“Yes, And: How Improv Improves Communication and Friendship”

When Life Feels Unbearable, Two Words Can Change Everything

There are moments when life feels like swimming upstream—against the current of relationships, work, parenting, and the state of the world itself. In this episode of Our Friendly World with Fawn and Matt, we explore a deceptively simple idea borrowed from improv that can shift how we show up in friendships and in life: “Yes, And.”

Originally shared with Fawn by a trusted voice acting coach, these two words landed far beyond the audition room. They became a framework for navigating disappointment, fear, conflict, and change—without denying reality or suppressing emotion.

“Yes, And” doesn’t mean passive acceptance. It means:

I accept what’s here — and I choose to build from it.

That mindset creates flow instead of friction, possibility instead of paralysis.

What “Yes, And” Really Means (and What It Doesn’t)

In improv, “Yes, And” keeps a scene alive. In life, it keeps you moving.

• Yes = This is happening. I acknowledge it.

• And = I still have agency. I still get to choose what comes next.

This isn’t about pretending things are fine when they’re not. It’s about validating your emotional experience without getting stuck inside it.

As Matt explains in the episode, this approach aligns closely with the psychology of acceptance: when we stop fighting reality, we free up mental and emotional energy to move forward.

Applying “Yes, And” to Friendship

Friendships are one of the places where resistance shows up most clearly. We want things to be different than they are—and that tension can quietly erode connection.

Here’s what “Yes, And” can sound like in real friendship moments:

• Yes, this friendship didn’t unfold the way I hoped — and I can choose how I end it and how I begin again.

• Yes, I feel nervous about putting myself out there — and I’ll show up anyway.

• Yes, I don’t feel like going out right now — and I trust I’ll reconnect when I’m ready.

Instead of repeating old patterns, “Yes, And” helps us close chapters with awareness—so we don’t recreate the same dynamics in the next relationship.

A Tool for Conflict (Without the Fight)

One of the most powerful aspects of “Yes, And” is how it removes charge from difficult interactions.

When someone comes at us with strong opinions or challenging beliefs, arguing often fuels the fire. But “Yes, And” can quietly disarm conflict:

• It acknowledges the other person’s perspective without agreeing or escalating.

• It avoids the trap of “winning” an argument at the cost of connection.

• It redirects energy toward solutions instead of standoffs.

As Fawn and Matt discuss, this approach validates existence without validating harm—and that distinction matters deeply in friendships.

The word resilience gets thrown around a lot, but this episode grounds it in something practical.

Every “And” is a step forward:

• Yes, I didn’t get the job — and I learned what to try next.

• Yes, this is new and scary — and I’m capable.

• Yes, things feel heavy right now — and there is still hope.

Research shows that forward-focused thinking increases life satisfaction and inner peace. “Yes, And” gently shifts attention from what’s blocking us to where we’re going.

Presence, Awareness, and Flow

At its core, “Yes, And” is a mindfulness practice.

It brings us back into the present moment:

• Not fighting what already happened

• Not catastrophizing what hasn’t happened yet

• Simply asking: What’s the next right step?

Whether you’re navigating friendship challenges, career uncertainty, parenting stress, or world events that feel overwhelming—this tool invites steadiness instead of spiraling.

A Short Episode — A Long Reach

This week’s episode is intentionally short, offering listeners time to actually use the idea rather than just hear it.

If you’ve been feeling exhausted, stuck, or discouraged, consider experimenting with these two words today:

Yes. And.

They might just change how you move through the world.