Podcasts about Applied improvisation

In this episode, Steve Fretzin and Viki Johnston discuss:Navigating the transition from individual contributor to effective leaderDeveloping communication skills that foster trust and clarityUnderstanding how mindset and self-awareness shape professional successUsing behavioral tools to improve collaboration and team dynamics Key Takeaways:Role-playing in training helps managers safely practice difficult conversations, allowing them to fail, debrief, and improve without real-world consequences.Poor listening is a critical leadership flaw; most people are merely waiting to talk instead of truly hearing others, especially in virtual settings.Paraphrasing not only shows active listening but also gives the speaker space to correct misunderstandings, reducing conflict and enhancing clarity.Undervaluing your services, often due to internal narratives or low self-worth, can hurt both your business and client relationships—a lesson learned after undercharging for years. "We think we can multitask. We really can't. We can't think and listen to somebody at the same time." —  Viki Johnston Unlock the secrets of the industry's top rainmakers with Be That Lawyer: 101 Top Rainmakers' Secrets to Growing a Successful Law Practice. Grab your ultimate guide to building a thriving law firm now on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F78HXJHT Thank you to our Sponsors!Rankings.io: https://rankings.io/ Ready to grow your law practice without selling or chasing? Book your free 30-minute strategy session now—let's make this your breakout year: https://fretzin.com/ About Viki Johnston: Viki Johnston is an entrepreneur, Training Consultant with over 25 years of her career dedicated to professional training. She designs and delivers soft skills classroom training that is customized to a client's exact requirements, across a range of subjects. Her in-depth knowledge of Customer Service and Business Management allows Viki to provide an exceptionally high level of learning facilitation and consultancy across a wide range of industries.Viki is British, a Master Practitioner of NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming), DiSC certified, and Certified in Applied Improvisation. She currently lives in Irvine, Southern California, with her husband and daughter. She is a self-confessed lifelong learner with a passion for helping others experience light bulb moments and achieve their own goals. Connect with Viki Johnston:  Website: https://www.exelorate.com/Email: viki@exelorate.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vikijohnston/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vikiajohnstonInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/exelorate2015/ Connect with Steve Fretzin:LinkedIn: Steve FretzinTwitter: @stevefretzinInstagram: @fretzinsteveFacebook: Fretzin, Inc.Website: Fretzin.comEmail: Steve@Fretzin.comBook: Legal Business Development Isn't Rocket Science and more!YouTube: Steve FretzinCall Steve directly at 847-602-6911Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it. 

Kat Koppett is the Eponymous Founder of Koppett, a consultancy specializing in the use of improv and storytelling techniques to enhance individual and group performance. She has worked with diverse clients including Meta, Apple, Prezi, PwC, NASA, Havas Health, Mass General Hospital, the United Nations and the Clinton Global Initiative.Her book Training to Imagine: Practical Improvisational Theatre Techniques to Enhance Creativity, Teamwork, Leadership, and Learning , is considered a seminal work in the field of Applied Improv and is used by professionals around the world. She has given two TEDx talks on the use of improv to enhance non-theatrical performance.In 2019, Kat was the winner of the North American Simulation and Gaming Association (NASAGA)'s Ifill-Reynold's Lifetime Achievement Award. She is the co-director and a performing member of the Mopco Improv Theatre, a founding member and the current vice-president of the Applied Improvisation Network, and the co-host of the podcast, Performance Shift: The Art of Successfully Navigating Change.Give this a listen! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, we're exploring a topic that affects all of us: change. Whether it's in our careers, relationships, or personal growth, navigating change can be challenging—but what if we approached it like an improv scene? I'm thrilled to have Kat Koppett with us today. Kat is an expert in applied improvisation where she helps individuals and organizations harness the power of improv to think on their feet, adapt, and thrive in uncertain situations. You'll walk away with insights and practical tools to apply in both business and everyday life. You can reach Kat at: https://Koppett.com where you can find her books and links to the Improv theatre in New York. Here's the article helping you apply some of the expanded principles: https://goalsforyourlife.com/appied-improvisation    Make sure you're getting all our podcast updates and articles! https://goalsforyourlife.com/blog  Get them directly to your inbox here: https://goalsforyourlife.com/newsletter  Resources with tools and guidance for mid-career individuals, professionals & those at the halftime of life seeking growth and fulfillment: http://HalftimeSuccess.com Quick recap: Deborah and Kat Koppett discussed the application of improvisation principles in various aspects of life, including work, parenting, and personal relationships, emphasizing the importance of flexibility, resilience, and adaptability. They also explored the benefits of improvisation in personal and professional settings, highlighting its role in developing communication skills, creativity, and innovation. Next Steps: -Take an improv class to exercise spontaneity and comfort with discomfort. -Practice paying attention to thoughts, feelings and surroundings, then asking, “How can I accept and build with this? -Explore journaling or meditation as ways to increase self-awareness and acceptance. CHAPTERS: 00:00 - Intro 01:49 - Kat Koppett, Applied Improvisation Expert 03:07 - Kat's Journey to Improv Expertise 09:00 - Embracing Uncertainty in the Future 11:17 - Parenting as an Improv Scene 12:50 - Understanding Applied Improvisation 17:58 - Overcoming Fear of Going Off Script 22:45 - Cultivating Flexibility in Life 24:26 - Celebrating Failures for Growth 27:14 - Strengthening Your Resilience Muscles 32:50 - Improv's Benefits for Clients 34:33 - Boosting Creativity through Improv 41:06 - Navigating Change Effectively 45:30 - Finding Pat: A Personal Journey 46:56 - Thank You for Joining Us 47:58 - Outro

Christiana Frank is a certified speaker, coach, consultant, program developer, and mentor. Since 1999, she has been helping corporate teams, educational institutions, and mental health facilities connect to themselves, each other, and the world at large.  Founder of KidScape Productions and with a strong passion for helping all ages, you can typically find Mrs. Frank in areas of wellness and empowerment, applying evidence-based approaches that draw from modern-day neuroscience and psychology. Since 1999 she has been designing and leading training's with a mindful approach to collaboration, communication, and creativity.  Mrs. Frank's passion is deeply rooted in facilitating teams and individuals to communicate effectively and feel confident with ambiguity and change.   https://christianafrank.com/ christiana@christianafrank.com Facebook Linkedin

One of the most valuable skills in today's world is the ability to improvise.  Improvisation is not just about making things up on the spot but also about adapting to changing situations, finding creative solutions, and collaborating with others. In this episode, Billy and Shaun Peterson sit down with Ryan Sullivan, CFP®, CRPC®, RCC™, Vice … Read More Read More

Our 36th episode of the Creative Flow: Thinkers and Change Agents Podcast Series features Jane Fischer, a Creative Change Facilitator for individuals and groups who focuses on the tools of applied improvisation and Creativity. Jane is a creative trainer at the Creative Education Foundation with over 25 years of experience developing and delivering educational sessions and 20 years of experience as a professional improv comedy performer.  Jane was involved in the Applied Improvisation community for many years in her hometown of Jamestown and was introduced to the Center for Applied Imagination by a graduate in this group. The program was so transformative that she described her life “BC – Before Creativity” and “AC – After Creativity.” One surprising benefit of the Graduate Certificate in Creativity from the Center for Applied Imagination, SUNY Buffalo State, was the inclusion of Creative Leadership in the curriculum. She credits this degree with helping her to empower her workplace and make everything “exponentially better” for the people who worked for her.  Jane discusses how she uses the improvisational mindset to help teams and organizations experience Creativity. She incorporates exercises and activities from the world of improv, and participants learn how to balance divergent and convergent thinking while finding new and exciting possibilities. One of her favorite success stories involved a person who considered improv fluff until she could practice it and experience the impact it can have on collaboration and communication skills.  Don't miss this chance to laugh while you also hear insights from a respected leader who  has a vision for the future of the creativity community, where we will continue to convert people and help them make their “own meaning with creativity.” Find our podcast today on all of your favorite platforms.  

Not Fishy Enough: A Ridiculous Parable About Finding Worth Through Self-Acceptance by Briton Kolber Amazon.com Britonkolber.com "Holy freakin' snail shells! What is this book?" asked Edwin. This is a combination of a slightly short novel for kids over 8 and a self-help guide for the people who care about them. There are subtle jokes for adults and deeper meanings to explore as well. This story is about Edwin. He is an odd-looking fish. At least that's what everybody tells him. Well, they tell him he's a fish, anyway. Not much of a tail for a fish. The scales are wrong, too. The fins are a bit, well, grabby. More on that later. "Wait what? Tell me now," demanded Edwin. Sorry, Edwin, you'll spoil the adventure. "Fine. I'm out of here." Now that he's out of earshot, I can tell you that it's about a crab adopted by fish growing up in an isolated tidepool with no other crabs. So, he grows up thinking he is merely an incompetent fish. There is a section in the back of the book with discussion questions for many of the themes in this book. The questions are designed for classrooms, for mental health professionals, and for caregivers in general. In these pages, is an adventure of aquatic proportions. It's about finding out who you are and figuring out what to do about that. This highly unusual, but hopefully not too unusual, book is by Briton Kolber, a licensed therapist who specializes in helping geeks accept and find the best in themselves. In a world that may remind you of Finding Nemo, it explores themes found in The Ugly Duckling, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, and Brené Brown's The Gifts of Imperfection. If you are a fan of the pragmatic wisdom of Brené Brown or the humor of Terry Pratchett, Douglas Adams, or Christopher Healy (The Hero's Guide to Saving Your Kingdom) you will have a good time here. Illustrations by Nicoleta Dabijya add wonder and whimsy. Briton Kolber is a family therapist focusing on geeks as a special population. He has taught Applied Improvisation at SAGA School, General Assembly, and Aspiring Youth/Ryther. He has done many odd things ranging from Research Scientist Associate at Applied Research Laboratories to Board Member of Washington Association for Marriage and Family Therapy to computer sales to performing regularly with ComedySportz Austin to working in the film industry in Los Angeles. He spent his youth split between mountains, culture, and extended family in Austria and a ranch, live-stock, space technology, and energy culture of Houston. In what little free time he has left after grand adventures with his family, he runs, skis, writes sketch comedy, has conversations with his cats, and tries not to set himself on fire while cooking. Again.

— “We can ask people to be kinder and more accepting. That works to some extent, but if we are dependent on others to give us that feeling of belonging, we can still get emotionally hurt. It seems like a smarter idea to find a way to like yourself for who you are.” Valeria interviews Briton Kolber  — He is the author of  “Not Fishy Enough: A Ridiculous Parable About Finding Worth Through Self-Acceptance.”  Briton Kolber is also a family therapist specializing in geeks as a special population. His first book, Not Fishy Enough is for children and the adults who care for them. He has taught Applied Improvisation at SAGA School, General Assembly, and Aspiring Youth / Ryther. He has done many odd things ranging from Research Scientist Associate at Applied Research Laboratories to Board Member of Washington Association for Marriage and Family Therapy to computer sales to performing regularly with ComedySportz Austin to working in the film industry in Los Angeles. In what little free time he has left after grand adventures with his family, he runs, skis, writes sketch comedy, has conversations with his cats, and tries not to set himself on fire while cooking… again.  To learn more about Briton Kolber and his work, please visit: notfishyenough.com                 — This podcast is a quest for well-being, a quest for a meaningful life through the exploration of fundamental truths, enlightening ideas, insights on physical, mental, and spiritual health. The inspiration is Love. The aspiration is to awaken new ways of thinking that can lead us to a new way of being, being well. 

Welcome to Episode 531 of the Yeukai Business Show. In this episode, our guest Briton Kolber shares his unique perspective on what stops people from living the life they want. Throughout the episode, we delve into various topics such as the importance of understanding the stories we tell ourselves, the power of curiosity and objective data analysis, and differentiating between emotional reactions and rational responses.  So, if you want to know more about overcoming limitations and living the life you want, tune in now! In this episode, you'll discover: The Importance of Understanding Your StoryOvercoming Obstacles and Embracing AuthenticityApplying Your Story to Success About Briton Kolber Briton is an author and family therapist focusing on geeks as a special population since 2012. His first book, Not Fishy Enough: A Ridiculous Parable About Finding Worth Through Self-Acceptance, is for kids over age 8 with enough gems for adults, too. He has taught Applied Improvisation at SAGA School, General Assembly, and Aspiring Youth / Ryther. He has done many odd things ranging from Research Scientist Associate at Applied Research Laboratories to Board Member of Washington Association for Marriage and Family Therapy to computer sales to performing regularly with ComedySportz Austin to working in the film industry in Los Angeles. In what little free time he has left after grand adventures with his family, he runs, skis, writes sketch comedy, has conversations with his cats, and tries not to set himself on fire while cooking. Again.  More Information  Learn more about overcoming limitations and living the life you want at https://britonkolber.com/ Book: https://notfishyenough.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/briton-kolber-a5a2812/  Thanks for Tuning In! Thanks so much for being with us this week. Have some feedback you'd like to share? Please leave a note in the comments section below! If you enjoyed this episode on How to Expand Your Business, please share it with your friends by using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post. Don't forget to subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic episode updates for our "Yeukai Business Show !" And, finally, please take a minute to leave us an honest review and rating on iTunes. They really help us out when it comes to the ranking of the show and I make it a point to read every single one of the reviews we get. Please leave a review right now Thanks for listening!

Kelly Leonard, Executive Director of Learning & Applied Improvisation at Second City Works, connects with Marcus Collins, the head of strategy at Wieden+Kennedy and a clinical assistant professor of marketing at The Ross School of Business, University of Michigan, to discuss his new book: “For The Culture: The Power Behind What We Buy, What We Do, And Who […]

We wrap up the interview with Don Colliver talking about key stumbling blocks like presenting data heavy content. There are a number of other misconceptions and improper approaches he addresses in this discussion of becoming a better presenter. The essential point is one we often see. You should remember why you are presenting it. That, of course, points back to his earlier three questions of knowing who you are talking to, what you want to convey, and the call to action. Presenting Data Heavy Content Is About The Journey There are really two reasons for presenting data heavy content. You are either trying to show the journey to achieve your conclusions or point to the conclusion itself. Don brings up a common fallacy where the amount of work involved is attempted to be conveyed. That is not something your audience cares much about. They want to send the end results or learn how you problem-solve through it. Both of those cases mean a summary or similar approach is going to be better than a lot of data. Keep your focus on what you can easily communicate, and they can easily digest. About Don Don Colliver is a teacher, speaker, writer, and comedian with over twenty-five years of experience. He enjoys passionately engaging audiences and helping them engage with one another. Don's mission is to help every speaker profoundly impact their audience through the power of courageous vulnerability, confident authenticity, and the joy of connection. Thanks to his popular public speaking courses delivered internally at Google and worldwide, hundreds of nervous speakers have transformed into more effective and joyful communicators, reaching a deeper level of audience connection than they ever thought possible. In addition to teaching, Don can be found on the trade show floor, where he writes and delivers presentations for companies including Adobe, Cisco, and Medtronic. On the screen, Don has written and directed hundreds of hours of nonfiction television for shows, including House Hunters, $40 a Day with Rachael Ray, and Roker on the Road. Before teaching others to take the spotlight confidently, Don toured internationally as a theatrical Clown for the contemporary circus company Spiegelworld and performed briefly with the Blue Man Group. Also, he is listed in the Cirque du Soleil performer database. He is a founding member of the award-winning sketch and clown groups DJ Faucet and the Innocents. His troupes have received awards, including the Improv Olympic Del Close Award for Best Sketch Comedy Troupe and the Hollywood Fringe Award for Best Physical Theater. Don won the 2017 Toastmasters International District One Tall Tales Speech Championship. Don graduated Summa Cum Laude with a BS in Communications from Boston University. He holds certifications in Design Thinking, Applied Improvisation, and Instructional Design. He lives in the San Francisco Bay Area. When he's not helping speakers engage with their audiences more deeply, he can be found hiking through the redwoods.  Learn More Check Out More From Don at: https://www.doncolliver.com Check out the site and his latest book, "Wink.

BONUS PODCAST: This bonus podcast was taped live at the Up Comedy Club at The Second City. Kelly Leonard, Executive Director of Learning & Applied Improvisation at Second City Works, hosts a podcast taping with a stellar panel of guests to look at how comedy is an effective tool in the struggle for human rights. […]

This interview is a new one with Don Collliver, and we go deep on effective presentations. There are a lot of best practices and rules you have heard that he breaks. His approach is not simply to be different. He has seen the value in using his approach for business presentations that focus on getting the point (or series of points across). The goal is communication, in this case, rather than entertainment. However, his background in entertainment makes him an entertaining speaker as well. Effective Presentations Get The Message Across There are a number of factors that Don considers in putting together a presentation. These help him focus on his message, the audience, and show respect for their time. That helps us avoid things like the cat "hang in there" slide or other superfluous slides and gimmicks you often see. The approach and guidelines he provides are for putting together a professional and focused presentation. About Don Don Colliver is a teacher, speaker, writer, and comedian with over twenty-five years of experience. He enjoys passionately engaging audiences and helping them engage with one another. Don's mission is to help every speaker profoundly impact their audience through the power of courageous vulnerability, confident authenticity, and the joy of connection. Thanks to his popular public speaking courses delivered internally at Google and worldwide, hundreds of nervous speakers have transformed into more effective and joyful communicators, reaching a deeper level of audience connection than they ever thought possible. In addition to teaching, Don can be found on the trade show floor, where he writes and delivers presentations for companies including Adobe, Cisco, and Medtronic. On the screen, Don has written and directed hundreds of hours of nonfiction television for shows, including House Hunters, $40 a Day with Rachael Ray, and Roker on the Road. Before teaching others to take the spotlight confidently, Don toured internationally as a theatrical Clown for the contemporary circus company Spiegelworld and performed briefly with the Blue Man Group. Also, he is listed in the Cirque du Soleil performer database. He is a founding member of the award-winning sketch and clown groups DJ Faucet and the Innocents. His troupes have received awards, including the Improv Olympic Del Close Award for Best Sketch Comedy Troupe and the Hollywood Fringe Award for Best Physical Theater. Don won the 2017 Toastmasters International District One Tall Tales Speech Championship. Don graduated Summa Cum Laude with a BS in Communications from Boston University. He holds certifications in Design Thinking, Applied Improvisation, and Instructional Design. He lives in the San Francisco Bay Area. When he's not helping speakers engage with their audiences more deeply, he can be found hiking through the redwoods.  Learn More Check Out More From Don at: https://www.doncolliver.com Check out the site and his latest book, "Wink.

BONUS PODCAST: Kelly Leonard, Executive Director of Learning & Applied Improvisation at Second City Works, welcomes the legendary Seth Godin back to the podcast to talk about his new book “The Song of Significance: A New Manifesto for Teams.” “The work of significance embraces the very things that industrialism seeks to stamp out.” “What each […]

Kelly Leonard, Executive Director of Learning & Applied Improvisation at Second City Works, gets a lesson in both food and economics from Professor Ha-Joon Chang when they discuss his new book “Edible Economics: A Hungry Economist Explains the World.” “We Koreans don't just eat garlic. We process it. In industrial quantities. We are garlic.” “This […]

Kelly Leonard, Executive Director of Learning & Applied Improvisation at Second City Works, talks to facilitator, Neuro-Linguistic Programming Executive Coach, and Burnout Management Specialist Neelu Kaur about her new book, “Be Your Own Cheerleader: An Asian and South Asian Woman's Cultural, Psychological, and Spiritual Guide to Self-Promote at Work.” “We teach people how we want […]

Kelly Leonard, Executive Director of Learning & Applied Improvisation at Second City Works, connects with University of Virginia psychologist Daniel T. Willingham to talk about his new book, “Outsmart Your Brain: Why Learning is Hard and How You Can Make it Easy.”  “It may come as a surprise, but people can be mistaken about what they […]

BONUS POD: Kelly Leonard, Executive Director of Learning & Applied Improvisation at Second City Works, talks to Princeton historian Kevin Kruse about his new book “Myth America: Historians Take on The Biggest Legends and Lies About Our Past.” “American Exceptionalism has a double meaning.”“Political myths are never far from conspiratorial thinking.”“Few myths have the staying […]

Kelly Leonard, Executive Director of Learning & Applied Improvisation at Second City Works, Kelly has a conversation with entrepreneur Surbhi Sarna who has a new book “Without a Doubt: How to Go From Underrated to Unbeatable.” “Entrepreneurs are people who build their own ladders while also climbing them.” “Taking care of yourself is a demonstration […]

Kelly Leonard, Executive Director of Learning & Applied Improvisation at Second City Works, welcomes back Sarah Rose Cavanagh to the podcast. Sarah is an associate professor of practice in psychology at Simmons University and the author of “Mind Over Monsters: Supporting Youth Mental Health with Compassionate Challenge.”  “The principal purpose of our brains is to manage the […]

BONUS PODCASTS: Kelly Leonard, Executive Director of Learning & Applied Improvisation at Second City Works, records a live podcast with beloved actor, writer and producer Rainn Wilson for the Chicago Humanities Festival to talk about his new book “Soul Boom.” This episode was recorded live April 21, 2023 at The Francis Parker School in Chicago, […]

Kelly Leonard, Executive Director of Learning & Applied Improvisation at Second City Works, crosses the Atlantic to talk to Ben Alderson-Day, an Associate Professor of Psychology at Durham University and the author of “Presence: The Strange Science and True Stories of the Unseen Other.” “Some presences lead. And some our led.” “How our bodies and […]

In our final episode of this round of The Artist's Oath Interview Series, Merideth chats with improvisor, facilitator, and leadership coach David Westerlund. David delights in listening to the aspirations of leaders and helping them unlock hidden resources by facilitating meaningful engagement. This unleashes innovation and leads to resilient, supportive, joyful, and agile workplace cultures that allow organizations to have greater momentum and impact toward their mission. His work as a consultant, designer/facilitator, and coach is informed by the philosophy and practice of Liberating Structures and Applied Improvisation, both of which remind us that there is a lot of wisdom in the room and amplify our ability to tap into that and experience collective synergy. He believes that in order to solve the complex problems we are facing, we must be collaborative and intentionally develop skills of presence, agility, relating, collaboration, and creativity. David reads his inspiring Oath and encourages you to be present and discover joy.  David Westerlund's website Artist's Oath Workshop April 21 + 22 Join the Fall Artist's Way Creative Cluster with Merideth

Let's talk about the magic that is improvisation, or what us cool kids call "improv." It's an art form that's all about unleashing your creativity and performing without a script or plan. Sure, you may have heard of it as a side-splitting comedy act, but improv goes a lot deeper than that. From acting to business to mental health, improv skills can be applied in various areas of life.  Enter Kelly Leonard, the VP of Creative Strategy, Innovation, and Business Development at the infamous Second City in Chicago. Kelly, who over the decades has produced hundreds of original revues with comedians such as Stephen Colbert, Tina Fey, and Seth Meyers (to name a few) has a unique understanding of behavioral science through the lens of improv.   Regaling us with lessons and stories from his career and book, ‘Yes And', we learn how to utilize improv to help us adapt, empathize, communicate, trust, and collaborate better. We are reminded that saying ‘yes' to new ideas and experiences sparks creativity and can lead to beneficial outcomes. From deepening our relationships with others by practicing active listening and learning to accept and appreciate new ideas, regardless of their origin. It also teaches us to think on our feet and work together to create innovative solutions to problems. Listen and Learn:  How Stephen Colbert came to write a blurb for Kelly's book, Yes, and: How Improvisation Reverses No, But Thinking and Improves Creativity and Collaboration Why so many successful comedy performers have an improv background  How improv skills can help us to empathize, communicate and collaborate The idea of the ‘Yes And' exercise  Why Kelly prefers to use the word ensemble vs. team  Improv's positive impact on caregiver burden and depression An introduction to the ‘I Am Somebody Who' exercise Why adopting a Yes And mentality helps create a psychologically safe environment How improv can be applied in therapy  If improv were an animal, what animal would it be?  What's next for Kelly's work in science and the arts  Resources:  Learn more about Kelly: https://www.secondcity.com/people/kelly-leonard+ Get your copy of Yes, And: How Improvisation Reverses No, But Thinking and Improves Creativity and Collaboration: https://bookshop.org/a/30734/9780062248541 Check out The Second City website: https://www.secondcity.com/ Listen to Kelly's podcast, Getting to Yes And: https://www.secondcityworks.com/podcast About Kelly Leonard  Kelly Leonard is the Executive Director of Learning and Applied Improvisation at Second City Works. His book, “Yes, And: Lessons from The Second City” was released to critical acclaim in 2015 by HarperCollins and was praised by Michael Lewis in Vanity Fair who called it “...an excellent guide to the lessons that have bubbled up in Second City's improv workshops.” Kelly is a popular speaker on the power of improvisation to transform people's lives. He has presented at The Aspen Ideas Festival, The Code Conference,TEDx Broadway, Chicago Ideas Festival, The Stanford Graduate School of Business and for companies such as Coca Cola, Microsoft, Twitter, Memorial Sloan Kettering and DDB Worldwide.  Kelly co-created an initiative with the Center for Decision Research at the Booth School at the University of Chicago, The Second Science Project, that looks at behavioral science through the lens of improvisation. He also hosts the podcast, “Getting to Yes, And,” for Second City Works and WGN radio that features interviews with academics, authors and leaders such as Brene Brown, Adam Grant, Michael Lewis, Lindy West, Ash Carter and Amy Edmondson. For over twenty years, Kelly oversaw Second City's live theatrical divisions where he helped generate original productions with such talent as Tina Fey, Stephen Colbert, Amy Poehler, Seth Meyers, Steve Carell, Keegan Michael Key, Amy Sedaris, Adam McKay and others. In 2019, Arts Alliance Illinois awarded Kelly and his wife Anne Libera with their Creative Voice Award.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kelly Leonard, Executive Director of Learning & Applied Improvisation at Second City Works and host of the “Getting to Yes, And…” podcast, joins John Williams to talk about a recent episode of his podcast that explores the idea that if you are ruminating about the past or living in an imaginary future, you won’t be […]

Kelly Leonard, Executive Director of Learning & Applied Improvisation at Second City Works and host of the “Getting to Yes, And…” podcast, joins John Williams to talk about a recent episode of his podcast that explores the idea that if you are ruminating about the past or living in an imaginary future, you won’t be […]

Kelly Leonard, Executive Director of Learning & Applied Improvisation at Second City Works and host of the “Getting to Yes, And…” podcast, joins John Williams to talk about a recent episode of his podcast that explores the idea that if you are ruminating about the past or living in an imaginary future, you won’t be […]

Kelly Leonard, Executive Director of Learning & Applied Improvisation at Second City Works and host of the “Getting to Yes, And…” podcast, joins John Williams to talk about a recent podcast he did with former Cubs manager Joe Maddon. Kelly explains that while data is important to success, you can’t count out lived experience.

Kelly Leonard, Executive Director of Learning & Applied Improvisation at Second City Works and host of the “Getting to Yes, And…” podcast, joins John Williams to talk about a recent podcast he did with former Cubs manager Joe Maddon. Kelly explains that while data is important to success, you can’t count out lived experience.

Kelly Leonard, Executive Director of Learning & Applied Improvisation at Second City Works and host of the “Getting to Yes, And…” podcast, joins John Williams to talk about a recent podcast he did with former Cubs manager Joe Maddon. Kelly explains that while data is important to success, you can’t count out lived experience.

In this episode, we're talking with the Director of Learning and Development for On-Cue, Matt Elwell. We invited Matt on to teach us about training, but we ended up learning so much more. This episode is full of actionable advice to help your attendees retain the messaging of your event. So hit the download button, screw your headphones on tight, and get ready to take notes.Matt Elwell, CPTD has been using the principles of improvisation to improve professional performance for 15 years. He has created learning experiences used by 100s of organizations including AT&T, McDonald's, Astellas Pharma U.S., SRR, the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, and the U.S. Navy. Matt is a Certified Professional in Talent Development, and has shared his insights on interactive learning and improvisation at both professional and academic conferences. He has been active in the Applied Improvisation and Learning & Development communities, including as President of the Association for Talent Development, Chicagoland Chapter.CREDITSHosted and Written by Jeremy DobrishProduced by Bethany PotterTheme Music by Mike ManciniLogo design by Shraddha MaharjanSpecial thanks to Dossie McCraw WHERE TO FIND USProscenium WebsiteLinkedInInstagramTwitterFacebook

The Second City – where countless actors and comedians got their start. They've been bringing the funny for over 60 years. Now the first name in improve and comedy, they've expanded well beyond the stage and into business, wellness, education and so much more. Kelly Leonard, Executive Director of Learning and Applied Improvisation at The Second City, joins Bill and Megan in this episode to talk about improvisation, creativity, and whether and how it can be used in conflict communication – especially in high conflict interactions. For over twenty years, he oversaw Second City's live theatrical divisions working with such talent as Tina Fey, Stephen Colbert, Amy Poehler, Seth Meyers, Steve Carrell, and others.In this episode, we'll talk about: Kelly's book, Yes, And improvisation and creativity beyond the stage allowing anything to be on the table differences between creativity and innovation allowing yourself to be a human being the effect of the body on the brain and anxiety (he'll talk about what can be seen on an MRI when a smile is involved) so much more Links & Other Notes: KELLY'S BOOKYes, And: How Improvisation Reverses "No, But" Thinking and Improves Creativity and Collaboration--Lessons from The Second City KELLY'S PODCAST"Getting to Yes, And" KELLY'S TEDxBroadwayTalkEmbrace Your Failures KELLY'S COURSESThe Second City Our website: https://www.highconflictinstitute.com/Submit a Question for Bill and MeganAll of our books can be found in our online store or anywhere books are sold, including as e-books.You can also find these show notes at our site as well.Note: We are not diagnosing anyone in our discussions, merely discussing patterns of behavior. (00:00) - Welcome to It's All Your Fault (02:30) - Meet Kelly Leonard (09:21) - Yes! And... (12:29) - Using It in Conflict Situations (15:45) - Times to Not 'Yes And' (18:31) - Thank You, Because... (20:03) - Avoiding Escalation (20:58) - Humor, Surprise, Delight (21:40) - Why Improv? (27:01) - The Science (36:56) - Reminders & Coming Next Week: Jackhammer Parents Learn more about our exclusive Family Law Consultation Group right here and sign up to be part of the 2024 session today!

Belina Raffy, Empress and Improvisation guide,  is the director of Maffick Ltd & Applied Improvisation and Thrivability thought-leader, Thrivable World Quest co-founder and global captain.She used to work in London and New York as an Executive for one of the largest global financial institutions, in 13 years, she saw many people struggle with burn-out.  She studied improvisation to find out: 1) how these skills help individuals respond to the unexpected, and navigate ambiguity 2) how it can transform our organizations as a whole. She encourages people to explore what happens when we consciously align our work with how nature and people thrive. She believes that our ability to improvise gives us a choice about how to respond to life's challenges. Improvisation helps us develop our creative thinking skills in service of a happier life, and play a vital part in our response to our complex, dynamic world. It is her passion to spread these mindsets and practices and support others discover the power of improvisation.In this sparkling, thought-provoking episode, we explore the differences between stand-up and improv, and how the structures of either and both can allow us to reach past the tribal screaming of our time, to a more gentle, compassionate, connected way of reaching each other.  Humour reaches the places that charts, data and stats never will - and Belina has years of experience in creating spaces where people can find what matters most to them, and share it in ways that make us laugh - and care.Belina's website https://www.maffick.com/Belina at Wisdom Together https://www.wisdomtogether.com/belina-raffy-maffick-ltd/Belina's book https://www.maffick.com/#the-bookBelina on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zi1EGkh_vzgUpcoming courses1-hour online ‘Compassionate Climate Comedy' on 7 NovAnd next 7-week Sustainable Stand Up course starts 19 JanDetails at https://www.sustainablestandup.com/#coursesInga Foundation http://www.ingafoundation.org/Red Cross Disaster Risk Reduction  https://climatecentre.live/courses/participate/ The Frontier Development Lab https://frontierdevelopmentlab.org/ and https://fdleurope.org/ .

Kelly Leonard, Executive Director of Learning & Applied Improvisation at Second City Works and host of the “Getting to Yes, And” podcast, joins John Williams to talk about a recent podcast with author and former professional poker player Annie Duke about the benefits of quitting.

Kelly Leonard, Executive Director of Learning & Applied Improvisation at Second City Works and host of the “Getting to Yes, And” podcast, joins John Williams to talk about a recent podcast with author and former professional poker player Annie Duke about the benefits of quitting.

Kelly Leonard, Executive Director of Learning & Applied Improvisation at Second City Works and host of the “Getting to Yes, And” podcast, joins John Williams to talk about a recent podcast with author and former professional poker player Annie Duke about the benefits of quitting.

Kelly Leonard, Executive Director of Learning & Applied Improvisation at Second City Works and host of the “Getting to Yes, And” podcast, joins John Williams to talk about a recent podcast discussion he had with author Cassie Holmes about happiness and what you need to prioritize if you want to become happier.

Kelly Leonard, Executive Director of Learning & Applied Improvisation at Second City Works and host of the “Getting to Yes, And” podcast, joins John Williams to talk about a recent podcast discussion he had with author Cassie Holmes about happiness and what you need to prioritize if you want to become happier.

Kelly Leonard, Executive Director of Learning & Applied Improvisation at Second City Works and host of the “Getting to Yes, And” podcast, joins John Williams to talk about a recent podcast discussion he had with author Cassie Holmes about happiness and what you need to prioritize if you want to become happier.

Join me this week as my guest Don Colliver and I explore a life of passions, connectivity, and all the things we can learn from clowns. Don Colliver is a teacher, speaker, writer, and comedian with over twenty-five years of experience passionately engaging audiences and helping them engage with one another. Don's mission is to help every speaker profoundly impact their audience through the power of courageous vulnerability, confident authenticity, and the joy of connection. Thanks to his popular public speaking courses delivered internally at Google and around the world, hundreds of nervous speakers have transformed into more effective and joyful communicators, reaching a deeper level of audience connection than they ever thought possible. In addition to teaching, Don can be found on the trade show floor, where he writes and delivers presentations for companies including Adobe, Cisco, and Medtronic. On the screen, Don has written and directed hundreds of hours of nonfiction television for shows including House Hunters, $40 a Day with Rachael Ray, and Roker on the Road. Before teaching others to confidently take the spotlight, Don toured internationally as a theatrical Clown for contemporary circus company Spiegelworld and performed briefly with the Blue Man Group and he is listed in the Cirque du Soleil performer database. He is a founding member of the award-winning sketch and clown groups DJ Faucet and the Innocents. His troupes have received awards, including the Improv Olympic Del Close Award for Best Sketch Comedy Troupe and the Hollywood Fringe Award for Best Physical Theater, and Don won the 2017 Toastmasters International District One Tall Tales Speech Championship. Don graduated Summa Cum Laude with a BS in Communications from Boston University. He holds certifications in Design Thinking, Applied Improvisation, and Instructional Design. He lives in the San Francisco Bay Area and when he's not helping speakers engage with their audiences more deeply, he can be found hiking through the redwoods. You can connect with Don at www.doncolliver.com. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Serhiy Velichanskyi is a Ukrainian professional improviser and started Improversity as a way to help ESL teachers use improv and humor in teaching English. His plans were interrupted by the invasion of Ukraine.  Here he discusses how to improvise with war and find humor in difficult situations. Katy BEE and Jim-Bob are very grateful for this interview and learned some Ukrainian language in the process! Follow the link to learn more about Improversity! https://improversity.org/

Kelly Leonard, Executive Director of Learning & Applied Improvisation at Second City Works and host of the “Getting to Yes, And” podcast, joins John Williams to talk about a recent podcast he recorded with author Eric Barker about what it means to have great relationships. What are we getting wrong about the way we communicate?

Kelly Leonard, Executive Director of Learning & Applied Improvisation at Second City Works and host of the “Getting to Yes, And” podcast, joins John Williams to talk about a recent podcast he recorded with author Eric Barker about what it means to have great relationships. What are we getting wrong about the way we communicate?

In a world of increasing polarization, Kelly Leonard is working to bridge the divide and bring people together by teaching the power of improv. In this episode you will learn: 1. The importance of play, especially as we get older. 2. The power of "Yes, And" to create agreement and understanding. 3. The importance of a shared humanity that includes people who may not think or vote like we do. "The world we live in right now, no one wants to work together. It's never been this bad, in my experience. If we could just enter rooms with curiosity instead of blame, if we could enter rooms with a 'Thank You, Because' orientation, I think we have a shot." - Kelly Leonard Kelly Leonard is the Executive Director of Learning and Applied Improvisation at Second City Works. His book, “Yes, And: Lessons from The Second City” was released to critical acclaim in 2015 by HarperCollins and was praised by Michael Lewis in Vanity Fair who called it “...an excellent guide to the lessons that have bubbled up in Second City's improv workshops.” Kelly is a popular speaker on the power of improvisation to transform people's lives. He has presented at The Aspen Ideas Festival, The Code Conference, TEDx Broadway, Chicago Ideas Festival, The Stanford Graduate School of Business and for companies such as Coca Cola, Microsoft, Twitter, Memorial Sloan Kettering and DDB Worldwide. Kelly co-created an initiative with the Center for Decision Research at the Booth School at the University of Chicago, The Second Science Project, that looks at behavioral science through the lens of improvisation. He also hosts the podcast, “Getting to Yes, And,” for Second City Works and WGN radio that features interviews with academics, authors and leaders such as Brene Brown, Adam Grant, Michael Lewis, Lindy West, Ash Carter and Amy Edmondson. For over twenty years, Kelly oversaw Second City's live theatrical divisions where he helped generate original productions with such talent as Tina Fey, Stephen Colbert, Amy Poehler, Seth Meyers, Steve Carell, Keegan-Michael Key, Amy Sedaris, Adam McKay and others. In 2019, Arts Alliance Illinois awarded Kelly and his wife Anne Libera with their Creative Voice Award. Twitter.com/KLSecondCity Paul Vato is an on camera and voice actor, improvisor, podcaster and entrepreneur. Connect with Paul Vato: PaulVato.com • VATO.tv • y.at/

Kelly Leonard is the Executive Director of Insights and Applied Improvisation at The Second City. He began his Second City career in 1988, eventually becoming producer of Second City in 1992 and Executive Vice President through 2015. He has produced hundreds of original revues with talent such as Stephen Colbert, Tina Fey, Keegan Michael Key, Seth Meyers and Amy Poehler. His book, "Yes, And," received rave reviews in Vanity Fair and the Washington Post. What role did his father play in pursuing a career in arts/entertainment? How did he go from being a dishwasher to becoming producer of Second City? How can improvisational techniques be used to improve romantic relationships? Listen in to hear the answers to these questions as well as learn who shot JR. Buy Yes, And, Amazon: https://amzn.to/3NKhwUI Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9780062248541 Connect with Kelly Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/klsecondcity Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/klsecondcity/ Website: https://www.secondcity.com/people/kelly-leonard+ Connect with Mike Website: https://uncorkingastory.com/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSvS4fuG3L1JMZeOyHvfk_g Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uncorkingastory/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/uncorkingastory Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/uncorkingastory LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/uncorking-a-story/

Welcome back all! Today I am going to be exploring more into my new found passion of Improv comedy classes and why I am here to tell all of you, to try one out in your own hometown. On episode 158 I delved into some deep content about facing your fears and sitting with discomfort. I directly referenced Phil and I pushing past our awkwardness and joining Improv classes. It turns out I wasn't quite done with the subject, and in fact will probably record another podcast about how to make meaningful relationships as you age, which Improv will be involved in that discussion as well. What can I say... When I am into something... I am INTO it. :) Aside from being a fun activity to participate in, Improv has helped me personally communicate better with others, and myself. My brain feels sharper than it has in years, and Phil and I's communication has improved A LOT. We always considered ourselves great at talking, but have realized over the years that you can be great at talking, but NOT at communicating. We talk over one another. We blame and judge. We get defensive. We assume and project. I am sure we are not the only ones. When you are with someone for a long period of time you develop habits, and patterns. These habits became apparent to me when we started taking Improv together and began working through some practices and games. We weren't listening outside of class as well as we could have been. Improv helped us pause and instead of waiting for our turn to speak, to really listen to what the other was saying. It also revealed long standing patterns of blame. If we were in a scene together, we instantly fell into "Well, you didn't do this." or "Why are you blaming me? You weren't there either!." Sort of scenario. Those negative emotions were easy to access as we built our pretend world for a scene. For example- A married couple at a furniture store that can't agree on a couch. Normal, right? Let me be clear here in saying that Improv comedy classes didn't entirely solve our problems. I am not saying it is therapy or a replacement for therapy. It just offered a lovely way of actually PRACTICING how to communicate better. You learn from therapy and discover how to better communicate. You may notice your own patterns or you might read concepts from books on how to shift the way you communicate. You read it, but to actually put these good habits into practice in a fun way allows you to shine light on where they pop up and strengthen better communication muscles so that you deeply know it. It was shortly after our Phil and I's first few classes that we began to unfold. The blame game disappeared. We were listening to one another AND then most beautiful thing happened naturally... We were playing again. Truly playing. This past year with the death of my sister Nina has been a rough one, and I have actively been rediscovering how to play and find joy. Life is hard. It is dark, and it can sometimes be easy to stay dark. It is hard to be playful after tragedy, but man is it needed. We began being lighter and not just in class. The affects lingered on throughout the week and seeped into our days and evenings, and we could not wait until the following week to play again with our new found friends! At least for us Improv classes are pure childlike joy. It is like camp for adults! Wanna try it? Let's chat with a veteran on the show! I am excited to announce that I have a guest for today's show, something I haven't had in over a year and a half! Feels good to speak to another human on MOTM. On today's episode I bring on Justin Borak. Justin is an Improv teacher and actor, and has worked in Chicago for several years performing in shows at Second City, iO, and the Annoyance. Some popular and prestigious Improv hot spots around the country. I am so excited to chat with him about how he thinks Improv spurs creativity and playfulness, how he thinks Dungeons and Dragons blends so well with Improv Comedy, and how inclusive it is in different cities. We also discuss how diverse of a crew you get when you join a class. Age, race, all walks of life join in these classes and it is a delightful way to expand your perspective and friend group. We also walk you into your first improv class and tells you what to expect, so you don't have to be nervous. This is me trying to break down what happens in a typical class for all those who are curious but are really scared to walk into something crazy. It is harder to write, so listen to the episode to get a better idea. A Typical First Improv Class- You sit in the chairs waiting for everyone to arrive. Maybe you say hi to someone, maybe you don't. The instructor introduces him/herself and they have everyone then stand in a circle and play some games. Most of these games are typical icebreaker games. Remembering people's names, passing the red ball around, Zip, Zap, Zop. They are games that are played and learned very quickly and intended to warm you up, to allow you to get comfortable so that you soon realize you are just having fun like you used to do when you were a kid. No pressure or expectation, only fun. After that they may explain how Improv works, you might do some quick short practices with others. One of my most favorite practices the instructor lead early on - It was myself and another classmate on stage. The instructions were that we were making a bed together, and we couldn't talk until the instructor tells us to. We start and just begin to act out making a bed. Folding sheets, fluffing pillows, etc. The real subject of this scene isn't the bed though it is the relationship between the characters and what is going on. What is their relationship to each other. Is the body language angry, happy, sad? I liked the exercise because when you begin Improv it is hard to find words. Silence is easier and it relaxed me. It allowed me to use my body to express how I was feeling. On your first class you may also start to delve into something called Monologue Deconstruction. I like to think of this as basically storytelling time. The audience throws out a word. Say "Beach." and one person comes forward to tell a story that relates somehow to a beach. Trying to add in as much detail as possible. Then from this story and the details, the classmates start to create scenes. That is about it, folks. Sound scary? It shouldn't. I have honestly found the most easy going people to be in my Improv classes. Everyone there is showing up to have a good time and learn some fun and funky new skill. Creativity sparks because everyone is showing up for one another to build the best scene possible. It is the ultimate co-op game where everyone wins. You ready to try it? YOU SHOULD! Better yet, bring your partner, friend or family member along with you and watch your communication start to evolve and your playfulness ignite!   Yoga Sailing Retreats for 2023 Registration is OPEN!!! Thailand- April 8th to the 15th Croatia August 26th to the 2nd Sardinia and Corsica- Sept 2nd to the 9th. - 2 spots left! Don't miss out on your chance to sail with me next year because I am not sure if I will be hosting sailing retreats in 2024 or 2025. ALSO if you can't roll with me overseas this year, stay local! My friend Elizabeth Craig and I are hosting a women onlyTransformation Retreat near Pittsburgh. Sept 8-11th. Registration is now open and Early Birds Registration ends on June 30th. This retreat is for the awakening woman, and we want you with us. Choose from a 2 or 3 day retreat for your busy schedule. This episode is sponsored by Steel City Improv. "Steel City Improv Theater teaches and performs Long-Form improv comedy. In long-form improvisation, a group of improvisers take one suggestion from the audience and perform an entirely made-up show, complete with multiple scenes, characters, and ridiculous spectacles, bound only by its creators' imaginations. Steel City Improv Theater (a.k.a. the SCIT), teaches Applied Improvisation. The SCIT knows that improv classes make you more than just funny.  By applying the principles of improv to your life,  you can become a better parent, mentor, entrepreneur, employee and friend.  Improv teaches you to deal with the unexpected in life. You become a better listener, more positive person, and improve your ability to truly live in the moment. Steel City Improv Theater's philosophy is best summed up in three words: “Listen. Commit. Play.” The SCIT combined the best practices from improv training found at New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles improv theaters into the SCIT Philosophy. Listening can be a hard skill to master, but, by staying in the moment can open up a world of possibilities. Accepting others' ideas is difficult, but committing to our own ideas can be an even bigger challenge. With improv training, we learn to break through the inner critic that normally stops us. With a sense of play, we find an endless sense of possibility and inspiration. When our teammates have that same sense of imagination, it makes the word “failure” seem less scary and more exciting. For a safe space to step out of your comfort zone, come listen, commit, and play at Steel City Improv Theater!"        

On the podcast today we delve into the importance of putting the audience first, dissect the rules of improv and when to break them, and analyze how knowing one's (and other's) strengths and weaknesses is a gateway to success. Initially hired by Dick Chudnow as a ballet-parker at CSz Milwaukee in 1997, Dave Nelsen would go on to be a player, referee, workshop instructor, and Applied Improvisation facilitator. He's also a copyeditor who does business as The Grammar Geek—but more importantly, he's married to the host of The ComedySportz Podcast, Christine “Rolo” Capriolo. 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.

Anne Libera, Director of Comedy Studies, The Second City, and Kelly Leonard, Executive Director of Learning & Applied Improvisation, Second City Works and host of the “Getting to Yes, And” podcast, join John Williams to talk about a new class at Northwestern University that Anne is teaching which is based on Suneel Gupta’s book, “Backable.”

Fear– An unpleasant often strong emotion caused by anticipation or awareness of danger. We are not immune to fear. It comes to us like waves and is usually unwelcome. There are global fears such as the war in Ukraine, global warming, food shortages, death. Death of a loved one, or our own amount of time on this spinning globe. I will touch on some of that later, but today I want to tackle some fears that we ourselves can have control over to allow us to stretch outside our comfort zones, try new things, and find peace and joy in our lives. Fear stems from uncertainty and doubt. How do we face it? We have to sit with discomfort. “Never be afraid of not knowing, find out” Discomfort- make (someone) feel uneasy, anxious, or embarrassed The internet has become something that has made us more afraid than ever and extremely comfortable being more than an arms length away from coming face to face with our discomfort. Discomfort is why most of us never face our fears or step outside of our comfort zones. Think about it. Who wants to feel uneasy, anxious or embarrassed… nobody. The problem is when we avoid these feelings we create a bubble of safety around us that isolates us and keeps us fixed in our habits, patterns and zone of comfort. Let's look at an example of this. You get invited to a party, and at first you have every intention of going. You knew what you were going to wear, what to bring. You looked forward to seeing some friends you haven't connected with in a while. The day of the party comes and you suddenly think to yourself. “What if I don't know anyone there? What if nobody talks to me? Staying home and watching The Durrells in Corfu sounds amazing, I don't have to go. Nobody will miss me.” Now, I am not saying that a little couch introvert time isn't needed by all of us, but I am sure there have been situations where you wanted to attend an event, and discomfort or fear of the unknown held you back. In order to conquer and face our fear we must push past discomfort. It takes a leap of faith to delve into uncertainty… How do we deal with uncertainty? “The unknown is just something we don't know yet.” This statement is 100 percent fact. Uncertainty is just having doubts about the unknown. Not knowing something gives people anxiety, it fuels self doubt, and ultimately makes them feel self-conscious and uncomfortable. Think about it. If you know a subject very well, you would be happy to speak about it. Someone gives you a topic you know nothing about, and suddenly you are freaking out. All that is, is you learning about the topic! How incredibly powerful is that fact?! That you have the power to shed your fears by learning what you don't know. It is simple, yet something we overlook due to massive amount of distraction. Our minds have power over our joy and happiness, it just takes some discomfort getting there. Here are some personal examples of this… I decided to push Phil's and I's boundaries this year by signing us up for Improv Comedy Classes. Getting Phil to go was not an easy feat. He was ridiculously upset that I signed us up. He didn't want to be put on display. When I finally convinced him to go, he was miserable, and extremely anxious the entire two hours before we went, acting like a 10 year old that is being dragged to church. Once we arrived, he was fine. I even caught him smiling a couple times. The second class was the same, only this time I caught him laughing. Third class he was beginning to loosen up on stage, having more fun with it. Now he looks forward to our classes, and goes to shows every weekend! It is a new hobby he never would have discovered if he wasn't brave enough to try and learn this new skill, make new friends ands with his discomfort. He now knows the process. He knows people who are going to be there, and he is more confident because he is starting to understand improv and open up communication with others. I use Phil because he is a classic example of someone who was extremely uncomfortable with showing up for something new, BUT after going for a while, now loves it! Improv has since improved our communication with one another, we laugh and joke more, listen more, and has brought increased joy and playfulness back into our lives. Hence, why they are sponsoring this episode. Do you have a something like this in your life? Something you know you would love, but you avoid because of the discomfort or fear of going? How do we move past these feelings? I actually encourage you to ask for help on this one. Working up the nerve to do things alone can be intimidating, but I know there are people out there that probably feel the exact same way and would love to join you on your new fear busting journey. FRIENDS are the key to helping you overcome your fears. Try this… Grab a piece of paper or a journal and write down- A list of fears that you have. At least three activities or experiences you have always wanted to try but haven't due to discomfort. A lists of friends or family that would help you overcome this fear or complete something you want to do. Now comes the hard part of pushing past your discomfort and ASKING them to help you achieve the results you want which can look like- Having them do some research on the subject and explaining it to you. Asking them to listen as you talk openly about your fears to them. Asking them to go with you to a class or adventure so you don't have to go alone. I too need those people in my life to help me break past my comfort zones and face some anxieties and fear. For all of us will just require some vulnerability on your part asking for help, which is never easy. I promise you that if you sit with your discomfort a bit, you will find the root cause and possibly overcome it. Doing this will not only allow you to try something new, but will create a more meaningful relationships with that friend because they will feel honored that you asked them for help with this. Instant joy! “Sometimes happiness is not knowing the whole story” On the flip side of learning about your fears to become comfortable and more certain, there is also the possibility that you will never have understanding, or even want to know something about the larger questions of our existence. Death, uncertainty and what will the future bring cause pain and anxiety in all of us. In this case. Sitting with your uncertainty and accepting that everything will work out IS possible. It is when we are in a state of calm peace that the nagging uncertainty removes itself from our lives and we become open to possibilities and not worry about what we can't control. How do we accomplish this? For me, it was through self care. Self care in the form of movement, meditation, therapy, shadow work. This is all very healing work, and the goal of all of it is to find stillness which leads to happiness because you are pulling yourself into the present moment. It is why I love teaching meditation with my students. I know what that restlessness feels like, and it isn't pretty. You feel trapped in it and it feels endless. It creates negative emotions, judgement, fear, and of course… uncertainty, discomfort and doubt. If we can all learn to sit with our emotions and bring awareness to the surface, peace CAN be found. In the end…we have this one life, and that is a gift. We should soak in every minute of it and try and spread happiness. That joy starts within by sitting with discomfort. Recent Personal Experiences in Conquering Fear, Change, and Uncertainty I am on my own personal journey of exploring wishes, dreams, and experiences that I had either left aside in my younger years, or never stepped up to the plate to try. So often as adults life has influenced our opinions about what we LOVE to do. It becomes blurry, and habitual. We can sometimes forget the dreams we had when we were younger. Through deep meditation, and journaling work, almost a year later, and I now have my list of what truly fills my cup, and what is preprogrammed to look like it does. (But it doesn't… happy hour anyone?) After I had my list I began digging into my fears, and traumas. There was a ton of discomfort through that process, but it uncovered a lot for me and is leading me to finding more joy, peace and meaning in my life. It is opening up doors to allow me pursue my passion of helping others lead their lives from their hearts. If you are ready to grow, break some boundaries, and open your heart to lead your life with joy feel free to ask me about my classes or my new Marta on the Move Mentorship program. I would love to hear about something you were fearful or uncomfortable with that you pushed past and overcame. Send me an email and tell me all about it for inspiration

How can improv and communication skills translate to a more creative, compassionate and empathetic environment in the healthcare setting? Listen as we explore the why and how of better listening, empathetic communication, being others focused with Kelly Leonard, the Executive Director of Learning and Applied Improvisation at Second City Works. Additionally, Kelly shares how his own personal and professional journeys have shaped his thoughts around empathy, communication and resiliency.