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Founder
and President of World Laughter Tour, Inc.
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Steve Wilson,
MA, CSP, speaker, humorist, author, humor educator,
psychologist, and THE JOYOLOGIST, is the founder of the World
Laughter Tour, Inc. He created the concept of the Certified
Laughter Leader(tm) and is well known as the “Cheerman of the Bored.”
Steve is the Director
of National Humor Month,
creators of
FUNNY
LITERACY: Using Humor to Help Kids Enjoy Reading, and the
FULL-BELLY LAUGHTER PROJECT.
He is the 2010
recipient of the
Doug Fletcher Lifetime Achievement Award from the Association
for Applied and Therapeutic Humor, and the 2007 recipient of
Rire d'Or, the Golden Laughter Award from the French School
of Laughter.
Retired from his psychology practice, he devotes full time
attention to combining his personal warmth, educational credentials
and life experience to help lead the world to health, happiness and
peace through laughter. Honoree of the Stephen H. Wilson Scholarship
Fund, author of several books, he is one of America’s top-rated
speakers. A Certified Speaking Professional, Steve is “willing to
go anywhere anytime” to present speeches, workshops, and other
programs that amplify human connectedness and understanding of the
relationships between humor, laughter, morale, health, joy,
productivity, and peace.
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Co-Founder
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of World Laughter Tour, Inc.
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Karyn
Buxman, RN, MS, CSP, CPAE, CLL, is a co-founder of the
World
Laughter Tour. While in graduate school, she found a way to
combine her research with the one thing that enabled her to get through an
entire day without losing her sanity: humor. Now one of the leading national
experts on therapeutic humor, Karyn puts her humor studies to work through
speaking, writing, and consulting. She is a Member of the National Speakers
Association and a Certified Speaking Professional. She holds memberships in
the International Society of Humor Studies (ISHS), and
American
Association for Therapeutic Humor (AATH).
http://www.humorx.com |
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Professional Advisory Committee |
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Don Baird, PhD
Adjunct Faculty at The Chicago School of Professional
Psychology, Chicago. Don has shared his enthusiasm and expertise
on humor and psychology in workshops and conferences from
Chicago to Osaka, Japan. He is a long-time friend of World
Laughter Tour. He blends scientific expertise with his
aficionado's interest in comedy history and is a master of the
anecdote. His interests include learning how past and present
politicians have applied humor to their campaigning and
governing styles, appropriate and inappropriate uses of humor,
coping, and when humorous attempts go wrong.He is an Advisor
to the FUNNY LITERACY
project. You can read some of his erudite thinking about humor
at
Audio Book Community. |
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Lee
Berk, DrPH, MPH, FACSM, CHES
is a pioneer researcher studying positive emotions/behaviors and their
biochemical/physiological effects on stress hormones and immune system
components in the field of Psychoneuroimmunology.
Dr. Berk is Associate Director for the Center Neuroimmunology,
Associate Research Professor of Pathology/Human Anatomy and Laboratory
Medicine, Loma Linda University
School of Medicine; and Associate Professor, Health Promotion and
Education at Loma Linda University School of Public Health
in California. He has authored numerous key articles documenting the impact
of mirthful laughter and exercise on neuroendocrine and immune function (Neuroendocrine
and Stress Hormone Changes During Mirthful Laughter.
The Amer. J. Med. Sci.
298, No. 6, p390‑396, 1989. and Modulation
of Neuroimmune Parameters During the Eustress of Humor Associated Mirthful
Laughter.
J. Alternative Therapies in
Health and Medicine, Vol. 7, No. 2, 2001, p62-76.)
Dr Berk’s medical research has been featured on ABC’s World News
Tonight and Good Morning America, The Discovery
Channel-Beyond 2000, the BBC, CBS' 60 minutes, NPR, USA Today
and other numerous press media throughout the world. He is in great demand
as a speaker presenting positive perception/anticipation, laughter and
associated changes of stress hormones and immune system components relative
to his medical research findings.
http://www.drleeberk.com
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Jim Canterucci, CLL, serves our organization as
strategic business advisor. He is the founder and CEO of
Transition Management Advisors. Jim
has worked in some of the largest organizations implementing major
change initiatives over a period of almost twenty years. He
reaches over 4,000 change leaders each month via an informative
email based newsletter, publishes widely on change leadership and
innovation and as a professional speaker is considered a
thought leader in this important topic area.
www.corpchange.com
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Silvana
D'Anello, PhD,
a woman who laughs while doing almost anything. She is a professor of
Social Psychology of Health at the Faculty of Medicine, The University
of the Andes, Venezuela. Her PhD was earned in 1998 at the University
of Kansas. She has published articles and chapters on the subject of
humor and other more serious subjects. Today she insists on teaching
that a better life is possible… but only to people who laugh most of the
time. When considering the actual political situation in her country, in
numerous workshops and presentations she recommends laughter as an
innovative strategy for healing the spirit. Silvana is also a Certified
Laughter Leader.
Three research abstracts;
studies conducted and reported by Silvana D'Anello, PhD.
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Dr.
José Vicente Elizondo
Garcia, graduated
from Dentistry School at the University of Nuevo Leon in
1983. Dr. Elizondo is a
speaker
and trainer in the fields of Human
Development and Humor Therapy.
He is
creator
of “Proyecto RISA” (Project Laugh) and the first laughter Club
in Mexico.
In
1994 he received a degree in Human Resources Management at ITESM
(TEC de Monterrey).
He
is the first World Laughter Tour Certified Laughter Leader in Mexico.
A
Master
Practitioner of Neurolinguistic Programming,
he
is recognized as the first citizen from Mexico to join AATH
(Association for Applied and Therapeutic Humor). He serves AATH a
Humor Network Region Coordinator. He
is a regular speaker at the radio program “Revista Imagen”
(Image Magazine) (107.7 FM in Monterrey, Mexico) with his own
segment named “Imagenes Vivas “ (Live Images).
He
is author
of the video “Optimismo Productivo” (Productive Optimism)
produced by EDUMEX, his
clients include some of the major private and public companies in
Mexico, schools and non-profit organizations.
yosoypp@proyectorisa.com.mx,
www.proyectorisa.com.mx
Click here for
Informacion
en Espanol
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 William
F. Fry, Jr., M.D., is a behavioral scientist and psychiatrist.
He was born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio, and educated at Bowdoin
College, Grinnell College, University of Oregon, University of
Southern California, and the University of Cincinnati, where he
received his M.D. in 1949. He is Emeritus Associate Clinical
Professor at the Stanford University School of Medicine and a Life
Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association. He is an original
member of the International Society for Humor Studies, from which
organization he received the 1998 Lifetime Achievement Award. He is
author of over 150 articles, chapters, forewords, and reviews on the
subject of humor, as well as other subjects. He is author, coauthor,
or coeditor of five published books: Sweet Madness: A Study of
Humor (1963), The Seasons: Selected Poems (1999), Make
‘Em Laugh (1978, with Dr. Melanie Allen), now republished as Creating
Humor: Life Studies of Comedy Writers (1998), Handbook of
Humor and Psychotherapy (1987) and Advances in Humor and
Psychotherapy (both coedited with Dr. Waleed A. Salameh). He has
been a cartoonist for the San Francisco Press Club.
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Jacki
Kwan, LCSW-C, is a Clinical Social Worker, National Board
Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist, Master Practitioner of Neuro-Linguistic
Programming, a Therapeutic Clown, a member of The American
Association for Therapeutic Humor and is passionate about helping to
heal the world one ”HA!” at a time.
She has completed advanced training in mind-body medicine
from the Center for Mind-Body Medicine in Washington, D.C.
Last September, she traveled in China for two weeks with
Patch Adams, M.D. and brought positive humor to hospitals, nursing
homes, orphanages, hospices, and the masses over there.
In
1999, Jacki created HA!HA!LOGY™, a therapeutic humor program for
health care facilities. The essence of Jacki’s mission is clearly
expressed in Dionne Warwick’s classic hit: "What the world
needs now is LAUGH sweet LAUGH."
www.hahalogy.com
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Dr. Clifford C. Kuhn is Professor of Psychiatry at the
University of Louisville School of Medicine in Louisville, Kentucky.
He was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he resided until
graduating from Jefferson Medical College in 1967. Following a
psychiatric residency at the University of Michigan and a stint in
the U.S. Air Force, he joined the Louisville faculty in 1974.
At the
University of Louisville, Dr. Kuhn has served as Chief of Adult
Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry, Director of Residency Training and
Associate Chairman of Psychiatry. His clinical focus is the field of
mind/body medicine. He has published articles on comprehensive
approaches to chronic pain and has developed an inventory for
assessing spiritual health of medical patients.
Working
with cancer patients and their families, Dr. Kuhn has learned to
appreciate the healing benefits of laughter. His experience as a
professional comedian gives him a unique perspective on the
application of humor in a wide variety of settings. In 1999 Cliff
was named Member of the Year by the Kentucky Chapter of the National
Speakers Association. In addition to his popular solo
presentation and workshops, he teams up with famed comedian Jerry
Lewis to present internationally acclaimed seminars on laughter
and healing.
The
success of his innovative humor techniques with patients has led Dr.
Kuhn to develop effective humor-based principles and strategies for
the workplace, which he currently offers to business through his
company Laugh Doctor Enterprises, LLC.
Cliff
lives with his wife, Connie, on a farm in Simpsonville, Kentucky,
and is proud of his son, Gregory, daughter, Rebecca, and
grandchildren, Jordan, Noah, William, and Emma.
LAFFDR@aol.com
www.humorbeing.com
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Robert R. Provine
is Professor of Psychology and Assistant Director of the
Neuroscience Program at the University of Maryland Baltimore
County. He has authored over 50 research papers concerning
developmental neuroscience and the neural mechanisms of
behavior, conducting studies on over 30 species, using
techniques ranging from electrophysiology and tissue culture to
field studies. He came to the study of laughter and human
ethology from a background in neuroembryology, having studied
and published with Nobel Prize and National Medal of Science
winners. Author of Laughter: A Scientific Investigation,
Viking Press, (October 2000), 258 pages.
A scholar who has lectured in North
America and Europe in settings ranging from medical school
departments of neurology to NASA, NIST and grade schools, he has
received research grants from the National Institutes of Health.
His work has been featured in dozens of articles worldwide,
including the New York Times, The Wall Street Journal,
The Daily Telegraph (London), Le Figaro, New
Scientist, Discover, Science et Avenir,
Panorama (Italy), Focus (Germany), The Los Angeles
Times, and The Washington Post. His numerous
televisio appearances include "Good Morning America," "ABC World
News Tonight" "Eye to Eye" (CBS), and specials on The Learning
Channel ("Understanding Laughter" -- with Bill Cosby), The
Discover Channel ("Laughter"-- with Conan O'Brien), and BBC
Horizon ("Beyond the Joke"). His radio appearances include "All
Things Considered" (NPR), "Morning Edition" (NPR), and "Talk of
the Nation--Science Friday" (NPR). When not doing science,
Professor Provine enjoys stargazing, optics, and martial arts,
serving as advisor and instructor of the University Tae Kwon Do
Club. He is married to pianist and musicologist Helen Weems and
has two adult children.
provine@umbc.edu
http://www.umbc.edu/tmp/provine/
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Katherine Puckett,
National Director of Mind Body Medicine, Cancer Treatment
Centers of America. |
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Neil
Shulman, M.D.
As it
says on his business card…
Author, Doctor, Associate
Professor at
Emory University School of Medicine,
Comedian,
Architectural
Innovator, Brainstormer,
Speaker, Planner of Way Too
Many Projects at One Time, Wearer of Bow Ties, and Basically Just a
Really Funny Jewish Guy… Neil intends to pave his way with as many
new experiences as he can find. The common purpose of all his choices:
joyful laughter. Not bitter sarcasm or trendy cynicism, Neil creates
laughter that fills the heart, laughter that bridges fear, and
laughter that mends.
Among Neil’s
many claims to fame is that he wrote the book that became the movie
“Doc Hollywood” starring Michael J. Fox. That makes Neil “the
real Doc Hollywood”!
Whether his
audience is an auditorium full of giggling kids or a single patient on
a ward, Neil tickles and heals through his brand of humor and
medicine. Known by many children as "Dr. Neil the Banana
Peal", he overcomes their fear of doctors through his traveling
show and book, "What's in a Doctor's Bag?"
Dr. Neil brings home the importance of immunizations with "The Germ Patrol", a
magical journey through the human body. Come take a closer look at the
mind and world of Doc Hollywood. On second thought… just check out
the web site
www.dochollywood.com. |
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Marilyn
Sprague-Smith, M.Ed., DTM, CLL, is co-founder of Miracles &
Magic, Inc., an organization development and consulting firm.
With her business partner and life partner, Steele Smith, Marilyn has
designed and successfully implemented a systems approach model for early
childhood quality enhancement initiatives.
The model is designed to create work environments that nurture and
support early childhood managers and professionals, so they can create fun
and developmentally-appropriate learning environments for children, ages
0-5. Marilyn has found
that a staff that can laugh together is more willing to resolve conflict,
problem solve as a team, try new ideas, and support each other through
challenging times.
Marilyn is a member of the National
Speakers Association (NSA), the Association for Applied and
Therapeutic Humor (AATH), and Toastmasters International (TI).
She has earned the Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM)
designation, the highest education and leadership recognition
Toastmasters International awards an individual member.
As a professional speaker, seminar leader, consultant and
certified laughter leader (CLL), Marilyn is a catalyst for
long-term, positive change. marilyn@miraclesmagicinc.com
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| Patty
Wooten, RN, PHN,
is a woman who knows how to laugh at life.
Often called the "Queen of Jest", Ms Wooten has
opened hearts, tickled funny bones, and rekindled spirits of people
across the US and around the world. She is a veteran of countless
radio shows and has appeared on such TV shows as To Tell the Truth,
NBC's Real Life, and the Discovery Channel.
Her work has been featured in USA Today, Better Homes and
Gardens and Psychology Today.
She is a member of ISHS, and she is past president of
the American Association for Therapeutic Humor. She has also
created a video program with Norman Cousins and clowned with
"the real" Patch Adams. She
is the author of three books, Heart Humor and Healing, Compassionate
Laughter and her newest release Hospital Clowns - A Closer
Look.
www.jesthealth.com |
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