My guest is Tom Segura, renowned comedian, writer, actor and director. We discuss the “how-to” of comedy writing and storytelling, and what the science of humor and the creative process reveal about human emotion and memory. We explore why surprise and the act of "saying the unspoken truth" activate the brain’s reward circuits, as well as the subconscious mechanisms that shape our sense of what is funny. The episode also examines the bi-directional influence between comedy and cultural standards. It will interest anyone curious about the science of humor, the art of performance and emotional contagion.

Read the episode show notes at hubermanlab.com.

Thank you to our sponsors

Maui Nui: https://mauinuivenison.com/huberman

Helix Sleep: https://helixsleep.com/huberman

David Protein: https://davidprotein.com/huberman

Function Health: https://functionhealth.com/huberman

Timestamps

00:00:00 Tom Segura

00:01:45 Family, Sports, Running

00:09:35 Sponsors: Maui Nui & Helix Sleep

00:12:37 Ideas, Running, Sleep & Brain, Tools: Exercise for Energy; Phone Outside Room

00:20:16 Capturing Ideas, Cannabis, Storytelling, Experimentation

00:27:28 Ideas & Set List, Performance

00:31:52 Wife, Jokes, Reframing Content; Cancel Culture, Audience Reaction

00:40:56 Jokes, Self & Amusement; Evolution & New Material

00:48:26 Sponsors: AG1 & David Protein

00:51:24 Surprise, Hidden Thoughts; Acting

00:59:02 Voice Impersonation, Kids, Strength Training, Activities

01:05:40 Repeating Jokes; State Changes, Crowds & Energy

01:13:11 Silly Mindset; Audience, Emotional Contagion; Humor & Subconscious Mind

01:27:44 Sponsor: Function

01:29:32 Crowd Work, Comedy Clubs; Original Comedy

01:38:13 Comedy & Social Context; Dark Comedy

01:47:51 Drugs, Overdose, Comedian Deaths, Mental Health; Cynicism, Hope

01:54:21 Audience, Twin Comics; Vulnerability; Stand-Up & Performance

02:01:49 Comedy & Passion, Complaints; Childhood Struggle, Insecurities, Therapy

02:10:53 “Bad Thoughts” Show, Upcoming Projects

02:14:44 Zero-Cost Support, YouTube, Spotify & Apple Follow & Reviews, Sponsors, YouTube Feedback, Protocols Book, Social Media, Neural Network Newsletter

Disclaimer & Disclosures

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S4 Ep28: EP 178: Phil Norman