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Improv Your Parenting

Improv Your Parenting

By: Jeremy Strozer
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Have you ever wondered if you could improve your parenting?

When trying to interact with your kids, do you sometimes feel as if you and they are speaking different languages, want different things out of life, and simply don’t see eye to eye?

Chances are, you’re not alone.

It seems almost everyone who has been responsible for a child has asked “Is there a better way?”

We are all either using the tactics, tools and procedures our parents used with us or making things up on the go.

Neither of these approaches seems to be leading to a better world than the one we currently inhabit.

That’s where the lessons of improv may offer some opportunities.

Improv is built on listening, being in the moment, collaboration, and play. Imagine, if you can, how these elements may influence you parenting journey, and the emotional development of your kids.

I am not a parenting expert, but I am the dad of two neurodivergent kids, and am an improviser, thus I’m living the dream!

Join me on a journey of discovery as we talk with parents, improvisers, kids, adults who used to be kids, and parenting experts about how improv influenced their parenting, experience being parented, and what promise these lessons may grant to the future of humanity.

Let’s work together to learn how to Improv Your Parenting, and thus the world.

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Jeremy Strozer Parenting & Families Relationships
Episodes
  • Inviting the Play

    Inviting the Play
    Jul 16 2025

    Inviting the Play: Parenting Lessons from the Stage with Declan King


    Welcome to 'Improv Your Parenting,' where we explore the art of turning parenting into play! In this episode, we're joined by Declan King, a theater maker trained in musical theater at ICMT Belfast. Declan shares his insights on using improvisation and playfulness to interact with children. From his extensive experience in working with children in theater, camps, and workshops, Declan discusses the importance of being present, responding to children's cues, and the parallels between improvisation on stage and engaging with kids. Tune in to learn how to foster creativity, connect meaningfully, and make parenting more playful!

    00:00 Introduction to Improv Your Parenting

    00:05 Meet Declan King: Theater Maker and Improviser

    00:45 Declan's Journey with Kids and Improv

    01:13 The Art of Playful Interaction

    03:33 Improv Techniques in Parenting

    07:24 Challenges and Mindset in Engaging Kids

    14:59 Balancing Playfulness and Safety

    17:38 Freelance Theater Work and Children's Engagement

    17:54 Volunteering with Children's Charities

    18:07 Immersive and Interactive Theater for Children

    18:27 The Importance of Play and Improvisation

    20:09 Engaging Different Types of Children

    22:03 Techniques for Working with Teenagers

    25:35 Improv Training and Its Applications

    33:59 Practical Advice for Engaging with Kids

    36:14 Final Thoughts and Future Conversations

    For more information please visit: https://jeremystrozer.com/improv-your-parenting

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
    Show More Show Less
    37 mins
  • Parenting Full Circle

    Parenting Full Circle
    Jul 9 2025

    Parenting Full Circle: Transforming Childhood with Improv, Agency, and Acceptance with Melissa and Nick Ruffilo

    In this episode of Improv Your Parenting, meet Nick and Melissa Ruffalo, improvisers and parents who seamlessly integrate improv into their everyday parenting. Discover their improv journey, parenting techniques, and how they use playful interactions to nurture creativity and problem-solving skills in their 13-year-old son, Dexter. Gain insights into their gentle parenting approach, the concept of agency and acceptance, and how they use improv to help their son handle real-life situations and emotions. From teaching via playful games to processing emotions through role-play, Nick and Melissa share their unique parenting style that makes life both fun and educational for their child.

    00:00 Introduction to Improv Parenting

    00:06 Meet Nick and Melissa Ruffalo

    00:21 Improv in Daily Life

    01:49 Parenting with Improv

    02:19 Gentle Parenting and Emotional Processing

    08:04 Improv Origins and High School Days

    11:30 Raising a Confident and Playful Child

    13:26 Improv and LARPing

    15:02 Parenting Advice and Reflections

    24:28 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

    For more information please visit: https://jeremystrozer.com/improv-your-parenting

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
    Show More Show Less
    25 mins
  • Moving from Battleground to Common Ground

    Moving from Battleground to Common Ground
    Jun 25 2025

    Improv Your Parenting with Sonja Stetzler: Mastering Communication Through Improv


    Join us on 'Improv Your Parenting' with special guest Sonja Stetzler, founder and CEO of Effective Connecting. Sonja, an executive communication coach and international speaker, shares her journey of integrating improv techniques into parenting. Discover how listening and 'Yes, And... ' can transform parent-child relationships and lead to meaningful, empathetic communication. Sonja also touches on her TEDx talk and how these skills benefit professionals in business and healthcare. Don't miss this insightful conversation filled with practical tips for better connections!


    00:00 Introduction to Improv Your Parenting

    00:06 Meet Sonja Stetzler: Communication Expert

    01:38 The Accidental Improvisation Moment

    04:18 The Power of Listening in Parenting

    06:20 Building Stronger Relationships Through Improv

    08:53 The Importance of Communication Skills

    22:12 Applying Improv Techniques in Professional Settings

    24:28 Reflecting on Parenting and Play

    26:38 Conclusion and Final Thoughts


    Sonja's TEDx Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ewVwN7CCv6M&pp=ygUOU29uamEgU3RldHpsZXI%3D


    For more information please visit: https://jeremystrozer.com/improv-your-parenting

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
    Show More Show Less
    27 mins

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