What does it take to create a workplace where people feel safe enough to play, experiment, make mistakes, and be human? In Episode 2 of Permission to Laugh, Kathy Klotz-Guest joins Dr. Rhiannon Winsor to explore the relationship between humor, play, psychological safety, vulnerability, and leadership. Kathy explains why leaders need to model the behavior they want to see—not simply tell their teams it's okay to have fun. They discuss how play can encourage experimentation, help teams become more comfortable with mistakes, and create stronger connections in high-pressure environments. The conversation also turns personal as Kathy shares the story of her mother's final weeks in hospice and how humor became a way for her mother to maintain choice, control, and joy. Her story offers an important reminder for healthcare professionals: listen to the patient, meet them where they are, and let them show you what they need. Because fear is contagious. So is humor. So is laughter. Kathy Klotz-Guest, MA, MBA is a speaker, author, and comedian who refused to choose between being funny and doing serious work where people thrive. She spent decades performing stand-up, sketch, and improv while leading teams in Silicon Valley. She studies why people hold back—and how leaders can change that. As founder of Keeping it Human®, Kathy works with organizations including Amazon, Kaiser Permanente, Google, and Cisco to help leaders and teams become bolder, healthier communicators and innovators. Her work sits at the intersection of humor, psychology, and strategy: when laughter lowers fear and rigidity, people speak up, think bigger, and take smarter risks. Her goal is simple—to help leaders build a safety net for ridiculously good ideas and bolder, braver people. Kathy's book, Stop Boring Me!, hit #1 on Amazon, and her work has been featured in Forbes. She has led teams at Excite, Gartner Group, Autodesk, and other Silicon Valley companies. And yes, you can still catch her on comedy stages. http://www.facebook.com/KeepingItHuman https://www.instagram.com/klotzguest http://www.linkedin.com/in/kathyklotzguest Her book - Stop Boring me! - https://www.amazon.com/Stop-Boring-Me-Kick-Ass-Marketing/dp/1684191092/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1474674629&sr=8-4&keywords=kathy+klotz-guest