Thursday, May 1 - Humor Academy Day
8:00 - 8:30 a
All Academy Welcome
8:30 - 11:30 a
Humor Academy Instruction
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HA Level 1 Instruction w/Mary Kay Morrison CHP
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HA Level 2 Instruction w/Michael Cundall CHP
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HA Level 3 Instruction w/Karyn Buxman CHP
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CHP Professional Growth w/Mary Laskin CHP
11:30 a - 12:30 p
Humor Academy Peace Luncheon
12:30 - 1:00 p
BREAK
All Conference Attendees Invited to Attend the HA Program
1:00 - 2:45 p
Humor Academy Project Presentations
3:00 - 4:00 p
HA KEYNOTE: How Becoming a Certified Humor Professional Enriched My Life w/Brenda Elsagher CHP
4:30 - 6:00 p
Humor Academy Graduation
6:00 - 7:30 p
AATH Welcome Reception
7:30 - 9:00 p
Talent Show
Friday, May 2 - Conference Day 1
8:00 - 8:30 a
Welcome to the 2025 AATH Conference — where we’re going Back to the Humor!
8:30 - 9:30 a
KEYNOTE: Mind Over Mirth: Exploring Cognitive Behavioral Theory and the Power of Humor w/Robin Johnson CHP
9:30 - 9:45 a
BREAK
9:45 - 10:45 a
Breakout Sessions - Choose One
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1-2-3 A-B-C See How Fun AATH Can Be w/Merry Mentors
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Finding the Funny In Life's Mishaps w/Gina Ramsey
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Leading with Laughter: How Humor Built, Saved, and Sustains AATH w/Roberta Gold, Ed Dunkelblau, Karyn Buxman, & Allen Klein
10:45 - 11:00 a
BREAK
11:00 a - 12:00 p
Breakout Sessions - Choose One
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Impotence, Incontinence and Insolence: Fun and Facts About Coping with Prostate Cancer with Hope and Humor w/Dr. Brad Miller
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Can Humor Help Make a Town Happier? w/Kate McGlynn
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Laughing Our Way Towards Peace: Envisioning a Peaceful Future through Laughter, Humor, and Play w/Peace Fellows Team
12:00 - 12:30 p
Humor Academy Poster Walk
12:30 - 1:30 p
LUNCH
1:30 - 2:45 p
Research Showcase
3:00 - 4:00 p
Breakout Sessions - Choose One
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How to Use Humor Safely and Effectively w/Patrick Harris
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The Spectrum of Improv: How Improv Supports Neurodiversity w/Mallori DeSalle & Tamara Hamilton
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Seeing Demise Thru Humorous Eyes w/Allen Klein
4:00 - 4:15 p
BREAK
4:15 - 5:15 p
KEYNOTE: Ed Talks: Telling the Emperor He Has No Clothes Without Losing Your Head: The Role of Irreverence in Therapeutic Humor w/Ed Dunkelblau, Olga Karasik, Dr. Michael Cundall, Jr., and Ron Berk
5:15 - 7:00 p
BREAK - Dinner on Your Own
7:00 - 9:00 p
Timeless Memories: Celebrating AATH's Legacy - Honoring the Humor Academy's 15th Anniversary and 3 Decades of Laughter
9:00 p
AATH Lifetime Member Dessert Reception - Invitation Only
Saturday, May 3 - Conference Day 2
8:00 - 8:30 a
Grins & Gratitude: Honoring Our Scholarship & Fellowship Recipients and Sponsors
8:30 - 9:30 a
KEYNOTE: NeuroSpicy: Love, Life, & Comedy on the Spectrum w/Dr. Sam Shay, DC, IFMCP
9:45 - 10:45 a
Breakout Sessions - Choose One
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Enhancing Healthcare for Neurodiverse Patients: Practical Strategies for Inclusive Care w/Dr. Sam Shay, DC, IFMCP
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The Use of Dark Humor for Wellness in Law Enforcement and Other Difficult Work w/Dr. Melissa Mork
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"Happy Lucky Me" How to make serious Japanese more playful w/Masako Kusakari
11:00 a - 12:00 p
BREAK
11:00 a - 12:00 p
Breakout Sessions - Choose One
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Indigenous Humor Meets Modern Technology: The power of YouTube for promoting peace through humor w/Dana Kristiawan and Stephanie Knox Steiner, PhD
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Laugh Therapy w/Matthew Sharpe
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Back to Humor Through Generations Alpha, X, Y, Z, and Beyond w/Debbie Derflinger & Patti O'Rourke
12:00 - 1:15 p
LUNCH & AATH BOARD ELECTIONS
1:15- 1:30 p
Say Cheese! AATH Group Picture
1:30 - 2:30 p
KEYNOTE: Living Fearlessly Daily: 15 Steps To Manifesting A Fearless Approach To Leadership And Life w/Saranne Rothberg, MS
2:30 - 2:45 p
BREAK
2:45 - 3:45 p
Breakout Sessions - Choose One
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Strengthening Your Resiliency: Making the Most of Life's Challenges through Improv w/Mary Jo Neil
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Using Humor to Enhance Your Leadership Skills w/David Jacobson
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Wait a minute, Doc, Are Emotional Intelligence and Humor Linked? w/Tabatha Mauldin
3:45 - 4:00 p
BREAK
4:00 - 5:00 p
Breakout Sessions - Choose One
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From Uncomfortable to FUNcomfortable w/Bea Bincze
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So You Want to Start a Podcast? w/Saranne Rothberg, MS
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Intelligent Positivity w/David Lipton
5:00 - 6:30 p
BREAK
6:30 - 11:00 p
AATH Reception & Awards Banquet — Celebration, Remembrance, & Sock Hop
Sunday, May 4 - Conference Day 3 - World Laughter Day
8:30 - 9:00 a
Smiles Before Goodbyes
9:00 - 10:00 a
KEYNOTE: What's So Funny About Aging? w/Mary Kay Morrison CHP
10:15 - 12:00 p
Don't Leave Laughter to Chance - Apply It! Plus, World Laughter Day Celebration! w/Cathy Grippi, CHP, CLYT
ALL ARE INVITED to a joyful, uplifting, and FREE public event as part of the AATH Conference. This Laughter Yoga session is open to everyone—no yoga mats, no experience, just the healing power of shared laughter! You’ll join a global movement of people laughing together for peace, connection, and wellness.
12:00 p
Until We Laugh Again...