David is Curious

This episode is really about these wonderful people:

• Sean Geary
• Kathy Rinaldi
• Elisabeth Sofley
• Jay Sukow
• Cathy Towers
• Antony Butcher
• Margot Escott
• Charlie Hutchence

To me, the wonderful people who influenced their lives have now influenced mine. I am touched by their authentic stories of loss, grief and dementia. This project began as I processed my own father's death as he struggled with dementia in June of 2026. It makes me think of how we remember people, and maybe how we are remembered after we are gone. I hope those of you who listen find community and a link to your own experiences. I was at a Broken Chair Improv show in Liverpool recently, and my friend Michael Leanne said to me, "Welcome to the club." He then explained to me that this was something he had heard among others who had experienced grief and loss. And you know what was odd? The minute he said it, he didn't have to explain it. I got it right away. We will all experience loss in life. And I hope it doesn't break you. I hope you find community in it, and something that inspires you to move forward. I want to especially thank Charlie Hutchence for taking a bigger role in this project, and Margot Escott, LCSW. Margot is a compassionate therapist with experience helping people through grief. Here is her website if you would like more information: https://improv4wellness.com/compassionate-counseling-services This episode is dedicated to my dad. He was such an amazing father that he made me want to be a good dad to my own son. The only hard part is that he made it look so easy to be so amazing.

I am so happy to finally be able to chat with Mayumi Hikida. Her thoughts and work in improv are amazing. They add a true real world impact to the short form games, jams, and classes that so many of us enjoy. There sure is a lot of joy in the practice, but there is also a lot of healing and connection. I loved this interview, and I hope you enjoy it too!

Here are some ways to find out more about Mayumi and her projects:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mayumi.mhc/
• Contact form: https://forms.gle/MeCARqsoFYQ9euRu6
• Workshop catalogue (PDF file on Google Drive): https://drive.google.com/file/d/1f1xSJMNxSP0rKy98BLZzd7ReAXX5s4zO/view?usp=sharing
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mayumihkd/

I recorded this interview with Sally Moss weeks ago, and I am still thinking about it.

One thing that we talk about in this interview is how capitalism is causing us all trauma - in small but very consistent ways. I have been thinking about that alot. The other day, I was thinking about how grocery stores are becoming more and more overwhelming. Every product is trying to get your attention. The music. The other shoppers. And then even the grocery store is promoting its brand. And much of it is not subtle. And that is the grocery store! Image social media and ... la la la la.

Fair warning, this episode I discuss my own history with self harm. It is brief. But I thought I would warn you all.

I have had the absolute pleasure of improvising with Sally Moss for years now. She is clever, creative and empathetic. The concepts she comes up with on the spot shows her innate ability for super imaginative ideas. As you will be able to tell from the interview, Sally is also very empathetic. She takes her work for connecting with others offstage in into her life. She makes the world a better place through her efforts.

I originally intended this to be a singular episode but so much good stuff about storytelling, trauma vs Trauma and how "trauma is movable" came out it was so engaging. I had to talk longer.

In fact I want to talk again!

Enjoy it.

#improv

Chris Mead is being interviewed. This interview takes place on the train in London.

I am so lucky because I consider Chris a great improv influence and a friend. His work in the improv practice constantly folds in new improv voices and people from underrepresented groups. I have had the pleasure of doing improv with him, taking a class from him, taking a class with him, seeing him perform and even producing him in improv events! I love how he views the practice.

In this episode we talk Doctor Who, improv and food.

You can find out more about Pretend Theatre on their Linkee Tree: https://linktr.ee/thepretendcompany

Or you can join their newsletter here: https://buttondown.com/pretendpost

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Please also check outmy series Boost Performers, where we interview improv performers regardless of their experience or status in the community. You can find Boost Performers on the Improv Boost website at: https://improvboost.wordpress.com/boost-performers/

I am so happy to have gotten to do this interview. Greg Metacalf's perspective on improv is kind, analytical and spot on. I love the lessons he casually shares - like "throw it forward" from his coach.

I love the insights (improv related or not) that he shares on social media. Whenever Greg comments on an Improv Boost post, I am always excited to see what he offers.

In the future, I want to get a group of past guests together and have a panel. Greg would be top of the list to have back!

Give this a listen. I am so happy with it.

#improv

Margot Escott, LCSW, has been an advocate for play since 1970. She has worked as a psychotherapist for over 35 years and currently works with people with Parkinson's Disease. Her spaces for play have had adults connect to one another and even themselves. I am a huge fan of her podcast (Improv Interviews), where she has interviewed SO MANY people. It may be the most exhaustive cannon of improv practitioners out there.

Hope you enjoy this interview.

To find out more about Margot you can visit her website here: https://improv4wellness.com/improv-interviews-podcast

Or follow her at: https://www.facebook.com/MEscottLCSW/

#improv

Katy Schutte has finished her MA and it is good.

The title of her thesis is: The Welsh Bed and Breakfast Ghost Story: How Ystrad House's Oral Family History Encapsulates a Broader Culture of Haunted Transitional Places.

And it is a wonderful exploration of weird, eerie, legend, and ghosts. What she researches is just as neat as how she researched it.

Katy is a wonderful improv teacher and more than the genre of improv - collective storytelling. What stories do we tell when we're not in control?

Give this a listen. You will love it.

You can find out more about Katy at: https://www.katyschutte.co.uk/

Or follow her on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/katyschutte/

Thank you so much for your time Katy!

#improv

Stu Hughes (Grass Dens), Ange Langley (Broken Chair) and me (TOGETHER!) do a short improv set in Chester at That Beer Place. After which we have a discussion about improv.

I am so lucky I get to do improv with people of this caliber. Hearing the audio of the set brings back such great moments. Sure, that thing you always hear is true: "you had to be there." Improv is best when the performers and audience are present. But there is something still valuable about documentation.

I wanted to give a shout out to Annabel Entress who was in the audience and provide some great insight as well.

Here are some valuable links.

That Beer Place

https://thatbeerplace.co.uk/

Broken Chair Improv

https://www.facebook.com/BrokenChairImprovUK/

Grass Dens

https://www.instagram.com/grassdensimprov/

I interviewed Stephen (steh-fahn) Lee and I feel like I want to interview him again. Stephen is producing the sort of improv I want to see, and be a part of. It is a soft touch with a huge impact. Sometimes we fall into this feeling of "I just want to do improv" not realizing that the access to "just improv" is not equal for everyone! People from some groups do not get the same opportunities to perform or teach.

We chata about some of Stephen's memories in his 10 year career in improv. I am so excited about his future in improv and bumping into him at future improv festivals.

You can find out more about Stephen's work at Comediasians: https://www.facebook.com/comediasians

Instant Noodling: https://www.instagram.com/instant.noodling

or the Pretend Company in London: https://www.instagram.com/thepretendcompany/

I am so fortunate to have him in my sphere of influence, and as a friend. Give this a listen, and do me a favor like/share his social media. You will love Stephen!

#improv