Terry Braverman

 

Terry Braverman is a recovering stand-up comedian who has appeared on Comedy Central, at the legendary Improv Comedy Club, and opened for Broadway and television star Ben Vereen. Growing weary of hecklers, drunks, and airborne beer bottles, Terry segued into the world of professional speaking in 1992. In addition to finding a better ambiance at speaking and training venues, it was an opportunity for him to expand his role of entertainer to that of “edutainer,” using his comedic talents to convey messages and concrete ideas that help people excel in their personal and professional lives.

Terry is the author of the uplifting book, When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Lighten Up! The book is currently ranked in the top 5% of sales on amazon.com.He was just recently interviewed by the New York Times and Inc. Magazine, mentioned in a U.S. News & World Report article, and featured in the L.A. Times, Oakland Tribune, and New Orleans Times-Picayune. He has appeared on over 160 radio and TV programs, including NPR, AP, CBS and USA Radio Networks. He’s been on the Good Day L.A. morning T.V. show, the CBS TV affiliate’s morning show in New Orleans, and the ABC TV affiliate in Asheville, NC.

Terry has also played music since he was 18 years old, and performs with a popular L.A. musical group called “Swingshift,” a boogie-woogie blues band that plays mostly original material. When he has some free time (which isn’t too often), Terry enjoys volunteering at retirement homes to perform his classic celebrity characters and standard musical favorites for the residents. Visit Terry online at http://www.terrybraverman.com/index.html

 

 

Pageonelit.com: Where did you grow up and was reading and writing a part of your life? Who were your earliest influences and why?

Terry Braverman: Well, I never really "grew up," perhaps I've matured a little to pay token tribute to the aging process. I was born and raised in the Motor City, weaned on the "Motown Sound" of the 60's. Music was far more influential for me than books; writing was primarily for homework exercises and forging my parents' signatures on excuse notes. The first piece I ever wrote was a song called "The Morning Hangover Blues," a delicately gleeful tune...no, actually the paragon of teenage alienation, written the morning after playing in a blues bar that I swear was a manhole at one time. They just put in a door where the cover used to be.

In my desire to transcend adolescent angst, I did become engrossed in certain literary genres, e.g. tales of adventure and joie de vivre like "Zorba the Greek." This book excited me to no end, and I kept thinking, "This is the way I want to live my life!!" A life overflowing with passion, romance, and perpetual escapades, acknowledging the pain and tragedies, yet moving through it and reaffirming the best. Then there were the metaphysical authors of those times like Hesse and Huxley, mandatory reading for those who were "deep" into exploring the meaning of life. Gurdjieff, a Russian mystic, was an early favorite of mine to read, and George Carlin in his hippie days was a great comedic influence--how's that for a combo? It's a diverse universe...

 

Pageonelit.com: Why did you write "When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Lighten Up! How to be Happy in Spite of it All"?

Terry Braverman: Primarily because of prodding from my audiences. As a professional speaker, I try to give them lots of ideas on how they can apply humor in various situations, both professional and personal. People would approach me after a presentation and ask me, "When are you going to write a book? We need to take something home with us so we'll have all your ideas at our fingertips." I didn't believe I had the discipline it takes to write an entire book, but my audiences kept reminding me how important it was for my career to be a published author; to be frank, it's called HIGHER speaking fees and MORE publicity!

When I got down to the business of writing it, I realized there was also a deeper reason. It was tremendously cathartic, because in the germination of ideas for applying levity, there were the seeds of painful memories (see bio), some of which were blocked entirely from my conscious knowing until I sat down and wrote this book. It was imperative for me to recognize the seeds, even be grateful for them as my catalyst.

 

Pageonelit.com: How important is a "sense of humor" for everyday living? Where did your funny-bone come from? Can we find something humorous in every situation?

Terry Braverman: Speaking strictly for myself, I would not be alive if I didn't find some humor in every single day of my life. Humor comes from the Latin word umor, meaning to be fluid as in water. That's it. It provides enough flexibility and joy so that I'm not walking around like an open wound.

As far as where my humor comes from, so much of it is spontaneous that I honestly don't know where it comes from, maybe the unconscious, the ethers, who knows? There must be a cosmic joke pool that some of us are able to tap. If it's created deliberately, I start by asking myself this--what is unusual, out of place or incongruous right now, in my environment, in this conversation, etc. That's something we can all do to jump start our imagination and see things in a humorous perspective. It may not always be appropriate to express humor, but you can find something humorous in every situation. Sometimes you have to keep it to yourself.

 

Pageonelit.com: In your book you say, 'Humor is a powerful learning tool that provides true insight and reverses seemingly impossible situations.' Please explain.

Terry Braverman: The best explanation is by example. In the film "Stand & Deliver," high school math teacher Jaime Escalante takes a group of students who were written off as losers and teaches them advanced calculus. First and foremost, he needed to gain their trust since many of these kids were in gangs and highly anti-authoritarian. On the opening day of class, after explaining ground rules and what will be discussed in the classroom, one of the students asked, "Can't we discuss sex?" Jaime replied, "If we discuss sex, I'd have to give you sex for homework." That one quip garnered instant rapport.

He started teaching the students basic fractions, placing apples on their desk sliced in halves, quarters, thirds, etc. If they answered correctly, they ate the apple, which not only provoked laughter, but gave them an initial glimpse of what was possible in terms of their learning capability. Every single student in that class went on to pass the Advanced Placement Calculus Exam, reputed to be the most difficult high school exam in the state of California. Kids who were headed toward a career of crime or burger-flipping went on to college and professional careers.

 

Pageonelit.com: Being an experienced published author - What advice can you offer for those writers who are working on their first book?

Terry Braverman: Find a good shrink, or at least a writing coach for support. There were times I just wanted to fling my computer into the next county. What worked for me is being consistent---making time every day to write. And if nothing came through, I would sit there and type nonsensical, gobblelygoop things, I mean goo-goo-gah-gah stuff sometimes. Or I would change my physiology by standing up, running to the nearest mirror and making crazy sounds and faces. Believe it or not, that often got me loosened up enough so that creativity would flow again.

 

Pageonelit.com: What has been your feedback from readers? What do they say to you about their interpretations of When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Lighten Up!?

Terry Braverman: Well, Steve Allen found it to be funny and insightful. Some will laugh at certain passages hysterically, while others don't laugh all that much, but find it to be of practical value. There are some who pick up on the spiritual aspect of the book, as a tool to transcend tragedy and challenging situations. Different dimensions, I suppose.

 

Pageonelit.com: Who are your favorite writers and why? Who are your favorite comedians? And why?

Terry Braverman: Albert Brooks and Woody Allen--clever, witty, side-splitting funny. And Mel Brooks' earlier work for his wacky perspective. Since I did mostly impersonations as a comic, my favorite comedians are the ones who do characters, like Billy Crystal, Eddie Murphy, and Robin Williams (for his insanity as well). Eddie's too "scat" for me at times, but his characters are brilliant. I love Rodney Dangerfield and Jackie Mason for their look and delivery style, as much as their material. Of the younger crop of comedians, Michael Winslow blows my mind, with all his sound effects.

 

Pageonelit.com: You are very successful with your keynote presentations and seminars -- Can you give us an example of a success story from one of your seminars? How were you able to help someone find the 'lighter side of life'?

Terry Braverman: I had a man in one of my trainings who shared with me on the morning break that he had severe migraines, clenched jaws, and insomnia. I received this letter from him about a monthafterward, which was the most satisfying of all the feedback I have received over the years:

 

Dear Terry,
Your seminar on humor was great. I particularly related to your discussions on stress, and others sharing their experiences of how stress had manifested itself. I identified totally. Since your seminar, I've had no more headaches, no more clenched jaws, no more Valium, Xanax, Halcion, or sleepless nights. I've shared by experience with co-workers. Thanks for a real eye-opening exchange.
Larry Simons

I don't know what specifically did it for him, nor does he. There are some exercises that provide insight, or perhaps the experiential nature of it triggered something he may not even be conscious about, causing a fundamental pattern change. It's very gratifying for me to make a good living doing this work.

 

Pageonelit.com: What was the last book you read?

Terry Braverman: "Credit After Bankruptcy," by.... Seriously, the last book I read was "How to Love a PMSing Woman," by Jay Stuller. A must read for any man. Clever and informative.

 

Pageonelit.com: What's next?

Terry Braverman: A nap, after answering all these questions. This is work! :-)

 

http://www.terrybraverman.com
Terry Braverman & Company
P.O. Box 11571
Marina del Rey, CA 90295
Office Phone: 310/397-6543
Orders: 800/345-6665
Turn trials, tribulations and tragedies into triumph. Hire a multi-talented speaker/"edutainer" who offers a smorgasbord of ideas and strategies to boost your organization with heart and humor, sprinkles in his array of celebrity characters, and closes with a rousing musical finale! Author of "When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Lighten Up!" ranked in the top 5% of sales on amazon.