Second City Works presents "Getting to Yes, And"

Mariann Edgar Budde, bishop and spiritual leader who wrote How We Learn to Be Brave, shares stories about courage, parenting, grief, and speaking truth to power. She links improvisation to presence and leadership. They discuss deciding to start or leave, risking failure for what matters, and tools for listening and de-escalation.

Dr. Anne-Laure Le Cunff, a neuroscientist and founder of a curiosity-focused platform, dives into her book 'Tiny Experiments.' She shares her transformative health crisis at Google and how it spurred her to embrace imperfection in life's unpredictability. Discussing the dangers of having a singular purpose, she emphasizes the significance of self-observation and adapting to change. Listeners will appreciate her insights on reframing procrastination and the value of micro-moments to enrich daily experiences.

In this engaging discussion, Juan Bendana—a speaker and author of 'Confident by Choice'—shares powerful insights on building true confidence. He emphasizes that confidence stems from experiences, not genetics, and debunks common myths surrounding it. Juan explores the confidence cycle, the transformative impact of small daily changes, and the importance of embracing discomfort. With anecdotes on storytelling and vulnerability, he highlights how these elements foster connection and growth. His personal 'Yes, And' moment led to a remarkable transformation, inspiring listeners to embark on their own journeys.

Kelly connects with Tony Wagner, senior research fellow at the Learning Policy Institute and former codirector of Harvard Graduate School of Education’s Change Leadership Group. They discuss his latest book – co-written with Ulrik Juul Christensen: “Mastery: Why Deeper Learning is Essential in an Age of Distraction.”  https://serve.castfire.com/audio/7857992/7857992_2025-12-14-232932.64kmono.mp3 “Practice is an essential element of mastery learning.”  “Time is a poor proxy for learning.”  “Our young people know their education is failing them.”  Recent Posts Second City Works presents “Getting to Yes, And” Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde – ‘We Can Be Brave’ .cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} Anne-Laure Le Cunff – ‘Tiny Experiments’ .cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} Juan Bendana – ‘The Key to Confidence’ .cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} Tony Wagner – ‘How Education is Failing Our Kids’ .cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} Getting to Yes, And… | John August – “Scriptnotes”  .cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} Click for more

John August, screenwriter of Big Fish and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and co-host of Scriptnotes, chats about storytelling craft and podcast intimacy. They cover giving and receiving notes, applying screenwriting to business, world-building, stakes and conflict, improv principles, and how comedy and industry practices are evolving.

Louis Henry Mitchell, Creative Director of Character Design at Sesame Workshop and author, discusses creativity as a practiced way of living. He talks about play, building creative confidence through commitment, designing Julia to better represent autistic children, and how mentorship, serendipity, and saying yes shape a creative life.

Kelly welcomes Harvard professor Ranjay Gulati back to the podcast to discuss his new book, “How to Be Bold: The Surprising Science of Everyday Courage.”  https://serve.castfire.com/audio/7857976/7857976_2025-12-14-224716.64kmono.mp3  “Courage is a learned behavior, not an innate one.”  “Heroes seldom act alone.”  “Sometimes, frankly, we take confidence too far.”  Recent Posts Second City Works presents “Getting to Yes, And” Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde – ‘We Can Be Brave’ .cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} Anne-Laure Le Cunff – ‘Tiny Experiments’ .cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} Juan Bendana – ‘The Key to Confidence’ .cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} Tony Wagner – ‘How Education is Failing Our Kids’ .cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} Getting to Yes, And… | John August – “Scriptnotes”  .cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} Click for more

Kelly connects with longtime film critic Nick Digilio to talk about his new book “40 Years, 40 Films.” They discuss growing up in Chicago, falling in love with movies, and Nick’s start at WGN Radio on the Roy Leonard Show. Then they dig into some of Nick’s favorite movies, such as Albert Brooks’ “Lost in America” and Paul Thomas Anderson’s “Magnolia.” https://serve.castfire.com/audio/7857969/7857969_2025-12-14-211109.64kmono.mp3 “My parents didn’t really enforce rules when it came to media consumption.” “The movies led to reading, which led to more movies.” “My love wasn’t limited to horror. I adored comedies, too.” Recent Posts Second City Works presents “Getting to Yes, And” Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde – ‘We Can Be Brave’ .cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} Anne-Laure Le Cunff – ‘Tiny Experiments’ .cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} Juan Bendana – ‘The Key to Confidence’ .cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} Tony Wagner – ‘How Education is Failing Our Kids’ .cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} Getting to Yes, And… | John August – “Scriptnotes”  .cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} Click for more

Goldie Chan, a branding and storytelling expert and founder of Warm Robots, dives deep into the world of introversion and personal branding. She shares practical tips for introverts on networking and small talk, and discusses how historical figures like Cleopatra mastered branding. Goldie encourages embracing one's unique identity while taking smart risks, emphasizing the importance of community for introverts. She also challenges misconceptions about introverts, revealing that many can be dynamic and engaging in the right contexts.

Kelly talks to Venezuelan-born, Chicago-based photographer Daniel Moreno about his new book of photographs of Chicago’s legendary Holiday Train.  https://serve.castfire.com/audio/7852900/7852900_2025-12-11-020100.64kmono.mp3 “To me, the Holiday Train is more than a seasonal spectacle; it’s a train of light.” “I’ve felt the collective joy of strangers momentarily united by a shared sense of awe.”  “In the end, the train doesn’t just bring light to the city, it makes winter feel a little less harsh.” Recent Posts Second City Works presents “Getting to Yes, And” Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde – ‘We Can Be Brave’ .cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} Anne-Laure Le Cunff – ‘Tiny Experiments’ .cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} Juan Bendana – ‘The Key to Confidence’ .cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} Tony Wagner – ‘How Education is Failing Our Kids’ .cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} Getting to Yes, And… | John August – “Scriptnotes”  .cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} Click for more