Humor In The C-Suite

Two Truths and a Lie: How Heart-Led Leadership Beats Burnout with Author Isabelle Tremblay

Episode SummaryWhat happens when the person who's been protecting everyone else forgets to protect herself? For Isabelle Tremblay, the answer was burnout so complete she couldn't draft a simple email. In this episode of Humor in the C Suite, Kate Davis sits down with Isabelle to trace the arc from 24 years of high-pressure global brand leadership to a full reinvention — and the role humor, empathy, and heart played in every part of that journey. This is a conversation about what it really costs to lead inside hustle culture, and what becomes possible when you decide to lead differently.Key Topics CoveredIsabelle and Kate explore how humor was a cornerstone of Isabelle's leadership style long before burnout entered the picture — including the Two Truths and a Lie meeting exercise that consistently turned into genuine laughter and connection. They dig into how hustle culture systematically squeezes humor and humanity out of leadership, and what Isabelle wishes she'd done differently to protect not just her team but herself. Isabelle speaks candidly about how burnout eroded her ability to laugh — and how consciously rebuilding a humor-filled environment was part of her healing. They also cover why Isabelle believes humor is a genuine leadership superpower, how it moves leadership from transactional to human, and why authenticity and levity together create what she calls a love story in business. Kate brings in the broader cultural shift happening in leadership — more heart, less hustle — and why that's exactly what the next generation of employees is asking for."A leader's job is really to serve their team — so all of it, the authenticity, the humor, the transparency, will become a beautiful love story in business." Isabelle's Advice for LeadersKeep humor authentic to who you are and always be respectful — never punch down, never make it about a person. The Two Truths and a Lie exercise is a simple, low-stakes way to bring playfulness into any team setting without pressure. Set boundaries not just for your team but for yourself — protecting only others while neglecting yourself is a fast track to burnout. And if the environment is truly toxic and damaging your health, give yourself permission to leave. Life is too short, and you have unlimited potential — at any age.Connect with Isabelle Tremblay 🌐 Eyenovating  💼 LinkedInAdditional Links & Resources:Interested in being a guest on Humor in the C-Suite? Reach out to book a call with Kate!Learn more about me and my work at katedavis.caThank you for tuning in to this episode of Humor in the C-Suite! If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to follow the podcast, share it with your friends, and leave a rating or review. Your support helps the podcast continue to grow. Hosted by Kate DavisEdited by Chris @ Wider View Studios

The Power of Asking the Right Questions with CEO Scott Burgmeyer

What happens in the silence when nobody laughs? That question sits at the heart of this conversation between Kate Davis and Scott Burgmeyer, founder and CEO of the Become More Group. Scott has spent over three decades moving through manufacturing, technology, HR, and consulting — and in all of it, he's learned that humor isn't decoration. It's infrastructure. Used well, it builds trust, opens people up, and makes it possible to have conversations that actually matter. Used carelessly, it collapses the very relationships it was meant to strengthen. This episode is about knowing the difference.Key Topics CoveredScott and Kate cover how humor functions as a pressure valve in high-stress environments and why that matters more than most leaders realize. They explore the five levels of trust and why humor only becomes truly available at levels three and four — when people feel safe enough to risk a little vulnerability. Scott speaks candidly about the loneliness that comes with being a CEO or business owner, the weight of decisions that affect people's livelihoods, and why humor can be one of the only tools that cuts through that isolation. Kate brings up dark humor in high-stakes professions — nurses, military, firefighters — and Scott digs into why it works, why it's powerful, and why it can never be targeted at a person. They also talk about how humor shifts depending on group size, how to use it to soften an uncomfortable message without losing credibility, and the critical difference between laughing at someone versus laughing about something.Standout Quotes"It's lonely as hell at the top. You're making decisions that impact the lives of everyone in the company — their families, their livelihoods. And who do you have to talk to?" — Scott Burgmeyer"Your delivery is not allowing people to hear your message." — Scott Burgmeyer"It's like going to the symphony and living in those moments of silence." — Kate Davis"Take your work seriously. You don't have to take yourself too seriously." — Kate DavisScott's Advice for LeadersBuild a relationship first. Humor without trust is a gamble you'll often lose. Scott breaks trust down into five levels — and meaningful humor, the kind that actually opens people up, doesn't really become available until you're in levels three and four. Start small, test the waters, and pay close attention to how people respond. Know your audience — not because some people don't deserve humor, but because humor lands differently for everyone, and what works for one person can alienate another. And when it comes to dark humor specifically, it can be a genuine survival tool in high-pressure environments, but the moment it becomes targeted, it stops being humor and starts being harm.Additional Links & Resources:Interested in being a guest on Humor in the C-Suite? Reach out to book a call with Kate!Learn more about me and my work at katedavis.caThank you for tuning in to this episode of Humor in the C-Suite! If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to follow the podcast, share it with your friends, and leave a rating or review. Your support helps the podcast continue to grow. Hosted by Kate DavisEdited by Chris @ Wider View Studios

Summer Camp: How Playground Leadership Builds Workplace Trust with Camp Director Matt Kaufman

What does summer camp have to do with building a high-performing workplace? According to Matt Kaufman — everything. In this episode of Humor in the C Suite, Kate Davis sits down with Matt to explore how the conditions that make camp transformational — safety, humor, vulnerability, and shared challenge — map directly onto what the best workplace cultures are built on. From managing 500 employees to raising a two-year-old at home, Matt brings a warm, scientifically grounded perspective on why joy isn't a distraction from great work — it's the engine of it.Key Topics CoveredMatt and Kate cover a lot of ground in this conversation, touching on how humor functions as a neurological tool for reducing stress and building energy, why vulnerability is the foundation of trust — and how humor creates the conditions for it, the "X Words" morning meeting tradition that gets leadership teams laughing before the day even starts, the "Fun Professional" core value that Matt's team uses to hold the balance between culture and accountability, what teams that lack psychological safety look like from the outside, why former campers-turned-counselors always lean too far toward fun (and what to do about it), and the parallel between a runner's high and the endorphin-fueled energy of a great camp summer.Standout Quotes"I think people often think you have to look like you're not enjoying work. But the best employees I've ever worked with are having a good time when they're doing their jobs." — Matt Kaufman"When you tell a joke, it's extremely vulnerable. And a first step towards building trust is to create vulnerability." — Matt Kaufman"People have to feel safe before they can thrive." — Matt Kaufman"Kids laugh 300 times a day. Adults laugh about 15. When do we lose that?" — Kate DavisMatt's Advice for LeadersStart small. When you're new to a team, use humor gently and build from there. As trust deepens, so does your ability to push the edges. Know your audience — humor that works in a tour for prospective parents won't land the same way in a hard conversation. And when humor misfires? Admit it fast, apologize genuinely, and move on. Nobody's perfect, and pretending otherwise only makes it worse.The BooksThe Summer Camp MBA — Ideal for anyone leading, hiring, or developing teenagers and young adults. Draws directly from camp management and culture.The Campfire Effect — A broader exploration of what makes camp so transformational, and how those same principles apply to families, schools, and workplaces. This is the book for leaders, parents, and educators who want to build environments where people become the best version of themselves.Both available on Amazon. Links above.Additional Links & Resources:Interested in being a guest on Humor in the C-Suite? Reach out to book a call with Kate!Learn more about me and my work at katedavis.caThank you for tuning in to this episode of Humor in the C-Suite! If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to follow the podcast, share it with your friends, and leave a rating or review. Your support helps the podcast continue to grow. Hosted by Kate DavisEdited by Chris @ Wider View Studios

What Makes an Inspired Leader? with Corporate Trainer Bruce Mayhew

In this inspiring episode of "Humor in the C Suite," Kate Davis welcomes Bruce Mayhew, corporate trainer and author of the newly released book "The Path of an Inspired Leader." Bruce shares his journey from 11 years at Scotiabank (where he helped launch debit cards) to becoming a sought-after leadership trainer specializing in authentic communication and team building.The conversation explores how Bruce uses humor strategically in leadership—not as performance, but as a tool for building genuine relationships that enable difficult conversations. His famous "Grease Wednesdays" story demonstrates how simple, authentic fun can dissolve departmental tensions and create lasting team bonds. Bruce emphasizes the importance of authenticity over forced humor, sharing practical strategies for leaders who want to incorporate levity while remaining true to their natural style.Key Takeaways:Authenticity trumps performance when incorporating humor into leadershipBuilding relationships through humor creates trust necessary for difficult conversationsSimple team-building activities (like "Grease Wednesdays") can transform workplace cultureEmail humor should be used extremely cautiously due to misinterpretation risksCultural sensitivity is crucial when adapting humor across diverse teamsLeaders often fear humor after being "burned," but authentic fun is always accessibleNotable Quotes:"Humor helps us humanize each other. It allows us to understand each other, to see each other more than just a job or a coworker.""Be really careful that you're never laughing at somebody... but allow yourself to laugh, allow yourself to have fun.""Humor helps prime the pump beforehand so that when you have to have the difficult conversation, you can be serious.""Be authentic... don't be something you're not.""Find authenticity is really important... I still tried to be who I was."Resources:Book: "The Path of an Inspired Leader: Authenticity, Courage, and Impact" - Available February 16, 2026. Available on: Amazon, Indigo, Barnes & NobleBruce Mayhew ConsultingBruce's InstagramConnect with Bruce on LinkedInThis episode offers practical wisdom for leaders seeking to build authentic relationships while maintaining professional effectiveness. Bruce's approach proves that humor in leadership isn't about being funny—it's about being human.Additional Links & Resources:Interested in being a guest on Humor in the C-Suite? Reach out to book a call with Kate!Learn more about me and my work at katedavis.caThank you for tuning in to this episode of Humor in the C-Suite! If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to follow the podcast, share it with your friends, and leave a rating or review. Your support helps the podcast continue to grow. Hosted by Kate DavisEdited by Chris @ Wider View Studios

Humor ROI: The C-Suite Edition 2025

In this episode of "Humor in the C Suite," host Kate Davis takes a retrospective look at the year 2025 to extract key lessons about humor's role in leadership. Kate reflects on recurring questions from listeners concerning the effectiveness of humor in building strong workplace cultures and its impact on trust, collaboration, and productivity. With over 50 episodes behind her, Kate is poised to usher in 2026 with a strong emphasis on humor's role in creating synergy between labor, creativity, and human connection in corporate settings.Key Takeaways:Humor Builds Trust: Humor is a fast-track to trust, enhancing collaboration and diminishing hierarchical barriers within the workplaceNavigating Stress with Humor: By diffusing stress and challenges, humor acts as emotional oxygen that allows for constructive problem-solving without escalating tensionHumanizing Leadership: Self-aware humor helps leaders connect with their teams, allowing employees to perceive them as approachable and relatableCreativity and Innovation: Playfulness fostered by humor encourages divergent thinking, creativity, and exploration of novel ideasImportance of Boundaries and Sensitivity: Understanding and respecting boundaries enhances humor's effectiveness, ensuring it is inclusive and respectful to all cultures and contexts"Humor really is the fastest shortcut to trust. You can have a mission statement on your wall, but one shared laugh in a meeting does more for culture."Additional Links & Resources:Interested in being a guest on Humor in the C-Suite? Reach out to book a call with Kate!Learn more about me and my work at katedavis.caThank you for tuning in to this episode of Humor in the C-Suite! If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to follow the podcast, share it with your friends, and leave a rating or review. Your support helps the podcast continue to grow. Hosted by Kate DavisEdited by Chris @ Wider View Studios