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A real blast from the past on AHeart4Clowning TalkRadio Show! Encore presentation of our all-time MOST popular broadcast — ENJOY!
From our very first broadcast season, Becky Cortino explains:
- Need for training and continuing education for all
- Different levels of proficiency, to gear necessary training
- Types of training, to make any training program more effective
SHOW NOTES:
The Healing Humor Program discussed in this show is now available as an online multi-media program. For more details and to enroll, click here: Healing Humor: Live Happy – Be Healthy
Online Training and Mentorship Programs and lots of Resources are available via AHeart4Clowning.com. For more information about programs and resources, click this link: Training from the Heart
You’re invited to receive our FREE Hospital Clown/Healthcare Family Entertainer/Applied Humor Therapist/SmileMaker e-Newsletter… by signing up to receive FREE Hospital Clown e-Newsletter (click on this link here)
Click here for MORE: Celebrate 5 Years of Fab FUN!
Who doesn’t like to get gifts?!
Never before in the history of this blog (begun in 2007) have we had the wonderful opp we have today, to so generously gift our AHeart4Clowning Readers!
Here’s how AHeart4Clowning Readers receive $100+ Gift, from our Heart to yours…
This is a great time to buy those books you’ve been wanting to read, get our brand NEW book, buy books for your Healing Humor friends or clowning group — at a sweet discount!
Coupon CODE: BUYMYBOOKS305
This limited-time special promotion ends on December 14, 2011 11:59PM PST
More promotion details, book ordering Tips, and to grab your own special AHeart4Clowning.com Coupon, click this link: http://www.aheart4clowning.com/2011/11/28/discount-coupon-save-25-percent-on-aheart4clowning-books-for-hospital-clowns-and-healthcare-family-entertainers/
Click this link to preview and purchase AHeart4Clowning Books: http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/beckycortino
Please Note: This promotion, any and all related terms and conditions are offered by our Publisher, and are not under our control.
$$$>>>The amount you save depends upon your purchase, of course — but at a savings, with 25% discount! Enjoy 
2) Have you read our newest book?
Injecting Healing Humor in the Healthcare Setting: Entertaining Effectively in the Healthcare Venue
This book is especially for Hospital Clowns, Healthcare Family Entertainers, Applied Humor Therapists, and SmileMakers on the topic of entertaining effectively in the healthcare setting. In addition to being a great read providing:
- Pointers and Tips for Entertaining in the Healthcare Setting
- Inspirations and Ideas for Putting Your Best Foot Forward
- Actionable Steps to be an Effective Healthcare Family Entertainer
- Journaling and List-keeping Section
$$$>>>A Special Reader BONUS Gifts ($45 Value) is included! More about this book: http://www.aheart4clowning.com/2011/09/22/new-book-injecting-healing-humor-in-the-healthcare-setting-entertaining-effectively-in-the-healthcare-venue/
Preview and purchase this book here: http://www.lulu.com/product/paperback/injecting-healing-humor-in-the-healthcare-setting/17270124
Click here to: Celebrate 5 Years of FAB FUN with Us!
3) Snag your own Comp Ticket to our 5 Years of FAB FUN Celebration in 2012! As a special “Thank you!” to everyone who has ever purchased any AHeart4Clowning book, CD, DVD (audio-or-video), a digital product or online course, we have a Special Online Event planned — details to be announced — be sure to register to receive event details, and your Complimentary Ticket to attend!
Register any purchase you make, to receive a Complimentary Ticket to attend AHeart4Clowning’s 5 Years of FAB FUN Celebration, a special “Thank you” from us to you! After you make your purchase, click this link for event details, and to register:
http://www.aheart4clowning.com/2011/11/07/aheart4clowning-celebrates-5-years-of-fab-fun/
$$$>>>5 Years of FAB FUN Online Event Ticket Valued at: $55.00(Complimentary)
Click here for More: AHeart4Cowning 4You
So, O-K — what’s the deal, how can this be?! Just over one year ago, I released a video explaining about AHeart4Clowning.com, our books and my efforts. In it, I pointed out that this site and AHeart4Clowning.com is not a “typical” ‘business model,’ for an organization to survive and thrive lol That is certainly true, and remains so!
Personally, I don’t “make a living” from this site or my efforts here, but I am pleased for the opportunity to share my knowledge and experience to benefit you. In turn, it has been a delight to meet so many like-minded folks! I wholeheartedly do believe that we make this world a better place by sharing our gifts and talents. I’ve been duly complimented by being accused of openly ‘walking my talk,’ and hopefully you can see this is evidenced as true, by all I put into this site and all AHeart4Clowning.com efforts for you…
So how can we “gift” $100 to savvy AHeart4Clowning Readers? Good question! For one thing, as they say — “timing is everything,” for us and for our Readers! All this happens to happily coincide with our upcoming 5 Years of FAB FUN Celebration, so that’s added coolness! It’s the ‘cherry on top‘!
But, this is all made possible through the excellent partnerships and long-standing working relationships we have. We are thrilled our Publisher is offering special promotions, because it means more folks are reading our books, more lights are shining in dark places crying out for it, creating miles and Miles of Smiles! YaY
Why am I offering BONUSES and a special Online Celebration? As a thank you to YOU, for your support of this cause, to bless you back. It is through your purchases of AHeart4Clowning books, our online courses and products, that this site remains here, constantly updated with fresh, new material ongoing, featuring important news that affects our ‘work,’ and spotlighting inspiring folks!
Through your comments, ideas and stories shared, ‘thumbs ups’ and sharing AHeart4Clowning.com, you have helped to make this site better. So, a heartfelt “thank you” for all of that. Thank you for all you do in your work, and also furthering this important idea of Applied Humor Therapy in the healthcare setting.
ADDED BONUSES: A series of FREE special events, features and FUN are planned for all of our AHeart4Clowning Readers throughout 2012 — stay tuned!
Click here to Stay Tuned: Lots Planned! Celebrate 5 Years of AHeart4Clowning FAB FUN in '12!
These events and FUN things will be ongoing throughout 2012, and NO registration is required — they’re for EveryBuddy!Watch this site and blog for details as they roll out 
So my hope for you, is not only increasing Joy in this work that only looks like play, but in some way I can, do and will continue to serve your needs through AHeart4Clowning.com
I sincerely hope if you buy a book, enroll in an online AHeart4Clowning course, or purchase a product from us, you will benefit greatly from it, as will all those you come into contact with, during your meandering journey.
If you never purchase anything from AHeart4Clowning.com, thank you for all you do and give, serving so actively in the Trenches! I hope you are blessed by all you find here, and what I offer helps you in your work.
Thank you one and all, for sharing Miles of Smiles!
My Heart to Yours,
Becky
Our AHeart4Clowning “Books and MultiMedia” page has been redesigned, to make browsing easier, with our ever-growing collection!
When you click-through the links provided on our page, you will get more details about the books, be able to make your selection, and purchase directly from our Publisher.
TIPs:
>>>When you arrive on the Publisher’s book site, be sure to note any delivery advisories (in the case of Holiday Deliveries as an example), for your planning purposes.
>>>From time to time, our Publisher also offers special promotions like: “FREE Ground Shipping” for orders (specifics vary), or offers a “Special” or Coupon CODE for a particular promotion. While on the Publisher’s book site, if you click on their logo (in upper left corner), you will be taken to the main page, where any current special promotional details are listed (as available). These special offers are random, varied, not ongoing, and not under our control — but when we have enough advance notice about them, we will let you know by sharing the information.
Thank you for your interest in our books — Happy Reading!
To see our Books and MultiMedia Programs, click this link: AHeart4Clowning “Books and MultiMedia” page
Happy ThanksLiving!
At this time of the year, grateful hearts often turn inward to reflect on the days and years past, with thankfulness for many things that have transpired in the journey that got them to the arrival point called today...
I too, am thankful for so many wonderful things, but also thankful for things that while not as I would have liked — positively paved the way, shaped, and affirmed the direction and perspective of my work. These influences trained me up in the way not to go — most likely, in the opposite direction (as inferred) — but in the right direction, for me.
Daily, I am thankful for those who provided excellent and inspiring training. For those who allowed me to do the work that I knew I was destined to do — and did — and still do. Granted there aren’t a lot of folks who fall into this category, but thankfully there are fewer who were actually not supportive.
But I am sincerely thankful for those who were persistently not supportive of this work, of my unwavering Grassroots Perspective, and heartfelt desire to freely encourage and inspire as many folks as possible to engage in this wonderful work that only looks like play, from Day One. Were it not for you, perhaps I might have otherwise stopped my quest to learn and be so much more than I was (I never stopped trying), and to share my experiences with others, to help them.
Had you not so influenced me early-on, I might not have otherwise made such a big deal about spreading the Truth that all of this is really NOT “Rocket Science.” I might not have actually gone to such great lengths, and spent tireless hours to show those who were hungry to know more.
Had you not made it all seem like it was such a big, exclusive Secret that only the real Insiders could know and do, and if I — and all the others — were lucky enough, maybe we too could share the inner sanctum with you. Maybe I could have become mesmerized with the possibility. Perhaps I then would have just waited for that day ever to come. “Waiting” would have kept me too busy, preoccupied for anything else.
Then, I probably never would have written my first book, or my second book, or my third book, or my 4 online training programs, or established Humor-Bit TV or AHeart4Clowning TalkRadio, along with maintaining a half-dozen websites about Healing Humor, reaching so many, with encouraging messages and inspiring information they need to hear and want to know. 245 hospital clowns would not have received L-I-V-E training from a caring heart. The world would be a bleaker place, without the Miles of Funny Smiles now encircling it. If I believed at all in luck, and was anxious to be inducted into your inner sanctum, probably I would be waiting, still…
Had you not stressed your rigid requirement that all things fit neatly into a One-Size-Fits-All Approach, and I totally accepted that myth as fact, I might have never have realized the truth that One Size never fits all actually needed to be amplified far and wide — and so I did just that. “One Size” never works, especially in relationships, or in effectively injecting Healing Humor in healthcare. Afterall, that’s what we exist to do…
Your teaching helped me to understand the Truths that needed to be presented, so more hearts could be touched by compassionate others; more healthcare Humor Programs could be established, and improved. That’s what it’s all about, for me. I knew it was the Right Thing to do.
So thank you, my Naysayers of Days Gone By. I appreciate the fact that you challenged me! I whole-heartedly accepted that challenge. Had you not influenced me in the ways you did, and I did not feel compelled to run with this, we would not be having this conversation today.
Because of your influence, armed with unfaltering dedication, and a very clear understanding of my purpose, we made a positive impact in this world during the last 8 years!
But wait! There’s more…
While it is said the longest journey begins with a single step, the adventures of a hospital or caring clown into the Great Clown Unknown may comprise the most incredible experience of a lifetime, in every step taken by those funny shoes and in the true heart behind that nose. This book is written based upon personal experience, explorations and interest-directed research serving in the trenches, as a hospital or caring clown since 1997.
Presented as an inspiring collage from my clown heart as a grassroots volunteer community-based hospital clown creative ministry coordinator, this book is well-seasoned with insight, served up with the purpose of providing a dose of encouragement to active healthcare venue performers and creative arts entertainers; those with a heartfelt desire to inject healing humor into the healthcare setting; or those simply interested in taking a peek into the joy-full existence, a part of the blessed journey of hospital/caring clowns and creative arts family entertainers!
The Print Edition of From the Heart: Injecting Healing Humor in the Healthcare Setting (the basis of this eBook), was one of my 2 books selected by my publisher to be featured on the Amazon.com Marketplace.
NOTE: If above “preview” feature doesn’t work, click this link to preview book on our Publisher’s site: http://www.lulu.com/product/paperback/from-the-heart-injecting-healing-humor-in-the-healthcare-setting/4475595
This eBook is available in Adobe PDF (format) – Adobe Digital Editions
5 Related articles you might find helpful on Injecting Healing Humor in the Healthcare Setting, are listed below this blog post (click on the title of this article, if you don’t see topics listed below)…
You’re invited to receive our FREE Hospital Clown/Healthcare Family Entertainer/Applied Humor Therapist/SmileMaker e-Newsletter… by signing up to receive FREE Hospital Clown e-Newsletter (click on this link here)
Did you ever wonder what Patch Adams was really like? Would you like to catch a glimpse of his 110-acres in West Virginia, where he is beginning construction of his 40-bed free-care rural community hospital, a long-held dream at the Gesundheit Institute? This short documentary preview clip distributed by Bullfrog Films gives a peek…
I was very fortunate to personally speak with Patch Adams after my first book was published. He so very kindly called to congratulate me on it. His words were deeply meaningful, and his thoughtfulness is forever treasured.
Hearing Patch’s positive, encouraging words for my book and work mean so much to me, and remain a “Most Memorable Moment.”
Through the implementation of his ideas of applied humor therapy in the healthcare setting, I believe he paved the way for many of us to be able to share laughter and to “be” Joy (his words) in that venue — an environment crying out for it!
It is my sincere hope through my efforts here, my books, AHeart4Clowning TalkRadio Show, Humor Bit-TV, and multimedia training programs, will encourage more healthcare humor programs, while also supporting existing programs everywhere — to keep injecting humor in the healthcare setting.
Read about friend Robbo’s Humanitarian Clowning Trip with Patch Adams to Russia:
—and—
You’re invited to receive our FREE Hospital Clown/Healthcare Family Entertainer/Applied Humor Therapist/SmileMaker e-Newsletter… by signing up to receive FREE Hospital Clown e-Newsletter (click on this link here) Always and only FREELY offered since 2007, AHeart4Clowning e-Newsletter is filled with FUN ideas, tips, inspiring stories and updates!
Click here for More: Entertaining Effectively in the Healthcare Venue
At one of the training programs I led, a student told me that what I shared regarding the importance of improv really flipped a light on in her mind. Being primarily a “skit” clown performer, she was really excited about this discovery and looking forward to exploring improvisation!
I was excited for her too, making this breakthrough! I shared with her that I knew this would also greatly help her in her upcoming humanitarian clowning trips she had planned.
Then, the unimaginable happened — when the improv training segment came around, she was off in another class (similar to what she had taken in a previous training program I held).
My reaction: I was highly disappointed for her, because I knew she was missing an opportunity to learn and grow in a new way. For sure, she would come away with a fresh perspective and some new performance tips.
Yet, I understand this is what we call ‘human nature,’ repeating those familiar things or what we most enjoy, but — letting that stand in front of growing in our knowledge and proficiency in this art. It’s like repeating what we already know, and if we learn anything new, it’s just piling more information on top — leaving a void of Great Possibilities yet to be filled. Worse — maybe never filled!
How about you? Have you explored a new art or performance style that would help you in your applied humor therapy routines or add some spark to your clown rounds? It’s natural to feel tentative about trying something new, but why would you want to stunt your growth in learning and exploring all the possibilities of what you can do, or be as a hospital clown or healthcare family entertainer?
Isn’t that a little like cheating your adoring audience, waiting to see what’s next — and you make the dreaded mistake of actually repeating the same thing you did last time?! YIKES Even if the facility staff sees you doing this, it makes you look ill-prepared and non-professional, with a sorely limited repertoire.
Life is improvisation. It is not “fill-in-the-blank” in Real Life. Living life successfully, as well as entertaining effectively is not a “formula.” In our world, where coloring outside the lines and being “different” is lauded as being ‘good,’ why embrace an Old School mentality? This doesn’t serve your audience well, help you meet your purpose, or allow you to be the entertainer you’re capable of being.
In the kind of work we do that looks like play, it is critical that we are able to be flexible, proficient in a number of presentation modes, and able to roll with things as they happen, because even on stage in a real theatre with a script in hand, “things” can happen.
This thought goes beyond improvisation, although improv is certainly a large part of what we do. To be a well-rounded performer who can meet their audience wherever they are, in whatever condition we find them, we must be prepared. That includes knowing more than a trick or two — but doesn’t necessarily mean buying a trunk load of props and items you might use every now and then. It’s more about you and what you bring to your performance, and how you add your flair or special spin to the whole presentation.
The work we do is already stepping out of our comfort zone, and into a place we do not inhabit, save for the few hours we spend there. Why impede the positive effects and health benefits you can share with those who need you to be there, always giving your best?
My advice: Realize this situation for what it is. Step out of your comfort zone to learn something new — and grow some more! You may discover something you don’t like… you will learn something new!
NEWly-published book especially for Hospital Clowns, Caring Clowns, Healthcare Family Entertainers, Applied Humor Therapists and SmileMakers, about entertaining in the healthcare setting:
More about this recommended book (click on this linked text): Injecting Healing Humor in the Healthcare Setting: Entertaining Effectively in the Healthcare Venue
You’re invited to receive our FREE Hospital Clown/Healthcare Family Entertainer/Applied Humor Therapist/SmileMaker e-Newsletter… by signing up to receive FREE Hospital Clown e-Newsletter (click on this link here)
Hospital/Caring Clown, Healthcare Entertainer Training is Essential
Training is really year-round for those in this ‘work’ that looks like “play.” After required training and updates, much learning is on-the-job. This actual on-the-floor-time ‘training’/experience is intensive, ongoing discovery about new situations and conditions, as well as finding new ways to entertain and delight at every turn along the merry way.
Since this time of the year brings many folks back to school, my thoughts often run to training programs and actual ‘school’ programs, teaching different skills and preparing the team to go out, meeting anything that comes their way in their meandering journey into the Great Clown Unknown.
May we never, regardless of our number of years of experience, become complacent and believe we do not need ongoing training, inspiration and support…
The following are our Top 6 Articles on Hospital Clown, Caring Clown, Healthcare Family Entertainer, Applied Humor Therapist, and SmileMaker training considerations, essentials, and ideas, along with helpful resources:
- Critical Care: Hospital Clown, Healthcare Entertainer Training is Important
- Critical Care: Purpose, Rationale, and necessity of Hospital Clown Training
- Character Clown Development from Within (Part 1)
- Character Clown Development (Part 2): 8 Tips in Selecting the Right Training Program
- 3 Tips for Adapting Material Learned at a Conference or Convention for Your Hospital Clown, Caring Clown, Healthcare Family Entertainer Groups
- Question Answered RE: Hospital Clown Certification and Paid Positions in Healthcare Clowning/Applied Humor Therapy
Resources:
Open House — whooohooo!!
Grand Opening: A Heart 4 Clowning Hospital Clown Caring Clown Resources Page on Facebook
You’re invited – please pop by! Hope you’ll “Like” A Heart 4 Clowning on Facebook and join our FUN:
Find A Heart 4 Clowning on Facebook!
Find A Heart 4 Clowning on Facebook here (or click on the above picture):
A Heart 4 Clowning Facebook Page Link:
http://www.facebook.com/AHeart4ClowningHospitalClownCaringClownResources
Our page is geared to support and encourage Hospital Clowns, Caring Clowns, Healthcare Family Entertainers, Applied Humor Therapists, and SmileMakers!
This newly-established page serves as an umbrella page for all AHeart4Clowning.com Media
Sharing appreciated – please help us pass the word to others who do this ‘work’ that looks like play – thanks ;o)
On February 17th AHeart4Clowning TalkRadio Show kicked off our 4th consecutive broadcast season, with a very special guest: therapeutic clown Kathy “Piccolo” Keaton. Here is a great vid that shows the work she does, spreading happiness and laughter in the healthcare setting:
Kathy is one of the featured instructors at Association for Applied and Therapeutic Humor (AATH) Conference April 7-11th, Buena Vista Palace Hotel & Spa (Disneyworld) Florida. This year, there are 3 therapeutic clowning sessions being offered! I know all of the instructors, and think you will thoroughly enjoy their classes… Check this cool conference out — for more information: http://www.aath.org/conference.htm
Last year, I was honored to present on How to Establish a Hospital Clown or Healthcare Family Entertainer Group at the AATH Conference. To read my impressions of it, click this link here
AHeart4Clowning now offers a Home Study based on my presentation: Work of Heart: Establishing Hospital Clown/Healthcare Entertainer Group – Train/Prep/Equip, for program details, click this link here
There are additional suggested related links listed below, including a link to the post about our AHeart4Clowning TalkRadio Show interview, in case you would like to tune in…
Recently, we became aware that some of our A Heart 4 Clowning videos are featured on the Big Apple Circus website! How cool is that?!
Checking around there, we discovered many very good, inspiring hospital clown and caring clown-related videos: http://videos.bigapplecircus.org/
Several A Heart 4 Clowning videos featured on the Big Apple Circus site!
Featured A Heart 4 Clowning video when we popped by the site was: http://www.aheart4clowning.com/2010/11/08/share-your-heart-your-gift-makes-the-world-better/
Totally loving this inter-connectedness offered through sharing via social media and new web features! Personally, we believe this where we should all have always been — open, networking and networked. No one has THE ‘corner on the market,’ and through sharing we all learn and can all do a better job!
Unfortunately even in this niche, such has not always been the case. Still today, we hear stories of how folks in our world of caring clowning and hospital clowns remain reserved, semi-closed and highly-selective about what and with whom they will share. Even when folks have paid them money to attend their training sessions, coming with a heart to learn, they remain closed-out. This makes us wonder — why?!
We have been able to help others make connections and find programs, training, information. If we can help you, please let us know how.
This website has been maintained since 2007 with the sole purpose of encouraging and inspiring hospital clowns, caring clowns and healthcare family entertainers — NO “secrets” here! We broadcast on AHeart4Clowning TalkRadio Show, AHeart4Clowning TV, and have published books and loads of multimedia on the subject to help anyone interested in this work that looks like play, based on nearly 14 years of actual hands-on experience. Our message and media remain unique.
Stay connected and don’t miss a thing! Register to receive the largest FREE Hospital Clown/Healthcare Family Entertainer/Applied Humor Therapist/SmileMaker Newsletter (electronic), sign-up available on this page
Listen to Big Apple Circus co-founder Michael Christensen interview with host Becky Cortino on AHeart4Clowning TalkRadio Show, click this link (here)