NEW ULM - A 51-year-old former homeless wino turned national comedian, author and actor promoted the use of humor to defuse and heal from difficult situations Thursday at a Recovery Month workshop at New Ulm Medical Center.
He recalled dealing with his alcoholic father.
"My dad used to beat me with a belt buckle so bad, I couldn't go to school for a few days," said Oakland, Calif. native Mark Lundholm. "He still drinks, but I forgave him years ago, which was liberating. It's easier to walk around now."
Lundholm went though many levels of substance abuse treatment before becoming sober in 1988.
He urged the audience not to be afraid to use humor.
"If you take yourself too seriously, nobody else will," Lundholm said.
"Rage is shame turned inside out ... nothing works better now than humor," he added.
Lundholm said humor breaks down barriers and is a very valuable tool.
"After I do shows, people tell me things they probably don't tell anyone else," he added.
A speaker, actor and author, Lundholm said he's written talking points and answered interview questions for many people including Donald Trump, Conan O'Brien, Eric Clapton and other national celebrities.
"Faith has a lot to do with what I do," he said. "I don't care so much if you like this today. I just hope you remember to use humor."
He talked about how to deal with cancer.
"If you have it, it isn't your fault. No way. Just treat it right away," Lundholm said.
He talked about substance abuse.
"It's a force of nature that can hit anyone. The rich, the poor, the educated, the uneducated," he added. "Trauma and DNA light the fuse. Humor, inspiration and good examples always work."
Lundholm recalled speaking at the Betty Ford Center, a luxurious, non-profit alcohol and drug addiction treatment hospital in Rancho Mirage, Calif.
"The public relations guy kept telling me not talk to the Fords directly, so I joked with them directly. It was so great, they laughed and keep hiring me back each year," he said.
Lundholm said he's addicted to golf, coffee and driving rental cars too fast.
He offered advice for substance abuse workers.
"You can teach people not to be inflictors. They won't thank you at first, but someday later they just might," Lundholm said, his voice and face strained with emotion.
Lundholm will give a public performance at 8 o'clock tonight in the District 88 Administrative Center.
Tickets, which are $20, are available at the medical center, Chamber of Commerce, Cash Wise, Lola's, the Grand Kabaret and at the door.
His presentation is in conjunction with the 25th anniversary of substance abuse services offered by New Ulm Medical Center.
(Fritz Busch can be e-mailed at fbusch@nujournal.com).
