How Humor Can Help You Get Unstuck

Season of Stuck

In this episode of Season of Stuck, host Deanna deBara chats with Talia Bombola—therapist, coach, and host of the “Heal Through Humor” podcast—about humor's power in helping individuals break free when they’re feeling stuck. They discuss how humor impacts the brain and highlight the difference between humor being used as a healthy coping mechanism versus it being used as a way to deflect or avoid the problem. They also highlight the importance of being able to laugh at yourself and the world, even (or especially!) during challenging times, as a helpful and supportive skill that can aid in the process of getting unstuck as well as share actionable tips for infusing humor into your life to melt away tension and nurture your emotional well-being—and get unstuck in the process.
Tune in to learn about:

• The magic of humor to break free from feeling stuck in life
• Humor as a tool for healing and emotional processing
• The role of humor in coping with challenges
• The therapeutic use of humor in professional settings
• Strategies for incorporating humor into daily life and therapy
• The physiological and psychological benefits of humor
• The importance of timing and intent in humor to avoid misunderstandings
• The impact of cultural backgrounds and family dynamics on humor styles
• The potential pitfalls of humor, including self-deprecation and avoidance

Thoughts from the episode:
“Humor helps us—especially when we're feeling stuck. It is an alternate path... It's the light at the beginning of the tunnel..."
“Sometimes, no matter how you feel about it, you're going to stay stuck regardless. So the reframe can be, ‘How can I get through this stuck season with some levity?"

About Talia Bombola:
Talia is a therapist, life and relationship coach, and the host of multiple podcasts—including the Heal Through Humor podcast, which explores humor as a tool for healing.
Connect with Talia Bombola:
On the web:
Talia’s website
Heal Through Humor podcast

On social media:
Instagram: @taliabombola
Facebook: @taliabombola

Stay connected with Season of Stuck:
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****DISCLAIMER****

Season of Stuck is for general information only and should not be considered health, financial, or any other type of professional advice. The views expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on Season of Stuck is not an endorsement. We do not verify the accuracy of the information that guests present. Adult language may be present. Our producer and host disclaim any liability arising out of your reliance on Season of Stuck.

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Chapters

1. Introduction to Humor as a Healing Tool (00:00:00)

2. The Impact of Humor on Healing (00:01:05)

3. Personal Anecdote: Jurassic Park Story (00:02:20)

4. Talia's Perspective on Humor (00:06:30)

5. The Role of Humor in Therapy (00:09:10)

6. Three Ways to Use Humor in Therapy (00:11:06)

7. The Healing Power of Laughter (00:14:09)

8. Physiological Effects of Humor (00:16:10)

9. Stuckness and Humor Connection (00:19:02)

10. The Light at the Beginning of the Tunnel (00:19:07)

11. Emotions and Humor (00:19:59)

12. Creativity and Perspective Shift (00:20:48)

13. Accessing Humor During Grief (00:21:42)

14. Seeing the Bigger Picture (00:22:12)

15. Compartmentalizing Emotions (00:23:01)

16. Learning and Growth (00:24:27)

17. Healthy Humor vs. Defense Mechanism (00:25:54)

18. Self-Deprecating Humor and Growth (00:26:28)

19. Boundaries with Humor (00:29:53)

20. Impact vs. Intent in Humor (00:34:42)

21. Understanding Intent and Impact (00:37:12)

22. Balancing Humor and Seriousness (00:38:03)

23. Types of Humor in Relationships (00:40:25)

24. Navigating Humor and Stuckness (00:42:34)

25. Using Humor for Self-Reflection (00:43:10)

26. Coping with Collective Stuckness (00:45:34)

27. Irony vs. Sarcasm in Humor (00:49:17)

28. Rapid Fire Q&A (00:50:33)