Ep. 37 - Laughing Our Way Back to Humanity with Comedian Craig Shoemaker
For over four decades, Craig Shoemaker has made millions laugh as one of comedy’s most beloved performers — earning Comedian of the Year at the American Comedy Awards, two Emmy Awards, and recognition among IMDB’s Top 100 Stand-Up Comics. He’s performed for four U.S. Presidents, starred in Parks & Recreation, The Bold & the Beautiful, and created one of Comedy Central’s Top 20 specials of all time.
But Craig’s greatest discovery came not from a punchline — it came from pain. When his close friend was diagnosed with brain cancer, Craig witnessed firsthand how intentional laughter extended and transformed life. That experience inspired him to found Laughter Heals, a nonprofit dedicated to teaching laughter as medicine, and later Laughter Worx, a corporate wellness company bringing neuroscience-backed joy into the workplace.
In this powerful episode of The CivilTalk Podcast, we explore:
The science of laughter and how it reshapes the brain and body
How humor deepens empathy, trust, and connection in leadership
The difference between humor and comedy
Why laughter might be the most underused tool for healing conflict, burnout, and disconnection in modern life
Craig’s work sits at the intersection of neuroscience, leadership, and emotional intelligence — reminding us that laughter isn’t an escape from life; it’s a return to it.
✨ Learn more about Craig:
Laughter Worx Corporate Programs
_____________________________________________________
About CivilTalk:
At CivilTalk, we help leaders and teams grow through emotional intelligence, intentional communication, and real-world tools for human-centered leadership. Explore our resources, podcast episodes and AI Assisted ORGTALK designed to bring more civility, presence, and clarity into the workplace and beyond.
Learn more: www.civiltalk.com