#164. Rewriting Your Story with Humor: How to Heal and Transform with Merit Kahn

In this heart-opening and hilariously insightful episode of the Pockets of Knowledge podcast, host Desiree Stanley sits down with the multifaceted Merit Kahn, playwright, comedian, keynote speaker, and creator of the one-woman show Optimistic Personality Disorder™. Merit shares the deeply personal and refreshingly funny journey that led her to write and perform a show that unpacks life’s messiest plot twists—divorce, cancer, narcissists, motherhood, and more—with irreverent humor and emotional depth.

Merit and Desiree explore how laughter can be a powerful healing tool, how journaling can unlock new perspectives, and how rewriting our personal narratives (literally and figuratively) can reshape the way we move forward. Merit reflects on the threads that have run through her life and how returning to “who you've always been” can be the most powerful transformation of all.

She also dives into emotional intelligence, the concept of "anchored optimism," and why the simple question “Are you open to…” can be a gateway to possibility and change.

Whether you're navigating change, looking to reframe your past, or just in need of a good laugh and some soulful insight, this episode is a must-listen.

Bio:

Merit Kahn is the playwright, producer, and performer of Optimistic Personality Disorder™, an inspiring, hilarious one-woman show for women navigating life’s messiest plot twists—divorce, cancer, narcissists, motherhood, empty nesting, and everything in between. 

It’s a rollercoaster of real-life stories told through stand-up, storytelling, and a healthy dose of irreverent optimism… because sometimes the only way through it is to laugh at it. But the show is just the opening act.

Merit also leads Rewrite. Reset. Reimagine: The WorkShow Experience™—a transformational 24-hour retreat that blends personal development with powerful performance. It’s part workshop, part comedy show, and 100% devoted to helping you reframe your story and design your next chapter with clarity, courage, and maybe even a few cartwheels.

Offstage, Merit is a professional keynote speaker and Emotional Intelligence expert who’s trained thousands of leaders and sales teams to show up with more humanity, authenticity, and impact. Her favorite audiences are the ones ready to laugh, learn, and let go of who they were supposed to be.

Whether she’s on a stage, in a workshop, or on a podcast, Merit’s message is clear:

You can’t change the past… but you can rewrite your past and rewire your future. It's my greatest joy in life to open people's minds to new possibilities.

As a businessperson, I do that through keynotes, consulting, training & coaching on sales, influence, communication & leadership topics.

As an entertainer, I do that through comedy performances and workshops that help you rewrite your past and re-ignite your future.

Connect with Merit:

Email

Website

Facebook

LinkedIn

YouTube

Books mentioned:

Mindset The New Psychology of Success by Carol Dweck

 Influence by Robert Cialdini

Podcasts mentioned:

 Mom's Unhinged Comedy The Podcast

Life Coaching with Christine Hassler

Here's a short video about the show