Laughing Matters

On this episode of Laughing Matters, Brett Ludwig from Lehigh University joins Paul Merchan and Steve Cody to explore the role humor plays in higher education, workplace culture and effective leadership. As vice president of communications and public affairs at the school, Brett shares why colleges need to communicate their value with clarity, how humor can help universities connect with younger generations and why leaders should leave room for authenticity and humanity.

From making the case for a college degree to building Lehigh’s “Real” brand campaign and fostering community partnerships in Bethlehem, PA, Brett explains how storytelling, openness and a willingness to not take yourself too seriously can make organizations more approachable and memorable.

Tune in to hear Brett talk about:

• Why the value of higher education goes beyond job placement to include belonging, connection and interdisciplinary learning
• How humor is evolving across generations and helping colleges connect with Gen Z and Gen Alpha
• What he learned about the dress code in front of a CEO and the cultural nuances of offering a raise

In Part 2 of their special two-part miniseries on Laughing Matters, Steve Cody and Paul Merchan continue their conversation with legendary journalist Jim Hickey, an Edward R. Murrow Award-winning correspondent whose career placed him at the center of some of the most consequential events of the modern era. From the collapse of the Soviet Union and the opening moments of Desert Storm to the harrowing day-long coverage of 9/11, Jim shares firsthand accounts of reporting history as it unfolded—and the responsibility of documenting it for future generations. Along the way, he reflects on the evolving relationship between journalists and the institutions they cover, the unpredictability of breaking news, and the unexpected moments of humor that emerge even in the most serious circumstances.

Tune in to hear Jim talk about:

• What it was like witnessing history firsthand—from Soviet tanks rolling through Moscow during the collapse of the Soviet Union to covering the opening moments of Desert Storm from a secret air base in the Persian Gulf
• Why one military commander’s view of journalists as “chroniclers of history” forever shaped Jim’s perspective on the role of the media
• His unforgettable experience providing continuous ABC Radio coverage on 9/11, including a live eyewitness account of the second plane striking the World Trade Center
• The lighter side of a remarkable career, from a suspected KGB “honey trap” in Moscow to a live TV mishap that became an early viral news moment

In Part 1 of a special two-part miniseries on Laughing Matters, Steve Cody and Paul Merchan sit down with legendary journalist Jim Hickey, an Edward R. Murrow Award winner whose career spans some of the most defining global events of the past half-century. From war zones to world leaders, Jim shares what it means to be fortunate to be where you are when history happens., while reflecting on the moments, mentors and mindset that shaped his remarkable journey—from a college radio station to the front lines of global news.

Tune in to hear Jim talk about:

• How a college mentor changed the trajectory of his career overnight
• What it was like covering the Lebanese Civil War—and an unforgettable moment with Yasser Arafat
• The reality of reporting from apartheid-era South Africa (and the disconnect with newsroom expectations back home)
• The striking contrast between Princess Diana’s royal funeral and Mother Teresa’s humble farewell
• A powerful, personal moment with Archbishop Desmond Tutu upon learning Nelson Mandela would be released

On this episode of Laughing Matters, Carmella Glover joins Paul Merchan and Steve Cody to tackle one of today’s most loaded topics with intelligence, candor and yes, a sense of humor. As President and CEO of the Diversity Action Alliance, she shares why leaders should not be afraid of clarity, why innovation depends on different perspectives and why silence can sometimes speak louder than words.

From her early days as a chemical engineer explaining complex manufacturing challenges to leading conversations around inclusion in a polarized climate, Carmella makes the case that strong leadership is less about buzzwords and more about precision, courage and humanity.

Tune in to hear Carmella talk about:

• Why “diversity” is not a controversial word and how leaders can say what they actually mean
• How innovation multiplies when different perspectives are truly in the room
• The multitasking email moment that proves even seasoned executives should proofread twice

We also wanted to flag a great virtual event on 2/24 co-hosted by the DAA, “Leading With Credibility in a Fractured Media World,” featuring Congressman Jim Clyburn. You can find more details linked here.

Entrepreneur, author, professor, podcaster and business humorist David Mammano joins Paul Merchan and Steve Cody on this episode of Laughing Matters to explore why humor and wit can take business culture to the next level. From winning comedy contests in college to advising business leaders on culture, David shares why there is inherent wisdom in bringing fun back to the workplace - and why having dance moves like Seinfeld’s Elaine didn’t stop him. Tune in to hear David talk about:

• Why AI can never replace humor, experience and wit
• His affinity for humorous insurance company campaigns 
• A story from his best-selling book about a 20-something business owner who had every one of his employees reapply for their positions
• An embarrassing personal story that proves it’s important not to skip human anatomy class

From FedEx to ITT to the classroom, Tom Martin has built a career on authenticity, wit, and mentorship. Now Executive-in-Residence at The College of Charleston, Tom joins Laughing Matters to share how humor helped him navigate global rebrands, ease the tension during meetings, and inspire the next generation of communicators.

Tune in for:

• The story behind his eponymous mentorship program for up and coming professionals
• How listening (and laughing) led to iconic rebrands
• Example of some of Tom’s favorite examples of humor in brand campaigns

What do laughter and learning have in common? According to Tony D’Angelo, Professor of Practice in Public Relations at Syracuse University’s Newhouse School, they’re both essential to building trust, engagement, and resilience in the classroom and beyond. In this episode of Laughing Matters, Tony shares how humor helps educators connect with students, why civility is in crisis, and how a self-deprecating joke turned a stressed-out student into a creative powerhouse.

Tune in for:

• How humor lowers the temperature in high-pressure classrooms and encourages productive disagreement. 
• Insights on how colleges and universities can differentiate themselves in a sea of sameness and deal with disruptive challengers like LinkedIn Learning.
• His insights on a recent study on civility in America… shameless plug, Tony will be on a panel discussing this topic at the PRSA Icon Conference on 10/29; fellow panelist and IW Chairman Bill Imada also did a recent podcast on civility. 

In this episode of Laughing Matters, recent college graduate Emilia Feltner shares how her generation is shaping the workplace, why leaders should never underestimate the power of a well-timed joke, and what she’s learning as AI reshapes the career ladder.

Tune in to learn:

• Her amazing experience interning in her mother’s native Lithuania
• What’s new with AI, Gen Z’s entrepreneurial spirit and using humor as “medicine”
• Why you should probably not leave your phone with her!

In a 24/7 newsroom, pressure is high and the headlines can be serious, but David Gaffen, Editor-in-Charge at Thomson Reuters, believes humor is essential to surviving it all. In this episode of Laughing Matters, David shares how he keeps his team grounded, why smart wordplay still has power, and what it takes to stay sharp in a chaotic media landscape.

Tune in for:

• How gallows humor keeps newsroom teams resilient under pressure
• The art of writing witty headlines without crossing the line
• A MasterClass in keeping journalism rigorous, relevant, and human

Laughing Matters will be taking a summer hiatus—we’ll be back in September with a new season full of lessons, learnings, and laughs.

What do stand-up comedy and marketing have in common? A lot more than you'd think. Just ask Matthew Bryan, Head of Marketing at Resource Capital Funds, part-time comic and full-time Steve Cody’s Nephew™. In this episode of Laughing Matters, Matthew shares how bombing on stage taught him to fail forward, how humor builds creative safety in teams, and the time he accidentally hit Reply All to make a major personal announcement.

Tune in for:

• The surprising connection between punchlines and performance marketing
• Why self-deprecating humor = professional superpower
• A workplace email snafu that taught him to think carefully before hitting send