey through: The Past The Present The Future     Links from show discussions: Improve it!'s Zoom Fatigue Mini-Course   About the Host: Erin Diehl is the founder and Chief “Yes, And” officer of improve it! and host of the failed it! Podcast. She's a performer, facilitator and professional risk-taker who lives by the mantra, “get comfortable with the uncomfortable.” Through a series of unrelated dares, Erin has created improve it!, a unique professional development company that pushes others to laugh, learn and grow. Her work with clients such as United Airlines, PepsiCo, Groupon, Deloitte, Motorola, Walgreens, and The Obama Foundation earned her the 2014 Chicago RedEye Big Idea Award and has nominated her for the 2015-2019 Chicago Innovations Award. This graduate from Clemson University is a former experiential marketing and recruiting professional as well as a veteran improviser from the top improvisational training programs in Chicago, including The Second City, i.O. Theater, and The Annoyance Theatre. When she is not playing pretend or facilitating, she enjoys running and beach dates with her husband and son, and their eight pound toy poodle, BIGG Diehl. You can follow the failed it! podcast on Instagram @learntoimproveit and facebook, and you can follow Erin personally on Instagram @keepinitrealdiehl here. You can also check out improve it! and how we can help your organization at www.learntoimproveit.com. We can't wait to connect with you online!  

“We go through our professional lives and we don't know what people are carrying with them each day.” - Kathryn Janicek Failed it! Fam, do you get the feeling that you're failing at everything recently? Or that you don't feel present at home or work? You're not alone. On today's episode, we're excited to introduce you to Kathryn Janicek. Listen in as she talks through her vulnerable experience during the pandemic on being a founder, entrepreneur and mother all at the same time, and how she's successfully getting through it one day at a time. Get ready to hear some important bits of information in this inspirational episode! In today's episode, Kathryn talks to us about: Building a business while going through IVF Feeling guilt personally and professionally during the pandemic Harnessing the power of listening What being a media trainer looks like Why Zoom Fatigue is real and what you can do to combat it Links from show discussions: Kathryn's Website: kathrynjanicek.com Kathryn's Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/kathrynjanicek Kathryn's IG: instagram.com/kathrynjanicek Improve it!'s Zoom Fatigue Mini-Course About the Guest: Kathryn Janicek helps you build the life you want to live. Through high-level media and public speaking training, she helps you: grow your business, make more money, attract more clients/fans/patients, move up in your career, increase your brand equity, be more confident and have a more fulfilling life by sharing your message. Kathryn is a three-time Emmy Award-winning journalist. Her 25+ years experience as a media exec and spokesperson helps her clients find the confidence to say “yes” to more speaking and media opportunities and make sure their messages reach their audience. She trains teams and individuals on everything needed to perform the best on stage, in the media, in videos and in any interview situation. This includes: verbal communication, body language, messaging, breathing to perform stronger, wardrobe, makeup, hair, the mindset of how to become a great speaker, confidence and how to stand out. Clients include: Fortune 500 CEOs and Executives Healthcare Executives American Dental Association College of American Pathologists American Society of Plastic Surgeons Uber Zurich Chicago Bulls Hedge Funds Financial Firms Law Firms   About the Host: Erin Diehl is the founder and Chief “Yes, And” officer of improve it! and host of the failed it! Podcast. She's a performer, facilitator and professional risk-taker who lives by the mantra, “get comfortable with the uncomfortable.” Through a series of unrelated dares, Erin has created improve it!, a unique professional development company that pushes others to laugh, learn and grow. Her work with clients such as United Airlines, PepsiCo, Groupon, Deloitte, Motorola, Walgreens, and The Obama Foundation earned her the 2014 Chicago RedEye Big Idea Award and has nominated her for the 2015-2019 Chicago Innovations Award. This graduate from Clemson University is a former experiential marketing and recruiting professional as well as a veteran improviser from the top improvisational training programs in Chicago, including The Second City, i.O. Theater, and The Annoyance Theatre. When she is not playing pretend or facilitating, she enjoys running and beach dates with her husband and son, and their eight pound toy poodle, BIGG Diehl. You can follow the failed it! podcast on Instagram @learntoimproveit and facebook, and you can follow Erin personally on Instagram @keepinitrealdiehl here. You can also check out improve it! and how we can help your organization at www.learntoimproveit.com. We can't wait to connect with you online!

“Our brains only work best when we're cared for all around” - Aubrey Blanche   Failed it! Fam, we're excited to introduce to you Aubrey Blanche. More love, less hate, more universal connection. We all want to live in a world that Aubrey can help cultivate. Get ready to hear some important bits of information in this inspirational episode! In today's episode, Aubrey talks to us about: DEI & the “cookie metaphor” (you have to listen in to this one!) How the limits of America's obsession with productivity is the anti-caring for the human organism DEI work: take rest, don't quit   Links from show discussions: Stephen Colbert & Anderson Cooper Interview - Grief Check out improve it!'s Zoombie Toolkit Launching 3/29 for 2 weeks – stay tuned on learntoimproveit.com The Memo by Minda Harts book Aubrey's 2019 Best Reads Diversity Rankings Article Aubrey's Website URL Twitter: http://twitter.com/adblanche Medium: http://medium.com/@adblanche Linkedin: http://us.linkedin.com/in/adblanche   About the Guest: Aubrey Blanche is The Mathpath (Math Nerd + Empath), Director of Equitable Design & Impact at Culture Amp, and a startup investor, and advisor. She questions, reimagines, and redesigns the systems that surround us to ensure that all people access equitable opportunities. Her expertise covers talent programs and accessible product development to event design and communications. She is the inventor of the balanced teams approach and a culture of belonging, and the Balanced Teams Diversity Assessment in the Atlassian Team Playbook. She open sources these methods and releases thought leadership and tools to create positive change at aubreyblanche.com.   About the Host: Erin Diehl is the founder and Chief “Yes, And” officer of improve it! and host of the failed it! Podcast. She's a performer, facilitator and professional risk-taker who lives by the mantra, “get comfortable with the uncomfortable.” Through a series of unrelated dares, Erin has created improve it!, a unique professional development company that pushes others to laugh, learn and grow. Her work with clients such as United Airlines, PepsiCo, Groupon, Deloitte, Motorola, Walgreens, and The Obama Foundation earned her the 2014 Chicago RedEye Big Idea Award and has nominated her for the 2015-2019 Chicago Innovations Award. This graduate from Clemson University is a former experiential marketing and recruiting professional as well as a veteran improviser from the top improvisational training programs in Chicago, including The Second City, i.O. Theater, and The Annoyance Theatre. When she is not playing pretend or facilitating, she enjoys running and beach dates with her husband and son, and their eight pound toy poodle, BIGG Diehl. You can follow the failed it! podcast on Instagram @learntoimproveit and facebook, and you can follow Erin personally on Instagram @keepinitrealdiehl here. You can also check out improve it! and how we can help your organization at www.learntoimproveit.com. We can't wait to connect with you online!  

“Remember that when they [your employees] feel heard, productivity rises and when productivity rises, not only does the organization, but so does the individual.” - Erin Diehl   Are you in an entry-level position at your dream company? Or are you a leader who needs guidance on investing in your employees? Failed it! Fam, grab your notebooks, because Erin is going to walk you through why investing in professional development matters, especially in today's remote world. In today's episode, Erin talks to us about: Her own personal realization of why professional development matters   Why feeling heard and “seen” within your organization leads to higher productivity, which leads to organizational and personal growth     Ways you can incorporate professional development in your life   Links from show discussions: Liz and Molly Instagram Graphic Check out improve it!'s Zoombie Toolkit Launching 3/29 for 2 weeks – stay tuned on www.learntoimproveit.com   About the Host: Erin Diehl is the founder and Chief “Yes, And” officer of improve it! and host of the failed it! Podcast. She's a performer, facilitator and professional risk-taker who lives by the mantra, “get comfortable with the uncomfortable.” Through a series of unrelated dares, Erin has created improve it!, a unique professional development company that pushes others to laugh, learn and grow. Her work with clients such as United Airlines, PepsiCo, Groupon, Deloitte, Motorola, Walgreens, and The Obama Foundation earned her the 2014 Chicago RedEye Big Idea Award and has nominated her for the 2015-2019 Chicago Innovations Award. This graduate from Clemson University is a former experiential marketing and recruiting professional as well as a veteran improviser from the top improvisational training programs in Chicago, including The Second City, i.O. Theater, and The Annoyance Theatre. When she is not playing pretend or facilitating, she enjoys running and beach dates with her husband and son, and their eight pound toy poodle, BIGG Diehl. You can follow the failed it! podcast on Instagram @learntoimproveit and facebook, and you can follow Erin personally on Instagram @keepinitrealdiehl here. You can also check out improve it! and how we can help your organization at www.learntoimproveit.com. We can't wait to connect with you online!

“So just be self aware if you love what you're doing within a corporate setting and figure out how you can be the best that you can be in serve in the best way and develop your skills and talents, to be able to take this company to the next level, the next level, the next level.” - Myles Berrio   What challenges or setbacks have you gone through to get to where you are today? What helped you get through them? Failed it! Fam, grab your notebooks, and give a warm welcome to the most selfless, and inspiring light - Myles Berrio. He is here to guide us through lessons on servant leadership, personal development and developing a mindset that helps you no matter what circumstances life throws your way. Myles is a published author, renowned photographer, and real estate investor who has endured many new setbacks as a new amputee from a drunk driving head on collision. Listen in as he shares his own experience of how failure is part of the process. Today's episode will shine light on one incredible thing we all possess – our mindset. He inspires us to think if we can truly shift it to a positive place, how we will use our mentality to lead and serve others. In today's episode, Myles talks to us about: The physical and emotional scars from his drunk driving collision and how he has preserved through   Failure, and why preparing to fail is a game changer   The importance of your mindset when it comes to overcoming failures and set backs   Links from show discussions:   Books/Audio by Tony Robbins, Jim Roan, John C. Maxwell, Darren Hardy, Les Brown Follow Erin Diehl (@keepinitrealdieh) and improve it! (@learntoimproveit) On Instagram Text Myles at 706-814-2821 if you'd like to chat with him   About the Guest: Myles Berrio is a published author, renowned photographer and real estate investor. Having started his entrepreneurial journey in college to escape from working 3 jobs as a full-time student, Myles has learned the art of, “It's not about what happens to you but what you do with what has happens to you.” Having been the personal photographer for celebrities, the official photographer for commercial brands like UberEATS and Netflix, traveling the globe to countries like Belize, Malaysia, Singapore, Canada and many more, generating $100,000 in 6 months investing in real estate during the COVID pandemic, Myles continues to endure through failures and setbacks as a new amputee from a drunk driving head on collision. Myles is a father, a husband, mentor and more importantly a friend that encourages and empowers.   About the Host: Erin Diehl is the founder and Chief “Yes, And” officer of improve it! and host of the failed it! Podcast. She's a performer, facilitator and professional risk-taker who lives by the mantra, “get comfortable with the uncomfortable.” Through a series of unrelated dares, Erin has created improve it!, a unique professional development company that pushes others to laugh, learn and grow. Her work with clients such as United Airlines, PepsiCo, Groupon, Deloitte, Motorola, Walgreens, and The Obama Foundation earned her the 2014 Chicago RedEye Big Idea Award and has nominated her for the 2015-2019 Chicago Innovations Award. This graduate from Clemson University is a former experiential marketing and recruiting professional as well as a veteran improviser from the top improvisational training programs in Chicago, including The Second City, i.O. Theater, and The Annoyance Theatre.   When she is not playing pretend or facilitating, she enjoys running and beach dates with her husband and son, and their eight pound toy poodle, BIGG Diehl. You can follow the failed it! podcast on Instagram @learntoimproveit and facebook, and you can follow Erin personally on Instagram @keepinitrealdiehl here. You can also check out improve it! and how we can help your organization at www.learntoimproveit.com. We can't wait to connect with you online!