I’m often asked if being funny on stage is a prerequisite for “making it” in the speaking business. In this informative and entertaining interview with Cathy McNally, master of all things humor, you’ll find out whether or not tickling your audience’s funny bone is as important as you think. Cathy also teaches me two improv games (which we play, totally unscripted) to help me (and you) increase my ability to be funny on the spot, identify where the jokes lie, and get comfortable delivering stories in a way that elicits a laugh. When Cathy works with her clients, she is teaching the fundamentals of storytelling, finding the best places to insert vulnerability, and training her students to land a well-crafted joke. In this episode, you’ll learn all of this and more! It includes:
- Whether or not being funny is something you can learn over time
- How to make a joke if you’re someone who can’t remember scripted jokes (that’s me!)
- How to use physical comedy effectively
- How to practice being funny
…and you’ll get to hear me make a total fool of myself as I attempt improv with a pro! Cathy also offers a tip sheet which outlines the games and some of her key takeaways. Download it here.
Learn more about Cathy at McNally Communications.
Angela Lussier is the founder of the Speaker Sisterhood and also an award-winning speaker, three-time author, and two-time TEDx presenter. She is the host of Claim the Stage, a public speaking podcast for courageous women. Her motto: Stop waiting. Start creating.
Speaker Sisterhood: Discover, Awaken and Create Your Voice 