"The human brain is a most unusual instrument of elegant and as yet unknown capacity." - Stuart Seaton

One of my New Year's goals was to spend more time in the present.....but my brain keeps getting in the way!  How about you?  Do you want to be mindful, meditate or just calm the monkeys in your head?  If so, this episode will get you there!

This episode's guest is Ariel Garten.  She is the creator of a product called, Muse, and it can help YOU train your brain.  Ariel and I talk about Muse but we hit a lot of other reasons you should train your brain.  Take a listen...she's amazing!

ENJOY!

More on Ariel...

So the server asked me what I wanted and I said that I'd take a full order of happiness.  It's what is on today's menu!

On this episode, I had the great pleasure to talk with Sean Webb about his books on mind hacking happiness.  I won't bore you with my version of what we talked about because it PALES in comparison to the actual interview.  But....you can take this to the lavatory, it is pretty awesome.  He has done the research and we get to benefit from it!

ENJOY!

More on Sean...

As the author of a book that was used to influence millions of voters in the 2016 U.S. Presidential Election through social media disinformation campaigns (without his knowledge), Sean Webb probably knows the human mind as well as anyone can. From his work in logically modeling human emotions for the world of Artificial Emotional Intelligence, to his real-world practice as an author, speaker and guide to helping individuals supercharge their minds and lives with the knowledge of how their mind works, Sean pushes the bleeding edge of mind sciences to the next level. 

Over the last 20 years, Sean has become one of the world’s leading experts in how the human mind works, particularly in the area of human emotions, the driving force and motivation of all human actions globally. His work is used by universities and engineering firms to teach emotional intelligence, the foundations of artificial emotional intelligence, and his discoveries have proved so effective, that his work is currently being turned into programs to address addiction management and the mitigation of PTSD after early amazing successes within those applications.

As an alumnus of Georgia Tech’s Advanced Technologies Development Center, Sean has spent years solving complex systems problems for cutting edge technology and supercomputing companies. His latest complex system solve is associated with the mind; how to model mind processes, how to manipulate mind output, and how to use those disciplines to our collective human advantage. His heart lies in this last portion of the project; teaching individuals about our minds so as to understand the thought processes that steal our happiness and block our ability to enjoy life. He loves sharing the practical neuroscience of how to hack the mind to generate happiness from within without any strings attached, and without changing any of life’s external conditions. He has indeed discovered a new door into the deep mind manipulation, where only practiced meditation and psychedelics have been able to take us before. 

Sean has spoken at Science of Consciousness, Science and Nonduality, UNC, UGA, ASU, Emory, Georgia Tech, for numerous multinational corporations, and at NASA. Check out Sean’s work at MindHackingHappiness.com.

Sean and his wife are licensed foster parents, and are active in numerous children’s and animal charities.

Check Sean out HERE!

Music from https://filmmusic.io
"Run Amok" by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com)
License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

“We cannot cure the world of sorrows, but we can choose to live in joy.” —Joseph Campbell

We're back for season three and kicking it off strong!  New intro, new outro and a great line up of guests....starting off with Steve Wilson!

Steve and I have a great conversation about his journey from psychologist to Joyologist and what joyology is all about.  He shares some history about how far therapeutic humor has come and how far we have to go.  I know you'll dig it as much as I did!

Also, I must give a big SHOUT OUT to my brother, Pete Lutz, for re-doing the intro/outro for me.  He has his own podcast called the Narada Audio Radio Drama.  If you like old time radio shows, check it out on iTunes here!

ENJOY!

More on Steve...

World Laughter Tour, Inc., is the brainchild of psychologist and self-proclaimed “Joyologist” Steve Wilson, who describes his role as “Cheerman of The Bored.” The creation of World Laughter Tour was an idea that came to him during a 1998 lecture tour to India, after participating in the Juhu Beach Laughter Club at the Arabian seaside in Mumbai. In India, Laughter clubs were referred to as ‘Hasya Yoga’.

Nevertheless, for Steve Wilson, this first introduction was the spark to initiate a clear vision of bringing Laughter Clubs to the United States, of course with certain adaptations to suit the Western mentality. As he imagined, certain laughter and attitudinal practices could be systematized and taught as a means to influence health and peace, while promoting happiness and longevity. Hence, he sought out to connect with these gurus, recognizing the enormous potential that existed in applying a systematic approach to laughing without using jokes, under the guidance of a trained leader and motivator.

Struck by a noble impulse, Steve flew an Indian physician to the United States, whereupon he delivered a series of lectures and demonstrations. The reaction to a laughter exercise program in the U.S. was both startling and telling, growing instant curiosity and support from the participants and the media. With the encouragement of his wife, Pamela, the World Laughter Tour was officially launched in July of 1998.

It took about a year to put together the first laughter tour in the USA. Thanks to the generosity and sponsorship of Dr. Valeriana Moeller, president of Columbus State Community College, The World Laughter Tour had a very successful kickoff on May 27, 1999 in Columbus, Ohio. The tour traveled to 14 cities for the next 7 weeks, demonstrating the method to diverse audiences.

Since its inception, World Laughter Tour has been recognized as a significant global influence in the practical applications of laughter and humor for health and world peace. Steve Wilson is a very popular and talented Certified Speaking Professional, experienced educator of mental health professionals, member of key professional organizations such as Association for Applied and Therapeutic Humor (AATH), International Society for Humor Studies (ISHS), and the American Humor Studies Association (AHSA), as well as having been the 2010 recipient of the Doug Fletcher Lifetime Achievement Award, and Rire d’Or Golden Laughter Award in 2007 from the French School of Laughter and Well-Being.

He still maintains a very active presence in WLT and will often answer phone calls and inquiries, as well as making himself available to trainees, attendees, the media, or other interested parties who wish to speak with him personally.

Connect with him at:  www.worldlaughtertour.com

Music from https://filmmusic.io
"Run Amok" by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com)
License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

"It is in games that many men discover their paradise."

- Robert Wilson Lynd

Here it is...our last episode of the season.  I take the summer off so I can play a bit more, which is AWESOME because we're hitting a bit of that in this episode.

In this episode, I had the great pleasure to talk with Mary Couzin.  Mary is a super cool person and has it going on.  She invented (yes, invented) the Chicago Toy and Game Fair and is a game developer herself.  We talk about her journey in the world of toys, games, and play as well as why it's such a passion for her.

I know you'll dig this episode as much as I did!  CHEERS!

More on the Toy and Game Fair...

Chicago Toy & Game Group
We promote play and innovation through events listed below (over 2 Billion media impressions in Nov); monthly e-newsletters reaching over 250,000 people - industry, consumers, educators, inventor, bloggers, Scouts, traditional and social media. www.chitag.com.

Join our Toy, Game & Play Innovators Network here on LinkedIn!

ChiTAG Events:

Chicago Toy & Game Fair
Largest public toy/game fair in North America. Meet your consumers! The biggest and most cost effective focus group anywhere. The traditional/social media and bloggers love this event - they attend to report what's hot for the holidays. Early open to media/trade. Emphasis on interactive/hands-on and meeting inventors at Navy Pier the weekend before Black Friday. www.chitag.com

Inventor & Innovation Conferences with top industry executives. Learn, network, pitch your ideas to dozens of companies. www.chitag.com/conferences

Toy & Game Innovation Awards Dinner, the TAGIEs, celebrating inventors www.chitag.com/tagies

PlayCHIC pairs haute couture fashion designers with toy and game brands to create media worthy playful runway looks. www.chitag.com/playchic

Educator Conference for teachers to incorporate play in the classroom. www.g4ed.com

Star Wars Character Breakfast

Young Inventor Challenge www.chitag.com/yic

ChiTAG year round activities include:

Hosting Pub Events/Get-Togethers around the world.
Play in Education, PIE, website, newsletter and conference www.playineducation.com
Specialties: Connecting people, helping toy and game inventors, promoting inventors and play to the public anywhere and everywhere we can, bringing play and games into the classroom and libraries, quality fundraising (www.gamesforfundraising.com)

“Life keeps throwing me stones. And I keep finding the diamonds.”
– Ana Claudia Antunes

Once in a while you get the opportunity to meet people whose joy is so genuine it can't help but inspire you.  That's how it was when I first met this week's guest, Shauna Bruce-Hamburger.

Shauna doesn't let anything in life hold her back.  She and I talk about overcoming life's challenges and how you can bounce back and live a life filled with real joy.  I had so much fun with Shauna that I didn't want the conversation to end...and neither will you.

ENJOY! 

“The only thing that is ultimately real about your journey is the step that you are taking at this moment. That’s all there ever is.”

- Eckhart Tolle

Are you really busy?  Do you spend most of your time thinking you don't have enough time to do all the things you want to do?  Do you wish you could just take a moment to enjoy a moment when you have that moment? YOU'RE NOT ALONE!

We all live busy lives and it is becoming increasingly difficult to be present when you have the opportunity.  In this episode of Laughbox I had the opportunity to talk about all of life's distractions and how to get past them with mindful leadership expert, Daphne Scott.

Daphne is an incredible guest with great energy!  She shares some great strategies on how to be mindful, less stressed, and really connect with the team members around you.

I know you'll put this one at the top of your replay list.  CHEERS!

More on Daphne...

Dr. Daphne Scott brings two decades of real world coaching and corporate development experience to her work with organizations. She combines strong leadership abilities with highly-trained facilitation skills to bring individuals and teams into greater relationship, creativity, and ultimately, success.

Daphne is a Certified Professional Co-Active Coach (CPCC), certified Hendricks Coach, a founding member of the Conscious Leadership Group, and a member of the International Coaching Federation. She has studied with top-level executive coaches, consciousness experts, and organizational psychologists. She also holds a Masters Degree in Applied Positive Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania and a Doctorate of Science in Physical Therapy from Andrews University. Daphne was previously the Director of Leadership Development at Athletico Physical Therapy and is the Chief Cultural Officer at Confluent Health.

Some of Daphne’s strongest skills come from her training with the Second City Improvisational Conservatory Program. She draws from her unique background in theater and physical therapy to bring engaging embodiment and team-building elements to her coaching.

Daphne is no stranger to the perceived daily challenges that stall teams and delay leaders. Responsible for team success herself, Daphne understands the fear that grips leaders, taking them into stagnation and stress. She enjoys working with clients who are committed to leaving old paradigms behind and who are willing to allow themselves to experience life as a journey for their highest learning. Daphne currently facilitates quarterly and monthly trainings for clients around the world and works closely with team leaders in various organizations.

Check her out at: http://daphne-scott.com/lhh

"Laugh as much as possible, always laugh. It's the sweetest thing one can do for oneself & one's fellow human beings." - Maya Angelou

Have you got a big thought?  Have you ever contemplated taking your big thought and putting together a TEDx talk?  I've mulled over both of those questions (but usually stop at the first).

On this episode, I talk to long time friend, Debra Joy Hart, about her journey with designing and delivering a great TEDx talk last fall.  She shares the trials, tribulations, triumphs and how you should go about putting it all together.

We had a great time and I know you'll enjoy it as much as I did.  

CHEERS!

More on Deb..

“Yesterday is not ours to recover, but tomorrow is ours to win or lose.” — Lyndon B. Johnson

We are just a little over a week post conference and I'm still reeling from all of the great information I learned and relationships that were built!  It's hard to go back to regular life after a life altering experience like the AATH conference!

In this episode, I'm talking to my good friend, Dr. Tina Hallis.  Tina is a scientist who turned her focus towards positive psychology and hasn't turned back since.  We talk about her journey, easy tools you can use to improve your life and what the positive edge means to you (and the people around you)!

ENJOY!

More on Tina...

Tina Hallis, Ph.D. is excited to help people and organizations be more positive so they can enjoy better lives and more success. She is a professional speaker, author, and founder of The Positive Edge. Tina is certified in Positive Psychology through the WholeBeing Institute, an Authorized Partner for Everything DiSC®, and a Professional Member of the National Speakers Association. She is the author of Sharpen Your Positive Edge: Shifting Your Thoughts for More Positivity & Success.

Tina worked for 20 years in biotechnology before discovering a new science in 2011 called Positive Psychology that focuses on how we can all live our best, most meaningful lives. Seeing the powerful impact this information has on improving people and organizations, Tina decided to create her own company, The Positive Edge so she can improve the quality of people’s lives and their workplaces. 

Connect with her here:

HOORAY FOR HUMOR MONTH!

What are you doing to celebrate Humor Month?  Me?  I'm going to the AATH conference AND I'm talking with cool humor people...like my guest this week, Andrew Tarvin.

Drew has been on the show before and in this episode we talk about his new book, Humor That Works.  This is, honestly, one of the best books I've read on the application of humor in the workplace.  It's smart, research based, and has stuff you can use right now to make a positive difference for yourself and your team.

ENJOY!

Get his book HERE!

More On Andrew....

Andrew Tarvin is the world’s first Humor Engineer teaching people how to get better results while having more fun.

Through his company, Humor That Works, Andrew has helped more 25,000 people at 250+ organizations—including P&G, GE, ESPN, Microsoft, the U.S. Navy, PepsiCo, and the International Association of Canine Professional—learn to be more productive, less stressed, and happier. Combining his background in business with his experience as an international comedian, his programs are engaging, entertaining, and effective.

Prior to starting his company, Andrew was a top-rated project manager at Procter & Gamble, managing million dollar projects for a $350 million business. He is also an accomplished comedian, having performed in more than 1,000 shows all around the world.

Andrew is the best-selling author of Humor That Works: 501 Ways to Beat Stress, Increase Productivity, and Have Fun at Work, has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, and FastCompany, and his TEDx talk has been viewed over 100,000 times. He has delivered programs in 50 states, 18 countries, and 1 planet (Earth). He loves the color orange and is obsessed with chocolate.

Check him out on his website (and bring him in to speak!): http://andrewtarvin.com/

"That's your best friend and your worst enemy - your own brain."  -Fred Durst

What's holding YOU back? If you're like me (and I'm guessing you are) it's you.  I can be my own worst enemy in doing what I need to do and getting where I need to go.

As luck would have it...my guest this week, Michele Molitor, specializes in getting at the root of the issue and helping people rewire their brain FAST...some would say rapidly.  

We hit a lot during the course of our conversation and I know you'll dig every minute of it!  ENJOY!

More on Michele...