August 28, 2025 • 21 mins
Comedy meets science in this groundbreaking exploration of how both humor and laughter can transform mental health. Comedian and suicidologist Mark McConville takes us on a deeply personal journey that began with a profound encounter – a soldier who hadn't laughed in three years found more healing in one comedy show than years of traditional therapy.
Through the Laughter Clinic Podcast, Mark bridges his two worlds: decades of stand-up comedy experience across Australia's comedy clubs, and his academic credentials in suicide prevention. After navigating his own 15-year mental health journey (including a life-changing ADHD diagnosis that had been misdiagnosed as depression), Mark became passionate about researching the healing power of humor and laughter. This led him to pursue a master's degree in suicidology at age 45 and develop evidence-based approaches that recognize laughter isn't just complementary to healing – it's essential.
The podcast offers three distinct formats to support your mental wellbeing: solo episodes providing practical self-care strategies, "TLC Pulse" segments highlighting fascinating research (like how just four minutes of laughter positively affects the brain), and in-depth interviews with remarkable individuals sharing powerful stories. Whether you're navigating your own mental health journey, supporting someone through difficult times, or simply curious about the power of humor and laughter, this podcast delivers content that's equally informative and entertaining. Subscribe now and discover how the intersection of humour and mental health education can transform lives – perhaps even your own.
"If you or someone you know needs support, please contact one of these Australian mental health services. In an emergency, always call 000."
Lifeline Australia
Phone: 13 11 14 (24/7)
Web: lifeline.org.au
Suicide Call Back Service
Phone: 1300 659 467 (24/7)
Web: suicidecallbackservice.org.au
Beyond Blue
Phone: 1300 22 4636 (24/7)
Web: beyondblue.org.au
Kids Helpline (for people aged 5-25)
Phone: 1800 55 1800 (24/7)
Web: kidshelpline.com.au
MensLine Australia
Phone: 1300 78 99 78 (24/7)
Web: mensline.org.au
SANE Australia (complex mental health issues)
Phone: 1800 18 7263 (10am-10pm AEST, Mon-Fri)
Web: sane.org
QLife (LGBTIQ+ support)
Phone: 1800 184 527 (3pm-midnight AEST)
Web: qlife.org.au
Open Arms (Veterans & Families Counselling)
Phone: 1800 011 046 (24/7)
Web: openarms.gov.au
1800RESPECT (sexual assault, domestic violence)
Phone: 1800 737 732 (24/7)
Web: 1800respect.org.au
Headspace (youth mental health, ages 12-25)
Phone: 1800 650 890 (9am-1am AEST)
Web: headspace.org.au
13YARN (Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander crisis support)
Phone: 13 92 76 (13YARN) (24/7)
Web: 13yarn.org.au
Music produced by Hayden Smith
https://www.haydensmith.com/
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:02):
Welcome to the Laughter Clinic Podcast with
comedian and suicidologist MarkMcConville, bringing you
practical, evidence-basedself-care strategies, the latest
research in mental health,along with conversations that
inspire, educate and entertain.
This is the Laughter ClinicPodcast with your host, mark
(00:26):
McConville.
Speaker 2 (00:34):
Hi there, welcome to the Laughter Clinic Podcast
introduction episode.
My name is Mark McConville, I'myour host, I'm a stand-up
comedian and also asuicidologist, and so this
introduction episode isbasically I'm just going to give
you a rundown as to what theLaughter Clinic's all about, the
different types of episodeswe're going to be doing, and
(00:56):
what you can get out of it andwhat you can look forward to.
So I'll give you a little bitof a background.
So I created this podcastbasically as a way to explore
the intersection where mentalhealth education meets the power
of humour and laughter.
So, whether you are a mentalhealth professional or someone
navigating your own mentalhealth journey, or you may be
(01:18):
supporting someone else oryou're just simply curious about
, you know the science and thehealth benefits of humor and
laughter.
So hopefully there's a bit ofsomething for everybody.
This podcast is for you, so letme share a bit about how it is
that a stand-up comedian came towork in the field of mental
health and, specifically,suicide prevention.
(01:38):
So for over two decades I haveworked as a professional
stand-up comedian acrossAustralia doing gigs in, you
know, outback pubs, inner city,night, inner city comedy clubs,
cruise ships, corporate gigs,you name it, you know.
So I started doing stand-upback in 1998.
So I've done a lot of gigs overthe years.
However, it was a randomencounter with two audience
(02:04):
members at a gig that I did backin 2012 that changed the entire
course of my life and I had noidea at the time how important
this meeting was going to be.
Now I have told this storycountless times, as I it's how I
opened my laughter clinicpresentation a live presentation
.
So I apologize if you'vealready heard me say this story,
(02:27):
but for those that are new tomy work in the laughter clinic,
it's a pretty interesting story.
So I was doing a gig on acruise ship back in 2012, and
what a gig they are.
You know I've had a late nightshow to do.
I come out at 11 o'clock atnight to do a one hour show in a
thousand seat theater and it'sthe best.
(02:48):
It's absolutely so much fun.
And then after the gig, I'mjust sitting there watching
people filing out of the theater, you know, and uh, and I see
this couple kind of come off tothe side and heading over
towards me.
You know, probably you know midto late 30s pretty fit looking
and you know it's nothingstrange for people to want to
(03:08):
come up to you after a gig, I'llbe honest.
And.
But then I noticed the lady'scrying and I'm like what's going
on here?
And she comes up to me and I'llnever forget this moment.
She wrapped her arms around meand she said I don't know how I
can possibly thank you, becauseI have not seen my husband laugh
(03:28):
out loud for three years.
And I'm just like, how is thateven possible, three years?
So I talked to this couple forhours into the middle of the
night, I think.
We chatted for nearly fivehours and it turned out that the
guy was an ex-soldier who threeyears previously, was in
(03:49):
Afghanistan.
So remember, this is 2012, so2009.
He was over there conducting apatrol, kicked open the door,
was booby trapped, blew him up,and so here's this guy standing
in front of me going mate,you've done more for me in one
night than three years ofcounseling and post-traumatic
stress management and all ofthat jazz, because you just made
(04:10):
me laugh for an hour.
You know, I will say it was acracking show, I've got to tell
you.
But his wife was pissed off atthe fact that she said why isn't
that?
For the last three years thepeople looking after my
husband's rehabilitation andmental health at no point had
kind of stopped to say you know,mate, you're still able to
(04:32):
laugh, you still find thingsfunny, you still got your sense
of humor.
And I just want to say at thispoint that in no way am I
discounting the importance ofpost-traumatic stress management
protocols and all of that sortof stuff, because you know now I
do a lot of work with firstresponders and veterans and
people suffering from PTSD, soI've seen firsthand how
(04:53):
important that type of work isin relation to their
post-traumatic growth.
But for this guy, going to acomedy show changed his life,
probably changed the life of hiswife and her eyes.
I'd given her husband back andwho knows what else changed in
their life.
(05:14):
And so, you know, I got off theship and I couldn't stop
thinking about this couple.
And then I really started totake notice that, you know, it
wasn't just me.
People are not only approachingme but other comedians after
shows, having audience memberscoming up to them saying how
much they needed a laugh duringall of the shit that they're
going through.
And so, you know, I reallystarted to think, you know what,
(05:35):
maybe there is more to being acomedian than just simply doing
gigs?
You know there really is.
So I started to do a little bitof my own research into that
old saying laughter is the bestmedicine, which we now know
dates back over 3000 years.
I found out and you know, Istarted to look at the effects
of laughter on, you know,obviously, depression with this
(05:58):
guy and PTSD and stress andanxiety, and that led me to the
rates of, you know, depressionin society and then the rates of
suicide and attempted suicideand I was like, wow, this is
actually an incredible problemin our society that I just
happen to work in an industrythat can have a positive impact,
you know, given the effect thatwe'd had on this couple at a
(06:22):
gig, you know.
So and this came at a time forme where I was on the back end
of my own lived experience withdepression.
You know, for 15 years I'dpretty much done the standard
kind of treatment protocols, onand off different
antidepressants and, you know,different psychologists and all
(06:43):
of that sort of stuff.
And I've got to tell you itwasn't until 2010 when I
randomly moved from Brisbane tothe Gold Coast in South East
Queensland.
I just found a new doctor andit just so happens that this
doctor was the right fit for meand she knew the right
psychologist, right psychiatrist.
And then, after that, they saidwell, you know what, mate, we
(07:04):
actually don't think that you'vegot depression as such.
We don't think you shouldprobably be on all these
antidepressants.
We think you've got undiagnosedADD or ADHD.
And so this is back in 2010, andso I did the tests, ticked a
lot of boxes, and so I changedall my treatment protocols and a
(07:24):
lot of lifestyle changes and Iwas a good patient.
You know, I was very treatmentcompliant.
I did everything that was askedof me and over a two year
period, I really turned my lifearound.
Patient, you know, I was verytreatment compliant.
I did everything that was askedof me and over a two-year
period, I really turned my lifearound.
And you know, by the end of2012, you know, I was smacking
it out of the ballpark.
Everything was going great,word was good, gigs were
smashing.
You know, everything was onfire.
(07:48):
And that's when I met thiscouple, you know, on the cruise
ship, and I felt strong enoughand mentally in a place where I
thought you know what I reckon Ican.
I feel like I can actually dosomething here.
I feel like I can really make acontribution to the mental
health and suicide prevention inparticular.
So all of this eventually ledto I had a business mentor at
(08:09):
the time.
He helped me get involved withGriffith University and so, in
2015, went to university for thefirst time in my life, at the
age of 45.
I completed a graduatecertificate, so they recognised
prior learning for what wasnearly 17 years at the time of
(08:30):
being a comedian, which is, Ithought, amazing, fantastic,
because they believed in what Iwanted to do.
You know, research into humorand laughter for suicide
prevention was pretty unique.
So, yeah, 2015, I starteduniversity.
I completed a graduatecertificate in suicide
prevention studies and then wenton to get a master's degree in
(08:51):
suicidology.
And I have to say that thesupport that I received in
relationships that I built atGriffith University were so
pivotal in my life.
You know, there is no way inthe world I could have got
through that degree withouttheir support.
And then, when I graduated,they actually appointed me as an
(09:11):
adjunct lecturer at theAustralian Institute for Suicide
Research and Prevention, whichis what we fondly call ACERAP,
based at Griffith University.
So and this is a position Istill hold.
So, yeah, that's how that kindof all came about.
And what I discovered through myacademic research and real
world experience you know, atgigs and stuff was that humor
(09:33):
and laughter aren't justcomplementary to healing.
These things are.
This is a necessity, this isessential, you know.
And I really started to leaninto and deep dive into the
profound differences between thephysical benefits of laughter
and the psychological benefitsof using your sense of humor as
a coping mechanism.
Right and so that, my friends,is how I came to combine my
(09:59):
comedy career with my academiclearnings in the field of mental
health and, specifically,suicide prevention to build my
laughter clinic keynotepresentations and workshops
after clinic keynotepresentations and workshops.
And so now I travel aroundAustralia delivering these very
unique events to everyone, fromsmall community groups and men's
sheds right up to big miningcompanies.
(10:20):
So, and the feedback I receivefrom the audiences over the last
what 10 years I've been doingthis have been, the feedback has
been overwhelmingly positiveand, dare I say, for some people
it has been life-changing and,to be honest and that's not an
understatement, some people havereally, I want to say it's
(10:44):
actually been quite humbling thevery personal stories that
people have shared with me overthe years as to what they've
been going through and how thework that I've been doing has
helped them, and so I've got tosay that I am very grateful for
each and every one of thosestories and each and every one
of those people that has sharedtheir stuff with me.
(11:04):
And so it's come to have merealise three very important
things that I know for certainnow.
And firstly, I can only speakto so many people when I do this
type of work live.
When I do my laughter clinicslive and the workshops live,
(11:25):
there's only so many people thatI can get to.
And secondly and I say this toother comedians all the time
that you never know who is inyour audience and what they are
going through.
You know, unless theyspecifically come up and share
it with you, you don't know whatimpact you're having on these
(11:45):
people and what they've beendealing with with their life.
So and that comes also for mewhen I'm doing my Love to Clinic
mental health, suicideprevention presentations, you
know I never know 100% who'sgoing through what in the
audience, but I just know thatwhat I'm doing is good and I
just need to keep doing it.
(12:06):
But the last thing that I knowfor certain personally is, you
know, if me going to the troubleof putting this podcast
together and building theseepisodes and and getting this
content out there to a wideraudience other than what I can
talk to live, if me doing allthis helps just one person, you
(12:29):
know who may be listeningthey've heard something that
they relate to, or you know theyhear something that they know
that they can use to help afriend or a family member or
whoever.
It's been worth it.
It has been 100% worth all ofthe effort and mucking around.
You know, because these thingsdon't build themselves.
These podcasts and all thatsort of stuff.
(12:50):
There's a lot of work goes intobehind the scenes.
It's really given me and Igotta tell you it's given me a
new appreciation for people thatdo podcasts.
You know deciding that I wantto start this up, so, but yeah,
if anything that I share helpssomeone, well then it's all been
worth it.
So what will the Laughter Clinicpodcast be?
So I'm going to bring you allof this information and insights
(13:11):
through three different typesof episodes, okay, so firstly,
there's going to be a soloepisode where I explore specific
mental health topics and sharepractical self-care strategies.
These episodes are focused onevidence-based tools and
techniques that you can applyimmediately to enhance your
(13:31):
well-being.
And in my launch episodes youknow the suite of episodes that
I'm putting together for theinitial launch I've put a couple
up.
That one is called SocialHealth.
What Is it and why it'sImportant, which I think is very
timely and also going on fromthat is community.
So I would suggest you listento social health first and then
(13:53):
community.
So community is about fosteringa sense of belonging, and these
are both topics that don'toften get the attention that
they deserve.
So there'll be the solo type ofepisodes and then, secondly,
you'll experience.
I'll be putting out the TLCPulse episodes, and these are
like an unused type of episodeswhere I will share five
(14:13):
carefully curated insights fromaround the world in the field of
mental health, suicideprevention and the study of
humor and laughter research.
So in the first TLC Pulse, forexample, the episode that's
going to be up there, you'llfind fascinating research from
Japan that's showing how justfour minutes of laughter
(14:33):
positively affects the brain,along with important
developments like comedy beingsocially prescribed by doctors
in the UK.
I've got to tell you that is anabsolutely cracking story, that
one, and so putting out theseepisodes, the TLC Pulse, with
the top five things that havecaught my attention, will help
us both stay current and up todate in what's happening in
(14:56):
these important fields.
So I'll find the content andI'll just sift through it and
I'll curate what the top fivethings I think worthy of sharing
are, and I'll do that for you.
And thirdly, podcasts are allabout interviews, right, and so
you're going to hear in-depthconversations with some
remarkable individuals who havepowerful stories and insights
(15:20):
and information to share, andI've got to tell you I've got a
really amazing lineup of gueststhat are on my hit list of
people that I want to talk to,people that you know.
You may never have heard ofthese people.
They're not famous, but likewell, some of them might be in
the field of mental health andsuicide prevention.
You know a few comedians, buteach one is going to offer
(15:41):
something different, and sothese are going to be really fun
engaging chats.
The fourth the first one, thefirst long form chat episode is
my chat with Craig Coombs.
Now, craig has an inspiringphilosophy to make the rest of
your life the best of your life.
In 2012, this guy was given 18months to live and you know we
(16:06):
had our conversation what Ithink about three or four weeks
ago now August of 2025.
And it's an amazing story.
Craig offers profound insightsinto the healing power of humor
and laughter and the importanceof friendship and finding
(16:27):
purpose through adversity.
So it's a really nice one tokick us off.
So they're the three formats thesolo episodes, the TLC pulse,
which is going to be five newsitems, and the long form
interviews.
So all of this content isdelivered with one goal in mind
right To make mental healtheducation accessible,
(16:49):
evidence-based and enjoyable.
And so why did I choose to dothese three formats?
Well, for a couple of reasons,basically.
First, the field of suicideprevention is incredibly complex
.
It really is, and so if I canshare with you information and
education from a variety ofdifferent sources and a variety
(17:12):
of different mediums, well then,that to me is good.
You know that to me is helpful,it really is.
And mental health isn't onedimensional, and so neither
should be the way.
That to me is good.
You know that to me is helpful,it really is.
And mental health isn't onedimensional, and so neither
should be the way that we learnabout it.
Basically, so, because you know, sometimes you just need a
quick, practical strategy youcan implement.
Today you're going throughsomething, and other times you
may want to hear about what'sbeen happening in the world,
(17:35):
latest research and developmentsin the field of mental health
and suicide prevention, andhuman laughter stuff.
So and and then there's goingto be other times where hearing
from someone else's, hearingsomeone else's journey, provides
you with the perspective andinspiration that you need.
You know.
So, by subscribing to theLaughter Clinic podcast, you'll
(17:59):
receive this variety of contentdesigned to support different
aspects of your mental wellbeingjourney.
You know some episodes will bebrief, you know, for a short
commute or whatever, and thenothers will be, you know, a deep
dive into some reallymeaningful conversations when
(18:20):
you have got more time to engageand listen.
So hopefully there'll be a bitof something for everyone there.
But what unites all of theseepisodes, my friends, is my
commitment to combiningevidence-based information with
accessible, engaging andentertaining delivery, because I
believe that, you know, eventhe most serious of
(18:43):
conversations about mentalhealth can be approached with
compassion, insight and yes,when relevant humour.
So I invite you to join me andbecome part of the Laughter
Clinic community If you'reinterested in more information
about the work that I do.
You can visit the website,which is the laughtercliniccomau
, and you can learn more aboutthe work and connect with
(19:05):
additional resources.
You can follow us on socialmedia to join the conversation
and, if you find value in whatyou hear, please subscribe to
the podcast and share it withothers who might benefit from
any of this material.
Your feedback will help shapefuture episodes, so don't
hesitate to get in touch and,you know, let me know about
(19:26):
topics you'd like explored orquestions that you'd like
answered.
You know I'll do my best toengage with you as much as I can
.
Before I close this introduction, I want to remind you of
something very important thatthe information contained in
these podcast episodes is reallyit's designed for educational,
(19:49):
entertainment purposes.
It is not intended, nor shouldit ever, replace advice received
from a physician or a mentalhealth professional.
In the show notes, I'll providesome resources for places for
you to reach out should you needsome support, and these will be
(20:09):
Australian based resources,because that's where I live and
that's where we're producingthis from.
So, my friends, thank you somuch for your time and listening
to the introduction episode.
In a wrap-up, I just you know,please be kind to yourself and
be kind to those around you,because that's what really
(20:30):
matters.
And so my name's MarkMcConville.
This is the Laughter ClinicPodcast.
Thanks for listening, cheers.
Speaker 1 (20:38):
Thank you for listening.
The information contained inthis podcast is for educational
and entertainment purposes.
It is not intended, nor shouldit ever, replace advice received
from a physician or mentalhealth professional.
Want more info?
Visit thelaughtercliniccomau.
If you enjoyed the episode,please share and subscribe.
Thanks again for listening to alaughter clinic podcast with
(21:02):
your host, mark McConville.
Welcome to the Laughter Clinic Podcast with
comedian and suicidologist MarkMcConville, bringing you
practical, evidence-basedself-care strategies, the latest
research in mental health,along with conversations that
inspire, educate and entertain.
This is the Laughter ClinicPodcast with your host, mark
(00:26):
McConville.
Speaker 2 (00:34):
Hi there, welcome to the Laughter Clinic Podcast
introduction episode.
My name is Mark McConville, I'myour host, I'm a stand-up
comedian and also asuicidologist, and so this
introduction episode isbasically I'm just going to give
you a rundown as to what theLaughter Clinic's all about, the
different types of episodeswe're going to be doing, and
(00:56):
what you can get out of it andwhat you can look forward to.
So I'll give you a little bitof a background.
So I created this podcastbasically as a way to explore
the intersection where mentalhealth education meets the power
of humour and laughter.
So, whether you are a mentalhealth professional or someone
navigating your own mentalhealth journey, or you may be
(01:18):
supporting someone else oryou're just simply curious about
, you know the science and thehealth benefits of humor and
laughter.
So hopefully there's a bit ofsomething for everybody.
This podcast is for you, so letme share a bit about how it is
that a stand-up comedian came towork in the field of mental
health and, specifically,suicide prevention.
(01:38):
So for over two decades I haveworked as a professional
stand-up comedian acrossAustralia doing gigs in, you
know, outback pubs, inner city,night, inner city comedy clubs,
cruise ships, corporate gigs,you name it, you know.
So I started doing stand-upback in 1998.
So I've done a lot of gigs overthe years.
However, it was a randomencounter with two audience
(02:04):
members at a gig that I did backin 2012 that changed the entire
course of my life and I had noidea at the time how important
this meeting was going to be.
Now I have told this storycountless times, as I it's how I
opened my laughter clinicpresentation a live presentation
.
So I apologize if you'vealready heard me say this story,
(02:27):
but for those that are new tomy work in the laughter clinic,
it's a pretty interesting story.
So I was doing a gig on acruise ship back in 2012, and
what a gig they are.
You know I've had a late nightshow to do.
I come out at 11 o'clock atnight to do a one hour show in a
thousand seat theater and it'sthe best.
(02:48):
It's absolutely so much fun.
And then after the gig, I'mjust sitting there watching
people filing out of the theater, you know, and uh, and I see
this couple kind of come off tothe side and heading over
towards me.
You know, probably you know midto late 30s pretty fit looking
and you know it's nothingstrange for people to want to
(03:08):
come up to you after a gig, I'llbe honest.
And.
But then I noticed the lady'scrying and I'm like what's going
on here?
And she comes up to me and I'llnever forget this moment.
She wrapped her arms around meand she said I don't know how I
can possibly thank you, becauseI have not seen my husband laugh
(03:28):
out loud for three years.
And I'm just like, how is thateven possible, three years?
So I talked to this couple forhours into the middle of the
night, I think.
We chatted for nearly fivehours and it turned out that the
guy was an ex-soldier who threeyears previously, was in
(03:49):
Afghanistan.
So remember, this is 2012, so2009.
He was over there conducting apatrol, kicked open the door,
was booby trapped, blew him up,and so here's this guy standing
in front of me going mate,you've done more for me in one
night than three years ofcounseling and post-traumatic
stress management and all ofthat jazz, because you just made
(04:10):
me laugh for an hour.
You know, I will say it was acracking show, I've got to tell
you.
But his wife was pissed off atthe fact that she said why isn't
that?
For the last three years thepeople looking after my
husband's rehabilitation andmental health at no point had
kind of stopped to say you know,mate, you're still able to
(04:32):
laugh, you still find thingsfunny, you still got your sense
of humor.
And I just want to say at thispoint that in no way am I
discounting the importance ofpost-traumatic stress management
protocols and all of that sortof stuff, because you know now I
do a lot of work with firstresponders and veterans and
people suffering from PTSD, soI've seen firsthand how
(04:53):
important that type of work isin relation to their
post-traumatic growth.
But for this guy, going to acomedy show changed his life,
probably changed the life of hiswife and her eyes.
I'd given her husband back andwho knows what else changed in
their life.
(05:14):
And so, you know, I got off theship and I couldn't stop
thinking about this couple.
And then I really started totake notice that, you know, it
wasn't just me.
People are not only approachingme but other comedians after
shows, having audience memberscoming up to them saying how
much they needed a laugh duringall of the shit that they're
going through.
And so, you know, I reallystarted to think, you know what,
(05:35):
maybe there is more to being acomedian than just simply doing
gigs?
You know there really is.
So I started to do a little bitof my own research into that
old saying laughter is the bestmedicine, which we now know
dates back over 3000 years.
I found out and you know, Istarted to look at the effects
of laughter on, you know,obviously, depression with this
(05:58):
guy and PTSD and stress andanxiety, and that led me to the
rates of, you know, depressionin society and then the rates of
suicide and attempted suicideand I was like, wow, this is
actually an incredible problemin our society that I just
happen to work in an industrythat can have a positive impact,
you know, given the effect thatwe'd had on this couple at a
(06:22):
gig, you know.
So and this came at a time forme where I was on the back end
of my own lived experience withdepression.
You know, for 15 years I'dpretty much done the standard
kind of treatment protocols, onand off different
antidepressants and, you know,different psychologists and all
(06:43):
of that sort of stuff.
And I've got to tell you itwasn't until 2010 when I
randomly moved from Brisbane tothe Gold Coast in South East
Queensland.
I just found a new doctor andit just so happens that this
doctor was the right fit for meand she knew the right
psychologist, right psychiatrist.
And then, after that, they saidwell, you know what, mate, we
(07:04):
actually don't think that you'vegot depression as such.
We don't think you shouldprobably be on all these
antidepressants.
We think you've got undiagnosedADD or ADHD.
And so this is back in 2010, andso I did the tests, ticked a
lot of boxes, and so I changedall my treatment protocols and a
(07:24):
lot of lifestyle changes and Iwas a good patient.
You know, I was very treatmentcompliant.
I did everything that was askedof me and over a two year
period, I really turned my lifearound.
Patient, you know, I was verytreatment compliant.
I did everything that was askedof me and over a two-year
period, I really turned my lifearound.
And you know, by the end of2012, you know, I was smacking
it out of the ballpark.
Everything was going great,word was good, gigs were
smashing.
You know, everything was onfire.
(07:48):
And that's when I met thiscouple, you know, on the cruise
ship, and I felt strong enoughand mentally in a place where I
thought you know what I reckon Ican.
I feel like I can actually dosomething here.
I feel like I can really make acontribution to the mental
health and suicide prevention inparticular.
So all of this eventually ledto I had a business mentor at
(08:09):
the time.
He helped me get involved withGriffith University and so, in
2015, went to university for thefirst time in my life, at the
age of 45.
I completed a graduatecertificate, so they recognised
prior learning for what wasnearly 17 years at the time of
(08:30):
being a comedian, which is, Ithought, amazing, fantastic,
because they believed in what Iwanted to do.
You know, research into humorand laughter for suicide
prevention was pretty unique.
So, yeah, 2015, I starteduniversity.
I completed a graduatecertificate in suicide
prevention studies and then wenton to get a master's degree in
(08:51):
suicidology.
And I have to say that thesupport that I received in
relationships that I built atGriffith University were so
pivotal in my life.
You know, there is no way inthe world I could have got
through that degree withouttheir support.
And then, when I graduated,they actually appointed me as an
(09:11):
adjunct lecturer at theAustralian Institute for Suicide
Research and Prevention, whichis what we fondly call ACERAP,
based at Griffith University.
So and this is a position Istill hold.
So, yeah, that's how that kindof all came about.
And what I discovered through myacademic research and real
world experience you know, atgigs and stuff was that humor
(09:33):
and laughter aren't justcomplementary to healing.
These things are.
This is a necessity, this isessential, you know.
And I really started to leaninto and deep dive into the
profound differences between thephysical benefits of laughter
and the psychological benefitsof using your sense of humor as
a coping mechanism.
Right and so that, my friends,is how I came to combine my
(09:59):
comedy career with my academiclearnings in the field of mental
health and, specifically,suicide prevention to build my
laughter clinic keynotepresentations and workshops
after clinic keynotepresentations and workshops.
And so now I travel aroundAustralia delivering these very
unique events to everyone, fromsmall community groups and men's
sheds right up to big miningcompanies.
(10:20):
So, and the feedback I receivefrom the audiences over the last
what 10 years I've been doingthis have been, the feedback has
been overwhelmingly positiveand, dare I say, for some people
it has been life-changing and,to be honest and that's not an
understatement, some people havereally, I want to say it's
(10:44):
actually been quite humbling thevery personal stories that
people have shared with me overthe years as to what they've
been going through and how thework that I've been doing has
helped them, and so I've got tosay that I am very grateful for
each and every one of thosestories and each and every one
of those people that has sharedtheir stuff with me.
(11:04):
And so it's come to have merealise three very important
things that I know for certainnow.
And firstly, I can only speakto so many people when I do this
type of work live.
When I do my laughter clinicslive and the workshops live,
(11:25):
there's only so many people thatI can get to.
And secondly and I say this toother comedians all the time
that you never know who is inyour audience and what they are
going through.
You know, unless theyspecifically come up and share
it with you, you don't know whatimpact you're having on these
(11:45):
people and what they've beendealing with with their life.
So and that comes also for mewhen I'm doing my Love to Clinic
mental health, suicideprevention presentations, you
know I never know 100% who'sgoing through what in the
audience, but I just know thatwhat I'm doing is good and I
just need to keep doing it.
(12:06):
But the last thing that I knowfor certain personally is, you
know, if me going to the troubleof putting this podcast
together and building theseepisodes and and getting this
content out there to a wideraudience other than what I can
talk to live, if me doing allthis helps just one person, you
(12:29):
know who may be listeningthey've heard something that
they relate to, or you know theyhear something that they know
that they can use to help afriend or a family member or
whoever.
It's been worth it.
It has been 100% worth all ofthe effort and mucking around.
You know, because these thingsdon't build themselves.
These podcasts and all thatsort of stuff.
(12:50):
There's a lot of work goes intobehind the scenes.
It's really given me and Igotta tell you it's given me a
new appreciation for people thatdo podcasts.
You know deciding that I wantto start this up, so, but yeah,
if anything that I share helpssomeone, well then it's all been
worth it.
So what will the Laughter Clinicpodcast be?
So I'm going to bring you allof this information and insights
(13:11):
through three different typesof episodes, okay, so firstly,
there's going to be a soloepisode where I explore specific
mental health topics and sharepractical self-care strategies.
These episodes are focused onevidence-based tools and
techniques that you can applyimmediately to enhance your
(13:31):
well-being.
And in my launch episodes youknow the suite of episodes that
I'm putting together for theinitial launch I've put a couple
up.
That one is called SocialHealth.
What Is it and why it'sImportant, which I think is very
timely and also going on fromthat is community.
So I would suggest you listento social health first and then
(13:53):
community.
So community is about fosteringa sense of belonging, and these
are both topics that don'toften get the attention that
they deserve.
So there'll be the solo type ofepisodes and then, secondly,
you'll experience.
I'll be putting out the TLCPulse episodes, and these are
like an unused type of episodeswhere I will share five
(14:13):
carefully curated insights fromaround the world in the field of
mental health, suicideprevention and the study of
humor and laughter research.
So in the first TLC Pulse, forexample, the episode that's
going to be up there, you'llfind fascinating research from
Japan that's showing how justfour minutes of laughter
(14:33):
positively affects the brain,along with important
developments like comedy beingsocially prescribed by doctors
in the UK.
I've got to tell you that is anabsolutely cracking story, that
one, and so putting out theseepisodes, the TLC Pulse, with
the top five things that havecaught my attention, will help
us both stay current and up todate in what's happening in
(14:56):
these important fields.
So I'll find the content andI'll just sift through it and
I'll curate what the top fivethings I think worthy of sharing
are, and I'll do that for you.
And thirdly, podcasts are allabout interviews, right, and so
you're going to hear in-depthconversations with some
remarkable individuals who havepowerful stories and insights
(15:20):
and information to share, andI've got to tell you I've got a
really amazing lineup of gueststhat are on my hit list of
people that I want to talk to,people that you know.
You may never have heard ofthese people.
They're not famous, but likewell, some of them might be in
the field of mental health andsuicide prevention.
You know a few comedians, buteach one is going to offer
(15:41):
something different, and sothese are going to be really fun
engaging chats.
The fourth the first one, thefirst long form chat episode is
my chat with Craig Coombs.
Now, craig has an inspiringphilosophy to make the rest of
your life the best of your life.
In 2012, this guy was given 18months to live and you know we
(16:06):
had our conversation what Ithink about three or four weeks
ago now August of 2025.
And it's an amazing story.
Craig offers profound insightsinto the healing power of humor
and laughter and the importanceof friendship and finding
(16:27):
purpose through adversity.
So it's a really nice one tokick us off.
So they're the three formats thesolo episodes, the TLC pulse,
which is going to be five newsitems, and the long form
interviews.
So all of this content isdelivered with one goal in mind
right To make mental healtheducation accessible,
(16:49):
evidence-based and enjoyable.
And so why did I choose to dothese three formats?
Well, for a couple of reasons,basically.
First, the field of suicideprevention is incredibly complex
.
It really is, and so if I canshare with you information and
education from a variety ofdifferent sources and a variety
(17:12):
of different mediums, well then,that to me is good.
You know that to me is helpful,it really is.
And mental health isn't onedimensional, and so neither
should be the way.
That to me is good.
You know that to me is helpful,it really is.
And mental health isn't onedimensional, and so neither
should be the way that we learnabout it.
Basically, so, because you know, sometimes you just need a
quick, practical strategy youcan implement.
Today you're going throughsomething, and other times you
may want to hear about what'sbeen happening in the world,
(17:35):
latest research and developmentsin the field of mental health
and suicide prevention, andhuman laughter stuff.
So and and then there's goingto be other times where hearing
from someone else's, hearingsomeone else's journey, provides
you with the perspective andinspiration that you need.
You know.
So, by subscribing to theLaughter Clinic podcast, you'll
(17:59):
receive this variety of contentdesigned to support different
aspects of your mental wellbeingjourney.
You know some episodes will bebrief, you know, for a short
commute or whatever, and thenothers will be, you know, a deep
dive into some reallymeaningful conversations when
(18:20):
you have got more time to engageand listen.
So hopefully there'll be a bitof something for everyone there.
But what unites all of theseepisodes, my friends, is my
commitment to combiningevidence-based information with
accessible, engaging andentertaining delivery, because I
believe that, you know, eventhe most serious of
(18:43):
conversations about mentalhealth can be approached with
compassion, insight and yes,when relevant humour.
So I invite you to join me andbecome part of the Laughter
Clinic community If you'reinterested in more information
about the work that I do.
You can visit the website,which is the laughtercliniccomau
, and you can learn more aboutthe work and connect with
(19:05):
additional resources.
You can follow us on socialmedia to join the conversation
and, if you find value in whatyou hear, please subscribe to
the podcast and share it withothers who might benefit from
any of this material.
Your feedback will help shapefuture episodes, so don't
hesitate to get in touch and,you know, let me know about
(19:26):
topics you'd like explored orquestions that you'd like
answered.
You know I'll do my best toengage with you as much as I can
.
Before I close this introduction, I want to remind you of
something very important thatthe information contained in
these podcast episodes is reallyit's designed for educational,
(19:49):
entertainment purposes.
It is not intended, nor shouldit ever, replace advice received
from a physician or a mentalhealth professional.
In the show notes, I'll providesome resources for places for
you to reach out should you needsome support, and these will be
(20:09):
Australian based resources,because that's where I live and
that's where we're producingthis from.
So, my friends, thank you somuch for your time and listening
to the introduction episode.
In a wrap-up, I just you know,please be kind to yourself and
be kind to those around you,because that's what really
(20:30):
matters.
And so my name's MarkMcConville.
This is the Laughter ClinicPodcast.
Thanks for listening, cheers.
Speaker 1 (20:38):
Thank you for listening.
The information contained inthis podcast is for educational
and entertainment purposes.
It is not intended, nor shouldit ever, replace advice received
from a physician or mentalhealth professional.
Want more info?
Visit thelaughtercliniccomau.
If you enjoyed the episode,please share and subscribe.
Thanks again for listening to alaughter clinic podcast with
(21:02):
your host, mark McConville.
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