34 - Rodney Norman - Comedian, Philosopher, Joy Sparker & World's Worst Motivational Speaker - 'Enjoy Your Stupid Life'

Comedian, Philosopher, Joy Sparker & World's Worst Motivational Speaker Rodney Norman joins us to talk about comedy’s powerful role in the healing process, the many benefits of making a fool of yourself and how nobody is really paying that much attention to you anyway so you may as well go do the thing you love doing. 

Formally educated as a philosopher, Rodney Norman found his way to stand up comedy 25 years ago and has been featured in the Boston Comedy Festival and was the Winner of the Rhode Island Comedy Festival. 

Rodney firmly believes that finding ways to laugh at ourselves, our foibles and even our traumas is one of the most powerful ways we can take the charge out of those things and get on with the healing process, and back to enjoying life - which according to him, is the point of the whole thing. 

His character Leonard, The World’s Worst Motivational Speaker, is unassuming and intentionally unpolished, delivers deep wisdom in a mumbly-fumbly way that has a widespread appeal - many of his videos going viral within days of being posted. Chances are good, if you have been on the internet at all in the past year, that you have seen one of Rodney’s videos. 

There is homework at the end of this episode, so listen out for that and if you want even more, have a poke around the Creative Genius Patreon - there is lots of really supportive bonus content there - homework, downloads and this week a gorgeous little Guided Meditation about Trust (which is also available for purchase for non Patreon supporters) 

Be sure to stick around to the end - Rodney’s character Leonard answers our billboard question for us today!

So many nuggets of wisdom in this episode. 

WHAT WE TALK ABOUT

-Rodney's secret to accessing and unleashing creative genius

-The ridiculously simple thing we all have in us that would let us be creative geniuses, and why nobody wants to do it

-How we often use our past difficulties as an excuse or way out of growing and how we can begin to use comedy to rewire our brains, heal trauma and truly enjoy life

-The hard truth about the learning process and what to do about it. 

-Why it's never too soon to look for the funny side of your situation. Even in the midst of grief. 

-The secret to having everything in your life open up, according to Rodney. 

-The thing he noticed after 25 years of doing stand up that helped him let go of needing to get it right when it comes to performing

-Get out there. Be stupid, look weird. Perfection is a turn off anyway. 

-How we often use our past difficulties as an excuse or way out of growing and how we can begin to use comedy to rewire our brains, heal trauma and truly enjoy life

-And we play you his favourite viral clip (and mine!)