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. Dr Cathryn Lloyd ✍️ Artful Inquiry & Embodied Leadership

    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 synchronicity07:30 – What is Artful Inquiry?13:40 – Body mapping & embodied leadership20:30 – Music, communication & teamwork in organisations32:50 – The 365-day art project38:00 – Introducing Artful August41:20 – Humanity, creativity & the future in an AI world 🎨 Artful AugustJoin 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

    48 min
  2. Pamela Pilawa 🤡 Your Inner Clown: A Hidden Leadership Advantage

    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

    31 min
  3. Julie Trell 🤓 The Power of Making Others Look Smart & Feel Good

    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!

    21 min
  4. Matías Avaca 🧔🏻‍♂️ Stories That Made Us & Magical Realism

    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!

    18 min
  • 4 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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