Episodes 47
Avg. Duration 24m
Activity Sporadic
Apple Rating 5.0 (3)
Since Nov 2023
Latest Episode Apr 2026

Publishing Details

Schedule
Weekly
Format
Episodic
Consistency
67%
Hosting
feeds.captivate.fm

About This Podcast

Your Improv Brain is a show that helps you understand your brain (and body!) to be a happier, better performer. I'll also explore the intersection of improv comedy, neurodivergence, and the science of performance. Episodes cover how different brain types, including neurodivergent and neurotypical minds, experience comedy and performance. The show discusses creating supportive environments and understanding cognitive differences in improv practice. Your Improv Brain also explores how neurodivergence, including ADHD and autism, impacts how we learn, coach, and perform. Host Jen deHaan - who is certifying in multiple programs based on nervous system regulation - gets into the science of why we freeze up on stage, how to find flow state, and using nervous system regulation tools to become a more resilient improviser and actor. Why this show is for you Whether you are neurodivergent or neurotypical, this show provides a neuroinclusive lens on the creative process. We move beyond "yes and" to discuss: How different brain wiring affects ensemble teamwork. Overcoming stage fright and the "body" side of performance. Tools for autistic and ADHD improvisers to thrive in rehearsals and shows. Improving coaching techniques for comedy teachers and directors. About the host Hosted by Jen deHaan. Jen is an autistic and ADHD comedy performer, writer, and improv enthusiast. These episodes offer a deep dive into the intersection of cognition and creativity to help you work more efficiently, learn more effectively, and ultimately, be funnier. More about Jen at https://jendehaan.com/about. Note: This show was formerly titled "Neurodiversity and Improv." Produced by: https://StereoForest.com This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

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Recent Episodes

Steamrolling and getting steamrolled: Three exercises for both sides

Apr 20, 2026 31m Transcript

Steamrolling is one of those improv topics where everyone wants to talk about the people doing it to them, and almost nobody wants to consider whether they might be doing it themselves. This episode…

Get better at improv by getting better at getting feedback (really! seriously!)

Apr 06, 2026 20m Transcript

OUT NOW! Get my latest guides, all about getting and giving improv notes! Find them and what's inside the guides at https://improvupdate.com/notes. 50% discount on your second guide if you grab them…

One skill at a time: a rep-based approach to changing improv habits

Mar 30, 2026 15m Transcript

You know that thing where you learn a skill in class, you can explain it to someone else, and then you get into a scene and your brain does the old thing anyway? This episode is about why that…

Build an evidence archive for more confidence on stage

Mar 23, 2026 14m

"Just be confident." "Trust yourself." "Ya got this." You've heard these things, and you might have even said them. And for a lot of brains, especially analytical or pattern-driven ones, they don't…

Special: How well do you actually know your improv teammates (offstage skill building)

Mar 18, 2026 28m Transcript

This is a special extended (podcast-only) episode of Your Improv Brain on neurodivergent inclusion in the improv community. These episodes will focus on inclusion, nervous system regulation, and help…

Metacognition and improv: how to use your monitoring brain in a scene

Mar 16, 2026 15m Transcript

"Get out of your head" is advice that sounds reasonable until you try to follow it. When you do, you end up monitoring whether you're monitoring the scene. That's just another layer of the…

Trailer for Your Improv Brain (2026)

Mar 13, 2026 2m Trailer Transcript

Your brain goes blank in the middle of a scene. Or the opposite happens: twelve ideas at once and you can't pick one, so you stand there smiling while your scene partner waits.Your Improv Brain…

Improv initiations: when to start big and when to stay grounded

Mar 09, 2026 11m Transcript

Emotion connects you to your scene partner, your character, and the audience. It gives a scene depth and grabs attention fast. And if you use it at the top of a scene, it can set the whole thing up in…

Your brain went blank? Try this scene start instead

Mar 02, 2026 8m Transcript

Initiating a scene can be stressful at any level, and when your brain goes blank up there, it's easy to panic. In this episode I talk about a simple approach to scene initiations that Will Hines…

Assume, don't ask: how to start better improv scenes

Feb 23, 2026 10m Transcript

Questions at the top of a scene are an advanced move, and if you're still building your skills, they can stall your scene before it gets going. In this episode I break down why questions are tricky…

You don't need backstory: starting scenes in the middle

Feb 16, 2026 8m Transcript

SURPRISE! I'm back. Hi! :) Starting a scene with two people standing there asking "who are you?" or explaining a bunch of backstory is one of the quickest ways to lose your audience. In this episode,…

Five Vocal Exercises for Better Improv Characters

Nov 03, 2025 22m Transcript

Get the PDF "Vocal Basics for Improv" with all the exercises and concepts from this episode at https://improvupdate.com/downloads. This episode is all about using your voice in improv. You do not…

Own Your Weirdness: A Guide to Really Good Improv (Performances)

Oct 20, 2025 19m Transcript

In this episode, I explain how to commit to your authentic self in your improv practice. You will learn to reframe perceived weaknesses into compelling strengths on stage. Your messy and imperfect…

Four Ways to Give your Characters a Clear Point of View

Sep 01, 2025 19m Transcript

In this episode, I'm really getting into what I believe is the most important element for creating a compelling character: their point of view. I’ve found that the most interesting thing about a…

The Power of Silence: 3 Exercises to Improve Your Acting

Aug 25, 2025 20m Transcript

Alt title: Get to Skin Suit Town: 3 Exercises to Improve Your ActingIn this episode, I'm diving into one of the best acting exercises you can give yourself: practicing scene work with little…

3-Step System & Exercise to Manage Self-Criticism in Improv

Aug 18, 2025 18m Transcript

Your inner critic might be a key reason you feel stuck, anxious, or in your head during an improv scene. But trying to fight it or ignore it doesn't work. This episode reveals a completely different…

An Improv Workout: 6 Exercises to Build Your "Failure Muscle"

Aug 11, 2025 22m Transcript

We know that failure is the engine of learning, but how do you actually practice it in a safe and productive way? In this episode, I provide a full workout plan with SIX specific exercises designed…

Clear Mind = Get Out of Your Head in Improv

Aug 04, 2025 20m Transcript

We are often taught that forgetting is a weakness, especially in improv where details seem really important. It's what we practice all the time!However, forgetting can be a skill to practice. In this…

Fail More to Learn More (Plus Seven Hacks to Help!)

Jul 28, 2025 19m Transcript

What if the key to becoming a great improviser is the number of failures you accumulate? That moment when you feel like you have failed in a scene, or a scene is falling flat, can feel awful. But it…

Improving Communication Skills So You Can Improvise With Anyone

Jul 21, 2025 19m Transcript

To be a successful improviser, you have to communicate effectively with everyone on your team. But what happens when people think, communicate, and experience the world differently? In this episode,…

Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does Your Improv Brain have?

Your Improv Brain has published 47 episodes since November 2023, covering topics in Arts, Comedy.

Is Your Improv Brain still active?

Your Improv Brain is currently sporadic with new episodes weekly. Average episode length is 24m.

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