An Accountant Walks Into a Comedy Career… – The Resilience Learning Community

“The best way to connect is through laughter.” ~Ahmed Al-Kadri

In preparation for meeting comedian Ahmed Al-Kadri ahead of the upcoming Resilience Learning Community panel on comedy and resilience, I looked up his bio. One line stood out: “As a young child in Dallas, Ahmed dreamed of being an accountant, but his immigrant parents forced him to be a comedian instead.”

I literally laughed out loud. Before even meeting Ahmed, I already felt a sense of connection. When we did meet, I shared this story, and he told me that making people laugh is one of his favorite things to do. Instant connection. The conversation flowed easily from there.

Laughter and trust are deeply intertwined. We don’t laugh with people who feel unsafe–we laugh with people we trust. One of the workshops that Andi and I facilitate is called “Principles to Practice.” It focuses on practical ways to integrate a trauma-informed approach, grounded in its core principles. One of the tips we share for putting the principle of trust into practice is simple: laugh. It may seem like a frivolous suggestion, but it’s one of the favorites.

There’s even a physiological component to this. Neck exposure can act as a subconscious signal that no danger is perceived, indicating that a person feels secure enough to expose a vulnerable part of the body. Conversely, when trust is absent or discomfort arises, people tend to protect their necks (pulling their shoulders up, adjusting a collar, or touching the area).

Connection and laughter are not just emotional—they’re physiological.

Ahmed shared that part of his “why” for doing comedy comes from feeling like an outsider at times; humor became a way to feel understood. Much of his material draws from personal experience. When he shares a story that others recognize in their own lives, it becomes a reminder that—even in a world where we may feel divided—we are all human. As he put it, “Making people laugh is the best way to connect, especially now.”

Join Ahmed, Caroline Cummings, and Sam Brilhart for a panel discussion facilitated by RLC Co-Founder Andi Fetzner on Thursday, April 2, from 4:30–5:30 PT.

If you’re someone who works with people—whether as a practitioner, leader, or community member—, this conversation is for you.

Because sometimes, the most powerful path to resilience starts with something as simple as a joke.