Monster Baby Podcast: a curious romp through the worlds of mindfulness and improvisation!

San Francisco improvisors Ted DesMaisons and Lisa Rowland explore the beautiful, surprising and unruly intersections between mindfulness and improvisation as they seek to befriend that oft-hidden and sometimes scary part of all of us that can lead to a life well-lived.

Welcome from your Monster Baby co-hosts, Ted and Lisa!

Whether you’re new to the Monster Baby family or a dedicated long-timer, we welcome you to this curious romp through the worlds of mindfulness and improvisation.

We, Lisa Rowland and Ted DesMaisons, will serve as your cheerful tour guides. Hopefully, as we stroll along, we’ll all feel more acutely alive and more exquisitely connected to ourselves, to each other, and to the larger world around us.

Lisa Rowland and Ted DesMaisons

What qualifies us for the role? Well, for one, we’re both improvisors in the San Francisco Bay Area, lovingly trained and cared for by Patricia Ryan Madson down at Stanford University. Lisa took that training and developed a full-fledged career around it, Now, she performs and coaches improvisation and speech skills around the world, most visibly with BATS Improv and the Improv Playhouse of San Francisco. And, oh yeah: she was named the 2012 San Francisco Actor of the Year. Coming full circle, she now also serves on the Theater and Performance Studies (TAPS) faculty at Stanford University. Ted can’t boast the same kind of performance resume but does get on stage every so often and has taught applied improvisation around the world.

Like a nice tea, Ted is more thoroughly steeped in the world of mindfulness. As part of his long-time interest in meaning and mystery, he picked up an MBA from Stanford and a Master’s in Theology from Harvard, studied to be an interfaith minister, taught religious studies and philosophy at a New England boarding school and trained to become a mindfulness instructor. He has since returned to the Bay Area to found ANIMA Learning and to teach playful mindfulness and voice and presence courses through Stanford Continuing Studies. Lisa’s more steeped in the land of improvisation but has tentacles of curiosity reaching out into the world of mindfulness. Like a cup of tea with an octopus. Well-steeped and with tentacles. Though maybe the metaphor has run its course at this point.

In short, we’re both interested in improvisation and mindfulness and the ways we can apply the pair to personal development. We’ve led retreats. We’ve done presentations for high school students, senior citizens, corporate teams, and high school assemblies. We’ve performed in two-person shows. We produce our podcast. We love working and playing together. And we love sharing these traditions with you.

iTunes Reviews

AVERAGE RATING:    ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (20 Ratings, 13 Reviews)

My daily jam! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
by ImprovMama — Jan 25, 2019
Monster Baby is my jam. I listen to it ritually as I traverse from home to improv trainings, to pick up my son, to meet my friends, to go to shows. I have assigned listening to Monster Baby to my improv students which led to THE BEST IMPROV CLASSES EVER! After diving deep into this podcast, I’m absolutely inspired to begin a new journey of mindfullness training. I have no idea how that’s going to happen but I am open and curious. Thank you Lisa and Ted for keeping us all open and curious.

Yes Please ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
by skycaptain2020 — Dec 29, 2018
This podcast fills a hole in my heart I hadn’t realized was there. Listened immoderately.

Hi from India ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
by jahnavi dave — Jul 4, 2018
This is a supremely fun podcast. Really enjoy the banter between Ted and Lisa especially the observations about improv are really a big help. A TRUE DELIGHT

What a gem! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
by juanrios1985 — Jun 28, 2018
This podcast gave me so much joy, awareness and companionship in my practice for a mindful life. Lisa and Ted’s conversation convey a lot of what I felt but could not articulate about the connections between mindfulness, zen and improv. My guess is that if you are a fan of one of these practices, you will fall in love with the other two. And I have faith that this will make your life more wholesome and this world a better place. So go on and hit play!

Opposites attracted me to this wonderful podcast! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
by sillywood — Jun 25, 2018
It’s true. These two lovely people have created a happy place for me to go visit(listen to). I always feel like I could easily jump into one of their insightful conversations. It’s simple and perfect. Lisa and Ted are lovingly opposites in their engaging personalities. The juxtaposition of life through an improving stars perspective (Lisa) and a teacher/spiritualist (Ted) are a delightful. When I need a moment to ground myself, I grab my headphones, go for long walk and catch up on Monster Baby podcasts. Thank you for making a happy place to get me through my days. I always feel like I get something out of every episode. Yes, and MORE!

Yes Please ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
by Lillian1980 — Dec 4, 2017
Ted DesMaisons improvises, recites poetry and sings! It is a bundle of joy, mindfulness and art!

Great topics. Deep and meaningful discussions. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
by Rockamuffin — Sep 13, 2017
I love the dynamic between Ted and Lisa. They are deep thinkers and feelers. Two talented improvisors and friends explore interesting topics and discuss how mindfulness and improv can help you view the world and make you and it a better place.

Delightful exploration of improv and mindfulness ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
by brainiac86 — Jun 19, 2017
Lisa and Ted have great experience in improv and mindfulness, respectively, and it’s a delight to hear them discuss various topics that relate to both of these practices. My favorite episode is Aspiration vs Acceptance.

If you like laughing and being present for your life ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
by LMerry2011 — May 22, 2017
This is a great mind-cast for anyone wanting to understand and practice the core principles of mindfulness and improv. Two disciplines that support a full and meaningful life. Lisa and Ted are helping us all with: Saying “Yes!” Being present. Being grateful. Making your partner/friend/family feel good. Fight mediocrity while shooting for average. And much more. You’ll laugh, you’ll breathe, you’ll go “Ah-Hah!”

GREAT Podcast! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
by Karen_Delaware — Jan 11, 2017
First, let me be clear. This podcast is not just about improv. Nor is it just about mindfulness. This “curious romp” is ultimately about a way of being in the world that embodies a healthy, robust, appetite for life. Lisa and Ted appear to practice what they preach in real time as they playfully, soulfully, and actively engage with the question mark… unpacking topics such as adventure, community, and the concept of “failure”, all through the lens of applied improv and mindfulness. As a regular listener, their explorations touch delight and inspiration for me, as well as a strong desire to get up, go out, and go PLAY. Each time I listen, I want to be part of this dynamic conversation. I couldn’t be happier that they are putting their thoughts and curiosities into a world that so desperately needs to learn the wisdom inherent in this mindset. Listen. Enjoy. Use it as a doorway to bring more inquiry, fun, and aliveness into your own life.

Who knows where it will go, but it will go somewhere great….. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
by JPC2113 — Aug 13, 2016
A combination of experts in two important fields work with each other and with us to discover how use the experiences of mindfulness and improv to find the best version of ourselves. I am an experienced mindfulness practitioner, but after listening to this podcast I am so excited for the imrpov course I have signed off on. The episode on shared control impacted me a great deal with regards to how I deal with colleagues, ideas, and working with a team. Well worth the listen.

Fascinating, Thought-Provoking, Fun! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
by JCBigHouse — Jul 16, 2016
Ted and Lisa have a great way about them and their self-described romp is just that–a playful, thoughtful conversation between two bright, passionate, and funny folks that is appealing to me both as someone interested in mindfulness and in how I might bring the art of improv into my daily life–even if I never set foot on stage as an improvisor. (Though if I do, their conversation is even more pertinent.) Hope they keep it coming for a long time!

Wonderfully supportive and explorative ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
by C&M 07 — Jun 21, 2016
This podcast is first off fun and supportive to listen to. Ted and Lisa have so much rapport and listening to them, you just want to be their friends and spend more time with their voices in your ear. It is wonderful for improvisors and non-improvisors, for those exploring mindfulness, or in otherwords anyone who wants to take a conscious look at their approach to life on the scale from moments to lifetimes. So much of the “on stage” or “in improv” lessons and conversations are directly relevant to the choices we make in every day live. The podcast is rich with lessons, perspectives, reinforcement for a way to approach life’s moments, changes, opportunities, and adventures with open and welcoming minds, attitudes, and behaviors.

Fascinating combination of topics ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
by Zoe_3 — Jun 20, 2016
Lisa and Ted present intriguing discussions of “big questions” linked to both the practice of improvisation and teh practice of meditation. If you are a creative, introspective, curious, and generous person – listening to this podcast may offer unique and joyful insights, suggestions, and references for enjoying life even more than you probably already do. A unique topic and sincere, committed, articulate (and funny!) hosts.

The Monster Baby origin story

You might wonder where the heck the “Monster Baby” name comes from. We know. It’s not obvious. It’s an odd name, perhaps even a bit confusing or frightening. (Apropos of what we sometimes discover when we slow down, get truly present, and fire up our mindful awareness.) But we like the playful, buoyant quality of the “Monster Baby” title. And it’s downright sticky, isn’t it?

Ultimately, the name traces back to a performance that we both did at the 20^th reunion of the Stanford Improvisors, back in 2011. About 70 folks had come back to campus that year to gather, play, and perform. We’d had the chance to split into teams, either by choice or by assignment. Ted considered joining the old-timers’ group but instead opted for a multi-generational squad. (Good choice, Ted!)

By fate, serendipity, or luck—or through the conspiring of some larger forces—we got placed on the same team for the weekend, along with three other superlative improvisors.[1] We careened through the competition, having a blast and making the finals, going up against, who else?, the Old Timers.[2] One scene in particular stood out. We had been challenged to tell an epic story and had been given “hospital” as a suggestion. Pretty quickly, Lisa got endowed as an ogre of a baby, one who could walk upon being born and who started terrorizing the hospital with superhuman strength. As Lisa’s baby busted out of the birthing room and started charging through the hospital, Ted came on as a meek but well-meaning orderly or hospital attendant, urging “No, no, no, you can’t do that. You have to go back to the birthing room….” Lisa’s crazy baby gave Ted’s nurse a backhanded swat that sent him flying. The audience loved it. And we in the scene loved it. It was one of those moments of pristine teamwork where we both knew what was needed—and we did it. That monster baby scene was our first moment of strong connection, the seed of what has become a valuable and trusted partnership. Very exciting.

On further reflection, we realized that “monster baby” also offered parallels for the worlds of mindfulness and improvisation. When we pause to notice what’s happening in our lives or when we take the risk of stepping on stage to improvise, we never know just what we’re going to find. We may find a monstrous quality, a frightening cat that gets out of the bag and refuses to get back in. But that ‘monster’ within us also has enormous power and energy, an undeniable urge for creation and expression. And we also might find something fresh and tender, the kind of beginner’s mind that sees the whole world as an opportunity for curious exploration and engagement. Or maybe it’s raw and needs training or refinement. But, at minimum, it promises and embodies real growth in real time. When we birth that part of ourselves into the world, we may expose some rough edges but we get access to new power and vitality.

For those of you old enough to remember the Donny and Marie Osmond show (“I’m a little bit country…and I’m a little bit rock’n’roll…”), there’s also a fun parallel with our distinct personalities. With her auburn Medusa locks and chaos-loving, havoc-wreaking style, Lisa fancies herself a bit of a monster. She’s a woman who sets up shop as far down the extroversion scale as you can get. She loves to process her life externally, saying whatever comes to mind and hearing how it sounds. Ted’s quiet sensitivity—and his bald head—conjure more of the ‘baby’ side of the equation. He prefers to sort through his thoughts and feelings internally first, maybe doing a bit of writing to at least clarify what he believes and values before declaring it to the world. So Lisa’s a little bit ‘monster.’ And Ted’s a little bit ‘baby.’

As you can see with the logo, our monster baby’s got a particular look. It’s a green-snouted swamp monster, an amphibious beast that likes getting wet and walking on land. It’s got big teeth and uses them to smile often, exploring and investigating the world around it. It’s got a tail and claws with two eyes that stick up out of its head, big enough to get noticed but not big like a Tokyo-terrorizing Godzilla. He or she might cause a bit of accidental damage here and there but, in general, means well in the world. So that’s the beast that we’ve been getting to know on this end.

This Monster Baby that waits within you is more than mindfulness and it’s more than improvisation. It’s a way of being in the world—fresh, raw, and strong—that shows you possibility, connects you to new people, and teaches you to say yes to life’s adventures. It’s the side of you that’s eager for connection and thirsty for presence. It’s you in the here and now. Once you welcome your monster baby, it may never want to return to its previous (and involuntary?) hiding spot. It may want to connect with other like-monstered folks. And you may get led right out of your complacency.

If you want to unleash this joyous beast, come join us as we continue this romp. The road will take us where the road will take us–and we’ll be delighted that you’re here with us!

[1]Claire Slattery of The Right Now and LA Groundlings; Danny Jacobs, professional LA improvisor; and Cam Poter, then-recent graduate and now-podcast-host of “Sex Talk With My Mom.” Ted hadn’t met any of those folks but had other Stanford Improvisors come up to him and say, “Man, your team is stacked.” We’ll take it!

[2]We ended up tying them and lost on a tie-breaker when Dan Klein outlasted Ted in a breathe-off.

Your Monster Baby 

Grab a set of colored markers and a piece (or two or three) of paper and give a whirl at drawing what your monster baby might look like. Maybe you want to draw first and then learn what the drawing means. Or maybe you want to conjure up a list of characteristics first and then give those qualities life on the page. However you choose, play with this first representation and then post it somewhere you’ll see it regularly. This is the part of you we’ll be inviting to step forward throughout our time together. And if you want, send us a photo and we’ll post it here on the website.

For more about Lisa’s work in the world, visit www.lisarowland.com:

For more about Ted’s work in the world, visit www.animalearning.com:

For Ted’s book inspired by and drawn from the Monster Baby podcast, visit www.playfulmindfulness.info:

Curious for more? Subscribe below to make sure you get future episodes or join us on one of our Monster Baby: Live! retreats!

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