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Laughter is a gift. An excessive blessing without a practical purpose. Other things can bring relief, connect us with each other, and reveal our faults, but laughter does these things with playfulness and joy. What does it look like to receive and give this form of grace? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This is a story of getting burned out on comedy and learning to love it again. It's not a success story, but an enjoyment story that comes through accepting limits. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It’s hard to acknowledge an offensive joke. You’ve failed on two fronts: you weren’t funny and your words were harmful. It contradicts stories we tell ourselves, like “I wouldn’t make a racist joke” or “I couldn’t be sexist.” In this episode, Ben shares how the practice of confession has helped him recognize his own harmful material and the structural inequality of the comedy industry. Written and recorded by Ben Fort. Produced by Jonathan Clauson. Art by Seth Hahne. Music by Ben Fort. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What can we joke about? How far is too far? Our answers tend to be personal, which makes it hard to discuss why some humor is offensive. In this episode, Ben shares his search for an ethical framework that allows for great comedy, lines up with his Christian faith, and makes sense to collaborators with differing beliefs.  Written and recorded by Ben Fort. Produced by Jonathan Clauson. Art by Seth Hahne. Music by Ben Fort. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Great comedians feel effortless, but behind each laugh is a lot of work. What is the work of humor, and what does that mean for us as we create and cultivate our own laughs? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Comedians and late-night hosts have increasingly been pausing the jokes to sincerely address events and issues. This raises interesting questions about humor. What is the relief of laughter, and is that enough for a hurting world? Have we been asking too little of comedians, or are we now asking too much? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices