Heightening Headlines: Improvising The News
Claim This Podcastby Alec Shea
Podcast Overview
<p>Real news, improvised comedy.</p><p>Improviser and voice actor Alec Shea (@alecsheaimprov) and a guest host read and discuss interesting, weird, and completely true news stories from around the world, then improvise comedic scenes inspired by the story, the people involved, and the discussion that follows. They also discuss improv techniques and comedy styles.</p><p>Weekly episodes Alec, and very cool, funny, awesome special guests!</p><p>(Disclaimer: We cannot guarantee the news stories will be accurately depicted during the improv. In fact... they may be depicted somewhat inaccurately... Hmm... Actually its probably best to assume the improv doesn't represent these real world news stories at all...)</p>
Language
🇺🇲
Publishing Since
12/13/2025
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Recent Episodes
July 16, 2026
"And Nobody Died" Mental Health, Big Foot, and Spider-scorpions
<p>In this episode of Heightening Headlines: Improvising the News, Alec and guest host Mayumi discuss mental health in improv communities, childhood, and big foot.</p><p>Follow them at <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" class="mention-chip ytcp-social-suggestion-input" href="https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UCC492t5fNOH15nxShkaRJ3w"><strong>@AlecSheaImprov </strong></a>and @mayumi.mhc</p><p>Mayumi Hikida is a Vienna-based improviser and mental health specialist!</p><p>Follow her on Instagram: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.instagram.com/mayumi.mhc/">https://www.instagram.com/mayumi.mhc/</a></p><p>Content Note: Discussions about mental health and bullying</p><p>________________</p><p>Real news, improvised comedy.</p><p>Improviser and voice actor Alec Shea (<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" class="mention-chip ytcp-social-suggestion-input" href="https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UCC492t5fNOH15nxShkaRJ3w">@AlecSheaImprov</a>) discusses interesting, weird, and completely true news stories from around the world with different guest hosts.</p><p>Then they improvise comedic scenes inspired by the story, the people involved, and the discussion that follows. They also discuss improv techniques and comedy styles. Weekly episodes with many amazing special guests!</p><p>(Disclaimer: We cannot guarantee the news stories will be accurately depicted during the improv. In fact... they may be depicted somewhat inaccurately... Hmm... Actually its probably best to assume the improv doesn't represent these real world news stories at all...)</p><p>Intro music and voiceover by Alec Shea (<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" class="mention-chip ytcp-social-suggestion-input" href="https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UChaoNC3R-OZEwYIwRLyQYwQ">@alecsheamusic</a>)</p>
July 9, 2026
"You'd Die If We Shot Your Head Off" Cockroaches, Goo, and Bug Busts
<p>In this episode of Heightening Headlines: Improvising the News, Alec and guest host Nicholas Shore discuss a record breaking bug bust. As in... illegal bugs. A bug bust. No, not a drug bust. A bug bust. They also do a scene showing the lives of two factory employees busting bugs. Popping cockroaches specifically in this case.</p><p>Nicholas Shore is a Vienna-based improviser and chemist!</p><p>Follow him on Instagram: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.instagram.com/nicholas.d.shore/">https://www.instagram.com/nicholas.d.shore/</a></p><p>Alec Shea's Instagram: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.instagram.com/alecsheaimprov/">https://www.instagram.com/alecsheaimprov/</a></p><p>________________</p><p>Real news, improvised comedy.</p><p>Improviser and voice actor Alec Shea (<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" class="mention-chip ytcp-social-suggestion-input" href="https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UCC492t5fNOH15nxShkaRJ3w">@AlecSheaImprov</a>) discusses interesting, weird, and completely true news stories from around the world with different guest hosts.</p><p>Then they improvise comedic scenes inspired by the story, the people involved, and the discussion that follows. They also discuss improv techniques and comedy styles. Weekly episodes with many amazing special guests!</p><p>(Disclaimer: We cannot guarantee the news stories will be accurately depicted during the improv. In fact... they may be depicted somewhat inaccurately... Hmm... Actually its probably best to assume the improv doesn't represent these real world news stories at all...)</p><p>Intro music and voiceover by Alec Shea (<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" class="mention-chip ytcp-social-suggestion-input" href="https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UChaoNC3R-OZEwYIwRLyQYwQ">@alecsheamusic</a>)</p>
July 2, 2026
"Haunting the Pants" Mushroom Murders and Stockholm Syndrome
<p>In this episode of Heightening Headlines: Improvising the News, Alec and guest host Nick Byrne discuss Nick's work as a travelling improviser and the director of the Improvention festival in Canberra, Australia, as well as the famous mushroom murder in Australia. </p><p>Nick Byrne is a Canberra-based improviser, organiser of the Improvention and Impro INvention festival in Canberra, creator of An Improviser's Learning Journal, and much more! </p><p>Follow him on Instagram: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.instagram.com/improact1/">https://www.instagram.com/improact1/</a> </p><p>Alec Shea's Instagram: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.instagram.com/alecsheaimprov/">https://www.instagram.com/alecsheaimprov/</a></p><p>________________</p><p>Real news, improvised comedy.</p><p>Improviser and voice actor Alec Shea (<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" class="mention-chip ytcp-social-suggestion-input" href="https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UCC492t5fNOH15nxShkaRJ3w">@AlecSheaImprov</a>) discusses interesting, weird, and completely true news stories from around the world with different guest hosts.</p><p>Then they improvise comedic scenes inspired by the story, the people involved, and the discussion that follows. They also discuss improv techniques and comedy styles. Weekly episodes with many amazing special guests!</p><p>(Disclaimer: We cannot guarantee the news stories will be accurately depicted during the improv. In fact... they may be depicted somewhat inaccurately... Hmm... Actually its probably best to assume the improv doesn't represent these real world news stories at all...)</p><p>Intro music and voiceover by Alec Shea (<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" class="mention-chip ytcp-social-suggestion-input" href="https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UChaoNC3R-OZEwYIwRLyQYwQ">@alecsheamusic</a>)</p>
32 total episodes available
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- What is Heightening Headlines: Improvising The News?
<p>Real news, improvised comedy.</p><p>Improviser and voice actor Alec Shea (@alecsheaimprov) and a guest host read and discuss interesting, weird, and completely true news stories from around the world, then improvise comedic scenes inspired by the story, the people involved, and the discussion that follows. They also discuss improv techniques and comedy styles.</p><p>Weekly episodes Alec, and very cool, funny, awesome special guests!</p><p>(Disclaimer: We cannot guarantee the news stories will be accurately depicted during the improv. In fact... they may be depicted somewhat inaccurately... Hmm... Actually its probably best to assume the improv doesn't represent these real world news stories at all...)</p> - How often does this podcast release new episodes?
This podcast updates daily.
- Where can I listen to this podcast?
This podcast is available on 4 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.
- Does this podcast accept guests?
Yes, this podcast regularly features guests.
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