This week’s episode features Alice Lemmer (aka Mary’s Mom).
Alice Lemmer is a mom, dog whisperer, and volunteer who has brought a pretty awesome improviser into the world (that’s Mary in case that isn’t clear :)
Prior to retiring she worked at places including Edward Jones, the Michigan Disability Rights Coalition, Iorio Gelato, Hotel Information Systems, Lansing Community College, and the American Red Cross. She has a Bachelors of Science in Child Development, Child Psychology, and Spanish from San Diego State University.
During this episode we discuss…
- What inspired Alice to take an improv class
- How taking improv classes has helped her in her life
- Mary’s dog, Magi’s emergency vet visit and how Mary’s mom handled it
- How Mary’s mom reminds Mary to improvise
- Improvising as a mom and teaching kids how to accept versus fighting the reality around them
- Embracing the “scenes we’re in”
- Children are natural improvisers
- How to foster more of the ability to improvise as we get older
- Adapting to new environments, like living in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan after San Diego
- Embracing change
- Alice’s “mom-ism” that inspires presence
- Worrying
- Balancing caring and concern with presence
- How improvising has improved her relationship with her adult children
- How the world would be better if everyone took improv classes — spoiler: it involves listening!
- The gift Mary’s mom always asks Mary to get her as a holiday/birthday gift
From Alice, when asked how improv has improved her life offstage, “Improv has improved my mental flexibility and ability to ‘pivot mentally. It has improved my outlook by helping me to ‘see the whole picture’ and choose the perspective that is positive and empowering.”
Connect with Alice on LinkedIn and Facebook.
If you liked what you heard, Subscribe, write a review, tell a friend. If you didn’t like what you heard, well, try again next time. Each episode is different and we’re always improving (see what I did there?!)
Visit www.chooseimprove.com for resources and ways to improve in your life and work.
Join us for at chooseimprove.substack.com for weekly improvisations and monthly virtual sessions to practice improvising in your life.
Connect with us on Instagram @chooseimprove and linkedin.chooseimprove.com
Popular Podcasts
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
Are You A Charlotte?
In 1997, actress Kristin Davis’ life was forever changed when she took on the role of Charlotte York in Sex and the City. As we watched Carrie, Samantha, Miranda and Charlotte navigate relationships in NYC, the show helped push once unacceptable conversation topics out of the shadows and altered the narrative around women and sex. We all saw ourselves in them as they searched for fulfillment in life, sex and friendships. Now, Kristin Davis wants to connect with you, the fans, and share untold stories and all the behind the scenes. Together, with Kristin and special guests, what will begin with Sex and the City will evolve into talks about themes that are still so relevant today. "Are you a Charlotte?" is much more than just rewatching this beloved show, it brings the past and the present together as we talk with heart, humor and of course some optimism.
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.