Best Applied Improvisation Podcasts (2025)

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How to Be More Creative: Abstraction and Improvisation (Part 3)! 1:38:53

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3d ago1:38:53

1:38:53

Here we are, the third and final installment on how to be more creative! What a wild and winding journey it’s been, hopefully everyone is forever changed. Just a reminder: the essence (aka timbre - a unique quality of a sound that distinguishes it from other sounds) of a shower thought is a rambling (divergent) musing while in the shower - an envir…

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Episode 132: Applying to Ophthalmology Residency with 2025 Grad Dr. Fernando Martinez Guasch 23:37

4d ago23:37

23:37

We are continuing our series on applying to residency programs, this time with a warm, wise conversation with Dr. Fernando Martinez Guasch. He graduated from the SOM in 2025 and is completing his internship year before pursuing an Ophthalmology residency. He shares so many insights about the Ophtho match and about navigating this time of life in ge…

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How To Be Creative: Divergent Thinking (Pt. 2)! 1:41:15

10d ago1:41:15

1:41:15

Prepare to get meta, I’m going to walk you through my creative, divergent thinking process while explaining the neuroscience of creativity and divergent thinking! We do need our brains and bodies to be in sync for this to be meaningful, illuminating, give you (and I) an “aha!” moment. Please note, divergent thinking means you think in a way that is…

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044 - Say "Yes, And!" to Improv, Nursing, and Leadership with Dr. Candy Campbell 1:00:27

11d ago1:00:27

1:00:27

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Candace "Candy" Campbell - nurse, actor, filmmaker, and international speaker - to talk about improv, healthcare, and what it really takes to communicate courageously in high-stakes environments. Candy's journey is wild and inspiring. She started with a degree in acting and was headed for New York… until a distu…

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How To Be Creative! Pt. 1 1:21:23

17d ago1:21:23

1:21:23

I heard you wanted to get creative, so here is my *almost painfully*detailed breakdown of that process. If you’d like my resume when it comes to creative thinking, Google my name. (Before appearing too self-righteous to prospective listeners, we will be discussing the fundamental use of first person and first person possessive pronouns when it come…

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Becoming a Boulder Hero & Creating Space for Connection with Jessilee Windhaus 1:32:18

20d ago1:32:18

1:32:18

What happens when an only child with boundless creativity decides to transform her hometown’s comedy scene? Jessilee Windhaus, founder of Haus of Comedy in Sacramento, shares how her love of improv evolved into multiple improv businesses with Haus of Comedy being a brick and mortar theater that will be opening very soon! Yayy!! Jessilee’s goal for …

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How to Learn to Love Math feat. Mina Neuberg 1:02:17

23d ago1:02:17

1:02:17

This week on Schauer Thoughts we have a special guest - please give a warm welcome to Mina Neuberg, CEO of WonderMath! Also, this episode is NOT an ad, I am not being paid, I just really love math and wanted to discuss learning and executive functioning with the executive putting the “fun” in functional learning. No but seriously, math is incredibl…

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S2 Ep10: Benjamin Breen (Colloquium Mini Episode) - on the James siblings and the quantification age 36:27

25d ago36:27

36:27

This week, on For the Medical Record, Richard and Mia chat with Benjamin Breen, Associate Professor of History at University of California, Santa Cruz. Breen talks about the paper he presented as part of the Johns Hopkins Program in the History of Science, Medicine & Technology's colloquium series, "The James Siblings in the Age of Quantification."…

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043 - Say "Yes, And!" to Navigating Chaos with Maartje van Krieken 50:03

25d ago50:03

50:03

When everything feels messy, most leaders reach for more tactics and more meetings. In this conversation, I sit down with Maartje van Krieken - engineer, skipper, crisis strategist, and host of The Business Emergency Room Podcast - to talk about how to triage chaos, make cleaner decisions, and realign people and processes without burning everyone o…

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Regular & Hypnotic Shower Thoughts 1:17:04

1M ago1:17:04

1:17:04

Today’s Schauer Thoughts are a little smattering of everything with hypnotic speech for desert. Nod your head ‘yes’ if that sounds like a good time, shake your head ‘no’ if that sounds like a bad time. You’ve been a lovely audience, make sure to tip your waiter, as well as visit coat check to put your clothes back on. And once again, run this episo…

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Speak Easy and Run Towards the Scary Things with Brian Lafontaine 1:34:27

1M ago1:34:27

1:34:27

When you’ve spent years performing on stage, doing standup, and speaking in front of crowds, you learn one thing very quickly: nothing ever goes exactly as planned. In this episode of Improvly Speaking, Dayna chats with actor, voiceover artist, and public speaking coach Brian Lafontaine about his improv experience, the beauty of uncertainty, and wh…

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A Refreshing Take on “Brain Rot” 1:25:30

1M ago1:25:30

1:25:30

This week we’re tackling brain rot, brain fog, social media addiction, and stopping to smell the roses! Join me on a cognitive journey to the land of untapped and undervalued sensory input, the nose. Remember, this is about a harm reduction method, it alone will not “cure” you - also feel free to run absolutely all of this by a licensed medical pro…

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S2 Ep9: Dominique Tobbell - history of nursing education 37:53

1M ago37:53

37:53

Welcome back to For the Medical Record! This week, Richard and Mia sit down with Dominique Tobbell, Centennial Distinguished Professor of Nursing and director of the Eleanor Crowder Bjoring Center for Nursing History of Inquiry at the University of Virginia. Professor Tobbell recently spoke at the Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing about he…

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042 - Say "Yes, And!" to READY, Set, Change with April Callis-Birchmeier 58:52

1M ago58:52

58:52

In this conversation with change-management expert April Callis-Birchmeier (CCMP™, PMP®, CSP®), we unpack her R.E.A.D.Y. framework from her READY, Set, Change! Book and framework and translate it into practical moves you can make this quarter. We cover how to turn corporate buzzwords into relevant, relatable stories, why one accountable executive s…

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Let’s Get An Applied Understanding of Working Memory! 1:20:46

1M ago1:20:46

1:20:46

Make sure to stretch, drink water, and break out a pencil and paper for this week’s episode of Schauer Thoughts because it will require active attention (you don’t have to do anything I say, this is just a word of warning that there will be math in this episode and it’s cruel to make someone listen to math without being able to write it down) becau…

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What is Cognitive Labor? How Do I Know If People Are Using Me for It? Pt.2 1:15:49

2M ago1:15:49

1:15:49

Schauer Thoughts? More like Schauer Cognitive Labor! Kidding, we have fun here. Welcome to part two of my mini-series on cognitive labor! Remember, not everyone is out to use you, discernment is a skill, and always do your own research. Thank you all for listening and as always, please feel free to run the episode and resources by your therapist. M…

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Episode 131: General Surgery Program Director Dr. Steve Kavic 26:22

2M ago26:22

26:22

Our series on applying to residency programs continues, this time with UMMC's General Surgery Program Director, Dr. Steve Kavic. He shares a wealth of information on what he looks for in candidates, how to approach personal statements and interview days, and how he supports his residents to achieve their career goals.…

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Being Comfortable with the Uncomfortable with Jacque Arend 2:06:59

2M ago2:06:59

2:06:59

If there’s one thing that improvisation teaches us, it’s that life rarely follows a script. For Jacque Arend, Managing Director of Camp Improv Utopia and Executive Director of Savi Fest, that truth has been especially clear over the past few years. She’s navigated running multiple improv camps, ADHD, and career pivots – and today, she shares with u…

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So What is Cognitive Labor?? 1:07:15

2M ago1:07:15

1:07:15

By Sarah Schauer & Studio71

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041 - Say "Yes, And!" to Living UNMUTED with Rachel Druckenmiller 48:15

2M ago48:15

48:15

I sat down with keynote speaker, leadership trainer, and singer-songwriter Rachel Druckenmiller to explore what it really means to live and work UNMUTED. Rachel shares how she invented roles inside a corporate job, navigated a near-career-ending pivot right before the pandemic, and eventually brought her voice - literally - onto the keynote stage. …

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The Real Downside of Intentionally Misunderstanding People 1:13:38

2M ago1:13:38

1:13:38

This week in the communal Schauer we’re discussing the actual, neurological, downside of intentionally (not accidentally) misunderstanding others! Now I do want y’all to know that there is a difference between genuine debate and being an obtuse pr*ck, so please don’t assume I’m saying “never disagree again.” You can understand (comprehend) someone …

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S2 Ep8: Randall Packard - global history of dengue fever 43:40

2M ago43:40

43:40

After a short hiatus for the summer, we're back with another episode of For the Medical Record! This week, Richard and Mia talk with Randall Packard, professor emeritus in the history of medicine at Johns Hopkins University about his new book, Fevered Cities: A History of Dengue Epidemics. We talk about why dengue fever is such an interesting disea…

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Why AI Will Never Truly Replace Humans Pt. 3! 1:09:05

2M ago1:09:05

1:09:05

Here it is! Part three to why AI will never truly replace humans - it can’t “afford” to. This weeks episode is a bit long and rambly and for the sake of y’alls likely waning interest in AI, I’m going to include some additional reading on how AI is effecting the environment and what can be done to stop as well as mitigate the damage. Next week I’ll …

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040 - Say "Yes, And!" to the LEADOUT Advantage with Scott Cooksey 53:36

2M ago53:36

53:36

In this episode, I sit down with Scott Cooksey, CSP, founder of Leadout Performance Group, to talk about building teams that can adapt and win, especially when the plan meets reality. Scott explains why most "one-and-done" trainings fail, how to diagnose the real problem behind symptoms like conflict, and how leaders can modernize their playbook fo…

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Why AI Will Never Truly Replace Humans Pt. 2 1:07:19

3M ago1:07:19

1:07:19

This week we’re doing a part two to why AI will never truly replace human beings - we’ll discuss neuroscience, opinions from accredited experts, as well as go on several explanatory tangents about how the brain *actually* works and how AI does not work like that. Please enjoy this week’s communal Schauer and I hope (a type of wonder -> happiness + …

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Why ‘AI’ Will Never Truly Replace Humans 1:19:58

3M ago1:19:58

1:19:58

This week we’re going over what AI can’t “afford” to do that the human brain can! Next week we will cover more on the “neuroscience” (actually just programming) of AI, as well as the ecological impacts. No need to sit tight, this week we’re sensing, feeling, and moving through the communal Schauer as a collective to spite some *very much* artificia…

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039 - Say "Yes, And!" to Keeping It Human with Kathy Klotz Guest 43:03

3M ago43:03

43:03

In this episode, I had the absolute pleasure of chatting with fellow improviser and change-maker Kathy Klotz-Guest. Kathy's career path is anything but boring. She went from being a rare female leader in Silicon Valley tech to blending her love of improv and comedy into transformational work with corporate teams. We talk about her journey, the powe…

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Episode 130: Internal Medicine Program Director Dr. Danny Baek 23:06

3M ago23:06

23:06

Our special series on applying to residency continues, this time with an interview with Internal Medicine Residency Program Director Dr. Danny Baek. She shares her approach to the residency application process and match, how signaling works in her field, what she looks for in applicants, and her best advice for students navigating this unique life …

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Let’s Breakdown the Matt Rife, E.L.F. Cosmetics “Rage Bait” CamPAIN 1:06:47

3M ago1:06:47

1:06:47

This week we’re getting into the psychology, strategy, and *alleged* manipulation tactics of E.L.F. Cosmetic’s latest beauty campaign featuring *womp womp* Matt Rife. Come bare faced or use a good setting spray because the communal Schauer is hot this week and methods to conceal will be tested and removed. My Substack: https://substack.com/@sarahsc…

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Flow State, Method Acting, and Becoming the Person You Want to Be Pt. 2 1:06:46

3M ago1:06:46

1:06:46

Here we are, part two of our series on becoming who you want to be using method acting and flow state! This week we’ll be fleshing out our potential new personas, giving them motivations, beliefs, lore, and much more to *temporarily* adopt characteristics to expand our range - logically and expressively. No need for movement clothes or dance shoes …

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038 - Say "Yes, And!" to Cheering On Others with Jan Spence 43:11

3M ago43:11

43:11

I had a blast talking with Jan Spence, a Certified Speaking Professional and TEDx speaker whose journey from professional women's full‑tackle football to international keynote speaker is unforgettable. Jan shares how turning a sea of competitors into teammates through simple encouragement sparked her "Cheer Leadership®" philosophy. We dive into act…

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Flow State, Method Acting, and Becoming the Person You Want to Be Pt. 1 1:07:14

4M ago1:07:14

1:07:14

Welcome back! We’re discussing the psychology, neuroscience, and applications of method acting and flow state to develop behavioral and character range, aka “become the person you want.” This week’s communal Schauer will be very STEAM heavy, but don’t worry, next week we’re bringing it all together to cultivate a performance that feels personal and…

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So What is Cringe Anyway?? 1:07:21

4M ago1:07:21

1:07:21

Today we’re talking a leisurely stroll through the neuroscience of cringe! Behold the surprising sadness that awaits just beyond our cranial walls. Clear your calendar and your conscience and step into this week’s communal shower. Feel free to leave your dignity at the door. Resources: That’s Cringe: The Neuroscience Behind Embarrassment https://gr…

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Episode 129: Applying to Residency! Interventional (and Diagnostic) Radiology with New SOM Grad Dr. Shirin Parsa 17:32

4M ago17:32

17:32

We continue our series on Applying to Residency with brand new SOM grad Shirin Parsa. She's a prelim surgery intern who will complete her residency in Integrated Interventional Radiology at the University of Maryland. She shares her residency application journey, including the mentorship she received, the interviews she went on, and how she crafted…

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037 - Say "Yes, And!" to Navigating the Future of Creativity and AI with Nye Warburton 1:03:43

4M ago1:03:43

1:03:43

In this episode, I connect with my old friend Nye Warburton, someone I've known since our college improv‑comedy days. Nye's journey has taken him from animating features like Monster House and Battleship to chairing an Interactive Design & Game Development department of a college and writing provocative essays about AI, blockchain, and creative tec…

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How to Build Trust [the Final Part!] 1:13:22

4M ago1:13:22

1:13:22

Here it is folks, the third and final installment on our mini-series about building trust! Thank you all so much for your patience, for listening, for learning, that’s the attitude to have when entering the communal thought Schauer! We’re sharing cognitive load and helping each other co-regulate [somewhat parasocial conclusion redacted for posterit…

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Discussing Marriage and Divorce with Allison Raskin! 1:19:23

4M ago1:19:23

1:19:23

This week on Schauer Thoughts we’re discussing the institution of marriage, why I love divorce, and what not to do while pregnant with NYT Best Selling Author, relationship coach, and co-host of the new podcast Starter Marriage, Allison Raskin! Please give my lovely first guest a warm, communal Schauer welcome and make sure to check out her books a…

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036 - Say "Yes, And!" to Unstoppable Momentum with Kim Becking 49:35

4M ago49:35

49:35

What if the chaos and uncertainty in your life could become the very fuel that propels you forward? In this episode, resilience and adaptability expert Kim Becking shares her powerful Unstoppable Momentum™ framework for navigating change with grit, grace, and purpose. A stage-3 breast cancer survivor, former attorney, and bestselling author, Kim br…

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Episode 128: Applying to Residency! Dr. Pharibe Pope on ENT 18:01

4M ago18:01

18:01

We are kicking off a brand new series on Applying to Residency with recent SOM graduates who recently went through the Match. We'll get to know their individual stories, special considerations for applying to their field, and how they approached items like their personal statement, letters of recommendation, away rotations, and rank lists. You'll l…

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How To Start to Build Trust Pt. 2 1:19:19

5M ago1:19:19

1:19:19

Another wonderful week in the communal Schauer, this time we’re discussing how to develop trust with others! Please keep in mind that this is the structure for trust (the frame) and that your interpretation and expression of trust (the art) are complimentary, not negating one another. I will be doing a part three to cover some accessibility nuances…

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How To Start to Build Self-Trust 1:06:51

5M ago1:06:51

1:06:51

Howdy y’all! This week we’re starting to build some self-trust and next week we’ll be establishing trust with others. Like always, we will be taking the long way around the subject, going full third person, but that is necessary to survey the land (self) we are working on. Hopefully a little outdoor Schauer will loosen up the soil and make your exc…

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035 - Say "Yes, And!" to EPIC Connections with Riaz Patel 1:05:45

5M ago1:05:45

1:05:45

I had the privilege of sitting down with longtime friend and Hollywood veteran, Riaz Patel. Trained in psychology at UPenn and raised in a world where he was rarely the "norm," Riaz has built a career around authentic transformation - first on TV, and now live onstage. In this episode, we dive into: His creative process behind TV hits like How to L…

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Uncertainty is My Friend: A Postpartum Life Update and the Mantra that Keeps Me Grounded 57:45

5M ago57:45

57:45

After a podcasting hiatus, Dayna Gowan is back behind the mic – and she’s got a lot to share. In this solo episode, Dayna opens up about the wild ride that has been new motherhood, from unexpected detours in her birth plan to sleepless nights, big trips and moves, and the messy, beautiful process of adjusting to her new identity as “mom.” Plus, she…

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Let’s Keep Decentering Gender! Pt. 2 1:02:20

5M ago1:02:20

1:02:20

I told y’all that we were keeping it moving! This week we’re going over how the brain indexes abstract thought, how emotions are expressed across cultures, and the self-fulfilling prophecy of gender. Please excuse the tangents this week, Rite Aid closed and I am without Vyvanse. That being said, very happy to have you in this week’s communal Schaue…

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Episode 127: Deciding on a Specialty in Third Year 24:54

5M ago24:54

24:54

Imagine that you start medical school knowing exactly which field you want to go into. You line up your mentors and your research projects in that field. Whenever you shadow a physician, it's in that specialty. Eventually, you start your 3rd year of med school, and you tell everyone what you want to do. And then - you change your mind. You fall in …

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Let’s Decenter That Gender! Pt. 1 1:02:29

5M ago1:02:29

1:02:29

Well you heard it here folks, we’re decentering gender this week in the communal shower. What does it mean to decenter? What is gender? Are pronouns “real?” Sit back, relax, and enjoy the musings of a single, 30 year old, childless lesbian. Resources Is Gender Fluid? - Sally HinesWhat is gender, anyway: a review of the options for operationalizing …

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034 - Say "Yes, And!" to Resetting with Penny Zenker 52:33

5M ago52:33

52:33

In this episode, I talk with Penny Zenker—the Focusologist—about her Reset Mindset approach. We dive into what exactly a reset moment is, explore her three‑step framework (Step Back, Get Perspective, Realign), and apply it to everyday life—from emotional triggers to workplace pivots. Penny also breaks down how to ask powerful questions like "What e…

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Punchlines & Progress: Jessica Halem's Journey of Comedy, Advocacy, & Connection 1:44:37

5M ago1:44:37

1:44:37

On this episode of Improvly Speaking, Dayna Gowan sits down with the incredible Jessica Halem, a powerhouse public speaker, communication strategist, LGBTQ+ health equity advocate, and a former stand-up comic trained at Second City. Jessica has worn many hats (and delivered many punchlines). She’s currently the Senior Director of the LGBTQ+ Health …

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Schauering Y’all With Pride! 1:03:53

5M ago1:03:53

1:03:53

Happy Pride my beautiful LGBTQIA! Please join me for this very special episode of Q & A & LGBTI (that’s clever, you should give me that.) I hope you enjoy this episode, I hope you enjoyed the communal gay Schauer, and I hope you dance. Resources:BDS - Say No to Pinkwashinghttps://www.bdsmovement.net/pinkwashingQueer Palestine and the Empire of Crit…

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S2 Ep7: Bryan Doerries (Theater of War Productions) - performing histories of health disparities 49:16

6M ago49:16

49:16

Welcome back to another episode of For the Medical Record! This week, Richard and Mia talk with Bryan Doerries, artistic director of Theater of War Productions. They discuss Bryan's recent production of A Refutation, where actors dramatically read documents related to the 1793 yellow fever epidemic in Philadelphia, which was performed at several lo…