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Laughter Research

In the Laughter Research Podcast, I explore the phenomenon of laughter, from the fascinating science of laughter research, to the joys of laughing until you cry. The show is a mix of interviews and commentary by me - Glen Duggan. I've a Ph.D. in psychology, with a specialisation in laughter, so you could say that I have a serious interest in the topic.

My guests vary from academics, such as psychologists and sociologists, to entrepreneurs and comedians. In each episode I explore the role which laughter plays in our daily lives and I examine the truths and the myths around laughter. Is laughter purely a physiological response, or is it a social and culturally mediated means of communication?

Music by jasonshaw@audionautix.com

Sep 30, 2016

Today's podcast - released on none other than International Podcast Day...yes, it's a thing...is a follow up interview with Evan Jordan of Oklahoma State University.

If you are a new listener to the Laughter Research Podcast, you might like to check out the previous interview HERE. Evan has been the lead investigator on...


Sep 15, 2016

My guest in podcast episode #15 is Merv Neal. Merv has a lengthy background in business, but a life threatening challenge to his health instigated a transformation in his approach to life. His goals switched from making money to improving the health of others and himself through the use of laughter.

Merv Neal

In this episode we...


Apr 23, 2015

Today I speak with Evan Jordan of Oklahoma State University in the U.S. about her research in to the contagiousness of positive emotions in infants, through the use of infant laughter as a stimulus. 

If you would like to hear about how psychologists get babies to laugh and why it is that they want them to laugh, then...


Apr 2, 2015

Professor Sophie Scott is the deputy director for the Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience in UCL (University College London).

While the main focus of her research is the neurobiology of speech perception, her work also includes the study of the neuroscience of laughter. She also dabbles in stand-up comedy.


Feb 12, 2015

Steve Cummins is an author, a broadcaster, a stand-up comedian, as well as being the resident host in the Laughter Lounge, Dublin's premier comedy venue. In this podcast episode (which was recorded in my kitchen - hence the echo) myself and Steve chat about his relationship with laughter and comedy and Steve proves...