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.

After a world-changing, head-spinning Election Day outcome, Lisa and Ted turn to each other to process their emotional turmoil. Lisa relays the experience of her first post-result class at Stanford and asks, “How can we play or teach when we’re in the face of a devastating loss?” (2:28) They discuss how mindful sharing offers one path to integration and healing (14:17) and how leaning on the practices of mindfulness or improv can help during times of intense disappointment (16:06). Ted wants to acknowledge the trouble with the meant-to-comfort phrase “Everything happens for a reason” (22:54) and Lisa wonders if we’re all still on the same team (26:45). The two explore the ongoing need for play (31:25) and then take up the benefits of a Brechtian approach to improv and social issues (35:39). Ted wonders if Donald Trump would make a good improvisor and the two close with a small bit of laughter as a salve. (48:32)

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 #17: Post-Election Reflections appeared first on Anima Learning.

Lisa and Ted continue their conversation with teacher and mentor, Patricia Ryan Madson, drama teacher and author of the acclaimed Improv Wisdom. In this segment, Patricia explained how she first learned to say “Yes, and” from impro master Ketih Johnstone (1:09) and how one can approach improv games from multiple angles (5:06). The three discuss whether Reality has a design and the value of liking and not liking our circumstances (7:25) before moving on to Patricia’s most helpful improv maxim (10:40) and most challenging one (16:04). Ted and Lisa acknowledge their favorite maxims from Patricia’s book (19:00) and Patricia notes something she’s particularly proud of (25:59). Part Two comes to a close when Patricia has the opportunity to turn the tables on her hosts (32:01) and Ted and Lisa get the chance to reflect on their experience of the episode (36:17).

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 #16 A Conversation with Patricia Ryan Madson (Part 2) appeared first on Anima Learning.

Lisa and Ted welcome their teacher and mentor, Patricia Ryan Madson, drama teacher and author of the acclaimed Improv Wisdom, for a two-part Monster Baby conversation. They explore how mindfulness and improv first joined together in Patricia’s work (3:21) and how the Stanford Improvisors first came into being, both as a learning/performance group and as an ongoing supportive community. Patricia notes how she was able to leverage Stanford’s status to helpful effect (17:36) and shares a surprising note about how she feels about performing improv (20:14). Ted and Lisa ask about improv as a “lifeway” (27:01) and, in particular, how the Constructive Living model of David K Reynolds proposes new ways of recognizing our debt to capital-R Reality (31:02). Part One closes by offering a curious alternative to the goal of developing self-esteem. (44:22) Stay tuned for Part Two of the conversation in Episode #16!

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 #15 A Conversation with Patricia Ryan Madson (Part 1) appeared first on Anima Learning.

Inspired by a new workshop they led in western Massachusetts, Ted and Lisa explore why we should talk about positivity (1:25) in improv and mindfulness, how one of Lisa’s improv groups has learned to make positive starts (16:05), and how beginning from gratitude lays the groundwork for transformation. (22:50). They also wonder about the perils that James Bond always has to face right off the bat (27:58) and introduce the Story Spine (28:48) and their new Positivity Spectrum exercise (34:33). Ted shares a helpful cloud image from the mindfulness world (46:07) and they close with an examination of the many stories we tell ourselves (56:40). It’s a longer ‘cast than normal so feel free to break it up as needed. And let us know what you think by sending a note to info@monsterbabypodcast.com. Thanks for listening!

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Join the Monster Baby community by subscribing at the link below and please spread the word—enjoy!

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.

Make sure to subscribe to get all future episodes as well!

The post Monster Baby #6: The Power of Positivity appeared first on Anima Learning.

In Episode #5, Ted and Lisa play with the tension between accepting what is and aspiring to excellence, starting with a game of Clover (3:19) and exploring whether mindfulness and improv are easy or hard—and how “hard” often leads to feelings of “not good enough” (7:02). They discuss the importance of a strong biochemical foundation (15:33) and what else gets in the way of our best selves (18:39), ultimately asking if desire to do well actually helps us do well (23:05). Using a Zen koan about picking and choosing (28:17) and a quotation from Alan Watts (47:28), they discuss their own aspirations and why process goals may serve us better than product goals.

Join the Monster Baby community by subscribing at the link below and please spread the word—enjoy!

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.

Make sure to subscribe to get all future episodes as well!

The post Monster Baby #5: Aspiration and Acceptance appeared first on Anima Learning.

Fresh off a trip to Phillips Exeter Academy, Ted and Lisa hop on the ‘cast to explore the fun and reward of sharing control in improvisation (5:53), Line-at-a-Time Drawing and what it has to do with Lisa’s trip to Buenos Aires (11:21), sharing control with life itself (15:58) and whether this approach is an elaborate excuse for a lack of discipline (20:49). They close by circling back to the notion of living life one line at a time and delighting in that precarious space between life’s trapeze bars (33:18). Join the Monster Baby community by subscribing at the link below and please spread the word—enjoy!

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.

Make sure to subscribe to get all future episodes as well!

The post Monster Baby #4: Shared Control appeared first on Anima Learning.

In Monster Baby Episode #3, Ted and Lisa explore the ways that improv and mindfulness create community (2:25), whether mindfulness generates excessive self-focus (17:36), and the need for a balance between activity and quiet (20:42). From there, they consider how community provides a “tribe” of belonging (29:40), how mindfulness and improv cultivate certain values (35:21), and how quality presence heals (43:24). Listen in and get inspired for finding—or building—your own sense of belonging. Better yet, make sure to subscribe to the podcast and join the budding Monster Baby community. More good stuff to come!

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.

Make sure to subscribe to get all future episodes as well!

The post Monster Baby #3: Do Mindfulness and Improv Breed Community? appeared first on Anima Learning.