Episode Description
If you haven't yet, please subscribe to this Run The Race podcast, where we talk on a regular basis about fitness and faith. This week's guest is a standup comedian who gives us a wide variety of impressions, showing how laughter is great medicine in crisis or whenever. Sam Beman - who's also a deejay, talk show host, and father of 5 - talks about being a cancer survivor and how God used him to bring joy to other cancer patients in his darkest days.
After my intro, (5:14) the chat with Sam kicks off with some of his voices: Mickey Mouse, several Presidents, Jack Sparrow, Yoda, Christopher Walken, Waterboy, and more. We talk about how comedy can help in crisis like this pandemic. Did you know a good belly laugh relaxes your body for 45 minutes and laughter boosts your immune system?
In the “Fast Four,” (12:59) we get to know Sam a.k.a. DJ Smooth B who’s also a father with five kids in the house. He discusses how cancer affected his fitness regimen, his positive attitude, and his motto of “love God, love people.”
(20:49) He becomes “The Grinch” During this holiday season, available to be booked for parties and schools, while he also brings holiday cheer and costume at hospitals - telling the story of what his Grinch Did with a young cancer patient who didn’t have long to live.
(24:29) Sam also takes us through his cancer journey from a few years ago that started with a lump on his neck and being diagnosed with Hodgkin’s disease lymphoma stage four, then being hospitalized for almost a month right after getting married. He had to learn how to walk. Sam lost 45 pounds, and jokes it’s a weight loss plan he wouldn’t recommend.
How did he become a full-time entertainer? (32:23) That is thanks in part to the recession and losing his job in 2012. He attributed health problems to burning the candle at both ends with numerous entertainment jobs. He still feels at home on stage, doing voices, acting, bringing joy to others. (38:28) His deejay Job during the pandemic included bringing classic tunes outdoors at a senior center, while social distancing.
Sam got into comedy in 2007. (42:08) He’s OK be known as a Christian comedian or someone who does clean comedy. He says it’s a challenge, because it’s easy to go dirty with comedy.
(45:39) We close with Sam giving an inspiring message for others about using your gifts and talents from God for good in this world, not like the prank phone calls he used to make as a youngster. When cancer hit, Sam thought his life was over and asked God to help him be a blessing to others, even using the cancer center as his stage. (53:23) Don’t miss the final segments, Food for Thought, Parting Gift, and a closing prayer.
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