Your Improv Brain
Your Improv Brain with Jen deHaan is a podcast about humans of all types of brain (all “neurotypes”) learning improv, performing improv, or otherwise creating comedy. It’s is hosted by Jen deHaan and is released on this site, and on StereoForest (who produces the show) too. If you want additional resources about improv and comedy, see the Improv Update archive here.
Podcast & YOUTUBE SHOW
Your Improv Brain
Focusing on ALL types of brains doing improv and comedy alone and together as a group.
About The Show
Jen talks to other improvisers, and maybe sometimes just you alone, about improv and comedy. Topics will mostly be about the cognitive elements of the craft, neurodivergence, but might also include improvising for audio and solo improv.
JEN DEHAAN
PODCAST & YOUTUBE SHOW HOST
Your Improv Brain
Do you learn, coach, or perform improv and comedy? Then this show is for you. Jen talks about the intersection of comedy and different forms of thinking. How do our brains work when learning and performing improv. Because there are so many different types of brain wiring that affect how we learn and perform together.
Good comedy is neuroinclusive when you’re performing or learning it. What does neuroinclusive mean? It means that you create a supportive environment inclusive and accommodating of all cognitive types and abilities to learn, write together, or perform. This includes both neurodivergent and neurotypical individuals, and all the different ways we experience life. Which is… you, since that covers everyone!
These episodes are about the many different types of brains that exist in the comedy and improv space. It features the voices of neurotypical and neurodivergent performers, and all the variations of brain types we have.
The topics we discuss are relevant to comedy, improv, acting, and performance. We can be better at comedy and acting if we try to understand each other. When we do, we work together more efficiently, learn more effectively, and function on teams with more success. And we’re funnier.
Neurodiversity means all types of brain wiring. Neurodivergent means less statistically common types of brain wiring. All of these brain types (neurotypes) do improv and comedy together. But misunderstandings occur. These episodes are not for diagnosing people, making excuses for bad behaviour, or a form of therapy. They are for discussing, learning, and being neuroinclusive in your improv or comedy practice!
Hosted by Jen deHaan, an autistic and ADHD comedy performer, improv enthusiast, and writer. Produced by https://StereoForest.com.
Note: This podcast was formerly called “Neurodiversity and Improv”! New name, same kinda stuff.
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Listen to the Your Improv Brain podcast
Access the latest episodes of the improv podcast series. You can click a link to see the full show notes and transcripts for each episode, or click the links in the embedded podcast player box below.
Recent Episodes
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...
Alt title: Get to Skin Suit Town: 3 Exercises to Improve Your Acting In this episode, I’m diving into one of the best acting exercises you can give yourself: practicing...
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....
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...
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...
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...
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,...
That feeling of your mind going completely blank on stage is a top fear for any performer. But what if it’s not a personal failure? This week, I explain how...
Feeling frustrated, stuck, or even like you’re getting worse at improv? This episode reframes the struggle. Discover the difference between productive learning pain and the unnecessary pain that you can...
If you struggle to come up with specific or original ideas in your improv scenes, there’s something you can do between scenes to help with that struggle. This episode of...
Share the web articles
Believable Characters Need a Point of View… and Here’s How
September 1, 2025
The Power of Silence: Three Exercises to Improve Your Acting
August 25, 2025
3-Step System & Exercise to Manage Self-Criticism in Improv
August 18, 2025
An Improv Workout: 6 Exercises to Build Your “Failure Muscle”
August 11, 2025
How Forgetting Can Help to Get Out of Your Head in Improv
August 4, 2025
7 Scene Hacks to Help When You Make a “Mistake”
July 28, 2025
Host
Jen deHaan
Host
Jen founded StereoForest.com in 2024 to focus on creating comedy podcasts and audio dramas and audio fiction series that blend scripted and improvised material. Jen has taught long form improv classes at/with World’s Greatest Improv School (WGIS), Compass Improv, Highwire Improv, and Queen City Comedy. She was also the WGIS Online School Director.
About the Show / Credits
Your Improv Brain with Jen deHaan is a podcast about neurodivergent humans working in comedy and performance, and has episodes listed on StereoForest too. You can find bonus resources here (at ImprovUpdate.com). Jen deHaan of StereoForest.com writes, edits, produces and hosts the show, who is autistic and ADHD.