What if humor wasn’t a distraction at work—but one of your most powerful leadership tools?
In this week’s episode of the Build a Vibrant Culture Podcast, Nicole Greer sits down with Hall of Fame speaker, author, and neurohumorist Karyn Buxman to explore how humor can be used intentionally—not for entertainment, but as a strategic leadership tool.
Karyn shares the science behind humor and the brain, why levity improves engagement and resilience, and how leaders can use applied humor to build trust, reduce stress, improve creativity, and retain great people. From psychological safety to employee engagement, this conversation reframes humor as a serious advantage in today’s workplace.
If you want a culture where people feel connected, energized, and eager to stay, this episode will change how you think about leadership.
Vibrant Highlights:
[00:03:43] What “applied humor” really means—and why leaders need it in their toolbox
[00:10:19] How humor calms the brain and restores problem-solving capacity
[00:15:14] The three purposes of humor: entertainment, influence, and wellbeing
[00:22:21] Why laughter builds trust faster than almost anything else
[00:40:47] How humor directly impacts employee engagement and retention
Connect with Karyn:
Karyn’s Book Lead with Levity https://a.co/d/5TjHYMT
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karynbuxman/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@KarynBuxman
FB: https://www.facebook.com/karyn.buxman
IG: https://www.instagram.com/karyn_buxman/
X: https://x.com/karynbuxman
**Free Assessment + Free Debrief**($500 value!): Have you lost your laugh? What’s holding you back? Discover how your unconscious thinking may be stealing your success—and your joy. https://www.habitfinder.com/karyn
Also mentioned in this episode:
Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs https://www.cnn.com/world/maslows-hierarchy-of-needs-explained-wellness-cec
Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl https://a.co/d/ashMmal
Listen at vibrantculture.com/podcast or wherever you get your podcasts!
Book Nicole to help your organization ignite clarity, accountability, and energy through her SHINE™ Coaching Methodology.
Visit vibrantculture.com
Email: [email protected]
Watch Nicole’s TEDx Talk: https://youtu.be/SMbxA90bfXE
