Yes, Also

Yes, Also - Gareth Reynolds

16 Jun 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Gareth Reynolds (The Dollop, We're Here to Help) talks about sustaining scenes, Comedy Sportz, his journey from Milwaukee to LA, onstage etiquett...

Yes, Also - Andrew Moskos

09 Jun 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Andrew Moskos (co-founder of Boom Chicago) talks about Chicago improv in the 80's and 90's, studying with Del, the origin of Boom Chicago, cr...

Yes, Also - Madeline Evans - LIVE from Atlanta

02 Jun 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Madeline Evans (founder of MadsJoy, Atlanta) talks about being a connector, performing in alternative spaces, deconstructed Harolds, narrative tips, ...

Yes, Also - Corin Wells

26 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Corin Wells (Dropout, ASSSSCAT) talks about the gift of guidelines, improv skills in conversation, the Philly improv scene, reframing game, a nightma...

Yes Also - Betsy Sodaro

19 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Betsy Sodaro (Ghosts, UCB) talks about putting yourself in the right environment, tools for exploring in scenes, embracing cartoonish play, loving yo...

Yes, Also - Jim Woods

12 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Jim Woods (Company Retreat, WGIS, UCB) talks about playing with expectations, removing autopilot, training instinct, the illusion of momentum, helpful...

Yes, Also - Kimia Behpoornia

05 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Kimia Behpoornia (Dropout, UCB) talks about being a shy kid, Comedy Sportz, The Apartment form, narrative improv, laying seeds, sewing ideas together...

Yes, Also - Mel Cowan

28 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Mel Cowan (Sentimental Lady) talks about 20 years of Sentimental Lady, rehearsing again, blending analysis and play, creative beacons, his early LA d...

Yes, Also - Touch Baseball (Ryan Myers and Ashley Rube)

21 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Ryan Myers and Ashley Rube (The Improv Shop St. Louis) talk about combining the silly and the serious, keeping things simple, sustaining monoscenes, ...

Yes, Also - Echo Kellum

14 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Echo Kellum (Arrow, UCB, Groundlings) talks about early influences, boldness, broadening your education, analagous scenes, pirate/robot/ninja, the qu...

Yes, Also - TWO YEAR ANNIVERSARY! Craig Cackowski and Jason Mantzoukas

07 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Happy Second Anniversary! In this very special episode, Craig Cackowski and Jason Mantzoukas return-- together!-- and talk about the curse of predic...

Yes, Also - Ruha Taslimi

31 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Ruha Taslimi (UCB, Dropout) talks about the link between human growth and performer growth, honoroing your inner child, acting presence, longer scene...

Yes, Also - Will Choi

24 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Will Choi (Asian AF) talks about watching his heroes perform, taking a chance, process vs. product, learning to take up space, a game-changing mindset...

Yes, Also - Jeff Hiller

17 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Jeff Hiller (UCB, Baby Wants Candy) talks about winning an Emmy, facing rejection, object work, reframing politeness, finding game through character, ...

Yes, Also - Anna Rajo

10 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Anna Rajo (Lohan, ASSSSCAT) talks about early inspiration, making class fun, representation, takeaways from hosting jams, the importance of discomfort...

Yes, Also - Ian Roberts

03 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Ian Roberts (co-founder of UCB) talks about his improv origin story, being a comedy outlaw, wild bits and shows from his Chicago days, the challenges...

Yes, Also - Chad Damiani

24 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Chad Damiani (Stand Up and Clown, Stamptown) talks about silent clown, audience triangulation, the clownishness of wrestling, breaking meta expectatio...

Yes, Also - Anna Garcia

17 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Anna Garcia (Dropout, UCB) talks about her theatre background, the challenge of learning game, adding whimsy to restriction, generous teammates, char...

Yes, Also - Dan Black

10 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Dan Black (The Ultimate Improv Show) talks about pro wrestling, early comedy influences, intentional deviation in scenes, two impactful notes, comedi...

Yes, Also - Jiavani

03 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Jiavani (Dropout, UCB) talks about eliminating hierarchy, evolving musical improv, international cross-pollination, sitting in the truth, genuine comm...

Yes, Also - Matt Walsh

27 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Matt Walsh (Veep, co-founder of UCB) talks about his early Chicago days, using improv to write narrative musicals, his approach to character, making ...

Yes, Also - Dylan Reiff and Kristen Schier - Recorded LIVE at Kickstand Comedy in Portland

20 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Dylan Reiff and Kristen Schier (Kickstand Comedy) talk about their improv origins in Chicago and Philly, using comedy to effect change, the intersecti...

Yes, Also - Shannon O'Neil

13 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Shannon O'Neil (The Stepfathers, RaaaatScraps) talks about her early UCB days, if this / then what, bursts of chaos, scenic confessions, thoughts ...

Yes, Also - Jeff Whitaker

06 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Jeff Whitaker (F*ck This Month) talks about starting out in Austin, the value of interning, producing successful shows, ticket prices, audience psych...

Yes, Also - Caroline Cotter

30 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Caroline Cotter (ASSSSCAT, Conan) talks about fear, perseverance, replaying good moves, being "the woman", impulsive moves, grabbing tiny g...

Yes, Also - Lamar Woods

23 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Lamar Woods (The Big Team, New Girl) talks about authenticity, the intersection of his careers as a rapper and comedian, being malleable, believable ...

Yes, Also - TJ Jagodowski

16 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

TJ Jagodowski (The Second City, TJ and Dave) talks about Chicago, his improv origin story, pushing the envelope, impeccable listening, starting withou...

Yes, Also - Sean Conroy

09 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Sean Conroy (The Swarm, Key and Peele) talks about his first gigs, the real meaning of “yes and” and “play to the top of your intelligence”, ...

Yes, Also - Alex Fox and Rachel Lewis

02 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Alex Fox and Rachel Lewis (Electric Bloom, iO) talk about improv as grad school, playing hard, transitioning from improv to a writing career, treatin...

Yes, Also - Tara Copeland

25 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Tara Copeland (Mother, Magic To Do) talks about Chicago City Limits, the PIT / Magnet / UCB divorce, the pillars of musical improv, narrative mapping,...

Yes, Also - Arnie Neikamp

18 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Arnie Niekamp (Hello from the Magic Tavern) talks about a writer's approach to improv, elevating blue suggestions, the power of a gimmick, the re...

Yes, Also - Connor Ratliff (LIVE from Burlington, VT)

11 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Connor Ratliff (Dead Eyes, The Stepfathers) talks about the realities of an acting career, Dead Eyes, the shadow side of getting paid for shows, the ...

Yes, Also - Sasheer Zamata

04 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Sasheer Zamata (SNL, Agatha All Along) talks about using details, consensual attention, learning from festivals, setting up scene partners, Doppelgan...

Yes, Also - Tony DeRosa (LIVE from Ann Arbor, MI)

28 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Tony DeRosa (Owner of hear.say brewing + theater in Ann Arbor, MI) talks about his journey from improv to the tech world and back again, adjacent spac...

Yes, Also - Patrick McDonald

21 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Patrick McDonald (Smosh, Artists On Artists On Artists On Artists) talks about being a fish out of water, the comedy landscape of Emerson College, the...

Yes, Also - Ify Nwadiwe

14 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Ify Nwadiwe (Dimension 20; Um, Actually) talks about how short form prepped him for long form, establishing base realities, the subjectivity of game, ...

Yes, Also - Lennon Parham

07 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Lennon Parham (Playing House, Veep) talks about high school short form, communal spaces, integrating her improv style with UCB, rooting yourself in a ...

Yes, Also - Ryan Gaul

30 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Ryan Gaul (Bajillion Dollar Propertie$, Comedy Bang Bang) talks about Improv Asylum, office scenes, restaurant specifics, learning to be a teammate, ...

Yes, Also - Cipha Sounds

23 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Cipha Sounds (Chappelle's Show, Take it Personal) talks about his journey from DJ to improvisor, DJ / improv overlaps, guidance from Gethard, play...

Yes, Also - Joe Fahey

16 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Joe Fahey (Lohan, One Big Jam) talks about running a jam, navigating chaos, initiation techniques, personal POV, types of stakes, redefining confiden...

Yes, Also - Angela Giarratana

09 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Angela Giarratana (Smosh, Dropout, UCB) talks about playing your strengths, helping the audience, evolving sketch styles, curing shame, her comedic v...

Yes, Also - Lloyd Ahlquist (aka Epic Lloyd)

02 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Lloyd Ahlquist (Epic Rap Battles of History, Mission Improvable) talks about dropping out of college to do improv, learning to flock, setting up impr...

Yes, Also - Jon Mackey

26 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Jon Mackey (Big Grande, The Brett DeMott Show with Buddy) talks about curing sadness with improv, naming teams, helping others be funny, moving and f...

Yes, Also - Christina Anthony

19 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Christina Anthony (Mixed-ish, Second City) talks about her journey through Second City, taking character field trips, changing default assumptions, b...

Yes, Also - Asher Perlman

12 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Asher Perlman (The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Improvised Shakespeare) talks about performing for non-comedians, embracing intros, balancing art ...

Yes, Also - Jason Mantzoukas

05 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Jason Mantzoukas (How Did This Get Made, Taskmaster) talks about early inspirations and mind-blowing moves, his POV as a jazz drummer, how to play he...

Yes, Also - Alex Song-Xia

29 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Alex Song-Xia (Dimension 20, Rick and Morty) talks about self-sabotage, how improv and stand-up help each other, facing fears, saying mean things, Dr...

Yes, Also - Ryan Archibald

22 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Ryan Archibald (Second City, CMSimprov) talks about an athlete's approach, smallprov, applying short form skills to longform, Boom Chicago, audit...

Yes, Also - Paul Scheer

15 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Paul Scheer (The League, How Did This Get Made?) talks about strong first lines, honoring an opening, early UCB shows, safety nets, hooks, playing wi...

Yes, Also - Jaime Moyer

08 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Jaime Moyer (Second City Detroit) talks about her start in Detroit, imposter syndrome, killing your internal editor, gift listening, discovering over...

Yes, Also - Miles Stroth

01 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Miles Stroth (The Family, founder of The Pack Theater), talks about his early days at Second City and iO, the paradox of “don’t think”, breakin...

Yes, Also - Monique Moses

24 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Monique Moses (Black Lady Sketch Show, Astronomy Club) talks about playable premises, filtering a monologue, internet paralysis, the evolution of hap...

Yes, Also - Dave Theune

17 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Dave Theune (Bangarang, St. Dennis Medical) talks about Comedy Sportz Milwaukee, the importance of seeing shows, giving scenic gifts, how to take the...

Yes, Also - Zach Reino

10 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Zach Reino (Dropout, Off Book: The Improvised Musical) talks about his musical and comedy DNA, how to get better at musical improv, narrative payoffs...

Yes, Also - Ali Ghandour

03 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Ali Ghandour (former AD of UCB LA) talks about Ultimate Improv, internet sketch, lessons in collaboration, subverting expectations, personal specifics...

Yes, Also - Stephnie Weir

27 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Stephnie Weir (MadTV, Second City) talks about her colorful upbringing, playing a character's passion, finding levels, JANE, iconic characters, bi...

Mini Bonus Episode: Chris Gethard + Will Gallagher

26 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

As part of Mental Health Awareness Month, we’re featuring a segment from All Hands on Deck, a campaign from Wellness Together. It spotlights the peo...

Yes, Also - Joel Spence

20 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Joel Spence (Sentimental Lady, Big Little Lies) talks about resting the game, trusting Yes And, formative theater experiences, the post-show blues, f...

Yes, Also - Lyndsey Frank

13 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Lyndsey Frank (Lohan, Planet Weird) talks about being a physical player, finding personal beacons, how cancer changed their improv, going from short ...

Yes, Also - Bob Dassie

06 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Bob Dassie (Dasariski, Weirdass) talks about how he approaches the top of a scene, active patience, his first class with Stephnie Weir, performing wit...

Yes, Also - Laci Mosley

29 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Laci Mosley (Scam Goddess, Going Dutch) talks about finding balance, her journey from Texas to Hollywood, four clear paths to an acting career, choosi...

Yes, Also - Santina Muha

22 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Santina Muha (UCB, One Day at a Time) talks about the overlap of improv and game-playing, status in scenes, giving disability a comedic voice, the spe...

Yes, Also - Brian Stack

15 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Brian Stack (Late Night with Conan O’Brien, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert) talks about the Chicago scene in the early 90’s, Jazz Freddy, the ...

Yes, Also - Suzi Barrett

08 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

It's our very special One Year Anniversary episode, and we flipped the script by having Ryan interview Suzi!Suzi Barrett (Sentimental Lady, Comedy...

Yes, Also - Colton Dunn

01 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Colton Dunn (Superstore, Key and Peele) talks about his short form roots, taking big leaps, seeing UCB before they had a theatre, wild memories from B...

Yes, Also - Rachel Bloom

25 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Rachel Bloom (Crazy Ex-Girlfriend) talks about how improv informs her writing, her Netflix special, surprising an audience, finding a show’s tone, c...

BREAKING NEWS! UCB Buys ColdTowne Theatre in Austin!

21 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Hot off the presses... UCB just bought ColdTowne Theater from Dave Buckman and Rachel Madorsky, and Austin will now have a UCB theatre. Dave and Rache...

Yes, Also - Dave Buckman

18 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Dave Buckman (Executive Producer of ColdTowne Theater in Austin) talks about climbing the ranks at Second City, major takeaways from The Annoyance / S...

Yes, Also - Mike McLendon

11 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Mike McLendon (Second City, iO, UCB) talks about being an army brat, finding Comedy Sportz, the Second City cruise gig, improv bootcamp, making everyt...

Yes, Also - Rebecca Drysdale

04 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Beck Drysdale (Key and Peele, Second City) talks about writing jokes as a kid, quitting school to move to Chicago, lessons from Second City, being dau...

Yes, Also - Dan Lippert

25 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Dan Lippert (Big Grande, ManDogPod) talks about nerves, his early practice groups, funny tour show fiascos, family dynamics informing improv choices, ...

Yes, Also - Tao Yang

18 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Tao Yang (Dropout, UCB Harold night) talks about Improv Boston, finding balance in training styles, short form limitations, themed Harolds, a nerdy ma...

Yes, Also - Ben Schwartz

11 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Ben Schwartz(Parks and Rec, Sonic) talks about fear of failure, his first laugh, doing what you find funny, weathering rejection, how venue sizes affe...

Yes, Also - Susan Messing

04 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Susan Messing (Second City mainstage, iO, the Annoyance) talks about discovering Improv Olympic, earlier iterations of the Harold, adding specificity ...

Yes, Also - Jacquis Neal

28 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Jacquis Neal (Dropout, Comedy Bang Bang) talks about the danger of comparison, how he fell in love with theatre, going all in on UCB and the LA indie ...

Yes, Also - Chris Gethard

21 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Chris Gethard (The Stepfathers, The Chris Gethard Show) talks about how improv saved his life, UCBNY in the early 2000’s, feeling like the weak link...

Yes, Also - Jacob Wysocki

14 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Jacob Wysocki (Dimension 20, Yeti) talks about starting Comedy Sportz in high school, the evolution of aspiration, falling in love with filmmaking, ma...

Yes, Also - Holly Laurent

07 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Holly Laurent (Second City Chicago, Mega) talks about growing up in a high control religion, choosing laughter over tears, identifying what’s scarin...

Yes, Also - Steve Waltien

31 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Steve Waltien (The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Improvised Shakespeare) talks about the courage of youth, Second City, marrying intellect with emot...

Yes, Also - Sara Rose Caplan

23 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Sara Rose Caplan (Baby Wants Candy, XOXO) talks about playing with her dream team, learning improv as a non-performer, overcoming limitations, musical...

Yes, Also - Dhruv Uday Singh

17 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Dhruv Uday Singh (Good Trouble, Queen George) talks about being the pilot of your scene, the measure of a good show, encouraging teachers, embracing p...

Yes, Also - Paul F. Tompkins 2

10 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Paul F. Tompkins (Comedy Bang Bang, Bojack Horseman) returns to the pod in this much-anticipated Part Two! He talks about blending standup and improv,...

Yes, Also - Nicole Byer

03 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Nicole Byer (Nailed it, Grand Crew) talks about how she found comedy, the ephemeral nature of improv, going to acting conservatory, her early UCB days...

Yes, Also - Joe Canale

26 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Joe Canale (Second City, Uncle’s Brother) talks about iO in the mid 90’s, Del’s toxicity, acknowledging privilege, his complicated relationship ...

Yes, Also - Philip Labes

19 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Philip Labes (Watchmen, Minx) talks about catching the musical improv bug, finding his path as a singer/songwriter, adapting vs. persisting, success a...

Yes, Also - Lauren Lapkus

12 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Lauren Lapkus (Another Happy Day, Comedy Bang Bang) talks about her early start at iO, learning to use her own voice, the comfort of game, earning an ...

Yes, Also - John Ross Bowie

05 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

John Ross Bowie (Speechless, The Big Bang Theory) talks about the divide between actors and improvisers, finding improv in his late 20’s, studying w...

Yes, Also - Ronnie Adrian

29 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Ronnie Adrian (Grand Crew, The Big Team) talks about teaching and coaching styles, his pursuit of an interesting life, his early stand up experience, ...

Yes, Also - Dan Gregor

22 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Dan Gregor (JV, The Naked Gun) talks about yes and-ing an animated universe, writing vs. improv skill sets, developing humor as a response to religion...

Yes, Also - Sarah Claspell

15 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Sarah Claspell (co-owner of WGIS) talks about the leap from short form to long form, favorite shows from DCM, the pressures of Harold night, finding a...

Yes, Also - Johnny Meeks

08 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Johnny Meeks (UCB LA’s Academic Director) talks about the “por las buenas” technique, comedic tension, trying to save a bad scene, updating the ...

Yes, Also - Paul F. Tompkins

01 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Paul F. Tompkins (Mr. Show, Bojack Horseman) talks about carving out his identity as a comedian, conquering fear, his early absurdist stand-up, workin...

Yes, Also - Cissy Fenwick

17 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Cissy Fenwick (JV) talks about how improv makes her a better therapist, unconditional positive regard, therapists as active voice of reason characters...

Yes, Also - Eugene Cordero

10 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Eugene Cordero (Loki, Star Trek: Lower Decks) talks about his elementary school days, cockiness vs. confidence, struggles with dyslexia, finding his c...

Yes, Also - Chris Eddins

03 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Chris Eddins (Lemon Pepper Wet) talks about learning improv as a way to help with public speaking, using jams to hone your craft, making unusual thing...

Yes, Also - Heather Anne Campbell

27 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Heather Anne Campbell (SNL, Whose Line is it Anyway) talks about the innateness of improv, circumventing shame, forking the multiverse, takeaways from...

Yes, Also - Ithamar Enriquez

20 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Ithamar Enriquez (Second City, Curb Your Enthusiasm) talks about his journey through Second City, memories from Tourco, inspiring theatrical technique...

Yes, Also - Casey Feigh

13 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Casey Feigh (creator of Holy Shit Improv), talks about analyzing his improv, setting shows up for success, vulnerability vs. perfection, amplifying yo...

Yes, Also - Ally Beardsley & Zac Oyama

06 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Ally Beardsley and Zac Oyama (Dimension 20, Yeti), talk about team chemistry, delightful comedic chaos, improv as a path to coming out of the closet, ...

Yes, Also - James Mastraieni

30 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

James Mastraieni (Founder of the Shared Experience Studio) talks about the neuroscience of comedy, the connection between performers and audience, sta...