Tim Larabee comes on the podcast to share how improv saved his life after being hit by a car that left him with a traumatic brain injury and partial paralysis. 

My favorite part about this story is when Tim mentions his friends playing improv games with him while he was in the hospital recovering from his injuries and a nurse said she had never seen anyone recover the way Tim did from the kind of injuries he endured. 

Improv is magic y'all!!! IT IS ALCHEMY. ✨

Tim also talks about the healing aspects of improv for autistic and neurodivergent individuals he has seen as a special needs educator. 

Resources:

Building Connections Program at The Hideout Theater

Connect with Liza:

Instagram: @lizadovgish

Work with Liza: https://linktr.ee/lizadovgish

Apply to be featured on Heal Through Play: https://forms.gle/s49hd3tA2QSpn4Cy6

Spiritual Mindset Coach, Yoga Facilitator, and Tantrica Gemma Parmar tells the story of her spiritual healing journey; alchemizing her anger through yoga as it relates to anxiety, depression, and addiction; and her ideas on play needing to be experienced in the body. 

She also touches on the element of play present in tantra and "finding the profound in the mundane," becoming more conscious as you progress on your healing journey, and different modalities she uses to connect to her playfulness.

Connect with Gemma

Instagram: @liberateyourenergy

The Breath Experiment - Free Download

Connect with Liza

Instagram: @lizadovgish

Work with Liza: https://calendly.com/lizadovgish/coffee-date

Apply to be featured on Heal Through Play: https://forms.gle/s49hd3tA2QSpn4Cy6

Actor, comedian, and TV host BJ Lange comes on the podcast to tell us about his story of being medically discharged from the Air Force and healing his mental health through two cancer diagnoses; his experience leading the Improv Comedy Healing Arts Program for the Air Force's Wounded Warrior Program to build resiliency; and the miraculous shifts he has seen in the warriors and their caretakers as they partake in applied improv classes.  

I thoroughly enjoyed chatting with BJ for this episode and I am so incredibly grateful he connected with me to do this interview -- it truly feels like the stars aligned for us to come together for this podcast! He is such a warm and caring human being, I hope you all connect with him and follow along as he grows in his acting career.  

References

National Institute for Play 

Theater Games for the Classroom: A Teacher's Handbook by Viola Spolin 

Applied Improv - Dr. Clay Drinko, PhD. - https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/contributors/clay-drinko-phd

BJ's Cancer Journey - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cVvSd6SW1Go

BJ's Second City - https://www.secondcity.com/people/hollywood/bj-lange/

What BJ Does With AFW2: https://nationswell.com/laughter-americas-veterans/

BJ's Work With Military Groups: https://www.dvidshub.net/video/731221/turning-laughter-into-resilience-tool & https://www.maxwell.af.mil/News/Display/Article/2892630/using-improv-to-improve/

Connect with BJ

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BjComedy 

Instagram: @bjcomedy 

Snapchat: @bjcomedy 

Connect with Liza

Instagram: @lizadovgish 

Work with me: https://calendly.com/lizadovgish/coffee-date

Apply to be featured on Heal Through Play: https://forms.gle/s49hd3tA2QSpn4Cy6

Dating Coach and all-around light of a human being Rebecca Boatman and I sat down to chat about how she became more heart-centered and playful through her healing journey. Rebecca shares her experience leading her signature "Out in the World Challenges" that incorporate play and improv to create life-changing breakthroughs for people. These challenges break old patterns and limiting beliefs to invite in new ways of being that create space for immense transformation and personal growth.

She also dove into her recent experience being invited as a facilitator at a Fit for Service event alongside Aubrey Marcus, the importance of feeling your feelings in order to heal, and breaking free from painful family trauma which allowed her to create her current life of freedom and play. 

Personally, I look up to Rebecca SO MUCH and I'm so honored she said yes to coming on the podcast. Be sure to follow her because I really do believe that girl is a freakin' portal of the Divine and always shares the most amazing information.

Connect with Rebecca:

Text (737) 221 - 2123 to receive Love Notes from Spirit that will give you inspiration for you love life.

Instagram: @rebeccaboatman 

Connect with Liza: 

Instagram: @lizadovgish

Work with me: https://lizadovgish.page/

Apply to be featured on Heal Through Play: https://forms.gle/s49hd3tA2QSpn4Cy6

Well, this first episode has it all! Witchy sh*t, foot fetishes, dark night of the soul, master spiritual teachings, and improv comedy theory. What more could you want??

In this trailer and introductory episode of the Heal Through Play podcast, I (Liza Dovgish) introduce myself and the work that I do as an Alchemist and a Coach, tell the story of how the idea for this podcast came about, and explain the intention of this podcast as it relates to your journey of healing through play.

Connect with Liza

Instagram: @lizadovgish

Work with me: calendly.com/lizadovgish/coffee-date

Apply to be interviewed on Heal Through Play: https://forms.gle/s49hd3tA2QSpn4Cy6