I'm a Rescue

Steph interviews an ex-MLMer, Kevin Reyes. Kevin was recruited by the multi-level marketing company, People Helping People (PHP) at a mall in 2019. Kevin tells us who they're told to target, insight into manipulation tactics by the people at the top of the pyramid, and how they're using the pandemic to sell their MLM to those most vulnerable.

Iggy Samaniego is an up and coming comedian based out of El Paso, Texas. I met Iggy in Tucson a few years ago and we bonded over life in Juarez. Iggy talks about his mom escaping a "messed up" situation in Juarez for a better life in El Paso.  Iggy struggled with the gang life in his early teens but eventually found his way out and built a life for himself in El Paso.  He talks about how he got into the gang life and how his mom motivated him to get out of it.  

On this episode Tom talks to Chris and Alison Edwards. They talk how Chris's mom brought them together while in intensive care. Chris talks growing up black in Orange County. They talk being in a mixed race relationship and the issues they face. We also talk dealing with this current racial and political climate.  Alison helps me better understand the Black Lives Matter movement. How they're making us think and how moving forward we need to focus on the people that want change and work with them to achieve that change. Check out the organization Alison works with here: http://ochumanrelations.org

One of the most influential people in my comedy career and life is my brother Tim Clark. He actually first took a comedy class and as I've always done I followed in his footsteps. I guess the only difference is I kept going and he became a successful business man. My brother has traveled the world for his job and in 1998 in Sao Paolo, Brazil he was carjacked at gun point, thrown into the trunk of his car, and forced to withdraw money from various ATMs around the city.  On this episode he tells the whole story of the almost 10 hour ordeal and how he made it out alive.  

Our guest is Sam Tallent, a very funny comedian, turned author.  I heard about Sam's book "Running the Light" from several well-respected comedians and being a comedian myself I knew I had to check it out. Sam does an amazing job capturing the ups and downs (and in this book it's mainly the downs) of doing stand up comedy on the road.  I read the book in two days and once I finished I knew I wanted to have Sam on the podcast.  We discuss the book, his writing style, his comedy and the main character Billy Ray Schafer.  This is a great episode for any aspiring author for how to get started and more importantly how to finish that novel we all want to write. To learn more about Sam and to purchase his book go to SamTallent.com

Ivan Leon is a creative-art director, dancer, photographer, writer, actor, and entrepreneur. Leon's strong work ethic and charisma is the reason his new company, iiEntertainment is already a hot commodity in the industry. iiEntertainment specializes in visuals, live performance and photography with musicians and fashion brands. Leon talks about how growing up in Harlem influenced his all inclusive art and business. You will fall in love with Leon's free spirit charm!

John Garrett is a very funny stand up comedian who has made it big as a corporate speaker working all across the country. We talk our beginnings in Milwaukee, life in comedy and his move to performing for companies. We also discuss his new book: "What's Your "And"?  In the book John talks about finding and pursuing your passions beyond just what you do for a living.   The book will be coming out on September 15th. For more information on John and to purchase his book go HERE.

Steph and I were very lucky to interview the very talented Brian Donovan.  Brian is an accomplished actor, appearing in "Beverly Hills 90210," "In Living Color," and "Gia" with Angelina Jolie,  just to name a few roles. He's also a very talented voice actor with his most popular role being Rock Lee in the anime series Naruto. We got to know him through his heartwarming documentary, now available on Amazon Prime, about his sister, Kelly, who has Down syndrome. The documentary, entitled "Kelly's Hollywood," explores his quest to fulfill her dream of becoming a Hollywood diva even as it threatens his own dream of getting married. The movie brought us to tears and great joy and you could definitely feel the love Brian had for his sister.  We reached out to Brian and he agreed to talk with us about the documentary, Kelly, his acting career and his work with inner city youth.  Great guest and an even better person...this one will touch your heart.

Steph chats with high school friend Dominique Baños. Dominique is a proud Black and Latino attorney and founder of DBLO (Dominique Baños Law Office). We cover a lot!  The importance of education, her experiences of racism, first impressions of law enforcement, Black Lives Matter movement, the justice system, Trump administration, and what it was like (briefly) representing Suge Knight.

In this episode, Steph chats with one of Hawaii’s favorite comedians and producers, Justine Smith. In Hawaii, Justine has opened for Pauly Shore and JP Sears . They chat about the growing Hawaiian comedy scene and the opportunities and support she’s able to give other female comedians through her business, Dirty Girl Comedy.

In this episode, Ainsley Harrison, a college student and ex Multi-Level Marketing (MLM) distributor for Monat talks about her experience in an MLM and their shady ways of business.

Marc Yaffee may have started his comedy career later than most, but he has quickly moved up the comedy ladder with two comedy specials, touring around the world and even shooting a TV pilot. Marc talks being a driver's education instructor prior to starting comedy, being a Native American in comedy and helping to create the Pow Wow Comedy Jam, and the inspiration for his TV pilot. Marc also gets personal talking about learning who his birth parents were later on in life and we also get into all the wonderful projects he's currently working on. You can check those out on his WEBSITE.

Steph and Tami Leckie chat all things rescue bulldogs! Tami has been fostering and volunteering for Orange County’s SoCal Bulldog Rescue for over 10 years. She’s found homes and rehabilitated over 100 bulldogs, including our beloved Abigail, who passed away in December at 12 years of age.  After moving to Tennessee, Tami discusses the difference between dog parents in Southern California and The South. And what it’s like bonding with rescue dogs in foster and having to re-home them.  ON A VERY HAPPY NOTE, shortly after this podcast Tami helped us find a French Bulldog rescue named Ruby, who is now in her forever home with us. Click for info on So Cal Bulldog Rescue Follow Ruby on Instagram HERE

As we get back into live performances, virtual comedy shows have been a substitute for comedians to do stand-up comedy.  Erik was one of the first comedians to fully embrace virtual comedy shows. He discusses his personal experience with virtual comedy shows--what works and what doesn't. Is there going to be a balance of virtual and live comedy for awhile or will virtual comedy shows come to an end in the near future? Find out all this and more on this episode! http://erikescobarcomedy.com @erikescobar on Twitter & Instagram

Steph chats with Martha Trusome Smith, creator of Grombre. With nearly 200,000 followers on Instagram, Grombre is a platform for women speaking their truth on their decision to go gray.  What started as an idea has transformed into a movement.  Steph and Martha chat about how gray haired women are perceived in society and how Grombre is challenging the status quo and redefining beauty. GROMBRE

We chat with Rob Snow, co-creator of the nonprofit organization “Stand-up for Downs” and The Improvaneers, the first all Down syndrome improv troupe in the world.  We talk about Rob’s background in comedy. Also, how his son became the inspiration to make a positive change for the Down Syndrome community.  Click here for more info!

Tom and Steph talk about watching Thomas Middleditch and Ben Schwartz, a hilarious improvisational duo, who have a 3 episode series on Netflix that is all made up on the spot.  Tom talks about his own background in improv with both ComedySportz in Milwaukee and the Dead Alewives. We also talk about ComedySportz founder Dick Chudnow and how his vision helped create an improv scene in Milwaukee and around the country. Steph talks of her experiences doing improv at UCB and the recent fall of UCB and its theaters in NYC closing down.  Steph feels improv could be the next big thing in comedy and the shows that we've done around Los Angeles. We discuss if improv as an industry could take off and if opportunities for improvisors  will increase with this new Netflix show.  

After nearly month off Tom and Steph talk about what they've been up to since the pandemic hit.  Steph has given up drinking and talks about how she's coping. Tom talks about how he's been working on the audio for a new stand up album to be released in the next couple of weeks. They talk how they're dealing with each other and surviving the monotony of life during the pandemic. 

Steven Briggs is one of the best young comedians out there with a wide range of abilities from acting to writing to stand up to directing, he can really do it all! We talk a lot about Steven's childhood where he was quite the troublemaker. At an early age he learned to make counterfeit money and often got into fights, which ultimately forced his parents to send him to military school--where he got into more fights.  Steven has some amazing stories about his family and his mother even joins us on the podcast. She talks about fighting off the Clairemont Killer in the early 1990s and saving Steven and his brother.  This episode is a great example of overcoming the odds to achieve success and Steven really paints a great picture with these outrageous, but true stories. 

Scott is someone I met in the early 2000s here in LA. A very funny and since retired stand up comedian, Scott has ventured into the world of writing and directing in the last few years.  Scott and I talk about our early stand up days in LA and working out at Westwood Brewing Company with future stars like Maria Bamford, BJ Novak, and Chris Hardwick (just to name a few) and why he ended up leaving stand up. We also talk about his recent web series Fully Formed Adults.  It's about a series of awkward encounters between Gen Xers and Millenials.  We talk about how he shot the project on his own and how he came up with the idea.  We even talk about the movie Repo Man and Courtney Love for good measure. Check it out! The new season of Fully Formed Adults should be released in mid March and you can see me in the season finale doing a "touching" eulogy.  You can check out past episodes here: https://www.fullyformedseries.com

Had a blast talking to Charles about working at Olive Garden when he first moved to Los Angeles.  We also get into his life growing up in Brentwood, New York, which is the complete opposite of Brentwood, California.   Charles talks his athletic career and dealing  with family issues at a young age -- a religious mom & a dad who had a second family. Charles also talks how he overcame all the tough stuff at home to finish high school and go on to college where he created his own major that allowed him to study acting and film making.  We get into his stand up career and his current show in the Los Angeles area at the Write Off Room in Woodland Hills.  

This episode is a doozy! Jason Palmer talks about his journey from Production Assistant to Writer on such shows as Dawson's Creek, The Bernie Mac Show and Everybody Hates Chris.  He talks what it's like making Chris Rock laugh, bullying in the writer's room, and his current gig directing and writing sketches for the NFL on FOX.  We also get into Jason's story on how he got his dog and the shady business of dog breeding.  If that's not enough he talks about how a close friend took him for nearly $50,000 on a business venture scam.  This episode has everything: intrigue, scams and overcoming the odds to make it in LA. 

OUR FIRST EPISODE OF 2020!  SEASON 2! Steph and I are joined by Al Ducharme! Al is a hilarious comedian, who started out in the Boston comedy scene. I had the pleasure of performing with him in 1999 and he absolutely blew me away with his physical comedy, voices and his overall weirdness.  Since then he has traveled the globe performing his unique brand of stand up comedy. Bill Burr is among his fans, so much so that he had him voice Anthony one of the characters on the Netflix animated series "F is For Family."  Al talks about growing up in blue collar Rhode Island, starting comedy in high school and his eventual move to Boston where he turned down an offer to go pick up a young Dave Chappelle.  We also get to hear from Buddy the Dog and Al's wife Bernadette, who was on episode 16 of last season. Check out his web series the Two Dicks HERE! If you wanna meet your new favorite comedian listen to this episode!

On Episode 26 and our final episode of 2019, comedian Andy Hendrickson along with his wife Linda join Tom and Steph on our first couple's podcast!  Linda tells her story of how she went from Algeria to Paris to Connecticut and finally arriving in Los Angeles in 2014.  Interestingly enough Andy also made a whirlwind journey to LA, starting his stand up career in Atlanta moving to Virginia then New York and finally arriving in LA in 2014...just like Linda. You see where I'm going with this...it's like "Harry Met Sally," but different and French.  Linda tells the story of meeting Andy for the first time. Andy talks behind the scene stuff on Letterman and dealing with anxiety and lyme disease. Tom and Andy also talk about their first meeting performing on a plywood stage over a stairwell in Rockford, IL. Linda also has a great podcast available on Anchor called "Excuse My Frenchy" and a line of skin care products she'll soon be launching.  Check out Andy's website at: www.andyhendrickson.com Our first couple interview and we had a blast! 

You may know Ari Stidham from his role on CBS's Scorpion, but it all started when he was a kid growing up in the Westlake area (just outside of LA.)  After struggling in school early on, he went the independent study route, finishing school at 16.  He worked with the improv group, ComedySportz and through that landed his first role on ABC Family's "Huge."  This is a great listen as Ari goes through his audition for the role on CBS's  Scorpion to the sudden fame that went with it and the disappointment after it's cancellation.   He also talks his current projects and he has a cool poster of Danny Devito in his house.

You may know Mark Valley from the soap opera Days of Our Lives, Boston Legal and Human Target, but he's also a U.S. Army Veteran.  He talks about his career in the army. His first acting gig opposite Sir Anthony Hopkins and teaching him to throw a football (true story.) He also talks about his latest project Zburg. A web-series shot entirely in his hometown of Ogdensburg, NY with a cast made up of local actors.  We also get into his role in Zero Dark Thirty and that sinking feeling when you know you're going to be cut out of a movie.  There's no BS with Mark and he's a completely open book on this podcast. 

Steph sits down with Nicole Blaine to talk about how she has helped connect comedians with industry thru the various programs she runs at Westside Comedy Theater in Santa Monica.  She also talks shooting her own independent film with her husband and her own comedy career.  

On this episode Tom and Steph talk about how Steph has built up her business (www.funnygirlevents.com). We discuss how to approach venues, what makes a successful venue and how to get paid.  This is more of an inside look at the stand up comedy business and we cover questions our fellow comedians had and cover the things we wish we would've known when we started doing this. 

Chris Flail tells his tale of traveling from Pennsylvania to Oklahoma to California and how he eventually discovered his love of comedy.  One of Chris's first gigs was working with Tom at a casino in Delano, CA and Chris's story of that is a definite must listen. They also discuss how Chris has built one of the most successful rooms in Central California and how he's helping comedians there build their stage time. 

Growing up the son or daughter of a celebrity isn't easy especially when that celebrity is comedy royalty. Such is the case with Camilla Cleese and her dad, John Cleese, of Monty Python fame.  Camilla opens up on this one talking about sitting in on her Dad's writing sessions during "A Fish Called Wanda", being a talented equestrian, her struggle with substance abuse, and how she's blazing her own trail in comedy.  

Imagine being only two years into comedy and Rodney Dangerfield asking you to come up with a movie idea for him. That's what happened for Dennis Blair and how he ended up helping to write the movie "Easy Money."  Dennis and I worked together in Reno and we talk about his long illustrious career in comedy. From opening for Rodney to opening for George Carlin, Dennis has worked with some of the best and he shares all of these experiences.  Great insight from someone who's not just an opening act, but a really talented comedian/writer/musician.  Click his name to go to his website: DENNIS BLAIR

Vito Gesualdi is a comedian, actor, and writer who has built a YouTube following of over 160,000 thru his funny and sometimes controversial videos. His most famous/controversial being handing out Pepsi at an ANTIFA/Alt Right rally in Berkeley.  You can watch it HERE!  We talk about his growing up in Amherst, Massachusetts, how he comes up with his ideas, and how he built up his YouTube following. 

Joining us on this episode is Marc Price AKA Skippy from Family Ties. We talk growing up with a comedian Dad (Borscht Belt comedian Al Bernie) and all the comedy lessons he learned from him. His early days on stage and the lesson Jay Leno taught him.  How he got the role on Family Ties and what he learned from Michael J. Fox both on and off set.   We also talk about what he's up to now:  Doing stand up around the country and the great work he's doing with the Michael J Fox Foundation.  Check out teamfox.org to get more info and search "Skippy loves Fox" Steph wasn't able to join us on this episode.

Bernadette Pauley is a comedian, actress, and host, who has appeared on "Tough Crowd", Live at Gotham and Red Eye.  She talks growing up in Boston...well Revere and starting out in comedy in NYC, which included a stint working at a strip club selling cigars.  A lot of great insight on this one about what women have to deal with in the comedy scene and overcoming those obstacles.  

Mary Gallagher is a very talented actress, writer, comedian and also from Tom's hometown of Milwaukee. Tom and Steph talk with Mary about growing up in Wisconsin. Moving to LA and the nerve wracking audition for "Friends."  We also talk about her stand up comedy and how she went from bombing opening for Pauly Shore in the early 90s to appearing on Stephen Colbert in 2018. Mary will also be appearing on the upcoming Netflix prank show called "Prank Encounters" with "Stranger Things" actor Gaten Matarazzo.  This was a really inspiring podcast. Check it out!

Tom and Steph talk with Kyle about his start in comedy and his rise to fame as a stand up on both Comedy Central and Netflix.  We also discuss his arrival to  LA in the early 2000s and living with Tom for 2 weeks and apparently, unbeknownst to Tom, being a terrible roommate.  We talk about the comedians of Chicago past and future.  I may have also mentioned that Dan Harmon once kicked me at a party.  A lot of fun catching up with Kyle, one of the best comedians out there! Check him out!

Sharon Houston has had a very long successful career. We talk about her voiceover work on Daria, the manager she and Tom shared (he said she had "no neck"), working on Punk'd, booking reality shows like America's Got Talent and various court shows, including an episode with Tom on Divorce Court. We also talk about the current court show she created and how she's helping other people work on their creative ideas.  Check out her website HERE

For this episode we actually got questions from you the listener to ask my Dad (Art Clark.) The questions ranged from his experiences in WW2 to what's his favorite cut of meat.  My Dad was a great sport throughout all this and I think you'll really enjoy what he has to say. At 93 years old I think he has a great perspective on life and shares a bit of that advice with you.

Jeff Johnson is a very funny comedian, who I first met at JR's Comedy Club in Valencia, CA. It was actually the back room of a Marie Callendar's and Jeff was the host. Jeff developed his act there and is now traveling across the country doing stand up. He recently finished in the top 5 in The World Series of Comedy. Jeff talks about the struggle to get better as a stand up, starting his own production company, leaving the Mormon religion and finding out who his real dad was.  Jeff was very open about everything and the story of his finding his dad and actually going to meet him is a must listen. 

Dennis Gubbins is an actor/writer/comedian.  He has appeared in over 100 commercials and we discuss every single one of them...just kidding, but we do discuss how he got the gig "handing a puppy over a bush. "  We also discuss the acting and auditioning process in general. Then we get deep and discuss his work on "Enjoy It" with Brody Stevens and the fun and challenges of working with Brody.  ENJOY IT!

On this episode of the I'm A Rescue Podcast Steph and I interview Steven Slater.  Steven achieved international fame after becoming fed up with one too many rude customers while serving as a flight attendant on Jet Blue Airlines. We learn the real story about what happened and all the trouble that came with that fame.  His struggle with drugs and alcohol, the TV offers, losing his mother, and his house.  But we also learn how he's battling back.  Really great, inspiring episode from a very resilient guy. 

This week we interview Kimia Behpoornia. Kimia is one of the stars of the ensemble comedy Abby's on NBC and will soon be appearing in Brie Larson's Unicorn Store (Netflix on April 5th).  We talk to Kimia about her high school years building robots and doing improv, how she lost her manager because she gave her too much information, and losing one of her first big roles and how she handled it.  Kimia is definitely someone you're going to be hearing big things about...so why not learn how it all started. 

In this episode Tom and Steph talk all things Brody Stevens.  Brody passed away last month and really left a hole in our comedy world.  He was such a fixture on the comedy scene here in LA as well as on social media.  Tom talks about first meeting and competing against Brody in stand up way back in 2000 and their encounters over the years. Steph talks about her and a friend going to see Brody in front of an audience of six people and the impression he left. The club, Steph and I were performing at when we heard the news about Brody, was the same club Brody would be performing at the next week. This episode was tough, but I'm glad we did it because I think it's important more people know about Brody. Also, check out his half hour special on Comedy Central - available on YouTube.   Brody is gone, but will never be forgotten. Always remember PUSH! BELIEVE! and ENJOY IT!

Comedian Andy Gold joins Steph and Tom.  Tom and Andy discuss their Dry Bar Comedy Specials and Andy's unique way of dealing with the haters--it's pretty brilliant.  Then we go deep discussing Andy overcoming his heroin addiction and going on tour with the Addicts of Comedy and doing his own independent tour.

Lauren Pritchard is a very talented comedian/actress/improvisor. She talks about her journey from Orlando  to Hollywood. Preparing for her Mad TV audition while also battling rats in her apartment. We've known Lauren a long time and watching her rise as a performer is truly an inspiration. This is definitely an episode worth checking out for any aspiring comedian or actor.

Steph's mom, Carol, joins Tom and Steph on the podcast. She talks her fear of elevators, Steph's ban from most shoe stores in Southern California (except Nordstrom's) and the death of her husband and their, at times, tumultuous relationship! Somebody cries in this one.

Matthew talks working on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno & growing up without a dad and his long journey in finding out who his dad really was...a very famous Hollywood celebrity (ya have to listen to find out.) He goes into the details of how he was finally able to speak to him and get some answers.  This is a juicy one!

On this episode Tom and Steph get to interview 80s legend Diane Franklin. You may know Diane as the princess from Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure, the French exchange student from Better Off Dead, or The Last American Virgin, among many others.  Currently she stars in The Amityville Murders: The Haunting on Long Island, which comes out this weekend in many markets. Enjoy our journey thru the 80s and be excellent to each other....San Dimas High School Football rules!!!!

In our very first episode Tom interviews his wife, Steph, about overcoming the loss of her dad at age 10 and how they're both too lazy to change Steph's last name to Clark. Also we talk stand up comedy, quitting booze, the patriarchy/matriarchy, high school, and rescue dogs!