If This Is True with Chris Hall

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!!

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!

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!!

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!

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!