On episode 221, we welcome Randy Fertel to discuss the rich history of improv, hot cognition and cold cognition, the importance of a liberal arts education for creativity, Trump’s charisma and use of off the cuff comments to charm his audience, the neuroscience of creativity, Saturday Night Live and how those comedians embodied the dark side of improv, improv as a symbol of authenticity and why that connects with an audience, trauma and reintegration into the community, and how to cultivate a “yes and” mindset.

Randy Fertel is a writer, scholar, and philanthropist, best known for his work exploring the intersections of improvisation, culture, and politics. Fertel holds a PhD in English and American literature from Harvard and has taught at institutions such as Harvard and Tulane. His previous works include A Taste for Chaos: The Art of Literary Improvisation and The Gorilla Man and the Empress of Steak, a memoir of his family's New Orleans culinary legacy. He is the president of The Fertel Foundation and The Ruth U. Fertel Foundation, supporting various cultural and educational causes. His latest book, Winging It: Improv's Power & Peril in the Time of Trump, delves into how improvisation shapes our world—from the arts and neuroscience to politics and social media.

| Randy Fertel |

► Website | https://www.fertel.com

► Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/rfertel

► Twitter | https://x.com/rfertel

► Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/rfertel

► Linkedin | https://linkedin.com/in/randy-fertel

► Winging It Book | https://bit.ly/3zLKJ0A

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Randy Fertel - The Power and Peril of Improvisation in Politics and Culture | STM Podcast #221