Diagnosed at 22
A severe form of arthritis, and pain that would follow him for decades. David decided that while he could not change the diagnosis, he could change how he responded to it.
TEDx speakerCertified Humor ProfessionalLCSW · Tucson, AZ
David M. Jacobson · Humor & health speakerChange the way you think. Change the way you feel.
David was diagnosed with severe arthritis at 22. He turned humor into his medicine, then spent three decades teaching hospitals, agencies and leaders how to use it. His keynotes are funny, practical and built on real clinical experience.
5.0 on The Bash📚 3 award-recognized books🎤 30+ years on stage
Trusted by hospitals, government agencies and associations
The idea behind everything
“If you can change the way you think, you can change the way you feel, and humor can help you change the way you think.”— David M. Jacobson, LCSW, C.H.P.
Three reframes from David's own life.
Tap a card to flip it →
David's story
A serious life, told with a sense of humor.
Watch the wheel. It is the same one-wheel attitude that carried David from a hard diagnosis to hospital leadership, the TEDx stage and three books.
Read the full story →El Tour de Tucson, twice over
A silver medal in the 115-mile ride earned him the Jim Elliot Award. Then he rode the 50-mile course on a unicycle and took home the trophy for the event's most unique bicycle.
Fundraising for people living with arthritis.
Honored by the Arthritis Foundation
Chosen from thousands of nominations as a National Hero Overcoming Arthritis, alongside football legend Joe Namath, and later given the Foundation's Lifetime Achievement Award.
With Joe Namath.
From therapist to executive
Chief of Social Work for the Phoenix VA Health System, an instructor at the University of Arizona College of Medicine and a hospital leader in Tucson, all while speaking on humor and health.
Tucson's hardest day
After the January 8 shooting, David's team at University Medical Center supported survivors and their families. President Obama thanked him personally for that work.
With President Obama at UMC.
A Top 10% Leader
Banner Health named David a Top 10% Leader for outstanding team engagement and leadership results, proof that humor and serious leadership work well together.
TEDx, three books and a full calendar
David speaks to healthcare teams, government agencies and associations across the country, and shares the same tools in his award-recognized books.
On the TEDx stage.
- 30+years speaking on humor and health
- 3award-recognized books
- 50miles ridden on one wheel
- 5.0average rating on The Bash
- 2El Conquistador trophies
Keynotes & workshops
Who is in your audience?
Pick your group and see the program David recommends. Every session is tailored to your theme, and works as a keynote, breakout or workshop.
Signature keynote
Laughing to Ease the Pain
The role of therapeutic humor in coping with illness
The serious story of David's diagnosis, told in a very funny way. Audiences learn what humor does for the body, mind and relationships, and leave with strategies they can use the same day.
- If you change the way you think, you change the way you feel
- Humor can be powerful, even life-transforming
- Your sense of humor is a top resiliency tool
For hospitals, patients & caregiversSignature keynote
Highly Humorous Leadership
The role of humor in leadership and team building
Do you want a speaker who talks about leadership, or a healthcare leader who speaks from experience? David shows how humor improves morale, communication and cohesion, and where the line is at work.
- Use humor to improve communication
- Practice humor techniques for team building
- Know appropriate from inappropriate humor
For managers, supervisors & executivesWorkshop
Resiliency Amidst Change
Less stress, better health, even when everything moves
Change is stressful. This program gives people practical resiliency tools, and a working sense of humor, so they can cope with change and protect their health along the way.
- Understand the stress that change creates
- Build a personal resiliency toolkit
- Use humor to reframe what you can't control
For teams going through changeWorkshop
Humor in Diversity
Using humor to enhance diversity acceptance
Humor crosses every culture. David explores how baggage, projections and judgments get in the way of appreciating differences, and how humor can help people connect instead.
- Use humor to decrease prejudice
- Knock down barriers that block communication
- Respond well to inappropriate humor
For inclusive, connected workplacesBooks by David
Laughter you can take home.
Three books on humor, leadership and wellbeing, written from three decades of clinical work. All three are on Amazon.
Writer's Digest
Honorable Mention
Honorable Mention
7½ Habits to Help You Become More Humorous, Happier & Healthier
Simple daily habits for using humor to face life's challenges. The first edition was a Best Books Award finalist.
Foreword INDIES
Award winner
Award winner
Highly Humorous Leadership
A fun, effective approach to management and supervision, and the companion guide to David's leadership keynote.
The trophy shelf
Honors along the way.
Each award tells part of the story. Tap one to see it up close.
National Hero Overcoming ArthritisArthritis Foundation, chosen from thousands of nominations
El Conquistador Trophy“Most Unique Bicycle” for 50 miles on a unicycle
Jim Elliot AwardSilver medal in the 115-mile El Tour de Tucson
KBS Joy MaskFor a Korean documentary on humor and stress
EPA Crystal AwardNational Disability Awareness Month
Lifetime AchievementArthritis Foundation
Raves & reviews
Extremely funny, yet thought provoking.
5.0
Average rating from verified event organizer reviews on The Bash (formerly GigMasters), across 11 verified bookings.
Read all reviews
In the press
Three decades of headlines.
From the Arizona Daily Star to a magazine in London and a documentary in Seoul, David's story has been told around the world. Open a clipping to read it.
Arthritis TodayArizona Daily StarTucson CitizenazcentralEveryday HealthKBS KoreaBold JourneyPBAA Journal
Watch & listen
See David in action.
TEDx · Keynotes · Workshops
Keynote clips, a TEDx talk and the habits in action.
Watch the videos
On the radioInterviews on humor, health and living with painQuestions
Good to know.
Who is David M. Jacobson?
David M. Jacobson, MSW, LCSW, C.H.P. is a humor and health speaker, author and licensed clinical social worker in Tucson, Arizona. He is a Certified Humor Professional, a former healthcare executive and a TEDx speaker who has lived with severe arthritis since he was 22.
What is a Certified Humor Professional?
C.H.P. stands for Certified Humor Professional. The designation is earned by completing the three-year, graduate-level Humor Academy of the Association for Applied and Therapeutic Humor (AATH).
What does David speak about?
Therapeutic humor and health, humor in leadership and team building, resiliency during change, and humor in diversity. His best-known keynotes are Laughing to Ease the Pain and Highly Humorous Leadership. See the programs.
Who does David usually speak to?
Hospitals and healthcare teams, government agencies, universities, nonprofits and professional associations. Past hosts include Banner Health, Phoenix Children's Hospital, the EPA, the USDA and the Arthritis Foundation.
How do I book David for my event?
Send a short note through the contact page with your date, location and audience. David will personally get back to you about availability and how to tailor the session.
Ready to give your audience something to smile about?
Tell David about your event, your audience and what you hope they walk away with.