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

Paul Osincup: Keynote Speaker
  • 5.0 (15)
  • Comedy
  • Updated Weekly

Laugh or Death is a show about finding the humor in everyday life and during our darkest moments. Host Paul Osincup talks with industry leaders, entertainers, and brilliantly imperfect humans to uncover how they use humor to cope, survive, and even thrive. From career setbacks to personal loss, each conversation reveals the surprising, human, and often hilarious ways laughter builds resilience. Equal parts heart and humor, Laugh or Death is a reminder that sometimes the best way to face life's gravity, is with levity. www.paulosincup.com

  1. 16h ago ·  Video

    30. Are You Optimizing the Joy Out of Your Life? VIDEO

    Are you so busy trying to optimize your life that you've accidentally optimized the joy out of it? In this solo episode of Laugh or Death, Paul shares what started as a battle between his yoga routine and his dog, Hopper—and turned into a realization about productivity, happiness, habits, and the moments we actually remember. Paul was trying to get through his workout. Hopper was trying to turn the yoga mat into a wrestling carpet. Eventually, Paul realized he was actively pushing away the part of the routine that was making him laugh the hardest. Instead of trying to fit his life around his routine, he started fitting the routine around his life. In this episode, Paul explores why discipline and enjoyment don't have to be opposites, how pairing habits with things you enjoy can make them easier to repeat, and why constantly tracking steps, workouts, meditation, productivity, and efficiency can cause us to miss the moments happening right in front of us. You'll also hear why Paul now deliberately makes room for "Doggy Daddy Time," why being silly can feel like a vacation from your serious self, and the question he's started asking instead of only wondering whether he was productive: Did I actually enjoy today? Maybe the goal isn't to eliminate every interruption from your perfectly optimized life. Maybe sometimes the interruption is the life. Subscribe to Laugh or Death for more conversations about humor, happiness, resilience, leadership, and finding more joy in everyday life. #Happiness #Habits #Productivity #SelfImprovement #Humor #Mindset #LaughOrDeath Links: FREE GIFT! Download the Fun Over Funny Guide For Leaders! https://www.paulosincup.com/freegift  If you enjoyed this episode and want to build your own humor habit, make sure to follow the podcast and share it with someone who could use a little more levity in their life. To learn more about Paul's work, book him for speaking engagements, or explore the science behind humor and resilience, visit: 👉 https://www.paulosincup.com You can also dive deeper into the tools discussed in this episode in Paul's book: 👉 The Humor Habit All Links For Paul: https://stan.store/PaulOsincup  Episode Minute-By-Minute: 00:00 My Dog Thinks My Yoga Mat Is a Wrestling Carpet 01:00 Why Hopper Thinks Yoga Means Playtime 02:00 I Realized I Was Fighting the Best Part 03:00 Discipline vs. Enjoyment 04:00 Making Play Part of My Routine 05:00 I Work Out to Not Die Now 06:00 How My Dog Made Yoga More Fun 07:00 Stop Making Healthy Habits Feel Like Punishment 08:00 Pair Your Habits With Something You Enjoy 09:00 Why We Try to Optimize Everything 10:00 Are We Optimizing the Joy Out of Life? 11:00 Take a Vacation From Your Serious Self 12:00 Give Yourself Permission to Be Weird 13:00 You Don't Need a Vacation to Enjoy Your Life 14:00 What Part of Your Day Are You Just Trying to Get Through? 15:00 Maybe the Interruption IS the Life

  2. 6d ago

    Paul's Shorts: How to Tell Your Story So People Remember You

    Doing great work isn't always enough. Whether you're asking for a raise, interviewing for a job, pitching an idea, giving a presentation, or trying to win someone's trust, there are a lot more moments in life where we're "selling ourselves" than we probably realize. In this conversation, John Livesay, The Pitch Whisperer, explains why telling a compelling story can make you far more memorable than simply listing your accomplishments. We talk about how to turn your work into stories of impact and transformation, why people remember stories differently than facts, and how humor and self-deprecation can make people relate to you instead of feeling like they're being pitched. We also get into something near and dear to my heart: the work behind being funny. John shares how he experiments with the structure of his stories to find the funniest version, and I break down why sometimes simply moving a punchline to the end can completely change the laugh. And there's another piece of getting chosen that we don't talk about enough: Are you fun to work with? Because qualifications matter. Experience matters. Results matter. But once everyone in the room is qualified, being someone people actually want to work with can matter too. John shares a few surprisingly simple ways he's helped teams bring more personality and humanity into their pitches. If you want to communicate your value without sounding like you're bragging, become more memorable at work, or simply learn how to tell better stories, this conversation is for you. Learn more about John at John Livesay. Listen to the full episode on the feed now!  Links: Thanks to our Sponsor! Download Caveman to Casanova: https://www.cavemantocasanova.com App Store: Caveman to Casanova App - App Store https://apps.apple.com/us/app/caveman-to-casanova/id6752959430  Google Play: Caveman to Casanova - Apps on Google Play https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.pash.c2c&utm_source=na_Med  FREE GIFT! Download the Fun Over Funny Guide For Leaders! https://www.paulosincup.com/freegift  If you enjoyed this episode and want to build your own humor habit, make sure to follow the podcast and share it with someone who could use a little more levity in their life. To learn more about Paul's work, book him for speaking engagements, or explore the science behind humor and resilience, visit: 👉 https://www.paulosincup.com You can also dive deeper into the tools discussed in this episode in Paul's book: 👉 The Humor Habit All Links For Paul: https://stan.store/PaulOsincup  Guest Socials & Website: Website: http://johnlivesay.com  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jlivesay Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thepitchwhisperer

  3. Aug 12

    29. How to Craft Compelling Stories People Actually Remember with John Livesay

    Want people to actually remember what you say? Tell them a better story. In this episode of Laugh or Death, Paul sits down with John Livesay—aka The Pitch Whisperer—to break down how to craft compelling stories that make people care, connect, and remember you. John has helped sales teams transform boring case studies and statistics into stories that win business, and his approach applies far beyond sales. Whether you're interviewing for a job, asking for a promotion, giving a presentation, pitching an idea, leading a team, or speaking on stage, you're constantly communicating your value. John shares his Three Cs of storytelling—Clear, Concise, and Compelling—along with real-world examples of how changing the way you tell a story can completely change its impact. Paul and John also dig into humor, origin stories, rejection, resilience, the "meeting after the meeting," and why the stories people can retell after you've left the room may be the ones that ultimately get you hired, promoted, or chosen. In this conversation: • How to craft a compelling story • Why stories are more memorable than facts • How to turn statistics into emotional stories • The 3 Cs of great storytelling • How to create your origin story • Storytelling for job interviews, sales and presentations • Using humor to become more relatable • How to make your message memorable • The "meeting after the meeting" • John's 5-5-5 method for handling rejection • How storytelling builds trust and connection If you want to become a better storyteller—and a more memorable communicator—this one's for you. Subscribe to Laugh or Death for more conversations about humor, communication, leadership, resilience, and creating more human workplaces. Guest Socials & Website: Website: http://johnlivesay.com  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jlivesay Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thepitchwhisperer Episode Minute-By-Minute: 00:00 Meet "The Pitch Whisperer" John Livesay 01:00 The Weird Thing That Makes John Happy 04:00 How John Became The Pitch Whisperer 05:50 Turning Boring Statistics Into Great Stories 08:00 The Story That Helped Win Over Investors 11:00 Why Everyone Needs Storytelling Skills 13:00 Why Stories Are More Memorable Than Facts 14:00 Using Humor to Make Your Stories Better 16:30 Does Being Fun Actually Help You Win Business? 18:00 Why You Need an Origin Story 20:00 John's Lifeguard Origin Story 23:00 Using Humor During Difficult Times 25:00 The 3 Cs of Great Storytelling 27:00 The "Meeting After the Meeting" 28:45 The 5-5-5 Method for Handling Rejection 30:00 Humor, Grief and Staying Present 32:00 Why Salespeople and Comedians Are Optimists 33:30 Finding Work That Makes You Feel Alive 35:00 How John Became "The Pitch Whisperer"

  4. Aug 7

    Paul's Shorts: How to Stay Calm When Life Doesn't Go According to Plan

    Life rarely goes according to plan. A job falls through. A relationship ends. A diagnosis changes everything. Or maybe it's just one of those weeks where every little thing seems to pile up. So how do you stay calm when life throws you a curveball? In this conversation, resilience expert Nina Sossamon-Pogue shares one of the most practical frameworks I've heard for navigating difficult seasons. She explains why putting your challenges into perspective, focusing on what's actually happening right now, and surrounding yourself with the right people can completely change the way you move through adversity. If you're in the middle of a hard chapter—or you know someone who is—I think this conversation will give you a little more perspective and a few tools you can use immediately. If you enjoyed this video, be sure to subscribe for more conversations on leadership, resilience, communication, and finding humor in life's toughest moments.     Links: Thanks to our Sponsor! Download Caveman to Casanova: https://www.cavemantocasanova.com App Store: Caveman to Casanova App - App Store https://apps.apple.com/us/app/caveman-to-casanova/id6752959430  Google Play: Caveman to Casanova - Apps on Google Play https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.pash.c2c&utm_source=na_Med  FREE GIFT! Download the Fun Over Funny Guide For Leaders! https://www.paulosincup.com/freegift  If you enjoyed this episode and want to build your own humor habit, make sure to follow the podcast and share it with someone who could use a little more levity in their life. To learn more about Paul's work, book him for speaking engagements, or explore the science behind humor and resilience, visit: 👉 https://www.paulosincup.com You can also dive deeper into the tools discussed in this episode in Paul's book: 👉 The Humor Habit All Links For Paul: https://stan.store/PaulOsincup

  5. Aug 5

    28. The Resilience Formula: How to Handle Life's Biggest Changes with Perspective and Humor | Nina Sossamon-Pogue

    How do you stay resilient when life doesn't go according to plan? In this episode of Laugh or Death, Paul sits down with Nina Sossamon-Pogue—former USA Gymnastics team member, Emmy Award-winning news anchor, tech executive, author, and keynote speaker—to explore what it really takes to navigate change without losing yourself. After experiencing Olympic disappointment, a career-ending injury, public setbacks in television, and multiple career pivots, Nina shares the lessons that helped her build resilience through every season of life. Together, Paul and Nina discuss the power of perspective, why humor helps us carry stress, how to stop letting setbacks define us, and Nina's practical TIPS Framework for handling uncertainty. Whether you're facing a career transition, leadership challenge, unexpected setback, or simply feeling overwhelmed by change, this conversation is packed with practical wisdom you can apply immediately. In this episode: • How to navigate major life changes • Building resilience through uncertainty • Why humor is a powerful stress management tool • The TIPS Framework for handling adversity • Perspective shifts that reduce overwhelm • The importance of co-regulation and community • Lessons from elite athletics and live television • How the stories you tell yourself shape your future If you enjoyed this conversation, be sure to like, subscribe, and share it with someone who could use a little encouragement today. Links: Thanks to our Sponsor! Download Caveman to Casanova: https://www.cavemantocasanova.com App Store: Caveman to Casanova App - App Store https://apps.apple.com/us/app/caveman-to-casanova/id6752959430  Google Play: Caveman to Casanova - Apps on Google Play https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.pash.c2c&utm_source=na_Med  FREE GIFT! Download the Fun Over Funny Guide For Leaders! https://www.paulosincup.com/freegift  If you enjoyed this episode and want to build your own humor habit, make sure to follow the podcast and share it with someone who could use a little more levity in their life. To learn more about Paul's work, book him for speaking engagements, or explore the science behind humor and resilience, visit: 👉 https://www.paulosincup.com You can also dive deeper into the tools discussed in this episode in Paul's book: 👉 The Humor Habit All Links For Paul: https://stan.store/PaulOsincup  Guest Socials & Website: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ninasossamonpogue/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nina_sp.eaks/?hl=en Website: https://www.ninasossamonpogue.com Episode Minute-By-Minute: 00:00 Introduction 01:10 Meet Nina Sossamon-Pogue 03:45 Missing the Olympic team 05:55 Reinventing your identity after setbacks 06:30 Humor in elite gymnastics 09:00 Behind the scenes of live television 14:35 The Mardi Gras newsroom story 18:00 Reinvention and career changes 20:10 The TIPS Framework for resilience 21:55 T — Put it on a Timeline 27:00 I — Isolate what you're actually facing 28:15 P — People and co-regulation 33:25 S — The story you tell yourself 35:00 Humor as a resilience tool 37:45 Final thoughts 39:15 Where to connect with Nina

  6. Jul 30

    Paul's Shorts: Preparation Creates Confidence (Not Perfection)

    Most people think confident speakers are just naturally gifted. They're not. After more than 20 years performing comedy and 15 years as a professional keynote speaker, I've learned that confidence doesn't come from talent—it comes from preparation. In this clip, I explain why the more prepared I am, the more relaxed, adaptable, and spontaneous I become on stage. I also share a story about the time my presentation completely fell apart in front of 7,000 people—and why preparation allowed me to keep going. Whether you're giving a presentation at work, speaking at an event, leading a meeting, or creating content online, this mindset can change the way you prepare. If you enjoyed this clip, check out the full episode of Laugh or Death for more practical tips on overcoming public speaking nerves.

  7. Jul 29

    27. How I Tame My Public Speaking Nerves (The 3 Ps That Changed Everything)

    Does public speaking make you nervous? You're not alone. After 20+ years performing comedy and 15 years as a professional keynote speaker, I still get nervous before almost every presentation. In this episode, I'm sharing the exact strategies I use to calm my nerves before stepping on stage—from the mindset shifts that changed everything to the practical routines I still use before every keynote. You'll learn my "Three Ps" for preparation, why confidence comes from repetition, how to prepare without overthinking, and what to do in those final moments before your name is called. Whether you're speaking at work, presenting in school, leading a meeting, or giving a keynote, these tips can help you feel more prepared and less anxious. If you enjoy the episode, please like, subscribe, and share it with someone who's preparing for their next presentation. Links: Thanks to our Sponsor! Download Caveman to Casanova: https://www.cavemantocasanova.com App Store: Caveman to Casanova App - App Store https://apps.apple.com/us/app/caveman-to-casanova/id6752959430  Google Play: Caveman to Casanova - Apps on Google Play https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.pash.c2c&utm_source=na_Med  FREE GIFT! Download the Fun Over Funny Guide For Leaders! https://www.paulosincup.com/freegift  If you enjoyed this episode and want to build your own humor habit, make sure to follow the podcast and share it with someone who could use a little more levity in their life. To learn more about Paul's work, book him for speaking engagements, or explore the science behind humor and resilience, visit: 👉 https://www.paulosincup.com You can also dive deeper into the tools discussed in this episode in Paul's book: 👉 The Humor Habit All Links For Paul: https://stan.store/PaulOsincup    Episode Minute-By-Minute: 00:42 Why I made this episode 02:00 The #1 way to overcome speaking nerves 03:00 Why everyone fears public speaking 04:30 The First P: Purpose 09:00 The Second P: Preparation 17:45 The Third P: Perspective 21:00 Understanding your personal nerves 24:30 Creating your pre-talk routine 27:00 My game-day rituals 30:10 Starting strong on stage 32:20 Should you acknowledge your nerves? 34:35 One final piece of advice

  8. Jul 23

    Paul's Shorts: The Broadway Rule That Could Transform Your Team with Wendee Lee Curtis

    What if your team's biggest untapped advantage is already sitting in the room? In this clip from Laugh or Death, Broadway performer, keynote speaker, and emcee Wendee Lee Curtis shares one of the most powerful lessons she learned from performing on Broadway: go full out. On Broadway, performers are encouraged to bring every gift, every strength, and every ounce of creativity they have to the stage. Wendee believes the same should be true in the workplace. Too often, employees hold back ideas, talents, and abilities simply because no one has given them permission to use them. Paul and Wendee discuss how great leaders create environments where people feel safe to contribute, why psychological safety unlocks better performance, and how organizations can uncover incredible talent that's been there all along. Whether you're leading a team, building a business, or simply looking to become a better leader, this conversation will change the way you think about bringing out the best in people. 🎙 Watch the full episode of Laugh or Death with Wendee Lee Curtis for more lessons on leadership, teamwork, and the Broadway mindset that can transform your organization. All Links For Paul: https://stan.store/PaulOsincup

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About

Laugh or Death is a show about finding the humor in everyday life and during our darkest moments. Host Paul Osincup talks with industry leaders, entertainers, and brilliantly imperfect humans to uncover how they use humor to cope, survive, and even thrive. From career setbacks to personal loss, each conversation reveals the surprising, human, and often hilarious ways laughter builds resilience. Equal parts heart and humor, Laugh or Death is a reminder that sometimes the best way to face life's gravity, is with levity. www.paulosincup.com

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