In this episode, Matthew has a conversation with Kelli Dunham. She is an RN and a stand-up comedian. They have a great conversation about the impact humor can have on both clinician and patient even in settings where one might not think humor has a place. They also discuss her history of being an ex-nun and how that experience shaped her life today.
KELLI DUNHAM RN, BSN is a community health nurse, trauma-informed stand-up comic and storyteller and author of seven hilarious nonfiction books about not humorous subjects including the best-selling Boy's Body Book (Cidermill Press) and the award-winning How to Survive And Maybe Even Love Nursing School (FA Davis, 3rd edition, 2017).
Kelli has appeared on Showtime, the Discovery Channel, the BBC's Religion and Culture Hour, PBS' Stories From the Stage, the Moth Mainstage and Radio Hour, Jubilee Media and Getting Curious with Jonathan Van Ness. Kelli speaks frequently to healthcare providers and other folks who have impossible jobs about laughter at the end of life, using humor to combat vicarious trauma, the family/provider perspective on medical aid in dying and storytelling as an act of radical self-care.
Kelli was recently named one of 48 LGBT People of Influence by Philadelphia Gay News and was featured as the face of nonbinary fashion in the workplace for the New York Times, even though no one has before or since called her fashionable.
Want more of Kelli? Her substack Second Helping Gazette is a free funny practical newsletter dedicated to helping helpers help and of course, she's hilariously helpful on all the usual platforms like Youtube, IG and TikTok.
But probably you should just invite Kelli to speak at your next conference. Rumor has it that she'll bake you cookies! Or homemade beef jerky.
Former New York Mayor Bill DeBlasio once called Kelli a show-off. To her face
To book Kelli for your next event go to:
kellidunham.com
kelli@kellidunham.com
Please check back often for more episodes pertaining to health and wellness for healthcare providers and caregivers.
Please send your questions to providerwellnesspodcast@gmail.com
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Please go to MatthewZinder.com to check out more offerings like workshops, wellness coaching, and lecture/public speaking topics.
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