Improv in Real Life Episode 8: The Wisdom of Showing Up with Patricia Ryan Madson
Oct 15, 2025
Patricia Ryan Madson, author and longtime improv teacher who taught at Stanford, shares how improvisation anchors everyday presence. She explores attention, acceptance, appreciation, and action. Hear practical noticing and gratitude practices, a Japanese naikon reflection, and playful word-at-a-time exercises that spark connection and reframe ordinary life.
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How Improv Wisdom Originated At Stanford
- Madson discovered improv at Esalen after teaching acting at Stanford and meeting Keith Johnstone, then adapted games for her students.
- Feedback from adults who found improvements in marriage and life prompted her to write Improv Wisdom.
Four A's Improv Method For Everyday Life
- Pay attention, accept, appreciate, then act as a practical improv mindset for life.
- Patricia Ryan Madson frames the whole practice as four A's and guides a short attention exercise to notice your room and return to present reality.
Use The Close Eyes Attention Drill
- Practice a simple attention exercise: close your eyes, imagine your surroundings, then open your eyes and compare.
- Madson demonstrates this on the podcast to show how easily we miss details when lost in our heads.
