Episode 25: Can you teach ‘funny’? /ALS

To start the episode, Ali’s recounts a recent Drive-in comedy show he did with Shaun Majumder (1:03). Then Asif asks about the course Ali teaches at Queen’s University and whether you can “teach funny” (7:38). Ali then talks about various exercises he used with his students to develop their comedic skills. Ali then discusses various books on the history of comedy and to help with honing one’s stand up. Then Ali asks Asif about ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) (36:02). They discuss about how a listener suggested they address the topic and go over the symptoms and how there is often a delay in diagnosis. Asif clarifies that while Lou Gehrig had the disease, Stephen Hawking likely did not. They talk about the lack of effective treatments and the need for more advocacy regarding ALS. Finally, they discuss the case of Chris Snow, former Calgary Flames Assistant General Manager and his diagnosis and experimental treatment for a genetic form of ALS.

Show notes:

• The Stand-Up Comedian's Library: 21 Books For Comics Who Care About Their Craft: https://www.forbes.com/sites/sarahaswell/2019/04/26/the-stand-up-comedians-library-21-books-for-comics-who-care-about-their-craft/?sh=54ea44d565a5
• Time to diagnosis and factors affecting diagnostic delay in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: https://www.jns-journal.com/article/S0022-510X(20)30391-9/fulltext
• The Ice Bucket Challenge and the promise — and the pitfalls — of viral charity: https://www.vox.com/future-perfect/2019/7/20/20699732/ice-bucket-challenge-viral-charity-als
• ‘I have been given a gift and extra time’: Flames assistant GM Chris Snow battles with ALS: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/article-i-have-been-given-a-gift-and-extra-time-flames-assistant-gm-chris-snow/
• https://www.kelsiesnowwrites.com/
• https://iamals.org/
• https://www.als.ca/
• https://alsactioncanada.org/
• www.als.org