So What Do You Really Do?

Doing It Down & Dirty This episode of the podcast was recorded live at Orleans Restaurant in Davis Square as part of the 44th Annual Boston SciFi Film Festival. This panel was called DIY SCIFI: Doing It Down & Dirtyand featured filmmaker Paul J. Salamoff (Encounter), actress Taryn O’Neil (Live), filmmaker Peter Stray (Alien Party Crashers), and director Marco DeLuca (Beneath the Trees).

Loving SciFi in a Dystopian Future This episode of the podcast was recorded live at Orleans Restaurant in Davis Square as part of the 44th Annual Boston SciFi Film Festival. This panel is called Who Are They? (Loving SciFi in a Dystopian Future) and featured filmmaker Paul J. Salamoff (Encounter), writer and editor of Fireside Magazine Julia Rios (Skiffy & Fanty Show), and podcaster Adrian Ryan (Spectology).

The Disturbing Mind Of A Magic & Comedy Teacher. On this episode of the podcast I sat down with Magician, Comedian, and Teacher of comedy at Emerson College Mike Bent. I’m so glad I could finally sit down and talk with him. I’ve wanted him on my podcast long before the introduction of the Comedy Studies major at Emerson College. I wanted to know what goes into creating the first ever college major on comedy. Who are the students that take it and what does it take teaching kids how to be funny. Also, as you’ll read, Mike has had an interesting background in comedy and magic. Mike started during the comedy boom of the late 70’s and managed to carve out a successful career for over 30 years, inspiring hundreds of performers along to way. He even managed to get the approval of quite a few comedy legends too. Music in this episode by my good friends Scott Lester & The Dirty Dottys.

Director of the documentary Life After Flash Today on the podcast I found the lost interview from Boston SciFi Film Fest with documentary filmmaker Lisa Downs. I was really glad Lisa could make time to sit down and talk with me. She had a very busy schedule premiering her film Life After Flash (available on VOD February 26th), which is about actor Sam Jones and his life after… Flash… Gordon. You know, that old scifi film they mention A LOT in Ted. She was also part of panels talking about the film and women in the film industry. I found her story on getting into the film-making business and things she’s come across along the way. We also have a conversation that went too long on accents and why and how they came about. Regardless, it was a fun chat and I hope you enjoy it. Music in this episode by my good friends Scott Lester & The Dirty Dottys.

FROM TEACHER, TO COMEDIAN, TO AMERIKAN WARRIOR Today on the podcast I sat down on the phone with comedian and actor Erik Griffin, who may know most as Montez on Workaholics. By the way, I meant to ask him how much he hates being called that by people just yelling it at him in the airport, but I forgot. This was a fun interview, after a few questions I think he really warmed up and spoke openly about being a comedian, fights along the way, and how much he is enjoys podcasting. This is another podcast that is a joint article with DigBoston. Feel free to pick up a print copy at your local newsstand today. He’ll be at Laugh Boston February 21st – 23rd and give his podcast Riffin’ with Griffin a listen. Music in this episode by my good friends Scott Lester & The Dirty Dottys.

WELL-KEPT SECRET IN THE DORK FOREST EXPLAINS IT ALL On this episode of the podcast I talk with comedian and podcaster Jackie Kashian. Despite earlier technical difficulties that I will not go into, it was a fantastic conversation about Armenian jokes, podcasting, and much more. Jackie will be here in Boston Saturday, January 19th at Sonia (formerly TT the Bear’s Place) doing both stand up and recording an episode of her podcast The Jackie & Laurie Show, with co-host Laurie Kilmartin. This interview was in conjunction with DigBoston, which you can read here. Photo credit Luke FontanaMusic in this episode by my good friends Scott Lester & The Dirty Dottys. Also, I have mugs and t-shirts for sale now based on my stand-up comedy. Check it out by clicking the Storefront tab above.

Today on the podcast I spoke with comedian, television writer, and host Guy Branum! This interview was done in part with an article for DigBoston, which you can read by clicking here. This was a fun, quick chat with Guy about video games, writing for TV, what makes for a good interview, and his new book, My Life as a Goddess: A Memoir Through (Un)Popular Culture.And if you like the interview, and go out to pick up a copy of his book (available everywhere books are sold), swing by Laugh Boston December 21st & 22nd to get it signed. Music in this episode by my good friends Scott Lester & The Dirty Dottys.

Boston’s Mother-Daughter Comedy Combo Today on the podcast I sat down and talked with mother and daughter comedians Kathe & Jessica Farris. This is another podcast I did in conjunction with a DigBoston article. We talked about how each got into comedy, their similarities and differences, and we play a fun game. Music in this episode by my good friends Scott Lester & The Dirty Dottys.

Well, this episode of the podcast is a bit of a divergence from the norm; although regular listeners may be used to that by now. To start off with, I was fired (laid off, same thing) from my job in radio. 15 years I worked for Clear Channel/iHeartMedia/Total Traffic and Weather Networks came to an end last week. We used to joke about how I had 9 lives in the radio biz because I managed to dodge getting fired for so long, well, looks like I may have hit my last one. My buddy Steven Richard K, formerly of the sketch group Mister Bismuth (we’ll get into that), knew I was sitting alone at home moping, so he decided to swing by for an impromptu podcast and motivational speech. This podcast is mostly a focus on me and is a swapcast with SRK, so be sure to head over to his site and listen his intro and give him a nice review. As for me, I’ll be fine… I think. Stay tuned for that and more interviews with comedians soon. Music in this episode by my good friends Scott Lester & The Dirty Dottys.

This week on the podcast I sat down with comedy teacher and fellow comedian Dana Jay Bein. We talk about stand up comedy, improv, the early days of ImprovBoston, starting his career as a comedy teacher, where he’s at with it now, hottubbing, and much more. You can also read the shortened version of the interview that I wrote up for DigBoston by clicking here. (They come up with such better titles than I do *sigh*) Also, if you liked what you heard/read today check out Dana’s special Western Masochist or see him every night in November as Comic In Residence at The Comedy Studio. Music in this episode by my good friends Scott Lester & The Dirty Dottys. Featured image by Chris Faraone.

This episode of the podcast I had a quick chat with comedian Joel Kim Booster. He will be headlining Laugh Boston June 21st – 23rd. For tickets and more info go to: https://www.laughboston.com/event/1596520-joel-kim-booster-boston/ We talked about working out, gym stories, doing stand up comedy at festivals, and more. This interview was for DigBoston newspaper, which you can pick up a print copy at newsstand today or read it online (hit that like button if you do, thanks!) This over the phone interview is our full, unedited conversation. I’ll be performing in the play All the Great Books (Abridged) Saturday, June 23rd at the Regent Underground Theatre in Arlington and on Monday, June 25th will be doing stand up comedy at Capo Restaurant in South Boston. Music in this episode by my good friends Scott Lester

A Day In the Life of a Mom, Writer, and Orphan Author Laurie Kilmartin Today on the podcast I talked to comedian and late night talk show monologist Laurie Kilmartin. Laurie is headlining Laugh Boston May 31st – June 2nd. The conversation was for an article for DigBoston newspaper, which you can read online or pick up at newsstands near you in the Boston area. The podcast is a the unedited, full conversation with Laurie. Who by the way, was super nice and I think informative on the world into writing for late night TV shows. She also has a new book out called Dead People Suck which you can pick up at bookstores or online. If you’ve ever had to deal with the loss of a parent you’ll find the book both comforting and hysterical. Music in this episode by my good friends Scott Lester & The Dirty Dottys.

Since I haven’t uploaded an interview in a very long time (I’m working on the new home studio, so I’ll be back soon), I figured in the meantime let’s take a departure from the norm and upload this Roast Battle my friend Justin P. Drew hosted. This was the one year anniversary of his open mic at The Blarney Stone in Dorchester. Afterwards we had cake and beer. I almost didn’t want to upload this because I did a disappointingly bad job against my opponent. I had 6 pages of jokes against everyone else but her. I couldn’t do it. Shame. Anyway, enjoy a bunch of nobody comedians making fun of each other. The song “Sunsets & Car Wrecks” in this episode provided by my good friends in the band Scott Lester & What Army.

On this episode of the podcast I sat down and talked with filmmaker Dianne Carroll about her time in the military as a counterintelligence agent, interrogations, veteran benefits, mental health, and making movies. Music in this episode by my good friends Scott Lester & The Dirty Dottys.

This week on the podcast I sat down with Baltimore comedians Josh Kuderna and Umar Khan at their home in Hampden just blocks from where the Charm City Comedy Festival was happening. Josh and I ran into each other my night of the festival outside of Golden West Cafe. Had a real quick ‘HEY WHAT’S UP?! Oh, while I’m in town, let’s do a podcast tomorrow! YES!” We talked about first and foremost, what a budget analyst does (I don’t think any of else still know what he does after the podcast), how Umar became a psychologist, Baltimore comedy, writing punchup for commercials, being made fun of by black kids, terrible office interactions, and how their very real adult jobs affect their comedy careers. Check out Josh’s podcast Digression Sessions. Music in this episode by my good friends Scott Lester & The Dirty Dottys.

On this episode of the podcast I sat down and talked barbering and comedy with New York comedian and Average Black Man Kenny Warren from Comics Cutting Comics. Kenny is a comedian that has been cutting hair for 30 years. In addition to that Kenny is also a comedian and a father, which we discuss the hoops that need to be jumped through to in life and, of course, men’s grooming too. This is an older interview that didn’t make it out before all the tech glitches and problems, sorry for the delay on it, but once you hear Kenny’s story, I think you’ll agree it’s interesting enough to be worth the wait. – YouTube Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube. Music in this episode by my good friends Scott Lester & The Dirty Dottys.

This week on the podcast I quickly sat down with Tom and Kerri Louise Cotter to talk about parenting while doing comedy. Tom and Kerri are both from New England and on Last Comic Standing season 2. Since they met they moved to New York to pursue their respective comedy careers, got married, had 3 boys (2 of which are twins), and had a reality show. We talk about scheduling, touring, dragging kids around on the road together, sharing responsibilities between themselves and the people in their lives that help them out. It was fascinating listen to two people, who clearly love each other, talk about how they struggle to be both good comedians and good parents. See them live at a comedy club near you and pick up their books Bad Dad: A Guide to Pitiful Parenting and Mean Mommy. Thanks for listening, rating the podcast, and subscribing. Music in this episode by my good friends Scott Lester & The Dirty Dottys.

This week on the podcast I sat down and spoke with former political campaign activist, former sex worker, and comedian Kaytlin Bailey. She was in Boston for the Women in Comedy Festival and to kick off the Cake Comedy Tour. We talked about having to stay in an AirBnB with the fear of bedbugs, putting together a comedy tour, being a political activist, and Kaytlin’s time as a teenage and adult prostitute. Find more about Kaytlin’s story with her father, her one woman show, and the sex worker industry. Music in this episode by my good friends Scott Lester & The Dirty Dottys.

This week on the podcast is good friend from Baltimore, now living in New York City, writer and comedian Ben Rosen. Ben and I met before I started doing comedy through mutual friends, one a comedian, one who wasn’t. We instantly got a long. We didn’t really keep in touch other than over Twitter and Facebook, so when I started to do standup, I messaged him asking if he wanted to hit an open mic with me, to which he replied, “are you in New York? Because that’s where I live now.” Ben moved there years ago to pursue comedy and eventually, became a writer for Buzzfeed and a advertising data analysis for Twitter. In the podcast we get into those jobs, comedy, New York comedy, how internet advertising works, his upcoming marriage, and more. In addition to comedy Ben also writes the weekly Ravens Funny Pages column for the Baltimore Raven’s Fan Page. Music in this episode by my good friends Scott Lester & The Dirty Dottys.

Today on the podcast Videographer and musician Mike Rickshaw of the band Mickey Rickshaw. I met Mike at an open mic in Jamaica Plain about 8 or 9 months ago, and we finally now were able to get together for this podcast. I was hoping some members of the band were going to show up, so we could get a live acoustic performance in the home studio, but that didn’t happen. Which with musicians is not surprising. They (and that includes me) are an unreliable bunch at times. When I met Mike he was a videographer for furniture company Wayfair, but has since gone out on his own freelancing. We’ll talk more about that, being a musician and touring, his path into making videos, living in Italy and learning Italian, and a lot more. After the podcast is the brand new song Nonprofit Warfare from the band. Music in this episode by my good friend Scott Lester & The Dirty Dottys.