Happy Funny Amazing Podcast

03/12/2023

You know what's a fun, feel good thing to do on a rainy Sunday?? Buy tickets to a fundraiser for Daily Bread Food Bank! Who might be hosting said party with a show and drinks and merriment and friends - ALL for a good cause? I am! It's a week away (Monday Dec. 11th) and I'm going to post about it a LOT this week so buckle up! :) Lot's of hungry people out there this holiday season.

If you can't come - please consider sharing to your friends. Direct ticket link in the comments.

29/11/2023

Team building.

We use this term a lot. And when I ask leaders what specifically they want 'built' within their teams, it's usually some combination of these things:

Trust, Better Communication, Enhanced Collaboration, A Sense of Shared Purpose, A Supportive Team Culture, Positive Relationships.

If you consider your personal 'team' of friendships and relationships— how did you cultivate it? Why do you extend empathy, trust, open communication, and even forgiveness to those you've chosen to surround yourself with?

Usually, it's because you know them. Along the way, you've heard their stories, gaining insights into who they are, finding unique human connections that make them relatable. Relatable to you.

The intersection of storytelling and team building is profound, and storytelling remains one of the quickest ways to human connection - personally and in business.

Ultimately, effective team building, real team building, contributes to a more cohesive and motivated team, which can lead to increased productivity, creativity, and job satisfaction.

And it starts with a story.

As an added bonus, team building storytelling workshops focus even more on the FUN of storytelling - and can be a great way to close out your year before a holiday break.

To find out more about the team building storytelling workshops I offer at Happy Funny Amazing - DM me here or follow the link in the comments.

07/07/2023

Excited and honoured to be bringing Happy Funny Amazing LIVE to The Foster Festival as part of a fundraiser to support their Local Hero Program!

The Local Hero program is about lifting people's spirits and providing access to the arts for members in our community who may not be able to attend otherwise.

Join Happy Funny Amazing Live with Special Guests Norm Foster, Jenny's House of Joy director Lisa Horner, cast member Zoë O'Connor and Foster Festival Artistic Director Emily Oriold!
Join us on Tuesday, August 15 at 2pm on the set of Jenny's House of Joy at the Mandeville Theatre!

For more information and to get your tickets, visit:
https://thenormfostertheatrefestival.thundertix.com/...

SEE NORM FOSTER IN PERSON AT THE FOSTER FESTIVAL THIS AUGUST!

The Foster Festival presents Happy Funny Amazing LIVE! with special guests Norm Foster, Emily Oriold, Lisa Horner & Zoë O'Connor.

Join us on Tuesday, August 15 at 2pm on the set of Jenny's House of Joy at the Mandeville Theatre for this exciting new event in support of our Local Hero Program! Featuring host Joanne O'Sullivan from the Happy Funny Amazing Podcast.

Listen as Foster Festival special guests tell their happiest, funniest, and most amazing true stories! It's a roller coaster of crazy experiences, lucky opportunities, and hysterical surprises, aimed at connecting us all through the age-old tradition of storytelling.

For more information and to get your tickets, visit:
https://thenormfostertheatrefestival.thundertix.com/events/214884

27/06/2023

What a treat this episode with was! In a bit of a departure for Happy Funny Amazing, after his story, I decided to him - jumping at the opportunity to learn more about one of our most beloved and prolific playwrights. We covered a wide array of topics: From his beginnings as an actor, his writing style, his favourite and not so favourite of his plays, things that would surprise you about Norm Foster, and advice for new playwrights. You've probably seen at least one of his plays - and if you're a Canadian actor I can almost guarantee you've played one of the characters he's created. Enjoy this episode - it's a fun one. Especially if you need to be inspired to start writing something!

Want to come on Happy Funny Amazing? I'm now doing storytelling workshops where you can have your story featured on the podcast! Link to more info in the comments!

When a story grows into a full-blown interview, Norm and I cover a wide range of topics including his early days as a playwright, his sources of inspiration, surprising things you never knew about Norm Foster, and advice for new playwrights. We uncover some amazing and funny stories as we journey th...

21/06/2023

Want to tell a story on the Happy Funny Amazing Podcast?

Hello Friends! I'm trying something new for a few episodes. It's my attempt to try and make storytelling more accessible and to help more people learn the power (and fun) of sharing their stories. The idea came to me after someone recently told me they have no stories to tell - a sentiment that I've heard a lot in my 20 years as a storyteller, and it always makes me sad. We all have stories to tell! We just have to find them. It's a bit of an experiment called the Storytelling Express. Details are below.

Want to learn how to tell a story? Want to be on a podcast?

Introducing "The Storytelling Express” Limited Series.

Have you ever felt like you have no stories to tell?

Storytelling is a powerful and meaningful way for us to connect with one another, and in today's world, stories are more important than ever. However, it can be intimidating to share our personal narratives, causing us to lose touch with our own stories.

The Storytelling Express is an online, 2-hour, fun, and affordable foundational storytelling workshop, combined with an opportunity to be featured on my podcast, Happy Funny Amazing.

To ensure an intimate and focused environment, each workshop is limited to a maximum of 5 participants.

Over the first hour, you'll learn valuable techniques to uncover stories hidden within your life experiences. Followed by a foundational storytelling skills workshop, empowering you to craft compelling, relatable, and engaging narratives.
In the second hour, participants will share their stories, recorded live. Those who want to will then have their stories featured on the Happy Funny Amazing podcast as part of the Storytelling Express Series!

From workshop participant to a podcast guest in just two hours!
C'mon, you can do it!

This workshop is perfect for you if you want to:
- Meet some new people and have some fun!
- Kickstart your solo show
- Craft a foundational story for your business
- Tell a great story at your next party
- Improve your leadership skills through storytelling
- Share a part of your personal history with your children
- Remind yourself how awesome you are

Workshop Dates:
June 27th: 6-8 pm
July 5th: 1-3 pm
July 5th: 7-9 pm

Cost: $45 (Ask about my sliding scale!)

Don't miss out on this opportunity to discover, shape, and share your stories. Reserve your spot now and join The Storytelling Express!

DM me here with the date you want or contact me at the link below for more information!

Joanne O'Sullivan Coach Workshops Business Storytelling

01/06/2023

In celebration of Stratford Festival opening week this week, why not listen to the three episodes of live that we recorded live in front of an audience as part of the Meighen Forum last year! Each episode features Happy Funny and Amazing stories told by artists from the 2022 season. 🙂 Links are in the comments!

15/05/2023

Thank you so much for following along on the Happy Funny Amazing page! I have a few announcements on how Happy Funny Amazing is growing.

Firstly, building on our success at the Stratford Festival, I'll be doing more Happy Funny Amazing Live tapings.

Also, I've begun running corporate storytelling workshops under the Happy Funny Amazing banner.

And recently - I launched the Happy Funny Amazing website - which puts all of these offerings in one place.

So, if you would like to book Happy Funny Amazing Live for your event, show launch, or party - or bring me into your business to teach the benefits of Storytelling in Business, all the details are below!

Best of all, after each live show or workshop - your event/company will receive its very own episode of the Happy Funny Amazing podcast, to be shared with friends, clients, and business partners.

On the webpage, you'll also find links to the podcast and all of your favourite episodes. And for those who have been listening, supporting, and sharing, Thank you so much!

I have been telling stories, or helping others tell their stories in one way or another for my entire career, and this has been a real labour of love.

If you've been to one of my shows, workshops or are a listener - please consider sharing my page or recommending my services!

Joanne O'Sullivan Workshops Storytelling Coaching Podcast

22/03/2023

The always beautiful Judy Holm from Markham Street Films during her time as a model in the 80s. If you want to hear her story about the craziest fashion show she ever did - tune into the most recent episode of Happy Funny Amazing Podcast! Where you’ll also hear an amazing story from and writer Paul Mather about the strength of the human spirit and our need for connection.
Link in the comments.

02/02/2023

New Episode alert! This was a fun one, so full of surprises. 🙂
Founders of the Creativity Guild, Steve Pratt and Geoff Siskind tell uncannily parallel stories of confronting their own mortality - and surviving to tell the tale. Plus a crazy reveal, unlike anything we've heard on Happy Funny Amazing before.

Founders of the Creativity Guild, Steve Pratt and Geoff Siskind tell uncannily parallel stories of confronting their own mortality - and surviving to tell the tale. Plus a crazy reveal, unlike anything we've heard on Happy Funny Amazing before. The Creativity Guild: https://thecreativityguild.substa...

30/11/2022

Happy Funny Amazing goes LIVE! Episode 3 is now up! 2022 Stratford Festival company members Pulga Cesar Muchochoma, Ijeoma Emesowum, and Ron Kennell tell extraordinary stories of personal journeys - whether leaving home and country, a life-changing hike, or an emotional tour to Iran - all are stories of lives forever changed. Stick around to the end of the episode for a few bonus stories and a lot of laughter! Taped live on stage in Lazaridis Hall in the new Tom Patterson Theatre. Link in the comments!

20/10/2022

The 2nd episode of Happy Funny Amazing LIVE is up! 2022 Stratford Festival company members Beau Dixon, Lisa Nasson and Sepehr Reybod, tell happy, funny, amazing, and emotional stories of break-ins, breakthroughs and going on with only a day's notice - all Iive on stage in Lazaritis hall in the new Tom Patterson Theatre. Stratford Festival Link in the comments!

16/09/2022

Friday September the 16th is your final chance to catch Happy Funny Amazing LIVE at the Stratford Festival as part of the with my amazing lineup of storytellers Pulga Muchochoma, Ijeoma Emesowum and Ron Kennell!

Link to Tickets in the comments!

I celebrate my final Stratford show with tonight's launch of the FIRST Happy Funny Amazing Live podcast - recorded on July 16th, featuring the wonderful Jani Lauzon, Andre Sills and Jason Sermonia! Enjoy!

Happy Funny Amazing goes LIVE! 2022 Stratford Festival company members Jani Lauzon, André Sills and Jason Sermonia, tell happy, funny and amazing stories of surprise concerts, close to showtime labour pains and a life entwined with the musical Chicago - Iive on stage in Lazaritis hall in the new To...

05/08/2022

The second ‘Happy Funny Amazing Live’ is TONIGHT, Aug. 5th at 8pm in Lazaridis Hall as part of Stratford Festival's . This time featuring happy funny and amazing stories from the wonderful Beau Dixon, Sepehr Reybod and Lisa Nasson! Link to tix in the comments!

19/07/2022

Three more days until the Happy Funny Amazing Podcast lands LIVE at the Stratford Festival as part of the in Lazaridis Hall in the beautiful new Tom Patterson Theatre!

Join me with Storytellers Jani Lauzon, Andre Sills and Jason Sermonia from the 2022 Stratford Company for their Happy, Funny And Amazing Stories!

Guests from the Stratford Festival’s 2022 season are brought together to tell storyteller and comedian Joanne O’Sullivan their happiest, funniest, and most amazing true stories.

12/07/2022

There was a year of secret planning behind this beautiful kiss between and . To hear the whole happy, funny and amazing story tune into episode 18 of ! Link to the episode in the comments.
Photo credit: Molly Moldovan

12/05/2022

You’ll have to listen to the amazing story from on episode 17 of Happy Funny Amazing to find out the unbelievable, unexpected and beautiful way these two amazing artists and people, and PJ Prudat, are connected. Link in the comments.

17/03/2022

In honour of St. Patrick's Day an amazing story from my dad, Barry O'Sullivan. ☘️ ❤️

https://happy-funny-amazing.simplecast.com/episodes/a-story-from-barry-osullivan

In honour of St. Patricks Day an amazing story from my Dad, Barry O'Sullivan. Plus, an exciting announcement about Happy Funny Amazing!

03/02/2022

Amazing news! This summer, 3 episodes of Happy Funny Amazing are going to be taped LIVE in front of a studio audience at the Stratford Festival as part of the 2022 Meighen Forum!

Mark your calendars for July 22nd, August 5th and September 16th to join me ! Keep your eyes on this space to find out more about how to get tickets!

Stratford Festival

https://www.stratfordfestival.ca/WhatsOn/NextSeason

What's On | Discover Our 2022 Season

01/02/2022

To hear the amazing and funny story of how a well-orchestrated plan led to the wonderful Allana Harkin, from Full Frontal with Samantha Bee, to be on the Oprah Winfrey show to meet her idol - you’ll have to listen to episode 15 of the podcast. Link in the comments.

25/12/2021

Oscar-Nominated and Order of Canada recipient actor Graham Greene, joins us on the podcast with a funny and amazing story that just might make you thankful you canceled your holiday travel plans. Happy Holidays!
https://happy-funny-amazing.simplecast.com/episodes/stories-from-graham-greene

24/12/2021

Happy Holidays from Happy Funny Amazing! To find out what iconic and beloved Canadian Actor Graham Greene and I are laughing about, you'll have to listen to episode 14! Hint: it just might make you feel better about having to stay home this holiday season! Stay safe everyone :) Link in the comments!

23/07/2021

To find out who this man is posing with Michael Landsberg and how a lucky returned email changed both their lives forever in the most wonderful way, you’ll have to listen to episode 13 of ! SickNotWeak TSN

Link in the comments!

23/07/2021

Find out how a chance encounter at The Cameron House led to award-winning comedy writer Diana Frances having this epic reunion with this lovely man in episode 13 of ! And there’s a special shout-out to you Jim Cuddy! Link in the comments.

25/06/2021

You’ll have to listen to episode 12 of to find out who is peeking out from behind this collage (spoiler it’s Baroness Jenn Whalen) and learn how it changed her life. Well, when combined with hard work and a lotta love ❤️ Link in the comments.

07/05/2021

there is a pretty great, and story behind the lovely Christy Bruce ending up in this costume. Tune in to episode 11 of the podcast to hear it! Link in the comments.

07/05/2021

This lovely woman is Scott Wentworth’s amazing mother on her 99th birthday. To hear the story of how she once accidentally became part of a performance at Stratford Festival with Scott - tune into episode 11 of the podcast. Link in the comments.

27/04/2021

Here the story of where Astrid Van Wieren from's life intersects with this Mime. And how he taught her a very funny lesson in letting go. In episode 10 of the Happy Funny Amazing Podcast.


Come From Away

https://happy-funny-amazing.simplecast.com/episodes/stories-from-astrid-van-wieren-and-eliza-jane-scott

27/04/2021

The amazing Eliza Jane Scott from Come From Away Toronto tells an epic story of a horse, a dandelion child and what you can achieve if you believe in yourself (while holding on for dear life)

Hear the funny amazing details in episode 10 of .

https://happy-funny-amazing.simplecast.com/episodes/stories-from-astrid-van-wieren-and-eliza-jane-scott

20/04/2021

To find out what happened during Colin Mochrie and Deb McGrath's most hysterical dinner ever - tune in to episode one of !


https://happy-funny-amazing.simplecast.com/episodes/stories-from-colin-mochrie-deb-mcgrath-and-michael-moses

18/04/2021

Documentarian Michael Allcock as a young boy with his lovely mom. Hear the story about how she visited him from the great beyond in the most unexpected way on episode 9 of Happy Funny Amazing. Link in comments.