In celebration of National Tell a Joke Day, Melissa Lee sat down with Sarah Flocken—Founder & Chief Human of SLH Communications, a strategic communications and PR firm helping people “sound like a human.” She specializes in strategic communications, public relations, crisis response, and professional development training. Off the clock, she’s an improv comedian and host of San Diego Pundemonium, recently voted MVP at the 2024 O. Henry World Pun-Off Championships.
Through her craft, Sarah bridges improv and communications to show that humor is a serious tool for connection, resilience, and influence. She shared how the improv principle “If this, then what?” sharpens messaging, storytelling, and even crisis planning. Her improv-informed workshops—like “Sound Like a Human” for elevator pitches—help professionals distill who they are, what they do, and why it matters. And yes, she treated us to on-the-spot puns, proving joy is strategy, not a distraction.
About the Author
Sarah Flocken is the founder of SLH Communications, a San Diego–based PR consultancy with a nationwide footprint, dedicated to helping clients communicate clearly and humanly. She provides timely strategic support across public relations, editorial content, policy communications, professional development training, and branding. Her work has been recognized by organizations including the San Diego Business Journal, San Diego Metro, Marquis Who’s Who, and the San Diego Press Club. Sarah hosts San Diego Pundemonium and performs regularly with indie improv teams, including Decon Blues and Breaking the News. A novelist as well, her debut book is slated for release in June 2026.
Website: www.slhcommunications.co
Instagram: www.instagram.com/sarahflockenwrites
Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-flocken
