Marc Kaye calls himself a “restless creative”—a musician, writer, and comedian who loves to tell stories and make people laugh. He also, through his company, VitalConex, uses those skills to help develop the vital connections needed for focused, united teams and creative problem solving. Marc tells me how—and why—he took the leap into stand-up, how his comedy and his writing skills have influenced each other, and how he takes both of those, and his business partner’s therapy background, and creates programs to help teams create a sense of psychological safety that lets them do difficult work from a place of greater unity.
Episode breakdown:
00:00 Childhood creativity shapes lifelong passion for creation.
05:37 Piano, writing, science, marketing, stand-up comedy.
07:49 Email to Gary Goldman about Last Comic Standing.
11:48 Got hooked on comedy, performed sporadically. Kids grew.
15:32 Song critique circle provides valuable but diverse feedback.
18:26 Improving character portrayal in writing and comedy.
21:41 An exercise in making unexpected connections.
23:45 Comedy, improv, and creativity in storytelling.
27:23 Adults miss suspending belief in harmless ways.
31:03 Comedy clubs are a past entertainment trend.
34:24 Challenges with DEI initiatives and team building.
36:42 Avoiding the “consultant” label
40:33 Using humor to build real interpersonal connections.
43:12 Identifying strengths and weaknesses through team activity.
46:24 Human experience involves shared emotions and perspectives.
52:26 Humor is crucial in navigating change.
54:38 Finding humor in life is a superpower.
Check out the full show notes at fycuriosity.com, and connect with me and fellow creatives on Substack.
Please leave a review for this episode and in it, tell us about a time when humor made something easier for you. If you enjoyed our conversation, I hope you’ll share it with a friend.
Want more? Here are handy playlists with all my previous interviews with guests in writing and theatre.
Embracing Your Enthusiasm with Kyle Fletcher
Following the "Nudge" with Paige Kaufman
Protecting Your Creativity with Tracy Matthews
Bringing Your Vision to Life with Angela Fareri
Dragonflies at Night with Anne Marie Bennett
Quitting Is Not an Option with Orrin Evans
Seeing Possibilities with Rachel Marianno
Don't Give Up on Yourself with Todd Evans
Becoming the Eighth Doctor with Paul McGann, Part 2
Becoming the Eighth Doctor with Paul McGann, Part 1
Inspiration and Originality with Cindy Lynn Speer
Navigating Your Inner Wilderness with Darcy Wade
Running Away to Join the Circus with Ryan Ward
The Power of Creative Constraints with Zoha Abbas
Some Thoughts on Recent Events
You Never Know Until You Try with Alex Rudy
Learning by Doing with Desiree Argentina
Good Grammar with Curtis Honeycutt
Living an Intuitive Life with Kelly Abanda
Happily Homeless with Alison Miller
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