In this solo episode of the Happy Hustle Podcast, I get into the most important improv principle that I learned at my time at the Second City Comedy School, that is how to Yes, AND! This type of mentality can be applied to your personal and professional life to take an optimistic approach while reversing that toxic “no but thinking”.

Second City is a legendary comedy institution full of amazingly talented Alumni including comedy greats like, Steve Carrell, Tina Fey, Jim Belushi, John Candy, Amy Pollard, Will Ferrell, Jason Sudekis, and many more.

I personally trained, worked, and volunteered there for 3 years when I graduated college. I did everything I could to be around the establishment and its incredible comedy teachers in order to soak up as much knowledge as possible.

The first principle they teach you is how to Yes, AND a scene and your scene partner. Making sure that if your scene partner says, “Howdy, Cowboy” to you that you don’t respond “I’m not a cowboy, I’m an alien.” which would surely kill a scene. The best practice is to say, “Howdy” back or summon up your most intoxicating “evening Ma’am” voice thus confirming that you both are in the Wild West and now the scene is off to the races.

We cover improv principles and other topics including:
-Yes and your life
-reverse no but thinking
-optimism over pessimism
-improve creativity and collaboration
-how to yes partner’s statement, then build on that premise with something new

Here is a link to learn more improv games you can play with your team, friends, family: yes-and-5-more-lessons-in-improv-ing-collaboration-and-creativity-from-second-city

Improv is one of the best skills I have ever studied and learned. It has helped me tremendously as both a professional actor/model and as an entrepreneur.

I highly recommend applying Yes, AND as well as other improv skills to your game.

For more check out: www.caryjack.com/podcastin

Love and light fam!