274. Laughing Our Way to Change — Humor as Power, Resistance, and Repair with Lynn Harris

⚠️ Warning: You may laugh during this episode!And you may also find yourself rethinking leadership, connection, and how humor helps us survive uncertain times.Welcome back to Girl, Take the Lead! Today’s episode is smart, funny, and deeply meaningful.Our guest is Lynn Harris — a culture-shifting producer, award-winning journalist, and author/co-author of six books whose comedy and campaigns for social justice and gender equity have helped change laws and conversations from Capitol Hill to NASCAR.Lynn is the founder and CEO of GOLD Comedy — the comedy school, professional network, and content studio where women and non-binary folks build comedy careers or creative side hustles, find community, and make funny stuff with purpose.In this conversation, Lynn reframes humor as far more than entertainment. She shows us how comedy builds trust, creates connection, signals confidence, and helps us navigate moments of fear, tension, and uncertainty with more humanity — and sometimes, more courage than we knew we had.✨ In This Episode, We Explore:Why humor is linked to leadership — and what research says about trust and connectionReading the room as a form of empathy and emotional intelligenceWhy humor is a sense, not a talent reserved for a fewCreativity, courage, and vulnerability in comedy and leadershipComedy as social change — through what we say and who gets to show upAnd why in 2026 we may all need a go bag… a snack… and a really good sense of humor🎭 Comedians Lynn RecommendsWhen asked who she’s loving right now — especially voices that are original, fearless, and deeply relatable — Lynn shared these favorites:Bob the Drag QueenCameron EspositoMaria BamfordNaomi EkperiginMichelle ButeauEach of these comics brings a distinct voice, lived experience, and point of view — and together they reflect the diversity, originality, and connection Lynn is so passionate about creating in comedy.🎬 A Pandemic Moment Worth RevisitingOne of Lynn’s favorite examples of comedy as connection came from early in the pandemic — when dozens of comedians and actors recreated The Princess Bride scene by scene from their backyards, kitchens, and living rooms.If you need a smile (or a reminder of how creative humans can be), you can watch it here:👉 The Princess Bride – Home Movie Versionhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lR8pA_WV9QII loved seeing the cameo by Rob Reiner - RIP. Thank you for making our journeys a bit lighter!🌟 Memorable Quotes“Comedy doesn’t just take us out of reality — it puts us into it and helps us create the reality we want.” – Lynn Harris“When everyone gets the same joke, it means they’re connected.” – Lynn Harris“It’s a sense of humor. It’s just a sense — it’s not a PhD.” – Lynn Harris“The more specific you are, the more relatable you become.” – Lynn Harris“It’s not a distraction from the thing. It is the thing.” – Lynn Harris🎓 About GOLD ComedyGOLD Comedy is a comedy school, professional network, and content studio where women and non-binary creators build comedy careers, develop original work, and find a community where they truly belong.With a community-first model and an annual membership approach, GOLD supports long-term growth, collaboration, experimentation, and connection — helping creators turn ideas into real projects, pitches, and performances.As Lynn puts it: it’s easy to find a class anywhere — but the real question is, where do you belong?🔗 Connect with Lynn & GOLD Comedy🌐 Website: www.goldcomedy.com📧 Email: [email protected]📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GOLDcmdy📱 Instagram | LinkedIn | Social: @goldcomedy💌 Connect with Yo & Girl, Take the Lead!🎧 Listen on YouTube, Spotify, or wherever you listen or view your podcasts💬 Join the Girl, Take the Lead! Facebook Group🛍 Visit the Heartfelt Card & Gift Shop🔗 Connect on LinkedIn | Instagram