Humour is a superpower. Here are your witnesses.

Here's a curated collection of video clips from some of the most interesting voices in comedy, marketing, business and creative thinking.

Together, they show how humour can work at work. Why it matters. What it unlocks when used well.

• Rory Sutherland and Chris Williamson Ogilvy legend meets podcast titan. Both champion playful thinking in serious business.

• Kara Swisher and Judd Apatow On the intersection of artificial intelligence, having a voice and being funny.

• Steven Bartlett and Charlie Houpert Exploring charisma, likability and the power of humour to connect.

• Dr Peter McGraw and AJ Jacobs Making the business case for comedy. What makes us laugh, and why it helps us go further with clients and in life.

• Jennifer Aaker and Naomi Bagdonas Academic researchers who teach how humour builds trust, unlocks ideas and gets results.

• Rob Mayhew Reflecting on what, and who, has helped sharpen his comedy instincts and talent.

• Rick Rubin and Malcolm Gladwell Brilliant minds discussing the crafting of story, information deliver and the pursuit of fresh ideas.

• Bill Maher and Billy Corgan Stand-up and rock star on the future of the show and the business, AI, and its current limitations.

• Steve Coogan and Ronny Chieng Two top comics on how laughter breaks barriers, builds resilience and helps us through hard times.

• Rory Sutherland and Chris Williamson (again) Back for a deeper dive. Then one final short from Mr Sutherland, solo. After all, when it comes to the weird logic of human behaviour, Rory is in a class of his own.
  
  I’ve always said it.
  You can enjoyably build a team that thinks more playfully. 
  You can lead with wit as well as wisdom.
  You can create space for the kind of left-field ideas that help you stand out and win the pitch.
  
  It’s just bloody brilliant to find myself in such good company. Enjoy!

Our first clip is of the delightfully savvy Rory Sutherland talking to Chris Williamson on his hit podcast, Modern Wisdom.
(Duration: 1 minute and 25 seconds)

Next up, Kara Swisher talks with comedy writer and director Judd Apatow (The 40-Year-Old Virgin, Knocked Up, Funny People) about comedy, creativity and the role of artificial intelligence.
(Duration: 1 minute and 20 seconds)

Steven Bartlett hosts Charlie Houpert on The Diary of a CEO, and asks how humour helps us connect with people and lead with more impact.
(Duration: 4 minutes and 55 seconds)

After exploring charisma in the previous clip, this one shows us what it looks like when charisma is AWOL. Adam Grant, interviewing for Wharton Business School, poses questions to Dr Peter McGraw, a professor of marketing and psychology known for his books linking comedy skills to success in business and life.

Along for the ride is AJ Jacobs, the brilliantly oddball immersive journalist and author of The Year of Living Biblically.
(Duration: 5 minutes and 39 seconds)

Bringing charisma back to the clips, academic researchers Jennifer Aaker and Naomi Bagdonas share a legion of work culture, leadership and business benefits that come from inviting, or sharing, laughter.

As co-authors of the magnificent Humour Seriously, these ladies provide many practical tips and far-ranging insights. They quite literally wrote the book on this subject.
(Duration: 7 minutes and 33 seconds)

This next clip features endorsing words from my old friend Rob Mayhew, a former student and regular on my comedy stages back in his London days. Rob is now renowned for his sharp, funny videos that capture the highs and lows of agency life. In 2024, he was named The Marketing Index’s Most Influential Person in Marketing.
(Duration: A succinct 47 seconds)

Some might argue that this next clip features two titans in their fields. Writer Malcolm Gladwell and record producer Rick Rubin explore the creative process and reflect on the role of humour in shaping ideas. Gladwell is the bestselling author of Outliers and The Tipping Point.

Rubin, himself a walking inspiration, co-founded Def Jam Records and wrote The Creative Act: A Way of Being. His production partners are wildly successful and impressively diverse, including The Beastie Boys, Ed Sheeran, Metallica, Johnny Cash, Rage Against the Machine and Lady Gaga.
(Duration: 4 minutes and 24 seconds)

Stand-up comedian and talk show host Bill Maher gets into it with his guest, Billy Corgan of The Smashing Pumpkins. Together, they explore the rise of artificial intelligence and its influence on both the show and the business.
(Duration: 1 minute and 20 seconds)

Steve Coogan is best known for his iconic character, Alan Partridge. (If you haven’t already, it’s worth checking out his earlier creations Paul and Pauline Calf.) Coogan is an extraordinary talent, and arguably a national treasure. He has been nominated for a Screenwriting Academy Award and a BAFTA, played the director in Tropic Thunder, and appeared in Joker: Folie à Deux. Which just goes to prove, even geniuses can’t win them all.

In this clip, Coogan joins The Daily Show to talk about the smoothing, and often soothing, power of comedy.
(Duration: 1 minute and 27 seconds)

Having collected and curated sharp insights on how humour enhances creativity, connection and leadership, the final words quite rightly go to Rory Sutherland. In this longer clip from Modern Wisdom, Chris Williamson also shares helpful thoughts on using humour in public speaking, together, they explore the deeper link between comedy skills and effectiveness.
(Duration: 8 minutes and 21 seconds)

Then, one last short video.

And now, for your final, final, clip. The wonderful Mr Sutherland shares a brilliant example of how smart use of humour turned the tables in a high-stakes setting. Enjoy!
(Duration: 1 minutes and 7 seconds)

Want to know how insights like these could help your team connect more, communicate better and help your business stand out?

Schedule a free discovery call and let's explore how levity, story and presence can sharpen your team's edge.

Further blogs from Alfie Noakes that may intrigue you...

* Elevate Your Public Speaking Skills With Humour

* Tips For Writing Funny

* How Stand-Up Skills Boost Workplace Performance