You Just Have To Laugh

Ken Navarro began his recording career in Los Angeles as a premier session guitarist, performer and composer, performing and recording with artists as diverse as Doc Severinsen, Nell Carter, John Patitucci, Eric Gale, Vicki Carr, Dave Koz, Ann Jillian and Alex Acuna. In 1990, Ken established his own musical identity with the release of his debut album, The River Flows. With each successive album, Ken has received increasing acclaim and recognition as a leading stylist in Contemporary Jazz. Ken has made concert appearances at festivals, clubs, performing arts centers throut the world. Ken has shared the stage with artists such as Spyro Gyra, Chuck Mangione, Najee, Chris Botti, The Rippingtons, David Sanborn, Joe Sample, Jean Luc Ponty, Stanley Clarke, Larry Carlton, George Howard, Bela Fleck and the Flecktones, Keiko Matsui, David Benoit, Boney James and many others.  Ken's contribution to Contemporary and Mainstream Jazz goes beyond his personal artistry. Ken has produced successful albums for Narada/EMI recording artist Eric Darius as well as saxophonist Tony Craddock Jr. and pianist Jay Rowe to name a few. As founder of Positive Music Records, Ken is responsible for launching and furthering the recording careers of saxophonist Brandon Fields, guitarists Grant Geissman, Thom Rotella and Pat Kelley, and keyboardists Gregg Karukas, Jay Rowe and Marcus Johnson. Ken's vision of a musician's record label has enhanced the genre with over 35 new artists and 100 releases.

Klye Parris's legendary Possum Story is THE all-time open mic stories. It happend at a comedy club and Kansas City. It was open mic night at Stanford and Sons and Kyle gave a whole new meaning to killing the room. 

Your charming host David Naster had a revelation today in the gym. Why do I make other people business, mine. What's that about?  What is the need I have to make other's business, my business. Which explains the trolls on the social media. And why aren't I just concentrating on my business? A fun and insightful podcast.

Jonah Nelson continues to achieve many successes because he learns from every experience. Especially when he doesn't achieve a designated goal. That's when accepts he lost. Then he figures out what he learned and how to go back and get that goal. An insightful man who is led by his wisdom and heart.

Every day is a new day that starts a new week, month and year. Makin it one particular day and adding pressure to ending one year and starting another is out-dated. Any change or resolution only works if you start it today and continue it with committment and discipline. David takes you through how your inner self reflects your outer self and that is where the change and resolution begin. Make the choice today and follow through every day.

To be great, even a genius at anything takes discipline, commitment and the ability to stay out of your own way to accomplish greatness. John Kizilarmut shares his path to be an accomplishment drummer who leads with his heart, soul and intelligence.

Jeff Matovic has lived with Touretts his entire life. As a kid he was made fun of and bullied  unmercifully. He learned how to deal with it and how to effectively shut some bullies up when words didn't work. Jeff truly represents the heart and soul of the You Just Have To LAUGH message. We are honored and thrilled he is a part of our family. He is wickedly smart with a glorious sense of humor.

Rabbi Michael Zedeck joins us to share the true meaning of why Chanukah is a Jewish holiday. And much to my surprise I found out it's not about the oil lasting for eight days. It's about …. Well, I guess you'll have to listen.  

I offer this podcast with love and caring. Grief and death are the toughest emotions we go through. The idea of finding humor even laughter during the grieving process may seem impossible. It is not only possible it is vital in getting through the five stages of grief

The latest book by Michael Zedek, "People are like…" are stories that will not only grow your children or grandchildren's vocabulary and comprehension but will stimulate meaning conversations. This book is beautifully illustrated and a joy for young readers or readers who want to stay young. Order at amazon.

"There is an extremely powerful force that, so far, science has not found a formal explanation to. It is a force that includes and governs all others and is even behind any phenomenon operating in the universe and has not yet been identified by us. This universal force is LOVE."  Those are the words of Albert Einstein. In the book, You Just Have To Love the meaning of life, award winning author David Naster gives Nobel Prize winner Albert Einstein the explanation he searched a lifetime for. David weaves true stories of love, laughter, and what matters in life with the fictional story of how 13-year-old boy learns the meaning of life and love from his grandparents. Todd Donoho a former national sportscaster interviews David about the book. Order the book at – naster.com/laughstore

    Santa's Pitstop Shoppe and Gifts was founded in 2024 by Dave "the King" Wilson and his wife, Becky. Dave has been a professional Santa Claus for over 10 years, and obviously, he and Becky LOVE Christmas. Dave grew up with the track in his backyard, and in 1963 he attended his first tire test. As he sat in grandstand D for the first time and saw the roadsters fly by, he was hooked. Dave has spent his life collecting Indy car memorabilia and attending races. Now, he gets to combine his two passions, Spreading joy as Santa, and his love of racing in his hometown. Stop in to feel the excitement and learn a little history from Dave! Santa's Pitstop Shoppe and Gifts Mission Statement    To offer unique Christmas decor and locally produced gifts. We believe the world needs the Christmas Spirit all year long. Santa's Pit Stop Christmas Shoppe strives to foster the feeling of giving, forgiving and love we all feel during the celebration of Christ's birth, The love of family and our fellow human beings.   santaspitstopshoppe.com

James Inman is like no other comedian you have ever seen or heard, He is original and funny with a likeable vulnerability.  He takes you from his beginnings to winning the very prestigious San Francisco Comedy competion and performing at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and at Montreal Just for Laughs festval. Jamesinman.com

Comedian and author Mike Bridenstine accurately accounts of the most unique and bizarre "stand-up comedy culture" that may have ever existing in the United States. As the guy who started it, I can say Mike's detail and accuracy is impressive for a guy who didn't live it. From major comedy stars to a dead possum we had it all in Kansas City. Especially when you have the Glazer father and sons directing this wacko premise of a comedy club. A huge thanks to Mike for writing this book as we lived it. It's funny, we who were there can now appreciate  of madness we survived of Standford & Sons Comedy clubs. Order the book – Kanas City Comedy by Mike Bridenstine on amazon.

Tom Burgoon is an exceptional human being. He is the kind of person one cherishes as a friend. And that I do. I have the upmost respect for Tom's entertainment skills as a professional magician for over 50 years and still going. I am honored that Tom is sharing his creativity and talent on the 700th You Just Have To Laugh podcast. To book or learn more about Tom go to - tomburgoon.com

Don Crost set out from Evanston Illinois to California in his 1953 truck on Route 66. He did this to bring awareness to ShelterBox. ShelterBox is a global disaster relief organization that provides emergency shelter and essential household items to families displaced by natural disasters and conflict. It supplies items like tents, tarpaulins, and cooking equipment, and offers aid that is tailored to the specific needs of each community and disaster, such as tools for repairs or water filters. He is raising money for it's funding that sincerely helps people all over the world. Helping others is the heart of the You Just Have To Laugh message and podcast. The direct for ShelterBox donation and link: https://shelterboxusa.org/blog/2500-miles-for-25-years

Taking a risk is a choice. Sometimes a scary one, but never the less a leap of faith to get to a new and better place. Some risks lead to places we may not have wanted to go, but ended up being better place because we took the risk.  Thank you all for being a part of the You Just Have To Laugh Family. yjhtl.com

Meaghan Wood-Georgiana serves as Hospice Outreach Coordinator for Kansas Palliative & Hospice and Missouri Palliative & Hospice, where she leads community engagement and education initiatives. Drawing on her clinical background in various management roles in Assisted Living, Skilled Nursing, and Memory Care and academic experience as an adjunct college instructor, Meaghan designs and delivers in-service programs that empower healthcare teams with practical skills and compassionate approaches to end-of-life care. She holds a master's degree in gerontology with a specialization in trauma-informed care, elder mediation: intergenerational conflict resolution and guardianship issues, and contributed to research on sexuality in long-term care at Kansas State University's Center on Aging. Her expertise bridges clinical practice and family dynamics, making her a trusted resource for providers navigating complex care conversations.

Reverend Bob Hill and Rabbi Michael Zedek join the YJHTL podcast once again to offer their unique perspectives. This time we will be discussing the Messiah. It's always a joy to discuss different insights on a subject that is dear and important to those in the Christian and Jewish faith. Just as humor, laughter, music and helping other are part of the YJHTL message - so is faith. We thank you, Michael and Bob for being a part of the YJHTL family.

This episode is just to make you laugh with some very funny jokes and intetresting facts about your favorite animals. David offers his unique humourous twist about these glorious creatures we share the planet with.

These two, true stories prove the impotance of helping others. The YJHTL philosophy - Example is the only way to teach. Hopefully you will do the same in helping others. When we do, we help ourselves as well.

   Through global connection, community engagement, and creative enterprise, Bukeka empowers people worldwide. She is an award-winning singer, speaker, and songwriter, recognized for her inspiring voice, both on and off the stage. Her unique storytelling emphasizes equitable leadership, diversity, inclusion, and creativity in business      Bukeka is also the Co-Founder and CEO of  FAVunite is a multimedia enterprise uniting FAVunite TV (video streaming) and FAVunite Radio (digital audio) under one mission: to center Black stories, creators, and culture across entertainment, education, and empowerment.     Bukeka has been captivating the world with her inspirational music. Her lyrics convey powerful messages set to rhythms that move people to dance or simply contemplate life. With an incredible vocal range, her songs express an array of emotions, and audiences feel a greater sense of self-love and worthiness. Bukeka is known for “giving it    ukekastyle.com

 Making his way across the country on Route 66, Don Crost is bringing the importance of Shelter Box to the world. ShelterBoxes include family-size tents, though the contents differ depending on the disaster and climate. Many are packed with solar lights, water storage and purification equipment, thermal blankets, and cooking utensils. Depending on need, the organization may deliver ShelterKits, smaller aid packages that include tools, ropes, and heavy tarpaulins used to provide emergency shelter and repair damaged structures.  Don is raising money as well as awareness to helping those who have been devastated by a catatrophy. The direct for ShelterBox donation and link: https://shelterboxusa.org/blog/2500-miles-for-25-years

The You Just Have to Laugh connects on Don Crost's Route 66 journey to California – bringing awareness to ShelterBox. Rotary's ShelterBox brings shelter and relief to those in serious need after a major catastrophe. YJHTL is dedicated in helping others. Picture (Don Crost and Bonnie Johnson) Link to donation - https://shelterboxusa.org/blog/2500-miles-for-25-years

Don Crost joins the YJHTL podcast to share the brilliance of the Rotary shelter box. The signature green boxes are adapted to fit the emergency before being transported on scant notice. Most boxes include family-size tents, though the contents differ depending on the disaster and climate. Many are packed with solar lights, water storage and purification equipment, thermal blankets, and cooking utensils. Depending on need, the organization may deliver ShelterKits, smaller aid packages that include tools, ropes, and heavy tarpaulins used to provide emergency shelter and repair damaged structures.  Don is journeying from Evanston, Illinois on to Route 66 to Los Angeles. He is doing this to bring awareness the massive shelterbox brings to those in neeed.    direct ShelterBox donation and link: https://shelterboxusa.org/blog/2500-miles-for-25-years

Dave Moore has been a professional pilot for over 40 years. He shares his vast experience and love for flying. He also lets you know your best options for buying or leasing a jet after you win that BIG LOTTERY. This podcast is a fascinating insight into the profession of flying.

    Brian Ward is the best of the best. To hear him play the piano and organ is a gift to your ears and soul. A fellow musician describes Brain's playing as, ‘flawless.' His solos when playing jazz are captivating, bringing big applause from those who are fortunate enough to hear him play live. And what got my attention is that when he plays his solos, his eyes are closed. His fingers know exactly where to strike 10 of the 88 keys on the grand piano. Brian shares that he loves to practice and bring new tunes to life.     Brian is as humble as it gets. When I told him that a fellow band member called his playing flawless, Brian was thrilled and appeared a bit shy of the compliment. Brian shares his passion for music that began when he was five years old. Over 50 years later his joy for playing has magnified as well as intensified. The You Just Have To Laugh family is honored to hear Brian share his love of music – that in turns makes us feel great.

We all go through emotional crossroads. getting through them is the hard part. Humor and laughter can be two of the tools to help you get through them easier. David share some stories how that is possible.   yjhtl.com

One of Amber DiGiovanni's many talents is being a process server. If you didn't have a sense of humor it would be a alot harder to do. Amber shares some very funny stories of what she has experienced serving people legal documents.

The podcast features true stories how Real People found the Real Funny through their Real problems. Hopefully the stories make you laugh and see that humor and laughter are both possible during turbulent times. yjhtl.com

    Dr Sue Jackson is an experienced psychologist with a special interest in working with individuals in high-performance domains (including athletes, medical doctors, business professionals, artists) to help them tap into their potential to find the optimal psychological state of flow in performance challenges, or simply with life as it is happening in each present moment. With a strong academic background, Sue brings to her consulting an in-depth understanding of the science behind flow state & optimal performance, complementing her extensive practical tool kit of psychological strategies and skills to help clients create positive change in their lives.     In 1999, Sue co-authored the ground-breaking Flow in Sports: The Keys to Optimal Experiences and Performances, with the founder of flow, Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, while working as an academic researcher in sport psychology. In 2024, Sue published a new book on flow, Experiencing Flow: Life Beyond Boredom and Anxiety. In Experiencing Flow, Sue shares her learnings about flow from having researched this optimal psychological state for many years, as well as insights from her work with high-level performers across many domains.    You can learn more about Sue and her work at www.drsuejackson.com

YJHTL is not only about  humor and laughter but about how faith and helping others can get us through tough times. We are in tough and violent times right now. And not just in America, but all over the world. Reverend Bob Hill and Rabbi Michael Zedek join the YJHTL podcast to offer sound suggestions on how we can lower the temperature on our reactions to violence.

I had to put the stupid grocery clerk in her place. WHY? Because I could. And she needed the truth instead of her woke fantacy.

    Elliott Threatt was the youngest boy of 4 children. His parents were very active in the early civil rights movement. James Threatt, Elliotts father, was one of the first black elected officials in the state of New Jersey and the nation.     A young Elliott watched the likes of great Jackie Robinson, tennis pioneer Arthur Ashe and noted poet Langton Huges visit his home for dinner. One week before he was assassinated, Martin Luther King sat at the Threatt dinner table.     “Over the years I watched as my father made public speeches, using his humor and wit to defuse tense situations.” states Elliott.     After finishing high school in Kansas City, Elliott accepted a tennis scholarship to play for the University of Missouri. He started stand-up comedy in his first year of college and was soon hooked. Hooked so bad that the next year he quit tennis to concentrate all his free time on comedy.     For over 40 years, Elliott Threatt has entertained audiences in all 50 states and 6 countries. Along the way Elliott was nominated for a Grammy for Best Spoken Word Comedy and won an Emmy. Elliott has performed for all of the major Cruise lines and has toured in Concert with Smokey Robinson and Patti La Belle. Elliott's most recent TV appearances included NBC Last Comic standing and BET's Comic View.     In addition to being a very funny man, Elliott is very successful business man owning numerous restaurants all over the United States.

Amy Honeycutt received a liver transplant in 2011 and became a donor family member in 2016. She currently works as an RN Allocation Coordinator in sunny San Diego and is school to become a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. Other than work, school, and numerous professional and advocacy endeavors, Amy enjoys traveling with her boyfriend, being a dog mom, all the sports, and being an Aunt.

As a world-class trumpet, Stanton Kessler has got the ‘chops.'  He has over 50 years to back that up. David Naster has over 48 years of being a professional comedian with the ‘chops' to back that up. The boys discuss the similarities of both jazz and comedy and the differences of how they affect us emotionally and physically. You will enjoy their expertise and insight as they are just a couple of life-long friends sitting at the kitchen table sharing stories and laughs.

This podcast has a special place in my heart because it is with my beloved niece. Paris Naster. She was bound for the Spotlight of Broadway when the Ohr of Judaism shined brighter. Ohr  is one of the two main Kabbalistic metaphors for the light of understanding God with the mystery of divine influence, along with the other metaphor of the human soul-body relationship. Esther Lewin is now her Jewish, married name as she lives joyfully with her husband and son in Israel.     Esther's journey is profound and fascinating as she shares not the coincidences of her path but the God-instances that led her to Israel.

Jeff Matovic returns to the YJHTL podcast to share how faith in God and himself led him to be the first person to have his Tourette Syndrome controlled through deep brain stimulation. Jeff's story is amazing. His faith is inspiring.

 Michael Panethiere is proficient in both hemisphere's of the brain including being a world class musician and a Ph.D in ConstructionScience/Electrical Engineering. His Professional Registration: (P.E., Electrical) includes the states of Kansas, Missouri, Arizona, Nebraska, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Indiana, Colorado, Oklahoma, Ohio, Virginia, Iowa, California, Illinois, Massachusetts, Nevada, Florida, Minnesota, South Carolina, and Texas His expertise and research is in Building Electrical Power Systems Engineering, Electrical Grounding and Bonding, Sustainable Electrical Design, Lighting Design, Arc-Flash Analysis, Construction Safety, and Fire-Alarm Systems Engineering. He designed all of the systems for AMC theaters all over the world. In addition to all of that he is a world-class guitar player playing in one of the hottest funk/soul bands ever – The Platinum Express. Which he started and is the leader. And a huge congratulations on his recent marriage.

Ever since Mourning Doves started using my patio as their nesting home I have been fascinated by these glorious creatures. Elizabeth Stoaks joins the YJHTL podcast to explain all about Mourning Doves. Elizabeth is with the Burroughs Audubon Society of Greater Kansas City. www.burroughs.org 816-795-8177

After 32 yr career on the Kansas City Missouri Fire Dept. Captain Ray Wynn died from occupational cancer due to exposures to toxins in his Bunker Gear . His wife Jean is working to get laws changed to get benefit federal benefits

    MyCo Planet is a USDA Organic certified urban mushroom farm that is proudly woman-owned. They specialize in growing gourmet mushrooms with a focus on leaving a positive impact on our environment and helping people get started with their mycological journey.     Robin Moore is a proud mother, trained biologist and founder of MyCo Planet. She started growing mushrooms as a way of creating food, providing education for her children, and to be closer to nature. During this time, she fell in love with mushrooms and learned how we are all connected to them.     Did you know mushrooms are genetically closer to humans than plants? Much like us, mushrooms breath oxygen and exhale Co2.They have been on this planet for 800 million years helping to decompose waste material and provide nutritious soils and carbon dioxide for plants to grow. MyCo Planet's mission is to harness the amazing power of mushrooms while building a sustainable business that is technologically and scientifically driven.

A tribute to the elderly. We rock!

I did a 93 hour hour water fast - yes water only. All for health reasons. I will take your through the netire process and how I benefitted from it.

The story goes that Kansas City was just supposed to be a pit stop on the road back home for Frank Boal. He'd cut his teeth in a large television market and eventually go cover the boyhood teams he once cheered. But once he got to Kansas City he loved it. The people reminded him of people in Pittsburgh, his hometown. They're warm, charming and love their teams. Frank became part of the fabric of Kansas City, emerging as one of its most recognizable media personalities ever to walk across the TV screen as he carved out a 36-year career mostly as a sports director. It's a body of work that is tough to match and why the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame is proud to induct Boal with the Class of 2017. Frank spent 28 years at WDAF-TV in Kansas City and then finished his career at KSHB-TV, all the while working for 810 WHB Radio and earning respect from the athletes and coaches he covered.  

This podcast is short and oh so sweet. I specially chose these three stories to show how families going through not-so-funny times have used humor to get through them. I sincerely hope they help if you are going through a turbulent time.

After suffering from Tourette's for years—with his tics and outbursts getting progressively worse and with no results coming from drugs or physical or spiritual therapy—Jeff Matovic was able to convince his doctors and insurance company to try a risky deep brain stimulation treatment, a surgery that involves the implantation of a pacemaker for the brain into his skull. Jeff joins the YJHTL family with his amazing story.

This podcast features me, David, your humble and charming host. I share why making the choice to laugh and find humor in life, especially during the tough times will help get through them and lead to a more fun and enjoyable life!

Your charming host delves into the true meaning of Independence for individuals and their country. On this July 4th of 1025 I believe we all must celebrate everday our independence with gratitude and thankfulness. No matter what country we live in.

Chef Amber DiGiovanni redid an old church bus including a stove, bathtub, office/dining area and so much more. She did the entire rehab and lived in it for with her wonder dog and—well, I'll let her tell you the rest of the story…

This is a true story about two baby doves that were born on a plant in my patio – 5 stories high. From the mother cooing outside my window, to her laying the eggs and watching the babies being hatched and watching the babies take flight after they were big enough, I was there for the entire process. I learned to be calm, peaceful and let nature do its magic - staying out the way and letting it be. The picture you see is the actual mother with her babies.