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Yes, And! With Avish Parashar

Yes, And! With Avish Parashar

Written by: Avish Parashar
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Uplevel your life, team, organization and the world with the power of "yes, and!" Unlock the power of "Yes, And" to transform your life, your work, and your world. Hosted by Avish Parashar, a funny keynote speaker and leading expert in applied improvisation, this podcast dives deep into the principles of improv comedy and shows you how to apply them to real-life challenges and opportunities. Whether you're a leader looking to inspire your team, an individual aiming to elevate your personal and professional life, or simply someone intrigued by the art of improvisation, this podcast is for you. Why Listen? In each episode, Avish Parashar, a renowned speaker and trainer with years of experience in applied improvisation, shares valuable insights on how to bring the "Yes, And" mindset into your everyday life. Through engaging interviews, solo explorations, and even some improv games, you'll learn how to harness the power of positivity, creativity, and adaptability to navigate uncertainty, build stronger relationships, and achieve your goals. The "Yes, And" philosophy is more than just a tool for the stage—it's a way of being that fosters growth, connection, and success. By listening, you'll discover how saying "Yes, And" can help you: Enhance your leadership skills by fostering a culture of collaboration and innovation within your organization. Unlock your personal potential by embracing challenges with a positive and adaptive mindset. Learn practical strategies for applying improvisational techniques to improve communication, decision-making, and problem-solving. About Avish Parashar Avish Parashar is not only a funny keynote speaker but also a passionate advocate for the power of "Yes, And." With a background in both performance and personal development, Avish brings a unique blend of humor, insight, and actionable advice to his listeners. His work in applied improvisation has helped countless individuals and organizations embrace change, drive innovation, and create a more positive, productive environment. What You'll Get Interviews: Engaging conversations with thought leaders, business experts, and creative professionals who embody the "Yes, And" spirit. Solo Episodes: Avish dives deep into specific aspects of applied improvisation, providing you with practical tips and techniques to implement immediately. Improv Games: Fun, interactive segments where Avish demonstrates how improv principles can be used to tackle real-world challenges. Tune in to laugh, learn, and lead with the "Yes, And" Podcast. It's time to embrace the unexpected, say yes to new possibilities, and take your life and work to the next level. Subscribe now and join Avish Parashar on a journey of discovery, growth, and joy!2024 Economics Management Management & Leadership Self-Help Success
Episodes
  • 055 - Say 'Yes, And!' to Change, AI, and Adaptability with Terrence Ryan

    055 - Say 'Yes, And!' to Change, AI, and Adaptability with Terrence Ryan
    Jun 1 2026

    What happens when you go through 14 reorganizations and 7 managers in just two years?

    In this episode, I sit down with my longtime friend Terrence Ryan, a Developer Relations Manager at Google Cloud specializing in AI, to talk about what it really takes to navigate relentless change, without burning out, disengaging, or simply resisting reality.

    Terry shares practical strategies he's learned from nearly two decades in tech, including how to manage uncertainty, what leaders get wrong during times of change, and why radical acceptance may be one of the most underrated skills for success.

    We also dive into the biggest change facing nearly every industry right now: AI. Terry shares a refreshingly practical take on how to think about artificial intelligence, avoid the hype, and actually start using it in ways that make you more effective instead of more overwhelmed.

    Along the way, we also explore improv, adaptability, office politics, empathy, and why learning to say "That's interesting… let me think about it" might be one of the most powerful phrases in work and life.

    Key Takeaways

    • A practical strategy for handling uncertainty during organizational change

    • How leaders can communicate change without causing unnecessary anxiety

    • Why people struggle more with being blindsided than with change itself

    • The surprising connection between improv comedy and professional adaptability

    • Terry's take on AI: "We're selling power tools, not robots"

    • How to start experimenting with AI without getting overwhelmed

    • Why empathy may become an even more important skill in an increasingly technical world

    Relevant Links

    • Connect with Terry on LinkedIn

    • Learn more about Avish: Avish Parashar Website

    • Get Avish's book: Say "Yes, And! To Change.
    Show More Show Less
    53 mins
  • 054 - Say "Yes, And!" to Innovation at Work with Melissa Dinwiddie

    054 - Say "Yes, And!" to Innovation at Work with Melissa Dinwiddie
    May 18 2026

    In this episode I sit down with innovation strategist, improviser, and author Melissa Dinwiddie to talk about her new book, Innovation at Work: 52 Micro-Experiments for Brave Leaders Who Want to Unstick Teams, Spark Ideas, and Build What's Next.

    Melissa shares how organizations can build real cultures of innovation—not through giant retreats or complicated systems, but through small, playful, repeatable "micro-experiments" woven into everyday work.

    We explore why psychological safety matters, how constraints actually fuel creativity, the hidden danger of perfectionism, and why leaders must create environments where people feel safe enough to experiment, fail, and learn.

    As two improv-minded creatives, we also dive into how improvisation principles apply directly to leadership, innovation, and organizational change.

    If your team feels stuck, overwhelmed, overly cautious, or trapped in "innovation theater," this episode offers practical ideas you can start applying immediately.

    Key Takeaways

    • Why innovation often fails inside organizations

    • The difference between valuing innovation and practicing innovation

    • How "micro-experiments" create sustainable change

    • Why psychological safety is foundational for creativity

    • The power of constraints in unlocking innovation

    • How perfectionism blocks progress and experimentation

    • Why "making crap" is essential to breakthrough thinking

    • The role of curiosity in leadership and communication

    • How playfulness lowers defensiveness and increases engagement

    • Why teams underestimate other people's willingness to help

    Relevant Links

    • Melissa Dinwiddie Official Website

    • Innovation at Work Book Page

    • Melissa Dinwiddie on LinkedIn

    • Innovation at Work on Amazon
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 1 min
  • 053 - Say "Yes, And!" to My New Book!

    053 - Say "Yes, And!" to My New Book!
    Apr 29 2026

    Today is the day is launch day for my new book, "Say 'Yes, And!' to Change"!!!

    You can get it here:

    https://SayYesAndtoChange.com

    The E-Book is $0.99 during launch week!

    Thanks, and keep saying "Yes, And!"
    Show More Show Less
    5 mins
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