Laugh or Death with Paul Osincup | Humor, Resilience, Humanity

Being funny isn't enough anymore. Today's comedians have to be performers, marketers, business owners, and content creators all at the same time. In this episode of Laugh or Death, Paul sits down with David Uribe, founder of The Comedy Branding Agency, to explore how comedians can build a memorable brand that gets them booked, grows loyal fans, and creates income beyond the stage. Along the way, t...

Most comedians spend years perfecting their jokes. Very few spend that same amount of time building a brand. In this episode, I sit down with David Uribe, founder of The Comedy Branding Agency, to talk about why being funny is only half the battle. If people can't find you online—or don't immediately understand what makes you different—you'll always be fighting an uphill battle. David has one of t...

Ever notice your best ideas show up on a walk, in the shower, or while unloading the dishwasher? In this clip from Laugh or Death , creativity expert Dr. Natalie Nixon explains why our brains do their best thinking when we step away from our desks. Discover the science behind creativity, the power of movement, and why slowing down might actually make you more productive. 🎙 Watch the full conversat...

Creativity isn't just for artists—it's one of the most valuable skills for leaders, entrepreneurs, and anyone navigating change. In this episode of Laugh or Death, Paul sits down with creativity strategist and bestselling author Dr. Natalie Nixon to explore why curiosity, improvisation, and intuition are essential in today's world. Together, they discuss innovation, leadership, humor, and how to u...

What do you do when life hands you something terrifying, uncertain, and completely outside your control? If you're Jamie Campbell, you start looking for the joke. Jamie is a comedian and actor you may recognize from Chicago Fire, Hollywood Darlings, and the Emmy-nominated series Boondoggle. He also recently released a comedy special with Dry Bar Comedy. But here's the part he didn't know while fil...

What if one of the most powerful things you could do for someone's mental health took less than 30 seconds? No special training. No psychology degree. No perfectly crafted words. Just a simple text message. In this episode of Laugh or Death, Paul sits down with speaker, mental health advocate, and former comedian Greg Kettner for a conversation about friendship, connection, risk-taking, and the sm...

What happens when men are expected to be strong, capable, and dependable—but never taught how to talk about what they're feeling? In this episode of Laugh or Death, Paul sits down with entrepreneur, therapist, and relationship expert Erin Pash to tackle one of the most important conversations happening today: the male loneliness epidemic. Together they explore why so many men struggle with connect...

What happens when you win a stand-up comedy competition… and then slowly lose your sense of humor? In this solo episode of Laugh or Death, I'm sharing the story behind the two framed comedy posters hanging in my studio. They're from two stand-up competitions I won 23 years apart. But honestly, this episode isn't really about winning. It's about everything that happened in between. When I was 23, I...

What does leadership look like when the CEO shows up in a bright red sequin jacket quoting Biggie Smalls? In this episode of Laugh or Death, Paul sits down with Mike Wilson, President and CEO of Members 1st Credit Union, to talk about leadership, culture, humor, and why authenticity matters more than pretending to be perfect. Mike oversees an organization with more than 1,300 employees and over 63...

What happens when a 61-year-old former Republican Congressman moves into a Harvard dorm surrounded by students young enough to be his grandchildren? According to Ric Keller… a lot of unexpected connection, comedy, and surprisingly hopeful conversations. In this episode of Laugh or Death, Paul sits down with speaker, lawyer, TEDx presenter, and former U.S. Congressman Ric Keller for a conversation...

What starts as a joke between a mother and daughter… can apparently turn into millions of followers and a career in stand-up comedy. In this episode of Laugh or Death, Paul sits down with content creator and comedian Kimmi Kaiy to talk about her unexpected journey from posting dark humor videos on TikTok to performing live stand-up comedy in front of packed crowds. What began as a playful challeng...

Motherhood is messy. Life is unpredictable. And sometimes… the only thing left to do is laugh. In this episode of Laugh or Death, Paul sits down with humorist, therapist, and speaker Mallori DeSalle for a real, honest, and often hilarious conversation about what it looks like to use humor in the middle of real life—not just the highlight reel. From raising kids to navigating hard seasons, Mallori...

What do you do when you lose almost everything? For my wife Kelly and me… we laughed. Not at the situation—because it was awful. But through it. In this episode of Laugh or Death, I'm sharing the real story of what happened when a wildfire hit our home in Montana… just five months after we moved in. We had just finished unpacking. We were giving a house tour to family. And within minutes… the enti...

What if humor isn't about being the funniest person in the room… but about helping people feel less alone? In this episode of Laugh or Death, I sat down with Dani Klein Modisett—founder of Laughter On Call, comedian, author, and someone who's spent years bringing laughter into some of the most unexpected places… including healthcare, senior living, and even end-of-life care. And honestly? This con...

What if the difference between a good workplace… and a great one… was something surprisingly simple? Fun. Downloads the FREE Fun Over Funny Guide for Leaders: https://www.paulosincup.com/freegift   In this episode of Laugh or Death, Paul picks up where he left off in Episode 10 and continues breaking down his LAFTER framework—a practical model for using humor to build stronger, healthier workplace...

If Laughter Really is the Best Medicine, Why Don't We Use it as Medicine? In this episode of Laugh or Death, Paul sits down with former Saturday Night Live writer, professor, and CEO Frank Chino, who has spent decades studying one powerful idea: humor as a medical intervention. From growing up in Queens using comedy as a survival tool to pioneering research in hospitals, Frank shares how laughter...

What if one of the most powerful leadership skills… is something we've been taught to leave at the door? In this solo episode of Laugh or Death, Paul breaks down why humor isn't just a "nice to have" at work — it's a leadership advantage. We spend over 100,000 hours of our lives working, and yet so many workplaces operate under an unspoken rule: be serious. But according to research, the best lead...

What if laughter doesn't take away from grief… but actually helps us survive it? In this episode of Laugh or Death, Paul sits down with clinical forensic psychologist, professor, and speaker Dr. Melissa Mork to explore one of the most misunderstood ideas around humor — its role in grief, trauma, and healing. Melissa's work places her in some of the most difficult spaces imaginable, supporting indi...

What does acting teach us about humor, connection, and how we show up in everyday life? In this episode of Laugh or Death, Paul sits down with actor, writer, and producer Christopher James Murray, best known for his role as Eric in The Conspiracists. From growing up in Texas to performing in New York and working across film, television, and theater, Christopher shares how storytelling — and humor...

What happens when a professional comedian sits down to talk about humor, resilience, and the strange ways life gives us material? In this episode of Laugh or Death, Paul welcomes stand-up comedian Maggie Maye, whose comedy has been featured on Conan, Last Call with Carson Daly, the Just for Laughs Comedy Festival, and more. From her childhood growing up on the Texas-Mexico border to becoming one o...

In this episode of Laugh or Death, Paul sits down with filmmaker, actor, and producer Chris Bruce, the creator of the mockumentary comedy The Conspiracists, now streaming on Amazon Prime. The film centers around a fictional conspiracy convention called "Con Con," where a brother and sister organize an event that attracts a hilarious mix of conspiracy theorists, personalities, and characters. The r...

What happens when you stop taking your job — and yourself — so seriously? In this episode of Laugh or Death, Paul sits down with Vic Lombardi, longtime Denver sports broadcaster, 32-time Emmy Award winner, and one of the most recognizable voices in Colorado sports media. Vic shares stories from more than 25 years covering professional sports, including some of the hilarious moments that helped def...

What does it mean to lead with kindness in a world that often rewards outrage? In this episode of Laugh or Death, Paul sits down with bestselling author, speaker, and kindness advocate Shola Richards to talk about civility, leadership, and the power of treating people well — even when we disagree. Shola shares stories from his work speaking around the world and advising organizations on building c...

What role does humor play when life gets difficult? In this episode of Laugh or Death, Paul sits down with Erin Pash to explore how humor can help us process stress, uncertainty, and emotional challenges. Together they discuss why laughter can shift perspective, strengthen relationships, and help us move through difficult moments with more resilience. Erin shares insights on emotional awareness, h...

What if humor wasn't just something you were born with… but a skill you could train? In this episode of Laugh or Death, Paul Osincup dives into the science behind humor habits — practical ways to rewire your brain to see the lighter side of life more often. Drawing from neuroscience, positive psychology, and his own experiences as a comedian and speaker, Paul shares six simple habits that can redu...