Advertise on podcast: Why We Laugh

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Description

Science still can’t explain exactly what makes something funny- joy, surprise, insight, embarrassment, and fear can all elicit laughter, but WHYYYYY??? Host Abby Wambaugh, probably the only person in the world imprudent enough to get a degree in Humor and Social Change, will talk to comedians, writers, cartoonists, psychologists, and scientists to explore what makes us, (and them!) laugh and why. We’re doing it for science! For human understanding! And also to improve our host’s stand-up set.

Podcast episodes

Check latest episodes from Why We Laugh podcast

Liz Miele, a Life in Comedy and Cat Politics

2021/07/13

Liz Miele talks about her 20 years in Comedy, why everyone but ferret people can get behind her new book, and what it's like to start as a comic when your parents chaperoning.

Rachel Playe and Peter Salomone laugh with Maggie the dog

2021/07/01

Herb Farmer Rachel Playe, Mike Birbiglia's co-producer Peter Salomone, and tiny-waisted doggie Maggie are the cutest family in Rhode Island. They talk about what makes them laugh, Zoom-era stand-up, helicopter dog-parenting, and Pandemic giggle ratios.

Sarah Hutto is Writing Funny Stuff

2021/06/18

Abby talks to Humor Writer Sarah Hutto (From The New Yorker, McSweeney's and Reductress) about writing humor, running, not running, and the cable guy.

Dr. Emily Anhalt is so good at Taboo

2021/06/12

Abby talks to her friend, Dr. Emily Anhalt-a clinical Psychologist, founder of mental health gym Coa, and generally funny person-about Taboo (the game and the concept!), eavesdropping, and how laughter makes us feel connected.

Dr. Madan Kataria and Laughter Yoga

2021/06/04

Abby talks to medical doctor and the founder of Laughter Yoga, Dr. Madan Kataria, about the physical benefits of laughter, laughter yoga, and the difference between laughter and humor.

Bobbie Oliver is Embracing the Pauses

2021/05/28

Abby interviews Bobbie Oliver about her career in comedy and the relationship between laughter and silence. Bobbie has been a stand up comedian for over 30 years, is the author of "The Tao of Comedy, Embrace the Pause," is the owner of the Tao Comedy Studio in LA, and the organizer of feminist comedy festival, Laugh Riot Grrrl. She's no slouch!

Start at the Very Babe-gining: Dr. Caspar Addyman on Why Babies Laugh

2021/05/22

Abby interviews Dr. Caspar Addyman, Baby Laughter Scientist and Director of the Goldsmiths Infant Lab and learns about what makes babies laugh and what purposes laughter might serve.

Why We Laugh Trailer

2021/04/21