Meet Koppett's new VP of Leadership and Culture, Chris Esparza. Chris shares his dare to be human story on transition and the humanity of change and we discuss yes, and-ing with joy, the multidimensional power of play, and seeing the opportunities (or treasures) everywhere around us. Find Chris on LinkedIN ( https://www.linkedin.com/in/unscriptedchris/ )
Educator, social worker, writer, and President/CEO of the McLean Group, Kathleen McLean, joins us to discuss the power of noticing and asking “why” in the context of equity, power, and purpose. Kathleen’s work has been recognized as one of the top 50 influential people in the Capital Region and as a leader/ champion in DEI. Join us as she shares her dare to be human story about a transformational trip to Haiti, and leaves listeners with her rituals for self-care. Find out more about the McLean G...
We welcome back Theresa Robbins Dudeck and Caitlin McClure to discuss their new book The Applied Improvisation Mindset: Tools for Transforming Organizations and Communities. Theresa and Caitlin share their dare to be human stories on risk, safety, and leaning into discomfort to do the right thing. We explore the power of being average, doing the next thing, and how the applied improvisation community rose to the occasion at the onset of the pandemic and beyond. Check out the new book here: https...
World-renowned actor, teacher, improviser, director, author, and playwright Patti Stiles joins us to talk about her new book Improvise Freely: Throw Away the Rulebook and Unleash Your Creativity . Patti shares her dare to be human story as we discuss courage and fear, creating spaces for creativity to thrive, the great "yes, and" debate, unlearning what we've learned, and "that impro moment."Check out Improvise Freely and learn more about Patti here ....
Authors of Life Unscripted: Using Improv Principles to Get Unstuck, Boost Confidence, and Transform Your Life and DTBH veterans, Jeff Katzman M.D. and Dan O'Connor join us to discuss their new book Ensemble!: Using the Power of Improv and Play to Forge Connections in a Lonely World. Jeff and Dan share their dare to be human stories of leadership through letting go and being humbled by a mistake while avoiding the all too familiar shame spiral. We discuss ensemble as a verb, how trust and co...
What do two classic improv performance games (Sit, Stand, Kneel and Family Dinner) and the world-famous Story Spine have in common? Kenn Adams! Our guest this week is the Artistic Director of Synergy Theater, the author of the book How to Improvise a Full-Length Play; The Art of Spontaneous Theater , and longtime pal, Kenn Adams. We explore Kenn's career so far, spanning 30-years of performing, directing, and teaching- its rocky start, his lucky break, and his inspiring navigation of live t...
Corey Rosen, author of Your Story, Well Told joins Kat and Livia. As much of the USA transitions out of pandemic mode, life becomes all about adapting to the "new normal." From his unique perspective as an improviser and story coach, Corey supplies some valuable techniques for those times when we need some fresh new ideas--now. Corey coaches people to find the essence of their personal stories, sometimes with radical edits. This bold approach often yields unexpected learning, surprisin...
If the words "positive psychology" make you think of a mashup of canned affirmations and shallow optimism, you aren't alone. But in this episode, Shannon Polly, coach, theatre person, trainer, facilitator, and one of the first 100 people to get a Masters in Positive Psychology, sets the record straight. From a tale of a taping with Paula Poundstone to one about the death of a beloved hamster, Shannon offers stories and highly useful insights about finding opportunity in failure, r...
Michael Burns is Kat's husband and the Artistic Director of our improvisational theatre company, The Mop & Bucket Co ( mopco.org ). Michael joins Kat and Livia to celebrate our 50th episode AND the 25th anniversary season of the Mop & Bucket Company. (but is it really? All is revealed in the podcast!) Among other things, we talk about what cargo cults have to do with artistic development and human learning. We also talk about the last 14 months in hiatus from in-person performance, ...
Self-described improv nerd (and renowned improv performer and teacher) Joe Bill talks shop with Kat and Livia. Be forewarned, there's a fair amount of inside baseball in this one--if you aren't an improviser you may scratch your head at some of the references to names or exercises, but these few improv-specific moments keep company with an abundance of stories, revelations, laughter, and a celebration of tears. An hour solidly packed with insight about our favorite topic: daring to be ...
Can you find a living point of connection between powerlifting, Laplandic reindeer herding, biology and anthropology, damaging gender stereotypes in the sports world, and improv? We can! Her name is Cara Ocobock. Dr. Ocobock is the Director of the Human Energetics Laboratory at Notre Dame University. Her research program integrates human biology and anthropology. In this episode, Cara, Kat, and Livia weigh in on some hefty topics, including toxic masculinity and damaging fictions about gender, p...
Tom Floyd's company, Flouracity , creates " space for managers, leaders and other mammals to grow." He comes to this venture after years inside a number of large and wildly successful companies, the most recent, a fast-paced, fast-growth environment where radical prioritization and charting one's own course is imperative. Tom shares the story of his shock when he learned what his manager was really thinking. Relating to the learning from this story of unvarnished communicatio...
Charles Silberstein is an esteemed psychiatrist, author, researcher, and fascinating, tireless observer of humanity, his own and others’. He also happens to be Kat's cousin! In this conversation, Charles and Kat discuss awakening to their own privilege, how awareness of conscious and unconscious bias is a never-ending journey, therapy as a form of storytelling, and ways that we humans take care of ourselves in trying times. Read Charles's monthly column On My Mind for the Martha's...
Our friend Pam Victor, a teacher, writer, entrepreneur (and of course, improvisor) talks with Kat and Livia about her 30 Day Happiness Experiment- and lots of other things. This far-ranging conversation touches on unexpected results, joy, awareness, self-help, helping others, privilege, social justice, and much more. It might sound like a lot, but like a good improv show, the topics all come together in a fascinating exploration of Pam's particular version of being human. Learn more about H...
Paul Z. Jackson, a founder of the Applied Improv Network, is a journalist, a philosopher, and of course an improviser who came to improv from the from the "offstage world." Paul joins Kat and Livia to unpack some ongoing conversations. Among other things, they discuss learning from success, improvisation as an evaluative exercise, art vs. engineering, and the field of applied improvisation at a tipping point in the world. A conversation with Paul is usually interesting, never dull, oft...
"Thoughts can be fuzzy; words are clear." Some welcome clarity on the qualities of effective leadership with our friend Kevin Eikenberry, a noted expert and innovator in the field of leadership.
On Nov. 4th, Kat and Livia, no doubt sleep deprived but happy, had a fascinating conversation with Jeanne Lambin, a creator of many experiences for all kinds of folks. A quiet conversation containing some quiet revelations.
Kat and Livia discuss, among other things, learning, play, and the mistaken use of shame in education. WIth a brief cameo appearance by Riggie, Cinnamon, and Chester, the dogs (of varying ages.)
Kat talks about facilitation with Jeff Mitchell, President of Proteus International. Proteus and Koppett partner on a number of projects, including a series of programs to develop, coach and measure Facilitation Excellence. Through this lens, Kat and Jeff and Livia muse on collaboration, what's different and what's not at this strange time, and how great facilitation might just be the key to saving the world! (Oh, and check out our new logo!)
Morgan Heyward of Illuminate Theatre returns to update us on her work, her thoughts on the state of the arts at this moment in our national consciousness, and some exciting new opportunities she has coming up. Check out our first DTBH follow-up episode! https://www.facebook.com/IlluminateTheatre518 https://teespring.com/illuminatetheatremerch?pid=2&fbclid=IwAR2z-8ZTBTAgYElclKnwPRC2vxdQGihqGwc4_Me-naMXmP12dc7B5P5qBo0&cid=2397...
Broadway performer Adam Grupper recounts the tale of his real-life actor's nightmare, which happened to take place on the night of his Broadway debut in a starring role. In this conversation Adam and Kat talk about dedication, process over product, and the critical importance of the improv precept "make your partner look good." A fascinating hour with a kind, humble, and super talented master of his trade.
WAM Theatre is a professional theatre company based in Berkshire County, MA, USA, that operates at the intersection of arts and activism. WAM creates theatre for gender equity and has a vision of theatre as philanthropy. The founding artistic director of WAM, Kristen van Ginhoven, talked to us about the new performance called for in this unique time, intersectional feminism, performance, and vulnerability. A fascinating conversation with a powerful and innovative arts leader.
Our first-ever repeat guest, Renaissance man DIon Flynn talks about Grandma's purse, knowing everything will be OK, and the perception of our own personal power in a complicated time. Join us as we traverse the Escher-like corridors of a wonderful mind.
Kat and Alex discuss improvising in a time of crisis. If we weren't on the mark about us all improvising all the time, we certainly are now. Cancellations. New rules and guidelines. The ways things were can't be, so how do we keep moving? We discuss some basic improv principles that you may find helpful as you navigate and adjust to challenges, disruptions, and blocks in the era of Covid-19. Be sure to share this episode with a friend and to share your own Dare to be Human stories with...
Kat and Alex discuss a Dare to Be Human Story Alex shares about bumping into someone at a concert. They discuss awareness, our internal stories, the differences that emerge in "shared" experiences, and how first reactions can be the wrong ones. Be sure to share this episode with a friend and to share your own Dare to be Human stories with us! ________________________________________________________ * Submit a story for DTBH's Live Storytelling Show * Send us your advice from kids ...
Kat and Alex talk with Lindsey Caplan about her work on helping us to gather more effectively. We discuss Lindsey's journey discovering that she needed to do this work and begin to turn it into a book. She shares some insights into why gatherings can feel like a let down to those gathered and shares some tips to gatherers about how to be more intentional when you organize a gathering (or if you even need one). Also, smelling people? Lindsey Caplan Lindsey Caplan has been gathering people fo...
Kat and Alex discuss mindfulness, what it is and some methods toward being more mindful. Alex shares a DTBH story about trying to be a better hitter in baseball to get things rolling as we pull at the threads of a very tangled web of topics. We discuss how we can approach mindfulness, conscious and unconscious competence, self-fulfilling prophecies and naming the discomfort in moments of growth. Links: Your Basal Ganglia is Your Friend Infrastructure matters Internal Family Systems Therapy Check...
Kat and Alex talk about the differences between something that is habitual and something that is truly authentic to you. How can we tell the difference? Where do these unhelpful habits come from? How can we make sure our habits are aligned with our intentions and reflect or desires? With a few stories and discussion, Kat and Alex explore how we can strive to be more aware and able to change our habitual performance. Links: Good Habits, Bad Habits: The Science of Making Positive Changes That Stic...
Kat and Alex chat with their friend and colleague Brenny Rabine. The coach, facilitator, and actor shares a story about being told about your inner strength and how we can approach helping to grow strength in others. We discuss performing, deciding to make the career you want to have against expectations, and some of the realities of being a working actor. Brenny Rabine Brenny Rabine combines over 30 years of theater experience with nearly two decades of teaching, facilitation, and training. Bre...
Kat and Alex talk with game designer Jason Morningstar about "meta techniques" to create games where we can play safely, bringing FIASCO to the Mopco Improv Theatre, the brilliance of the group, social engineering through games, and why his work his like making a fine table leg. Support Jason and Bully Pulpit Games on Patreon ! Jason Morningstar Jason Morningstar is a game designer who lives in Durham, North Carolina, USA. Best known for his game Fiasco, which earned him his second Dia...
