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.

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.

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.

Jeff Einstein

Jeff Einstein is a professional fine art photographer, book author, syndicated essayist, comedy writer and performer, public speaker, and nationally recognized digital media pioneer long ago turned digital apostate. He’s also a member in fair standing of a family recognized for more than three generations among radio, film, and television aficionados as comedy royalty — a family that includes Parkyakarkus (Harry Einstein), Super Dave Osborne and Marty Funkhouser (Bob Einstein), and Albert Brooks (Albert Einstein). Jeff is quite arguably the best looking among them. His mission — should he choose to accept it — is to make someone smile.

Jim-Bob Williams

Accomplished. Intelligent. Handsome. Happy. Jim-Bob Williams knows a lot of people like that. In the meantime, he helps people apply humor to everyday life through improv, stand-up, and by sharing research. A Certified Humor Professional through AATH, he has led classes for community groups and recovery homes. His current interest is examining the life of Theodor Geisel (Dr. Seuss) for the application of humor to education, advertising, and advocacy. He is co-host of the LaughBox podcast and serves on the AATH Research Committee. Jim-Bob lives in St Albans, West Virginia. Don’t ask him about his grandchildren unless you have a lot of time.