As some of you may know I started out as an actor, back when we were still called actresses. In my acting class days, I have a distinct memory of being assigned to write and deliver an acceptance speech for your hypothetical Oscar. In a “if you build it they will come,” way of thinking. I’m pretty sure there’s a motivational coach out there now who gives the same assignment, maybe not for an Academy Award, but for whatever recognition is the height of achievement in your field. What I’ve never heard assigned is the “thank you” speech for the people who keep the train on the tracks, the wheels on the bus and all manner of other transportation references that mean those who help you persevere and not lose your mind. Although coincidentally, Rabbi Michelle Missaghiah suggested thanking the "unsung heroes" of our lives just this past weekend!
In deference to the Rabbi and the 1941 Congressional Joint Resolution that officially marked the third Thursday of November as National Giving Thanks Day, I propose a Giving Thanks Challenge! More than an award acceptance speech, it’s being intentional about saying a personalized thank you to those who matter most!
Thank you to rocker and marketer extraordinaire Olivia Saperstein. Part of the LOC OG squad, Olivia has built our audience, produces fun videos and expertly edits my writing. When she’s not touring with her band Pegzilla.
Thank you Jeneta St. Clair! When not making people laugh in comedy clubs, she’s leading the charge on empowerment as a much sought after boxing trainer. With the same tenacity and innate intelligence she applies to these pursuits, she’s been head of production for LOC from the very beginning.
Thank you Lauren Pritchard! The unsinkable Molly Brown of laugh-out-loud corporate engagement and passionate about sharing your experience with your parents to support caregivers.
Thank you to Nikki Ghisel, your joyfully infectious spirit is what makes you our most in demand elder whisperer.
Grateful to you Sydney Adeniyi. Comedian and author with a most compelling and generous presence that brings joy and connection from parties of one to hundreds.
Let me not forget our rotating cast of other comedians around the country including Joe DeGise,Rick Horner, Luis Cortes, Madi Goff, Joy Carletti, and all the others on our roster standing by to bring affiliative humor where it is most needed.
And what about the people pulling the levers behind the curtain?
Thank you Stefanie Estes. A working actor, Stef started with LOC as the kind and beautiful careperson with my very own mother and now gracefully navigates a master list of close to 9,000. If you like squirming in your seat, watch her star turn in “Soft & Quiet.”
Many thanks to you Brian Rousso . With your fancy MBA, experience in financial management for start-ups and screenwriter with credits you shouldn’t be as funny as you are. Your sense of humor and creativity is the best example of what we’re always talking about - taking the work seriously but not ourselves.
The latest but definitely not the least addition to LOC is Joe Kardon. Thank you Joe for putting your knowledge of the wisdom of ancient philosophers to push LOC’s services to the next level. And for teaching me about the power of moxie backed up by stats and deliverables.
I’m certainly grateful for all of our over 650 clients who have trusted us to bring their people together with laughter including Amazon, Microsoft, Hilton, Capital One, FEMA, Bristol Myers and our wonderful supporters at WBENC. Where would be without our senior communities including Avocet and Watermark, and our evergrowing relationship with Lauren & Seth Rogen’s HFC. Love The Rosenthal Foundation for funding an idea I had to make my mother laugh.
Because the Giving Thanks Challenge should never be limited to work teams, I want to thank my husband Tod. Behind every entrepreneurial spirit there’s a spouse saying, “Sure, honey. Go for it.” For over two decades you’ve been that person and I appreciate it!
Now that I’ve written this, I understand how not-funny it is to express gratitude. Which may explain why it’s not my first instinct. And also why National Gratitude Month is worth recognizing. It’s a great excuse to suspend the witty comebacks and defensive one liners and take the much bigger risk of saying thank you to everyone who has supported Laughter On Call to continue to preach our unique gospel of laughter and connection.
Pro-tip: If Thanksgiving dinner is not the Norman Rockwell experience you would like, you can always slip into the nearest bathroom and play a quick round of the Improv classic game FIVE THINGS. Five things I’m grateful for right now. GO!
