Yes But Why Podcast

This week, Yes But Why interviews stand-up comedian and life coach, Alicia Dattner.

For the past few years, comedian Alicia Dattner has been touring the world and selling out her one-woman shows, Eat, Pray, Laugh!, and The Oy of Sex!

Alicia is unafraid to dig deep into her own stories to help you find your own. She is a natural born teacher of storytelling with an extensive history of adventures in comedy, yoga and holistic medicine. Alicia makes great connections onstage and off, performing standup comedy in clubs from San Francisco to London to Honolulu to Bombay.

Raised in an ashram, Alicia’s connection with spirituality (and comedy) started at a young age. Alicia did her first standup set at 18 and she was so good they gave her a degree in standup comedy (seriously). She is also well educated in acting, filmmaking, screenwriting, healing and transformation.

In this conversation, we talk about Alicia’s recent experiences teaching improv and meditation workshops in Bali. We talk about the transformative work she has been doing to better herself as an artist. Alicia shares stories of her college days with comedy pal, Eugene Mirman. Alicia discusses her performance style of weaving storytelling and solo show techniques into her standup comedy.

You can support Alicia Dattner by taking her online workshop, "COCOON", a live, online 5-week METAMORPHOSIS for creative writers, conscious-minded storytellers, and out-of-the-boxers thought-leaders. This page-to-stage writing, storytelling, comedy, and public speaking workshop culminates in a final online performance! https://www.eventbrite.com/e/cocoon-a-live-online-5-week-metamorphosis-for-revolutionary-speaking-tickets-99521328974?fbclid=IwAR2V8U4dz1FU8qZC_pQFcVamE-nS6C7Dv_Nt7fIUZE6onuYEgIwluIIR4CU
You can also support Alicia by contributing to her Patreon! Now more than ever, live performance artists need a little bit to keep them going! Keep art funded! https://www.patreon.com/aliciadattner

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 week on Yes But Why Podcast, we feature 5 conversations with creatives who attended the Podfest Multimedia Expo 2020: Trenton Bennett, Ann Kimbrough, Merlyne Jean-Louis, Kris Keppeler, and Harry Duran. Listen in as they share stories from their experiences!

Podfest 2020 was an amazing experience for me. I learned so much and I was excited to be a part of it. I met festival founder, Chris Krimitsos at the Outlier Podcast Festival in Austin. Chris saw me teach an improv workshop to podcasters at that event and asked me to join him at Podfest this year to help the community feel welcomed and loved.  It was my honor to come to Orlando to support Chris and his team.
Of course, while I was at Podfest, I snagged a few people to interview. I recorded in the nooks and crannies of the Orlando World Center Marriott during the festival on Thursday March 5th and Friday March 6th. I had so much fun and I am excited to share this episode with you!

TRENTON BENNETT (start 02:27)
Trenton Bennett is a graduate of the ACX Master Class and a member Pro Emeritus of VO Heroes. Trenton records and produces a wide variety of voiceover products, including the podcast, Classic Rock Battles: the Limey & the Yank. In this conversation, Trenton talks about how he didn’t start voiceover work until he was in his 40s and how he wishes he had done it sooner. Trenton suggest acting classes as a great way to train for voiceover work and he highly praises David H Lawrence VXII of VO Heroes for being a great mentor. Support Trenton by listening to one of the audiobooks he has narrated and by hiring him to help you with your next voiceover project!

ANN KIMBROUGH (start 14:32)
Ann Kimbrough is a professional writer with a background in film production, marketing, and advertising. She currently works with Shahrook Oomer as a writing/producing team for Media Distribution Partners. In our conversation, Ann shares her excitement for an upcoming project. We talk about the benefit of having a good support system and the strength to keep going even when it gets hard. Support Ann by listening to her newest creation, the audiodrama, Lyric: a Mother of a Faery Tale!

MERLYNE JEAN-LOUIS (start 33:15)
Merlyne Jean-Louis is the founder of Jean-Louis Law, P.C., a New York-based business and entertainment law firm. A former dancer, Merlyne helps transform her clients into CEOS by helping them protect their assets, brand, and content. In this conversation, Merlyne and I discuss what inspires her to represent non-traditional entertainers like podcasters, influencers and bloggers. Merlyne regularly speaks at conferences to advise business owners how to take care of their hard work. Support Merlyne Jean-Louis by visiting her website, jllaw.net/. While you are there, check out her free checklist of legal issues that entertainers need to be aware of!

KRIS KEPPELER (start 42:31)
Kris Keppeler is an actor, audiobook narrator, voice over artist and writer. Kris narrates and produces a weekly storytelling podcast called Does This Happen To You and a monthly business podcast, Through A Different Lens. In our chat, we talk about the blind date that got Kris started in musical theater and the media consulting work she does now coaching authors to produce their own audiobooks. Kris also shares a great tip about how her vocal training helps her to do character voices when she narrates an audio book. Support Kris by listening to her podcasts or by hiring her to help you prepare for your audiobook launch!

HARRY DURAN (start 55:47)
Harry Duran is the founder of FullCast, a full service podcast production and marketing consultancy. As host of the popular Podcast Junkies show, Harry has had conversations with a wide array of interesting podcasters! Harry speaks at podcasting conferences all over the country about engaging with your podcast guests. In this conversation, Harry shares his dream of...

This week, Yes But Why Podcast interviews Houston-based horror writer, Jessica Raney.

Jessica Raney is the author of six books. Her latest, The Hard Truth is the follow-up to her Appalachian-supernatural-noir novel, Tooth and Nail. Her other works include a zombie Apocalypse adventure, These Violent Delights, and two collections of short stories, Oddballs and Dreadful Pennies.

Jessica loves all things quirky and spooky, and her style is best described as the “lasagna” of dark comedy, horror, and the fantastical. In our chat, she shares that the Legend of Sleepy Hollow sparked her interest in horror as a kid.

Originally from southern Ohio, Jessica now lives in Houston, Texas and is active in the Houston Writer’s Guild and Writespace organizations. Jessica says that taking part in the Comicpalooza literary track was an important resource to finding her community! She remarks on how important the Houston horror writers’ meetup was for her. She loves the writing groups and working on editing with other Houston writers.

In this conversation, we talk about jump scares, bingewatching and writing trauma. Jessica discusses her love of writing horror. We muse over the benefit of taking creative writing workshops. We talk about wanting to see Golden Girls fan fiction multiple times so if you write it, let me know!

You can support Jessica Raney by buying her books! If you see she is coming to a festival near you, go visit her! You can also follow her on Facebook and Twitter.

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 week, Yes But Why Podcast interviews lifelong actor and musician, Dana Cory.

Dana Cory currently performs, produces, and teaches music and improv in the Bay Area and beyond. Dana has studied improvisational theater at BATS Improv and ImprovWorks in the San Francisco area.

She was a jazz musician professionally as a horn player and a vocalist before she discovered theater improv. She loves them both and has been joyfully combining both for twenty years.

In this conversation, Dana tells me about her adventures as a child actor. We talk about what it was like for her growing up in a performer family. We talk a lot about fame and failure.

Dana shares her love for music and improv and Xena the Warrior Princess. We talk about how she found comedy through standup. Dana talks about being excited for an upcoming musical improv show, Mixtape. We talk about her community at Un-Scripted Theater Company.

Dana has great ideas about how to flow from creative scene to scene. I admit that I do this podcast just to ask advice from improvisers. We talk about negative self-talk and how to keep yourself going as an artist.

You can support Dana by attending one of her shows! She has an upcoming performance in Swipe Right - The Online Dating Improv Show at the Un-Scripted Theater Company, Feb 28th and 29th.

You can also take a musical improv class from her at Leela Improv Theater Company ! Dana also produces the annual West Coast Musical Improv Festival. You should submit to that and perform for her!!!

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 week, Yes But Why Podcast interviews Thomas Mook, performer and improv community leader from Groningen, Netherlands.

Thomas Mook is a writer, an actor, and a musician. Thomas runs the improv conservatory at USVA in Groningen and he has taught hundreds of students in improv courses and in workshops throughout Europe. Thomas performs regularly with Stranger Things Have Happened.

In this conversation, Thomas and I talk about the benefit of family support when you’re trying to be an artist. He talks about the inspiration his father was to him as a performer.

Thomas and I talk about how maintaining a life in the arts is a combination of luck and investment in the work you are doing.

Thomas talks about performing with his improv troupe, Stranger Things Have Happened.
We talk about building improv communities. We talk about loneliness and empathy and optimism.

Thomas talks about running the improv school at USVA in Groningen, Netherlands.
He talks about his friendship with Aree Witeolar of Impro Neuf in Norway and how they help each other get through the ups and downs of being a theater manager.

You can support Thomas Mook by taking a class or workshop at USVA in Groningen, Netherlands. You can also see Thomas onstage performing monthly with Stranger Things Have Happened at USVA or at their weekly improv comedy jam. And the good news for those of us not in The Netherlands right now is that you can watch Stranger Things Have Happened on youtube! Check them 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 week, Yes But Why Podcast talks to Oakland, CA – based improv performer and instructor, Kat Dudley.

Kat Dudley teaches improv at various Bay Area improv institutions and also facilitates employee engagement and team building workshops.

In this conversation, Kat talks about being a performer from a very young age. She took an improv class at San Diego Junior Theatre at the tender age of 12 and that was it; she completely fell in love with the theater. Kat shares stories of her magical time studying experimental theater in the forest at UC Santa Cruz. We talk about our shared experience running improv training centers. Kat talks with fondness about her time at Finest City Improv in San Diego. We talk about community and sales and listening.

(Did I mention that for a little bit, Kat hosted a Steely Dan themed podcast?)

You can support Kat Dudley by booking her to train, consult, create, educate, and improvise with you! Or take classes with her at Leela Improv Theater Company or Berkeley Improv!

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 week, Yes But Why Podcast talks to San Francisco-based performer and producer, Diana Brown.

Diana Brown is a performer who appears in scripted as well as improvisational theatre. She is a teaching artist as well as the Director of Community at Leela Improv Theater Company. Diana is also a producer with Southern Railroad Theatre Company. In her spare time, Diana is also a voice actor, a playwright, a communications consultant, and an acting coach.

In this conversation, Diana tells me about how she got started in improv in San Francisco in the late 80s and she paints the picture of the scene at that time.

Diana and I talk about our love of teaching. We discuss the magic of being a person’s first improv teacher. Diana tells me about her workshop “Improv Triage” that she and Dan Wilson teach when they tour festivals. “Improv Triage” is a treatment lab for your improv challenges. They enjoy digging deep to help improvisers overcome their hangups.

We chat about the work that goes into maintaining a good improv duo relationship. Diana shares her love for her improv partner, Dan Wilson and the effortless way they work together. Diana and Dan perform together with their nationally touring improv comedy troupe, Bingewatch. Bingewatch takes the shows you love and combines them to create an improvised pilot episode of a new show. (Love "The Good Place" and "Sesame Street"? You'll love "The Fuzzy Place.") Bingewatch recently sold out their show at San Francisco Sketchfest 2020.

You can support Diana Brown by watching her troupe, Bingewatch perform! In their upcoming schedule, Bingewatch will appear at the Acme Comedy Theater in North Hollywood as guests of Rollin' in Riches before heading to the 2020 Alaska State Improv Festival. There, in Alaska, Dan and Diana will also be offering their workshop, "Improv Triage" so festivalgoers, take note!

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 week, Yes But Why Podcast talks to filmmaker, Andrew Krakower.

Andrew is a writer and a director who graduated from UT’s RTF program. Since graduation, he has been exploring the world for inspiration and then bringing back to us the stories he finds. You may know Andrew because his first feature film, The Children’s War is a widely distributed documentary about the atrocities of a decades-long civil war in Northern Uganda.

After making that film, Krakower moved to Kathmandu, Nepal. He spent the next eight years writing, interviewing Buddhist leaders and adventuring in the Himalayas. He enjoyed his time in Nepal so much that Andrew became the first foreigner to teach the Nepali language at Kathmandu University, co-authoring the Nepali grammar textbook they now use in schools.

Inspired by his experiences in Nepal, Krakower wrote the short film, Yarne. Yarne is a story about two child monks whose friendship is tested by money they have to share. Yarne is how Andrew and I connected. He was showing it at the Austin Film Festival this past October, and as you know I did some coverage of #AFF26. Andrew and I were able to sit down for a longer interview and boy was it worth it.

In this conversation, we talk talk about the challenges of being a filmmaker (but Andrew notes that he loves a challenge). We talk about loving what you do and putting yourself into each project 100%.

Andrew shares his spirit of adventure and we talk about Hemingway as a writer/explorer role model. Andrew talks about moving to Nepal with his fiancée and how much he fell in love with it. And then, Andrew shares a story of narrowly escaping death. Ah the ups and the downs!

You can support Andrew Krakower by watching his films, The Children’s War and Yarne. Yarne will play next at the Santa Fe Film Festival! Keep an eye out for his future work. Andrew’s creative journey has already been an amazing thing to watch and I can’t wait to see what happens next!

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 week, Yes But Why Podcast talks to actor and film producer, Sarah Krause.

Sarah Krause is the founder of Rem Alternis Productions, a film company based out of Chicago. Sarah created Rem Alternis in the fall of 2018.

As a fan of Renaissance fairs, Dungeons and Dragons, and video games, Sarah loves building worlds and playing with characters. Her upcoming fantasy cyberpunk web series, “Chicago Shadows” is the premiere production for Rem Alternis. After successful raising money on Kickstarter, Sarah and her creative team are now in production.

In this conversation, we talk about books, roleplaying games and comic book conventions. Sarah tells me about doing Shakespeare in Chicago and becoming a dialect coach. We talk about the catharsis of embodying a character. We talk about producing and how being busy can be the best way to avoid real life. Sarah shares her excitement about “Chicago Shadows” and the work they have done on it thus far.

You can support Sarah Krause by joining the mailing list at Rem Alternis and keeping an eye out for the premiere of the fantasy cyberpunk web series, “Chicago Shadows”!

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 week, Yes But Why Podcast talks to Amanda Rountree, an improv performer and instructor based out of Atlanta.

Amanda Rountree has been performing improvisational theatre professionally since 1992, teaching since 1998, and directing since 2002. She is also a storyteller, writer, puppeteer, and solo performer. Amanda is a faculty member of Forsyth Academy of the Performing Arts in Atlanta. She can currently be seen regularly performing, teaching, and directing throughout the Atlanta area. Previously, she was a performer and instructor with Unexpected Productions in Seattle and a faculty member with the Second City Training Center in Chicago.

In this conversation, we talk about narrative storytelling, spreading joy, and evolving as a performer. Amanda teaches me about important historical improv figures. We chat about how great it is to teach comedy to kids. Listen in for Amanda’s epiphany on “zen and the art of motorcycle interruptions!” There’s so much giggling in our chat! Enjoy!

You can support Amanda Rountree by seeing her perform and by taking classes with her in the Atlanta area! Check out amandarountree.com for details!

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.