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 5: Tell Your Truth
I've been coaching people in comedy and in particular, "spiritual comedy". Both I and my clients who have a background in spirituality, whether it's in teaching it or practicing it, tend to have this kind of airy-fairy way of moving through our day, focusing on the positive, and trying to Read more…
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 3: Be with People Who FIND YOU Funny
I was not the class clown. I was not the kid who made all the other kids laugh. But sometimes I would make my teachers laugh. Even after ten years of doing standup comedy, I still had tons of insecurity about "being funny enough." A few things finally helped with 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
How to Be Funny, Part 1: Listen to Great Comedy
Want to be funnier? You gotta listen to more comedy… A great way to listen to comedy these days is on Pandora. It's like going to a club without having to deal with the two-drink minimum or the heckler at the table next to you. Of course, most of this 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…
Uncategorized
How many chuckles = a chinup? (No joke!)
Growing evidence confirms suspicions that laughter is not only fun, but good for us! WebMD reports that laughter and moderate exercise share a host of healthful effects. According to Dr. Lee Berk's research, appetite hormones behave the same way after a good giggle as they do after a few workout 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…