A Conversation with Alun Bedding and Richard Zink

In this episode, I hand over the mic to Alun Bedding, who speaks with Richard Zink about a topic that might surprise many statisticians: applied improvisation.

At first glance, improv may seem unrelated to statistics or leadership. But as Richard shares his journey—from a biostatistician and software developer to an improv practitioner—it becomes clear how powerful these skills are for communication, collaboration, and leadership.

We explore how improv techniques help you think on your feet, listen deeply, support others, and communicate more effectively—all critical skills for statisticians working in complex, cross-functional environments.

**Why You Should Listen

** If you’ve ever struggled with:

Explaining complex ideas clearly
Speaking confidently in meetings
Engaging non-statistical stakeholders
Feeling held back by imposter syndrome

…then this episode is for you.

Applied improvisation offers a practical, hands-on way to strengthen interpersonal skills—without boring theory. Instead of reading about communication, you experience it.

**You’ll learn:

Why communication—not technical skill—is often the real bottleneck
How improv builds confidence and reduces fear of mistakes
Why “yes, and…” can transform conversations and teamwork
How body language alone can make or break your message

**Episode Highlights

00:00 – Introduction to Applied Improvisation Why improv is more than comedy—and why it matters for statisticians
03:00 – Richard’s Journey into Improv From watching Whose Line Is It Anyway? to teaching scientists
06:30 – Thinking on Your Feet & Team Collaboration Why improv is not about you—it’s about building ideas together
08:20 – “Yes, And” and “I’ve Got Your Back” Core improv principles that strengthen communication and trust
10:20 – You Don’t Need to Be Funny Why authenticity matters more than humor
12:00 – Why Statisticians Need Interpersonal Skills Great ideas go nowhere if you can’t communicate them
14:30 – Learning Through Play Why improv exercises outperform traditional leadership training
18:30 – Online vs. In-Person Improv How improvisation works even in virtual settings
20:40 – What to Expect from the PSI Workshop Interactive exercises, reflection, and real-world application
22:30 – The “Gibberish” Exercise A powerful lesson: communication goes far beyond words
24:20 – Simplicity in Communication How to make ideas memorable for non-statisticians
26:00 – Improv and Presentation Skills Reducing fear and embracing mistakes
27:30 – Overcoming Imposter Syndrome How improv builds confidence over time
30:10 – Final Advice: Rethinking Mistakes Mistakes are not failures—they’re opportunities for growth

**Resources & Links

Connect with Richard Zink on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-c-zink/
Learn more about PSI and their events: PSI https://postpartum.net/professionals/psi-conference/
Explore training opportunities in applied improvisation https://ww3.aievolution.com/JSMAnnual2025/Events/viewEv?ev=4318