Making friends with inner voices can be fun—and healing.

For Monster Baby episode #97, Ted and Lisa are joined by fellow Applied Improvisor Kat Koppett to discuss (and play!) her mindfulness-and-improv-blending exercise, “Inside Out.” Lisa starts by asking about Kat’s inspiration for exploring mindfulness (2:12) and about how mindfulness has affected her life so far (8:01). Kat then describes the Inside Out exercise, a tool for increasing awareness of what’s happening with our inner voices (13:43). Ted, Lisa, and Kat together demonstrate the exercise with an improvised scene (21:28) and take some time to debrief the ways in which it can be either a delight or a trap (30:01). The trio wonders what are the different kinds of thoughts you can be aware of (31:35) and considers the ways the technique affects an improv scene: characters seem more authentic but does it take away from a scene’s momentum? (34:12) Ted and Kat reflect on the game’s co-creator, Dion Flynn (37:01) and discuss how it can generate insights for non-improvisors as well (39:01). All three explore the implications of saying “yes, and” to offers coming from inside (46:03) and wonder whether it could work in written form (48:36). Lisa asks what makes the practice so freeing—is it clipping the “puppet strings” of our thoughts?—(50:45) and Ted wonders if we might find trouble by opening our gates to inner voices (53:38). Lisa shares how the practice makes for little intimacies in everyday life (1:00:18) and Ted shares a funny little meta-story with teaching the exercise himself (1:03:15). The episode wraps up with some consideration about staying embodied when working with thoughts like this (1:07:09) and with Ted and Lisa’s traditional Outro wrap-up (1:09:55).

Kat’s great Applied Improv book, Training to Imagine.

Kat Koppett is a 25-year improv veteran and the principal and founder of the international applied improvisation consulting firm, Koppett. She is also the co-director of the Mopco Improv Theater in Albany, NY. For more info on Kat and her work in the world, visit www.koppett.com or www.mopco.org. Or go find her book, Training to Imagine, through your favorite independent bookseller. You can also check out the Applied Improvisation Network (www.appliedimprovisationnetwork.org) if you want to connect with a group of folks doing similar experimentation.

We hope the episode brings you a small measure of joy. If so and you’d like to share that joy—or if you’d like to raise a question—feel free to write Ted and Lisa at [email protected].

To subscribe so you receive immediate notice of future Monster Baby releases, head over to: http://monsterbabypodcast.com.

And lastly, if you’d like a bit of Monster-Baby-inspired reading, visit www.playfulmindfulness.info to pick up a copy of Ted’s book Playful Mindfulness: a joyful journey to everyday confidence, calm, and connection. (Ted will surely sign it for you if you like!)

Lisa Rowland and Ted DesMaisons

San Francisco improvisors Ted DesMaisons and Lisa Rowland explore the beautiful, surprising and unruly intersections between mindfulness and improvisation as they seek to befriend that oft-hidden and sometimes scary part of all of us that can lead to a life well-lived.

The post Monster Baby #97 Inner Voices (a conversation with Kat Koppett) appeared first on Anima Learning.

Good ensemble members make great humans.

Continuing a conversation from the previous Monster Baby episode, Ted and Lisa chat more with improvisor and author Dan O’Connor, discussing his new book (co-authored by Dr. Jeff Katzman), Ensemble! Using the Power of Improvisation and Play to Forge Connections in a Lonely World.

This episode starts with a new game from Dan, giving Ted a new perspective on an earlier time in his life (1:24). From there, Dan describes the power of special experiences for forming ensembles (7:40) and relates a story from San Quentin prison about how improv ensemble can help reduce discrimination (10:39). Recognizing the massive changes happening at Impro Theater in LA and BATS Improv in San Francisco, Ted asks about how Dan and Lisa recommend bringing new folks into previously well-established ensembles (15:04). That leads to an intriguing philosophical question (27:26) that leads Dan and Lisa to articulate the value of high-quality followership as they consider their lives, post-Artistic Directorship (30:44). Dan mentions the power of realizing that we always have agency (34:51) and closes with some final thoughts about improv, ensemble and being a good human, noting that we all can be factories of joy (38:11).

Please note: If you didn’t get to listen to Episode #95 first, you might want to head over to that one before listening here. But it’s up to you!

If you’d like to get a copy of Ensemble!—and we bet you would—visit www.northatlanticbooks.com and enter “monsterbaby35” to get a 35% discount (!!!) on your order, good til September 30, 2021. Thanks, Dan, and thanks, North Atlantic!

We hope the episode brings you a small measure of joy. If so and you’d like to share that joy—or if you’d like to raise a question—feel free to write Ted and Lisa at [email protected].

To subscribe so you receive immediate notice of future Monster Baby releases, head over to: http://monsterbabypodcast.com.

And lastly, if you’d like a bit of Monster-Baby-inspired reading, visit www.playfulmindfulness.info to pick up a copy of Ted’s book Playful Mindfulness: a joyful journey to everyday confidence, calm, and connection. (Ted will surely sign it for you if you like!)

Lisa Rowland and Ted DesMaisons

San Francisco improvisors Ted DesMaisons and Lisa Rowland explore the beautiful, surprising and unruly intersections between mindfulness and improvisation as they seek to befriend that oft-hidden and sometimes scary part of all of us that can lead to a life well-lived.

The post Monster Baby #96 Ensemble! A Conversation with Dan O’Connor, Part Two appeared first on Anima Learning.

A good ensemble can cure the loneliness blues.

For Monster Baby episode #95, come join Ted and Lisa for Part 1 of their conversation with improvisor and author Dan O’Connor, celebrating the release of his new book, Ensemble! Using the Power of Improvisation and Play to Forge Connections in a Lonely World.

Dan starts with a nod to his co-author, the incredible Dr. Jeff Katzman (“one of the nicest human beings on the planet”) (1:37) and then shares the basic lowdown on Ensemble! (4:48). Ted wonders about how hermits fit in to the notion of humans-in-groups, which leads to a distinction between loneliness and solitude (11:53). The conversation leads to the value of listening without needing to find similarities with the speaker (15:03) and Dan articulates the ways in which “ensemble” can become a verb and a practice (16:21). Lisa wonders how writing the book impacted Dan’s life (22:45) and Ted asks about using ensembling as a way to build bridges across divides of difference (27:36). Dan describes how connecting to groups can improve human longevity (32:46) and differentiates between “apart from” and “a part of,” noting the ways in which we need to be strong in ourselves before joining with others (36:23). Part One of the conversation ends with a note about building an ensemble with the many different parts of ourselves (38:51).

Make sure to continue on to Episode #96 for the remainder of our conversation with Dan!

If you’d like to get a copy of Ensemble!—and we bet you would—visit www.northatlanticbooks.com and enter “monsterbaby35” to get a 35% discount (!!!) on your order, good til September 30, 2021. Thanks, Dan, and thanks, North Atlantic!

We hope the episode brings you a small measure of joy. If so and you’d like to share that joy—or if you’d like to raise a question—feel free to write Ted and Lisa at [email protected].

To subscribe so you receive immediate notice of future Monster Baby releases, head over to: http://monsterbabypodcast.com.

And lastly, if you’d like a bit of Monster-Baby-inspired reading, visit www.playfulmindfulness.info to pick up a copy of Ted’s book Playful Mindfulness: a joyful journey to everyday confidence, calm, and connection. (Ted will surely sign it for you if you like!)

Lisa Rowland and Ted DesMaisons

San Francisco improvisors Ted DesMaisons and Lisa Rowland explore the beautiful, surprising and unruly intersections between mindfulness and improvisation as they seek to befriend that oft-hidden and sometimes scary part of all of us that can lead to a life well-lived.

The post Monster Baby #95 Ensemble! A Conversation with Dan O’Connor, Part One appeared first on Anima Learning.

You’ve got great stories to tell—want some tips for sharing ‘em?

In part two of his conversation with Lisa and Ted, improvisor, storyteller and author Corey Rosen dives deeper into the craft and skill of telling great stories.

Corey starts by noting how stories change over time (1:37) which leads into Ted’s sharing a story that has recently become both cringe-inducing and meaningful (5:58). Corey articulates the tension between improvisation and careful craft in storytelling (14:33) and wonders about preparation rituals before we tell stories in public (19:35). Ted asks Corey to share his exercise “Explode the Prompt” (24:44) before Corey encourages Lisas’ new baby to utter her first word-at-a-time story (31:20). Corey shows how “yes/and” feedback can make stories even better (32:13) and offers final encouragement to Monster Baby listeners to get out their and tell their own stories (41:49).

If you haven’t yet, you might want to first check out the previous episode for Part One of the conversation with Corey. But this one can stand alone if you like!

If you’d like to order his book—and we bet you would like to order his book, visit www.mango.bz and enter “monsterbaby10” to get a 10% discount on your order. Thanks, Corey, and thanks, Mango!

We hope the episode brings you a small measure of joy. If so and you’d like to share that joy—or if you’d like to raise a question—feel free to write Ted and Lisa at [email protected].

To subscribe so you receive immediate notice of future Monster Baby releases, head over to: http://monsterbabypodcast.com.

If you’d like to order his book—and we bet you would like to order his book, visit www.mango.bz and enter “monsterbaby10” to get a 10% discount on your order. Thanks, Corey, and thanks, Mango!

We hope the episode brings you a small measure of joy. If so and you’d like to share that joy—or if you’d like to raise a question—feel free to write Ted and Lisa at [email protected].

To subscribe so you receive immediate notice of future Monster Baby releases, head over to: http://monsterbabypodcast.com.

And lastly, if you’d like a bit of Monster-Baby-inspired reading, visit www.playfulmindfulness.info to pick up a copy of Ted’s book Playful Mindfulness: a joyful journey to everyday confidence, calm, and connection. (Ted will surely sign it for you if you like!)

Lisa Rowland and Ted DesMaisons

San Francisco improvisors Ted DesMaisons and Lisa Rowland explore the beautiful, surprising and unruly intersections between mindfulness and improvisation as they seek to befriend that oft-hidden and sometimes scary part of all of us that can lead to a life well-lived.

The post Monster Baby #94 Your Story, Well Told: A Conversation with Corey Rosen, Part Two appeared first on Anima Learning.

What’s more compelling than a well-told story?

For Monster Baby episode, #93, Ted and Lisa join improvisor, storyteller, and recently published author Corey Rosen for Part One of a super-fun conversation exploring the many facets of his new book, Your Story, Well-Told.

The episode kicks off with some musings on the old camp favorite “rest hour” and who Corey is (1:48) before the trio considers whether you need to have cool experiences to tell great stories (10:53). Ted wonders how you can help people uncover the stories they don’t even recognize that they have (12:30) and Corey shares a generative exercise called “That reminds me of a time…” (14:10). Corey echoes the structure of the Kenn Adams Story Spine that Ted and Lisa referenced in an earlier episode (#70, “What’s Your Story?”) (26:00) and then describes the storytelling technique of “going up and going down”—useful on stage and in life! (28:38) Lisa asks Corey why he finds storytelling so compelling (32:57) and explains how her family has dived into a new product called “Story Worth.” (39:12) The episode concludes with Lisa’s reflections on telling the story of her having given birth—a story you may have heard in the previous episode, #92! (44:42)

Make sure to listen to the next episode for Part Two of the conversation with Corey.

If you’d like to order his book—and we bet you would like to order his book, visit www.mango.bz and enter “monsterbaby10” to get a 10% discount on your order. Thanks, Corey, and thanks, Mango!

We hope the episode brings you a small measure of joy. If so and you’d like to share that joy—or if you’d like to raise a question—feel free to write Ted and Lisa at [email protected].

To subscribe so you receive immediate notice of future Monster Baby releases, head over to: http://monsterbabypodcast.com.

And lastly, if you’d like a bit of Monster-Baby-inspired reading, visit www.playfulmindfulness.info to pick up a copy of Ted’s book Playful Mindfulness: a joyful journey to everyday confidence, calm, and connection. (Ted will surely sign it for you if you like!)

Lisa Rowland and Ted DesMaisons

San Francisco improvisors Ted DesMaisons and Lisa Rowland explore the beautiful, surprising and unruly intersections between mindfulness and improvisation as they seek to befriend that oft-hidden and sometimes scary part of all of us that can lead to a life well-lived.

The post Monster Baby #93 Your Story, Well-Told: A Conversation with Corey Rosen, Part One appeared first on Anima Learning.

Things are different now.

It’s been a while since the last Monster Baby Podcast episode but we had good reason for the delay: Lisa had a baby! In Episode #92, Ted and Lisa take stock of the mindfulness and improvisation ramifications of Lisa’s new life as a (gulp!) mom.

Ted cheekily starts the episode by noting that things have really changed for him after getting vaccinated (1:20) before Lisa introduces Ramona Mackenzie Rowland (3:42). Ted asks about Lisa’s pre-birth tale of getting locked in a closet when on the cusp of going into labor (7:20) and Lisa describes the ways that giving birth offered a new experience of presence (11:40).  Lisa articulates the ways that she served as a midwife for her own body and how that raises questions of “self” (14:30) and continues on to share how birth was also a spiritual experience (20:30). Ted wonders—probably prematurely—if she’d want to go through the process again and notes the difference between pain and suffering (26:10) before Lisa shares more of what’s different now and how she’s joined the unofficial Club of Moms (28:58). Ted wonders if any new improv lessons have shown up (37:10) and we learn a little more about this new Ramona creature (41:06) To close, Lisa offers a generous invitation to any other (potentially) single moms out there in Monster Baby Podcast land. (50:20).

We hope the episode brings you a small measure of joy. If so and you’d like to share that joy—or if you’d like to raise a question—feel free to write Ted and Lisa at [email protected].

To subscribe so you receive immediate notice of future Monster Baby releases, head over to: http://monsterbabypodcast.com.

And lastly, if you’d like a bit of Monster-Baby-inspired reading, visit www.playfulmindfulness.info to pick up a copy of Ted’s book Playful Mindfulness: a joyful journey to everyday confidence, calm, and connection. (Ted will surely sign it for you if you like!)

Lisa Rowland and Ted DesMaisons

San Francisco improvisors Ted DesMaisons and Lisa Rowland explore the beautiful, surprising and unruly intersections between mindfulness and improvisation as they seek to befriend that oft-hidden and sometimes scary part of all of us that can lead to a life well-lived.

The post Monster Baby #92 Lisa Had a Baby! appeared first on Anima Learning.

Good things come in small packages.

That’s especially true if we pay attention to their beauty and impact. In Monster Baby Episode #91, Ted and Lisa explore the many delights of tiny choices.

Lisa starts the episode with a check-in on the imminent birth of her first child (3:11) and Ted reports the great fun he’s having taking a new improv class in Magical Realism (8:57). Lisa kicks the topic off (13:00) and Ted mentions the power of a small shift carried out over a long stretch of time (16:04). The pair discusses BJ Fogg’s Tiny Habits approach to behavior change (18:34) and Lisa describes how she’s learned that many big leadership decisions are best thought of as combinations of lots of little steps and choices (24:07). The conversation challenges the familiar guidance not to sweat the small stuff—maybe we should? (26:27)—and asks how we can enjoy steps along the way, even if we never reach our intended destination (31:44). Ted introduces the notion of “joy dots” (36:20) and asks Lisa about how the joy of little things shows up in improv (40:21). From there, Lisa describes one way we might be small-thinging our way to a type of enlightenment (44:58).

We hope the episode brings you a small measure of joy. If so and you’d like to share that positivity—or if you’d like to raise a question—feel free to write Ted and Lisa at [email protected].

To subscribe so you receive immediate notice of future Monster Baby releases, head over to: http://monsterbabypodcast.com.

And lastly, if you’re needing a bit of Monster-Baby-inspired reading or you’re looking for a perfect holiday gift, slide on over to www.playfulmindfulness.info to pick up a copy of Ted’s book Playful Mindfulness: a joyful journey to everyday confidence, calm, and connection. (Ted will surely sign it for you if you like!)

Lisa Rowland and Ted DesMaisons

San Francisco improvisors Ted DesMaisons and Lisa Rowland explore the beautiful, surprising and unruly intersections between mindfulness and improvisation as they seek to befriend that oft-hidden and sometimes scary part of all of us that can lead to a life well-lived.

The post Monster Baby #91 The Joy of Little Things appeared first on Anima Learning.

Photo by Mihai on Flickr Licensed through Creative Commons (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/legalcode)

What to do with discomfort?

We all feel stress sometimes. A little noodge. A joint out of whack. A bump in the wheel. In Monster Baby episode #90, Ted and Lisa explore what mindfulness and improvisation have to teach us about gettin’ (at least a bit more) comfortable with that discomfort.

The pair kick off by discussing the “elephant in the room” of Lisa’s upcoming birth (2:14). Lisa shares what brought her to the topic of discomfort (7:46) and then explores whether there’s a sweet spot for a level of discomfort—and whether improv helps us find that spot (12:57). Lisa mentions her default response to discomfort on state (16:57) and Ted chimes in with his—and also recounts when he most often feels uncomfortable (19:43). They note together that sometimes there’s not a fix for what ails us (23:02) and Ted shares an interesting activity for finding resourcefulness we may already have within (26:35). Lisa finds it can be helpful to imagine a worst-case scenario and Ted notes that, even then, we still have choice in the matter (32:02). After remembering the useful tool of “this is just a chapter in a longer story,” Lisa recounts a visit with her future self (35:13). The episode closes with a note how both improv and mindfulness teach us to focus on the “how” and not the “what” when resolving discomfort (40:44) and with a silly new improv game that Ted came up with recently (43:53).

If there’s something in the episode that brings you particular joy—or raises a question—feel free to write Ted and Lisa at [email protected].

To subscribe so you receive immediate notice of future Monster Baby releases, head over to: http://monsterbabypodcast.com.

And lastly, if you’d like a bit of Monster-Baby-inspired reading, slide on over to www.playfulmindfulness.info to pick up a copy of Ted’s book Playful Mindfulness: a joyful journey to everyday confidence, calm, and connection. (Ted will surely sign it for you if you like!)

Lisa Rowland and Ted DesMaisons

San Francisco improvisors Ted DesMaisons and Lisa Rowland explore the beautiful, surprising and unruly intersections between mindfulness and improvisation as they seek to befriend that oft-hidden and sometimes scary part of all of us that can lead to a life well-lived.

The post Monster Baby #90 Gettin’ Comfortable with Discomfort appeared first on Anima Learning.

What does it mean to make a resolution?

Happy New Year Monster Baby fans! Maybe you’re a person who makes resolutions, maybe you’re not. But we bet you’ll think about ‘em differently if you listen in.

Ted starts the podcast thinking about change in the air (note: when we recorded, we had just gotten first word of the uprising/insurrection/coup attempt in Washington, DC so we weren’t responding so much to that) (2:06). Ted then introduces a new game, “If I Googled You,” in which Lisa talks about majesty and an odd, crude Nativity scene character and Ted discusses an early trip to Disney World (5:47). The pair start exploring the meaning of the word ‘resolution’ (14:52) and wonder what in their lives they might be re-solving (17:30). Lisa chooses her theme for the year (20:08) and Ted names a few contenders for his (25:36). The pair takes a whimsical consideration of the possibilities for being in a new phase of life—a phase that might include cave awnings and pink sea snails (27:25). They discuss the possibility of stirring up new solutions, à la high school chemistry class (36:08) and explore the possibilities of choosing a resolution in the sense of visual clarity (38:12). Lisa speaks about having resolve (45:12) and wonders if there’s a best time to make changes, which Ted asserts might or might not include palindromic calendar dates. (49:04). The Outro concludes the episode with a few last reflections and announcements.

If there’s something in the episode that brings you particular joy—or raises a question—feel free to write Ted and Lisa at [email protected].

To subscribe so you receive immediate notice of future Monster Baby releases, head over to: http://monsterbabypodcast.com.

And lastly, if you’d like a bit of Monster-Baby-inspired reading, slide on over to www.playfulmindfulness.info to pick up a copy of Ted’s book Playful Mindfulness: a joyful journey to everyday confidence, calm, and connection. (Ted will surely sign it for you if you like!)

Lisa Rowland and Ted DesMaisons

San Francisco improvisors Ted DesMaisons and Lisa Rowland explore the beautiful, surprising and unruly intersections between mindfulness and improvisation as they seek to befriend that oft-hidden and sometimes scary part of all of us that can lead to a life well-lived.

The post Monster Baby #89 Talkin’ ‘Bout a Resolution appeared first on Anima Learning.

If you’re looking for a holiday dessert, how about a taste of humble pie?

It’s Episode #88, and Ted and Lisa are thinking about all the ways they just don’t know.

After a fun prompt from Ted and a few rounds of syllable-at-a-time-three-things (2:36), Ted shares what led him to this episode’s topic (9:12). Lisa recognizes the way she’s been feeling humbled by social justice issues and Ted acknowledges the same in the face of wise young people (12:19). Lisa (re-)considers what makes for good improv and Ted mentions “I” language (17:34) before the pair explores mindfulness and improv as practices in humility (22:05). The two consider how boldness and humility can play together (25:48), how science has a history of faulty certainty (28:15), and how admitting “I could be wrong” has a powerful attraction (32:25). Ted wonders about the fading allure of ambition for greatness (33:22) and Lisa recognizes that her upcoming parenting role is likely to bring new levels of not-knowing, self-sacrifice, and being ready to learn (45:56). We had a few issues with our intro recording so don’t be too surprised when it’s just Ted to start—Lisa reliably gets in on the fun too. A humble happy holidays to all!

If there’s something in the episode that brings you particular joy—or raises a question—feel free to write us at [email protected].

To subscribe so you receive immediate notice of future Monster Baby releases, head over to: http://monsterbabypodcast.com.

And lastly, if you’re needing a bit of Monster-Baby-inspired reading or you’re looking for a perfect holiday gift, slide on over to www.playfulmindfulness.info to pick up a copy of Ted’s book Playful Mindfulness: a joyful journey to everyday confidence, calm, and connection. (Ted will surely sign it for you if you like!)

Lisa Rowland and Ted DesMaisons

San Francisco improvisors Ted DesMaisons and Lisa Rowland explore the beautiful, surprising and unruly intersections between mindfulness and improvisation as they seek to befriend that oft-hidden and sometimes scary part of all of us that can lead to a life well-lived.

The post Monster Baby #88 Hello Humility appeared first on Anima Learning.