By Corey Rosen and Brandon Spars Several months ago, when I started collecting my thoughts on storytelling and related ideas (AI, active listening, and improvisation among them), I put out a call of sorts. “What are you interested in hearing about?” What topics, ideas, or techniques are you curious to learn more about or deepen your own knowledge of? One of the first I received was from a Bay Area storyteller I respect and admire deeply, Brandon Spars. I first encountered B

“AI Slop” has become the insult of the moment. Usually people use it to describe images: six-fingered hands, uncanny faces, endless streams of generic fantasy warriors, hyper-realistic astronauts riding tigers through space. And some of that definitely deserves the label. But I don’t think the real problem is the images. I think the real AI slop is the ideas. For most of human history, making something was hard. If you wanted to make a film, you needed cameras, actors, loca

What This Game Teaches This exercise builds focus, timing, and group awareness through synchronized movement. Group Size Full group (circle) Time 3-6 minutes Energy Level Medium How to Play Players stand in a circle. Two players clap simultaneously and pass the clap around. Each person turns to the next and claps with them. The clap travels around the circle. Variations Reverse direction Multiple claps Cross-circle passing Why It Works This game requires shared attention and

What This Game Teaches This exercise builds listening, observation, and acceptance by focusing on faithfully reproducing movement and sound. Group Size Full group (circle) Time 3-6 minutes Energy Level Medium How to Play Players stand in a circle. One player creates a movement and sound. The next player repeats it as closely as possible. Continue around the circle. The movement will gradually evolve. Variations Add multiple simultaneous sequences. Speed variations. Why It Wor

What This Game Teaches This exercise builds quick thinking, collaboration, and physical communication without relying on verbal planning. Group Size Pairs → groups Time 6-12 minutes Energy Level High How to Play Players begin in pairs. Call out two related objects (e.g., knife and fork). Each pair physically creates the objects without speaking. Gradually combine pairs into larger groups for more complex shapes. Continue increasing scale and complexity. Variations Concept pai

What This Game Teaches This exercise builds imagination, positive acceptance, and the ability to respond creatively to unexpected ideas. Group Size Pairs Time 10–15 minutes Energy Level Medium How to Play Divide participants into pairs. Player A gives an imaginary gift using pantomime and description. Player B receive the gift enthusiastically “This is exactly what I wanted!” and explains its use. Switch roles. Keep giving gifts back and forth, delighting in each gift regard

What This Game Teaches This exercise builds creativity, spontaneity, and collaborative storytelling through physical scene building. Group Size Full group Time 6-12 minutes Energy Level Medium How to Play Players stand in a circle. One player steps in and declares, “I am a tree,” while striking a pose. A second player joins and adds to the scene. A third player joins to complete the tableau. The first player leaves, taking one other player with them. The remaining player re-d

What This Game Teaches This exercise builds collaboration, support, and the ability to “yes, and” physically by reinforcing trust and responsiveness. Group Size Full group Time 5–15 minutes Energy Level Medium How to Play One player steps into the center and strikes a pose. A second player joins, adding a complementary pose. The first player says “Thank you” and exits, leaving the second player. A new player joins the remaining player, creating a new image. Repeat the pattern

What This Game Teaches This exercise builds focus, active listening, and group awareness while encouraging quick thinking and non-verbal communication. Categories Warm-ups, collaboration, improv games, communication skills, team building, listening skills, focus and presence Group Size Full group (circle) Time 5–8 minutes Energy Level Medium How to Play Have participants stand in a circle. Introduce an imaginary “red ball.” One player tosses the ball to another while saying “

What This Game Teaches This exercise builds layered listening skills by helping participants move from simply hearing words to understanding meaning and emotion. Group Size Pairs Time 15–25 minutes Energy Level Low How to Play Partner A shares a story for 1–2 minutes. Partner B responds in stages: Level 1: Repeat key facts or details Level 2: Summarize the story in their own words Level 3: Reflect the emotion or meaning behind the story Switch roles. Variations Add a fourt

What This Game Teaches This exercise teaches participants how to use spatial memory techniques to remember and organize stories more effectively. Group Size Individuals or small groups Time 15–30 minutes Energy Level Low How to Play Introduce the concept of a “memory palace,” a familiar place (home, route, building). Ask participants to map key points of their story onto specific locations within that space. As they mentally “walk through” the space, they recall each part of

What This Game Teaches This exercise helps participants quickly generate meaningful stories by anchoring them to clear, memorable categories. Group Size Individuals, pairs, or small groups Time 10–20 minutes Energy Level Low How to Play Give participants a prompt category such as: First, Last, Best, or Worst Add a topic (e.g., job, trip, performance, mistake). Participants choose one combination (e.g., “worst job” or “best trip”) and tell a story based on it. Share stories in

What This Game Teaches This exercise builds confidence, positive communication, and the ability to amplify ideas and people in an engaging way. Group Size Groups of three or four Time 10–15 minutes Energy Level High How to Play Form groups of three or four Assign roles: Person A: interviewer Person B: subject Person C (and D if needed): hype person The interviewer asks, “What’s something you’re good at or like about yourself?” The subject answers. The hype person/people enthu

What This Teaches This exercise teaches participants how to remember and deliver stories confidently without relying on notes by using simple, effective memory techniques. Group Size Individuals or small groups Time 15–30 minutes Energy Level Low How to Practice Start with a story you already know or want to tell. Break the story into 5-10 key beats (beginning, turning point, resolution). Assign each beat a vivid image. The more unusual or sensory, the better. Link those imag

What This Game Teaches This exercise helps participants explore identity and personal narrative by telling the story behind their name. Also builds connection through short personal sharing. Group Size Individuals, pairs, or small groups Time 10–20 minutes Energy Level Low How to Play Ask participants to reflect on the story of their name. This could include: How they got their name, Who they were named after, A nickname, How their name has changed over time, or A story ab

What This Game Teaches This exercise teaches participants how to receive feedback with openness and curiosity by blending with it rather than resisting it. Categories Emotional intelligence, feedback skills, leadership development, communication, conflict resolution, mindset, personal growth Group Size Pairs Time 10–15 minutes Energy Level Low to Medium How to Play Partner A shares a short story, idea, or piece of work. Partner B offers feedback—this can be constructive or cr

What This Game Teaches This exercise teaches participants how to build scenes by separating action, description, and emotional context. Categories Storytelling craft, scene building, improv games, communication skills, creativity, narrative development, performance training Group Size Groups of three Time 10–20 minutes Energy Level Medium How to Play Form groups of three and assign roles: Person 1: Advance (what happens) Person 2: Color (details and description) Person 3: Emo

What This Game Teaches This exercise builds active listening, emotional awareness, and the ability to identify and reflect meaningful moments in someone else’s story. Group Size Pairs Time 10–15 minutes Energy Level Low How to Play Partner A tells a true, personal, "happy" story for about one minute. Partner B listens closely without interrupting. After the story, Partner B retells the story back, using the same pronouns as the original tell (I, me, my, etc.) Switch roles. Va

What This Game Teaches Builds focus, presence, and quick pattern recognition while helping participants get out of their heads and into their bodies. Also used as an opportunity to teach the “Circus Bow” (accepting failure) Group Size Pairs Time 5–10 minutes Energy Level Medium → High How to Play Two players stand facing each other. Count to three together, alternating numbers: Player A: “1” Player B: “2” Player A: “3” Player B: “1” Player A: “2” Player B: “3” Repeat until be

What This Game Teaches This exercise teaches participants how to give feedback that builds on ideas rather than shutting them down, fostering collaboration, openness, and creative momentum. Group Size Pairs or small groups Time 10–15 minutes Energy Level Medium How to Play One participant shares an idea, story, or response to a prompt. The listener responds using “Yes, and…”—first acknowledging something that was said, then adding something to it. Continue the exchange for se