Dr. Russell Kennedy is a practicing medical doctor, professional stand up comedian, corporate speaker, television host and certified yoga and meditation teacher.  Russ holds degrees in Brain Science (B.Sc., UVIC 1987) and Medicine (MD, UWO 1991). He enjoys practicing medicine, and loves helping people. He is as comfortable on the stage as a stand up comedian as he is in the convention setting, giving talks to groups of all backgrounds on the neurobiology of stress. Russ' background combines the knowledge from his degrees in science and medicine with eastern philosophy practices learned through a disciplined daily practice of yoga and meditation. His goal is to provide a stress reduction program that incorporates the latest in brain science fused with ancient eastern philosophy. He is currently writing a book that combines the best of Eastern and Western stress reduction strategies called "A Refill on Your Perception". Dr. Kennedy operates as a traditional MD, but he also believes that western medicine is very pharmacologically based and that the powerful effect of the mind is significantly underutilized in traditional medicine. In addition, Russ feels that people consulting health care practitioners in North America seem to have adopted either/or approach, using purely Eastern or purely Western types of medicine. His philosophy involves combining the best of both modalities, suggesting that medication and meditation can often work synergistically. Through stand up comedy, his upcoming book, and radio and television appearances, Dr. Russ wants to show people a more joyful, mindful and fun way of living.