Explore every episode of the podcast Heightening Headlines: Improvising The News
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Sometimes Teachers Can Be Dumb" - Discussing an Anime Made by the Otavalo People, and Interviewing Jared | 18 Dec 2025 | 00:35:41 | |
In this episode, Alec and Ryan read and discuss a story about the Otavalo people in the Andes Mountains in Ecuador creating an anime called "We're Aya" to help revive their Quichua language and culture, and the influence they took from famous Japanese animated movies like those of Studio Ghibli. Then a kid named Jared who was raised exclusively on Nickelodeon TV comes onto the scene, and Ryan spends some time interviewing him. Follow them at @alecsheaimprov and @ryan_stands_up ________________ Real news, improvised comedy. Improvisers and comedians Alec Shea (@alecsheaimprov) and Ryan Charnoky (@Ryan_Stands_Up) read and discuss interesting, weird, and completely true news stories from around the world, then improvise comedic scenes inspired by the story, the people involved and the discussion that follows. They also discuss improv techniques and comedy styles. Weekly episodes with Ryan and Alec, and perhaps sometimes... special guests! (Disclaimer: We cannot guarantee the news stories will be accurately depicted during the improv. In fact... they may be depicted somewhat inaccurately... Hmm... Actually its probably best to assume the improv doesn't represent these real world news stories at all...) | |||
| "We Will Make Sweet Love Turtle-Style" - Discussing Illegal Exotic Pet Trade, The CITESWFF, and a Weird Turtle | 18 Dec 2025 | 00:35:57 | |
In this episode, Alec and Ryan discuss a story about illegal exotic pet trade, the Convention on International Trade In Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITESWFF), and a weird turtle. This inspires two scenes, one about attending the CITESWFF and one that gives insight into how rhinos might feel about the fear of being hunted. Oh, and there's some promo for a new cereal called Ryan-Os. Follow them at @alecsheaimprov and @ryan_stands_up ________________ Real news, improvised comedy. Improvisers and comedians Alec Shea (@alecsheaimprov) and Ryan Charnoky (@Ryan_Stands_Up) read and discuss interesting, weird, and completely true news stories from around the world, then improvise comedic scenes inspired by the story, the people involved and the discussion that follows. They also discuss improv techniques and comedy styles. Weekly episodes with Ryan and Alec, and perhaps sometimes... special guests! (Disclaimer: We cannot guarantee the news stories will be accurately depicted during the improv. In fact... they may be depicted somewhat inaccurately... Hmm... Actually its probably best to assume the improv doesn't represent these real world news stories at all...) | |||
| "They're Stealing The Jewels!" - Discussing The Louvre Heist, AI, and Social Circumcision | 18 Dec 2025 | 00:33:52 | |
In this episode, Alec and Ryan introduce themselves and find the direction for the future of the podcast. This leads to them discussing the Louvre heist, and improvising a scene about the security guard who was on duty that day. Oh, they also did that typical podcast thing where they discuss AI for a while, and how it sucks. Follow them at @alecsheaimprov and @ryan_stands_up ________________ Real news, improvised comedy. Improvisers and comedians Alec Shea (@alecsheaimprov) and Ryan Charnoky (@Ryan_Stands_Up) read and discuss interesting, weird, and completely true news stories from around the world, then improvise comedic scenes inspired by the story, the people involved and the discussion that follows. They also discuss improv techniques and comedy styles. Weekly episodes with Ryan and Alec, and perhaps sometimes... special guests! (Disclaimer: We cannot guarantee the news stories will be accurately depicted during the improv. In fact... they may be depicted somewhat inaccurately... Hmm... Actually its probably best to assume the improv doesn't represent these real world news stories at all...) | |||
| Promo Teaser | 13 Dec 2025 | 00:01:38 | |
A promotional teaser trailer for Ryan & Alec’s upcoming podcast, Heightening Headlines: Improvising the News. Includes a short intro from Alec and Ryan, and some short clips from upcoming episodes. | |||