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
Episodes
You’d think being a comedian prepares you for anything — hecklers, bad lighting, even a buffet line louder than your mic. But there’s one thing no amount of punchlines can fix, and I found myself walking straight into it one afternoon. I was hired to entertain a room full of employees… who had just been given some BAD news.
On stage with family in the audience, the pressure was on—and things went sideways fast. In this episode, keynote speaker and comedian Jan McInnis takes you inside one unforgettable night in her comedy career. It’s a hilarious, cringe-worthy story packed with lessons on resilience, risk-taking, and finding the funny when everything goes wrong.
Opening for a superstar sounds like every comedian’s dream gig—but is it really? In this episode of Finding the Funny: Leadership Tips from a Comedian, Jan McInnis shares the chaos, comedy, and leadership lessons from opening for Julio Iglesias. From being ignored backstage to having her friend escorted out by security, Jan shows how resilience and humor can turn setbacks into unforgettable stori...
A lot of people have a dream job that they really want to do. Many people don't pursue it. There are lots of reasons for staying where you are instead of taking the leap into the unknown. Some of the reasons, like money or location, are valid. But some of the reasons, like the one given in this episode aren't really barriers. Listen to my short humor story about how to walk away from your dream job.
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 ship fiasco that could have turned out very badly!
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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.
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.
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.
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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, whats in a TV Credit?
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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 land a coveted spot at Harvey's Comedy Club.
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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 organizations, I’ve seen firsthand how a single comment can change the tone of an entire event. This story, drawn from a corporate luncheon I spoke at, reveals the hidden cost of “harmless” suggestions and how subtle power plays can deflate eve...
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 moment when a potentially embarrassing wardrobe mishap could’ve overshadowed an entire presentation. Instead, with a quick wit and a well-timed joke, she not only saved the moment but also connected with the audience and diffused the tension...
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 commitment (to a contract, that is). It’s funny, frustrating, and a little too relatable for anyone who’s ever said yes without seeing the fine print. If you've ever trusted a handshake and hoped for the best, you’ll want to read this. Spoiler: ...
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 being chosen for events. From strange selection methods to unexpected competition, you’ll hear behind-the-scenes stories that are equal parts hilarious and head-scratching. If you've ever wondered wha...
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 ride of missteps, missed calls, and misplaced expectations—all sparked by a surprise request from an old comedy colleague. It’s a true tale filled with lessons on timing, tact, and how not to burn bridges before you’ve even crossed them.
...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 very first joke check from Jay Leno’s Tonight Show monologue—without even knowing which joke sold. Not only did I sell jokes to to him, BUT I also got some cool industry perks, memorable introductions, ...
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 about the hustle, calling in favors, and navigating the weird world of showbiz politics. It’s a real-life peek into how things almost happen in Hollywood—and what you learn when they don’t.
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 what what I've had people say to my face, and how I've handled it!
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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 engaging an audience are everything—but this was a whole new challenge. With the pressure on and no room for error, I had to think fast and use comedy in business to keep the energy high. What happened next proved that sometimes, the b...
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 intimidating crowd, a skeptical agent, and a fellow comic with a history—she had no idea how the night would unfold. Tune in for a gripping and hilarious story about resilience, surprises, and finding the funny in unexpected places.
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