IN THIS EPISODE: Through an engaging conversation, Shannon Stott reveals how improv can be a transformative practice for personal growth, healing, and building empathetic connections across diverse experiences.

TOPICS: play, identity, Presence, healing, Improv, community

KEY FIGURES: Logan Kim, Shannon Stott, Yinka Freeman, Know Other Fest, Vivica C. Coxx, Jozie Clapp, Nika Cherelle, Kindman & Co.

SUMMARY:

In this episode, Logan Kim and Shannon Stott discuss the transformative power of improv as a healing and self-discovery tool. Shannon, the creator of 'Improv On and Off the Stage', shares her journey of discovering improv's potential through her experiences living in different cultures and learning to create worlds and connections quickly on stage.

The conversation centers around Shannon's workshops at Know Other Fest, a queer camping and wellness experience, where she led interactive improv exercises designed to help participants connect with themselves and others. They discuss specific games like the hand-raising awareness exercise and the clapping game, which illustrate how improv can help people learn to be present, make choices, and accept vulnerability in a low-stakes environment.

Throughout the episode, Shannon emphasizes that improv is more than just comedy-it's a method of communication, self-exploration, and building understanding between people. By creating imaginary scenarios and practicing acceptance through the principle of 'yes, and', participants can learn to be more present, accept different perspectives, and discover deeper aspects of themselves in a playful, supportive context.

KEY QUOTES:

• "You can connect with yourself. You're not as scary as you think. The depths of you aren't as scary as you think." - Shannon Stott

• "We're always sort of improvising... you don't even sort of like the signals. You're not aware sometimes of the signals your body's giving you." - Shannon Stott

• "If I can be vulnerable enough to get on stage and put my hand in the air and talk like a giraffe, where did that even come from? Who am I inside?" - Shannon Stott

• "You have to get comfortable with who you are, because who you are may be all you're ever going to be." - Logan Kim

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Shannon Stott uses improv as a healing practice to help people connect with themselves and others through playful, low-stakes interactions

• Improv can be a powerful tool for developing self-awareness by creating opportunities to tune into bodily sensations and make conscious choices

• Know Other Fest provides a unique queer community space where LGBTQ+ individuals can explore and express themselves freely away from external pressures

• The core principles of improv, like saying 'yes, and' and listening deeply, can be applied to real-life communication and understanding

• Connecting with oneself can be challenging, but play and improvisation offer a less intimidating pathway to self-discovery

• Presence and being in the moment are crucial skills that can be practiced through improvisational techniques

• Shannon's background of living in multiple cultures inspired her approach to improv as a method of world-building and mutual understanding

• Healing and personal growth can happen in spaces beyond traditional therapy, such as through creative practices like improvisation

This Episode is Bringing You To:

Community Highlight: Beyond the Binary Therapy Group

A therapist-led space for trans, nonbinary & gender-expansive folks seeking connection & community.

Decolonize Your Feed

@queerblackwomenallianceatx

A safe space centering wellness, community, and education for queer Black women in Austin.

@vivicaccoxx

Vivica C. Coxx (she/they) is a drag artist, activist, and speaker uplifting BIPOC & trans LGBTQ+ stories.

@nikacherrelle

Sex coach & host of The “It” Cast, Nika (they/them) breaks down shame & centers consent in sex ed.

IN THIS EPISODE: Therapists living with chronic illness share their personal journeys of navigating health challenges, emphasizing the importance of community, self-acceptance, and finding humor in the face of ongoing medical struggles. Find the transcript ⁠here⁠.

TOPICS: healthcare, chronic illness, Disability, Bodies, community, mental health

KEY FIGURES: Spoon theory, Christine Miserandino, Kindman & Co., L.A. Spoonie Collective, raíces therapy, Kaitlin Kindman, Gaby Teresa, Dani Marrufo, Anna Kim, Clarissa Santisteban

SUMMARY:

In this podcast episode, a group of therapists who identify as 'Spoonies' (people living with chronic illness) discuss their personal experiences navigating chronic health conditions. They explore the challenges of accepting and identifying with chronic illness, including the emotional journey of recognizing one's limitations, dealing with medical gaslighting, and the societal pressure to push through physical challenges. The participants share how they were raised to ignore bodily signals and the difficulty of learning to listen to their bodies and acknowledge their health struggles.

The group delves into the concept of 'Spoon Theory,' which explains how people with chronic illness have limited daily energy (represented by spoons) and must carefully manage their physical and emotional resources. They discuss the importance of community and finding support among others who understand the unique challenges of living with chronic illness. The conversation highlights the isolating nature of chronic conditions and the relief of finding a supportive network that validates their experiences.

Throughout the episode, the participants use humor and vulnerability to discuss the complex emotional landscape of chronic illness. They address topics such as medical challenges, the grief process of accepting ongoing health conditions, and the ways chronic illness impacts identity and relationships. The group emphasizes the power of finding humor, building community, and developing resilience while living with unpredictable and challenging health conditions.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Spoon theory explains how people with chronic illness have limited daily energy, requiring careful prioritization of tasks and activities

• Finding community and support with other chronically ill people helps reduce isolation, shame, and provides validation of challenging lived experiences

• Accepting a chronic illness is a grief process that involves confronting medical gaslighting, societal disbelief, and learning to listen to one's body

• Chronic illness often requires unlearning cultural messages about 'pushing through' and instead developing new practices of self-care and energy management

• Humor and laughter can be powerful coping mechanisms for dealing with the challenges of chronic illness, allowing people to process difficult experiences

• Many people with chronic illnesses struggle with 'invisible' conditions that are not immediately apparent, making self-advocacy and medical validation difficult

• Chronic illness impacts multiple aspects of life, including mental health, relationships, work, and personal identity, requiring ongoing adaptation

• Online and in-person support groups provide critical spaces for chronically ill people to share experiences, resources, and feel less alone

This episode is bringing you to...

🔹 Chronic Illness Therapy Group – Led by Dani, this group offers a supportive space for folks living with chronic illness to process, connect, and be witnessed. Fill out the interest form here.
🔹 L.A. Spoonie Collective – A radical, abolitionist mutual aid collective created by and for chronically ill and disabled people in Los Angeles. They offer community care, political education, and tangible support rooted in disability justice.

TOPICS: coping, play, adulthood, Privilege, Creativity

KEY FIGURES: Dan Siegel, Jesse Romo, Dani Marrufo, Healthy Mind Platter, Kindman & Co.

SUMMARY:In this episode of Out of Session, hosts Dani Marrufo⁠ and ⁠Jesse Romo⁠ explore the concept of play in adulthood, discussing how the spontaneous, purposeless nature of play that comes naturally to children becomes increasingly difficult to maintain as people grow older. They reflect on their childhood experiences of play, sharing personal stories about imaginative games, crafting, and outdoor activities that were driven by pure enjoyment rather than productivity or specific goals.

The conversation delves into the societal pressures that make play challenging for adults, including the pervasive culture of productivity, the need to justify time spent on non-goal-oriented activities, and the ways in which privilege impacts one's ability to engage in playful experiences. They discuss how financial constraints, work demands, and systemic challenges can limit opportunities for play, particularly for marginalized communities who may be more focused on survival than recreation.

Throughout the episode, Dani and Jesse explore play as a form of self-expression, coping mechanism, and connection, highlighting personal examples like Jesse's music creation and Dani's crafting of 'ugly keychains'. They conclude by challenging listeners to reconnect with play as a vital aspect of human experience, emphasizing the importance of engaging in activities without pressure, purpose, or the need for external validation.

KEY QUOTES:• "Play that is purposeless, play that isn't about learning something specific... it's intuitive, it's self-evident when you're in it completely." - Jesse Romo• "How easy is it to actually feel playful when being a person of color or being queer or being trans in our world as it currently is?" - Jesse Romo• "As adults, we don't play as often as kids do. And I feel like that's what's resonating... why is it so hard to play as an adult?" - Jesse Romo• "We get so used to having to justify our time." - Jesse Romo• "It is a privilege to play. You need some financial privilege to have more diversity in play." - Dani Marrufo

KEY TAKEAWAYS:• Play becomes increasingly difficult for adults as societal expectations of productivity and purpose make spontaneous, purposeless activities feel 'unproductive'• Playfulness can be a form of coping, self-expression, and imagination, particularly during challenging life experiences• The ability to play is influenced by privilege, including financial resources, time, emotional bandwidth, and systemic oppression• Many adults lose the natural, uninhibited approach to play that children have, becoming self-critical and overly focused on outcomes• Play doesn't need to have a specific goal or be monetized - its value lies in the experience itself and the joy it brings• Different forms of play exist, from creative hobbies to spontaneous activities like dance parties, and can be deeply personal and meaningful• The current societal and global context can make it challenging to feel playful, as heavy emotions and stressors can inhibit one's capacity for lightheartedness

Look out for the full transcript of this episode on the Kindman & Co. blog and sign up for our Kindman & Co. newsletter on our website to get community updates!

This episode is bringing you to:

YOU! We hope that this episode motivates or encourages you to play. Whether it's getting outside, doing something crafty, or something else, we encourage you to play without pressure, without purpose, and without needing to validate or justify your play to yourself or anyone else.

IN THIS EPISODE: In a candid discussion about managing stress and anxiety, two therapists offer compassionate insights into navigating complex social challenges through community support, self-care, and collective resilience.

TOPICS: Media, community, Stress, activism, dissociation, Anxiety

KEY FIGURES: Elon Musk, Donald Trump, Mark Zuckerberg, Sam Sanders, Steve Wilson, Ava Max, Zach Stafford, Vibe Check, Saeed Jones, Logan Kim, Mutual Aid LA Network, Criterion Collection, Blue Caftan

SUMMARY:In this episode of Out of Session, hosts ⁠Steve Wilson⁠ and ⁠Logan Kim⁠ discuss the challenges of managing stress and anxiety during tumultuous times, particularly focusing on the political and social climate surrounding the second Trump presidency. They explore the overwhelming range of systemic stressors affecting people, including political changes, climate issues, queerphobia, transphobia, racism, and other social challenges that contribute to feelings of fear, helplessness, and anxiety.

The hosts emphasize the importance of finding balance in engaging with difficult realities while not becoming completely overwhelmed. They discuss coping strategies such as seeking community connection, practicing self-care, finding joy in small moments, and recognizing that dissociation and other coping mechanisms are natural responses to extreme stress. They also highlight the significance of being kind to oneself and understanding that individuals cannot solve all societal problems alone.

Throughout the conversation, Steve and Logan advocate for taking action through community involvement, creative expression, and supporting collective efforts. They recommend finding ways to contribute that feel personally meaningful, whether through joining specific advocacy groups, supporting younger generations, engaging in creative pursuits, or simply finding moments of joy and connection. The episode ultimately offers a compassionate and hopeful perspective on navigating challenging social landscapes by maintaining human connection and resilience.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:• Feeling fear, anxiety, and overwhelm in response to current societal challenges is a normal and valid emotional reaction• Practicing self-care is not selfish, but crucial for maintaining personal and community resilience during stressful times• Finding and maintaining community connection is essential for combating feelings of powerlessness and isolation• There are multiple ways to take action and support social causes beyond traditional protest, including supporting grassroots organizations and being intentional about where you get information• Creative expression and finding moments of joy are important forms of resistance and personal healing during challenging times• Systemic challenges often rely on individual feelings of helplessness, so recognizing collective power is crucial for maintaining hope• Queer and marginalized identities remain valid and resilient regardless of oppressive political policies or social pressures

This episode is bringing you to:

Mutual Aid LA Network, a connector and information hub for mutual aid efforts, people and resources across Los Angeles. They’re building toward abolition and believe in an abundant world that can be freed of oppression through community solidarity. Check out their Group Directory for a running list of mutual aid groups active across LA. You’ll find links, info about what the group is and what they do, and tags to help you search and filter for groups needing volunteers or donations! Instagram: @mutualaidla

One podcast we’re recommending to decolonize your media feed is Vibe Check, a podcast run by three queer black men, Saeed Jones, Sam Sanders, and Zack Stafford and their take on pop culture and current events. Tune in on your favorite streaming platform to listen to them make sense of what’s going on in news and culture, and how it all feels. Instagram: @vibecheck_pod

IN THIS EPISODE: A candid podcast episode examining the challenges of discussing politics with family during the holidays, emphasizing personal boundaries, emotional self-care, and the nuanced ways individuals navigate potentially divisive familial relationships.

TOPICS: politics, Holidays, Boundaries, Bodily autonomy, family, Voting

KEY FIGURES: Donald Trump, Dani Marrufo, Demi Rodriguez, Kindman & Co.

SUMMARY:

In this episode of Out of Session, hosts Dani Marrufo and Demi Rodriguez discuss their experiences with voting and navigating politics during the holiday season. They share personal stories about their family's voting experiences, highlighting Demi's father voting for the first time and Dani's connection with her grandmother around political discussions. The conversation reveals the complexities of family dynamics and political engagement, particularly within the Latinx community.

The hosts explore the challenges of discussing politics with family during the holidays, examining different strategies for managing difficult conversations and maintaining boundaries. They discuss online advice and personal experiences about how to handle family members with divergent political views. They emphasize the importance of personal emotional well-being and self-protection.

A significant part of their discussion centers on the concept of chosen family and the idea that shared genetics do not obligate one to maintain relationships, especially when core values and respect are at stake. They share personal strategies for coping with family gatherings, such as bringing comforting reminders like photos or wearing a partner's clothing, and discuss the importance of modeling respectful behavior for younger family members. The conversation ultimately underscores the need for compassion, self-care, and intentional communication during potentially stressful family interactions.

KEY QUOTES:

• "Just because you share genetics doesn't mean you owe them a relationship." - Reddit User (referenced by Dani Marrufo)

• "If it's specifically for political reasons, many politics involve ethics. That may be uncompromising." - Reddit User (referenced by Demi Rodriguez)

• "If you have a view of a certain political view, let's... a huge one is bodily autonomy and getting to make decisions on my own body." - Demi Rodriguez

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Voting can be a deeply personal and family-driven experience, with family members encouraging each other to participate in elections even when they've historically felt uncertain about voting

• Politics during family gatherings can be emotionally taxing, with some family members prioritizing political discussions over personal connections and relationships

• Setting and maintaining personal boundaries during holiday gatherings is crucial, especially when dealing with potentially divisive political topics

• Not all family relationships are worth preserving, especially when core ethical beliefs and personal identities are not respected

• The holiday season can amplify existing family tensions, particularly in the context of recent elections and political polarization

• Chosen family and personal well-being are more important than maintaining relationships with relatives who consistently disrespect or dismiss one's experiences

Look out for the full transcript of this episode on the Kindman & Co. ⁠⁠⁠blog⁠⁠ and sign up for our Kindman & Co. ⁠⁠newsletter⁠⁠ on our website to get community updates!

This episode is bringing you to:

The resources discussed on this episode to help you navigate politics and difficult conversations this holiday season.

https://www.therapywitholivia.com/blog/surviving-the-holidays-a-therapists-tips-on-how-to-better-manage-holidays-with-the-family

https://www.scripps.org/news_items/5074-10-ways-to-cope-with-difficult-relatives-during-the-holidays

Join ⁠Jesse⁠ in conversation with ⁠Anthony Bishop⁠ as they discuss their experiences in recovery from addiction and the social landscape of addiction and recovery. Their conversation covers a wide range of topics, including defining addiction, the relation between human connection and addiction/recovery, and the importance of community and social context in how we understand recovery. This is the second part of a two-episode series.

There will be a full transcript of this episode, as well as show notes, on the Kindman & Co.⁠ ⁠blog⁠⁠, so be sure to check that out for more information!

Look out for the full transcript of this episode on the Kindman & Co. ⁠⁠blog⁠ and sign up for our Kindman & Co. ⁠newsletter⁠ on our website to get community updates!

This episode is bringing you to:

⁠Faces and Voices of Recovery⁠ is a leading nonprofit recovery advocacy organization. They work with recovery community organizations and communities throughout the US to advocate for normalizing recovery and de-stigmatizing addiction. Notably, in the last few years, they've taken a strong stance in support of social justice and equity and have become one of the stronger advocates for making recovery more inclusive, equitable, and socially just. They organize events, groups, and recovery resources. You can get involved by attending one of their events or donating to the organization. Instagram: ⁠@facesandvoicesofrecovery⁠

⁠The SAFE Project⁠ also provides various addiction and mental health resources and is working to support increased equity in addiction recovery. Their website states, “Equitable access to prevention, intervention, treatment, and recovery resources must start with the acknowledgement of the historical context of systemic inequity in the addiction epidemic. By understanding the history of the epidemic, we can focus on eliminating health disparities and achieving optimal health for all Americans. We support all people who are impacted by substance use and mental health challenges, including those who work to make programs and resources more readily available and easily accessible. We also understand that the disease of addiction may not discriminate, but the root causes related to it do, including but not limited to inequities of health and wellbeing, education, poverty, and social and economic mobility. We are committed to acknowledging and generating action oriented approaches that are inclusive to all Americans impacted by addiction, as well as the root causes of the disease. Instagram: ⁠@safeprojectus⁠