Nancy Goldman is an educator, coach, and researcher working at the intersection of storytelling, humor, and social change. Her doctoral research examined how comedians use humor to raise awareness of social and political issues, a foundation that informs her later writing on comedy’s role in democracy.

Goldman describes humor—especially comedy, satire, and stand-up storytelling—as a “social corrective.” By exposing the gap between democratic ideals and lived reality, humor invites people to notice injustice, question norms, and stay engaged rather than shut down. It can strengthen democracy and advance social justice by lowering defenses, validating lived experience, and making difficult truths speakable.

Drawing on incongruity theory, she explains that laughter arises from the mismatch between expectation and experience, creating a brief opening in which new ideas can take hold. In that moment, fear and anger are softened, allowing for more flexible, reflective thinking. This makes humor a powerful vehicle for addressing controversial or polarizing topics. Joking about stigmatized issues can reduce shame, surface what is usually hidden, and even encourage people to seek help.

In an era of polarization and civic disengagement, Goldman celebrates humor as a much-needed ally—one that connects people across differences, challenges the status quo, and reminds audiences of their own democratic agency.

TREND PAPER: Comedy and Democracy: The Role of Humor in Social Justice

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