Monster Baby: A Curious Romp Through the Worlds of Mindfulness and Improvisation

How do you make sense of living under lockdown? As citizens of the San Francisco Bay Area, Ted and Lisa have been holed up in their respective homes as the coronavirus crisis continues to unfold. Recorded over Zoom, they start this episode by considering their usual tolerance for germs (2:01) and then check in about their latest thoughts and feelings on the upheaval (5:10). They then discuss how living in lockdown is like virtual reality or the Twilight Zone where we’re really off the map now (12:11). Ted jokingly opines that someday he’ll go to Costco again (18:56) and the pair play a few rounds of coronavirus-inspired Three Things (20:03). Lisa mentions how she wants the crisis to end but also finds comfort in getting curious (23:09). Ted mentions how our cultural “pivot” can be like a dance (29:41) and Lisa notes how, even though things in general feel out of control, she’s feeling more in control in some specific areas of her life (32:15). The pair discuss how the urgency has opened up a kind of Wild West of creative ideas (36:58) and how the absence of sports has revived a thirst for stories that unfold in real time (40:59). Lisa mentions the valuable backdrop inquiry of “Am I fine?” (43:53) and the episode closes with a nod to Care Bear Stares (51:55). If there’s anything else in the episode that brings you particular joy—or raises a question—feel free to write us at info@monsterbabypodcast.com. To subscribe so you receive immediate notice of future Monster Baby releases, head over to: http://monsterbabypodcast.com.   If you’re needing some inspiring Monster-Baby based words to get you through these tough times, order a copy of Ted’s Monster-Baby-inspired book, Playful Mindfulness remember you can order a copy from www.playfulmindfulness.info. (Ask nicely and Ted will surely sign it for you!)       San Francisco improvisors Ted DesMaisons and Lisa Rowland explore the beautiful, surprising and unruly intersections between mindfulness and improvisation as they seek to befriend that oft-hidden and sometimes scary part of all of us that can lead to a life well-lived.   The post Monster Baby #77 Living Under Lockdown appeared first on Anima Learning.

With good reason, everybody’s talking about the coronavirus. We are too. In the midst of the growing global coronavirus pandemic, Lisa and Ted take a few moments to reflect on the impacts of rapid change and uncertainty. Well, actually, they start by reviewing Ted’s mouse-in-the-house scenario and setting up a Table of Contents for the episode (2:01). They review a listener’s response to “What hooks you about mindfulness and/or improv?” (7:26) and play a short round of the game “Tell That Story!” (20:39). The pair dives into the coronavirus topic by acknowledging the need to flush feelings through (26:58) and to find creative ways to express connection (33:24). Lisa asks what mindfulness and improv have to show us about responding to the crisis and the pair discusses the need to accept the unacceptable, interrupt the catastrophizing mind, and feel all the feelings (35:19). Ted relays wisdom he heard from Jack Kornfield at Wisdom 2.0 (42:15) and Lisa reminds us to ask “What’s not wrong?” and “What’s the opportunity here?” (47:37). Ted reports that he’s well-stocked with puzzles (49:37) and the pair offer closing thoughts on the subject (51:37). Recently, Ted and Lisa have been inviting responses to question per episode. This week’s question: “What do you tell yourself when things get hard?” If you want to contribute to the conversation and maybe even get your answer on the podcast send a written response—or even better, a voice memo!—to info@monsterbabypodcast.com. If there’s anything else in the episode that brings you particular joy—or raises a question—feel free to write us at info@monsterbabypodcast.com. To subscribe so you receive immediate notice of future Monster Baby releases, head over to: http://monsterbabypodcast.com.   If you’re needing some inspiring Monster-Baby based words to get you through these tough times, order a copy of Ted’s Monster-Baby-inspired book, Playful Mindfulness remember you can order a copy from www.playfulmindfulness.info. (Ask nicely and Ted will surely sign it for you!)       San Francisco improvisors Ted DesMaisons and Lisa Rowland explore the beautiful, surprising and unruly intersections between mindfulness and improvisation as they seek to befriend that oft-hidden and sometimes scary part of all of us that can lead to a life well-lived.   The post Monster Baby #76 Coronavirus Takes Hold appeared first on Anima Learning.

Which way to go? (Thanks for the image, Robin Higgins!) Presidential Primary season’s swirling into hurricane mode: how do we make sense of it all? Just before the big Super Tuesday Democratic Primary elections, Ted and Lisa take stock of their feelings and leanings. The episode begins with Lisa’s excitement about her new position as the Artistic Director for BATS improv (3:12), including some musings about a tarot card that suggests leadership possibilities for us all (12:04). Ted mentions a cool project he’s just about to take on (20:23) and the pair dive into the state of the Democratic race (24:39). Each candidate (other than Tom Steyer) gets consideration, starting with Amy Klobuchar (29:32) and moving through Pete Buttigieg (32:15), Joe Biden (37:51), Mike Bloomberg (38:51), Elizabeth Warren (43:06), and the current front-runner Bernie Sanders (46:54). Ted shares some stories of volunteering for one campaign (51:58) which leads to a recognition that action takes us out of fear (58:32). Ted and Lisa conclude the episode with an invitation to get involved (1:04:26). For time concerns on this episode, they postponed responses to last episode’s question. If you want to get your answer on the podcast (“What originally got you ‘hooked’ with improvisation or mindfulness? As in, what about them grabbed your heart?”), send a written response—or even better, a voice memo!—to info@monsterbabypodcast.com. If something in the episode brings you particular joy—or raises a question—feel free to write us at info@monsterbabypodcast.com. To subscribe so you receive immediate notice of future Monster Baby releases, head over to: http://monsterbabypodcast.com.   If you’d like to develop more confidence, calm and connection for the New Year, grab a copy of Ted’s Monster-Baby-inspired book, Playful Mindfulness. To order, please visit www.playfulmindfulness.info. (Ask nicely and Ted will surely sign a copy for you!)       San Francisco improvisors Ted DesMaisons and Lisa Rowland explore the beautiful, surprising and unruly intersections between mindfulness and improvisation as they seek to befriend that oft-hidden and sometimes scary part of all of us that can lead to a life well-lived.   The post Monster Baby #75 Sorting Through Super Tuesday appeared first on Anima Learning.

What if your spiritual practice meant simply saying “Yes!” to life itself? In anticipation of this March’s “Yes to Life! The Improvisation and Spirituality Weekend,” Ted and Lisa welcome the retreat’s co-facilitators, Angelo John Lewis and Cindy Franklin, on to the Monster Baby Podcast. Lisa starts by coordinating an introduction of each guest, starting with Cindy’s eclectic background in corporate America and more spiritual circles (2:07) and concluding with some insight into Angelo’s current station in life (6:59). Both share stories about the place of spirituality in their lives growing up, including tales of Angelo’s “inner sound,” the spirituality of listening, and wisdom from St. Theresa (8:59). Cindy shares some of her tension as a child between her father’s atheism and her sense of a living god despite that atheism (17:49). All four participants reflect on how improvisation connects with spirituality (21:39) and Cindy introduces Joseph Chilton Pearce’s notion of religion as a ‘dead virus.’ (26:11) The crew reflects on whether improvisation has other moods and modes beside just play (33:34) and then close with what’s got each facilitator most excited about the upcoming retreat (39:46). Ted and Lisa return for the outro to pull the episode together and to remind you: if you want to respond to this week’s question (“What originally got you ‘hooked’ with improvisation or mindfulness? As in, what about them grabbed your heart?”), send a written response—or even better, a voice memo!—to info@monsterbabypodcast.com. If there’s something in the episode that brings you particular joy—or raises a question—feel free to write us at info@monsterbabypodcast.com. To subscribe so you receive immediate notice of future Monster Baby releases, head over to: http://monsterbabypodcast.com.   Maybe you’d like to develop more confidence, calm and connection for the New Year. If so, consider trying out Ted’s Monster-Baby-inspired book, Playful Mindfulness, and sharing the joy and wisdom of these two worlds in tandem. To order, please visit www.playfulmindfulness.info. (Ask nicely and Ted will surely sign a copy for you!)       San Francisco improvisors Ted DesMaisons and Lisa Rowland explore the beautiful, surprising and unruly intersections between mindfulness and improvisation as they seek to befriend that oft-hidden and sometimes scary part of all of us that can lead to a life well-lived.   The post Monster Baby #74 Yes to Life! A Conversation on Improvisation and Spirituality with Cindy Franklin and Angelo John Lewis appeared first on Anima Learning.

What are your “thunderbolt” moments of insight from mindfulness and improvisation? Inspired by a listener’s question, Ted and Lisa consider particular moments of clarity and insight from their long experience in the worlds of mindfulness and improvisation. The episode starts with Ted recalling a recent “prince and the pauper” travel experience (3:09) and Lisa sharing about her highs and lows managing a just-finished project management effort (12:31). They bring in listener Jeremy’s question and his response (24:17), play another response submitted by a second listener (28:25), and then offer their own reflections in return (31:40). Lisa introduces the notion of measuring for “how” rather than for “what” (36:08) and then leads into her thunderbolt moment connecting improv with life (42:40). Ted mentions his moment with mindfulness, taking on a David Attenborough attitude of curiosity and kindness (43:55). Lisa shares her thunderbolt moment about listening in mindfulness (50:55) and the episode comes to a close with another question for next time: what made you want more of mindfulness and improvisation? What hooked you? (50:55) If there’s something in the episode that brings you particular joy—or raises a question—feel free to write us at info@monsterbabypodcast.com. To subscribe so you receive immediate notice of future Monster Baby releases, head over to: http://monsterbabypodcast.com.   Maybe you’d like to develop more confidence, calm and connection for the New Year. If so, consider trying out Ted’s Monster-Baby-inspired book, Playful Mindfulness, and sharing the joy and wisdom of these two worlds in tandem. To order, please visit www.playfulmindfulness.info. (Ask nicely and Ted will surely sign a copy for you!)           San Francisco improvisors Ted DesMaisons and Lisa Rowland explore the beautiful, surprising and unruly intersections between mindfulness and improvisation as they seek to befriend that oft-hidden and sometimes scary part of all of us that can lead to a life well-lived.   The post Monster Baby #73 Thunderbolt Moments appeared first on Anima Learning.

What gifts do mindfulness and improv bring to your season of light? It’s the season of giving and Ted and Lisa are musing on the life-shifting gifts of their shared practice. They start the episode with an invitation for responses and then take a few moments for a warm-up game of “Three Things.” (4:11) The pair introduces the topic and Lisa explains the practice of Naikan as communicated by Patricia Ryan Madson (8:13). Lisa notices how improv teaches both gratitude and sincerity (14:58) and Ted acknowledges his own judgmental (rather than grateful) side. (22:39). Both Ted and Lisa explore how improv helps us explore our hidden sides (24:34) and how mindfulness and improv help us find possibility and goodness, even in difficult situations—but without resorting to “everything happens for a reason.” (29:06) Ted notes that changing our default patterns takes work (32:53) and Lisa reads from Patricia’s book Improv Wisdom for further insight about the filters we tend to use for our experience (34:34).  Ted wonders if choosing a positivity lens means we’re not seeing what’s really true (37:09) and the pair loops around to concluding that seeing gifts uplifts us, feeds our creativity, and deepens our connection to others (41:42). The usual Outro and a heartfelt thanks from Lisa and Ted closes the episode (46:38). If there’s something in the episode that brings you particular joy—or raises a question—feel free to write us at info@monsterbabypodcast.com. To subscribe so you receive immediate notice of future Monster Baby releases, head over to: http://monsterbabypodcast.com.   Maybe you’d like to put some “presence” under your holiday tree? If so, consider giving Ted’s Monster-Baby-inspired book, Playful Mindfulness, and sharing the joy and wisdom of these two worlds in tandem. To order, please visit www.playfulmindfulness.info. (Ask nicely and Ted will surely sign a copy for you!)         San Francisco improvisors Ted DesMaisons and Lisa Rowland explore the beautiful, surprising and unruly intersections between mindfulness and improvisation as they seek to befriend that oft-hidden and sometimes scary part of all of us that can lead to a life well-lived.   The post Monster Baby #72 Waking Up to the Gifts appeared first on Anima Learning.

How can you play if your string is too tight or too slack? Finding the right amount of tension matters hugely: in improv, in mindfulness, and in life. Along those lines, Ted and Lisa mine a moment of tension from the last podcast episode (1:48) before drawing on some wisdom from the worlds of astrology and Buddhism (8:09). Lisa explains how her impulse to preserve freedom and protect love have helped her deal with tension with a performer colleague (10:57) and we get the first of several banana bread interludes in this episode (15:51). Ted revisits the Matrix Leadership model as way for interpreting tension as a gift (17:27) and Lisa puts forward the value of slowing down in the face of tense situations (22:26). In the spirit of letting the tension build for positive effect (25:46), Lisa takes another banana bread break (28:28) before we hear about her Xmas decorations (and before we get a groaner of a pun from Ted (29:29). One last baking interruption (34:25) presages a review of whether the extra juice of tension between performers helps or hurts an improv scene (35:03). Ted identifies some fundamental tensions in the world of mindfulness (38:34) and how he uses “Boom Boom Balloon” and other tools to help his students stay present whenever tension ramps up (42:49). Lisa brings in insights from the world of the Enneagram (49:13) and the episode draws to a close with a few valuable questions to ask whenever tensions get high. (56:03) If there’s something in the episode that brings you particular joy—or raises a question—feel free to write us at info@monsterbabypodcast.com. To subscribe so you receive immediate notice of future Monster Baby releases, head over to: http://monsterbabypodcast.com.   Maybe you’d like to put some “presence” under your holiday tree? If so, consider giving Ted’s Monster-Baby-inspired book, Playful Mindfulness, and sharing the joy and wisdom of these two worlds in tandem. To order, please visit www.playfulmindfulness.info. (Ask nicely and Ted will surely sign a copy for you!)     Lisa and Ted   San Francisco improvisors Ted DesMaisons and Lisa Rowland explore the beautiful, surprising and unruly intersections between mindfulness and improvisation as they seek to befriend that oft-hidden and sometimes scary part of all of us that can lead to a life well-lived.   The post Monster Baby #71 Attention to Tension appeared first on Anima Learning.

Lisa Rowland and Ted DesMaisons Should you tell your story—or step out of it? Storytelling: it’s a topic that lies at the center of both improvisation and mindfulness practices. After recognizing that this episode has been a long time coming (2:14), Ted and Lisa dive into how foundational stories are, starting with the example of the stories we tell in relationship (7:18). Lisa describes her own brand of storytelling and offers a bread-related example of the mind as lightning-quick storyteller (15:02). She then posits that perhaps improv and mindfulness help us transcend human nature by helping us loosen the grip of our stories (21:21) before Ted asks just what we mean by “story” (27:44). Together, they describe the helpful structure of “The Story Spine” (31:05) and Ted offers another definition: that stories are explanations that make sense of the world—and that we then live so as to make them true! (38:22). The pair wonders if we need stories or personal stories and Ted wonders if he needs to keep his mementos and other stuff from the past (43:33). Lisa offers up two rules for life and Ted wonders if we’re here for a reason (57:46). Lisa explains how thinking of ourselves as characters is a story can help get us through hard times (1:01:26) and reminds us that we’ve got options to the dominant masculine form of storytelling (1:03:55). The usual Outro shares Lisa’s and Ted’s reflections on the episode itself (1:08:16). If there’s something in the episode that brings you particular joy—or raises a question—feel free to write us at info@monsterbabypodcast.com. To subscribe so you receive immediate notice of future Monster Baby releases, head over to: http://monsterbabypodcast.com. For more info or to order Ted’s Monster-Baby-inspired new book, Playful Mindfulness, visit www.playfulmindfulness.info. San Francisco improvisors Ted DesMaisons and Lisa Rowland explore the beautiful, surprising and unruly intersections between mindfulness and improvisation as they seek to befriend that oft-hidden and sometimes scary part of all of us that can lead to a life well-lived. Featured image courtesy of javcon117 on flickr.com The post Monster Baby #70 What’s Your Story? appeared first on Anima Learning.

Lisa Rowland and Ted DesMaisons What can you learn from improv without ever taking an improv class? After catching up a bit after a long stretch away from the podcast, Lisa and Ted reflect on a recent article in the Stanford alumni magazine that quotes each of them. Ted starts the episode with some thoughts on his recent trip to Maui and the curious “Aloha spirit” (1:45) and Lisa follows that up by musing on her experience officiating a friend’s wedding (11:06). Ted talks about the new student in his course who’s 86 years old (16:25) and how, even with all the resilience techniques at his disposal, some criticism still stings (19:27). The pair discuss the recent article about the legacy of improv at Stanford University (23:33) and about the value of trusting “Reality.” (32:10) They revisit the alumni article to discuss how to “take the offer” (33:28) before Lisa considers how some of her compulsions leave her feeling like a goldfish (38:16).  A bit of wrap-up reflection (51:33) and the standard Outro (53:11) bring the episode to a close. To see the Stanford Alumni Magazine article referenced in the episode, visit: https://stanfordmag.org/contents/8-life-lessons-you-can-learn-from-improv-without-ever-stepping-into-a-class. If there’s something in the episode that brings you particular joy—or raises a question—feel free to write us at info@monsterbabypodcast.com. To subscribe so you receive immediate notice of future Monster Baby releases, head over to: http://monsterbabypodcast.com. For more info or to order Ted’s Monster-Baby-inspired new book, Playful Mindfulness, visit www.playfulmindfulness.info. San Francisco improvisors Ted DesMaisons and Lisa Rowland explore the beautiful, surprising and unruly intersections between mindfulness and improvisation as they seek to befriend that oft-hidden and sometimes scary part of all of us that can lead to a life well-lived. The post Monster Baby #69 The Dish–Insights from Improv at Stanford (and other goodies)! appeared first on Anima Learning.

Lisa Rowland and Ted DesMaisons What if this (and every day) were the best day ever? Finding inspiration from their everyday interactions with others, Ted and Lisa offer up a Monster Baby grab bag of musings and insights. After opening up with a rousing game of Convergence (2:19), Lisa starts the conversation off by wondering about discipline in her life (8:03). Ted mentions Stanford author BJ Fogg’s notion of “tiny habits” (16:46) and Lisa introduces the idea of “start anywhere”—which then leads to some wondering about responders vs. intiators (19:51). Ted discusses how the PBS Country Music documentary illustrates the improv term “bricolage” (23:44) and then contributes his delight with author Steven Nachmanovich’s idea of verbs and nouns (29:37).  After Lisa shares a vulnerable belief of hers (35:19), the pair considers a friend’s invitation to think of each and every day as “the best day ever.” (39:11) If there’s something in the episode that brings you particular joy—or raises a question—feel free to write us at info@monsterbabypodcast.com. To subscribe so you receive immediate notice of future Monster Baby releases, head over to: http://monsterbabypodcast.com. For more info or to order Ted’s Monster-Baby-inspired new book, Playful Mindfulness, visit www.playfulmindfulness.info. San Francisco improvisors Ted DesMaisons and Lisa Rowland explore the beautiful, surprising and unruly intersections between mindfulness and improvisation as they seek to befriend that oft-hidden and sometimes scary part of all of us that can lead to a life well-lived. The post Monster Baby #68: Best Day Ever (A Monster Baby Grab Bag) appeared first on Anima Learning.