How anxiety shaped comedy

What if humor isn’t just a personality trait—but a survival strategy?

Kate Bowler sits down with writer Jenny Lawson and entertaining YouTuber Rhett McLaughlin to talk about the strange, often dark roots of comedy. From childhood anxiety and taxidermy-filled homes to lifelong creative friendships and faith that evolves, they explore how silliness, honesty, and absurdity help us live with what hurts. This is a conversation about being “too much,” laughing at what’s not funny, and finding connection in the weirdest parts of being human.

SHOW NOTES

• Tour dates & tickets: katebowler.com/joyfulanyway

• Watch the live conversation on YouTube

• Let’s Pretend This Never Happened — Jenny Lawson

• Furiously Happy — Jenny Lawson

• Broken (in the Best Possible Way) — Jenny Lawson 

• How to Be Okay (When You’re Not Okay) — Jenny Lawson 

• Rhett & Link / Mythical Entertainment

• Good Mythical Morning 

• James and the Shame (Rhett McLaughlin’s music project)

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