Ever wondered what comedians and mental health have in common? Is it ever appropriate to make jokes at a funeral? And what does it look like to find humor in dark times? Our guests this week answer these questions and more as we discover the importance of humor and how it affects our mental health.
In this week’s episode, my co-host and President of Positive Recovery Centers, Julie DeNofa, and I speak with comedians, Andy Huggins and Mike Peterson.
Andy Huggins is a graduate of both The Comedy Store in Los Angeles and Houston’s renowned Comedy Workshop. Andy has worked with acts ranging from Ray Charles, Billy Gardell, Jeff Foxworthy to Dick Gregory. He has played comedy clubs, jazz clubs, corporate gigs, AA conventions, and has entertained our troops stationed in Japan. In the mid-1980s he was a member of The Texas Outlaw Comics whose legendary performances are still celebrated today. Andy also appears in the acclaimed documentary ‘American: The Bill Hicks Story’. He has written for Bill Hicks, Jay Leno, and Billy Crystal at The Academy Awards. Andy is one of the most sought-after comedians in Texas and a comedy staple since 1981. Last year he had an outstanding appearance on America’s Got Talent. Andy turned sixty sometime in his early thirties. At long, happy last, age, attitude, and comedy has come together at the same time.
Mike Peterson is a retired Sergeant from the City of West University Police Department in Houston after 20 years of service. Prior to that Mike spent 3 years in the U.S. Army Military Police. Mike has been performing standup comedy for 21 years. He has appeared on ABC, The View and was a finalist in Ed McMahon’s Next Big Star contest as well as a past finalist in Houston’s Funniest Comedian contest. Mike has shared the stage with such luminaries as Jay Leno, Michael Winslow, Frank Caliendo and Anjelah Johnson, Kathleen Madigan, and Richard Lewis to name a few. Mike has also opened for Grammy award legend Glen Campbell and has had the honor of traveling overseas to Iraq and Kuwait twice to perform for our U.S. military troops. Mike also performs at comedy clubs, casinos, colleges, corporate events including police banquets.
Join us this week as we dive into how laughter can be a great form of medicine and what it means to live a life of gratitude.
Topics Discussed
- What comedians and health have in common
- Understanding laughter as a form of medicine
- How to shift your focus away from the troubles of this world
- Learning to live a life of gratitude and thankfulness
- What it looks like to lean into your strengths
- The importance of knowing your audience
- How walking slows the progression of cognitive decline
---
Connect with Positive Recovery MD Podcast
- Website: https://www.positiverecoverymd.com
- Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/577870242872032
Connect with Positive Recovery Centers online
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/positiverecoverycenters/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PositiveRecoveryCenters/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/positiverecoverycenters/
Contact Positive Recovery Centers If you or someone you know needs help, visit the website or call the number below to schedule a free assessment. We are here to help.
- Call: 877-476-2743
- Address: 902 West Alabama Street Houston, Texas 77006
- Website: https://positiverecovery.com
- Services: https://positiverecovery.com/services/
- FAQ: https://positiverecovery.com/faq/
--- About Positive Recovery MD Podcast
The Positive Recovery MD podcast is hosted by Dr. Jason Powers, Addiction Medicine Specialist and creator of Positive Recovery.
This podcast will not only inspire and motivate its listeners, it will provide the tools and foundation needed to thrive and flourish on their addiction recovery journey. Each week the Positive Recovery MD podcast community will come together to have authentic conversations around addiction, recovery and what matters – growth & progress, not perfection, all while developing positive habits for your life.
To join the community, visit https://www.positiverecoverymd.com to sign up to receive the daily Positive Intervention that we’ll review, as well as gain access to EXCLUSIVE Positive Recovery content available only to Positive Recovery MD listeners.
About Positive Recovery Centers
Positive Recovery Centers is a strengths-based addiction treatment program with locations across Texas. We offer a full continuum of care, from medical detox to sober living all supported by an ever-growing alumni community network.
Our evidence-based curriculum blends the best of the old with the new, all supporting our mission: that Recovery is best pursued when meaningful, intentional positive habits are formed through empowerment and resilience instead of negativity and shame.
What is Positive Recovery? Empathy and compassion drive our mission. Positive Recovery uses strengths as a pathway to help others flourish in recovery, at work, and at home. This is our core purpose, our “why.” We creatively apply science in order to improve outcomes. Positive Recovery is not wishful thinking, it is not a magic pill, and it is not self-help.
Positive Recovery is an evidence-based addiction curriculum that links the best of the old with the new, integrating existing effective approaches to treatment with interventions that enhance well-being by cultivating its components: positive emotions, engagement, relationships, meaning, and achievement.
