I've gotten to work with some great people. I've been really lucky.
People have every right to be offended -- but that doesn't mean they get to take away your right to offend.
Mountain Pine bark beetles need -37°C (-35°F) for three days to freeze to death. Unfortunately, with global warming, that no longer happens in British Columbia [Canada]. This means the population of the beetles have exploded. They have destroyed more forests than all the environmentalists put together have saved.
Van Ritzen is one of the funniest humans I've ever met. Read her book, laugh, lather, rinse, repeat.
A spoonful of humor makes the message go down easier.
In addition to listening to the audience's laugh, you want to listen to their silence. Is it bored or interested silence? The silence is quieter and filled with energy when they're interested. You can hear a pin drop. When they're bored, you can always hear it.
I grew up in the projects in Brooklyn, and I consider myself lucky and blessed to be where I am - just working.
My heartfelt wish for you: as you get older, your self will diminish and you will grow in love.