Ep 30: Saying "Yes, and" to Life with Dayna Gowan episode artwork

EPISODE · May 20, 2026 · 56 MIN

Ep 30: Saying "Yes, and" to Life with Dayna Gowan

from Connectedness · host Fernanda Brasileiro

What if the secret to better communication, stronger relationships, and more confidence isn’t perfection… but play?In this episode of Connectedness, Fernanda sits down with Dayna Gowan: speaker, improviser, Distinguished Toastmaster, workshop facilitator, and host of the Improvly Speaking Podcast. They explore how improvisation can transform the way we communicate, connect, and show up in everyday life.Dayna shares how improv helped her overcome fear, embrace uncertainty, become a more confident speaker, and develop deeper human connections. Together, Fernanda and Dayna dive into the powerful improv principle of “Yes, And," how listening is a communication superpower, why adults lose touch with playfulness, and how creativity can improve relationships, parenting, leadership, and mental well-being.This conversation is filled with practical insights, vulnerable stories, laughter, and mindset shifts that can help anyone become a more authentic communicator and more connected human being.✨ In this episode, we discuss:-How improv builds confidence and reduces self-judgment- The “Yes, And” mindset for relationships and personal growth- Why active listening matters more than having the perfect response- How improv improves communication skills and social confidence- The connection between creativity, play, and emotional well-being- Why brainstorming often fails in corporate environments- Parenting, public speaking, and handling uncertainty through improv- Finding joy and humor in everyday life- How improv creates instant human connection🎧 About Dayna Gowan:Dayna is the founder of Improvly Speaking, where she helps individuals and organizations use improvisation skills to improve communication, leadership, creativity, and confidence. She also hosts the Improvly Speaking podcast and offers workshops, coaching, and corporate training.🔗 Connect with Dayna:Website: https://www.improvlyspeaking.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daynagowanPodcast: Improv Speaking on Spotify & Apple Podcasts💛 If you enjoyed this episode, please like, subscribe, and share it with someone who could use a little more joy, confidence, and connection in their life.Learn about the power of Improv to change your life!

What if the secret to better communication, stronger relationships, and more confidence isn’t perfection… but play?In this episode of Connectedness, Fernanda sits down with Dayna Gowan: speaker, improviser, Distinguished Toastmaster, workshop facilitator, and host of the Improvly Speaking Podcast. They explore how improvisation can transform the way we communicate, connect, and show up in everyday life.Dayna shares how improv helped her overcome fear, embrace uncertainty, become a more confident speaker, and develop deeper human connections. Together, Fernanda and Dayna dive into the powerful improv principle of “Yes, And," how listening is a communication superpower, why adults lose touch with playfulness, and how creativity can improve relationships, parenting, leadership, and mental well-being.This conversation is filled with practical insights, vulnerable stories, laughter, and mindset shifts that can help anyone become a more authentic communicator and more connected human being.✨ In this episode, we discuss:-How improv builds confidence and reduces self-judgment- The “Yes, And” mindset for relationships and personal growth- Why active listening matters more than having the perfect response- How improv improves communication skills and social confidence- The connection between creativity, play, and emotional well-being- Why brainstorming often fails in corporate environments- Parenting, public speaking, and handling uncertainty through improv- Finding joy and humor in everyday life- How improv creates instant human connection🎧 About Dayna Gowan:Dayna is the founder of Improvly Speaking, where she helps individuals and organizations use improvisation skills to improve communication, leadership, creativity, and confidence. She also hosts the Improvly Speaking podcast and offers workshops, coaching, and corporate training.🔗 Connect with Dayna:Website: https://www.improvlyspeaking.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daynagowanPodcast: Improv Speaking on Spotify & Apple Podcasts💛 If you enjoyed this episode, please like, subscribe, and share it with someone who could use a little more joy, confidence, and connection in their life.Learn about the power of Improv to change your life!

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Ep 30: Saying "Yes, and" to Life with Dayna Gowan

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The Mind, Body, Energy Experience Podcast SaMut Angela Scott/MamaYogaWellness Seeking to inspire healthy living, spiritual connectedness and the use of skills and practices that balance personal power, radiance and magnetism Pathways To Surrender Michael Warmuth Surrender to our authentic self is one of the primary goals of spiritual practice and a key aspect of human evolution and awakening. These guided meditations cover a wide range of spiritual topics and human issues, but always gently guide and remind the listener to let go of that which is not true and surrender to the higher truth within them. These guided meditations, led by Michael Warmuth, originate from a higher source, a place of deep connectedness and a more unified state of mind. They speak both to the conscious mind and to that deeper awareness within each one of us. Visit pathwaystosurrender.com for more information about these meditations. Sister Science Stories Jill Novak The Sister Science Podcast is a place where we talk about that sacred mind.body.spirit connection and how we can practice that in our day to day lives. We discuss lifestyle choices, mindset, patterns and beliefs. Creating a place where acknowledging our connectedness to each other, nature, and the divine is normalized and lived. We honour being deeply supported, confident, and in-tune with our our own remarkable wisdom. We promote taking radical responsibility for how you move, sleep, eat, and manage energy. Learning to trust in your intuition and the sacred mind-body-spirit connection as you embark on a transformational, healing journey.We talk about how there is an ebb and flow to our ability to do this. The challenges that set us back, the fear that creeps in as we learn to be in the uncomfortable space of learning, figuring it out, trusting ourselves in a new way. Listen on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Watch on YouTube. Pondering Play and Therapy Podcast Julie and Philippa In a world where play can be seen as frivolous or unnecessary, Julie and Philippa set out to explore its importance in our everyday lives.Pondering play and therapy, both separately but also the inter-connectedness that play can in its own right be the very therapy we need. Julie and Philippa have many years of experience playing, both in their extensive professional careers and their personal lives. They will share, ponder, and discuss their experiences along the way in the hope that this might invite others to join in playfulness. 

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This episode was published on May 20, 2026.

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What if the secret to better communication, stronger relationships, and more confidence isn’t perfection… but play?In this episode of Connectedness, Fernanda sits down with Dayna Gowan: speaker, improviser, Distinguished Toastmaster, workshop...

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