Canada's Keynote Humorist

Stand Up for City Street Outreach Fundraiser- Weds Dec 4TH Comedy Bar Danforth If you are in the Greater Toronto Area, Wednesday Dec 4th, think about dropping by https://comedybar.ca/shows/stand-up-for-city-street-outreach-with-judy-croon-and-friends?ev=2024-12-04T19%3A00%3A00 http://www.ComedyBar.ca on the Danforth. I’m hosting a special comedy fundraiser for an organization that I volunteer with called City Street Outreach. We are going to raise some much-needed funds for our city’s most vulnerable two-legged and four-legged friends. I will be joined by fellow comics: Martha Chaves, Evan Carter and Anna Gustafson. We are going to have a great time with lots of laughs and we’re going to raise some money! Tickets are selling well. Don’t miss out! Just go to Comedy Bar. Ca and get your ticket now. Tickets are 25 dollars online and at the door. If you have any questions, you can shoot me an email at judy@judycroon.com So let me tell you about City Street Outreach. City Street Outreach has been in existence for over 14 years. Created by Alex Smirnus and his wife Grace, they are giving hope across the GTA. City Street Outreach is a 100 percent volunteer-run, donation based, all-inclusive registered charity providing food, clothing and assistance to those in need across the GTA. Their Winter Downtown Core Freeze Patrols look for the homeless in need of coats, sleeping bags and food. They have multiple daily community housing food outreaches Monday through to Friday across the GTA. By the way, approximately 8500 pounds of food is rescued and distributed every week by City Street Outreach. They have a homeless outreach at Toronto City Hall every Thursday night distributing food, hot/cold drinks, jackets, clothing, sleeping bags, sanitary items and more to those in need. We also distribute 700 pounds of pet food per week. City Street Outreach cares for everybody; for the homeless, street-involved youth, seniors, new immigrants/refugees, single mothers and individual/families in need and/or living in poverty across the GTA. For more information go to http://www.CityStreetOutreach.org or you can drop me a line at judy@JudyCroon.com Dec 4th http://www.ComedyBar.ca ticketshttps://comedybar.ca/shows/stand-up-for-city-street-outreach-with-judy-croon-and-friends?ev=2024-12-04T19%3A00%3A00

Book Review -The Power of Now – A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment by Eckhart Tolle Eckhart Tolle's The Power of Now should be on everybody’s bookshelf I still remember the day when I saw this quirky spiritual teacher and self-help author being introduced to us on Oprah’s show in 2000. Winfrey was so impressed with Tolle that she recommended The Power of Now in her magazine O. Two years later, the book reached number one on the New York Times Best Seller list. By 2008 it was translated into 33 languages. But before I get into the book review, did you know that Eckhart Tolle was homeless for two years? From Park Bench to Prophet Eckhart Tolle lived a life that could only be described as extraordinary. Born in Germany, he wandered through Spain, and studied in England before finding himself as a researcher at Cambridge University. Despite battling with suicide obsession, depression, and anxiety, he eventually found spiritual enlightenment. At one point, he found himself isolated from society, homeless and jobless. But instead of despair, he embraced the simplicity of his new life. For two years, he roamed the streets, finding solace in park benches and the beauty of the world around him. People were intrigued by his inner peace and sought to learn his secrets. And so, Eckhart Tolle emerged as a prominent spiritual teacher, spreading his message of mindfulness and living in the present moment to people all over the world. In The Power of Now, Tolle challenges us to break free from the voices in our heads- our egos. Instead, he reminds us to stay in the present -the here and now because he stresses the present is all we really have. Tolle basically says that there is no use worrying about the past or the future because events only happen in the ‘now’. The past and future only occur during a constant stream of ‘now’ moments. It is not uncommon for people to spend their whole life waiting to start living. ~Eckhart Tolle Are you constantly living in the past or the future? So, let's talk about why living in the present moment is so crucial. Think about it - the past is already done and dusted, and the future hasn't even happened yet. The only time we truly have control over is right now, at this very moment. By focusing on the present and being fully engaged in what's happening around us, we can make the most of our experiences and truly appreciate everything life has to offer. Tolle describes the damage and waste of time that we do to our thoughts by thinking either too much about the past or the future. He says when we think too much about the past and not enough about the present- we create guilt, regret, resentment, grievances, sadness, bitterness and all forms of non-forgiveness in our thoughts. He also says when we think too much about the future, we create fear in the form of unease, anxiety, tension, stress and worry in our thoughts.

Atomic Habits by James Clear Book Review (Including, a special bonus called The Seinfeld Strategy) Atomic Habits by James Clear is a terrific book that digs deep into the science of forming habits -good and bad. Clear offers ‘clear’ strategies for folks to build good habits as well as ‘clear ‘strategies to break the bad ones. Clear emphasizes what many experts have stated before. That is, over time, small incremental changes (or what he calls ‘atomic habits’) can lead to big transformations. Now, in a separate article, Clear wrote about the impact that incremental daily habits had on one of the biggest comedic minds – Jerry Seinfeld. At the end of this book review, I explain how Jerry used an incredibly easy daily routine to soar to stardom. But first, back to Atomic Habits. Using solid research, personal experience and actionable steps, Clear divides his book into four areas: The Fundamentals, How to Build Better Habits, How to Break Bad Habits, and Advanced Tactics. Section 1 - The Fundamentals: In this first section, readers are introduced to the idea of the concept of atomic habits or as we typically know them – daily routines. Clear explains how habits are formed in the brain. He breaks down the habit loop – what we are cued by, then what we crave as a result of the cue, how we respond to the cue and then how we reward ourselves. Clear shows readers how understanding this loop can help them identify and change their habits. Section 2 – How to Build Better Habits In this second section, Clear focuses on how to build better habits by implementing the four laws of behavior change. Let’s say you want to learn how to play the guitar but you’ve been putting it off. The guitar has been sitting in its case in your basement collecting dust. Clear says to make the new habit obvious. For example, you might be ‘cued’ to play the guitar if you take it out of your basement and put it in the middle of your living room. Clear also says the make the cue attractive, easy and satisfying. So maybe pick an easy song that you love and learn how to play it. If you’re still stuck, he says try the two-minute rule (play the guitar for only 2 minutes- chances are if you start, you will continue a little longer. Either way, you will better off than if you didn’t start at all). In this section, Clear also provides practical strategies for habit stacking and temptation bundling (which sounds oddly like my Rogers cable package). Section 3 -How To Break Bad Habits This third section of the book is dedicated to breaking bad habits, which Clear argues can be just as important as building good habits. He introduces the concept of habit reversal and offers strategies for identifying and replacing negative habits with positive ones. Clear also emphasizes the importance of self-awareness and intentional decision-making in breaking bad habits. Section Four – Advanced Tactics In the final section, Clear introduces advanced tactics for maintaining and improving habits over the long term. He discusses how to create an environment that supports good habits, how to overcome plateaus and setbacks, and how to use habits to achieve goals and live a more fulfilling life. Clear also touches on the power of identity-based habits and how changing our beliefs about ourselves can lead to lasting change. Atomic Habits is a well-researched and practical guide to creating positive change in our lives through the power of habits. Clear's writing style is engaging and accessible, making the book easy to read and understand. His advice is backed by scientific research and real-world examples, giving readers confidence that the strategies he presents are effective.

Thriving Beyond Fifty-78 Natural Strategies to Restore your mobility, avoid surgery and stay off pain pills in your 50’s and Beyond by Will Harlow Looking 50 is great if you're 60. ~Joan Rivers Are you afraid of aging? Be honest? What’s ‘old ‘nowadays? 90? 80? 20??? Age has been a good source of comedic material for years! Why? Because most people are afraid of it. Big Bad AGE. We make fun of the things that scare us. That’s one of our brain’s favourite ways of coping with stress. Just look at the following one-liners from people who I’m sure were afraid of aging. I've learned that life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer it gets to the end, the faster it goes. ~Andy Rooney The only reason I would take up jogging is so that I could hear heavy breathing again. ~Erma Bombeck I'm at the age where food has taken the place of sex in my life. In fact, I've just had a mirror put over my kitchen table. ~Rodney Dangerfield But FEAR NO MORE. There is a fantastic book with a great outlook and lots of juicy info that can help you change your attitude towards the oncoming years. The book is called Thriving Beyond Fifty. Will Harlow is an expert and author who shares valuable information about healthy aging. His practical insight about the physical, emotional and psychological changes that come with chalking up a few more years are a must read. Harlow argues that age is just a number. He says that it’s an attitude and having a positive attitude towards age can be instrumental when it comes to aging well. As I say in my keynote, Relieving Work-Related Stress with Humour, positive thinking (which definitely includes humour for me) can have such a huge impact on our well-being but especially, as we get older. Harlow encourages readers to embrace aging as opposed to fighting it. He says to look at aging as a natural, inevitable process of life instead of fearfully dreading and/or trying to avoid it. Thriving Beyond Fifty echoes many of key elements to aging gracefully that many other authors and experts have championed before such as; nutrition and a balanced diet, healthy mental and physical activity, maintaining strong social connections with family, friends and community, having a sense purpose/giving back and always striving to constantly better oneself. However, Harlow also has a unique spin that he uses called ‘ageless living’. Again, he ties this into having a positive mindset and challenges readers to reframe their attitude towards aging and embrace it with a youthful outlook no matter how old they are. He encourages readers to live a vibrant life at any age. Harlow also offers hands-on, practical advice about financial and estate planning, retirement and end-of-life care. This planning encourages readers to actively secure their futures but at the same time, create peace of mind throughout one’s life. In conclusion, Thriving Beyond Fifty Thriving Beyond Fifty -78 Natural Strategies to Restore your mobility, avoid surgery and stay off pain pills in your 50’s and Beyond… encourages readers to welcome and embrace getting older. Harlow’s shout out to a positive, youthful mindset at any age is fundamental in his message. He’s resourceful, positive and provides lots of practical and insightful how-to information when it comes to ageless living. Now, if you are still hiding under the covers and don’t want to deal with the inevitable then at the very least laugh at your fears. Check out a couple more one liners from some classic comedians who probably also hid their fear – using humour. I'm at an age when my back goes out more than I do. ~Phyllis Diller My grandmother was a very tough woman. She buried three husbands and two of them were just napping. ~Rita Rudner He's so old that when he orders a three-minute egg, they ask for the money up front. ~George Burns Until next time folks, laugh long and prosper.

The Amazing, Incredible and Unbreakable Tina Fey One of my favorite funny people of all time is Tina Fey. If you haven’t read her book Bossypants -treat yourself. By the way, can Tina Fey and Amy Poehler just host all awards shows on the planet? Here’s a little info about Tina, in case you’ve been living under a 30 Rock. http://www.JudyCroon.com

The Pomodoro Technique by Francesco Cirillo The Acclaimed Time-Management System That Has Transformed How We Work. What does a tomato and productivity have to do with each other? The Pomodoro Technique (named after a tomato) is a cool way to help you get stuff done during the day. It breaks down big tasks into smaller ones so you don't feel overwhelmed. By using this technique, you'll be able to manage your time better and feel more in control of your work. This will make you a better worker and make your work more fun. When you break your bigger task into smaller tasks, each of these smaller tasks or time intervals is called a pomodoro, which comes from the Italian word for tomato. This technique was created by a university student who used a tomato-shaped kitchen timer to help him stay focused and productive. Why do Italians call the tomato a pomodoro? Let me tell you! Apparently in 1548, a Tuscan steward described the tomato as pomi d’oro which translated means golden fruit. That later became pomodoro. But I digress. See, this is why I need help with productivity. Who invented the Pomodoro Technique? Francesco Cirillo (the gentleman who came up with this technique) thought of it when he was in university in the 1980s. He had trouble staying focused and organized, so he created the Pomodoro Technique to help him stay focussed. Nowadays, he has a website where he teaches people how to use his technique to be more productive. Check it out PomodoroTechnique.com To start using the Pomodoro Technique, all you need is a timer and two lists. Your timer doesn’t have to be a fancy tomato-shaped one like in the original Pomodoro Technique. You can use a stopwatch or even your phone. Make sure it makes noise when the 25 minutes are up. This helps your brain switch between working and relaxing. Next, make two lists. The first list is your To Do Today list. This list has all the things you want to get done that day. For example, you might have outline presentation structure - 4 pomodori or pay bills - 1 pomodoro. Where do these tasks come from? They come from your inventory list. This list has all the tasks you want to do now or in the future. You'll need to learn how to estimate how many pomodori each task will take. Your estimates might not be perfect at first, but you'll get better with practice. To stay motivated, switch up your tasks. If a big task like time management presentation will take 20 pomodori, break it into smaller parts. It's more rewarding to finish a smaller task than to work all day on one big task without finishing it. By the way, I don’t use this two-list technique. I just use the Pomodoro technique until I get one big thing done and off my plate. Wow, I’m using a lot of food references. Now I’m hungry. So, when do you take a bigger break? Longer breaks, typically 15 to 30 minutes are taken after 4 tomatoes or 4 consecutive Pomodoros. The Pomodoro technique is basically set up to help you stay focussed. Each Pomodoro should be dedicated to one task only. The idea of 5-minute break every 25 minutes is not only to give your brain a break but to also give you a feeling of accomplishment. So, is the Pomodoro technique effective? A number of experts say that it’s a good focus tool to help with ADHD. It’s effective in providing measurable time increments as well as a reward system. What are the drawbacks to the Pomodoro Technique? Some people take longer to get into a project so 25 minutes doesn’t feel long enough. So, now that I’ve described this wonderful time saving technique, let’s get onto the big burning question, what’s the difference between pomodoro and red sauce? Well, typically pomodoro is a thicker sauce and thus more spreadable that marinara -which makes pomodoro a more common choice for pizza sauce.

Chatter that Matters in our Workplace: A look at multi-generational communication Hi there, I’m Judy Croon, Canada’s Keynote Humourist. Welcome to another episode of Laugh Long and Prosper – Shelf Help with a smile. Today, I have to honour of speaking to Cynthia Rubino, founder of http://www.CytrineConsultancy.ca Cynthia is a professor, PE Coach, advocate, mentor, speaker and advertising and marketing leader. On the morning of May 7th we are working on something together called Empower the Future! This event is happening at Hart House in the Great Hall at U OF T. I love Cytrine’s Inaugural Event Theme – Chatter that Matters in our Workplace: A look at multi-generational communication- Mentoring, Guiding and Supporting Young Professionals in the Workplace. Cytrine has partnered with the Globe and Mail to present this fantastic inaugural event. For tickets you can go to http://www.Eventbrite.ca and look for 'Chatter Matters in the Workplace. Here is the direct link. Empower the Future - Eventbrite Link https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/chatter-that-matters-in-the-workplace-tickets-856235743157 There will also be 3 panels going on: -From the Classroom to the Boardroom ( Professors from various Post-secondary institutions) -Voices of the Z’S ( Young professionals in the workforce and students) -Workplace Wisdom ( agency, media sales and marketing sales) Again, this is happening May 7TH at the prestigious Hart House. Cynthia also has another special event coming up June 7th – a Gala event entitled; I Matter Shines Light Gala. For details, feel free to directly reach out at cynthia@cytrienconsultancy.ca Tickets can be purchased directly through Cynthia’s email. http://www.JudyCroon.com

You are a bad ass – How to stop doubting your greatness and start living an awesome life Do you want to be awesome? "You Are a Badass" is like your personal coach for being the coolest version of yourself. The author, Jen Sincero, helps you figure out what's stopping you from being amazing and gives you tips on how to kick those bad habits to the curb. It's all about living your best life and making your dreams come true. So, what are you waiting for? It's time to unleash your inner badass! http://www.JudyCroon.com

Laugh Long And Prosper -How Not To Age by Michael Gregar Want to know the secrets to staying young and healthy? How Not to Age (The Scientific Approach to Getting Healthier as you get older (2021) has got you covered! This book dives into the science behind aging, explaining how our bodies change as we get older and what we can do to slow down the process. From eating right and staying active to getting enough sleep and managing stress, this book gives you all the tips and tricks you need to age gracefully. Say goodbye to myths and hello to real, science-backed advice on how to look and feel your best as you grow older. http://www.JudyCroon

Hi there, I’m Judy Croon, Canada’s Keynote Humourist. Welcome to another episode of Laugh Long and Prosper. Today, I'm reviewing a great book called, ' A Whole New Mind. Why Right Brainers will Rule The Future' by Daniel H. Pink. Daniel H. Pink is an American author who has written numerous New York Times bestsellers including: Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us; The Power of Regret: How Looking Back Moves Us Forward; When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing and his latest bestseller, A Whole New Mind - Why Right Brainers Will Rule The World. In A Whole New Mind - Why Right Brainers Will Rule The World, Pink says that people and companies that want to succeed in the future have to ask three very important questions:

 1. Can someone overseas do my job cheaper? 
 2. Can a computer do my job faster? 
 3. Is what I'm offering in demand in an age of abundance, where people are looking to satisfy their aesthetic, emotional, and spiritual demands? Pink stresses that as artificial intelligence potentially threatens many jobs around the world, artistic and creative skills are becoming even more essential. Pink suggests that this is the perfect time to lean into the right, bright creative side of the brain; a side that often gets overlooked by the left logical, analytical side. In doing so, Pink highlights six areas where the right brain excels. Check it out. http://www.JudyCroon.com Judy Croon is Canada’s Keynote Humorist, Tedx motivational speaker, comedian and stand-up coach at Second City. She has worked with many celebrities including; John Cleese, Jon Stewart, and Joan Rivers. Her specials have appeared on NBC, CBS, CTV and The Comedy Network. She is a co-author of ‘From the Stage to the Page: Life Lessons from Four Funny Ladies!” Judy draws from her standup performance and coaching experience to entertain, inform and inspire in her dynamic keynote entitled, ‘Relieving Work Related Stress with Humour’. Judy is the creator/host of ‘Laughlines’ and ‘Stand Up For The Girls’ which have both helped raise over $650,000 for breast cancer research.

Hi there, I’m Judy Croon. Canada’s Keynote Humourist Welcome to another episode of Laugh Long and Prosper. Today I’m chatting with Susan Stewart For the past 15 years, Susan Stewart has been entertaining and inspiring audiences across North America. Susan is best known for her ability to make people laugh while helping them to meet their challenges with a sense of humour. Susan is the author of 3 books including her latest title, You Gotta Laugh: Wit And Wisdom About Not Taking Life (Or Yourself) Too Seriously. Susan's podcast, Still A Hot Mess, and her comedy album, Relentless, are available on iTunes and Spotify. You can learn more about Susan at http://www.susanstewart.ca SHOW INFO A Bit More Than A Rough Patch: A Comedy Show About Taking Mental Health Seriously Join comedian Susan Stewart for a night of laughs while she shares her mental health journey and what she has learned the hard way about taking mental health seriously. You won't want to miss this important community event that raises awareness about mental health and raises money for the Brantford General Hospital's Mental Health Unit. Here is the link. https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/a-bit-more-than-a-rough-patch-tickets-777896568577 http://www.JudyCroon.com

I’m Judy Croon. Canada’s Keynote Humourist Welcome to another episode of Laugh Long and Prosper. Documentary Review - Live to 100: Secrets of The Blue Zones This is a great documentary to kick off the new year. In this compelling 90-minute Netflix movie, author and National Geographic explorer Dan Buettner shares fascinating information about the Blue Zones, five areas in the world where, per capita, there are the most residents who are living to 100 years-old or longer! The Blue Zones are located in Sardinia (Italy), Ikaria (Greece), Nicoya (Costa Rica), Loma Linda (California) and, topping the list with the highest number of centenarians per capita in the world, Okinawa (Japan). Host Dan Buettner, who has studied the Blue Zones for over 10 years with doctors, demographers and psychologists, tries to uncover the secrets to longevity in these parts of the world. It’s worth noting that presently, according to the CDC (the Centre for Disease Control) the average American is living until they are 78 years-old. However, research shows that the human body has an excellent chance of making it to 90 years-old, if taken care of properly. So how do we get back 12 years? How do we protect ourselves from chronic diseases, heart disease and diabetes? It’s also worth noting another study outside of this documentary that was done in Denmark, involving 2500 Danish twins. The study revealed that genetics only determine about 20 percent of our longevity. Our lifestyle determines the other 80 percent! So, what can the Blue Zones teach us? First of all, if you’re hoping for one easy fix, there isn’t one. Secrets of the Blue Zones proposes that the key to aging well is a combination of lifelong practices - a series of daily fixes if you will. What’s hopeful about this documentary is that there are lots of takeaways that people living outside of the Blue Zones can use. Buettner says it boils down to 9 pieces. Number One: Moving Naturally (without effort) No gym memberships here. Blue Zone centenarians move without having to think about it. They build natural movement into their daily routines. It could be as simple as sitting. The women of Okinawa don’t sit on chairs - they sit on the floor! This means having to get up at least 30 or 40 times a day. Many Okinawan centenarians also garden at least one hour a day. In Sardinia, Italy many of the centenarians are or were shepherds. This means that they easily clock at least 6 miles a day walking up and down hills with their flocks. It doesn’t get easier when they go home. The town itself has many hills and stairs. Many narrow houses are built with multiple level staircases. Number Two: Purpose A recent study showed that more Americans die in their first year of retirement than in their last year of work. People in the Blue Zones do not have any specific year for retirement. They always keep busy. Perhaps the centenarians of Okinawa, Japan say it best when it comes to purpose. They have a word for purpose. It’s called Ikigai. Ikigai means’ a reason for being’ - a reason for getting out of bed every morning. But Ikigai doesn’t have to be complicated. One resident who is a karate master at 102 years- old says his Ikigai is to continue his martial arts practice. Another Okinawa centenarian says his Ikigai is catching three fish a week so he can feed his family. (Cont)

Hi there, I’m Judy Croon, Canada’s Keynote Humourist. A few years ago, during Covid, I did an interview with friend and founder of a group called http://MentalWellness.help Since then, it has expanded tremendously. If you are struggling, please reach out. Free peer support meetings are available around the globe almost 24/7. Sign up here: https://www.meetup.com/mental-wellness-peer-to-peer-support-groups/ Since, this interview, they now offer, free professional therapy sessions with licensed professionals. Yes, free! My guest, Jason Balgopal is a lawyer by day and community volunteer by night. He graduated from Osgoode Hall Law School in Toronto, and was called to the Bar in 1999. His day job has allowed him to appear in all levels of courts in Ontario, and he has conducted all manner of trials including murder trials. Being a perfectionist by nature in an imperfect world was one catalyst which started his downward slide into depression in the early 2000’s. By 2004, he was officially diagnosed with depression, and commenced a 10-year path through darkness. With the help of a psychiatrist, a therapist, some medication, friends, family and his supportive wife, by 2014, he was able to get into a better “head space”. During this time, he found that volunteering gave him an opportunity to develop skills and interests outside of his day job. During this time, he found that volunteering gave him an opportunity to develop skills and interests outside of his day job. Since 2008, many evenings have been spent as a leader on the Board of Directors of numerous not-for-profit and community organizations. The skills of leadership which he gained on those Boards, combined with a desire to give back to the community, drove him in 2015, to create the Mental Wellness Peer Support Groups. Currently, after work, he spends most evenings ensuring that the 6 weekly Peer Support Groups are successful, and finding ways to grow and promote these free and confidential groups to a wider audience. The format is one hour long. Each person may (but doesn’t have to) share how their mental wellness is affecting them. They can then get “feedback” from another member (which is empathy or a technique which has worked for that other member…none of us will tell someone what they “should” do…as none of us is a professional). The groups have been very popular as they offer three significant benefits: 1. Members learn that they are not alone, and that there are others like them suffering; 2. Members can unburden themselves to a sympathetic ear…rather than continue to over-burden their spouse or parents who don’t have the lived-history to help; 3. Members can get real-world suggestions of techniques which others have used successfully. Here are some important links: 1. Our website: www.MentalWellness.help and 2. Our FB Page: www.facebook.com/MentalWellness.help/ and, 3. The link to our virtual video conferencing meetings, at which people can sign up (for FREE...all the meetings we offer are for free), at https://www.meetup.com/mental-wellness-peer-to-peer-support-groups/ 4. A video explaining our groups: youtu.be/8rM7Y47KuVc - Again, here is the group www.MentalWellness.help if you want to speak to a group within 24 hours. Just remember that you are not alone. As stated in previous shows on mental health, you can also reach out to the following sources: www.CAMH.ca -Canada Suicide Prevention Helpline at www.CrisisServicesCanada.ca or call 1-833-456-4566. -Text the crisis line via SMS 686868. -Wellness Together Canada at www.ca.portal.gs -Finally, f you are in crisis now, you can call 911. For further info, you can reach me at www.JudyCroon.com

A Holiday Laugh Long And Prosper Laugh Long & Prosper with Comedians Lisa-Gay Tremblay and Anna Gustafson Hey there, I’m Judy Croon- Canada’s Keynote Humourist. Welcome to another episode of Laugh Long and Prosper. On today's podcast, I speak with two of my good comedic friends; Anna Gustafson and Lisa Gay Tremblay. Anna is originally from the predominantly Scandinavian town of Lund BC. She now makes her home in Toronto. She's done stand up comedy all over Canada, she has performed at the Just For Laughs festival and she's also done a presentation on Tedx. As the Comedian in Residence at Gilda’s Club Toronto, Anna is the producer and host of Never Mind Comedy. She also has a supporting role in the startup initiative Gathering for Goodness, and she produces the live, pro, stand-up comedy show "The BETTY" which creates space for sometimes underrepresented pockets of the comedy community. Lisa Gay Tremblay is originally from Ottawa. She resides in Sherman Oaks, LA. She was elected to the Sherman Oaks Neighborhood council. She’s toured all over. She's performed at Just for Laughs and she’s been on Fox, Showtime and A & E. She’s also had some national commercials running south of the border. If you would like to reach Anna, her email address is anna@annagustafson.com http://www.AnnaGustafson.ca Instagram @GooseGustafson If you would like to reach Lisa, her email is lgpetrus@gmail.com http://www.LisaGayTremblay.com Please welcome my good friends, Anna Gustafson and Lisa Gay Tremblay. Judy Croon is Canada’s Keynote Humorist, Tedx motivational speaker, comedian and stand-up coach at Second City. She has worked with many celebrities including; John Cleese, Jon Stewart, and Joan Rivers. Her specials have appeared on NBC, CBS, CTV and The Comedy Network. She is a co-author of ‘From the Stage to the Page: Life Lessons from Four Funny Ladies!” Judy draws from her standup performance and coaching experience to entertain, inform and inspire in her dynamic keynote entitled, ‘Relieving Work Related Stress with Humour’. Judy is the creator/host of ‘Laughlines’ and ‘Stand Up For The Girls’ which have both helped raise over $650,000 for breast cancer research.

'Laugh Long & Prosper' with comedians Cathy Boyd & Lianne Mauladin Hi there, I’m Judy Croon, Canada’s Keynote Humourist. Welcome to another episode of Laugh Long and Prosper. Today, I'm joined by two very funny comics, Cathy Boyd and Lianne Mauladin. Cathy Boyd is a Toronto based brutally honest stand-up comedian whose debut album, Wise Tracks, was released in June, 2020. Known for her dry demeanor and punchline-heavy hitting, her act impresses audiences everywhere. Her most recent notable credit includes an appearance on Season One of Canada’s Got Talent,2022, where Howie Mandell remarked, “You are very funny. You have found your calling.” She can be heard on CBC Radio, Laugh Out Loud and Sirius XM Radio, Just For Laughs and She’s So Funny. In January, 2019, Cathy was crowned Comedian of the North. Other notable credits include the Big Sky Comedy Festival in Billings, Montana, Laugh After Dark Comedy Festival in Las Vegas; the Women in Comedy Festival in Boston; New York’s She Devil Comedy Festival finalist; The Boston Comedy Festival; Maine Comedy Festival; Jersey City Comedy Festival-Audience Pick and top three Industry pic and JFL42. Cathy can be reached at http://www.BoydsOfLondon.com My other very funny guest is Lianne Mauladin. The very Canadian, Lianne Mauladin, is known for her comfortable, straight shooting, style of comedy and unique perspective on life. She’s performed live on ABC's "The View" and her comedy has been recorded and or televised on ABC, Bite TV, iChannel, Sirius XM, CBC and Rogers TV. Her festival appearances include, the Hubcap Comedy Festival in Moncton NB, LOL Comedy festival in Sudbury, the Frigid Festival in NYC, the Out of Bounds Festival in Austin, Texas, the Women in Comedy Festival in Boston, NXNE in Toronto, the SheDot Comedy Festival in Toronto and more. In 2021 she released her first album "Late for the Party" produced by Cottage Comedy Digital. Mauladin hosts and produces the monthly Merry-Janes of Comedy Show, the longest running all female stand-up showcase in Canada. The "Merry-Janes of Comedy" road show performs in clubs, halls and theatres around Ontario, including a regular spot at Bare Oaks Family Naturist Resort! Lianne has further developed her stand-up through classes and workshops at Second City, Boston's Improv Asylum and at the Comedy Bar in Toronto. She is a faculty member at the Second City Training Centre in Toronto. She creates a comic strip for the Bloordale, and the Queen West neighbourhoodmagazines. Lianne can be reached at http://www.LianneMauladin.com I can be reached at http://www.JudyCroon.com Thanks for listening! Judy Croon is Canada’s Keynote Humorist, Tedx motivational speaker, comedian and stand-up coach at Second City. She has worked with many celebrities including; John Cleese, Jon Stewart, and Joan Rivers. Her specials have appeared on NBC, CBS, CTV and The Comedy Network. She is a co-author of ‘From the Stage to the Page: Life Lessons from Four Funny Ladies!” Judy draws from her standup performance and coaching experience to entertain, inform and inspire in her dynamic keynote entitled, ‘Relieving Work Related Stress with Humour’. Judy is the creator/host of ‘Laughlines’ and ‘Stand Up For The Girls’ which have both helped raise over $650,000 for breast cancer research.

Hi there, I’m Judy Croon. Canada’s Keynote Humourist Welcome to another episode of Laugh Long and Prosper. http://www.JudyCroon.com The Stress Prescription ‘Worrying is like a rocking chair, it gives you something to do, but it gets you nowhere.’ -Glenn Turner Recently, I read a book called The Stress Prescription. To worry or not to worry – that is the question. Did you know that in some cases, worrying about a bad thing happening can cause you more stress overall than the bad thing actually happening? By constantly worrying about an upcoming event, we repeatedly re-live a worst-case scenario when in fact, things work out better than we anticipated. We also worry about too much that is out of our control. A new study published in Nature Communications supports this theory. Perhaps you haven’t kept up your subscription of Nature Communications so I will fill you in! In the study, researchers took 45 volunteers, broke them up into 3 groups and asked them to play a computer game. In the computer game, the participants would turn over rocks. Some rocks had snakes underneath them. In the first group, if a participant found a snake underneath a rock, nothing would happen. Everything would remain the same and the participant would continue to play the game. In the second group, if the participants found a snake underneath a rock, they were given a small but uncomfortable electrical shock to their hand. Ouch. In the third group, if the participants found a snake under a rock, they were given a small but uncomfortable electrical shock to their hand, but only some of the time. All of the participants were measured for stress symptoms which included signs like increased heart rate, pupil dilation and sweating. Which group do you think showed the most symptoms of psychological stress? If you guessed the third group (the group of participants who were shocked occasionally) you would be correct. It turns out that worrying about a bad outcome can actually be worse than the bad outcome itself. Increased heart rate, pupil dilation and sweating weren’t the only side effects, however. Participants were slower when it came to making decisions. Their overall performance was worse. This is sometimes known as anticipation stress. It is hard to convince worriers of this but you are no better off whether you worry or not. In fact, you might be worse off. Research has shown that long lasting worry and stress over time can lead to issues like ulcers, heart attacks, cancer and Alzheimer’s, to name a few. So how do we minimize the stress element when something might or might not happen? One researcher in the previous study noted: “What this research implies for us is that telling people what we know is important. Reducing the range and number of things that are uncertain and focusing on what is known will reduce stress even if you can’t completely remove uncertainty. The research also implies that telling people certain bad news (you are going to get an electric shock, or a reduction in sales etc.) is better than leaving people wondering.” As the study would suggest, knowing that you are always going to get the shock can be better than knowing that you are randomly going to get the shock. The study also suggests that telling people bad news is sometimes better than leaving them wondering. Uber apps are a perfect example of relieving people’s minds by giving them immediate information. Even though, we have no real control as to when the Uber cab is going to arrive and our cab is sometimes late, we still feel better when we can see the little image of the Uber cab driving towards us and the little box beside it with the minutes counting down. Many public transit systems have electronic boards that tell commuters when buses and trains are going to arrive. http://www.JudyCroon.com

Laugh Long And Prosper -Humour and Sisters Sisters share a unique humour. My sisters and I are definitely no exception. My sister, Debbie joins me on today's podcast as we talk about Connections, Lessons in Chemistry, the Raptors and how to live until you are 100! Hey there, I’m Judy Croon- Canada’s Keynote Humourist. Welcome to another episode of Laugh Long and Prosper -shelf help with a dash of humour. Voted one of the best podcasts in Canada last year by CTV. If you or your workplace is suffering from stress and you need some stress-busting tips along with some genuine fun, ask me about my keynotes & workshops entitled Relieving Work-Related Stress with Humour.’ Or you can ask me about my stand-up comedy coaching at www.JudyCroon.com Today’s podcast is sponsored by: TROOL Social knows To be visible online you have to be fully committed, congruent in who you are and what you do. YOU MUST ADOPT THE RIGHT MINDSET- Steer your ship to the SS Optimization & TROOL Social To get you Sailing On Course Check out www.TroolSocial.com Judy Croon is Canada’s Keynote Humorist, Tedx motivational speaker, comedian and stand-up coach at Second City. She has worked with many celebrities including; John Cleese, Jon Stewart, and Joan Rivers. Her specials have appeared on NBC, CBS, CTV and The Comedy Network. She is a co-author of ‘From the Stage to the Page: Life Lessons from Four Funny Ladies!” Judy draws from her standup performance and coaching experience to entertain, inform and inspire in her dynamic keynote entitled, ‘Relieving Work Related Stress with Humour’. Judy is the creator/host of ‘Laughlines’ and ‘Stand Up For The Girls’ which have both helped raise over $650,000 for breast cancer research.

Mary and the Motel from Hell Yes, there is a lot of bad stuff going on in our world and lately it seems like even more than usual. But these are the times that I like to lean on a quote by the incredible sage, Mr. Rogers. He said, ‘’When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’’’ Over the next few podcast entries, I would like to tell you about some of the helpers who work for http://www.CityStreetOutreach.org http://www.CityStreetOutreach.org is a local outreach program that is a 100 percent volunteer-run, donation- based and all-inclusive registered charity providing food, clothing and assistance to those in need and/ or living in poverty across the greater Toronto area. I’m proud to say that in a very small way, I am part of this organization. I’m hardly a saint. In fact, I volunteer for very selfish reasons. It has been good for me emotionally, physically and mentally. In one of my previous podcasts, I told you about Alex and Grace, the co-founders of http://www.CityStreetOutreach.org In this podcast, I would like to tell you about one of the first volunteers whom I met on the front lines. Her name is Mary. I want to tell you a tale about Mary and the Motel from Hell. I met Mary on one of the first nights that I volunteered for City Street Outreach a few years ago. Mary is physically one of the strongest women that I have ever known. She could pick up 3 cases of water and 2 cases of pet food without blinking an eye. Meanwhile I was crumbling under one can of cat food. Mary is incredibly strong in another way. She never asks for help for herself. She always asks for help for others and no matter what you give Mary (big or small), she is always very appreciative. You would never guess the kind of adversity that Mary faces every day because she always greets you with a smile, a laugh and/or a thank you. In spite of her circumstances, Mary is one of the most grateful and positive people that I have ever met. I remember the first time I took City Street Outreach supplies to the place where Mary lived. Mary and her family were living in a motel room off of Kingston Road in Scarborough. The place should have been condemned years ago. The owner clearly did not care about her tenants. It was only after a newspaper article shamed the owner and local politicians that the place was finally condemned. Thank goodness Mary and the other tenants were re-located to more humane residences.... http://www.CityStreetOutreach.org http://www.JudyCroon.com

Hi there, I’m Judy Croon. Welcome to another episode of Laugh Long and Prosper. Today , I’m joined by my long time amazing friend and awesome comedian Evan Carter. Evan is a legend in the Canadian comedy scene and has been considered by fans and comics alike to be one of the best ever. For years he has been at the top of the heap, and continues to deliver clean and witty comedy as good as it gets. Carter’s versatility, experience, and professionalism serve him well and he transitions easily from different venues such as the opening of the 2015 Pam Am Games, to concert halls, working with musical stars such as Gladys Knight, The Temptations, Air Supply, Dionne Warwick, John Cougar, Midnight Oil, the late Marvin Gaye as well as many other top names in the world of show business. He equally excels at delivering quality performances to private corporate conferences and local fundraisers. Evan has worked on numerous television shows, like including his own half hour specials on CBC and The Comedy Network. On radio, Evan appears regularly on CBC’s “Metro Morning”, “Fresh Air”, “Later the Same Day”, “LOL” and “The Debaters”. www.EvanCarter.com www.JudyCroon.com

Laugh Long & Prosper with Comedians Lisa-Gay Tremblay and Anna Gustafson Hey there, I’m Judy Croon- Canada’s Keynote Humourist. Welcome to another episode of Laugh Long and Prosper. On today's podcast, I speak with two of my good comedic friends; Anna Gustafson and Lisa Gay Tremblay. We talk about Hell Gigs, travel stories from hell and airline hell stories. Anna is originally from the predominantly Scandinavian town of Lund BC. She now makes her home in Toronto. She's done stand up comedy all over Canada, she has performed at the Just For Laughs festival and she's also done a presentation on Tedx. As the Comedian in Residence at Gilda’s Club Toronto, Anna is the producer and host of Never Mind Comedy. She also has a supporting role in the startup initiative Gathering for Goodness, and she produces the live, pro, stand-up comedy show "The BETTY" which creates space for sometimes underrepresented pockets of the comedy community. Lisa Gay Tremblay is originally from Ottawa. She resides in Sherman Oaks, LA. She was elected to the Sherman Oaks Neighborhood council. She’s toured all over. She's performed at Just for Laughs and she’s been on Fox, Showtime and A & E. She’s also had some national commercials running south of the border. If you would like to reach Anna, her email address is anna@annagustafson.com If you would like to reach Lisa, her email is lgpetrus@gmail.com Please welcome my good friends, Anna Gustafson and Lisa Gay Tremblay. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Judy Croon is Canada’s Keynote Humorist, Tedx motivational speaker, comedian and stand-up coach at Second City. She has worked with many celebrities including; John Cleese, Jon Stewart, and Joan Rivers. Her specials have appeared on NBC, CBS, CTV and The Comedy Network. She is a co-author of ‘From the Stage to the Page: Life Lessons from Four Funny Ladies!” Judy draws from her standup performance and coaching experience to entertain, inform and inspire in her dynamic keynote entitled, ‘Relieving Work Related Stress with Humour’. Judy is the creator/host of ‘Laughlines’ and ‘Stand Up For The Girls’ which have both helped raise over $650,000 for breast cancer research.