StereoForest Fiction Podcasts

If you are a bottom-up thinker, there are certain techniques in long-form improv that might work better if you try to do top-down thinking instead. Why would you do such a thing? And When?

Game and second beats might be challenging to a bottom-up thinker. You need to get used to wrapping up a bunch of details into a single idea, gist, or synopsis regardless of what direction you think in. The synopsis is where top-down thinkers start! Maybe it’s faster doing top down for this?

This episode includes a couple different examples of when I think I probably take more of a top-down approach as a life-long bottom-up thinker.

I also detail a pretty quick way to do a second beat using a form of visual thinking (hyperphantasia), since we were talking about it. Selfish tangent, that, maybe. But it’s in there too.

• 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.

Bottom-up thinking or bottom-up processing is common way for autistics to process information. It’s wired into our brains and affects EVERYTHING. How does this type of thinking affect doing improv scenes, especially when it comes to plots? In particular… when you weren’t expecting a plot, and suddenly things get plotty?

Bottom-up thinking affects how we follow sets, pull in information, process, and make decisions. So if we’re trying to follow plotlines but are focused on the details before the big plot picture… what happens now?

I talk about these things in this episode.

NICHE TOPICS! GRANULAR TOPICS! I GOT ‘EM!

Also I think I sound rather Canadian-accent in this episode! Nailed it, even, maybe?

• 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.

The sense of being perceived is all about the activity you are doing when you are being looked at by other people. Having strong feelings about this kind of perception is common particularly with the autistic neurotype. And it can sure seem illogical or contradictory at times, too.

And… people look at you in improv… a lot!

Learn about what being perceived means to neurodivergent improvisers. What is it? How does being perceived work for humans in an improv class, and on an improv stage? What could make being perceived easier?

I didn't think most of these podcast eps will be this long. Yikes.

• 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 episode details what neurodivergence is, and why it’s relevant to improv. I include a couple of examples in there. Check out the transcript to see the text version of this episode.

• 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.

Introduction by Jen to the new FlatImprov podcast. We're starting with the intersection of neurodivergence and improv.

Note from 2025: This episode was done on a whim to test the podcasting features at Substack, where this used to be hosted before I moved it to a much better platform. But hey, I kept going! And renamed it a couple times, too.

Bettina roves by with a cittern, and Jen ponders brain stuff in a particularly roving manner.

Hi! This was my first attempt at a podcast way back when, and for some reason I decided to bring it over to my new podcast host for posterity.

I didn't know what I was doing, and despite that also wanted to do a strange format I hadn't heard before, but... I had a lot of fun and learning doing this show! Hope you get something out of this strange little audio drama.

All words written, spoken, and rest of the parts of the show edited by Jen.

Some newer audio fiction series at https://stereoforest.com

Jen.

Jen wonders if no one can find her because she's only speaking to the algorithm of an expired Facebook event, and then has a minor... existential crisis of some sort? But at least she has four tomato shots.

Hi! This was my first attempt at a podcast way back when, and for some reason I decided to bring it over to my new podcast host for posterity.

I didn't know what I was doing, and despite that also wanted to do a strange format I hadn't heard before, but... I had a lot of fun and learning doing this show! Hope you get something out of this strange little audio drama.

All words written, spoken, and rest of the parts of the show edited by Jen.

Some newer audio fiction series at https://stereoforest.com

Jen.

Jen has been sitting a lot, and tries to order something on DoorDash to help with a problem. But the messages got messed up, and Jen recognizes being misunderstood (and wordy) as a pattern in her life.

Hi! This was my first attempt at a podcast way back when, and for some reason I decided to bring it over to my new podcast host for posterity.

I didn't know what I was doing, and despite that also wanted to do a strange format I hadn't heard before, but... I had a lot of fun and learning doing this show! Hope you get something out of this strange little audio drama.

All words written, spoken, and rest of the parts of the show edited by Jen.

Some newer audio fiction series at https://stereoforest.com

Jen.

Jen starts making a mauve wig, and remembers the time she was given a cut that was inherently wig-like.

Hi! This was my first attempt at a podcast way back when, and for some reason I decided to bring it over to my new podcast host for posterity.

I didn't know what I was doing, and despite that also wanted to do a strange format I hadn't heard before, but... I had a lot of fun and learning doing this show! Hope you get something out of this strange little audio drama.

All words written, spoken, and rest of the parts of the show edited by Jen.

Some newer audio fiction series at https://stereoforest.com

Jen.

Neighbours move furniture around, and Jen remembers her first dog Dude.

Hi! This was my first attempt at a podcast way back when, and for some reason I decided to bring it over to my new podcast host for posterity.

I didn't know what I was doing, and despite that also wanted to do a strange format I hadn't heard before, but... I had a lot of fun and learning doing this show! Hope you get something out of this strange little audio drama.

All words written, spoken, and rest of the parts of the show edited by Jen.

Some newer audio fiction series at https://stereoforest.com

Jen.