Untethered with Jen Liss

Approach your life with an improv mindset – with artist Gary Hirsch


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“You don't know the impact you could have in the world just by waking up today.”

Gary Hirsch is on the podcast today to remind us of the little ways we can make a huge impact in the world — just by being ourselves — and how approaching life with an improv mindset can transform your life in countless ways.

As a global joy artist, Gary has dedicated much of his career and life to using art to help us feel more human, while bringing more joy and less fear into the world.

As a child, Gary's father helped him to release the monsters that visited him at night – by putting a pencil in his hand and encouraging Gary to get the monsters out of his head and onto paper. His father's mantra, "If you can make it, you can make it go away" inspired him to develop Botjoy, a global art movement designed to spread joy, courage, love, and gratitude.

I personally get to enjoy seeing Gary's bot art all over Portland, and because it's adorned with phrases like "What inspires you?" and "What brings you joy?" – you know he's a guest you're going to adore as much as I do.

In this episode, you'll learn:
How to use Gary's idea of "Let go. Notice more. Use everything." to transform your day-to-day life in very practical ways.

Takeaway questions to consider for yourself:

  • How can I have more of an improv mindset? How can I let go, notice more, and use everything in situations in my life?
  • What is one thought I'm currently making in my head that I could also make go away? 


ABOUT GARY & THE BOTS
Gary is also a renowned visual artist, muralist, and the creator of Botjoy, an exploration of how art can be surprising, delightful, and helpful. Botjoy has evolved into a global art movement designed to spread joy, courage, love, and gratitude, one hand-painted robot at a time. Thousands of domino robots have been painted by Gary and others who have taken up his invitation to "steal his idea." 

You can find bots left randomly on streets all around the world as a gift for strangers to find, in children's hospital to help young patients feel braver, and in classes rooms and studios all over the world as other's make bots for their community. Gary's public art commissions can be found in Dallas, New Orleans, Phoenix, Madrid, London, Melbourne (Australia), and in his hometown of Portland, Oregon.

Gary is also the co-founder at On Your Feet a collision of business, art, and science that harnesses the power of experience and interactive learning to transform organizational culture and behavior. In his consulting role, Gary works (virtually and live) with fortune 500 companies such as Uber, Nike, Intel, Disney, and others.

Connect with Gary:

Visit BotJoy.com
Check out On Your Feet
Connect on Instagram
Follow on LinkedIn
Watch his TED Talk

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Music created and produced by Matt Bollenbach

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Untethered with Jen LissBy Jen Liss

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