In Stayin’ Alive…Laughing! and while on tour, Chonda dances her way through topics from the empty nest to group therapy, from two steppin’ to twelve-stepping; and showing audiences a side of Adam and Eve never seen before. As always, Chonda brings a tender message to her fans as well – that’s what they’ve grown to expect from her. In this project, she shines a spotlight on how the church community often doesn’t acknowledge the debilitating illness of depression. For many, depression is associated with shame and humiliation—even a lack of faith. Chonda challenges the church to “get its head out of the fans” and recognize that this is a common and treatable condition and one in which the Church can indeed be a part of the healing process.

Experiencing a painful bout with severe clinical depression herself that took her to two clinics across the country last year, Chonda learned to implement daily practices such as making her bed in the morning to avoid the temptation to climb back in, monitoring her sleep patterns and diet, what time of day to take medication and even her daily professional and personal commitments to others. And for Chonda, her family was a huge part of her rehabilitation.

The challenges of depression are ongoing, but after the pain come laughter and healing. Chonda can now find humor in her experience. “They say depression is anger turned inward – that just made me mad!” jokes Chonda in her new DVD taped live in front of a packed auditorium of 4,300 fans. “I didn’t fall down and scratch my knee and think, ouch now I’m depressed. It’s like a tumor that starts slowly and grows. At first, one doctor thought it was menopause…I fired him!”

Women particularly, who have been moved by Chonda’s story, are coming forward in droves, as if they have found a safe place to tell Chonda about their own struggles with depression. In addition to the DVD and a book that addresses her initial bout with depression, Laughing in the Dark, published by Howard Books (Simon & Schuster), Chonda is the co-founder of the “Branches for Recovery” facility based in her hometown of Murfreesboro, TN. The facility hosts various programs, including 12-Step, designed to help those in need. “I found the incredible healing power of community. People need to know they are not alone and not be shamed spiritually. I want to be a part of facilitating the healing process by providing a safe place for them to go and receive professional help,” relates Chonda.

Ready to tackle the touring life this winter/spring, Chonda returns to the stage with ensuing hilarity once again on her new Stayin’ Alive…Laughing! tour that hits such major markets as Chicago, Washington, Cincinnati, Orlando, Nashville, Tulsa and Birmingham.

Entertaining millions nationwide, pioneering and best-selling comedienne Chonda Pierce has garnered numerous covers and features in such respected publications as Southern Living, Today’s Christian Woman, Billboard Magazine, Dallas Morning News, etc. Pierce has also made special guest appearances on virtually every major Christian talk show, including The 700 Club, Life Today and more. She’s worked with Billy Graham, wowed the Grand Ole Opry and has received honors as the 2000 and 2001 Gospel Music Association’s Grady Nutt Humor Award recipient. Chonda has appeared more often than any other special guest for the nationally acclaimed conference, Women of Faith. In addition to writing and recording, Pierce has joined fellow comedians Mark Lowry, Ken Davis and Dan Rupple (Isaac Airfreight) to form the Christian Comedy Association.

For more information on Chonda Pierce, including her current itinerary and video clips, visit www.chonda.org.

 

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