Hello, everyone. My name is Joanne Lockwood and I'm your host for the Inclusion Bites podcast. In this series, I have interviewed a number of amazing people and simply had a conversation around the subject of inclusion, belonging and generally making the world a better place for everyone to thrive. If you'd like to join me in the future, then please do drop me a line to jo.Lockwood@seechangehappen.co.uk. That's S-E-E Change Happen dot Co dot Uk. You can catch up with all of the previous shows on iTunes, Spotify and the usual places. So plug in your headphones, grab a decaf and let's get going.
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Laughter as a Lens
The Inclusion Bites Podcast
Laughter as a Lens
JL
Speaker
Joanne Lockwood
BS
Speaker
Beth Sherman
00:00 Joanne hosts Inclusion Bites podcast, join in. 05:08 Writing, stand up, TV work, speech writing.
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Highlights
“Finding Humour in Speech Writing Quote: "A lot of very smart people delivering Ted talks, helping them not sound like a robot, but finding a way to be authentically funny, because there's nothing worse than listening to someone shoehorn in a joke that clearly has nothing to do with them or their personality.”
“It must be doubly difficult, if you have that anxiety about speaking anyway, to add some of yourself, some of your humour in there, because you're so focusing on the content or what you've got to try and say, or being professional or creating a great impression that you can't relax into it.”
“Well, there's that great Seinfeld joke about the fear of public speaking, where that it's one of the biggest fears, which means that at a funeral, most people would rather be the person in the coffin rather than the one delivering the eulogy.”
“And everyone's going, wow, that's fantastic.”
“To me personally, unless everyone in the room is laughing, it's not funny.”
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Full transcript
Today is episode 99 with the title laughter as a lens, and I have the absolute honour and privilege to welcome Beth Sherman. Now, Beth is a multi Emmy award winning comedy writer and speaker on the power of humour for human connection. When I asked Beth to describe her superpower, she said, she can make you funny even if you don't think you are. Hello, Beth. Welcome to the show.
Hi, Jo. Thanks for having me.
I should actually say, welcome back to the show. You have the honour of being my first repeat guest because we had such terrible Internet troubles last time that we had to basically write the entire soundtrack off. It just wasn't usable, was it?
No. And it was all the fault of my Internet. We disconnected from Zoom. My spotty Internet disconnected from Zoom seven times. I had just moved and the Internet was not properly set up. So BT had given me sort of an interim device that did not work as so. But you know what, in show business, they say, bad dress rehearsal, great show, great show. It was a terrible dress rehearsal.
But in the spirit of this conversation, laugh was a lens. We did have quite a laugh, despite the problems. And it was like a real outtakes blooper reel, wasn't it?
At times, it really is, but that's what humour does. It is quick connection and being able to laugh at yourself, being able to laugh at the situation. Yeah, I guess we both could have just gotten angrier and angrier. I mean, there was part of it, but at a certain point you just have to look at each other and roll your eyes and laugh. I mean, it was absurd. The first time it was uncomfortable. The second time, it was awkward. The third time it's just silly.
But that is connection. I mean, are you going to forget that taping? I know I'm not. I'll try.
Maybe we will publish a bloopers reel at some point, but it was a cross between going through a tunnel on a mobile phone and an episode of Doctor who with the Daleks trying to exterminate somebody. It was a really broken up conversation. Every so often you'd freeze. And I was thinking, are you going to come back or aren't you going to come back? And it's comedy genius.
Well, and it became a talking point for us. It became a way to. Well, it's become a reference for us. I mean, I'm sure when we run into each other again, it will come up. It becomes a shared experience, so why not turn a negative into a positive?
Yeah. So you're an Emmy award winning writer. Tell us a bit about your background and how you got here today to.
The second bedroom where we're recording this. Where I'm recording this. We're not in a bedroom together. Well, I am a comedy writer by trade. I fell in love with the idea of writing comedy for television from the time I realised it was a job. And I can actually remember that because I was about 15, I watched a behind the scenes news programme on a sitcom that I loved, and they weren't focusing on the cast behind the scenes. They showed us a magical place called the writers room. And it was just ten guys sitting around a conference table being funny.
And they got paid for it and it was a job and it was guys, mostly guys at the time. But as soon as I realised that was a job, it's the only thing I ever wanted to do. And I'd been obsessed with stand up, so I just always had an ear for comedy. I went to university, I moved to Los Angeles. I'm born and raised in Philadelphia, nowhere near show business, nowhere anything like that. I moved to Los Angeles after college to go follow my dreams. I didn't know anyone except a woman that I'd gone to college with. And I started at the bottom, getting coffee, making copies.
I started as a production assistant, worked my way up to writer's assistant, and then eventually started getting paid writing jobs on tv shows. And I found my tribe. It was my place and I absolutely loved it. I did that for. Well, I'm still doing that. That's 27 years. And along the way, I didn't have the courage to do stand up myself, even though I was in love with it. I didn't really find the courage to do that until I'd had a few professional comedy writing jobs under my belt.
And I also found myself writing for a lot of comedians who pushed me to try stand up myself. So within that career, I also did 15 years of stand up and about six or seven years ago, because the nature of tv work is it's freelance. So sometimes the jobs last three years or five years and sometimes they're ten weeks and quite a bit of them were ten weeks. And to fill some of that period in between, I started writing for doing speech writing for non entertainment professionals. So helping people who were doing TED talks or delivering sea level executives, delivering speeches, helping them make their speeches funnier and more engaging. A lot of very smart people delivering Ted talks, helping them not sound like a robot, but finding a way to be authentically funny, because there's nothing worse than listening to someone shoehorn in a joke that clearly has nothing to do with them or their personality. So I also fell in love with that side of it. I just love bringing humour into the world and working one to one with a lot of these speech writing clients made me realise that a lot of the things I do instinctively and my friends and colleagues do instinctively does not come instinctively to other people.
I've been working as a professional comedy writer since I'm in that world since I was 20 years old. So I just assume everyone thinks that way, but they don't. And as I was explaining over and over again to one to one clients, or pointing out these comedic opportunities in the material they'd written, and again, not trying to make them into stand up comedians, just trying to make that quarterly report or the TED talk, just give it a little bit of humour, a little bit of balance to some serious subjects. I realised that I had something to teach and to share. And so I've now started speaking on the subject and talking about humour as a tool for quick connection.
There's a massive fear of public speaking, let alone professional speaking. It's even got its own term, glossophobia, fear of public speaking. And it's one of the biggest kind of anxieties that most human beings can face in their life, actually having to stand up on stage or stand up in public, or even stand in front of a room of your team and speak. It must be doubly difficult, if you have that anxiety about speaking anyway, to add some of yourself, some of your humour in there, because you're so focusing on the content or what you've got to try and say, or being professional or creating a great impression that you can't relax into it. So how do you help people overcome that fear of public speaking and therefore embrace their comedic self or humorous self?
Well, there's that great Seinfeld joke about the fear of public speaking, where that it's one of the biggest fears, which means that at a funeral, most people would rather be the person in the coffin rather than the one delivering the eulogy. But to me, what takes away some of that fear of public speaking, one, like the fear of doing anything, is preparation. So knowing that you have good material to deliver helps. And when I work one to one with people who. Well, and also, again, adding humour to something isn't just about trying to make someone a stand up comedian. So if someone is getting up to give a best man speech or a father of the bride speech, I work with a lot of clients doing those. A great way to add humour is just to be yourself and add authenticity. So if I've got someone who's terrified and they're giving a speech where it's going to be so distracting to them and to the audience, where their nerves will be a massive distraction, not just to them, but to the audience, people will really see them and see how nervous they are, you have to acknowledge it.
So give them a joke. I mean, give them something that sounds like. I have to be honest, I'm not comfortable speaking in public. It's not my favourite thing to do. So if I pass out from nerves, just drag me back to my seat when I come to tell me I was great. And it's the kind of thing, it's just acknowledge. It's a dialogue. When you're up on a stage in front of people, whatever it is that you're doing, it's a dialogue.
So let the other half of. Let the other party in the conversation know how you're feeling. And if you're nervous, you don't always have to acknowledge it. Sometimes it's just kind of that little adrenaline rush. But if it's the elephant in the room and it's something that's going to be a distraction to yourself so that you can't get the words out or to your audience, you don't want them sitting there thinking, oh, that poor guy. Oh, this is awkward. Oh, this is uncomfortable. If they know the stakes, if they know how you feel and they know the stakes, or if your opportunity to speak, if you acknowledge, I couldn't turn down this opportunity and they know you're nervous, they're going to root for you, they want you to succeed.
If they know what you're up against, if they know you have a paralysing fear of public speaking and you're up there and you're doing it anyway, let them know that, because now, well, one, you've made yourself a little bit vulnerable, but you've connected with them, and if you can do that, with a little bit of a sense of humour, more the better. But now you've got people that are on your side.
I remember delivering the speech at our daughter's wedding a couple of years ago and it was like I was given 15 minutes and it was the toughest audience I think I've ever had because I wasn't speaking around what a professional speaker myself. So I wasn't speaking about my day job, I wasn't thinking about my comfort zone, the things that I speak about all the time. I was trying to be entertaining for a guest list. I only knew probably a third of them. I was under strict instructions. My daughter's husband actually took me to one side and said, you must not make it. These embarrassing statements. You must not show my husband.
I was giving this kind of like, up talk to me and saying, give me a brief on how I had to behave. And I thought. And it was trying to put some humour in there because you can't make that stuff. It's got to be light hearted. So I told some anecdotes around. My daughter's life just sailed close to the wind where I knew the red line was I didn't cross it. I just took people there and I led them down the path without telling them the punchline. And you can guess what happened next.
And so she then had to explain it to all her friends what happened next. So I let her do the telling. But I remember telling this gag at the end and I won't tell it now, but I tell this gag at the end that even now, people who are at the wedding still remember that gag because it was so relevant. It was a play on their name and their surname and, yeah, they still remember it now. And everyone's going, wow, that's fantastic. And even the mother of the bridegroom, my daughter's mother in law, even finds it funny, even though it's her name. I was taking the mickey out of sort of thing. So you can build it in, provided you understand the boundaries of where humour stops and embarrassment starts or discrimination or bullying or whatever that may be.
That's the fine line in comedy, isn't it? It's knowing when to punch up, not punch down.
Well, of course. I mean, humour is a tool, and like any tool, you can use it to build something. You can use a hammer to build something, or you could use it for much worse purposes. Good for you for giving a speech, by the way, just as a public service announcement, if you're getting married, don't give anyone 15 minutes. It's a lot of time. I mean, you are a professional speaker, so they were in good hands. But 15 minutes is a long time. If you've got just the best man, that's an invitation you might live to regret.
5 minutes. 5 minutes is a general, good rule. Yeah, but the difference between knowing where the line is, I mean, in a personal speech, what I find works very well is if you have anything that you know because you love this person isn't crossing a line, but the person, you think the person might see it as a little bit embarrassing, but you feel in good conscience that it's not awful. You know, your daughter, sometimes you can get away with something like that by sort of sandwiching it within a bunch of. Within compliments. She's this and she's that. She's this wonderful. Has this wonderful quality.
That wonderful quality. But sometimes she blank. She does this. So you put it out there in a way where it's clearly affectionate, clearly balanced, and the admiration and the respect that you have for her is abundantly clear. Sometimes that's a way to navigate it. I have a lot of clients where it just sounds like a roast and it becomes un. Would you like to say something nice about this person who is your best friend? Even though we all know that they feel that way in professional speeches, I always recommend playing it safe. If you're not sure, don't say it.
There's a leeway that you have with a personal speech that you don't have in a professional situation. But I think when people go wrong, often now, they're trying to be provocative. They are intentionally trying to get a reaction. So I think sometimes that's something to measure it against, personally. I mean, if you're asking about comedians who sometimes cross the line, as a comedian myself, I support the right to do it. To me personally, unless everyone in the room is laughing, it's not funny. To me personally, that raises the bar. And if you have a joke that's on a controversial subject or could possibly be interpreted in a way or misinterpreted, rather in a way that seems as if it's punching down, I think then you need to really show your skill as a writer and a performer to make it clear what your intention is behind the joke.
Because there's a world of difference. A friend of mine put it in a way that it was just beautiful. I mean, because there's a world of difference between the subject of the joke and the target of the joke. So the subject of the joke in itself might be controversial, but the target of the joke isn't necessarily it would be possible to have a joke about trans or abortion or something like that, where the target of the joke is. It's a joke that everyone, including the community that is mentioned, could laugh, I would hope.
Yeah, I've got my own five to ten minute comedy routine and it's around trans comedy, and I tell jokes and people tell me it's funny from all perspectives. So, yeah, it's kind of visual comedy. So I'm painting pitch to people's minds with actions and taking to that journey. You're right, you can use tricky subjects if you have some authenticity in that area, so you're not trying to use it against something you have no experience of, I think. So you can use yourself as an example of the joke.
What are you trying to say with the joke? I think it comes down. We've certainly seen a lot of people. What they're trying to say with the joke is, these people are bad, this person is stupid. It's not always a great message, but I think it's definitely possible, because it's definitely possible to write a joke where everyone's laughing. And to me, that's the only reason to do a joke. If everyone's laughing, not just for a moral. As. As a moral reason, but if I'm speaking to a room of 200 people, 200 people laughing sounds better than 100 people laughing, or 75 people laughing, or four people laughing.
If your objective is to make a point or inspire action, or simply just make the room laugh, more people laughing sounds better, feels better to everyone.
I suppose we've also got to be mindful that humour doesn't always travel borders or cultures. So what is funny to a UK based english speaking person who's been maybe lived here in this country all of their lives is different to someone who's come to this country in their mid 20s, speaks English, you originate from America, so there's some british humour that you probably don't understand. You have to be sort of socialised from birth, almost, with the humour and the culture. And if you're not careful, you can crack a funny or think you're cracking a funny, and the whole room just stares back at you. And there's also generational. If I talk about Monty Python or some of the things that resonated with me when I was growing up in the modern person, probably wasn't even alive when friends hit the tv screen in the late 90s.
Yeah, it's a matter of. And in those cases, if using something like that is an example, sometimes all you have to do is just add a little bit of explanation. If you feel like Monty Python is the best example of whatever it is you're trying to illustrate, just make sure that you say Monty Python. It's a group. They did a bunch of ridiculous stuff. They had movies like this and this. You may know, even if you don't know who they are, you may have heard of this. Just give it an extra little bit of explanation so that everyone in the room can follow you.
Make sure everyone has context. I see that happen a lot. Especially for me. Yeah, I didn't grow up here. So there are references, there are words, there are phrases. Even though my partner is English, I've known for 20 years and kind of had 1ft in this culture, very often I have no idea what's being referenced. But again, if you are delivering humour on stage or you're just trying to make a connection with someone, just take an extra 3 seconds and add a little bit of an explanation. And you don't have to start from the very beginning, just enough so that the people who may or may, I know I'm speaking to an international crowd here, I mean, even something like that, give the reason why you're going to give the little bit of explanation and then just give that tiny bit of explanation.
And you can use that as an opportunity for humour. You can sort of have an awareness of your age. Oh, Monty Python. I know I'm a thousand years old. So maybe everyone here isn't old enough to remember Monty Python. I mean, you can give it context and you can use. Well, again, turn that potential negative that people might not understand. Use it as a positive, use it as a way to, well, inform and educate.
And also add the humour of self awareness. Not self deprecating necessarily, but just the awareness. People will appreciate the awareness that you're not just because that you're not just continuing on and not caring if they understand it or not. Because also, if you're speaking and someone doesn't get something or it's not funny, it's not just that they stare back at you and you don't get the laugh in the moment their minds wander, you start to lose them. And then you're sort of digging yourself into this hole where they're not going to be paying as close attention because it's not really for them or they feel as if you haven't taken them into consideration or just their phone pings, so they take a look at it. And now you've dug yourself into a hole. Now you have to really work even harder to get that attention back, and it's easily avoidable.
So the obvious time where humour can work really well is when someone's trying to heckle you or join in the conversation from the floor. As a speaker on stage, you can use comedy or humour as a put down as well, can't you? If you're careful, you can.
That's always a line that you have to be careful if you're going to cross it, because you can't uncross it. There are times the best advice I got on that a guy who was a legendary comedian saw something happen to me and then said, here's what you do. First you have to vet the heckle, and that means you have to. Again, well, in a comedy club, you don't always have to acknowledge every single heckle. You don't have to acknowledge everything because sometimes it might distract you, but maybe it hasn't distracted the whole room. If someone says something, you have to repeat it back because you've heard it. But maybe the people in the back of the room haven't heard it. And I'm now gesturing towards the back of the room, which is perfect for a podcast, but maybe the people in the back of the room didn't hear it.
So all of a sudden you just go off on someone and their friends stop what you're doing and go off on someone, and they're very puzzled, the people who didn't hear it. So you have to repeat it back, because also what has happened? And he told me a great story, I can't remember the phrase, but he told me a great story where he thought someone had heckled him, someone shouted out something, and he repeated back what he'd heard again, for that purpose of making sure everyone in the room heard it before he took that next step. Because if the heckle serves as a set up, then whatever he says to it would serve as the punchline. And you want everyone to have the context. But it turned out that's not what the person had said. The person was talking to the waitress about the chicken fingers, or whatever the order was. It wasn't give him the finger. Are those our fingers? Something that was just totally had nothing to do with him.
It was distracting. But had he just jumped down her throat, it would have been inappropriate and unearned, which is a really tough thing.
To get away from as you're talking. I think about humour as a sort of spectrum. There's the big gag that you're setting up and really sort of signposting and then trying to get this major laugh. Then there's humour, which is kind of an anecdote you're weaving into a story and the result is trying to make people feel and experience a different emotion inside them. So should you use jokes or should you use anecdotes that are humorous situation I appreciate, but in a professional talk, in a public speaking at work, you probably want to aim down the humour route rather than the gag route, wouldn't you? Is that what I'm thinking?
Well, it depends. I'm not quite sure what you mean by gag. I mean, to me, whatever it is just has to be authentic to you. And if you're not a gag person, everyone has a different sense of humour. I'm quite dry. I might comment on something or allude to something, but I don't always try to hit it over the head because that's just not my style. But when I talk about humour in a professional situation, for speakers, I describe it as a seasoning. Sometimes.
You don't always need a lot. If you think of it like salt, if you've got a very heavy talk, then just a little bit is going to be plenty. It's just enough to sort of relieve the tension, relieve a little bit of the pressure, give it some balance so that it's not just unrelentingly sad, but if it's a best man speech, there's an expectation that you're going to use a lot of salt. You want movie theatre popcorn, but sometimes it's really just. But if you put a few grains of sea salt on chocolate, it's just literally just a few grains, it makes it an entirely different experience. But if you just kind of dumped the shaker on it, which is great for popcorn or chips or something like that, it would be inappropriate, it would feel out of balance. So I think it's a matter of who you are and what the situation is.
When I speak, I'm very conscious around the need to speak methodically, rhythmically and with a certain cadence that allows people to ruminate and absorb. You speak too quickly, it's like a machine gun hitting them, isn't it? You can't take anything in. You speak too slowly and people are going, what I've got no interest in. So you're trying to find that ideal cadence and pace to keep people engaged, allow them to digest at the same. For comedy or humour, isn't it? If you're not careful, what we do is we try and rush a gag because we're nervous or we have to sort of blurt out and then we just move on quickly. It's all about the timing in comedy, isn't it?
Yeah, it's about the timing and it's really about making it sound natural again. It all goes back to feeling authentic to you. The best laughs that you'll get in a speech are the things that, well, either sound like they've come off the top of your head or really did come off the top of your head. The observations, the asides, things like that. But I generally wouldn't suggest that people put big gags in or big. It's just tough to land things like that, and it puts a lot of pressure on one particular moment rather than distributing a little bit of wonderfulness throughout your speech. Because when it sounds rehearsed, obviously you have to rehearse things, but audiences are smart, they're very perceptive, and when something sounds rehearsed, it sounds inauthentic. And that's not necessarily a bad thing.
People want you to sound prepared, and if you're delivering material, if you're delivering serious material or delivering, in comedy terms, straight, as opposed to funny, intentionally funny, if you're delivering information, then there's nothing wrong with it sounding prepared. But if you're delivering comedy and it sounds over prepared, it's diminishing returns. So I think that's another reason to sort of just have small moments and let the small moments add up.
Yeah, you've heard me speak a few times and I'm really conscious about people finding me too serious. I've had people say, you're really serious, and I thought, you don't know me very well. Because in my day to day conversations, my day to day life, I don't take myself seriously. I don't expect other people to take me seriously, but I expect people to respect that I am serious, but don't take myself seriously, if that makes sense. I'm professional with a light heart, and when I do my professional speaking, I sometimes find that a gag or a witticism or an ironic statement or something will pop into my head which is completely unrehearsed yet lands so well. I then use it again, because next time I use it, it is rehearsed or it is tried and tested. So I don't necessarily set out to write gags, but I remember the ones that get the laughs and then recycle and bring them in authentically.
It's very green. Yes, it's very good for the environment, the recycling of jokes. But I think what that speaks to is that that comedic opportunity that you took advantage of, was authentic to you and to the material. And it wasn't something where you said, I'm going to write something funny here, because that's very hard to do. I have people that come to me and say, I want you to add some jokes to this. I don't have a wand. And I could, hey, I could write it the way I would say it. I could write it the way someone else would say it, but it's not going to sound right coming out of that person's mouth.
It's a matter of drawing out, well, what happened next in that story? Or wait, you got fired. What was the ride home like? What was the conversation with your partner? What was the first thing you did the next morning? So trying to find the real moments and bring it a little bit closer to storytelling. And truth is funny, when you have an aside or something spontaneous and you use it again because it was spontaneous the first time, even though you've rehearsed it and you've put it into your set and now you're planning to do it, you probably also have the muscle memory of how spontaneous it felt the first time. So your delivery probably feels spontaneous as well because that's just kind of how it popped out of your mouth originally. It probably doesn't sound as rehearsed as something that just sounded good when you were sitting at home typing on your computer.
Yeah. I actually find it maybe easier to be light hearted or throw a humour in there at the beginning because I'm kind of just trying to warm myself up to start talking. So it's almost like an icebreaker for me, an icebreaker to the audience, to something quick. When I'm in flow in the middle of a talk, I'm probably too much in flow unless I've got something. I've got a lot of phrases I use unless one of those phrases happens to trigger a thought about something lighthearted. But I find the easiest time for me is during the Q a section where people are asking questions. Because I'm now relaxing my shoulders, I'm now in a different mode. I'm now engaging with the audience and trying to entertain them with an answer.
So I find that I'm more in creative mode during A-Q-A whereas in the delivery, I'm more in flow and it's harder to, in my brain to try and pause, gag, carry on unless it's kind of ingrained into that banter or the pattern I use.
Yeah. When I work with people, I always say that there's three places in the speech when humour is really best used and it's very, very technical, it's the beginning, the middle and the end. It's not as hard as it sounds, but at the beginning, when you use it, just as you're saying, when you use it at the beginning, it not only relaxes you, it relaxes the audience and it creates a connection and it creates an expectation, it sets a tone. And with a lot of us, that tone is, you're in safe hands, you're going to enjoy this. I mean, look, we've all sat through talks that we didn't volunteer to attend, and so you can also set a tone of, this isn't going to be painful, this won't suck. Which is really, people really appreciate in the middle, you don't need much in the middle, because that flow that you're in, it's not a matter of you not wanting to distract yourself, it's a matter of you're presenting information. It's not stand up comedy, you're presenting information. So there's not always an opportunity, but in the middle, if there is something that you can add, just a little something, and it sounds like you do, if there's one of the phrases that you say, it sort of perks people up, it reengages your audience.
Just in case there's anyone whose mind began to wander. Because when there's a laugh, especially when the speaker is in flow, when suddenly there's a laugh, anyone whose attention has wandered is going to think, wait, what did I miss? What did I miss? I need to lock back in on this. And then at the end, what I like using it at the end is something, and I always recommend people do it. It's something called a callback. And a callback is literally, it's just a reference to whatever the biggest laugh in your piece was. And it's a way to sort of. And if you watch any stand up special, I guarantee you the last joke of the set, the biggest joke of the set is going to be something that references something that happened earlier. So a callback, if you can get a laugh at the end or you can reference whatever it is you said at the very beginning, even you're leaving on a laugh and people's memories are very short, so they will remember.
It's much more likely they're going to remember that laugh at the end and think that was really interesting and kind of funny, too. Even if you've got 25 minutes of just information, useful information in the beginning with not a lot of laughs. So you're using it, I think, in just the right way. And when you get to the Q and A, you're there more as Jo the person than Jo the speaker. So you kind of have licence to relax and have a little bit of banter.
I saw John Bishop, the comedian, live show he did at the guild hall in Portsmouth, and he talked about his callbacks. He told about, I don't know, let's just say nine different stories throughout his set. And I remember one was about a llama or something, or alpaca or llama in there. Anyway, that's the one I really remember from it. And you went through it and you didn't really know if these were true stories or they were based on anything there. But right at the end, as he was finishing off, he put a slideshow up of each slide was something that related to the story he told. So I always remember the llama being there. So he was with the llama doing this and he went through it and thought.
So he immediately took all this stuff he told you and then gave it a fact. It happened. And that made the gags and the enjoyment even more powerful because you then shared that another laugh by going, yes, I remember that story. Yes, it did happen. And I thought that was so expertly done. And that's effectively a callback as well. It's refreshing that mind or putting you back into that moment where you laughed the first time, to laugh a second time without him having to do anything. He just stood there and went.
I thought, that's really powerful.
I mean, that sounds beautifully constructed. Yeah, it's really effective because it creates a sense of community with the audience. Also, think of. We have this in common now. We're all laughing about this. We've had this shared experience, and this shared experience is something that we're laughing about. It's amazing because he's created a community with the same reference points. It's brilliant.
Yeah. As a professional speaker, I find that as well. You come out, you deliver your set, your gig, your talk, whatever you want to call it, and you come out and you're networking with the audience afterwards, you can feel that shared community picking up on the things you said and they're repeating it back to you. And it's kind of really powerful to know you've engendered that into somebody, that feeling and that memory and that passion you've given them. I guess comedy is the same. You're giving people that brain chemicals and that endorphins and that happy feeling, aren't you?
Yeah. And it means you've made impact. If people are quoting you back to you, you've done something right because they're remembering what you said. Anyone can just speak and have it sort of flow into people, and then what they retain is how much they retain is sort of. Who knows? But if they're repeating you back to you, if they're quoting you, then you've succeeded, because why else are you up there?
And I'm going to quote you back to you now, because I want to hear this story again about the Dallas Cowboys. For the Dallas Cowboys. I want to hear this story again. I'm sure our listeners would love to hear this. A bit of background. You were in Iraq, as the Americans call it. We call it Iraq, but Americans call it Iraq. And I have an iPhone, not an Iraq.
But, yeah, you could tell us a story about how you went out there and what were you doing.
Well, it sounds. Especially saying it, to me, it sounds so much more exciting when you say you have a story about the Dallas Cowboy cheerleaders. Boy, I wish. Says the middle aged lesbian. Well, yeah, in one of my talks, I talk about humour. Well, it's about humour as a tool for connection and how to use humour to connect with people who might, on the surface, be very different from you. And in stand up comedy, you have to make that connection very, very. I went.
When I was doing a lot of stand up, I did a military tour of Iraq. I went to Iraq. Yes. A troubled place. America had its hands all over, but I went there to do a military tour. And I also talk about when you're looking for opportunities, for comedic opportunities, you don't always have to think of gags and puns. Truth is funny. Real life is funny.
So when I did this military tour, and it was amazing, we went to combat outposts and forward operating bases and we went on Blackhawk helicopters. It was four or five shows a day. But the people at these forward operating bases, they're 19 year old kids who had not seen anyone other than the 20 or so people that guys that they were with for weeks at a time. So a lot of our job was just to be a different person. So I went up and my opening joke in front of these kids was truth. It wasn't even a joke. It was the big bases. Get the Dallas Cowboy cheerleaders, you get me.
And then in my talk, I show a slide of the Dallas cowboy cheerleaders. Because in the States, people have an immediate picture in their head, but less so in the UK. But the picture is, it's 22 year old blonde women kicking their legs up in the air. I mean, they're the cheerleaders for an american football team and it's sort of a Barbie image. So there's always a laugh here. But when I say that the big bases get the Dallas Cowboy cheerleaders, you get me. And here in the States, there's an immediate big laugh. In the UK, there's a titter.
And then you show the Dallas Cowboy cheerleaders and I say, yeah, there's a difference. And that difference did not go unnoticed by those 19 year old marines. But that's not even a joke. It was just truth. There's no pun, there's no funny turn of phrase, there's no setup. Well, I guess there's a set up and a punchline. The setup is the big bases get the Daleks, jailbreak cheerleaders, you get me. But on paper it's hardly even a joke.
But. So when you're looking to add humour to something, it doesn't always have to sound like a joke. Sometimes just truth, seen in a different way, presented in a way that is just open and vulnerable and honest, can do the job. Not just as well, I think, better than anything that's prepared, because you said.
Earlier, at that moment, you and the audience have a shared experience of you being there, them listening. So you're talking about the situation, the context they're in, with an irony or a reference of this could have been you, if you were a different base, but actually, I'm here instead. So I think, yeah, you're bringing that common, shared understanding of the situation into that. And so the humour comes from that, doesn't it? So I think it works really well. When I'm on stage, I'm basing the humour I want to use on the audience I'm with because they need to understand it. I think, as I said to you earlier, you got to be careful around bringing humour in, into an audience that may not understand that humour. So, again, by having the context of who's in front of you, you can then target your witty remarks or your anecdotes to the audience and not to another audience where it did work well.
Exactly. And that's why I realised I had to add the slide had, because I realised that here I'm delivering in front of people who may have a sense of who the Dallas Cowboy cheerleaders were, but they don't have an immediate image in their head. So that was because I was aware of who these audiences are and the differences, but the connection that it makes between the speaker and the audience. Yeah, it's a great way to add humour. At the beginning of your talk, everyone wants to be funny up front. Everyone wants to start with a laugh, but simply acknowledging the elephant in the room can do that. And the elephant in the room was a bunch of 19 year old marines looking at me, middle aged, short haired lesbian, thinking, it's nice that see came, but these are sort of the quintessential. They were 19 year old marines, the quintessential red blooded american male.
I was not their first choice. I was probably older than most of their mothers, even at 38 at the time. So I'm just acknowledging what they're thinking. But me doing that means that they can then appreciate, oh, she's thinking about us. She understands what we're thinking. It just creates that. Well, it creates that dialogue. Oh, yeah, it worked every time, which is pretty much everything you can hope for.
But I've watched you do that too. I've watched you open one of my favourite thing I've seen you done, and I love watching you speak, but I saw you speaking at a day that was dedicated to impostor syndrome, and you walked up on stage. And again, this all goes to things don't have to sound like a joke. Truth is funny, and things don't have to sound like a joke, and it doesn't have to be a pun, and it doesn't have to have water shooting out of the bow tie and the big floppy shoes and a hat. You walked up on stage and you said, almost as a throwaway, what do I know about impostor syndrome? And it was a slow burn and you let it sit there. You let the fuse burn all the way down to the full firecracker. And I could see people. I knew what you were doing and you could really see the audience almost do the math.
You could see them go, wait, hold, carry the seven. And it was a huge laugh that blew the doors off the place. It was absolutely wonderful. But again, it wasn't a big cartoony. Here, I'm doing a joke, just a little bit of truth, but I think it got you 100 times. Anything any gag would have.
And you knew that it was the truth. It was the truth, yeah, it was truth. What do I know? My impostor syndrome was kicking in and going, what do I know about impostor syndrome? It was kind of prepared. I don't know about you, but when I professionally speak, it's always about the first line or the first 10 seconds. Five to 10 seconds that grab that hook where you get the audience, and I have a standard set of openings I tend to use, and I oscillate between them, depending on how I feel. But that day, it wasn't a prepared speech. I had about half an hour's notice to go and do something and ask it in the audience, thinking, right, if I can get my first line out, the rest will happen. I trust my brain enough to be able to keep going.
Once I've got the first bit out, I'll just sit there thinking, what do I know about, what am I going to talk about? So I was sitting there in the audience, my impostor syndrome was kicking in, big tone, not knowing what to talk about. And it just came to me that that was, what do I know about imposter syndrome? It became the obvious first line, as you say, it landed well, and you say it's a slow burn. But then when people started laughing, the laughing spread quickly, didn't it? And I let it carry on. And that gave me five to 10 seconds of thinking time as well. So I think that's really important sometimes, is when I really want to work out what I want to say next. If it's not rehearsed, I need a little bit of thinking. And that bought me time to become comfortable with the stage, comfortable with the audience, set some credibility and then go for it. And then it all went into flow from there.
And it did the same thing for the audience. I mean, it has the exact same effect on the audience. But can I ask you something? As I took, and I thought that was why the joke worked. But we all see things from a different perspective. I took your imposter syndrome joke to be a reference not to just you speaking on the day, but I took that to be a reference to your identity.
Yeah, completely. I have immense imposter syndrome about my gender identity around some things I speak about. What do I know? It's less so now, because I've been speaking around EDi for about seven or eight years now, but I still have that echo of the first year or the first month or the first year where you're still trying to find your feet. And I still remember that. So it's not as dominant as it once was, because I've now got social proof, if you like, that I know what I'm talking about, or people say, I know what I'm talking about. I've got more confidence in my own gender identity in myself because I've been walking in these shoes now for seven or eight years. But the memory of those early days still stays with me, so I haven't shaken it off. It's just maybe buried a little bit.
I'm not sure I'll ever lose it in the same way. I heard someone describe it once as when you're trans, if you think about, you've got people who are native born in the country, you've got people who come on holiday, and you've got people who migrate. So there are people who are tourists, basically. They do a bit of gender cross dressing. They can't, maybe at the weekends, whatever. So they're kind of tourists. They pop in and pop out. And I migrated, so I moved into the country, but I'll never be a native in the same way that whilst you've been here 20 years in this country, you've still got american roots and your history from there.
So it's that little bit of an imposter syndrome maybe you face as a Brit, because you're not truly a Brit. I'm not truly a native woman in those sort of terms. I always have that kind of impostor syndrome around that. I'm just an immigrant into the gender, if you like.
Yeah, well, it's almost speaking something fluently as a second language. And I've only been here not quite three years. I've been with my english partner for that long, so I'm even worse, I'm even newer. But yeah, I think that's a great analogy. I mean, I always felt I was speaking about gender. Most of my career, I was the only woman in the room. In. In comedy, or at least in american television shows, there's a writer's room, it's a group of writers, and one person will get assigned.
It's a team, and one person will get assigned to write the first draught of something, and then that comes into the room to get punched up as a group, add humour and polish and things like that. And for a lot of my career, I was the only woman in the room. And for a lot of my career, the hosts. I worked a lot in comedy variety in late night, which is sort of a Graham Norton, but five nights a week, sort of a structure. I was the only woman in the room, and so I was writing jokes for the host. So putting myself in that situation, but I mean, I was essentially writing. I was speaking guy. It's not my first language, it's not my experience, especially at the time, I have never been, but especially at the time when I was in my early twenty s and thirty s, I've never been a middle aged white guy.
But maybe I will be someday. But, yeah, I've never been so I was always writing as someone else, which, look, everyone in the room was writing for the host, so they were all writing for someone else. But the perspective on the world and how they saw women and how they. I mean, it was just very male, and that wasn't who I was. And so I did feel very much that I was speaking a second language. I was fluent in it and I was there willingly. I'd emigrated, or I was an immigrant who was happy to be there. But there were times when I think my accent made me stand out, if I can torture the metaphor even more.
As you were talking there, I was thinking, there is definitely a different humour base for masculine and feminine identities, if you like. I've noticed that having gender transitioned, the humour I once was bathing in, in terms of my friends and the social circles I had was very masculine. And the humour I now bathed in with my circle of friends is very feminine. And there is a huge difference between the subjects of the joke, how women will often use language to describe their partner or husband in a derogatory way. And all the women go here. Mine too. There's this kind of common understanding. But men denigrate their partner, their wives, in a different way, because they tend to build them up and say, my wife's amazing all the time, and they want to make it sound like they got the perfect relationship, whereas wives want to say how shit their relationship is and their husband's such a low life, and that gets the laughs from a different perspective on the same relationship.
And I can pick up that gender coded language and that gender coded humour. And I sometimes find it really tricky to listen to male humour these days because it really triggers me.
Yeah, I can definitely see that. Especially a lot of my experience in these writers rooms, it was with younger guys, just because we all sort of aged and younger guys definitely have a different experience. Level of experience with women and a different level of maturity. Yeah. The difference between male and female. Yeah, I think that's a really interesting observation. I'm trying to not speak in generalities, though. I think they apply.
Yeah, we obviously appreciate we are generalising and stereotyping an entire gender, if you're not careful, and making the dispersion against 50% of the population. But, yeah, I'd use the word tends to be rather than absolute. Kind of tends to be in this direction.
Sure. And I think one of the things that you're noticing is that because women tend to be more. Maybe by necessity, I don't know if it's nature or nurture, but tend to be more emotionally intelligent by which also the humour would, I think, tend to have a little bit more emotional intelligence, often using the qualifying words and what you're talking about. Also that, yeah, women, as a lot of the male humour, or at least sort of more traditional male humour, has been guys talking about women sort of as extension of themselves. So they are competitive with one another and their partner, or whoever it is that they're talking about, the measure of that person reflects on them. It's really not about the. Whereas with a woman, she's talking about her experience and trying to get to the truth of the experience in that example. And with guys, well, it's more about just how he comes across.
Let me give you an example which hopefully you'll find light hearted, humorous. I was out with a group of my male friends in Bricklane, I think curry and few beers, whatever, about four or five years ago. And there was a certain part of this group of. We were in. Were talking about their broken noses, how they'd been in a fight and they had stitches and how they had this, and there's cotton one up their nose and all this kind of thing, and everyone's kind of going, oh, yeah, everyone's comparing their stitches and their broken noses in their fights. And I'm out literally a week later in Brick Lane with a group of women after a networking event. And we sat around the table and they were comparing stitches that they'd had after childbirth. It was both talking about stitches, both talking about that pain, the opposite ends of their bodies.
I just found that contrast, that irony in being in the same location, having two polar different conversations.
Well, and having to have both conversations while eating a curry, which I think is really. That seems the biggest challenge of all. Could you all stop talking about blood and stitches while I'm trying to eat my chicken?
But even ordering a curry in an all male group, it's, how hot can I get my curry and still eat it in an all female group? It's the flavours and the aromatics and the blends and it's a much more sort of delicacy in the food that's eaten. So it's a complete difference in dining out as well.
Yeah. In that example, anyway, it's almost an issue of confidence because the guys are sort of. It's sort of one up in. Or how do I measure up? And also, if they're broken noses from fights, then it implies that there's a story behind it or at some point, they are in some way seeking out danger or pain. But with women, nature provides us enough pain as it is. So it's pain that we have to deal with, but we're not going out trying to. It's bad enough that there's enough pain involved in childbirth. I don't need to go out and get stitches that aren't necessary, that I could avoid.
It is an interesting way of seeing the world.
Well, Beth, it's been a laugh again. I've really enjoyed this and I've laughed with you today, at you today. And you've laughed at me as well, which is fantastic.
No, I've laughed with you. No one's laughing at anyone.
And the fact that we've done this twice now, I feel privileged to have had actually a different conversation. This is largely a different conversation than the one we had before. So it's absolutely brilliant. So hopefully the listeners have got something out of this as well. So how can people get hold of you and do a bit of a pitch, your website, your LinkedIn address, whatever, on LinkedIn.
Well, I'm Beth Sherman. It's https://bethsherman.com. I'm on LinkedIn. I'd love to connect with anyone who would like to. You know, I speak about humour as a tool for quick connection, and humour is a tool for workplace balance, for life balance, tool for leadership. Just really the ways that people can use humour to be closer to one another and to put themselves in a position where their messages, whatever message it is, whatever action they need people to take, it's more effective. So if that's speakers, if that's leaders, whatever form it takes.
But bethsherman.com, bethsherman.com, it's been an absolute honour. Thank you. And a huge thank you for listening, for tuning in, for getting to the end. I take my hat off to you for getting to the end. Thank you. If you're not already, then please do subscribe 'Inclusion Bites Podcast'. If you're listening on Apple podcasts or Spotify, then please give us a, like, give us a five star rating, drop some comments in there, share the link with your friends, something to listen to on a long train journey or when you're working out at the gym. So please do share this.
I have more guests, number of other guests lined up over the next few weeks and months. This is episode 104. As I said earlier, I want to get to episode 200 at least, so there's plenty more material coming out there. And of course, if you'd like to be a guest, I'd love to have you on the show. So please do drop me a line to jo.Lockwood@seechangehappen.co.uk. And finally, my name is Joanne Lockwood.
It has been an absolute pleasure to host this podcast for you today. Catch you next time. Bye.
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🔖 Titles
The Power of Humour: A Conversation with Emmy Award-Winning Comedy Writer Beth Sherman
Unleashing Laughter: Insights from Beth Sherman on the Impact of Humour in Professional Speaking
Humour as a Bridge: Beth Sherman's Perspective on Using Comedy for Connection and Inclusion
Embracing Authentic Humour: Joanne Lockwood and Beth Sherman Discuss the Importance of Laughter
Finding Joy in Speech: Beth Sherman and Joanne Lockwood Explore the Role of Humour in Inclusion
Intentional Laughter: The Art of Strategic Humour with Beth Sherman and Joanne Lockwood
Breaking Boundaries with Comedy: Beth Sherman and Joanne Lockwood on the Power of Humour
Connecting Through Laughter: Beth Sherman and Joanne Lockwood Explore Inclusive Comedy in Professional Speaking
Comedy as a Tool: Beth Sherman and Joanne Lockwood Discuss the Impact of Humour in Public Speaking
The Inclusive Lens of Laughter: Beth Sherman and Joanne Lockwood Share Insights on Humour
ℹ️ Introduction
Welcome to the Inclusion Bites Podcast with your host, Joanne Lockwood! In this episode, titled "Laughter as a Lens," Joanne is joined by the multi-Emmy award-winning comedy writer and speaker, Beth Sherman. Together, they explore the power of humour as a tool for human connection, especially in the context of professional speaking and public engagement. From tackling imposter syndrome to navigating differences in gendered humour and cultural context, this conversation delves into the art of incorporating laughter into speeches while fostering inclusivity. Join Joanne and Beth as they share their insights and experiences, shedding light on the transformative potential of humour in creating a sense of belonging and community.
📚 Timestamped overview
00:00 Joanne hosts Inclusion Bites podcast, discussing inclusion and belonging. Catch it on iTunes and Spotify. Email Joe Lockwood to join.
05:08 The text describes a career in comedy writing, stand-up, and speech writing for non-entertainment professionals. It emphasises the importance of authentic humour in speeches and the challenge of making them engaging.
07:53 The fear of public speaking can be overcome with preparation and authenticity, adding humour helps ease nerves.
11:48 She explained to friends, told a relevant joke at a wedding, avoiding causing offense.
14:23 Personal speeches differ from professional settings. Provocative humour requires skill and clear intention.
17:15 Understanding British humour is influenced by upbringing and cultural factors, and may not be universally funny.
21:52 Misunderstood heckle, repeated for context, turned out unrelated.
24:10 Salt analogy: a little balances, a lot overwhelms; context matters.
27:16 Speaker values professionalism and humour in their presentations, using unrehearsed gags that land well and then incorporating them into future talks. Also seeks respect for their serious side.
30:43 Humour should be used at the beginning, middle, and end of a speech for connection and engagement.
32:08 Summarised: Laughter keeps attention, use callback for big jokes, end on a laugh.
37:33 Military tour included visits to combat outposts and forward operating bases, performing for young soldiers.
39:42 Humour depends on shared context with audience, be mindful of differing understanding.
44:00 Speaker overcomes impostor syndrome on stage by seizing a spontaneous idea. Laughter buys time and boosts confidence for successful presentation.
47:33 Woman in male-dominated comedy writing, adapting to male perspective.
49:06 Gender transition changed humour from masculine to feminine, with different approaches to jokes about partners.
52:05 Men comparing fight injuries, women comparing childbirth stitches. Opposite experiences.
55:33 Thank you for listening, please subscribe and share.
📚 Timestamped overview
00:00 Joanne hosts Inclusion Bites podcast, join in.
05:08 Writing, stand up, TV work, speech writing.
07:53 Overcoming fear of public speaking through preparation.
11:48 She explained, then told a memorable gag.
14:23 Personal speech leeway, caution with controversial jokes.
17:15 Humour doesn't always translate across cultures.
21:52 Quickly clarifying before reacting to misunderstandings.
24:10 "Sometimes a little salt is enough."
27:16 Professional yet light-hearted speaker aims for authenticity.
30:43 Humour works well at beginning, middle, end.
32:08 Using laughter and callbacks to engage audience.
37:33 Military tour, visiting outposts, entertaining young soldiers.
39:42 Connecting with audience through context and humour.
44:00 Overcoming impostor syndrome, finding confidence on stage.
47:33 Writing comedy as a woman in male-dominated rooms.
49:06 Gender transition changed my humour perspectives.
52:05 Light-hearted example of gender differences in pain.
55:33 Thank you for listening, please subscribe and share.
Episode Tags
Inclusion, Comedy, Humour, Public Speaking, Gender Identity, Human Connection, Workplace Balance, Leadership, Hecklers, Cultural Differences
A Subtitle - A Single Sentence describing this episode
Exploring the power of humour as a vital tool for inclusive communication, Joanne Lockwood and guest Beth Sherman deliver an engaging conversation on incorporating authenticity, preparation, and context into public speaking and comedy.
Episode Summary with Intro, Key Points and a Takeaway
Join Joanne Lockwood in this episode of The Inclusion Bites Podcast as she explores the power of humour in fostering human connection. Joanne is joined by the multi-Emmy award-winning comedy writer, Beth Sherman, for a lively discussion on the role of laughter in public speaking and professional communication.
Beth Sherman is a seasoned comedy writer with a knack for infusing humour into speeches, presentations, and stand-up routines. Having triumphed in navigating the male-dominated comedy industry, Beth has become a leading figure in empowering individuals to incorporate genuine, relatable humour into their public speaking engagements. Her expertise lies in tapping into the universal language of laughter to create meaningful connections and inspire confidence.
During the episode, Joanne and Beth delve into the intricacies of using humour in public speaking, emphasising the need for authenticity and preparation when incorporating laughter into speeches. They explore the challenges of navigating potentially controversial subjects and share personal anecdotes of using humour to connect with audiences. Beth offers valuable insights into using humour strategically to relax the audience, reengage listeners, and leave a lasting impression.
A key takeaway from this episode is the importance of using humour as a powerful tool for building connections and fostering inclusivity in professional communication. Listeners will gain practical tips and strategies for incorporating genuine, relatable humour into their public speaking engagements, ultimately creating a more inclusive and engaging environment. Whether grappling with public speaking fears or seeking to add a touch of levity to professional presentations, this episode offers invaluable guidance and inspiration for leveraging the power of humour.
💬 Keywords
Inclusion, Belonging, Comedy writing, Public speaking, Fear, Authenticity, Humour, Stand-up comedy, Preparation, Nervousness, Boundaries, Controversial subjects, Cadence, Delivery, Engagement, Callbacks, Q&A, Banter, Shared experiences, Vulnerability, Imposter syndrome, Gender identity, Emotional intelligence, Stereotyping, Workplace balance, Leadership, Cultural differences, Generational differences, Hecklers, Professional speaking
💡 Speaker bios
Beth Sherman is a comedy writer who fell in love with the idea of writing for television when she was just 15 years old. She remembers watching a behind the scenes news programme on a sitcom she loved and being fascinated by the writers room. From that moment on, she knew that she wanted to be a part of that world. Today, Beth spends her days writing comedy and making people laugh.
❇️ Key topics and bullets
Introduction
Introduction of the host, Joanne Lockwood, and the guest, Beth Sherman
Purpose of the podcast - focusing on conversation around inclusion and belonging
Beth Sherman's Journey into Comedy
Experience working in the comedy industry
Path to becoming a professional comedy writer and stand-up comedian
Passion for bringing humour into the world and helping others incorporate humour into their speeches
Fear of Public Speaking and Incorporating Humour
Difficulty of adding humour to presentations due to fear of public speaking
Helping people overcome their fear of public speaking and embrace their comedic self
Importance of preparation, authenticity, and acknowledging nervousness when incorporating humour into speeches
Joanne Lockwood's Experience with Humour in Public Speaking
Delivering a speech at her daughter's wedding
Need for light-heartedness and understanding boundaries when incorporating humour
Navigating Controversial Subjects in Comedy and Speaking
Use of humour as a tool, emphasizing the importance of intention and skill
Highlighting the need for authenticity and experience when using tricky subjects in comedy
The Art of Delivery in Comedy and Speaking
Importance of speaking at the right cadence and pace during public speaking
Emphasis on authenticity and natural delivery in comedy
Strategic Use of Humour in Speeches
Using humour at different points in a speech to relax, reengage, and leave a lasting impression
Contrasting approaches to humour during main delivery and Q&A sections
Creating a Sense of Community through Humour
Power of shared experiences and humour in creating a sense of community with the audience
Impact of truth, vulnerability, and understanding the audience in delivering humour
Gender Identity and Humour
Joanne Lockwood's experience with imposter syndrome and its relation to gender identity
Beth's experiences as a woman in a male-dominated industry
Gender Differences in Humour and Emotional Intelligence
Exploring differences in emotional intelligence and humour styles between men and women
Addressing generalisations and stereotypes concerning genders
Cultural and Generational Differences in Humour
Highlighting cultural and generational differences in humour
The importance of context and explanation in cross-cultural settings
Humour in Professional Speaking
The role of humour as seasoning in professional speaking
Need for authenticity and consideration of specific context in using humour
Conclusion
Invitation to subscribe and share the podcast
Encouragement for potential guests to get in touch
Please let Joanne know if you have any feedback or further requests.
The Hook
Subject: Reimagine Speaking with a Touch of Wit
Tired of snooze-worthy speeches? Ready for a fresh take that keeps your audience hooked from start to finish? Get ready to transform your public speaking game with our latest podcast episode!
Explore the Power of Humour in Public Speaking
Abracadabra! Discover how to weave the magic of laughter into your next presentation, captivating your audience and leaving them spellbound.
Ditch the fear factor! Unearth the secret to infusing humour into your speeches and watch your engagement levels skyrocket.
From cringeworthy to captivating! Uncover the art of blending humour seamlessly into your public speaking, transforming boring speeches into captivating experiences.
Engage and enlighten! Prepare to revitalise your presentations by harnessing the power of humour to strengthen your connection with your audience.
🎬 Reel script
"Welcome back to the Inclusion Bites Podcast! I'm Joanne Lockwood, your host for conversations around diversity, belonging, and the power of laughter. In today's episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with the multi-Emmy award-winning comedy writer and speaker, Beth Sherman. We delved into the art of incorporating humour into public speaking, overcoming fears, and the impact of gender and cultural differences on humour. From navigating challenging subjects to creating shared experiences, we explored it all. Tune in to gain valuable insights into using laughter as a lens for inclusion. Don't miss out on our future episodes, and remember to subscribe and share! If you have a story to share or want to feature as a guest, get in touch with us at jo.lockwood@seechangehappen.co.uk. Until next time, keep spreading the laughter and embracing inclusion!"
🗞️ Newsletter
Subject: New Episode Alert: Laughter as a Lens
Hello Inclusion Bites Community,
We are excited to bring you another insightful and engaging episode of The Inclusion Bites Podcast. In this week's episode, Joanne Lockwood, the host of the podcast, is joined by Beth Sherman, a multi-Emmy award-winning comedy writer and speaker. Together, they explore the power of laughter as a lens for understanding and connecting with others.
In this episode, Beth shares her journey into professional comedy writing and stand-up, as well as her passion for bringing humour into the world and helping others incorporate it into their speeches. She offers valuable insights into overcoming the fear of public speaking and embracing one's comedic self, stressing the importance of preparation, authenticity, and acknowledging nervousness while connecting with the audience through humour.
Joanne Lockwood also shares her experiences of incorporating humour into professional speaking and addressing the challenges of imposter syndrome and gender identity in the context of public speaking. Together, they discuss the differences in experience and humour styles between men and women, along with the need to avoid generalising and stereotyping genders.
This episode delves into the strategic use of humour in speeches, the cultural and generational differences in humour, and the importance of providing context and explanation for cultural references, particularly in international settings. The conversation also touches on the use of humour in dealing with hecklers and the need to authentically and considerately incorporate humour based on the specific context.
Tune in to this enriching episode as Joanne and Beth explore the art of using laughter and humour as powerful tools for creating connections, fostering understanding, and enhancing the impact of public speaking.
Listen to the full episode on seechangehappen.co.uk, and don't forget to subscribe and share with your network. We invite potential guests to get in touch and share their thoughts and experiences with us.
Best regards,
Joanne Lockwood
Host, The Inclusion Bites Podcast
SEE Change Happen
🧵 Tweet thread
🌟 Exciting Twitter Thread Alert! 🌟
Join me as I take you behind the scenes of the latest episode of the Inclusion Bites Podcast, hosted by the phenomenal Joanne Lockwood (@jo_lockwood1965) of SEE Change Happen! This week's guest is the amazing Beth Sherman, an Emmy award-winning comedy writer and speaker extraordinaire! 🎙️✨ #InclusionBites
In this captivating episode, Joanne Lockwood introduces the brilliant Beth Sherman, who shares insights into her journey from the comedy industry to professional comedy writing and stand-up. 🎭🚀 Beth's passion for bringing humour into the world is truly inspiring! #InclusionBites
Beth Sherman discusses how she helps people overcome their fear of public speaking and embrace their comedic selves. 💬🌟 The importance of preparation, authenticity, and using humour to connect with the audience forms the heart of this dynamic conversation. #InclusionBites
During the episode, Joanne Lockwood shares her experience delivering a speech at her daughter's wedding, emphasising the need for light-heartedness and understanding boundaries when incorporating humour. 🎤👰 Beth and Joanne delve into the use of humour as a tool, stressing intention and skill in navigating potentially controversial subjects. #InclusionBites
The discussion around the strategic use of humour in speeches is truly eye-opening. Beth Sherman's advice on incorporating humour throughout the different stages of a speech is invaluable! 🎤💫 #InclusionBites
Both Joanne Lockwood and Beth Sherman highlight the power of creating a sense of community with the audience through shared experiences and humour. Their insights into using truth and vulnerability as forms of humour are outstanding! 🌍💬✨ #InclusionBites
The conversation also explores the impact of gender identity and experience on humour. Beth and Joanne touch on the differences in emotional intelligence and humour styles between men and women, providing thought-provoking perspectives! #InclusionBites
To wrap up, Joanne Lockwood and Beth Sherman address the importance of context and explanation for cultural references in humour, especially in international settings. Their discussion on humour in dealing with hecklers is both entertaining and informative! 🌍🤣 #InclusionBites
If you want to hear more about the power of humour, public speaking, and inclusive comedy, be sure to listen to the full episode on seechangehappen.co.uk! 🎧 Don't miss out on this insightful and entertaining conversation! #InclusionBites
And if you're interested in being a guest on the Inclusion Bites Podcast, Joanne Lockwood would love to hear from you! Get in touch via email at jo.Lockwood@seechangehappen.co.uk. Let's keep the conversation going! 🗣️✨ #InclusionBites
So, what are you waiting for? Tune in, laugh, learn, and be inspired by the incredible wisdom shared in this episode of the Inclusion Bites Podcast! 🌟 #InclusionBites
#EndOfThread #Podcast #InclusiveHumour #PublicSpeaking #Comedy #Inclusion #Diversity
Guest's content for their marketing
Hello there,
I am thrilled to share that I recently had the honour of being a guest on the Inclusion Bites Podcast hosted by Joanne Lockwood. Our lively discussion centred around the power of humour and how it acts as a lens to deepen inclusion and human connection.
During the episode, we delved into various aspects of incorporating humour into public speaking and professional communication. We explored the impact of authentic comedy in breaking down barriers and promoting a sense of community among diverse audiences. From sharing personal experiences of using humour in speeches to discussing the strategic use of comedy in different parts of a presentation, our conversation provided valuable insights into the unique role of laughter in fostering inclusivity.
As we navigated through the nuances of humour in various contexts, we also touched on the importance of understanding and addressing different cultural and generational perspectives. From adapting comedy material for international audiences to effectively dealing with hecklers, we unpacked the multi-faceted nature of comedic communication.
The episode not only shed light on the profound impact of humour in professional settings but also delved into the personal experiences and challenges that shape an individual's comedic journey. We discussed the significance of authenticity in comedy, the role of gender in shaping humour styles, and the unique ways in which various life experiences influence one's comedic lens.
I am truly grateful for the opportunity to engage in this meaningful conversation and share my insights on the Inclusion Bites Podcast. I look forward to continuing the dialogue on the power of humour and its transformative impact on fostering a culture of inclusivity.
To catch the full episode and explore the diverse perspectives we explored, I encourage you to listen to the Inclusion Bites Podcast on seechangehappen.co.uk. I hope you find our conversation as enlightening and inspiring as I did.
With warm regards,
[Guest's Name]
Questions Asked that were insightful
Certainly! During the interview, both Joanne Lockwood and Beth Sherman discussed a wide range of topics related to the use of humor in public speaking and professional settings. Here are some potential FAQs based on their insightful responses:
How can I overcome my fear of public speaking and incorporate humor into my presentations?
What are some strategies for preparing to use humor in speeches and presentations?
How can I use humor strategically throughout a speech to engage the audience?
What are the differences in approach to humor during the main delivery of a speech and during the Q&A section?
How can I create a sense of community and connection with the audience through shared experiences and humor?
What are some tips for using humor in cross-cultural and international settings?
How can I effectively address and handle hecklers using humor in a professional speaking environment?
These FAQs can serve as a starting point for creating valuable content for the audience of The Inclusion Bites Podcast. Each question can be developed into a full episode, incorporating insights from Joanne and Beth, and potentially featuring additional guest speakers or expert perspectives.
If you would like to explore these FAQs further or have any other specific requests for content creation based on the podcast, please do let me know!
Pain Points and Challenges
Title: Overcoming the Challenges of Incorporating Humour in Public Speaking
Introduction:
Welcome to The Inclusion Bites Podcast with your host, Joanne Lockwood. Today, we're diving into the world of public speaking and humour, exploring the challenges many professionals face when incorporating humour into their presentations and speeches.
Fear of Public Speaking:
One of the key pain points highlighted in the podcast is the fear of public speaking. Many individuals find it daunting to stand in front of an audience and deliver a speech, let alone incorporate humour into their presentations. This fear can hinder their ability to connect with their audience and deliver a memorable, engaging speech.
Addressing the Issue:
To address this challenge, it's essential to acknowledge and normalise the fear of public speaking. Reassure individuals that it's natural to feel nervous and that there are techniques to help overcome this fear. Encouraging individuals to practice their speeches in front of smaller, supportive groups can help build confidence. Additionally, emphasise the power of authenticity and vulnerability in connecting with an audience, which can alleviate some of the pressure of public speaking.
Navigating Potentially Controversial Subjects:
The podcast highlights the importance of intention and skill in navigating potentially controversial subjects in humour and public speaking. Speakers often struggle with finding the right balance when incorporating humour into topics that may be sensitive or divisive.
Addressing the Issue:
When addressing potentially controversial subjects, it's crucial for speakers to approach them with sensitivity and awareness. Encouraging individuals to thoroughly research their audience and understand the context in which the speech will be delivered is essential. Emphasise the impact of acknowledging and addressing the audience's expectations and perceptions and how this can foster meaningful dialogue and connection.
Gender-Related Challenges in Humour and Experience:
The podcast delves into the differences in humour and experience between men and women in social and professional settings. Gender-related challenges can impact individuals' comfort levels with incorporating humour into their speeches and presentations.
Addressing the Issue:
To address gender-related challenges, it's important to foster open conversations about diverse perspectives and experiences. Encouraging individuals to recognise and challenge gender stereotypes and biases, while understanding the impact of social and cultural influences on humour and communication styles, can be empowering. Promoting diverse representations and inclusivity in humour and speaking engagements is key to creating an environment where everyone feels valued and understood.
Conclusion:
In today's episode, we've highlighted some of the key pain points and challenges individuals face when incorporating humour into their public speaking engagements. By addressing the fear of public speaking, navigating potentially controversial subjects, and acknowledging gender-related challenges, we can empower speakers to embrace humour as a tool for inclusive and engaging communication.
Join us next time for more insightful conversations on inclusion and belonging. Remember to subscribe and share The Inclusion Bites Podcast, and if you have a topic you'd like us to discuss or if you'd like to be a guest on the show, get in touch with Joanne at jo.Lockwood@seechangehappen.co.uk.
Stay tuned for more thought-provoking discussions on the Inclusion Bites Podcast - where every voice matters.
Blog article based on the episode
Laughter as a Lens: How Humour Can Foster Inclusion and Belonging
Tick, tock, tick, tock - the clock on the wall seems to mock me as I stand at the front of the room. My heart thunders in my chest, and my palms feel damp as I glance out at the expectant faces before me. The weight of their anticipation and the pressure to convey my message competes with my instinct to flee. I stand petrified, as if the floor might swallow me whole at any given moment. Does speaking in public fill you with dread? You are not alone. The fear of public speaking is a common fear, often outranking the fear of death.
Here at Inclusion Bites, we believe in the power of humour as a tool to bridge the gaps in inclusion and belonging. In our latest episode, we had the pleasure of hosting the multi-Emmy award-winning comedy writer and speaker on the power of humour for human connection, Beth Sherman. Join us on this rollercoaster of insights and inspiration as we explore the transformative capabilities of laughter.
Beth Sherman, with her wealth of experience in the comedy industry and her ability to bring humour into the world, catapulted us into an engaging conversation about the prowess of laughter as a lens through which to overcome the fear of public speaking and embrace the comedic self.
The fear of public speaking is deeply ingrained in many of us, but it doesn't have to be paralyzing. Beth shared valuable insights into how she helps people overcome this fear and incorporate humour into their speeches. Our conversation not only uncovered the potential of humour to alleviate the anxiety of public speaking, but it also propelled us into the realm of authenticity and preparation.
One actionable piece of advice that emerged from our discussion is the importance of acknowledging nervousness and using humour to connect with the audience. Beth beautifully encapsulated the sentiment, emphasising the need for preparation and authenticity when integrating humour into speeches. The use of humour as a strategic tool, whether at the beginning to relax the audience, in the middle to reengage listeners, or at the end through a callback to leave a lasting impression, was a recurring theme throughout our conversation.
Moreover, our exploration of the intricacies of incorporating humour into public speaking highlighted the need for intention and skill in navigating potentially controversial subjects. As Joanne Lockwood reflected on her own comedy routine around trans comedy, we delved into the importance of authenticity and experience when treading on tricky subjects in comedy, thereby fostering thought-provoking and inclusive discussions.
The enchanting experience of shared laughter with an audience breeds a sense of community. As we dissected the approach to professional speaking, we discovered that humour, when delivered authentically, offers a unique opportunity to connect with our audience, creating an atmosphere that resonates with everyone.
In our quest for creating a sense of community with the audience, we also delved into the significance of acknowledging and addressing the audience's expectations and perceptions. Beth shared a specific example of using truth and vulnerability as a form of humour during a military tour in Iraq, where understanding the audience and acknowledging the context in which the humour was delivered needed to be pivotal. This resonated deep within us, urging us to contemplate the profound impact of contextual awareness in our attempts to cultivate a meaningful dialogue and connection with our audience.
Furthermore, our conversation shed light on the cultural and generational differences in humour, emphasizing the need for context and explanation in cross-cultural settings. As we navigated the nuances of humour in international settings, Beth's advice on providing context and explanation for cultural references in humour underscored the importance of fostering inclusion across diverse landscapes.
Our exploration of humour as a transformative force also highlighted the need to provide context and explanation for dealing with hecklers, ensuring that the entire audience comprehends the situation. This not only embodies inclusivity but also navigates the intricacies of public speaking with finesse. In essence, humour, when wielded with authenticity and consideration of the specific context, acts as the seasoning that enriches our communal experiences.
In closing, our episode on "Laughter as a Lens" propelled us to consider the paradigm-shifting capacity of humour in opening avenues for inclusion and belonging. The resonance of Beth Sherman's invaluable insights continues to reverberate, encouraging us to embrace the transformative capabilities of laughter. We urge you to join us in our pursuit of inclusive and engaging discourse. Subscribe, share, and reach out to us as we continue to craft a space for thought-provoking conversations.
At Inclusion Bites, we believe in the power of dialogue as we carve our path towards a more inclusive world. The journey towards increased awareness, understanding, and connection begins with you. Let's embark on this journey together.
In the words of Beth Sherman, "The power of the human connection through humour is unmatched." Let us heed this wisdom and foster inclusivity and belonging through the lens of laughter.
Join us, embrace the power of laughter, and be the catalyst of transformation.
This blog is inspired by the Inclusion Bites Podcast episode titled "Laughter as a Lens" with the guest Beth Sherman. To listen to the full episode and discover more thought-provoking content, visit seechangehappen.co.uk.
For any further inquiries or potential collaborations, please don't hesitate to reach out to our Host, Joanne Lockwood, at jo.Lockwood@seechangehappen.co.uk.
The standout line from this episode
"Laughter can offer a lens through which we connect, understand, and ultimately belong."
❓ Questions
How can humour be used as a tool for inclusion and connection in professional speaking and everyday interactions?
What are the challenges and benefits of incorporating humour into public speaking, particularly in relation to promoting inclusivity and belonging?
How can individuals effectively overcome the fear of public speaking and embrace their comedic self, as discussed in this episode?
How do cultural and gender differences influence the perception and delivery of humour, and how can speakers navigate these complexities to foster inclusion?
What were the key takeaways from the experiences shared by Joanne Lockwood and Beth Sherman in using humour to navigate potentially controversial subjects?
How can speakers create a sense of community and shared experience with their audience through strategic use of humour, as highlighted by the hosts and guest in this episode?
In what ways can professional speakers effectively address and engage with various audience perceptions and expectations, particularly through humour and vulnerability?
What are some strategies for delivering authentic and well-received humor during Q&A sessions, as suggested by the speakers in this episode?
How can speakers balance authenticity and preparation when incorporating humour into their speeches, as discussed in this episode?
What are the potential cultural and generational challenges in using humor across diverse audiences, and how can speakers effectively navigate these differences?
FAQs from the Episode
FAQ - Laughter as a Lens: Answers from The Inclusion Bites Podcast
How can humour be used to enhance public speaking?
Humour can be used to engage and relax the audience, making the speaker more relatable. It can also create memorable moments and help convey messages effectively.
What are the keys to effectively incorporating humour into speeches?
Authenticity, preparation, and understanding the audience are crucial. Being genuine and acknowledging nervousness while using humour to connect is essential.
How should speakers navigate potentially controversial subjects when using humour?
Intention and skill are important. It's vital to approach sensitive topics with respect and empathy, considering the impact on the audience.
Is there a difference in the use of humour between men and women in professional settings?
While there are differences in humour styles and experiences between men and women, it's important to avoid generalising or stereotyping genders in humour and social settings.
How can speakers use humour to create a sense of community with the audience?
Sharing genuine experiences and using authentic, relatable humour can help form a connection with the audience, creating a shared sense of community.
What is the impact of cultural and generational differences on humour in professional settings?
Understanding different cultural and generational references is important. Providing context and explanations can ensure that humour is inclusive and relatable to diverse audiences.
How can professionals deal with hecklers and unexpected reactions when using humour in speeches?
It's important to vet and repeat heckles to ensure the entire audience understands the situation. Maintaining authenticity and staying true to the context of the speech is crucial.
What is the best approach to incorporating humour in professional speaking?
Humour should be authentic and used strategically at the beginning to relax the audience, in the middle to reengage listeners, and at the end through a callback to leave a lasting impression.
How can humour be used to address imposter syndrome and other personal challenges in professional speaking?
Sharing personal experiences and vulnerabilities through humour can create a deeper connection with the audience, providing a unique opportunity to address universal themes.
What should professionals consider when using humour as a leadership and workplace balance tool?
Humour should be inclusive and used to create a positive work atmosphere, promoting teamwork and bonding among colleagues without crossing boundaries or causing offence.
For more information and to hear the full discussions, listen to The Inclusion Bites Podcast hosted by Joanne Lockwood at seechangehappen.co.uk.
Tell me more about the guest and their views
Beth Sherman, the multi-Emmy award-winning comedy writer, explores the power of humour for human connection on "The Inclusion Bites Podcast." As a professional speaker, she shares her insight into using humour to bridge gaps and create connections in a diverse and inclusive world. Her expertise in comedy and public speaking provides valuable perspectives on incorporating humour into speeches, connecting with audiences, and navigating sensitive topics with authenticity and skill. Beth's experiences in the comedy industry and international settings make her a compelling guest for the podcast, offering valuable insights for listeners aiming to create inclusive and engaging environments through the use of humour.
Ideas for Future Training and Workshops based on this Episode
Here are some ideas for future training and workshops based on the "Laughter as a Lens" episode of The Inclusion Bites Podcast:
"The Power of Humour in Inclusive Leadership": This workshop could focus on how leaders can incorporate humour to create a more inclusive and engaging workplace environment. It can explore the benefits of using humour to build connections, foster a positive culture, and navigate potentially sensitive topics with professionalism and empathy.
"Comedy Writing for Effective Communication": Based on Beth Sherman's expertise as a comedy writer, this workshop could help individuals develop their comedic skills to enhance their public speaking, presentations, and interpersonal communication. The training could cover techniques for incorporating humour into storytelling, speaking engagements, and workplace interactions.
"Inclusive Comedy: Navigating Boundaries and Context": In line with the discussion about the importance of context and cultural understanding in humour, this workshop could provide insights into how to use comedy in a way that considers diverse perspectives, cultural differences, and sensitive topics while maintaining authenticity and respect.
"Overcoming the Fear of Public Speaking with Humour": Building on the conversation about fear of public speaking, this training could focus on techniques for using humour to reduce public speaking anxiety, connect with audiences, and deliver impactful presentations with confidence.
"Gender, Humour, and Inclusion": This workshop could explore the differences in humour styles between men and women, acknowledging the potential for stereotypes while celebrating diverse approaches to comedy. The training could also address how gender dynamics can influence humour and communication in the workplace.
"Creating a Shared Experience through Humour": Drawing from the discussion about building a sense of community through shared experiences and humour, this workshop could explore ways to use comedy to foster inclusion, authenticity, and connection in professional and social settings.
These workshop ideas would align with the themes discussed in the podcast and provide valuable insights and practical strategies for enhancing inclusion, communication, and leadership through the lens of humour. If you would like to discuss these ideas further or explore additional topics, please don't hesitate to reach out to Joanne Lockwood at jo.Lockwood@seechangehappen.co.uk.
🪡 Threads by Instagram
Post 1:
Join me on The Inclusion Bites Podcast, where I dive into the power of humour with guest Beth Sherman, an Emmy award-winning comedy writer. We explore the role of humour in creating connections and fostering inclusion.
Post 2:
Discover the art of incorporating humour into public speaking with Beth Sherman and me on The Inclusion Bites Podcast. We discuss the challenges, strategies, and impact of adding light-heartedness to professional presentations.
Post 3:
Tune in to The Inclusion Bites Podcast for a captivating conversation on gender, humour, and inclusion with Beth Sherman. We share insightful experiences and perspectives on how gender affects our approach to comedy and social interaction.
Post 4:
Explore the cultural and generational nuances of humour with Beth Sherman and me on The Inclusion Bites Podcast. We delve into the importance of context and explanation, particularly in cross-cultural and international settings.
Post 5:
Learn how to navigate hecklers and incorporate authentic humour into professional speaking. Join Beth Sherman and me on The Inclusion Bites Podcast as we discuss the strategic use of humour and the need for authenticity and consideration of context.
Leadership Insights - YouTube Short Video Script on Common Problems for Leaders to Address
Title: Overcoming the Fear of Public Speaking: A Leader's Guide
[Opening shot: Close-up of a person looking nervous before speaking in public]
Voiceover: Is the thought of public speaking sending shivers down your spine? You're not alone. Many leaders struggle to incorporate humour into their speeches, fearing they may not land the jokes or could offend the audience.
[Cut to footage of a group of people engaged in a lively discussion]
Voiceover: So, how can you overcome this barrier and connect with your audience through laughter?
[Cut to a close-up of a confident speaker delivering a speech with genuine laughter from the audience]
Voiceover: Here are some key insights to help you become a more engaging and authentic public speaker.
[Transition to a title card with the text "1. Embrace Authenticity" on the screen]
Voiceover: Firstly, embrace authenticity. Don't be afraid to acknowledge any nervousness - it makes you relatable and human.
[Cut to footage of a speaker sharing a personal, light-hearted story with the audience]
Voiceover: Share personal anecdotes or light-hearted stories to create a genuine connection with your audience.
[Transition to a title card with the text "2. Use Strategic Humour" on the screen]
Voiceover: Secondly, use strategic humour. Consider using humour at the beginning to relax the audience, in the middle to re-engage them, and at the end through a callback for a lasting impression.
[Cut to footage of a speaker delivering a well-timed, humorous remark during a speech]
Voiceover: Remember, humour is a seasoning – use it strategically to enhance your message, not overpower it.
[Transition to a title card with the text "3. Be Culturally Aware" on the screen]
Voiceover: Thirdly, be culturally aware. Explain any cultural references or use humour that transcends cultural boundaries to ensure inclusivity.
[Cut to footage of a speaker using inclusive, universally relatable humour]
Voiceover: Understanding your audience and their diverse backgrounds will help you create a shared experience through laughter.
[Closing shot: A confident leader speaking to a captivated audience and receiving applause]
Voiceover: By embracing authenticity, using strategic humour, and being culturally aware, you can transform your fear of public speaking into a powerful tool for connection and engagement.
[End screen with the text "Leadership Insights Channel" and a call to action for the viewer to subscribe]
Voiceover: Subscribe to the Leadership Insights Channel for more expert tips on overcoming common leadership challenges.
[End of video]
SEO Optimised Titles
Successful Humour in Public Speaking: Strategies for Engagement | Inclusion Bites Podcast, Jo @SEE Change Happen
Navigating Gender-Based Humour Differences: Insights from Professional Speakers | Inclusion Bites Podcast, Beth @SEE Change Happen
Unlocking the Power of Authentic Humour in Public Speaking | Inclusion Bites Podcast, Beth @SEE Change Happen
Email Newsletter about this Podcast Episode
Subject: Unleashing the Power of Laughter and Inclusion
Hey there,
I hope this email brings a smile to your face! This week on the Inclusion Bites Podcast, we dove deep into the incredible power of laughter and its role in promoting inclusion. If you've ever wondered how humour can bridge gaps and bring people together, this episode is a must-listen.
Here are 5 key takeaways from this week's episode:
Overcoming the Fear of Public Speaking: You'll discover expert tips on embracing your inner comedian and using humour to conquer the nerves of public speaking.
The Strategic Use of Humour: Learn how to strategically incorporate humour into your speeches—whether it's to relax the audience, reengage them, or create a lasting impression.
Authenticity and Vulnerability: Understand how truth and vulnerability can be powerful tools for delivering impactful humour, making genuine connections, and creating a sense of community.
Gender and Humour: Get insights into the differences in humour styles and experiences between men and women, while navigating the fine line of avoiding stereotypes.
Cultural Humour and Hecklers: Uncover the complexities of using humour in cross-cultural settings and how to deal with hecklers with grace and wit.
A Unique Fact Shared from the Episode:
We explored the intriguing experience of using a slow-burn joke about imposter syndrome during a public speaking event, sparking laughter and reflection among the audience.
This episode gave us a fresh perspective on embracing humour as a tool for building connections and fostering inclusion. The power of laughter knows no boundaries; it unites us in the shared experience of joy.
I call upon you to subscribe, share, and join us in the journey of inclusion and belonging. Let's keep the conversation going and continue to champion the transformative power of laughter in our lives and workplaces.
Thanks for being part of this community and for embracing the beauty of inclusion.
Warm regards,
Jo
P.S. If you have any thoughts or want to be a future guest, drop me a line at jo.Lockwood@seechangehappen.co.uk. Let's keep the laughter and inclusion flowing!
Potted Summary
Welcome to The Inclusion Bites Podcast with Joanne Lockwood. In this episode, we explore the power of laughter and humour in human connection with multi-Emmy award-winning comedy writer and speaker, Beth Sherman. We delve into the fear of public speaking, the authenticity of comedy, and the impact of gender differences on humour.
In this conversation we discuss:
👉 Fear of public speaking
👉 Authenticity in comedy
👉 Gender differences in humour
Here are a few of our favourite quotable moments:
"Using humour at specific points in a speech can relax the audience and leave a lasting impression."
"Authenticity and natural delivery are key in creating moments that genuinely connect with the audience."
"The best laughs often come from spontaneous or authentic moments rather than rehearsed jokes."
Tune in to this insightful conversation on the power of laughter and inclusion. Don't miss out – subscribe and share the podcast to keep these conversations going.
LinkedIn Poll
Opening summary:
"Laughter can be a powerful tool for connection and inclusion in the workplace. How do you incorporate humour into your professional speeches? Join the conversation!"
LinkedIn poll question:
"What's your approach to workplace humour? 😄 #InclusionBitesPodcast"
Poll responses:
"Natural & Authentic" #Authenticity
"Strategic & Planned" #Preparation
"Audience-Driven" #Engagement
"Context-Sensitive" #Connection
Closing why vote:
"Your input matters! Share your approach to workplace humour and help others find inclusive ways to connect through laughter. #InclusiveWorkplace"
Highlight the Importance of this topic on LinkedIn
🌟 Excited to share my insights after listening to The Inclusion Bites Podcast episode "Laughter as a Lens" with Joanne Lockwood and Beth Sherman. 🎙️
🔍 This conversation delves into the power of humour in public speaking, inclusion, and human connection. It's a vital resource for HR and EDI professionals, shedding light on the role of authenticity, context, and intention in using humour effectively. 💬
🎧 Tune in and join the conversation on embracing diversity through the lens of laughter! 🌍🤝
#InclusionMatters #DiversityandInclusion #HRProfessional #EDIExpert #SeeChangeHappen 📣
L&D Insights
🎙️ In this episode of the Inclusion Bites Podcast, Joanne Lockwood and guest Beth Sherman delve into the power of humour in professional speaking and the role of laughter in creating connections and fostering inclusion.
🤔 Insights for Senior Leaders, HR, and EDI professionals:
Embracing humour in speeches can help create a relaxed and inclusive atmosphere for employees and audiences.
Acknowledging and addressing audience expectations and context is crucial to effectively incorporate humour into professional speaking.
Authenticity, preparation, and understanding boundaries are key to successfully using humour in speeches.
Humour can be strategic, used at the beginning to relax the audience, in the middle to reengage, and at the end as a callback for a lasting impression.
Gender and cultural differences in humour and social interactions impact professional settings, requiring awareness and sensitivity.
💡 "Aha moments":
The best laughs come from spontaneous or authentic moments, rather than rehearsed jokes in professional speaking.
Humour can be used as a tool for workplace balance and leadership.
The need to provide context and explanations for cultural references in humour, especially in international settings, to ensure inclusivity.
🌐 What to do differently:
Embrace humour to create a more inclusive and engaging environment in professional settings.
Provide training and awareness around cultural and gender differences in humour to ensure a more inclusive workplace.
Prioritize authenticity and preparation when incorporating humour into speeches or presentations.
Consider the strategic use of humour at different points in speeches to enhance audience engagement and connection.
🔗 #InclusionBites #HumourInclusion #ProfessionalSpeaking #InclusiveLeadership #CulturalHumour
Shorts Video Script
Title: "The Power of Humour in Inclusive Communication"
Hashtags:
#InclusionMatters
#HumourForConnection
#AuthenticityInSpeech
#DiversityInComedy
#BelongingThroughHumour
[Text on screen: The Power of Humour in Inclusive Communication]
Hey, have you ever wondered how humour can be a powerful tool for inclusion and belonging? Well, let me share some insights with you.
First off, it's important to acknowledge that public speaking can be intimidating, but incorporating light-hearted humour can really help to break the ice and connect with your audience. 🌟
Authenticity is key when it comes to using humour in speeches. It’s not about having a set of rehearsed jokes, but rather finding those naturally funny moments and using them to engage your audience.
When it comes to speeches, humour is like seasoning. It can be used strategically to relax the audience at the beginning, re-engage them in the middle, and leave a lasting impression at the end. 🎤
Understanding and acknowledging the audience's expectations and perceptions is crucial. By being aware of the context in which jokes are delivered, we can create meaningful connections and enhance the impact of our speeches.
And let's not forget about the importance of providing context and explanation, especially when using cultural references in humour. This can help bridge any generational or cultural gaps.
Remember, the most effective humour comes from genuine, vulnerable moments, not from rehearsed jokes. So, next time you're prepping for a speech, consider incorporating some genuine, light-hearted moments. 🌍
Thanks for watching! Remember, together we can make a difference. Stay connected, stay inclusive! See you next time. ✨
Glossary of Terms and Phrases
Callback: Referring back to an earlier joke or story in a speech or stand-up routine, creating a sense of shared experience and connection with the audience. (As demonstrated by John Bishop in his stand-up show with a slideshow to confirm the truth of earlier stories.)
Hecklers: Individuals in an audience who interrupt a speaker or performer with comments or jeers. Managing hecklers involves vetting and repeating heckles to ensure the entire audience understands the situation.
Slow-burn joke: A joke that takes time to develop and resonate with the audience, such as Joanne Lockwood's successful use of a slow-burn joke about imposter syndrome during a public speaking event.
Masculine and feminine humour: The differing styles of humour associated with stereotypical gender roles, with Joanne reflecting on how her transition has altered her perception of humour, from masculine to feminine humour that resonates more with her.
Emotional intelligence: The ability to understand and manage one's own emotions, as well as effectively communicate and empathize with others. Beth Sherman discusses differences in emotional intelligence and humour styles between men and women.
These concepts and phrases are used in the episode to provide insight into the nuanced world of professional speaking and comedy, demonstrating the importance of understanding audience dynamics, personal authenticity, and the thoughtful use of humour for effective communication and connection.
SEO Optimised YouTube Content
Focus Keyword: Positive People Experiences
Title: "Laughter as a Lens | Positive People Experiences & Culture Change | #InclusionBitesPodcast"
Tags: Positive People Experiences, Diversity and Inclusion, Comedy in Inclusion, Workplace Humour, Building Connections, Inclusive Leadership, Comedy Writing, Public Speaking, Diversity Training, Gender Diversity, Inclusion Strategies, Belonging at Work, Humour in the Workplace, Building Rapport, Empathy and Inclusion, Emotional Intelligence, Workplace Culture, Laughter and Belonging, Inclusive Communication, Improving Workplace Relationships, Inclusive Humour, Fostering Inclusivity, Stereotypes and Humour, Navigating Controversy with Humour, Comedy and Culture Change, Authentic Leadership, Cross-Cultural Humour, Addressing Imposter Syndrome, Gender and Comedy, Authentic Public Speaking, Comedy for Human Connection, Inclusion Bites Podcast,
Killer Quote: "The best laughs come from spontaneous or authentic moments, rather than rehearsed jokes." - Beth Sherman
Hashtags: #PositivePeopleExperiences, #InclusiveComedy, #WorkplaceInclusion, #DiverseHumour, #BelongingAtWork, #AuthenticLeadership, #CrossCulturalHumour, #GenderDiversity, #PublicSpeaking, #ComedyWriting, #InclusiveLeadership, #InclusionStrategies, #GenderandComedy, #OfficeHumour, #DiversityTraining, #ComedyandCultureChange, #InclusiveCommunication, #HumourintheWorkplace, #FosteringInclusivity, #InclusiveHumour
Why Listen:
In this episode of The Inclusion Bites Podcast, I sit down with Beth Sherman to explore the power of humour in fostering positive people experiences and driving culture change. As a multi-Emmy award-winning comedy writer and speaker on the power of humour for human connection, Beth shares her insights on embracing authentic humour in the workplace and beyond. We delve into the role of humour in public speaking, the impact of storytelling, and how diversity and inclusion intersect with comedy, providing practical strategies and thought-provoking discussions. Join us as we uncover the transformative potential of laughter as a lens for inclusive environments, leadership, and belonging.
Closing Summary and Call to Action:
Embracing Authenticity: Beth Sherman highlights the importance of authenticity and natural delivery in comedy, emphasising the power of spontaneous, authentic moments.
Strategic Humour: Discover how to strategically use humour in speeches, including the early, mid, and closing stages, as well as during Q&A sessions, to engage and leave a lasting impression.
Gender and Comedy: Joanne and Beth delve into the differences in emotional intelligence and humour styles between men and women, while challenging stereotypes and gender generalisations.
Addressing Imposter Syndrome: Joanne opens up about her experience with imposter syndrome and how it relates to her gender identity, shedding light on the impact of humour in navigating such challenges.
Enhancing Workplace Culture: Learn how to utilise humour as a tool for workplace balance and leadership, and gain insights into creating a sense of community and shared experiences with the audience.
Outro:
Thank you for tuning in to this episode of The Inclusion Bites Podcast. Make sure to like, subscribe, and share to spread the message of positive people experiences and culture change. For more engaging content, visit the SEE Change Happen website: https://seechangehappen.co.uk. And don't forget to explore previous episodes and connect with us at: https://seechangehappen.co.uk/inclusion-bites-listen.
Stay curious, stay kind, and stay inclusive - Joanne Lockwood
Root Cause Analyst - Why!
The key problem related to this episode is the challenge of effectively incorporating humour into public speaking.
Why is it difficult for people to add humour to their presentations?
Because they may lack confidence in their comedic abilities and fear not being well-received by their audience.
Why do they lack confidence in their comedic abilities?
Because they may not have experience in using humour in public speaking or lack the necessary skills to effectively incorporate it into their presentations.
Why do they lack experience or skills in using humour in public speaking?
Because they may not have received proper training or guidance on how to integrate humour into their speeches, or they may not be comfortable with vulnerability and authenticity in their delivery.
Why have they not received proper training or guidance on integrating humour into speeches?
Because there may be a lack of available resources, mentors, or programmes that specifically focus on teaching individuals how to effectively use humour in professional speaking engagements.
Root Cause Summary:
The root cause of the difficulty in incorporating humour into public speaking lies in the lack of confidence, experience, skills, and guidance in using humour effectively. This can lead to missed opportunities for audience engagement and impactful communication.
Potential Solutions:
Provide training and workshops specifically focused on teaching individuals how to integrate humour into professional speaking engagements.
Offer mentorship programmes where individuals can receive guidance and feedback on incorporating humour into their presentations.
Encourage more open discussions and sharing of experiences to demystify the process of using humour in public speaking.
Highlight the benefits of effectively using humour in speeches to motivate individuals to develop their comedic skills.
TikTok/Reels/Shorts Video Summary
Focus Keyword: Positive People Experiences
Title: Embracing Humour for Positive People Experiences | #InclusionBitesPodcast
Tags: Inclusion, Belonging, Diversity, Humour, Public Speaking, Comedy, Leadership, Empowerment, Gender Equality, Workplace Culture, Communication, Connection, Authenticity, Laughter, Emotional Intelligence, Confidence, Human Connection, Cultural Differences, Respect, Inclusivity, Positive Experiences
Killer Quote: "The intention behind telling jokes is to make everyone laugh and the importance of audience engagement." - Beth Sherman
Hashtags: #Inclusion #DiversityandInclusion #InclusiveLeadership #HumourForInclusion #Authenticity #Comedy #PublicSpeaking #PositiveExperiences #WorkplaceCulture #GenderEquality #HumanConnection #EmotionalIntelligence #InclusiveHumour #Belonging #SEEChangeHappen #InclusionBitesPodcast
Summary Description:
In this week's episode of The Inclusion Bites Podcast, I sit down with Beth and dive into the power of using humour for Positive People Experiences. We discuss how incorporating laughter can bring about Culture Change in workplaces and help individuals embrace authenticity. From navigating the fear of public speaking to leveraging humour for workplace balance and leadership, we explore the impact of humour in fostering connections and creating an inclusive environment. Tune in for practical insights and advice on how to infuse your presentations with genuine laughter, ultimately shaping Positive People Experiences.
Why listen: Gain valuable tips on incorporating humour into public speaking, fostering workplace inclusivity, and embracing authenticity for positive people experiences.
Call to Action: Tune in to the full episode to learn how to bring more genuine laughter and positive experiences into your life and work!
Outro:
Thank you for tuning in to The Inclusion Bites Podcast. Don't forget to like and subscribe to the channel for more insightful conversations around inclusion and belonging. For additional resources, visit the SEE Change Happen website: https://seechangehappen.co.uk. Listen to the full episode here "The Inclusion Bites Podcast" https://seechangehappen.co.uk/inclusion-bites-listen.
Stay curious, stay kind, and stay inclusive - Joanne Lockwood
Canva Slider Checklist
Opening Slide:
Summary: Explore essential best practices for inclusive humour in professional communication.
Closing Slide:
Connect with Joanne Lockwood at SEE Change Happen. Visit https://seechangehappen.co.uk to learn more and champion inclusion in your workplace.
Episode Carousel
Slide 1:
[Background image of a microphone on a stand]
Caption: "Can laughter truly be a lens for inclusion and connection?"
Slide 2:
[Image of Joanne Lockwood and Beth Sherman]
Caption: "Join me for a fascinating conversation with multi-Emmy award-winning comedy writer, Beth Sherman, on the power of humor for human connection."
Slide 3:
[Image of an audience member laughing]
Caption: "Discover how to infuse speeches with humor and overcome the fear of public speaking."
Slide 4:
[Image with the podcast logo and episode title: Laughter as a Lens]
Caption: "Tune in to The Inclusion Bites Podcast to gain valuable insights and strategies for using humor to foster belonging and inclusion."
Slide 5:
[Background image with a microphone and headphones]
Caption: "Listen to the full episode now on seechangehappen.co.uk and embrace the power of laughter for inclusivity and connection! #InclusionBites #HumorAndInclusion"
6 major topics
Title: Harnessing the Power of Humour with Beth Sherman
Meta Description: Join me in a conversation with Beth Sherman as we explore the impact of humour in professional speaking and the art of inclusive comedic storytelling.
Introduction:
Today, I'm delighted to welcome the brilliant Beth Sherman to share her insights on the transformative power of humour in the realm of professional speaking. From military tours in Iraq to winning multiple Emmy awards, Beth has truly mastered the art of using laughter to build connections and foster belonging. Let's dive into our conversation and uncover the diverse facets of incorporating humour into public speaking.
The Joys of Comedy Writing :
Beth, your journey into professional comedy writing and stand-up is truly remarkable. Could you share with our listeners the pivotal moments that sparked your passion for bringing joy and humour into the world? What's the secret behind crafting compelling comedic narratives that resonate with diverse audiences?
Incorporating Humour into Public Speaking:
Absolutely, incorporating humour into public speaking can indeed be a daunting task. I'm curious, how do you guide individuals in overcoming their fear of public speaking and embracing their comedic selves? What are some actionable strategies that our listeners can adopt to infuse authenticity and light-heartedness into their presentations?
The Strategic Use of Humour:
Fascinating insights, Beth. As you rightly mentioned, the strategic use of humour is vital in creating impactful speeches. Could you expound on when and how to strategically sprinkle humour throughout a speech to engage and resonate with the audience? What about navigating potentially controversial subjects with grace and skill?
Shared Experiences and Community Building:
It's fascinating to hear about John Bishop using callbacks in his stand-up show to create a shared experience with the audience. How do you believe shared experiences and humour can foster a sense of community and belonging, especially in professional speaking engagements? Any noteworthy examples from your own experiences that highlight the power of inclusive comedic storytelling?
Gendered Perspectives on Humour:
Your observations about how gender can influence experiences and humour styles are thought-provoking, Beth. How can we effectively challenge and move beyond stereotypical gendered perceptions of humour, embracing a diverse range of comedic expressions and experiences? What role does empathy play in understanding and appreciating different humour styles across genders?
Cultural and Generational Considerations:
Addressing cultural and generational differences in humour is crucial, Beth. How can we navigate these nuances effectively to ensure our humorous anecdotes are inclusive and universally understood, regardless of cultural or generational backgrounds? Do you have any tips for providing context and explanation for cultural references in international settings?
Conclusion:
Thank you for sharing such invaluable insights, Beth. The power of humour in professional speaking cannot be underestimated. As we conclude, I encourage our listeners to reflect on the diverse ways in which humour can be harnessed to foster inclusive, engaging, and meaningful interactions. Here's to incorporating the joys of laughter into our everyday conversations and presentations.
By Joanne Lockwood
TikTok Summary
🎙️ Looking for a bite-sized dose of inclusion and belonging? Dive into the Inclusion Bites Podcast hosted by Joanne Lockwood (Jo) of SEE Change Happen! With thought-provoking conversations and insights, each episode promises to leave you hungry for more. Find the full menu of episodes at seechangehappen.co.uk/inclusion-bites-listen. Join the conversation and expand your horizons! #InclusionBites #Podcast #SeeChangeHappen 🎧
Slogans and Image Prompts
Soundbite/Quote: "Humour is the secret ingredient to inclusivity."
Image Prompt: Generate an image of a diverse group of people sharing a hearty laugh together, possibly in a circle, with the words "Humour Unites Us" displayed alongside the image.
Soundbite/Quote: "Inclusivity begins with laughter."
Image Prompt: Create an image of a diverse and joyful crowd engaged in laughter, with the words "Laughs Bring Us Together" in bold, playful lettering.
Soundbite/Quote: "Authenticity is the heart of comedy."
Image Prompt: Generate an image of a comedian standing on stage, being genuine and relaxed, with the words "Real Laughs Come from the Heart" incorporated into the design.
Soundbite/Quote: "Laughter knows no boundaries."
Image Prompt: Create an image portraying people of various cultures and backgrounds sharing a lighthearted moment, with the words "Comedy Transcends Borders" featured prominently.
Soundbite/Quote: "Humour as a tool for connection."
Image Prompt: Generate an image of two people from different walks of life having a good-natured exchange, with the words "Comedy Knits Us Together" beautifully illustrated alongside.
These soundbites and quotes, combined with the AI-generated images, can be used to create impactful merchandise and social media assets for the podcast, effectively resonating with the audience and encouraging connection and inclusivity.
Inclusion Bites Spotlight
Beth Sherman, our guest on "Laughter as a Lens," this episode of The Inclusion Bites Podcast, brings her award-winning expertise in the power of humour to foster human connection and inclusion. As a multi-Emmy award-winning comedy writer and speaker, Beth shares her passion for infusing speeches with humour to create a sense of belonging and break down barriers.
Beth believes that humour can be a powerful tool for building connection and creating inclusive spaces, regardless of background or experience. Through her work, she aims to empower individuals to incorporate authentic humour into their speeches and presentations, helping them establish rapport with their audience and foster a sense of community.
During this episode, Beth provides valuable insights into how humour intersects with issues of inclusion and connection, and how it can be used to create a more engaging and inclusive communication environment. She shares her experiences navigating potentially controversial topics, addressing audience expectations, and adapting humour to diverse cultural and generational contexts.
Beth's expertise offers a fresh and insightful perspective on the role of humour in the realm of inclusion, and her guidance will help us explore the nuances of using laughter as a lens to enhance our interactions and create inclusive spaces for all.
YouTube Description
Welcome to The Inclusion Bites Podcast, where we challenge the status quo and discuss the power of humour for human connection with our guest, multi-Emmy award-winning comedy writer and speaker, Beth Sherman. Join us as we delve into the world of professional comedy writing, public speaking, and the impact of humour on inclusion and belonging.
In this insightful episode, Joanne Lockwood and Beth Sherman explore the fear of public speaking and how to infuse presentations with humour to engage and connect with audiences. With candid experiences and valuable advice, they navigate the nuances of incorporating humour into speeches, navigating potentially controversial subjects, and creating a sense of community through shared experiences and laughter.
Discover how humour can bridge cultural and gender gaps, impact workplace dynamics, and enhance leadership. Gain valuable insights into the differences in emotional intelligence and humour styles between men and women, and how to use humour as a powerful tool for balance and connection in the workplace.
Join the conversation, challenge perceptions, and discover actionable takeaways to revolutionize your approach to public speaking and humour. Embrace the transformative power of laughter as a lens to foster inclusion and connection.
🌟 Key Takeaways:
Overcoming the fear of public speaking with authenticity and preparation
Strategic use of humour to engage and connect with audiences
Navigating potentially controversial subjects with intention and skill
Creating a sense of community through shared experiences and laughter
Using humour as a tool for workplace balance and leadership
Ready to transform your approach to public speaking and harness the power of humour for inclusion? Subscribe to The Inclusion Bites Podcast, share your insights, and connect with us to join the conversation.
#InclusionBites #HumourForInclusion #PublicSpeaking #DiversityandInclusion #InclusiveLeadership #WorkplaceHumour #AuthenticityInHumour #ConnectionsThroughLaughter #HumourInPublicSpeaking #GenderHumour #CulturalHumour
10 Question Quiz
Certainly! Here's a multiple-choice quiz based on the material covered in the episode "Laughter as a Lens" of The Inclusion Bites Podcast:
What is the primary focus of The Inclusion Bites Podcast?
a) Health and Wellness
b) Comedy and Entertainment
c) Inclusion and Belonging
d) Technology and InnovationWhat is the professional background of the guest, Beth Sherman?
a) Professional Athlete
b) Multi-Emmy Award-winning Comedy Writer
c) Renowned Chef
d) Best-selling AuthorAccording to Beth Sherman, what is the power of humour used for?
a) Creating division
b) Human connection
c) Promoting isolation
d) Generating fearWhat did Joanne Lockwood highlight as a common difficulty for individuals in public speaking?
a) Incorporating music into speeches
b) Adding visual effects to presentations
c) Infusing humour into their speeches
d) Memorising long scriptsAccording to Beth Sherman, how does she advise people to overcome their fear of public speaking and embrace their comedic self?
a) Through fear-based tactics
b) By denying their nervousness
c) By acknowledging nervousness and using humour to connect with the audience
d) Through intimidation tacticsWhat did Joanne Lockwood emphasise the need for in public speaking to keep people engaged?
a) A serious and formal tone
b) Incorporating music throughout the speech
c) Speaking at the right cadence and pace
d) Using complex language to impress the audienceBeth Sherman suggests that the best laughs come from:
a) Rehearsed jokes
b) Spontaneous or authentic moments
c) Reading from written material
d) Jokes with complex set-upsAccording to Beth Sherman, when should humour be used in speeches?
a) At the end of the speech only
b) At the beginning to relax the audience, in the middle to reengage listeners, and at the end through a callback
c) Only during the Q&A portion
d) At the beginning and end of the speech onlyIn what way does Joanne Lockwood incorporate humour into her professional speaking?
a) By using rehearsed jokes only
b) Through unrehearsed moments that land well and then recycling them authentically in future speeches
c) By adopting a serious and formal demeanour
d) By avoiding humour altogetherAccording to both Joanne Lockwood and Beth Sherman, what is the power of creating a sense of community with the audience through shared experiences and humour?
a) It has no impact on the audience
b) It enhances the impact of the speaker's delivery
c) It generates fear and isolation
d) It causes division and disagreement
Answer key:
c) Inclusion and Belonging
b) Multi-Emmy Award-winning Comedy Writer
b) Human connection
c) Infusing humour into their speeches
c) By acknowledging nervousness and using humour to connect with the audience
c) Speaking at the right cadence and pace
b) Spontaneous or authentic moments
b) At the beginning to relax the audience, in the middle to reengage listeners, and at the end through a callback
b) Through unrehearsed moments that land well and then recycling them authentically in future speeches
b) It enhances the impact of the speaker's delivery
Summary:
The Inclusion Bites Podcast, hosted by Joanne Lockwood, focuses on conversations around inclusion and belonging. In the episode "Laughter as a Lens," guest Beth Sherman, a multi-Emmy Award-winning comedy writer, emphasises the power of humour for human connection. Beth advises embracing nervousness and using humour to connect with the audience, highlighting the importance of delivering speeches at the right cadence and pace. Both Joanne and Beth stress the impact of creating a sense of community with the audience through shared experiences and humour, enhancing the impact of the speaker's delivery. They also discuss the strategic use of humour in speeches, particularly its placement at the beginning to relax the audience, in the middle to reengage listeners, and at the end through a callback to leave a lasting impression.
Rhyme Scheme and Rhythm Podcast Poetry
Verse of Laughter: A Journey of Inclusion and Humour
In the world of speeches, humour's a treasure,
A dash of wit can bring people together.
Fear not the stage or the judgment you face,
For laughter can help in finding your place.
In corporate rooms or on comedy stages,
The power of humour unites generations.
With stories and jokes, the past we embrace,
And through shared laughter, we find common grace.
Adeptly weaving truth with a comic twist,
Speeches are flavoured, by humour kissed.
The art of timing, the pace and the chord,
Can turn a dull speech into something adored.
In spaces diverse, where cultures collide,
Context is key in the laughter we ride.
Understand well the hearts of the crowd,
For connection through humour speaks clear and loud.
Hecklers may heckle, but wit can disarm,
A clever retort can bring back the charm.
With seasoning like humour, sprinkled just right,
We can bond and engage, for hearts to ignite.
So consider the balance in the words that you share,
With authenticity, your stories declare.
In humour and speeches, respect is the key,
For laughter unites us, inclusion is free.
So join in the laughter, and be sure to share,
This Inclusion Bites Podcast, showing we care.
With thanks to Beth Sherman for a fascinating podcast episode, let's spread the joys of laughter and inclusion far and wide.
🔖 Titles
Laughter: A Powerful Tool for Connection
Uniting Through Humour: A Guide to Inclusive Communication
Infusing Humour into Public Speaking for Inclusive Conversations
Inclusion Through Laughter: Navigating Humour in Professional Speeches
Connecting Through Comedy: Harnessing Humour for Inclusive Discourse
The Inclusive Power of Humour: Building Bridges with Laughter
Embracing Diversity Through Laughter: Unlocking Inclusive Conversations
Humour as a Lens for Inclusion: Strategies for Authentic Connection
Unveiling the Inclusive Potential of Humour in Professional Communication
The Impact of Humour on Inclusivity: Bridging Divides Through Laughter
About this Episode
About The Episode:
In this light-hearted yet profound conversation, we're joined by Beth Sherman, an Emmy award-winning comedy writer, who offers a unique perspective on the role laughter plays in public speaking and connection. Beth illuminates how authentic humour can break barriers and foster a sense of community, making speeches memorable and impactful. With her expertise, we delve into how incorporating a comedic lens can help overcome the fear of public speaking, and why a laugh shared is a bond forged.
Today, we'll cover:
The transformative power of humour in overcoming the fear of public speaking and engaging audiences.
Techniques for bringing natural humour into speeches and the strategic placement of comedic elements.
The delicate balance of pacing and cadence in delivering a speech to maximize audience retention and laughter.
Embracing authenticity and vulnerability in comedy to resonate with diverse audiences.
The effectiveness of callbacks and storytelling in creating a shared experience and sense of community in public speaking.
How personal experiences, such as imposter syndrome, can be turned into relatable humour.
Tailoring humour to different cultural and generational contexts, ensuring inclusivity and connection.
Key Learnings
Key Learning and Takeaway:
The essence of the "Laughter as a Lens" episode lies in the power of humour to foster human connection, overcome the fear of public speaking, and enhance inclusivity. Humour isn't just a performance tool; it's a bridge to authenticity, engagement, and shared experiences that can be strategically used to create a relaxed and inclusive atmosphere.
Point #1:
Authenticity in Humour - Beth Sherman stresses the importance of being genuine when incorporating humour into public speaking. The most resonant laughs come from spontaneous moments or truthful anecdotes that speakers can genuinely connect with, not from memorized jokes that may fall flat.
Point #2:
Strategic Use of Humour - A purposeful approach to humour can greatly benefit a speech. Beth suggests using it at the start to calm nerves, in the middle to reengage the audience, and at the end to leave a memorable impression, employing techniques like callbacks to reconnect with earlier moments and foster a sense of community.
Point #3:
Understanding the Audience - Both Beth and Joanne emphasize the need to craft humour that resonates with the specific audience. Whether incorporating personal vulnerabilities or referencing shared experiences, the impact is maximized when a speaker acknowledges the audience's context and perceptions.
Point #4:
Cultural and Contextual Considerations - Humour varies widely across cultures and generations. Joanne and Beth highlight the importance of providing context for jokes and being mindful of potentially differing interpretations. This careful consideration ensures that humour can serve as an inclusive, not alienating, force in communication.
Book Outline
Book Outline: "Humour's Heart: Connecting through Laughter in a Diverse World"
Preprocessed Transcript:
Segments have been organized to eliminate redundancies and to clarify the focus on the guest's contributions.
Key Themes and Topics:
Power of Humour for Connection
Overcoming Public Speaking Fears with Humour
Authenticity and Natural Delivery in Comedy
Using Humour Strategically in Speeches
Humour as a Tool for Community and Shared Experiences
Truth and Vulnerability in Humour
Differences in Gender and Experience in Humour
Humour in the Workplace
Cultural and Generational Differences in Humour
Structured Book Outline:
Chapter 1: The Journey to Laughter
Introduction to the World of Comedy Writing
Finding the Fun in Fear: Overcoming Stage Fright
Chapter 2: The Authentic Comedian
The Art of Preparation Meets Spontaneity
Embracing the Unrehearsed Moments that Resonate
Chapter 3: Crafting Connections through Humour
Engaging with Audiences: The Comedy Compass
Leaving a Lasting Impression: Start, Middle, End
Chapter 4: Humour as the Community Glue
The Shared Experience: Building Bonds in Diverse Groups
Recalling Moments of Truth: The Iraq Military Tour Example
Chapter 5: A Lens of Inclusion through Laughter
Gender Narratives in Comedy: Exploring the Gap
The Delicate Balance: Reflecting Cultural Sensitivities
Chapter 6: Strategic Laughter in Professional Spaces
Humour for Leadership: Seasoning Speeches with Laughs
Heckler Management: The Spontaneous Wit
Chapter 7: Comedy in Context
Engaging through Explanation: Humour across Borders
Effective and Ineffective Uses of Humour in Speaking
Chapter 8: Final Reflections
Emphasizing the Importance of Intention in Comedy
The Comedian's Role in Fostering Belonging and Inclusion
Incorporating Quotes and Examples:
Direct quotes from the guest's experiences and advice on incorporating humour will be interspersed throughout the chapters. Real-life examples such as the strategies used during the military tour in Iraq will demonstrate the principles discussed.
Supplementary Content:
Research on the effects of humour on human connection and psychological insights into public speaking fears will be added to provide depth. Illustrations or comedic strips may be included to visually represent concepts.
Conclusion and Call to Action:
The conclusion will distill the essence of using laughter as a lens for inclusion and the impact it can have on personal and professional relationships. Readers will be invited to explore their comedic style and implement humour in their daily interactions.
Refinement and Feedback:
Feedback from subject matter experts in comedy and inclusion will refine the flow of the book.
Final Touches:
Title Suggestions:
"Laughter Unleashed: Mastering the Art of Inclusive Comedy"
"The Humour Connection: Bridging Divides with Laughter"
Chapter Summaries:
Each chapter will provide an overview of the techniques and insights covered, ensuring readers can quickly grasp the main takeaways.
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