If This Is True would like to introduce you to Shaun Landry! Shaun is at least a quintuple threat of actor, improviser, teacher, director and theater president. This Chicago native is the artistic director of Oui Be Negroes, founder of the West Coast Improv Alliance, cofounder of the San Francisco Improv Festival and founder of the Ledge--a new non-profit theater in Los Angeles.

Shaun has come a long way from her days with Second City TourCo. She has worked with prisoners and dementia patients using improv techniques. We talked about working with drama therapy and what it takes to make it in the business and to start your own theater. Give it a listen!

If This Is True would like to introduce you to Kyle Siegrist! Kyle is a permanent fixture in the Columbus, OH music scene, playing in bands like Second State Butchers and doing his own solo projects. He is also the owner of Lost Weekend Records and Lost Weekend record label. Kyle got his start in the music business in the 80's and had an amazing trip to where he is today. Lost Weekend is celebrating its 19th anniversary on February 19 at the Ace of Cups. Kyle would love it if you could attend. You can find him at @lostweekendrecords on Facebook, or at www.lostweekendrecords.com. Give it a listen!

If This Is True would like to introduce you to Abdul Williams! Abdul is an award-winning screenwriter and producer, known for the Lottery Ticket, Surf 2, The New Edition Story, The Bobby Brown Story, and Salt N' Pepa. He is currently working on The Thanksgiving Text for Netflix. We talked about these projects, what it takes to be a good writer in any media and our time as Bobcats at OU. Give it a listen!

If This Is True would like to introduce you to comedian, musician, and author Dave Hill. The Pride of Cleveland, as he's taken to calling himself, has appeared on multiple TV shows; performed at SXSW, Bonnaroo, Bumbershoot, and Sing Sing; hosts the Dave Hill Podcasting Incident and History Fluffer; and wrote "Parking the Moose," "Tasteful Nudes" and "Dave Hill Doesn't Live Here Anymore." We discussed the importance of dogs, nurses and doing what you like in life. Give it a listen!

If This Is True wishes you a Happy New Year with a conversation with Bob Kulhan of Business Improv. Bob is an iO, Second City and Annoyance alum who took improv business seriously and created Business Improv, the company! Bob is an adjunct professor at Duke University and has taught his improv curriculum around the world! He believes that "yes, and" can be more than just an improv tool. The phrase can also help to garner respect and to communicate on a higher level. Bob also talks about his Chicago Cubbies and what makes his heart sing. For more information on Bob's business, go to www.businessimprov.com. Give it a listen!

If This Is True would like to introduce you the indomitable Susan Messing! Susan is an improvisation and comedy legend, who has performed and taught at iO, iO West, the Annoyance, The Second City Chicago and around the globe. Susan is also an instructor at DePaul University, the University of Chicago and the School at Steppenwolf. We talked about taking risks and how to move forward as improvisers, comedians and as people--to go toward that which is difficult. Give it a listen during this holiday season!!

If This Is True would like to introduce you to David Whitehouse and Jimmy Mak of Shadowbox Live. Dave and Jimmy are old friends and sketch comedy creators and innovators who make live sketches great. They discuss what makes a sketch great and how comedy has kept food on the table for them for more than 25 years. Give it a listen, won't you?

If This Is True would like to introduce you to Sean Geary! Sean is an improviser in the Bay Area who is also an educator and a physical trainer. Sean has worked at Endgames Improv with Wachaa and other improv teams. He is a big fan of Camp ImprovUtopia, having traveled across the country to participate in it several times. Sean believes that we should be more empathetic as a people and that improv can help with that. Give it a listen, won't you?

If This is True would like to introduce you to Siddharth Venkatesh! He is our first guest from outside the continent. Siddharth performs with Improv Comedy Bangalore in Bangalore, India. He recently performed at the ImprovIsAsian festival and works as an engineer when he is not entertaining people. Siddharth believes in connection with others, so he wanted me to share these links with you: 

www.facebook.com/ICBangalore

www.facebook.com/zmackcomedy

www.facebook.com/ImprovisAsianFestival

Give it a listen, won't you?

If This Is True would like to introduce you to Tara DeFrancisco and Rance Rizzutto of the Nest Theatre in Columbus! Tara and Rance have been engaging audiences all over the globe, whether with iO, the Second City, or with their two-person improvised musical, "Here." These 20+ year veterans of improv have done it all. They opened their theatre, the Nest, in Columbus, OH--with a new location at 2643 N. High St., just north of OSU's campus. Speaking of campuses, Tara and Rance are now guest professors at both Ohio University and Columbus College of Art and Design. They talk about what it takes to run a theater during a pandemic, the joy of performing across the world and the relief that this is an explicit podcast! Give it a listen!