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Writer's pictureDiana Varma

201: PopUp Workshop!



Here we are at episode 201! Thank you for sticking around this long and it’s been a true joy and labour of love to produce the first 200 episode of this podcast. I always find it insightful and humbling to revisit my very first episode ever, recorded and released on November 24, 2019.


[Audio from Episode 001]


Thank you for wanting to want to listen. :)


I’m still so inspired by those I meet and I’m excited about the possibilities of what we can co-create in the space. It still feels energizing, even in the nitty gritty slog of precise, old-school audio editing.


And today I’m sharing with you an exciting new initiative that I’m adding to the Talk Paper Scissors space. Introducing PopUp Workshop: Where creative work meets play! ✨



Running creative workshops is my favourite thing. (Heck, I see each course I teach has just a really long workshop split up in three hour chunks over 12 weeks.) There is nothing I love more than getting into a room full of new friends and facilitating serious play!


I’ve had the wonderful privilege of working with a great range of creative folks, both big and little; professionals and curious human kiddos. So I thought it was about time to create some formal identity around the creative workshops that I facilitate, both locally and globally.


I’m starting by introducing four workshops and dropping new ones once or twice a year. Here they are…



Workshop: PLAYFUL PRINTING


What do you get when you cross an iconic kids toy with a 500 year-old communication technology? 


Playful printing! 


In this workshop, you’ll experience printing infused with play; conceptualizing, assembling and printing your very own letterpress art. 


🎈For teams of creative professionals who (reluctantly) work on screens all day 


🎈For groups who want to tap into their inner child and leave with art for their fridge


🎈For K-12 students and teachers looking to infuse play and printmaking into a STEAM curriculum 


Time: 1-3 hours


Participants: 5-50




Workshop: IMPROV FOR INNOVATORS


Rooted in vulnerability and trust, this workshop uses frameworks from the world of improvisational theatre to improve communication, foster empathy and strengthen teams.


Interactive games help break down walls and build bridges to connect people and ideas in novel ways. 


All skill and confidence levels are welcomed and encouraged.


😂For creative teams who want to forge stronger bonds through a laugh-out-loud process


😂For groups who believe that an injection of fun is exactly what the doctor ordered 


😂For K-12 students and teachers who want to help students practice communication skills and boost confidence in a low- stakes, joyful and supportive environment


Time: 1-2 hours


Participants: 10-40




Workshop: FRIENDS WITH FAILURE


Through experiential learning and interactive exercises, this workshop explores our complicated relationships with failure and challenges participants to practice co-creating with failure as a pathway to growth.


❌For groups who want to embrace curiosity and explore their relationships with Failure


❌For groups who believe that in order to experience growth, we must be nudged outside of our comfort zones


❌For K-12 students and teachers who want to encourage vulnerability and creative risk taking in a playful way, cultivating a growth mindset


Time: 1-2 hours


Participants: 5-50




Workshop: CUSTOM SPEAKING + WORKSHOPS


Let’s work together to create something authentic and impactful, customized to your group. Experiences can be in-person or virtual. 


Workshop and speaking topics include:


  • Boosting creative confidence 

  • Improving communication skills 

  • Understanding your audience 

  • Team building 

  • Creative ideation frameworks

  • Typographic foundations and trends

  • Design & printing 

  • Education & pedagogy 


📦For creative teams who want to embark on a creative retreat (no matter how big or small)


📦For groups who meet around a specific mission and want to explore it experientially 


📦For K-12 students and educators who want to provide students with the opportunity to learn from a female educator in STEAM


Time: 1-8 hours


Participants: 5-100




If any of these sound like something that you or a group of friends or in your workplace or at your school, might like to do drop me a line at talkpaperscissors.info/popupworkshop. I’m now booking Fall 2024 and Winter 2025. I can’t wait to collaborate with you!


Here’s to the next 200 episodes and in-person play!



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Music:

Happy Whistle Beatbox Rhythms - John Bartmann licensed under a CC0 1.0 Universal License

Let's Skate The Prom - John Bartmann licensed under a CC0 1.0 Universal License 


Talk Paper Scissors Theme Music: Retro Quirky Upbeat Funk by Lewis Sound Production via Audio Jungle


Boat Origami Photo: Boat Origami Photo by Alex on Unsplash

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