How to Handle Anything

Hosted by Mary Lemmer
  • 5.0 (2)
  • SELF-IMPROVEMENT
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

Life doesn’t go according to plan. How to Handle Anything explores how to navigate uncertainty, change, and unexpected challenges with more ease, flexibility, and humor - through stories, conversations, and improv-inspired insights. lifeimprovised.substack.com

Episodes

  1. Bart Sumner on Improvising Through Grief

    08/14/2023

    Bart Sumner on Improvising Through Grief

    This week's episode features Bart Sumner… In 2009 Bart Sumner’s life was shattered when his 10-year-old son, David, suffered a traumatic brain injury at football practice and died in his arms. Finding a way back to the road forward in a world where mourners are told “He’s in a better place” or to “Get over it” is a daunting and painful journey. He came to realize that the twenty-five plus years he spent as a performer and teacher of improvisational comedy was not only the key to his own survival, but also a powerful tool to help others mired in grief. Born and raised in New Jersey, Bart has been a professional Actor/SAG-AFTRA Member since 1990. He’s trained and performed with The Groundlings, Universal Studios, Hollywood, among other theatres. Though he initially was drawn to improv to try and be funny, he found it to be an incredibly powerful tool for processing grief. He is the author of Healing Improv: A Journey Through Grief to Laughter and teaches improv at the Comedy Fort in Fort Collins, Colorado. In this episode… Bart shares what inspired him to take his first improv class Hear about Bart’s experience limo driving in between training and performing in NYC and LA Bart shares how improv was his therapy after the tragic death of his 10 year old son Bart reveals the moment he saw there was more to improv than laughing  Find out a key way to get people out of bed after experiencing great loss Hear how improv can be a way to take us out of pain and still help us process it Bart shares techniques and games anyone grieving can use Bart shares about his book Healing Improv: A Journey Through Grief to Laughter  Learn how improv can be a powerful tool when communicating with someone with Alzheimer’s We demonstrate an exercise you can use to improve joy, connection, listening, and bring lightness during dark times From Bart, when asked how improv has improved his life offstage, “Helped me find a way forward after the death of my 10 year old son David” Connect with Bart on Facebook and check out his book Healing Improv: A Journey Through Grief to Laughter  If you liked what you heard, Subscribe, write a review, tell a friend. If you didn’t like what you heard, well, try again next time. Each episode is different and we’re always improving (see what I did there?!)  Visit www.chooseimprove.com for resources and ways to improve in your life and work.  Join us for at chooseimprove.substack.com for weekly improvisations and monthly virtual sessions to practice improvising in your life. Connect with us on Instagram @chooseimprove and linkedin.chooseimprove.com  Get full access to Life, Improvised at lifeimprovised.substack.com/subscribe

    43 min
  2. Lauren Schaad on Ways Teams Can Improve with Improv, and Delivering a Baby Goat

    08/07/2023

    Lauren Schaad on Ways Teams Can Improve with Improv, and Delivering a Baby Goat

    This week’s episode features longtime HR executive, Lauren Schaad. In this episode: Lauren shares about her background in HR and her improv origin story She talks about the importance of leaning into who you are We discuss how improv allows us to try out different hats  We talk about the connection between improv and business  Lauren shares how improv helped her be her authentic self at work and why that’s imperative for high performing teams  We discuss the importance of an environment fostering psychological safety and how an improv mindset can foster forgiving environments  We highlight why and how improv is more than just laughing together and having a good time. It’s this AND … it is more than fun and games! Lauren shares what she wishes organizations knew about improv that they don’t already know  We talk about giving and taking focus as a tool we can use to create humor and support high performing teams. And we each share an improv exercise that helps people practice giving and taking of focus  Mary shares about a time she unexpectedly sang opera Lauren shares advice she gives to teams and people managing people.  We demonstrate the improv exercise called “Convergence”, great for improving presence, connection, and fostering magic amongst individuals and teams Lauren shares about the time she delivered a goat Lauren forged a 12-year career as a headhunter, helping senior leaders across nonprofit, tech startup, and financial services industries to better articulate their career journeys. When not at the office, she immersed herself in Boston’s improv scene, becoming a proud graduate of ImprovBoston’s Comedy School.   Lauren’s interest in working with marginalized communities was born during an internship with Grameen Bank in Bangladesh, where she met enterprising, basket-weaving women lifting themselves from poverty to prosperity. This solidified her belief that the arts, and improv, should be accessible to all. To better serve communities living on the margins, Lauren is working towards certification as a trauma-informed expressive arts Coach (EXA-CE), anticipated in 2023.  A lover of travel, Lauren would have definitely joined Ernest Shackleton’s Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition. Tales of her globetrotting adventures – at warmer temperatures – can be found at SheClimbs.com. Lauren is based in Denver and performs the first Friday of every month with the house team "Jeff," at Chaos Bloom theatre. From Lauren when asked how improv has improved his life offstage, “Improv has provided a safe space to play and to be silly. In my professional life, I’ve learned that it’s more than okay to bring your full personality into your role as leader; employees appreciate working with a Manager who is real, kind, funny, relatable, not just “professional.” In my personal life, improv has helped me to become more comfortable: - Remembering detail when meeting new people (i.e. at parties) - Communicating within groups and either supporting others, or having my voice be heard (give and take of focus)”  Learn more about and connect with Lauren on LinkedIn and Instagram. If you liked what you heard, Subscribe, write a review, tell a friend. If you didn’t like what you heard, well, try again next time. Each episode is different and we’re always improving (see what I did there?!)  Visit www.chooseimprove.com for resources and ways to improve in your life and work.  Join us for at chooseimprove.substack.com for weekly improvisations and monthly virtual sessions to practice improvising in your life. Connect with us on Instagram @chooseimprove and linkedin.chooseimprove.com  Get full access to Life, Improvised at lifeimprovised.substack.com/subscribe

    41 min
  3. David Fessell, M.D on the Benefits of Improvising in Medical Environments

    07/31/2023

    David Fessell, M.D on the Benefits of Improvising in Medical Environments

    This week's episode features David Fessell, M.D.  David is an executive coach, faculty associate at Ross School of Business, and a recently retired Professor of Radiology at the University of Michigan. As an author, he publishes in HBR, JAMA, Psychology Today, and many other venues. He speaks and facilitates webinars & workshops on wellness, resilience, EQ, & humor. He loves to help individuals & groups strengthen their inner & outer resources to flourish amidst stress. David has an MD degree from the University of Michigan and an undergraduate degree from Harvard. He is a proud graduate of the Second City Detroit Improv Conservatory. In this episode… David shares what inspired him to take his first improv class Listen to David share why reading about public speaking wasn’t enough to help him improve and how improv bridged the gap and got him to a place of actually enjoying public speaking  Learn how practicing improv builds trust among teams Hear about an exercise David loves and did with medical students at the University of Michigan Find out what happened when David attempted big Jenga at a company picnic Learn how improvising releases tension Learn how improv can be used in high stakes environments like medicine Discover how an improvisation practice helps the people that are practicing medicine We discuss why improv improves self-awareness David shares a powerful exercise you can use in work and life to improve self-awareness, compassion, understanding, empathy, better connecting with yourself and others We support why improv is the best venue to practice anything Find out the one thing David wishes improv would help people improve  From David, when asked how improv has improved his life offstage, “more comfort with public speaking...being on stage...bringing an attitude of play and "roll with it"...saying yes, and...to life...embracing mistakes & empathy for another's point of view.” Connect with David on LinkedIn If you liked what you heard, Subscribe, write a review, tell a friend. If you didn’t like what you heard, well, try again next time. Each episode is different and we’re always improving (see what I did there?!)  Visit www.chooseimprove.com for resources and ways to improve in your life and work.  Join us for at chooseimprove.substack.com for weekly improvisations and monthly virtual sessions to practice improvising in your life. Connect with us on Instagram @chooseimprove and linkedin.chooseimprove.com  Get full access to Life, Improvised at lifeimprovised.substack.com/subscribe

    31 min
  4. Nicholas Hamlett on Acceptance and How Improvising Helped Him as an Introvert, at Work, and as a Manager

    07/24/2023

    Nicholas Hamlett on Acceptance and How Improvising Helped Him as an Introvert, at Work, and as a Manager

    This week's episode features Nicholas Hamlett. In this episode… Nicholas shares why and where he took his first improv class Learn why warm up improv exercises are imperative to mentally preparing to improvise (for improv and life) Hear how improv helped Nicholas in his role at Twitter and how improv changed how he reacted to challenges and opportunities at work Get to know how adopting a “yes, and” mindset at work helped Nicholas grow in his career Find out what it means to say “yes, and” then “no” and why “yes, and” isn’t always a literal “yes”  Nicholas shares how improv improved his feelings of empowerment and his acceptance of himself and discusses what that meant for his career  Hear how improvising helped Nicholas as a manager  We talk about his favorite improv game Discover the surprising way he practices collective storytelling (in addition to practicing it with improv) We discuss kids as natural improvisers and learn about the game he made up as a kid  Learn how judgment changes when you start improvising  We talk about being an introvert, and why improv is a beneficial practice for introverts Nicholas Hamlett is a marketing professional with a passion for digital/social media, advertising, branding, music and film. Though originally from Michigan he has lived in California for over 10 years. His career journey has been very tech heavy with experiences at Twitter, Snapchat, and now Twitch. Mainly working in Sales, Partner Management, and Creative Strategy throughout and recently transitioned into Program Management work. For fun, he loves playing board games and video games, watching the fun popular TV shows (Marvel, GoT, etc.), working out, and exploring new experiences (places and food too). From Nicholas, “Improv has really given me the confidence to speak up more. Admittedly, I'm an over-thinker and because of the techniques I've learned through improv I'm able to get through that, especially at work. It also helps to open lines of communication and get over the shyness that I have.” Connect with Nicholas on LinkedIn, Twitter @NickHam, and Instagram @NickHam_. If you liked what you heard, Subscribe, write a review, tell a friend. If you didn’t like what you heard, well, try again next time. Each episode is different and we’re always improving (see what I did there?!)  Visit www.chooseimprove.com for resources and ways to improve in your life and work.  Join us for at chooseimprove.substack.com for weekly improvisations and monthly virtual sessions to practice improvising in your life. Connect with us on Instagram @chooseimprove and linkedin.chooseimprove.com  Get full access to Life, Improvised at lifeimprovised.substack.com/subscribe

    24 min
  5. Aniela McGuinness on Improvising Through Cancer and Humor's Helpfulness

    07/17/2023

    Aniela McGuinness on Improvising Through Cancer and Humor's Helpfulness

    This week's episode features actress and two time cancer survivor, Aniela McGuinness. In this gift of an episode… Aniela shares what inspired her to take an improv class Learn how improv helped her through her mother’s cancer diagnosis and death and her own cancer diagnosis and treatment Find out why and how improv is a “brain brake” and “oasis” that provides presence, joy, and support when going through hard times Hear about improvising’s ability to reduce pain and stress Learn the improv exercise that encourages people to support one another and the gift of asking for help Mary shares how improv has helped her to ask for help Hear about the inspiring, creative, and comedic way Aniela asked for help with her cancer treatment and the pleasant surprises that came from it Learn about the two things Aniela did during every cancer treatment  How to use humor to ask for help Why being specific when offering help is an improv-inspired gem of a way to better support your friends/family/community during times of grief, illness, hardship Acknowledging when something is terrible, allowing that to move through you, and then make fun of it Learn about the one woman comedy show she wrote during her cancer treatment and how it  How improv providing her freedom to be silly helped her reduce fears of embarrassment  Hear Aniela and Mary talk about how the ability to play different characters in improv allows us a venue to practice new behaviors we want to try in life and empowers us to be all that we are Aniela shares the exercise called “185” and how she used it during her cancer treatment (join our paid Substack community to see this exercise explained via video). Then, Aniela and Mary demonstrate 185 with plenty of laughter! Aniela McGuinness is a film and TV actress with over 15 years of improv experience. A two-time cancer survivor, she uses her 17 years of improvisational comedy experience to make audiences cry laughing and laugh crying. A year and a half after she lost her mother to cancer she was diagnosed with Stage 1 breast cancer. Just three days short from her appointment to schedule a preventative double mastectomy. She used improv as an invaluable coping skill during her cancer diagnosis and treatment, and teaches improv to cancer patients at Gilda’s Club.  You may also recognize her from “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”.   From Aniela, “It helps me practice communication skills like standing up for myself in a safe environment allowing me to then take them out into the real world.” Connect with Aniela on Instagram @AnielaMcG and watch the trailer for and full one woman show she references in the episode.  If you liked what you heard, Subscribe, write a review, tell a friend. If you didn’t like what you heard, well, try again next time. Each episode is different and we’re always improving (see what I did there?!)  Visit www.chooseimprove.com for resources and ways to improve in your life and work.  Join us for at chooseimprove.substack.com for weekly improvisations and monthly virtual sessions to practice improvising in your life. Connect with us on Instagram @chooseimprove and linkedin.chooseimprove.com  Get full access to Life, Improvised at lifeimprovised.substack.com/subscribe

    40 min
  6. Jordana Cole on Psychological Safety, Positive Psychology, and Ukuleles

    07/10/2023

    Jordana Cole on Psychological Safety, Positive Psychology, and Ukuleles

    This week's episode features, Jordana Cole. In this gem of an episode… Jordana shares her improv origin story (i.e. how and when she started improvising) Find out what Jordana does for her ukuleles at Thanksgiving Learn about athletes as improvisers Learn about positive psychology - what it is, why it matters, and how improv relates Discover why improv is so much more than team building Hear how and why improv can improve psychological safety (⁠and why psychological safety matters for teams; link to⁠ information about the Google study referenced in the episode) Learn the benefits of practicing improv over time Listen to how improv is similar, and distinct, from meditation as a form of mindfulness Learn the improv exercise that will elevate your active listening skills Find out one simple thing you and every leader can do to be better every day Hear what Jordana would improve in the world if she could wave the magic improv wand  Yeah, we cover a lot in 45 minutes! Jordana Cole is an igniter of leadership and team potential. As a global learning & development leader, leadership development facilitator, certified coach, and applied improviser, Jordana has designed and led programs, workshops, courses, team building sessions, and coaching engagements for thousands of individuals around the globe. Her organizational background includes non-profits, higher education, SAAS technology, financial services, and e-commerce. Jordana is an alumna of the University of Pennslyvania’s Master of Applied Positive Psychology program and has served as an assistant instructor for undergraduate and graduate courses related to positive organizations and human strengths & resilience. Jordana is also certified as a Gallup Strengths Coach and as a facilitator of Inside Out Coaching, the Kevin Eikenberry Group’s From Bud to Boss curriculum, and Fierce Conversations. She lives in the Washington DC area with our husband and two rescue dogs, and she spends her free time playing one of her dozen ukuleles, loudly cheering on the Washington Capitals, and exploring the woods of Northern Virginia. She also has a very impressive ukulele collection! From Jordana, "I credit my success as a leader and my ability to develop other leaders to the skills that I have learned and honed in improv over the past 20+ years. When I went back to get my graduate degree in my 30s, I was inspired to understand why improv had been such a catalyst for my own leadership career and why it's so effective as a team building. At the end of the day, I realized that improv is all about helping us create better relationships - and isn't that would leadership is all about at it's core. So I did a TON of research and wrote a 100 page thesis on that :)" Yes, and you can read her research, I've Got Your Back: Utilizing Improv as a Tool to Enhance Workplace Relationships and find her on LinkedIn. If you liked what you heard, Subscribe, write a review, tell a friend. If you didn’t like what you heard, well, try again next time. Each episode is different and we’re always improving (see what I did there?!)  Visit www.chooseimprove.com for resources and ways to improve in your life and work.  Join us for at chooseimprove.substack.com for weekly improvisations and monthly virtual sessions to practice improvising in your life. Connect with us on Instagram @chooseimprove and linkedin.chooseimprove.com  Get full access to Life, Improvised at lifeimprovised.substack.com/subscribe

    45 min
  7. Welcome to Improved!

    07/03/2023

    Welcome to Improved!

    Welcome to Improved, the podcast. There’s one certainty in life, and that’s that it’s filled with uncertainty. One of the things that helps us navigate chaos and uncertainty is the ability to improvise. This podcast is all about how we create, adapt, navigate change, and improvise in our own lives and work. Listen, subscribe, and tune in to hear special guests and special tips. Let’s improve… If you liked what you heard, Subscribe, write a review, tell a friend. If you didn’t like what you heard, well, try again next time. Each episode is different and we’re always improving (see what I did there?!)  Visit www.chooseimprove.com for resources and ways to improve in your life and work.  Join us for at chooseimprove.substack.com for weekly improvisations and monthly virtual sessions to practice improvising in your life. Connect with us on Instagram @chooseimprove and linkedin.chooseimprove.com  Get full access to Life, Improvised at lifeimprovised.substack.com/subscribe

    2 min
  • 7 Episodes

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About

Life doesn’t go according to plan. How to Handle Anything explores how to navigate uncertainty, change, and unexpected challenges with more ease, flexibility, and humor - through stories, conversations, and improv-inspired insights. lifeimprovised.substack.com

Information

  • Creator
    Hosted by Mary Lemmer
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    7
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Mary Lemmer
  • Show Website
    How to Handle Anything