Improv in Real Life Episode 1: Practice Play with Gary Ware
Jul 9, 2025
Join Gary Ware, a workshop facilitator and author of *Playful Rebellion*, as he explores the transformative power of improv-based play. Discover how positive emotions support resilience and creativity, while Gary shares his journey back to playfulness after hardship. He discusses using play as a rebellion against conformity and its role in navigating rapid change. Enjoy lighthearted improv games that foster joy and creativity, and learn how playful practices can aid in post-traumatic growth. Gary's insights promise to inspire both personal and professional development.
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Turtles, Harmony, And A Tattoo
- Gary recounts a joyful moment on a Nicaraguan beach where baby sea turtles hatched and he felt harmony.
- He memorialized it with a tattoo and saw it as evidence his playful work life fit his values.
Sudden Job Loss And Housing Crisis
- Days after that retreat Gary was unexpectedly bought out of his startup and told to leave, then learned his rented house would be sold.
- He and his family moved in with his parents and faced urgent financial uncertainty.
Turn Setbacks Into Offers
- Treat setbacks as offers: inventory your skills and ask 'what if' to convert passion into opportunity.
- Practice improv skills in low-stakes settings so they become available during high-stakes uncertainty.
