May was [...]]]>

TEAMWORK DAY IN MARKHAM

May was an awesome month. I kicked it off hosting the Excellence Awards in Markham at the beautiful Flato Theatre recognizing the best in business in Markham.

  

MY INTERVIEW WITH SISSY SPACEK

Later on in the month, I was at Roy Thomson Hall interviewing one of my favourite actors -Sissy Spacek. Spacek was in Toronto promoting her new book; ‘My Extraordinary, Ordinary Life’. She was just a peach to work with and yes, she’s a Leafs fan. Click here for my complete interview with Sissy.

I will at Roy Thomson Hall again, June 3rd interviewing Dionne Warwick. Do you know the way to San Jose?

‘RELIEVING STRESS WITH HUMOUR’ HRPA STYLE

I had a great time last week presenting ‘Relieving Stress with Humour’ for Lotte, Rhonda and the rest of the HRPA Barrie and District Chapter gang- as they wrapped up their year. I look forward to seeing them in January at the 2014 HRPA Annual Conference at the Toronto Metro Convention Centre. 

‘STAND UP FOR THE GIRLS’ HITS THE ROAD

Next Friday ( May 31^st), I will be up in Sudbury with the fabulous Evan Carter and Sandra Battaglini for ‘Stand Up For The Girls’ for the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation. For tickets, check out any Greater Sudbury CIBC branch.

I had a fabulous, eye-0pening evening this past Monday, May 13, 2013 as I interviewed Sissy Spacek. Anyone who knows me, knows I am a list-writer by nature and that I love passing on life lessons to others. Well, Sissy [...]]]> Friday Croon News:  My interview with Sissy Spacek at Roy Thomson Hall

I had a fabulous, eye-0pening evening this past Monday, May 13, 2013 as I interviewed Sissy Spacek. Anyone who knows me, knows I am a list-writer by nature and that I love passing on life lessons to others. Well, Sissy Spacek proved that I, too, am teachable. Imagine that! Please allow me to woo you with my newfound water-cooler-worthy spiel.

 Life Lesson #1:

It doesn’t take very long to make someone feel special and important.

My bio says, “Judy Croon: comedian, motivational speaker, author and proud to have never been in jail.” As soon as I met Sissy Spacek, she said to me, “I have never been to jail either…at least, not in real life. I read your bio; I thought that was really funny.”

How sweet is that?

When Spacek shook my hand, she shook it with both of her hands and looked me straight in the eyes. “It’s really nice to meet you,” she said.

How cool is that?

 Life Lesson #2:

No one in this world is scar-free.

Following in the footsteps of their older cousin and his wife—actors Rip Torn and Geraldine Page—Sissy and her older brother, Robbie, had planned to go to New York together to pursue their dreams.

The dream was deferred as Robbie died of Leukemia. Spacek was a mere teenager at the time.

Life Lesson #3:

Life is too short. Do what makes you happy.

Instead of Spacek’s parents sheltering her, they recognized her passion for acting and let her drop out of college to go to New York as she had originally desired, to pursue her dream.

Thanks, Ms. Spacek, for the opportunity, the moment and the insights!

Okay, now for five fun facts:

- that was really Sissy’s hand that came out of the grave at the end of Carrie. She insisted upon it.

-Sissy broke into her Loretta Lynn impression while she reading excerpts from her book, ‘ My Extraordinary Ordinary Life‘.  (I was back stage. It was eerie because if you shut your eyes, you could swear you were at the Grand Ole Opry listening to Loretta.)

-Upon an audience member’s request, Sissy sang a few lines from ‘Coal Miner’s Daughter’ as the normally conservative Toronto audience

happily clapped along.

-Sissy took Loretta Lynn with her to the Oscars. After she won best actress for Coal Miner’s Daughter, Spacek was approached by Dolly Parton. Parton joked with Spacek and told her to get implants so she could play the role of Dolly next.

-Yes, for those of you wondering, Spacek is now a Leafs fan. haha

What a class act all the way!

Ottawa -June 1st – Ernst and Young Convention Centre

Attention Speakers/ Comedians/ Writers

Hey folks- Have you ever sat through someone’s powerpoint or presentation and I though, oye, I’d rather stick a curling iron in my eye and turn it on.

BORING…

On June 1st, I’ll show you how to add comedy and creativity to [...]]]>

Ottawa -June 1st – Ernst and Young Convention Centre

Attention Speakers/ Comedians/ Writers

Hey folks- Have you ever sat through someone’s powerpoint or presentation and I though, oye, I’d rather stick a curling iron in my eye and turn it on.

BORING…

On June 1^st, I’ll show you how to add comedy and creativity to any presentation, meeting, copyright or keynote!

I’ll show you techniques  that have been around in writing rooms, improv classes and comedy stages across north America.

Join me June 1^st in Ottawa at the Ernst and Young Convention Centre with my good friends Saul Jacobson and Steve Lowell.

We’ll be  teaching our workshop, ” The Secret Skills of Master Presenters.”

I promise, it’s going to be fun. No curling irons!

For tickets drop me a line or go to SecretSkills.Eventbrite.com

Stand Up For The Girls
CIBC’s Run for the Cure in Sudbury has aligned with Stand Up For The Girls May 31st. I’m happy to report that half of [...]]]> Hi folks,
Big news: I will be interviewing Sissy Spacek at Roy Thomson Hall May 13th. Looking forward to it.

Stand Up For The Girls
CIBC’s Run for the Cure in Sudbury has aligned with Stand Up For The Girls May 31st. I’m happy to report that half of the VIP tickets were sold even before the event hit the streets!
As of today, all VIP tickets are SOLD OUT- 22 tables of 10!
In total, 560 tickets are being sold and they are going fast.
For more info, or to bring ‘Stand Up For The Girls’ to your city, please feel free to drop me a line.
So far, Stand Up For The Girls and Laughlines have helped raise over $650,000 for breast cancer research.
“Stand-Up for the Girls”

“Stand-up for the Girls”

By the way, International Women’s Day in Ottawa was a blast.
I enjoyed three sold out shows with Laurie Elliot and Kristeen Von Hagen.
Who says the nation’s capital can’t rock it out?

Relieving Stress with Humour

Speaking of rocking it out, here’s a quick pic of me with the gang at The Ministry of Labour earlier this week ‘Relieving Stress with Humour’ in the workplace.

Judy Croon Live!

By the way, one of the ingredients from my keynote, ” Relieving Stress with Humour” is exercise.
YES, I’m still on my 3 minutes of exercise / week regime.
No, I’m not kidding.
People think my video is a parody because I’m a comedian. Don’t believe me? Check out the BBC special The Truth About Exercise.

Taming Hecklers : School yard Bullies : Why aren’t we using this method?

In my keynote, ” Taming Hecklers: Dealing with Difficult Personalities”, I talk about bullies. When school yard bullies aren’t dealt with, they turn into office bullies.
This is not meant to be a funny video but hopefully, it will get some conversations started.

–Have a fabulous April everyone! xo

When I was in high school, I used to work at this grocery store. I was the SLOWEST cashier on the express check-out! Haha

But I’m glad they are in the news for making this landmark step when it comes to [...]]]> Calgary grocery chain takes a big first step when it comes to caged animals

When I was in high school, I used to work at this grocery store. I was the SLOWEST cashier on the express check-out! Haha

But I’m glad they are in the news for making this landmark step when it comes to dealing with caged animals.