Improv Saves! World Agrees.

About Improv Saves! World Agrees.

Each week, Improv Saves! World Agrees. brings you a headline-worthy tale of transformation. Host Mike Garvin sits down with guests to explore how improv has shaped their lives offstage: in relationships, careers, confidence, and a few unexpected ways. Every guest kicks things off with their own headline, ripped from the front page of a slightly absurd, deeply sincere imaginary news reel. Who will agree next? Host: Mike Garvin Executive Producers: Christina Ashworth + Emma Supica Editing: Cammie York Mixing: Dave Strumfeld Graphic Design: Cammie York

Publisher

Unscripted

Category

business · comedy · society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

27 Apr 2025

Latest episode

6 Apr 2026

Latest episodes

11 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   6 Apr 2026

   S2E5 - “Take the mask off”: Improv in Neurodivergent and LGBT spaces with Alena Dingeldein and Brian Jones

   ** S2E5: “Take the mask off”: Improv in Neurodivergent and LGBT spaces with Alena Dingeldein and Brian Jones Host: Mike Garvin Guests: Alena Dingeldein and Brian Jones This episode is part of a series of episodes interviewing leaders of identity-affirming improv workshops as a part of an Unscripted initiative called Changing the Face of Improv Leadership, funded in part by the Tennessee Arts Commission. In this episode, Mike Garvin interviews Alena about their experience as a student of improv as well as their experience leading a workshop through Mindful Nashville centered around affirming neurodivergent and LGBTQ+ identities through improv. Alena credits improv with building their confidence as well as their listening skills and problem solving abilities. After, Brian Jones discusses his experience with mentoring Alena on creating the workshop, specifically noting the confidence and pragmatism with which Alena facilitated the workshop. About the Guests: Alena Dingeldein is an improviser and performer local to the Nashville area who has taken classes and performed through organizations like Third Coast Comedy Club and Backlight Productions. Brian Michael Jones (SAG-AFTRA) has been an actor and performer for most of his life.  He’s performed on TV, in films, on stage both in touring and regional productions.  He’s a professional Henson puppeteer, Motion Capture performer, and has provided voice over, for many shows and even sometimes he’s even a mime for commercials and TV episodes. But through it all he’s always been an improviser. Improvised Ad by Owen Sullivan. Executive Producers: Christina Ashworth + Emma Supica Editing: Cammie York Mixing: Dave Strumfeld Graphic Design: Cammie York A project of Unscripted (https://www.unscriptedimprov.org/), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Nashville, TN. We heal, empower, and connect our community through equitable and accessible improv programs. **

2. 

   15 Mar 2026

   S2E4 - “Yourself, with a twist”: Bridging bicultural identities with Julian Hernandez and Sara Fidelholtz

   ** S2E4: “Yourself, with a twist”: Bridging bicultural identities with Julian Hernandez and Sara Fidelholtz Host: Mike Garvin Guests: Julian Hernandez and Sara Fidelholtz This episode is part of a series of episodes interviewing leaders of identity-affirming improv workshops as a part of an Unscripted initiative called Changing the Face of Improv Leadership, funded in part by the Tennessee Arts Commission. In this episode, Mike Garvin interviews Sara and her mentor Julian about their experience working together to build a workshop centered on bicultural identity and “hidden identity.” The conversation touches on Viola Spolin’s work inspiring their use of play to discover yourself and bridge connection across differences to create shared experience. Through exercises meant to draw from personal experience, Sara’s workshop taught its participants how to find the confidence to play “yourself with a twist.” About the Guests: Julian Hernandez is a regular boy from Clearwater, FL who has studied improv and clown in Chicago and New York (blow at him and see what happens). He’s been on shows like Search Party (TBS) and experimental shows at places like St. Ann’s Warehouse. He’s entertaining, he’s out of his fucking mind, he’s jooby. Sara Fidelholtz is an improviser and actor originally from Mexico who now plays on several teams in Nashville, Tennessee. Her improv play style incorporates her multicultural background, and her background in clowning and acting allow her to bring authenticity and silliness to her characters and breathe true life into her scenes. Improvised Ad by Owen Sullivan. Executive Producers: Christina Ashworth + Emma Supica Editing: Cammie York Mixing: Dave Strumfeld Graphic Design: Cammie York A project of Unscripted (https://www.unscriptedimprov.org/), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Nashville, TN. We heal, empower, and connect our community through equitable and accessible improv programs.**

3. 

   2 Mar 2026

   S2E3 - Embodied Improv: Embracing Vulnerability with Sarah Edwards Waldrop and Sofia Apuzzo

   S2E3: Embodied improv: Embracing vulnerability with Sarah Edwards Waldrop and Sofia Apuzzo Host: Mike Garvin Guests: Sarah Edwards Waldrop and Sofia Apuzzo This episode is part of a series of episodes interviewing leaders of identity-affirming improv workshops as a part of an Unscripted initiative called Changing the Face of Improv Leadership, funded in part by the Tennessee Arts Commission. In this special Changing the Face of Improv Leadership series episode, Sofia shares her journey developing and leading a movement-centered improv workshop rooted in embodiment and play. Alongside mentor Sarah Edwards Waldrop, she explores slowing down, creating safer spaces, and stepping beyond perfectionism to embrace vulnerability. The conversation dives into the power of movement as a pathway to authenticity, the courage of doing what scares us, and how improv can reconnect us to freedom in our bodies and our stories. About the Guests: Sarah Edwards, Director of Advocacy Through the Arts at Friends Life Community, has created opportunities for adults with developmental disabilities to be the face of social change they want to see in the world through the arts. Leveraging the tactics of drama therapy, Sarah and her team facilitate programs that help individuals find their voice, tell their stories, and connect with others through shared experiences. As a registered drama therapist, she empowers each participant to create original work so that they build confidence, learn to self-advocate, and become more empowered in all aspects of their life. Enthusiastic and versatile, Sarah is attuned and responsive to the strengths, needs, and possibilities of an individual at any age and cognitive functioning. By using person-centered approaches that are clinically based, yet creatively implemented, clients create their own healing through original work, process, and performance reaching an overall deeper understanding of self and others. Sofia Apuzzo is a Nashville-based movement artist and improviser with a background in dance. Through Unscripted’s leadership program, she designed and facilitated a movement-centered improv workshop focused on embodiment, play, and self-trust. Passionate about creating spaces where people can reconnect with their bodies and explore beyond perfectionism, Sofia brings physicality, vulnerability, and deep curiosity to her artistic work. Improvised Ad by Sebastian Posey and Owen Sullivan. Executive Producers: Christina Ashworth + Emma Supica Editing: Cammie York Mixing: Dave Strumfeld Graphic Design: Cammie York A project of Unscripted (https://www.unscriptedimprov.org/), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Nashville, TN. We heal, empower, and connect our community through equitable and accessible improv programs.

4. 

   15 Feb 2026

   S2E2 - Environment of mutual trust: Teaching Improv Across Generations with Bill Hillsman and Emery Whitiker

   S2E2: Environment of mutual trust: Teaching improv across generations with Bill Hillsman and Emery Whitiker Host: Mike Garvin Guests: Bill Hillsman and Emery Whitiker This episode is part of a series of episodes interviewing leaders of identity-affirming improv workshops as a part of an Unscripted initiative called Changing the Face of Improv Leadership, funded in part by the Tennessee Arts Commission. In this episode, Mike Garvin interviews Bill Hillsman and Emery Whitiker about their experience working together to teach improv in the senior community and having a younger improv teacher mentor and teach a generation with more lived experience than himself. The two met and began their improv teaching partnership through an Unscripted improv club at Fifty Forward, a senior community center in the Donelson area of Nashville, Tennessee. Bill was paired with Emery to mentor her on creating a workshop to teach to the senior community at a local library. The two discuss creating an “environment of mutual trust” as part of what it’s like to experience cross-generational improv. About the Guests: Bill Hillsman is a Nashville based improviser for the last 14 years. Over the last decade he's immersed himself in the teaching side of improv, directing dozens of groups and writing curriculums for classes and workshops that shape the local scene. What Bill lacks in follow-through, he makes up for. Emery Whitiker is a Nashville improviser who can be found performing with troupes such as Laugh Lines and Improv Works, and when she's not improving, she's playing some shady character in a murder mystery with the Immersion Theater Group. Emery splits time between performing and teaching others how to use improv as a tool for mental, emotional, and physical health with the help of The Unscripted Leadership Program and Fifty Foward. With much time and growth, Emery is pegged to become a pillar in the improv relm brandishing herself as a "Conductor of Fun who leads from experience and with an open pallet!" While comedy has been a part of her life from childhood, Emery now understands the benefits of laughter stating "I believe life is an adventure and doing things the right way is honorable, but there is much to learn from failing" Improvised Ad by several Nashville improvisers. Executive Producers: Christina Ashworth + Emma Supica Editing: Cammie York Mixing: Dave Strumfeld Graphic Design: Cammie York A project of Unscripted (https://www.unscriptedimprov.org/), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Nashville, TN. We heal, empower, and connect our community through equitable and accessible improv programs.

5. 

   1 Feb 2026

   S2E1 - Play as Liberation: Improv in BIPOC spaces with John Gebratatose and Christina Ashworth

   Play as Liberation: Improv in BIPOC spaces with John Gebratatose and Christina Ashworth Host: Mike Garvin Guests: John Gebratatose and Christina Ashworth This episode kicks off a series of episodes interviewing leaders of identity-affirming improv workshops as a part of an Unscripted initiative called Changing the Face of Improv Leadership, funded in part by the Tennessee Arts Commission. In this episode, Mike Garvin interviews John Gebratatose and Christina Ashworth about what it’s like to improvise and to lead improv workshops and jams in BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, & People of Color) spaces. John was paired as Christina’s mentor to help foster her growth as a BIPOC improv teacher, and the two engaged in deep discussions about identity, community organizing, and the importance of play and community during such a harrowing time for BIPOC. Mike, John, and Christina discuss the radical approach to improv that is often found in BIPOC spaces and how having more viewpoints and demographics in the room transforms the art of improv as a whole. About the Guests: John Gebretatose is the Founder and Executive Director of Good Camel Comedy Theater in Minneapolis, an arts company using humor to speak truth to power and foster diverse voices. Its name, “Good Camel,” symbolizes resilience, inspired by his mother’s 30-day desert journey from Eritrea to Sudan. With over 15 years in comedy, John previously served as the Co-Executive Director and Director of Diversity and Inclusion at HUGE Theater. He also co-founded the Black and Funny Improv Festival and Blackout Improv, spotlighting underrepresented artists. John is an award-winning podcast host for “MinneCulture” on KFAI radio. A sought-after global performer and teacher, he promotes inclusivity through comedy in diverse settings. Christina Ashworth is a Nashville improviser who can be found on several teams performing throughout the city. She is the co-producer of Improv Saves! World Agrees and is a teacher with Unscripted for Improv in Recovery and BIPOC Joy. As she grows her improv resume, one of her goalsl is to find the intersectionality between the structure of “big improv” and the radical approach in more fringe spaces and learn to live in the in-between just as she has with her racial identity. Improvised Ad by Christina Ashworth and Luke Watson Executive Producers: Christina Ashworth + Emma Supica Editing: Cammie York Mixing: Dave Strumfeld Graphic Design: Cammie York A project of Unscripted (https://www.unscriptedimprov.org/), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Nashville, TN. We heal, empower, and connect our community through equitable and accessible improv programs. **

6. 

   17 Jul 2025

   S1E6 - Improv for Personal Growth: Managing Anxiety with Jessica Morrison

   S1E5: Improv for Personal Growth: Managing Anxiety with Jessica Morrison Host: Mike Garvin Guest: Jessica Morrison In this episode, Mike chats with Jessica Morrison, a jack-of-all-trades who took Unscripted’s “Improv for Anxiety” class via Zoom during the pandemic and then in person when classes resumed, and then kept taking more improv classes afterwards. At the time of the interview, Jessica was still taking improv classes, so they spend some time discussing what she’s learned in classes. While some improv students dream of the stage, Jessica’s motivation was more toward personal growth. After a terrible job interview where she “felt like [she] couldn’t talk unless it was scripted,” Jessica signed up for “Improv for Anxiety” to help her with her anxiety around re-entering the workforce after a burnout-inspired sabbatical. Listen in to hear about being a student of improv from the perspective of someone without a performance background and who’s in it for the growth more than the stage. About the Guest: Jessica Morrison is a journalist and nonprofit leader with a doctorate in geochemistry and a collection of increasingly cool hobbies. She's a baker, a drummer, an improviser, and in her spare time, she runs the Baking Notification Project with her husband, Brandon (https://www.thebakingnotificationproject.com/ (https://www.thebakingnotificationproject.com/)) Improvised Ad by Christina Ashworth and Luke Watson Executive Producers: Christina Ashworth + Emma Supica Editing: Cammie York Mixing: Dave Strumfeld Graphic Design: Cammie York

7. 

   29 Jun 2025

   S1E5 - Connection with the Audience and Storytelling with Brian Jones

   Performer Brian Michael Jones discusses connecting with the audience and honesty in improv with host Mike Garvin, revealing how these principles helped him through challenging experiences in this interview episode.

8. 

   11 Jun 2025

   S1E4 - For the Love of the Game: Patient, Slow Improv with Ashley Rube and Ryan Myers of Touch Baseball

   Improvisers Ashley Rube and Ryan Myers discuss duoprov techniques with host Mike Garvin, emphasizing presence, collaboration, and trust in building strong improv scenes in this interview.

9. 

   26 May 2025

   S1E3 - Finding Your Personal Rhythm: Reducing Avoidance with Jack Henderson

   Speech pathologist Jack Henderson discusses with host Mike Garvin how improv principles and evolving speech pathology approaches help people embrace spontaneity and reduce the avoidance of stuttering, in this interview.

10. 

    11 May 2025

    S1E2 - Unbreak Your Imagination: Finding What's Possible with Jordan Scott

    Episode Notes Unbreak Your Imagination: Finding What's Possible with Jordan Scott Host: Mike Garvin Guest: Jordan Scott In this episode of Improv Saves: World Agrees, host Mike Garvin and producer Emma Supica sit down with Jordan Scott — Program Director of Backlight Productions, a theatre company that works with adults with disabilities. Backlight works to pair professional performing artists with their students to then put on productions that “backlight” the students into the foreground and make them the stars. Unscripted partners with Backlight to teach “Comedy Club” - improv classes for Backlight students. Mike, Emma, and Jordan discuss Jordan’s journey from being a “struggling” actress to working behind the scenes with Backlight and her discovery that improv and theatre is more enjoyable for her when it’s putting others first and “not about me.” Emma highlights that both Unscripted and Backlight aim to meet people where they are and work with what they have to create art. Though it can be challenging at times to find inclusive ways to work with their students’ varying needs within the bounds of a single show/project, Jordan’s examples highlight why doing so is so rewarding. In her own words, “we all have abilities, and we’re all worth that spotlight.” About the Guest: Jordan Scott is the Program Director of Backlight Productions, a theatre arts program for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. She is head of the New Works Writers Program for Playwrights. She holds a BA in Drama from the University of Arkansas with an emphasis in Acting. Jordan has worked as both a teaching artist and actor for various organizations across the country. She is incredibly proud of all the members of Comedy Club for saying, "Yes!" to Improv. Improvised Ad by Sebastian Posey and Owen Executive Producers: Christina Ashworth + Emma Supica Editing: Cammie York Mixing: Dave Strumfeld Graphic Design: Cammie York A project of Unscripted (https://www.unscriptedimprov.org/), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Nashville, TN. We heal, empower, and connect our community through equitable and accessible improv programs.

11. 

    27 Apr 2025

    S1E1 - Lifelong Improv: Hustle, Heart, and Glitter with Lynda Drewry

    Episode Notes Lifelong Improv: Hustle, Heart, and Glitter with Lynda Drewry Host: Mike Garvin Guest: Lynda Drewry In this episode of Improv Saves: World Agrees, host Mike Garvin sits down with Lynda Drewry — a powerhouse of heart, humor, and resilience. Growing up in rural West Tennessee under tough, patriarchal conditions, Lynda carved her own path through grit, creativity, and a refusal to stay boxed in. From running children's theaters and cafés to launching a murder mystery company and gracing the improv stages of Nashville, Lynda shares her journey of saying "yes" to life's wild twists and turns. Mike and Lynda explore everything from early improv scenes, to the real stories behind singing telegram gigs, to the joy and grit of making space for yourself — and others — in the creative world. Lynda's story is a celebration of persistence, play, and living life with sequins, spirit, and a mischievous smile. "You are only alive right this minute." About the Guest: Lynda Drewry (Laughing Corpse, Laugh Lines) is a Nashville-based improviser, producer, and longtime performer who has worn countless hats — from café owner to children's theater director to improv mentor. Known for her wit, generosity, and her trademark rainbow sequin hat, Linda continues to build creative community spaces that uplift and connect people across generations. Editor's note: This episode was recorded September 2024 Executive Producers: Christina Ashworth + Emma Supica Editing: Cammie York Mixing: Dave Strumfeld Graphic Design: Cammie York A project of Unscripted (https://www.unscriptedimprov.org/), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Nashville, TN. We heal, empower, and connect our community through equitable and accessible improv programs.

Who has been a guest on Improv Saves! World Agrees.

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Brian Michael Jones
• Ashley Rube
• Ryan Myers
• Jack Henderson

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

2 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 19 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

26

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

32

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Guest appearances

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Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

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