Creativity
Free Your Creativity with Free-Writing
The real aim is to quiet the inner censor and critic that stops me from creating. Later, I can always edit and evaluate.
Comedy
How to Be Funny, Part 4: Get High
"I used to get high on life… but I built up a tolerance." -Arj Barker Of course I wrote the title to get your attention. And no, I don't mean take drugs to get high. What I mean is that when we "get high", we let go, and letting Read more…
Comedy
How to Be Funny, Part 2: Be with People YOU Find Funny
There is a lot of bad comedy out there. And what I mean is that I am very opinionated. I have several scales for funniness when I'm watching comedy. Was it a well-written joke? Was it delivered with great timing? Was it relatable? Did I agree with the view point Read more…
Comedy
What’s Your Birthday Do for You?
Now, it might be hard to believe… but I wasn’t always the comedy rock goddess you see before you today. It’s hard to admit that some things have been tough for me – except when I’m on stage… then I apparently love to admit it. But we all want to look good, myself included, and to be respected and to make a good impression. But by doing so, we essentially lie. And my job as a comedian has always been to tell the truth. So here it is…
Creativity
Idle Chat makes for Productive Work??
Idle talk between coworkers promotes creativity! We all know that the mid-morning water-cooler chat is a time-honored ritual of procrastination. What would happen if a company encouraged office banter? Or scheduled it? Christian Nahas of Radiant Systems did just that. In fact, he organized a 15 minute coffeehouse-style sit and Read more…
Comedy
How to be a Really Funny Comedian, Part 8: Professionalism
You may have seen fastcompany.com's 2011 output of the 100 Most Creative People in Business back in May. That ridiculous photo of the many Conan's sure caught my attention. Though Conan O'Brien came in 8th place, the focus on his creative process is worth reiterating. Plus, he wrote a guide Read more…
Comedy
How to be a Really Funny Comedian, Part 4: Political Humor
Do a little archival comedy research. It's a very interesting historical enterprise. Not only can we observe the public sentiment of the political atmosphere at the time, but we can chuckle at the outdated jargon and references. One of my favorite examples is George Carlin. He started out totally apolitical Read more…
Comedy
How to be a Really Funny Comedian, Part 3: Your Relevance
So: is it more important for you to feel that your comedy will be relevant for a long time or rather that you are totally hip and cutting edge? Some topics in comedy can go from ripe to rotten. If your act used racist or sexist stereotypes, it was probably Read more…
Comedy
How to Become a Comedian, Part 7: The Well
If you haven't already, look back at what we've already covered. Ok, here's where we get spiritual. So you've done all the writing and stuff, but it's time for me to let you in on a new secret. The ideas that come from you aren't yours. Especially the really good Read more…
Comedy
Comedy at the Center for Spiritual Living in Sacramento
Here's an excerpt from the standup comedy show I did with the lovely and talented Katie Rubin at the Sacramento Center for Spiritual Living recently. Enjoy!