Kermit Cole

Kermit Cole has had an active interest in humor since an early age, noticing that it arose, even and perhaps especially, in the hardest of times. During his first career (in film and television), Kermit explored this interest in “Before Comedy,” about the discovery of comedy by prehistoric clowns, and in “Living Proof: HIV and the Pursuit of Happiness.” Exploring how we face fear with laughter from these two divergent perspectives, Kermit was drawn to work deeper with people in extreme crisis, obtaining undergraduate and master’s degrees from Harvard, focusing on Psychology and Philosophy, and a post-graduate certificate in Marriage & Family Therapy from the Council for Relationships in Philadelphia. Working with people in extreme states of trauma and psychosis (and their families) for 20 years, Kermit has developed his theory of why laughter arises – and how to use it – at critical moments of healing… and of being human.

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Lenny Dave

Nationally recognized Comedy Historian Lenny Dave is an entertaining, professional speaker who has been presenting fun and informative programs for a variety of Active Senior and Wellness audiences across North America for over 35 years. A co-founder of Humor Camp, Lenny is also Past President of AATH (Association for Applied & Therapeutic Humor). He serves on the Advisory Board of the “Borscht Belt” Museum in Ellenville, NY (in the heart of the Catskill Mountains). Lenny’s creative mission is simple, very “human,” and needed now more than ever: To make a positive difference in people’s lives… and to help bring an end to toxic sameness.

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Robin Johnson

Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Robin Johnson served over 20 years in the U.S. Army before becoming a Certified Humor Professional (through AATH). After retiring from the Army, she discovered her new mission: to heal people, organizations and communities through humor. Robin is a veteran fellow at the Hoover Institution (Stanford Univ.) where she is researching the neuroscience of laughter and its impact on the brain. Robin’s work aims to deepen our understanding of how laughter contributes to well-being and cognitive function. She serves as faculty for Thayer Leadership at West Point and the Institute for Defense & Business and guest lectures at Stanford Medical School. Robin also tours internationally as a stand-up comedian with Armed Forces Entertainment, is a TEDx speaker, and a soccer mom.

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Julie Ostrow

Trained in Improv at The Second City in Chicago, Julie Ostrow’s “zone of genius” lies in humor, communication, and positivity. Her passion as a Humorous Speaker and Communication Coach focuses on teaching how to use improv skills and humor to improve creativity, communication and collaboration. Whether working with her corporate clients or with individuals interested in developing their interpersonal skillset, Julie is devoted to sharing how being present and truly listening are among the keys to genuinely connecting, communicating with clarity, creatively evolving and boldly advancing in one’s professional or personal world. And, being the first-ever winner of the “American Laughing Championship,” Julie knows a thing or two about laughter and levity.

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David Jacobson

David Jacobson, MSW LCSW CHP, was one of Banner University Medical Center’s “Top 10” leaders as their Director of Behavioral Health Case Management. He served as Executive National Director of Marketing, Federal Chief of Service for the VA and as Manager of Social Work at UMC where he worked with patients and families of traumas including the tragic shooting event in Tucson (January, 2011) for which he was personally thanked by President Obama for his assistance. Diagnosed with a severe form of arthritis at 22 and through years of struggling with chronic pain, David has developed humor techniques that help him endure the hard times. The owner of Humor Horizons (his professional speaking/consulting business), David is the author of several books on therapeutic humor and has been featured internationally, but usually only on uneventful, slow news days.

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