Abel Brainz Digest, Vol. 92 - July 2026
Hello stranger(s)!
Feels like a lot longer than May since I’ve sent one of these out. I missed you all. How have you been?...
oh, word?
OR:
I’m sorry that’s been happening and I hope it’s resolved soon.
Either way, hopefully this issue of the digest accentuates the positive and helps eliminate the negative.
Let’s get to it.
cool improv stuff
I’ve been really enjoying Rachel VanNess’ substack. She really gets into the science behind the improv which is really fun. Selfishly, I love how we seem to agree that we can benefit from leaning into everyone’s unique style, approach, etc., and our role as coaches/teachers is to encourage discovery and exploration. Her series on coaching different levels of improvisers is very interesting.
cool(?) baseball rant
As some of you may know, I’m a huge baseball fan. My favorite team is the San Francisco Giants. There is photographic evidence that I’ve been a fan since I was two. Unfortunately, a few dipshits have put the Giants in the headlines by undercutting Pride Night. It’s sad. It’s also very aggravating and it pisses me off. Not just on a humanity level, but on a logic level. Plus, the SF Giants were the first team to have a Pride Night and the first to have an Until There’s a Cure Day.
They could’ve easily put on the pride hat (which is super dope, btw) and played some ball. Did they really think God* would smite them if they didn’t scrawl a bible verse on their hat? Does non-straight love really hurt them??? I’m truly curious!
So, yeah. I’m still left with being incredibly sad about my favorite sports team refusing to just do the right thing and say that they fully stand with the LGBTQ+ community.
*God is love, y’all.
more cool improv stuff
I’m performing in Road Trip on July 10th. Click HERE for tickets!
cool July 4th and World Cup stuff
The World Cup is bringing us together when we need it most and if connection is happening over something as ridiculous as futbol (you call it soccer) then I’ll take it.
And now we get to celebrate our Independence Day. 250 years of the experiment and it’s definitely gotten weird. I am the son of immigrants and will continue to celebrate the spirit of this nation that all people are welcome here. Here’s hoping the experiment doesn’t keep burning our eyebrows.
cool movie stuff
Toy Story 5 was excellent. The odd numbers of the franchise are the stronger movies, IMO.
The Sheep Detectives was a pleasant surprise. Basically Knives Out meets Babe.
cool tv show stuff
Farewell to The Bear. I’m sad it’s over and it definitely went out when it needed to. Forks is still one of my favorite episodes of television ever made.
yet more cool improv stuff
Your Favorite Improv Gym is back!! ...In August. Click HERE to sign up.
cool random stuff
How weird are we?? Click to find out -> https://www.atvbt.com/youre-weird-explorer/?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email
on grief
On a heavy note, as most of you probably know, we lost a staple of the Atlanta improv community about a month ago. Han was a kind, brave soul who is now gone. We don’t have to let him go and I know we won’t.
Grief is... the worst. It stays forever and is never linear and the only thing that changes is how we deal with it. Whether it’s distance, curiosity, or isolation, please take care of yourself while dealing with the grief. I’ve been lucky enough to be surrounded by loving family and friends while dealing with loss; unexpected, or otherwise. I am now much closer to the days where grief is guaranteed to be more of a regular occurence. That fact is sad, overwhelming, and also beautiful. Beautiful because it gives us an opportunity to connect and be kind to those around us. Regardless of how much time we have left, why not be as kind as possible to each other?
Thoughts? Questions? Hit me up!
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 :)
Much love,
Abel