Seriously Funny: Women Who Humor and Change the Rules

In this kickoff to the 3rd season of the podcast, I chat about what it means to be a Seriously Funny, how it is strategic and the cake - not just the frosting! - and why it matters for your company's (and peoples') adaptability, resilience and innovation.

"Funnier" is the title of Anne's Upcoming book.

Comedy is WAY bigger than jokes. It's our words, our voice, our humanity and how we show up.

I was not going to release the whole hour at once. Originally I was going to break it up into sections.

I just couldn't break the convo in two because it was TOO GOOD. And it's worth many listens.

Anne is a woman after my own heart. I studied sketch writing at Second City. And comedy changed how I think, show up and create. Yes, I perform. And humor matters in business. Comedy teaches us skills of connection. And we need it.

Anne is funny, brilliant and thinks and teaches deep stuff: what makes things funny and how can we be funnier.

I connected with her when she said, "I get asked, 'Can you make me funny?" Her response, "I can make you funnier." And I relate. I get asked that and I think the answer is 'Funnier.' I can't make anyone funny. We can all be funnier.

This convo is not only funny; it will make YOU funnier.

Grab a cup of coffee and sit down with pen, paper or computer. We talk about:

-Thick humor (vs thin humor)

-Humor and comedy are more than jokes (preach, Anne!)

-Humor and AI (chat GPT writes bad jokes!)

-Narrative (story arcs matter!) and characters

-Humor as recognition (starts with a truth - audience must recognize it)

-Distance (time)

-Improv and the power of discovery - being present in the moment

Take notes. Laugh. Rinse and Repeat. Please check out Anne's work and her upcoming book, "Funnier."

About Anne

Anne Libera is Director of Comedy Studies at The Second City where she also serves as Artistic Consultant. She is an Associate Professor at Columbia College Chicago where she created and coordinates the Comedy Writng and Performance BA. Northwestern University Press which will also publish her upcoming book Funnier: A Theory of Comedy With Practical Applications. Contact her: Alibera(at)secondcity.com

About Kathy

Kathy Klotz-Guest, MA, MBA is a stand-up and improv comedian, author and speaker. A former tech exec for two decades while doing improv and stand-up comedy at night, she is the Founder of Keeping it HumanSM and the Seriously Funny podcast. Her mission: to help companies, leaders and teams think differently and get bigger results through improv and comedy concepts. Her last book, "Stop Boring Me!" was a top 10 selling book on Amazon in Creativity and Humor. Kathy(at)keepingithuman.com

Dani Klein Modisett is the Founder and CEO of Laughter On Call. She is a woman after my own heart.

We're both comedians, improvisers, business women, moms, have 3 names and we both believe in the power of laughter. This conversation was one of my favorites (they all are!) because we both believe in the message of joy. We know that Covid created a profound sense of isolation that led to disconnection. Girl, preach. And her business pivoted and grew to meet that demand for shared laughter.

This episode is so rich in fun and life wisdom, I think you'll love it too!

We chat about:

• Meeting on LinkedIn, the most unfunny social platform. or is it changing?
• How she pivoted from working with Alzheimer's patients to recognizing that laughter healed the isolation so many of us feel
• The power of Improv and How Covid forced us (all of us) to say 'yes and!' to change
• The challenge of cynicism and she gives me a (Greek!) history lesson
• Being a woman in comedy and her journey from waitress in NY to helping people laugh for a living
• Why magic happens when you let go of being right and accepting your imperfections (she'll tell us hers!)
• Why shared laughter is the key to human connection between / among humans (a big 'yes and' to that!)
• The big life thing: find your joy!

Be sure to visit and connect with us at:

laughteroncall.com

keepingithuman.com

In this 15-min episode (no guest), I talk about imperfection. One of the threads coming up so far in conversations with guests is being imperfect and why we need more joy.

Women are judging themselves way too much and too harshly. So what if we didn't?

What if we gave ourselves the power to be imperfect, have more humor and joy?

What do you think?

Principles of comedy can help you become a more powerful, confident and connected speaker and presenter. Anyone can add more humor and playfulness...without having to be a comedian.

If you can laugh, you have a sense of humor and that's different from being funny. Think playful, humorous and improvisational and you can use all these approaches. And yes, even a bit of stand-up if you like. It's not required.

In this episode, I break down the following concepts that I use with clients and you can, too, to add more playful humor to your speaking that is true to you (hey, it should be fun and natural):

Comedy v. Improv v. Humor (they're different)

How to think about what's funny

Big talk points, then punch up

Ways to heighten storytelling

Rehearsing and Planned Spontaneity

Your body and voice as an instrument

Have fun. You got this.

Interested in working with me?

I use comedy concepts for creative, connected communication and innovation. I offer workshops, transformational programs and keynote talks. Reach out at keepingithuman(dot)com.