LaughBox

I get to talk to some really cool people on this podcast and this week is no different.  Jim Wasserman is the guest and he's lived life in the trenches...with Middle School students.  I don't know how he did it (I didn't even like my own kids when they were middle schoolers).  We talk a little about that but also how he's found some peace and solitude living his third life.  I know you'll enjoy Jim as much as I did!

More on Jim...

Born of a Tennessee man and a proper English woman, Jim was born in a log castle as a citizen of the once, yet eternally, independent Republic of Texas.

Jim’s parents often took him to far away and exotic places, only to be disappointed when Jim managed to find his way back. Finally left on his own, Jim was raised by a travelling band of sloths, accounting for his belief that his appearance, dress, and temperament are “normal.” He called the jungle home, at least until he learned proper English and then correctly called jungle “jungle” and the place he lived in “home.”

Jim was “finding himself” (his parents’ phrase) during his college years till he graduated with a degree in psychology and religion (His senior thesis on southern US Jewish communities was docked points for being titled “Red-neck or Eth-neck?”). Discovering a gift for gab, Jim became a litigation attorney and then a teacher (claiming an expertise in history, government, economics, public speaking, and anything else where there is not a definite  right or wrong answer).

Jim met the love of his life through the disembodied, yet oh so personal, medium of the first internet dating sites (the magical land where everyone is tall, has an “athletic build,” and hair). Although wiser than Jim, Jiab still has no reply to his argument-winning line: “I’m obviously smarter than you; look whom each of us chose to marry.” Together, Jim and Jiab have found bliss in raising two boys that are the light of their lives, though aside from these two house cats, they also have two sons who seem to eat and sleep a lot.

Whether demonstrating his own original martial arts moves (such as “curl up in a fetal position and cry like a baby till they stop punching you”) or developing new excuses for losing tennis matches (“The net is higher on my side of the court”), Jim has led a life governed by a single creed, “Dignity is overrated.”

Connect with Jim on his blog:  http://yourthirdlife.com/

Have you ever talked with someone so smart that you wonder how they function talking to ordinary people like you? That’s what it is like when I talk with this episode’s guest, Dr. Gurinder Bains. Seriously, this guy has got a huge brain. I had the pleasure of serving with him on the Board of Directors and got to know that he’s also got a wicked sense of humor…must be why he hangs with AATH, eh? In our interview, he shares some of his previous research that he’s done but also what he’s currently working on. Grab something to write with because you’re going to want to take some notes from this incredible person! Enjoy!

Want more great content like this?  Come to the AATH conference in April 2019!  Humor is serious fun!  Check it out at www.aath.org

More on Gurinder….

Gurinder Singh Bains, MD PhD, is an Assistant Professor and Primary Research Coordinator for the School of Allied Health at Loma Linda University. He has been a co-author in over 25 publications. He received his PhD from Loma Linda University, MD from Ross University Medical School, and a BSc in Finance from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. He has been involved in research that includes humor/laughter, inflammation, high intensity exercise and weight loss, sleep, blood flow, and back pain. His PhD dissertation focused on how humor and laughter can enhance short-term memory in the elderly. Dr. Bains has presented at numerous scientific meetings and his research has gained worldwide media attention such as ABC News Worldwide, CNN, Ellen DeGeneres Show, Men's Journal, FOX News, and Huffington Post to name a few.

More on David…

Her enormous brain is only matched by her quick wit and her dance moves when the Bee Gee’s start playing.  Dr. Melissa Mork shares it all with us in this episode of Laughbox.  Enjoy!

More on Melissa...

Dr. Melissa Baartman Mork is Professor and Chair of the Department of Psychology, Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement at the University of Northwestern. 

She is a Certified Humor Professional and the former director of the Humor Academy, the three-year college-level Humor Studies program for the Association for Applied and Therapeutic Humor. She is the mother of two beautiful children and the widow of one hot Norwegian.

At Northwestern, Dr. Mork teaches courses in General Psychology, Abnormal Psychology, Psychology of Counseling, Psychological Ethics, and How to Diagnose Your Family and Friends without Their Knowing. 

Although her kids don’t think she’s very funny, Dr. Mork makes herself laugh. A lot. She even has “FUNNY” on her license plate. Her one claim to fame is when Jimmy Fallon read her tweet on “#hashtags”.

You CAN handle the truth! And, the truth is that this week’s guest, Debra Norwood (The Laughter Lawyer), is not only an awesome human being, she’s also doing incredible work that is changing the lives of people all around the globe! Take a moment to listen to this week’s interview as she shares her work, her passion and a few laughs.

More on Debra...

As an attorney, a mother and caregiver to an ailing parent, Debra Norwood knows what stress looks and feels like. She also knows where to look for answers to learn resilience and find joy and meaning in many of life’s challenges. As a Certified Laughter Leader and Expert Level Practitioner with the World Laughter Tour, Debra guides her patrons by keynote speeches and workshops that highlight mindfulness exercises and a healthy dose of therapeutic humor and laughter. Her presentations to health professionals, attorneys and students are energizing and enlightening! As a result of the emotional clearing achieved through therapeutic laughter sessions, Debra is able to candidly address the more serious workplace and lifestyle issues that cause absenteeism, compassion fatigue and discouragement.

As a personal executive coach for attorneys and professionals, Debra is clearly passionate about sharing the latest advances in Psychoneuroimmunology. As a Certified Brain Health Coach with Amen Clinics, she loves to share the good news: there is now evidence that people can change their brains to effectively change their mood, perspective and ultimately, change their lives!

Debra’s individual coaching helps professionals optimize their memory and cognitive abilities through brain exercises, meditation, mindfulness and nutritional supplements when needed. For serious issues of PTSD, ADD, addictions, depression and anxiety, Debra evaluates and recommends individuals for Amen Clinics brain SPECT scans to review if there is trauma or other causes to explain resistant mental health conditions. Through careful evaluation of her client’s wishes and needs, Debra also creates individualized teams for crisis intervention. This supportive and comprehensive environment of empathy and trust helps her clients regain their humor, optimism, self-confidence and resilience.

Debra is a member of the Positive Psychology Association, The Association of Applied and Therapeutic Laughter (AATH) and has been endorsed by The Laughter Arts Foundation. As a goodwill ambassador for the Anasazi Foundation, Debra also helps with at-risk youth. She is considered a “Trailblazer” by the World Laughter Tour and is a transformative law advocate and contributor to the American Bar Association endorsed book by J.Kim Wight; Lawyers as Change-makers, coming out in 2017.

You can get more on Debra at www.debranorwood.com.

More on Paul….

Have you ever gotten so far down in the dumps that you didn't know what to do?  What about getting hit with a barrage of issues where it was really messing up your plan?  I, personally, have had all of that and more! (And I know you have too).  We, as leaders, need to know how to bounce back and be resilient despite what we may be facing.   Not only for ourselves but also for our teams!

This week's guest, Courtney Clark, is a resiliency expert and she's got the intel on how to make a positive impact for yourself and the others around you when life is punching you in the face.  Aside from being smart and articulate, she is also hilarious.  I had so much fun interviewing her and I know you'll have fun listening.  Enjoy!

More on Courtney…

Courtney Clark is the luckiest unlucky person in the world.  After a series of major struggles beginning in her mid-20s, she has built two successful businesses and is the author of two books, including her most recent book The Successful Struggle: Powerful Techniques to Achieve Accelerated Resilience.  She works with people who want to adapt faster and achieve more, and has spoken worldwide to organizations like Procter & Gamble, Dell, S&P, Humana, Cisco, and Cardinal Health.

Check her out on her website at: http://www.courtneyclark.com/

Have you ever eaten a Guinea Pig?  No?  Me either (although I would try it).  How about...have you ever wondered how to create a better working environment?  Yes?  Me too!  You're in luck!  This week's guest, Paul Osincup, has got the intel on how to do it and he shares it (free of charge) with us!  This is a REALLY FUN and content packed episode of Laughbox so make sure you've something to write with.  ENJOY!

More on Paul...

Paul Osincup is an International Speaker and Positive Workplace Strategist who helps companies create engaging work climates. From his experience in Higher Education Leadership & Administration, Paul’s previous roles had him addressing high-risk behaviors and threats to college campuses. A conflict resolution specialist, he was a consultant at the U.S. Department of Education’s Center for Alcohol, Drug, and Violence Prevention and still consults for several non-profit agencies. Despite the serious nature of his work, It’s Paul’s background in comedy that fuels his interest in humor as a competitive advantage in business. His TED Talk on Humor in Leadership has been viewed over 140,000 times, he serves on the Board of Directors of the Association for Applied and Therapeutic Humor, and occasionally he even makes his wife laugh. Paul’s worked with hundreds of organizations from school districts and police departments to companies like NASDAQ and Kaiser Permanente. His work has been highlighted in SUCCESS Magazine, Training Magazine, and on his mom's fridge. 

Check out Paul on his website: 

www.paulosincup.com