Podcast thumbnail for Open to Suggestion

Open to Suggestion

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by James Mastraieni and Mike McLendon

5.0(3 reviews)
12 episodes
Updated Daily
Accepts GuestsHas Sponsors

Podcast Overview

What if one idea was all you needed to create something? Every week, we open the show by suggesting a new source of inspiration. Maybe it’s a word, a story, an interview, or something pulled from the strangest corners of the internet. From there, James Mastraieni, Mike McLendon, and a rotating cast of comedians take that spark and turn it into something completely improvised. No scripts. No plan. Just the joyful chaos of long-form improv. Plus, Backdrop.fm subscribers get even more: James and Mike aren’t just performers—they’re longtime improv teachers with distinct styles. Beyond the laughs, they’ll share exercises, games, and shop talk, sometimes pulling guest performers into the mix. It’s part show, part workshop, part resource: a peek into how improv works, and why it works.

Language

🇺🇲

Publishing Since

10/17/2025

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Recent Episodes

Episode thumbnail for Legal Advice with Quinn Boyes and Derrick Hackett

February 23, 2026

Legal Advice with Quinn Boyes and Derrick Hackett

Quinn Boyes and Derrick Hackett (of UCB’s Power of Attorney) join James and Mike to explore the world of Reddit’s Legal Advice. Using real posts as inspiration, they turn neighbor disputes, moving-day meltdowns, and paranoid smart-speaker dilemmas into fully improvised scenesPlus, over on backdrop.fm, the four dig into Harold auditions, the "before times" of UCB, and how teams decide which openings serve them, Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode thumbnail for Anthony Bourdain with Drew DiFonzo Marks and Toni Charline

January 19, 2026

Anthony Bourdain with Drew DiFonzo Marks and Toni Charline

Drew DeFonzo Marks and Toni Charlene join James and Mike for an episode inspired by the words and worldview of Anthony Bourdain. Pulling from his quotes on food, travel, and culture, the group turns observations about meals, missteps abroad, and everyday rituals into a series of scenesspanning disastrous vacations, questionable restaurant etiquette, and the strange intimacy of learning how other people live.Plus, on Backdrop.fm, they dive into international improv scenes and what it’s actually like teaching improv overseas—how different cultures approach comedy, what translates across borders, and what performing abroad reveals about listening, clarity, and connection. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode thumbnail for Bartenders with Hannah Kanengieter and Colin McGurk

January 5, 2026

Bartenders with Hannah Kanengieter and Colin McGurk

Hannah Kanengieter and Colin McGurk join James and Mike for an episode inspired by Bartenders of Reddit—specifically, overheard conversations and late-night bar stories that feel too strange to be true. From suspicious German whisperers and eco-friendly spies to disastrous family introductions and watchmakers with misplaced confidence, the group turns barroom eavesdropping into big, chaotic improvised worlds.Plus, over on Backdrop.fm, the conversation starts with a dive into improv teams... whether they’re fading out, finding a resurgence, or evolving into something new. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

12 total episodes available

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Frequently asked questions

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What is Open to Suggestion?

What if one idea was all you needed to create something? Every week, we open the show by suggesting a new source of inspiration. Maybe it’s a word, a story, an interview, or something pulled from the strangest corners of the internet. From there, James Mastraieni, Mike McLendon, and a rotating cast of comedians take that spark and turn it into something completely improvised. No scripts. No plan. Just the joyful chaos of long-form improv.

Plus, Backdrop.fm subscribers get even more: James and Mike aren’t just performers—they’re longtime improv teachers with distinct styles. Beyond the laughs, they’ll share exercises, games, and shop talk, sometimes pulling guest performers into the mix. It’s part show, part workshop, part resource: a peek into how improv works, and why it works.

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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