Science still can’t explain exactly what makes something funny- joy, surprise, insight, embarrassment, and fear can all elicit laughter, but WHYYYYY??? Host Abby Wambaugh, probably the only person in the world imprudent enough to get a degree in Humor and Social Change, will talk to comedians, writers, cartoonists, psychologists, and scientists to explore what makes us, (and them!) laugh and why. We’re doing it for science! For human understanding! And also to improve our host’s stand-up set.
Liz Miele talks about her 20 years in Comedy, why everyone but ferret people can get behind her new book, and what it's like to start as a comic when your parents chaperoning.
1 Jul 2021
Rachel Playe and Peter Salomone laugh with Maggie the dog
Herb Farmer Rachel Playe, Mike Birbiglia's co-producer Peter Salomone, and tiny-waisted doggie Maggie are the cutest family in Rhode Island. They talk about what makes them laugh, Zoom-era stand-up, helicopter dog-parenting, and Pandemic giggle ratios.
18 Jun 2021
Sarah Hutto is Writing Funny Stuff
Abby talks to Humor Writer Sarah Hutto (From The New Yorker, McSweeney's and Reductress) about writing humor, running, not running, and the cable guy.
12 Jun 2021
Dr. Emily Anhalt is so good at Taboo
Abby talks to her friend, Dr. Emily Anhalt-a clinical Psychologist, founder of mental health gym Coa, and generally funny person-about Taboo (the game and the concept!), eavesdropping, and how laughter makes us feel connected.
4 Jun 2021
Dr. Madan Kataria and Laughter Yoga
Abby talks to medical doctor and the founder of Laughter Yoga, Dr. Madan Kataria, about the physical benefits of laughter, laughter yoga, and the difference between laughter and humor.
28 May 2021
Bobbie Oliver is Embracing the Pauses
Abby interviews Bobbie Oliver about her career in comedy and the relationship between laughter and silence. Bobbie has been a stand up comedian for over 30 years, is the author of "The Tao of Comedy, Embrace the Pause," is the owner of the Tao Comedy Studio in LA, and the organizer of feminist comedy festival, Laugh Riot Grrrl. She's no slouch!
22 May 2021
Start at the Very Babe-gining: Dr. Caspar Addyman on Why Babies Laugh
Abby interviews Dr. Caspar Addyman, Baby Laughter Scientist and Director of the Goldsmiths Infant Lab and learns about what makes babies laugh and what purposes laughter might serve.
21 Apr 2021
Why We Laugh Trailer
Trailer Music is Carefree to Careful by Podington Bear
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