On this episode of Laughing Matters, Carmella Glover joins Paul Merchan and Steve Cody to tackle one of today’s most loaded topics with intelligence, candor and yes, a sense of humor. As President and CEO of the Diversity Action Alliance, she shares why leaders should not be afraid of clarity, why innovation depends on different perspectives and why silence can sometimes speak louder than words.

From her early days as a chemical engineer explaining complex manufacturing challenges to leading conversations around inclusion in a polarized climate, Carmella makes the case that strong leadership is less about buzzwords and more about precision, courage and humanity.

Tune in to hear Carmella talk about:

• Why “diversity” is not a controversial word and how leaders can say what they actually mean
• How innovation multiplies when different perspectives are truly in the room
• The multitasking email moment that proves even seasoned executives should proofread twice

We also wanted to flag a great virtual event on 2/24 co-hosted by the DAA, “Leading With Credibility in a Fractured Media World,” featuring Congressman Jim Clyburn. You can find more details linked here.

Entrepreneur, author, professor, podcaster and business humorist David Mammano joins Paul Merchan and Steve Cody on this episode of Laughing Matters to explore why humor and wit can take business culture to the next level. From winning comedy contests in college to advising business leaders on culture, David shares why there is inherent wisdom in bringing fun back to the workplace - and why having dance moves like Seinfeld’s Elaine didn’t stop him. Tune in to hear David talk about:

• Why AI can never replace humor, experience and wit
• His affinity for humorous insurance company campaigns
• A story from his best-selling book about a 20-something business owner who had every one of his employees reapply for their positions
• An embarrassing personal story that proves it’s important not to skip human anatomy class

From FedEx to ITT to the classroom, Tom Martin has built a career on authenticity, wit, and mentorship. Now Executive-in-Residence at The College of Charleston, Tom joins Laughing Matters to share how humor helped him navigate global rebrands, ease the tension during meetings, and inspire the next generation of communicators.

Tune in for:

• The story behind his eponymous mentorship program for up and coming professionals
• How listening (and laughing) led to iconic rebrands
• Example of some of Tom’s favorite examples of humor in brand campaigns