How Story and Humor Bring Hope in Heavy Times — with Sky Bergman

Have you noticed that it can almost feel wrong to laugh right now?

The world feels heavy. Divided. Overwhelming.  

And yet — laughter still breaks through.

When I learned that filmmaker Sky Bergman was working on a new documentary called The Jollytologist® — about Allen Klein and the healing power of humor — I immediately felt the alignment.

Allen’s work around humor and grief intersects beautifully with what we talk about here at Late Bloomer Living: playfulness, resilience, and the courage to keep growing — at any age.

This conversation lives right in that intersection.

Can We Laugh in Heavy Times?

During our conversation, Sky said something that stopped me:

Sometimes we might even feel a little guilty for laughing.

That tension is real.

Is it wrong to laugh when so much feels uncertain?
Is humor inappropriate in heavy times?
Or is it exactly what helps us stay human?

In this episode, Sky shares how storytelling — especially stories rooted in humor and connection — can:

• Reduce isolation
• Strengthen empathy
• Bridge generational divides
• Remind us we’re not alone

And maybe most importantly… help us feel hopeful without pretending everything is fine.

👉 Watch the YouTube version of this episode. 

A Companion to Last Week’s Episode

This episode is a companion piece to my conversation with Allen Klein — The Jollytologist® himself.

In that episode, Allen shared his personal journey through grief and how humor became not an escape, but a lifeline.

👉 Listen to my episode with Allen Klein

Sky’s film tells that story through a broader lens — exploring how humor strengthens community, builds empathy, and helps us feel less alone.

Together, these two conversations create a fuller picture.

Why I Invited Sky Back

If you’ve been listening for a while, you may remember my first conversation with Sky in Episode 192:

👉 Episode 192: Resilience, Positivity and Purpose at Every Age with Filmmaker Sky Bergman

In that earlier episode, we talked about her PBS documentary Lives Well Lived and the wisdom she gathered from interviewing people aged 75 to 100.

Since then, Sky has continued stepping into what she calls her “third act” — producing films that connect generations through story, culture, music, humor, and tradition.

More About Sky Bergman

Sky Bergman is an award-winning filmmaker, photographer, author, and Professor Emeritus of Photography & Video at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. Her work has appeared in museum collections and publications including Smithsonian.

Her projects include:

• Lives Well Lived
• Lives Well Lived — GENERATIONS
• The Mochi Movie
• The Prime Time Band
• The Jollytologist®

Learn more about Sky here:
👉 https://skybergmanproductions.com

Learn more about The Jollytologist® here:
👉 https://www.thejollyfilm.com/