Posted on Aug 11, 2017
Hi everyone, Sam Pressler here, from the Armed Services Arts Partnership. I'm coming by on 8/15 to answer questions. Have you tried comedy?
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Introduction to the Armed Services Arts Partnership (ASAP)
The Armed Services Arts Partnership (ASAP) helps veterans reintegrate into their communities through the arts. ASAP promotes artistic expression, skill-devel...
*RP Staff will be monitoring this discussion*
RallyPoint is honored to host Sam Pressler, Founder and Executive Director of the Armed Services Arts Partnership. After dealing with his uncle’s suicide, Pressler turned to comedy to cope and began to understand the true power of humor. Soon thereafter, he learned about reintegration difficulties faced by veterans, and was inspired to create Comedy Bootcamp - a stand-up comedy class for veterans and their families, to help them express their experiences, give voice to their stories, and forge new purposes at home. This continued on to become his current non-profit, Armed Services Arts Partnership (ASAP), which has given nearly 300 veterans and their families access to dozens of classes and workshops to help them communicate their wartime and homecoming experiences. Sam was named to the HillVets 100 list as one of the 100 most influential people in the veterans space, and was a 2017 Forbes 30 Under 30 awardee.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jlJpDzxOUxI&feature=youtu.be
RallyPoint is honored to host Sam Pressler, Founder and Executive Director of the Armed Services Arts Partnership. After dealing with his uncle’s suicide, Pressler turned to comedy to cope and began to understand the true power of humor. Soon thereafter, he learned about reintegration difficulties faced by veterans, and was inspired to create Comedy Bootcamp - a stand-up comedy class for veterans and their families, to help them express their experiences, give voice to their stories, and forge new purposes at home. This continued on to become his current non-profit, Armed Services Arts Partnership (ASAP), which has given nearly 300 veterans and their families access to dozens of classes and workshops to help them communicate their wartime and homecoming experiences. Sam was named to the HillVets 100 list as one of the 100 most influential people in the veterans space, and was a 2017 Forbes 30 Under 30 awardee.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jlJpDzxOUxI&feature=youtu.be
Humor
Entertainment
Q&A
Experience
Performance
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 15
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Actually, I did stand up twice here in Kansas at the Looney Bin in Wichita. Didn't do too bad either...
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SGT Joseph Gunderson
This is my very first comedy bit. Performed at the Loony Bin Comedy Club in Wichita, KS.
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Sam Pressler
Thanks for sharing, Joseph! Have you ever participated in a stand-up comedy class? If you want to continue to hone your skills, stand-up comedy classes are often a good resource. Steve Martin teaches a master class online, and Judy Carter wrote a book called "The Comedy Bible."
https://www.masterclass.com/classes/steve-martin-teaches-comedy
https://www.amazon.com/Comedy-Bible-Stand-up-Sitcom-Ultimate/dp/ [login to see]
https://www.masterclass.com/classes/steve-martin-teaches-comedy
https://www.amazon.com/Comedy-Bible-Stand-up-Sitcom-Ultimate/dp/ [login to see]
MasterClass | Steve Martin Teaches Comedy
Learn from the legendary comic in his first-ever online class.
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Sam Pressler
SGT Joseph Gunderson - Awesome. Best of luck and let us know if we can be of support from afar!
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Black humor or dark humor in these more politically correct days tends to appeal to many service members and veterans, especially those who served in direct action capacities Sam Pressler.
Humor requires intelligence to both provide and enjoy. The best humor is not insulting to anybody else - Rodney Dangerfield was a master at self deprecating humor.
Many of us have known too many who dies violently - generally in combat but sometime sin training and worse by their own hand.
1. How would you counsel those experiencing recent deaths using the lessons you learned after your own uncles suicide?
2. What comedic venues would be best for the grieving to become involved with if they want to try comedy as a palliative for emotional pain?
FYI SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL SGT Michael Thorin COL Mikel J. Burroughs Kim Bolen RN CCM ACM PO1 William "Chip" Nagel LTC Stephen C. LTC Ivan Raiklin, Esq. Capt Seid Waddell Capt Tom Brown SFC William Farrell SSgt Robert Marx SGT John " Mac " McConnell SP5 Mark Kuzinski SPC (Join to see) SrA Christopher Wright Maj Marty Hogan SP5 Robert Ruck SCPO Morris RamseyCPL Eric Escasio
Humor requires intelligence to both provide and enjoy. The best humor is not insulting to anybody else - Rodney Dangerfield was a master at self deprecating humor.
Many of us have known too many who dies violently - generally in combat but sometime sin training and worse by their own hand.
1. How would you counsel those experiencing recent deaths using the lessons you learned after your own uncles suicide?
2. What comedic venues would be best for the grieving to become involved with if they want to try comedy as a palliative for emotional pain?
FYI SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL SGT Michael Thorin COL Mikel J. Burroughs Kim Bolen RN CCM ACM PO1 William "Chip" Nagel LTC Stephen C. LTC Ivan Raiklin, Esq. Capt Seid Waddell Capt Tom Brown SFC William Farrell SSgt Robert Marx SGT John " Mac " McConnell SP5 Mark Kuzinski SPC (Join to see) SrA Christopher Wright Maj Marty Hogan SP5 Robert Ruck SCPO Morris RamseyCPL Eric Escasio
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Sam Pressler
Hi Stephen,
These are really good questions. However, out of respect for mental health professionals and my own personal limitations, I must acknowledge that I am not qualified to make these types of recommendations.
If you are interested, their is a strong literature base on humor and how it relates to coping, grieving, and resilience. The leading researchers on this have been Rod Martin and Nicholas Kuiper. Also, On Being has a new podcast called C.O.O.L. (Creating Our Own Lives), which explores the intersection of humor and meaning. I really like it: https://onbeing.org/cool/
I am sorry I could not fully answer this question, but I hope this helps!
Best,
Sam
These are really good questions. However, out of respect for mental health professionals and my own personal limitations, I must acknowledge that I am not qualified to make these types of recommendations.
If you are interested, their is a strong literature base on humor and how it relates to coping, grieving, and resilience. The leading researchers on this have been Rod Martin and Nicholas Kuiper. Also, On Being has a new podcast called C.O.O.L. (Creating Our Own Lives), which explores the intersection of humor and meaning. I really like it: https://onbeing.org/cool/
I am sorry I could not fully answer this question, but I hope this helps!
Best,
Sam
Creating Our Own Lives (C.O.O.L.) - On Being
We’re called to create a better world, but what about the more immediate task of creating our own lives? Inspired...
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Hi Sam, Thanks for your time. There's a program in Boston hosted by a local improve group that focuses on overcoming some of the symptoms of PTSD through comedy. It's not the laughs which is helpful but the act of overcoming anxiety and being confident to think quickly which in front of a crowd. Aside from humor as a form a therapy, what other benefits does comedy provide for veterans?
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Sam Pressler
Carlos, Really good question. We actually do not consider comedy as a form of therapy. Though there is an evidence base that engaging in humor builds resilience and promotes well-being (Martin, 2007; Kuiper, 2012), all of our classes are led by stand-up comedy instructors. As such, our intervention is much more focused on the benefits of comedy education rather than health outcomes. The primary benefits on which we focus include:
1) Improved skill development, both in terms of comedic skills as well as interpersonal communication skills.
2) Increased social support, camaraderie, and sense of community belonging.
3) Heightened sense of purpose and meaning in civilian life.
4) Increased awareness of the veteran and military experience among civilians, especially those who are less connected to the military.
I want to reiterate that engagement in the arts, whether it be stand-up comedy or something else, can be a complementary therapeutic outlet. However, it shouldn't be a replacement for therapy or counseling.
1) Improved skill development, both in terms of comedic skills as well as interpersonal communication skills.
2) Increased social support, camaraderie, and sense of community belonging.
3) Heightened sense of purpose and meaning in civilian life.
4) Increased awareness of the veteran and military experience among civilians, especially those who are less connected to the military.
I want to reiterate that engagement in the arts, whether it be stand-up comedy or something else, can be a complementary therapeutic outlet. However, it shouldn't be a replacement for therapy or counseling.
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