Persuasion 149 | Funny Talk, with Ben Fort

Show Summary

Humor can be hard to find with all the heartache we face in the world today. As the weight of life presses down, our ability to kick back and laugh shrinks—to our detriment. Research shows that laughter is still good and needful medicine, strengthening the immune system, boosting your mood, diminishing pain, and protecting you from the damaging effects of stress. Rather than humor being a sign of ignoring life’s troubles, its pursuit is actually a way to combat the world’s troubles from the inside out.

In this episode of Persuasion, Erin Straza and Hannah Anderson continue their Talking about Talk series by inviting Ben Fort to the conversation. Ben has been writing, producing, and composing for theater and sketch comedy for more than a decade. As head of the Comedy Writing Program at the Four Day Weekend training center in Fort Worth, Texas, Ben nurtures and develops others in their creative comedy skills and projects. Erin and Hannah pick Ben’s brain about the role of humor, asking questions such as: What role does humor play in matters of faith? Is it possible to build up your funny bone? How has comedy changed in the #metoo era? Does humor work in mixed-gender company?

Listen in for dialogue on questions like these, then continue the conversation on Twitter @PersuasionCAPC or in the CAPC members-only community on Facebook.

Your Hosts

Erin Straza: Web / Twitter
Hannah Anderson: Web / Twitter

Episode 149 Resources & Links

Ben Fort: Twitter

FourDayWeekend.com

Ben’s Talk: Beautiful, Horrible People

Did you enjoy this episode of Persuasion? Give these a listen!

Persuasion 148 | Small Talk

Persuasion 147 | Table Talk

Persuasion 146 | Let’s Talk

Theme music by Maiden Name. Produced by Jonathan Clauson.


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Ben Fort discusses how true comedy finds the sweet spot between human goodness and brokenness.


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