Your Brain Knows When You're Lying to It: Confidence in Improv

"Just be confident" is the most common improv advice and the least useful for a lot of us. This episode breaks down evidence-based confidence and how to build an archive of proof that your brain can actually trust before a show. During the 2026 Olympics, Eileen Gu described herself as "an evidence person, not an affirmations person." Her confidence came from specific preparation she could verify. That distinction matters for improvisers, especially those with analytical or neurodivergent brains that flag unverified affirmations as inconsistent information. This episode covers why affirmations can backfire, how evidence-based confidence changes both your pre-show mindset and your practice habits, and how to start building your own archive of competence. Includes a group exercise (Cheer Squad) and a solo journaling exercise you can start today. CHAPTERS: 0:00 "Just be confident" and why it doesn't land 0:22 Eileen Gu and evidence-based confidence 1:13 What happens when affirmations meet a bad scene 2:19 How evidence-based confidence works differently 3:59 How this changes the way you practice 5:07 Finding evidence in bad scenes 5:56 Neurodivergent brains and the bullshit detector 7:34 Evidence after a bad show 8:14 Exercises: building the evidence habit 10:27 Solo exercise: your evidence archive RESOURCES & LINKS: Special: How well do you actually know your improv teammates (offstage skill building) (podcast-only episode on working with different brains on your improv team) https://improvupdate.com/how-well-do-... Post-workshop reflection PDF (free with newsletter signup): https://improvupdate.com/newsletter Listen on your podcast app: https://improvupdate.com/your-improv-... ====================== RESOURCES AND ABOUT ======================= Find improv resources, including downloads, at https://improvupdate.com Get weekly articles about improv and performance and connect with me at ImprovUpdate.com/newsletter About: Your Improv Brain is a show about the cognitive side of comedy. Host Jen deHaan explores how our unique brain wiring affects how we learn, perform, and create. Now expanding to cover the "body" side of the brain-body connection! We're digging into why we freeze up, how to find our flow, and using "nervous system" concepts to become better improvisers. Whether you are neurodivergent (ADHD, Autistic, etc.) or just want to understand your own creative process better, this show is for you. Topics: Improv tips, solo improv, performance anxiety, and creative psychology. Contact Jen at https://jendehaan.com SUPPORT: Like this episode and want more? Support this podcast here with a one-time tip here: https://learn.improvupdate.com/produc... We love our podcast host Capitvate.fm! You can support Your Improv Brain by signing up with Captivate here: https://www.captivate.fm/signup?ref=y... And: contact me anytime to ask me anything about Captivate. Transcriptions by MacWhisper. I use and love the Pro version (subscription free!) - you can get it too using this link: https://gumroad.com/a/20303251/ivpqk Schedule posts? We use Metricool, and you can support using our link: https://f.mtr.cool/VZBOZR Support the show and get creative templates and assets: https://share.uppbeat.io/p4od8inwhc2j WHO MADE THIS: This podcast was created, written, and is hosted by Jen deHaan. All creative graphics made (by a human!) Jen deHaan. This episode was and edited and produced by Jen via https://StereoForest.com. This show was made in British Columbia, Canada by StereoForest Studio.