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cover art for Michael Smith, MD--Doctor Teaching Colleagues The Healing Power of Improv!!

If This Is True with Chris Hall

Michael Smith, MD--Doctor Teaching Colleagues The Healing Power of Improv!!

Season 4

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!

More episodes

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  • Mark Farner--Captain of Grand Funk Railroad!!

    32:13|
    As one of the founding members, lead singer, lead guitarist, and wrote more than 90% of the Grand Funk music catalog, Farner has always been known as the energetic driving force on stage, the engine that pulled the original Grand Funk Railroad to the top of the charts. From his soulful voice and power rock riffs, to fueling the Funk with his atomic stage presence. His story and his imprint on music starts with Flint and since 1969 from his humble beginnings and a blue-collar outlook, Farner has captained a global crusade for love, peace and freedom and became a rock ‘n’ roll icon.  “Closer to My Home” is the long-awaited, new nine-song album from the legendary guitarist and singer/ songwriter. Bridging past and present, the grit of industry and the calloused hard work of a rural man, “Closer to My Home” champions Farner’s multi-faceted artistry. Celebrating the 55th anniversary of the iconic hit “(I’m Your Captain) Closer To My Home” the album is highlighted with a re-record, finding Farner in exactly the same form as 1970.This is a classic! Listen to this!
  • 24. David Paul Brooks--Rap Mogul, Businessman and Owner of No Bad Days!!

    22:52||Season 4, Ep. 24
    David Paul Brooks, or DPB, as he is known, is a positive rap artist, songwriter, actor, clothing designer, mentor, motivational speaker and Co-Founder and Co-Owner of BreBro International Group LLC and DPB Muzik Inc.    His goal is to give people, particularly youth, an alternative and cutting-edge message in music that can set them free from painful issues they may be dealing with, in a relatable art form.DPB has shared the stage with many great artists including the legendary Bootsy Collins, Salt ‘n Pepa, Kool Moe Dee, Kirk Franklin, Yolanda Adams, King, and Country, Unspoken, Toby Mac, Anointed, Deion Sanders, Canton Jones to name a few. To add to his impressive resume, he has appeared and/or performed on television shows that include BET (Teen Summit) Gospel Special. DPB was also a member of D.O.C. (Disciples of Christ), a Grammy and Dove nominated group. Being a solo artist DPB has charted on the Billboard Charts in Christian Rock Radio National Airplay with the song Brighter Day at #15, another song Feels So Good Today as most added twice on the Billboard Charts as well. Recently DPB continues with reaching #2 on the Urban Influencer Christian Hip Hop chart with GODMODE and in April 2023 hit #1 on the same chart with Let It Go.Give this one a listen!
  • 23. Ryan Millar--Improviser, Author, Coach and Freestyle Rapper!!

    42:01||Season 4, Ep. 23
    Ryan Millar is a Canadian-born Amsterdam-based coach, story trainer and communications consultant. In his work, he leans heavily on the tools he gained as an improviser and actor, supplemented by his years in corporate communications and content creation, to help people be more authentic and more effective in their professional and personal lives. His skills as a Public Speaking Coach have earned him a spot on the Coach Foundation, one of the biggest names in the coaching industry.He recently created and hosts the Digital Communication Certificate Course for Growth Tribe. His most recent book, on the art of public speaking, is called “The Confident Presenter” and just came out (www.confidentpresenter.co). Ryan also enjoys freestyle rapping, skateboarding gently, and taking his kids for ice cream.Check out this one!!
  • Patrick Zmina--Jack of all trades and Improviser Looking for Flashes of Brilliance!

    26:52|
    Patrick Zmina is a mainstay on the Imposters Theater stage in Cleveland. He is a musician, former cancer biologist, and a current software developer. He is constantly chasing flashes of brilliance wherever he can find them, from rock climbing to gaming to cooking. You can catch him on Improv Game Night and Comedy Court every month at Imposters Theater.Learn more about his philosophy on life and more on this episode!!
  • 22. Lilia Bogoeva--The Inner Demon Crusher!!

    28:36||Season 4, Ep. 22
    Lilia Bogoeva "The Inner Demon Crusher" is a professional performing artist and personal development coach. As a musician, comics creator, and inspirational speaker, she is on a mission to motivate people to overcome adversity through authenticity and find true strength. Her mission comes from a genuine place, after overcoming her own struggles. She recently launched her comic book, “Lilia The Inner Demon Crusher,” which combines action and humor to illustrate the emotional struggles that most creative achievers face, and is used by mental health professionals as a therapeutic resource. Lilia's artistry explores the dynamic connection between body and mind, as she makes mental health fun and empowering through creative arts! Check out this insightful episode of If This Is True!
  • Tommy Hough--Election 2024 Democratic Autopsy

    46:23||Season 4
    Let's talk with Tommy Hough about the 2024 Elections! Where did we, as Democrats and liberals go wrong here? There's a hell of a lot to unpack. Give this one a listen for some history and ideas of where to go from here.
  • 21. Abby Sher--Astounding Improviser and Prolific Author!!

    32:22||Season 4, Ep. 21
    Let me introduce you to Abby Sher! She has written and performed at The Second City, Upright Citizen’s Brigade, HBO, Nick Jr. and NPR. Abby has written six books including: Miss You Love You Hate You ByeAll the Ways the World Can EndBreaking Free: True Stories of Girls Who Escaped Modern SlaveryAmen, Amen, Amen: Memoir of a Girl Who Couldn't Stop PrayingKissing Snowflakes, SanctuarySolis, which is upcomingHer essays have appeared in the New York Times, the Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, Self, Jane and Elle. One of them was adapted for the television series Modern Love.Don't miss this one!!
  • 20. Frank King--Comedian, Writer and TedX Speaker!!

    42:23||Season 4, Ep. 20
    Let me introduce you to Frank! Frank King was a writer for the Tonight Show with Jay Leno for 20 years. He’s had two aortic valve replacements, a double bypass, a massive heart attack, three stents, and lived to joke about it all. So he is truly funny at heart.He’s fought a lifetime battle with depression, and thoughts of suicide, turning that long dark journey of the soul into a TED Talk, www.FrankTEDTalk.com “A Matter of Laugh or Death,” and sharing his insights with corporation, associations, government, and college audiencesHe uses the life lessons from all of the above, as well as lessons learned as a rather active consumer of healthcare, both mental and physical, to show how attendees can turn their messes and stresses into successes.They’ll laugh, learn, and leave loving life.Don't miss this one!
  • 19. Kevin Gow--Improviser, Engineer and new Father from Oslo!!

    37:38||Season 4, Ep. 19
    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."