StereoForest Fiction Podcasts

Have you ever wondered what your life could be like, after you’ve hit your rock bottom? Would you try to dig your way out, and get back to the surface?

Unfuck your Life with Tog Chesterfield is a fictional radio show on 101.7 FM The Grack, in Grackleton. Tog is a recently unemployed, single, and sober 42 year old trying to pick up the pieces and unfuck their life. Tog will take you along as they try new things and attempt to embrace life, no matter what happens along the way.

This podcast is a StereoForest production. This audio drama / audio fiction comedy is written, directed, edited, produced by Jen deHaan. All voices, unless otherwise noted, are by Jen deHaan.

All artwork, logo, and graphics by Jen deHaan.

Sign up to get notified about new episodes, free, at https://StereoForest.com

Help StereoForest continue making shows and get an ad-free feed at https://members.StereoForest.com

You can find more information about the show and contact StereoForest at https://stereoforest.com/ufl

Follow this show on socials via StereoForest on YouTube, Bluesky, TikTok, Instagram and Facebook.

This episode provides general suggestions to comedians, especially neurodivergent ones like us autistic and ADHD actors in comedy and improv, to protect our minds while engaging in comedy and with others in the community.

Find the video for this episode (has my face, not just captions): YouTube video (you can leave your input here!)

Find the written article for this episode here: NeurodiversityImprov.com article (you can also leave your input here!)

Checking in on yourself, in whatever spaces you’re participating in, is pretty good for mental health. These ten suggestions should be relevant beyond comedy communities, and will apply to people who aren't neurodivergent too. So even if you aren't autistic, for example, these should be relevant and hopefully somewhat useful.

Some important notes about these suggestions for protecting your mind in comedy spaces:

1. Some of these suggestions might contradict themselves. Or they might leave out some important points. This is confusing stuff, highly personal/unique, and in this case of course limited to one person’s experience and brain wiring! I heartily welcome you to add your own observations in the comments (anonymously from a throwaway account is fine, too!)
2. Some of these suggestions might sound like I’m suggesting to “run away” from issues — but I am NOT advocating this and NOT suggesting we avoid addressing problems in comedy. Quite the opposite. These suggestions involve sticking within your community, but empowering yourself whilst doing so by forming new projects, outlets, or similar (as an option, or while addressing problematic stuff if it’s applicable). And as always: any suggestions are not universal!
3. All ten sections below are SUGGESTIONS (from an autistic brain) even though many are not worded as such. These are worded like demands, because it’s what I ask of myself, what I use to check in. But they aren’t demands for YOU. Take a suggestion if you think it's helpful and applies to you. Ignore it if it doesn't apply to you.
4. And as always, don’t replace this article or site for working with a professional. Also don’t use these resources for diagnosis of yourself or others. I’m not a mental health professional.

You deserve compassion and respect no matter where you are with either your mental health or whether you are autistic, ADHD, or another neurotype!

Ten Suggestions (as chapters!)

Chapters:

00:00 Intro

01:00 About the podcast and episode

02:22 Episode and topic overview - why I/we need these suggestions

07:16 Suggestion One: Be Yourself and don't compromise on it.

10:43 Suggestion Two: Take care of yourself first, for others

13:53 Suggestion Three: Find your source of joy, but be open to pivoting

16:17 Suggestion Four: Find the humans who value YOU

19:33 Suggestion Five: Ignore the gatekeepers, and find your confidence

22:31 Suggestion Six: Protect your value

23:34 Suggestion Seven: Communicate openly and in good faith

28:36 Suggestion Eight: Ask for or seek accommodations

31:02 Suggestion Nine: Analyze where value comes from, especially if depressed

33:33 Suggestion Ten: Value your mental health

35:50 Conclusion and links

42:42 Link to podcast (NeurodivergentComedy.com)

Comedy is wildly strange, and a beast of its own (despite giving retro-silicon-valley vibes). At least the tiny corner I've witnessed and participated in. Let’s keep our neurodivergent minds safer here.

• Get articles about improv: Join the ImprovUpdate newsletter(s) for general improv articles, and articles about neuroinclusive improv and comedy. Join either or both!
• Get downloads about improv & comedy: Find them here.
• Review the podcast: Rate and review this podcast on Podchaser.
• Appear on this podcast: If you'd like to chat about improv on this podcast, contact the podcast/Jen here.
• Improv with us: Do you want to improvise in fiction podcasts at StereoForest? Subscribe to the ImprovUpdate.com newsletter to learn about opportunities for improvisers and voice actors.
• Chat about improv and comedy: Join the Improv Update Discord here.

Like this content and want it to continue? Support this podcast here with a one-time tip here: StereoForest.com/tips

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.

This podcast has been renamed a couple times to best fit what it needed to become, and better reflect what it eventually became! It's not gone, I am figuring out what is sustainable and most needed by myself and the community.

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.

This marks one year of making podcast episodes! There are some changes happening next week, and here's what those changes are. And the things not changing (most of it isn't change). Yeah, STUFF IS HAPPENING!

This kinda-but-not-really-an-episode talks about how this series started, and what I have planned with the name change for the podcast project.

• Get articles about improv: Join the ImprovUpdate newsletter(s) for general improv articles, and articles about neuroinclusive improv and comedy. Join either or both!
• Get downloads about improv & comedy: Find them here.
• Review the podcast: Rate and review this podcast on Podchaser.
• Appear on this podcast: If you'd like to chat about improv on this podcast, contact the podcast/Jen here.
• Improv with us: Do you want to improvise in fiction podcasts at StereoForest? Subscribe to the ImprovUpdate.com newsletter to learn about opportunities for improvisers and voice actors.
• Chat about improv and comedy: Join the Improv Update Discord here.

Like this content and want it to continue? Support this podcast here with a one-time tip here: StereoForest.com/tips

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.

This podcast has been renamed a couple times to best fit what it needed to become, and better reflect what it eventually became! It's not gone, I am figuring out what is sustainable and most needed by myself and the community.

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.

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?

• Get articles about improv: Join the ImprovUpdate newsletter(s) for general improv articles, and articles about neuroinclusive improv and comedy. Join either or both!
• Get downloads about improv & comedy: Find them here.
• Review the podcast: Rate and review this podcast on Podchaser.
• Appear on this podcast: If you'd like to chat about improv on this podcast, contact the podcast/Jen here.
• Improv with us: Do you want to improvise in fiction podcasts at StereoForest? Subscribe to the ImprovUpdate.com newsletter to learn about opportunities for improvisers and voice actors.
• Chat about improv and comedy: Join the Improv Update Discord here.

Like this content and want it to continue? Support this podcast here with a one-time tip here: StereoForest.com/tips

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.

This podcast has been renamed a couple times to best fit what it needed to become, and better reflect what it eventually became! It's not gone, I am figuring out what is sustainable and most needed by myself and the community.

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.

In part one of this episode series on emotions in improv, we looked at what alexithymia is, who experiences it and the variety of expression, and how it affects improv performers and the shared improv practice.

This episode, part two, now explores some ideas of what students can do if they approach exercises with assigned emotions, and what teachers can do to make their classes and exercises more inclusive for those with alexithymia.

I mention “emotion charts” (moods, feelings, etc) in the episode. This is what I mean (there are tons on the interwebs, here are just a couple): Example 1, Example 2. There are many out there that you can print out, or purchase a laminated poster of and so on.

• Get articles about improv: Join the ImprovUpdate newsletter(s) for general improv articles, and articles about neuroinclusive improv and comedy. Join either or both!
• Get downloads about improv & comedy: Find them here.
• Review the podcast: Rate and review this podcast on Podchaser.
• Appear on this podcast: If you'd like to chat about improv on this podcast, contact the podcast/Jen here.
• Improv with us: Do you want to improvise in fiction podcasts at StereoForest? Subscribe to the ImprovUpdate.com newsletter to learn about opportunities for improvisers and voice actors.
• Chat about improv and comedy: Join the Improv Update Discord here.

Like this content and want it to continue? Support this podcast here with a one-time tip here: StereoForest.com/tips

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.

This podcast has been renamed a couple times to best fit what it needed to become, and better reflect what it eventually became! It's not gone, I am figuring out what is sustainable and most needed by myself and the community.

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.

Alexithymia involves how a person identifies and experiences emotions, so it has a lot to do with an improv practice.

Part one of this two part episode series explores what alexithymia is, how it affects improv, and suggests some ways to practice improv if you experience it.

Part two covers some ideas of what students can do if they approach exercises with assigned emotions, and what teachers can do to make their classes and exercises more inclusive for those with alexithymia.

References from episode

I mentioned the “Notes” episode series in this episode, which might be helpful if you are initiating discussions with a coach or team about emotions in scenes and alexithymia.

You can find those episodes here:

* Getting & Giving Notes (part 1) - Ep #15

* Getting Notes You Don't Understand (part 2) - Ep #16

* Giving Notes to Students (part 3) - Ep #17

• Get articles about improv: Join the ImprovUpdate newsletter(s) for general improv articles, and articles about neuroinclusive improv and comedy. Join either or both!
• Get downloads about improv & comedy: Find them here.
• Review the podcast: Rate and review this podcast on Podchaser.
• Appear on this podcast: If you'd like to chat about improv on this podcast, contact the podcast/Jen here.
• Improv with us: Do you want to improvise in fiction podcasts at StereoForest? Subscribe to the ImprovUpdate.com newsletter to learn about opportunities for improvisers and voice actors.
• Chat about improv and comedy: Join the Improv Update Discord here.

Like this content and want it to continue? Support this podcast here with a one-time tip here: StereoForest.com/tips

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.

This podcast has been renamed a couple times to best fit what it needed to become, and better reflect what it eventually became! It's not gone, I am figuring out what is sustainable and most needed by myself and the community.

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.

Notes (feedback) can be confusing for some student performers because of communication differences. This episode discusses what teachers can do to help improve and resolve some of the typical communication issues around questions and notes.

Why can’t a student just ask for clarification? That can be loaded in some improv cultures (for now), and as such it can put a lot of burden on some students. Classes can be structured to make this a bit easier for everyone, while also still maintaining structure and accounting for time limitations.

• Get articles about improv: Join the ImprovUpdate newsletter(s) for general improv articles, and articles about neuroinclusive improv and comedy. Join either or both!
• Get downloads about improv & comedy: Find them here.
• Review the podcast: Rate and review this podcast on Podchaser.
• Appear on this podcast: If you'd like to chat about improv on this podcast, contact the podcast/Jen here.
• Improv with us: Do you want to improvise in fiction podcasts at StereoForest? Subscribe to the ImprovUpdate.com newsletter to learn about opportunities for improvisers and voice actors.
• Chat about improv and comedy: Join the Improv Update Discord here.

Like this content and want it to continue? Support this podcast here with a one-time tip here: StereoForest.com/tips

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.

This podcast has been renamed a couple times to best fit what it needed to become, and better reflect what it eventually became! It's not gone, I am figuring out what is sustainable and most needed by myself and the community.

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.

Welcome to part two of this three-part series of episodes about receiving notes as neurodivergent improvisers. (Note: This episode is offered as an early release to supporters, and opens up to everyone on August 27! )

Getting notes can be hard for students, particularly when there is a communication gap between neurotype. This episode lists five reasons students might have to make this part of a session difficult, and some things students can try to make the process a little bit easier.

Resources mentioned in episode series:

* Neurodiversity & Improv Episode 13: Improv and being Misunderstood

* Double Empathy Problem: Autism and the double empathy problem: Implications for development and mental health

• Get articles about improv: Join the ImprovUpdate newsletter(s) for general improv articles, and articles about neuroinclusive improv and comedy. Join either or both!
• Get downloads about improv & comedy: Find them here.
• Review the podcast: Rate and review this podcast on Podchaser.
• Appear on this podcast: If you'd like to chat about improv on this podcast, contact the podcast/Jen here.
• Improv with us: Do you want to improvise in fiction podcasts at StereoForest? Subscribe to the ImprovUpdate.com newsletter to learn about opportunities for improvisers and voice actors.
• Chat about improv and comedy: Join the Improv Update Discord here.

Like this content and want it to continue? Support this podcast here with a one-time tip here: StereoForest.com/tips

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.

This podcast has been renamed a couple times to best fit what it needed to become, and better reflect what it eventually became! It's not gone, I am figuring out what is sustainable and most needed by myself and the community.

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.

This three-part series of episodes is about receiving notes as a neurodivergent improviser. This episode covers WHY getting notes is hard in improv, particularly when there is a communication gap between neurotypes (such as between an autistic and allistic humans, or when verbal processing disorder exists, and so on). There’s sometimes a communication gap because different neurotypes fundamentally communicate in different ways.

So this series is specifically about notes given as feedback or advice or teaching after a scene or set is over.

* Part 1 (episode 15) defines what the issue is, and WHY it's important to think about for improv students and teachers.

* Part 2 (episode 16) is about what issues exist for students, and some tips for things students can try.

* Part 3 (episode 17) is about what issues teachers need to know about, and some tips for things coaches/schools/directors can try.

And encouraging a bit more patience and effort to make sure the communication is effective - so a note can be understood. Which is the entire point! We want the notes, teachers want us to take the notes... how can we get notes interpreted and used more frequently.

* Neurodiversity & Improv Episode 13: Improv and being Misunderstood

* Double Empathy Problem: Autism and the double empathy problem: Implications for development and mental health

* Learning Theory - Learning Styles (Please share your resources, alternate theories, etc!)

• Get articles about improv: Join the ImprovUpdate newsletter(s) for general improv articles, and articles about neuroinclusive improv and comedy. Join either or both!
• Get downloads about improv & comedy: Find them here.
• Review the podcast: Rate and review this podcast on Podchaser.
• Appear on this podcast: If you'd like to chat about improv on this podcast, contact the podcast/Jen here.
• Improv with us: Do you want to improvise in fiction podcasts at StereoForest? Subscribe to the ImprovUpdate.com newsletter to learn about opportunities for improvisers and voice actors.
• Chat about improv and comedy: Join the Improv Update Discord here.

Like this content and want it to continue? Support this podcast here with a one-time tip here: StereoForest.com/tips

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.

This podcast has been renamed a couple times to best fit what it needed to become, and better reflect what it eventually became! It's not gone, I am figuring out what is sustainable and most needed by myself and the community.

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.

Welcome back, improvisers! Season 2 of the Neurodiversity and Improv podcast is coming your way. Every two weeks you can expect a new episode about the intersection of neurotypes and learning/performing improv.

We’ll be starting with a three part series on getting Notes as a neurodivergent improviser. This is a very common request from improvisers I’ve spoken with regarding this podcast. And the first three episodes of the new season will be all about this topic.

Note: You can find the full transcript for any episode at the top of the episode’s web page.

• Get articles about improv: Join the ImprovUpdate newsletter(s) for general improv articles, and articles about neuroinclusive improv and comedy. Join either or both!
• Get downloads about improv & comedy: Find them here.
• Review the podcast: Rate and review this podcast on Podchaser.
• Appear on this podcast: If you'd like to chat about improv on this podcast, contact the podcast/Jen here.
• Improv with us: Do you want to improvise in fiction podcasts at StereoForest? Subscribe to the ImprovUpdate.com newsletter to learn about opportunities for improvisers and voice actors.
• Chat about improv and comedy: Join the Improv Update Discord here.

Like this content and want it to continue? Support this podcast here with a one-time tip here: StereoForest.com/tips

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.

This podcast has been renamed a couple times to best fit what it needed to become, and better reflect what it eventually became! It's not gone, I am figuring out what is sustainable and most needed by myself and the community.

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.