The Improv Lifestyle

You know you have a story in you, you also know you could use some accountability to get started. What if there’s not a writers group in your area? So then, what can you do? Find out what you can do to start your wrting fellowship right here on The Improv Lifestyle. https://www.recycledmindscomedy.com/storystarter

Have you ever wanted to get something done but you keep getting distracted? I know that I have. Being a dad and having a wife who is pregnant and running our own business and brick n mortar, there’s a ton of little things that can throw us off track. I recently discovered … consistency compounds, and when life goes off script we have to work hard to get back in that place of being centered & respond the best we can to get back to where we want to be.

It’s time to practice what you preach! In this episode I take 10 minutes to share with you some thing that could transform any one of your relationships enjoy!

All of us desire to be more free, more whole and fully healed, what if one of our main blocks to our healing was forgiveness?  We often ovoid forgiveness like many of us avoid the gym.  But sooner or later we have to face the fact that the healthiest thing for our body, mind our relationship is the harder choices, the wiser choice, and ultimately the right choice for the life we really want to be living. The pain, of doing hard things that is worth while is often humbling, but humility has it's own rewards.  Enjoy Episode 37 as your host Sean Hancock explains how you can be your most powerful and whole self by going through the forge of forgiveness.   If you have lost a loved one, a job, or life has just seemed crazy as of late, and you need others who understand that your not crazy, your just grieving then check out my affiliate link here and get your FREE AUDIO book of "Your Not Crazy, You're Grieving." & take your steps to get the grief relief you are so earnestly desire.   https://thegriefguru.teachable.com/?affcode=468020_cj0y0j5s

Have you ever had to go through an entire storage unit worth of stuff that your family has collected over the years! It can be quite a task. One that no one wants to sign up for... Well what if we had our own storage units of thoughts, regrets and dreams for the future that never came about?  Perhaps all of us have a bit of storage, or even baggage that we need to get ride of.  In this episode I share what I've discovered going through a storage unit with family and how that stacks up for big life stuff.

I heard a story of a man on his death bed who is asked a question from God, "Did you learn to love?" Imagine that were you? What might be your answer?  In this time where History’s eyes are looking at our lives, it's important for us to know that what we do consistently defines us.  In this episode I start with having our eyes at home with our own family.  And you my friend are invited to the table.   So grab a cup of coffee and enjoy this very candid conversation with me Sean Hancock. If you are dealing with grief and or loss and want a guided help through the process, check out my affiliate link to Grief Relief Nation.  I am a coach and giving tips and permissions to cary joy with you through the process... I am also here to remind you that you are not alone in this! Here's the link:  https://thegriefguru.teachable.com/?affcode=468020_cj0y0j5s

WOW! So much is going on in our world!  I've been hit by how much lately, and I bet you have too! Besides the world wide pandemic.  Many of us are trying to understand what we can do in regards to the BLM movement, the internal struggle for authentic understanding and recognizing unconscious bias that has penetrated our culture and crept into our mindset with out us even knowing.  I talk about an important conversation that I think all Americans would benefit from hearing.   Because of all that has been going on, I have been listening to my close friends who are black, to simply listen, and understand, and discover what I can do.  None of us want to feel helpless, right? Well,  in this process I discovered the relevance of one of the most important improv principles... In fact you can't even "Yes and" with out it!  I hope you enjoy this episode and learn how we can love well, and be a part of a dream to bring forth an America that the world has not yet seen, an America we are needing and know it's going to take us to help shape Her into what She is made to be.  One that our children's children will thank us for how we responded when history came knocking on our door.  Here are a couple of the links I Mention in this episode.. My affiliate link to Grief Relief: For those of us struggling and in need of a Grief Survival guide (Grab your FREE copy)  https://thegriefguru.teachable.com/?affcode=468020_cj0y0j5s Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man - Episode 2 with Matthew McConaughey https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CwiY4i8xWIc

Kelli Nielsen didn't grow up with plans to become The Grief Guru but after tragically losing her mom to suicide and then shortly after her son to an accidental drug overdose, she quickly learned what is helpful and what is harmful when dealing with grief. Nielsen discovered the keys and tools for recovering from grief and now it's her honor to share  with those who are going through grief and empowering them on their journey! Join me (Sean Hancock) and Kelli Nielsen (The Grief Guru) creator of Grief Relief, in an awe inspiring  episode that is all about changing peoples lives for good, and not a moment too soon!  Do you think it's possible to have joy when going through the most difficult of times? Join us in the conversation as we explore that question, and discover how to get the help you, or someone you love needs in order to get back the joy for living again. Enjoyed the episode and want to know how to get more? Then join us! Are you tired of trying to navigate grief on your own? Not interested or can't afford counseling? Want to get tools that ACTUALLY help from people who have ACTUALLY been through it? Want to be surrounded by a community of people that understand your pain and are committed to helping you find the joy for living again? Hit that link for more info!  https://thegriefguru.teachable.com/p/grief-relief-community

Imagine playing a game (on purpose), that is named after a nightmare, why would actors subject themselves to this? Well... not any actor would, but an improv comedian... thats an entirely different thing.  In this episode Jon Colett is back! And this time we talk about father hood, going back to work, Creative ways to keep the mind active and his podcast Massage Maniac that is taking off! And much much more. Enjoy!

Can we just be real?  Relationship ain't easy, and often times we feel like LOVE... is actually  more like work, well at very least a choice.  We can end up feeling like "I hoped it would be easier than this". We want things to be simple and with out fights and heart ache and more passion.  Join me and one of my favorite humans... my wife, as we share 7 great things to help stay creative, fresh and enjoy each other.   So settle in, put on your favorite head phones or pour yourself a glass of wine and pull up a spot on the coach with your spouse and pretend you've got some company over (us) and let's hang out.  Enjoy this episode, we sure enjoyed recording it!

Episode 30: Wow! The world really seems to be flipped upside down doesn’t it? But instead of letting all the blood rush to our heads, perhaps this is the opportunity for us to see ourselves and the world more differently than we ever have. And perhaps during this time (while we’re all in quarantine) we can enjoy and take advantage of it. like a caterpillar in a cocoon before that transforms into a new creature. What if this is your time before your breakthrough? Join me Sean Hancock as I share powerful things that I’ve learned during quarantine. And what happened to my house and home during the earthquake that hit Idaho, just the other day.

In this episode I share something extremely vital that came out of an improv class. A concerned student asked a very powerful question, “I feel like I am a confident person and very “real” with myself and my emotions, but why am I struggling in this exercise?” It is said that when you play you learn about people and part of the reason is because when you are at play you reveal who you are you can’t hide from who you are when you’re being in your playful and authentic self. And we often find out more about ourselves when we are playing. Enjoy this episode!

This has been requested in so many different training sessions, workshops in clinics that I’ve ran that I had to record this and make it available for everyone to listen to. Allow yourself to go on an imaginative journey giving yourself at least 10 minutes of time and space in your day to treat yourself well by bringing peace relaxation and centeredness to you. I mean, if you can’t take care of you, how are you going to be your best when you need to take care of others? So, grab your yoga mat or grab a spot on the ground your carpet, or if it’s a nice day in the grass with your earbuds or perhaps chill’n in your car on break, whatever you got to do take some time for you! Enjoy this episode, this one’s for you!

I wanted to wish you a very merry Christmas and a happy new year unfortunately this episode was not able to be released on time but because of the beautiful and miraculous power of audio you now have a chance to teleport and I still have the opportunity to share with you what was on my heart for this episode.

In this episode I tackle one of the most difficult things that all of us want to reap the benefits of, but only a select few of us are willing to put in the work for it, and that is... a life of discipline! Would you believe You can become a more disciplined person and a better friend simply by making consistency a friend? You can it’s true, I explain it all here.! Also one of my favorite people stops by and chimes in. And if you yourself would like to be a part of the podcast or send me a voice message you can do so here at this link: https://anchor.fm/improv/message send me a message or a comment I’d love to hear from you!

So many of us are hungry to discover what our purposes. We search for it, we leave jobs and careers for it we move across the country around the world trying to find this elusive mystery “my purpose”. What is discovering your purpose it’s a little simpler than we all thought? And what if we can uncover the mystery starting now? In this episode I share some practical ways, you can discover your purpose and live out your life on purpose for your purpose.

Welcome to the improv lifestyle, enjoyed this episode with my friend and fellow improviser Jon Colett! We talk about growing up in theater, discovering Improv, what it’s like to grind in a troupe environment, virtual improv, and Conspiracy Shows. After Jon studied theater, he moved on to Chicago to studio improv, at I.O. And Annoyance. Jon shares how your skills in theater can enhance you in improv, and how Standup can add to your improv as well. Have a listen and get a glimps of how improvisers are working hard to create in the City of Trees. And stretch your ears to hear this brand new improv show that is getting theaters excited to bring this show to the masses. And have I mentioned that... “It’s a conspiracy?”

Life is a battle, who is part of your fellowship? Most of us have probably never stopped and thought “who are the eight people I would pick to have around me on my deathbed?” Right? I mean that almost sounds a little bit morbid. But we might stop and think about, “who are those that are at my side in life‘s battles?” And if you have not done that... this episode will help you discern the characteristics of the people you might want at your side. In episode 23 I unpack the characteristics of the beloved characters popularized in JRR Tolkien‘s classic “The Fellowship Of The Ring“ I explain some of the importance of having characters or friends in your own life they can aid you in your journey. I am so thankful of those who fight the fight with me... here is to winning our battles and having the backs of those we serve honor and fight with!

In this episode I talk about mindset. Have you ever wanted something so badly that your meditation over what you wanted looked just like a lion growling over its prey!? No you haven’t, well here is why you should.

  In this episode we get into the mind of one of my favorite humans, a man who logs over 300 hours a year on self improvement and has discovered what is key in life, both in business and personal relationships.   A man, who I would consider both a mentor and friend: Jos Zamzow, a C.E.O. who has been making a big impact for improv and humanity.  Enjoy this episode and grab a pen pad while your at it, because Jos is taking us all to school! Well kinda.. it was at a school where Jos's  daughter and then son inspired him to look into doing improv for himself... and guess what? He found what he was looking for. While Jos is the new co-CEO of one of Idahos most beloved lawn and garden stores, he also a champion of the art form: Improv comedy.  We discuss the powerful impact improv has in business and also the very deep and personal advantages of her (improv's) principles.  Spoiler: This episode gets real! Jos discovered Improv's benefits quite personally less than 2 years ago, when Jos and his family where going through one of  the most trying times in anyones adult life, and that's having your newborn arrive several months early, and have to spend months in the ICU.   Jos shares how humor impacted his months at the ICU, and how it had positive impacts on the culture of the hospital and his lovely family. Enjoy the ride on this episode filled with heart, humanity, and wisdom like gold for the soul!  Make others look good,  and watch the wold get a bit better.   Enjoy!

In this episode I am in studio with Malcolm Jackson and Luke Warren who competed in Boise‘s funniest person, a standup competition. They share the highs, the lows & the challenges they had to get past in order to conquer the fears of the stage and much much more!

In this episode I look at how many of us see time in our “busy busy busy“ lives. We often make ourselves slaves to time when actually we are meant to wield time like a tool. Enjoy time being a resource you can use to better your life.

I know that you and me probably have some similarities and we often are bombarded by lies! In this episode I am PAC the importance of exposing lies and bringing them into the light so that they actually lose their power I share a couple of tips and tricks such as taking captive your thoughts journaling practicing gratitude and finding people who can keep you sharp enjoy episode 18

This episode, starts with the confession, I never wanted to be a teacher of improv, I was content with just being a consumer, and a performer.  But my world changed when I reluctantly took the opportunity to teach.  And I am forever thankful I did.  In this episode I share how that effected my belief system and how you can increase how you believe in yourself.  Here is what this episode covers. I nerd out and explain the Reticulator activating system (RAS) the scientific explanation on how you can effect what you believe in. Really it's the filter the sifts out what your looking for or focusing on. How to Yes And yourself and change your life. Increase your belief system. And simple ways to set yourself up for some wins, that you can do right when you wake up!

It’s not easy running a business. Sometimes, you make the wrong move or choice, and step on the toes of those you really care about. What do you do to make it right? In this episode, I take a look at the moral compass, we examine what is in the well of our souls and how we keep the water fresh and clean. I also share how we can connect or communicate with those around us who we have caused offense and some tips to help iron out the wrinkles that we can get in relationship. After all, all we have are the relationships with those around us. They are worth fighting for to make things right (not fighting with ;) ) You need others around you to sharpen you, council you and keep you on the right path. “Without council plans fail but with many advisers they succeed.” - Proverb Do you have people around you who help keep you on track? If not where do you find them? How do you stay sharp and keep someone else being sharp. All these things are examined and answered right here on this podcast. Enjoy! And as always, please share this episode if you got something valuable from it. You could have been entertained or learned something new. Either way, I appreciate the share! - Sean

 I am so incredibly excited for this episode because, I have one of my favorite people on the planet, a woman I love...my wife! For those of you who don't know we co-own recycled minds, a training center in Idaho, where we teach classes and principles on improv comedy. And We each have traveled all around the world, sharing a lot of the principles that we have learned. Recently we each went through one of the most excruciating and beautiful and drastic things a human being can go through. I'm talking cloning our own selves the natural way... Yep child birth.  Thats right we were bringing our son into the world.  And after the 24 min. mark you might be getting some of the biggest knowledge drop for those of you who want a huge pointer when getting your mind set delivering a child, it's here!  It's so fun having Colleen On this episode. Don't worry it's not graphic, it might be heartfelt and as always we talk about : business, working with your spouse, being purposeful w our time.  Enjoy as we fight to listen to one another better and live life to the full. Enjoy!

In this episode, I am fighting to stay awake, as I am at the break of exhaustion , sharing why my world has changed for ever. I am… a dad! If I sound a little sleepy it's because it's real, and If you were to listen this episode sped up a tick... I wouldn't even mind. In this episode I introduce my son to all you listeners, and talk about how being a dad for just 2 for short weeks it has really reminded me that while everything is for you, it’s not all about you. In a world where you want the best for you and your family, you also have to work at not being selfish. If you are planning on expecting a kid… I share the one thing I would not do with out! I cover a lot of things that I discovered in my first two weeks of being a father, and obviously I still have a ton to learn.  Here are my 3 main points. 3 things that I have learned being a dad. The more you know, the more you know you don’t know much at all. Selflessness and ego knock at your door pushing you too choose the easy way out when your fatigued. Give with out a motive, with out an agenda. Fatigue makes cowards of us all.

Many of us are unaware of what we are truly capable of.  Part of that reason is because we don't actually know what we want.  When we discover what we want, it helps us discover more of who we are.  Knowing that, will help us fight to get what we want.  Grab a hold of  the grit that you need to get you from where you are to where you want to be.  Be empowered in this episode as I (Sean Hancock) give you some simple and reflective tools that can help you dive into the questions you want to ask yourself to get what you want, and be more aware of what you are thinking about and who you are.  And I don't think I can get out of this episode with out a little bit of controversy. So please don't take offense, but rather give me a little room to have a conversation so we can better see ourselves and the culture around us.  Hope you enjoy this episode and as always please share this episode if you got something out of it, and would like others to get some great things too!

One of my all time favorite football players was Barry Sanders. A 5'8'' Pro Bowler player who won the Heisman Trophy.  He was known for his abilities to cut on a dime and change his course from where he was going to where he needed to go in order to avoid tacklers and score touchdowns in football games.  How does this apply to improv comedy, and business.... Ohhh just you wait and see! Enjoy the gold and wisdom we can learn from how Barry played the game, and how the simply parallels can effect us on life's stages.   Also there is a little bonus application for those having a hard time knowing "there end zone" or end goals.  Enjoy this helpful question seeking opportunity toward the end of the podcast to help get you asking the right questions for yourself on what your direction in life you want to head in.

In this episode we continue where we left off with the 1st part "Avoid The Fight" a rule of improv & a lost art.  I talk about how life happens for us, not to use.  And while we might begin to believe that everything is for us, it doesn't mean that everything is all about us!  Check your self, leave your ego at the door, and get hit in the face with a little reality.  As you are reminded that while we avoid fighting with those we love, we must remember that we are worthy of fight for! Enjoy this podcast and as always if you like it, please share with others!  Lets go from surviving to to thriving, in the improv lifestyle.

Life throws punches! Sometimes it knocks us down, but we can never stay down. We have to get back up, we have to stand up, rise to the occasion and step into being the person we are meant to be! In this episode I share some of the things that stress me out! From being out of the country with my eight month pregnant wife, coming back stateside only to have to move, perform shows & workshops, and then to find The home that we are moving int...o is actually still under construction. How do we avoid fighting ourselves, we were are maxed out in stress? Enjoy “Avoiding the fight” A rule of Improv and a lost art.

Working with your significant other can sound like a dream, or a nightmare. In this episode I interview the person that know my strengths and weakness best. My wife, Colleen Hancock. Colleen is an author, film maker, fine artist business owner and all around creative. This episode was recorded in Spain, where we first met. and I think that’s kinda cool, and I hope you enjoy.

One of the greatest challenges a person can encounter is starting their own business, Imagine the difficulty that you are from another country another culture on top of it, you meet a very special someone working in a restaurant, your doing what you love, and you fall in love, you move to New York, you both get jobs, when all of the sudden the recession hits. That’s what happened with Sara Willson and David Fernandez, now they own a thriving business in Altea Spain , This is their story.

In this episode I am in Spain! Do you ever act differently or do you become someone else when you are in places you don’t feel comfortable, well let’s talk about why that happens or perhaps more importantly who we are in the context of a new environment. Also for you starving artists out there, I give away some practical steps to making some money doing what you love. The difference between a fixed and learned mindset & how every day is a new day filled with hope, joy and promise! Enjoy!

 Interview with Carlos "Junior " Morales, owner of Motivate Fitness, shares how he as a business owner uses the principles to learn about doing things the best way possible. Life comes with all sorts of challenges. We deal with things like: Career changes, failure, taking risks, paying off debt, starting a business, and finding the love of your life, all while finding out what you’re made of! Carlos Morales shares how he now has the options to do what he wants, and live a life where his not alone and that WE can go further together then we ever go alone. An episode of vulnerability and accelerated authenticity. Learn from the wins. “There is no [REAL] failure, only learning.“ - Hoon-Yay

In this episode we take a close look at the brilliant Tina’s Fey’s four rules of improv how they are applied to the stage and how they can be applied into your every day life! Tina is An American actress, comedian, writer and producer. Best known for her work on the NBC’s Saturday Night Live (1997–2006) and for creating the acclaimed comedy series 30 Rock and Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt . Fey is also known for her work in film, with starring roles in Baby Mama (2008), Date Night (2010). And we are still thanking her for writing the classic Mean Girls. Fey, wrote the auto biographical comedy book, Bossy Pants.

Do you ever struggle with identity? Do you ever wonder who you really are, what you’re really made of, what you were made for? What if there was a simple thought process to help us bridge the GAP from where we are now now, to where we want to be tomorrow? Sean chips away at the topic of identity and dives into the process of discovering who we are. And help understand how gratitude,self-awareness and praise, can help us advance into our truest self. Enjoy this episode of the Improv lifestyle!

In this episode we sit in with Andrea Korn, an improviser, blogger, & speaker. And she shares the inside scoop on what it looks like to take your fears head on, & surround yourself with a tribe of people who can remind you of who you are and what you are made of even when YOU forget! This is an extremely powerful podcast enjoy and share!

In this episode I share a dream that woke me up early in the morning.  From the dream came more of an understanding of what it means to be human. and how that can chance how we take the stage in the theater and in our own lives.  Enjoy!

This podcast is about taking the improv principles and applying them into everyday life.  In this episode Sean plays a bit of a trick on himself when he keeps a recording of something he almost deleted forever.  We see a snap shot of where he grew up in Montana, what gifts are, and understanding the voice of fear. All in less than 14 min.  Impressed? You should be. It's improv baby, with Sean Hancock of Recycled Minds Comedy. Also... It's his first podcast he has done in Years... so... Keep the standard a little low right now so your not disappointed ;)