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

Paul's Shorts: The Broadway Rule That Could Transform Your Team with Wendee Lee Curtis

What if your team's biggest untapped advantage is already sitting in the room? In this clip from Laugh or Death, Broadway performer, keynote speaker, and emcee Wendee Lee Curtis shares one of the most powerful lessons she learned from performing on Broadway: go full out. On Broadway, performers are encouraged to bring every gift, every strength, and every ounce of creativity they have to the stage. Wendee believes the same should be true in the workplace. Too often, employees hold back ideas, talents, and abilities simply because no one has given them permission to use them. Paul and Wendee discuss how great leaders create environments where people feel safe to contribute, why psychological safety unlocks better performance, and how organizations can uncover incredible talent that's been there all along. Whether you're leading a team, building a business, or simply looking to become a better leader, this conversation will change the way you think about bringing out the best in people. 🎙 Watch the full episode of Laugh or Death with Wendee Lee Curtis for more lessons on leadership, teamwork, and the Broadway mindset that can transform your organization. All Links For Paul: https://stan.store/PaulOsincup [https://stan.store/PaulOsincup]

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]