Laughter Revolution

Marla Simlett
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  • Self-Improvement
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What if personal growth didn't have to feel like another item on your to-do list? Each week, we blend real stories, professional insight, and practical tools with the transformative power of laughter — to help women get unstuck, build deep self-love, and reclaim their spark. Because transformation doesn't have to be all grit and no grin. Come for the giggles. Stay for the growth. And leave ready to send a little joy out into the world."

Episodes

  1. 12h ago

    Gallows Humour, Grief, and Grandma's Zingers

    I met Lina Karlsen while I was stuck waiting for my suitcase Gertrude to catch up with me in Tromsø, Norway. Turns out a delayed bag led to one of the best conversations of my trip so far. Lina is a social worker who grew up steeped in Sami culture, and her approach to laughter can teaches all the lessons of the value of humour in hard places. Her stories of will make you think, laugh, wince, and maybe call your grandmother. In This EpisodeMeet Lina Karlsen, a Sami social worker with a gift for perfectly timed dark humourHear why northern Norway's gallows humour does not always land in the south of the countryGet the real story behind a snowboard joke that made a grieving friend laugh harder, not lessSee how one family uses gentle teasing to keep a grandmother with Alzheimer's part of the funFind out what happens when a joke about inheritance money completely bombsCompare notes on humour across Norway and Canada, including a bus story starring Marla's husband MichelPlay along with the Laughter Revolution Lightning Round as you hear Lina's fast, funny answers Timestamps [00:10] — Marla kicks off the "on the road" series from Copenhagen and introduces Lina - where the heck IS Guovdageaidnu?[02:43] — What role does laughter plays in Lina's life?[03:48] — Lina explains northern Norway's dark humour and why it does not always land in the south[06:46] — Lina talks about humour in her Sami community[07:22] — The snowboard story: a tale of dark humour going right[09:45] — Marla's own dark humour story - the dead mother card[10:12] — How Lina's family uses laughter to keep her grandmother with Alzheimer's in on the fun[12:15] — The grandmother's affair scare, and how humour worked when nothing else did[14:22] — Why does laughter work as a intentional tool?[15:00] — Humour gone wrong - how do you fix it?[17:06] — Recipe for humour - finding laughter in a new language[20:19] — How to find that uncontrollable laughter - trust is the "golden ticket"[27:26] — Marla introduces Laughter Intelligence™ and tells a tale of laughter in Turkey[28:44] — Lessons on laughter for managers - from The Office?[30:30] — The Laughter Revolution Lightning Round begins Links and Resources MentionedLaughter IntelligenceTM Self-Assessment If this one made you think differently about dark humour, laugh, wince, or immediately call your grandmother, hit subscribe on Spotify, Apple, or wherever you listen so you never miss an episode. And if you want more from this trip, including the stories and photos that did not make the cut, join the Laughter Revolution Digest at marlasimlett.com. Gertrude and I would love to have you along for the ride!

  2. Jul 16

    Laughing Your Way Through Life, Orkney Island Style

    Jenny Drever has a fantastic Scottish accent, a gift for storytelling, and a philosophy she lives by: if you are not laughing, you are probably doomed. My Airbnb host from Orkney joins me for my first on-the-road interview, and she is Laughter Revolution in human form - proof that a good attitude and a well-placed laugh really can transform how you move through your life. In This Episode Meet Jenny and her dog PeaksLaugh through one of Jenny’s funniest, most chaotic Airbnb guest storiesLearn about Jenny’s simple philosophy: if you are not laughing, you might just be doomedHear the real story behind Scotland’s strange tradition of putting traffic cones on statuesSee why self-deprecating humour is a sign of confidence, not insecurityListen to her hilarious tale of her most mortifying moment at a ferry ticket boothCatch Jenny’s answers in the Laughter Revolution Lightning RoundGet ready to order your new ringtone - the Snortly! Timestamps [00:58] - Introducing Jenny Drever and her Airbnb in Finstown, Orkney[02:45] - Meeting Peaks, Jenny’s rescue dog, who loves every guest equally, though Jenny’s still her favourite, for now[04:55] - The chaotic guest story that still makes Jenny wince[07:55] - What’s life without laughter?[10:34] - Laughter as a defense[11:46] - Self-deprecating, with confidence – The pantsuit story[13:26] - Describing Scottish humour with a little wine[15:22] - The mystery of the traffic cones on Scottish statues, solved[17:10] - The silliness of gooseberries[20:36] - Siblings and laughter – a sure combination[23:29] – Laughing through word muddle mortification[25:49] — The Laughter Revolution Lightning Round[27:42] — Monetizing the “signature giggle”? If this episode made you laugh out loud even once, do me a favour and subscribe wherever you listen to your favourite podcasts - Spotify, Apple, all of it. And if you want more stories like this one landing in your inbox every two weeks, come join the Laughter Revolution Digest at marlasimlett.com. I promise it is more fun than your average newsletter!

  3. Jul 2

    Built to last: What a dodgy knee taught me in Scotland

    Somewhere between Edinburgh Airport and a set of stairs I had no business descending with a suitcase, I had a reckoning with my body. Specifically, with the part of me who thinks pain is just the price of doing business. Her name is Patty Pusher, and she and I are currently in negotiations. In This Episode • Why so many of us experience our bodies as the enemy — and where that actually comes from • What objectification theory has to do with the way you feel in your own skin • The moment a set of stairs and a suitcase named Gertrude forced a real reckoning • Meet Patty Pusher: the alter ego who pushes past every limit — and the new motto that's keeping her in check • A laughter toolbox tool for when things go sideways: how to find the funny and then find the opportunity • The Fort William Bus Driver story — which involves wrong directions, a cryptic warning, a near-mugging, and a Jamie Fraser sighting Episode Highlights with Timestamps [00:10] — Introduction: solo travel, week one, and a question worth asking [00:36] — "I have been at war with my body" — Marla opens up about a lifetime of pushing too hard [01:25] — Eating disorders, injuries, and the cost of not listening to your body [02:40] — Objectification theory: why we experience our bodies as something we watch, not something we live in [03:28] — Social media, impossible standards, and being between a rock and a hard place [05:46] — Gertrude, 25 stairs, and a knee that said absolutely not [07:32] — Meet Patty Pusher: the alter ego with a motto that would make a physiotherapist weep [08:19] — The new motto: built to last, not to trash [09:21] — The Laughter Lounge opens: shout-outs, feedback, and the Fort William bus driver story [9:55] — Laughter toolbox tool: how to find the funny when things go wrong [10:44] — The Fort William bus driver story begins (brace yourself) [14:54] — Finding the opportunity: what a disastrous bus ride gave Marla instead [15:07] — Jamie Fraser's grandson. That is all. Links and Resources Mentioned Objectification theory — Marla references this concept in passing; no specific source cited in episode Outlander by Diana Gabaldon — referenced for the Jamie Fraser moment marlasimlett.com — episode page, newsletter signup Laughter Revolution Digest — newsletter, subscribe at marlasimlett.com Let's connect If any of this landed for you — the body stuff, the Patty Pusher stuff, or finding yourself going in the wrong direction - I'd love to hear from you. Reach out at info@marlasimlett.com or find me on Instagram and Facebook. And if you haven't yet, hit subscribe on your podcast platform so you never miss an episode. You can also join the Laughter Revolution Digest at marlasimlett.com. It's where I share the stories that don't quite make it into the podcast, plus pics of trip sights and things that make me laugh!

  4. Jun 18

    Quitting My Job + Two Naps a Day = Less Doing, More Being.

    Most of us have had that moment. Sitting at your desk, calendar full, inbox worse, thinking: surely this cannot be it. After almost 20 years in corporate HR, I decided to find out. So I left. What followed was two naps a day, a lot of body listening, and eventually, a six-month solo trip to Scotland with almost no plans. This episode is about spirit being versus human doing, with your body as your best guide. And why the Dastardly Das are probably running more of your life than you think. There is also a truly terrible hotel in Turkey, an underwhelming Mona Lisa, and a whole lot of Laughter IntelligenceTM. Come for the stories. Stay for the mindset shift. Hit play at marlasimlett.com.

  5. Jun 4

    Your Suitcase Is Full: Unpacking the Shame We Carry

    Have you ever felt completely paralysed by something that should be simple? Packing a suitcase. Choosing an outfit. Showing up as yourself. If you’ve ever spiralled over what other people might think of you, this episode is for you. Marla is packing for a six-month solo adventure, which sounds exciting, until Polly Packer shows up. Polly is that relentless inner critic who turns packing a bag into a full emotional workout. In this episode, Marla traces that anxiety all the way back to its roots: shame. Through two wonderfully mortifying stories, Marla unpacks how our brains turn moments of what should be just embarrassment into beliefs we carry for decades. She explores where shame comes from, why it has such a grip on us, and most importantly, how to loosen that grip with some honesty, a reality check, and a healthy dose of laughter. Key Insights: ·Shame is not the same as guilt. ·Shame has ancient roots. ·Naming it takes away some of its power. ·Shame shrinks in the light. Have a Polly Packer of your own? I’d love to hear about her. Send me a message at info@marlasimlett.com or find me on Instagram. And if this episode hit close to home, share it with someone who needs it. When you’ve got a revolution, the more the merrier. Subscribe to the Laughter Revolution Digest at marlasimlett.com to follow along on Marla’s six-month solo journey, including what she’s learning and laughing about along the way.

  6. May 21

    Why "Being Responsible" Might Just Be Fear in a Trench Coat

    Got a very convincing list of reasons why you can't do the thing you want? This episode is for you. Hit play. You have a list. A very convincing list of reasons why you can't, shouldn't, or aren't ready to go after the thing you want. And here's the wild part - your brain built that list on purpose. It thinks it's keeping you safe. Spoiler: it's not. In this episode, I dig into one of the stickiest places people get stuck - fear. Not the bear-chasing-you kind of fear. The quieter, sneakier kind that shows up as procrastination, perfectionism, overthinking, and a very logical-sounding list of reasons why now just isn't the right time. I introduce Little f - my name for perceived fear - and walk you through my five-step Laughter Toolbox process for dealing with him. I also share how a good doom and gloom improv session (yes, really) can help reset your nervous system and get you back in the driver's seat. This one is funny, practical, and might just change the way you think about courage. Key Topics Covered Why your very logical list of reasons is probably just fear in a trench coatThe Marla Fear Rule - and why 98% of the things you're afraid of don't qualify as real dangerMeet Little f: the sneaky, quieter fear that masquerades as procrastination, perfectionism, and decision paralysisThe five-step process for recognising fear, welcoming it in, and moving through it anywayWhy laughter isn't just fun - it's a legit nervous system reset that makes courage possibleSome hilarious Canadian humour in the Laughter Lounge – Handyman Hints from Red Green Try the five-step Little f Process this week and let me know how it goes! Drop me a message on Instagram, post in the comments, or send an email to info@marlasimlett.com. Subscribe to the Laughter Revolution newsletter at marlasimlett.com. And if this episode resonated with you, share it with someone who needs a little nudge — and a laugh. New episodes drop every second Thursday. Subscribe so you never miss one.

  7. May 7

    From Panic Attacks to Purpose: How Laughter Changed Everything

    What if laughter wasn't just something that happened to you, but something you could use on purpose to change your life? In this first episode, host Marla Simlett shares the origin story behind Laughter Revolution. Three years of crisis, a full-blown anxiety disorder, and one unforgettable moment involving bleach and a fan cord that sparked everything. This is where the Laughter Intelligence™ framework was born. And it might just change how you think about laughter forever. Welcome to the Revolution.

  8. Season 1 Trailer

    Come for the giggles. Stay for the growth

    What if growth felt lighter? Hosted by counsellor and speaker Marla Simlett, Laughter Revolution blends insight, real-life stories, and practical strategies to help you unstick your stuck with more ease, energy, and resilience. New episodes every other Thursday starting May 7.

Trailer

About

What if personal growth didn't have to feel like another item on your to-do list? Each week, we blend real stories, professional insight, and practical tools with the transformative power of laughter — to help women get unstuck, build deep self-love, and reclaim their spark. Because transformation doesn't have to be all grit and no grin. Come for the giggles. Stay for the growth. And leave ready to send a little joy out into the world."

Information

  • Creator
    Marla Simlett
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    8
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Marla Simlett
  • Show Website
    Laughter Revolution