Best Applied Improvisation Podcasts (2025)

1
Episode 131: General Surgery Program Director Dr. Steve Kavic 26:22

Play Pause

10d ago26:22

26:22

Our series on applying to residency programs continues, this time with UMMC's General Surgery Program Director, Dr. Steve Kavic. He shares a wealth of information on what he looks for in candidates, how to approach personal statements and interview days, and how he supports his residents to achieve their career goals.…

1
Being Comfortable with the Uncomfortable with Jacque Arend 2:06:59

13d ago2:06:59

2:06:59

If there’s one thing that improvisation teaches us, it’s that life rarely follows a script. For Jacque Arend, Managing Director of Camp Improv Utopia and Executive Director of Savi Fest, that truth has been especially clear over the past few years. She’s navigated running multiple improv camps, ADHD, and career pivots – and today, she shares with u…

1
041 - Say “Yes, And!” to Living UNMUTED with Rachel Druckenmiller 48:15

18d ago48:15

48:15

By Avish Parashar, Rachel Druckenmiller

1
S2 Ep8: Randall Packard - global history of dengue fever 43:40

24d ago43:40

43:40

After a short hiatus for the summer, we're back with another episode of For the Medical Record! This week, Richard and Mia talk with Randall Packard, professor emeritus in the history of medicine at Johns Hopkins University about his new book, Fevered Cities: A History of Dengue Epidemics. We talk about why dengue fever is such an interesting disea…

1
040 - Say “Yes, And!” to the LEADOUT Advantage with Scott Cooksey 53:36

1M ago53:36

53:36

In this episode, I sit down with Scott Cooksey, CSP, founder of Leadout Performance Group, to talk about building teams that can adapt and win, especially when the plan meets reality. Scott explains why most “one-and-done” trainings fail, how to diagnose the real problem behind symptoms like conflict, and how leaders can modernize their playbook fo…

1
039 - Say “Yes, And!” to Keeping It Human with Kathy Klotz Guest 43:03

2M ago43:03

43:03

In this episode, I had the absolute pleasure of chatting with fellow improviser and change-maker Kathy Klotz-Guest. Kathy’s career path is anything but boring. She went from being a rare female leader in Silicon Valley tech to blending her love of improv and comedy into transformational work with corporate teams. We talk about her journey, the powe…

1
Episode 130: Internal Medicine Program Director Dr. Danny Baek 23:06

2M ago23:06

23:06

Our special series on applying to residency continues, this time with an interview with Internal Medicine Residency Program Director Dr. Danny Baek. She shares her approach to the residency application process and match, how signaling works in her field, what she looks for in applicants, and her best advice for students navigating this unique life …

1
038 - Say “Yes, And!” to Cheering On Others with Jan Spence 43:11

2M ago43:11

43:11

I had a blast talking with Jan Spence, a Certified Speaking Professional and TEDx speaker whose journey from professional women’s full‑tackle football to international keynote speaker is unforgettable. Jan shares how turning a sea of competitors into teammates through simple encouragement sparked her “Cheer Leadership®” philosophy. We dive into act…

1
Episode 129: Applying to Residency! Interventional (and Diagnostic) Radiology with New SOM Grad Dr. Shirin Parsa 17:32

2M ago17:32

17:32

We continue our series on Applying to Residency with brand new SOM grad Shirin Parsa. She's a prelim surgery intern who will complete her residency in Integrated Interventional Radiology at the University of Maryland. She shares her residency application journey, including the mentorship she received, the interviews she went on, and how she crafted…

1
037 - Say “Yes, And!” to Navigating the Future of Creativity and AI with Nye Warburton 1:03:43

2M ago1:03:43

1:03:43

In this episode, I connect with my old friend Nye Warburton, someone I’ve known since our college improv‑comedy days. Nye’s journey has taken him from animating features like Monster House and Battleship to chairing an Interactive Design & Game Development department of a college and writing provocative essays about AI, blockchain, and creative tec…

1
036 - Say “Yes, And!” to Unstoppable Momentum with Kim Becking 49:35

3M ago49:35

49:35

What if the chaos and uncertainty in your life could become the very fuel that propels you forward? In this episode, resilience and adaptability expert Kim Becking shares her powerful Unstoppable Momentum™ framework for navigating change with grit, grace, and purpose. A stage-3 breast cancer survivor, former attorney, and bestselling author, Kim br…

1
Episode 128: Applying to Residency! Dr. Pharibe Pope on ENT 18:01

3M ago18:01

18:01

We are kicking off a brand new series on Applying to Residency with recent SOM graduates who recently went through the Match. We'll get to know their individual stories, special considerations for applying to their field, and how they approached items like their personal statement, letters of recommendation, away rotations, and rank lists. You'll l…

1
035 - Say “Yes, And!” to EPIC Connections with Riaz Patel 1:05:45

3M ago1:05:45

1:05:45

I had the privilege of sitting down with longtime friend and Hollywood veteran, Riaz Patel. Trained in psychology at UPenn and raised in a world where he was rarely the "norm," Riaz has built a career around authentic transformation - first on TV, and now live onstage. In this episode, we dive into: His creative process behind TV hits like How to L…

1
Uncertainty is My Friend: A Postpartum Life Update and the Mantra that Keeps Me Grounded 57:45

3M ago57:45

57:45

After a podcasting hiatus, Dayna Gowan is back behind the mic – and she’s got a lot to share. In this solo episode, Dayna opens up about the wild ride that has been new motherhood, from unexpected detours in her birth plan to sleepless nights, big trips and moves, and the messy, beautiful process of adjusting to her new identity as “mom.” Plus, she…

1
Episode 127: Deciding on a Specialty in Third Year 24:54

4M ago24:54

24:54

Imagine that you start medical school knowing exactly which field you want to go into. You line up your mentors and your research projects in that field. Whenever you shadow a physician, it’s in that specialty. Eventually, you start your 3rd year of med school, and you tell everyone what you want to do. And then - you change your mind. You fall in …

1
034 - Say “Yes, And!” to Resetting with Penny Zenker 52:33

4M ago52:33

52:33

In this episode, I talk with Penny Zenker—the Focusologist—about her Reset Mindset approach. We dive into what exactly a reset moment is, explore her three‑step framework (Step Back, Get Perspective, Realign), and apply it to everyday life—from emotional triggers to workplace pivots. Penny also breaks down how to ask powerful questions like “What e…

1
Punchlines & Progress: Jessica Halem's Journey of Comedy, Advocacy, & Connection 1:44:37

4M ago1:44:37

1:44:37

On this episode of Improvly Speaking, Dayna Gowan sits down with the incredible Jessica Halem, a powerhouse public speaker, communication strategist, LGBTQ+ health equity advocate, and a former stand-up comic trained at Second City. Jessica has worn many hats (and delivered many punchlines). She’s currently the Senior Director of the LGBTQ+ Health …

1
S2 Ep7: Bryan Doerries (Theater of War Productions) - performing histories of health disparities 49:16

4M ago49:16

49:16

Welcome back to another episode of For the Medical Record! This week, Richard and Mia talk with Bryan Doerries, artistic director of Theater of War Productions. They discuss Bryan's recent production of A Refutation, where actors dramatically read documents related to the 1793 yellow fever epidemic in Philadelphia, which was performed at several lo…

1
Episode 126: Starting a Family in Medical School with M4 Olivia Torre 17:18

4M ago17:18

17:18

One of the most commonly asked questions about life and medicine is: “When is the right time to start a family?” It’s such a good question, and there’s no single, one-size-fits-all kind of answer. In this episode, we’ll get to know a student who has been juggling parenthood and medical school with great skill and grace. Olivia Torre, a 4th-year med…

1
033 - Say “Yes, And!” to Sparking a Cascade of Change With Greg Satell 1:00:07

4M ago1:00:07

1:00:07

In this episode of Yes, And with Avish Parashar, I sit down with Greg Satell—author of Cascades and Mapping Innovation, and a leading voice on evidence-based change management. We dive deep into why traditional change methods often backfire, the science of how change actually spreads, and how leaders can spark transformational change by starting sm…

1
Improvly Parenting: A Comedy Show in Real Life with Matthew Krekeler, Host of Girl Dad Nation Podcast 1:05:38

4M ago1:05:38

1:05:38

Parenting can be just like improv (aka Improvly Parenting) – you never know what’s coming next, and you just have to roll with it. That’s exactly the kind of real talk you get on the Improvly Speaking today with my guest, Matthew Krekeler – a proud “girl dad,” podcast host, and media pro from Denver, Colorado. Matthew is the founder of the Girl Dad…

1
Cheers to 6 Years - Improviding Life Lessons Learned, Anniversary Edition 27:35

4M ago27:35

27:35

Send us a text Lori celebrates the sixth anniversary of "Improviding Life", reflecting on six years of business and personal growth. Transcript https://otter.ai/u/yHUySFzUuLcurkkMIWoUV2yCJXE?view=summary Cheers to 6 Years Sale: use code CHEERS6YEARS through June 30th, 2025 Wake Up Willingly $6 Synclarities Starter Kit $6 Yes, And Yesterday $66 Yes,…

1
S2 Ep6: Bonus Episode: Michael Seminara - on curating the historical collection at the Institute of the History of Medicine 18:46

5M ago18:46

18:46

It's summer, which means scholars are heading to the archives! Looking down the barrel at their own upcoming research trips, Richard and Mia talk with Michael Seminara, the curator for the historical collection at the Institute of the History of Medicine at Johns Hopkins. They chat with him about curating the collection, putting up exhibitions, and…

1
032 - Say “Yes, And!” to Offboarding Done Right with Toni Thomas 51:18

5M ago51:18

51:18

In this episode of Yes, And with Avish Parashar, I’m joined by Toni Thomas from Challenger, Gray & Christmas to explore a topic that doesn’t get nearly enough attention: offboarding. While onboarding gets the red carpet treatment, too often the way people exit an organization is abrupt, impersonal, and damaging — to them and to the company. Toni sh…

1
Yes, And Healing: Using Improv in Therapy with Salma Soliman 1:49:58

5M ago1:49:58

1:49:58

What happens when you combine the compassion of a therapist with the quick-thinking creativity of an improviser? You get someone like Salma Soliman – a licensed therapist and the founder of Brave Youth Therapy in California, and today’s guest on Improvly Speaking. I got the privilege of chatting with Salma for a joyful and heartfelt conversation ab…

1
S2 Ep5: Mary Fissell - on abortion's long durée 37:58

5M ago37:58

37:58

In this episode, Richard and Mia talk with Mary Fissell, the Inaugural J. Mario Molina Professor of the History of Medicine at Johns Hopkins University, about her new book, "Pushback: The 2,500-Year Fight to Thwart Women by Restricting Abortion." This is a great book and Mary is such a wealth of knowledge about this history. Related Works: Jennifer…

1
031 - 52 Things I Would Tell My 22 Year-Old Self (Birthday Episode!) 1:08:06

5M ago1:08:06

1:08:06

This week is my birthday—I'm turning 52! And to mark the occasion, I'm sharing something a little different: 52 things I would tell my 22-year-old self. Over the years, I've made a lot of mistakes, learned a ton, and picked up a bunch of insights that would’ve helped me back when I was just starting out. In this fast-paced, fun solo episode, I shar…

1
Episode 125: The Hidden Curriculum with Dr. Sarah Dubbs and Dr. Sandra Quezada 26:44

5M ago26:44

26:44

We all know about the medical school curriculum. But what about the hidden curriculum, or how students learn about the unspoken culture of medicine through everyday, informal interactions? In this episode, Dr. Sandra Quezada and Dr. Sarah Dubbs explore the hidden curriculum with some examples, chat about whether the hidden curriculum can be positiv…

1
S2 Ep4: Alisha Rankin (Colloquium Mini Episode) - on surgical expertise in Renaissance manuscripts 31:52

5M ago31:52

31:52

In this (not-so-mini) episode, Richard and Mia chat with Tufts University history professor, Alisha Rankin, about the paper she presented for the 29th Hideyo Ngouchi Lecture and as part of the Johns Hopkins Program in the History of Science, Medicine & Technology's colloquium series. Her paper, "The Skillful Surgeon: Surgical Expertise and Conteste…

1
030 - Say “Yes, And!” to Long Term Adaptability with Alexander Bolkhovsky 1:13:33

6M ago1:13:33

1:13:33

In this episode, I sit down with one of my oldest friends and longtime ExxonMobil leader, Alexander Bolkhovsky, for a deep dive into leadership, motivation, and navigating organizational change. Over his 27-year career with ExxonMobil, Alex has held roles across engineering, technology, sales, and global strategy. But more than the titles, it’s his…

1
S2 Ep3: Lan Li - on body maps, meridians, and improvisation 36:26

6M ago36:26

36:26

In this episode, Richard and Mia are joined by Lan Li, professor of the history of medicine at Johns Hopkins University and director of the Online Program in the History of Medicine, to talk about their new book, Body Maps: Improvising Meridians and Nerves in Global Chinese Medicine. Works referenced in the episode: Sean Hsiang-lin Lei, Neither Don…

1
029 - Say "Yes, And!" to the Skill of Humor with Andrew Tarvin 55:37

6M ago55:37

55:37

In this episode, I talk with Andrew Tarvin, a longtime friend and fellow improv enthusiast who has built a fascinating career at the intersection of humor and engineering. Andrew shares his journey from computer science to comedy, what it really means to be a “Humor Engineer,” and how he helps individuals and organizations use humor more intentiona…

1
Brewing Up Improv, Business, and Big Dreams with Tony DeRosa 1:54:23

6M ago1:54:23

1:54:23

Today on Improvly Speaking, we hear from Tony DeRosa, owner and co-founder of hear.say brewing + theater, a new improv theater and brewery in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Tony blends his love of improv with beer, business, and community building, and is sharing it all on today’s episode. Tony's story is a great example of what can happen when you follow yo…

1
Episode 124: Improvising Adulthood with Amanda Hirsch 26:43

6M ago26:43

26:43

The path to becoming a physician - and then working as one for the rest of your career - can feel like a highly regimented road, with little room for side journeys. A new book called Improvising Adulthood: What I Wish Someone Had Told Me makes a bold claim: that adult life is a lot like an improv show, where you make one choice, and then another, a…

1
S2 Ep2: Julia Cummiskey - on virus research in Uganda 40:46

6M ago40:46

40:46

In this episode, Richard and Mia talk to Julia Cummiskey, a professor of the history of medicine right here at Johns Hopkins University. She chats with us about her new book, Virus Research in 20th-Century Uganda: Between Local and Global. For more about the Uganda Virus Research Institute, visit https://www.uvri.go.ug/ For more about the Rakai Hea…

1
028 - Say “Yes, And!” to Creating the Impossible with Melissa Dinwiddie 55:01

6M ago55:01

55:01

In this episode of Yes, And with Avish Parashar, I sit down with creativity expert Melissa Dinwiddie. Melissa shares her journey from a Juilliard-trained dancer to a professional artist and creativity instigator. She introduces us to her Create the Impossible framework, which helps individuals and teams harness the power of play, take risks, and le…

1
How to Strengthen, Support, and Fall in Love with Your Voice with Susan Murphy 2:01:08

7M ago2:01:08

2:01:08

What do you think of your voice? If your answer is anything uncertain or negative, you’re definitely not alone. But as this week’s guest on Improvly Speaking proves, your voice isn’t something to cringe about — it’s something you can strengthen, support, and maybe even start to love. Today, we hear from Emmy-winning journalist and broadcast voice c…

1
S2 Ep1: Bharat Venkat (Colloquium Mini Episode) - on thermal inequality 17:37

7M ago17:37

17:37

In this mini episode, Richard and Mia talk to Bharat Venkat, a professor of anthropology at UCLA, about the research he presented at the Johns Hopkins Program in the History of Science, Medicine & Technology's colloquium series and his upcoming book project, "Swelter: A History of Our Bodies in a Warming World." Related links for Bharat's work: UCL…

1
027 - Say “Yes, And!” to Being SO Productive with Sarah Ohanesian 48:26

7M ago48:26

48:26

In this episode, I chat with Sarah Ohanesian, a productivity expert and the founder of SO Productive. Sarah dives into the concept of purpose-driven productivity, helping us rethink how we manage our time and energy in both our personal and professional lives. She also shares her work around neurodiversity, a topic that’s been gaining much-needed a…

1
Exploring Ecstatic Dance, Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy, and Mindfulness with Dr. Bob Swoap 1:53:13

7M ago1:53:13

1:53:13

Have you ever felt completely lost in the rhythm of music, moving without thinking, and experiencing pure joy? That’s the essence of ecstatic dance – a practice that blends movement, community, and self-expression. In this episode of Improvly Speaking, we hear from Dr. Bob Swoap, Professor of Psychology and Expressive Arts Therapy at Warren Wilson …

1
Episode 123: The Wellness Committee, with M4 Nicol Tugarinov and M3 Nycole Hidalgo 17:57

7M ago17:57

17:57

We are always looking for great suggestions of people and topics to cover on this podcast. So when a few people suggested an episode on our school’s Wellness Committee, we were thrilled to sit down with M4 Nicol Tugarinov and M3 Nycole Hidalgo, both of whom sit on the Wellness Committee, to learn all about what this group is and how it helps promot…

1
S2: "For the Medical Record" Season 2 Trailer 2:58

7M ago2:58

2:58

We are SO back!! After a brief hiatus, For the Medical Record is back with new hosts, Richard Del Rio and Mia Levenson. For the Medical Record is a Podcast from Johns Hopkins University's Center for Medical Humanities and Social Medicine, hosted by Research Associated Richard Del Rio and Postdoctoral Fellow Mia Levenson. First episode drops on Marc…

1
026 - Say "Yes, And!" to Creating a Tip Jar Culture with Greg Offner 51:40

7M ago51:40

51:40

In this episode of Yes, And with Avish Parashar, I sit down with Greg Offner, a former dueling piano performer turned keynote speaker, to talk about his unique approach to leadership, employee engagement, and preventing burnout. Greg’s philosophy, highlighted in his book The Tip Jar Culture, draws from his background in music to create an experienc…

1
The Value of a Bold Choice: Jesse Greenfield on Starting the Kaleidoscope Training Center 1:35:29

7M ago1:35:29

1:35:29

Jesse Greenfield first appeared on the show nearly a year ago, and so much has changed since then! In this episode of Improvly Speaking, we catch up on their incredible journey, including the launch of their own business, Kaleidoscope Training Center, and our experience facilitating a 2-day Intensive Training Session at the 2024 Art and Science of …

1
025 - Say “Yes, And!” to Market Eminence with David Newman 1:00:02

8M ago1:00:02

1:00:02

What if the difference between being a ‘best-kept secret’ and becoming a go-to authority in your industry came down to just three things? In this episode of Yes, And with Avish Parashar, I sit down with David Newman, marketing expert, speaker, and author of Do It! Marketing, Do It! Speaking, and Do It! Selling. David is the founder of Do It! Market…

1
Episode 122: Three MS4s on the Transition to Third Year 30:05

8M ago30:05

30:05

The Student Clinician Ceremony is a rite of passage for our medical students as they finish their preclinical years and enter clinical rotations. As a companion piece to the upcoming Student Clinician Ceremony, we are delighted to bring you the wisdom and perspectives of three wonderful MS4s: Indira Jetton, Dennis Morozov, and Gurbani Singh. They s…

1
The Power of Playback Theatre to Bring People Together with Ferran Luengo 1:51:44

8M ago1:51:44

1:51:44

Ferran Luengo is a Spanish actor, improviser and applied theatre facilitator based in London. He has his postgraduate on theatre in education and Applied theatre master degree. Ferran is passionate about playback theatre, a community oriented improv art form that he has been practicing since 2013. He’s brought playback theatre workshops around seve…

1
Episode 121: MS3 Kerrigan Dougherty and the Skylight Boutique 25:34

8M ago25:34

25:34

Many medical students pursue passions and hobbies alongside their medical studies. Kerrigan Dougherty, MS3, was featured in The Baltimore Banner for their work with the Skylight Boutique in Baltimore. In today’s episode, they share some of their life story, their nonstandard path to medicine, their joy in working with the Skylight Boutique, and som…

1
024 - Say “Yes, And!” to Being Happy, Healthy, and Present with Elaine Pasqua 49:52

8M ago49:52

49:52

What does it take to create a culture of wellness in our workplaces and our lives? And how do we overcome the 'yes, but' resistance when it comes to making better choices? In this episode, I sit down with the amazing Elaine Pasqua, a speaker who has spent the last 30 years working with universities, corporations, and professional sports teams on we…

1
023 - Say “Yes, And!” to Grategy with Lisa Ryan 54:55

9M ago54:55

54:55

In this episode of Yes, And with Avish Parashar, I sit down with Lisa Ryan, a gratitude strategist, speaker, and author of Gear Up for Greatness. Lisa shares her journey of transforming gratitude into a powerful workplace strategy and explains how organizations can use appreciation to retain top talent, build better relationships, and foster thrivi…