This Improvised Life with Susan Zheng

Susan Zheng
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  • Self-Improvement
  • Updated Monthly

This is a podcast for people who are figuring it out as they go (like me!) Inspired by improv, psychology, and real-life moments, each episode looks at how presence, play, and curiosity can turn uncertainty into possibility, and awkwardness into spontaneity!

Episodes

  1. 3d ago

    Raymond van Driel | $1.5 Million Deal: Status, Influence & Reading the Room

    What if your ability to read a room could uncover limitless opportunities? Raymond van Driel has spent more than 30 years helping leaders and businesses use the principles of improv in the real world. In this episode, Raymond explains why he stopped selling “improv” and started selling what businesses actually care about: better leadership, stronger collaboration, deeper listening and teams that can adapt when things don’t go to plan. You’ll also hear the incredible story of a business leader who used Raymond’s status training to identify the real decision-maker during an international negotiation, which led to a US$1.5 million deal. This insightful conversation can help you understand how improv can help us lead, communicate and innovate. Especially in a world that's increasingly reliant on AI (Artificial Intelligence), Raymond reminds us that AI (Applied Improvisation) matters more than ever. 00:00 — Meet Raymond van Driel: How applied improv creates real change in business and life.03:45 — Why spontaneity and genuine human interaction matter more than ever.09:25 — Rethinking Failure: Stop celebrating every mistake. Start building error tolerance.13:00 — The $1.5 Million Status Lesson: How reading status signals revealed the real decision-maker and unlocked a major business win.17:15 — Status, Power and Leadership: Why status isn’t your title—and knowing when to step back can increase your influence.20:15 — The Power of Listening: How deeper listening builds trust, ownership and better decisions.26:45 — AI (Applied Improv) Meets AI (Artificial Intelligence): Why human adaptability, judgment and connection become more valuable as AI grows.33:10 — Werewolf: What the game Whispers teaches leaders about uncertainty and group dynamics.44:50 — Action Creates Clarity: Why testing, adapting and moving forward can teach you more than endless planning.46:50 — We’re Already Improvising: The opportunity isn’t to start improvising, it’s to become better at it. Raymond's website: https://www.f-act.com/uk-over-ons Whispers - The Corporate Werewolf Game: www.whispersthegame.com About Your Host: Susan Zheng I transform things that are often seen as boring, like standard operating procedures and structured processes, into gamified experiences that are engaging, fun, and improve compliance, boost engagement, and drive better results. I also design and facilitate retreats that nourish the mind, body, and soul, creating space for more connection, more creativity, and more growth. So if you'd like to learn more or have a chat, visit my website https://improvlifelessons.au/

    Raymond van Driel | $1.5 Million Deal: Status, Influence & Reading the Room

  2. May 10

    Dr Cathryn Lloyd 🎨 Artful Inquiry & Embodied Leadership

    What if the most valuable skill in an AI world is being deeply human? This conversation with Dr Cathryn Lloyd - experienced facilitator, accredited systems thinking coach, artist and Australia’s first certified creativity coach - might just make you throw out your leadership books. 00:00 – Creativity, improvisation & divine synchronicity 07:30 – What is Artful Inquiry? 13:40 – Body mapping & embodied leadership 20:30 – Music, communication & teamwork in organisations 32:50 – The 365-day art project 38:00 – Introducing Artful August 41:20 – Humanity, creativity & the future in an AI world 🎨 Artful August Join us this August for a month-long creative exploration through small daily acts of artful inquiry, reflection, creativity, curiosity, and human connection. More details coming soon... Connect with Dr Cathryn Lloyd: Website: Maverick MindsLinkedInDigital Facilitation Cards

    Dr Cathryn Lloyd 🎨 Artful Inquiry & Embodied Leadership

  3. Apr 3

    Pamela Pilawa 🤡 Your Inner Clown: A Hidden Leadership Advantage

    We unpack why your “inner clown” isn’t just fun - it’s strategic! In this episode, I sit down with Pamela Pilawa, a Sydney-based performer who blends physical theatre, clowning, and cultural storytelling across languages. As the founder of Pilawa – stories that travel, she creates shows and workshops that unlock emotional freedom, authenticity, and the power of your inner fool. 0:00 – Meet Pamela & why clowning is more than comedy1:26 – How she found clowning (and why it feels like freedom)3:01 – The real meaning of clowning: authenticity over performance5:48 – Why failure is a gift (and how to use it in business)8:08 – Reframing mistakes into connection and confidence9:06 – Emotional awareness & the “inner fool” in leadership12:42 – Adaptability: the hidden superpower in life & business14:17 – A powerful eye-contact exercise for instant connection18:14 – Dealing with self-doubt and feeling “not enough”20:59 – Simple team exercises to build trust and culture23:29 – Using sound & movement to express what words can’t26:29 – Who Pamela really is behind the performance If you’ve ever felt like you’re holding back, overthinking, or trying too hard to be “perfect”, this episode will show you a better way. Connect with Pamela: LinkedInInstagramWebsite

    Pamela Pilawa 🤡 Your Inner Clown: A Hidden Leadership Advantage

  4. Feb 13

    Julie Trell 🤓 The Power of Making Others Look Smart & Feel Good

    Play is serious business. That's why Julie Trell, Founder & Chief Play Officer at Playful Purpose, is here to share why making others look smart and feel good is the most strategic decision you can make. Julie uses this approach when coaching CXOs and entrepreneurs, and the results are transformational. This episode is a masterclass in applied improv as a life philosophy! 00:00 – Why play is a serious strategy.01:20 – Make Others Look Smart and Feel Good: why helping others win helps you win.03:30 – FLearning: “Failure + Learning = Growth.”04:21 – Stop planning your reply. Start getting curious.04:51 – A practical upgrade to “Yes, And.”06:43 – The Body and Failure: Why we physically shrink after mistakes and how to reverse it.08:59 – Better Questions = Better Conversations11:17 – Separating Feelings from Facts: How to handle the “annoying” teammate.13:07 – Brag and Tag: Why receiving praise is harder than giving it.15:46 – 3 Questions to Deepen Connection: What lights you up? What made you smile this week? What impact do you want to make?16:31 – Applied Improv Workshop in Sydney: What it is and who it’s for.20:22 – Final Lesson: “Being heard is so close to being loved…” My favourite moment: "Being heard is so close to being loved that for the average individual, they're almost indistinguishable." - David W. Augsburger Connect with Julie Trell at these events: Brag & Tag #5Applied Improvisation Workshop, Bondi Beach, Sydney 24-28 March 2026LinkedIn If you found this valuable, share the love!

    Julie Trell 🤓 The Power of Making Others Look Smart & Feel Good

  5. Feb 5

    Matías Avaca 🧔🏻‍♂️ Stories That Made Us & Magical Realism

    Matías Avaca and I connected over our shared belief that improv is not just for comedy or performance. It's a powerful tool for personal development, self-exploration, and a reminder to truly enjoy the moments we have in our everyday lives. Matías is an Argentine improviser living in New Zealand whose work bridges languages, cultures, and inner worlds. He is the co-founder of Mabel Impro, the Auckland Improv Festival, and a driving force behind Laenye Productions, a platform supporting Spanish-speaking artists. His influence spans across 15+ countries, shaped by an improv style that is deeply human, emotionally intelligent, and quietly transformative. (and if you speak Spanish… there’s a little Easter egg waiting for you at the end) 🎟️ Learn from Matías in Sydney at the applied improv workshops in March: Sat 14 March, Magical Realism: Improv for Creating Everyday Magic Sun 15 March, The Stories That Made Us: Improv for Identity & ConnectionConnect with Matías Stay Spontaneous!

    Matías Avaca 🧔🏻‍♂️ Stories That Made Us & Magical Realism
  • 5 Episodes

About

This is a podcast for people who are figuring it out as they go (like me!) Inspired by improv, psychology, and real-life moments, each episode looks at how presence, play, and curiosity can turn uncertainty into possibility, and awkwardness into spontaneity!

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