Your Creative Mind

Comedian Chris Griggs
Chris joins me to talk comedy and teaching the next generation of stand-up comics.
This was an exciting and inspiring conversation. Listen to Chris' thoughts on what it takes to succeed as a stand-up comic, how to teach stand-up, and his own journey as a performer.
Find Chris.
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/cgriggs17
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MeChrisGriggs
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChrisGriggsComedy
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-griggs-903b98/
Tumblr: https://chrisgriggsstuff.tumblr.com/
Website: https://www.chrisgriggscomedy.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chrisgriggscomedy/
 

Encouraging Courage Through Stand-up Comedy
Welcome to the last week of student interviews from the Intro to Stand-up Comedy class I took at the People's Improv Theater in New York City, NY. 
These three delightful comedians shared their journeys, fears, wins, and processes in getting to the stage. Plus, they kindly shared some of their sets so you can hear them directly!
One of the things I've loved about this series is that several of the people came back multiple times so you can hear their process as they develop and grow. It will inspire you and make you laugh.
Next week, I'll have the pleasure of welcoming comedian Chris Griggs to the show to talk performing and teaching stand-up comedy. But for now, enjoy Kyriaki, Tom, and Molly's thoughts and experiences. 
Kyriaki Chonacas
To learn more about Kyriaki Chonacas, her comedy, music, and other offerings, head to Chonacas.com
Instagram: @chonacas
The Sophisticated Psychos
Tom Fickle
Instagram: @tomfickle 
Molly Bossardt
Find Molly on
Instagram: molzbalz (Personal) and buyingbrooklyn (Real Estate)
Website: https://www.abrooklynhome.com/
 

How the Big Show Went, part 1
We did it! We had our big stand-up comedy class show. To commemorate the event, the fab class agreed to give you a taste of their sets.
So, take a listen as this episode's four guests give you their immediate reactions to how things went. And as a bonus, you'll get to hear snippets of their stand-up sets.
And next week, you'll hear from even more people. Remember some of these folks aren't performers. But they jumped in and gave it all they had. Listen in to hear how they dealt with nervousness, public speaking, and sharing what they think is funny to an audience.
The guests on this episode:
Annabelle Niece
Follow Annabelle on Instagram: @annabelleniece
 
Brittany Raper
To learn more about Brittany Raper, her acting, stand-up and the Women Stand Up showcase, head to
www.brittanyraper.com
Instagram: @brittanyraper_
Instagram: Women Stand Up
 
Anthony Renda
Anthony's YouTube Channel
Anthony's FB page
 
 
Miranda Roldán
Demo Reel: https://vimeo.com/161397281
Website: www.MirandaRoldan.com
Twitter: @Miranda_Roldan
FB: Miranda Roldán 
IG: @Miranda_Roldan
 
Next week, you'll hear Kyriaki Chonacas, Tom Fickle, our instructor Chris Griggs, and me.
If you're liking this show, please leave a review. It would mean the world to me.
💙
Z
 

Standing Up Week 4
Miranda Roldán and Molly Bossardt join me on the show for a second round.
Listen in as Molly and Miranda discuss the importance of networking, connecting with classmates and audiences, and facing your fears.
Molly Bossardt
Find Molly on
Instagram: molzbalz (Personal) and buyingbrooklyn (Real Estate)
Website: https://www.abrooklynhome.com/
 
 
Miranda Roldán
Demo Reel: https://vimeo.com/161397281
Website: www.MirandaRoldan.com
Twitter: @Miranda_Roldan
FB: Miranda Roldán 
IG: @Miranda_Roldan
 
If you liked the episode and you enjoy the show, consider leaving a review. It would mean the world to me to know what you think.

Standing Up, Week 3
How to know if what you're doing will work.
Anthony Renda, Tom Fickle, and Brittany Raper join me to talk comedy, their process, stage fright, and the psychology of performing. Plus, Brittany and I talk about a vulnerable and sensitive topic. If you've ever felt a bias because of how you present yourself to others, you'll want to listen to her interview.
Anthony Renda
Anthony's YouTube Channel
Anthony's FB page
Tom Fickle
Instagram: @tomfickle
Brittany Raper
To learn more about Brittany Raper, her acting, stand-up and the Women Stand Up showcase, head to
www.brittanyraper.com
Instagram: @brittanyraper_
Instagram: Women Stand Up
Get tickets to the show, November 8, 2019
Tune back in for more as we prepare our sets, hearts, and minds for our student show on November 16, 2019, at the People's Improv Theater.

Standing Up
The Journey to Becoming a Stand-Up Comedian Happens With The Help and Support of a Great New Community.
This week's Standing Up guests are Kyriaki Chonacas and Brittany Raper.
This multi-part episode series traces our origins and evolution into stand-up comedians. If you didn't already know, I decided to become a stand-up comic. So, I'm taking a class and going to open mic nights. 
The class has been terrific! And my wonderful classmates have agreed to share their stories too! We are chronicling our journey and the excitement, fear, and sheer creativity it takes to get up on stage and inspire people to laugh with stories from your soul.
If you have ever wanted to get up on stage for any reason, these multi-talented people will inspire you with their ideas, energy, and heart.
Kyriaki Chonacas
To learn more about Kyriaki Chonacas, her comedy, music, and other offerings, head to Chonacas.com
Instagram: @chonacas
The Sophisticated Psychos
 
Brittany Raper
To learn more about Brittany Raper, her acting, stand-up and the Women Stand Up showcase, head to
www.brittanyraper.com
Instagram: @brittanyraper_
Instagram: Women Stand Up
Tune back in for more as we prepare our sets, hearts, and minds for our student show on November 16, 2019, at the People's Improv Theater.

What It Takes To Walk The Path to Stand-up Comedy
In this week's episode, I continue to chronicle the journey to becoming a stand-up comedian. And I have help!
I've already mentioned that as part of this process, I decided to allow myself to suck. I'm keeping a Beginner's Mind (seems to be crucial for me to be able to stand up in front of people, connect with them, and try to make them laugh). 
But this week, I've asked some of my classmates to join me on the show. Each week and through the class show, I'll interview them to see how they're progressing. Miranda Roldan and Molly Bossardt join me to dig into mindset, courage, and what it takes to write a joke. 
You'll love hearing their take. Miranda is a working actor, and Molly is brand new to performing of any kind. Two different perspectives that will give you a ton of insights on what it takes to take on this new challenge and achieve such nerve-wracking goals.
Drop a comment and let these fab women know how wonderful they are!

Three Key Benefits of Doing Something That Scares You.
If you feel like you're in a rut or need a creative jumpstart, listen to this episode. In it, I give three major benefits of doing things that challenge you.
What would you try? 

I get it. You've got a ton to do. Every day. But somewhere in the back of your head, this tiny voice is saying, "But didn't you say you want to write a book/act in a play/learn the guitar?"
And as much as you try to ignore that little voice, it never hushes up. 
I've heard that little voice most of my life. I wasn't always an avowed creative. I used to think that rarified air belonged to other people. It took me years to figure out that the most important thing when you want to create something is to start.
This episode will take you through a "Start Creating" scenario. If you follow it, you'll start. And hey, you might even finish. Now wouldn't that be fab?
 
For the example in the episode, I used writing, but you can apply this to other creative outlets. And if you want to write that first book, grab the template pdf and use it to finally, finally begin!