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Consuming the CraftAuthor: Jeff "Puff" Irvin
Interviews and entertainment in the craft beverage industry. Join Puff as he explores the wonderful world of craft beer! Language: en Genres: Arts, Business, Careers, Food Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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From Improv to People Skills: Ivy Ivesdal on Growth, Friendship, and Craft Education
Wednesday, 23 September, 2026
oday on Consuming the Craft, I reconnect with Ivy Ivesdal, a talented educator and improviser, to explore how improv has influenced both personal and professional aspects of life. We journey through Ivy's adventurous leap into improv classes and how those unexpected skills seamlessly overlap with training, public speaking, parenting, and even deeper human connection. Ivy opens up about breaking through adult loneliness, cultivating meaningful friendships, and nurturing “people skills” that benefit everything from workplace presentations to family conversations. We also share a tasting of a unique sparkling apple black tea from a company rooted in Rwanda, and nerd out about food pairings and teaching moments that ripple through a community. Ivy Ivesdal is a dedicated trainer and lifelong learner who works adjacent to adult education, facilitating everything from onboarding to soft skill (or as Ivy prefers, people skill) development. By night, Ivy brings laughter to local stages as part of a Hendersonville improv group, after being recruited for standout performance during their first class. In both settings, Ivy’s commitment to listening, collaboration, and growth reveals a passion for helping people connect, learn, and enjoy life; on stage or off. “I've always been a lifelong learner... I can sign up for a class, walk in, not know anybody, and have friends when I come out of that class.” ~ Ivy Ivesdal Today on Consuming the Craft:Improv skills build confidence and versatility in public speaking, teaching, and workplace facilitation.Making new friends as an adult can be daunting, but shared activities and lifelong learning open doors.Good improv, and good communication, relies heavily on genuine listening and adaptability.“People skills” are essential in everyday life, from professional presentations to family life and community connections.Engaging with improv or other group activities can break the ice, develop social muscles, and build ongoing friendships.Experiencing and sharing new tastes, like sparkling apple black tea from Rwanda, enriches connection and community storytelling.Perfecting a performance, or any public effort, means respecting the time and investment of your audience.Hendersonville has blossomed into a lively destination for food, drink, and live entertainment, including Ivy’s improv group. Guest Contact:Ivy Ivesdal: Catch the improv group performing at Continuum and Hendersonville Theater downtown. Check their event calendars for upcoming shows. Resources Mentioned:Cirilla Apple Black Tea (imported from Rwanda)Continuum, downtown HendersonvilleHendersonville TheaterOklawaha Brewing CompanyMcConnell Farms (special mention for pork rinds and apple cider donuts!) This episode is brought to you by… McConnell Farms - Taste the Way You Remember. Enjoy homemade ciders and ice cream made from only the best produce on the market. Visit the McConnell Farms Facebook page to learn more about our seasonal inventory and the delicious creations you can make with our homegrown produce. Consuming the Craft Thanks for tuning into this week’s Consuming the Craft Podcast episode, brought to you by AB Tech’s Craft Beverage Institute of the Southeast. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts. Apple Podcasts | Spotify | iHeart | Amazon Podcasts | TuneIn | Pandora | Deezer Be sure to share your favorite episodes on social media to help us reach more craft beverage enthusiasts. To learn more about AB Tech and the Craft Beer Institute of the Southeast, visit our website.
