Chatting with film maker Medhavi Fernando about her upcoming docuseries 'Seriously Unserious'

In this episode, Mark chats with filmmaker Medhavi Fernando about her upcoming docuseries Seriously Unserious, a project exploring the real-life power of humour and laughter. They discuss documentary storytelling, therapeutic humour, comedy as craft, the science of laughter, and why being unserious might be one of the most serious things we can do for our wellbeing.• what “laughter is the best medicine” means in real life • Medhavi’s mix of tech, journalism, and self-taught filmmaking • why the series is called Seriously Unserious • the personal moments that spark the project• shifting from one feature documentary to an episodic docuseries • Kevin MacIsaac role as host and how he draws stories out • guest arcs across cancer, workplace humour, productivity, and resilience • the inclusion of neuroscience and psychology• humour as reframing, coping, and emotional distance • the hidden craft of comedy, including bombing and bouncing back • the editing challenge of keeping story, context, and jokes • how film festivals, broadcasters, and streaming pickups can work • takeaways from the Association for Applied and Therapeutic Humor conference • Medhavi’s Feel Good Five and what keeps her grounded Thank you for listening. For more info on Medhavi Fernando visit: https://www.linkedin.com/in/medhavifernando/If you haven’t already done so, we invite you to hit the follow button, leave a comment, let us know your thoughts, or flick through the archives to see if there’s any other episodes that you think you may be interested in. Website: www.thelaughterclinic.com.auYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@thelaughterclinicAus"If you or someone you know needs support, please contact one of these Australian mental health services. In an emergency, always call 000."Lifeline AustraliaPhone: 13 11 14 (24/7)Web: lifeline.org.auSuicide Call Back ServicePhone: 1300 659 467 (24/7)Web: suicidecallbackservice.org.auBeyond BluePhone: 1300 22 4636 (24/7)Web: beyondblue.org.auKids Helpline (for people aged 5-25)Phone: 1800 55 1800 (24/7)Web: kidshelpline.com.auMensLine AustraliaPhone: 1300 78 99 78 (24/7)Web: mensline.org.auSANE Australia (complex mental health issues)Phone: 1800 18 7263Web: sane.orgQLife (LGBTIQ+ support)Phone: 1800 184 527 Web: qlife.org.auOpen Arms (Veterans & Families Counselling)Phone: 1800 011 046 (24/7)Web: openarms.gov.au1800RESPECT (sexual assault, domestic violence)Phone: 1800 737 732 (24/7)Web: 1800respect.org.auHeadspace (youth mental health, ages 12-25)Phone: 1800 650 890 Web: headspace.org.au13YARN (Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander crisis support)Phone: 13 92 76 (13YARN) (24/7)Web: 13yarn.org.auMusic by Hayden Smithhttps://www.haydensmith.com