Author: Newsroom
| New York, NY (July 24, 2025) – Legendary comedy institution The Second City has announced a limited podcast series featuring comedian Allison Reese and social scientist and host of “The Psychology Podcast”, Scott Barry Kaufman called This Might Get Awkward, sponsored by the Argosy Foundation and launching this Fall. In six episodes, the hosts will attempt to do the impossible – have productive conversations with people who hold strong opinions that they may disagree with. Using the improvisation concept of “Yes, And,” the idea is to be able to communicate through difference, a skill set that seems to be sorely lacking these days. While the topics may get heavy, the show stays grounded in sharp humor, real chemistry, and a healthy dose of comic relief. |
| Confirmed guests so far include Andrew Yang, Loretta Ross, Norman Finkelstein and Caroline Fleck. |
| Vice President of Creative Strategy, Innovation and Business Development at The Second City, Kelly Leonard shares “In improvisation, we teach the need to be free of judgement – judgement of self and judgement of others – in order to make something out of nothing. That’s what this podcast is attempting to do. We don’t need to sacrifice our morals or integrity to engage humans who may think differently than we do. More “Yes, And” and less “No, but.” |
| “Too often, we choose outrage over conversation. We refuse to consider opposing ideas. We form loyalties without question and opinions without facts; we swallow misinformation without curiosity or reason. We magnify the hate by spreading it willfully,” says an Argosy Foundation spokesperson. “Instead, we should tone down the outrage and embrace diverse views with civility – that’s what all sides need to bring to the conversation.” |
| The Second City opened its doors in 1959 as a small comedy cabaret and has since grown to become the world’s most influential name in improvisation and comedy, celebrating its 65th year in business in 2024. The Second City’s stages, Touring Companies, and Training Centers across North America have proudly been the launch pad and artistic home for many of the funniest performers, writers, directors, and comedic minds on the planet. For decades The Second City’s corporate education and entertainment arm, Second City Works, has supported global businesses using the same methods pioneered |
