If This Is True with Chris Hall

Let me introduce you to Kevin! He is an improviser, turned coach, and applied improv facilitator based in Oslo, Norway. He hails from Johannesburg, South Africa. He has lived, worked and studied in Ireland, the UK, and now Norway. Kevin’s values are a love of learning, communication, mindfulness, leadership development, and his family. Doing meaningful work is the goal.A “work hard, play hard” mindset has resulted in a colourful background of professional acting and theatre, juxtaposed with a day-job in engineering and project management and stints in start-ups. Kevin has been a leader of the Impro Neuf community over the years: founding house teams, teaching workshops, establishing and coaching mixer teams, directing the 18 hour Improv Marathon. He has also been the Artistic Director of the Oslo Impro Festival and Artistic Director of Impro Neuf community.Kevin and his partner have a 7 month old son called Aron - an experience that is rewriting the definition of "meaningful."

After med school at Creighton and residency at Tulane, Mike began his medical career, finding that he, and other colleagues, had issues communicating with patients and each other. In 2014, Mike began taking Level 1 improv classes, as they were a present from his wife.. Realizing early on that the skills learned through improv could help him as a hospitalist, Mike began implementing them at work. The result was more enjoyable work, better interactions with patients, and more effective teaching.  Mike will be performing with his group Dad Jokes at the Omaha Comedy Festival September 26-29. Tickets and information can be found here: www.omahacomedyfest.com.See Mike there, and listen to him here!

Brynna is  a multidisciplinary artist (writing, photography, fine art, singer, composer, musician) who has spent the last 30 years working in advertising. She has worked for massive brands and conglomerates, like Coca-Cola, American Airlines, PepsiCo, Hilton and Hyatt companies (etc.), while spending her remaining free time raising a daughter and creating pieces that matter.This was a really touching episode as she put me on the hot seat and became the interviewer. Great back and forth! Give it a listen!

Let me introduce you to Mark Riccadonna. Mark is known for his roles in the TV Series, Checked Out. The movies, Days of Power and Gail’s New Boyfriend. He has toured globally, playing theatres, clubs, with the USO and Armed Forces Entertainment (which landed him his Travel Column "Dad Trippin" in Today's Man Magazine. Mark has served as a contributing writer for Saturday Night Live's Weekend Update). He has performed on such diverse shows as Monsters of Rock Cruise, Disney Cruise Lines, Fox's Laughs, Red Eye, and Live at Gotham. Mark broadcasts on podcasts like Drinks, Jokes ’n Storytelling and Two Guys Comedy with Tom BriscoeCheck out his work at markriccadonna.com and listen here!

Let me introduce you to Brandon.He grew up in a small SE Ohio town called Caldwell and graduated from Kent State University in Dec. 2012 with Applied Engineering and Tech Management.Brandon started at Imposters Theater April 2023 where he took sketch writing, and then started improv in July 2023. He just finished Level 4Brandon likes to write sketches, screenplays, journals and other projects. He “won” NaNoWriMo in 2013 by completing it. Brandon has a podcast called Wigglin’ and Gander which is about the TV show Dave.Brandon likes to do crafts and woodworking. He loves music, TV, movies and podcasts.You can check out his work on IG at @abrandoncraft, @buffoonbrandon, and @microtheatercle. Also check out his sketchwork on YouTube at Post Industrial Cactus Farts.

From Saturday Night Live and Pretty Woman, Rhonda Hansome’s comedy has opened for stars including Anita Baker, Diana Ross, James Brown and Aretha Franklin; in venues from LA’s Greek Theater to NY’s Radio City. She was Artist Coordinator and Host of Laughing Liberally (NY’s top political comics) Off-Broadway production of Indictment Excitement. Every Monday on Sirius XM, Rhonda is John Fugelsang’s guest. She’s an award winning director and offers an online Solo Show Development Workshop. When not regaling Storytelling audiences, Rhonda writes and anchors Real Newz on Politipod. In her free time she writes Politoonitics cartoons on Facebook and rollerblades. Check out this tremendous talent! 

On this episode, Friend of the Show, Tommy Hough and I talk about the craziness that was the Republican National Convention, the assassination attempt on former President Trump and the failure of the media to call out lies and misinformation. We also discussed Citizens United and the power that the donor class has. Check it out! It was a great hang and it will be a good listen!

Clay Drinko, Ph.D. is an author and educator. He writes for Psychology Today about the intersection between improv comedy, science, and everyday life. He's also the author of the first academic book connecting improv and cognitive science, Theatrical Improvisation, Consciousness, and Cognition. His most recent book, Play Your Way Sane: 120 Improv-Inspired Exercises to Help You Calm Down, Stop Spiraling, and Embrace Uncertainty (Simon & Schuster) applies his improv research to everyday life. Give this one a listen!