Yes But Why Podcast

This week on Yes But Why, we talk to Houston improv community leader, Steven M. Saltsman.

Steven M. Saltsman is the co-founder of Pronoia Theater in Houston, Texas.
Steven and his business partner, Aaron Garrett, founded Pronoia in the summer of 2018 as a theater for everyone and so they seek out unconventional theater spaces to present their shows.

As a performer, Steven has completed the conservatory program at Second City theater in Chicago and he has performed improv all over the world.

In our chat, we talk about what it’s like to produce small, independent theater. Steven talks about the magical smell of cleaning products, transporting him to the time when he performed in his first school play.

We go down quite a few philosophical rabbit holes. Steven brings up The Ship of Theseus, and I can’t help it, so we talk at length about my 18 year theory.

We talk about organization as an important element of success. And Steven teaches me about the 7 types of conflict in improv scenes. This was a great conversation and I can’t wait for you to hear it.

Support Steven M. Saltsman by watching comedy shows produced by Pronoia Theater. You can also check out Steven performing in the Pronoia show, “Magical Lying Hour.”

Yes But Why Podcast is a proud member of the HC Universal Network family of podcasts. Visit us at HCUniversalNetwork.com to join in on the fun.

This episode of Yes But Why podcast is sponsored by audible - get your FREE audiobook download and your 30 day free trial at http://www.audibletrial.com/YESBUTWHY.

This episode of Yes But Why is also sponsored by PodcastCadet.com. Swing on by PodcastCadet.com to get help for all your podcasting needs! Go to PodcastCadet.com and put in offer code YBY20 to get 20% off your first consultation!

This week on Yes But Why, our featured interview is with actress and podcaster, Michelle Simone Miller.

Michelle Simone Miller is a television/film actress, a model and the host of the podcast, Mentors on the Mic. She was born and raised in New York City. She has been acting since she was a kid but really sunk her teeth into it after college. Michelle has performed in lots of movies and starred in a few televisions shows. She has also been featured in various commercials, industrials, and training videos.

In our chat, we talk about Michelle’s experiences getting advice from other entertainers throughout her career and how sometimes, it wasn’t always so positive and helpful. We talk about all the things we wished we had learned in college and how Michelle is writing a book on that very subject. We talk about finding the right agent that’ll work best for you and about focusing on your strengths to navigate your path.

Support Michelle Simone Miller by listening to her podcast, Mentors on the Mic. In each episode of Mentors on the Mic, Michelle interviews mentors in the Entertainment industry, focusing on how they started, how they moved up, and any advice they have to give along the way. If you like THIS podcast, you’ll like hers too! It’s very similar! More helpful advice for entertainers like you!

Yes But Why Podcast is a proud member of the HC Universal Network family of podcasts. Visit us at HCUniversalNetwork.com to join in on the fun.

This episode of Yes But Why podcast is sponsored by audible - get your FREE audiobook download and your 30 day free trial at http://www.audibletrial.com/YESBUTWHY.

This episode of Yes But Why is also sponsored by PodcastCadet.com. Swing on by PodcastCadet.com to get help for all your podcasting needs! Go to PodcastCadet.com and put in offer code YBY20 to get 20% off your first consultation!

This week on Yes But Why, I interview Indian improviser and storyteller, Laxmi Priya.

Laxmi Priya is a theatrical performer who participates in the Bangalore Improv Comedy Community. She is a playbacker at CityLamps Playback Theater and an improviser with Improv Comedy Bangalore. She performs in Bangalore’s only all woman improv troupe, The Adamant Eves, as well as various other duo improv troupes in her community.

In our chat, we talk about dance, playback theater, and literary criticism. We talk about analyzing themes in culture and about using satire to talk about tough subjects.

Laxmi talks about the therapeutic effects of storytelling. She explains the performance style of playback theater. She shares stories about her experience performing in The Adamant Eves.

Support Laxmi Priya by watching her Zoom shows with CityLamps Playback Theater and with Improv Comedy Bangalore!

Yes But Why Podcast is a proud member of the HC Universal Network family of podcasts. Download the FREE HC Universal Network app for Android and iDevices or visit us at HCUniversalNetwork.com and join the fun.

This episode of Yes But Why podcast is sponsored by audible - get your FREE audiobook download and your 30 day free trial at http://www.audibletrial.com/YESBUTWHY.

This episode of Yes But Why is also sponsored by PodcastCadet.com. Swing on by PodcastCadet.com to get help for all your podcasting needs! Go to PodcastCadet.com and put in offer code YBY20 to get 20% off your first consultation!

This week on Yes But Why, I interview actor and comedian, Tom Booker.

Tom Booker is an actor, improv comedian, writer, voice actor, and director.
Tom is the owner of The Institution Theater, an improv comedy theater located in Austin, Texas. Along with voice acting, Tom has appeared in several television shows, a few movies and nearly a hundred commercials.

In our chat, Tom and I talk about his journey. Tom tells me about growing up in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He talks about playing Top Dog, the mascot for University of Oklahoma.

Tom learned improv in the heyday of Chicago theater, under the tutelage of such improv greats as Del Close and Mick Napier. He is a founding member of Chicago's Annoyance Theatre. I picked his brain for lots of stories about this time. Think of the genius he soaked up!

Tom talks about the amazing experience of performing in The Annoyance Theatre's Off-Broadway production of "The Real Live Brady Bunch", a show known for all the great comedians that were in the cast. So many wild little details!

Later, in his stories of his Los Angeles adventures, Tom talks about Theatre-A-Go-Go!, the L.A. theater company he founded and the wild sketch comedy shows he wrote and directed there: "Patty, Patty, BANG! BANG! – The Patty Hearst Musical!" as well as a stage production of Valley Of The Dolls.

I met Tom after he had moved to Austin and started The Institution Theater with Asaf Ronen. Tom is an important member of the Austin Improv Community as it currently stands. It was an honor to have him on the podcast.

Support Tom by listening to his podcast "The Good Morning! I Love You! Show with Tom Booker" and by checking out his blog, "The Recovering Bohemian." There are also awesome online courses available through Tom’s theater, The Institution Theater! Check those out as well!

Yes But Why Podcast is a proud member of the HC Universal Network family of podcasts. Download the FREE HC Universal Network app for Android and iDevices or visit us at HCUniversalNetwork.com and join the fun.

This episode of Yes But Why podcast is sponsored by audible - get your FREE audiobook download and your 30 day free trial at http://www.audibletrial.com/YESBUTWHY.

This episode of Yes But Why is also sponsored by PodcastCadet.com. Swing on by PodcastCadet.com to get help for all your podcasting needs! Go to PodcastCadet.com and put in offer code YBY20 to get 20% off your first consultation!

This week on Yes But Why, I talk to Autumn Simmons, creator, writer, producer and star of the sitcom web series, The Quirk Chronicles.

Autumn Simmons is a writer, director, and performer from Philadelphia. She is the creator and star of the sitcom web series, The Quirk Chronicles. She hosts the weekly podcast, The Quirk of the Day. She writes The Quirk Blog. Autumn has a book coming out called, “I Quirky Girl.” Oh and also, she is debuting a forthcoming fragrance called Quirky Girl. Autumn is a creative go-getter. She creates project after project, adding to her Quirky brand.

In our chat, Autumn talks about creating her own storytelling projects. We talk about Autumn’s creative path, experimenting with music before she landed on comedy. Autumn talks about her overflowing font of ideas. She says she often has lots of writing projects going at once.

We talk about weird teachers, Barbie Doll videos and one woman shows. Autumn was a really great guest. She is a fun person to talk to. Ever the quirky girl and always on brand.

Support Autumn by going to thequirkchronicles.com. That’s the place where you can find her comedy web series, The Quirk Chronicles, as well as links to her podcast, The Quirk of the Day. And, as soon as they are available, that is where you can get Autumn’s forthcoming memoir-essay, I, Quirky Girl, and the fragrance, Quirky Girl. And keep your eyes out for Autumn; I’m sure there will be more Quirky content coming soon!

Yes But Why Podcast is a proud member of the HC Universal Network family of podcasts. Download the FREE HC Universal Network app for Android and iDevices or visit us at HCUniversalNetwork.com and join the fun.

This episode of Yes But Why podcast is sponsored by audible - get your FREE audiobook download and your 30 day free trial at http://www.audibletrial.com/YESBUTWHY.

This episode of Yes But Why is also sponsored by PodcastCadet.com. Swing on by PodcastCadet.com to get help for all your podcasting needs! Go to PodcastCadet.com and put in offer code YBY20 to get 20% off your first consultation!

This week on Yes But Why, I talk to producer/screenwriter/actor/director, Meredith Binder.

Meredith Binder is a bicoastal filmmaker and actor, spending some of her time in Seattle and the rest of her time in New York City. She is known for her acting roles in Beloved Beast (2018), Still (2013) and Mommy Heist (2016).

In our conversation, we chat about acting and Meredith mentions that she didn’t start acting until later in life. She talks about how she got started at the Freehold Theatre Lab/Studio, and her subsequent path toward filmmaking.

We talk about making a career change and how it affects the people around you. I bring up my 18 year theory (which I swear, I almost cut out but it just really makes sense in what we are talking about…I promise.). We agree it’s best for you to fulfill your own dream no matter what other people think.

There is great inspiration in this interview for anyone on the fence about starting their creative journey. Meredith gives some sage advice for breaking into the film scene and how to acclimate with the community.

This was also a super fun (and kinda wild) discussion. We had a pretty great rabbit hole about interpreting dreams and using them to inspire writing projects. We talk about acting teachers – about being inspired by the ones that taught us and about how much we both love teaching theater. Enjoy this great warmhearted episode!

Support Meredith by checking out her films on Amazon and Netflix! And by checking out her youtube channel!

Yes But Why Podcast is a proud member of the HC Universal Network family of podcasts. Download the FREE HC Universal Network app for Android and iDevices or visit us at HCUniversalNetwork.com and join the fun.

This episode of Yes But Why podcast is sponsored by audible - get your FREE audiobook download and your 30 day free trial at http://www.audibletrial.com/YESBUTWHY.

This episode of Yes But Why is also sponsored by PodcastCadet.com. Swing on by PodcastCadet.com to get help for all your podcasting needs! Go to PodcastCadet.com and put in offer code YBY20 to get 20% off your first consultation!

This week on Yes But Why, I talk to Katerina Chingoli, a writer and singer from Malawi in Africa.

I connected with Katerina after I saw a sponsored ad for the Facebook page she has promoting her blog, Kacey’s Corner. I was really impressed that she had marketed herself so well so I contacted her to see if she wanted to be on the show! And thankfully, she was delighted to do so!

During our chat, I learned so much more about Katerina! She has been writing songs since she was 12 years old and playing guitar since she was 15. She has a natural talent for music and she loves to sing but performing in front of large crowds is a little scary. Thankfully, the recording studio has just the right amount of people because now she has a song called “She,” that you can download for free immediately!

In our conversation, we talk about Katerina’s drive to write. We talk about where she finds inspiration and what drives her to create. Katerina regularly puts up poetry and short stories on her blog, Kacey’s Corner, and she says she tries to post at least 3 times a week. Now that’s dedication!

Katerina also wrote a book called The Vagina Diaries, which is a fictional story about one girl and her chat with her vagina. We talk about the book and how it all started as a reaction to the sexual abuse women endure.

I’m excited to share Katerina and her talents with you all! Support this amazing new artist!
Download her new empowering track, “She,” RIGHT NOW!
And BUY HER BOOK, The Vagina Diaries!

Yes But Why Podcast is a proud member of the HC Universal Network family of podcasts. Download the FREE HC Universal Network app for Android and iDevices or visit us at HCUniversalNetwork.com and join the fun.

This episode of Yes But Why podcast is sponsored by audible - get your FREE audiobook download and your 30 day free trial at http://www.audibletrial.com/YESBUTWHY.

This episode of Yes But Why is also sponsored by PodcastCadet.com. Swing on by PodcastCadet.com to get help for all your podcasting needs! Go to PodcastCadet.com and put in offer code YBY20 to get 20% off your first consultation!

This week on Yes But Why, I talk to Austin improviser, Marc Majcher

Marc Majcher is an improvised theater artist. He performs and directs improvised theater productions at theaters all over Austin, Texas. Marc also designs, produces, and sells his own tabletop games!

In this conversation, we talk about narrative genre shows, commedia dell’arte and immersive theater pieces. Marc explains to me how improvised singing is actually very easy ( I enjoy it but easy?)! We talk about empowering people to produce their own stuff and how to trick your brain to avoid procrastination.

Support Marc Majcher by buying one of his games – here’s the itch page where you can buy them!

Special shoutout to Marc today as his episode day, August 24th, is his birthday. HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARC!!!

Yes But Why Podcast is a proud member of the HC Universal Network family of podcasts. Download the FREE HC Universal Network app for Android and iDevices or visit us at HCUniversalNetwork.com and join the fun.

This episode of Yes But Why podcast is sponsored by audible - get your FREE audiobook download and your 30 day free trial at http://www.audibletrial.com/YESBUTWHY.

This episode of Yes But Why is also sponsored by PodcastCadet.com. Swing on by PodcastCadet.com to get help for all your podcasting needs! Go to PodcastCadet.com and put in offer code YBY20 to get 20% off your first consultation!

This week on Yes But Why, I talk to performer Melissa G. McKnight.

Melissa is a standup comedian and playwright out of Nashville, Tennessee.

Melissa and I had a delightful conversation! In our chat, we talk about singing and motherhood and working hard to get our voice out there.

Melissa talks about taking a class in standup and what it was like to get involved in the standup comedy scenes of Tulsa and later, Nashville.

Melissa enjoys making people laugh with her comedy and making them learn with her playwriting. She is not afraid of telling a cautionary tale. Melissa tells me about a writing project that she’s excited about!

This interview goes all over the place but we had so much fun in it! Tune in!

Support Melissa G. McKnight by following her on Instagram!

Yes But Why Podcast is a proud member of the HC Universal Network family of podcasts. Download the FREE HC Universal Network app for Android and iDevices or visit us at HCUniversalNetwork.com and join the fun.

This episode of Yes But Why podcast is sponsored by audible - get your FREE audiobook download and your 30 day free trial at http://www.audibletrial.com/YESBUTWHY.

This episode of Yes But Why is also sponsored by PodcastCadet.com. Swing on by PodcastCadet.com to get help for all your podcasting needs! Go to PodcastCadet.com and put in offer code YBY20 to get 20% off your first consultation!

This week on Yes But Why, I talk to performer Erin Souza.

Erin Souza is an improv performer in San Francisco. She currently plays in the team, “The Professionals,” directed by Diana Brown. "The Professionals" is an improv comedy troupe who perform a "docu-reality" parody that is currently available to watch through the Leela SF Improv’s Youtube channel!

In our conversation, we chat about Erin’s journey from making zombie films in malls to performing standup at Pride Pageants to being featured on Leela SF Improv’s virtual stage. Erin has flowed easily from one group to the next, following her creative whim.

Erin teaches me about “After Dinner Speaking.” I wish I had had that kind of stuff in college. We talk about improv and the different schools she went through on her journey. She talks about how much she loves her current creative home, Leela SF, for the great performance opportunities she has found there!

Support Erin Souza by checking out her improv troupe, “The Professionals!” Their recent show called “The Blizzard Chronicles“ is available now on Youtube! Check it out!

Yes But Why Podcast is a proud member of the HC Universal Network family of podcasts. Download the FREE HC Universal Network app for Android and iDevices or visit us at HCUniversalNetwork.com and join the fun.

This episode of Yes But Why podcast is sponsored by audible - get your FREE audiobook download and your 30 day free trial at http://www.audibletrial.com/YESBUTWHY.

This episode of Yes But Why is also sponsored by PodcastCadet.com. Swing on by PodcastCadet.com to get help for all your podcasting needs! Go to PodcastCadet.com and put in offer code YBY20 to get 20% off your first consultation!


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(production notes: recorded phone call with Rodecaster at the home studio on 6/24/2020)