The Lighten Up Project

What if the life you’re waiting to live… is still waiting on you? In this powerful and playful episode, Judy Wong shares how laughter, perspective, and reconnecting with your inner self can help you break free from past pain—and start living fully right now. What You’ll Hear: - Why you should ditch the bucket list and start living your life list - How laughter can transform trauma into strength an...

What if laughter wasn’t just something you do… but something that helps you survive and thrive? In this episode, Steve Wilson reveals how humor creates emotional balance, reduces overwhelm, and gives you the perspective you didn’t know you needed—right when life feels heaviest. What You’ll Hear: - Why laughter is a tool—not just entertainment - The powerful mindset shift: seeing the less serious s...

What if play isn’t just something we grow out of—but something we grow into ? In this episode, Malcolm talks with musician and urban gardener Leslie Outier about laughter, creativity, and how music, nature, and community can help us reconnect with joy—even in life’s heavier moments. What You’ll Hear Why laughter—even when it starts out fake—still produces real physiological benefits How gardening...

What if healing didn’t always require seriousness? In this playful and insightful conversation, Malcolm sits down with musician, comedian, and intuitive Erin “Queenie” Shannon to explore how laughter, music, and curiosity can help us navigate life’s heavier moments. What You’ll Hear Why laughter can be a powerful emotional release—even in difficult moments Erin’s journey from theater and stand-up...

What if joy isn’t something you find… but something you grow ? In this playful and heartfelt conversation, Malcolm sits down with musician Robert Medeiros of The Clarences to explore how music, imagination, and childhood play can help us reconnect with joy in everyday life. What You’ll Hear Why music can instantly shift your energy and transport you emotionally How childhood influences — from toys...

Before we had language, we had rhythm. In this energizing episode, Malcolm explores how music, laughter, and play sync our nervous systems, deepen connection, and help us show up boldly — even if we sing off-key. What You’ll Hear Why rhythm existed before language — and why that matters for connection The hidden science behind laughter’s tempo (yes, laughter has measurable beats!) How silence is p...

This episode is a powerful wake-up call for leaders who sense something is “off” in their organizations but can’t quite name it. Dr. Diane Dye reveals how hidden people risks quietly stall innovation—and how joy, psychological safety, and human-centered leadership turn risk into opportunity. What You’ll Hear: Why all organizational risk is people risk —and why legal-first thinking keeps leaders re...

This episode is a refreshing reminder that leadership doesn’t have to be rigid to be effective. Jesper Maquindang shares how joy, play, and human connection transform workplace culture, energize teams, and help leaders move beyond command-and-control into authentic influence Episode 9. What You’ll Hear: Why joy and laughter are not “nice-to-haves,” but leadership essentials How play creates connec...

This episode is a heartfelt, hope-filled conversation about reclaiming education as a family-centered experience. Christina and Herb Heyavert share how joy, laughter, and empowered parenting can transform learning—and strengthen family bonds for life. What You’ll Hear: - Why joy and laughter open the brain for deeper learning—and why pressure shuts it down - How empowering parents (not systems) le...

This episode is a heartfelt, laughter-filled conversation about courage, presence, and choosing freedom over fear—one brave moment at a time. Malcolm Grissom, The Stand-Up C.E.O.™ , and visionary guide Carolyn Cooper explore how laughter, improv, and conscious choice help us step out of fear and into a life of meaning, joy, and authentic connection. What You’ll Hear: Why presence is power —and how...

This episode is a heartfelt exploration of how laughter, presence, and deep connection help us navigate grief, trauma, and life’s heaviest moments. Together with soul-centered counselor Jennifer Nagel, we uncover how safety, authenticity, and healing begin—not by fixing ourselves—but by coming home to who we already are. What You’ll Hear: - Why laughter isn’t avoidance—it’s a bridge through pain a...

This episode is a joyful reminder that it’s never too late to begin again. At 84 years young, comedian Sandra Risser proves that laughter, play, and curiosity are not just survival tools—they’re the secret to staying vibrant, relevant, and fully alive right now. What You’ll Hear: - Why laughter is a lifelong performance enhancer (not just a coping tool) - How Sandra reinvented herself—and her voic...

This episode is a powerful reminder that healing doesn’t have to be heavy. Fatina “Tina” Mays shares how laughter, self-talk, and courage helped her move from merely existing to fully living—and how you can do the same, starting today. What You’ll Hear: - Why laughter is not optional—it’s essential for emotional survival - The difference between living and existing (and why it matters) - How self-...

Hope isn’t passive—it moves, even when you feel stuck. In this episode of The Lighten Up Project , Malcolm Grissom shares a deeply personal story of resilience, reminding us that hope is an active choice made one small step at a time. Through laughter, imagination, mindfulness, and courage, this episode reframes setbacks as momentum and proves that every step forward—no matter how small—is a victo...

What if humor isn’t something you “have” or “don’t have”—but something you were born with and simply buried? In this episode of The Lighten Up Project, Malcolm Grissom introduces The Humor Tree —a powerful way to understand humor as more than jokes. You’ll discover how play, laughter, and imagination are essential tools for managing stress, restoring creativity, and reconnecting with hope. This co...

This episode is a playful yet powerful invitation to lighten the load you’ve been carrying. Malcolm Grissom shares how laughter, joy, and one unforgettable “mistake” helped him reclaim his voice—and why laughter isn’t the opposite of pain, but a doorway through it. What You’ll Hear: How laughter became a lifeline after illness, bullying, and self-doubt Why mistakes aren’t failures—but unexpected d...

Welcome to the Lighten Up Project — where life gets real, but it doesn’t have to stay heavy. Host, Malcolm Grissom invites you to drop the emotional baggage (no forklift required), laugh a little louder, and rediscover joy through play, honesty, and heart. Come for the laughs, stay for the truth, and leave feeling lighter.