What You Can Learn from This Year’s Humor Award Winners
Aka steal these great humor ideas.
One of my favorite parts of the Humor Awards each year isn’t just celebrating people who use humor well. It’s the ideas I end up stealing.
Every time we go through the nominations, I find myself jotting down new ways I want to bring humor into my own life, whether it’s a clever ritual, a mindset shift, or a ridiculous meme I’ll be using in presentations for years to come.
This year’s awards were no exception. Below are the winners of the 2025 Humor Awards, along with a practical takeaway from each that can help you bring a little more levity to your work and life.
Oh, and if you want to see all of the nominees, check out the announcement video.
2025 Humor Award Winners
Best Positive Spin Award: Mike Cundall
What he did: Turned the never-ending to-do list into a feel-good “ta-da list,” encouraging people to celebrate what they've already accomplished.
Takeaway: Don’t just chase the next task. Pause to appreciate and even laugh at what you’ve already pulled off. It’s good for morale and motivation.
Greatest Use of a Meme Award: Mary Beth Somich
What she did: Used relatable memes to make mental health and therapy more accessible, especially through her Instagram account as The Relatable Therapist.
Takeaway: Memes can do more than entertain. When they reflect something real and vulnerable, they help people feel seen and supported. So don’t be afraid to curate a bit of humor that delivers your message and engages your audience.
Most Creative Content Award: Daniel Thrasher
What he did: Created a meta-sketch about creativity and self-doubt that was equal parts hilarious and painfully relatable.
Takeaway: Most people aren’t blocked creatively because they have no ideas. They’re blocked because they think their ideas aren’t good enough. Laughing at that fear can help us move through it.
Comedic Performance of the Year: Yumbo Dump
What they did: Delivered a comedy performance using only their bellies and sound effects, reminding us of the joy of pure silliness.
Takeaway: Humor doesn’t always need a message. Sometimes laughter for the sake of laughter is just the thing your mind and body need.
Cleverest Humor Solution Award: Visit Sweden
What they did: Turned a diplomatic mix-up into a clever tourism video, correcting some confusion between Sweden and Switzerland with charm and wit.
Takeaway: When things go wrong, humor can be your best recovery tool. A smart, funny response shows confidence and earns respect.
Humor Spotlight Award: Restovit at Pearson VUE
What they did: Created a culture of consistent humor with practices like Thwacky Thursdays, absurd whiteboard prompts, and an ever-evolving traveling duck trophy.
Takeaway: Humor isn’t just a break from work, it can be baked into how work gets done. When it’s part of the system, it builds resilience and connection.
Keeping Humor Positive Award: Anthony Jeselnik
What he did: Publicly addressed the difference between comedy and trolling, reminding people that jokes aren’t a free pass to say anything.
Takeaway: Good humor is about more than just being bold. It’s about being thoughtful. Knowing where the line is and having the skill to walk it matters.
Humorist of the Year: Roberta Gold
What she did: Brought joy and comfort to her community through daily Zoom check-ins, “Laugh-a-Lattes,” and consistent support, even during personal hardship. Learn more about her work.
Takeaway: The most powerful humor isn’t flashy. It’s consistent, generous, and grounded in connection. Showing up with laughter, day after day, is one of the most valuable things a person can offer.
Share and Reapply
These winners prove that humor isn’t just a performance. It’s a mindset, a practice, and in many cases, a leadership tool. Whether you’re managing a team or just trying to get through the week, there’s always a way to make things a little lighter and a lot more human.
Which of these approaches will you try? Let me know or pass this along to someone who could use a laugh today.
(an)drew