Yes But Why Podcast
242 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 1 year ago - ★★★★★ - 10 ratingsYes But Why is an Austin-based podcast in which host Amy Jordan interviews improvisers, writers, showrunners, and other creatives about what inspires them, how they handle their struggles and what project they’re working on next!
Homepage Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Overcast Castro Pocket Casts RSS feed
Episodes
YBY ep 332: Emma Borrow is sprinkling her improv magic on the world.
February 27, 2023 05:19 - 1 hour - 60.1 MBThis week on Yes But Why, I chatted with Copenhagen-based improviser, Emma Borrow! Emma Borrow is an improv performer and teacher currently residing in Copenhagen, Denmark. Originally from England, Emma began her theatrical journey at the Copenhagen Theatre Circle, an English-speaking amateur theatre group, with a 55-year history of bringing people together through the love of the stage. These days, Emma can be found performing weekly on the mainstage of the Improv Comedy Copenhagen’s ‘...
YBY ep 331: Jada Pulley is dedicated to making improv an art form accessible to all!
February 13, 2023 04:27 - 1 hour - 49.4 MBThis week on Yes But Why, I interviewed improv performer and producer, Jada Pulley. Jada Pulley is a teaching and theater artist based in Minneapolis, MN. Jada is a staple of HUGE Theater, where they regularly produce and perform in improv shows, such as “Based on a True Story.” They are a proud director of the Twin Cities Black and Funny Improv Festival and founder of the Queer and Funny Improv Festival. Jada is dedicated to making improv an art form accessible to all people, especially ...
YBY ep 330: Karla Dingle really knows how to bring people together.
January 30, 2023 03:15 - 1 hour - 49 MBThis week on Yes But Why, I chatted with actor, improviser, and coach Karla Dingle. Karla Dingle has spent her life on the stage. She is an actor and a voiceover artist. You can see her performing improv with Now are the Foxes Improv Comedy, Close Distance Improv, Charlotte Comedy Theater, and Background Noise Musical Improv. Karla’s passion beside performing is teaching and coaching. Currently, Karla is the Education Director and an Instructor at Queen City Comedy in Charlotte, NC in...
YBY ep 329: Chris Mead and the magic of producing theater
December 19, 2022 03:37 - 1 hour - 61.8 MBThis week on Yes But Why, I was delighted to connect with UK improv leader, Chris Mead. Chris Mead is a full time performer and teacher of improv. He has performed and taught in over 25 countries worldwide. Chris lives in the Surrey Hills of England with his wife, Laura and their dog friend, Radio. A passionate lover of improv, Chris Mead is currently teaching for Hoopla Impro, the largest improv school in the UK, as well as offering numerous indie classes on his own. Chris is one third...
YBY ep 328: Reid Messerschmidt is Irrationally Exuberant
December 05, 2022 04:56 - 1 hour - 59.3 MBThis week on Yes But Why, I chatted with Reid Messerschmidt, a writer and podcaster from Fargo, ND. Reid Messerschmidt features his writings as well as his performance thereof on his show, The Irrationally Exuberant Podcast. He is a hilariously fun person to follow on social media. You can find Reid scouring thrift shops (or the river) for the best and weirdest of treasures. You can also catch him on ebay selling the wacky wares he is not allowed to keep in his house. Reid has always been...
YBY ep 327: Redefining Success with Jess Lonett
November 21, 2022 04:11 - 1 hour - 47.7 MBThis week on Yes But Why, I chatted with my friend Jess Lonett, an enthusiastic human who loves collaborating with other enthusiastic humans. Jess Lonett is a cat mom, a glitter enthusiast, a #swiftie, an inspiration hoarder, a playlist curator, a donut lover, and an improviser based in Austin, Texas! She is what some may call a human woman who likes attention and has been capturing the attention of friends, family and strangers alike in a variety of ways since birth. She's won silver medals...
YBY ep 326: Kristin Henn presents whimsy and wonder as she produces improv for kids!
November 07, 2022 03:07 - 1 hour - 77.9 MBThis week on Yes But Why, listen in to my conversation with Kristin Henn, the owner and director of Excused Absence Comedy and Move Your Tale. Kristin Henn began hanging out backstage while her mom stage-managed when she was 5 years old. By 6, she found her way onto the stage. Kristin’s theatrical education started with storytelling, theater history, directing and creative drama. When she discovered Improv, a switch flipped. She had found her path. She began her study of Improv at ColdTow...
YBY ep 325: Katy Schutte on adventure, creativity, and fairness.
October 24, 2022 04:04 - 1 hour - 52.1 MBThis week on Yes But Why, I present to you my interview with improviser, Katy Schutte. Katy Schutte has performed and taught improvisation in 20+ countries across five continents. She is a Head Teacher and Curriculum Writer for Hoopla, the UK’s biggest improv school. Katy authored The Improviser's Way: A Longform Workbook, published by Nick Hern Books. She is also a commercial and voiceover actor. Katy is a contributing writer for Cards Against Humanity as well as an actor/writer on the w...
YBY ep 324: Maddie Cordovano on making up stories and bringing people together.
October 10, 2022 03:49 - 1 hour - 51.3 MBThis week on Yes But Why, I had a lovely time chatting with Maddie Cordovano, the newest Conservatory Director at Fallout Theater in Austin. Maddie Cordovano has been an improviser for a little over 14 years. She trained at iO and The Second City in Chicago before moving to Austin where she signed with her first agent and wrote her first solo show. She is now the new Conservatory Director at Fallout Theater and is working to pursue a career in voice over acting. You can catch her going wild...
YBY ep 323: Joe Thompson on finding the tools to create your own worlds.
September 26, 2022 15:44 - 1 hour - 70.4 MBThis week on Yes But Why, I chatted with Joe Thompson, an improv performer and teacher based out of Sheffield, UK. Joe Thompson started his improv career 9 years ago at the University of Sheffield, where he joined and later became Artistic Director of the university improv society ‘The Shrimps’. Since then, he has been featured in the Leicester Comedy Award nominated long form group ‘Scriptless in Seattle’ and performed at the Y-Not Festival with Sturike Comedy. Joe’s interest in improv i...
YBY ep 322: Wendy Salome on giving yourself permission to be creative.
September 12, 2022 15:52 - 1 hour - 44.3 MBThis week on Yes But Why, I talk to improviser and producer, Wendy Salome. Wendy Salome serves Austin’s creative community through the Coldtowne Theater. She was the Chief of Staff for ColdTowne Theater from 2018-2020. She improvised with the ColdTowne House Troupe, “Porch Cat” as well as the all-mom troupe, “My Secret Friend.” Wendy produced the B. Iden Payne-nominated show Junior Year Abroad and co-produced My Own Worst Enemy. After a long stretch of pandemic-induced hibernation from crea...
YBY ep 321: Fiona Howat on finding what makes you happy and doing it!
September 05, 2022 15:00 - 1 hour - 47.3 MBThis week on Yes But Why, I chat with Fiona Howat. Fiona Howat is a podcaster who loves improv, storytelling and roleplaying games. As well as doing as much improv as possible (both online and in person), she runs two RPG-related podcasts, 'What I am Rolling?': a twice-monthly RPG one-shot podcast, and 'The DM's Bookclub': where each week the hosts take a topic from Dungeons and Dragons and discuss how they might include it in their roleplaying campaigns! Fiona and I met in a workshop led ...
YBY ep 320: Ti Malik Coleman and the many branches of his tree of creativity
August 29, 2022 00:19 - 1 hour - 64.9 MBThis week on Yes But Why, I explore the world of artist Ti Malik Coleman. Ti Malik Coleman is a Baltimore based comedian, teacher, storyteller, improviser, and writer. A Black trans performer, he is dedicated to building spaces for black queer and trans folks to come together and share stories as a mechanism of healing and celebration. Ti Malik tells stories to heal, gather and entertain. Ti Malik is an experienced and sought-after Improv teacher and coach. He has taught core and advanced...
YBY ep 319: Patti Stiles and a life of telling stories and creating wonder.
August 22, 2022 03:37 - 1 hour - 51.7 MBThis week on Yes But Why, I present my interview with Patti Stiles. Patti Stiles is an actor, director, author, playwright and teacher who specializes in improvisational theatre. She has been working professionally in theatre since 1983. Patti has taught and performed in North and South America, Europe, Scandinavia, Asia, UAE and the Oceania region for numerous improv companies, festivals, and theatre schools as well as the corporate arena. Patti is a member of the ITI Artistic Committee (...
YBY ep 318: The unstoppable force of Kasia Chmara’s creativity.
August 15, 2022 03:34 - 1 hour - 42.9 MBThis week on Yes But Why, I present my interview with Kasia Chmara. Kasia Chmara is an improviser, an actress and a theater teacher in Bydgoszcz, Poland. She completed her studies at the International Film, Theatre and TV School in Lodz. She has been performing improv for almost a decade, but she’s been teaching theatre since 1998. Kasia is an artistic coordinator of “Improdrom,” the International Improv Festival in Bydgoszcz, Poland. She regularly leads theatre and improvisation worksho...
YBY ep 317: Lisa Michelle Jackson on viewing mistakes as gifts and turning your bad time into something good.
May 30, 2022 21:56 - 1 hour - 54.7 MBThis week on Yes But Why, I interviewed improviser and creative, Lisa Michelle Jackson. Lisa Michelle Jackson is an improv comedian, visual artist, dancer, and writer based in Austin, Texas. Lisa has been improvising since 2007 and has worked as a performer, teacher, coach and director. With B. Iden Payne awards and nominations, she has performed in an array of shows and troupes and has traveled to perform across the U.S. As a visual artist, Lisa is a naturalist and uses organic processe...
YBY ep 316: Pete Parsons: talent on the stage and on the page.
May 23, 2022 04:19 - 1 hour - 44 MBThis week on Yes But Why, I interviewed writer and actor, Pete Parsons. Pete Parsons is an entertainer who currently lives in Austin Texas. A graduate of The Theater School at DePaul University, Pete learned the most about what it takes to be an artist from the Chicago improv theaters and their classes and communities. These days, you can catch him at the Fallout Theater in downtown Austin. Every Saturday night there, you can see Pete hosting Pioneers, an improv show that features a new ca...
YBY ep 315: David “BS” Bradshaw on his passion for empowering creative people
May 16, 2022 04:54 - 1 hour - 55.9 MBThis week on Yes But Why, I interviewed emcee/beatboxer, David “BS” Bradshaw about his love for performing freestyle rap and teaching workshops. David "BS" Bradshaw has been emceeing and beatboxing in NYC for the past decade. His primary focus the last five years has been refining his craft as an artist- educator and programming specialist. He has toured regionally, performed at the Apollo, been featured on BET's 106&Park, and The Today Show. He’s collaborated on hip-hop based team-buildin...
YBY ep 314: Creative multipotentialite Charlotte Brown connects improvisers all over the world!
May 09, 2022 04:55 - 1 hour - 63.3 MBThis week on Yes But Why, I chatted with improviser and theater techperson, Charlotte Brown. Charlotte Brown (they/them) is a Chicago-based multipotentialite that enjoys many creative endeavors such as improv, filmmaking, photography, and teching virtual improvised shows! Charlotte got their start during the pandemic doing tech for online improv shows through the Hideout Theater in Austin, Texas (you know the one). Charlotte has enjoyed virtual theater because they have gotten to learn an...
YBY ep 313: Comedian Zack Lyman talks about little projects and The Big Laugh
May 02, 2022 03:46 - 1 hour - 62.6 MBThis week on Yes But Why, I had the pleasure of speaking with Arizona-based stand-up comedian, Zack Lyman. Zack Lyman has been performing stand-up comedy for over 13 years. In that time, he has been written about by such publications as Vulture Magazine, Phoenix New Times, and Comedy Hype Magazine. His live shows are unique and full of energy. Zack recently filmed his own soon-to-be-streaming comedy special, The Big Laugh. Recently Zack became a TikTok Partner, tasked with creating funny ...
YBY ep 312: Chris Griswold on justice and being kind to each other.
April 25, 2022 05:12 - 1 hour - 50.8 MBThis week on Yes But Why, I talk to improviser, Chris Griswold. Chris Griswold is the founder and Academic Director of Thunderbolt Comedy. Having taught improv since 1999, Chris is currently one of the world’s most prolific improv instructors, coaching more than 800 hours in 2014 alone. Chris is a writer and actor, appearing in commercials for Android and the Brother P-Touch Label Maker, as well as PSAs for the United Nation’s #HeForShe program, and Project #UROK. Originally self-taught th...
YBY ep 311: Riley E. Smith on how books and improv saved her life.
April 18, 2022 05:16 - 1 hour - 62.5 MBThis week on Yes But Why, I talk to comedy writer and novelist, Riley E. Smith. Riley E. Smith writes and reads everything, with a specialty in smart-talking antiheroes and strong-willed women across genres. She's taught and performed standup comedy, sketch comedy, and improv on two continents. Riley was brought up in Arizona but she currently lives in Southern California with her helpful editor/boyfriend, where she teaches improv and writes books. Riley also runs a small business helping...
YBY ep 310: Bria Landry on the chaos and the joy of nurturing a creative community
April 11, 2022 05:08 - 1 hour - 50.5 MBThis week on Yes But Why, I connected with creative mentor and entrepreneur, Bria Landry. Currently based in the Houston area, Bria Landry is a theater teacher, director, and creative mentor. Her company, Off The Wall Media and Entertainment, started as a small town youth theater and has since grown into Houston's must have media source. Over the course of more than 30 years, Bria Landry has gained professional experience both on and off the stage. Theatre is the foundation for her creativ...
YBY ep 309: Rhiannon Jenkins on teaching improv with an open, caring heart.
April 04, 2022 04:54 - 1 hour - 64.7 MBThis week on Yes But Why, I had the pleasure of chatting with UK-based improviser/director/teacher, Rhiannon Jenkins. Rhiannon Jenkins is an actor, an improviser, a singer, a facilitator, a teacher, and a director. During lockdown, Rhiannon directed The Love Circle, Loose Seuss, and Between the Lines at the Hideout Theatre, and continues to teach online. She performed in Scene and Unseen by Across the Pond as part of The World of Improv, with Eggplant Improv at District Queer Comedy Festiva...
YBY ep 308: Jonathan Flanders pushes past anxiety to live his creative dream!
March 28, 2022 05:05 - 1 hour - 51.7 MBThis week on Yes But Why, I chatted with Austin actor/writer, Jonathan Flanders. Jonathan Flanders is an award winning actor and writer. Acting professionally for over a decade, he is signed with Collier Talent Agency in the Southeast market and Bankston Talent out of the New Mexico and LA markets. He studies his acting craft under acting coach. Paula Russell. Jonathan helped create and perform the Unemployed Wine Guy, as seen on TikTok, Youtube, and Instagram. He can be seen soon on HBO's ...
YBY ep 307: Improviser Whit Shiller on curiosity, connection, and Fish Sticks Comedy.
March 21, 2022 03:34 - 1 hour - 61.7 MBThis week on Yes But Why, listen in as I chat with improviser, instructor and communicator, Whit Shiller. Based out of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Whit Shiller began his 20+ year career in improv at ComedySportz. He later co-founded Fish Sticks Comedy in 2007 and has been performing and producing shows with his company ever since. Fish Sticks Comedy connected with improv scenes all over the country and now has local troupes in Atlanta, Dallas, Denver, and Milwaukee. The cities perform separately ...
YBY ep 306: Emma Bird and the importance of saying YES
March 14, 2022 03:52 - 1 hour - 47.7 MBIn this episode of Yes But Why, I speak with Actor, Theatre Director, and Improviser, Emma Bird. Based out of Liverpool, UK, Emma Bird began her acting career in 1990 featuring in a lead role alongside Pete Postlethwaite, in the BBC film, Needle. While being represented by Independent Talent agency in London, she began a successful career in television, most notably as series regular Maxine Price in Casualty (1992). Emma has been featured in the films, Seventeen (with Rachel Weisz, 1996) and...
YBY ep 305: Dylan Oakes Rohde and the surprising road to building an improv community!
March 07, 2022 04:59 - 1 hour - 73.4 MBThis week on Yes But Why, I laughed a lot with Omaha improv leader, Dylan Oakes Rohde. Dylan Oakes Rohde is the Founder of The Backline Comedy Theatre in Omaha, Nebraska, as well as the Founder of the Omaha Comedy Festival. Dylan has taught and performed at improv schools and festivals in over 20 major US cities and he has taught and performed in Australia, Canada, Netherlands, and Taiwan. In our conversation, Dylan tells me about growing up a wild and mischievous kid. After a teacher help...
YBY ep 304: Anisha Pucadyil is dedicated to sharing her passion for the Arts with others!
February 28, 2022 07:09 - 1 hour - 60.8 MBThis week on Yes But Why, I speak with performer and arts organizer, Anisha Pucadyil. Anisha Pucadyil is an Improviser and Playback theatre performance artist with citylamps and True Heart Theatre. Anisha’s earliest connection to the Arts was through school choir and college theater. Inspired by her mother, Anisha is committed to infusing the Arts into organizations for children and young adults. She has been working toward that goal for over a decade. It wasn’t until the pandemic pushed ...
YBY ep 303: Filmmaker Brandon Reich on his calling to bring joy to audiences and artists alike!
February 21, 2022 03:46 - 1 hour - 68.8 MBThis week on Yes But Why, listen in as I interview filmmaker and improv instructor, Brandon Reich. Texas native Brandon Reich is an independent filmmaker as well as a teacher of Sketch & Improv at the Fallout Comedy Theater in Austin, Texas. Brandon is a five time "top ten finalist" for Austin’s 48hr Film Project. He previously worked for and performed at the world-renowned comedy theater, The Second City, in Chicago. Brandon also recently made his first feature film, The Bob Zula, now avai...
YBY ep 302: Olivia Wise and being funny in your own special way
February 14, 2022 05:08 - 1 hour - 62 MBIn this episode of Yes But Why, I talk to Chicago-based theatre artist, Olivia Wise. Olivia Wise is a writer, actor, and improviser with a background in theatre. She recently relocated to Chicago from Austin, where she studied and performed improv at ColdTowne Theater and starred in scripted shows such as ColdTowne’s Sex AKA Weiners and Boobs and Fallout Theater’s Losers in Space. Currently, Olivia cohosts a weekly podcast called We Wrote The Book, where every episode she and her friends co...
YBY ep 301: Jermaine Trice gives a stage to underrepresented performers.
February 07, 2022 04:52 - 1 hour - 71 MBThis episode of Yes But Why, I sat down to chat with Jermaine Trice, improviser and artistic director of The Improv Place (US). Jermaine Trice is the founder of The Improv Place in the U.S. He is a Chicago native who has been performing long form, short form, musical, and experimental improv off and on since the late 1990s, starting with Second City. I had a great time chatting with Jermaine. He is an unending font of creativity. From dancing to writing poetry to making theater, Jermaine ...
YBY ep 300: A retrospective of the 299 Yes But Why episodes!
January 31, 2022 10:03 - 2 hours - 111 MB#NEW #EPISODE This week on Yes But Why, it’s a retrospective of the podcast’s past. There have been a lot of changes to the podcast since the first episode of Yes But Why on April 18, 2016. Listen in for clips from various episodes out of the 299 done. We talk about improv, audiences, and acting. We talk a lot about art. There’s a bunch of weird shit. And Kevin McDonald tells us why he got into comedy. Check it out. #YesButWhy #Podcast is a proud member of @HCUniversal Network.
YBY ep 299: The Mayor of Improv Mark Turpin talks about magic, laughter, and friendship!
January 24, 2022 05:14 - 1 hour - 42.7 MBThis week on Yes But Why, I talk to the “Mayor of Improv,” Mark Turpin. Mark Turpin is an improviser originally from Manchester and now based in Liverpool in the UK. Mark earned the moniker “Mayor of Improv” for the support he gives to his fellow improvisers in the global Improv Community. Mark has taken online workshops and courses with top improvisers from all over the world, such as Jay Sukow, David Escobedo, Michelle Gilliam, Will Hines and Stephanie Rae. At home in the UK, Mark is a m...
YBY ep 298: The magic of Natalie Grigson’s determination and imagination.
January 17, 2022 03:25 - 1 hour - 52.1 MBThis week on Yes But Why, I chat with author, artist and facilitator, Natalie Grigson. Natalie Grigson was born and raised in Austin, Texas. She is the author of seven books, including the bestselling Peter Able series. Natalie is a facilitator both in-person and online. She teaches connection-focused improv (in-person), creative writing (online), and art classes for both adults and teens (in-person). She has also been writing and editing professionally for the past decade. Natalie is also...
YBY ep 297: Chris Green creates fun content for his own little corner of the internet!
January 10, 2022 05:12 - 1 hour - 62.9 MBThis week on Yes But Why, I chatted with podcaster, Chris Green. Known as “Toph” in his role of host/producer for multiple podcasts, Chris Green builds each podcasting project until it inspires another. “My podcast projects are basically a set of Russian nesting dolls,” he said to me. Toph started by creating Gravity Beard, a successful podcast variety show that featured lots of different segments. Some turned into other projects like pop culture podcast, This Week Today and sports show, A...
YBY ep 296: Maximilian Hansen on taking the leap toward your next creative adventure!
January 03, 2022 04:23 - 1 hour - 61.2 MBThis week on Yes But Why, I talk to Maximilian Hansen, improv performer and teacher from Uppsala, Sweden. Maximilian Hansen is the founder and artistic director of Mind Melt. He has performed and taught improv in, among others: England, Ghana, India, Ireland, Kenya, Slovenia, Germany and the United States. Max is a curious and physical improv performer. As a teacher/coach, he creates a positive atmosphere that encourages the participants to push their limits while having a good time. Max’...
YBY ep 295: Filmmaker Kelli Horan on learning through writing and revising.
December 27, 2021 05:43 - 1 hour - 56.6 MBThis week on Yes But Why, I talk to independent filmmaker and artist, Kelli Horan. Active in the filmmaking community, Kelli Horan was the Screenwriting Co-Director and Programmer at Other Worlds Film Fest 2020; she was a member of Women Communicators of Austin; and she was the Marketing Chair for Women in Film & Television Austin for 2019. She loves to support fellow independent filmmakers to make their visions come to life. Originally from Tucson, AZ, Kelli has written, directed, and pro...
YBY ep 294: Michelle Gilliam on thriving as an artist and pushing on through to the next big thing!
December 20, 2021 06:25 - 1 hour - 49.6 MBThis week on Yes But Why, I talk to the confident and spectacular Michelle Gilliam. Milwaukee born and raised, Michelle Gilliam is an improviser, actor, host, and voice actor. Michelle has been involved in improv comedy for over 20 years, through studying, performing, coaching, teaching, and directing. Michelle is now based in Los Angeles, CA. As the Owner and Artistic Director of Improv MKE, she is building her improv comedy school and theater via online classes. Michelle had a strong ba...
YBY ep 293: Deana Criess on building inclusivity through improv!
December 13, 2021 04:17 - 1 hour - 62.4 MBThis week on Yes But Why, I spoke with Creative Consultant, Deana Criess. Deana Criess has been a professional improviser for more than 20 years. A master instructor, director, and performer, Deana has done shows and workshops at festivals, theaters, colleges, and Fortune 500 companies all over the country. Deana is currently the Associate Director of Recruitment & Admissions and Applied Improvisation Specialist for Career Launch @ Perkins, an innovative job training program she helped to...
YBY ep 292: Morgan Phillips on music, improv, and going viral in your forties!
December 06, 2021 05:50 - 1 hour - 64.6 MBIn this week’s Yes But Why Podcast episode, I talk to Morgan Phillips, performer of improv and music since 1994. Morgan Phillips is an improviser and improv coach based in New York City. He is the creator and temporary Artistic Director of Not A Bit Comedy Theater. Morgan has been studying and performing improv on a regular basis for almost 30 years. He loves performing improv. In 2015, Morgan did online improv scenes with over 1000 improvisers. Morgan loves teaching improv. He taught at ...
YBY ep 291: Shweta Bhat on appreciating the art that you create.
November 29, 2021 05:37 - 1 hour - 49.3 MBIn this week’s episode of Yes But Why Podcast, I chatted with joyful storyteller, Shweta Bhat. Shweta Bhat is a software professional, a teacher, a writer, a psychologist, a theatre artist, an improviser and a poet. She is a counsellor, trainer and consultant at SASHA (Support Against Sexual Harassment). Shweta is also the host and editor of “Voice – The SASHA PoSHcast,” a monthly podcast dealing with topics around the theme of sexual harassment prevention and gender equity. Shweta teache...
YBY ep 290: Laurie Wagner Storlie on using the “Yes And” philosophy of improv to fix every part of your life!
November 22, 2021 04:46 - 1 hour - 59.8 MBThis week on Yes But Why, I connected with parent support coach and certified hypnotherapist, Laurie Wagner Storlie. Laurie Wagner Storlie is a child development expert with an extensive background in producing and performing improv comedy. She shows parents how to find parenting hacks using the rules of improv. Laurie is also the host of the podcast, “Improvised Parenting.” In our conversation, we talk about how Laurie got into improv and how she has been using it for years to tap into he...
YBY ep 289: Kat Ramzinski’s wild stories and boundless energy!
November 15, 2021 06:47 - 1 hour - 74.1 MBThis week on Yes But Why, I chatted with Austin comedian, Kat Ramzinski. Kat Ramzinski is a Stand Up Comic, Writer, Actor and Musician, best known for her story-telling abilities and that time she was stabbed. Kat has been showcased on the comedy docuseries “Cracking Up” on the Mental Health Channel, and the PBS show “Stand Up Empire”. Kat has performed Stand Up comedy at Moontower Comedy Festival, End of the Earth Fest, Ladies are Funny Fest, and Rob Van Dam’s “Whole F’n Comedy Tour.” S...
YBY ep 288: Ammon Taylor on saving the world one musical at a time.
November 08, 2021 05:18 - 1 hour - 70.8 MBThis week on Yes But Why, I had the pleasure of speaking with pianist, composer, and music director, Ammon Taylor. Currently based in Austin, Texas, Ammon Taylor is The Paramount Theatre’s Education Music Director and an active member of Austin’s theatre community. With a Bachelor of Music in composition from UT Austin, Ammon has been using his background in classical, jazz, and musical theatre to set children’s narrative inventions to music with Story Wranglers, and to create scores for im...
YBY ep 287 Elena Weinberg and Duncan Coe on being quirky, confident, and creative!
November 01, 2021 05:22 - 1 hour - 56.3 MBThis week on Yes But Why Podcast, I reconnected with writer/director Elena Weinberg. I also got the opportunity to sit down and chat with Elena’s husband and creative partner, writer/actor, Duncan Coe! Elena Weinberg is an actress, writer, director, producer, and production manager. She has made quite a few independent films alongside Duncan Coe with their production company, TurtleDove Films. Elena is known for her work creating the webseries, #ATown and directing the movie, A Room Full of ...
YBY ep 286: Alya Lei on finding a community who will believe in you!
October 25, 2021 02:35 - 1 hour - 53.7 MBThis week on Yes But Why Podcast, I had a great conversation with actor/producer, Alya Lei. Alya Lei is an actress and producer, known for Lucifer (2016), 13 Reasons Why (2017) and Moonlighter (2018). She has worked on network television shows, been cast in numerous independent films, corporate industrials, and booked principal roles in commercials. She is consistently working on her craft with a variety of acting coaches. Alya is a podcaster and can be heard hosting “The Actor's Resource ...
YBY ep 285: Jer Moran on creating the art that makes you happy.
October 17, 2021 02:30 - 1 hour - 54.8 MBThis week on Yes But Why Podcast, I showcase my talk with comedian and filmmaker, Jer Moran. Jer Moran is a filmmaker and cartoonist based in Austin, TX. He has written and directed various short films and his work has been shown at the Austin Spotlight Film Festival, Austin Comedy Film Festival, Austin Micro Film Festival, and GELOS Comedy Film Festival. Jer is also a comedian and musical improviser who can be seen at the Hideout Theatre, Fallout Theater, Coldtowne Theater, and the Insti...
YBY ep 284: John Gebretatose and what improv teaches us about humanity.
October 11, 2021 06:28 - 1 hour - 60.9 MBThis week on Yes But Why Podcast, I interview comedian John Gebratatose. John Gebretatose has been dedicated to the comedy scene in Minnesota's Twin Cities for more than a decade. He performs stand-up, improv, and sketch comedy. John is an improv instructor as well as the Director of Diversity & Inclusion at HUGE Improv Theater in Minneapolis, MN. He has taught improv workshops in theaters, hospitals, corporate workspaces, K-12 schools and colleges. Over the past few years, John has beco...
YBY ep 283: Travis Charles Ploeger of iMusical and his lifelong love affair with music!
October 04, 2021 04:23 - 1 hour - 64 MBThis week on Yes But Why Podcast, I present my chat with Travis Charles Ploeger, the director/founder of Washington Improv Theater's longest running ensemble, iMusical: The Improvised Musical. Over the course of his career, Travis Charles Ploeger has helped to create and perform over 2,000 improvised musicals to audiences across the country. He joined Washington Improv Theater and created iMusical in 2006, after an eight-year career as the music director and pianist for Chicago City Limits ...