Dr. Matthew Goodman on Mindfulness, Improv, and Letting Go of Control
We wanted to share this interview with Zen-prov! founding teacher Matthew Goodman, PhD on the Improve podcast.
In this episode, Dr. Goodman speaks with Improve Founder/CEO Mary Lemmer about his improv origin story, the overlap between improv and mindfulness/Zen practice, how improv can make us better leaders, and why the world would be a better place if everyone practiced improv : )
Topics discussed in this episode:
Matt’s improv origin story
When he noticed the shift in himself after starting an improv practice
Internal changes versus external changes
Parallel life pursuing psychology studies and improv comedy
Why Matt lived in Alaska
Psychology, improv, and mindfulness
What’s going on in the mind when improvising
Control - wanting it and relinquishing control
Improv showing how much we rely on control and better enabling us to let go of it
What improv has enabled him to do because of improv
His year at a Zen Buddhist monastery
The documentary he made
Improv as an outward mindfulness practice
The struggle to be present
How he brings improv into his work as a psychologist
Mary’s good questions
The importance of learning to listen and be present with people
The opportunity for hospital settings to benefit from improvisational principles
What the world might be like if everyone practiced improv
Improv exercises that help us practice letting go
The future of leadership