Icebreakers. They're common in an improv class, at the top of a jam, or maybe when a team is just getting to know each other.

Some people love them.

Some people hate them.

Some of us have a love/hate relationship depending on the day or the icebreaker in question.

Many of the people who really dislike icebreakers are neurodivergent people, which is why such a seemingly simple thing is getting an episode.

But many students, neurodivergent or not, need icebreakers to feel comfortable in the scenes that are in their near future when they're in a room with strangers (or near-strangers). They might not know they kinda need them, either. Icebreakers might be needed to make a room feel a bit safer, a bit more beneficial, a bit more comfortable.

But some people, especially some of us neurodivergents with communication difficulties and differences and trauma history, feel uncomfortable doing them.

So what now?

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About

This podcast was created, written, and is hosted by Jen deHaan. You can find her bio here.

This episode was and edited and produced by StereoForest.com. Contact StereoForest for information about producing YOUR podcast, website, and more at reasonable rates.

Join the FREE StereoForest newsletter for all podcast and show updates at members.stereoforest.com.

What does neuroinclusive mean? It means that you create a supportive environment inclusive and accommodating of all cognitive types and abilities to learn, write together, or perform. This, just like the word "neurodiversity", includes both neurodivergent and neurotypical individuals. Which is… you, since that covers everyone!

This podcast was made in British Columbia, Canada by StereoForest Podcasts.

Note

I mention surveys and written versions in earlier episodes. I am moving this content to ImprovUpdate.com on a new being-developed website. You can always send me any comments, thoughts, feedback, or contributions using the contact form on this page.

Mentioned in this episode:

Podcast Performance Lab

In this show we take the most effective tools from improv performance and behavioural psychology, and apply them directly to your video and audio content. If you're building a personal brand, B2B show, or a creative new podcast, you know how you say things matters just as much as what you say.

What to expect:

Psychology of Presence: Why listeners trust some voices and tune out others (and how to fix "flat" audio).

Unscripted Strategy & Exercises: How to speak naturally using tools from improv & behavioural science.

Production Strategy: Systems for video podcasting that don't burn you out.

Host: Jen deHaan is the founder of StereoForest. With a background of over 20 years in tech, education, & instructional design and 10 years in improv and performance, Jen brings systems and scientific approach to media production.

SUBSCRIBE: https://www.stereoforest.com/lab

Podcast Performance Lab

In this show we take the most effective tools from improv performance and behavioural psychology, and apply them directly to your video and audio content. If you're building a personal brand, B2B show, or a creative new podcast, you know how you say things matters just as much as what you say.

What to expect:

Psychology of Presence: Why listeners trust some voices and tune out others (and how to fix "flat" audio).

Unscripted Strategy & Exercises: How to speak naturally using tools from improv & behavioural science.

Production Strategy: Systems for video podcasting that don't burn you out.

Host: Jen deHaan is the founder of StereoForest. With a background of over 20 years in tech, education, & instructional design and 10 years in improv and performance, Jen brings systems and scientific approach to media production.

SUBSCRIBE: https://www.stereoforest.com/lab

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