Dr. Joel Goodman, founder and Director of The HUMOR Project, is a popular speaker whose programs have tickled and touched the lives of millions in his presentations in all 50 states and countries on all 7 continents (Antarctica, Argentina, Australia, Panama, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, Norway, Sweden, England, Germany, South Africa, North Dakota, and funny places in between). He is one of only two professional speakers in the world to have presented on all 7 continents.

Joel has authored eight jest-selling books (including Laffirmations: 1,001 Ways to Add Humor to Your Life and Work), an international column, and hundreds of articles. He also has edited the LAUGHING MATTERS magazine, generating rave reviews from thousands of people throughout the U.S. and 20 other countries.

Joel has been a pioneer focusing on the positive power of humor and creativity. His work has been featured in over 7000 TV and radio shows, newspapers, and magazines in 175+ countries, including: The TODAY Show, PBS, BBC, Latenight America, All Things Considered, the front page of The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times Sunday Magazine, USA Today, Reader's Digest, Successful Meetings, Journal of the American Medical Association, many AP national features, and what made his kids most proud: The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. Joel's unique calling was also featured on an ABC NEWS prime-time special on The Mystery of Happiness that aired nationally three times. Recently, he experienced 15 seconds of fame when he appeared in the Beetle Bailey comic strip in 2000 newspapers all over the planet.

Described as "the first full-time humor educator in the world," Joel founded The HUMOR Project in 1977 (two years before Norman Cousins' best-selling book was published). Joel was delighted to join Willard Scott and Meadowlark Lemon in receiving the prestigious International Lifetime of Laughter Award. He also has been honored by the Business Review as the Business Person of the Year and was the first recipient of the International Punster of the Year Award (but don't hold that against him).

Joel founded AHA!, the American Humor Association, which includes over 165,000 humor conspirators. He believes that it is important for business to "do well and do good" at the same time: The HUMOR Project has provided grants to 475+ schools, hospitals, and human service agencies to help them develop services and resources that tap the positive power of humor.

Joel takes his work very seriously, and he takes himself very lightly as he helps people to get more smileage out of their lives and jobs. His own most important mentors when it comes to humor are his 30-year-old son, Adam, his 26-year-old daughter, Alyssa, and his young-at-heart wife, Margie.