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Finding the Funny: Leadership Tips From a Comedian - Podcast

Finding the Funny: Leadership Tips From a Comedian

It's funny business! Learn leadership & business skills to deal with people & handle life's curveballs. A professional comedian offers laughs & practical tips.

Funny comedian & top keynote speaker Jan McInnis's unique, fun and useful ideas will help you develop solutions to your own work and life issues.

Jan is an established comedy writer. She's sold material for Jay Leno’s Tonight Show monologue on the Tonight Show as well as many other people, places and groups – radio, TV, syndicated cartoon strips, and even guests on the Jerry Springer show (her parents are proud).

For over 25+ years she’s traveled country as a comedian, keynote speaker, and Master of Ceremonies. She's shared her clean comedy with thousands of organizations, and her business tips with thousands of corporations and associations. She's been onstage in front of everyone from the Mayo Clinic to several of the Federal Reserve Banks. Jan is also currently co-starring in the Baby Boomer Comedy Show, touring theatres with comedian Kent Rader, and she is also an excellent Master of Ceremonies!

Jan is the author of two books "Finding the Funny Fast – How to Create Quick Humor to Connect with Clients, Coworkers & Crowds," and "Convention Comedian – Stories and Wisdom From Two Decades of Chicken Dinners and Comedy Clubs." Her short stories can be heard on her popular podcast: "Comedian Stories: Tales From the Road in Under 5 Minutes."

What's in store every week?

Monday – Friday – Jan offers a quick tip for managing work and personal life

Saturday – a tip for Finding the Funny . . . Jan will help you find the funny in your life with a quick tip on using humor

Sunday – It's time to sit back and enjoy a minute of Jan's clean comedy from her shows.

Jan has shared her humor keynotes with groups such as...

Mayo Clinic
Abbott Pharmaceuticals
Sanofi Aventis Pharmaceuticals
Kaiser-Permanente
Davita Dialysis Centers
Blue Cross
Blue Shield
National Council for Prescription Drug Companies
Organization of Nurse Leaders
Federal Reserve Banks
BDO Accounting
Transamerica Insurance & Investment Group
Merrill Lynch
American Institute of CPAs
National League of Cities
International Worker's Compensation Fund
LA County Management Association
Social Security Administration
Southern California Public Power Authority
U.S. Air Force
American Heart Associations
Go Red For Women luncheons
Speaking of Women's Health
International Association of Administrative Professionals
Toyota Women’s Conference
Women in Insurance and Financial Services
Soroptimists
Women in Film & Video
Henry Ford Health Centers Women’s Event
Breast cancer awareness
School Business Officials associations
School superintendent associations
School boards associations
State education associations
Community college associations
Head Start associations
Texas adult protective services
Association of Elementary and Middle School Principals
International Association of Emergency Managers
Disney Emergency Managers
COPIC
Salt Lake County Public Works and Municipal Services Disaster Recovery Conference
Pennsylvania Governor’s Occupational Safety and Health conference
Mid Atlantic Safety conference and Chesapeake Regional Safety Council
Risk associations
American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation
Rehabilitation Associations
NIGP
Public procurement associations
Public purchasing associations
correctional associations
public utilities
public personnel associations
rural housing associations
community action associations
Health Information Management Associations
Healthcare Financial Management Associations
Hospitals
Home Healthcare Associations
Assisted Living Associations
Medical Group Management Associations
Healthcare Risk Associations
Healthcare Quality Associations
state emergency management associations
insurance groups
state education associations
community college associations
school administrators associations
school nutrition associations
principal associations
library associations

Fun Funny Management Inspiration Self-Improvement Leadership Education Comedy Entertainment Humor Success Business
Update frequency
every 4 days
Average duration
2 minutes
Episodes
108
Years Active
2020 - 2025
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Cruise Ship Fiasco

Cruise Ship Fiasco

Working on cruise ships as an entertainer can get weird, and I'm not talking about hecklers. Just getting to the ship in another country is a journey in itself. Here's a quick story about a cruise sh…

00:03:39  |   Mon 08 Sep 2025
When Your Gig Comes with a Warning Label

When Your Gig Comes with a Warning Label

Working around sketchy entertainers is, thankfully, not usual, but it happens. Here's a quick story about one of the times I had to work with someone who really wasn't that safe for women.

https://ww…

00:03:28  |   Tue 02 Sep 2025
How NOT to get a referral

How NOT to get a referral

Referrals are a big part of most freelancer's business, especially comedians and keynote speakers! Here's a quick story about the right and wrong way to go about asking for a referral.

 

https://www.…

00:03:10  |   Mon 25 Aug 2025
The Wordrobe Choice that Backfired

The Wordrobe Choice that Backfired

What you wear onstage is important. This is a quick story about what NOT to wear. I got to work with someone who wore an odd outfit and her wordrobe choice backfired on her.

 

https://www.TheWorkLady…

00:02:34  |   Tue 19 Aug 2025
Fame and Fortune

Fame and Fortune

As a comedian, I’ve learned that TV credits don’t always define success. People often assume fame equals talent, but my career has thrived without constant screen time. From Irish Pubs to casino gigs…

00:03:34  |   Tue 12 Aug 2025
A High Stakes Booking

A High Stakes Booking

This behind-the-scenes look at a once-iconic comedy club shares the highs, nerves, and unexpected lessons that come with chasing stage time in a competitive industry. Through one comic’s journey to l…

00:03:45  |   Mon 28 Jul 2025
Decorated and Deflated:  A Lesson in Pointless Power Plays

Decorated and Deflated: A Lesson in Pointless Power Plays

In the world of leadership, influence, and workplace culture, few things are more delicate—and more impactful—than how feedback is delivered. As a keynote speaker who’s worked with countless organiza…

00:02:46  |   Fri 18 Jul 2025
When Things Get Awkward

When Things Get Awkward

Humor isn’t just for laughs—it can be a powerful tool for navigating awkward or uncomfortable situations with grace and confidence. In this story, keynote speaker Jan McInnis shares a memorable momen…

00:02:08  |   Thu 03 Jul 2025

"Trust Me" is Not a Good Business Plan

Think contracts are just boring paperwork? Think again. This real-life tale dives into what happens when a “sure thing” gig turns into a disappearing act—thanks to one agent’s total fear of commitmen…

00:02:54  |   Tue 24 Jun 2025
Thanks for the Feedback . . . I Think!

Thanks for the Feedback . . . I Think!

What really happens when a keynote speaker doesn’t get the gig? In this episode, Jan pulls back the curtain on the wild, weird, and sometimes downright baffling feedback she’s received after not bein…

00:02:53  |   Tue 10 Jun 2025
Out of the Blue & Kinda Weird

Out of the Blue & Kinda Weird

Curious what not to do when asking for career advice? In this behind-the-scenes glimpse into the world of humor keynotes and professional speaking, veteran keynote speaker Jan McInnis shares a wild r…

00:04:18  |   Tue 13 May 2025
Climbing to the Top of the Pile, 1 Joke at a Time (writing for Jay Leno)

Climbing to the Top of the Pile, 1 Joke at a Time (writing for Jay Leno)

Breaking into a crowded field can feel daunting, but persistence pays off in surprising ways. In this behind-the-scenes glimpse into a comedy career, you'll hear about the thrill of receiving that ve…

00:04:30  |   Mon 21 Apr 2025
How I Got Cheated Out of My Biggest Break in Comedy

How I Got Cheated Out of My Biggest Break in Comedy

Trying to get stage time at the Laugh Factory in L.A. is a big deal—especially if you’re hoping to get in front of Jamie Masada, the guy who helped launch tons of comedy careers. This story’s all abo…

00:05:10  |   Thu 17 Apr 2025
Oh Darn, a Woman Comic

Oh Darn, a Woman Comic

People always ask what it’s like being a woman in the male-dominated world of stand-up, and the truth is—it’s mostly fine… but there are a couple things that drive me nuts. This is a fun peek into wh…

00:02:18  |   Mon 07 Apr 2025
3 Nights in Hawaii for 16 Minutes on Stage

3 Nights in Hawaii for 16 Minutes on Stage

Imagine flying to Hawaii for a humor keynote, only to have everything shift in a way you never saw coming. As a keynote speaker, comedian, and corporate speaker, I know that timing, adaptability, and…

00:03:10  |   Thu 20 Mar 2025
Comedy Under Pressure

Comedy Under Pressure

In this episode, comedian and keynote speaker Jan McInnis takes us behind the scenes of a high-stakes convention show that could make or break her career. With pressure mounting from every angle—an i…

00:05:23  |   Thu 13 Mar 2025
My Rideshare Nightmares

My Rideshare Nightmares

Ever wondered what really goes on behind the wheel of a rideshare? As someone who relies on Uber and Lyft for travel, I’ve had some eye-opening experiences—some hilarious, some frustrating, and some …

00:04:58  |   Fri 07 Feb 2025
My Recipe For Success: The Secret Ingredients for Achieving Anything!

My Recipe For Success: The Secret Ingredients for Achieving Anything!

Ever thought you could conquer anything with just a mix of enthusiasm and naivety? In this inspiring and humorous episode, Jan McInnis shares her journey from an ill-prepared novice hiker to an exper…

00:04:51  |   Fri 17 Jan 2025
When More Money is Too Much

When More Money is Too Much

https://www.TheWorkLady.com  Money matters can bring out the best and the worst in any industry, but in the unpredictable world of comedy, payment stories often take on a life of their own. While und…

00:03:28  |   Fri 03 Jan 2025
Deadly Rental Cars

Deadly Rental Cars

Here's a quick story about a rental car that almost killed me this year! AND I offer 4 quick things to check on a rental car that might just save your life.

 

https://www.theWorkLady.com Jan McInnis…

00:03:00  |   Tue 26 Nov 2024
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