Karyn Buxman-Godek

Biography

In the tradition of Mark Twain and Bill Cosby, Karyn Buxman is among a handful of great American humorists who deliver insights cleverly disguised as humor.

These insights are critical for those who want to not just survive but thrive in spite of their own (not to mention everyone else`s) annoying habit of being oh-so-human. Authentic, genuine, real-world wit and wisdom-drawn from Karyn`s many years as a nurse, and augmented by the ground-breaking research she`s conducted in the field of therapeutic humor-has been honed to a razor-sharp edge through the renowned renegade publication, "The Journal of Nursing Jocularity."

A force of nature on stage, Karyn addresses healthcare and corporate audiences worldwide-from the Mayo Clinic and 238 nursing organizations, to NASA and the Million Dollar Roundtable. She is a 20-year platform professional who is one of only 30 women in the world inducted into the 186-member Speaker Hall of Fame.

Arguably the funniest nurse on the planet, Karyn is that rare intersection of expert and performer-a bona fide content expert and masterful speaker-who provides clients practical take-aways presented as professional-level entertainment.

Publications

Amazed and Amused:
How to Survive and Thrive as A Healthcare Professional

Success is not measured only in dollars and cents, but also in the moments that you live amazed and amused. Balance is achieved not by see-sawing between opposites, but by accepting your place in the scheme of things, and by seeing it all as amazing and/or amusing. Surviving without thriving is not good enough, and we can only do our best when we self-create an attitude of amazement, and a perspective that encourages amusement.

Bestselling author, RN, and observer of the human condition Karyn Buxman combines whimsical anecdotes, jokes, quotes, factoids and poetry to take you on a journey of humor and hope.

Titles

CORPORATE
Amazed & Amused: Strategies of the Sane & Successful
[Inspiration/Entertainment:Keynote]
Success is not measured only in dollars and cents, but also in the moments that you live amazed and amused. Customers are not really "yours" until they have been amazed and/or amused by your products, your services, or your people. Leadership finds its inspiration not in duty, but in grasping the amazing power of one`s vision and will, and in motivating the amusing diversity of many people`s personalities and skills. Bestselling author, business consultant, and observer of the human condition Karyn Buxman will take you on a life-changing journey of humor and hope.

You Can`t Afford Not to Laugh: Humor as a Serious Business Strategy
[General Business/Entertainment: Keynote]
Do you think that humor and business don`t go together? Think again! There`s a good reason why American Express paid Jerry Seinfeld millions of dollars to star in their ads. They know that "While logic tells, emotion sells" -- and that humor is the quickest route to the emotions. In this keynote you will learn: How humor functions as a leadership tool, a sales aid, and a customer service strategy; how humor goes to the bottom line; the neuroscience behind how and why humor bypasses people`s logic circuits, and influences their buying decisions through emotion; and specific strategies for utilizing humor in your business -- and your life.

I`m The Leader -- Which Way Did They Go?
[Leadership: Keynote or Breakout]
Successful people -- in business, politics and life in general -- have something in common: they understand that humor is an important trait for effective leaders. Ronald Reagan was a master at using humor on the world stage; the characters in M*A*S*H used humor to retain their sanity amid horrendous conditions; and your audience can learn how to use humor effectively in their daily work lives. Properly used, humor is a dynamic communication strategy that strengthens relationships, builds rapport, and enhances effectiveness. Karyn uses (hysterical) personal anecdotes, (solid) medical research, and (practical) tips to help your audience enhance their humor skills in the service of better leadership.

I`ve Got One Nerve Left - and You`re Standing on It
[Stress Management/Keynote or Breakout]
Expanding responsibilities, shrinking budgets, cranky coworkers, family demands, too much to do and not enough time to do it! Is it any wonder that we`re all a little edgy? Discover how to survive and thrive in a world of change. Find out how taking care of yourself can affect everyone`s bottom line. Learn how to get through the toughest of days and still remain smiling. Discover how to survive and thrive in a world of change.

I Know You Think You Understood What You Thought I Said
[Communication/Breakout]
Whether it`s one-on-one, in a classroom setting, or an important meeting, humor can give you a serious advantage. Want to convey information? Do you need to deal with an unpleasant situation? Do your circumstances call for negotiation? Join Karyn Buxman for the opportunity to laugh and to learn how to ramp up the effectiveness of your communication and reap the rewards.

HEALTHCARE
Amazed & Amused: How to Survive & Thrive as a Healthcare Professional
[Healthcare Inspiration/Entertainment: Keynote]
Success is not measured only in dollars and cents, but also in the moments that you live amazed and amused. Balance is achieved not by see-sawing between opposites, but by accepting your place in the scheme of things, and by seeing it all as amazing and/or amusing. Surviving without thriving is not good enough, and we can only do our best when we self-create an attitude of amazement, and a perspective that encourages amusement. Bestselling author, RN, and observer of the human condition Karyn Buxman will take you on a life-changing journey of humor and hope.

This Won`t Hurt a Bit-And Other Fractured Truths in Healthcare
[Healthcare Entertainment: Keynote]
Sicker patients, irritable docs, cranky coworkers, days that are long on hours and short on resources. It`s obvious that the state of health care today is no joke -- but it just may be a laughing matter, if we understand that humor is frequently generated by painful circumstances. Karyn understands that those who can`t learn to laugh in the midst of this highly stressful profession usually leave it. In a hysterically entertaining keynote, Karyn connects with fellow healthcare workers to help them get through the toughest of days and still remain smiling. A great opening or closing keynote.

I`m The Leader -- Which Way Did They Go?
[Healthcare Leadership: Keynote or Breakout]
Successful people -- in business, politics and life in general -- have something in common: they understand that humor is an important trait for effective leaders. Ronald Reagan was a master at using humor on the world stage; the characters in M*A*S*H used humor to retain their sanity amid horrendous conditions; and your audience can learn how to use humor effectively in their daily work lives. Properly used, humor is a dynamic communication strategy that strengthens relationships, builds rapport, and enhances effectiveness. Karyn uses (hysterical) personal anecdotes, (solid) medical research, and (practical) tips to help your audience enhance their humor skills in the service of better leadership.

I`ve Got One Nerve Left - and You`re Standing on It
[Healthcare: Stress Management/Life Balance: Keynote or Breakout]
Expanding responsibilities, shrinking budgets, cranky coworkers, family demands, too much to do and not enough time to do it! Is it any wonder that we`re all a little edgy? Find out how taking care of yourself can affect your sanity, your success and everyone`s bottom line. Learn how to get through the toughest of days and still remain smiling. Discover how to survive and thrive in a world of change.

I Know You Think You Understood What You Thought I Said
[Communication/Breakout]
Whether it`s one-on-one, in a classroom setting, or an important meeting, humor can give you a serious advantage. Want to convey information? Do you need to deal with an unpleasant situation? Do your circumstances call for negotiation? Join Karyn Buxman for the opportunity to laugh and to learn how to ramp up the effectiveness of your communication and reap the rewards.

It`s Always Something
[Survivors and Support Groups: Keynote or Breakout]
"You`ve got cancer." Three words that strike fear in people`s hearts and conjure up concerns of chemo, radiation, surgery, pain, nausea, stress, anxiety and fatigue -- not to mention hair loss. And as (comedienne and cancer patient) Gilda Radner would say, "It`s always something." Cancer survivors and their care givers need lots of tools in their arsenal to fight cancer -- and humor is a surprisingly powerful tool. Speaker, humor researcher, nurse and cancer-survivor`s-Mom Karyn Buxman will teach you how to twist your perceptions, play with your pain, and experience the gifts of humor and laughter.

The Service Prescription: Healthcare the Way It Was Meant to Be
[Customer Service/Relationships: Breakout]
Patients are what it`s all about. Without them -- game over, everyone go home. Discover how to enhance patients` relationships and satisfaction, as well as a cost-effective means of driving more money to your bottom line -- through attitude and humor! Laugh and learn as Karyn Buxman reveals how the power of perspective can be translated into dollars-and-cents for your office/hospital`s success.

ON WOMEN`S ISSUES...
Amazed & Amused: How to Survive & Thrive as a Woman Today
[Inspiration/Entertainment: Keynote]
Happiness is not "getting what you want," it is being amazed when you do happen to get what you want, and amused when you get something else. Relationships are not based on compatibility, but on the ability to be continually amazed at your partner`s positive traits, and amused by his or her shortcomings. Life is the culmination not of years, but of experiences and memories that leave you amazed and amused that you got to enjoy this thing at all. Bestselling author and observer of the human condition, Karyn Buxman, will take you on a life-changing journey of humor and hope.

Laughing Your Way to More Money, Better Sex, & Thinner Thighs
[Motivational Entertainment: Business, Relationships, Health: Keynote]
In this hysterical presentation Karyn ties together business, relationships and health. Business experts agree that humor is vital to a company`s bottom line in areas such as customer service, marketing and sales. Relationship experts agree that one of the most highly sought traits, for those seeking long-term relationships, is a sense of humor.

Medical experts have long known that having a sense of humor is an integral part of a healthy lifestyle. This presentation is appropriate for any general session slot.

I`ve Got One Nerve Left - and You`re Standing on It
[Stress Management: Keynote or Breakout]
Expanding responsibilities, shrinking budgets, cranky coworkers, family demands, too much to do and not enough time to do it! Is it any wonder that we`re all a little edgy? Find out how taking care of yourself can affect your sanity, your success and everyone`s bottom line! Learn how to get through the toughest of days and still remain smiling. Discover how to survive and thrive in a world of change.