It was my first time stepping into a new character identity - other than playing Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz in 5th grade - and I was really nervous, especially as an introvert. My mother had convinced me to take an improv comedy class with her, and it was my turn to stand up in front of a small group of people and act out a totally improvised scene. For a reason unbeknownst to me, I chose to have a French accent and acted demanding with a bit of a temper. In that moment, I felt a twinge of liberation. I got to step out of my own head for a moment and respond to the situation from a totally different perspective. And the best part? I was doing it through play.

That experience has often made me wonder: What if the key to transforming our lives and our relationships could be found in a surprisingly simple place? The answer could lie in the world of fun, flow, and improvising your life from moment to moment.

Improv, known for its spontaneity and humor, is more than just a form of entertainment. It is also a powerful tool for personal development, relationship building, and navigating life’s challenges. In this week’s episode of L3 Philosophy™ with Emmi, I interviewed Jordan Hirsch, a facilitator, improviser, and founder of FishTree, a leadership development company that makes it safe, fun, and possible to do hard things at work. Jordan and I talked about how by embracing core principles of improv, we can unlock new ways of thinking, interacting, and growing. You can watch or listen to our episode here: