Abel Brainz Digest, Vol. 86 - January 2026 (Substack debut)
Hey everyone!
Welcome to the new digs of the Digest. I’ve finally stepped into the substack universe and now you can read the newsletter through your email and here. The old issues are still up on my website and I’m slowly bringing them over. Also, we can start some comment threads with thoughts and recs.
Did you need to know that? Nope. I told you anyway. Let’s get to it!
cool movie stuff
One Battle After Another. This movie…. I don’t really want to give anything away so I’ll just say two things - It’s a super intense, extreme, more politically active version of The Big Lebowski and, maybe most important, my mantra for the year is, “Ocean waves, Bob.”
cool improv stuff
Had the honor of being in the last Road Trip of 2025 and I had a blast kicking off 2026! The show is so much fun and I look forward to playing in the format every time. Click HERE for tickets for the show on the 13th. (I’m not in it, but don’t let that stop you from going :))
cool reading stuff
Just finished Supercommunicators by Charles Duhigg. Fantastic read and a pretty solid approach to improv. I’m now reading An Immense World by Ed Yong and I’m loving it. I might be asking “did you know..?” questions the next time I see you because of all of the dope information in the book.
more cool improv stuff
Your Favorite Improv Gym continues in January and February. Click HERE for January sign ups and info. Please click HERE for February.
ALSO! (sorry, I didn’t mean to yell)
I will be leading an Improv Intensive at Chara Community on Saturday, February 28th. Click HERE for more information and to sign up.
cool feedback loop
New digs so I might as well add some new-ish stuff to the digest. What do you want to hear about as it relates to improv? Maybe I can answer it, maybe I can’t. Worst case scenario I point you in the right direction. Anyway, leave a question in the comments, or just comment :)
Click here for all the past volumez.
And remember, this labor of love is handcrafted and distilled every month. Click here if you want to show some love and “subscribe.” And even if you don’t, I’ll still send you the newsletter :)