Podcasts about improv nerd

In this throwback, If This Is True would like to introduce you to Jimmy Carrane, the master of the art of slow comedy. Jimmy has worked and taught at the Second City, iO, and is a founding member of the Annoyance. He was also in the original cast of the Armando at iO! He has written two books, Improv Therapy, and Improvising Better: A Guide for the Working Improviser with Liz Allen. Jimmy also hosts the Improv Nerd podcast. He teaches the art of slow comedy nationwide. We talked about improvising better and being a working improviser. Give it a listen!

This week we lost Noah Gregoropoulos. Noah shaped the modern improv landscape as both a teacher and performer, leaving behind an unparalleed legacy at iO Chicago. He was not only one of the most important figures in improv, he was one of the kindest. Dan and Tim take a few minutes to share some memories about a great teacher and a great friend. Here is a great recap of Noah's career and contributions to improv:Chicago Sun-TimesNoah Gregoropoulos dead: Influential Chicago improv ...Noah Gregoropoulos, an influential actor and teacher who helped build the skills of generations of Chicago improvisers, has died at 63Here are two podcasts where Noah gets to dig into theory and shares some wisdom:Improv Nerd with Noah Gregoropoulos I Love Improv with Noah Gregoropoulos

If This Is True would like to reintroduce you to Jimmy Carrane, the master of the art of slow comedy. Jimmy has worked and taught at the Second City, iO, and is a founding member of the Annoyance. He was also in the original cast of the Armando at iO! He has written two books, Improv Therapy, and Improvising Better: A Guide for the Working Improviser with Liz Allen. Jimmy also hosts the Improv Nerd podcast. He teaches the art of slow comedy nationwide. We talked about improvising better and being a working improviser. 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

If This Is True would like to introduce you to Jimmy Carrane, the master of the art of slow comedy. Jimmy has worked and taught at the Second City, iO, and is a founding member of the Annoyance. He was also in the original cast of the Armando at iO! He has written two books, Improv Therapy, and Improvising Better: A Guide for the Working Improviser with Liz Allen. Jimmy also hosts the Improv Nerd podcast. He teaches the art of slow comedy nationwide. We talked about improvising better and being a working improviser. 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

Produced By: Improv CincinnatiSpecial Guest: Jimmy CarraneHosts: Brenden Davis, Colin ThorntonEditing: Brenden DavisIntro Theme and Bumper Music: Daniel ZimmerLogo and Artwork: Tone BransonSponsored By: Oozebear

The Improv Comedy Connection kicks off Season 2 with Jimmy Carrane! Jimmy and Whit discuss what the early days of improv can teach us about the art form today, what the Art of Slow Comedy is all about, and how to grow in your career. Jimmy’s perspective on improv is an important one, given his many contributions to the art and his history going back to his time in iO, the Annoyance, his time with Jazz Freddy, work with Del Close, his podcast, Improv Nerd, his books (Improvising Better and Improv Therapy) and his award winning Art of Slow Comedy workshops and intensives. It’s a long list, and that’s not all of it! Be sure to check out Jimmy’s website at www.jimmycarrane.com for further information, his blog, schedule for his classes, and so much more. And if you haven’t already, you’ll want to check out the Improv Nerd podcast which can also be found just about anywhere you’d get your podcasts.

The Potatoes is the bonus episode Jake and Josh put out every week where they talk improv theory and answer questions from the listeners concerning improv, teaching improv and (trying to be) funny. This week, we have improv teammates and co-authors of the book Pirate Robot Ninja: an Improv Fable, Will Hines & Billy Merritt on the show! Will and Billy have been teaching improv for decades on both coasts, and they share exercises they've been obsessed with lately, strategies for being a good voice of reason in scenes, and how to be a good teammate. This episode of The POTATOES is free, but all the rest can be found on our Patreon page - www.patreon.com/themeatimprov For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy ( https://www.acast.com/privacy ) Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-meat-improv-with-jake-jabbour-and-josh-simpson/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In this latest episode of Improv Nerd, UCB's Billy Merritt talks about his new book, Pirate Robot Ninja; An Improv Fable, which he co-wrote with Will Hines. Jimmy talks to Billy about what it means to be a Pirate or a Robot in improv, the "four pillars" of doing a good improv scene, and what the "game of the scene" means to him.

From our new weekly podcast The Potatoes where we talk improv approach and technique. This week we talk to Sarah Claspell about balancing the silly with the grounded. Sarah talks leaning on her grounding approach to playing with Cardinal Redbird and how she teaches to that. We also talk weird world scenes, how to take the set-up from first beats to heightened silliness in the second and third beats. Other topics include how to embrace improv styles and approaches that aren't your own, justification and some exercises for grounding the silliness. The POTATOES episodes are now part of the $5 Patreon subscription, which you can join at www.patreon.com/themeatimprov For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy ( https://www.acast.com/privacy ) Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-meat-improv-with-jake-jabbour-and-josh-simpson/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Josh and Jake have launched a 2nd weekly podcast called The Potatoes where they talk about improv approaches and techniques. This week the boys discuss episode 158 with Mike McLendon & Greg Gallant. Topics covered include starting in weird or absurd worlds, making sure you have the right take on something, and the concept of idiots over assholes. These POTATOES episodes will eventually become part of the $5 patreon subscription, which you can join at www.patreon.com/themeatimprov For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy ( https://www.acast.com/privacy ) Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-meat-improv-with-jake-jabbour-and-josh-simpson/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Emma and Zorric invite Josh Schneider, Software Developer, Improv Nerd, and Nerd in General, to talk about dating as a single dad. What is his approach to dating? They interview him about his writing on The Medium. How does he get the inspiration to write articles? Zorric finally reads “He's Just Not That Into You” […]

About The Guest   In the push and pull of everyday life, and the endless choices we have as creative entrepreneurs, artists and comics. It’s tempting to lose sight of your call, and your reason for living. Today's guest will share his story of listening and staying true to his call with Improv comedy. He has a habit of guilting himself, shaming himself and even comparing himself to his colleagues.   I’m here with Jimmy Carrane. Jimmy is an Impovisor. He is the host of The Improv Nerd podcast.   Not only is Jimmy an excellent podcast host he is also The author of a book titled “Improv therapy.” Which is all about getting out of your own way to become a better improvised.   He’s an improv teacher based out of Chicago. His class is called the art of slow comedy.   But above else jimmy is a father to a beautiful young lads I’ve ever seen on Facebook. And there’s a ton of cute kid competition that’s on there so that’s quite the accomplishment. Jimmy just has some incredible baby making genes.     Because Jimmy has experienced it all- alcoholism, sexual abuse, neglect from family & been through some really dark times.   My hope is for someone to feel a little less alone after listening to jimmys story. Stay updated on new episodes, guest interviews, health, and wellness information and resources by subscribing to the Scratch Your Own Itch on iTunes. Three days a week we bring you actionable insight, demystified truth, and simple steps to help you navigate the complex, often confusing health, wellness, and occasionally fitness information and answer the questions you’ve been asking.   Read more at Logantylernelson.com

In this segment in the third hour of The Tomorrow Show with Betsy and Skip, returning replacement host Jack Linder helms the trends segment where everything is about Pumpkin Spice...including the guests - catering couple Candy and Robin talk about everything pumpkin spice including fried turkey, Kraft singles, and how to make the perfect pumpkin spice taco.  

Cam and Rhea talk Tinder, Montreal and avocados. Sets from M.K. Paulsen, Ella Gale, Raj Sivaraman and Shane Torres. Don’t miss an episode! Subscribe @ smarturl.it/pyht Like what you hear? Check out Improv Nerd @ smarturl.it/improvnerd Oh! Check out our survey @ smarturl.it/feralsurvey

Hollywood "star" Susie Chuppa Chuppa stands in for Betsy and Skip in the "Film Cranks" segment of The Tomorrow Show where the panel of experts review the new Hollywood romcom "Tulips on My Grundle". 

[vc_row full_width="stretch_row" content_placement="top" equal_height="yes" parallax="content-moving-fade" slider_images="12004" slider_animation="fadeZoom" overlay_color="rgba(0,0,0,0.2)" css=".vc_custom_1512315432253{background-position: center;background-repeat: no-repeat;background-size: contain !important;}" anchor_link="top"][vc_column width="2/3" offset="vc_col-lg-offset-2"][rowshape type="rowshape_4" position="bottom" height="30" color="#2b272c"][rowshape type="rowshape_4" position="bottom" height="50" color="rgba(166,115,81,0.6)"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width="stretch_row" anchor_link="intro" css=".vc_custom_1451644722488{padding-top: 60px !important;padding-bottom: 100px !important;}"][vc_column][vc_empty_space height="15px"][vc_column_text]"Jimmy Carrane is an improviser, teacher, and creator/host of “The Improv Nerd with Jimmy Carrane” Podcast, and last week he sat down with me on a beautiful Chicago morning to chat with me about his improv and performing philosophies. Featuring great teaching tools, the value of details and specificity vs. frantic invention, long-form scenic improv vs. short-form games (like on Whose Line Is It, Anyway?), a fantastic theatrical moment, the greatness of live improv, and the difference between — and value of — both the process and the product. (Length 19:52)[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

It's Tuesday and... Jimmy Carrane is our guest! Jimmy Carrane was not raised by wolves. He did, however, grow up in a house where he wasn't encouraged to express himself. This is very similar to being raised by wolves except wolves always get to be wolves. Except when they're in sheep's clothing. The good news is, Jimmy's early years as a non-wolf in non-expressive clothing changed in 1986 when a chubby, insecure, 19-year-old Jimmy drove his parent's Buick Station wagon to Chicago. In Chicago, he didn't find wolves. (Frankly, he was done with the wolf metaphors.) He did, however, find improv. And while he didn't quite know it, that station wagon landed him square at the beginning of an over 30-year journey as a comedian, performer, and teacher. His improv studies and performances began among a legion of legendary misfits at The Second City and iO Chicago (then known as Improv Olympics). Jimmy also became one of the original members of The Annoyance Theater. Years later, he would return to teach at all three theaters, excited to share his experiences and guide a new generation of performers through the art of improvisation. During his team tenure, Jimmy was a member of Jazz Freddy, Carl and the Passions, and the original cast of Armando at iO Chicago. He also created one of the first two-person improv shows, “Naked” co-starring Stephanie Weir. From teams to a duo and finally to solo performance, Jimmy's performing career evolved. He wrote and performed his own one-man shows, such as the hit “I Am 27, I Still Live at Home and Sell Office Supplies” and “Living in Dwarf's House.” Jimmy's improv took him into interviewing on public radio in Chicago, where he was the host of Studio 312 and talked to everyone from Conan O'Brian to Cindy Crawford. He co-wrote Improvising Better: A Guide for the Working Improviser with Liz Allen and is the author of Improv Therapy. He is also the host of the podcast Improv Nerd on FeralAudio. Jimmy teaches his award-winning Art of Slow Comedy classes and workshops in Chicago and across the country. As a corporate trainer, Jimmy has worked with Fortune 500 companies, salespeople and advertising agencies to bring the art of improv to the workplace. Rounding out his performance résumé are film and TV credits in such productions as Public Enemies, The Playboy Club, Natural Born Killers, The Untouchables, ER, Early Edition and a (metric) ton of independent films. He lives in Evanston, Illinois with his wife, Lauren, and their cat, Coco, whom they call Moosh Moosh for no apparent reason. When he's not teaching or traveling to teach or traveling to the airport so he can travel to teach, Jimmy loves sports movies because they make him cry. If you ever catch him stomping his left foot, he's not killing a spider. That's how he laughs. For relaxation, he likes to go to grocery stores or talk on the phone with his older brother, Bobby, about grocery stores.

Rachel Dratch is best known for her seven seasons on SNL. She recently returned to Chicago for the Chicago Improv Festival, where she recorded this live episode of Improv Nerd on the Second City Main Stage. Jimmy talks to her about how she built her confidence as an improviser, how the slow times in her career have turned into great projects, and of course, SNL.

Jonathan Pitts is the executive director of the Chicago Improv Festival, which he founded 20 years ago. In this interview, Jimmy gets an Improv Nerd exclusive -- Jonathan tells Jimmy what he's going to do after this year's festival -- and they talk about how Chicago has been able to stay relevant as an improv mecca and Jonathan's experience working with David Shepherd.

Scott Adsit played Pete on NBC's "30 Rock" for seven seasons and is an alumni of The Second City, where he was part of the ground-breaking show "Pinata Full of Bees." In this episode, which celebrated Improv Nerd's 5-year anniversary and was recorded at The Chicago Podcast Festival, Scott talks about meeting Paul McCartney, why he still loves to improvise and what Jimmy was like when they both started taking improv classes at Columbia College in Chicago.

In today's episode, Jason and Jimmy talk about podcasting, coaching, and how to capitalize on a trip to New York in this insightful, fun, and encouraging chat. It's a good listen for improv instructors and coaches as Jimmy really delves into what one can do to make the most out of leading a group. The trick is in letting them lead you. As with many things in life, the improv fundamental of agreement always helps. Listen as Jimmy exemplifies that in this rich chat with Jason. For more on Jimmy, what he's doing, and how you can be instructed by him go to http://jimmycarrane.com/ and for his podcast, Improv Nerd, go to http://www.feralaudio.com/show/improv-nerd/ Twitter: @Improv_Nerd, @ThereItIsPod, @JasonFarrJokes Facebook: @ImprovNerdPodcast, @ThereItIsPod

Yes, ‘tis I – Marc Hershon – your host and former-prizefighter-now-casino-greeter for Epi140 of Succotash, the Comedy Soundcast Soundcast. And, as you heard in the opening introduction by our esteemed booth announcer Bill Heywatt, our carpet now match the drapes. That is to say, we’ve got “soundcast” replacing the outmoded “podcast” just about everywhere we can. Special thanks to our engineer/producer Joe Paulino for making that happen. LA PODFEST As I drop this ‘sode, I’m heading to the 5th Annual Los Angeles Podcast Festival! Exciting, indeed. I shall be in attendance all three days, more or less. Holding down space in the Podcast Lab to interview just as many folks as I can. And I will be moderating the panel on Journalism and Podcast on Sunday, Supetember 26th, at 2 PM. We’ve got Phoebe Judge and Lauren Spohrer, the host and producer of the Criminal soundcast and Jefferson Graham from USA Today. Should be a lively discussion. Which you can listen in on! They’re going to be livestreaming the Podfest this year at http://LAPodfest.com and I can get you a special deal. That’s right. They want $25 from you BUT they’ve given me a discount code to give to Succotash listeners. So click on the link and enter HUFFINGTON as your code and they’re knock five bucks off the price. PLUS they’ll kick us a little chunk just because you used our code to get there! Here’s a link that takes you right in - https://podfest2016.eventbrite.com/?discount=HUFFINGTON CLIPS This is an installment of Succotash Clips and we have a whole rack of snippets for you. Some I picked, some were harvested by our associate producer Tyson Saner and at least one was uploaded directly from the soundcasters themselves. We’ll be hearing from The Answering Machine Podcast, the Big Question Podcast, Cave Crew Radio, Changes In Latitude, Dark Odyssey, Droids Canada, Ear Goggles, Improv Nerd, My Favorite Murder, No Such Thing As A Fish and The Unwritable Rant. OTHER STUFF We’ve also got a double dose of our Burst O’ Durst, courtesy of our friend, political comic, and social commentator Will Durst. In celebration of Fall, there’s a song from our friend Abner Serd all about apples. THE CLIPS Improv NerdI decided to do some double duty this episode and clips the same shows that I reviewed this past week for Splitsider.com and the Huffington Post. First up is Improv Nerd with Jimmy Carrane, a great improvisor and teacher from the Chicago area. He interviews some tremendous improv talent on his podcast and just this last week he dropped an episode interviewing always funny and jst slightly off TJ Miller. In this snippet he talks about creating his character of Erlich Backman on the HBO series, Silicon Valley. Cave Crew RadioWe get a lot of Twitter retweet love from Choo Choo Stu from Cave Creek Radio, the internet radio show and soundcast, so high time we sliced off a hunk, thanks to Tyson. In addition to Stu from London, there’s Sir Big B, outta New York, and Mr. Wednesday Night from Ontario, Canada. The clip we have is from Cave Crew Radio’s highest rated episode on iTunes, Epi6, entitled “Smells like Urine Sushi”, and it’s a section when the hosts and guest on the show chat with the woman who inspired the meme “McScuse Me”. Ear GogglesLast episode I mentioned in the Tweetsack segment that I got a an upload from the gang at the defunct Ear Goggles soundcast. Well, guess what? They are defunct no longer — Jeremy Grater, Aaron Ristrow, and Stacy Black are back! Jeremy said they just couldn’t stay away and are recording 12 weeks of episodes, then they’ll take a break, do another 12 in the Spring, and so forth. The clip they sent us was from a special drop they did this summer to announce their return. My Favorite MurderFor Splitsider.com’s This Week In Comedy Podcasts column I recently reviewed the soundcast which is at the top of the iTunes Comedy chart: My Favorite Murder, with comedians Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark. If you like your murder flashbacks delivered with a healthy dose of humor and a side of squeamishness, you have coem to the right place. The hosts do their homework and delve into cases that are sometimes fairly recent and sometimes back in the dusty archives. Most recently they looked at the unfortunately murder of a college law student named Jane Mixer and her death at the hands of supposedly a serial killer who was dubbed the Co-Ed Killer. Turns out that, years later, DNA pointed the musty finger of justice at another joker who was incarcerated for the crime. Here’s a sample of Karen and Georgia’s witty back-and-forth… Changes In Latitudes: A Transgender ExperienceEver since Succotash began about five and half years ago, one of our staunchest supporters and loyal listeners has been Charley Miller, who said he was partly inspired to start his Random Variety Show soundcast. A lot has changed in five years. Charley now goes by the name Charley Sabrina Miller and describes herself as a 40-something transgenderqueer fem-person, and hosts a soundcast called Changes in Latitude: A Transgender Experience. It’s Charley’s stream-of-consciousness journey that she takes us on through life, self-discovery, relationships and beyond. Doctor Who Dark OdysseyI have to confess to being a little mixed up about a clip I played in the last Succotash Clips show. It was from a show called Doctor Who Dark Journey. THAT was actually a serious take or homage to Doctor Who — sort of audio fan fiction, I think. The same folks responsible for that also put out their own spoof called Doctor Who Dark Odyssey, which stars Atweh Atweh, Paul Thomas Manz, Jason Gray, Merrin Lalonde and which is – according to the email I got with their direct upload to us — “Dark Odyssey is a take on Doctor Who as if it were produced for audio in America with basically everything wrong about it! Our American Doctor shoots, swears and shags!” So what we have is a clip from a parody of a ripoff of Doctor Who. I think. Still confused. No Such Thing As A FishThere’s a very popular BBC TV panel show in Britain called QI, which stands for Quite Interesting, hosted by Alan Davies and Stephen Fry, in which the point is to just be interesting. And entertaining. Interesting and entertaining. Now the researchers for the show — because it’s got loads of trivia in it — are four folks called the “QI Elves” because they look everything up — have gone and started a soundcast called No Such Thing As A Fish. Simple format – each of the elves, who as named Dan, James, Anna, and Andy, take turns kicking off a segment with a favorite fact for the week. The others then chime in with facts and tidbits related to that fact. The episode that I reviewed for Splitsider.com features them talking about something called “train jam”. Answering Machine PodcastTyson found us a really interesting soundcast I hadn’t heard before. It’s called the Answering Machine Podcast, and its tells a story all based on a series of answering machine messages left for a woman named Lila Rose. Created by Sara Polton, who voices Lila, there’s a big cast of people who leave the messages. The Unwritable RantThe last of my review podcasts from last week was featured in Huffington Post Entertainment. It’s The Unwritable Rant from Juliette Miranda, who is a writer and an essayist — kinda the same thing, right? — and she’s clearly a monologist as well. We’ve certainly had some terrific shows from dudes who can riff all by themselves, like Bill Burr and Greg Proops. But there haven’t been a lot of soundcasts like that from women. So give a listen to Juliette… Droids CanadaThe gang from a show called Droids Canada got a clip to us through our direct upload link, at http://hightail.com/u/Succotash. About the show they say, “Based out of the Niagara Region in Canada this geeky pop culture show features blunt, comedic and outrageous behavior that occurs on every episode! Hosts Mr. J, AJ (and other rotating hosts Gabbypool, Dr. Stevil, DanMo and DJ Johnny Rock) cover current hot TV shows, comic book movie reviews, fan made things, interviews and any geek other related topic they can get their hands on.” This clip features guest James O’Barr, creator of The Crow. Big QuestionAre you happy? That’s the Big Question that gets kicked around in Epi49 of the English soundcast Big Question. Hosts are Pete, Maria, Gary, Kay and Rocchi, plus they often have guests. Tyson, who snipped this clip, didn’t tell me if there were guests so I guess that’s MY big question. Let’s just listen… SOUNDCAST OR DIE To celebrate the kickoff of our grassroots campaign to change the term “podcast” to “soundcast” in as many places as we can, feel free to drop by the Succotashery via our homesite, http://SuccotashShow.com, and pick up some merch emblazoned with our name, Succotash, and the magic words, “The Comedy Soundcast Soundcast” directly beneath it. It’s on shirts, hats, coffee mugs and more. That's all for now - how to see you at the LA Podfest this weekend or at least know that you're out there listening! — Marc Hershon

This is our 200th episode of Improv Nerd! To acknowledge this milestone, we have compiled 15 of our favorite past guests' advice for people who are going into improv or comedy today. You will hear wisdom from people like Adam McKay, the ladies from Broad City, Lauren Lapkus, TJ and Dave, Jill Soloway, Bob Odenkirk, Jon Favreau and more. Take a listen!

Ep.144: Everything is staying out of the way of "Batman v. Superman", so The Movie Guys preview one limited release film, "Everybody Wants Some", then they make up a few. Plus, a round of "in theaters now...still" and guest Jimmy Carrane of the Improv Nerd podcast sits in the whole show for some in-depth talk about improv and movies. The Movie Guys are Paul Preston, Karen Volpe, Adam Witt & Bart Kias Like good movie talk? Please subscribe! www.themovieguys.net @TheMovieGuys Vimeo.com/themovieguys iTunes: bit.ly/1l0hCpG Tumblr: themovieguys.tumblr.com/ Instagram.com/themovieguys Youtube.com/user/TheMovieGuysOnline

In this episode of Improv Nerd, Jimmy moderates a panel discussion on the issue of sexual harassment in improv, which has become a very heated discussion lately throughout the improv community. On the panel is improv teacher Susan Messing, improvisers Julia Weiss and Laura Bowers, former attorney and corporate trainer Ben Capraro and therapist Nadia Greenspan. This episode was taped on Feb. 18 at Green Shirt Studio in Chicago.

Join Jimmy and his trusted staff -- Producer Dan Schiffmacher, Director Sam Bowers and Head of the Interns Lauren Carrane -- as they sit down to discuss their favorite episodes of Improv Nerd from the past year.

In this latest episode of Improv Nerd, Jimmy talks to Scott Morehead of the Second City e.t.c. cast and the Late '90s at iO Chicago. Jimmy talks to him about his journey to a resident company at Second City, asking for what you want and becoming a dad.

In this episode, Jimmy interviews Judy Fabjance, a well-known improv teacher at Second City, who recently created a two-person sketch show called "Tales Of A Stage 4 Cancer" with her wife, Kelly Beeman. The show is based on Judy's struggles with cancer and Kelly's experiences as a caregiver to Judy. In this very moving episode of Improv Nerd, they discuss how they created the show and how they turned something so painful into something so funny.

In this episode, Jimmy brings in a whole bunch of the Improv Nerd team to discuss their favorite moments from 2014. Listen as some of the behind-the-scenes folks talk about exciting times, embarrassing encounters, and what they really think about your host Jimmy Carrane.

Cameron Esposito is a rising star stand-up comic who started out in Chicago and is now the host of the podcast Put Your Hands Together on Feral Audio (home of Improv Nerd!), and the author of the A.V. Club column “Who In the World Is Carmeron Esposito?” In this episode, she takes a break from her busy touring schedule promoting her second comedy album, “Same Sex Symbol,” to chat with Jimmy about engaging with hecklers, the influence of a religious upbringing, comedy's role in her coming out story, and how five years of professional improv impacted her stand-up. Enjoy!

This is the episode of Improv Nerd you've been demanding! Improv legend Susan Messing turns the tables and interviews Jimmy Carrane. Susan pulls no punches and asks Jimmy about his aggressive interview style, the roadblocks to his own happiness, and what the deal is with his Facebook page. Listen in as Susan gets inside the complicated mind of Jimmy Carrane like only she can. Thanks for listening!

David Koechner returns for a special episode of Improv Nerd recorded live at Columbia College in Chicago. Dave opens up about his approaches to scene work, including his methods for never going into a scene empty handed. He also talks about working on Anchor Man 2 and developing his stand-up act. Please enjoy!

Actor and comedian Jeff Garlin returns to Improv Nerd for a really fun interview and improv set. Jeff tells Jimmy about how he turns setbacks into comedy, his relationship with Julia Roberts, and how he manages to stay grounded despite his success. We hope you enjoy this show!

Jamie Campbell was named the best stand-up comic in Chicago by the Chicago Reader in 2013. He's also a gifted improviser who performs regularly at ComedySportz. In this powerful episode, Jamie shares the story of his traumatic childhood and explains how he's been able to mine his experiences for comedy. Listen to Jamie tell his compelling story in this episode of Improv Nerd.

Tawny Newsome is a veteran of The Second City mainstage in Chicago. In 2013, Rolling Stone magazine named her one of ten performers that should be hired by SNL. She's an accomplished actress. She's a talented musician. She's the guest on this week's episode of Improv Nerd!

Susan Messing is an icon of improv comedy and was the guest on the very first episode of Improv Nerd. In this classic episode, we hear the tale of Susan's audition for SNL and about her unconventional path to the main-stage at The Second City. This episode was lost when we made the move to feralaudio.com but is resurrected here for the second anniversary of the show. Enjoy!

Greg Hess joins Jimmy in this episode of Improv Nerd and talks about his recent audition for Saturday Night Live, a pilot he just shot for Comedy Central called Schlub Life, and of course his legendary improv group Cook County Social Club.

Rolling Stone magazine named him one of 10 performers who might end up on SNL this coming season. He performed with Sir Patrick Stewart with both The Second City and The Improvised Shakespeare Company. In this episode of Improv Nerd, he sits down with Jimmy and describes his experiences auditioning for SNL, improvising with Patrick Stewart, and joining the main stage at Second City Chicago. Ladies and gentlemen, Ross Bryant.

Craig Cackowski is an actor, Second City veteran and teacher of improvisation in LA. Craig and Jimmy have an in depth conversation about the both the artform and business of improv. Craig is a master of improvisation who has worked with just about every other master of improvisation. And of course, they discuss it all. What a fun way to celebrate Improv Nerd's 50th episode. Ladies and gentlemen, Craig Cackowski.

       On today’s episode Dave interviews Actor Jimmy Carrane. Jimmy’s the host of Improv Nerd and the co-author of Improvising Better: The Guide to the Working Improviser.          A.D.D. Comedy welcomes Jimmy Carrane!

Jimmy Carrane, aka The Improv Nerd is on the show today! If you’re a Chicago person, you’ll know Jimmy from his many Art of Slow comedy classes. Or if you’re outside of that area you may know him as part of the legendary team Jazz Freddy and his book, Improvising Better: A Guide for the Working Improviser. OR, if you’re a podcast lover or ever check the related podcasts in iTunes next to Improv Obsession, you may know Improv Nerd. Anyway, Jimmy and I talk a bit about slow play. Jimmy also tries to convince me to get dedicated to a team, and I stubbornly say it probably won’t happen. Rate. Subscribe. Comment. Enjoy. Discuss. Love. Live.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In this episode of Improv Nerd, Jimmy sits down with David Pasquesi - one of Chicago's most celebrated improvisers. David discusses his days with Del Close, his partnership with TJ Jagodowski, and what keeps him motivated as an improviser.

There are very few improvisers on the planet that are as respected and admired as TJ Jagodowski. In this episode of Improv Nerd, Jimmy talks with TJ about some the personal tragedy and heartache he has endured, the chemistry that makes TJ & Dave so successful, and how he is able to assess the unique logic that forms the basis of every improv scene.

Listen in as Improv Nerd is overtaken by The Playboys - the dynamic improv group consisting of Susan Messing, Rachael Mason and Kate Duffy. During this episode, we learn about how they came together as a group, their thoughts on going blue and the kinds of things that have always made Kate Duffy laugh since junior high. The stage literally gets drenched in this high energy installment of Improv Nerd.

This episode of Improv Nerd features Dummy, the two person improv team composed of off-stage couple Jason Shotts and Colleen Doyle. In this episode, we hear about how the two met, why fight about improv more than anything else, and what really happened to Del's ashes.

In this episode of Improv Nerd, Jimmy talks and improvises with Middle Age Comeback, two gentlemen otherwise known as Jimmy Carlson and Craig Uhlir. Listen in as we discover how Jim and Craig first met as improv students, why Craig is done sketch work, and why an aspiring performer should stay forever young.

Matt Walsh, co-founder of the Upright Citizens Brigade, stops by the Improv Nerd studio to discuss his new film High Road and his role in HBO's new series Veep with Julia Louis-Dreyfus.

Brian Stack has written for Conan O'Brien for 15 years, creating such memorable characters for the show as Artie Kendall, The Interruptor, and Andy Richter's little sister Stacy. Brian joins Jimmy for this live episode of Improv Nerd where they discuss his life in late night television, Brian's days as a Second City performer, and why it's so easy to be a nice guy in show business.

Jimmy Carrane co-author of Improvising Better ( http://www.amazon.com/Improvising-Better-Guide-Working-Improviser/dp/03…), Host of Studio 312 and his new show Improv Nerd came by. We covered his days on Jazz Freddy, the founding of The Annoyance, The Art of Slow Comedy and more. He may have convinced me that I need therapy. This is a good one. Please tell a friend. Thanks for listening.