#240: Being a Dancing Muskrat on Roller Skates, Using Improv in Business, & Creating Immersive Experiences That Make Your Message Unforgettable — w/ Meridith Grundei

The other day I tuned into a presentation from a $50M/year entrepreneur.

The guy was clearly brilliant. He had experience. Wisdom. Insight.

But here’s the thing:

I walked away remembering none of it.

Maybe I zoned out. But it got me thinking…

How often does this happen?

We sit through 60+ minutes of content, and walk away with nothing that sticks.

It’s frustrating, sure — but here’s the real question:

Do people remember you after your presentations?

Today’s guest, Meredith Grundei, is on a mission to make sure they do.

A seasoned performer, TikTok creator (100K+ followers), and former Second City improv teacher, Meredith helps entrepreneurs and thought leaders turn their message into unforgettable experiences.

She blends storytelling, theatre, and improv to make important ideas come alive.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• 🎭 How to turn any ordinary object into a powerful presentation tool (we do this live, improv-style)
• 🔥 How Meredith healed generational trauma through a one-woman show — and how your story can move people too
• 💡 How to find the “hook” in your message that leaves a lasting impression

If you care about creating impact with your ideas, this one’s for you.

Show Notes Generated With The Help of AI!

00:00 - Introduction to Beyond Curious and today's guest, Meridith Grundei

Brandon Fong opens the episode with enthusiasm, introducing Meridith Grundei—actor, Second City improv teacher, speaker coach, and TikTok creator. He previews the episode’s highlights: using improv to boost communication, Meridith’s winding journey through dance and acting, and her solo show that helped her heal generational trauma.

00:01:31 - Improvising with a Toy Boat: A Live Improv Demo

Brandon and Meridith engage in a spontaneous improv exercise, using a toy boat from Brandon’s Zoom background. They build a playful and creative presentation introduction on the fly, showcasing how props and improv can instantly energize communication.

00:02:14 - From Dancing Muskrat to Improv Queen: Meridith’s Creative Odyssey

Meridith’s journey from childhood dance, to performing as a muskrat on roller skates, to competitive cycling, and finally to improv and acting reflects her instinct to follow curiosity and non-linear paths to purpose.

00:04:26 - The Wonder Woman Moment That Changed Everything

Meridith recounts a pivotal moment at age 13 when she was asked to speak a line in a dance performance—"I want to be just like Wonder Woman"—which led a mentor to suggest she try acting, helping her break through shyness and discover her voice.

00:10:34 - Chicago and Second City: The Start of a New Chapter

After moving to San Francisco and dabbling in road cycling, Meridith moves to Chicago and finds her calling at Second City through an internship and a connection made while teaching after-school theater. She helps build the youth improv program and deepens her passion for performance.

00:19:07 - Bringing Play into Corporate Training: Improv at Amazon AWS

Meridith shares how she uses jazz hands, shimmy breaks, and unexpected prompts to dissolve resistance and infuse energy into high-stakes corporate workshops—including those at AWS. Her mantra: stop taking yourself so seriously, and play more.

00:24:05 - Using Movement and Humor to Shift Stuck Energy

Meridith explains how she breaks tension in daily life using movement, sarcasm, and humor, whether in workout classes or conversations. She emphasizes the power of being playful as a tool for emotional release.

00:26:33 - Healing Through Theater: The Birth of “Nothing Further”

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