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

Want to know what you let in and what you let out? Time to check your filters! For the first episode of another new year, Ted and Lisa lean under the hood to check the topic of filters. Per usual, they start with why the topic interests them (1:25) and then move onto identifying those filters that get in the way of our creative output (4:58). Some filters—like Buddhist Right Speech—help us make better choices before speaking up impulsively (8:34) and if they weaken or fall away, sometimes we move into reactivity or lashing out (15:10). The pair then considers filters that limit or determine what information we take in, including those that exclude data based on confirmation bias (17:20). Of course, as Lisa notes, improv filters offer an alternative (23:47) and Ted notes that, whichever ones we have, it’s best to keep filters clean (29:24). The duo brainstorms and riffs on a range of filter types (33:03) and brings the podcast to a close with a few last gasp thoughts (38:42). As always, Lisa and Ted would be delighted to hear from you. Please send a note, question, or comment to join in the fun of this curious romp: info@monsterbabypodcast.com. To subscribe so you receive immediate notice of future Monster Baby releases, head over to: http://monsterbabypodcast.com Featured photo by Kain Kalju, https://www.flickr.com/photos/kainkalju/5894855297.   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 #57 Filter-ama appeared first on Anima Learning.

Does our humanness lie within our tenderness? Let’s dive into the topic of vulnerability and see what we find! Lisa’s back from her month-long junket to Europe and Ted’s got a Thanksgiving tale or two (1:37) before the pair explains why they wanted to explore the topic of vulnerability (11:25). Ted introduces Brené Brown’s definition of the term (15:47) and both Lisa and Ted explore how improv and mindfulness classes can stir that feeling right up (22:09). Lisa asks if the vulnerability comes in noticing our feelings or in sharing them (27:35) and Ted offers a few insights from the philosophical tradition of Constructive Living (30:32). He also explains how gratitude may require even more vulnerability than traditionally “difficult” or “unpleasant” emotions (33:17) before Lisa wonders if we actually have an innate need to express our vulnerability (39:31). Ted introduces the notion of balancing vulnerability with positioning (42:35) and Lisa shares some insights on the topic from her time spent with famed author Liz Gilbert (46:04). The episode concludes with some consideration of vulnerability as a practice in itself (49:28) and the traditional Outro closing thoughts (53:46). As always, Lisa and Ted would be delighted to hear from you. Please send a note, question, or comment to join in the fun of this curious romp: info@monsterbabypodcast.com. To subscribe so you receive immediate notice of future Monster Baby releases, head over to: http://monsterbabypodcast.com     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 #56 V is for Vulnerability appeared first on Anima Learning.

Why not just try some s**t out? In Episode #55, Ted and Lisa extol the virtues of bringing a spirit of experimentation to all of life. The pair starts by catching up on Lisa’s improv exploits over in Germany (2:26) and by articulating the differences between Halloween rituals there in Deutschland versus those here stateside (7:52). Ted gets the topic going in earnest, considering how experimentation shows up in both mindfulness and improvisation (11:11). Lisa then wonders whether experiments require commitment of sorts (15:09). Ted talks about experimenting in dating and Lisa reminds him of recent efforts in the world of fashion as well (19:14) which leads to discussing improv as a lab for human interaction (23:07). The pair then closes by tinkering with a favorite improv game (28:41) and by offering a sincere invitation (43:14). As always, Lisa and Ted would be delighted to hear from you. Please send a note, question, or comment to join in the fun of this curious romp: info@monsterbabypodcast.com.   To subscribe so you receive immediate notice of future Monster Baby releases, head over to: http://monsterbabypodcast.com   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 #55 A Grand Experiment appeared first on Anima Learning.

Improvisation takes care of all of who we are. In this episode, Lisa and Ted continue their two-part conversation with longtime improv stalwart and new author, Dan O’Connor. (If you haven’t heard Part 1, you might want to start there.) Dan discusses two of the “stickiest” concepts from Life Unscripted (1:09) and the trio discusses how to move into the value of “cynical benevolence” and inquiry when people rub us the wrong way (10:32). Dan introduces Buddy, the inner judge (17:45) and mentions the Jesuit concept of cura personalis, or Taking Care of the Whole Body (22:52). Ted asks more generally about how mindfulness shows up in improv (24:14) and Dan outlines why he thinks improv is a growth industry (32:48). Dan O’Connor serves as the Producing Artistic Director for the acclaimed Impro Theatre in Los Angeles, California where he has directed a wide range of dramatic improvisation formats. He was also a co-founder of Los Angeles Theatresports and BATS Improv in San Francisco. His new book Life Unscripted: Using Improv Principles to Get Unstuck, Boost Confidence and Transform Your Life (co-authored with Dr. Jeff Katzman) is available wherever books are sold. You can watch Dan’s TED Talk titled “Improvising a Better World” by clicking here.   As always, Lisa and Ted would be delighted to hear from you. Please send a note, question, or comment to join in the fun of this curious romp: info@monsterbabypodcast.com.   To subscribe so you receive immediate notice of future Monster Baby releases, head over to: http://monsterbabypodcast.com   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 #54 Life Unscripted: A Conversation with Dan O’Connor, Part 2 appeared first on Anima Learning.

How do we break free from the stale scripts we’ve been living by? Lisa and Ted have a two-part conversation with longtime improv stalwart and new author, Dan O’Connor, to find out. Ted and Lisa welcome Dan by showing him a fresh version of his hot-off-the-presses book, Life Unscripted (1:57) and learn how he got connected with his co-author, Dr. Jeff Katzman (5:13). Dan shares what he learned about the “stillface experiment” and whether we’re born with a “yes/and” default (9:02) and the conversation moves to the importance of feeling seen and heard (14:30). Dan offers his take on Patsy Rodenburg’s Second Circle concept (19:27) and shares his long-term dream for Life Unscripted (22:52). Ted asks about the mindfulness components in the book (28:14) and then Lisa, Ted, and Dan enjoy a spontaneity game (33:59). Make sure to follow up with Part 2 of the conversation in the next Monster Baby Episode! Dan O’Connor serves as the Producing Artistic Director for the acclaimed Impro Theatre in Los Angeles, California where he has directed a wide range of dramatic improvisation formats. He was also a co-founder of Los Angeles Theatresports and BATS Improv in San Francisco. His new book Life Unscripted: Using Improv Principles to Get Unstuck, Boost Confidence and Transform Your Life (co-authored with Dr. Jeff Katzman) is available wherever books are sold. You can watch Dan’s TED Talk titled “Improvising a Better World” by clicking here.   As always, Lisa and Ted would be delighted to hear from you. Please send a note, question, or comment to join in the fun of this curious romp: info@monsterbabypodcast.com.   To subscribe so you receive immediate notice of future Monster Baby releases, head over to: http://monsterbabypodcast.com   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 #53 Life Unscripted: A Conversation with Dan O’Connor, Part 1 appeared first on Anima Learning.

What did Lisa learn at clown camp? Still a bit hazy from her experience off in the woods of Northern Ontario, Lisa reports back in on her experiences training to clown. Ted and Lisa start by acknowledging the typically chilly conditions of late-summer San Francisco (2:14) before Lisa jumps into explaining the basics of “Baby Clown” (4:45). Lisa tells some stories from her time on the Clown Bus (9:04) and considers the valuable gifts of not knowing what’s coming (13:20). Ted asks if we could consider clowning a mindfulness practice—and the answer might surprise you (14:39). Lisa talks a bit about what inspires her about clowns (19:44) and describes the markers she carries from her experience, including the red nose (26:11). The pair considers parallels between Clown Camp and other summer camp and retreat experiences (31:30) before Ted shares his contrasting recent experience with an image and fashion consultant (33:18). To close, Lisa describes her experience transitioning back to “civilian” life (40:57). As always, Lisa and Ted would be delighted to hear from you. Please send a note, question, or comment to join in the fun of this curious romp: info@monsterbabypodcast.com. To subscribe so you receive immediate notice of future Monster Baby releases, head over to: http://monsterbabypodcast.com 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 #52 Lisa Goes to Clown Camp appeared first on Anima Learning.

The conversation with Joe Bill goes wider and deeper. When legendary improvisor Joe Bill arrived in San Francisco to teach and perform, Ted and Lisa seized the opportunity and wrangled up a whirring, stirring conversation about improv, psychology, surviving childhood—and a whole lot more. Listen in for Part 2 of their Monster Baby cup of Joe. (If you haven’t heard Part 1 yet, you may want to start there: https://animalearning.com/2018/08/09/monster-baby-50-a-buddhist-atheist-conversation-with-joe-bill-part-1/) . Part 2 starts by asking if the improv approaches articulated in Part 1 make sense off the stage as well (1:12) and by considering whether presence is enough, both in performance and in life (5:55). Lisa, Ted, and Joe each consider how their experiences with therapy have shaped their approaches to improv (10:00) before Joe articulates how his work with improv legend Patti Stiles has taught him about “losing beautifully” (27:14). Joe describes how his early class clown years served as a survival mechanism (31:38) and the three circle back around to describe what they’ll take away from the extensive conversation (36:41). NOTE: Please forgive the less-than-ideal audio during much of this episode. The recording gods saw fit to corrupt one of the tracks before we got to editing so we made do with the overlapping pickup we had. We promise to return to our clearer Monster Baby standards with our next episode! Joe Bill (@mrjoebill on Twitter, Joe Bill Teaches on Facebook) is widely regarded as one of the great scenic and comedic improvisation teachers in the world. Co-founder of the The Annoyance Theater in Chicago and Duo format performer with Mark Sutton (BASSPROV), Patti Stiles, Jill Bernard and many others, Joe warms hearts and inspires deeper, better improv wherever he goes. As always, Lisa and Ted would be delighted to hear from you. Please send a note, question, or comment to join in the fun of this curious romp: info@monsterbabypodcast.com. To subscribe so you receive immediate notice of future Monster Baby releases, head over to: http://monsterbabypodcast.com 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 #51 Insights On- and Off-Stage: A Conversation with Joe Bill, Part 2 appeared first on Anima Learning.

Joe Bill’s an improv luminary with a brilliant mind that careens joyfully between gutter-level explicitness and spiritual truth—oh wait, are they different? When Joe came to San Francisco to teach and perform, Ted and Lisa cranked up the podcast for a two-part conversation that runs the gamut. Part 1 of the conversation starts with the story of Joe and Lisa meeting in Germany (2:34) before digging into Joe’s psychological and spiritual approach to improv, including his atheism, Buddhism, Catholic upbringing, and drug exploration inspired by early improv great Del Close (5:55). The three discuss the roles of love and fear in improvisation (21:31) and wonder whether mindfulness is an inherently loving practice (25:36). Joe outlines his understanding of the differences between “engineer brain” and “artist brain” and Ted draws parallels to the “Thinking mind” and “sensing mind” from the world of mindfulness (32:43). After Joe explains his “emergency room coping mechanism” in the face of trauma (43:13), the three together articulate how a taking a wait-and-see approach with emotions makes for better improv scenes (49:13). Lisa and Joe differ on confidence levels with performing and teaching and then wonder “What if we don’t actually need to take care of our scene partner?” (51:47) before Part 1 concludes with a distinction between decision and discovery (55:18). Make sure to listen in for Part 2 where all three dive more into how all this applies to therapy and regular life! Joe Bill (@mrjoebill on Twitter, Joe Bill Teaches on Facebook) is widely regarded as one of the great scenic and comedic improvisation teachers in the world. Co-founder of the The Annoyance Theater in Chicago and Duo format performer with Mark Sutton (BASSPROV), Patti Stiles, Jill Bernard and many others, Joe warms hearts and inspires deeper, better improv wherever he goes. As always, Lisa and Ted would be delighted to hear from you. Please send a note, question, or comment to join in the fun of this curious romp: info@monsterbabypodcast.com. To subscribe so you receive immediate notice of future Monster Baby releases, head over to: http://monsterbabypodcast.com 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 #50 A Buddhist Atheist: A Conversation with Joe Bill, Part 1 appeared first on Anima Learning.

Speaking up is one of the most natural—and most frightening—things we humans do. With Ted back from a month-long voice and speech training in Manhattan and Lisa back from a few weeks at summer camp, Episode #49 takes on the topic of stepping up and speaking out. Ted opens the conversation with his reasons for proposing the topic and why speech represents a fundamental human expression (2:20). Lisa discusses when and where she’s comfortable and not comfortable speaking up (6:45) and initiates some musings on how improv training helps us jump into getting our voice into the world (10:46). Ted introduces the ways that body awareness can affect our speech (15:04) and how speaking up can serve as another mindfulness practice (18:11). The pair consider whether jokes and humor help or hurt more serious moments of conversation (19:21) and give a nod to the Buddhist principles of Right Speech (22:59). Lisa acknowledges how many women (and some men) have real difficulties learning to speak with volume (25:36) and Ted mentions how speaking through to the ends of sentences can serve as a continuity of mindfulness practice (30:23). The pair discuss how mindfulness helps us speak more effectively (35:36) and loosens our ego attachment to whatever words come out of our mouths (39:40). They explore the ways in which improv helps you know when to step up and speak out (45:46) and close with a little riff on Vikings and the gospels (50:15).   As always, Lisa and Ted would be delighted to hear from you. Please send a note, question, or comment to help them combat that gnawing sense of loneliness and listlessness that plagues this existential level of being: info@monsterbabypodcast.com.   To subscribe, head over to: http://monsterbabypodcast.com   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 #49 Speak Up! appeared first on Anima Learning.

The devil may live in the details—but’s that’s probably because he likes the magic there. In Monster Baby Episode, #48, Ted and Lisa discuss the challenges, joys, and benefits of getting specific. They start with a few leftovers from last episode’s discussion on Emotions (2:20) and a new version of the old-standby warm-up game, Three Things (12:01). The pair notes how paying close attention brings out life’s details, develops care for the world, and helps us “wake up to the gifts” (20:45). Lisa introduces the notion of “magic space” from the world of clowning and Ted notes how specificity helps in interpersonal relationships (26:55). Lisa mentions the notion of “milking moments” which leads to a healthy challenge from Ted (29:11). She then notes how getting specific with small talk parallels the chemistry process of “nucleation”—listen in and see if she got it right! (38:45) Together, they note how detail in feedback helps us get out of typical, predictable scripts, and Lisa brings the episode to a close by discussing some details about what she loves about the summer camp where she volunteers each July (47:19).   As always, Lisa and Ted LOVE hearing from you. Please send a note, question, or comment to help them combat that gnawing sense of loneliness and listlessness that plagues this existential level of being: info@monsterbabypodcast.com.   To subscribe, head over to: http://monsterbabypodcast.com Thanks to ccPixs.com www.ccPixs.com) for the Featured Image at the top of this post.   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 #48: Be Specific! appeared first on Anima Learning.