I wrote a book about how to laugh more every day

and you'll never believe the date that it is going to be available in bookstores. Plus recs for a new history of The Onion, Atsuko Okatsuka's subway take, and Courtney Martin on falling apart.

Jul 26, 2025

I wrote about a book about how to laugh more everyday, how to have a better sense of humor, and why I think that matters so much. That book is finally available for pre-order, which means I get to do a fun little cover reveal!

Here’s the book! Or a digital image representing what that book will look like!

There is no way you’ve ever seen an orange having a better time than this one.

Here’s how the publisher is describing the book:

“From a comedian and host of a hit TED podcast, a hilarious and enlightening guide to laughing your way into a fuller life

Ten years ago, when Chris Duffy was an exhausted fifth grade teacher, he taught the funniest person he’s ever met: 11-year-old Gary C. Gary was the school newspaper’s official food critic, blasting cafeteria pizza for looking like cardboard and alleging that the baked beans weren’t ‘beany’ enough. These days, Duffy is a comedian and the host of a podcast with millions of listeners, but he’s never forgotten the joy of laughing with Gary during that bleak Boston winter. Gary taught him that a life without a sense of humor isn’t much of a life at all.

With curiosity and wit, Duffy takes us on a journey to learn how a good laugh can bring us closer to the good life. When he endeavors to pay more attention to the world around him, he discovers that his once-dreary commute is laugh-out-loud funny: think a person catching a pigeon with his bare hands and Duffy’s very own Russian mystic doppelganger. Using psychology and the wisdom of fellow comedians, Duffy reveals that a sense of humor can turn you into the kind of person others want to be around, someone who can be honest about their flaws without beating themselves up. It can teach us how to show up more generously in our most important relationships, and how to handle the most painful parts of life without giving into despair.”

That is all great and I’m very excited about it!

But the part that is making me laugh the most is the date that this book is going to be on sale. The book team decided the best timing would be for this book to be out first thing in 2026. I said, “Sure! I want as many people to read this book as possible. I trust you!”

They said, “Great! Your publication date is going to be January 6th.”

I said, “That’s actually kind of a famous date, and not for comedy!”

They did not acknowledge that and moved the conversation along. Which is how I now have a book coming out on January 6th, 2026.

I have no choice but to announce that we are going to be storming the bookstores.

https://chrisduffycomedy.com/humor-me

My projects and upcoming events:

PODCAST: How to Be a Better Human (TED/PRX) - This week on the podcast, fashion designer Diarra Bousso talks about her work to make clothing more sustainable and to source expertise and inspiration from Senegal. We also talked about how her background in mathematics has influenced her artwork and why not understanding the norms of the fashion industry has been her greatest strength. Listen here (or wherever you get podcasts).

PODCAST: Parenting is a Joke - I was a guest on Ophira Eisenberg’s very fun podcast about parenting, where comedians who have kids talk about their experiences. I always love chatting with Ophira and this was a particularly fun one. Chris Duffy is a Large Baby With a Beard

This week’s list

GREAT:

Anne Helen Petersen’s Culture Study newsletter featured this very fun interview between Christine Driscoll and Christine Wenc about her new history of The Onion. There are so many anecdotes I’d never heard before. I loved the deep dive into how and why The Onion could only have been created in the Midwest. It’s a great read. The History of The Onion You Didn't Know You Needed

The interview also resurfaced some all-time classic Onion headlines, like this one, which got me really good. Archaeological Dig Uncovers Ancient Race Of Skeleton People

FUNNY:

I love watching Atsuko Okatsuka do comedy. She’s such a delight of a performer, in addition to writing very tightly crafted jokes. She’s just as hilarious in her interviews and press tour. This is a Hall of Fame appearance on Subway Takes even though, before hearing her defend it, I would have disagreed 100%. Atsuko Okatsuka says it’s okay to applaud or cheer when your plane lands

INTERESTING:

Courtney Martin is able to write about the mess of contemporary life better than any writer I know. I can’t think of anyone else who is able to so accurately capture the contradictory feelings of being overwhelmed and struggling while also knowing how lucky you are and also raging about the state of society and our support structures, all at the same time. I thought this piece was particularly moving. "Kneeling before a locked door"

BONUS FOR PAYING SUBSCRIBERS:

Paying subscribers make Bright Spots possible! This newsletter will always be available for anyone to read for free, but paying subscribers let me make that happen! They also get access to special features as well the entire archive of past posts. Paying subscribers also get my undying gratitude (which never dies). It’s never too late to join them!

That's it for this week. Thanks for reading! Please share Bright Spots with anyone you think might enjoy it.

Please me spread the word! The more people who pre-order my book, the less likely it is that I will have to pivot into becoming some sort of conspiracy theory shaman.

Chris Duffy

This has been Bright Spots, a newsletter.

…wait, who are you?

I'm Chris Duffy, a comedian, TV writer, podcast host, and both a former fifth grade teacher and a former fifth grade student. I’m currently writing a nonfiction book about humor for Doubleday.