The Business Case for Humor with Andrew Tarvin

Could having a sense of humor actually help you earn more money? Research suggests that humor can influence how we're perceived at work, how effectively we communicate, and even the opportunities that come our way. But you don't have to be the funniest person in the room to experience those benefits. In this episode of Money Without Math, Karen welcomes Andrew Tarvin, comedian, author, speaker, and CEO of Humor That Works, to explore why humor deserves a place alongside more traditional professional skills like leadership, communication, and negotiation. Drawing on his background as a computer engineer and his experience teaching humor to organizations around the world, Andrew explains why being funny isn't necessarily something you're born with. It's a skill you can develop and use intentionally to make work more engaging, build stronger connections, and navigate stressful situations. Together, Karen and Andrew discuss the relationship between humor and compensation, why serious work doesn't always require a serious approach, and how workplace culture can either encourage or discourage levity. They also explore practical ways to bring more humor into everyday routines, including Andrew's simple challenge to create one smile per hour. Beyond the workplace, the conversation turns to humor as a life skill, one that can help us gain perspective during difficult times, build confidence, and take a more active role in our own happiness. Whether you consider yourself naturally funny or not, you'll walk away with practical ideas for making work more engaging and life more enjoyable, for yourself and those around you. In this episode: 0:00 - Welcome To Money Without Math 1:15 - Why Humor Changes Work Outcomes 3:20 - The Payoff Link Between Humor 5:42 - Making Work More Fun 8:53 - When Workplace Culture Feels Too Serious 14:54 - Humor As A Trainable Skill 21:40 - Curation And One Smile Per Hour 27:45 - Humor As A Life Skill 32:50 - Responsibility For Happiness And Closing Connect with Karen: Clarity Planning LinkedIn YouTube Instagram Connect with our guests:  Andrew Tarvin on LinkedIn Humor That Works