Podcasts about second city conservatory

Joe Bill is widely regarded as one of the best teachers of Improvisation in America today. He is one of the founding members of Annoyance Theater Chicago, was the Director of Corporate Training at iO Chicago for 15 years, and a Teacher & Guest Artist in Residence at The Second City Conservatory & Training Center for another 15 years. Joe first practiced improvisation in 1977 and studied and worked with Del Close from 1985 through the mid 90's.Joe is also a Senior Facilitator for The Ariel Group, specializing in Leadership & Personal Presence and Storytelling for Business People. He was the Master Facilitator of the Western U.S. for Ferrazzi Greenlight in their Trusted Advisor Initiative with General Motors from 2015-2016. His clients range from C Level to new hires, in a number of vastly different industries. He is just as comfortable coaching Creative Teams, Corporate Leaders, and Television Stars as he is coaching Engineers, Analysts, and Actuaries.Joe has also been touring internationally as an improvisational performer, teacher, and director for more than 20 years. You can reach him at integratedimprovisation.com. He also has a book coming out soon, called, "Maybe It's Your Fault." Our conversation ranged from basketball theory to CageMatch victories! Don't miss this one! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this captivating episode of Improv and Magic, I welcome the incredibly talented Anděl Sudik for an engaging interview that blends humor, insight, and inspiration. Anděl Sudik, a seasoned improviser, actor, and sketch comedy artist, shares her journey through the world of performance, offering listeners a look at her creative process and career highlights.Anděl Sudik is a veteran of the Chicago sketch and improv scene, known for her work with The Second City Touring Company and Boom Chicago in Amsterdam. With over a decade of experience, she has performed across the U.S. and Europe, earning acclaim for her dynamic stage presence and innovative approach to comedy. As a sought-after teacher and director, Anděl has shaped the next generation of performers through workshops and training programs at prestigious institutions like The Second City Conservatory. Her unique perspective on improvisation makes her a standout figure in the industry.In this episode, Anděl discusses her creative philosophy that emphasizes authenticity and playfulness. She also shares valuable insights into the art of improvisation, offering tips for aspiring performers and seasoned pros alike. This episode promises to entertain and inspire.Learn more about Anděl Sudik at her website, yesandel.com.Be sure to show the podcast some love by giving it a rating and leaving a review!

In this unforgettable episode of Improv and Magic, I welcome the multi-talented Liz Marcucci.Liz is a seasoned comedian, improviser, and real estate agent based in St. Petersburg, Florida. With a rich background in improv, Liz has trained at prestigious institutions like Second City Conservatory, iO Chicago and The Annoyance Theater. She is the founder of the St. Pete Improv Network, and creator of "Who Dis?" show and podcast, which highlights voices from the disability, chronic illness, and mental health communities.In today's episode, Liz Marcucci shares her journey and how she uses her unique experience to connect with audiences and create meaningful art. This episode is sure to leave you inspired.To learn more about Liz Marcucci, visit her website at lizmarcucci.com.And don't forget to rate and review the podcast, and feel free to leave a comment!

Welcome to today's ICYMI, where we kick off the week with a quick game-changing tip from one of our guests that you might have missed. Is fear of judgment, failure, change, or even fear of fear itself holding you back from reaching your full potential? We're throwing it back to a must-hear pep-talk from Judi for reframing our relationship with fear, caring less what other people think, and building confidence so we can show up as our fullest selves.Because our goal shouldn't be to be fearless. The goal is to be courageous. To be scared, and do it anyway. Judi Holler is a keynote speaker, podcaster, best-selling author, and entrepreneur. She's built a hugely successful keynote speaking business and a top 13% podcast on iTunes, sharing the power of the CEO mindset and her powerful talks for living a courageous life without regret. Judi has been featured in Forbes and Success Magazine, she's a Second City Conservatory alumnae, and she is the hype girl that everyone needs in their corner.Listen to our full episode here.Tune in every Monday for an expert dose of life advice in under 10 minutes. Sign up for our monthly adulting newsletter:teachmehowtoadult.ca/newsletter Follow us on the ‘gram:@teachmehowtoadultmedia@gillian.bernerFollow on TikTok: @teachmehowtoadultSubscribe on YouTube

My guest is a well-known improvisor and keynote speaker who's been described as laugh provoking, engaging, and refreshing.  Today's guest is Jon Colby. Jon has been empowering people all over the world with improv for over 24 years.  His engaging and interactive approach has successfully helped audiences across the world to be better communicators, leaders, teammates, even salespeople.  He's a graduate from the world-famous Second City Conservatory program and an educator with 15 years of classroom experience.  Jon currently travels the world teaching special improv programs that deal with team building, communication, leadership, and creativity to various companies.  Some of his clients include American Express, Honda, Charles Schwab, Paylocity and the YMCA.  Jon has a wonderful ability to loosen up even the quietist people, and he not only teaches how improv can improve your skills but also make you a happier person. I had a great time talking to Jon.  He's a guy with such a great personality and a very warm heart.  You'll hear how he got to where he is today, and you'll learn all about his approach to teaching improv including his “three Cs”.  You can learn more about him and about his training courses at his website, joncolby.com.  And tell him LD sent you! And don't forget to rate and review, and feel free to leave a comment.

Actor Kyle S. More Interview | The Brett Allan Show "Beverly Hills Cop Axel F" Det. Mike Woody! Raised in Tennessee and Kentucky, Kyle made the leap to Chicago to attack the comedy scene. He received a BFA in Theater Performance from The Chicago College of Performance Arts and is graduate of The Second City Conservatory. He has performed with Second City's house improv ensemble, Twisty, founded award winning sketch comedy troupe, The Cool Table, and toured the nation's colleges with Mission IMPROVable. He now lives in Los Angeles. Connect with us on our website for more amazing conversations! www.brettallanshow.com Have you got some feedback? Let us know! openmicguest@gmail.com Follow us on social media! Facebook https://www.facebook.com/thebrettallanshow Instagram https://www.instagram.com/brettallanshow/ YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@TheBrettAllanShow/videos LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/brett-allan-009458168/ Support the show! VENMO @-Brett-Allan-7 Cash App @brettallanshow74 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Public speaking is one of the most common anxieties — surveys show up to 75% of people fear public speaking. And that's not the only thing fear holds us back from. Fear of judgment, failure, change, coming off as “cringe”… our fear of fear keeps us from reaching our full potential. But as today's guest Judi Holler explains, our goal shouldn't be to be fearless. The goal is to be courageous. To be scared, and do it anyway. It's hard to get uncomfortable, but it's even harder to never try. This interview is a must-hear pep-talk for reframing our relationship with fear, caring less what other people think, and building confidence so we can show up as our fullest selves. Whether you dream of a life on stage performing or delivering keynotes, or you want to be able to present at work or make a toast at a wedding without having a panic attack, becoming a confident public speaker and saying yes to scary things will level up your life.Judi Holler is a keynote speaker, podcaster, best-selling author, and entrepreneur. She's built a hugely successful keynote speaking business and a top 13% podcast on iTunes, sharing the power of the CEO mindset and her powerful talks for living a courageous life without regret. Judi has been featured in Forbes and Success Magazine, she's a Second City Conservatory alumnae, and she is the hype girl that everyone needs in their corner.Join us as we chat about: How to exude confidence Overcoming the fear of judgment to embrace the cringeReframing your relationship with fearHow to fear our fear lessThe power of vulnerability Judi's steps for overcoming stage fright How to prepare for a big presentation/performance Should we show up before we're ready?What we can learn from the principles of improv Our show is produced by:Gillian Berner, Host, Producer & EditorOlivia Nashmi, Audio EngineerCarolyn Schissler, Designer & Web ProducerSara Valentine, Content ProducerFor advertising and sponsorship inquiries, please contact Frequency Podcast Network. Sign up for our monthly adulting newsletter:teachmehowtoadult.ca/newsletter Follow us on the ‘gram:@teachmehowtoadultmedia@gillian.bernerFollow on TikTok: @teachmehowtoadult

Comedian Ali Clayton Interview | The Brett Allan Show "Country Queer" NYC-based comedian Ali Clayton is releasing her debut comedy album called Country Queer. Recorded in Milwaukee, this album tells her story as a member of a very Southern family from rural North Carolina, a special ed kid, a lesbian, an alcoholic, and a white girl who started her comedy career in the South Side of Chicago. Ali is an alumna of the Actors Theater of Louisville's Acting Apprentice Program, a Second City Conservatory graduate, a Carolines on Broadway ‘Breakout Artist' and a top finalist in the StandUP NBC competition. She also co-hosts one of the funniest podcasts of 2022 according to Vulture: Y'all Gay?. Resources Mentioned: Ali Clayton's Website Ali Clayton on Instagram Ali Clayton on Twitter Upcoming Tour Dates How to Connect with Ali: Website: aliclaytoncomedy.com Instagram: @aliclaytoncomedy Twitter: @aliclaytoncomedy Connect with us on our website for more amazing conversations! www.brettallanshow.com Have you got some feedback? Let us know! openmicguest@gmail.com Follow us on social media! Facebook https://www.facebook.com/thebrettallanshow Instagram https://www.instagram.com/brettallanshow/ YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@TheBrettAllanShow/videos LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/brett-allan-009458168/ Support the show! https://thebrettallanshow.creator-spring.com/listing/the-brett-allan-show-swag Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ali Clayton! Comedian! Friend! Delightful human with a new album out RIGHT NOW! ABOUT THE ALBUM: Blonde Medicine is excited to announce the upcoming debut comedy album from Ali Clayton, Country Queer, available digitally everywhere comedy is streamed or downloaded, and on vinyl on Blonde Medicine and Bandcamp. After working in comedy for 15 years, Ali put together a set that tells her story as a member of a very Southern family from rural North Carolina, a special ed kid, a lesbian, an alcoholic, and a white girl who started her comedy career in the South Side of Chicago.  “Country Queer is a love letter to little Ali about embracing and loving your authentic self and never forgetting where you come from.” Says Ali Clayton. “I'm country and I'm queer and I'm proud to be both.” Her comedy aims to help humanize and connect Southerners and queer folks everywhere. ABOUT ALI CLAYTON: Brooklyn-based comedian Ali Clayton is a southern dyslexic pageant kid who became a lesbian comedian, actor, writer, and podcaster. She is an alumna of the prestigious Actors Theater of Louisville's Acting Apprentice Program, a Second City Conservatory graduate, a Carolines on Broadway ‘Breakout Artist' and a top finalist in the StandUP NBC competition. Ali's stand-up has been featured on SiriusXM and on the VICE show Funny How?. She co-hosts Y'all Gay? with her best friend and fellow southern queer comedian Ever Mainard. Vulture named Y'all Gay? one of the top five comedy podcasts of 2022.   ALI CLAYTON ONLINE: Website TikTok Instagram AND ALSO YOU CAN LISTEN TO HER ON THIS VERY PODCAST HERE! PS This is only the first HALF of our conversation. For the second portion of our chat, subscribe via Apple Podcasts OR click on over here to Patreon!

For the final episode of Season 6 of Xian Archive Matt sits down with Joshua Draper.   Joshua is the former Creative Producer for OPUS Immersive, a former touring comedian and Second City Conservatory graduate. He is also a multi-instrumentalist and vocalist, and an early adopter of MiMU Gloves, which are an advanced wearable musical instrument for expressive creation, composition and performance.   During the conversation Joshua shares his journey of becoming a musician, comedian and early adopter of innovative technology centered around music and vibration. The two then discuss a variety of spiritual topics, such as The Diamond Sutra (an advanced Buddhist text), Karma, Reggae Music, Quantum Physics, the Merkaba + much more. Please enjoy, and thank you for listening to Season 6.  Find Joshua: https://www.joshdraper.me/   https://www.instagram.com/truejoshuadraper/       Sponsored by Element Kombucha: https://elementkombucha.com/   Use code 'Xian11' at checkout to save 11%   --- Sponsored by SHEATH: https://sheathunderwear.com   Use code 'TIMEWHEEL' at checkout to save 20%.

My guest is someone who's loads of fun to talk to and learn from.  Today, I'm talking to Chris Alvarado. He's an amazing improv teacher and performer, and trained at The Second City Conservatory in Chicago, iO West, and UCB LA.  Chris created his workshops to provide a space for work that is fun, but also meaningful.  He believes in exploring beyond the rules so performers can find their own source of inspiration and make meaningful connections with others, which I'm also all about.  Chris currently performs at the Westside Comedy Theater in Santa Monica, California, and has also appeared two shows on HBO Max called “Minx” and “Hacks”.  He also co-created the web series "7p10e," about a couple who begin dating long distance. You'll be able to tell how much he cares about what he does, and how fulfilled he gets in sharing this artform with his students.  There's a lot of fun, and lots of great words of wisdom shared in this episode.  I really hope you all enjoy this as much as I did. Learn more about Chris and his workshops by visiting his website, chris-alvarado.com.  Find out how you can book him for workshops and sign up for his amazing classes.  And feel free to learn more about West Side Comedy Theater at their website, westsidecomedy.com. Don't forget to rate and review, and share the podcast with everyone!

Mike Dailey & Jacob Combs join Melissa this week to talk about their long-running holiday musical, Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins. In this episode, we discuss:Why Strawdog Theatre decided to adapt this beloved children's bookAdding framing devices and length to a short storyCasting a show that needs musicians, actors, singers, and acrobatic typesHow the music changes every year with each new cast And more!Resources MentionedHershel and the Hanukkah Goblins playing through Dec 23, 2023Strawdog TheatreAbout Our GuestsMichael Dailey has been a Strawdog company member since 1997. He has appeared as an actor in 24 Strawdog productions. Writing credits include three radio plays presented as part of Radio Theatre 7, co-writer on the late-night series The Adventures of Picklebot and Lawfer and script editor for Strawdog's productions of 1001 Afternoons in Chicago, Julius Caesar and Measure for Measure. As an actor, he's enjoyed working around town with Lyric Opera, Stage Left, Steppenwolf, About Face, Shattered Globe, Eclipse and Writer's Theatre, to name a few. He's a proud graduate of Illinois State University, the Second City Conservatory and was a Steppenwolf Acting Fellowship recipient.Jacob Combs is a writer, director, and composer based in Los Angeles. Most recently, he was part of the writers room for the Netflix comedy BLOCKBUSTER, and he is currently developing several TV projects with showrunners Vanessa Ramos and Jackie Clarke. Previously, Jacob spent a 6-year stint at Pixar Animation Studios in a variety of writing, development and production roles. He wrote on an untitled feature in development at Pixar and was part of the writers' room for an upcoming, original episodic series. He also wrote several episodes of the Emmy-nominated Disney+ documentary series Inside Pixar. A lifelong theater nerd, Jacob wrote the music & lyrics for Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins (based on the beloved children's book by Eric Kimmel), which has been produced annually since 2018 by Chicago's Strawdog Theatre.Follow Jacob on Instagram.Connect with host Melissa Schmitz***Sign up for the 101 Stage Adaptations Newsletter***101 Stage AdaptationsFollow the Podcast on Facebook & InstagramRead Melissa's plays on New Play ExchangeConnect with Melissa on LinkedInWays to support the show:- Buy Me a Coffee- Tell us your thoughts in our Listener Survey!- Give a 5-Star rating- Write a glowing review on Apple Podcasts - Send this episode to a friend- Share on social media (Tag us so we can thank you!)Creators: Host your podcast through Buzzsprout using my affiliate link & get a $20 credit on your paid account. Let your fans directly support you via Buy Me a Coffee (affiliate link).

With special -- and returning! -- guest Andy Smith Peek, Anna and Derek discuss the Zach and Cassie love story no one cares about, Larry as the true star of the film, and much more during their discussion of the catchy musical-turned-movie A Chorus Line (1985).Connect with '80s Movie Montage on Facebook, Twitter/X or Instagram! It's the same handle for all three... @80smontagepod.Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/80sMontagePodTwitter/X: https://twitter.com/80sMontagePodInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/80smontagepod/Anna Keizer and Derek Dehanke are the co-hosts of ‘80s Movie Montage. The idea for the podcast came when they realized just how much they talk – a lot – when watching films from their favorite cinematic era. Their wedding theme was “a light nod to the ‘80s,” so there's that, too. Both hail from the Midwest but have called Los Angeles home for several years now. Anna is a writer who received her B.A. in Film/Video from Columbia College Chicago and M.A. in Film Studies from Chapman University. Her dark comedy short She Had It Coming was an Official Selection of 25 film festivals with several awards won for it among them. Derek is an attorney who also likes movies. It is a point of pride that most of their podcast episodes are longer than the movies they cover.Andrea (Andy) Smith Peek is a comedy writer/director/producer/actor/donut eater/lover of cheese/improv artiste/sketch enthusiast/human being trying to survive never-ending existential dread. This may explain why she writes dark sci-fi comedies and why she is eating a donut as she writes this. Andy studied writing and film at Vancouver Film School, Writing for TV at UCLA's Professional Program, Film Production at UCLA's Summer Program, and studied improv and sketch with The Second City Conservatory, UCB, and The Groundlings. She has performed at Canada's Just For Laughs Festival and won a Telus Storyhive grant to produce and direct her short film Married & Isolated, as well as the pilot of her web series See Through Daddy. Her new content creation outlet is character comedy on TikTok: @AndysCharacters. On Dec 10 2018 she won the showcase showdown on The Price is Right, no joke! She worked as an assistant on A&E's Ruby Laundry Series and as a script/clearances coordinator on Netflix's Emmy-nominated MAID. She currently lives in Victoria, BC and working as a drama teacher for middle school students who make her laugh every day!

SummaryMatt Garard talks about his career in theater, working in standup and improv comedy, and his current stint with Thunder Bulge in this weeks podcast episode. In This EpisodeWhen and why Matt started to performWhy Matt turned down a scholarship for theaterMatt's work with Comedy SportsWorking in a murder mystery showWinning The World Comedy ChampionshipsThe difference between standup comedy and improvHow to handle hecklers while doing comedyHow Matt got into teaching Junior Theater classesWorking in long-form improv in ChicagoLearning at Second City Conservatory with improv legendsGilda's Club, a cancer support organization named after Gilda Radner, an American comedian who got her start in Second City and eventually went on to star on SNL, ensures that people impacted by cancer have the knowledge and community that they need. If you'd like to support Gilda's Club, you can donate here: https://www.gildasclubchicago.org/donateTouring with Mission Improvable and working in edutainmentHow to get out of not having professional headshotsPlaying clean vs. going blueWorking shows behind-the-scenes to learn that end of the businessWorking with Thunder Bulge to promote body positivity and comedyThunder Bulge on the Gong ShowAuditioning for America's Got TalentGetting kicked out of a bridal conventionDoing virtual events during the pandemicShout out to Lance Bass, and getting Thunder Bulge to perform at RageStarting Rose Entertainment group while doing shows and planning a weddingMatt's comedic and theatric heroes that propelled his careerMatt's best advice to aspiring actors and comediansCheck out Matt's show: https://thunderbulge.com

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

Do you wish you were more confident when it comes to speaking? Whether we're in front of a group or a single person, a lot of us struggle with feeling confident when we speak. And there might actually be things that we're doing or saying if we speak that immediately undercut our credibility. Maybe your voice shakes, or you sway a lot. Or if you're like me your chest and neck start getting red and your throat starts tightening up. Or maybe you avoid any sort of speaking opportunity like the plague. If you're listening you might be struggling with feeling comfortable and confident when you're speaking or giving a presentation and that's okay! We've all got to start somewhere and listening to this podcast episode is a great first step! I am overjoyed to introduce you to my guest, Marianna Swallow. Marianna is The Speak Easy Coach. Her mission is to make public speaking easy and enjoyable for everyone – one speech at a time. Since 2014, she's transformed thousands of individuals and teams by teaching them to develop and deliver clear and confident presentations while making the process fun. A lifelong performer, she's a graduate of the Second City Conservatory. She currently performs stand-up and storytelling in Chicago. She holds a BA from Northern Illinois University and an MFA from Goucher College. She splits her time between Chicago and Charlotte.Marianna goes above and beyond in this episode delving into how to identify some unconscious speaking that we have, how to work on them, create more speaking opportunities for yourself and so much more. Get ready to walk away from the episode challenged and inspired to tackle those speaking fears. In this episode of the Contagious Confidence Podcast, we talk about:Unconscious speaking habits you need to breakThings that undercut your credibility as a speakerHow to stop apologizing How conditioning affects how we present ourselvesHow practicing is important to gain confidence as a speakerThe difference between thinking and preparation Tips for practicing public speaking How to create more opportunities to practice presentation skills or public speaking Tips for getting over the fear of public speaking Resources: mariannaswallow.com/blogThe MothWhere to Find Marianna:Website: www.mariannaswallow.comLinkedIn: @mariannasStay Connected: Katie's IG: @katieehawkes Podcast's IG: @contagiousconfidencepodcast Email: contagiousconfidencepodcast@gmail.com

In this throwback, If This Is True would like to introduce you to Jo Rou and Ryan Santa of Imposters Theater. Jo is a veteran of the NYC improv scene, having studied and performed at the Magnet Theater, the Pit and the Upright Citizens Brigade. Ryan is a veteran of the Chicago improv scene, having studied and performed through iO Theater and the Second City Conservatory. How are their styles different? How are they similar? Give it a listen and find out!

Comedian Andrea Rappaport knows what it's like going through life's biggest jokes — a love story turned toxic relationship and signing divorce plans that went wrong.  In this episode, the How Not to Suck at Divorce podcast host shares her journey going through the process with her two young boys making many painful mistakes and shedding light on how you can avoid them. ▶️ What To Do And Not To Do After Divorce with Andrea Rappaport ✔️ One of the biggest mistakes people make post-divorce is to stop going to therapy because they think it's over.  Andrea pleads those going through a rough patch never stop getting professional support pre and post-divorce. "One of the biggest things I recommend is keeping your butt in a therapist's chair. Keep talking. I have a personal therapist. I have a therapist who helps me with my children, who helps me navigate my kids' needs based on what they went through and all that stuff. And I have a therapist for my current relationship because I want to make sure that I'm not repeating behavior and traits that I picked up in past relationships." ✔️ A parenting agreement is a tough document to change.  Never miss out on having a professional help you through that step. Andrea says, "It's easy to make mistakes, especially if you are in a high-conflict divorce or where there's abuse of different types going on. There's a myriad of reasons why these mistakes get made in a parenting agreement. What are your child's needs at that point, and what is the best scenario for your kid? It is not an agreement for the parents. It's an agreement for the child, and I can't stress that enough." ✔️ Taking advice from friends and family can keep us stuck.  They try to take you out of your emotion because they're uncomfortable being in it with you. If you choose to do things independently, you will waste more time, even if you feel you are strong enough. Experts come in to guide you through the process and provide actionable steps that will get you back on your feet faster. ✔️ We will do things in our divorce that will hurt the kids and ourselves. Yet, we must do it to make peace and end the chronic conflict. We teach our kids to make similar choices by not settling for less and support them well to become more empathetic and resilient adults. --------------- Andrea Rappaport is a humorist and image consultant. Funny people are usually a result of something very unfunny, and Andrea is no exception. Known for her candor on her Instagram platform @theandrearappaport, Andrea shares the journey of her traumatic divorce and single mommy life with two young boys. She mixes plenty of humor, because laughter is her favorite form of cardio. Professionally, Andrea provides goal-based consulting to individuals and businesses. She blends her 20+ years in the beauty and fashion industry with her expert communication skills from her 20+ years of acting training and 40+ years of therapy. Andrea's clients learn to speak effectively to their audience while showing themselves in the most authentic way. Her clients range from small businesses looking to rebrand to post-divorce individuals looking to get back on the dating scene. A graduate of Chicago's Second City Conservatory, Andrea's wit has been featured on TODAY Parents, The Jam, The Tamron Hall Show, Windy City LIVE, and Great Day SA. Her story has been shared in Uploader Magazine and Voyage Chicago. Her hobbies include: keeping her boys alive, watching her own insta stories, and bragging about her VIP status at Marshall's/TJ Maxx/HomeGoods. Check out Andrea's FREE GIFTS up on her website: www.hownottosuckatdivorce.com.  And contact her on Instagram @theandrearappaport @hownottosuckatdivorce --------------- Connect with Wendy Sterling: Website: https://wendysterling.net/ Instagram: @divorcerehabwithwendy Twitter: @thedivorcerehab Facebook: @wendytsterling Need an opportunity to share your pain points and receive judgment-free support? Want to create a vision of a future after your divorce? Click here to schedule your Free Divorce Recovery Call: www.contactwendy.com

Join us as we talk to the Team behind TRUST – a Powerful award-winning film.  View the trailer here: https://youtu.be/UPy2EQACqWc On Saturday, May 20, 2023, at 8pm the LAJFF will have a Los Angeles premiere for the new feature film "TRUST" at the Lumiere Cinema at the Music Hall in Beverly Hills. Tickets at $18.00.  The film centers around three siblings attempting to reconcile over their mother's death but are torn between mourning and greed. Family isn't all it's cracked up to be. The film is the winner of the Best Feature (New Visions) and Best Drama (Audience Award) | Cinequest Film & Creativity Festival 2022.   MEET JENNIFER LEVINSON Jennifer was selected as a 2020 TRIBECA NOW Participant at Tribeca Film Festival. Her written and produced content has amassed over 300 million views across BuzzFeed Video, VRScout, and CryptTV. Jennifer's writing portfolio includes branded work for Sony Pictures, Target, Rue21, and NatureMade, amongst others. As the first female staff-writer on the scripted show SOLVE, Jennifer wrote over ten viral episodes. In fact, her episode, "Poisoned Popstar," obtained over nine-million views. Jennifer prides herself on spotlighting dynamic, female characters. Jennifer has a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre from Chapman University, and she's a graduate of Second City Conservatory. Her acting credits span across television, film, digital, and voiceover, and she's gained an international following on her social media platforms. Find Jennifer here: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenhearts247/ Website: https://www.thejenniferlevinson.com/   MEET ALMOG AVIDAN ANTONIR  Almog is an Israeli-born, LA-based writer/director with sensibilities for both the dramatic and the comedic. He received a BFA in Film Production from Chapman University. While in college, he co-founded the YouTube channel Almost Cool Films, featuring narrative shorts that have collectively garnered over 130K subscribers and millions of views. Following the success of the channel, Almog went on to direct commercials and original branded content for brands such as Toyota, Bud Light, Sony Pictures, Lionsgate, and Invisalign, to name a few. Almog's films have screened at numerous international film festivals, including Academy-accredited LA Shorts Film Festival and Academy-accredited Nashville Film Festival. His PSA about gender non-conformity, “My Heroes”, was featured in AdWeek, CBS News, and BuzzFeed, among others. His horror-comedy short, “Teddy Bears Are For Lovers” was featured on Short Of The Week and Blumhouse-backed Crypt TV. “Teddy Bears,” the feature film, is currently in pre-production with a growing team that includes Gremlins' Joe Dante.  Almog recently directed his first feature film, Trust, in March, 2021. The film is a drama that tells the story of three siblings trying to cope with their mother's suicide, torn between mourning and greed. Trust is the winner of the “Best Feature: New Visions” Jury Award and “Best Feature: Drama” Audience Award at Cinequest Film Festival. The film is slated for a 2023 release. Find Almog here:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/almog.aa/ Website: https://www.almogaa.com/ Go see the movie:  Los Angeles Jewish Film Festival – 18 Years on the 18th of May. https://lajfilmfest.org/2023_film-selections/   PR Roz Wolf www.linkedin.com/in/rozwolfPR Twitter@RozWolfPR Instagram@RozWolfPR Facebook@RozWolfPR --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/moviemakingpod/support

Our guest in today's episode is the incredible Jon Colby - a dynamic keynote speaker and a truly amazing individual. With a rich background in theater education, Jon has dedicated much of his life to teaching individuals the art of improvisation in order to foster creativity, flexibility, and positivity. After many years of pursuing speaking as a side hustle, Jon eventually took the brave step of transitioning into a full-time speaking career. This decision has proven to be immensely rewarding.  Jon attributes his success to being genuinely interested in providing value and helping others.His advice is simple: embrace failure, stay humble, and maintain a constant hunger for learning. Tune in to hear Jon's inspiring story and learn how he turned his passions into a thriving profession.Who is Jon ColbyFor 24 years, Jon Colby has been a driving force behind the personal and professional growth of individuals worldwide through his use of improv. His captivating approach to presentations and performances has benefited audiences across the globe, improving communication, leadership, teamwork, and sales.As a graduate of the prestigious Second City Conservatory comedy program and an experienced classroom educator for 15 years, Jon successfully blends humor with practical knowledge to keep audiences engaged, motivated, and entertained. Over the years, Jon has worked with some of the top companies and organizations in the country, impacting and inspiring countless individuals.Check out Jon:Website: https://joncolby.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joncolbyspeaks IG: https://www.instagram.com/joncolbyspeaks Youtube:  https://www.youtube.com/@joncolbyspeaks Connect with Chad:Strategy Call: https://calendly.com/mrtenacity40/pgi-coaching-consultWebsite: https://mrtenacity.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chad-osinga-b62a08b1/FB: https://www.facebook.com/108630534048340IG:https://www.instagram.com/mr._tenacity/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mrtenacity40 

Kendall savage is the former artistic Director and co creator of the Montreal Clown festival. Future apprentice of Mike Kennard from MUMP and SMOOT , she finds herself located in Toronto Ontario where she is finishing the Second City Conservatory and taking the improv scene by storm. Instagram: @pretty_funny_kendall_savage_ Support Stageworthy Donate: tips.pinecast.com/jar/stageworthy

In today's episode, Amanda drinks some Lisbon By Night red wine with actor, voice actor, and comedian Bianca Alongi to discuss voice acting for animation, struggles with being a people pleaser, and how performing has affected her relationship with various aspects of her body. Bianca Alongi started her career as a dancer working on productions with Norwegian Cruise line and performing in live shows throughout the UK. After discovering her love of performing improv, Bianca was accepted into the Second City Conservatory program here in Toronto, and was nominated for the prestigious Tim Sims Encouragement Fund Award upon graduating. Recently Bianca has set her sights on animation, using her unique voice to land roles such as “Macguffin” in Charlie's Colorform City on Netflix, Jesse's mom on Superwish, and “Professor Coo” on Agent Binky: Pets of the Universe on Treehouse. She also landed her a role in a feature film due out in 2023, so keep your eyes peeled! During the pandemic, Bianca started her business Casa Bianca, where she creates and sells watercolours of iconic structures and landmarks of Toronto. She has collaborated brands like Mirvish Theatre and Addidas – and she does custom work too!   Looking for more of The Liquid Courage Podcast? Instagram: @liquidcouragepodcast TikTok: @liquidcouragepodcast YouTube Video Episodes & more!   Reach out at www.liquidcouragepodcast.com   Find The Liquid Courage Podcast on Patreon! www.Patreon.com/LiquidCouragePodcast   Host - Amanda Pereira: insta @hotcoldspicy Guest on this episode – Bianca Alongi: insta @bianca.noell Casa Bianca – www.casabianca-art.com

In today's episode, Amanda drinks some vodka crans with a splash of Sprite with actor, writer, and host Tyra Sweet to discuss how she got into hosting, reconciling her adult self after hosting for kids television, and navigating her queer and biracial identity in the entertainment world (and life!). Tyra is a graduate of The Second City Conservatory and of the BIPOC TV & Film Kids TV Writing Bootcamp taught by John May and mentored by Aron Dunn. Probably best known for her work in kids entertainment, Tyra was previously a co-host on both YTV's The Zone as well as Kid Food Nation: The Show, and she has written for TVOKids's Backyard Beats as well as Family Jr.'s The Fabulous Show with Fay & Fluffy. Currently Tyra is the script coordinator for Season 2 of CBC's Run the Burbs and is also writing on a new animated series with Epic Story Media. As a queer, biracial woman Tyra is determined to create work that reflects her lived experiences, while also accounting for and representing the experiences of others in a responsible and equitable way.   Looking for more of The Liquid Courage Podcast? Instagram: @liquidcouragepodcast TikTok: @liquidcouragepodcast YouTube Video Episodes & more!   Reach out at www.liquidcouragepodcast.com   Find The Liquid Courage Podcast on Patreon! www.Patreon.com/LiquidCouragePodcast   Host - Amanda Pereira: insta @hotcoldspicy Guest on this episode – Tyra Sweet: @imtyrasweet insta & twitter

Andrew Roffe answers the most important question on Paul, and everybody else's mind, "why are you gay?" We also find out what it's like touring the country in a 14 seater van and opening for viral internet comedic sensation, Wisconsin's Charlie Berens. Even though this episode came in a little late for Pride month we still delve in to Andrew Roffe's personal life, even going as far as using this platform to find him a potential partner. In this episode you will learn: 1. How improv training helps you become a better stand up, quicker. 2. How a positive shift in your work ethic will lead you to more successful business opportunities. 3. How owning a t-shirt company is a horrible idea. "I could be a training wheels gay for a homophobe. I'm a very safe and non-threatening gay person." - Andrew Roffe Andrew Roffe graduated from the famed Second City Conservatory in Chicago. Some of his TV/Film credits include Year One, Think Like a Man, Maron, and Trophy Wife. He is a comedy writer on the award-winning film Purpose Over Prison starring Romany Malco and Regina Hall. Andrew performs across the country with internet sensation Charlie Berens. He can be found on Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / TikTok at @ASAP_Roffe Paul Vato is an on camera and voice actor, improvisor, podcaster and entrepreneur. Connect with Paul Vato: PaulVato.com • VATO.tv • y.at/

With special guest Andy Smith Peek, Anna and Derek chat about how Lesley Ann Warren could be mistaken for Susan Sarandon, why kissing corpses makes for great comedy and much more during their discussion of the timeless whodunit farce Clue (1985). Connect with '80s Movie Montage on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram! It's the same handle for all three... @80smontagepod.Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/80sMontagePodTwitter: https://twitter.com/80sMontagePodInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/80smontagepod/Anna Keizer and Derek Dehanke are the co-hosts of ‘80s Movie Montage. The idea for the podcast came when they realized just how much they talk – a lot – when watching films from their favorite cinematic era. Their wedding theme was “a light nod to the ‘80s,” so there's that, too. Both hail from the Midwest but have called Los Angeles home for several years now. Anna is a writer who received her B.A. in Film/Video from Columbia College Chicago and M.A. in Film Studies from Chapman University. Her dark comedy short She Had It Coming was an Official Selection of 25 film festivals with several awards won for it among them. Derek is an attorney who also likes movies. It is a point of pride that most of their podcast episodes are longer than the movies they cover.Andrea (Andy) Smith Peek is a comedy writer/director/producer/actor/donut eater/lover of cheese/improv artiste/sketch enthusiast/human being trying to survive neverending existential dread. This may explain why she processes the pain by writing dark sci-fi themed comedy. Andy studied writing and film at Vancouver Film School, Writing for TV at UCLA's Professional Program, Film Production at UCLA's Summer Program, and studied improv and sketch with The Second City Conservatory, UCB and The Groundlings. She has performed at Canada's Just For Laughs Festival, and won a Telus Storyhive grant to produce and direct her short film Married & Isolated, and also the pilot of her web series See Through Daddy. Her new content creation outlet is character comedy on TikTok: @AndysCharacters. On Dec 10 2018 she won the showcase showdown on The Price is Right, no joke! She worked as an assistant on A&E's Ruby Laundry Series and as a script/clearances coordinator on Netflix's Emmy-nominated MAID. She currently lives in Victoria, BC, but will be back in LA in 2023 to write and perform on the Groundlings stage in their writer's lab program. 

If This Is True would like to introduce you to Jo Rou and Ryan Santa of Imposters Theater. Jo is a veteran of the NYC improv scene, having studied and performed at the Magnet Theater, the Pit and the Upright Citizens Brigade. Ryan is a veteran of the Chicago improv scene, having studied and performed through iO Theater and the Second City Conservatory. How are their styles different? How are they similar? Give it a listen and find out! --- 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

Julie & Clay Engels - owners of Roots Collaborative - are on the pod today to discuss family recovery and breaking the cycle of generational dysfunction. Roots Collaborative provides a variety of services and support to help families navigate addiction and mental illness recovery. They are trained the invitational intervention model, which invites the entire family network to participate in the healing process and engage in recovery and the wellness journey. Julie Engels is a lifelong visionary, brand strategist and entrepreneur with a passion for employing creativity and empathy to initiate individual and family recovery from the illness of addiction and mental health-related issues. With 32 years of recovery, Julie is able to draw on her extensive sober history, in addition to pulling from her formal education experiences which include a BA from Columbia College, Group Facilitation Training from Hinsdale Hospital's New Day Center, Certification from Chicago's Second City Conservatory, Transformational Bodywork Certification from Pacific School of Massage, and intervention and family recovery training.  Clay Engels has been professionally helping individuals and families connect with the best resources, and trusted, proven specialists to receive the appropriate level of care for substance abuse treatment and mental health challenges. With his professional coaching and intervention training and credentials, strengthened by 24 years of sobriety, Clay can easily navigate the land-mines which inherently exist when dealing with alcoholism, addiction, and mental health issues. He has assisted countless individuals and their families start their roads to recovery, and can often be heard saying, “Recovery is not an event: it's a lifelong process.”Support the Podcast -https://www.patreon.com/adultchildwww.buymeacoffee.com/adultchildFollow Andrea on social -www.instagram.com/adultchildpodwww.tiktok.com/@adultchildpodMid-roll music source  https://soundcloud.com/aaron-backx/right-down-the-line-gerry-rafferty (I do not own the rights of song - for entertainment purposes only, no monetization)Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/adultchild)

Leaders, do you need a fun and unique idea for your virtual holiday party? How about a little HA-liday cheer? On today's minisode, one of our improve it! improvisers, Andy Junk, is here to talk all about how you can use laughter and improv to spark joy this holiday season. Listen in on this fun and insightful conversation. Want to see a Laugh Break in action? Join us for our Laugh Break Live on 11.16 at 12 pm CST. Join here:  LAUGH BREAK LIVE Use the promo code "laughwithus" for discounted tickets! About the Guest: Andy Junk is an improviser, actor, and teacher who hails from Chicago, where he is a member of the Improvised Shakespeare Company. He studied at both the iO Theater and the Second City Conservatory, and was an instructor at the iO. His work is primarily on the stage, but his television credits include roles on "Joe Pera Talks with You", "Chicago PD," "Shameless," and more.   Connect with Erin Diehl: Instagram LinkedIn improve it! TikTok Improve it! Instagram Improve it! Facebook improve it! website Book a Laugh Break Book a Workshop Sign up for Daily 5 Challenge Email Erin: info@learntoimproveit.com   “I love this podcast and I love Erin!!” If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing this podcast! This helps Erin support more people – just like you – move toward the leader you want to be. Click here, click listen on Apple Podcasts, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with 5 stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let Erin know what you loved most about the episode! Also, if you haven't done so already, subscribe to the podcast. That way you won't miss any juicy episodes! Thanks in advance, improve it! Fam :)

“ I think it is incredibly important to always remember that art can not save us. Art will not save us. Art is not the means... art is not the vehicle that changes the material lived conditions of people's lives." — Deana Haggag In today's episode, we're speaking with Deana Haggag (@dhaggag), Program Officer at the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. She's also the former President & CEO of United States Artists where she helped develop Artist Relief, a $25 million emergency initiative to support artists facing dire financial circumstances due to COVID-19. We're also joined by Shreya Patel, model turned writer, actress, and filmmaker who is my co-founder on the lovespreads.org project (this podcast was originally recorded for that, and is being published on Conscious Creators). Here are some of the topics we discuss: Why art is impactful, but can not save us Deana talks about our own responsibility to take accountability for our actions She takes us on her life journey from her childhood We dive into the aspects that built her into the person she is today She talks about the her work supporting artists at United States Artists; including the $25 Million Artist Relief Fund How money alone doesn't make people happy, but poverty will kill them How Covid-19 impacted the way artists create and distribute their art Welcome to the Conscious Creators Show; where through intimate and insightful interviews with authors, actors, musicians, entrepreneurs and other podcasters, you'll learn tools and tactics to 10x your creativity and improve your business and life. Like this show? Support us by following the show, leaving a review here and helping us spread the word by sharing the pod with one (or three) friends: https://refer.fm/creators Do you want to learn how to make a living as a creator? Check out the CreatorsMBA where we show you how to get paid to create online: http://www.creatorsmba.com Follow our host, Sachit Gupta, and get it touch if you have any questions or ideas related to the show: Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and TikTok. Please enjoy today's episode and thank you for listening! Sachit Show Notes 0:24 - How we should think about justice for indigenous groups 3:51 - How art has an impact and influences everyday culture 6:13 - The responsibility of an artist and role of art 10:05 - Why art is powerful, but can't save us 13:29 - Deana's life journey and what led her to United States Artists 15:55 - How her childhood set her life values today 22:22 - Why we need to be mindful of micro-aggressions and their impact on communities 23:45 - How she frames her professional career for her immigrant parents 26:32 - What drew her to art 28:32 - Her work as CEO of United States Artists 31:28 - How United States Artist is changing the lives of artists 36:24 - How Covid-19 impacted the way artists create and distribute their art 40:42 - How she helps spread love in the world 43:26 - How you can support artists and what the future looks like for United States Artist Tweetable Quotes "And it's just really, the magnitude of this moment hits me every day. Years from now, we'll be looking back at these heroes who are just fighting with their lives to change our country. And so I think my particular context is about time. That we have opened the doors on these very critical conversations as an entire nation” - Deana Haggag “I guess I feel like what artists do for me is they, they make language, they tell stories. They document what it was like to be alive at any particular moment. So much of what we know about other civilizations and other times, and other people is like via the mechanism that is art-making right.” - Deana Haggag “And right now a lot of families and a lot of institutions and a lot of politicians need a new language and a new story and a new way to frame the world. And I think artists can frame for us the things we never thought possible. The things we actually could not see by the mechanism of how they make things in the world.” - Deana Haggag “Art can't solve the world's problems, but art can hold it.” - Deana Haggag About Our Guests Deana Haggag is a Program Officer in Arts and Culture at The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. Prior to joining the foundation in May 2021, she was the President & CEO of United States Artists, a national arts funding organization based in Chicago, IL. During her tenure, USA saw unprecedented growth, expanding its Fellowship award program, launching the Berresford Prize, and developing coalition efforts to advance support for individual artists most notably including Artist Relief, a $25 million emergency initiative to support artists facing dire financial circumstances due to COVID-19, and Disability Futures, an initiative aimed at increasing the visibility of disabled creative practitioners across disciplines and geography and elevating their voices individually and collectively. Before joining USA in February 2017, she was the Executive Director of The Contemporary, a nomadic and non-collecting art museum in Baltimore, MD, for four years. In addition to her leadership roles, Deana lectures extensively, consults on various art initiatives, contributes to cultural publications, and has taught at institutions such as Johns Hopkins University and Towson University. She is on the Boards of The Underground Museum and Pillars Fund, as well as the Artistic Director's Council of Prospect.5 and Advisory Council of Recess. She received her MFA in Curatorial Practice from the Maryland Institute College of Art and a BA from Rutgers University in Art History and Philosophy. Additionally, she completed the National Arts Strategies Chief Executive Program in 2020, Stanford Impact Program for Arts Leaders in 2018, and was a Salzburg Global Fellow for Young Cultural Innovators in 2015. Among other honors, she was most recently named a 2020 YBCA 100 Honoree. She is a disabled first-generation Egyptian-American Muslim woman of Afro-Arab descent. She currently lives on Munsee Lenape land, known today as Brooklyn, New York. Shreya Patel is a model turned writer, actress, and filmmaker. She's a graduate of the Second City Conservatory and can be seen in hit shows such as Mrs. America and Grand Army. Her directorial debut, the documentary Girl Up, brings light to domestic violence and human trafficking in Toronto and has been partnered with Toronto International Film Festival to showcase at Civic Action Summit. During this pandemic, she has gathered 66 countries made a documentary called Unity - #LOVESPREADS Faster Than Virus showcasing the plight of the human spirit. Following Unity, Shreya directed a music video called Freedom Dance which hit over 12 million views on YouTube. The music video features a global cast showcasing what their inner freedom looks like during the lockdown. Rolling Stones India has reported about it too. Currently, she is working on a web series called Layla is Relevant.

Blowing up across social media with her comical skits and spoofs on Kristen Stewart, comedian, TikTok Influencer, Podcaster and Author, Manon Mathews is all about creating content for her 3 million followers across her social platforms which includes 1.6 million followers on TikTok (@manonmathews), Jennifer Aniston and Courteney Cox are amongst her followers. She entered the world of VINE stardom (with over 1.6 billion loops), creating hilarious videos that find the absurdity in everything from first dates to femininity to female celebrities. After years of improv classes, standup comedy shows, living in NYC, Manon set a path to manifesting her dream life. In 2020, she released a book FUNNY HOW IT WORKS OUT (now available for purchase on Amazon and Barnes & Noble​). She recounts moments when she had self-doubt in her career, lessons learned over the years about marriage and her career, and she includes motivational and spiritual wisdom tidbits. Along with fellow actor and friend Jonny Carlson, Manon co-hosts the podcast Serious Butt Funny (available on Spotify & Apple Podcasts), bringing listeners laughs while also digging into some real down to earth subject matters. Born in Santa Monica, CA and raised in the San Fernando Valley, Manon found her love for performing at the age of 6 years old. Throughout the years, she used her humor to make friends and entertain her family. She is an alumnus of The SECOND CITY Conservatory in Hollywood, as well as The Groundlings and Upright Citizens Brigade. On the acting front, she can be seen in the 2016 rom-com, Holiday Breakup on Amazon Prime & iTunes, Comedy Central's “Broad City,” YouTube Premium's “Single by 30” and many more. She has also worked with several brands such as Febreze, M&Ms, Allure Bridal, Captain Morgan, Dr. Pepper and Aerie. When she's not working, she loves to hike, attend concerts, dance travel, bake, spend time with her Maltese Yorkie Chihuahua, Russel and host poker nights at her home in Toluca Lake, CA. Follow us on IG and Facebook: @societytalkspodcast Follow Joe: @joe_lorenzo Podcast edit by: @elevig #StaySafe #StayCreative #SocietyPerformers ARE #AloneTogether #SocietyTalks #JoeLorenzo #SocietyEntertainment

Wrestling and Dancing with The MuseWhat happens when you mix Academia, Reba McEntire & Picasso into the third-generation grandniece of a famous American Symbolist?  The answer is, our guest Singer, Songwriter, & Podcast Host Susan Ruth! We're going down the rabbit hole for another delicious 4-part series of episodes of Curiosity Bites. So, grab a beverage, find a cozy corner, because our guest is Susan Ruth. Susan is a curious creative whose creativity takes many forms. She's a visual artist, podcaster, successful screenwriter, professional songwriter, and cultural investigator. Susan is a graduate of Second City Conservatory and is a sketch comedy writer. The list of awards she has won is exhaustive, including USA Song Writing Competition Finalist, Female Vocalist of the year, and Pop/Rock Album of the year. Susan Ruth's songs have been featured in motion pictures, including, Life on the Line and After Life. In 2018 she won the Valerie J. Hoffman Award for her podcast, ‘Hey Human'.Explore More of Susan Ruth, Website: susanruth.com, heyhumanpodcast.comSocial Media: http://facebook.com/susanruthofficial https://twitter.com/SusanRuthism http://www.youtube.com/channel/UChqSybIJCYhaF5_hg6ITv2whttp://instagram.com/susanruthism....Curious about how to tap into what drives meaning in your life and create meaningful transformation in the lives you touch? Take a look at DovBaron.comYou can also join in the conversation here https://www.facebook.com/groups/curiositybites Get bonus content on Patreon See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

What happens when you mix Academia, Reba McEntire & Picasso into the third-generation grandniece of a famous American Symbolist?  The answer is, our guest, Singer, Songwriter, & Podcast Host Susan Ruth! We're going down the rabbit hole for another delicious 4-part series of episodes of Curiosity Bites. So, grab a beverage, find a cozy corner, because our guest is Susan Ruth. Susan is a curious creative whose creativity takes many forms. She's a visual artist, podcaster, successful screenwriter, professional songwriter, and cultural investigator. Susan is a graduate of Second City Conservatory and is a sketch comedy writer. The list of awards she has won is exhaustive, including USA Song Writing Competition Finalist, Female Vocalist of the year, and Pop/Rock Album of the year. Susan Ruth's songs have been featured in motion pictures, including, Life on the Line and After Life. In 2018 she won the Valerie J. Hoffman Award for her podcast, ‘Hey Human'.Explore More of Susan Ruth, Website: susanruth.com, heyhumanpodcast.comSocial Media: http://facebook.com/susanruthofficial https://twitter.com/SusanRuthism http://www.youtube.com/channel/UChqSybIJCYhaF5_hg6ITv2whttp://instagram.com/susanruthism....Curious about how to tap into what drives meaning in your life and create meaningful transformation in the lives you touch? Take a look at DovBaron.comYou can also join in the conversation here https://www.facebook.com/groups/curiositybites Get bonus content on Patreon See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Wrestling and Dancing with The MuseWhat happens when you mix Academia, Reba McEntire & Picasso into the third-generation grandniece of a famous American Symbolist?  The answer is, our guest Singer, Songwriter, & Podcast Host Susan Ruth! We're going down the rabbit hole for another delicious 4-part series of episodes of Curiosity Bites. So, grab a beverage, find a cozy corner, because our guest is Susan Ruth. Susan is a curious creative whose creativity takes many forms. She's a visual artist, podcaster, successful screenwriter, professional songwriter, and cultural investigator. Susan is a graduate of Second City Conservatory and is a sketch comedy writer. The list of awards she has won is exhaustive, including USA Song Writing Competition Finalist, Female Vocalist of the year, and Pop/Rock Album of the year. Susan Ruth's songs have been featured in motion pictures, including, Life on the Line and After Life. In 2018 she won the Valerie J. Hoffman Award for her podcast, ‘Hey Human'.Explore More of Susan Ruth, Website: susanruth.com, heyhumanpodcast.comSocial Media: http://facebook.com/susanruthofficial https://twitter.com/SusanRuthism http://www.youtube.com/channel/UChqSybIJCYhaF5_hg6ITv2whttp://instagram.com/susanruthism....Curious about how to tap into what drives meaning in your life and create meaningful transformation in the lives you touch? Take a look at DovBaron.comYou can also join in the conversation here https://www.facebook.com/groups/curiositybites Get bonus content on Patreon See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Wrestling and Dancing with The MuseWhat happens when you mix Academia, Reba McEntire & Picasso into the third-generation grandniece of a famous American Symbolist?  The answer is, our guest Singer, Songwriter, & Podcast Host Susan Ruth! We're going down the rabbit hole for another delicious 4-part series of episodes of Curiosity Bites. So, grab a beverage, find a cozy corner, because our guest is Susan Ruth. Susan is a curious creative whose creativity takes many forms. She's a visual artist, podcaster, successful screenwriter, professional songwriter, and cultural investigator. Susan is a graduate of Second City Conservatory and is a sketch comedy writer. The list of awards she has won is exhaustive, including USA Song Writing Competition Finalist, Female Vocalist of the year, and Pop/Rock Album of the year. Susan Ruth's songs have been featured in motion pictures, including, Life on the Line and After Life. In 2018 she won the Valerie J. Hoffman Award for her podcast, ‘Hey Human'.Explore More of Susan Ruth, Website: susanruth.com, heyhumanpodcast.comSocial Media: http://facebook.com/susanruthofficial https://twitter.com/SusanRuthism http://www.youtube.com/channel/UChqSybIJCYhaF5_hg6ITv2whttp://instagram.com/susanruthism....Curious about how to tap into what drives meaning in your life and create meaningful transformation in the lives you touch? Take a look at DovBaron.comYou can also join in the conversation here https://www.facebook.com/groups/curiositybites Get bonus content on Patreon See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Simeon Schnapper is a psychedelic philanthropist, futurist, and managing partner of JLS Fund, formed to aid investment in the booming intersection of science, technology, and neurology investigating the use of plant-based and psychedelic medicines to heal illness and enhance wellness.  Simeon initially found his way into a burgeoning career in the world of the performing arts, becoming a staple of the Chicago theater and improv scene, and even releasing a feature film, “Dot,” as a star-writer-producer-director in 2002. He taught thousands of students in his time as a faculty member of the Second City Conservatory. That list of achievements would be more than enough for most people, but Simeon was slowly drawn away from the arts in favor of work in the world of tech and business. He founded Youtopia, a highly successful engagement platform, as well as the world's first Visionary Art Gallery and Medical Marijuana Dispensary, and co-founded The Family Office Funding Challenge. He even spent time as President of The Hinman Foundation, a nonprofit focused on providing grants to community-based organizations, and now he works for the JLS fund, furthering their assistance and research in the field of psychedelic and plant-based medicines.  We start off by discussing Simeon's upbringing after being born to Peace Corp parents which set his early life up as a constant discovery and exploration across different countries and cultures. With that diverse foundation, a personal ethos of exploration and helping those in need became deeply ingrained in his belief system.  We also discuss the world of psychedelics and plant-based medicines, as well as how the associated social landscape has changed. It's still a volatile subject, politically; Simeon weighs in on the stigma and stability of the industry, as well as where anyone interested in the benefits of psychedelics can start their own journey to enlightenment. What Brett asks: [00:57] Let's start at the beginning. Tell me about your childhood. [06:15] What were you like as a child?  [08:20] Were you an entrepreneurial kid? [11:30] What was it about business that drew you away from your creative pursuits? [20:40] Was growing up with Peace Corp parents exciting? [23:00] Where did the freedom of your childhood lead you? [30:00] How do you feel about the notion that your entire life experience has fed into what you do now? [37:20] How does it feel to be doing good in an area that's so heavily stigmatized? [45:10] Do you worry that things in the area of psychedelics are changing so fast that it could all be shut down? [53:30] Where do you recommend people start with psychedelics? [58:20] Any final thoughts? To learn more about intentional living, and for the complete show notes, visit: https://gravityproject.com/ (gravityproject.com) Resources: https://www.jls.fund (JLS Fund) https://www.linkedin.com/in/simeonschnapper/ (Simeon on LinkedIn) https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/03/health/mdma-approval.html (The New York Times: “MDMA Reaches Next Step Toward Approval for Treatment”) Gravity is a production of http://crate.media (Crate Media).

Jane imagines a world where Norah dates Emma Watson. Daryn is a writer/performer from D.C. and based in Chicago. An alum of Second City Conservatory, Daryn has performed in many Chicago comedy shows, including Dick Wolf Improv, Fire & Beer, System of a Clown at Annoyance Theatre and The After Dark Show at Lincoln Lodge. As an arts administrator, she has worked at the Tony Award-winning Goodman Theatre and Disney World, among other jobs that blend her passion for art with her affinity for tailored blazers! Her jokes have been published in The Onion as a Features Contributor, and starting this fall, she will begin a fully-funded MFA in Writing for Screen and Stage at Northwestern University! She would love to connect with you on social media @daryn_2dream. Subscribe to our Patreon and get access to patrons-only perks at  patreon.com/underthebleacherspod!

Brent and Corey catch up with Corey's former Second City Conservatory classmate Alexandra and her fiancé Gus to discuss 2014's It Follows. We ask: Who is the last person you would want "It" to appear as? How could the curse be used for good? and How the heck do you get your leg back in that position?

Brent and Corey catch up with Corey's former Second City Conservatory classmate Alexandra and her fiancé Gus to discuss 2014's It Follows. We ask: Who is the last person you would want "It" to appear as? How could the curse be used for good? and How the heck do you get your leg back in that position?

Join me as I discuss love and relationship issues and concerns with 5 black professionals who have all gone through it. This conversation takes you through a gambit of ideas, situations, and scenarios looking at things surrounding black love. Imani Murrell Imani Murrell is a marketing consultant who helps business owners who feel overwhelmed by their marketing save time and energy by developing and implementing personalized digital marketing strategies on their behalf. Personally, she's just out here tryna stay alive and sane in the time of Covid without travel, novelty and touching, her literal favourite things. Find her at imanidigital.co or connect with her on Instagram: @imanidigital KONIMA PARKINSON-JONES KONIMA PARKINSON-JONES is a member of SAG/AFTRA, ACTRA and Counterbalance Collective. She was raised in various African countries (Sierra Leone, Nigeria, Cameroun, Togo, Gambia) and attended high school in Salzburg, Austria, she speaks 5 languages. After graduating Dalhousie University Acting Program in Halifax, NS, she landed her first lead role in the Scottish play Bondagers and toured with Canadian theater company, Two Planks and A Passion. In Los Angeles, California she has worked on a few feature films including Freeway Killer and A Necessary Death, which premiered at the South by Southwest Film Festival and won the AFI audience Film Festival award in 2009. In 2016 she completed the Second City Conservatory in Toronto. She performed at the Spoken Soul Fest 2019 and Black Women in Theatre in the piece Why Black Women Whisper by Canadian playwright Amani Woods. Her recent film projects include a leading role in the Sci-fi thriller Project Ithaca. She also had television appearances in The Rick Mercer Report, 12 Monkeys, Saving Hope, The Expanse, Impulse, Air Emergency and Falling Water. Social Media Instagram: @expandingbeauty Twitter: @ExpandingBeauty Patricia McPherson This week Patricia and I talked about her work and the inner ability to gain 4 hours of sleep. Patricia is a Yoga Teacher, Meditation Guide, Sleep Influencer, TV Actress and Model patriciamcpherson.ca https://www.instagram.com/patriciapattypat/ Caden Forbes Caden is an award-winning progressive sales and IT professional with over 15 years of extensive & proven track record of significantly contributing to the success of organizations such as IBM, Apple and Microsoft Canada. Caden is all so an extensive traveler and has been to over 25 countries and would have made it 27 if not for COVID. He loves a beautiful watch, a good cigar and 10-year-old whiskey. Caden is a big advocate for personal growth and development and believes in the benefits of therapy. If you would like to follow Caden on Instagram, you can follow him at @caden.forbes30 Bryan George Bryan George has worked in the engineering field for over a decade and is now an entrepreneur. Bryan founded Fiati 5 years ago. Fiati is a custom clothing brand. He's also the founder of RYP Apparel which is an athleisure brand. Bryan mentors other entrepreneurs and thrives on seeing others develop and build their own brands. Bryan also loves sharing his experiences in life and hopes that it will help impact others in a positive way. His mantra is " we must learn to adopt, adapt and adjust". Motto is "live your passion, change lives". #blacklove #dating #love #wife #married --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/toastedsoul/message

Jon Colby has been empowering people with improv for over 20 years. From presenting to performing, his engaging, interactive approach has successfully helped audiences across the US to be better communicators, leaders, teammates, salespeople, doctors, and even friends and family members. In today’s episode of Small-Time Leaders, Jon shares with us how Angela Raab sparked a new business idea for him. After hosting multiple in-person summits Angela pushed him more to pursue a full-time career as a public speaker. Not only she saw something special in Jon, but she also motivated him to transition to a joyful career and love every second of it. Jon combines his master’s in education and his background in theatre to craft a meaningful and interactive experience where audiences have the opportunity to apply what they learn. As a graduate of the world-famous Second City Conservatory comedy program and an educator with 15 years of classroom experience, he is able to keep an audience laughing while sharing practical knowledge that they can put to use right away. You don't just listen to him speak, you play. To learn more about Jon visit www.joncolby.com or connect with him on LinkedIn HERE. To learn more about how Michael guides executives and their teams to get on the same page with strategic planning and leadership succession, go to https://michaelalantate.com/ where you’ll also find his Blog and 3 Books: The White Shirt – how to find a life-giving career , Design a Life that works Michael’s latest book, Roll Up Your Sleeves. all three are now available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and independent local bookstores. Roll Up Your Sleeves teaches people how to Lead and Live in a Constant Changing World with simple applications. Take a closer look at the book and experience a new way of working through an unexpected change in your life and career by taking the 2-minute My Change Management Style Quiz http://rollupsleevesbook.com/ To learn more about Small Time Leaders podcast and Michael’s the Leadership & Life Journal blog- a new way to think about at the important things you already know, go to at https://michaelalantate.com/

Jon Colby has been empowering people with improv for over 20 years. From presenting to performing, his engaging, interactive approach has successfully helped audiences across the US to be better communicators, leaders, teammates, salespeople, doctors, and even friends and family members. In today’s episode of Small-Time Leaders, Jon shares with us how his colleague David Quick saved his career during the pandemic. They both worked closely together and strategized new virtual public speaking approaches to increase participant engagement. Their collaboration has helped them both grow exponentially during this past year. Jon combines his master’s in education and his background in theatre to craft a meaningful and interactive experience where audiences have the opportunity to apply what they learn. As a graduate of the world-famous Second City Conservatory comedy program and an educator with 15 years of classroom experience, he is able to keep an audience laughing while sharing practical knowledge that they can put to use right away. You don't just listen to him speak, you play. To learn more about Jon visit www.joncolby.com or connect with him on LinkedIn HERE. To learn more about how Michael guides executives and their teams to get on the same page with strategic planning and leadership succession, go to https://michaelalantate.com/ where you’ll also find his Blog and 3 Books: The White Shirt – how to find a life-giving career , Design a Life that works Michael’s latest book, Roll Up Your Sleeves. all three are now available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and independent local bookstores. Roll Up Your Sleeves teaches people how to Lead and Live in a Constant Changing World with simple applications. Take a closer look at the book and experience a new way of working through an unexpected change in your life and career by taking the 2-minute My Change Management Style Quiz http://rollupsleevesbook.com/ To learn more about Small Time Leaders podcast and Michael’s the Leadership & Life Journal blog- a new way to think about at the important things you already know, go to at https://michaelalantate.com/

Pamay Bassey is Chief Learning and Diversity Officer for the Kraft Heinz Company. Prior to Kraft Heinz, Pamay served as the Global Head of Learning Platform and Professional Development for BlackRock. Before that, she was president of The Pamay Group, an e-learning design and strategy company. Her career began in Accenture's Media Technologies Group. Pamay is also Chief Experience Officer of the My 52 Weeks of Worship Project, through which she facilitates courageous conversations about cultural and interfaith diversity, inclusion, and understanding. Her 2018 TEDx talk, Navigating Sacred Spaces, is based on her project work and her book: My 52 Weeks of Worship: Lessons from a Global, Spiritual, Interfaith Journey. Pamay is Chair of the National Advisory Board of The Haas Center for Public Service at Stanford University, a life member of the Council on Foreign Relations, and serves on the board of Houlihan Lokey and of the M&G Etomi Foundation, serving the people of the Niger Delta region in Southern Nigeria. Pamay earned a B.S. in Symbolic Systems from Stanford, with an Artificial Intelligence concentration, and a M.S. in Computer Science from Northwestern. She is also a graduate of the Second City Conservatory program in Chicago, an advanced study of improvisational comedy and theater.  https://www.linkedin.com/in/pamay/ (Pamay's LinkedIn Profile): https://www.linkedin.com/in/pamay/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/pamay/ ) Pamay's TEDx talk: https://www.ted.com/talks/pamay_bassey_navigating_sacred_spaces (https://www.ted.com/talks/pamay_bassey_navigating_sacred_spaces ) Pamay's Book: My 52 Weeks of Worship: Lessons from a Global, Spiritual, Interfaith Journey https://www.amazon.com/My-Weeks-Worship-Spiritual-Interfaith/dp/1452545804 (https://www.amazon.com/My-Weeks-Worship-Spiritual-Interfaith/dp/1452545804) WHAT YOU WILL DISCOVER IN THIS EPISODE: How stand-up comedy and improv inform Pamay's leadership style and why "laughter is a superpower".   Why Pamay pursued a major in Symbolic Systems with an emphasis on Artificial Intelligence at Stanford, and how not majoring in business impacted her career path. The future of artificial intelligence at work. How delivering a TEDx talk has become the "gift that keeps on giving”. Situations where it's important to rely on emotional intelligence. Where Pamay grew up and her interesting path to the C-Suite. Advice for business owners considering going back into corporate and for corporate leaders starting their own company. Insights for leaders considering whether they should join an external board. Why Kraft Heinz merged the Chief Learning Officer and a Chief Diversity Officer into one executive position. The challenge of measuring bottom-line impact for learning, development, and diversity programs. The key attributes of the most effective presentations. The common pitfalls of bad presentations. The advice she would give her younger self. Why it matters if you use your first or last name when you talk to yourself.  The one trait she'd like to instill in every employee. How to present your idea to the C-Suite. How an unexpected career twist led to her success down the road. HIGHLIGHTS: Advice for business owners who are thinking of going to back into corporate and corporate leaders who are thinking of starting their own business: Examine your self-perception. Deal with other people's perception. Find a way to share your creative narrative in a way everyone would understand. Advice on how to communicate big ideas: Simplicity is the key. Be able to ask questions. Be patient. QUOTES: “Everything is better with laughter.” “As an executive having a sense of humor always comes in handy.” “When things are hard I look for the laughter within it.” “When you're talking about something at work that people have strong feelings about, it requires emotional intelligence.” RESOURCES: Second City Conservatory...

Co-founder of The Kates on Broadway and acclaimed Chicago comedy vet Amy Sumpter goes over her amazing 2019 set at Strip Joker in this season 3 finale! We discuss making space for women in stand-up (and in the world), the time her breast ended up in an old lady's mouth on the subway, and what not to do when your gynecologist shows up to a pelvic exam dressed as a pirate. Timestamps: 01:00 – Set from Strip Joker 14:00 – “I come from a pretty funny family” Mentions of 7th Grade, Mean Girls, High School, Medieval Times, Jewel Osco, Bennigan’s 16:35 – “I want to be the weirdo; I want to be the character actor” Mentions of College, Chicago, Second City 17:45 – “…And that’s where I met Kelsie Huff” Mentions of Kelsie Huff, The Kates, Bear (The Nephew), Columbia College, Second City Conservatory 18:55 – The Kates Origin Story Mentions of Frankie J’s on Broadway, Methadone Clinics, One-Woman Shows, ‘Huffs’, Tragedy Plus Time, ‘Enough is Enough’ Webseries 21:40 – “Chicago is very small” 22:25 – “Whenever I have issues [with someone], it’s usually a white dude” (SPOILER ALERT) 22:55 – “I have been getting onstage since I was twelve” 23:21 – “Open mics just make me want to quit comedy” 24:37 – “Talk about what you know” 24:54 – “Don’t try to emulate your favorite comics” Mentions of Eddie Murphy, Lilly Tomlin, Amy Schumer 25:30 – Bad Sitcom Writing vs. ‘The Office’ 26:10 – Amy’s First Open Mic Story Mentions of Chicago Trolley, Corona Beer, Withered Lady-Boners, Eric Estrada, ‘Chips’, The Comedy Hole of Shame 32:02 – Moving to Chicago vs. LA 32:42 – ‘The Kates’ Begins Mentions of Female Representation, Edgewater, Kate The Great’s Book Emporium, The Book Cellar, Facebook, Feminism 35:11 – Getting into the Set 35:13 – The High Kick Mentions of Cartwheels, Counseling, Therapy, Macho Man Randy Savage 36:57 – Underwear Covered in Pubic Hair Mentions of Gen-X, Shaving, Litmus Test 37:54 – 3-Year Old Nephew, Bear, Trying to Swear Mentions of Child Psychology, Teaching, Testing Limits 40:11 – The L-Cup and “You’re Welcome!” Mentions of Strip Joker, Specialty Bras, Motifs, X-Treme Commercials, Body Positivity, Believe Women 43:40 – Midwestern Politeness 44:20 – The Subway Incident Mentions of Rebirth, Mid-Life Crisis, Hindsight, Turkey Dogs 46:27 – Mom Is Taller Than Dad 48:30 – The Tom Green Digression Mention of ‘The Tom Green Show’ Season 1, Episode 9: ‘Parent Statues’ Season 2, Episode 11: ‘Best of Special’ Mention of Drew Barrymore 50:20 – “I’m not a virgin and that’s sad” Mentions of Pound Town, Self Esteem 52:11 – “Why do some people just get to live in Pound Town?” Mentions of Hot Privilege, Serial Monogamy, Relationship Baggage, Chemistry 54:57 – The Gynocologist Mentions of Halloween, Speculums, Tinder, Salvatore Dali, Empowered Vaginas 57:10 – Revealing The Pasty 59:58 – Reviewing the Set 1:01:21 – “I don’t necessarily believe in ‘suffer for your art’” 1:01:45 – Advice for Aspiring Comedians 1:03:18 – Where Can We Find You? Podcast: ‘Shaped’ She’s Crafty: Chicago’s All-Female Beastie Boys Tribute Band The Kates @ The Book Cellar Upcoming Comedy Album 1:04:28 – Final Words  

Is there a passion that you have always want to explore? Is it too late for you? Will you be successful? Should you just stick to what you know? What will people think? Sound familiar?  Take a leap of faith! It doesn’t need to be all or nothing to explore your passions!  Writer/Comedian/Actor Yaw Attuah joins the conversation on Cue To Cue this week to encourage us to take a leap if we want to and explore why it’s gnawing at you. You need to try it and see if it’s really what you’re looking for. Yaw will take us on a journey on how he took a leap of faith in becoming a comedian and how his worst set turned out to be the a great learning experience. He reminds us that we can demystify the unknown and learn from moments when we fall. Don’t wallow in your failures. Don’t let the beast grow! Confront your biggest fears! In this episode: The difference between any comic and a better comic is how you frame the joke. How modesty can be dishonesty when we don’t acknowledge our own skills and achievements. The importance of critique in nurturing your creativity. How a performance solidified his leap of faith as a comedian. Share this episode! >> www.thisischelseajohnson.com/189 A little about Yaw: Yaw Attuah is a comedian, writer and actor from Fort Erie, Ontario, Canada. He was a finalist in the 2017 Toronto Comedy Brawl competition and competed in comedy competitions in Brantford, ON, and San Diego, CA. He debuted his critical and audience hit one-person show ‘Rhymes with Wow’ at the Toronto Fringe Festival July 2018. Yaw has completed the Second City Toronto Writer’s program and the prestigious Second City Conservatory program. As a stand-up comedian, Yaw has performed at many well-respected clubs/venues across the North America and has opened for Comedians Sam Jay (SNL), Josh Gondelman (Desus & Mero), and Eliza Skinner (Drop the Mic on TBS) Follow Yaw! Instagram: @yawexperience Twitter: @yawexperience

Listen in to a fire side chat with Joe Bill -- widely regarded as one of the best teachers of Scenic and Comedic Improvisation in the world today. He is one of the founding members of Annoyance Theater Chicago where, for 12 years, he performed in and/or directed more than 60 different shows. He was the Director of Corporate Training at iO Chicago for 15 years and a Teacher & Guest Artist in Residence at The Second City Conservatory & Training Center for another 15 years. Joe first learned Improvisation and in 1977 studied and worked with Del Close from 1985 through the mid 90’s. Joe is ½ of the original improvised Monoscene, BASSPROV with Mark Sutton, . They have been heralded by the NY TIMES: "BASSPROV refreshingly has the feel of a quiet character study...jokes emerge organically, using wordplay, character quirks and quicksilver wit." Joe tours all over the world, teaching and headlining with extremely talented Duo partners like Mark Sutton (Annoyance Theater Co-Founding Member and Artistic Director for Training and Development at The Second City) in the long-running BASSPROV, Jill Bernard (Huge Improv Theater – Mpls.) in their hit show SCRAM!, with Lee White (CRUMBS – Winnipeg, Berlin) in their heroic Duo show PARADIGM, with International Improv Legend Patti Stiles (AD - Impro Melbourne) in their groundbreaking show Our Play, Stacey Hallal (Curious Comedy Theater – Portland, OR) in Stacey & Joe and We Slept Together, Heather Urquhart (Improviser/Director The Maydays & Showstopper The Improvised Musical – London/U.K.) in their magical improvised Musical Blues Hammer (with the stupendous Joe Samuel on Improvised Orchestra) and with David Razowsky (Host A.D.D. Comedy Podcast) in Razowsky & Bill. He’s played with many other Duo partners, in the U.S. and abroad, in many Festival Ensemble shows and in every improvised format and/or style imaginable. For the last 6 years he has also been teaching and performing in French, in many cities in France, Belgium & Luxembourg. He is living his dream! He has played as a guest in Play Unscripted with ImproTheatre L.A., Grand Theft Impro at Impro Melbourne (Australia), The Scene at The PIT in New York City and UCB in L.A., with Let’s Have A Ball and ASSSSCAT 3000 at UCB Theater in New York & L.A. and with Kornfeld & Andrews at Magnet Theater in New York City. And, of course, he has performed, directed, taught and served as an Artistic Adviser for a number of Improvisation/Comedy Theaters & Festivals on every continent except Antarctica (but he’s working on that!) and at every major Improv Festival in The United States. You can find Joe on facebook at Joe Bill Teaches! | Facebook, which is also the best place to get connected with the Story Chain sessions that Joe hosts.

The last thing most people would associate with the year 2020 would be laughter. But not Nancy Watt, our guest this week on Geeks Geezers and Googlization. Faced with unprecedented pandemic uncertainty, billions of people worldwide almost overnight in 2020 were forced to improvise, doing things they never planned, using whatever resources they could muster. As a skill, adaptability skyrocketed to the top of the in-demand job and life skills charts, above EQ and IQ. Adaptability quotient (AQ) achieved global momentum and recognition. Unfortunately, the theoretical knowledge of one’s AQ doesn’t always translate into adaptive behavior unless it’s applied. Using the improv skills Nancy learned at Second City Conservatory in Toronto and Chicago, she is able to help people boost AQ and personal and organizational performance. Often called a ‘Pracademic’, Nancy Watt is the Founder & CEO of NANCY WATT COMMUNICATIONS, a creative agency in Toronto, Canada.

The Whole Artist with Courtney Rioux: Conversations with artists about acting, purpose, and the journey to finding wholeness. You are so much more than the last job you booked. Today Courtney sits down with performer and positive psychology practitioner, Erica Elam, to discuss how principles from improv and positive psychology can change an actor's (or anyone's) sense of well-being. Erica Elam is an actor, improviser, director, and positive psychology practitioner based in Chicago. She has performed at The Goodman (in the world premiere of Sarah Ruhl's Stage Kiss), Steppenwolf, Northlight, Court, Remy Bumppo, Peninsula Players, Chicago Shakespeare, and with The Second City at The KennedyCenter in Washington, D.C. She is an ensemble member with the critically acclaimed improv troupes BabyWants Candy and The Improvised Shakespeare Company (with whom she was the first woman ever to perform). Erica earned her Masters in Applied Positive Psychology at The University of Pennsylvania, and graduated from The University of Georgia, The Second City Conservatory, and The School at Steppenwolf. Find Erica on Social Media Instagram: instagram.com/ericaelam Follow Courtney Rioux online: Sign up for V.I.P. updates and free gifts at www.courtneyrioux.com instagram.com/courtneyrioux twitter.com/courtneyrioux facebook.com/CourtneyRiouxOfficial/ Other links: Character Strengths: https://www.viacharacter.org/survey/account/register Shared History Pod: https://arcadeaudio.net/shared-history/2020/10/7/037-happy-healthy-history-feat-courtney-rioux Zoom Fatigue: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/29/sunday-review/zoom-video-conference.html ### Special thanks to: Tommy Martin for editing and mixing this episode. Mandy Work Wetzel for all of your hard work. Photography by Joe Mazza, Brave Lux. For more information, go to http://bravelux.com/ Music by Blythe Martin Productions. For more info, please contact Jamie and Erik at erik@SoundAnswer.com Co-Edited by Courtney Rioux --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/courtneyrioux/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/courtneyrioux/support

Francis is an actor and member of the Second City Conservatory. We speak about his lifelong dream of being an actor and how this dream is coming come true. https://iosonofrancis.com https://www.instagram.com/francis_l_domenico/ Learn More at rickyartist.com   music credits: Bin der Bos by Checkie Brown https://soundcloud.com/user-607726637 We Are One by https://www.scottholmesmusic.com

Jill Stuck, owner of Storytown Improv in Chicago, talks to Jessica about How to be a Midwestern Woman. We talk about whether you can trust nice people, if it's ok if no one likes you, and the love language of pie. Performer, writer, and teacher Jill Olson Stuck is the founder and producer of Storytown Improv.  She is a graduate of the improvOlympic and Second City Conservatory programs, and has performed with iO, Second City's Skybox Theater, Moving Dock Theater Company, Redtwist Theatre, and WNEP with Seven Deadly Plays and 365 Sketches.  She studied playwriting at The Chicago Dramatists, and her writing credits include Mayfly: A Collection of Short Plays, Left Unnamed (The 5th Annual Women's Performance Art Festival with Stockyards Theatre Project), and Eleanor in American Machine and Other Works. Jill teaches with Dream Big Performing Arts Workshop, and The Laughing Academy, and has served as Program Coordinator for This Is ME and Child Whisperer for The Chicago Sketch Comedy Festival. She holds a BA in Theater Arts from Towson University, where she graduated Cum Laude. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/midwesternwoman/support

Taylor Dorsett grew up in Anderson, SC and while attending Anderson University was part of Far Sketched Comedy. He studied acting and eventually become an Alchemy Comedy member for few years. He eventually moved to Chicago to study at the Second City Conservatory. He now performs part time and uses his years of improv in everyday life as well as his job. Special guest host Dustin Bays joins Andrew Van over zoom.

Encore Perfromances, Connecting with Friends of GBA - Nancy Watt Our Host and Guest Joel Carson host and GBA (https://www.geoprofessional.org/) Executive Director – Link to Profile (https://www.linkedin.com/in/joelcarson/) Nancy Watt is President of NANCY WATT COMMUNICATIONS (http://nancywattcomm.com/), a specialized consulting and creative agency that works with all sectors exploring the social science of collaboration, communication and connection. Using a ‘Pracademic’ approach, Nancy Watt elucidates evidence-based research in an engaging and entertaining way using the tools and techniques of improv honed from her days at The Second City Conservatory in Toronto. This form of experiential learning has been used in diverse setting with a wise swath of clients from marginalized populations to the judiciary, medical school faculty and law societies. In order to capture effective experiential learning, she builds a camaraderie-filled ensemble where the participants learn while laughing. Topics for discussion include: Accepting the reality of the other [min 2:16] Adaptability Quotient (AQ) [min 5:00] Fostering an organization of trust and transparency [min. 12:50] The silver lining in all of this is …….? [min. 21:11] What are you doing now that you don't have the opportunity to speak at conferences in person? [min. 24:05] AQAI (website) (https://www.aqai.io/) use code NWC4 to receive 50% off 10 assessments [min. 26:00] www.nancywattcomm.com (website) Calls-to-action: Connect with Nancy Watt: Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Company/Nancy-Watt-Communications-1956558654579150/) | Twitter (https://twitter.com/nancywatt1) | LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancywatt/) | Website (http://nancywattcomm.com/) Visit the GBA Website at https://www.geoprofessional.org for more information resources or to become a member. Visit the GBA Website for training resources and reference material for professional development. Visit https://www.gbapodcast.com for future Podcast Episodes Contact us at info@geoprofessional.org with any podcast-related questions or comments This episode was produced by the following GBA Members: Ryan White, PE, GE – Principle/Geotechnical Engineering Group Manger/PBS Engineering and Environmental (https://www.pbsusa.com/) Tiffany Vorhies, NACE CIP-2 – Chief Consultant/SME (https://sme-usa.com/) Donald K. Blackburn, MBA – Business Manager/Blackburn Consulting (https://blackburnconsulting.com/) Shawn Leyva, PE – Associate Senior Engineer/Crawford & Associates (https://crawford-inc.com/)

In this week's episode, I sit down with the super funny Emily Zawisza, and we talk about her journey into the improv world, her work at Four Day Weekend, and how to use improv’s method of “yes and” in your work and day to day life.  After college, Emily enrolled in the Four Day Weekend Theater’s improv training center and was immediately hooked. This motivated her to move to Chicago to continue her improv comedy education, where she was accepted into and graduated from the world-famous Second City Conservatory, as well as the iO Training Center. While nights were spent performing with various improv troupes, she built a career on the intersection of comedy and business. From her jobs at Groupon, The Onion, The Second City, and Slate Magazine, the common thread has been how humor and intelligent wit can be powerful tools in communication and business. Now working back at Four Day Weekend, where it all started, she can be found collaborating with Fortune 500 companies to create engaging content and train employees with improvisational techniques.This episode is perfect for anyone looking for techniques and exercises to build trust and communication in the workplace or for anyone who needs a laugh or two. Reach out to Emily at emily@fourdayweekend.com  Reach out: leadintoitpodcast@gmail.com Instagram: @leadintoitLogo Design: Kamry Rose Creative, kamryrosecreative@gmail.com   

In this episode of The Ultimate Creative Podcast I chat with performer and comedian Alicia Carrick from Toronto. After making the decision to move to Toronto to pursue comedy, Alicia realized that she had been moving further and further away from her goals without really noticing.And that's when she decided to make a change.She signed up to take improv classes at Second City (which is where I met her! Yay!) and joined the comedy troupe Weird Town which performed sketch and improv all over the city, and produced comedy web series. In the summer of 2019, she auditioned for the Second City Conservatory program and was granted a place on her first try - which is largely unheard of! But right around then, her health took a turn, which ultimately forced her to take stock of what was really important in her life. Not only was it now essential for her to focus on getting better, but it was also crucial to choose the activities that made her feel good - because she didn't have the capacity to pursue every opportunity anymore. Through all of this, Alicia maintained an amazingly positive attitude that had a ripple effect across everything she was involved in.“Looking back, I'm like, thank God for it, because [it] just really cemented the fact that I need to prioritize me and my own self care. And so that became the era of saying no to things that I don't really care to do.”Alicia started vocalizing her needs more both at her day job and with her comedy, choosing to work with people that were on a similar trajectory to her that she felt she could really connect with. Through daily journaling and practicing yoga, she began to realize that she was choosing to only surround herself with the things that made her feel good, making it much easier to say goodbye to the things that didn't anymore. “I just can't fall into, this or lose time in life, dictated by something I can't really control. What I can control is my stress level, and being, or stage performing, all of that is a stress relief. Everybody needs their creative outlet. It becomes medicine at that point. And so if you don't take your medicine, you're going to revert back. So I just made changes because I don't want to lose time anymore. Comedy has been a bit of a life saver.”By prioritizing her own needs, she set an example for the people around her to do the same. SO, with that, I hope you enjoy this episode and that you take some inspiration away from Alicia's story! Choosing to keep a positive attitude and choosing to stick with things that make you feel good are possible when you are able to do so and have the capacity! Try some of the things that Alicia suggests, like journaling, yoga or comedy if you're feeling a little stuck right now and need a bit of a boost to start moving forward!Links mentioned in this episode: https://bigchickenergysketch.comhttps://weirdtowncomedy.comhttps://www.secondcity.com/courses/toronto/general-information/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Mouth_(TV_series)

Nabeel El Khafif joins Jimmer Lowe for an Episode of Q’d Up. Nabeel El Khafif is a Canadian-born actor, and former physician and surgeon. He has played a variety of roles in film and television, including 'The Expanse', 'American Gods', 'The Mist', and 'X-men: Apocalypse'.Nabeel El Khafif was born January 2, 1984 in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. He is the eldest of two children from Gamila Zahran, a pharmacist, and Mahmoud El Khafif, an economist and diplomat with the United Nations. He is of Egyptian descent. Throughout elementary, middle, and high school Nabeel performed in school drama productions and often garnered the praise of the audience and his teachers. He excelled academically, skipping three grades, and finishing 13 years of schooling at the age of 15. After being discouraged from pursuing a career in the performing arts, Nabeel attended the University of Waterloo where he studied Bioinformatics. After graduation he was still intent on becoming an actor, however he was forced to pick up a variety of odd jobs to support himself, and eventually gave in to family pressures again to pursue Medical school.He attended Medical school at the University of Geneva, Switzerland, where the curriculum was entirely delivered in French. Upon completion of his schooling he was immediately hired by the University of Geneva hospital as a surgical resident. He obtained a Master's degree in medicine and won several awards for his research on Pancreatic and Islet transplantation, which was subsequently published in a top-ranked peer-reviewed journal. It was during this period that Nabeel realized he was quickly moving towards the fulfillment of a dream that "was not his." After much careful reflection, he resigned from his position at the hospital, and returned to Toronto to begin pursuing a career in acting.Upon his return to Canada, Nabeel trained at the Second City Conservatory and the Professional Actor's Lab, both institutions being well known for their respective Alumni. His first film role was a minuscule appearance in X-men Apocalypse, and he has since appeared in a variety of film and television roles. Nabeel prides himself on being able to break rules and push the boundaries set by other people's perceptions.

Yaw Attuah joins Jimmer Lowe for an episode of Q’d Up. Yaw Attuah is a comedian, writer and actor from Fort Erie, Ontario, Canada. He was a finalist in the 2017 Toronto Comedy Brawl competition and competed in comedy competitions in Brantford, ON and San Diego, CA. He debuted his critical and audience hit one-person show 'Rhymes with Wow' at the Toronto Fringe Festival July 2018. Yaw has completed the Second City Toronto Writer’s program and the prestigious Second City Conservatory program. As a stand-up comedian, Yaw has performed at many well-respected clubs/venues across the North America and has opened for Comedians Sam Jay (SNL), Josh Gondelman (Desus & Mero), and Eliza Skinner (Drop the Mic on TBS). Yaw also performs as an improviser in a duo called Not-Not Best Friends, in a sketch duo called Oreo Blizzard.

In this week's episode, Dionna catches up with one of her favorite "internet" friends, Tony Rossi! Tony is an actor, podcaster, and mindset coach for actors, based in the Chicago area. In this episode, Dionna and Tony discuss Tony's rebranded podcast, Actor Problems, and some of the common pitfalls they both have as actors and coaches.Tony Rossi Bio:Tony is a Chicago based actor, having performed both in the Chicago and Boston markets. His training includes the Second City Conservatory and the Business of Coaching and Speaking certification program. After hitting his rock bottom while waiting tables, Tony now coaches actors to see things differently with the things that make them stressed, so that they can focus on what matters. He is the host of the Actor Problems podcast and has published articles as a guest expert on Backstage.com.To Connect with Tony Rossi, check out his website www.tonyrossicoaching.com and the Backstage articles he has written. You can find his podcast, Actor Problems, on iTunes and Spotify. Connect with him on social, on Instagram @tony.rossi and Twitter @_tonyrossiTo Follow/Contact Dionna:Join The Nourished Actor Email List for Podcast Updates, Coaching Exclusives, and More.Find Dionna on Instagram @thenourishedactor, at www.dionnaeshleman.com, or on The Nourished Actor Podcast Facebook page.Feel free to email thenourishedactor@gmail.com to learn more about my life coaching offerings for actors and to set up a free discovery call!Shoutouts this episode:Listen to Dionna's episode on Tony's podcast!Check out Kelsey Mathes on Tony's show!Do you like the new podcast music? Special thanks to Kevin MacLeod! See details below for more about the music used in today's podcast.Music from https://filmmusic.io"Werq" by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com)License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

Our guest on this episode is Judi Holler, the owner of HOLLA! Productions. Judi is an entrepreneur, speaker, author and host of her own podcast series called The FearBoss Show. Judi’s diverse background includes studying and performing improvisation at The Second City Conservatory in Chicago, which inspired her to incorporate improv into her work. She spent many years in the hospitality industry working in a variety of sales and marketing positions for hotel companies such as Marriott, Omni and Starwood Hotels. She also worked for Explore St. Louis (St. Louis Convention & Visitors Commission) before venturing out on her own on a full-time basis in 2016.Her first book - “Fear Is My Homeboy®: How to Slay Doubt, Boss Up, and Succeed on Your Own Terms”, was published in 2019. In it she shares valuable, actionable advice on how to accept - and even embrace - fear, so readers can start to live more balanced, successful, and fulfilling lives.In May 2020 she published her latest book - The Fear Boss Project: A Workbook for the Dreamers Who Dare to Live a Braver Life® - a workbook companion guide to Fear Is My Homeboy®.A self-described "Creative Entrepreneur", Judi is obsessed with helping people live braver lives and leaders lead braver teams. She believes freedom lives in smashing comfort zones. In this insightful podcast, Judi gives listeners a peek at what makes her tick as she passionately discusses her mission and why she decided to publish Fear Is My Homeboy®. Lots of great nuggets of inspiration!Website: http://judiholler.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/judiholler/Twitter: https://twitter.com/JudiHoller

Every week comedian Yael Gavish talks with a comedian that has at some point been asked “Where Are You REALLY From?” Whether it's due to an accent, skin color, the outfit they are wearing or various other factors. Each conversation explores personal stories about travels, family life, cultural experiences and funny stories that have happened along the way. CHICAGO SPECIAL Today I met the incredible Mallory Bradford. She based in Chicago and produces the Chicago Underground Comedy but travels all around the world! Her comedy is sharp, emotional, and funny, which she thinks is a great combination of things to be. Audiences agree. Mallory is a producer at the historic Chicago Underground Comedy and a regular at Chicago's prestigious Lincoln Lodge. She has performed at showcases and clubs all over the Midwest and both coasts, including The Laugh Factory, The Comedy Bar, and Comedians You Should Know. She hosts a weekly open mic at the historic iO theater and is a graduate of The Second City Conservatory, The iO Theater, and The Annoyance Theater. Mallory has performed at The Chicago Women's Funny Festival, The Cream City Comedy Festival, The Big Little Comedy Festival, and The Burbank Comedy Festival, and her writing has been featured at The Second City Mary Scruggs Works by Women Festival. In her spare time, Mallory makes instagram stories, sends unhinged tweets about the president, eats pizza, and watches re-runs of ER. Find more on Mallory's website: https://www.mallorybradford.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mpbradfo/

Antony Hall joins Jimmer Lowe for an Episode of Q'd Up. Antony is a Toronto based improviser/actor who originally hails for Lethbridge, Alberta. He is a graduate of The Second City Conservatory and Theatre Arts Program at MacEwan University. He can be seen performing with a number of improv teams in the city which include (Gentleman Frog and Darth Vader Ginsburg). You may also see him from time to time as his comedy rap persona Young Riesling when he appears as part of the hip hop duo Whyte Wyne and Young Riesling or the comedy rap collective NOTORIOUS. Antony was a part of the 2019 Featured Players Residency at Toronto’s Bad Dog Comedy Theatre. He is the Co-Creator of Ming’s Dynasty, a Canadian Comedy Digital Series on CBC Gem in Canada. Ming’s will be released to FuseTV and FICTO in the United States in the coming months.

Alia Rasul joins Jimmer Lowe for an Episode of Q'd Up. Alia is a Canadian Comedy Award nominated writer/performer. She is a member of award-winning sketch troupe, The Tita Collective. Alia received rave reviews for her performance in Generally Hospital whose “outstanding ensemble” won Patron’s Pick and the David Séguin Memorial Award. She understudied for 2 seasons of Second City’s Mainstage award-winning show, She The People and more recently performed in Second City PatchCo’s “Take Me Out to the Improv - Spooky Edition”. She graduated from the Second City Conservatory program and is a NBCUniversal Bob Curry Fellowship alumni. Alia holds a BA from McGill University. She made her directorial debut with Kwento, an improvised Filipino folktale. With the support of the Toronto Arts Council, she is currently developing her first play, Tang Ina.

For the inaugural edition of the podcast I have a very special guest. One of the biggest names in Canadian stand-up comedy, as well as someone I am happy to call my friend, Nikki Payne! Nikki Payne was educated at Truro Community College, Humber School of Comedy and The Second City Conservatory. Nikki's comedy work has earned her accolades. She is the recipient of 3 Canadian Comedy Awards as best stand-up newcomer in 2003 and as best female stand-up for 2005 and 2008. She was nominated twice for Gemini Awards. She has appeared on CTV's Comedy Inc special, in Nikki Payne's Funtime Show, The National Film Board of Canada's The Next Big Thing and Much Music's Video on Trial. She was also semi-finalist on the American television show The Last Comic Standing and currently the voice of Becky on Teletoons "Bagel and Becky" In this Episode Nikki tells us about... Overcoming destructive thinking and how to stand out The ups and downs of stand-up comedy Defining success for yourself The importance of enjoying what you do and fun How to produce material when you don't really have ideas How Nikki walked away from what others might have thought was success in Toronto and Los Angeles

Rebecca Jackson-Artis joins the podcast to teach McNeil and Andrew a thing or two about following their calling!  And that baseball games are boring. Especially when they are announced on the radio.  "And.....  A swing and miss..."  Rebecca also promotes her comedy sketch show "What If I'm The Becky?" that she created with her partner Rebecca Fox! You can get tickets here: https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/4523808 Rebecca Jackson-Artis (the Black one) was born on the south side of Chicago and reared in the north suburb of Skokie. A lover of performance, comedy and music since childhood, she holds a BA in Theatre Arts-Performance from Hampton University. In Chicago, she was an ensemble member of Barrel of Monkeys Theatre Company and worked as a teaching artist in Chicago Public Schools. She graduated from The Second City Conservatory and became an understudy for Chicago’s Second City mainstage.  The birth of Rebecca’s first child in 2008 inspired an interest in maternal and child health. She became a Certified Lactation Specialist and worked with the Chicago Department of Public Health and WIC, promoting breastfeeding in African American communities throughout Chicago. She started a blog, a podcast, and co-founded a company that helped parents and health agencies serving low-resource neighborhoods. In 2012, Rebecca, her husband Craston Artis II, and other parents started the African-centered school Watoto Wetu Academy on the south side of Chicago. Rebecca moved with her family to Raleigh, North Carolina in 2014 and soon realized she had to return to acting, writing, and comedy. In 2018 she graduated from the University of Georgia’s Grady College of Journalism & Mass Communications as a Master of Fine Arts in Narrative Media Writing. In 2018, Rebecca also wrote, produced, and starred in a short comedic film, In the Midst of Morons, directed by Dre Robinson. After ITMOM, Dre and Rebecca began a web series called Totally Becky, which screened in eight film festivals, garnering nominations for two awards, and winning Best Web Series at the 2018 Middle Coast Film Festival. Rebecca lives in Raleigh with her husband, two sons (sometimes her bonus daughter too), and her mom from whom she learned the art of comedic timing.    

Toni has a theatre degree from the University of Toronto, and went into comedy straight out of university, doing improv shows, sketch, and short videos. She was part of the Second City Conservatory program in Toronto and also worked for the Second City Theatre for about 7 years for the front of house. During that time, she started her own theatre company, Third Kid Productions. She wrote and produced (and acted in) three musical comedies (two one-acts, and one full-length). The full length, Gee Willikers, SPACE! was nominated for an Ovation Award for Best New Work. Toni started doing TV photo-recaps for the TV.com community page in 2014. After five years she created her own blog. She now has two blogs; Toni Watches (photo recaps), and Letters From Auntie (about her travels). She’s currently writing a young-adult adventure trilogy of books called Township 13 and has a bit of a romantic comedy book in the works called Meet June. She also wrote a book of sort-of-poetry called Survival of the Fittest; a Love Story. Find Toni Maggio:Toni Watches (photo recaps) - https://toniwatches.comLetters From Auntie (blog) - https://lettersfromauntie.home.blog/ Twitter - https://twitter.com/ToniMaggio Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sweet_tones   About MindMineTV: We're Evin and Tatiana - filmmakers, actors, directors, digital media producers, and gamers. Join us for exciting games, hilarious jokes (at least we like to think so), engaging perspectives and a passion for entertaining you (the Brainstream community)!   Connect with MindMineTV:Visit the MindMineTV WEBSITE: http://mindminepod.comCheck out MindMineTV on INSTAGRAM: http://instagram.com/MindMineTVFollow MindMineTV on TWITTER: http://twitter.com/MindMineTVWatch MindMineTV live on TWITCH: http://twitch.com/MindMineTVAdd to the MindMineTV tip jar on STREAMELEMENTS: https://streamelements.com/mindminetv/tip

Laura Kyswaty knew from the time she was six years old that she wanted to be a performer. As she grew up she explored her passion through theatre, dance and television.There's a confidence that comes with doing what you love, and loving what you do! In her many years of experience, Laura Kyswaty has appeared on screens both large and small around the world, and onstage across the country.Roles have ranged from comedy to drama, leading lady to supporting cast.Her studies in improvisation at the Second City Conservatory, along with her performance degree from York University, allow her to tackle a wide variety of projects. In her spare time she dances and choreographs for a local Toronto company, is a communication coach for executives in some of North America's top companies, and hangs out with her dog.The Promised Land The Promised Land at the Hamilton Fringe is a comedic homage to 1940s film noir, filled with fast-talking fellas and femme fatales, an ingenue, or two, and a wisecracking former hobo; all inhabiting a world of loose morals and suspicious intentions. Tickets: http://hamiltonfringe.ca/shows/promised-land/

This week, Josh talks to Jennifer Ashleigh Lloyd about the Second City Conservatory, being an extra in an Adam Sandler movie, and comedy in Toronto. Not Oasis is coming to Philly Sketchfest. They’re performing Saturday, June 1 at the Ruba Club in the 8:30 block along with Tiny Arson and the Original Arugula Boys. You can like Not Oasis on Facebook at facebook.com/notoasis and follow them on Twitter and Instagram at @not_oasis.

A veteran of Microsoft, Groupon, and now Mode Analytics, Engineering Leader, Ushashi Chakraborty has gotten used to hearing the most abnormal feedback: "I love coming to your meetings!" She realized after some reflection that her extensive improv experience through Chicago's famed Second City Conservatory, had instilled in her skills and habits that were just as useful for running engineering meetings as they were on stage. In this episode she recaps a presentation she made at the 2018 NY Nasdaq CTO Summit, entitled "Running Engineering Meetings Using Improv Skills." See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Franco Nguyen is an award-winning-multi-hyphenate-comedian-filmmaker-writer-director. Franco is a graduate of the Second City Conservatory, a member of their HouseCo ensemble, and a Bob Curry Fellow. A proud member of the sketch troupe Tallboyz II Men, a diverse group of comedians being diverse diversely, the troupe sold-out their run of A 6ix NNNNNN Revue at the 2018 Toronto Fringe and won the Best Comedy Award.Twitter:@francowins Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/francocomedyGood Morning, Viet MomGood Morning, Viet Mom is Franco Nguyen's hilarious and heartfelt story about a second-generation Canadian being raised in Toronto by his single mother. Nguyen shares personal stories about his childhood, about his relationship with his mother–a complex and private woman, and about their emotional trip to Vietnam together; his first time ever and her first time since she left 28 years ago. Authentic and irreverent, Good Morning, VietMom is about family, history and love.Cahoots TheatreTwitter:@cahootstheatreInstagram:cahootstheatreFacebook:https://www.facebook.com/CahootsTheatreTickets:http://www.cahoots.ca/shows/goodmorning/

Comedian/Writer/Actor Cara Connors brought so much passion for her vision and what she wants to accomplish to the show. I love being around people who are passionate about what they do. It is energizing, inspiring, and reminds you of what is possible in your own life. Sometimes as artists we can fall into the mindset of feeling like we need to be validated or given the permission to ask to be “seen” out of fear of stepping on someone’s toes. Cara blows the lid off of this type of thinking and I could not agree more! At one point in the interview, we were discussing contacting people for opportunities and “jumping the line” so to speak, and Cara proclaimed, “Let them tell me, no, ‘cause I am not going to tell myself no!”.  How often are a daily basis are you telling yourself no? Cara has only been doing comedy for a few years and in that time she has accomplished a lot. She openly shared her goals and dreams with me and does not see any reason why her or anyone else should not proclaim what they want aloud and go for it, “A lot of people I notice don’t like to vocalize what their actual goals are because they don’t want to say that my dream is to do A, B, or C because then if I don’t achieve it, how embarrassing… and I’m like..Go crazy! I think it’s embarrassing to not do that and to be scared of something that hasn’t happened!”  Put it out there! Maybe you’ll reach your goal, maybe you won’t but one thing is for sure you will never get there by thinking about it. I hope you play this one last quote from Cara in your head on a daily basis, “I don’t think there is anything that I don’t deserve to do and I don’t think there is anything that anyone else doesn’t deserve to do.” Get out there and get your ask in gear! In this episode: the hilariously wonderful things we get asked to do in commercial auditions how to get around your head junk and learn to ask for what you want Why you need to declare your dreams and goals What she believes makes great comedy   A Little about Cara: Cara Connors, a native Chicagoan turned Canadian, is a regular contributing writer for CBC Comedy, just filmed her first major television taping for the Winnipeg Comedy Festival this past April, and is currently creating and starring in a series of original digital sketches for CBC Comedy.  In just two short years, Cara has quickly established herself as one of the fastest rising and hardest working new talents on the Canadian comedy scene. Cara is a recent graduate of the Second City Conservatory, can be heard on Sirius XM’s Canada Laughs, was first runner-up at the prestigious She-Devil Comedy Festival in New York City, and was a headliner at the Chicago Women’s Funny Festival.  Her sketch duo “Only One of Us Is Jewish” performed at this year’s Toronto Sketchfest as well as the Big City Improv Festival. Cara also hosts a weekly stand-up show, was nominated for the “Best Female Rookie Comedian” at the I Heart Jokes Awards, and a short film she co-starred in was selected as an official nominee for “Best Short Film” at the Canadian Comedy Awards and as a Top 20 finalist for Kevin Hart's Laugh Out Loud Short Film contest as a part of this year's Just For Laughs. Cara has performed in Chicago, New York City, and Montreal and has appeared in multiple national commercials. She is known for her bold, high-energy performances that mix character-driven stories, biting wit, and absurdist takes on the everyday struggles of modern life. Twitter: @connors_cara Instagram: @caraconnorscomedy

Martha Chaves Nicaraguan born, Martha began her life in Canada as a refugee, but is now thriving in Canadian Show business. She’s a seasoned comedian with 20 years of experience and has performed at Just For Laughs multiple times, as well as all the other major comedy festivals in Canada. She also received 2018 Best Stand-up Comic in Canada at the the Canadian Comedy Awards. She's a regular on CBC Radio's LOL, part of the cast of Because News, and The Debaters. Entertained Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in the Egale Identity Gala, which she emceed.  Nelu Handa is an actor, comedian and writer based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Trained extensively in Improv comedy, she is a graduate of The Second City Conservatory program, a Bob Curry Fellow, and has studied at Bad Dog Comedy Theatre and Upright Citizens Brigade. Nelu has performed on a variety of TV shows, including “Workin Moms”, “The Beaverton”, She’s a writer and performer on Baroness Von Sketch Show (CBC/IFC), and the upcoming series Jann. Nelu is the creator, producer, and host of YAS KWEEN, a groundbreaking monthly night of comedy that showcases ethnic women. It's the first Thursday of every month.  Hoodo Hersi is a Somali-Canadian comedian based in Toronto, but has performed her comedy across the US and Canada. She studied improv at Second City. She was recently featured on The Comedy Network's Homegrown Comics. TVO’s recent documentary, “Stand UP Toronto”, features Hersi as she shares her experience as a up-and-coming woman-of-color comic.   Always hosted by Marina Franklin- Trainwreck, Louie Season V, The Jim Gaffigan Show, Conan O'Brien, and HBO's Crashing

A graduate of The Randolph Academy of Performing Arts as well as The Players Academy Toronto, Kendall completed her Undergraduate BFA in Performing Arts at Concordia University Alumna 2013. Focusing her gifts in the direction of clown and comedy, Kendall set out to fulfill her calling as a professional clown. She has trained with the likes of Francine Coté, Aron DeCasemaker, Joe DePaul, Aitor Basauri, Philippe Gaulier and her Clown mentors Mike Kennard and John Turner of Mump and Smoot. Currently she finds herself at the helm of a Clown Festival. MTLClownFest.com She will be attending The Second City Conservatory in Toronto, Ontario this fall. Twitter: @kendallsavage www.mtlclownfest.comTwitter: @mtlclownfestWild Bill’s Facebook Livefeed Feeding-Time Youtube Yeeeehaw!!Wild Bill, a youtube star pet goldfish. Edward, his childlike, fame-drunk owner/producer. Alone in his basement apartment, he dreams of a bigger fishtank, and his chosen mission: to teach kids everywhere about recycling, through the power of the internet. When their youtube puppet show goes viral, an army of fawning, trolling, giggling internet commenters arrives— and so does an unexpected threat to Bill's life. Then, Ted must go face to face with the biggest danger yet to Wild Bill’s life— himself. A wacky new comedy by a graduate of École Philippe Gaulier, and a live goldfish. The Old Pool Hall Theatre, 6050-6070 Almon Street Friday August 31st 10:30pm Saturday September 1st 8pm Sunday September 2nd 9:30pm Tuesday September 4th 9pm Thursday September 6th 5:30pm Friday September 7th 6:30pm Saturday September 8th 7pmTickets on sale now!

Hana is a comedic film, tv and stage performer born and raised in Toronto. She performs in numerous shows across the city and can be seen on That Friday Show, $15 Beer Beer Show, Harold Night, Sixty in Sixty, and as Luna Lovegood on Potterprov. She is one half of the improv duo 'Ok Bye!' and looking to cause drama with a new partner for 'Ok Hi!'. She is currently in the Second City Conservatory program and is confidently writing her screenplay in coffee shops across Parkdale. Hana is also part of the newly devised clown theatre, Sweet Action, and looks forward to continuously making silly things on and off stage. hanaholubec.com

Cool Beans Comedy's Corey Craig and Matthew Moore catch up with the hilarious Delanie Fischer to discuss her love of the stand up lifestyle and her taping with Cool Beans! Delanie Fischer started doing stand-up at UC Santa Barbara, where she frequently took the stage at Laughology, a student-run comedy show. After graduation, she immersed herself in the Los Angeles comedy scene, co-producing and co-hosting The Nine Drink Minimum, which quickly became one of the most popular live shows in LA, featuring some of the biggest names in comedy from the comfort of her mother’s living room. A graduate of The Second City Conservatory and UCB Improv, Delanie co-created, co-produced, and co-starred in the improvised web series, Two Inches Apart, which was nominated for best comedic ensemble at LA Webfest. Delanie has been featured on NBC’s Last Call with Carson Daly and was a series regular on Fox’s Laughs. Her other TV appearances include Fox's Punchline, Hulu’s Stand Up and Deliver, Lifetime’s Prank My Mom, VH1’s Walk of Shame Shuttle, and WEtv’s Bye Felicia. This fall, you’ll also be able to catch her appearing in a film she co-wrote, which is set to air on the Lifetime Movie Network. Delanie performs nationally and internationally at clubs, colleges, festivals, theatres, and military events. Formerly a creative consultant on a Nickelodeon TV show now in its third season, she is currently the co-host of the Self-Helpless podcast with fellow comedians Taylor Tomlinson and Kelsey Cook. Despite these accomplishments, Delanie’s mother is convinced that she will never give her grandchildren, and is currently seeking them elsewhere. Bio Source. *Music provided by bensound.com

Improv Your Life to Abundance!Have you ever noticed that just when you think you have your plan all laid out and perfect, something or someone comes along that requires an on the spot change. It's at that point you may have to improv the plan, or at least that part of it. Such is life, and such is the conversation we are having today with Frank Ford. Meet our Feature GuestFrank Ford has had a successful career in the entertainment industry for the last 25 years and is one of the founding members and owner of Four Day Weekend, a comedy institution in Texas. He has also studied at the renowned Second City Conservatory in Chicago and taught advanced improvisation classes at the Four Day Weekend Training Center. https://menofabundance.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/happy-accidents.jpg ()As a professional actor, Frank has appeared in numerous commercial spots, television shows and films. In addition, he has received critical-acclaim for his original comedy revues, comedy album, short films and acting roles. Over the years, Frank has been recognized for his writing, including the sale of an original television comedy to 20th Century FOX. Also, Frank has recently finished writing a feature film, which was a Top-10 finalist in the Final Draft “Big Break” screenwriting contest. Currently, he is in the process of publishing his first book entitled, Happy Accidents, which teaches people how use the philosophy of improvisation in a positive way to enrich their lives. In addition to performing in over 5,000 shows and working with Fortune 500 companies throughout the world, Frank is also a very popular keynote presenter on the speaker circuit. Connect with our guesthttp://fourdayweekend.com/ (FourDayWeekend.com) Wally's Take AwayGuys, stuff happens. You will often have to improv or take another direction. The more experience you have in your relationships and career, the better you will get at living your life on your terms, while still fulfilling your responsibilities. Everything You Know About Marketing is WRONG!I can find any business owner a MINIMUM of $10,000 in less than 45 minutes…Guaranteed!...and without spending a cent more on marketing or advertising than you already are.I work with small and medium-sized businesses that have little to no money to spend on marketing. I show you how to generate all the leads you can possibly handle by evaluating your existing marketing and showing you how to dramatically reduce or eliminate the money you’re currently spending while significantly increasing both your response and conversion rates. I can typically double or triple your current response rate...but a 50 to 100 times increase isn’t out of the question. And best of all, the strategies I'll teach you will continue to work for you month after month for as long as you're in business. But listen, I know talk is cheap... and I know that you’ve heard these types of claims before, so put me to the test and let me prove that everything I've just said is 100% true. If you will invest just 45 minutes with me, I promise that I will find you at least $10,000 in additional revenue that you can begin to put in your pocket this month... and every month moving forward. We can do this 45 minute session over the phone as an added convenience to you... and I promise during the time we're together that I won't try to sell you a thing. But there is one catch. I'm writing a book detailing the strategies I use to find $10,000 for any small business owner, and my publisher has asked me to include a few additional case studies in my book. I would ask those of you who take me up on my offer to allow me to document your results and use them in my book, either under your real name or anonymously. If you're interested in making an additional $10,000 beginning this month... and every month for the rest of your life as a business owner... Watch this video "http://apmasterycoach.com/wrong/ (Everything You've Ever Learned About... Support this podcast

Listen to the Cool Beans U stand up comedy Q&A session featuring Delanie Fischer as she talks about her experiences and gives advice to a room full of aspiring comics! Delanie Fischer started doing stand-up at UC Santa Barbara, where she frequently took the stage at Laughology, a student-run comedy show. After graduation, she immersed herself in the Los Angeles comedy scene, co-producing and co-hosting The Nine Drink Minimum, which quickly became one of the most popular live shows in LA, featuring some of the biggest names in comedy from the comfort of her mother’s living room. A graduate of The Second City Conservatory and UCB Improv, Delanie co-created, co-produced, and co-starred in the improvised web series, Two Inches Apart, which was nominated for best comedic ensemble at LA Webfest. Delanie has been featured on NBC’s Last Call with Carson Daly and was a series regular on Fox’s Laughs. Her other TV appearances include Fox's Punchline, Hulu’s Stand Up and Deliver, Lifetime’s Prank My Mom, VH1’s Walk of Shame Shuttle, and WEtv’s Bye Felicia. This fall, you’ll also be able to catch her appearing in a film she co-wrote, which is set to air on the Lifetime Movie Network. Delanie performs nationally and internationally at clubs, colleges, festivals, theatres, and military events. Formerly a creative consultant on a Nickelodeon TV show now in its third season, she is currently the co-host of the Self-Helpless podcast with fellow comedians Taylor Tomlinson and Kelsey Cook. Despite these accomplishments, Delanie’s mother is convinced that she will never give her grandchildren, and is currently seeking them elsewhere. *Music provided by bensound.com

Colin Sharpe is a graduate of the Second City Conservatory and York University Creative Writing programs. He is a founding member of the Cream of Comedy nominated troupe, The Weaker Vessels, winners of the Patron's Pick award at Toronto Fringe 2015. In 2017, Colin wrote and performed in the Toronto Fringe hit, Murder in the Cottonwoods (Best Ensemble/Now Magazine). Colin was also a featured performer at the Just For Laughs 42: New Faces showcase in 2016. You can see Colin on the comedy circuit every Friday on The Social Capital Theatre house team, Toronto's Best, and on Sundays at the Comedy Bar as a member of the award winning troupe, The Sketchersons, on Sunday Night Live! Social Capital Theatre Sunday Night Live

Elissa Rosenthal is an actress and writer, known for 5am (2013), Live Nude Girls (2014) and The Tommy O Show Starring America (2011). She grew up in Long Island, New York, graduated the Second City Conservatory at age 19, and performed with Second City for 7 years. For 5 years she toured as a stand-up comedian and In the midst of that pursuit, she struggled with addiction. Listen as she talks about her family, her death, and sings lullabies as Christina and Britney!

Frank Ford has had a successful career in the entertainment industry for the last 25 years and is one of the founding members and owner of Four Day Weekend, a comedy institution in Texas. He has also studied at the renowned Second City Conservatory in Chicago and taught advanced improvisation classes at the Four Day Weekend Training Center. As a professional actor, Frank has appeared in numerous commercial spots, television shows and films. In addition, he has received critical-acclaim for his original comedy revues, comedy album, short films and acting roles. In this conversation Erik and Frank discuss the power using the ‘Yes, And’ approach in work and life. Mentioned in this episode: Happy Accidents: The Transformative Power of “YES, AND” at Work and in Life Formstack Ziprecruiter Freshbooks Use code ‘Beyond The To-Do List’ in the ‘How Did You Hear About Us Section’ Please connect with me Subscribe, rate, and review in iTunes Follow @ErikJFisher Check out more Noodle.mx Network showsThe Audacity to Podcast: "How-to" podcast about podcastingBeyond the To-Do List: Personal and professional productivityThe Productive Woman: Productivity for busy womenONCE: Once Upon a Time podcastWelcome to Level Seven: Agents of SHIELD and Marvel’s cinematic universe podcastAre You Just Watching?: Movie reviews with Christian critical thinkingthe Ramen Noodle: Family-friendly clean comedy

Together Chelsea Larkin and Susannah Kiernan form sketch duo L'il RasGALS, and one regular sized human (almost). Combined they have almost 30 years of improv and sketch comedy experience. Chelsea graduated from the Comedy Writing and Performance Program at Humber College, Second City Conservatory and Masters Class, and has trained and performed with Bad Dog theatre and Impatient Theatre Company. Susannah is also a Second City conservatory grad and former cast member of the Second City Sunday company the Bench, and has trained extensively and performed at the Groundlings (L.A.) and Upright Citizens Brigade (N.Y.). The L'il RasGALS have been performing regularly together as a duo all over Toronto for years, with highlights including Montreal and Toronto Sketchfests, the SheDot Festival and being nominated for Now's Best Sketch Troupe. Facebook Twitter Chelsea's Twitter Susannah's Twitter

 Drawing from examples gathered over two decades of turning a weekly Fort Worth comedy show into a full-time business that has them traveling the world and serving as Entrepreneurs in Residence at the business school at Texas Christian University, co-authors David Wilk, David Ahearn, and Frank Ford demonstrate how “yes, and” thinking helps improve communication skills, facilitate creative problem solving, and generate new ideas that can refresh and rejuvenate.  From understanding the value of open minded, active listening (the ability to say “yes” to anything and mean it); to a willingness to offer out-of-the-box ideas without prejudgment (putting the “and” into action); to demonstrating authentic respect for the ideas and intentions of others, Happy Accidents shows how the same elements that make for great teamwork on stage prove to be immensely successful strategies in the workplace and board room. Frank Ford has had a successful career in the entertainment industry for the last 25 years and is one of the founding members and owner of Four Day Weekend, a comedy institution in Texas. He has also studied at the renowned Second City Conservatory in Chicago and taught advanced classes at the Four Day Weekend Training Center. As a professional actor, Frank has appeared in numerous commercial spots, television shows and films. In addition, he has received critical-acclaim for his original comedy revues, comedy album, short films and acting roles. Over the years, Frank has been recognized for his writing, including the sale of an original comedy to 20th Century FOX. Frank has recently finished writing a feature film, is working on a pilot treatment for HBO and is in the process of publishing his first book entitled, Happy Accidents, which teaches people how use the philosophy of improvisation in a positive way to enrich their lives. To learn more about Frank Ford visit: http://www.frankjford.com/About_Frank.html Happy Accidents book: https://www.amazon.com/Happy-Accidents-Transformative-Power-Work/dp/1119428564/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1501525845&sr=8-2&keywords=happy+accidents   Personal Finance Cheat Sheet Article: http://www.cheatsheet.com/personal-finance/how-schools-can-improve-their-personal-finance-education.html/ Financial Advisor Magazine Articles: http://www.fa-mag.com/news/advisors-stay-the-course-amid-monday-s-market-drop-22864.html?section=3  http://www.fa-mag.com/news/on-it-s-80th-anniversaryadvisors-consider-social-security-s-impactfuture-22784.html?section=3 You can listen live by going to www.kpft.org and clicking on the HD3 tab. You can also listen to this episode and others by podcast at: http://directory.libsyn.com/shows/view/id/moneymatters or www.moneymatterspodcast.com #KPFTHOUSTON #4daywkd  

Ardyth Johnson trained with mime artist Adrian Pecknold at The Manitoba Theatre School in Winnipeg and then received a scholarship with The Manitoba Theatre Centre to further her studies with Mime Unlimited School of Physical Theatre (Jacque Le Coq) in Toronto (graduate). Ardyth studied and graduated at Second City Conservatory, also master clown and buffoon with Philippe Gaulier, plus other masters of mime, corporeal mime, clown, slap stick and comedy. Ardyth she holds a B.A in theatre studies from the University of Winnipeg. Ardyth has toured throughout North America with Mime Unlimited, Theatre Beyond Words and many other companies. When Ardyth is not performing, she is busy teaching physical theatre all over Canada and Internationally.http://www.ardythjohnson.weebly.comhttp://www.ardythjohnsonhighlanddance.weebly.comWeirder Thou ArtNorth American humans you think William Shakespeare wrote Mac Beth ha, ha, ha..well we'll tell you the truth (wink wink) who really wrote the play. Three bouffon women (if you want to call them that) put the weird in the Wyrd sisters. The bouffon search for humanity brings William Shakespeare on a reluctant journey from a living hell to acceptance. https://fringetoronto.com/festivals/fringe/event/weirder-thou-artStageworthy:http://www.stageworthypodcast.com Twitter @stageworthyPod Facebook: http://facebook.com/stageworthyPod

It's Tuesday and .... Amy Lisewski is our guest! Amy has more than 20 years of experience in business and the arts. She graduated from the Second City Conservatory, trained at iO West, became a member of the Applied Improvisation Network and studied with dozens of master improv teachers from around the country. Amy is a Vistage Speaker; a certification she uses to help executives become more adaptive leaders through the principles of improv. As a certified Speechless presenter and facilitator, she enables professionals to conquer their fear of public speaking. She can be found performing improvisational theater on the FCI stage with Killer Giraffe and Swim Team. To learn more visit www.finestcityimprov.com

Join us today for Women Lead Radio as Bethany Kelly, your host of Amazing Authors and Brilliant Books, interviews Amy Lisewski, Founder & Artistic Director at Finest City Improv. Amy is the author of Relax, We're All Just Making This Stuff Up! Using the tools of improvisation to cultivate more courage and joy in your life. Amy and Bethany chat about improvisation and how it can make you happier! Amy will share why she wanted to write this book and why she hopes it will encourage you to learn improvisation. We will ask Amy about her writing and publishing journey. How did she translate learning and practicing improv techniques into a book? Listen in and put some courage and joy in your life! Amy Lisewski is the founder and artistic director of Finest City Improv. She has over twenty-five years of experience in business and the arts. She is a graduate of the Second City Conservatory and has trained with dozens of top improv teachers from all over the country. She travels the country as a Vistage speaker to demonstrate how leaders can use the principles of improvisation to improve their leadership skills. She loves the stage and seems to find one wherever she is. She is also a foster mother and an avid sailor, taking risks at home and at sea. Bethany Kelly is your host for Amazing Authors and Brilliant Books, a show that highlights authors with a unique message, who are using the experience of becoming an author to step to the next level—in leadership or in their business. 

Marshall and Laura invite special guest Zoë Rose Moacanin to be part of their world to discuss following your dreams, the merits of dating a mute, and whether this movie sends a good message to young people.The trio re-watch Disney's "The Little Mermaid" and try to determine if they still love it. Special Guest: Zoë Rose Moacanin - actress and comedianFounding member of the all-female sketch comedy group "OBGY-Not?", graduate of the Second City Conservatory

HEY YOU GUYS! Marshall and Laura sit down with special guest Sean George to watch Richard Donner & Steven Spielberg's "The Goonies" and try to determine if they still love it. Special Guest: Sean George - actor, writer, musician, and puppeteer. One half the comedy duo "George & Vallury", lead writer and co-producer of "The Mary Dolan Show", graduate of the Second City Conservatory

Pam Tierney is an accomplished Chicago based actor who hails from Indiana by way of Marquette University in Wisconsin. Extensive training from several studios such as Act One, The Acting Studio and The Green Room as well as completion of the Second City Conservatory brings a thorough knowledge of styles and skills transferable to commercials, film, television and voiceover. An established voiceover with a personal studio, this busy actor can handle a wide variety of characters and situations with ease. For more info about this and other episodes head on over to mikelenzvoice.com For more info about my online course head over to vosuccess.com  

Calf (Soft Skull Press)                  Mighty, Mighty (Soft Skull Press)Join us tonight for a fantastic evening from one of our favorite publishers Soft Skull Press! The year was 1981. The US was entering a deep recession, Russia was our enemy, and John Hinckley, Jr.'s assassination attempt on President Ronald Reagan shocked the nation. It was also the year author Andrea Kleine learned her close childhood friend had been violently murdered by her socialite mother, Leslie DeVeau. Both events took place in Washington, DC. Hinckley and Deveau were both sent to St. Elizabeth's hospital, guilty by reason of insanity. It was there that they met, and later became lovers. These two real-life, and ultimately converging events inspired Klein's jaw-dropping, spine-tingling novel, CALF. Made up of dual narratives and told over the course of one year, Kleine's account follows a fictionalized John Hinkley in the lead-up to the assassination attempt, and Tammy, older sister to Steffi, the best friend of DeVeau's daughter, Kirin. Part Are You There God, It's Me Margaret and part Taxi Driver, this creepy, unsettling, and absolutely addictive novel shines a light on two terrible events, providing an unflinching depiction of violence, both intimate and sensational.Praise for Calf"In 1981, John Hinckley, Jr.'s attempt to assassinate Ronald Reagan rocked the nation. And Andrea Kleine's gripping novel,Calf will rock readers. This is a wonderfully unsettling book about love, loss, and unlikely connections." -- Elliott Holt, author of You Are One of ThemWally Rudolph's Mighty, Mighty is a modern day fable set in a crumbling metropolis riddled with urban poverty and violence.Dirty apartments, tattoo parlors, food kitchens - these are the markers of home for the struggling young adults around Chicago. Stefy is an artist at Ghost Town, the local tattoo shop, trying to provide for her younger sister Amanda and their ailing grandfather. Amanda is hoping for something better, seeking to escape a past riddled with addiction and an abusive relationship with Georgie. When he confronts her one drunken night at a dive bar, the situation turns violent: Amanda barely escapes with her life but Georgie lies dead on the bathroom floor. This one mistake puts the two sisters in the crosshairs of Georgie's father, a twisted, corrupt ex-cop now out for revenge over the murder of his son. His quest for vengeance will make the neighborhoods of Chicago tremble, leaving no one untouched. Mighty, Mighty is a harsh and realistic look at the struggle of two families desperately trying to get out from under the heavy boot of violence and poverty. Like the works of Richard Price and Dennis Lehane, the novel is a startling and accurate portrait of contemporary urban life.Andrea Kleine is a writer and performance artist whose work has spanned dance, theater, film, literature, and interdisciplinary projects. She has received five MacDowell Colony fellowships and the New York Foundation for the Arts fellowship award. Her writing has been published in The Los Angeles Review of Books, Everyday Genius, NYFA Current, and on her blog, The Dancers Will Win. Calf is her first novel.Wally Rudolph is the author of the novels Mighty, Mighty (2015) and Four Corners (2014). His fiction has been published in Milk Money, Lines+Stars, The Brooklyner, and others. A graduate of The Second City Conservatory in Chicago, he now resides with his family in Los Angeles. As an actor, he has appeared in numerous films and TV shows including Sons of Anarchy, Hawaii 5-0, Street Kings, and Bang Bang.

Danielle Moses, AKA “Flee”, returns to The Jock and Nerd Podcast to share stories from Tampa Bay Comic Con 2015 and announces a new con in a new city! Anthony and Imran also learn what it's like to go through Chicago's Second City Conservatory program and Flee does a great character voice! Random topics include... The post JAN 060: Tampa Bay Comic Con Recap with Danielle Moses (11/24/2015) appeared first on The Jock and Nerd Podcast.

Join us today on Women Leading the Way Radio, as Michelle Bergquist, your host of Women Who Lead interviews Amy Lisewski, Founder and Artistic Director or Finest City Improv. Listen in to this lively conversation as Amy discusses how improvisation can help women in business use improvisation to lead more efficient teams. Improv can be a powerful tool in business training and self-development. Improvisation teaches you to support each other's ideas, trust in your partner, and strive to make others look good. Discover untapped courage to think fast and take risks. Ignite your passion and retain your best. Amy is a graduate of the distinguished Second City Conservatory, the “Harvard of Comedy”.  She has a Masters in Information Sciences and has been helping biotech and high tech companies improve their internal communications for over 15 years.   As lead corporate trainer for FCI, she designs engaging and effective improvisational comedy workshops for leadership and employee development. As the CEO and Co-Founder of Connected Women of Influence, Michelle Bergquist is a passionate advocate for women in business. At Connected Women of Influence, we believe that more women need to lead in business and everything we do is center-focused on designing platforms, programs, connections and collaborative opportunities for b2b women to prosper, succeed and lead the way in business today!

Interview with Indigenous comedian & media maker Ryan McMahon about recently launched Indian & Cowboy Media platform. I&C is a network of writers, artists, storytellers, musicians, directors and producers. The platform aims to disrupt, engage and empower in the digital "wild west" by reclaiming indigenous histories through the intersection of media, technology & good old fashioned storytelling. Ryan McMahon is an Anishinaabe comedian and writer from Treaty 3 territory, Couchiching First Nation. He’s a graduate of the prestigious Second City Conservatory and the brains behind Indian and Cowboy Media. www.indianandcowboy.com Music used in the podcast can be found at RPM.fm, including Plex and Nick Sherman.

This week, our guest is actress, singer, dancer, and all around super talent, Bonnie Gordon. Bonnie was recently a contestant on the fantasy immersive reality competition series, ABC's The Quest. Ash and I sat down with Bonnie to talk about immersive reality competition TV, growing up different, her life-long career performing at: amusement parks, renaissance faires, Tony & Tina's Wedding, The Star Trek Experience, The Second City Conservatory, The Magic Castle, Tales of the Extraordinary, Dungeon Master, Adventure!, and Batman: Deathwish, plus her childhood influences, and her upcoming project The Library Bards.

Four Corners (Soft Skull Press) Writing under the pen name of Wally Rudolph, writer/actor Walter Wong (best known for his role as Chris 'V-Lin' Von Lin on Sons of Anarchy) drops readers into the bare-knuckled world of Frank Bruce, a 37-year-old meth addict tangled up crime, drugs, and his far-too-young fiancé, Maddie. Struggling to be a decent man and leave his toxic life behind, Frank's attempt to save his best friend's son from the child's violent grandfather turns into nightmare of drugs, kidnapping, and corruption. Set in the striking southwestern landscape of New Mexico, Colorado, Utah and Arizona, Wally creates a cast of unfortunate, marginalized characters and tells their story with dignity, compassion, and in their own unflinching words.   PRAISE FOR FOUR CORNERS "Wally Rudolph's meth-and-cocaine-addled protagonists reel through a nonstop catastrophe of violence, flight, and revenge, too self-destructive to have anything more than a prayer--but they are real. They suffer and love and worship, however crazily. The action is urgent and compelling, the details are as crisp as the light that falls on Santa Fe. Wally knows the territory. And the territory is the human heart." --Jack Butler, Pulitzer Prize Nominee for Living in Little Rock with Miss Little Rock "Four Corners is a book that will stay with me for a long time, an outstanding first novel by a writer unafraid to scrape the crud off the floor of the human psyche. The best kind of crime fiction." --Scott Phillips, author of The Ice Harvest and Hop Alley Born in Canada to Jamaican immigrant parents, Wally Rudolph smoked marijuana for the first time at the age of fourteen, beginning a fifteen-year affair with illicit drugs that had him drop out of college and took him back and fourth across the American Midwest. His fiction has been published in Milk Money, Lines+Stars, The Brooklyner, and others. A graduate of The Second City Conservatory in Chicago, he now resides with his family  in Los Angeles. As an actor, he has appeared in numerous films and TV shows including "Street Kings," "Bang Bang," and "Sons of Anarchy."

Neil Haley, The Total Tutor will interview Four Day Weekend's David Wilk. Neil will interview David to find out about what Four Day Weekend is, latest projects, and latest news.   Live in Dallas, TX  A little more about David David Wilk is a Founding Member of the Four Day Weekend Comedy Theater.  Born in Tulsa OK, Dave is a graduate of the Second City Conservatory in Chicago. In addition to having performed more than 5,000 live shows, Dave also travels nationally and internationally emceeing and keynote speaking for corporate clients.  His client list reads like a “who's who” of the fortune 500. You may (or may not) recognize Dave from one of his many national commercial campaigns including Dish Network, Rent-A-Center, Papa Johns, Charles Schwab and Rold Gold Pretzels.  Dave has appeared in many films you've never seen. Dave and Four Day Weekend recently were invited to be a Keynote Presenter at the United States Congress Democratic Caucus Issues Conference in Cambridge, MD. They received a standing ovation and met President Barack Obama.  Always eager to be equal and fair, the next year he and Four Day shared the stage with former President George W. Bush on September 11, 2012 in Las Vegas. In 2012, Dave and Four Day Weekend were given a great honor when Mayor Mike Moncrief presented them the Key to the City of Fort Worth for being “Fort Worth's Greatest Ambassadors”.  

John, Kat, Amy, Michael and Jon's wife Janet have a conversation with Jon about what Impvov means to him, how his winding journey through stand-up led him to improv , and he plays a couple of his songs plus a song from his Second City Conservatory days.

Jet Eveleth- the woman, the myth, the legend. Just kidding. Not really. Jet Eveleth is a member of the Harold team The Reckoning at the iO Theater and performs in the show Adsit and Eveleth and Jet and Paul. She has appeared in The Barb Lameter Show and The Armando Diaz Experience, and has understudied at The Second City. She toured in the two-woman sketch show I Live Next Door To Horses, winner of the 2008 Del Award for Best Scripted Show. She has performed at the Andy Kaufman Awards and was listed as New City magazine’s "Top 50 Players" in 2010 and 2012. She studied clown and physical theater with Paola Coletto and Philippe Gaulier. She has taught at the Comedy Studies Program at Columbia College, the Second City Conservatory, the iO Theater, and is the former artistic director of the Chicago Improv Festival. She currently resides in Los Angeles.

In this episode, Jimmy interviews and then improvises with one of Chicago's great improvisers, Jet Eveleth. Jet Eveleth is a member of the The Reckoning and she can also be seen in The Armando Diaz Experience at the iO Theater. Jet has been an instructor at Columbia’s Comedy Studies Program, a faculty member of The Second City Conservatory, and the iO Theater and was a co-artistic director of the Chicago Improv Festival.