Cory Jenks – Humorous Ways To Not Suck As A Dad

Cory Jenks is the founder of ImprovRx and a Clinical Pharmacist in Ambulatory Care at Optum. He’s a convention-breaking pharmacist, comedian, author, and speaker who combines his healthcare expertise with improv comedy skills to help others adapt to uncertainty and create meaningful connections. Through his innovative approach, books, and performances, he inspires audiences to break free from limiting prescriptions both medical and metaphorical–while finding humor in life’s challenges.

Today, Cory Jenks shares his unique journey of integrating humor and improv into his roles as a dad and healthcare professional. The conversation explores how a sense of humor can transform parenting challenges into cherished memories and teach resilience through laughter. Cory discusses his background in improv comedy, which he initially pursued to cope with the unpredictability of healthcare, and how it became a vital part of his life.

Cory explains key improv principles, such as the “yes, and” technique, demonstrating their application beyond comedy to enhance listening, empathy, and adaptability in daily life. The episode features interactive improv exercises showcasing how these skills can improve interactions with patients, strengthen marriages, and enrich parenting experiences. Listeners will gain insights on incorporating humor and improv techniques to become more present and resilient in their roles as fathers and husbands. Cory’s new book, “I Guess I’m a Dad Now,” is highlighted as a resource offering practical and hilarious tips for new dads, complementing the episode’s engaging and lighthearted discussion.

Larry’s Takeaways

1. Embrace humor to strengthen family bonds.
2. Improv teaches empathy and active listening.
3. Adaptability reduces stress in parenting.

What You’ll Learn

00:00:33 – Introduction to Cory Jenks

00:01:36 – The Role of Humor in Parenting

00:02:30 – Cory’s Background and Career

00:04:42 – The Benefits of Fasting

00:06:02 – Controversial Opinions on Fasting

00:07:54 – Parenting Challenges and Food

00:09:27 – Cory’s Journey into Improv

00:12:00 – Learning Improv Skills

00:14:12 – Improv Exercise: Five Things

00:17:57 – Improv Exercise: One Word Story

00:22:40 – Applying Improv Skills in Parenting

00:27:08 – Cory’s Book and Its Impact

00:32:21 – Improv in Marriage

00:34:53 – The Role of Empathy in Improv and Life

Links

www.thedadedge.com/alliance

www.linktr.ee/coryjenks

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