The Laughter Clinic
The Laughter Clinic Podcast brings a refreshingly different approach to mental health education. Your host Mark McConville, is an Australian professional Comedian of 25+ years who also has a Masters Degree In Suicidology from Griffith University. Mark delivers you evidence-based self-care strategies, curated research insights, and meaningful conversations that inspire, educate and entertain.
Episodes
33 episodes
Chatting with Sue Murray OAM about Suicide Prevention in the health care system and the National Suicide Prevention Conference.
Content Warning: This episode discusses the topic of suicide, and suicide prevention, listener discrection is advised. This week I chat with Sue Murray OAM - Practice Leader of the Zero Suicide Institute of Australasia and fo...
ANZAC Day, 28 Years in Comedy, Suicide Prevention Conference, Churchill Fellowship, and Social Prescribing for Australia
ANZAC Day always makes me slow down and reflect. I’m up before dawn, standing with thousands of strangers, all joined by a common goal, to pay our respects and honour the fallen. Listening to words like the Requiem and the Ode, being moved by t...
Chatting with Mathew De Goldi, Australia’s Most Famous Clown.
This week I sit down with Mathew De Goldi, aka GOLDIE the Clown, to unpack what it really takes to make kids and adults laugh. We talk craft, character, clown fear, and why humour can be a genuine support for mental health when life gets heavy....
When AI Meets Mental Health: Dr Clarence Tan on AI Safety Guardrails, and the Future of Human Connection
What happens when one of Australia's most forward-thinking exponential technology experts sits down with a comedian-turned-suicidologist to talk about AI, mental health, and the future of being human? You get one of the most thought-provoking c...
TLC PULSE: 10 Mental Health Stories Worth Your Attention
In this latest Pulse Episode I share ten interesting stories from around the world that sit at the intersection of mental health, suicide prevention, humour & laughter research and everyday self-care. From big system changes like free Medic...
Life Skills Masterclass Part 4: Managing your Emotions, Mindfulness, and Lifestyle Medicine.
The series finale of the Life Skills Masterclass. Mark and Jodi bring together the WHO's 10 life skills framework — augmented with mindfulness and lifestyle medicine — into one cohesive, daily-ready integration. In this episode they cover t...
Life Skills Masterclass Part 3: Communication, Relationships, and Empathy
In the 3rd instalment of the Life Skills Masterclass series Mark and Jodi break down how clear language, presence, and empathy turn daily talk into deeper levels of connection. We share simple moves like I statements, active listening, and repa...
Life Skills Masterclass Part 2: Critical Thinking, Creative Thinking, and Decision Making.
In Part 2 of our Life Skills Masterclass Series Mark and Jodi break down the thinking trio, Critical Thinking, Creative Thinking and Decision Making.Learn how you can evaluate information, spark creative ideas, and choose with intent. Along...
Life Skills Masterclass Part 1: Self-Awareness, Coping with Stress, and Problem Solving
In Part 1 of this 4-Part Life Skills Masterclass Series we talk about the foundation trio: Self-Awareness, Coping with Stress, and Problem Solving. Mark McConville and Jodi Allen share lived experience, research-backed tools, and a five-step fr...
PTSD Rehabilitation for Veterans and First Responders. An insightful chat with Jodi Allen.
In this rich, wide-ranging conversation, Mark McConville sits down with Jodi Allen— Former member of the RAAF (14 yrs) , clinical nutritionist, trauma-sensitive yoga teacher, and lead facilitator of the 4 Aussie Heroes Foundation's Triumph Over...
"Should You Watch the News? Finding Balance Between Staying Informed and Staying Well"
Have you ever felt disconnected from a conversation, unable to contribute because you weren't following the news? That's what happened to host Mark McConville at a social gathering with mates, and it sparked a profound question: Is avoiding the...
Love, Laughter, and Belonging: How One Mentoring Program is Transforming the Lives of At-Risk Youth with John Godwin.
What if the root cause of disadvantage isn't a lack of money—it's a lack of love?In this deeply moving episode, Mark McConville sits down with John Godwin, founder and CEO of Inspiring Brighter Futures Foundation, to unpack a valu...
Hope, Humour, and Evidence-Based Suicide Prevention with special guest Associate Professor Jacinta Hawgood.
In one of the most significant episodes in The Laughter Clinic Podcast's short history, host Mark McConville welcomes his mentor, Associate Professor Jacinta Hawgood (AISRAP, Griffith University), for an intimate and wide-ranging discussion abo...
Chatting with Stephen Woods. Beat Burnout at Work: Practical Stress Management Tools for Leaders & Employees
Kicking off 2026 with essential workplace wellness strategies! Stephen Woods, founder of Employee Wellness Australia joins The Laughter Clinic Podcast to share practical, evidence-based tools for beating burnout and building trust at w...
A time of reflection on a year of significant personal and professional changes, and a look at what's in store for 2026.
In this final episode for 2025 I reflect on a year of big decisions, both personal and professional. From leaving cruise ships to going off my ADHD medication and growing the Laughter Clinic, it's been a year of significant life changes. ...
Chatting with comedian and actor Bev Killick. Comedy, acting, hard yards, and reducing stigma around schizoaffective disorder.
Out of the studio and on the road, in this episode I'm chatting with seasoned stand-up comedian Bev Killick. Hear how making people laugh can change your life. Bev shares raw stories of rowdy comedy venues, performing for the troops, and caring...
Chatting with comedian and radio personality Stav Davidson. Celebrating 20yrs on air and the Importance of Authenticity and Mindfulness.
This week I catch up with B105 breakfast radio host Stav Davidson. We chat about how he has built a 20‑year career on honesty, quick wit, and mindfulness, and why laughter still works as medicine when the world feels heavy. Stav provides a mast...
Chatting with comedian Mike Van Acker. From the origins of the Brisbane comedy scene to building connected communities via trivia.
This week I chat with comedian Mike Van Acker and we take a trip down memory lane talking about the origins of stand up comedy in Brisbane and touring road trips. We also explore how Mike enriched his comedy career by running multiple trivia ni...
A Practical Guide To Bringing More Humour and Laughter Into Your Daily Life.
In this episode I break down why humour and laughter work differently and how self‑enhancing humour helps reduce stress and build resilience. I also offer a simple three‑step plan to help you bring more laughter into your life and the lives of ...
Chatting with comedian Ashley Fils-Aime: From bullied kid to pro comic, a story of discipline, drugs, and faith.
Ash opens up about how laughter became a shield, a craft, and a calling. We chat about how laughter boosts immunity, compare cruise-ship crowds with comedy club audiences, and talk candidly about drugs, faith, and the changing face of the comed...
TLC PULSE 5 Global Insights: Mental Health AI Chatbots, Suicide Prevention Training for Doctors and Humour as a Protective Factor.
Content Warning: This episode discusses suicide and suicide prevention. Listener discretion is advised.Insight 1• Pressures facing Australian mental health nurses and the need for formal support beyond AI...
Chatting with Suicidologist Dr Nikki Jamieson: Grief, Moral Injury, and a life dedicated to Suicide Prevention.
Content Warning: This episode discusses suicide and suicide prevention. Listener discretion is advised. In this ep Mark chats with Dr Nikki Jameson—social worker, suicidologist, and founder of Mora...
Chatting with comedian Ellen Briggs: Relationships, Rural Comedy Shows and Redifining Success.
A good joke can change a room; the right night can change a town. That’s the pulse of this conversation with Ellen Briggs—mother of twins, touring comedian, and co-creator of the hit show Women Like Us.We chat about the craft behind crea...
Chatting with comedian Ivan Aristeguieta: Walking the Camino, inner lives of comedians’ and Venezuela’s stand‑up origins.
In this ep I catch up with Ivan Aristiguieta, award winning stand-up comedian, writer, and now he's just added acting to his already impressive CV. Originally from Venezuela, Ivan now proudly calls Australia home, and the audiences...
Belonging, Identity, Resilience: The hidden Mental Health Benefits of Sport.
Sport is often sold as fitness and fun, but the deeper, quieter gift of sport is its power to bring people back into community. In this episode Mark dives into the hidden mental health superpowers of sport, from the jersey effect th...