Building Bonds and Breaking Tension with Comedy During Cancer (this episode is Deb and I co hosted a conversation

In this episode, Deb Krier and Dr. Brad Miller discuss the therapeutic power of humor in dealing with cancer. Dr. Brad Miller shares insights from a professional comedian about how humor works by breaking tension, offering unexpected responses, and helping people process difficult emotions. Deb shares how comedy provides a safe way to discuss a taboo topic and can act as an icebreaker to open up deeper discussions. Dr. Brad Miller highlighted the physiological benefits of laughter, including the release of dopamine, endorphins, serotonin and reduced cortisol levels. He explained how laughter activates neural networks and improves mood, allowing people to build emotional resilience when facing difficult situations. He shares stories of cancer patients using humor, like one who wore a Superman shirt to chemo and another who named their tumor “Seymour” to help reframe their battle with the disease. They also discuss how humor fosters emotional resilience, making it easier to navigate the stress and fear that come with cancer. Deb stresses the importance of acknowledging challenging emotions but also making a conscious effort to replace negative thoughts with positive ones. It's a must-listen for anyone seeking to better understand the transformative power of laughter, especially in the face of life's greatest challenges. Website: https://cancerandcomedy.com/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfP2JvmMDeBzbj3mziVGJUw LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertbradleymiller/