When life gets hard, humor can feel like a luxury. Like an indulgence we don’t deserve or have time for. But science tells a different story.

Researchers have learned that humor can help with healing and grief, and it can improve our social connections. And innovators often call out the role fun plays in getting curious and acting on their ideas.

One of these innovators is Chris Duffy, a stand-up comedian, TV writer, and host of TED’s hit podcast, How to Be a Better Human. Chris sees humor as a powerful life practice, an argument that lies at the heart of his book, Humor Me: How Laughing More Can Make You Present, Creative, Connected, and Happy.

In this conversation we talk about how to build our humor muscle, what to avoid when going for a laugh, and why humor is really about the other person. Chris has written a book that is fun to read and fun to talk about. Talking to Chris, I can already feel my humor muscle getting stronger.

Related Links

How to Be a Better Human podcast with Chris Duffy

Chris Duffy on Substack

How to Find Laughter Anywhere, Chris Duffy’s TED Talk

The Team

Learn more about host, Gayle Allen, and producer, Rob Mancabelli, here.

Support the Podcast

If you like the show, please rate and review it on iTunes or wherever you subscribe, and tell a friend or family member about the show.

Subscribe

Click here and then scroll down to see a sample of sites where you can subscribe.