Explore every episode of the podcast Your Improv Brain
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mind Blank on Stage? A 3-Step Reboot for Your Brain | 14 Jul 2025 | 00:19:29 | |
That feeling of your mind going completely blank on stage is a top fear for any performer. But what if it's not a personal failure? This week, I explain how this is often a biological response to being overwhelmed, not a lack of ideas. In this episode, you'll learn a simple, three-step system to effectively reboot your brain when it crashes. This practical technique works with your body's natural responses to get you out of your head and painlessly back into the scene, turning a moment of panic into a moment of connection. You'll also learn the final, most important safety net all improvisers have. Read and share the web article for this episode, which includes the YouTube video and this podcast. Find it here. In this episode, I refer to an earlier episode called "A Source of Great Improv Ideas (bonus: Get Out of Your Head)". This was episode 26. Find the YouTube here. Read the article and find the podcast here. Downloadable contentDownload the Free Post-Show Reflection Guide: Sent to your inbox when you subscribe to either newsletter (and added to the footer to each message if you're already subscribed). NEW! Comprehensive guides all about getting notes as a student, or giving them as a teacher. Two guides, big discount if you get both! https://improvupdate.com/notes Get a booklet with six exercises to help you get reps in challenging scenes called "Exercises to Ruin You" Get more downloadable booklets here: https://improvupdate.com/downloads Review the showPlease consider leaving a review wherever you review podcasts. Don't know where? Here are some options. It helps out! Thanks! Support the show
About This podcast was created, written, and is hosted by Jen deHaan. Jen has certifications related to healthy communities (Tufts University Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy), nervous system regulation and soon teacher training certification on community resilience. She has a BFA in teaching creative arts to adults. You can find her full bio here. This episode was and edited and produced by StereoForest.com. This podcast was made in British Columbia, Canada by StereoForest Podcasts. Mentioned in this episode: Student and Teacher/Coach Guides about NOTES in Improv Find more information, Table of Contents and links to get the guides at https://improvupdate.com/notes This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp | |||
| The Pain of Learning Improv: What to Assess, How to Respond | 07 Jul 2025 | 00:11:32 | |
Feeling frustrated, stuck, or even like you're getting worse at improv? This episode reframes the struggle. Discover the difference between productive learning pain and the unnecessary pain that you can walk away from. Learn a clear framework to assess your comedy practice, connect with your "why," and decide if your creative struggle is worth it. Doing this can help you re-engage in improv with more confidence and purpose. And maybe make your growth a bit easier too. Find the web article and YouTube embedded on this page. Downloadable contentDownload the Free Post-Show Reflection Guide: Sent to your inbox when you subscribe to either newsletter (and added to the footer to each message if you're already subscribed). NEW! Comprehensive guides all about getting notes as a student, or giving them as a teacher. Two guides, big discount if you get both! https://improvupdate.com/notes Get a booklet with six exercises to help you get reps in challenging scenes called "Exercises to Ruin You" Get more downloadable booklets here: https://improvupdate.com/downloads Review the showPlease consider leaving a review wherever you review podcasts. Don't know where? Here are some options. It helps out! Thanks! Support the show
About This podcast was created, written, and is hosted by Jen deHaan. Jen has certifications related to healthy communities (Tufts University Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy), nervous system regulation and soon teacher training certification on community resilience. She has a BFA in teaching creative arts to adults. You can find her full bio here. This episode was and edited and produced by StereoForest.com. This podcast was made in British Columbia, Canada by StereoForest Podcasts. Mentioned in this episode: Student and Teacher/Coach Guides about NOTES in Improv Find more information, Table of Contents and links to get the guides at https://improvupdate.com/notes This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp | |||
| Emotional Processing, Acting, and Improv (Alexithymia) - Part 1 | 24 Sep 2024 | 00:28:52 | |
Alexithymia involves how a person identifies and experiences emotions, so it has a lot to do with an improv practice. Part one of this two part episode series explores what alexithymia is, how it affects improv, and suggests some ways to practice improv if you experience it. Part two covers some ideas of what students can do if they approach exercises with assigned emotions, and what teachers can do to make their classes and exercises more inclusive for those with alexithymia. References from episode I mentioned the “Notes” episode series in this episode, which might be helpful if you are initiating discussions with a coach or team about emotions in scenes and alexithymia. You can find those episodes here: * Getting & Giving Notes (part 1) - Ep #15 * Getting Notes You Don't Understand (part 2) - Ep #16 * Giving Notes to Students (part 3) - Ep #17 Downloadable contentDownload the Free Post-Show Reflection Guide: Sent to your inbox when you subscribe to either newsletter (and added to the footer to each message if you're already subscribed). NEW! Comprehensive guides all about getting notes as a student, or giving them as a teacher. Two guides, big discount if you get both! https://improvupdate.com/notes Get a booklet with six exercises to help you get reps in challenging scenes called "Exercises to Ruin You" Get more downloadable booklets here: https://improvupdate.com/downloads Review the showPlease consider leaving a review wherever you review podcasts. Don't know where? Here are some options. It helps out! Thanks! Support the show
About This podcast was created, written, and is hosted by Jen deHaan. Jen has certifications related to healthy communities (Tufts University Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy), nervous system regulation and soon teacher training certification on community resilience. She has a BFA in teaching creative arts to adults. You can find her full bio here. This episode was and edited and produced by StereoForest.com. This podcast was made in British Columbia, Canada by StereoForest Podcasts. This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp | |||
| Giving Notes and Feedback to Comedy Students - Part 3 | 10 Sep 2024 | 00:32:13 | |
NOTE: There is now a full resource and downloadable Guides and Worksheets on giving and receiving notes in improv. Find the new resource page here: https://improvupdate.com/notes Notes (feedback) can be confusing for some student performers because of communication differences. This episode discusses what teachers can do to help improve and resolve some of the typical communication issues around questions and notes. Why can’t a student just ask for clarification? That can be loaded in some improv cultures (for now), and as such it can put a lot of burden on some students. Classes can be structured to make this a bit easier for everyone, while also still maintaining structure and accounting for time limitations. Downloadable contentDownload the Free Post-Show Reflection Guide: Sent to your inbox when you subscribe to either newsletter (and added to the footer to each message if you're already subscribed). NEW! Comprehensive guides all about getting notes as a student, or giving them as a teacher. Two guides, big discount if you get both! https://improvupdate.com/notes Get a booklet with six exercises to help you get reps in challenging scenes called "Exercises to Ruin You" Get more downloadable booklets here: https://improvupdate.com/downloads Review the showPlease consider leaving a review wherever you review podcasts. Don't know where? Here are some options. It helps out! Thanks! Support the show
About This podcast was created, written, and is hosted by Jen deHaan. Jen has certifications related to healthy communities (Tufts University Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy), nervous system regulation and soon teacher training certification on community resilience. She has a BFA in teaching creative arts to adults. You can find her full bio here. This episode was and edited and produced by StereoForest.com. This podcast was made in British Columbia, Canada by StereoForest Podcasts. Mentioned in this episode: Get the Student or Teacher/Coach guide about NOTES in Improv Find the guides, more information, and full Table of Contents at https://improvupdate.com/notes This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp | |||
| Getting Notes and Feedback You Don’t Understand - Part 2 | 27 Aug 2024 | 00:31:29 | |
NOTE: There is now a full resource and downloadable Guides and Worksheets on giving and receiving notes in improv. Find the new resource page here: https://improvupdate.com/notes Welcome to part two of this three-part series of episodes about receiving notes as neurodivergent improvisers. (Note: This episode is offered as an early release to supporters, and opens up to everyone on August 27! ) Getting notes can be hard for students, particularly when there is a communication gap between neurotype. This episode lists five reasons students might have to make this part of a session difficult, and some things students can try to make the process a little bit easier. Resources mentioned in episode series: * Neurodiversity & Improv Episode 13: Improv and being Misunderstood * Double Empathy Problem: Autism and the double empathy problem: Implications for development and mental health Downloadable contentDownload the Free Post-Show Reflection Guide: Sent to your inbox when you subscribe to either newsletter (and added to the footer to each message if you're already subscribed). NEW! Comprehensive guides all about getting notes as a student, or giving them as a teacher. Two guides, big discount if you get both! https://improvupdate.com/notes Get a booklet with six exercises to help you get reps in challenging scenes called "Exercises to Ruin You" Get more downloadable booklets here: https://improvupdate.com/downloads Review the showPlease consider leaving a review wherever you review podcasts. Don't know where? Here are some options. It helps out! Thanks! Support the show
About This podcast was created, written, and is hosted by Jen deHaan. Jen has certifications related to healthy communities (Tufts University Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy), nervous system regulation and soon teacher training certification on community resilience. She has a BFA in teaching creative arts to adults. You can find her full bio here. This episode was and edited and produced by StereoForest.com. This podcast was made in British Columbia, Canada by StereoForest Podcasts. Mentioned in this episode: Get the Student or Teacher/Coach guide about NOTES in Improv Find the guides, more information, and full Table of Contents at https://improvupdate.com/notes This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp | |||
| Getting Feedback & Giving Notes in Comedy Classes - Part 1 | 13 Aug 2024 | 00:32:35 | |
NOTE: There is now a full resource and downloadable Guides and Worksheets on giving and receiving notes in improv. Find the new resource page here: https://improvupdate.com/notes This three-part series of episodes is about receiving notes as a neurodivergent improviser. This episode covers WHY getting notes is hard in improv, particularly when there is a communication gap between neurotypes (such as between an autistic and allistic humans, or when verbal processing disorder exists, and so on). There’s sometimes a communication gap because different neurotypes fundamentally communicate in different ways. So this series is specifically about notes given as feedback or advice or teaching after a scene or set is over. * Part 1 (episode 15) defines what the issue is, and WHY it's important to think about for improv students and teachers. * Part 2 (episode 16) is about what issues exist for students, and some tips for things students can try. * Part 3 (episode 17) is about what issues teachers need to know about, and some tips for things coaches/schools/directors can try. And encouraging a bit more patience and effort to make sure the communication is effective - so a note can be understood. Which is the entire point! We want the notes, teachers want us to take the notes... how can we get notes interpreted and used more frequently. Resources mentioned in episode* Neurodiversity & Improv Episode 13: Improv and being Misunderstood * Double Empathy Problem: Autism and the double empathy problem: Implications for development and mental health * Learning Theory - Learning Styles (Please share your resources, alternate theories, etc!) Downloadable contentDownload the Free Post-Show Reflection Guide: Sent to your inbox when you subscribe to either newsletter (and added to the footer to each message if you're already subscribed). NEW! Comprehensive guides all about getting notes as a student, or giving them as a teacher. Two guides, big discount if you get both! https://improvupdate.com/notes Get a booklet with six exercises to help you get reps in challenging scenes called "Exercises to Ruin You" Get more downloadable booklets here: https://improvupdate.com/downloads Review the showPlease consider leaving a review wherever you review podcasts. Don't know where? Here are some options. It helps out! Thanks! Support the show
About This podcast was created, written, and is hosted by Jen deHaan. Jen has certifications related to healthy communities (Tufts University Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy), nervous system regulation and soon teacher training certification on community resilience. She has a BFA in teaching creative arts to adults. You can find her full bio here. This episode was and edited and produced by StereoForest.com. This podcast was made in British Columbia, Canada by StereoForest Podcasts. Mentioned in this episode: Get the Student or Teacher/Coach guide about NOTES in Improv Find the guides, more information, and full Table of Contents at https://improvupdate.com/notes This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp | |||
| Visual Imagery and Improv: How it Affects Memory and Recall | 08 Mar 2024 | 00:32:10 | |
Most humans have some amount of mental imagery, or visual imagery. You might find that you use the visuals to help you build and remember improv scenes. The extreme ends are considered to be neurodivergence (they are called hyperphantasia and aphantasia), but regardless of what or how much you have you can do great improv. For more information see “part 1” of this episode, which covers how visual imagination works and how it affects improv. You can find that episode here: This episode focuses how to use visual imagery for memory recall in scenes and forms such as a monoscene or macroscene. I discuss how visual imagery relates to flash memory (I mention this study here: The role of visual imagery in autobiographical memory). I also include some maybe-practical tips that include: * how to use this to improve your scenes (and why it’s important) * good forms to try if you want to enhance visuals * how to utilize these techniques for second beats of a scene So if you’re working on how to remember and recall in your scenes better, consider strengthening your visual imagery techniques and see if it helps. Downloadable contentDownload the Free Post-Show Reflection Guide: Sent to your inbox when you subscribe to either newsletter (and added to the footer to each message if you're already subscribed). NEW! Comprehensive guides all about getting notes as a student, or giving them as a teacher. Two guides, big discount if you get both! https://improvupdate.com/notes Get a booklet with six exercises to help you get reps in challenging scenes called "Exercises to Ruin You" Get more downloadable booklets here: https://improvupdate.com/downloads Review the showPlease consider leaving a review wherever you review podcasts. Don't know where? Here are some options. It helps out! Thanks! Support the show
About This podcast was created, written, and is hosted by Jen deHaan. Jen has certifications related to healthy communities (Tufts University Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy), nervous system regulation and soon teacher training certification on community resilience. She has a BFA in teaching creative arts to adults. You can find her full bio here. This episode was and edited and produced by StereoForest.com. This podcast was made in British Columbia, Canada by StereoForest Podcasts. Mentioned in this episode: Student and Teacher/Coach Guides about NOTES in Improv Find more information, Table of Contents and links to get the guides at https://improvupdate.com/notes This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp | |||
| How Neurodiversity Affects Improv And Comedy: Being Misunderstood | 21 Feb 2024 | 00:33:08 | |
Neurodivergent humans might communicate in a different way, a way that is difficult for neurotypical humans to understand. Different social communication styles not necessarily a deficit, and it’s not a pathology - it’s a difference. However, having difficulty communicating in a way other people understand it can be frustrating and isolating. Because we’re misunderstood. And we don’t want to be! And it’s often why we mask. There’s scientific study regarding being misunderstood too! In this episode I’ll talk about these studies (and they’re linked below). I’ll also describe how this impacts improv scenes in different types of improv (oh my gosh I’m going to talk about dramatic longform narrative… WHAT). In future episodes I’ll talk about how this impacts improv teams and communities. I am mostly going to describe autistic/allistic communication because the differences have been described in research. However, you can apply these communication differences to many different demographics. For example, communication across neurotypes has been compared to cross-cultural communication. It’s relevant in many contexts. And I also want to note — of COURSE everyone is misunderstood, sometimes. As with many things in this series about neurodiversity we are talking about the complexity, intensity, and frequency of these situations. Avoiding misunderstanding takes a lot of work. We need to attempt to avoid making assumptions, jumping to conclusions, and inquire if we hear something that might not make sense. Or is considered overly direct or whatnot. Or doesn't make sense. Ask and answer questions or seek clarification. And listen to the response you receive! And, if it seems to be in good faith, take it as such. Some of the studies I talked about * Autism and the double empathy problem: Implications for development and mental health Downloadable contentDownload the Free Post-Show Reflection Guide: Sent to your inbox when you subscribe to either newsletter (and added to the footer to each message if you're already subscribed). NEW! Comprehensive guides all about getting notes as a student, or giving them as a teacher. Two guides, big discount if you get both! https://improvupdate.com/notes Get a booklet with six exercises to help you get reps in challenging scenes called "Exercises to Ruin You" Get more downloadable booklets here: https://improvupdate.com/downloads Review the showPlease consider leaving a review wherever you review podcasts. Don't know where? Here are some options. It helps out! Thanks! Support the show
About This podcast was created, written, and is hosted by Jen deHaan. Jen has certifications related to healthy communities (Tufts University Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy), nervous system regulation and soon teacher training certification on community resilience. She has a BFA in teaching creative arts to adults. You can find her full bio here. This episode was and edited and produced by StereoForest.com. This podcast was made in British Columbia, Canada by StereoForest Podcasts. Mentioned in this episode: Student and Teacher/Coach Guides about NOTES in Improv Find more information, Table of Contents and links to get the guides at https://improvupdate.com/notes This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp | |||
| Communication in Improv Scenes: Finding the unusual thing | 05 Feb 2024 | 00:43:39 | |
Last week I promised an episode about finding the unusual thing: how you find what’s weird at the top of a scene when you’re setting up the base reality that leads to the game. And here is that episode. Communication is a challenge in improv, especially when we have different neurotypes playing together (which is probably… always). Our cognitive wiring is a fundamental difference between us, and at times it can lead to communication challenges especially when we need to agree on something important (like what’s weird!) to drive a scene forward. Finding the unusual thing, then framing the unusual thing, so everyone is on the same page and can move forward. And… what’s WEIRD anyway? We usually know, but sometimes it might be a mystery. Because of our wiring and lived experiences. Then what? This episode includes examples of communication between scene partners. I’ll mention a bit of science about communication in a group situation, and provide real life examples of communication breakdown between neurotypes. But mostly I talk about about improv. Even if you’re neurotypical, hopefully this ep will help you with noticing the unusual thing in a scene and framing it. And some things to try if and when that’s hard Hopefully - for all neurotypes - this episode will help you effectively communicate with your scene partners at the top of a scene. So we can all move together efficiently, and on the same page, for the rest of the scene. Downloadable contentDownload the Free Post-Show Reflection Guide: Sent to your inbox when you subscribe to either newsletter (and added to the footer to each message if you're already subscribed). NEW! Comprehensive guides all about getting notes as a student, or giving them as a teacher. Two guides, big discount if you get both! https://improvupdate.com/notes Get a booklet with six exercises to help you get reps in challenging scenes called "Exercises to Ruin You" Get more downloadable booklets here: https://improvupdate.com/downloads Review the showPlease consider leaving a review wherever you review podcasts. Don't know where? Here are some options. It helps out! Thanks! Support the show
About This podcast was created, written, and is hosted by Jen deHaan. Jen has certifications related to healthy communities (Tufts University Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy), nervous system regulation and soon teacher training certification on community resilience. She has a BFA in teaching creative arts to adults. You can find her full bio here. This episode was and edited and produced by StereoForest.com. This podcast was made in British Columbia, Canada by StereoForest Podcasts. Mentioned in this episode: Student and Teacher/Coach Guides about NOTES in Improv Find more information, Table of Contents and links to get the guides at https://improvupdate.com/notes This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp | |||
| Neurodiversity and Observation: How it can improve your scenes | 29 Jan 2024 | 00:38:49 | |
You’re getting an episode that gets real. So this week I experienced something related to last week’s episode (ep 10). I wrote all of the notes for an episode about finding the unusual thing as a neurodivergent improviser. But you’re getting that one next week, friend, because I’ve been thinking about this stuff instead. And you know what happens when we get all focused on a subject. Well… this. So this week I’m talking about how we observe small details, things many others don’t notice, particularly well due to our neurodivergent traits. It’s how we gather all those details, spew specifics, read our scene partners with aplomb, and care so much about what we know, do, and feel. And the world. It’s also how and WHY we see those patterns and make the connections so very well in life (and scenes). I’ll talk about what neurodivergent traits and experiences we commonly have that make us so good at these things, and how you can work to enhance your observation to help make your scenes easier. I’ll also get up on a soapbox to challenge the improv advice to “get out there and live life for your scenes!” for those details with my “yes, but”. Very different approaches in this regard are valuable and valid and equal and need to be noted. Some of our experiences, like feeling socially isolated, are hard. I won’t minimize or toxic positivity them here. But they’re real, happen, it’s life, and we can utilize the pieces of data we get from these experiences in our improv practice. Downloadable contentDownload the Free Post-Show Reflection Guide: Sent to your inbox when you subscribe to either newsletter (and added to the footer to each message if you're already subscribed). NEW! Comprehensive guides all about getting notes as a student, or giving them as a teacher. Two guides, big discount if you get both! https://improvupdate.com/notes Get a booklet with six exercises to help you get reps in challenging scenes called "Exercises to Ruin You" Get more downloadable booklets here: https://improvupdate.com/downloads Review the showPlease consider leaving a review wherever you review podcasts. Don't know where? Here are some options. It helps out! Thanks! Support the show
About This podcast was created, written, and is hosted by Jen deHaan. Jen has certifications related to healthy communities (Tufts University Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy), nervous system regulation and soon teacher training certification on community resilience. She has a BFA in teaching creative arts to adults. You can find her full bio here. This episode was and edited and produced by StereoForest.com. This podcast was made in British Columbia, Canada by StereoForest Podcasts. Mentioned in this episode: Student and Teacher/Coach Guides about NOTES in Improv Find more information, Table of Contents and links to get the guides at https://improvupdate.com/notes This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp | |||
| Your visual Imagination & how it affects improv scenes | 22 Jan 2024 | 00:44:31 | |
So in this episode you learn about the spectrum of visual imagination, from lots to none, and explore how you imagine visual details in improv. I cover what the spectrum of phantasia is, from hyperphantasia to aphantasia, then go into how it affects improv. How you visually process details in a scene are not just important for exploring the environment, scene painting, or describing an object (the obvious parts). You can also use it to create characters or incorporate an emotion. Flash memory-ing an emotion involves phantasia! It affects a lot. Can you improve your visual processing? Change where you are on the visual imagination spectrum? We’ll look at that kind of stuff too. I’ll give you some improv exercises to do to check out your own visual imagination. Also apologies for using my space heater tonight half way through the recording. Oops. It cold! Removed most of the noise, but some artifacts remain. I’ll be cold next time or put on extra socks or something :) Downloadable contentDownload the Free Post-Show Reflection Guide: Sent to your inbox when you subscribe to either newsletter (and added to the footer to each message if you're already subscribed). NEW! Comprehensive guides all about getting notes as a student, or giving them as a teacher. Two guides, big discount if you get both! https://improvupdate.com/notes Get a booklet with six exercises to help you get reps in challenging scenes called "Exercises to Ruin You" Get more downloadable booklets here: https://improvupdate.com/downloads Review the showPlease consider leaving a review wherever you review podcasts. Don't know where? Here are some options. It helps out! Thanks! Support the show
About This podcast was created, written, and is hosted by Jen deHaan. Jen has certifications related to healthy communities (Tufts University Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy), nervous system regulation and soon teacher training certification on community resilience. She has a BFA in teaching creative arts to adults. You can find her full bio here. This episode was and edited and produced by StereoForest.com. This podcast was made in British Columbia, Canada by StereoForest Podcasts. Mentioned in this episode: Student and Teacher/Coach Guides about NOTES in Improv Find more information, Table of Contents and links to get the guides at https://improvupdate.com/notes This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp | |||
| A Source of Great Improv Ideas (bonus: Get Out of Your Head) | 30 Jun 2025 | 00:14:47 | |
If you struggle to come up with specific or original ideas in your improv scenes, there's something you can do between scenes to help with that struggle. This episode of Your Improv Brain reframes the problem of trying to get ideas into a scene. Discover why the key to better creative output isn't forced thinking, but quality input and curiosity to get it there. So you can use your noggin RAM. Learn a practical, no-cost method to fuel your creativity using curiosity, making your ideas and characters richer and more automatic. Downloadable contentDownload the Free Post-Show Reflection Guide: Sent to your inbox when you subscribe to either newsletter (and added to the footer to each message if you're already subscribed). NEW! Comprehensive guides all about getting notes as a student, or giving them as a teacher. Two guides, big discount if you get both! https://improvupdate.com/notes Get a booklet with six exercises to help you get reps in challenging scenes called "Exercises to Ruin You" Get more downloadable booklets here: https://improvupdate.com/downloads Review the showPlease consider leaving a review wherever you review podcasts. Don't know where? Here are some options. It helps out! Thanks! Support the show
About This podcast was created, written, and is hosted by Jen deHaan. Jen has certifications related to healthy communities (Tufts University Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy), nervous system regulation and soon teacher training certification on community resilience. She has a BFA in teaching creative arts to adults. You can find her full bio here. This episode was and edited and produced by StereoForest.com. This podcast was made in British Columbia, Canada by StereoForest Podcasts. Mentioned in this episode: Student and Teacher/Coach Guides about NOTES in Improv Find more information, Table of Contents and links to get the guides at https://improvupdate.com/notes This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp | |||
| Masking and Improv Comedy: Being the voice of reason | 15 Jan 2024 | 00:41:15 | |
Masking is a common behaviour for autistic and/or ADHD people. It’s a trait that can be subconscious or conscious, and one we take on to suppress natural reactions, responses, physicality or expressions. This, of course, can affect how we position ourselves in scenes if we are trying to be the voice of reason and respond naturally and honestly. Thanks for reading Improv and Neurodiversity - The FlatImprov Podcast Substack! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. Masking can help us in improv, but also adds a challenge sometimes. With careful consideration, pondering, and a whole lot of processing I believe it can inevitably make us stronger improvisers. And maybe win improv? This episode covers, in a mere 40 minutes of detail, the intersection of masking and playing the voice of reason in your scenes. A future episode will infodump about our neurodivergent brains and the unusual… like identifying the unusual thing. Refer to episode 6 for more info about neurodivergent masking and improv but instead about peas in a pod or character matching scenes: Downloadable contentDownload the Free Post-Show Reflection Guide: Sent to your inbox when you subscribe to either newsletter (and added to the footer to each message if you're already subscribed). NEW! Comprehensive guides all about getting notes as a student, or giving them as a teacher. Two guides, big discount if you get both! https://improvupdate.com/notes Get a booklet with six exercises to help you get reps in challenging scenes called "Exercises to Ruin You" Get more downloadable booklets here: https://improvupdate.com/downloads Review the showPlease consider leaving a review wherever you review podcasts. Don't know where? Here are some options. It helps out! Thanks! Support the show
About This podcast was created, written, and is hosted by Jen deHaan. Jen has certifications related to healthy communities (Tufts University Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy), nervous system regulation and soon teacher training certification on community resilience. She has a BFA in teaching creative arts to adults. You can find her full bio here. This episode was and edited and produced by StereoForest.com. This podcast was made in British Columbia, Canada by StereoForest Podcasts. Mentioned in this episode: Student and Teacher/Coach Guides about NOTES in Improv Find more information, Table of Contents and links to get the guides at https://improvupdate.com/notes This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp | |||
| How to Commit: Honouring YOUR unique brain in improv | 08 Jan 2024 | 00:28:12 | |
We’ve all heard those sayings like “do not compare your chapter 1 to their chapter 6.” But that can be pretty hard to do. Especially when we get notes that relate to our brain wiring! Maybe we’re reading from, or writing, a completely different book. It can be hard when our brains are so different in a word that’s constructed for a different (neurotypical) wiring altogether. And here we are up on a stage with everyone watching us. Yikes. But… it’s possible to find our own way, with what we got, and succeed greatly. Yep, even in improv. This episode talks about ways to commit hard to yourself, and what YOU bring to the table as a unique, neurodivergent, thinker. When can you let go and be yourself? When should you let go, commit hard, and break your hand on your desk in a meditation scene? (That feels specific Jen. Yes, it is, you. Learn more in the ep. SUSPENSE! Cheap ploy!) And I also talk about the cases where our default wiring might not work how we’d like in improv scenes, and how to approach working around it (or otherwise adjusting) during the learning process. There are Pros and Cons for EVERYTHING! Downloadable contentDownload the Free Post-Show Reflection Guide: Sent to your inbox when you subscribe to either newsletter (and added to the footer to each message if you're already subscribed). NEW! Comprehensive guides all about getting notes as a student, or giving them as a teacher. Two guides, big discount if you get both! https://improvupdate.com/notes Get a booklet with six exercises to help you get reps in challenging scenes called "Exercises to Ruin You" Get more downloadable booklets here: https://improvupdate.com/downloads Review the showPlease consider leaving a review wherever you review podcasts. Don't know where? Here are some options. It helps out! Thanks! Support the show
About This podcast was created, written, and is hosted by Jen deHaan. Jen has certifications related to healthy communities (Tufts University Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy), nervous system regulation and soon teacher training certification on community resilience. She has a BFA in teaching creative arts to adults. You can find her full bio here. This episode was and edited and produced by StereoForest.com. This podcast was made in British Columbia, Canada by StereoForest Podcasts. Mentioned in this episode: Student and Teacher/Coach Guides about NOTES in Improv Find more information, Table of Contents and links to get the guides at https://improvupdate.com/notes This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp | |||
| Fast and Slow Edit Moves in Long Form Improv Comedy | 01 Jan 2024 | 00:36:13 | |
This episode was inspired by a discussion I had with another improviser about fast and slow edit moves. They were told by a teammate to edit faster. The answer I gave them was a bit of an opinionated monologue infodump, and I was told I should turn that monologue into a podcast. So here we are. What we're talking about today is edit moves, with focus on the speed of those edit moves and what it might have to do with your neurotype (ALL neurotypes. This means YOU.) That once you are confident and comfortable editing, and the form and style support it, edit moves can be dictated both by how you process information (bottom-up or top-down thinking), and preference. They are different ways of editing. You might do both, and they’re both valid - what’s your default? What’s YOUR preference? Does it matter? Let’s get niche. Go listen. Downloadable contentDownload the Free Post-Show Reflection Guide: Sent to your inbox when you subscribe to either newsletter (and added to the footer to each message if you're already subscribed). NEW! Comprehensive guides all about getting notes as a student, or giving them as a teacher. Two guides, big discount if you get both! https://improvupdate.com/notes Get a booklet with six exercises to help you get reps in challenging scenes called "Exercises to Ruin You" Get more downloadable booklets here: https://improvupdate.com/downloads Review the showPlease consider leaving a review wherever you review podcasts. Don't know where? Here are some options. It helps out! Thanks! Support the show
About This podcast was created, written, and is hosted by Jen deHaan. Jen has certifications related to healthy communities (Tufts University Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy), nervous system regulation and soon teacher training certification on community resilience. She has a BFA in teaching creative arts to adults. You can find her full bio here. This episode was and edited and produced by StereoForest.com. This podcast was made in British Columbia, Canada by StereoForest Podcasts. Mentioned in this episode: Student and Teacher/Coach Guides about NOTES in Improv Find more information, Table of Contents and links to get the guides at https://improvupdate.com/notes This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp | |||
| Masking and Improv: Character Matching (Peas in a Pod) Scenes | 18 Dec 2023 | 00:30:09 | |
Masking is a common behaviour for autistic and/or ADHD people (or those of us who are both). It's sometimes referred to as camouflaging, mimicking, or being a social chameleon. You might mask subconsciously - you might not even realize you do it! But it's essentially suppressing your natural reactions, responses, physicality or expressions in order to hide some of your natural behaviours or instincts. Your first reaction. Masking can help you fit in with the crowd, make social connections, or avoid punishment at work or school. It can also be exhausting, among other things. Masking affects your improv in good ways, and also some challenging ways. It affects the way you approach grounded characters and scenes, the way you do voice of reason, host shows, and of course… helps quite a bit with peas in a pod or character matching scenes! This episode covers the intersection of masking and peas in a pod scenes in improv, after a bit of an infodump about what masking is, and why we do it. I hope it makes sense. I don’t know if it will, this stuff is weird and imposter syndrome is real. A future episode will infodump 2.0 about how masking affects voice of reason and grounded scenes, and I think it’ll be more useful than this one maybe. Downloadable contentDownload the Free Post-Show Reflection Guide: Sent to your inbox when you subscribe to either newsletter (and added to the footer to each message if you're already subscribed). NEW! Comprehensive guides all about getting notes as a student, or giving them as a teacher. Two guides, big discount if you get both! https://improvupdate.com/notes Get a booklet with six exercises to help you get reps in challenging scenes called "Exercises to Ruin You" Get more downloadable booklets here: https://improvupdate.com/downloads Review the showPlease consider leaving a review wherever you review podcasts. Don't know where? Here are some options. It helps out! Thanks! Support the show
About This podcast was created, written, and is hosted by Jen deHaan. Jen has certifications related to healthy communities (Tufts University Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy), nervous system regulation and soon teacher training certification on community resilience. She has a BFA in teaching creative arts to adults. You can find her full bio here. This episode was and edited and produced by StereoForest.com. This podcast was made in British Columbia, Canada by StereoForest Podcasts. Mentioned in this episode: Student and Teacher/Coach Guides about NOTES in Improv Find more information, Table of Contents and links to get the guides at https://improvupdate.com/notes This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp | |||
| The Intersection of Misophonia & Improv with Sabrina Banes | 11 Dec 2023 | 00:52:11 | |
Very excited about this ep! This week I am joined by Sabrina Banes, an improviser who has a condition called misophonia. Sabrina Banes is an improviser and Tarot reader who lives in Brooklyn with her two cats, Shumai and Althea. She currently performs with her longform indie teams, Jace Spam and Dolly Lana, and with her Improv College narrative house team, Oops! We Fell In Love. Find Sabrina online: Instagram and Linktree. In this episode we discuss what misophonia is like to experience, how it affects scene work and classes, and how to find your voice when you need to seek access needs and accommodate yourself. Sabrina has great advice to offer in this episode. This podcast is hosted by me, Jen deHaan. You can submit your questions, comments, or even a voice note. Find the contact form for this podcast at StereoForest. Downloadable contentDownload the Free Post-Show Reflection Guide: Sent to your inbox when you subscribe to either newsletter (and added to the footer to each message if you're already subscribed). NEW! Comprehensive guides all about getting notes as a student, or giving them as a teacher. Two guides, big discount if you get both! https://improvupdate.com/notes Get a booklet with six exercises to help you get reps in challenging scenes called "Exercises to Ruin You" Get more downloadable booklets here: https://improvupdate.com/downloads Review the showPlease consider leaving a review wherever you review podcasts. Don't know where? Here are some options. It helps out! Thanks! Support the show
About This podcast was created, written, and is hosted by Jen deHaan. Jen has certifications related to healthy communities (Tufts University Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy), nervous system regulation and soon teacher training certification on community resilience. She has a BFA in teaching creative arts to adults. You can find her full bio here. This episode was and edited and produced by StereoForest.com. This podcast was made in British Columbia, Canada by StereoForest Podcasts. Mentioned in this episode: Student and Teacher/Coach Guides about NOTES in Improv Find more information, Table of Contents and links to get the guides at https://improvupdate.com/notes This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp | |||
| Top-down thinking in improv (for bottom-up thinkers) | 04 Dec 2023 | 00:28:39 | |
If you are a bottom-up thinker, there are certain techniques in long-form improv that might work better if you try to do top-down thinking instead. Why would you do such a thing? And When? Game and second beats might be challenging to a bottom-up thinker. You need to get used to wrapping up a bunch of details into a single idea, gist, or synopsis regardless of what direction you think in. The synopsis is where top-down thinkers start! Maybe it’s faster doing top down for this? This episode includes a couple different examples of when I think I probably take more of a top-down approach as a life-long bottom-up thinker. I also detail a pretty quick way to do a second beat using a form of visual thinking (hyperphantasia), since we were talking about it. Selfish tangent, that, maybe. But it’s in there too. Downloadable contentDownload the Free Post-Show Reflection Guide: Sent to your inbox when you subscribe to either newsletter (and added to the footer to each message if you're already subscribed). NEW! Comprehensive guides all about getting notes as a student, or giving them as a teacher. Two guides, big discount if you get both! https://improvupdate.com/notes Get a booklet with six exercises to help you get reps in challenging scenes called "Exercises to Ruin You" Get more downloadable booklets here: https://improvupdate.com/downloads Review the showPlease consider leaving a review wherever you review podcasts. Don't know where? Here are some options. It helps out! Thanks! Support the show
About This podcast was created, written, and is hosted by Jen deHaan. Jen has certifications related to healthy communities (Tufts University Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy), nervous system regulation and soon teacher training certification on community resilience. She has a BFA in teaching creative arts to adults. You can find her full bio here. This episode was and edited and produced by StereoForest.com. This podcast was made in British Columbia, Canada by StereoForest Podcasts. Mentioned in this episode: Student and Teacher/Coach Guides about NOTES in Improv Find more information, Table of Contents and links to get the guides at https://improvupdate.com/notes This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp | |||
| How Bottom Up Thinking can Affect Dealing with Plots in Improv | 27 Nov 2023 | 00:26:25 | |
Bottom-up thinking or bottom-up processing is common way for autistics to process information. It’s wired into our brains and affects EVERYTHING. How does this type of thinking affect doing improv scenes, especially when it comes to plots? In particular… when you weren’t expecting a plot, and suddenly things get plotty? Bottom-up thinking affects how we follow sets, pull in information, process, and make decisions. So if we’re trying to follow plotlines but are focused on the details before the big plot picture… what happens now? I talk about these things in this episode. NICHE TOPICS! GRANULAR TOPICS! I GOT ‘EM! Also I think I sound rather Canadian-accent in this episode! Nailed it, even, maybe? Downloadable contentDownload the Free Post-Show Reflection Guide: Sent to your inbox when you subscribe to either newsletter (and added to the footer to each message if you're already subscribed). NEW! Comprehensive guides all about getting notes as a student, or giving them as a teacher. Two guides, big discount if you get both! https://improvupdate.com/notes Get a booklet with six exercises to help you get reps in challenging scenes called "Exercises to Ruin You" Get more downloadable booklets here: https://improvupdate.com/downloads Review the showPlease consider leaving a review wherever you review podcasts. Don't know where? Here are some options. It helps out! Thanks! Support the show
About This podcast was created, written, and is hosted by Jen deHaan. Jen has certifications related to healthy communities (Tufts University Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy), nervous system regulation and soon teacher training certification on community resilience. She has a BFA in teaching creative arts to adults. You can find her full bio here. This episode was and edited and produced by StereoForest.com. This podcast was made in British Columbia, Canada by StereoForest Podcasts. Mentioned in this episode: Student and Teacher/Coach Guides about NOTES in Improv Find more information, Table of Contents and links to get the guides at https://improvupdate.com/notes This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp | |||
| Thoughts On Being Perceived (on the Improv Stage & In Class) | 20 Nov 2023 | 00:42:32 | |
The sense of being perceived is all about the activity you are doing when you are being looked at by other people. Having strong feelings about this kind of perception is common particularly with the autistic neurotype. And it can sure seem illogical or contradictory at times, too. And… people look at you in improv… a lot! Learn about what being perceived means to neurodivergent improvisers. What is it? How does being perceived work for humans in an improv class, and on an improv stage? What could make being perceived easier? I didn't think most of these podcast eps will be this long. Yikes. Downloadable contentDownload the Free Post-Show Reflection Guide: Sent to your inbox when you subscribe to either newsletter (and added to the footer to each message if you're already subscribed). NEW! Comprehensive guides all about getting notes as a student, or giving them as a teacher. Two guides, big discount if you get both! https://improvupdate.com/notes Get a booklet with six exercises to help you get reps in challenging scenes called "Exercises to Ruin You" Get more downloadable booklets here: https://improvupdate.com/downloads Review the showPlease consider leaving a review wherever you review podcasts. Don't know where? Here are some options. It helps out! Thanks! Support the show
About This podcast was created, written, and is hosted by Jen deHaan. Jen has certifications related to healthy communities (Tufts University Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy), nervous system regulation and soon teacher training certification on community resilience. She has a BFA in teaching creative arts to adults. You can find her full bio here. This episode was and edited and produced by StereoForest.com. This podcast was made in British Columbia, Canada by StereoForest Podcasts. Mentioned in this episode: Student and Teacher/Coach Guides about NOTES in Improv Find more information, Table of Contents and links to get the guides at https://improvupdate.com/notes This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp | |||
| What is Neurodivergence and How it's Relevant to Improv Comedy | 12 Nov 2023 | 00:15:40 | |
This episode details what neurodivergence is, and why it’s relevant to improv. I include a couple of examples in there. Check out the transcript to see the text version of this episode. Note: This is a very old episode! I have since renamed the show, and updated the format quite a bit. Downloadable contentDownload the Free Post-Show Reflection Guide: Sent to your inbox when you subscribe to either newsletter (and added to the footer to each message if you're already subscribed). NEW! Comprehensive guides all about getting notes as a student, or giving them as a teacher. Two guides, big discount if you get both! https://improvupdate.com/notes Get a booklet with six exercises to help you get reps in challenging scenes called "Exercises to Ruin You" Get more downloadable booklets here: https://improvupdate.com/downloads Review the showPlease consider leaving a review wherever you review podcasts. Don't know where? Here are some options. It helps out! Thanks! Support the show
About This podcast was created, written, and is hosted by Jen deHaan. Jen has certifications related to healthy communities (Tufts University Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy), nervous system regulation and soon teacher training certification on community resilience. She has a BFA in teaching creative arts to adults. You can find her full bio here. This episode was and edited and produced by StereoForest.com. This podcast was made in British Columbia, Canada by StereoForest Podcasts. Mentioned in this episode: Student and Teacher/Coach Guides about NOTES in Improv Find more information, Table of Contents and links to get the guides at https://improvupdate.com/notes This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp | |||
| Trailer for Your Improv Brain (2026) | 13 Mar 2026 | 00:01:47 | |
Your brain goes blank in the middle of a scene. Or the opposite happens: twelve ideas at once and you can't pick one, so you stand there smiling while your scene partner waits. Your Improv Brain breaks down improv concepts one at a time, for every brain type. Each episode covers a single concept, how neurodivergent brains might experience it differently, and what's happening in your nervous system when improv gets hard. Because sometimes the thing blocking your scene is physiological, and "just relax" has never been useful for us. Topics include how to start a scene, how to build a character with your voice, and how to actually listen instead of planning your next line. Every episode includes at least one exercise to practise with a scene partner, and most include a solo version for those working on their own. Whether you're autistic, ADHD, or just someone whose brain doesn't always cooperate on stage, this show is for you. New episodes drop every week. There's also a monthly bonus audio episode on inclusion, regulation, or neurodivergence. Find show details at improvupdate.com. Find the video version of these episodes at YouTube.com/@jdehaan Downloadable contentDownload the Free Post-Show Reflection Guide: Sent to your inbox when you subscribe to either newsletter (and added to the footer to each message if you're already subscribed). NEW! Comprehensive guides all about getting notes as a student, or giving them as a teacher. Two guides, big discount if you get both! https://improvupdate.com/notes Get a booklet with six exercises to help you get reps in challenging scenes called "Exercises to Ruin You" Get more downloadable booklets here: https://improvupdate.com/downloads Review the showPlease consider leaving a review wherever you review podcasts. Don't know where? Here are some options. It helps out! Thanks! Support the show
About This podcast was created, written, and is hosted by Jen deHaan. Jen has certifications related to healthy communities (Tufts University Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy), nervous system regulation and soon teacher training certification on community resilience. She has a BFA in teaching creative arts to adults. You can find her full bio here. This episode was and edited and produced by StereoForest.com. This podcast was made in British Columbia, Canada by StereoForest Podcasts. This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp | |||
| Improv Burnout? Prioritize Yourself for Better Improv Performances | 23 Jun 2025 | 00:16:27 | |
Are you sacrificing your well-being for your improv team? This episode of Your Improv Brain challenges the myth that good improvisers must be comedy doormats. Always saying yes outside the scene doesn't help your scene partner in the end. Discover why putting yourself last leads to burnout and how "doing comedy for you first" actually creates more exciting, sustainable, and authentic performances for everyone. Learn practical ways to prioritize your needs and your energy without abandoning your team. Downloadable contentDownload the Free Post-Show Reflection Guide: Sent to your inbox when you subscribe to either newsletter (and added to the footer to each message if you're already subscribed). NEW! Comprehensive guides all about getting notes as a student, or giving them as a teacher. Two guides, big discount if you get both! https://improvupdate.com/notes Get a booklet with six exercises to help you get reps in challenging scenes called "Exercises to Ruin You" Get more downloadable booklets here: https://improvupdate.com/downloads Review the showPlease consider leaving a review wherever you review podcasts. Don't know where? Here are some options. It helps out! Thanks! Support the show
About This podcast was created, written, and is hosted by Jen deHaan. Jen has certifications related to healthy communities (Tufts University Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy), nervous system regulation and soon teacher training certification on community resilience. She has a BFA in teaching creative arts to adults. You can find her full bio here. This episode was and edited and produced by StereoForest.com. This podcast was made in British Columbia, Canada by StereoForest Podcasts. Mentioned in this episode: Student and Teacher/Coach Guides about NOTES in Improv Find more information, Table of Contents and links to get the guides at https://improvupdate.com/notes This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp | |||
| Beyond "React Like Yourself" - Level Up Your Grounded Improv Characters | 16 Jun 2025 | 00:21:14 | |
Tired of being told to "just react like you would in real life" to ground an improv scene? This episode of Your Improv Brain explores advanced techniques for playing the voice of reason or grounded characters in a scene or sustaining them long-term. Discover how shifting from simply "acting normal" to dynamically balancing the scene can make you a more adaptable, supportive, and funnier improviser, especially if "normal" feels challenging. You can also watch this episode on YouTube here or find the website article here. Resources mentioned in this episode:
Downloadable content Download the Free Post-Show Reflection Guide: Sent to your inbox when you subscribe to either newsletter (and added to the footer to each message if you're already subscribed). NEW! Comprehensive guides all about getting notes as a student, or giving them as a teacher. Two guides, big discount if you get both! https://improvupdate.com/notes Get a booklet with six exercises to help you get reps in challenging scenes called "Exercises to Ruin You" Get more downloadable booklets here: https://improvupdate.com/downloads Review the showPlease consider leaving a review wherever you review podcasts. Don't know where? Here are some options. It helps out! Thanks! Support the show
About This podcast was created, written, and is hosted by Jen deHaan. Jen has certifications related to healthy communities (Tufts University Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy), nervous system regulation and soon teacher training certification on community resilience. She has a BFA in teaching creative arts to adults. You can find her full bio here. This episode was and edited and produced by StereoForest.com. This podcast was made in British Columbia, Canada by StereoForest Podcasts. Mentioned in this episode: Student and Teacher/Coach Guides about NOTES in Improv Find more information, Table of Contents and links to get the guides at https://improvupdate.com/notes This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp | |||
| Is an inner monologue useful for improv comedy? (ft. NYC improviser Sabrina Banes) | 09 Jun 2025 | 00:25:35 | |
Tired of being told to "get out of your head"? This episode of Your Improv Brain explores a different approach. Discover how your active inner voice, often seen as a distraction, can actually become a powerful tool for your improv. Host Jen deHaan and guest Sabrina Banes discuss practical ways to understand and even harness your mental chatter for more grounded, spontaneous, and less anxious performances. How can an inner monologue help you with a core long-form improv concept? Jen lets you know near the end of the episode. You can also watch this episode on YouTube at the Your Improv Brain channel. About our Guest, Sabrina: Sabrina Banes is an improviser and Tarot reader who lives in Bed Stuy, Brooklyn with a Siamese cat named Kevin. In addition to Manifesto Update Sabrina also performs with her Improv College group The Fae Team and her Highwire troupes Dolly Lana and Jace Spam. Sabrina is also an improviser in and co-creator of Manifesto Update, produced by StereoForest. See Sabrina's team The Fae with Improv College here: https://youtube.com/@improvcollege And watch our show Manifesto Update on Stereoforest here: https://youtube.com/@stereoforest (first episode June 17, 2025) or listen to the podcast version here https://stereoforest.com/manifesto Downloadable contentDownload the Free Post-Show Reflection Guide: Sent to your inbox when you subscribe to either newsletter (and added to the footer to each message if you're already subscribed). NEW! Comprehensive guides all about getting notes as a student, or giving them as a teacher. Two guides, big discount if you get both! https://improvupdate.com/notes Get a booklet with six exercises to help you get reps in challenging scenes called "Exercises to Ruin You" Get more downloadable booklets here: https://improvupdate.com/downloads Review the showPlease consider leaving a review wherever you review podcasts. Don't know where? Here are some options. It helps out! Thanks! Support the show
About This podcast was created, written, and is hosted by Jen deHaan. Jen has certifications related to healthy communities (Tufts University Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy), nervous system regulation and soon teacher training certification on community resilience. She has a BFA in teaching creative arts to adults. You can find her full bio here. This episode was and edited and produced by StereoForest.com. This podcast was made in British Columbia, Canada by StereoForest Podcasts. Mentioned in this episode: Student and Teacher/Coach Guides about NOTES in Improv Find more information, Table of Contents and links to get the guides at https://improvupdate.com/notes This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp | |||
| Suggestions for Protecting Your Mind While Doing Comedy | 05 Nov 2024 | 00:43:30 | |
This episode provides general suggestions to comedians, especially neurodivergent ones like us autistic and ADHD actors in comedy and improv, to protect our minds while engaging in comedy and with others in the community. Find the video for this episode (has my face, not just captions): YouTube video (you can leave your input here!) Find the written article for this episode here: NeurodiversityImprov.com article (you can also leave your input here!) Checking in on yourself, in whatever spaces you’re participating in, is pretty good for mental health. These ten suggestions should be relevant beyond comedy communities, and will apply to people who aren't neurodivergent too. So even if you aren't autistic, for example, these should be relevant and hopefully somewhat useful. Some important notes about these suggestions for protecting your mind in comedy spaces:
You deserve compassion and respect no matter where you are with either your mental health or whether you are autistic, ADHD, or another neurotype! Ten Suggestions (as chapters!) Chapters: 00:00 Intro 01:00 About the podcast and episode 02:22 Episode and topic overview - why I/we need these suggestions 07:16 Suggestion One: Be Yourself and don't compromise on it. 10:43 Suggestion Two: Take care of yourself first, for others 13:53 Suggestion Three: Find your source of joy, but be open to pivoting 16:17 Suggestion Four: Find the humans who value YOU 19:33 Suggestion Five: Ignore the gatekeepers, and find your confidence 22:31 Suggestion Six: Protect your value 23:34 Suggestion Seven: Communicate openly and in good faith 28:36 Suggestion Eight: Ask for or seek accommodations 31:02 Suggestion Nine: Analyze where value comes from, especially if depressed 33:33 Suggestion Ten: Value your mental health 35:50 Conclusion and links 42:42 Link to podcast (NeurodivergentComedy.com) Comedy is wildly strange, and a beast of its own (despite giving retro-silicon-valley vibes). At least the tiny corner I've witnessed and participated in. Let’s keep our neurodivergent minds safer here. Downloadable contentDownload the Free Post-Show Reflection Guide: Sent to your inbox when you subscribe to either newsletter (and added to the footer to each message if you're already subscribed). NEW! Comprehensive guides all about getting notes as a student, or giving them as a teacher. Two guides, big discount if you get both! https://improvupdate.com/notes Get a booklet with six exercises to help you get reps in challenging scenes called "Exercises to Ruin You" Get more downloadable booklets here: https://improvupdate.com/downloads Review the showPlease consider leaving a review wherever you review podcasts. Don't know where? Here are some options. It helps out! Thanks! Support the show
About This podcast was created, written, and is hosted by Jen deHaan. Jen has certifications related to healthy communities (Tufts University Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy), nervous system regulation and soon teacher training certification on community resilience. She has a BFA in teaching creative arts to adults. You can find her full bio here. This episode was and edited and produced by StereoForest.com. This podcast was made in British Columbia, Canada by StereoForest Podcasts. Mentioned in this episode: Student and Teacher/Coach Guides about NOTES in Improv Find more information, Table of Contents and links to get the guides at https://improvupdate.com/notes This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp | |||
| Inclusive and beneficial icebreaker exercises for performers | 22 Oct 2024 | 00:21:13 | |
Icebreakers. They're common in an improv class, at the top of a jam, or maybe when a team is just getting to know each other. Some people love them. Some people hate them. Some of us have a love/hate relationship depending on the day or the icebreaker in question. Many of the people who really dislike icebreakers are neurodivergent people, which is why such a seemingly simple thing is getting an episode. But many students, neurodivergent or not, need icebreakers to feel comfortable in the scenes that are in their near future when they're in a room with strangers (or near-strangers). They might not know they kinda need them, either. Icebreakers might be needed to make a room feel a bit safer, a bit more beneficial, a bit more comfortable. But some people, especially some of us neurodivergents with communication difficulties and differences and trauma history, feel uncomfortable doing them. So what now? Downloadable contentDownload the Free Post-Show Reflection Guide: Sent to your inbox when you subscribe to either newsletter (and added to the footer to each message if you're already subscribed). NEW! Comprehensive guides all about getting notes as a student, or giving them as a teacher. Two guides, big discount if you get both! https://improvupdate.com/notes Get a booklet with six exercises to help you get reps in challenging scenes called "Exercises to Ruin You" Get more downloadable booklets here: https://improvupdate.com/downloads Review the showPlease consider leaving a review wherever you review podcasts. Don't know where? Here are some options. It helps out! Thanks! Support the show
About This podcast was created, written, and is hosted by Jen deHaan. Jen has certifications related to healthy communities (Tufts University Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy), nervous system regulation and soon teacher training certification on community resilience. She has a BFA in teaching creative arts to adults. You can find her full bio here. This episode was and edited and produced by StereoForest.com. This podcast was made in British Columbia, Canada by StereoForest Podcasts. Mentioned in this episode: Student and Teacher/Coach Guides about NOTES in Improv Find more information, Table of Contents and links to get the guides at https://improvupdate.com/notes This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp | |||
| Emotional Processing, Acting, and Improv (Alexithymia) - Part 2 | 08 Oct 2024 | 00:31:19 | |
In part one of this episode series on emotions in improv, we looked at what alexithymia is, who experiences it and the variety of expression, and how it affects improv performers and the shared improv practice. This episode, part two, now explores some ideas of what students can do if they approach exercises with assigned emotions, and what teachers can do to make their classes and exercises more inclusive for those with alexithymia. I mention “emotion charts” (moods, feelings, etc) in the episode. This is what I mean (there are tons on the interwebs, here are just a couple): Example 1, Example 2. There are many out there that you can print out, or purchase a laminated poster of and so on. Downloadable contentDownload the Free Post-Show Reflection Guide: Sent to your inbox when you subscribe to either newsletter (and added to the footer to each message if you're already subscribed). NEW! Comprehensive guides all about getting notes as a student, or giving them as a teacher. Two guides, big discount if you get both! https://improvupdate.com/notes Get a booklet with six exercises to help you get reps in challenging scenes called "Exercises to Ruin You" Get more downloadable booklets here: https://improvupdate.com/downloads Review the showPlease consider leaving a review wherever you review podcasts. Don't know where? Here are some options. It helps out! Thanks! Support the show
About This podcast was created, written, and is hosted by Jen deHaan. Jen has certifications related to healthy communities (Tufts University Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy), nervous system regulation and soon teacher training certification on community resilience. She has a BFA in teaching creative arts to adults. You can find her full bio here. This episode was and edited and produced by StereoForest.com. This podcast was made in British Columbia, Canada by StereoForest Podcasts. Mentioned in this episode: Student and Teacher/Coach Guides about NOTES in Improv Find more information, Table of Contents and links to get the guides at https://improvupdate.com/notes This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp | |||
| The Power of Silence: 3 Exercises to Improve Your Acting | 25 Aug 2025 | 00:20:44 | |
Alt title: Get to Skin Suit Town: 3 Exercises to Improve Your Acting In this episode, I'm diving into one of the best acting exercises you can give yourself: practicing scene work with little dialogue, or even none at all. I’ve found that learning to use physicality, emotional reactions, and environment is what changes a performance from "just saying words real good" to truly embodying a believable character. Or like... as I like to say because it is now improv canon, "get to skin suit town". I’ll explain why taking dialogue away forces you to slow down, live in the scene, and build a story layer by layer. Part of that oh-so-classic "show, don't tell" advice. Then, the exercises. You can add three new exercises to your workout to build this skill. I'll also tell you how to adjust them to practice on your own. And if you do a lot of audio-only improv or have difficulty with nonverbal cues: I’ll specifically explain why this work is still useful, and how you can adapt it to your own unique brain and performance style. As an aside! If you have trim silence features on in your podcast app, I'm gonna guess it'll trim a few intentional pauses in this one ;) Resources Mentioned:
Downloadable content Download the Free Post-Show Reflection Guide: Sent to your inbox when you subscribe to either newsletter (and added to the footer to each message if you're already subscribed). NEW! Comprehensive guides all about getting notes as a student, or giving them as a teacher. Two guides, big discount if you get both! https://improvupdate.com/notes Get a booklet with six exercises to help you get reps in challenging scenes called "Exercises to Ruin You" Get more downloadable booklets here: https://improvupdate.com/downloads Review the showPlease consider leaving a review wherever you review podcasts. Don't know where? Here are some options. It helps out! Thanks! Support the show
About This podcast was created, written, and is hosted by Jen deHaan. Jen has certifications related to healthy communities (Tufts University Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy), nervous system regulation and soon teacher training certification on community resilience. She has a BFA in teaching creative arts to adults. You can find her full bio here. This episode was and edited and produced by StereoForest.com. This podcast was made in British Columbia, Canada by StereoForest Podcasts. Mentioned in this episode: Student and Teacher/Coach Guides about NOTES in Improv Find more information, Table of Contents and links to get the guides at https://improvupdate.com/notes This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp | |||
| 3-Step System & Exercise to Manage Self-Criticism in Improv | 18 Aug 2025 | 00:18:43 | |
Your inner critic might be a key reason you feel stuck, anxious, or in your head during an improv scene. But trying to fight it or ignore it doesn't work. This episode reveals a completely different approach: give that critical energy to your character. I break down the science of why your brain creates that critical voice and how it’s connected to a deep fear of social rejection. You will learn a practical three-step system for working with your inner critic instead of against it. The episode concludes with a practical exercise I'm calling "Accept This Story, You," designed to retrain your brain. This exercise teaches you how to turn that intense analytical energy outward into relentless curiosity and support for your scene partner, transforming what might be your biggest challenge into a pretty useful tool. RESOURCES MENTIONED: Download the Free Post-Show Reflection Guide: https://improvupdate.com/newsletter - get Neurodivergent resources if you select "Performing and your brain" option. Get a booklet with six exercises to help you get reps with challenging scenes "Exercises to Ruin You": https://improvupdate.com/downloads and its YouTube companion https://youtu.be/h2_J4tLqCN0 Episode with 7 hacks to help you get out of challenging spots in a scene: https://youtu.be/RTN5KfE7GZ4 The science of adaptive and maladaptive perfectionism (related to sport, but a good jumping off point): https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11055971/ CONNECT WITH ME: StereoForest Podcast Production: https://stereoforest.com Social Media:
Downloadable content Download the Free Post-Show Reflection Guide: Sent to your inbox when you subscribe to either newsletter (and added to the footer to each message if you're already subscribed). NEW! Comprehensive guides all about getting notes as a student, or giving them as a teacher. Two guides, big discount if you get both! https://improvupdate.com/notes Get a booklet with six exercises to help you get reps in challenging scenes called "Exercises to Ruin You" Get more downloadable booklets here: https://improvupdate.com/downloads Review the showPlease consider leaving a review wherever you review podcasts. Don't know where? Here are some options. It helps out! Thanks! Support the show
About This podcast was created, written, and is hosted by Jen deHaan. Jen has certifications related to healthy communities (Tufts University Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy), nervous system regulation and soon teacher training certification on community resilience. She has a BFA in teaching creative arts to adults. You can find her full bio here. This episode was and edited and produced by StereoForest.com. This podcast was made in British Columbia, Canada by StereoForest Podcasts. Mentioned in this episode: Student and Teacher/Coach Guides about NOTES in Improv Find more information, Table of Contents and links to get the guides at https://improvupdate.com/notes This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp | |||
| An Improv Workout: 6 Exercises to Build Your "Failure Muscle" | 11 Aug 2025 | 00:22:20 | |
We know that failure is the engine of learning, but how do you actually practice it in a safe and productive way? In this episode, I provide a full workout plan with SIX specific exercises designed to put you in challenging situations. Learn practical drills for your practice groups or classes that train you to handle wild scenes, distracting environments, and even challenging scene partners. This is your guide to getting your reps in, building a tolerance for chaos, and developing the confidence that you can handle anything on stage. And you can get these exercises as a handy written PDF. Link for that right below this sentence. Hi! References in this episode:
Downloadable content Download the Free Post-Show Reflection Guide: Sent to your inbox when you subscribe to either newsletter (and added to the footer to each message if you're already subscribed). NEW! Comprehensive guides all about getting notes as a student, or giving them as a teacher. Two guides, big discount if you get both! https://improvupdate.com/notes Get a booklet with six exercises to help you get reps in challenging scenes called "Exercises to Ruin You" Get more downloadable booklets here: https://improvupdate.com/downloads Review the showPlease consider leaving a review wherever you review podcasts. Don't know where? Here are some options. It helps out! Thanks! Support the show
About This podcast was created, written, and is hosted by Jen deHaan. Jen has certifications related to healthy communities (Tufts University Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy), nervous system regulation and soon teacher training certification on community resilience. She has a BFA in teaching creative arts to adults. You can find her full bio here. This episode was and edited and produced by StereoForest.com. This podcast was made in British Columbia, Canada by StereoForest Podcasts. Mentioned in this episode: Student and Teacher/Coach Guides about NOTES in Improv Find more information, Table of Contents and links to get the guides at https://improvupdate.com/notes This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp | |||
| Clear Mind = Get Out of Your Head in Improv | 04 Aug 2025 | 00:20:23 | |
We are often taught that forgetting is a weakness, especially in improv where details seem really important. It's what we practice all the time! However, forgetting can be a skill to practice. In this episode, I explore the science behind why our brains are designed to forget, and how we can use this adaptive process to our advantage in our scenes and shows. Learn how letting go of details can reduce cognitive load, improve listening, and help you get out of your head and out of your own way in a scene. I'll also cover how this also applies to some neurodivergent performers who process information in different ways. You will also discover a practical pre-show exercise to clear your mind so you can be more present and spontaneous in your scenes inspired by Mo Gawdat. Resources mentioned:
Downloadable content Download the Free Post-Show Reflection Guide: Sent to your inbox when you subscribe to either newsletter (and added to the footer to each message if you're already subscribed). NEW! Comprehensive guides all about getting notes as a student, or giving them as a teacher. Two guides, big discount if you get both! https://improvupdate.com/notes Get a booklet with six exercises to help you get reps in challenging scenes called "Exercises to Ruin You" Get more downloadable booklets here: https://improvupdate.com/downloads Review the showPlease consider leaving a review wherever you review podcasts. Don't know where? Here are some options. It helps out! Thanks! Support the show
About This podcast was created, written, and is hosted by Jen deHaan. Jen has certifications related to healthy communities (Tufts University Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy), nervous system regulation and soon teacher training certification on community resilience. She has a BFA in teaching creative arts to adults. You can find her full bio here. This episode was and edited and produced by StereoForest.com. This podcast was made in British Columbia, Canada by StereoForest Podcasts. Mentioned in this episode: Student and Teacher/Coach Guides about NOTES in Improv Find more information, Table of Contents and links to get the guides at https://improvupdate.com/notes This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp | |||
| Fail More to Learn More (Plus Seven Hacks to Help!) | 28 Jul 2025 | 00:19:20 | |
What if the key to becoming a great improviser is the number of failures you accumulate? That moment when you feel like you have failed in a scene, or a scene is falling flat, can feel awful. But it is also one of the most valuable data points for your growth. In this episode, I help you reframe failure as a solvable technical problem. You will learn a toolkit of seven specific, actionable techniques to use that moment you feel a scene is failing. These techniques also help turn these moments into opportunities to help you accelerate your learning. And it's all based on the science of deliberate practice and error correction. Mentioned in this episode: Episode about Mind Going Blank (episode #28): People mentioned in this episode:
And hey, it's episode 30! Nice round number. Downloadable contentDownload the Free Post-Show Reflection Guide: Sent to your inbox when you subscribe to either newsletter (and added to the footer to each message if you're already subscribed). NEW! Comprehensive guides all about getting notes as a student, or giving them as a teacher. Two guides, big discount if you get both! https://improvupdate.com/notes Get a booklet with six exercises to help you get reps in challenging scenes called "Exercises to Ruin You" Get more downloadable booklets here: https://improvupdate.com/downloads Review the showPlease consider leaving a review wherever you review podcasts. Don't know where? Here are some options. It helps out! Thanks! Support the show
About This podcast was created, written, and is hosted by Jen deHaan. Jen has certifications related to healthy communities (Tufts University Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy), nervous system regulation and soon teacher training certification on community resilience. She has a BFA in teaching creative arts to adults. You can find her full bio here. This episode was and edited and produced by StereoForest.com. This podcast was made in British Columbia, Canada by StereoForest Podcasts. Mentioned in this episode: Student and Teacher/Coach Guides about NOTES in Improv Find more information, Table of Contents and links to get the guides at https://improvupdate.com/notes This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp | |||
| Improving Communication Skills So You Can Improvise With Anyone | 21 Jul 2025 | 00:19:29 | |
To be a successful improviser, you have to communicate effectively with everyone on your team. But what happens when people think, communicate, and experience the world differently? In this episode, I break down the common causes of communication breakdown between improvisers, and why assuming everyone is on the same page can lead to invisible struggles and burnout. Discover the single most important skill that allows great improvisers to perform with literally anyone, and learn a clear, four-step path to developing that skill yourself. This is about meeting in the middle, adapting your communication style, and building a stronger, more supportive improv community. I also have an exercise in this episode you might want to try with your classes or teams. There are more details about the specifics in the Improv Update discord general improv chat channel. Or ask! Read and share the web post or grab the YouTube video here: https://improvupdate.com/improving-communication-skills-improvise-with-anyone/ Downloadable contentDownload the Free Post-Show Reflection Guide: Sent to your inbox when you subscribe to either newsletter (and added to the footer to each message if you're already subscribed). NEW! Comprehensive guides all about getting notes as a student, or giving them as a teacher. Two guides, big discount if you get both! https://improvupdate.com/notes Get a booklet with six exercises to help you get reps in challenging scenes called "Exercises to Ruin You" Get more downloadable booklets here: https://improvupdate.com/downloads Review the showPlease consider leaving a review wherever you review podcasts. Don't know where? Here are some options. It helps out! Thanks! Support the show
About This podcast was created, written, and is hosted by Jen deHaan. Jen has certifications related to healthy communities (Tufts University Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy), nervous system regulation and soon teacher training certification on community resilience. She has a BFA in teaching creative arts to adults. You can find her full bio here. This episode was and edited and produced by StereoForest.com. This podcast was made in British Columbia, Canada by StereoForest Podcasts. Mentioned in this episode: Student and Teacher/Coach Guides about NOTES in Improv Find more information, Table of Contents and links to get the guides at https://improvupdate.com/notes This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp | |||
| Four Ways to Give your Characters a Clear Point of View | 01 Sep 2025 | 00:19:59 | |
In this episode, I'm really getting into what I believe is the most important element for creating a compelling character: their point of view. I’ve found that the most interesting thing about a character isn't what they do, but why they do it. A strong, consistent POV is the lens through which your character sees the world, and it’s what separates a memorable performance from a flat cliche. First, I'll give you a clear definition of what a point of view actually is (like, more than just an opinion). Then, I'll walk you through four distinct methods to help you build and establish strong POVs in your own scene work. We'll cover how to use emotion, observation, and justification to inform your characters. Last up... I'll share something that ties it all together, that'll help you build a rich inner life for your character without ever needing to do a boring monologue about their backstory. I'll provide practice exercises for each method that you can use with a group or even on your own. Because I'm a fan of the solo improvs! Mentioned in this episode: Student and Teacher/Coach Guides about NOTES in Improv Find more information, Table of Contents and links to get the guides at https://improvupdate.com/notes This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp | |||
| Five Vocal Exercises for Better Improv Characters | 03 Nov 2025 | 00:22:37 | |
Get the PDF "Vocal Basics for Improv" with all the exercises and concepts from this episode at https://improvupdate.com/downloads. This episode is all about using your voice in improv. You do not need to do "funny voices" to be a good performer, you can work with the attributes of your own voice and make some subtle shifts. I explain how to use your own voice effectively. These subtle changes to your vocal dynamics can create clear, grounded characters that you can heighten in a variety of ways. You'll get an overview of the core components of vocal musicality, and how to practice them. These include speech rate, cadence, and prosody. Understanding these is the first step to vocal control. Then, I share five specific improv exercises to practice these skills. I really REALLY want to redo the singing parts, oh gawd :) Also feel free to take a drink or something each time I bump the mic arm. Mentioned in this episode: Previous Episodes on Vocal Musicality: Figuring out your vocal speed (words per minute): https://youtu.be/3HK40OxMGno Exercises for voice: https://youtu.be/Z6ekXuwbpxk Newsletter Sign-up (with reflection PDF): https://improvupdate.com/newsletter Jill Bernard's "Small Cute Book of Improv": https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3231956-jill-bernard-s-small-cute-book-of-improv Viola Spolin: https://www.violaspolin.org/publications Example of "Recitative": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IDq4KqP7Pxs Downloadable contentDownload the Free Post-Show Reflection Guide: Sent to your inbox when you subscribe to either newsletter (and added to the footer to each message if you're already subscribed). NEW! Comprehensive guides all about getting notes as a student, or giving them as a teacher. Two guides, big discount if you get both! https://improvupdate.com/notes Get a booklet with six exercises to help you get reps in challenging scenes called "Exercises to Ruin You" Get more downloadable booklets here: https://improvupdate.com/downloads Review the showPlease consider leaving a review wherever you review podcasts. Don't know where? Here are some options. It helps out! Thanks! Support the show
About This podcast was created, written, and is hosted by Jen deHaan. Jen has certifications related to healthy communities (Tufts University Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy), nervous system regulation and soon teacher training certification on community resilience. She has a BFA in teaching creative arts to adults. You can find her full bio here. This episode was and edited and produced by StereoForest.com. This podcast was made in British Columbia, Canada by StereoForest Podcasts. Mentioned in this episode: Student and Teacher/Coach Guides about NOTES in Improv Find more information, Table of Contents and links to get the guides at https://improvupdate.com/notes This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp | |||
| Own Your Weirdness: A Guide to Really Good Improv (Performances) | 20 Oct 2025 | 00:19:18 | |
In this episode, I explain how to commit to your authentic self in your improv practice. You will learn to reframe perceived weaknesses into compelling strengths on stage. Your messy and imperfect parts are exactly what your scenes need. I discuss how neurodivergent performers can use their unique traits. The episode also covers how to collaborate effectively with scene partners who have different brain wiring. I share a personal story from my past as a dance fitness teacher. A very clumsy moment taught me how to connect with an audience through imperfection. We apply that lesson directly to your scene work. You will see how specific traits, like a literal take or a deadpan delivery, can be an asset in your performance. I also address traits that can be challenging in a scene, like monologuing. I provide practical methods to manage these traits, such as using a character to guide your choices. Ultimately, this episode helps you build self-awareness. This allows you to understand your own gifts and collaborate more effectively with your team. Downloadable contentDownload the Free Post-Show Reflection Guide: Sent to your inbox when you subscribe to either newsletter (and added to the footer to each message if you're already subscribed). NEW! Comprehensive guides all about getting notes as a student, or giving them as a teacher. Two guides, big discount if you get both! https://improvupdate.com/notes Get a booklet with six exercises to help you get reps in challenging scenes called "Exercises to Ruin You" Get more downloadable booklets here: https://improvupdate.com/downloads Review the showPlease consider leaving a review wherever you review podcasts. Don't know where? Here are some options. It helps out! Thanks! Support the show
About This podcast was created, written, and is hosted by Jen deHaan. Jen has certifications related to healthy communities (Tufts University Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy), nervous system regulation and soon teacher training certification on community resilience. She has a BFA in teaching creative arts to adults. You can find her full bio here. This episode was and edited and produced by StereoForest.com. This podcast was made in British Columbia, Canada by StereoForest Podcasts. Mentioned in this episode: Student and Teacher/Coach Guides about NOTES in Improv Find more information, Table of Contents and links to get the guides at https://improvupdate.com/notes This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp | |||
| Assume, don't ask: how to start better improv scenes | 23 Feb 2026 | 00:10:07 | |
Questions at the top of a scene are an advanced move, and if you're still building your skills, they can stall your scene before it gets going. In this episode I break down why questions are tricky at the top, what makes a good question versus a bad one in improv, and how assuming shared history with your scene partner gets things moving faster. I also talk about something that tripped me up early on: the weirdness of making assumptions about another person's character. If that feels uncomfortable to you, especially if you're someone whose brain flags assumptions as unfair, that makes sense. I get into why and how the pivot that comes from those assumptions can actually become the fun part. Two exercises in this one. A partner drill using "you look / you seem / you feel" to practise adding information without questions, and a solo version using a one-sided phone call format to train your assumed knowledge muscle. This is part of a series on the top of the scene, initiations, and base reality. Resources and downloads: https://improvupdate.com Article for this episode: This episode is part of a four episode series available on YouTube and audio podcast. You can find an article for this episode, and links to the full series on both platforms, here. Newsletter: https://improvupdate.com/newsletter YouTube version of this episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aNl6231OS5Q Chapters 00:00 Why questions are risky at the top of a scene 00:52 When you can break the "no questions" rule 01:52 Why questions are even harder at the top 03:22 Assume shared knowledge instead 04:22 Why assuming things might feel weird (and that's okay) 06:28 Partner exercise: You look / You seem / You feel 08:08 Solo exercise: One-sided phone call 09:14 Wrap up Downloadable contentDownload the Free Post-Show Reflection Guide: Sent to your inbox when you subscribe to either newsletter (and added to the footer to each message if you're already subscribed). NEW! Comprehensive guides all about getting notes as a student, or giving them as a teacher. Two guides, big discount if you get both! https://improvupdate.com/notes Get a booklet with six exercises to help you get reps in challenging scenes called "Exercises to Ruin You" Get more downloadable booklets here: https://improvupdate.com/downloads Review the showPlease consider leaving a review wherever you review podcasts. Don't know where? Here are some options. It helps out! Thanks! Support the show
About This podcast was created, written, and is hosted by Jen deHaan. Jen has certifications related to healthy communities (Tufts University Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy), nervous system regulation and soon teacher training certification on community resilience. She has a BFA in teaching creative arts to adults. You can find her full bio here. This episode was and edited and produced by StereoForest.com. This podcast was made in British Columbia, Canada by StereoForest Podcasts. Mentioned in this episode: Student and Teacher/Coach Guides about NOTES in Improv Find more information, Table of Contents and links to get the guides at https://improvupdate.com/notes This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp | |||
| You don't need backstory: starting scenes in the middle | 16 Feb 2026 | 00:08:35 | |
SURPRISE! I'm back. Hi! :) Starting a scene with two people standing there asking "who are you?" or explaining a bunch of backstory is one of the quickest ways to lose your audience. In this episode, I talk about why exposition bogs down the top of your scene and how starting in the middle of the action gives your scene immediate momentum. This is the first in a short four episode series about the top of the scene, initiations, and base reality. I reference Truth in Comedy (linked in the show notes below) and walk through two exercises: a partner drill where one player starts a physical action and the other identifies and justifies it, and a solo version arbitrarily called Narrate This where you practice describing and justifying your own actions in real time. Resources and downloads: Truth in comedy: https://www.indigo.ca/en-ca/truth-in-comedy-the-manual-for-improvisation/9781566080033.html YouTube version of this episode: https://youtu.be/WFyTR-IJc-s Article for this episode: This episode is part of a four episode series available on YouTube and audio podcast. You can find an article for this episode, and links to the full series on both platforms, here. Newsletter: https://improvupdate.com/newsletter Chapters 00:00 Why backstory kills your scenes 00:59 Truth in Comedy and why exposition doesn't work 02:29 Start in the middle of the action 03:59 Partner exercise: identify and justify 05:26 Adding challenge by making actions illegal 06:27 Solo exercise: Narrate This 07:33 Wrap up Downloadable contentDownload the Free Post-Show Reflection Guide: Sent to your inbox when you subscribe to either newsletter (and added to the footer to each message if you're already subscribed). NEW! Comprehensive guides all about getting notes as a student, or giving them as a teacher. Two guides, big discount if you get both! https://improvupdate.com/notes Get a booklet with six exercises to help you get reps in challenging scenes called "Exercises to Ruin You" Get more downloadable booklets here: https://improvupdate.com/downloads Review the showPlease consider leaving a review wherever you review podcasts. Don't know where? Here are some options. It helps out! Thanks! Support the show
About This podcast was created, written, and is hosted by Jen deHaan. Jen has certifications related to healthy communities (Tufts University Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy), nervous system regulation and soon teacher training certification on community resilience. She has a BFA in teaching creative arts to adults. You can find her full bio here. This episode was and edited and produced by StereoForest.com. This podcast was made in British Columbia, Canada by StereoForest Podcasts. Mentioned in this episode: Student and Teacher/Coach Guides about NOTES in Improv Find more information, Table of Contents and links to get the guides at https://improvupdate.com/notes This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp | |||
| Your brain went blank? Try this scene start instead | 02 Mar 2026 | 00:08:24 | |
Initiating a scene can be stressful at any level, and when your brain goes blank up there, it's easy to panic. In this episode I talk about a simple approach to scene initiations that Will Hines recommends: start by answering the question "where are you?" You can do it physically, verbally, or both, and it gives you and your scene partner something concrete to build on while your brain catches up. Two exercises in this one. The partner version, This Place Has So Much Flavour, has you enter a scene using only physicality and emotion to establish the character of the space before anyone speaks. The solo version, The Garage, has you handling objects in an imagined location and then describing the base reality you just created. This is part of a series on the top of the scene, initiations, and base reality. Resources and downloads: https://improvupdate.com Article for this episode: This episode is part of a four episode series available on YouTube and audio podcast. You can find an article for this episode, and links to the full series on both platforms, here. Newsletter: https://improvupdate.com/newsletter YouTube version of this episode: https://youtu.be/8HXZl0LS7AU Chapters 00:00 Why initiations are stressful 00:56 Will Hines on answering "where are you?" 02:19 Why physicality buys you time 03:21 Using words to set location 03:47 Partner exercise: This Place Has So Much Flavour 05:17 Figuring out what you're doing together 05:47 Solo exercise: The Garage 07:17 Wrap up Downloadable contentDownload the Free Post-Show Reflection Guide: Sent to your inbox when you subscribe to either newsletter (and added to the footer to each message if you're already subscribed). NEW! Comprehensive guides all about getting notes as a student, or giving them as a teacher. Two guides, big discount if you get both! https://improvupdate.com/notes Get a booklet with six exercises to help you get reps in challenging scenes called "Exercises to Ruin You" Get more downloadable booklets here: https://improvupdate.com/downloads Review the showPlease consider leaving a review wherever you review podcasts. Don't know where? Here are some options. It helps out! Thanks! Support the show
About This podcast was created, written, and is hosted by Jen deHaan. Jen has certifications related to healthy communities (Tufts University Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy), nervous system regulation and soon teacher training certification on community resilience. She has a BFA in teaching creative arts to adults. You can find her full bio here. This episode was and edited and produced by StereoForest.com. This podcast was made in British Columbia, Canada by StereoForest Podcasts. Mentioned in this episode: Student and Teacher/Coach Guides about NOTES in Improv Find more information, Table of Contents and links to get the guides at https://improvupdate.com/notes This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp | |||
| Improv initiations: when to start big and when to stay grounded | 09 Mar 2026 | 00:11:48 | |
Emotion connects you to your scene partner, your character, and the audience. It gives a scene depth and grabs attention fast. And if you use it at the top of a scene, it can set the whole thing up in seconds. In this episode I talk about using emotion as part of your base reality. Most scenes start grounded, and that's usually what we're taught. But sometimes breaking that rule and starting at a full level 10 emotional reaction to something completely mundane creates something you remember for years. I also get into alexithymia, which affects about 10% of the population, and what it means for improvisers who have difficulty processing or labelling emotions. There are workarounds for all of this, and I've never once had an improv teacher bring it up in class. Two exercises in this one. The partner version, It's Tuesday, practises pairing a mundane statement with an extreme emotional reaction (and then flipping it). The solo version has you assigning emotions to sections of your room and launching into monologues at full intensity as you move between them. This is part of a series on the top of the scene, initiations, and base reality. Resources and downloads: https://improvupdate.com Article for this episode: This episode is part of a four episode series available on YouTube and audio podcast. You can find an article for this episode, and links to the full series on both platforms, here. Episodes about alexithymia and a big text-based overview here: https://improvupdate.com/emotional-processing-acting-and-improv-part-one-and-two/ YouTube version of this episode: https://youtu.be/rwgBDmUqHEo Newsletter: https://improvupdate.com/newsletter Chapters 00:00 Why emotion matters in scenes 01:29 Initiations and base reality series 01:35 Delayed emotional processing and alexithymia 03:24 Workarounds you can use yourself 03:54 Starting grounded vs. starting at a 10 04:53 The chair scene I still remember 05:22 Why big emotional starts are worth practising 05:52 Partner exercise: It's Tuesday 07:20 Flipping the exercise 07:48 Solo exercise: Emotion quadrants 08:50 Training without a scene partner 09:20 A note on alexithymia and having each other's backs 10:48 Wrap up Downloadable contentDownload the Free Post-Show Reflection Guide: Sent to your inbox when you subscribe to either newsletter (and added to the footer to each message if you're already subscribed). NEW! Comprehensive guides all about getting notes as a student, or giving them as a teacher. Two guides, big discount if you get both! https://improvupdate.com/notes Get a booklet with six exercises to help you get reps in challenging scenes called "Exercises to Ruin You" Get more downloadable booklets here: https://improvupdate.com/downloads Review the showPlease consider leaving a review wherever you review podcasts. Don't know where? Here are some options. It helps out! Thanks! Support the show
About This podcast was created, written, and is hosted by Jen deHaan. Jen has certifications related to healthy communities (Tufts University Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy), nervous system regulation and soon teacher training certification on community resilience. She has a BFA in teaching creative arts to adults. You can find her full bio here. This episode was and edited and produced by StereoForest.com. This podcast was made in British Columbia, Canada by StereoForest Podcasts. Mentioned in this episode: Student and Teacher/Coach Guides about NOTES in Improv Find more information, Table of Contents and links to get the guides at https://improvupdate.com/notes This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp | |||
| Get better at improv by getting better at getting feedback (really! seriously!) | 06 Apr 2026 | 00:20:58 | |
OUT NOW! Get my latest guides, all about getting and giving improv notes! Find them and what's inside the guides at https://improvupdate.com/notes. 50% discount on your second guide if you grab them together. Getting improv notes can affect your nervous system, and your brain. We look at why your brain rewrites feedback and how you can separate the actual content from the emotional delivery (aka, the framing). When a coach gives you feedback after a scene, your brain often processes their tone and body language before the actual words. This means you might react to a perceived threat before you even hear the advice. We explore a metacognitive approach to receiving improv notes that helps you manage this early physiological response. You will learn an exercise to isolate objective facts, and we cover why writing down your feedback immediately can prevent rumination. Go here for links to ALL episodes in this series on metacognition: https://improvupdate.com/receiving-improv-notes-and-understanding-how-your-brain-rewrites-the-feedback/ RESOURCES & LINKS:
CHAPTERS: 0:06 How your brain rewrites your improv feedback 1:23 The Eileen Gu metacognition example 2:56 Separating objective content from subjective emotional framing 4:16 The first wave nervous system response to tone and body language 6:09 Brian James O'Connell and sorting your feedback into categories 8:18 Why vague notes cause stress and worst case scenario thinking 10:03 How teachers and coaches control the feedback framing 10:52 Preventing rumination by capturing the evidence on paper 12:22 Rejection sensitive dysphoria and the physiological reaction to notes 13:46 Buying your brain time for the second wave of cognitive processing 14:56 A partner exercise to practice separating facts from delivery 17:11 A solo exercise for spotting your own framing patterns Hey so for whatever reason my audio editor decided to HATE my butt today, and I've re-rendered this episode five times now. I've never gone beyond two renders in nearly 50 episodes! "For sure this one will be fine, I'll just render it." Nope. Now I'm at five test listens and there was always some little blip blunder every time that I missed (something got shifted at the beginning and caused a cascading error). Usually in the second half. Fun. funfunfun So if I've missed a blip in this one? I'm sorry. But I can't re-render and listen to my darn voice any longer lol I'm done it is what it is. Downloadable contentDownload the Free Post-Show Reflection Guide: Sent to your inbox when you subscribe to either newsletter (and added to the footer to each message if you're already subscribed). NEW! Comprehensive guides all about getting notes as a student, or giving them as a teacher. Two guides, big discount if you get both! https://improvupdate.com/notes Get a booklet with six exercises to help you get reps in challenging scenes called "Exercises to Ruin You" Get more downloadable booklets here: https://improvupdate.com/downloads Review the showPlease consider leaving a review wherever you review podcasts. Don't know where? Here are some options. It helps out! Thanks! Support the show
About This podcast was created, written, and is hosted by Jen deHaan. Jen has certifications related to healthy communities (Tufts University Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy), nervous system regulation and soon teacher training certification on community resilience. She has a BFA in teaching creative arts to adults. You can find her full bio here. This episode was and edited and produced by StereoForest.com. This podcast was made in British Columbia, Canada by StereoForest Podcasts. Mentioned in this episode: Get the Student or Teacher/Coach guide about NOTES in Improv Find the guides, more information, and full Table of Contents at https://improvupdate.com/notes This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp | |||
| One skill at a time: a rep-based approach to changing improv habits | 30 Mar 2026 | 00:15:02 | |
You know that thing where you learn a skill in class, you can explain it to someone else, and then you get into a scene and your brain does the old thing anyway? This episode is about why that happens and what to do about it. Your brain runs on pathways, and the ones you've reinforced the most fire first under pressure. Understanding a concept intellectually doesn't change the pathway on its own, which is why a single workshop or class series on a skill often doesn't stick. The good news is those pathways can change. Neuroplasticity, my friend! Drawing on Olympian Eileen Gu's approach to neuroplasticity and metacognition, this episode breaks down how repeated, focused practice on a single skill can start to compete with your old defaults. For neurodivergent brains, this is both encouraging (your current defaults aren't necessarily permanent) and sometimes frustrating (executive function challenges can make sustained practice harder to maintain). The exercise this week is designed to give you a high volume of reps on one specific habit, with a solo modification you can adapt to conversations in your everyday life. KEY TAKEAWAYS:
CHAPTERS: 00:00 Why your brain defaults to old habits under pressure 01:16 How brain pathways work and why the most reinforced one fires first 02:36 Eileen Gu on neuroplasticity and tinkering like a scientist 03:35 Applying this to your improv practice 04:05 Why understanding a concept doesn't change the pathway on its own 05:51 What this means for neurodivergent brains 06:36 Nervous system regulation as a prerequisite for building new defaults 08:28 Exercise: Stop That Move (partner version with coach) 12:31 Solo modification: recording yourself and practising in everyday conversations RESOURCES and RELATED EPISODES:
Downloadable content Download the Free Post-Show Reflection Guide: Sent to your inbox when you subscribe to either newsletter (and added to the footer to each message if you're already subscribed). NEW! Comprehensive guides all about getting notes as a student, or giving them as a teacher. Two guides, big discount if you get both! https://improvupdate.com/notes Get a booklet with six exercises to help you get reps in challenging scenes called "Exercises to Ruin You" Get more downloadable booklets here: https://improvupdate.com/downloads Review the showPlease consider leaving a review wherever you review podcasts. Don't know where? Here are some options. It helps out! Thanks! Support the show
About This podcast was created, written, and is hosted by Jen deHaan. Jen has certifications related to healthy communities (Tufts University Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy), nervous system regulation and soon teacher training certification on community resilience. She has a BFA in teaching creative arts to adults. You can find her full bio here. This episode was and edited and produced by StereoForest.com. This podcast was made in British Columbia, Canada by StereoForest Podcasts. Mentioned in this episode: Student and Teacher/Coach Guides about NOTES in Improv Find more information, Table of Contents and links to get the guides at https://improvupdate.com/notes This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp | |||
| Build an evidence archive for more confidence on stage | 23 Mar 2026 | 00:14:52 | |
"Just be confident." "Trust yourself." "Ya got this." You've heard these things, and you might have even said them. And for a lot of brains, especially analytical or pattern-driven ones, they don't work. During the 2026 Olympics, Eileen Gu described herself as an evidence person, not an affirmations person. Her confidence before competition comes from the specific preparation she's done: the hours of training, the technical breakdowns, the repetitions. Her brain trusts that archive because those are things she's actually executed. This episode applies that distinction to improv. Affirmations are belief-based, and they get shaky when a scene goes sideways. Evidence-based confidence means keeping a specific, honest account of what you've worked on and what has improved. You'll get a partner exercise for practising real-time recognition of competence and a solo method for building your own evidence archive over time. KEY TAKEAWAYS:
CHAPTERS: 00:00 Why "just be confident" doesn't work for a lot of brains 00:47 Eileen Gu on evidence vs. affirmations 01:53 What affirmations are and why they get shaky after a rough scene 03:01 Evidence-based confidence and how it works differently 04:54 How common improv confidence advice falls into the affirmation category 06:13 The neurodivergent and nervous system layer: why analytical brains flag affirmations 08:19 How evidence-based confidence changes how you handle a bad show 08:49 Partner exercise: Cheer Squad (real-time recognition of competence in a scene) 11:14 Solo exercise: building your evidence archive after each practice or show RESOURCES:
RELATED EPISODES: The Metacognition in Improv Series: Find it near the end of this online page for this episode. Mentioned in this episode: Student and Teacher/Coach Guides about NOTES in Improv Find more information, Table of Contents and links to get the guides at https://improvupdate.com/notes This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp | |||
| Special: How well do you actually know your improv teammates (offstage skill building) | 18 Mar 2026 | 00:28:37 | |
This is a special extended (podcast-only) episode of Your Improv Brain on neurodivergent inclusion in the improv community. These episodes will focus on inclusion, nervous system regulation, and help neurodivergent improvisers understand themselves and help non-neurodivergent improvisers work better with their teammates and students. This is the first one. Hi! Think about the best improv team you've ever seen. That team where everyone seemed to know when to step in and when to hold back. That connection didn't come from scenework. It came from the offstage work of actually knowing each other. Jen talks about what it feels like, as an autistic person, to carry the belief that you're a burden in every space you enter. She names where that feeling shows up in improv (hint: it's rarely onstage), what autistic improvisers bring to a team, what's genuinely harder for us, and what teammates can do to include everyone equally. The episode ends with a team inclusion exercise called "What I Need From You" and a solo version you can try on your own. Have something to share? Add a comment here: Or reply to the newsletter I send out with these things (any newsletter!) ImprovUpdate.com/newsletter Key Takeaways
Chapters 00:00 — The best improv team you've ever seen 02:06 — This episode is about the offstage part 02:31 — The video that stopped me scrolling 03:35 — Who this episode is for 05:18 — Where the burden belief comes from 07:57 — Where this shows up in improv spaces 10:17 — The evidence problem 12:22 — What autistic improvisers bring to a team 13:47 — Communication differences 16:46 — What you can do as a teammate 21:17 — Team exercise: What I Need From You 22:46 — Caveats for running the exercise 24:08 — Solo version 26:00 — Closing ResourcesThe video I watched: https://www.facebook.com/reel/2189375501869990 Downloadable contentDownload the Free Post-Show Reflection Guide: Sent to your inbox when you subscribe to either newsletter (and added to the footer to each message if you're already subscribed). NEW! Comprehensive guides all about getting notes as a student, or giving them as a teacher. Two guides, big discount if you get both! https://improvupdate.com/notes Get a booklet with six exercises to help you get reps in challenging scenes called "Exercises to Ruin You" Get more downloadable booklets here: https://improvupdate.com/downloads Review the showPlease consider leaving a review wherever you review podcasts. Don't know where? Here are some options. It helps out! Thanks! Support the show
About This podcast was created, written, and is hosted by Jen deHaan. Jen has certifications related to healthy communities (Tufts University Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy), nervous system regulation and soon teacher training certification on community resilience. She has a BFA in teaching creative arts to adults. You can find her full bio here. This episode was and edited and produced by StereoForest.com. This podcast was made in British Columbia, Canada by StereoForest Podcasts. Mentioned in this episode: Student and Teacher/Coach Guides about NOTES in Improv Find more information, Table of Contents and links to get the guides at https://improvupdate.com/notes This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp | |||
| Metacognition and improv: how to use your monitoring brain in a scene | 16 Mar 2026 | 00:15:56 | |
"Get out of your head" is advice that sounds reasonable until you try to follow it. When you do, you end up monitoring whether you're monitoring the scene. That's just another layer of the problem. This episode covers metacognition (thinking about your thinking) and why it matters for improv. During the 2026 Winter Olympics, freestyle skier Eileen Gu gave an interview that went viral. A reporter asked whether she thinks before she speaks. She gave a detailed breakdown of how she monitors her own thinking in real time and treats that skill as something she's built on purpose. What she described is directly relevant to what happens in your brain during a scene. There are two kinds of self-monitoring happening when you're in an improv scene. One kind keeps you present and feeds your next move. The other pulls you into evaluation mode and uses up cognitive resources without giving you anything to act on. This episode breaks down the difference and explains why, for neurodivergent improvisers, the monitoring channel can run especially loud. Exercises covered:
References: E31 Get Out of Your Head: YouTube / Podcast and Article Eileen Gu response: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/-tbAaPXNeSg YouTube version of this ep: https://youtu.be/3YZ5wJ9Vvic Article for this ep: https://improvupdate.com/metacognition-and-improv-how-to-use-your-monitoring-brain-in-a-scene/ Chapters: 0:00 The problem with "get out of your head" 0:56 Eileen Gu and metacognition 2:07 Your monitoring channel in improv 4:47 Useful vs unhelpful self-monitoring 6:46 Neurodivergent brains and the nervous system 9:04 Exercises intro 9:38 Partner exercise: Ground My Brain 11:44 Solo exercise Downloadable contentDownload the Free Post-Show Reflection Guide: Sent to your inbox when you subscribe to either newsletter (and added to the footer to each message if you're already subscribed). NEW! Comprehensive guides all about getting notes as a student, or giving them as a teacher. Two guides, big discount if you get both! https://improvupdate.com/notes Get a booklet with six exercises to help you get reps in challenging scenes called "Exercises to Ruin You" Get more downloadable booklets here: https://improvupdate.com/downloads Review the showPlease consider leaving a review wherever you review podcasts. Don't know where? Here are some options. It helps out! Thanks! Support the show
About This podcast was created, written, and is hosted by Jen deHaan. Jen has certifications related to healthy communities (Tufts University Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy), nervous system regulation and soon teacher training certification on community resilience. She has a BFA in teaching creative arts to adults. You can find her full bio here. This episode was and edited and produced by StereoForest.com. This podcast was made in British Columbia, Canada by StereoForest Podcasts. Mentioned in this episode: Student and Teacher/Coach Guides about NOTES in Improv Find more information, Table of Contents and links to get the guides at https://improvupdate.com/notes This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp | |||
| Steamrolling and getting steamrolled: Three exercises for both sides | 20 Apr 2026 | 00:30:55 | |
Steamrolling is one of those improv topics where everyone wants to talk about the people doing it to them, and almost nobody wants to consider whether they might be doing it themselves. This episode covers both sides. It starts with what steamrolling actually looks like in a scene (and it probably has less to do with how much someone talks than you think), then gets into the reasons it happens, including some ADHD-specific patterns like verbal processing and dopamine-seeking that can lead to steamrolling without even realising it. There's also a nervous system layer here, because steamrolling can function as a fight response to uncertainty, and getting steamrolled can trigger a freeze or shutdown that makes the whole dynamic worse. The second half of the episode gets practical. If you're being steamrolled, there are in-scene tools you can try, like pointed questions and well-timed interrupts, and there are exercises to practise both of those with a scene partner. There's also a solo exercise for building the skill of shifting your character mid-scene. And if you're the one steamrolling, there's some homework about building curiosity toward your scene partners and tracking whether the other characters in your scenes are actually getting to be someone. KEY TAKEAWAYS:
CHAPTERS: 00:00 What steamrolling feels like from the inside 01:27 Why steamrolling is about scene content, not volume 03:01 How to tell if a scene was steamrolled 06:10 Patterns vs. one-off big scenes 07:19 Why steamrolling happens 09:22 ADHD and steamrolling 11:43 The nervous system perspective 13:43 What to do when you're being steamrolled 17:48 Exercise: the direct redirect 20:41 Exercise: getting your voice in 23:05 Solo exercise: the character shift monologue 25:31 Homework for steamrollers RESOURCES:
RELATED EPISODES:
Downloadable content Download the Free Post-Show Reflection Guide: Sent to your inbox when you subscribe to either newsletter (and added to the footer to each message if you're already subscribed). NEW! Comprehensive guides all about getting notes as a student, or giving them as a teacher. Two guides, big discount if you get both! https://improvupdate.com/notes Get a booklet with six exercises to help you get reps in challenging scenes called "Exercises to Ruin You" Get more downloadable booklets here: https://improvupdate.com/downloads Review the showPlease consider leaving a review wherever you review podcasts. Don't know where? Here are some options. It helps out! Thanks! Support the show
About This podcast was created, written, and is hosted by Jen deHaan. Jen has certifications related to healthy communities (Tufts University Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy), nervous system regulation and soon teacher training certification on community resilience. She has a BFA in teaching creative arts to adults. You can find her full bio here. This episode was and edited and produced by StereoForest.com. This podcast was made in British Columbia, Canada by StereoForest Podcasts. This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp | |||