We recently connected with Lisa David Olson and have shared our conversation below.

Lisa, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

When I was a young girl, I used to put on shows in my room. Costume changes alá Cher, comedic sketches and singing like Carol Burnett. The crowd would ask for more every time!
Full disclosure, the audience was my gaggle of Barbies, and had been groomed to adore my shows.
I grew up in a home with an alcoholic mother who battled her mental health issues.
Acting and making others laugh was my escape.
I learned early on that I could be anyone other than myself.
Laughter was acceptance, applause meant love.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I grew up watching the Carol Burnett show. For the young whipper snappers reading this, her show had great comedic sketches, moments of improvisation, and songs. I knew I just had to be a performer.
Not only was acting my escape from the issues at home, it also felt like it was my oxygen!
Going through divorce number one with two toddler sons, I was in a singing group which I joined after winning a singing contest.
One member invited me to audition to be part of an improvisation group she was in.
I was buzzed! I am funny. I can sing. I need that spotlight. She saw something in me! Then she added, “Yeah, we need another female.”
Oh.
Well then, that’s cool too. I auditioned, scared as hell. But I did it scared as hell.
I got in.
And fast forward to today, the group is now my own – and has been for nearly 25 years.
Improvisation is living in the moment, connecting with audiences, using your beautiful imagination, and building trust within your team or troupe.

I’ve been a speaker for the same amount of time (nearly 25 years) using humor as my platform and how we connect through laughter, as well as improvisation skills and how they enhance communication for teams and events.
I love holding workshops and watching the “aha” moments sprinkled with laughter and instant favorite memories.
I am unlike other speakers because I utilize improv to interact with each audience. I don’t use a podium and a slide deck. I am with the group.
I invented a card deck of fun prompts called Dare Zone and it’s such a favorite for those who want to play either by acting a scene out, or sharing a story.

My latest book brings my decades of stage to the forefront for leaders and those who want to try a speaking career.

“From the Spotlight to Real Life; reignite teams, enhance communication, and encourage speakers” is a project I am quite proud of!
I now have a class using the book as a catalyst.

I dare myself daily. I love to be silly and include others in on the fun.

I have done three TEDx talks – and that experience is something I love to talk about, as well as help others reach their own red dot on the stage.

Training new speakers is such a joy.
We all need to talk to someone about our ideas. I’m a darned good question asker. Working with others in finding their truest message is a fantastic process.

My podcast is Stranger Connections and I’m headed into my fourth year with it.
I celebrate weird life stories, quirky careers, and each guest shares a dare or prank story at the episodes wrap up.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

An embedded false belief I had to overcome is thinking I wasn’t smart enough to write a book. That I’m not talented enough to charge what I am worth when performing or speaking.

It took me five years to write my first book, a memoir titled “Laughs on Wry; an improviser’s memoir” which openly shared the struggles of having an alcoholic physically abusive mother.
I wanted to share the good and bad of how we grew up but who would read my story? I do t have letters after my name. I quit school to get out of that house.

Guess what?
No, the answer is not chicken butt. *This time.

I hired an editor who asked the hard questions, and she gently encouraged me to share, inviting my story in my own voice and unique style.
People reached out to me saying I was brave. (Woah!)
Some wanted to share their own backgrounds and I’ve even helped a couple of people add Author to their profile descriptions (and TEDx Speaker, too!)

Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?

The number one resource I wish I’d known early on in life is the thought process of “I don’t know what to do or say, but if I did … I’d do this…” then step forward and do the thing, or say what you need to say!

I use this so often that it’s become second nature. I’m a hyperactive over thinker-er and it’s a great way to keep momentum going.

On stage, it means I’m keeping the scene going forward.
In business, it means I am engaged and listening.

Improv skills are so much more than comedic punchlines!

Contact Info:

• Website: http://www.lisadavidolson.com/
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/lisadavidolson
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lisa.olson.improv.buddy
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-david-olson-80376612
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6biPHPaVy24ObMxRwIBprg
• Other: Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/stranger-connections/id1516167809 New book From the Spotlight to Real Life on Amazon

Image Credits
Image: Todd Olson, Cine1 Productions