
Anne Libera on How to Find Yourself Again Through Humor | EP 698
Descripción del Episodio
What if becoming who you want to be has less to do with control and more to do with letting go?
In this insightful episode of Passion Struck, John R. Miles sits down with Anne Libera, longtime Second City director, educator, and author of Funnier: A New Theory for the Practice of Comedy. Together, they explore how improvisation offers a powerful model for personal growth, creativity, and identity transformation.
Anne’s work blends comedy, psychology, and human behavior. Drawing from decades at The Second City working with performers such as Stephen Colbert, Amy Poehler, Tim Meadows, and Jordan Peele, she reveals that improv is not ultimately about being funny. It is about presence, awareness, emotional flexibility, and learning to respond to life as it actually is, rather than how you wish it would be.
This episode continues our December series, The Season of Becoming. It explores who we are in the moments in between when one version of our life is fading, and another has not yet taken shape.
Get the full episode show notes here: https://passionstruck.com/life-lessons-from-improv/
Listen, Watch, and Go Deeper
All episode links are gathered here, including my books You Matter, Luma, and Passion Struck, The Ignited Life Substack, YouTube channels, and the Start Mattering apparel store:
https://linktr.ee/John_R_Miles
Download the Companion Workbook
The Becoming Workbook: How to Let Go of Old Scripts and Step Into the Next Version of Yourself
Includes reflection prompts, identity exercises, and tools for loosening rigid thinking and building creative flexibility.
https://www.theignitedlife.net/p/improv-skills-for-personal-growth
In this episode, you will learn:
- Why improvisation is not about comedy. It is about attention, awareness, and responding to reality
- How humor helps us navigate discomfort, uncertainty, and identity change
- Why trying to control the scene often makes life harder
- How to practice Yes, and in real relationships
- Why reinvention requires play, curiosity, and emotional risk
- The psychology behind why we cling to scripts that no longer fit
- How to use comedic tools to expand your sense of identity and possibility
- Why becoming is not reinvention. It is responsiveness
- How to build creative confidence even if you do not consider yourself funny
Support the Movement
Everyone deserves to feel seen, valued, and like they matter.
Show it. Wear it. Live it.
Disclaimer
The Passion Struck podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Passion Struck or its affiliates. This podcast is not a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a licensed physician, therapist, or other qualified professional.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Episodios Recientes

Más podcasts de Sociedad y Cultura
Ver toda la categoría →
Blunt Force Trauma
By shows
Blunt Force Trauma is a new serialised investigation into the unsolved murder of Faithe Ely, from EchoSpace and host Troy Taylor (from award winning podcast Among The Missing). On March 28, 2021, Faith Ely was found lifeless on the side of a dark Oklahoma highway, her death quickly being ruled a hit and run. But the evidence doesn’t line up. The injuries don’t tell a clear story. And the more you dig, the harder it becomes to make sense of the official narrative. What should be a straightforward accident begins to feel anything but…

Después de la pérdida
By shows
Bienvenidos a un espacio que invita a la resiliencia durante el duelo. Entender el proceso, no significa que no duela el corazón. Hablaremos sobre el dolor, pero sobre todo, del amor. Un gusto conectar con ustedes en formato de podcast para que me puedan escuchar en el coche, en la casa, en el trabajo o donde ustedes quieran. ¡Gracias!

Ad Propositum
By shows
Bienvenidas y bienvenidos al podcast de Adpropositum, mi espacio auditivo para acompañarte a conectarte con tu propósito ayudándote a eliminar los obstáculos para acceder a una vida autentica y con sentido. Aqui reflexionaremos y aprenderemos en torno a la vida, el amor, el sufrimiento, el proposito y lo valioso. Un lugar construido para que lo compartas con otros y para que ademas de acceder a mis podcast, tambien encuentres mis medicinas auditivas para el alma.

Modo Taoísmo
By shows
Obtén inspiración para poseer el poder de alcanzar la grandeza y desbloquear todo tu potencial. Solo necesitas motivación y orientación para superar obstáculos y llevar una vida con propósito.

BAJO LOS PALOS by FLEXICAR
By shows
Bajo los Palos es un podcast presentado por Iker Casillas, donde las conversaciones van más allá del fútbol. En cada episodio, Iker invita a diferentes personalidades para hablar sobre experiencias de vida, aprendizajes y reflexiones, creando un espacio cercano y auténtico. Un viaje lleno de historias inspiradoras, desde dentro y fuera del terreno de juego.

Park Predators
By shows
Explore the dark side of the world’s most beautiful places with investigative journalist and park enthusiast Delia D’Ambra. Each week, Delia guides you deep into national parks and forests across the globe, uncovering stories where nature’s breathtaking beauty has masked sinister secrets. From infamous cases that made headlines to little-known crimes that still need answers, Delia’s relentless pursuit of the truth takes her through archives and remote landscapes to reveal the hidden darkness haunting these natural wonders. Because sometimes, the most beautiful places hide the darkest secrets. This is Park Predators.

Monólogo de Alsina
By shows
Escucha y lee todas las noticias del programa. En directo de L-V de 6 a 12:30
