Ep. 171 - Human Element Series - Yes and... with Clay Drinko

Today Chris is talking with Clay Drinko, Ph.D. Clay is an author and educator. He writes for Psychology Today about the intersection between improv comedy, science, and everyday life. He's also the author of the first academic book connecting improv and cognitive science, Theatrical Improvisation, Consciousness, and Cognition. His most recent book, Play Your Way Sane, was published by Simon & Schuster last year and applies his improv research to everyday life. [June 14, 2022] 

00:00 – Intro 

• Social-Engineer.com - http://www.social-engineer.com/ 
• Managed Voice Phishing - https://www.social-engineer.com/services/vishing-service/ 
• Managed Email Phishing - https://www.social-engineer.com/services/se-phishing-service/ 

• Adversarial Simulations - https://www.social-engineer.com/services/social-engineering-penetration-test/ 
• Social-Engineer channel on SLACK - https://social-engineering-hq.slack.com/ssb 
• CLUTCH - http://www.pro-rock.com/ 
• innocentlivesfoundation.org - http://www.innocentlivesfoundation.org/ 

02:27 – Clay Drinko intro 

03:27 – How does someone in Improv decide to study Cognitive Science? 

05:46 – Losing anxiousness through performance 

07:34 – The importance of a shift in focus 

08:52 – Active Listening 

11:41 – Yes, and... 

14:01 – Don't try to be funny 

15:54 – Establishing "who" and "where" you are 

18:57 – How do you apply Cognitive Science to the idea of improv? 

21:56 – Leaving your "baggage" at the door 

25:13 – Managing the negative 

26:40 – What are the biggest life skills you've learned from improv? 

28:13 – Reflective questioning - Empathy or Selfishness? 

31:03 – You are not special 

34:29 – Do you want my help? 

37:37 – Find Clay Drinko online 

• Website link: www.playyourwaysane.com 
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/playyourwaysane 

38:13 – Book Recommendations: 

• Americanah - Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie 
• Educated - Tara Westover 

• Unmasking the Social Engineer - Christopher J. Hadnagy
• Nightbitch - Rachel Yoder 
• Clay’s Book – Play Your Way Sane - Clay Drinko 

40:34 – Who would you consider your biggest mentors? 

• Advisor and Professor – Shirley Huston-Findley  

43:14 – Guest Wrap Up 

44:04 – Outro 

• www.social-engineer.com 
• www.innocentlivesfoundation.org