Rhythm and improvised poetry can lift the highs and heal the lows.
For Monster Baby Podcast episode #99, Ted and Lisa link up with San Francisco freestyler, improvisor, music-maker, comedian, actor, Larry martial artist, activist, spiritual practitioner, and all-around good guy, Larry Dorsey, Jr. Larry starts the conversation explaining the history behind the “Junior” in his name (2:10) and then muses on his path to “fame,” noting the importance of intention behind attention (8:43). The trio considers the improvisational lifestyle and letting go of wanting (15:55) before Larry defines the term freestyle (improvised poetry) in more detail (19:45) and traces back the tradition’s roots in African spirituality (23:36). Ted asks how Larry manages the teacher’s paradox of having a standard for authenticity while reassuring new students that what comes through them is good enough (30:36) and Lisa wonders how Larry got his start with freestyle (as it turns out, from rhyming in the car with Dad, Mr. Gamble’s invitation for 10-year-old Larry, a challenge about profanity, and seeking a path out of trouble) (36:44). The three play a fun game of “We’re talking about…” (45:28) and note some similarities between the fun of freestyle and the writing of Shakespeare (54:30). Larry shares about his big opportunity with the touring company of the Broadway show Freestyle Love Supreme (56:20) and talks a bit about becoming “a pond in the forest” through the meditative practice of freestyle (1:06:03). Lisa invites a few last reflections on redemption, forgiveness, and reconciliation (1:10:04) before Larry closes the episode with a fun bit of freestyle—and even gets Ted and Lisa to join in! (1:22:20).
Please note: This episode runs longer than usual so feel free to split it up as needed.
Also please note: the episode includes some sensitive language (including Larry mentioning the “n-word”) and a story about connecting with someone who considered himself a white supremacist.
If you’d like to reach out to Larry, you can find him on most social media handles as “@larrydorseyjr”. Alternatively (and if you’ve got any question for us!), you can send a note to Ted and Lisa at info@monsterbabypodcast.com.
To subscribe so you receive immediate notice of future Monster Baby releases, head over to: http://monsterbabypodcast.com. If you’d like a bit of Monster-Baby-inspired springtime reading, visit www.playfulmindfulness.info to pick up a copy of Ted’s book Playful Mindfulness: a joyful journey to everyday confidence, calm, and connection. (Ted will surely sign it for you if you like!)
TAKE NOTE…next episode will be our 100th Monster Baby Podcast and we’d like to invite you to be a part of it! If you’ve got a minute, record a short little audio file (please make sure to include your name and location!) and send it to us via email by March 31st, 2022 at info@monsterbabypodcast.com.
You can say whatever you’d like but if you need a prompt or two, try one of these:
- What was one of your favorite Monster Baby episodes and why?
- Where and how do you listen?
- How has Monster Baby impacted your life?
- Anything else you want to share with Ted and Lisa!
We’ll gratefully harvest the responses and may even include a few of them in the next episode itself.
It’ll be a fun party—thanks in advance for joining!
And lastly, if you’d like a bit of Monster-Baby-inspired springtime reading or need a great gift for a loved one, visit www.playfulmindfulness.info to pick up a copy of Ted’s book Playful Mindfulness: a joyful journey to everyday confidence, calm, and connection. (Ted will surely sign it for you if you like!)
Lisa Rowland and Ted DesMaisons
San Francisco improvisors Ted DesMaisons and Lisa Rowland explore the beautiful, surprising and unruly intersections between mindfulness and improvisation as they seek to befriend that oft-hidden and sometimes scary part of all of us that can lead to a life well-lived.
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