School Of Laughs

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Latest Episodes:

CREATIVE COMEDY WITH JOSH HARRIS [225] Oct 01, 2020

Show notes

Learn how to generate creative comedy with Josh Harris. Josh is a talented, creative stand-up comedian. He expresses his vision through music, video, and sketch comedy. Josh provides a great example of how stand-up can evolve off-stage. His high energy performances are more like a one-man show in quality. With over 10 million views of his hilarious sketches online, he can definitely offer some insight for you.

Ways Josh Creates Material

Today we talk about a variety of ideas, specifically:

How he got started Overcoming addictions Jerry Farber How he develops ideas Taking twenty jokes and creating a song Using music at different points in the show Cool versus cost-effectiveness Critical advice on a cruise ship that helped him improve His commitment to writing and recording Cleaning up his act on and off stage Approaching testimony in a live comedy show Being project-based versus daily discipline The benefit of writing by pen and paper How he produces music The value of collaboration Teaching comedy classes Creating multiple full comedy shows Staying faithful always Listening to God's plan Difference between Foxworthy and Leno And much, much, more!

A little background on comedian Josh Harris

Josh was a semi-finalist on Bill Bellamy's Who's Got Jokes. In 2009 he competed in the finals of Stand Up for Diversity.

He performed a nationally televised comedy set for Bounce TV's "Off The Chain". He has also appeared on TBN, The cartoon network, and the History channel. His 2015 musical comedy album "I'm Here You're Welcome hit #3 on the iTunes comedy charts.

In 2015 he released his debut musical comedy album "I'm Here You're Welcome." It hit #3 on the iTunes comedy charts.

If you are booking a 12 step event, reach out today to set up a hilarious evening of recovery comedy your crowd will remember forever!

Josh gives all the credit to his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, the source of his peace, joy, and many blessings.

VISIT FUNNYJOSH.COM FOR MORE ON JOSH HARRIS

VISIT WWW.SCHOOLOFLAUGHS.COM FOR MORE ON COMEDY CLASSES

SWORD SWALLOWER DAN MEYER [224] Sep 15, 2020

Show notes

Sword Swallower Dan Meyer grew up as a scared, shy, skinny, wimpy kid who was teased and beat up by the bullies. He convinced himself that someday he would perform superhuman feats, DO the IMPOSSIBLE, and change the world.

And he did! Today Dan mixes danger, laughter, and swords to defy death with a smile. And as he does … he inspires audiences to do the impossible in their lives.

I first found out about Dan when he contacted me about taking the online writing course this past spring. As we talked I could tell this guy had an incredible love for life and desire to constantly up his game. My kind of dude! Then I learned even more about his sword swallowing and his accomplishments.

Dan has performed in 50 countries and was given the title of "World's TOP Sword Swallower" by Ripley's Believe It or Not.

Dan holds 40 World Records, has appeared on the Today Show, the finals of America's Got Talent, Italy's Got Talent, France's Got Talent, and Israel's Got Talent.

In 2007, Dan won the 2007 Ig Nobel Prize in Medicine at Harvard; and his viral TED Talk "Cutting through Fear" has been translated into over 80 languages as the "Most Translated TED Talk" in the world.

Dan's goal is to challenge others to think beyond the obvious, stretch beyond their limitations, dream bigger than they ever thought possible, and dare to do the impossible in their lives.

Learn more about sword swallower Dan Meyer at www.CuttingEdgeInnertainment.com

Specifically, we talk about:

Establishing a life goal or Throme
How Dan uses the rule of threes in structuring his show
Focusing on serving the audience

And much, much more!

THANKS

Thanks to our Patreon sponsor for this episode Lauren Aynsley.

OVERCOMING STAGE FRIGHT [223] Sep 01, 2020

Show notes

OVERCOMING STAGE FRIGHT

Today we make a call all the way to Scotland to talk about overcoming stage fright. Elissa Di Napoli is the best-selling author of "Dare to Be Seen" from Stage Fright to Stage Presence. She helps performing artists command the stage and magnify their presence. By doing so, they can share their gifts with their audience and shine their light on the world. She has been featured on radio, podcasts, blogs, and online magazines. As a musician and performer, she has insights on overcoming fright.

There are so many things to consider when taking the stage. We should consider a few ways to prepare before we get under the spotlight. As a hypnotherapist, she found ways to address the fear and saw results. She is as passionate about helping you deal with stage fright as she is performing.

Specifically, we talk about:

What "didn't work" for her initially
How Improvisation helps with stage fright
How to "warm-up" before a performance to take control of the situation
Being connected to your subject matter
The role of the Amygdala in processing fear
What is happening during a panic attack
The role of pre-show aerobic exercise
How to ground yourself like a tree
How diaphragmatic breathing affects the nervous system
The freedom of a "giving" mindset
How to address a show where the other performers have created a bad situation
Using disruption as an opportunity
Focusing on being in the moment

And much, much more!

FREE RESOURCES FOR SCHOOL OF LAUGHS LISTENERS!!!

Please take advantage of these offerings from Elissa!

https://hypnotichealing.co.uk/schooloflaughs (FREE BOOK)

https://hypnotichealing.co.uk/getonlinecourse (HER COURSE)

THANKS

Thanks to our Patreon sponsor for this episode Rhonda Corey. Check out her "Talk is Cheap" Show. Learn how you can support the podcast HERE.

CREATING A TV SHOW with JIM HOPE [222] Aug 15, 2020

Show notes

CREATING A TV SHOW with JIM HOPE

Today we are talking about creating a TV show with my friend Jim Hope. He's a whiz who writes, performs, and produces comedy. I first met Jim when I performed on the Henry Cho Show on Great American Country (GAC Cable TV). He was a co-writer and producer and I could tell a smart guy. I caught him again a few years later performing on the showcase for the Christian Comedy Association in Los Angeles. And then one morning I was watching the Disney Channel with my kids and his name popped up as the co-executive producer for "Dog with a Blog."

I reached out to Jim in the early phase of the COVID-19 crisis because I figured it might be the only time I could reign in the busy man. And we all benefit from the conversation. Jim gives us a lot to think about.

Jim Hope Show Notes

Specifically, we talk about:

His early goal of being a college professor just like his grandfather
How he got a little burned out with college and tried stand-up
The pros and cons of starting comedy in Los Angeles
How performing on stage is like being naked
When comedians start to "build their armor"
Opening for Tim Allen, Gilbert Gottfried, Chris Rock, and Damon Wayans
Getting tips early on from Ellen Degeneres
Why you shouldn't try to be Jerry Seinfeld
What motivates him to keep doing comedy
Developing a show for Disney Jr., and an animated adult show
Teaching at Chapman University
Creating a TV show
The types of comedy tropes
"Helpers and obstacles"
Breaking down the characters on "The Office"
The ideal length of a comedy show

And much, much more!

STORYTELLING TIPS WITH DAVE BRICKER [221] Aug 01, 2020

Show notes

I am extremely excited to share with you some storytelling tips for speakers with Dave Bricker. Dave is an experienced speaker, trainer, and coach. Even more cool is he is a sailor! In fact, he combines his love of sailing with storytelling and is able to help people tell remarkable stories—through writing, speaking, graphic design, video, technology, and music. If you want to say it, share it, or sell it, bring me your story; Dave can help you tell it.

I talk with Dave about how speakers and comedians can use storytelling to get their points across. It's interesting to hear how Dave uses the sea as a metaphor to help people learn how to get their messages and stores told.

By the time Dave graduated college, he was living aboard his own tiny sailboat. Soon after graduation, he set sail for the Bahamas with a locker full of food and dreams … and $40 in his pocket.

[Thanks to Ray Price for being the Patreon sponsor for this episode. Learn more about the benefits of sponsoring at www.SchoolOflaughs.com/Patreon.]

His voyages took him up and down the Bahamas, up the east coast of the US to Chesapeake Bay, and across the Atlantic to Gibraltar. He ran aground, dealt with mechanical breakdowns, got seasick more than once, slept in a volcano, survived powerful storms, and returned to the land of clocks and calendars with characters and stories of his own. This rich background makes him an incredible resource and an expert of storytelling tips for speakers.

Some of my favorite speakers are excellent at telling stories. If you love this style of comedy be sure to listen to my interview with Jeanne Robertson.

STORYTELLING TIPS WITH DAVE BRICKER

We get into the nitty gritty of storytelling. Specifically we talk about:

How sailing is probably safer than your daily commute
The characters you meet in a marina
How to sleep standing up while captaining a boat
Tips on noting characters and stories in the moment
How a story represents a journey from conflict to transformation
Why anti-smoking ads fail
Why you don't want to have an unfinished symphony
What speaking is really about (clue – it isn't YOU)
The freedom that comes with knowing the difference between storytelling and journalism
What to include in a story
What you should leave out of a story
Steps along the arc of a story
Why conflict should be authentic and believable
Why struggles are key for you and your audience
Why great stories should have a clear outcome

This podcast is a production of www.SchoolOfLaughs.com (c)(p)

COLLEGE COMEDY WITH ERIC O'SHEA [EP 220] Jul 15, 2020

Show notes

On this episode we are talking college comedy with Eric O'Shea. Colleges have entertainment budgets and seek out comedians, bands and other performers to fill their schedule. Could you fill your schedule with college work?

Eric breaks down what you need in terms of material, personality, flexibility and longevity.

If you are curious what it takes to break into the college comedy scene this is a great listen! Our guest shares insight on the National Association For Activities . He reveals what it takes to connect with 18-21 year olds year after year. Even as you get into your 50's. In this episode "College comedy with Eric O'Shea " he also discuss the magic that can happen at a NACA regional conference.

And if you want to learn more about the college market, be sure to listen to Episode 149 Summit Comedy Inc. . On that episode I discuss the college market from the perspective a college agent with Chuck Johnson.

College Comedy with Eric O'Shea Show Notes

We discuss a lot, including ...

How a guy calling Bingo numbers inspired his comedy career
His niche within the niche of the college market
Embracing the need to be clean and respectful and still generate laughs
Connecting with a younger audience
The types of kids who typically show up at a college gig
A gig we did together in Victoria British Columbia
What he likes about Savannah, GA and Billings, MT
Being a positive role model
Writing a book about college comedy

and a whole lot more!

Thanks to Wayne Fitzpatrick, our Patreon sponsor for this episode. If you would like to supportive podcast through a small, recurring monthly donation check out THIS LINK.

CLASSES AVAILABLE ONLINE

Remember you can always jump into a stand-up comedy writing course online through the school of laughs. Just click the online comedy classes link to learn more.

This podcast is a production of The Rik Roberts School of Laughs. www.SchoolofLaughs.com

CHRIS WINELAND - THE GREAT HECKLE [219] Jul 01, 2020

Show notes

Today I talk with Chris Wineland, the author of "The Great Heckle." Chris popped on my radar when her performed on the Huckabee show in Nashville.

He's a busy guy. He has written for Emmy Nominated "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon." Pursuing his love of late night comedy, Chris co-created the acclaimed Christian late night show "Next Week with Jeff Durbin."Most recently, Chris can be heard on the #1 weekend radio show to 6 million listeners on "The Kim Komando Show."

We cover more than just the book in the interview, way more.

Specifically we talk about:

CHRIS WINELAND SHOW NOTES

Making your social media a bigger focus
Going from 62 to 5000 followers on Instagram in three
Putting jokes out online
The power of having social proof in a big city
His Starbucks sensitivity training parody video
MEMES as a form of comedy
Digging your own niche trench
Overproduced videos versus authenticity
The benefit of having internet trolls
First comedy special
https://bit.ly/ChrisWinelandYoutube his free comedy special
Creating your own content
Producing your own event
How he got his gig on the Kim Commando show
Next Week with Jeff Durbin
Taking classes with Second City
Why his book took five years to write
Jesus was the greatest performer
Five ways comedians can be like Jesus

Follow Chris! You can click through all his socials at: linktr.ee/chriswinelandcomedy

(c)(p) School of Laughs

MESSING WITH MOODY MOLAVI [EP.218] Jun 15, 2020

Show notes

MOODY MOLAVI joins us today to talk comedy. Specifically we talk about:

MOODY MOLAVI SHOW NOTES

Getting started in Chattanooga Crashing cars and motorcycles Learning about trigger words in a joke Using his background for stage material His desire to perform for the military Doing his DryBar comedy special Going on the road with Killer Baez

and much, much more!

The Patreon sponsor for the episode is Bo Shuster.

To learn how you can support the podcast go to www.SchoolOflaughs.com /Patreon.

Learn more about Moody at www.MoodyMolavi.com

CHANGE YOUR STORY with DAN LeFAVE [EP. 217] Jun 01, 2020

Show notes

On today's podcast I talk with Dan LeFave. Dan is a business success coach for experienced and motivated entrepreneurs at the "Shortcut To Success".

Dan's specialty is empowering six and seven figure business owners to shift from being overwhelmed & disorganized to in control & systematized. He can help you focus on Business Mindset, Strategic Productivity, Business Growth & Systemization.

Dan LeFave discusses following your gut and exploring opportunities. New paths can lead to new skills. New skills can prepare you for the next stage in your growth as an entrepreneur.

We discuss his journey from university all the way to where he is today teaching and coaching people to play to the top of their game through taking strategic actions. As a father of three, prioritizing and strategizing comes in handy at home as well at work.

Dan LeFave shares how mindset and beliefs can be changed to create new direction and success.

Dan LeFave Show Notes

Among many things, we talk about the following:

Learning customer service working for his Dad, a butcher
Working at a large telecom company he handled $25 million projects
How a parental leave with his second child led to a mindset shift
The impact of Og Mandino and the Ten Scrolls
Dave Blanchard https://ogmandino.com/about-us/
How Bob Proctor helped lead him into coaching
Co-authoring Stepping Stones to Success
Why reasoning is different from the other five mental faculties
How we reflect our childhood experiences (good or bad)
How to re-write our story if it isn't headed where we want
Looking for new streams of revenue
The emotional cycle of change developed
Habit Gravity
Our inner and outer "worlds"
How you can get his free tool the profitable progression planner.

And much, much more!

FREE GIFT!!!

Dan has gifted my listeners with a free profitable progression planner. Go here to sign up and download this great tool today!

danlefave.com/profitableplanner

Learn more about Dan LeFave at www.DanLefave.com

SAVE ON ALL CLASSES THROUGH JUNE 30, 2020!!!

The Online Stand-Up Comedy Writing course is for anyone who wants to earn how to write stand-up comedy. Whether you are starting from square one, or trying to become better at the craft this is the best course for you! Class levels vary depending on the amount of interaction you wish with the instructor. Full descriptions available by clicking HERE.

The Master Laughter Class is designed for speakers who want to add more humor to their programs. You'll learn specific formulas and strategies to punch up your program, kick up your keynote or supercharge your sermon with laughs. Class levels vary depending on the amount of interaction you wish with the instructor. Full descriptions at MasterLaughterClass.com

HOW COVID-19 AFFECTS COMEDY AROUND THE WORLD [216] May 15, 2020

Show notes

Since the COVID-19 virus popped on the scene live entertainment has taken a major blow. Who can crowd surf with ten people spread six feet apart anyway? Comedy has taken the punch and has had difficulty delivering the punchline back. Entertainers in every country are affected. But are they all affected the same way? Today I get to speak with folks from six different countries to see how COVID-19 has directly impacted them. I share a little from my perspective here in the USA as we talk.

All the folks on the show have either taken a course from the SCHOOL OF LAUGHS, or I met through the podcast. The only exception is our first guest. My friend Miggy lives in China about nine hours East of the Wuhan wet markets where this all started. Mig was a comedian at the very first show I ever did. We were later roommates. He's always been the smartest guy I know and is now a teacher in China.

In all we cover over 32 thousand miles / or nearly 52 thousand kilometers on the podcast today!

Thanks to our Patreon sponsor for this episode Club 52 member Victoria Day.

We cover a lot in this episode, including …

HOW COVID-19 AFFECTS COMEDY SHOW NOTES:

How comedians are still being creative during COIVD-19
Using social media, memes, Tik-Tok to lighten things up
China's big expectation for the virus later this year
The comedy scenes in Sydney and Melbourne, Australia
Starting comedy right when the doors closed to shows
A peek into Australian health care
How one comedian wrote a book to help people cope with the lockdown
The New Zealand comedy scene
The difficulty in doing online comedy zoom shows, etc.,
Poland's growing comedy scene
One thing comedy is good for across the globe
A bit about the Comedy International Conference
Amsterdams pre-Covid 19 comedy boom
Insight into the Edinburg Fringe Festival
The abundance of comedy stages in England
Handling kids in quarantine

And a whole lot more!

Learn more about our guests ...

Laura Bruce's book "Lockdown Living" check out the Amazon link: https://amzn.to/351gcYO
Martin Huburn visit www.martinhuburn.comor follow him on Twitter @mhuburn
Martin mentioned two of his favorite English comedians Darren Harriott and Joe Lycett
Josh Liston check out his website https://JCALdigital.org
Joshua Wildenberg visit his website: www.CausticComedy.com
Kamil Maleszyk mentioned several of Poland's best comedians. Including Rafal Paczes, Lukas Lotek Lotowski, Mateusz Soha, Abelard Giza, and Stand-Up Polska

SAVE ON ALL CLASSES THROUGH JUNE 30, 2020!!!

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