17. A 61-Year-Old Republican Congressman Walks Into a Liberal Harvard Dorm… From Congress, Comedy, to Harvard: A Conversation with Ric Keller

26. From Broadway to Boardrooms: The Power of Going Full Out | Wendee Lee Curtis

What can Broadway teach us about leadership, teamwork, psychological safety, and high performance? A lot more than you might expect. In this episode of Laugh or Death, Paul Osincup sits down with Wendee Lee Curtis, a Broadway performer turned broadcaster, live event emcee, moderator, and keynote speaker. Wendee made her Broadway debut in Play On, toured with Mamma Mia, and has performed at Carnegie Hall, Radio City Music Hall, and Lincoln Center. Today, she helps Fortune 500 teams connect, perform, and bring more of their unique gifts to work. Wendee shares the story of auditioning for Mamma Mia even though she believed she was completely wrong for the production—and then being asked to understudy a major comedic role despite not believing she was funny. When the moment came to perform, she was terrified. But a director's belief in her helped Wendee step onto the stage and discover a part of herself she had never fully recognized. Paul and Wendee also explore the Broadway principle of going "full out": bringing everything you have to the performance instead of holding your best gifts in reserve. They discuss what that principle can teach leaders about: • Unlocking overlooked talent • Creating psychological safety • Helping employees work in their zone of excellence • Building a strong and resilient bench • Supporting people through first-time experiences • Taking imperfect action during uncertainty • Replacing "That's not my job" with "The show must go on" • Creating cultures where everyone contributes to the team's success Wendee also explains why Broadway gives understudies tremendous respect, how casts support someone performing a role for the first time, and why the success of one person ultimately belongs to the entire ensemble. And yes, the conversation ends with the unexpectedly intimate reality of completing a 57-second Broadway costume change before rising onto the stage like a rock star. Learn more about Wendee Lee Curtis and her keynote, emcee, and moderation work at WendeeLeeCurtis.com. 🎙 Subscribe to Laugh or Death for more smart, meaningful, and actually funny conversations about humor, leadership, resilience, workplace culture, and human connection. 00:00 Meet Wendee Lee Curtis 00:54 What Makes a Theater Kid Weird? 01:32 True Crime, Homicide Detectives, and Wendee's Dark Side 03:35 Wendee's Gift for Seeing Other People's Genius 05:25 Growing Up Destined for the Stage 08:18 Training for a Career in Musical Theater 09:12 Why Wendee Never Needed to Be the Star 10:55 The Mamma Mia Audition She Was Completely Wrong For 13:12 Discovering a Talent She Didn't Know She Had 14:14 Terrified to Perform as the Understudy 15:01 "You're Hilarious"—The Belief That Changed Everything 17:06 Why Commitment Beats Confidence 18:01 Testing the Limits of What You Can Do 20:12 Using Physicality to Get Out of Your Head 21:54 Sponsor: Caveman to Casanova 23:14 How Improv Helps Us Take Imperfect Action 25:10 The Broadway Principle of Going Full Out 26:33 Your Employees Are Waiting for Permission 28:00 How Leaders Can Unlock Hidden Talent 29:07 Working in Your Zone of Excellence 29:57 What Broadway Understudies Teach Us About Resilience 30:39 "I've Got Your Back"—The Power of Ensemble Teams 32:02 Why Your Teammate's Success Is Also Yours 33:24 Every Employee Shapes the Customer Experience 35:46 The Broadway Ritual Every Workplace Should Borrow 37:30 Supporting People Through Their First Time 38:13 Why Talented Employees Eventually Leave 39:57 Stop Giving People a Muted Version of Their Job 40:46 Clarity, Collaboration, and Creative Freedom 44:11 How Great Teams Take You Beyond Your Limits 44:42 The Most Humbling 57 Seconds on Broadway 47:08 Connect With Wendee Lee Curtis

Paul's Shorts: Be a Thermostat, Not a Thermometer | One Mindset Shift That Changes Everything

Are you reacting to life... or leading it? In this clip from the Laugh or Death Podcast, Paul Osincup shares one of his favorite lessons from positive psychology: Be a thermostat, not a thermometer. A thermometer simply reflects the temperature around it. A thermostat changes the environment. The same is true for us. Instead of letting difficult circumstances, challenging people, or stressful situations dictate your attitude, you can learn to intentionally influence the atmosphere around you. Whether you're a leader, parent, entrepreneur, or simply trying to become a happier person, this simple mindset shift can change the way you approach work and life. Subscribe for new episodes every Wednesday on leadership, humor, happiness, and living a more resilient life. LINKS Thanks to our Sponsor! Download Caveman to Casanova: https://www.cavemantocasanova.com [https://www.cavemantocasanova.com] App Store: Caveman to Casanova App - App Store [https://apps.apple.com/us/app/caveman-to-casanova/id6752959430] https://apps.apple.com/us/app/caveman-to-casanova/id6752959430 [https://apps.apple.com/us/app/caveman-to-casanova/id6752959430] Google Play: Caveman to Casanova - Apps on Google Play [https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.pash.c2c&utm_source=na_Med] https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.pash.c2c&utm_source=na_Med [https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.pash.c2c&utm_source=na_Med] FREE GIFT! Download the Fun Over Funny Guide For Leaders! https://www.paulosincup.com/freegift [https://www.paulosincup.com/freegift] All Links For Paul: https://stan.store/PaulOsincup [https://stan.store/PaulOsincup]

25. The Science of Happiness: 3 Habits That Actually Work

Can you actually train yourself to become happier? According to science, the answer is yes. In this solo episode of Laugh or Death, keynote speaker and comedian Paul Osincup shares three science-backed happiness habits that can help increase your overall happiness—not just for a moment, but over the long term. Drawing from years of work with Delivering Happiness and research from experts like Shawn Achor, Sonja Lyubomirsky, and Harvard's Study of Adult Development, Paul explains why happiness is more like a climate than today's weather and how small daily habits can completely change the way you experience life. You'll learn: * Why happiness is more within your control than you think. * The three habits that consistently increase wellbeing. * How to overcome your brain's negativity bias. * Why gratitude and connection matter so much. * How celebrating progress creates momentum. * The lessons Paul learned after losing nearly everything in a house fire. Whether you're a leader, entrepreneur, or simply someone who wants to enjoy life a little more, this episode is packed with practical ideas you can start using today. 👍 If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe for new episodes every Wednesday.

Shorts: The 5 Foundations Every Comedian's Brand Needs

Being funny isn't enough anymore. Today's comedians have to be performers, marketers, business owners, and content creators all at the same time. In this episode of Laugh or Death, Paul sits down with David Uribe, founder of The Comedy Branding Agency, to explore how comedians can build a memorable brand that gets them booked, grows loyal fans, and creates income beyond the stage. Along the way, they share stories about bombing on stage, writing jokes for pastors, finding your authentic voice, and why humor is one of the most powerful marketing tools available. Whether you're a comedian, speaker, creator, or entrepreneur, you'll leave with practical branding strategies that apply far beyond comedy. You'll learn: * How to stand out in a crowded industry * The five branding foundations every comedian needs * Why social media isn't enough * How to create superfans instead of casual followers * Ways to monetize your audience beyond performing * Why your unique personality is your greatest competitive advantage Links: Thanks to our Sponsor! Download Caveman to Casanova: https://www.cavemantocasanova.com [https://www.cavemantocasanova.com] App Store: Caveman to Casanova App - App Store [https://apps.apple.com/us/app/caveman-to-casanova/id6752959430] https://apps.apple.com/us/app/caveman-to-casanova/id6752959430 [https://apps.apple.com/us/app/caveman-to-casanova/id6752959430] Google Play: Caveman to Casanova - Apps on Google Play [https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.pash.c2c&utm_source=na_Med] https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.pash.c2c&utm_source=na_Med [https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.pash.c2c&utm_source=na_Med] FREE GIFT! Download the Fun Over Funny Guide For Leaders! https://www.paulosincup.com/freegift [https://www.paulosincup.com/freegift] If you enjoyed this episode and want to build your own humor habit, make sure to follow the podcast and share it with someone who could use a little more levity in their life. To learn more about Paul's work, book him for speaking engagements, or explore the science behind humor and resilience, visit: 👉 https://www.paulosincup.com [https://www.paulosincup.com/] You can also dive deeper into the tools discussed in this episode in Paul's book: 👉 The Humor Habit All Links For Paul: https://stan.store/PaulOsincup [https://stan.store/PaulOsincup] Guest Socials & Website: Connect with David: https://comedybranding.com [https://comedybranding.com]

24. How Branding Can Make or Break a Comedy Career: The Business of Being Funny

Most comedians spend years perfecting their jokes. Very few spend that same amount of time building a brand. In this episode, I sit down with David Uribe, founder of The Comedy Branding Agency, to talk about why being funny is only half the battle. If people can't find you online—or don't immediately understand what makes you different—you'll always be fighting an uphill battle. David has one of the most unique jobs I've ever heard of: helping comedians build brands that get them seen, booked, and paid. We dive into why so many talented comics remain overlooked while creators with only a few minutes of material sell out clubs simply because they've mastered marketing. Along the way we swap bombing stories (because every comic has them), talk about why pain eventually becomes material, and discuss how humor helps us navigate some of life's hardest moments. David also shares the five foundations every comedian—and honestly every personal brand—should build before worrying about merch, viral videos, or fancy marketing tactics. Whether you're a comedian, speaker, entrepreneur, or anyone trying to stand out online, this conversation is packed with practical ideas you can apply immediately. In this episode we discuss: * David's unusual path from writing jokes for pastors to branding comedians * Why bombing on stage is a rite of passage * How comedians can discover what truly makes them unique * The surprising connection between comedy and great marketing * Why your website matters more than most creators realize * The biggest mistake comics make with social media * Why every performer needs an email list * The difference between fans and superfans * Building offers that generate income beyond live performances * Finding the audience that will become lifelong supporters If you've ever wondered why some incredibly talented people stay hidden while others seem to explode overnight, this episode explains why—and what you can do about it. Links: Thanks to our Sponsor! Download Caveman to Casanova: https://www.cavemantocasanova.com [https://www.cavemantocasanova.com] App Store: Caveman to Casanova App - App Store [https://apps.apple.com/us/app/caveman-to-casanova/id6752959430] https://apps.apple.com/us/app/caveman-to-casanova/id6752959430 [https://apps.apple.com/us/app/caveman-to-casanova/id6752959430] Google Play: Caveman to Casanova - Apps on Google Play [https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.pash.c2c&utm_source=na_Med] https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.pash.c2c&utm_source=na_Med [https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.pash.c2c&utm_source=na_Med] FREE GIFT! Download the Fun Over Funny Guide For Leaders! https://www.paulosincup.com/freegift [https://www.paulosincup.com/freegift] If you enjoyed this episode and want to build your own humor habit, make sure to follow the podcast and share it with someone who could use a little more levity in their life. To learn more about Paul's work, book him for speaking engagements, or explore the science behind humor and resilience, visit: 👉 https://www.paulosincup.com [https://www.paulosincup.com/] You can also dive deeper into the tools discussed in this episode in Paul's book: 👉 The Humor Habit All Links For Paul: https://stan.store/PaulOsincup [https://stan.store/PaulOsincup] Guest Socials & Website: Connect with David: https://comedybranding.com [https://comedybranding.com] Episode Minute-By-Minute: 01:00 David's Weird Talent: Writing Jokes for Pastors 03:10 How David Found Comedy Branding 05:00 Combining Design, Marketing & Stand-Up 09:20 The Pain of Bombing on Stage 12:30 Being "The Funny Guy" 15:00 Finding Your Authentic Comedy Voice 18:00 Why Great Marketing Feels Like Great Comedy 20:45 Humor During Difficult Seasons of Life 23:20 Sponsor: Caveman to Casanova 24:40 Turning Pain Into Material 27:40 Helping Comedians Build Their Brand 30:00 Why Great Comics Still Struggle Online 33:00 The Five Foundations of Comedy Branding 39:00 Finding Your Ideal Audience 43:00 Final Advice for Comedians & Creators