15. You're One Funny Mother! Humor, Healing & Mom Life with Mallori DeSalle

Motherhood is messy. Life is unpredictable. And sometimes… the only thing left to do is laugh. In this episode of Laugh or Death, Paul sits down with humorist, therapist, and speaker Mallori DeSalle for a real, honest, and often hilarious conversation about what it looks like to use humor in the middle of real life—not just the highlight reel. From raising kids to navigating hard seasons, Mallori shares how humor isn't about being "on" all the time—it's about being present. Whether it's using improv principles like "yes, and," connecting through dark humor with her kids, or simply showing up as a safe space for expression, she reveals how laughter can build trust, resilience, and connection in ways nothing else can. The conversation also dives into how humor shows up differently across generations—especially in the age of memes, where humor has become a primary language for expressing emotion. Instead of shutting it down, Mallori leans in, using humor as a window into what people are really feeling beneath the surface. You'll also hear practical insights on how to bring more humor into everyday life—without forcing it. From being a "generous audience" to creating environments where people feel safe enough to laugh, this episode is packed with simple but powerful shifts that can transform relationships at home and beyond. This one is equal parts funny, real, and surprisingly meaningful. Links: Downloads the FREE Fun Over Funny Guide for Leaders: https://www.paulosincup.com/freegift All Links For Paul: https://stan.store/PaulOsincup 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   Links for this episode:  Website: MalloriDeSalle.com   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mallori-desalle-4918378/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mdesalle Episode Minute-By-Minute: 0:00 – Intro: Meet Mallori DeSalle 1:00 – Oreo obsession & starting with humor 4:30 – Balancing therapy, humor, and motherhood 8:00 – Improv mindset: "Yes, and" in real life 12:00 – Finding humor in hard moments & resilience 17:00 – Real-life struggles (health, family, life chaos) 23:00 – Parenting through humor (and when kids don't think you're funny) 26:00 – Dark humor, memes & emotional expression 29:00 – Humor as a generational language 31:00 – Be a "generous audience" (powerful shift) 34:30 – Turning hard moments into humor (tools & games) 41:00 – Do your kids actually think you're funny? 😂 44:00 – Final thoughts + why humor matters in real life