Improvly Speaking

SPECIAL SOLO BIRTHDAY EPISODE -- I turned 35 in May 2023 (yay!), and I wanted to do a solo episode to highlight this special birthday milestone. Not only is it a mid-thirties milestone, but also this is the age that I always thought I would magically just become confident and love myself. I don't know why I had in my head that I should be confident and feel fully comfortable with myself by age 35, but that's how my 20's brain operated. 

I'm happy to report that I have turned out exactly how I thought I would be at the age of 35 - confident, embracing myself and who I am, and constantly growing and improving. However, I didn't magically become confident, like I thought back in my 20's. I actually worked really hard to gain and develop this confidence, and there was a lot of failing and struggling and questioning myself along the way. 

Have you ever thought there was a magical age for you where you would reach it all and become exactly who you wanted to be? 35 was that age for me, and I unpack my feelings about all that in this episode.  I've been on a 9-10-year journey of improving my public speaking skills, which helped me improve myself overall along the way, and I am so happy I embarked on that journey.  Age 35 would have looked much different if I didn't start that journey.

I am excited about this age now and where I am, and I look forward to seeing what comes next! Cheers, darling, to many more years of fun, adventure, and growth! 

Fair Warning: I rhyme 35 with arrive, thrive, and alive quite a bit in this episode! I couldn't resist... Don't say I didn't warn you. 

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• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/improvlyspeaking/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daynagowan/
• Email: [email protected]
• Website: https://www.improvlyspeaking.com/
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Have you ever sat through a presentation, conference session, or workplace training and thought, "Well, that's an hour of my life I won't get back!," after it's over? Chances are that the presenter or speaker didn't make the content applicable to you, didn't make it engaging to keep your attention, gave too much information that it was overwhelming, or didn't offer a chance for you to practice and apply the skills learned, among many other reasons. 

Dr. Carrie Graham is working to fix that so that your audience never becomes disengaged from your message again and your learning outcomes can soar! Carrie is based in Charlotte and is the owner of Carrie O. Graham Learning & Solutions, and she helps businesses improve learner engagement, information retention, and skill application by integrating adult learning best practices into their trainings.

What are adult learning best practices? Well, Carrie explains these best practices very well in this episode, but one principle to keep in mind is that adults learn best when they understand why this topic is important to their work or business. Adults bring many life experiences with them to these trainings, and they are more apt to learn new knowledge when it is demonstrated how this topic and training applies to their life experiences and work.

Also, there is the adult learning practice of skills application, which can create experiential learning. That is where applied improv comes in! Applied improvisation exercises allow participants to practice the related skills in a low-stakes environment and then reflect on how the skill, tool, and lesson learned can apply to and also help improve their work and personal life. 

In this episode, we discuss some very helpful adult learning practices that should be taken into account whenever presenting to a group of adults. Dayna even has some light bulb moments of her own that help her understand and relate it back to her own work as an applied improv facilitator. 

As Carrie states in the episode, "If you are in the business of educating people who are over 25 years old, you can benefit from adult learning best practices!" Check this episode out to come up with your own light bulb moments for your next presentations, workshops, and trainings! 


 You can learn more about Carrie and her work here: 

• Website - http://www.drcarriegraham.com/
• LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/drcarriegraham

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• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/improvlyspeaking/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daynagowan/
• Email: [email protected]
• Website: https://www.improvlyspeaking.com/
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Jesse Greenfield is a health communicator, storyteller, and improviser from San Diego, California. Jesse started doing improv in college at Tufts University, and with eight years of experience as an improviser, Jesse now leads applied improv workshops for adults, youth, and the LGBTQIA+ community. 

In March 2023, Jesse and I co-presented together at the Art & Science of Health Promotion Conference, and in this episode, we debrief and chat about that experience. (Spoiler alert: It was an amazing experience!) The theme of the conference was "The Wisdom of Rethinking: Promoting & Practicing Intellectual Humility to Advance Health & Well-Being," and Jesse and I had the opportunity to present two breakout sessions and two activity sessions at the conference. 

In our breakout sessions, we presented the research about applied improvisation and how it can help enhance intellectual humility, communication, and resilience for health promotion professionals (and other professions as well). For our activity sessions, we facilitated improv exercises and games for participants to experience and practice the skills and discuss how these lessons learned apply to our professional and personal lives. 

We had a blast at the conference, and we are so appreciative of the opportunity to share more about the benefits of applied improvisation and creative play at the conference this year. Please enjoy this special debrief episode to hear all about how it went and what's on the horizon for us as facilitators and presenters. 

You can learn more about Jesse here:

• LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jesse-greenfield-mph/
• Email - [email protected]

You can learn more about the Art and Science of Health Promotion Conference here:

• Website: https://www.ifebp.org/healthpromotionconference/Pages/art-and-science-of-health-promotion-conference.aspx

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Want to learn more about Improvly Speaking? Here are all the ways to get in touch: 

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/improvlyspeaking/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daynagowan/
• Email: [email protected]
• Website: https://www.improvlyspeaking.com/
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• Pod Mom Gear: https://improvlyspeaking.threadless.com/

In June 2022, Karolyn Martin earned the job of Miss North Carolina, and she is currently serving as Miss North Carolina for the 2022-2023 year. In this episode, Karolyn shares her journey to becoming Miss North Carolina — why she decided to compete and how she focused, trained and prepared for the competitions during her college years.  

Karolyn opens up about her experience at the Miss America Competition in December 2022 and how she dealt with the ups and downs of winning and losing. We also discuss the impromptu questions that they are asked during the competitions. Dayna thought they had 90 seconds to answer these tough questions, but they only get 20 SECONDS!!! 

Karolyn is such a hard worker - whether it's volleyball, theatre, singing, or training to become Miss North Carolina. When she sets her mind on a goal/outcome she wants, she puts all her energy and focus into achieving that goal. Karolyn will be attending Law School at University of North Carolina Chapel Hill in Fall 2023, and we all know she will give it her all in this next chapter of her life!

Even though Karolyn doesn't call herself an improviser, she improvises every day! As a state title holder, Karolyn attends many speaking engagements and is constantly in the spotlight.  She has to be prepared and know what she's going to say and also be flexible and ready for any unexpected question thrown her way. She is a great speaker and has a phenomenal stage presence. Even when she's thrown an unexpected question, she handles it like a champ! (She also has some good jokes up her sleeve when needed too!)

How do you handle impromptu questions? How do you handle the spotlight with all eyes on you? Check out this episode for some serious inspiration from Karolyn and be ready to hit the ground running on accomplishing your goals and dreams once you're done listening! 

You can learn more about Karolyn here: 

• Website - https://www.karolyndmartin.com/
• Karolyn - Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/karolyndmartin/
• Karolyn - TikTok - https://www.linkedin.com/in/karolyndmartin/
• Karolyn - LinkedIn -  https://www.linkedin.com/in/karolyndmartin/
• Miss America NC Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/missamericanc
• Miss America NC Facebook -  https://www.facebook.com/MissAmericaNC
• Karolyn's Book - The Self Kare Kitchen: Dorm Meals for the Healthy College Student - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08ZFY5XX7

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Want to learn more about Improvly Speaking? Here are all the ways to get in touch: 

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/improvlyspeaking/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daynagowan/
• Email: [email protected]
• Website: https://www.improvlyspeaking.com/
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Pam Victor is  the Head of Happiness (aka founder and president) of Happier Valley Comedy, the first improv theater in Western Massachusetts. Pam is the co-author of Improvisation at the Speed of Life: The TJ & Dave Book along with TJ Jagodowski and David Pasquesi. Pam is also a TEDx Speaker, and she creates and facilitates applied improv workshops and currently a new series of workshops about wellness micro-habits. 

Pam has been improvising professionally since 2003. When she first started taking improv classes, she was OBSESSED! Actually, obsessed is an understatement — she was like improv cookie monster trying to get her fill of improv cookies (aka classes, shows and deep discussions and analysis about improv). Pam started writing a blog/series called "Geeking Out with..." in which she interviewed improvisation's biggest brains and talents, which ultimately led to her co-authoring the book with TJ and Dave. 

In this episode, Pam shares her 20+ year improv journey and talks about her experiment in 2014 when she gave herself one year to make a living doing what she loves — improv. Spoiler alert: She is the founder of Happier Valley Comedy Theater, so her experiment worked. We also discuss the thoughts and feelings that new improvisers can have as they start their improv journeys.

Pam has many core values that guide her in improv scenes/shows and in life - follow the joy and ease, be of service to the moment and your scene partner, and play more. (These are also some of the core values of her theater as well!) These core values are so inspiring for newbie and experienced improvisers - and humans in general - who find themselves stuck in their heads and listening to their inner critics, or as Pam likes to say their inner mind meanies.

You can learn more about Pam here: 

• Happier Valley Comedy Website - https://www.happiervalley.com/
• Happier Valley Comedy Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/happiervalleycomedy/
• Happier Valley Comedy Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/happiervalley/
• Pam Victor Website - http://pamvictor.weebly.com/
• Pam Victor Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/pamvictor
• Pam Victor LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/pam-victor-81117447/
• Improvisation at the Speed of Life: The TJ and Dave Book - Buy on Amazon
• Pam's TedX Talk: "Meet Your Inner Critic (and Tell It to Pipe Down)" -  https://youtu.be/-Lk41coL8To

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Want to learn more about Improvly Speaking? Here are all the ways to get in touch: 

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/improvlyspeaking/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daynagowan/
• Email: [email protected]
• Website: https://www.improvlyspeaking.com/
• Join the Mailing List - https://www.improvlyspeaking.com/mailing-list
• Pod Mom Gear: https://improvlyspeaking.threadless.com/

Susan Bartley is the owner of Heaux Apparel, a company that specializes in pole dance and aerial sports apparel, products and accessories. Their goal is to help women of all shapes & sizes, who have fallen in love with pole & aerial fitness, look their best and feel confident while they're in the air on the pole, lyra, or silks, and while they're on the ground living their best life. 

Susan started pole dancing about 4 years ago as a way to get back in touch with her body and feel sexy again. Even though it was very difficult, she had a great beginner's mindset when she first started out. She says it was nice to suck at it knowing that she was on the ground floor and could only go up from there, which she did. She never dreamed it would lead to owning her own business that supports pole dancers and aerial sports enthusiasts, but that's where she is now and crushing it!

In this episode, we talk all about being a beginner and handling the early stages of learning something new. We also talk about kettlebells, twerking, improv (and Susan's traumatic improv story from high school), nursing school improv simulations, groundhog farmers, and sexy lyra. Quite a range of topics, and we giggle the whole time throughout the episode, so get used to it. 

How do you handle being a beginner in something new? Check this episode out for inspiration to keep going in your new endeavor and adventure! It takes time, but you got this!

SPECIAL DISCOUNT OFFER for Improvly Speaking listeners: Use the code 5OFFNOW to get $5 off your next purchase from Heaux Apparel!

You can find out more about Susan and her Heaux Apparel business here: 

• Website - https://heauxxxapparel.com/
• Linktree - https://linktr.ee/HeauxApparel
• Follow on IG - https://www.instagram.com/heaux_apparel/
• Follow on Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@heauxxxapparel9169
• Follow on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/HeauxApparel
• The HeauXXXcast Podcast - https://heauxxxapparel.com/pages/heauxxxcast
• Activate Your Pole Workshops - https://heauxxxapparel.com/pages/activate-your-pole
• Soundcloud - https://soundcloud.com/birtdaycake

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Want to learn more about Improvly Speaking? Here are all the ways to get in touch: 

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/improvlyspeaking/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daynagowan/
• Email: [email protected]
• Website: https://www.improvlyspeaking.com/
• Join the Mailing List - https://www.improvlyspeaking.com/mailing-list
• Pod Mom Gear: https://improvlyspeaking.threadless.com/

Dr. Michael Smith is an attending physician of internal medicine at the University of Nebraska Medical Center.  In 2014, Mike began taking Level 1 improv classes. Realizing early on that the skills learned through improv could help him as a hospitalist, Mike began implementing them at work. The result was more enjoyable work, better interactions with patients, and more effective teaching.

In 2018, Mike started doing healthcare improvisation workshops and created Healthcare Improv, which is an Omaha, Nebraska-based startup specializing in improv training as a communications tool for healthcare professionals.  (SO COOL!)

In this episode, we talk all about how healthcare improv can help medical professionals practice and learn empathy, listening skills,  growth mindset, wellness/self-care, trust, and much more! It's so cool (just going to keep saying how cool it is) that these exercises that are usually considered just for the theater/arts are now being used to help medical and healthcare professions. 

We also go on a little side tangent and talk about Mardi Gras. Deal with it. 😃

You can find out more about Dr. Michael Smith and Healthcare Improv here: 

1. Healthcare Improv Website - https://www.healthcareimprov.com/
2. LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-smith-9896471bb/
3. Instagram - @hcareimprov 
4. Twitter - @HcareImprov
5. Facebook - @HcareImprov
6. Medium articles - https://medium.com/@mike_3149
7. Article about Medical Improv that highlights some of the research out now - https://www.aamc.org/news-insights/no-joke-serious-role-improv-medicine

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Want to learn more about Improvly Speaking? Here are all the ways to get in touch: 

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/improvlyspeaking/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daynagowan/
• Email: [email protected]
• Website: https://www.improvlyspeaking.com/
• Join the Mailing List - https://www.improvlyspeaking.com/mailing-list
• Pod Mom Gear: https://improvlyspeaking.threadless.com/

Sonny Mayo is a super rad musician, breathwork facilitator, and overall human being. Sonny has been sober for 21 years, and he now facilitates Rock to Recovery® sessions and breathwork sessions to help people heal through creativity and breathing. 

Rock to Recovery® is a non-profit organization that harnesses the healing power of music by bringing musical instruments and equipment in to treatment facilities to write and record original songs with people recovering from drug/alcohol addiction, PTSD, eating disorders, and other illnesses. 

By the end of the 1-hour sessions, Sonny and other Rock to Recovery® program administrators have participants playing and singing a song that they created together in that hour - an improvised song that did not exist until that session! They have 26,000+ tracks on SoundCloud, which is incredible! 

In this episode, Sonny shares his experience leading these improvised musical healing sessions. We also talk about breathwork, meditation, rocking out in front of 60,000+ people, and saying yes (and) to the highs and lows of life. You can't help but be inspired by Sonny's stories, energy, and joy!

And remember, as Sonny would say - "You're rad!" 😃

You can find out more about Sonny here: 

• IG: @Sonny_Mayo (https://www.instagram.com/sonny_mayo/)
• IG: @thesonny_side (https://www.instagram.com/thesonny_side/)
• Rock to Recovery - https://rocktorecovery.org/
• Rock to Recovery SoundCloud - https://soundcloud.com/rocktorecovery
• Sonny's Breathwork Session Offerings (for those not in the LA area, check out his Saturday virtual class!) - https://linktr.ee/SonnyMayo

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Want to learn more about Improvly Speaking? Here are all the ways to get in touch: 

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/improvlyspeaking/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daynagowan/
• Email: [email protected]
• Website: https://www.improvlyspeaking.com/
• Join the Mailing List - https://www.improvlyspeaking.com/mailing-list
• Pod Mom Gear: https://improvlyspeaking.threadless.com/

Dr. Raquel Garzon is the President and Founder of Revitalize Project and author of the book, The Business of You: Leveraging Business Principles to Thrive in Life.  She is a keynote speaker and thought leader in the employee engagement, performance, resilience, and work culture space. Her goal is to empower people to live vibrant and meaningful lives, and she works with companies and organizations to create cultures that enable it. 

In this episode, we discuss how companies can help employees thrive and not be afraid to bring their true selves to work.  Giving people the space to share and feel comfortable sharing are only the beginning steps. Listening, trusting, and communicating effectively with employees are some big steps to take next, which companies often veer off-track in these stages.  

We also explore how applied improvisation can fit into some of these ways to improve company cultures. 1) It helps improve listening, collaboration, and communication skills. 2) Improv can help in the brainstorming and ideation phase. 3) It can also help people connect and learn from each other through play and creativity, which they would not get from a regular webinar or standard training. 

If you've ever worked in a toxic work culture, you can probably relate to some things that are said in this episode. Raquel is doing some amazing, important work to help workplaces not be so cold and toxic and instead transform into places where employees enjoy coming to work and are thriving because of their work.  


You can find out more about Dr. Raquel Garzon here: 

• Website - https://www.revitalizeproject.com/
• Instagram - @revitalizeproject
• LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/raquelgarzonrevitalizeproject/
• Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/revitalizeproject
• Twitter - https://twitter.com/revitalizeproj

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Want to learn more about Improvly Speaking? Here are all the ways to get in touch: 

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/improvlyspeaking/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daynagowan/
• Email: [email protected]
• Website: https://www.improvlyspeaking.com/
• Join the Mailing List - https://www.improvlyspeaking.com/mailing-list
• Pod Mom Gear: https://improvlyspeaking.threadless.com/

What do Zumba® and improvisation have in common? They're both very difficult when you try them for the first time(s), they're both creative outlets, and they're both tons of fun! 

Susan Wagner is an AFAA Group Fitness Instructor, and she teaches both in-person and virtual Zumba® classes and other fitness classes. The dance/gym floor is Susan's stage, and her stage presence and ability to make her audience feel comfortable (while dancing!) set her apart and make her a fantastic, one-of-a-kind instructor. 

In this episode, we discuss how Susan uses public speaking and improvisation skills in her role as a group fitness instructor, and it actually surprises her to realize how much they are all related.  Improv skills help her develop the best choreography for her class and also adjust quickly if something unexpected comes up during class...and there is always something unexpected that comes up!

Connection is a big buzzword in this episode, and it's the name of the game for everything we do - dance fitness classes, improv scenes, meetings, presentations, relationships, and everything else not listed here. 😄 

You can find out more about Susan and her upcoming classes and events at: 

• Bio Link - https://lnk.bio/susan
• Instagram - @susandwagner

Loved the episode? Now you can send a text message with your thoughts and comments!

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Want to learn more about Improvly Speaking? Here are all the ways to get in touch: 

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/improvlyspeaking/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daynagowan/
• Email: [email protected]
• Website: https://www.improvlyspeaking.com/
• Join the Mailing List - https://www.improvlyspeaking.com/mailing-list
• Pod Mom Gear: https://improvlyspeaking.threadless.com/