Janet Regensburg is more than an educator or comedian—she is a bridge between knowledge and joy, wisdom and laughter. Growing up as the youngest of six in public housing in Guttenberg, New Jersey, Janet experienced the tight-knit, vibrant world of a community where everyone knew everyone. From delivering papers as a young girl to working at a local fast-food restaurant, she learned early on the value of hard work, resilience, and perseverance.
Raised in a family where humor was abundant, Janet found herself naturally drawn to comedy. From the Carol Burnett Show to Saturday Night Live and Night at the Improv, the stage became a calling long before the classroom did. “I knew at age five I wanted to pursue comedy,” Janet recalls. But alongside her comedic aspirations, teaching resonated deeply. Inspired by teachers who left lasting impressions on her—like seventh-grade math teacher Linda Marinello-Santucci and English teacher Gary Jaworski—Janet recognized the power of education to transform lives.
Janet’s path has been anything but conventional. For decades, she dedicated herself to education, building a career where she could inspire and uplift students. A nudge from friends and colleagues led her to the American Comedy Institute in New York City, where she developed a five-minute routine and began a serious pursuit of stand-up comedy.
“I realized that the most powerful moments in both comedy and teaching are not about the performance,” Janet shares. “They’re about the connection.” Humor became a tool for learning, a bridge to understanding, and a means to foster resilience. For her students, discovering that their teacher was also a comedian deepened trust and engagement. Laughter, Janet explains, triggers endorphins, relieves stress, and strengthens community—proving that comedy is much more than entertainment; it’s a catalyst for connection and growth.
Financial challenges marked some of the hardest periods in Janet’s journey. Balancing multiple jobs, worries about bills, and self-doubt tested her resolve. Yet, she emerged stronger, guided by values of integrity, empathy, and resilience.
A pivotal turning point arrived after 25 years in teaching, when she decided to fully explore stand-up comedy. This decision reflected a broader philosophy: life’s purpose is found not in rigid definitions of success, but in connection, impact, and authenticity. Her experiences highlight the power of embracing one’s unique journey, turning setbacks into strength, and laughter into learning.
Janet has touched countless lives through both the classroom and the stage. Her proudest moments come from shared connections—a concept clicking for a student, a laugh shared with an audience, or the bridge built between two seemingly different worlds. Through her work, she hopes to inspire resilience and a sense of togetherness: “From the stage to the classroom, my ultimate hope is that people leave with a renewed sense of connection. The sense that we are all in this together, so let’s have some fun with it.”
Janet is a radiant fit for the SOS family, bringing her vision to a new platform: starting in 2026, she will host 30 / 3 on SOS Radio Live. Each episode will feature three comedians, blending humor, storytelling, and insight to inspire listeners in ways that resonate both personally and professionally. Through the SOS ecosystem, Janet will expand her reach beyond local stages and classrooms, connecting a global audience with joy, wisdom, and practical strategies for life. Her show will reflect the SOS mission: creating spaces where voices are amplified, purpose is honored, and communities are strengthened.
Janet’s legacy is rooted in connection, laughter, and resilience. She aims to show that embracing every part of life’s story—the struggles, the triumphs, and the moments in between—creates opportunities for growth, healing, and joy. Her approach to leadership, both on stage and in the classroom, emphasizes psychological safety, empowerment, and shared experience. Humor, she reminds us, is a powerful tool for inspiration, healing, and fostering meaningful bonds.
With her blend of wisdom, warmth, and wit, Janet Regensburg embodies the spirit of SOS—connecting communities, uplifting voices, and creating spaces where purpose and passion converge.
