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.
You are wrestling.
I know the texture of that wrestling. It is 2:00 AM and the ceiling is a blank screen
for your worst-case scenarios. It is the taste of cold coffee and the weight of
a phone you can’t bring yourself to use. You have been told that a “good decision”
is a clean one, no mess, n…
You are wrestling.
I know the texture of that wrestling. It is 2:00 AM and the ceiling is a blank screen
for your worst-case scenarios. It is the taste of cold coffee and the weight of
a phone you can…
You are wrestling.
I know the texture of that wrestling. It is 2:00 AM and the ceiling is a blank screen
for your worst-case scenarios. It is the taste of cold coffee and the weight of
a phone you can’t bring yourself to use. You have been told that a “good decision”
is a clean one, no mess, no casualties, no looking back.
That is a lie.
A lie sold by people who have never had to choose between two versions of their
own soul.
Every worthy
decision leaves scars. The question is not whether you will bleed, but whether the
wound will heal into a scar you can live with, or fester into a bi…
What if the anxiety you feel about dating again isn't a sign you weren't meant to date, but an invitation to understand yourself more deeply?Like many women over 50, you've built a successful career or raised and launched your children, done the therapy, read the self-help books, and …
What if the anxiety you feel about dating again isn't a sign you weren't meant to date, but an invitation to understand yourself more deeply?Like many women over 50, you've built a succ…
What if the anxiety you feel about dating again isn't a sign you weren't meant to date, but an invitation to understand yourself more deeply?Like many women over 50, you've built a successful career or raised and launched your children, done the therapy, read the self-help books, and created a meaningful life after divorce — and you still question your intuition when someone new shows up. You don't want to be alone, but you keep attracting the wrong guys and repeating the same relationship patterns.Dating after divorce isn't just about finding someone you're att…
We went into a marriage conference this weekend thinking we didn't really need it. Decades of marriage will do that to you. That assumption got proven wrong fast, especially in a breakout session on parenting adult children. Then we capped the weekend off with something completely impulsive that had…
We went into a marriage conference this weekend thinking we didn't really need it. Decades of marriage will do that to you. That assumption got proven wrong fast, especially in a breakout session on p…
We went into a marriage conference this weekend thinking we didn't really need it. Decades of marriage will do that to you. That assumption got proven wrong fast, especially in a breakout session on parenting adult children. Then we capped the weekend off with something completely impulsive that had nothing to do with marriage advice and everything to do with a nineteen dollar ticket.
If you want to look into your own love languages, and how they change over time, that's the book we keep coming back to: The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love that Lasts by Gary Chapman https://amzn.to/3Rhf00…
We went into a marriage conference this weekend thinking we didn't really need it. Decades of marriage will do that to you. That assumption got proven wrong fast, especially in a breakout session on parenting adult children. Then we capped the weekend off with something completely impulsive that had…
We went into a marriage conference this weekend thinking we didn't really need it. Decades of marriage will do that to you. That assumption got proven wrong fast, especially in a breakout session on p…
We went into a marriage conference this weekend thinking we didn't really need it. Decades of marriage will do that to you. That assumption got proven wrong fast, especially in a breakout session on parenting adult children. Then we capped the weekend off with something completely impulsive that had nothing to do with marriage advice and everything to do with a nineteen dollar ticket.If you want to look into your own love languages, and how they change over time, that's the book we keep coming back to: The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love that Lasts by Gary Chapman https://amzn.to/3Rhf00d …
"Growing old is a privilege denied to many."
I have heard that phrase many times over the years, and the older I become, the
more I appreciate its truth.
When someone asks, "Is aging a good thing or a bad
thing?" my answer is simple.
That doesn't mean aging is always easy. It isn't. Our bodies
cha…
"Growing old is a privilege denied to many."
I have heard that phrase many times over the years, and the older I become, the
more I appreciate its truth.
When someone asks, "Is aging a good thing or …
"Growing old is a privilege denied to many."
I have heard that phrase many times over the years, and the older I become, the
more I appreciate its truth.
When someone asks, "Is aging a good thing or a bad
thing?" my answer is simple.
That doesn't mean aging is always easy. It isn't. Our bodies
change, our memories may not be as sharp, and many of us discover that we can
no longer do some of the things we once took for granted. Yet growing older
also offers something that youth rarely can, perspective.
Recently, I was reading National Geographic's special
publication Outlook on the Second Ha…
Can you joke about anything, or are some topics simply off limits?
In this episode, we explore what makes something funny, why people disagree so deeply about what's offensive, and whether comedy has ethical limits. Through conversations with a stand-up comedian and two philosophers, we examine rac…
Can you joke about anything, or are some topics simply off limits?
In this episode, we explore what makes something funny, why people disagree so deeply about what's offensive, and whether comedy has…
Can you joke about anything, or are some topics simply off limits?
In this episode, we explore what makes something funny, why people disagree so deeply about what's offensive, and whether comedy has ethical limits. Through conversations with a stand-up comedian and two philosophers, we examine race, satire, intent, workplace humor, and the surprising ways laughter can strengthen or strain our relationships.
GUESTS
Isak Allen, stand-up comedian (https://www.drybarcomedy.com/isaka).
Luvell Anderson, Professor of Philosophy, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign; scholar of the ethics of ra…
Not every mission begins with a deployment, and not every lesson comes from a battlefield.
This week on HomeFront SitRep, David Willis and Gunny Samuel Deeds trade the microphones for passports as they share two unforgettable journeys that couldn't have been more different—yet both left a lasting…
Not every mission begins with a deployment, and not every lesson comes from a battlefield.
This week on HomeFront SitRep, David Willis and Gunny Samuel Deeds trade the microphones for passports as th…
Not every mission begins with a deployment, and not every lesson comes from a battlefield.
This week on HomeFront SitRep, David Willis and Gunny Samuel Deeds trade the microphones for passports as they share two unforgettable journeys that couldn't have been more different—yet both left a lasting impact.
David takes listeners aboard the Carnival Liberty for a family adventure through the Western Caribbean, visiting the vibrant island of Cozumel, Mexico, the rich culture and tropical beauty of Belize, and the breathtaking shores of Roatán, Honduras. From exploring ancient ports and crystal…
Experience the profound impact of human connection. Discover how shared experiences, laughter, and even tears can lead to better health outcomes and courageously face challenges together. #ConnectionIsMedicine #HealingTogether #CommunitySupport #EmotionalWellness #ParkinsonsCongress
Experience the profound impact of human connection. Discover how shared experiences, laughter, and even tears can lead to better health outcomes and courageously face challenges together. #ConnectionI…
Experience the profound impact of human connection. Discover how shared experiences, laughter, and even tears can lead to better health outcomes and courageously face challenges together. #ConnectionIsMedicine #HealingTogether #CommunitySupport #EmotionalWellness #ParkinsonsCongress
Love isn’t something you can grab off a shelf or click to add to your cart. It’s not tucked inside a velvet box or hidden behind the steering wheel of a luxury car. If you think love has a price tag, then maybe you’re looking for possession, not passion. Love is real, raw, and soul-stirring �…
Love isn’t something you can grab off a shelf or click to add to your cart. It’s not tucked inside a velvet box or hidden behind the steering wheel of a luxury car. If you think love has a price t…
Love isn’t something you can grab off a shelf or click to add to your cart. It’s not tucked inside a velvet box or hidden behind the steering wheel of a luxury car. If you think love has a price tag, then maybe you’re looking for possession, not passion. Love is real, raw, and soul-stirring — and it can’t be bought, sold, or rented. It’s one of those rare things in life that demands your heart, not your wallet.
In today’s world, where social media shows off designer bags and private jets as markers of “relationship goals,” it’s easy to believe that gifts equal love. But …
TEATIME WITH MISS LIZ SERVES: Maria Jane July 16th | 7 PM EST Title:Perfect Romances: Love, Laughter & Happily Ever Afters Tagline:Every great love story begins with hope—and every ending is worth believing in. Description: Join Miss Liz as she welcomes award-winning romance author Maria Jane,…
TEATIME WITH MISS LIZ SERVES: Maria Jane July 16th | 7 PM EST Title:Perfect Romances: Love, Laughter & Happily Ever Afters Tagline:Every great love story begins with hope—and every ending is wor…
TEATIME WITH MISS LIZ SERVES: Maria Jane July 16th | 7 PM EST Title:Perfect Romances: Love, Laughter & Happily Ever Afters Tagline:Every great love story begins with hope—and every ending is worth believing in. Description: Join Miss Liz as she welcomes award-winning romance author Maria Jane, whose heartwarming stories celebrate love, second chances, and the beautiful journey toward happily ever after. Known for novels like Perfect Office Pact, Maria Jane fills every page with unforgettable characters, heartfelt moments, unexpected twists, and romances that remind readers love is always…
Royce Shook
July 24, 2026
Laurie James 
Rick Denton 
BYUradio 
David Willis 
Robert Cochrane, PhD 
Nicole H. 
Elizabeth Jean Olivia Gagnon