Laughter is a physiological reaction that involves rhythmic vocal sounds, facial muscle contractions, and often even whole-body movements. It usually occurs in response to humor or social interactions, but it can also arise from surprise, joy, or even nervousness. While it seems like a simple reflex, laughter is surprisingly complex, engaging different parts of the brain, including the prefrontal cortex, which governs decision-making and social behavior. Our Experts in this area of the site explore how crucial the role of laughter is in bringing us together.
One of the most fascinating aspects of laughter is its universality. No matter your culture, language, or background, laughter is understood and experienced by all humans. Even babies who are just a few months old laugh, proving that it’s not a learned behavior but a fundamental part of being human. Whether you’re in Tokyo or Toronto, laughter connects people in ways that words sometimes can’t. This shared human trait goes beyond just communication—laughter is a form of bonding, of bridging gaps between people who may have little else in common. It has a unique power to disarm, soothe, and bring joy, even in the darkest of times.
Nothing hits quite like the warmth in your chest when you make someone smile. It’s that moment when a small gesture, kind word, or unexpected act of kindness flips someone’s day around, and somehow, it flips yours too. You walk away lighter, happier, more connected to the world around you. But h…
Nothing hits quite like the warmth in your chest when you make someone smile. It’s that moment when a small gesture, kind word, or unexpected act of kindness flips someone’s day around, and someho…
Nothing hits quite like the warmth in your chest when you make someone smile. It’s that moment when a small gesture, kind word, or unexpected act of kindness flips someone’s day around, and somehow, it flips yours too. You walk away lighter, happier, more connected to the world around you. But have you ever asked yourself why that feels so good? Why do you feel more fulfilled making someone else happy than chasing your own happiness directly?
The answer is layered—woven from threads of psychology, biology, and even spirituality. We’re not just people looking for joy; we’re built t…
By Jerry Zezima
Medicine commercials give me a headache. Unfortunately, I have to pay attention to them because their products can either: (a) relieve my headache or (b) kill me.
So I strike a compromise: Whenever one of these pitches comes on the TV screen, which happens approximately once a …
By Jerry Zezima
Medicine commercials give me a headache. Unfortunately, I have to pay attention to them because their products can either: (a) relieve my headache or (b) kill me.
So I strike a c…
By Jerry Zezima
Medicine commercials give me a headache. Unfortunately, I have to pay attention to them because their products can either: (a) relieve my headache or (b) kill me.
So I strike a compromise: Whenever one of these pitches comes on the TV screen, which happens approximately once a minute, I turn down the sound.
I can’t bear to listen as the announcer announces that the side effects for the prescription medication in question can include gastric distress, swelling of the earlobes, neck pain, body odor, dandruff or bad breath.
After that, I am warned not to operate heav…
When is the last time you had a belly laugh? Most of us haven't had a good laugh in recent memory. Our guest this week is Yvonne Conte who is a nationally recognized keynote speaker, bestselling author, and corporate culture expert who has spent more than 30 years studying the power of humor, laught…
When is the last time you had a belly laugh? Most of us haven't had a good laugh in recent memory. Our guest this week is Yvonne Conte who is a nationally recognized keynote speaker, bestselling autho…
When is the last time you had a belly laugh? Most of us haven't had a good laugh in recent memory. Our guest this week is Yvonne Conte who is a nationally recognized keynote speaker, bestselling author, and corporate culture expert who has spent more than 30 years studying the power of humor, laughter, and joy in the workplace. A tough childhood showed her that humor can reach people who seem unreachable. A former award-winning sales executive, she now helps Fortune 500 companies and leading organizations including Merck, Xerox, Time Warner, and AT&T build positive, high-performing culture…
At the edge of May, when spring is stretching into summer
and the days seem to whisper, “Stay a little longer,” there’s a quiet shift
happening in many lives. Not loud. Not dramatic. Just a gentle nudge that says,
something new is waiting.
For some, that “something new” has a name: reti…
At the edge of May, when spring is stretching into summer
and the days seem to whisper, “Stay a little longer,” there’s a quiet shift
happening in many lives. Not loud. Not dramatic. Just a ge…
At the edge of May, when spring is stretching into summer
and the days seem to whisper, “Stay a little longer,” there’s a quiet shift
happening in many lives. Not loud. Not dramatic. Just a gentle nudge that says,
something new is waiting.
For some, that “something new” has a name: retirement.
Now, let’s be honest about change. It’s a funny thing. We
say we want it. We talk about it. We even plan for it. But when it finally
shows up, right there at the front door, it can feel like an unexpected guest who
arrived a little too early and stayed a little too long.
And someti…
Steep with me for a moment…
As this birthday series comes to a close, I find myself sitting with a full heart.
A cup of Nature’s Diamonds tea warming my hands.
A quiet pause.
A deep breath.
And an overwhelming sense of gratitude.
Over these past reflections, I have shared piec…
Steep with me for a moment…
As this birthday series comes to a close, I find myself sitting with a full heart.
A cup of Nature’s Diamonds tea warming my hands.
A quiet pause.
A deep b…
Steep with me for a moment…
As this birthday series comes to a close, I find myself sitting with a full heart.
A cup of Nature’s Diamonds tea warming my hands.
A quiet pause.
A deep breath.
And an overwhelming sense of gratitude.
Over these past reflections, I have shared pieces of my journey—lessons learned, moments celebrated, dreams still unfolding.
But if there is one truth that continues to rise to the surface, it is this:
Life is not measured by the years alone.It is measured by the love shared, the lives touched, the courage shown, the lessons embraced, an…
What happens when you stop trying to hold it all together… and start laughing instead?
This week, Lisa sits down with Kara Murray—aka MediocreMom76—former teacher turned viral content creator and now stand-up comedian.
Kara built a massive audience by telling the truth about motherhood, menopa…
What happens when you stop trying to hold it all together… and start laughing instead?
This week, Lisa sits down with Kara Murray—aka MediocreMom76—former teacher turned viral content creator an…
What happens when you stop trying to hold it all together… and start laughing instead?
This week, Lisa sits down with Kara Murray—aka MediocreMom76—former teacher turned viral content creator and now stand-up comedian.
Kara built a massive audience by telling the truth about motherhood, menopause, and the absolute chaos of midlife—and people felt it.
In this episode, we explore what happens when you stop striving for perfection and start embracing “good enough.”
What You’ll Hear:
The accidental creation of the “Menopause Hotline” (and why it exploded)
Why midlife unl…
10 Travel Tips...This is a Greatest Hits episode. It originally aired as Episode 87 in May 2025 and we're bringing it back because the tips hold up.Ten travel tips from our trip to Germany. Not a general list. Specific things we did, tools we used, and habits that made the trip work. A lot of it app…
10 Travel Tips...This is a Greatest Hits episode. It originally aired as Episode 87 in May 2025 and we're bringing it back because the tips hold up.Ten travel tips from our trip to Germany. Not a gene…
10 Travel Tips...This is a Greatest Hits episode. It originally aired as Episode 87 in May 2025 and we're bringing it back because the tips hold up.Ten travel tips from our trip to Germany. Not a general list. Specific things we did, tools we used, and habits that made the trip work. A lot of it applies well beyond Germany.The thread running through all of it is flexibility. The empty nest changed what's possible when you travel. This episode is about making the most of it.Resources From This EpisodeThe Points Guy: http://thepointsguy.com/Google Flights: https://www.google.com/travel/flightsGe…
10 Travel Tips...
This is a Greatest Hits episode. It originally aired as Episode 87 in May 2025 and we're bringing it back because the tips hold up.
Ten travel tips from our trip to Germany. Not a general list. Specific things we did, tools we used, and habits that made the trip work. A lot of it …
10 Travel Tips...
This is a Greatest Hits episode. It originally aired as Episode 87 in May 2025 and we're bringing it back because the tips hold up.
Ten travel tips from our trip to Germany. Not a g…
10 Travel Tips...
This is a Greatest Hits episode. It originally aired as Episode 87 in May 2025 and we're bringing it back because the tips hold up.
Ten travel tips from our trip to Germany. Not a general list. Specific things we did, tools we used, and habits that made the trip work. A lot of it applies well beyond Germany.
The thread running through all of it is flexibility. The empty nest changed what's possible when you travel. This episode is about making the most of it.
Resources From This Episode
The Points Guy: http://thepointsguy.com/
Google Flights: https://www.google.com/travel…
Joy is often found in the simplest moments
A favorite cup of tea.
Music that moves the soul.
Birdsong in the morning.
Laughter shared with family.
Singing freely when no one is listening.
As I celebrate 60 trips around the sun, I find myself reflecting on the many ways joy has shaped my life —…
Joy is often found in the simplest moments
A favorite cup of tea.
Music that moves the soul.
Birdsong in the morning.
Laughter shared with family.
Singing freely when no one is listening.
As I cel…
Joy is often found in the simplest moments
A favorite cup of tea.
Music that moves the soul.
Birdsong in the morning.
Laughter shared with family.
Singing freely when no one is listening.
As I celebrate 60 trips around the sun, I find myself reflecting on the many ways joy has shaped my life — not only through milestone moments, but through the quiet rituals, meaningful connections, and everyday experiences that remind us we are fully alive.
Celebration does not have to wait for birthdays.
It can live in the present moment.
In gratitude.
In nature.
In movement.
In community.
In a deep b…
Steep with me for a moment…
There is something powerful about reaching a milestone birthday.
Not because of the number itself, but because of the perspective it offers.
Turning 60 has invited me into reflection, yes—but even more deeply, it has invited me into celebration.
Not the k…
Steep with me for a moment…
There is something powerful about reaching a milestone birthday.
Not because of the number itself, but because of the perspective it offers.
Turning 60 has invi…
Steep with me for a moment…
There is something powerful about reaching a milestone birthday.
Not because of the number itself, but because of the perspective it offers.
Turning 60 has invited me into reflection, yes—but even more deeply, it has invited me into celebration.
Not the kind of celebration that lasts for one evening.
But the kind that honours the journey.
The moments that shaped us.The dreams that carried us.The courage it took to begin again.The people who walked beside us.The quiet victories no one else saw.The laughter.The healing.The becoming.
As I sip …
Olivia L.
June 3, 2026
Jerry Zezima 
Nicole Christina 
Royce Shook 
Michelle Greenwell 
Lisa Boate 
Rick Denton 
