Podcasts about using improv

Happiness is becoming scarcer as more of us work harder, longer hours. Most adults don't have a productivity problem—they have a joy problem. Somewhere between responsibilities, careers, parenting, and achievement, many people abandon happiness, that playful, curious version of themselves that once came naturally. Do we build better habits at the sake of losing our joy? Improv comedian, speaker, and workplace culture expert Erin Diehl argues that play is far more than entertainment—it's a gateway to resilience, creativity, authentic leadership, self-love, and deeper human connection. Through powerful stories about burnout, post-concussion recovery, IVF heartbreak, motherhood, and rebuilding her life around joy instead of achievement, Erin shares how learning to surrender control, develop happiness as a skill, embrace uncertainty, and intentionally create space for fun transformed both her personal life and business. If you've been feeling overwhelmed, disconnected, overly serious, or stuck in constant productivity mode, this conversation offers a practical and deeply human reminder that joy isn't a reward for success—it might actually be the path to it. Follow Erin @itserindiehl Follow Chase @chase_chewning ----- 00:00 Why Adults Stop Playing 02:57 Can Play Make Serious Life Problems Easier? 06:59 Is Play a Luxury? 09:08 Finding Joy Through Your Senses 12:01 Why Everyone Should Take Improv Classes 15:43 Using Improv to Navigate Uncertainty 18:02 The Power of Surrender 21:17 How Your Body Reveals Stress & Control 24:40 Learning How to Receive Joy 27:31 The Balance Between Giving and Receiving 29:54 What Burnout Really Looks Like 35:46 The Health Scare That Changed Erin's Life 41:01 Why Play Is a Form of Self-Love 43:09 Parenting and Rediscovering Play 46:07 Is Play More Important Than Productivity? 47:10 IVF, Grief & Finding Meaning Through Loss 49:30 What "Ever Forward" Means to Erin Diehl 51:43 How to Bring More Play Into Your Life Today ----- Episode resources: LMNT - Get your free sample pack with any purchase Timeline Nutrition: Support mitochondrial health with Mitopure (code EVERFORWARD)

Ep 117: In this episode of The Retirement Success in Maine Podcast, Ben and Curtis explore how the principles of improv can help retirees strengthen relationships and find new ways to connect. Their guest, Chip Brewer, has performed and taught improv for more than 20 years, working with Fortune 100 executives, educators, and students, as well as authoring his debut thriller novel. Chip shares how core improv lessons like “yes, and,” active listening, and making others look good can bridge generational gaps, spark joy in everyday family interactions, and turn awkward moments into opportunities for deeper trust. From navigating conversations with teenagers, to building shared stories with grandkids, to keeping family gatherings fun and inclusive, this episode offers retirees a playful yet practical toolkit for enhancing connection and meaning in retirement. Chapters: Meet Chip Brewer, improv performer, teacher, and author. [00:01–02:44] From Amsterdam stages to teaching Fortune 100 companies. [03:06–07:19]  “Yes, and,” active listening, and making others look good. [07:47–13:12] Using improv to bridge gaps with kids and grandkids. [13:12–27:25] Why embracing flaws leads to deeper trust. [36:05–39:48] Simple improv games retirees can try at home. [44:23–48:25] Chip's personal vision for a fulfilling retirement. [49:12–50:43]

What if the secret to handling life's curveballs—from school board battles to flight delays—was hidden in the rules of improv? In this episode, Amy Liz Harrison unpacks how the power of “Yes, And” can transform our daily interactions. Drawing from personal stories (hello, monkey bar mishaps and honor roll debates), Amy gives us a real-time lesson in emotional agility, communication with grace, and embracing humor in hard moments.With a blend of wit, wisdom, and lived experience, Amy shares five magical “power phrases” that help shift energy, protect peace, and create connection—even when life serves you squid instead of a hamburger. This one's a must-listen for anyone navigating tough conversations, curmudgeonly Christians, or just trying not to lose it at the post office.5 Key TakeawaysImprov is life practice. Responding with openness instead of defensiveness creates opportunity for connection.Use “yes, and…” to validate others' experiences while guiding the conversation toward solutions or humor.Power phrases like “how wild!” or “your feelings are welcome here” can de-escalate tension and foster empathy.Choose curiosity over certainty. Wearing life like a loose garment can prevent unnecessary emotional tangles.Invite co-solution, not confrontation. Asking “What would you do if you were me?” empowers both parties to collaborate.Timestamped Moments[01:44] – Why improv theater taught Amy how to handle negativity in everyday life[07:00] – Real-life example: trying to change school culture, one pep band request at a time[14:56] – How to disarm negativity with light humor (and what to say instead of clapping back)[36:18] – “How rude!” – Amy's favorite sarcastic tool to keep things light[44:44] – “Your feelings are welcome here”—the ultimate parenting phraseNotable Quotes“Improv is a way of practicing life on life's terms.” “Yes, and is not just a communication tool—it's a life philosophy.” “How rude!—It's sarcastic, but it lightens the mood like magic.”Resources & MentionsComedy Sports – Improv comedy shows in various U.S. citiesRule 62 – A 12-step principle: Don't take yourself too seriouslyAmy Liz Harrison's Memoirs – Eternally Awkward & Eternally ExpectingVisit www.amylizharrison.comFeeling inspired to reframe your next awkward moment? Subscribe to Eternally Amy, leave a review, and share this episode with a friend who needs a reminder that life's weirdness can be met with grace, humor, and a dash of sarcasm.Follow Amy on Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook @amylizharrison Visit amylizharrison.com for more tools, memoirs, and magic.

As immigration raids continue, it's become more important than ever to know your rights.On Midday Edition Wednesday, we talk with two local theater groups about using improv to help educate the community and the intersection between art, law, activism and community.Guests:Annie Rios, executive director, Uprise Theater and human rights attorney/legal advocateGuillermo Mendez, organizer, Voces Unidas]]>

Improvisation — or improv — is a type of live theater where the characters, dialogue and plot are made up on the spot. It's how a lot of comedians get their start. But improv is more than entertainment.MPR News host Angela Davis talks with three improv actors who say the skills they use — such as listening, teamwork and flexibility — can help us all have better conversations about divisive topics. Guests:Tane Danger is a Minneapolis-based speaker, interviewer and educator who uses improv to engage people in conversations about big ideas. As co-founder of Danger Boat Productions and host of The Theater of Public Policy, he interviews newsmakers and policy experts, transforming complex topics into engaging, unscripted performances. Duck Washington is a member of Danger Boat Productions. He is an actor, director, playwright, improviser, audio designer, arts administrator and educator based in the Twin Cities. Heather Meyer is a playwright, humor writer and performer. She has been a professional actor and improviser for more than 20 years and is a member of Danger Boat Productions.

Most workplaces focus too much on structure and not enough on fun. But what if the secret to a thriving team was something unexpected—like improv? Fortunately, today's guest is here to break down everything you need to know about improv and how it can benefit you and your team.Meet Joel Zeff. Joel creates energy. His spontaneous humor and vital messages have thrilled audiences for more than 25 years. As a national speaker, work culture expert, author, and humorist, Joel captivates audiences with a unique blend of hilarious improvisational comedy and essential ideas on work and life. He has shared his experience and insight on collaboration, leadership, change, communication, innovation, fun and passion at more than 2,500 events. His new book, “Make the Right Choice: Lead with Passion, Elevate Your Team, and Unleash the Fun at Work,” is now available.In this episode, you'll discover practical ideas for bringing fun into the workplace—from skit nights to appreciation rituals–in ways that translate to greater collaboration every day. Joel and I also discuss why great leaders should focus on setting their teams up for success rather than simply directing them.Plus, in the extended episode available to Podcast+ members, we talk about navigating change with an improv-inspired mindset.Join the conversation now!Get FREE mini-episode guides with the big idea from the week's episode delivered to your inbox when you subscribe to my weekly email.Conversation Topics(00:00) Introduction(02:49) How improv principles improve teamwork and leadership(05:31) Examples of improv games and their workplace implications(13:07) Why fun at work matters (and how to introduce it)(17:15) Building “team currency” through shared experiences(22:07) The best question a leader can ask(26:10) How to facilitate an improv game with your team(30:53) A great manager Joel has worked for(34:49) Keep up with Joel(36:33) [Extended Episode Only] How to navigate change with an improv mindset(43:07) [Extended Episode Only] The one thing you can't do in improv (and why it matters for teams)Additional Resources:- Get the extended episode by joining The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community for just $15 per month- Read the full transcript here- Follow me on Instagram here - Visit my website for more here- Upskill your team here- Subscribe to my YouTube Channel here Keep up with Joel Zeff- Follow Joel on LinkedIn here- Grab a copy of his book Make the Right Choice here- Visit his website for more information hereFree Excerpt on Teamwork from Make the Right ChoiceJoel is providing members of Podcast+ with an excerpt on Teamwork from his book Make the Right Choice. To get this guest bonus and many other member benefits, become a member of The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community.---------------------The Modern Manager is a leadership podcast for rockstar managers who want to create a working environment where people thrive, and great work gets done.Follow The Modern Manager on your favorite podcast platform so you won't miss an episode!

In this engaging episode, documentary filmmaker Austin Meyer and sanctuary director Zoe Novic share how improvisation techniques can revolutionize animal advocacy. From their work leading “Advocacy Playground” workshops at the Animal and Vegan Advocacy Summit to Austin’s compelling animal-focused documentaries, the couple demonstrates how creativity and playfulness can strengthen activism while building essential skills like listening and adaptability. Their unique approach…

Are you tired of living in fear, constantly held back by self-doubt and past traumas? In this powerful episode, I sit down with Rhonda Britten, an Emmy Award-winning coach and bestselling author who has transformed countless lives through her groundbreaking work on fear. Rhonda shares her incredible journey from witnessing a horrific family tragedy to becoming a beacon of hope for millions. We explore Rhonda's innovative "Wheel of Fear" concept and how it can help you: Uncover Your Hidden Fears Identify your core fear and how it's secretly controlling your life Recognize fear responses that masquerade as personality traits Break free from self-destructive patterns rooted in fear Embrace Your Authentic Self Discover your "Wheel of Freedom" and tap into your true potential Learn practical strategies for living fearlessly in everyday situations Cultivate self-acceptance and genuine connections with others Transform Your Relationships Handle challenging personalities with grace and understanding Set healthy boundaries without guilt or fear of rejection Create a supportive network that nurtures your growth Rhonda's wisdom extends far beyond simple motivational advice. She offers a comprehensive framework for understanding and overcoming the fears that hold us back, backed by decades of research and real-world application. Whether you're struggling with career decisions, relationship issues, or simply feeling stuck in life, this conversation provides invaluable insights to help you move forward. Rhonda's compassionate approach and practical tools offer a roadmap to living the life your soul intended. Don't miss this opportunity to learn from a true expert in fearless living. Tune in now and take the first step towards breaking free from the chains of fear that have been holding you back! Connect with  Rhonda Britten:Website: https://fearlessliving.org/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rhondabritten/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/RhondaBritten Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rhondabritten/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhondabritten/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rhondabritten X: https://x.com/rhondabritten Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/rhondabritten/ Connect with Dwight Heck: Website: https://giveaheck.com (Free Book Offer) Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/give.a.heck Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dwight.heck Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Giveaheck YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@giveaheck LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/dwight-raymond-heck-65a90150/ TikTok:https://www.tiktok.com/@giveaheck X: https://x.com/give_a_heck

In this episode of the Helping Families Be Happy podcast, produced by Familius Publishing, host Christopher Robbins chats with author and former theater teacher Christopher Mannino about how parents can transform their relationships with children through the power of play. Drawing from his upcoming book, Making It Up: A Revolutionary Way to Bond with Kids Through Play, Mannino shares theater-inspired techniques like improv, emotional recall, and role-playing to help parents strengthen emotional connections, manage stress, and make everyday moments magical. This episode is filled with actionable tips for parents, caregivers, and educators who want to boost child development, encourage creativity, and build lasting family bonds—all in just 10 minutes a day. Episode Highlights [02:00] Why Play Matters in Parenting: Manino discusses how intentional play builds emotional connections and creates “core memories” that last a lifetime. [06:45] Using Improv to Spark Imagination and Bonding: Learn how the “Yes, And” technique from improv theater can validate children's ideas, encourage creativity, and deepen parent-child relationships. [12:15] Emotional Anchors: Staying Present with Your Kids: Discover how emotional recall techniques from acting can help parents tune out distractions and focus fully during playtime. [17:30] Managing Tantrums and Stress Through Playfulness: Manino explains how humor, role-playing, and dramatic distractions can quickly defuse tension and improve emotional regulation for both kids and parents. [23:10] Real-Life Scenarios for Play-Based Parenting: Practical examples highlight how parents can turn challenging moments into bonding opportunities by incorporating play. [28:40] Inside Making It Up—A Guide to Playful Parenting: Get a preview of Manino's upcoming book, packed with strategies for making playtime more meaningful, fun, and transformative. Key Takeaways Prioritize Focused Playtime: Spend at least 10 minutes daily in distraction-free, imaginative play to build stronger emotional bonds. Say “Yes, And” to Creativity: Use improv techniques to encourage kids' ideas and boost their confidence. Stay Present with Emotional Anchors: Focus on positive memories to stay grounded and engaged, even during stressful days. Defuse Stress with Humor and Playfulness: Role-playing and humor are effective tools for managing tantrums and shifting moods. Make Play a Habit: Consistent, intentional play can strengthen communication, trust, and joy in parent-child relationships.  

About Kristen Brun Sharkey:Kristen Brun Sharkey is an executive coach and facilitator who spent 15 years leading teams in ad tech and marketing at major companies, including Yahoo, Verizon, and Hearst. She holds a Master's degree in Management, Strategy, and Leadership from Michigan State University and is an ICF-credentialed coach. Through her company, Emboldify, Kristen leverages techniques and principles from improv theatre to enhance leadership skills, helping leaders at all levels improve their decision-making, drive innovation, and execute effective change. In this episode, Dean Newlund and Kristen Brun Sharkey discuss:Using improvisation to strengthen leadership presence and decision-makingImprov techniques for driving innovation and creativity in businessImproving team dynamics with collaborative storytelling and communicationStrategies to overcome fear and resistance to creative activitiesIntegrating improv methods into structured leadership coaching Key Takeaways:The "one-word story" exercise helps reduce overthinking, improve collaboration, and build trust by having participants contribute spontaneously to a collective story.The "Yes, And" technique fosters psychological safety in brainstorming, ensuring all contributions are validated and promoting an inclusive, innovative environment.Improv-based leadership exercises help leaders build authentic presence, overcome imposter syndrome, and engage their teams more effectively.Practical debriefs with improv activities provide actionable insights, turning creative exercises into real-world applications that enhance leadership and teamwork skills. "One of the things I really picked up from improv... I actually had a teacher who called it ‘yoga for the inner critic'… it really leads toward being able to separate what is your intuition from what is just your inner judge trying to shut things down.” — Kristen Brun Sharkey Connect with Kristen Brun Sharkey:  Website: https://www.emboldify.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristenbsharkey/Love and Leadership Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/love-and-leadership/id175796804212 Improv Exercises That Anyone Can Do on Their Own to Improve Their Leadership Skills: https://embldfy.link/bZUT   See Dean's TedTalk “Why Business Needs Intuition” here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EEq9IYvgV7I Connect with Dean:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgqRK8GC8jBIFYPmECUCMkwWebsite: https://www.mfileadership.com/The Mission Statement E-Newsletter: https://www.mfileadership.com/blog/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deannewlund/X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/deannewlundFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/MissionFacilitators/Email: dean.newlund@mfileadership.comPhone: 1-800-926-7370 Show notes by Podcastologist: Hanz Jimuel AlvarezAudio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

  This week's guest is Adam Lawrence. Ron and Adam discussed the Wheel of Sustainability, how it plays into a kaizen event, and how improv can also be a powerful tool in a rapid improvement context. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  His favorite quote (3:45) His background (5:35) The Wheel of Sustainability (6:11) The intention behind the placement (11:39) Whether some are more important than others (12:36) How the Wheel of Sustainability plays into a rapid improvement event (15:20) Using improv during these events (17:10) The future of the lean and continuous improvement movement (27:37) Some upcoming conferences Adam will be speaking at (29:46) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Wheel of Sustainability PDF The Wheel of Sustainability on Amazon Adam's Past Gemba Academy Episodes Adam on LinkedIn Adam's Website Get All the Latest News from Gemba Academy Our newsletter is a great way to receive updates on new courses, blog posts, and more. Sign up here. What Do You Think? What is your initial reaction to the idea of improv being used in a kaizen event?

HFMA Senior Editor Paul Barr talks with health system CEO Alan Kaplan about how an improv class helped him advance his career.

Making Fun A Habit Series30 days to add fun into your creative practice. I will be going through Mike Brennan's Make Fun A Habit workbook and help you make fun a habit. I had the pleasure of interviewing Mike on my other podcast Find A Podcast About and talking about his podcast Creative Chats. This workbook leads you through steps to rekindle the fun in your life and get you in a space where you are your most creative. This is a 30 day book and I will be tackling each day as if it were a week and providing you insights on how you can use his ideas in your creative practice. Each chapter is broken up with a short story, questions to ponder, action items and tips. Yes, AndDoing improv is not about being funny, its about taking what your scene partner gives you and running with it. Improv doesn't just happen on the stage, it happens when two or more people get together and trust each other enough that they can go along with whatever the other person gives them. Yes it can be funny and usually is when professionals do improv, but they have taken the time to get to know each other in order to know what the next person will do. Life doesn't have a script, neither should your art. Question to ponderWhat seems exciting or scary about improv?How do you think improv can create some fun and impact specific areas of your life and work?Who do you know whom seems to be a master of improv? What makes them a master?Action item: Learn some improv exercises such as Yes And, One word at a time, Scene swap, hot potatoTips: Be prepared to failListen to your partnerBe specific Be HonestHave FunReach Out To The PodcastTo reach out to me, email timothy@createartpodcast.com I would love to hear about your journey and what you are working on. If you would like to be on the show or have me discuss a topic that is giving you trouble write in and let's start that conversation.Email: timothy@createartpodcast.com YouTube Channel: Create Art Podcast YT ChannelIG: @createartpodcastTwitter: @createartpodCreate Art Podcast Newslettertimothybrien.substack.comSpecial MessageIf you have found value in this podcast, please share it with a friend as that is the best way to discover new podcasts. I want this to be a 5-star podcast in your eyes so let me know what you would like to see. Speaking about sharing with a friend, check out my other podcast Find A Podcast About where I help you outsmart the algorithm and find your next binge-worthy podcast. You can find that podcast at findapodcastabout.xyz.I am trying to utilize YouTube more, so make sure to check out my

Have you considered using improv techniques to improve communication within your organization? After this episode with Jordan Hirsch and Sarah Filman, you'll want to! Sarah is the Founder of Playful Perspectives, and with experience as a product manager and certified coach, she brings unique insight to team building. Jordan is the Founder and CEO of FishTree who uses his experience in consulting, improv comedy, and public speaking to create “a world where fear doesn't hold good people back.” In this episode of the Amazing Teams Podcast, Sarah and Jordan take Doug and Una through a few improv games to highlight the differences between “yes, but…” and “yes, and…”, demonstrate what a supportive team looks like, and share with us how improv games can be applied in any organization. If you're looking for ways to create a more supportive team environment, this episode will give you some great practical advice on how to get started.Key Takeaways:• How “Yes, but…” shuts people down, while “Yes, and…” can effectively build people up while improving on their ideas in a collaborative process. Jordan takes Dough and Una through a game to demonstrate how this works.• Why do people need encouragement, even when they get the answer wrong? Sarah uses a game called “Five Things” to show how good it feels when you have a team to cheer you on, even when the stakes are low and the wins are small.• How we can bring an “improv mindset” into our leadership. And how this will create more adaptable, happy, and resilient teams. Key Timestamps:(00:00) - Introduction and Guest Welcome(01:27) - Building Amazing Teams: Key Ingredients(01:58) - The Power of Improv in Professional Development(03:29) - Applied Improvisation: Skills for Life and Work(07:03) - Interactive Improv Game: Five Things(11:55) - The Value of Play and Laughter in Team Building(13:02) - Practicing Spontaneity and Affirmations(16:05) - Overcoming Objections to Playfulness(17:12) - Validating Concerns and Building Trust(18:27) - The Power of Connection Through Laughter(20:11) - Improv Mindset in Leadership(23:39) - Practical Exercises for Team Building(25:41) - The Yes, And Technique(30:36) - Sharing the TacosKey Topics Discussed:Amazing Teams, Doug Dosberg, Una Japundza, Jordan Hirsch, Sarah Filman, improv games, learning development, Playful Perspectives, FishTreeMentions:Leading with an Improv Mindset: https://improvmindset.fun/Jordan's Website: https://fishtree.co/aboutSarah's Website: https://www.playfulperspectives.com/Jordan LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordanhirsch/ Sarah LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahfilman/  Build Stronger, Connected, More Engaged Teams:https://heytaco.com/Use Coupon Code: AMAZINGTEAMS for 15% off for the first 3 months.About the Amazing Teams Podcast:We started this podcast because we love teams, especially amazing ones. Michael Jordan said it best, "Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence win championships." This is what we're all about!Our mission is to help others build amazing teams by having authentic conversations with remarkable people who are building amazing teams. We will explore the tactics, strategies, and frameworks that have helped them succeed.The Amazing Teams Podcast is produced by HeyTaco. Please share your feedback with us here: 

Join the Modern Pain Pro communityIn this conversation, Mark Kargela and Logan Buckley discuss the importance of communication in physiotherapy and how improv can enhance patient care. Logan shares his journey from being a physical therapist to discovering improv and how it has impacted his communication skills. They explore the role of communication in working with persistent pain patients and the influence of improv on navigating uncertainty and complexity. They emphasize the importance of authenticity and finding one's own voice in communication. The conversation concludes with a discussion on the complexity of communication compared to interventions and the power of purposeful curiosity. In this conversation, Mark and Logan discuss the importance of being authentic and vulnerable in patient interactions. They highlight the value of admitting when you don't have all the answers and being a real person rather than a paternalistic authority figure. *********************************************************************

Can improv comedy be used as a tool to improve your life? Drawing from her wealth of experience teaching improv to groups from nuclear physicists to CEOs, award-winning comedian, author, and speaker Katie Goodman demonstrates how the principles of improv can help you live more creatively, spontaneously, and courageously. Whether it's learning to navigate the unexpected, being present with what's right in front of us, or silencing your inner critic, Katie's contagious enthusiasm and practical wisdom prove that there's so much more that can be gleaned from improv than just making you laugh.In this episode, Erin gets specific with Katie to extract those practical gems you can apply right now. Here's what's on the table:The 8 ways improv comedy can serve as a practical tool for dealing with the unexpected, effective communication, being present, and more! Learn more HEREHow constraints can breed creativityGagging your inner critic and replacing it with an inner coach to guide your towards your goals and avoid the negative self-talkLearning to embrace small changes and the thrill of ‘getting lost' to uncover your authentic selfShowing up as our authentic selves, in both our professional and personal lives. Find your niche and rock it.OUR GUEST: Katie Goodman is an acclaimed comedian, author, and speaker with a comedic career garnering 3+ million online views and TV appearances. She's the creator of "Broad Comedy," a national Off-Broadway touring show blending comedy and self-help, recognized by luminaries like Arianna Huffington, Comedy Central, and more. With a Philosophy degree from the University of Pennsylvania, Katie's diverse expertise led to her MacArthur Genius Grant nomination for theater work. With over two decades of experience, she's empowered 30,000+ individuals through improv comedy tools to enhance creativity, courage, and confidence. Beyond her New York City base, Katie travels nationwide, sharing her wisdom through speaking events, comedy shows, and corporate workshops, helping people thrive in handling life's challenges. She's also the author of "Improvisation For The Spirit," offering insights into leading a more creative, spontaneous, and courageous life using improv comedy techniques.Want more Katie? Find her online at https://www.katiegoodman.com/ and follow her on:IG: ​​https://www.instagram.com/thekatiegoodman/ FB: https://www.facebook.com/KatieGoodmanComedy/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/KatieGoodman Want more Hotter Than Ever? Find us online at www.hotterthaneverpod.com and sign up for our mailing list! Follow us on:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hotterthaneverpod/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hotterthaneverpod Youtube:

Kevin Allen is a Sarasota, Fla.-based improviser and corporate content leader. He performs regularly and teaches improvisation at Florida Studio Theatre in Sarasota and frequently performs in the Tampa Bay area, which inspires him to bring the teachings and lessons of improv comedy into his corporate space as a means to lift up his colleagues and promote open collaboration. Kevin works for Discover Financial Services, which is the fourth largest credit card provider in the United States, a leading digital bank, and a global payments network. Discover Technology (his area) supports the technology behind the company's financial products. Connect with Kevin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinjallen/https://www.instagram.com/kevin_j_allen/ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/meganmccaleb/message

Kelly Leonard, Vice President, Creative Strategy, Innovation and Business Development at The Second City and host of the “Getting to Yes, And…” podcast, joins John Williams to talk about an upcoming podcast episode where he interviewed Ha Joon Chang about his book, “Edible Economics: A Hungry Economist Explains the World.” Kelly explains how a chapter […]

Kelly Leonard, Vice President, Creative Strategy, Innovation and Business Development at The Second City and host of the “Getting to Yes, And…” podcast, joins John Williams to talk about an upcoming podcast episode where he interviewed Ha Joon Chang about his book, “Edible Economics: A Hungry Economist Explains the World.” Kelly explains how a chapter […]

Kelly Leonard, Vice President, Creative Strategy, Innovation and Business Development at The Second City and host of the “Getting to Yes, And…” podcast, joins John Williams to talk about an upcoming podcast episode where he interviewed Ha Joon Chang about his book, “Edible Economics: A Hungry Economist Explains the World.” Kelly explains how a chapter […]

Listen to Dr Doug Shaw share from things about math to improv. Doug has a PhD in mathematics teaching at the University of Northern Iowa. He is the author of Social Nonsense, which are fun games to unleash your creativity. Doug also has experience teaching business, theatre, and communication. Tune in now to learn more about Doug! Hosted By: Josh Baker Guest(s): Dr Doug Shaw You can find Doug on Substack or either of his websites. socialnonsense.org dougshaw.com You can also stay up to date with the social nonsense on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook! Follow the Intelligent Conversations on Social Media to stay updated! Instagram Twitter LinkedIn TikTok Facebook Subscribe to Intelligent Conversations on Your Favorite Place to Listen! YouTube Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Spotify Audible Amazon Music

In this episode… we get to explore a comedic's approach to Mental Health and the connection between Comedy and Mental Health.Ryan Zeitz is a stand-up comedian from Richmond Hill, Ontario (even though he tells people he's from Toronto) with a comedic style that can best be described as honest (sometimes TOO honest), self-deprecating, and often edgy… As a staunch mental health advocate and peer support worker living with Bipolar Disorder and ADHD, Ryan also regularly explores the humor in his challenges with mental illness In this Episode, we shit talk on;The Comedic MindNavigating Dark HumorUsing Comedy as a Coping MechanismFinding Community and Support through LaughterExploring Mental HealthMental Health Treatments & MedicationBipolar & Bipolar DiagnosisAdventures in ThailandNavigating Trauma with ComedyBalancing Vulnerability and HumorUsing Comedy to Share Personal ExperiencesComedy as TherapyUsing Comedy to Address Mental Health Stigma.Using Improv and Stand-Up Comedy as a Tool for Self-Expression and Healing Comedy ClassesRichmond Hill (City in Ontario, Canada)Etc….Ryan is the co-producer and co-host of the weekly Amateur Night at Jokers Theatre & Comedy Club, and was recently featured at Paradise Theatre for BEST OF FRESH, a showcase of Toronto's top comedic rising stars He also teaches a 'Stand-Up Comedy for Mental Health' course with CAMH through their Collaborative Learning College  and he's work in mental health and comedy has also led him to produce and host a recurring comedy fundraiser, “Mental HELLth”, in support of the CAMH Foundation  You can follow Ryan at @ryanzcomedy &/or @ryguycomedyshows on all SM Platforms. ******#Podcasting #Podcaster #PodHost #PodcastHost #Podcasters #Comedy #Comedian #MentalHELLth #StandUpComedy #StandUp #AmateurNight #Community #Support #DarkHumor #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth #MentalHealthMatters #CAMH #MentalHealth #MentalHealthSupport #BreakingTheStigma #BipolarDiagnosis  #MentalHealthAwareness #ComedicMind #Bipolar #Medication #Treatment  #MentalWellness #Therapy #RichmondHill #CopingMechanismSupport the showFollow us on;IG: https://www.instagram.com/Talkshitwithp/Twitter: https://twitter.com/TalkshitwithpFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/TalkwhitwIthpTiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@TalkshitwithpSUBSCRIBE to our NEWSLETTER &/OR Rock our merchandise out; www.talkshitwithp.shop & you can follow our merchandise page on IG https://www.instagram.com/Talkshitwithp.shop/Support The Show (whatever you can)Cashapp: https://cash.app/$TSWP20Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TswpBuymecoffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/talkshitwithpAmazon Wishlist: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2M9Q4HNKRO2WA?ref_=wl_shareWebsite under construction but keep an eye out; https://www.talkshitwithp.com/Learn my story;https://canvasrebel.com/meet-paula-sima-mulamula/https://herforward.com/a-mental-health-advocate-suggests-talking-shit/& FINALLY if you want to be a guest on the podcast... hit us up;https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdVVE0FrJOD4xgDCzE5C_jIlgO7dVlpJBjVw5iyqnmEt5QVIQ/viewform OR IF YOU want to be featured... leave us a voicenote;https://www.speakpipe.com/talkshitwithp

On this episode of the Extraordinary Educators podcast, Danielle and Sari discuss how improv can improve connections in the classroom. Danielle explains the three improv games she's been sharing with educators in her travels. These games not only help build relationships, but they also flip the switch on how we typically feel about mistakes – simply by celebrating and encouraging them. This episode wraps up by explaining how these three games can be used in classrooms, especially if students are slightly hesitant.Curriculum Associates' BlogTwitterInstagramEmail: ExtraordinaryEducators@cainc.com

 In this episode of [Un]churned, host Josh Schachter speaks with Kelly Leonard, the VP, Creative Strategy, Innovation & Business Development at Second City in Chicago.They discuss how improvisation can improve creativity and collaboration in business and the importance of human behavior and relationships in customer success.They also touch on the concept of "Yes, and" and how it can be used to navigate disagreements or situations where agreement may not be possible. Overall, the podcast highlights the value of practicing human skills and using science to understand better and connect with customers. They also discuss - the importance of building relationships in business- how improvisational theatre exercises can help improve communication skills.- dealing with demanding customers who complain frequently.- the power of comedy in diffusing difficult situations, - the importance of avoiding toxic people and bosses, - the value of improvisation in business. 

“Your mind sometimes hijacks your emotions to think the worst-case scenario in order to protect yourself. You need to reclaim your mind in order to be in control.” Jay Sukow Jay began teaching for Second City in 2010 and teaches in both the Improv and Conservatory programs. He is also a facilitator with Second City Works, teaching improv to business professionals to drive behavior change. Previously, he was on faculty at The Second City Chicago, iO Chicago, and ComedySportz Chicago. He is the co-host of “Improvcast with Jay and Landon” and currently performs around town with the group Zer0 H0ur with Bill Chott and Jay Sukow, as well as the monthly show Improv Famous. He has over 25 years of experience as a leader. As an Improv leader and coach, Jay speaks about the dynamics of living the future and having a standard that we can never live up to instead of living in the moment and the “now.” A difference in how we look at the world shifts our focus from our failures into the zone of learning and growing. We will always have stressors in our lives, and instead of avoiding them, we need to learn how to deal with them because we all have seasons and ups and downs; just because it happens now doesn't mean that it will be the same forever. However, always having a positive mindset in all situations will lead you to a happy and more content life, both personally and professionally.  Listen to this and so much more in the episode; petermargaritis.com   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

James Leath (@jamesleath) is a mental performance coach, keynote speaker, workshop facilitator, and founder of Unleash the Athlete. He is the former Head of Leadership at IMG Academy and currently is a mental performance coach for EXOS. when not traveling the world speaking and presenting He is a long time friend, former co-host and producer of this podcast, and speaker for Changing the Game Project and the Way of Champions Conference. James has just released his brand new book Team Building Activities for Athletes, which collects over 50 of his favorite games that will help your team connect, compete, and find more joy in sport. We love the work James does and his new book will become a toolkit for you to bring to practice everyday and keep your athletes focused and having fun. You can learn more and get yourself a great free download at www.JamesLeath.com/woc REGISTER NOW! The 2023 Way of Champions Conference will be held August 4-6, 2023 at Colorado Academy in Denver, CO. Click here to learn more and register. You can save $100 until April 1 by entering EARLYBIRD at checkout, as well as get access to the best hotel rooms right across the street from Colorado Academy. Its going to be amazing to be back in person in 2023! This week's podcast is brought to you by our friends at Sprocket Sports. Sprocket Sports is a new software platform for youth sports clubs. There are a lot of these systems out there, but Sprocket provides the full enchilada. They give you all the cool front-end stuff to make your club look good– like websites and marketing tools – AND all the back-end transactions and services to run your business better so you can focus on what really matters – your players and your teams. Sprocket is built for those clubs looking to thrive, not just survive, in the competitive world of youth sports clubs. So if you've been looking for a true business partner – not just another app – check them out today at https://sprocketsports.me/CTG. Become a Podcast Champion! This weeks podcast is also sponsored by our Patreon Podcast Champions. Help Support the Podcast and get FREE access to our most popular online courses, a $300 value. If you love the podcast, we would love for you to become a Podcast Champion, (https://www.patreon.com/wayofchampions) for as little as a cup of coffee per month (OK, its a Venti Mocha), to help us up the ante and provide even better interviews, better sound, and an overall enhanced experience. Plus, as a $10 per month Podcast Super-Champion, you will have access to never before released and bonus material, including: Downloadable transcripts of our best podcasts, so you don't have to crash your car trying to take notes! A code to get free access to our online course called "Coaching Mastery," usually a $97 course, plus four other courses worth over $100, all yours for free for becoming a patron. Other special bonus opportunities that come up time to time Access to an online community of coaches like you who are dedicated listeners of the podcast, and will be able to answer your questions and share their coaching experiences. Thank you for all your support these past four years, and a special big thank you to all of you who become part of our inner circle, our patrons, who will enable us to take our podcast to the next level. https://www.patreon.com/wayofchampions

James Leath (@jamesleath) is a mental performance coach, keynote speaker, workshop facilitator, and founder of Unleash the Athlete. He is the former Head of Leadership at IMG Academy and currently is a mental performance coach for EXOS. when not traveling the world speaking and presenting He is a long time friend, former co-host and producer of this podcast, and speaker for Changing the Game Project and the Way of Champions Conference. James has just released his brand new book Team Building Activities for Athletes, which collects over 50 of his favorite games that will help your team connect, compete, and find more joy in sport. We love the work James does and his new book will become a toolkit for you to bring to practice everyday and keep your athletes focused and having fun. You can learn more and get yourself a great free download at www.JamesLeath.com/woc  REGISTER NOW! The 2023 Way of Champions Conference will be held August 4-6, 2023 at Colorado Academy in Denver, CO. Click here to learn more and register.  You can save $100 until April 1 by entering EARLYBIRD at checkout, as well as get access to the best hotel rooms right across the street from Colorado Academy. Its going to be amazing to be back in person in 2023!  This week's podcast is brought to you by our friends at Sprocket Sports.  Sprocket Sports is a new software platform for youth sports clubs.  There are a lot of these systems out there, but Sprocket provides the full enchilada. They give you all the cool front-end stuff to make your club look good– like websites and marketing tools – AND all the back-end transactions and services to run your business better so you can focus on what really matters – your players and your teams.  Sprocket is built for those clubs looking to thrive, not just survive, in the competitive world of youth sports clubs.  So if you've been looking for a true business partner – not just another app – check them out today at https://sprocketsports.me/CTG. Become a Podcast Champion! This weeks podcast is also sponsored by our Patreon Podcast Champions. Help Support the Podcast and get FREE access to our most popular online courses, a $300 value. If you love the podcast, we would love for you to become a Podcast Champion, (https://www.patreon.com/wayofchampions) for as little as a cup of coffee per month (OK, its a Venti Mocha), to help us up the ante and provide even better interviews, better sound, and an overall enhanced experience. Plus, as a $10 per month Podcast Super-Champion, you will have access to never before released and bonus material, including: Downloadable transcripts of our best podcasts, so you don't have to crash your car trying to take notes! A code to get free access to our online course called “Coaching Mastery,” usually a $97 course, plus four other courses worth over $100, all yours for free for becoming a patron. Other special bonus opportunities that come up time to time Access to an online community of coaches like you who are dedicated listeners of the podcast, and will be able to answer your questions and share their coaching experiences. Thank you for all your support these past four years, and a special big thank you to all of you who become part of our inner circle, our patrons, who will enable us to take our podcast to the next level. https://www.patreon.com/wayofchampions

Can you be upset constructively? What is the first step to overcoming and getting past denial? Can you hold two separate truths at the same time? In this podcast episode, we speak about using improv rules for personal growth with Ben Winter. We discuss the ways in which you can overcome denial and how to build a positive-progress mindset. For show notes click here. Connect with us on Facebook @MarriedEntrepreneursPodcast  Sign up for the free e-course: Mixing Business with Pleasure Email us at: Info@marriedentrepreneurspodcast.com Visit our website: www.marriedentrepreneurspodcast.com

• From stand-up to outstanding – with a lot of work • “It is a leadership tool” (Total Recorded Time is 23:44) It takes a lot of practice to do improv, whether on stage as an entertainer or in front of your staff as the organization's leader, says Peter Margaritis, a CPA who calls himself the “Accidental Accountant” and who has been doing something other than crunching numbers for years. Not overly in love with accounting, Mr. Margaritis tried standup comedy in the late 1980s. Since he's not seen cracking jokes on late night TV, it may be apparent the spotlight failed to find him. But that attempt to make people laugh opened a new door for him as a leadership coach, speaker and author. “Improv … is about the ability to take our knowledge and experiences and bring it into any situation,” says Mr. Margaritis. “It is a leadership tool.” Peter Margaritis talks about improving your impro in this Bizgnis Interview podcast. Please click here to watch the interview: https://youtu.be/xHlxtxUZf2o His newest book is “Off Script: Mastering the Art of Business Improvisation,” (Silver Tree Publishing, November 2021). For more information: http://petermargaritis.com ======================================= ABOUT US Bizgnus reports, writes, edits and publishes business news in online, broadcast and printed publications. We have published unbiased, unfiltered and in-depth interviews with business and other thought leaders since 2005. Opinions are those of our guests. Bizgnus never endorses the viewpoints, products or services of its guests, who are selected based on their knowledge and experience. No one pays to get on our podcasts. And we don't accept advertising (although Google/YouTube sells ads on our videos.) We'd appreciate your financial support through Patreon. If you'd like to help, please click here: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=56957587 Our address is 150 Herons Run, #104, Sarasota, Florida 34232. Call us anytime at 209.470.3400. Our email address is editor@bizgnus.com

This is episode 491. Tips for Sales Career Success. Read the complete transcription on the Sales Game Changers Podcast website. BOB'S TIP: "Cling to, “Yes and.” There's an oversimplification that the majority of people use for ‘yes and' that it's an ideation tool only. At its core, it's a communication tool because you cannot ‘yes and' somebody without listening to them, without understanding them. And' is the bridge to your voice. This provides this opportunity to build bridges. ‘Yes and' links to that postponement of judgment. ‘Yes and' is a fantastic conflict management technique. Imagine some difficult questions being thrown your way or pushback that you're receiving. A way to deal with both of those is through ‘yes and.'

Owner and Head Instructor at Asphalt Anthropology, Ms. Baker joins us to talk about the use of improv in improving one's martial art, and the necessity of awareness in urban self-defense situations. Learn more about Ms. Baker at https://www.asphaltanthro.com/ Learn more about Rising Phoenix at https://risingphoenixtkd.com/ Music courtesy of https://podcastthemes.com/

Join us to learn how Improv Games can engage students while creating a safe space for practicing their language skills. Build student confidence while bringing down their affective filter. Listen to examples of games and learn about websites for more improv games. Adapt games to your particular learners and context. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/ttelt/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/ttelt/support

When it comes to managing adversity, do you know how to suffer well? How adaptable to change are you? Social scientists tell us society will see more change in the next ten years than we have in the last one hundred!! Think about that. What skills do we need to prepare for this fact? If you want to know more, tune in to my discussion with Nancy Watt, a brilliant pracademic who uses her vast knowledge and applied improv to help people be more vulnerable and more empowered to “Yes, and” their lives!

Fear is one powerful emotion. This week's episode focuses on how fear shows up in our lives (hello, there…imposter complex) and what we can do to move through it in order to open new doors. Joining me on the show is Judi Holler. Judi Holler is a keynote speaker, thought leader, podcaster, improviser, and author of the book, “Fear is My Homeboy.” Judi's energy is contagious. I  believe her work will resonate with you.  Together, we explore the everyday things that happen to us and the blocks that get in our way. Judi walks us through some improv exercises to help open new doors and keep you moving forward. And as Judi likes to say, “Old keys don't open new doors.”  In this episode you'll hear: Judi's view of the imposter complex and some ways she teaches people to combat it. The improv mindset and how it can help build confidence. How to turn obstacles into opportunities and tools to help navigate even the worst of life's storms. The fear-setting roadmap and how to keep your emotions in check in stressful situations.  Judi takes me through an improv exercise to showcase the true magic of the word, “and.” http://andreaowen.com/420  

We all know the benefits of clinical simulations  where we set up life-like scenarios, and often use hi-fidelity manikins to help nurses build the confidence and focus on honing their clinical skills. But what about situations involving high stress/high stakes communication and team dynamics? Our guest today talks about developing effective communication skills using Improvisational exercises and principles to help improve collaboration and patient safety. For complete show notes, please visit mylesparillaconsulting.com/podcast/ep7Don't forget to leave a rating and review in Apple Podcast: The Insightful Nurse Leader with Myles ParillaMore from The Insightful Nurse Leader:Subscribe: mylesparillaconsulting.com/podcastInstagram: instagram.com/mylesparillaLinkedIn:   linkedin.com/in/myles-parilla

In this episode of Own Your Career, Andy is joined by Erin Diehl, business improv educator, failfluencer, and professional zoombie who is ready to help you Improve It! In this episode, Erin shares what improv is, why we should be thinking about it in business and meetings, and how it can help you own your career. She also gives insight into how run a great virtual meeting with virtual icebreakers. Connect with Andy Storch here: https://andystorch.com/ (andystorch.com) https://www.linkedin.com/in/andystorch/ (linkedin.com/in/andystorch) https://tdtt.us/ (tdtt.us/) http://ownyourcareerownyourlife.com/bonus/ (ownyourcareerownyourlife.com/bonus) Connect with Erin Diehl: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erindiehl/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/erindiehl/) https://www.learntoimproveit.com/ (https://www.learntoimproveit.com/) @keepinitrealdiehl

In this episode of the Morning Upgrade podcast I talk with Joe Sanok about his morning routine, using improv for personal growth, stimulating your creativity and more. Hey guys! Do you enjoy listening to the Morning Upgrade Podcast? Do you think others would find value in it? If yes, please take 30 seconds and leave my show a review so more people find it. I appreciate you! https://ratethispodcast.com/morningupgrade -Ryan

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 :)

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

“So, I have this concept which I call ‘Listening to Ignite', which is, you're listening for things that can really light up the other person. So, it's about what your curiosity clicks into. And can you ask a question that allows them a launchpad to show the best of their skill, their experience, their expertise, their background? And I think in that occasion, when you're thinking of those questions, when you're thinking of something you remember, not being present with that person is almost the more generous act.”That is Max Dickins, an improv artist who helps leaders and their teams get extraordinary outcomes through the use of improvisation techniques.Many months back, I had reviewed Max's superb book, 'Improvise: Use the Secrets of Improv to achieve Extraordinary Results at Work' and was delighted to have him on my podcast.For the uninitiated, improv, short for ‘Improvisational theatre' is the art of unscripted theatre. But it goes so much beyond that. It's a whole different way of thinking. A way of thinking that has applications in almost all aspects of life - whether at work or at home.In the book, Max shares several lessons from improv that can help you to: • Be more creative • Listen better • Become more mentally agile • Improve spontaneity • Enhance collaboration • Embrace failure and learn from it We touch upon all of these topics in the conversation. I specifically was curious to know how Improv principles can help us listen and present better at the workplace. Max has some great ideas for us. Links to resources:Max Dickins' websiteMax' Twitter handleHis LinkedIn pageHis Amazon author pageMy review of his bookThis podcast was hosted by me, Ravishankar Iyer. Audio editing by Kartik Rajan. Transcript editing by Amisha Jha and all-round support by Sanket Aalegaonkar.

Improve it! fam, are you looking for a tangible team building exercise that can help your team show up for each other in a more meaningful way? We've got your back. On today's minisode, our improve it! Director of Talent, Cristy Mercier, is here to talk to us about how improv is a great teaching tool for team building and how she's witnessed it transform teams time and time again.   About the Guest: Empirical evidence has shown that improvisational training has the ability to improve an employee's trust, teamwork, communication, presentation skills, creative problem solving, and can improve a company's overall corporate culture. No one knows that better than Cristy Mercier, she's studied and performed this amazing art form at many institutions, some of which are The Second City, the iO Training Center, the Annoyance, and Comedy Sportz . As the Director of Talent for improve it!, Cristy has conducted workshops across the country, leveraging improvisational techniques to improve employees' skills in corporate settings, facilitating sessions for clients such as Exelon, Motorola Solutions, Groupon, Elkay Manufacturing, Accenture, The PrivateBank, Quicken Loans, Milhouse Engineering, Crowe Horwath, and many more.   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 :)

Bob Kulhan, professor and performer, teaches how improvisation can improve communication, collaboration, agility, and adaptability at work and in your personal life.

This week on Yes But Why Podcast, I connected with Dr. Jennifer Christner, doctor, educator, and improviser. Jennifer G. Christner, MD is the Dean, School of Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine (BCM). Dr. Christner was practicing general pediatrics when early in her career, she was selected to become a National Faculty Development Scholar by the Academic Pediatric Association. This changed her focus from seeing patients to developing educational methods to train better doctors. This new path fascinated her, so since then, she has completed training programs in Medical Education as well as a Certification in Research. Dr. Christner works on research regarding new methods of medical education and faculty development. Most recently, Dr. Christner founded Christner Strategies, LLC to bring together all her skills and research. With this new business she is providing medical education consulting for her academic clients, and executive/life coaching for professionals in both academic and nonacademic environments. Dr. Christner also speaks at events about a variety of faculty development and leadership topics including the use of improvisation to enhance communication skills. When I met Dr. Christner (she told me to call her Jenny), we talked about how she got connected with the improv community in Houston, Texas. You see, the medical profession is tough (like really really tough), and Dr. Jenny needed a little break from all the hard work she had been doing. So she decided to take an improv class and completely fell in love with it. Dr. Jenny had already been focused on helping doctors tap into their creativity to work on soft skills like communication and professionalism. So when she found improv, it opened up a new door for her. She had found a new way to show her students how to open up, how to learn empathy, how to listen. In our conversation, we have a great chat about Dr. Jenny's creative path. We start with her dreams of being a ballerina and we follow her journey through to the creation of Christner Strategies, LLC, her new life coaching company that supports leaders in both academic and nonacademic environments. Support Dr. Jenny Christner by hiring Christner Strategies, LLC (or by telling someone else about her great services)! You can also help Dr. Jenny by supporting her improv community in Houston, The Station Theater! New classes starting IN PERSON on July 14th! Yes But Why Podcast is a proud member of the HC Universal Network family of podcasts. Visit us at HCUniversalNetwork.com to join in on the fun. #YesButWhy #Podcast #HCUniversalNetwork This episode of Yes But Why podcast is sponsored by audible - get your FREE audiobook download and your 30 day free trial at http://www.audibletrial.com/YESBUTWHY. You need a distraction. Get Audible. This episode of Yes But Why is also sponsored by PodcastCadet.com. Go to PodcastCadet.com to connect with us so we can help you with your podcast! Save money by putting in offer code YBY20 to get 20% off the first service for workshop you buy! This episode of Yes But Why is also sponsored by True Hemp Science! True Hemp Science is our Austin-based resource for vegan friendly, whole plant extract CBD oil. Go to TrueHempScience.com to peruse all the therapeutic CBD product options! Use code YesButWhy7 to get 7% off your order of $50 or more and get a free packet of 2 CBD edibles!

In Episode 10 of JustAnAE, Andrew shares his long term goals, how it feels to work for a CEO who genuinely cares about his employees and how Outreach is emphasizing diversity in its organization (over 50% women in the organization). We also hear how Andrew deals with internet trolls and the power of improv in sales! Where to follow Andrew:1. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amewborn/

Today's guest is Elisabeth Swan. Elisabeth is a co-founder of the Just-in-Time Cafe, with a mission to cultivate a hub where problem solvers connect, share, and grow. She's the co-author of The Problem-Solver's Toolkit: A Surprisingly Simple Guide to Your Lean Six Sigma Journey and Co-host of the Just-in-Time Cafe Podcast. She's a 30+-year veteran of the Continuous Improvement world who performed for ImprovBoston back in the day. As a Lean Six Sigma consultant, she uses improv every day.   Links: Connect with Elisabeth on Twitter Connect with Elisabeth on LinkedIn E-Mail Elisabeth   Elisabeth's Website Karen Martin Clarity First The Problem Solver's Toolkit by Elisabeth Swan & Tracy O'Rourke Learning to Lead, Leading to Learn by Katie Anderson Improv Workshop

Jorjeana Marie is a television writer, author and produced playwright. After attending NYU's Dramatic Writing Program at TISCH, Jorjeana had several plays produced at the 78th St Rep, The Neighborhod Playhouse, The Douglas Fairbanks Studio Theater and PS 122 (as part of the 24 Hour Plays). She has written three solos shows, one short film, hours of stand-up material and on three animated television series. She is currently writing at Disney. Her book Improv for Writers (Ten Speed Press/Penguin Random House) is the focus of Jorjeana's and Ryan's conversation. How can comedy and improv improve your writing and get you unstuck? Find Jorjeana and her work: https://jorjeanamarie.com/

Belina Raffy is on a mission to make climate change… funnier. She teaches Sustainable Stand-up, in order to enable people to be able to talk about the serious topic of climate change with humour, in order to more effectively engage our citizens and encourage behaviour change. We've been friends for a few year so our conversation about her amazing work is peppered with goofing around. We'll talk about failed advocacy techniques, angry Australians, making vegans nicer, whataboutism and how to shine bright, giggly light into the dark crevasses of the global climate change narrative. This episode is, in a way, a continuation of the previous interview with my go-to guy on sustainability, Canadian author Chris Turner. So often when I record these podcasts, there is a knock on effect that leads me to another guest. This time it led me to Berlin to meet with Belina. - Sustainable Stand-up: https://www.sustainablestandup.com/ - The Book: "Using Improv to Save the World - and Me": https://www.maffick.com/#the-book - Music by Phil Creamer from www.hereonout.ca

How to train tour guides is one of the most frequently asked questions we receive in our postbag here at Tourpreneur.So on this episode of Tourpreneur, a podcast for tour operators and tour professionals, we asked Margaret Hicks of tour guide training company The Tour Boost to share some tips on tour guide training with us.

Helping companies and teams to unlock their natural creative ability can be daunting to innovation leaders. One method that I have found incredibly useful is to use improv comedy skills as a way to get team members comfortable being uncomfortable since in improv, you never know what's going to happen next. Kelly Leonard, Executive Director of Insights and Applied Improvisation at The Second City and Second City Works, shares his experience and insights from Second City being part of the training for such creative talent as Tina Fey, Stephen Colbert, Amy Poehler, Seth Meyers, Steve Carell, Keegan Michael Key, Amy Sedaris and others. So what role can and does improv comedy skills play in helping teams and individuals boost their creative output? Through Second City Works, Kelly and his team bring the skills, training and experiences of improvisational comedy to help companies such as Coca Cola, Microsoft, Memorial Sloan Kettering and DDB Worldwide unlock their teams natural ability to be highly creative. How? Improv Comedy Skills Leonard shares there are two core basic skills that directly apply: Careful listening: In one exercise he uses with clients, a group has to create a story one word at a time by having each person in a circle add one (and only one) word to the story based on what has been said already. It forces people to have to focus on their listen skills and not their talking skills since 90% of this exercise is about listening. Building on the ideas of other by using "Yes And ..": In a second exercise, Leonard sets a rule that for the first team minutes, any comments ideas must build on the ideas of others by starting each statement with the words, "Yes - and ...". This reinforces listening skills and offering positive reinforcement to the original idea and the premise that the best ideas on built upon the ideas of others. For more exercises and how they apply to the business world, check out Kelly Leonard's book, Yes, And: How Improvisation Reverses "No, But" Thinking and Improves Creativity and Collaboration--Lessons from The Second City. Kelly shares a number of other experiences and examples of how improve comedy can boost innovation. To hear the other examples, listen to the audio from show below ..    

Today, Makenna and Sean share an idea they picked up from this year's SuperStart! tour. Often in ministry, we are telling Biblical stories and looking for creative, fresh ways to tell these stories. This year's SuperStart! demonstration a new technique for story-telling: Improv Story Telling. Listen to today's podcast for an example, which was created (like all true improv) in the moment and unedited. Have a question about preteen ministry or a unique preteen ministry idea that we can feature on our podcast? Send it to podcast@fourfivesix.org. Looking for a great community of preteen leaders that you can plug into? Join us at http://fourfivesix.org/.