Episodes

Sunday Mar 19, 2023
Episode 100 - Izzy Gesell Returns with A New Book and More!
Sunday Mar 19, 2023
Sunday Mar 19, 2023
Izzy Gesell is an “organizational alchemist” who helps people navigate their internal logjams
and emerge more confident, spontaneous and effective. Through keynotes, workshops and
coaching sessions, Izzy delivers meaningful material in an enjoyable way. His unique
approach to personal and organizational development is rooted at the intersection of Improv,
Facilitation and Coaching.
Among the first to use Improv Theater concepts as tools for personal and organizational
learning, he is the author of “Playing Along: Group Learning Activities Borrowed From
Improvisation Theater,” Instructional Moments: Facilitating with Applied Improv The
Resilient Caregiver: A Path to Manage Stress & Change Through Humor & Play & a co-
author of Humor Me: America’s Funniest Humorists on the Power of Laughter,
His video course for LinkedIn Learning, “Leading With Applied Improv,” was their first on the
topic and their first shot as a live-action workshop. His other LinkedIn courses are “Humor in
the Workplace” and “Building Your Team.”
Izzy has earned the CSP (Certifed Speaking Professional) designation from National
Speakers Association. Less than 15% of NSA 4,000 members are CSPs. He also has a BA in
Psychology, an MS in Education and a P…. that’s 1/3 of a PhD.
Offer for Listeners: Use coupon code 15offreads for 15% off any book in my shop:
Let’s Connect!
Linkedin Izzy Gesell
Facebook IzzyG & Co
Twitter: @improvizzy

Tuesday Feb 28, 2023
Episode 99-Mary Kay Morrison and the Humor Academy Flashmob!
Tuesday Feb 28, 2023
Tuesday Feb 28, 2023
This episode is a flashmob game show starring Mary Kay and Don Morrison and members of the Humor Academy and graduate Certified Humor Professionals.
Mary Kay Morrison - Founder
Jim-Bob Williams - CHP
Katy BEE - Level 1
Don Morrison - Level 2
Fatima Ahmed - Level 1 and Peace Scholar
Roberta Gold - CHP and Advisor
Kyle Edgell - CHP
Cathy Grippi - CHP and Recruitment
Mary Jo Neil - Level 2
Joy Baldoz - Level 3
Colleen Cook - CHP
Bea Bincze - Level 1
Florence Ditlow - New Candidate
Roland Thompson - New Candidate
Amy Standridge - Level 2 - helping with advertising
At the Humor Academy, you’ll take a deep dive into all things humor with an inclusive and supportive cohort of professionals, and you’ll learn from some of the finest experts and comprehensive texts in the field. The Humor Academy uses a collaborative learning environment with participants representing a variety of occupations including (but not limited to) health and wellness, business, education, mental health, spirituality, performance, writing, speaking, and training.
The Humor Academy is a one-of-a kind, three-year, college-level program focused on the science, benefits, and application of humor. Each level of the Humor Academy lasts one year, and those who complete all three years earn the distinction of Certified Humor Professional (CHP). Continuing education credits are available through the Humor Academy, as well.
What’s it like?
At each level, you’ll:
-
Attend the 1-day Humor Academy pre-conference meeting and the 3-day AATH conference
-
Participate in at least 8 video meetings with your cohort over the course of the year
-
Complete other assigned work, based on the syllabus
You’ll also complete various readings, and at Level III, you’ll get to participate in monthly calls with global humor thought leaders. You’ll enhance your knowledge, refine your humor skillset, and can even get funnier! At each level, you’ll focus on a central theme:
-
Level I: Study of the theory and application of humor
-
Level II: Develop and execute a humor project - check out recent projects here
-
Level III: Demonstrate leadership in the field of applied and therapeutic humor

Thursday Feb 16, 2023
Thursday Feb 16, 2023
Kate McGlynn, aka Katy BEE is a first year Humor Academy student with AATH and the founder of a new Non-profit Joy First Foundation - https://www.joyfirst.org/ - which is dedicated to bringing, evoking, creating, and offering joy to all living beings. Joyful Moments are online and in-person spontaneous moments appreciating and being grateful to others with standing ovations, surveys, gifts, like noses, kazoos, awards, certificates, and more. Joy FIrst also offers donated clown visits to organizations supporting families, and kids in need, like senior centers, shelters, police stations, veterans services, and random people because EVERYONE needs a Moment of Joy. The Tour of Joy is ongoing and you can support the tour as spontaneous moments are being offered from her trailer, on the road, or with Joy Ambassadors. You can also be a host, or a joy ambassador and collaborate with Joy First Foundation. She also offers Laughter Yoga, Juggling and Hula Hoop Shows, Joy Coaching and more!
Scroll down for all the Joy First Links to Follow
I am living proof that the application of applied and therapeutic humor can help to heal the mind, body and soul!
At the age of 60, while feeling depressed, physically unwell and living in a new state, I needed to find ways to be of service and to find joy - seemingly an impossible situation to change having a negative mind set.
And then I found Laughter Yoga!
Olivia Vo is a heart-centered entrepreneur and founder of Savvy Social Pro Enterprises, where she infuses her joyful energy, humor style, and savvy strategies for online collaborations and livestream events and productions. She credits the LinkedIn platform with providing her very first career in staffing as a recruiter and now as her livelihood as a social media content creator.
She is a graduate of the USA Women Entrepreneurship Cooperative, received her Laughter Yoga Certification, a professional member of the Association for Applied Therapeutic Humor, and volunteers with Harmony Mind Body Spirit Wellness Nonprofit in Jacksonville, FL.
Olivia facilitates hands-on trainings and workshops both for in-person and online virtual events and available to speak on entrepreneurship, laughter for well-being, and LinkedIn profile optimization. She is known for her ability to connect and energize groups through her infectious laughter, empathy, and winsome smile.
Her favorite collaborations are book anthologies and she is the bestselling author of several including, The Cinderella Monologues, The Impact of One Voice, Live Life in W.O.W!, and The Stories of Us.
You can follow Olivia's YouTube channel at https://youtube.com/@oliviasavvypro

Thursday Feb 09, 2023
Thursday Feb 09, 2023
Forget flying, invisibility or teleportation – the best superpower to covet is humor. Jennifer Keith’s superpower has been and always will be humor – in many forms.
As a certified Humor Professional and current president of the international Association for Applied and Therapeutic Humor, Jennifer discovered the brain remembers two things – trauma and humor. Using her G.R.I.T. method of using humor to process trauma and loss, Jennifer finds ways to fix the funny bone and find the funny faster when surrounded by disappointing and upsetting events. If your brain is remembering the difficult times anyway, why not cushion them with a little bit of light, levity, and laughter?
Jennifer has degrees in English, journalism, theatre, technology, and educational leadership, proving that she doesn’t want to nor should any of us grow up or stop learning. This published author and newly-TEDx’d speaker encourages you to take funny bone breaks – integrating humor into daily life, career, and family situations which can transform situations from barely tolerable to memorably positive.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferjkeith/
https://www.facebook.com/jenniferjkeithauthor/
Fixingthefunnybone.com
Jenniferjkeith.com
Daughter - E.G. Keith - age 12, author of Havoc and Serenity in The Magics series
egkeith.com

Thursday Jan 26, 2023
Thursday Jan 26, 2023

Friday Jan 13, 2023
Friday Jan 13, 2023
Dr. Lois Holzman and her East Side Institute colleagues and associates bring human and community development to the forefront of culture and social change through grassroots, performance activism worldwide. Trained as a developmental psychologist at Columbia and Rockefeller Universities, Lois is a leading proponent of a social therapeutic psychology of becoming —which she’s dubbed “non-knowing growing.” She has written 8 books, including Performing Psychology: A Postmodern Culture of the Mind and The Overweight Brain: How Our Obsession with Knowing Keeps Us from Getting Smart Enough to Make a Better World. Her most recent project is a “different kind of advice column,” she calls “Dear Developmentalist.” She invites letters from all feeling stuck, stymied and wanting to grow.
LoisHolzman.org/the-developmentalist/
#TheDevelopmentalist
#LoisHolzman
#PerformanceActivism
#SocialTherapeutics

Tuesday Jan 03, 2023
Tuesday Jan 03, 2023
The Lead with Levity Podcast shows leaders (like you!) how to create space for humanity in business so you can have a fun, safe, and supportive company that people love.
If you want to create the kind of work environment that your team can get excited about, where people feel valued and connected, then this is the show for you.
Dr. Walker has dedicated her career to helping organizations revamp their cultures to improve morale, productivity and profit. After doing this work for 10+ years, she noticed a core cultural differentiator in organizations that truly thrived…. Levity—those moments in the day that are uplifting.
Now, she works to instill levity in every organization. With the help of the Lead with Levity team, Dr. Walker will help you build a magnetic culture that people love with the REVEAL|EMPOWER approach. Our approach will help you REVEAL hidden stressors and opportunity zones in order to EMPOWER your people to thrive personally and professionally.
https://leadwithlevity.com/

Thursday Dec 15, 2022
Thursday Dec 15, 2022
AATH's Sue Stevenson returns to the Laughbox podcast with a new book! Sue is a certified brain-based coach working with decision-makers, C-suite executives, professionals, solopreneurs, speakers, and coaches. She uses a varied and effective neuroscience-based skill set, that includes positive intelligence, applied and therapeutic humor, social learning, and peak performance strategies.
Sue is best known for facilitating learning and positive change through brain-based coaching and consulting by utilizing the latest research in neuroscience, strategic humor management, and positive psychology to help leaders realize their full potential and success.
Her new book: "Impossible to Possible: Neurostrategies for Healing, Humor, and a Reimagined Life," describes her personal journey for success. Available on Amazon https://a.co/d/eJbhXb5
She also serves on the board for The Invisible Disabilities Association and The Association of Applied and Therapeutic Humor and is a Certified Humor Professional.
She is also the co-founder of The San Diego Brain Club, which is now in its 13th year.
Sue Stevenson, B.ED, FCIPD, PCC, RPCC
CEO/Founder, Lifted Fog LLC
Global Executive Coach, Brain-Based Facilitator, and Consultant
858 344 4632
www.liftedfog.com

Wednesday Dec 07, 2022
Episode 92 - AATH Interviews Raghu Adibhatla - Clean Comedian and Rising Star!
Wednesday Dec 07, 2022
Wednesday Dec 07, 2022

Thursday Nov 24, 2022
Thursday Nov 24, 2022
Michael Kerr is a Canadian Hall of Fame speaker who travels the world researching, writing, and speaking about inspiring workplace cultures and businesses that leverage their humor resources to create outrageous results. He is also the author of eight books including The Jerk-Free Workplace: How You Can Take the Lead to Create a Happier, More Inspiring Workplace and The Humor Advantage: Why Some Businesses Are Laughing All the Way to the Bank. You can sign up for Michael’s weekly newsletter Inspiring Workplace at www.MikeKerr.com.
Inspiring Workplaces YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeaRB1AE5C_RWBjK87wwRYg