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The Elements of Frustration in Comedy

Finding the Funny: Leadership Tips From a Comedian

Release Date: 11/07/2025

Finding the Funny: Leadership Tips From a Comedian

There are lots of frustrating elements in comedy, and we're used to them . .. things like drunks or bad set ups. But sometimes there are things that mess up your performance that you couldn't even think up! Here's a quick story about a few times things have thrown me for a loop! Jan McInnis is a top change management keynote speaker, comedian, and funny motivational speaker who helps organizations use humor to handle change, build resilience, and strengthen leadership skills. With her laugh-out-loud stories and practical tips, Jan shows audiences how humor isn’t just entertainment—it’s...

The Day I Regretted Saying "yes!"

Finding the Funny: Leadership Tips From a Comedian

If I could take back agreeing to this idea, I would, because I regretted saying yes to this one. Here's a quick story about why you should stick up for yourself when someone has an idea that you don't think will work. I was too new to comedy and too naive to speak up. Jan McInnis is a top change management keynote speaker, comedian, and funny motivational speaker who helps organizations use humor to handle change, build resilience, and strengthen leadership skills. With her laugh-out-loud stories and practical tips, Jan shows audiences how humor isn’t just entertainment—it’s a business...

A Bombshell Announcement (that turned into a great show!)

Finding the Funny: Leadership Tips From a Comedian

You’d think being a comedian prepares you for anything — hecklers, bad lighting, even a buffet line louder than your mic. But there’s one thing no amount of punchlines can fix, and I found myself walking straight into it one afternoon. I was hired to entertain a room full of employees… who had just been given some BAD news. Jan McInnis is a top change management keynote speaker, comedian, and funny motivational speaker who helps organizations use humor to handle change, build resilience, and strengthen leadership skills. With her laugh-out-loud stories and practical tips, Jan shows...

The Heckle I'll Never Forget

Finding the Funny: Leadership Tips From a Comedian

On stage with family in the audience, the pressure was on—and things went sideways fast. In this episode, keynote speaker and comedian Jan McInnis takes you inside one unforgettable night in her comedy career. It’s a hilarious, cringe-worthy story packed with lessons on resilience, risk-taking, and finding the funny when everything goes wrong. Jan McInnis is a top change management keynote speaker, comedian, and funny motivational speaker who helps organizations use humor to handle change, build resilience, and strengthen leadership skills. With her laugh-out-loud stories and...

Opening for a Superstar: Expectations vs. Reality

Finding the Funny: Leadership Tips From a Comedian

Opening for a superstar sounds like every comedian’s dream gig—but is it really? In this episode of Finding the Funny: Leadership Tips from a Comedian, Jan McInnis shares the chaos, comedy, and leadership lessons from opening for Julio Iglesias. From being ignored backstage to having her friend escorted out by security, Jan shows how resilience and humor can turn setbacks into unforgettable stories. Tune in for a behind-the-scenes look at comedy, leadership, and finding the funny when things don’t go as planned. Here’s a polished version of your standard Libsyn podcast...

Walking Away From Your Dream Job

Finding the Funny: Leadership Tips From a Comedian

A lot of people have a dream job that they really want to do. Many people don't pursue it. There are lots of reasons for staying where you are instead of taking the leap into the unknown. Some of the reasons, like money or location, are valid. But some of the reasons, like the one given in this episode aren't really barriers. Listen to my short humor story about how to walk away from your dream job. Jan McInnis is a top conference keynote speaker, comedian, Master of Ceremonies, and comedy writer. She has written for Jay Leno’s The Tonight Show monologues as well as many other...

Cruise Ship Fiasco

Finding the Funny: Leadership Tips From a Comedian

Working on cruise ships as an entertainer can get weird, and I'm not talking about hecklers. Just getting to the ship in another country is a journey in itself. Here's a quick story about a cruise ship fiasco that could have turned out very badly! Jan McInnis is a top change management keynote speaker and comedian. She uses short funny stories to emphasize her tips on how businesses can use humor to handle change. Jan is a top conference keynote speaker, comedian, Master of Ceremonies, and comedy writer. She has written for Jay Leno’s The Tonight Show monologues as well as many other...

When Your Gig Comes with a Warning Label

Finding the Funny: Leadership Tips From a Comedian

Working around sketchy entertainers is, thankfully, not usual, but it happens. Here's a quick story about one of the times I had to work with someone who really wasn't that safe for women. Jan McInnis is a top change management keynote speaker and comedian. She uses short funny stories to emphasize her tips on how businesses can use humor to handle change. Jan is a top conference keynote speaker, comedian, Master of Ceremonies, and comedy writer. She has written for Jay Leno’s The Tonight Show monologues as well as many other people, places, and groups—radio, TV, syndicated cartoon...

How NOT to get a referral

Finding the Funny: Leadership Tips From a Comedian

Referrals are a big part of most freelancer's business, especially comedians and keynote speakers! Here's a quick story about the right and wrong way to go about asking for a referral. Jan McInnis is a top change management keynote speaker and comedian. She uses short funny stories to emphasize her tips on how businesses can use humor to handle change. Jan is a top conference keynote speaker, comedian, Master of Ceremonies, and comedy writer. She has written for Jay Leno’s The Tonight Show monologues as well as many other people, places, and groups—radio, TV, syndicated...

The Wordrobe Choice that Backfired

Finding the Funny: Leadership Tips From a Comedian

What you wear onstage is important. This is a quick story about what NOT to wear. I got to work with someone who wore an odd outfit and her wordrobe choice backfired on her. Jan McInnis is a top change management keynote speaker and comedian. She uses short funny stories to emphasize her tips on how businesses can use humor to handle change. Jan is a top conference keynote speaker, comedian, Master of Ceremonies, and comedy writer. She has written for Jay Leno’s The Tonight Show monologues as well as many other people, places, and groups—radio, TV, syndicated cartoon strips,...

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Jan McInnis is a top change management keynote speaker, comedian, and funny motivational speaker who helps organizations use humor to handle change, build resilience, and strengthen leadership skills. With her laugh-out-loud stories and practical tips, Jan shows audiences how humor isn’t just entertainment—it’s a business skill that drives communication, connection, and stress relief.

A conference keynote speaker, Master of Ceremonies, and comedy writer, Jan has written material for The Tonight Show with Jay Leno as well as radio, TV, and syndicated cartoon strips. She’s the author of two books—Finding the Funny Fast and Convention Comedian—and her insights on humor in business have been featured in The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, and The Huffington Post. For over 25 years, she has been helping leaders and teams discover how to bounce back from setbacks, embrace change, and connect through comedy.

Jan has delivered keynote speeches at thousands of events nationwide, from the Federal Reserve Banks to the Mayo Clinic, for industries that include healthcare, finance, government, education, women’s leadership events, technology, and safety & disaster management. Her client list features respected organizations such as:

Healthcare: Mayo Clinic, Kaiser Permanente, Abbott Pharmaceuticals, Health Information Management Associations, Assisted Living Associations
Finance: Federal Reserve Banks, Merrill Lynch, Transamerica Insurance, BDO Accounting, American Institute of CPAs, credit unions, banking associations
Government: U.S. Air Force, Social Security Administration, International Institute of Municipal Clerks, National League of Cities, public utilities, correctional associations
Women’s Leadership Events: Toyota Women’s Conference, Go Red for Women, Speaking of Women’s Health, Soroptimists, Women in Insurance & Financial Services
Education: State superintendent associations, community college associations, Head Start associations, National Association of Elementary and Middle School Principals
Safety & Disaster: International Association of Emergency Managers, Disney Emergency Management, Mid-Atlantic Safety Conference, risk management associations

Her background as a Washington, D.C. marketing executive gives her a unique perspective that blends business acumen with stand-up comedy. Jan was also honored with the Greater Washington Society of Association Executives “Excellence in Education” Award.

Along with her podcast Finding the Funny: Leadership Tips from a Comedian, Jan also produces Comedian Stories: Tales From the Road in Under 5 Minutes. Whether she’s headlining a major convention, hosting a leadership retreat, or teaching resilience at a safety conference, Jan’s programs give audiences the tools to laugh, learn, and lead.

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