Note:  just changed some settings with this podcast and iTunes.   Some listeners may find this a re-broadcast… please accept our apologies.   Or Bad!

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How Do You Become a Comedian? In this podcast we join corporate comedian David Glickman as he tells us about his first paid job as a comedian. Believe it or not, he got this job in the newspaper Help Wanted pages: “Wanted: Comedian.” Can you believe it?

What follows is a crazy and true story about the first of David’s 2000+ experiences as a comedian. The short story is that he was the “voice” behind a remote-controlled robot that visited high-end parties in Southern Florida in the 1970s. With a microphone and a headset, he could hear what people would say to this robot, and then with his microphone he could “answer” back. Wanna find out what happens when this budding comedian meats the ultra hot (at the time anyway) rock star, Meatloaf? I won’t give the story away, but suffice it to say that it was funny, and that it earned the comedian a raise.

Listen to the entire podcast. (Scroll down!) Thanks David!

Brad Montgomery
Corporate Comedian, Public Speaker, Fan of David Glickman

Technorati Tags: Comedians, Motivational Speakers, Humor, Comics.

Karyn Buxman is a California based, terrific speaker, humorist, nurse, and good friend. She is also a mom.

In this shorter podcast, Karyn tells us how here 16 year old son (who is also a manager) used a sense of humor to solve a problem with an unhappy customer at the McDonalds he was managing.

He used some humor and theatrics to help defuse a stressful situation.

Basically, after trying to make an unhappy customer happy and failing to make any difference, he was asked to “get the manager.” Well, as I said, he IS the manager. So he turned around, threw up his hands, and turned back to face the customer. “How can I be of service?”

The result… a positive experience for him, for the customer (and I suppose for McDonalds.

Enjoy this podcast. Thanks Karyn!

Check out my keynotes, speeches and seminars on Humor and the Workplace here…. no hamburgers required!
Brad Montgomery
Motivational Speaker, Humorist, Keynoter, and Fan of Karyn Buxman

In this podcast episode we return to a visit with Minnesota motivational speaker Mark Sharenbroich.

Mark tells us the story about when he stopped an old man in Illinois for directions, he asked the man, “How long will it take to get there.” The man answered that, “It’s 91 miles, but how long it takes is up to you.”

Simple wisdom, almost cliche’. But Mark reminds us how this simple story applies to our lives. We have what it takes… it is up to us to decide if and how we get there. I love it… Mark is such a great story teller, and this story is a gem.

Mark also reminds us that motivation is not just goal setting, focus, and decisions. (In fact, in a cool moment Mark pretty much summarizes most motivational speakers on the market today.) The bulk of success is just plain hard work. Are you willing to do do what it takes to make stuff happen?

Sure, you need to know where you are going, and you need tot know how to get there. But in the end, it is up to you to decide if and how you get there. As the old man told Mark, “How long it takes is up to you.”

Mark is a good friend, a great teacher, and an awesome story teller. You’ll love this podcast recording. Besides… it’s free!

Check out my work as a motivational speaker here.

Brad Montgomery
Motivational keynote speaker, humor consultant, fan of Mark Sharenbroich

Del.icio.us Tags: Mark Sharenbroich, Motivational Keynote Speakers, Free, Audio, Podcasts, Minnesota Technorati Tags: Mark Sharenbroich, Motivational Keynote Speakers, Free, Audio, Podcasts, Minnesota

What would it mean to you if, for two dollars, you could buy yourself a little happiness AND make somebody’s day? Would you do it? Is that worth 8 quarters to you?

In this podcast I interview fellow motivational humorist speaker and Colorado pal Scott Friedman. For years Scott has made it part of his life to give away $2 bills whenever possible. As tips in restaurants, for good service in airporats (where, by the way, tipping is not normal) and even for a just-for-fun gift for folks for no good reason.

This humor ritual helps keep Scott motivated. For him it is an important reminder of his brother. But it is also a way for Scott to give people a smile, to give them something unusual that they value, and to generally make their day

The premise is that the percieved value of the $2 bill is WAY more than just $2. Give somebody two singles and they shrug… and depending on where you are, it might be a lousy tip. But give that seame person a $2 bill and they put it in a special pocket where they “save” stuff. They won’t spend that… it’s just too valuable.

I caught up with Scott in Colorado where we recorded this podcast about giving and humor rituals. You’ll love it.

Check out my motivational speakers site.

Brad Montgomery
Motivational Humorist Speaker, Friend of Scott Friedman, Can Be Bought for $2

Technorati Tags: Motivational speakers, humorists, podcast, $2 bills, Scott Friedman Del.icio.us Tags: Motivational speakers, humorists, podcast, $2 bills, Scott Friedman

We’re back with more of our interview with Kansas City, Missouri based corporate comedian and humorist motivational speaker Mark Mayfield.

He talks a bit about how we can see the world through the lens of a comedian. If we can see the world with a sense of humor it helps us keep some of the more difficult times at bay, and helps us to approach our lives with a better sense of perspective and lightness.

How can we improve our sense of humor? Specific ideas or techniques? Mark gave us some:

• Be a kid and play. (Halloween is an excellent opportunity for even serious adults to play! It is the ONE time of year we can — and should — dress up, play, be goofy, and work on our sense of humor. It’s an opportunity to be — and act like— a kid.)
• Hand out with upbeat people. (You’ll find yourself at your funniest when you’re with funny people.)
• Start your day in a good way; start your day with a laugh. (Play with your pet, read the comics, play with your kids… whatever! But start you day with a laugh.)
• Make humor a habit. Do it daily and it becomes more natural and easier with time.

Marks goal, each and every day, is to make his wife laugh. She can tell when he is beat down and tired, and is still always able to make him laugh. And so he works hard to return the favor.

Thanks Mark.

Need a corporate comedian or motivational humorist speaker for your keynote or seminar?

Brad Montgomery
Motivational Keynote Speaker, Corporate Comedian, Fan of Mark Mayfield

Technorati Tags: Corporate Comedian, Humorist, Sense of Humor, Podcast, Mark Mayfield, Missouri Technorati Tags: Corporate Comedian, Humorist, Sense of Humor, Podcast, Mark Mayfield, Missouri

Want to learn how to be a comedian? This site is for you! Or want to learn how to be motivational speaker? You’re in the right place!

Peggy O’Niell is a terrific professional speaker with a black belt in attitude. A little person, (Peggy is 3.5 feet tall) Peggy calls herself “The Tiny Speaker with the Huge Message.”

Peggy has a gift for making others feel great about being around her. When “average size” people greet Peggy, she has a gift for making them feel comfortable about her, comfortable about themselves, and is instantly able to get the conversation going.

Part of her success in her ability to keep and maintain a positive attitude. She tells us that sometimes her life and differently-sized body has made it hard for her to keep a positive attitude.

But it is through the Power of Choice that she is able to keep her head held high. Peggy feels that the victim often needs to make a choice not to let a situation get the best of them. And that often we choose to be content (or not.)

Learn more about Peggy O’Niell here.

Learn about my work as a motivational humorist here.

Brad Montgomery
Keynote Humorist Speaker, Humor Consultant, Fan of Peggy O’Niell

Technorati Tags: Humorists, Little People, Peggy O’Niell, Attitude Del.icio.us Tags: Humorists, Little People, Peggy O’Niell, Attitude

In this podcast we talk about the difference between comedy (and being funny) verses having a sense of humor, and how this affects you in your job and in your life.

For this episode, we interview corporate comedian and humorist Mark Mayfield, from Kansas City, Missouri. Mark defines humor as “surprise that evokes good feeling.” What it isn’t, according to Mark, is your ability to tell a joke, be the life of the party, or generally be funny. Having a sense of humor is NOT just what we can do on stage, it’s having a healthy sense of perspective.

The second part, “Evokes good feeing” is important. Surprise is not enough… it has to be good surprise with a nice result. (Brad’s note: this component it why so many practical jokes in the workplace go wrong.)
And having a great set of comedy skills does not mean you have a sense of humor.  “I know a lot of comics who are great on stage and are manic depressive off stage. They have no sense of humor, even though they are very funny in front of an audience.”

So what’s the point? The point is that if you want to increase and improve your sense of humor (and you should,) then the good news is that you don’t have to even consider making yourself funny. You can leave the clown noses, the loud neckties, and the goofy mustache and glasses at home if you want. Put the whoopee cushion away (ok, leave that one out…. what can I say? I’m still a 14 year old boy on the inside) and concentrate on having a better sense of perspective.

People will love us (and do business with us) if we have a sense of humor, whether or not we make them laugh
Thanks Mark.

Learn more about how I teach audiences to improve their sense of humor and to create humor in their workplace here. (Keynotes, Seminars and Consulting.)

Brad Montgomery
Comedian Speaker and Motivational Humorist, Workplace Consultant, Student of Humor, Fan of Mark Mayfield

Technorati Tags: comedians, corporate comedians, sense of humor, Mark Mayfield Del.icio.us Tags: comedians, corporate comedians, sense of humor, Mark Mayfield

(Forgive the re-post / re-broadcast of this podcast episode.  We’re working out some bugs w/ iTunes and have tried some new setting!)

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Not if they know Shawna Schuh, a hilarious business ettiquette speaker!

[If you have iTunes... you can click the small iTunes box below and it will take you directly to our Podcasts within iTunes. Or you can play or download this podcast using the graphics above. Choices baby!]

Shawna Schuh is the owner and constant contributer to BusinessGraces.com. In this podcast, Shawna discusses her totally indirect path to her current role as a highly sought-after (and very funny) business speaker. She talks about her unexpected path through Finishing School and reign of Miss Hillsborough Happy Days, and how the skills and techniques she learned in finishing school actually applied to business.

She is a veteran of entertainment, television, radio, and a dozen other bizarre jobs, all of which have brought her to current job.

Currently based in Oregon, she talks about rudeness, how to handle it gracefully, and how we might better use humor to achieve confidence in these awkward social and business moments.

She’s funny; she’s fun; and in this audio recording she explains her start into the business humorist world.

Do you think somebody who has taught Finishing School has something to teach you? Think your business can get forward if you learn how to gracefully add humor to your skill set? If the answer to eaither of those questions is yes, then this podcast is for you.

Brad Montgomery
Motivational Humorist, Podcaster, Fan of Business Etiquette

Technorati Tags: Comedians, Motivational Speakers, Humor, Business+Etiquette.

In this podcast, Brad Montgomery and fellow Motivational Humorist Speaker Scott Friedman interview (yet a third motivational humorist speaker) Craig Zablocki. Besides being a very funny fellow, Craig has a bunch of experience talking with victim’s groups… he is a pro at humor and grief.

Among the many fascinating points Craig makes is that humor and pain are in many ways related.

The most basic connection between laughter and crying is that just like laughter, crying feels good; it’s cathartic. But crying and laughter are related for other reasons. For example, Craig notes that when we are laughing or crying we are very much “in the moment.” We are focused on the here and now.

One of the problems with folks who have suffered a loss is that their minds are so often pointed right back to that loss or event. They are understandably fixated and pre-occupied on the source of their pain. So when these people cry (or laugh) it is a very positive step. It is a chance for them, at least for that time, to be back “in the moment.” They get a break from their loss and can be focused on the here and now. It’s a great step.

Craig also points out that when we are crying (or laughing) there is no ego. We are just there… crying. And for many people that step is amazing.

In addition, Craig connects this concept to his experience being a motivational speaker at Columbine High School in Colorado (the site of a terrible student shooting.)

Thanks Craig. Next time I say, “I don’t know whether I should laugh or cry” it will mean a whole new thing.
Reach Craig Zablocki at http://www.positivelyhumor.com

Brad Montgomery
Motivational Keynote Speaker, Humor Expert, Student of the Relationship Between Humor & Grief

Technorati Tags: Humorists, Motivational Speakers, Humor, Humor and Grief.

I’m psyched. We’re up and running. Our podcast is now available through the iTunes Music Store (for free) as well as several other podcast and feeds. (Look for your favorite among the icons on the right.

What’s the podcast about? It is a general reflecton of my blog. We’ll talk about humor, motivation, comedy, and how we can all access more of those things for ourselves.  Humor in the workplace, and humor at home.
Best of all, I’ll be interviewing many of my pals: the best speakers and comedians in the county. And together we’ll get down and dirty.

Enjoy!

If you have iTunes… you can click the small iTunes box below and it will take you directly to our Podcasts within iTunes.

Brad Montgomery
Humorist, Motivational Keynote Speaker, Podcaster

Technorati Tags: Funny, Motivational Speakers, Humor, Podcasts.

David Glickman is a good pal of mine… and he happens to be one of the best corporate comedians around. (Maybe second best… hey! I’m a corporate comedian too! I caught up with David in California where we both were on the same bill, and we talked about “hell gigs.”

All speakers and comedians have some amazing stories about “coming up” in the comedy world. But what some people might not know is that even the most seasoned corporate comedians and speakers occasionally have nightmare jobs… Hell Gigs. Comedians share these stories with each other all the time. But David was generous enough to let me record this story of his that happened on a recent comedy job in New York City.

[If you have iTunes... you can click the small iTunes box below and it will take you directly to our Podcasts within iTunes. Or you can subscribe with some of the buttons to the right. Or you can download it w/ the player above... or just play it on the site. Choices baby!]

Technorati Tags: Comedians, Motivational Speakers, Humor, Comics.