Long Island has no shortage of excellent public-relations professionals – and ranking among the best is ace communicator, seasoned political appointee, veteran educator and bona fide funnyman Mark Grossman.

A survivor of tenures under municipal, county and state lawmakers, the namesake of Medford-based Mark Grossman Public Relations has carved an impressive niche as a go-to regional media expert with a penchant for government relations – while filling young minds as an instructor at colleges across Long Island and blending it all into a well-received tour of the regional comedy-club circuit.

On this episode of “Spark: The Innovate Long Island Podcast,” Mark joins host Gregory Zeller to discuss the thrills of working for Gov. Mario Cuomo, the ills of free-speech suppression … and the unmatched chills of landing a punchline in front of a live audience.