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

What’s spirituality got to do with it anyway? Ted and Lisa take on the thorny task of exploring the realms of spirit and what they have to do with mindfulness and improv. Lisa starts by explaining the Double Bounce Theory and why her coffee and exercise routine might play out in the episode (2:50). Ted shares his individually designed spiritual background (5:03) and Lisa explains how as a kid she thought she might be going to Hell (10:49). The two get into notions of unity and interdependence (18:00) and take a stab at defining the word “spirituality” (22:29). They wonder if improv and humor qualify as religions or even as spiritual practices (27:04) and consider whether it matters what words we use (34:15). Both ask where improv “magic” comes from (40:13) and how they might raise kids if they had ‘em (49:11). Lisa tries to find a new word for spirituality and wonders whether “Reality” might work (52:13) and Ted raises his nervousness about appearing “woo woo.” (55:57) The pair bring the episode to a close by wondering if improv and mindfulness automatically shape us in a spiritual direction (1:01:55). As always, please send a note, question, or comment if you feel so inspired: info@monsterbabypodcast.com. Thanks so much for listening—we love you all! To subscribe, go 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 #27 Speaking of Spirituality or Why Lisa Might Be Going to Hell appeared first on Anima Learning.

Ted and Lisa get curious about curiosity in Monster Baby Episode #26! They laugh their way through the opening challenge of a few Line-at-a-Time Limericks (1:48) and then enter their topic in earnest around the five-minute mark (5:29). They ask whether curiosity is fundamental to effective improv even though most teachers don’t talk about it explicitly (7:45) and then muse on the virtuous cycle of noticing and accepting (10:25). Lisa considers whether it’s possible to be both hostile and curious (15:28) and the two compare their relative skill with curiosity in regular life (21:18). Lisa brings in the example of the Beautiful Anonymous podcast and Ted wonders if it’s easier to be curious with strangers (26:31) before they together explore Advance-Color-Emotion and other improv exercises that can be played in “stealth mode” (34:56). They close by discussing the benefits about getting curious about others’ curiousness—and by turning that lens on themselves (42:33). As always, please send a note, question, or comment if you feel so inspired: info@monsterbabypodcast.com. Thanks so much for listening—we love you all! To subscribe, go 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 #26 Isn’t That Curious? appeared first on Anima Learning.

In Episode #25, Ted and Lisa dive into the paradoxical wisdom in the Improv maxim “Be Average.” They start with a chat about the San Francisco production of Hamilton and time they each spent with Moms (1:53) before introducing the subject of the day (6:48). They explore the value of just mucking about and the need to better “understand the stones” (13:43) and then ask in what situations this advice holds true (16:43). Together,  they discuss if beginners can be as successful as long-time practitioners (18:32) and Lisa details how she takes specific comfort in the maxim (21:57). As devil’s advocates, they ask if there’s also value in pushing yourself (24:46) and consider why it is that we (or they) want to be excellent (28:46). To close the podcast, they move into the deeper philosophy behind the maxim, reintroducing Hamilton and introducing Buddhist Right Intention, (34:04) and name the next things they’ll each be average about (41:09). As always, please send a note, question, or comment if you feel so inspired: info@monsterbabypodcast.com. Thanks so much for listening—we love you all!   To subscribe, go 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 #25 Be Average appeared first on Anima Learning.

Time to get present, y’all! Celebrating the one-year anniversary of the first Monster Baby podcast, Ted and Lisa offer Episode #24, a deep dive into presence and its role in our lives. A new warm-up creates some crazy acronyms (1:14) before the co-hosts check in about their prior commitment to try a gratitude practice (5:48). They soon take on this episode’s topic more directly (10:40), exploring the difference between “having presence” and “being present.” (13:41) Ted talks about his recent experience with Patsy Rodenburg’s three Circles of Presence (18:48) with Lisa noting a curious phenomenon in the English language along the way (26:48). The two wonder whether we have to be so conscious ALL the time (32:21) and then consider how individuals’ presence within a group can affect the strength of an ensemble (37:39). Ted talks about getting ahead of ourselves in speech (41:01) and Lisa asks whether being aware of presence gets in the way of our actually being present (44:40). The two conclude the episode by outlining some of the impacts of getting fully present. (51:42) As always, please send a note, question, or comment if you feel so inspired: info@monsterbabypodcast.com. Thanks so much for listening—we love you all!   To subscribe, go 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 #24: Get Presence appeared first on Anima Learning.

Episode #23 finds Ted and Lisa taking on an attitude of gratitude. A humorous warm-up (1:46) gets the ball rolling before the co-hosts start to clarify how gratitude differs from simply acknowledging what we like (6:18). They touch on gratitude’s relationship to vulnerability (12:34) and whether we can ever offer enough thanks for some of the gifts in our lives (17:17). They discuss how gratitude can serve as a tone-setter or lens-shaper (21:46) and consider the problematic implications of the common aphorism “Everything happens for a reason.” (24:57) Ted hearkens back to an old New Age standard when considering synchronicities and whether believing in luck makes you more lucky (31:22) and Lisa outlines the humorous approach found at San Francisco’s Gratitude Café (35:43). Ted’s favorite pre-show improv practice gets them into the topic of priming (39:07), Lisa tries out a Toothache Meditation, and Ted introduces the concept of “pronoia.” (41:25) They close the episode after finding a new way to understand and use the word “gratitude” itself. (47:35)   As always, please send a note, question, or comment if you feel so inspired: info@monsterbabypodcast.com. Thanks so much for listening—we love you all!   To subscribe, go 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 #23: Attitude of Gratitude appeared first on Anima Learning.

In Episode #22, Ted and Lisa share a conversational cup of courage. A brief and playful check-in (1:59) leads to defining what they mean by courage (4:27) and together, they wonder if Lisa’s courageous to do improv (8:52). Ted considers the last time he felt particularly courageous (11:51) and Lisa shares some stories about dating and nervousness of performing guitar in public (17:42). They both consider how improv games can build courage muscles (21:14) and then explore how mindfulness de-fangs the cobra of fear so we can dive deeper into our daily experience (30:37). Ted introduces the connection between courage and tenderness and the importance of support from others (35:46) and Lisa engages with the improv mindset of “Go into the cave.” (39:23). The two conclude the episode by promoting the notion of profligate practice as a method for developing courage (49:23).   As always, please send a note, question, or comment if you feel so inspired: info@monsterbabypodcast.com. Thanks so much for listening—we love you all! To subscribe, go 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 #22: A Cup of Courage appeared first on Anima Learning.

Ted and Lisa welcome special guest (and Jeopardy contestant-to-be) Troy Steinmetz for a conversation about the wisdom of puzzles. They enter a warm-up game midstream to consider different kinds of puzzles (3:47) before Troy gets the group talking about flow and ideal challenge levels (13:37). Lisa introduces the notion of “futzing about” and puzzling for the puzzle’s sake (20:08) which reminds Ted of Karma Yoga—which then gets the group thinking about fundraising, Burning Man, and sand mandalas (23:40). Troy wonders about the Quantified Self and how we measure the success of different types of mindfulness (31:59) and the trio discusses when it’s right to walk away from a puzzle, “tease the knot,” or wait for the charmed rabbit (36:04). They close the podcast by considering the notion of a center of gravity between creators and what’s created (41:22) and how effort and preparation precede the “gift” of insight or inspiration (46:55).   As always, please send a note, question, or comment if you feel so inspired: info@monsterbabypodcast.com. Thanks so much for listening—we love you all!   To subscribe, go 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 #21: Puzzle Nuzzle appeared first on Anima Learning.

For their first podcast of 2017, Lisa and Ted venture into the world of adventure. They demonstrate an adventurous improv game of “What Comes Next?” (1:43), define what they mean by adventure (6:59), and describe why a Keith Johnstone quote (10:07 ) and an exercise called “The Quest” (13:08) get them jazzed about the topic. They explore how adventure can generate both mindfulness and affection (19:43) and whether you can prepare for adventure (21:37) before Lisa describes her exploits in an Argentina night club (26:47). Ted gets personal, sharing how he brings adventure into his life (32:38) and how therapy, tackle football and Carol Dweck taught him about resilience (39:00). The two discuss adventures on the horizon (43:33) and how we always have the power of “Nope!” at our disposal (50:09). As always, please send a note, question, or comment if you feel so inspired: info@monsterbabypodcast.com. Thanks so much for listening—we love you all! To subscribe, go 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 #20: Adventure Time! appeared first on Anima Learning.

In the inaugural Monster Baby Mailbag episode, Ted and Lisa (and Lisa’s cats) take questions from a few loyal listeners. They wonder whether Monster Baby friendships are different from other connections (3:49), explore the tension between discovery and invention in both improv and mindfulness (15:32), celebrate an adventurous attitude for choices both large and small (25:28), and marvel at ways in which such approaches can help transform decades-old difficult experiences (31:59). As always, please send a note, question, or comment if you feel so inspired: info@monsterbabypodcast.com. Thanks so much for listening—we love you all! To subscribe, go 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 #19: The Monster Baby Mailbag! appeared first on Anima Learning.

What is harmony and what the heck makes it so delicious, both literally and metaphorically? Ted and Lisa start with a modified round of “Three Things!” (2:34) and then explain what made them chose today’s topic (7:08). Ted shares his impressions of Lisa’s erstwhile musical improv group, Lombard Street Experiment (12:06) and the pair considers whether some people just don’t care about harmony. (14:30). They explore how we can expand our ears to include new and unexpected sounds (17:39) and delight in the magic moment of separate parts coming together for the first time (20:19). They consider how harmony relates to mindfulness (24:40) and whether one can learn how to “do” harmony (32:01). Per usual, Ted and Lisa consider whether there’s a down side or “shadow” to the subject (43:30) and what might make up the value of an intentional practice of harmony (48:07). The episode closes with a musical example drawn from Ted’s and Lisa’s summer camp past lives (51:09). Listen all the way through for a special hidden track treat!   As always, please send a note, question, or comment if you feel so inspired: info@monsterbabypodcast.com. Thanks so much for listening—we love you all! To subscribe, go 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 #18: Harmony appeared first on Anima Learning.