It's A Hustle
By Joe Gerics
A quick and casual comedy podcast about turning your passion into your career
It's A HustleOct 13, 2020
00:00
22:40
Beecher - Episode 127
Beecher, CT Comedy Festival co-founder, comic, and local celebrity joins us for the final piece of the Bill Burr volume story, among other shenanigans!
Oct 13, 202022:40
Clare Livington - Episode 126
We visit with Clare Livingston, aspiring comic and valued member of the CT Comedy Fest team for another inside look at the the new Mecca of the comedy world.
Oct 08, 202020:59
Emilio Savone - Episode 124
Emilio Savone, owner of New York Comedy Club, joins us for an inside look on the planning and execution of the Connecticut Comedy Festival and the drama that ensues.
Oct 01, 202022:57
Candi Clare - Episode 123
The pod is back to celebrate the 2nd Annual Connecticut Comedy Festival. Join NY Comedy Club’s Director of Development (whatever the f*ck that is) and Fairfield Comedy Club’s Booker for an inside look at the Festival and its ensuing shenanigans.
Sep 29, 202024:33
Stosh Mikita - Episode 122
Stosh Mikita is a New Haven, CT based comedian whose comedy combines observational humor, self-deprecation, and dark personal stories from an unusual upbringing. Starting in 2013, Stosh has quickly become a regularly featured comedian in New England and NYC, performing on WNPR's Colin McEnroe Show, New York Comedy Club's Roast Battle, and Comedy Fight Club on the Gas Digital Network.
Jan 16, 202015:39
Eric Donnelly - Episode 121
Eric is the guitarist for the band The Alternate Routes. Their song “Safe Haven” was self-produced by Donnelly, drummer and engineer Kurt Leon, and singer Tim Warren, a sonic departure from previous efforts that highlight the use of the recording studio itself as an instrument.
The Alternate Routes first burst onto the scene in 2005 with their breakthrough album Good and Reckless and True. They released several albums on Vanguard Records and on their own, toured extensively, and relentlessly refined their craft. They have collaborated with such seemingly disparate artists as singer-songwriter Patti Griffin, director Lisa Cholodenko (The Kids Are All Right), and guitarist Carl Broemel of My Morning Jacket. They’ve performed on “The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson,” “Late Night with Conan O’Brien,” and have been repeat guests on NPR’s “Mountain Stage.”
The Alternate Routes first burst onto the scene in 2005 with their breakthrough album Good and Reckless and True. They released several albums on Vanguard Records and on their own, toured extensively, and relentlessly refined their craft. They have collaborated with such seemingly disparate artists as singer-songwriter Patti Griffin, director Lisa Cholodenko (The Kids Are All Right), and guitarist Carl Broemel of My Morning Jacket. They’ve performed on “The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson,” “Late Night with Conan O’Brien,” and have been repeat guests on NPR’s “Mountain Stage.”
Jan 14, 202019:47
Beecher - Episode 119
Beecher has performed in the Rogue Island Comedy Festival, the World Series of Comedy, the Park Slope Comedy Festival, the Brooklyn Comedy Festival, Skankfest, & the Boston Comedy Festival. He was the winner of the Connecticut Comedy Festival. Beecher's recorded segments for the Wendy Williams Show, the Danish news network TV2, & MTV2. He can also be heard on SiriusXM radio, NPR, & appears in 'The Get Down' on Netflix.
Jan 07, 202013:51
Paul Virzi - Episode 118
Paul Virzi is a stand-up comedian and many of the nation’s top comedy clubs have called him one of the strongest on the rise! His debut hour-long comedy special, Bill Burr Presents Paul Virzi: I’ll Say This debuted on Comedy Central in November and is available to stream now on CC.com. His comedy album Night At The Stand was #1 on iTunes and reached #4 on Billboards Top 100. He’s appeared on TruTV's Comedy Knockout, AXS TV's Gotham Comedy Live, The NFL Network’s Good Morning Football, and written for the ESPN ESPY Awards. Paul has made numerous appearances at the prestigious Just For Laughs Comedy Festival in Montreal and performed at the SXSW Festival in Austin, TX.
Paul has toured with Bill Burr in some of the country's most iconic theaters including, Madison Square Garden, The Chicago Theatre and Carnegie Hall. Every week you can hear him host his very popular podcast The Virzi Effect.
Paul grew up in the suburbs, outside of New York City. He loves his family, cigars and having pointless sports arguments with his friends. He never fails in keeping the laughs coming and making the audience feel comfortable with his hard-hitting personal approach. He is fun to watch and has a stage presence that is second to none.
Paul has toured with Bill Burr in some of the country's most iconic theaters including, Madison Square Garden, The Chicago Theatre and Carnegie Hall. Every week you can hear him host his very popular podcast The Virzi Effect.
Paul grew up in the suburbs, outside of New York City. He loves his family, cigars and having pointless sports arguments with his friends. He never fails in keeping the laughs coming and making the audience feel comfortable with his hard-hitting personal approach. He is fun to watch and has a stage presence that is second to none.
Jan 02, 202017:39
Tommy DeFilippo and the End of @TrumbullMemes- Episode 117
Tommy DeFilippo is an aspiring stand-up comedian and the creator of Trumbull Memes, a popular social media account, and brand based in Fairfield County, CT that connects local residents to the community through comedy and shared interests. Created in 2017, Tommy took the idea of making fun of where you're from to a whole new level. Featuring humorous memes and videos related to the local area, Trumbull Memes has grown in size and scope within a two-year span and gained a cult following. The account has been an outlet for Tommy to share his humor and comedic chops, which he looks to transfer to stand-up comedy in the future. Follow @trumbullmemes on Instagram & Twitter!
Dec 31, 201914:59
Christian Finnegan - Episode 116
Christian Finnegan is perhaps best known as one of the original panelists on VH1’s “Best Week Ever” and as Chad, the only white roommate in “Chappelle’s Show’s” infamous “Mad Real World” sketch. He played Martin on the popular syndicated sitcom “Are We There Yet?” and politics junkies will recognize Christian from his many appearances on “Countdown with Keith Olbermann”.
Most recently, Christian was the creator and co-host of A&E’s “Black & White”, which examined current events and social trends through the lens of Race. He can also be heard filling in as a regular guest host on “Standup with Pete Dominick” on SiriusXM Insight.
Over the years, Christian has been a fixture on Comedy Central, having starred in his own one hour stand up special “Au Contraire”, as well as “Comedy Central Presents”, “Tough Crowd with Colin Quinn” and countless network interstitials. He’s also appeared on “Conan”, “The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson”, “Good Afternoon America” and “The Today Show”.
Christian’s three comedy albums/specials (“Two for Flinching”,“Au Contraire!” and “The Fun Part”) are available on iTunes and Amazon and his standup is in regular rotation on all major streaming services. His fourth album, “60% Joking” will be released on June 7, 2019.
When not on tour, Christian Finnegan can usually be found in Queens helping his wife, author Kambri Crews, with her venue QED in Astoria or walking their faithful pooches, Griswold and Chief Billy Bowlegs.
Dec 13, 201912:20
Jeremy Pinsly and Michael Barker - Episode 115
Michael Barker joined Westport Country Playhouse in September 2016 from Mill Valley, CA, where he was the managing director of Marin Theatre Company.
Previously, Barker was general manager of Laguna Playhouse in Laguna Beach, CA, and managing director for the Los Angeles classical theater ensemble The Antaeus Company. Before moving to California, Barker was associate managing director at Yale Repertory Theatre and managing director of Yale Summer Cabaret, where he produced the first annual Carlotta Festival of New Plays. He was Seattle Repertory Theatre’s 2008 Managing Director Fellow.
Barker holds an MFA in theater management from Yale School of Drama and an MBA from Yale School of Management. At Yale, he was the recipient of the Daniel and Helene Sheehan Scholarship for theater management and a Kosciusko Scholarship for outstanding students of Polish descent. He currently serves as vice president of the board of the Yale School of Management Alumni Association.
Prior to graduate school, he was associate director of marketing for Court Theatre in Chicago, and also worked with Goodman Theatre, American Theater Company, Sansculottes Theater Company, and The Playground Theater.
Jeremy is ballsy. A risk-taker. The type of guy who won't take no for an answer (unless you mean it in which case he'll totally respect your boundaries). After growing up in Nashville, TN, studying finance at the University of Georgia and working in marketing in Dallas, Jeremy realized there is more to life than helping State Farm sell insurance, so he quit his corporate job (like a boss) and moved to New York to become a comedian. Through countless hours of grueling labor and an endless supply of Tony Robbins DVDs, he made himself a regular at clubs all over the city and sells-out venues across the country from Zanies in Nashville to Second City in Chicago. He's a writer for Funny or Die, a 6-time roast battle champion, and he currently runs the city's best monthly charity based comedy show, "Stand Up and Save the World" at the New York Comedy Club. So yeah, he's basically a hero.
Audio Player
Dec 10, 201918:03
Allie Zisfein - Episode 114
Allie Zisfein is a comedian, writer, actress, host and producer. Zisfein is based in Los Angeles and has performed all of the country. Being born in New York and raised in Westport, CT, could have made her entitled and bitchy, but she's really down to earth, just ask her dog. Since arriving in Los Angeles Zisfein focused on the stand-up comedy circuit and has performed at the Hollywood Improv, The Comedy Store Belly Room & Main Room, I.O. West, Second City and more. She is part of an online Sketch Comedy Group, "Nick and Trevor and Other People" and runs her own monthly show "Heist" at Oeno Vino.
Dec 05, 201925:53
Dan Kalwhite - Episode 113
Born in Connecticut, and now residing in Connecticut, Daniel has been involved in the entertainment business since he was a fat 3rd grader. At 8 years old Dan starred as Paul the Paleontologist in the off-broadway smash: "Where'd the Dinosaurs Go?!" and played drums in various funk and punk bands over the years.
A self-confessed film geek, Daniel finally got out from behind the drum kit and got involved in stand-up in 2009. His big break came when he met the lead singer of Soul Asylum at a Bar in New Haven, Connecticut.
In the last year, Daniel has shared the stage with some of the funniest people in comedy & would probably like to share your stage too.
Dec 03, 201914:08
Bret Raybould - Episode 111
Funny, sharp, and original, Bret Raybould is a stand-up comedian, writer, and director. Kansas-born, he’s now a staple of the New York stand up and sketch comedy scenes. He performs all over the city and has helped write monologues for Conan on TBS (as a monologue intern), articles for CollegeHumor, and news journalism for NowThis. Currently, Bret is a member of the sketch comedy group The Raybould Brothers (the other members include his actual brother Jordan Raybould and close friend Dan D’Agnes who came up with the name). Their work has been featured on Huffington Post, Bro Bible, and Funny or Die.
Bret’s festival credits include Bridgetown (2017), SF Sketchfest (2018), New York Comedy Festival (2017), Skankfest (2017), Baltimore Comedy Festival (2017).
Bret’s festival credits include Bridgetown (2017), SF Sketchfest (2018), New York Comedy Festival (2017), Skankfest (2017), Baltimore Comedy Festival (2017).
Nov 13, 201920:60
Shaun Murphy - Episode 110
Shaun Murphy is a comedian originally from Buffalo, NY, who has performed in many clubs and colleges throughout North America. He has told jokes at prestigious places like the Boston Comedy Festival and the Asheville Comedy Festival to less prestigious places like a high school graduation party with a broken microphone. He has been lucky enough to feature for a diverse group of headliners such as Dave Attell, Michael Ian Black, Jen Kirkman, Tom Green, and Mark Normand. Shaun’s likeability and awkwardness keep audiences captivated whenever he performs. However, he thinks it’s really weird to impress strangers by talking about his accomplishments but hopefully it worked. If not, that’s okay too. He currently lives in New York City and has no money.
Nov 07, 201915:53
Candi Clare - Episode 109
Candi is the Director of Development at New York Comedy Club and a co-host with Steve Lipman on the podcast Figuring it Out.
Nov 05, 201918:21
Beecher and Dan Kalwhite - Episode 108
Beecher has performed in the Rogue Island Comedy Festival, the World Series of Comedy, the Park Slope Comedy Festival, the Brooklyn Comedy Festival, Skankfest, & the Boston Comedy Festival. He was the winner of the Connecticut Comedy Festival. Beecher's recorded segments for the Wendy Williams Show, the Danish news network TV2, & MTV2. He can also be heard on SiriusXM radio, NPR, & appears in 'The Get Down' on Netflix.
Born in Connecticut, and now residing in Connecticut, Daniel has been involved in the entertainment business since he was a fat 3rd grader. At 8 years old Dan starred as Paul the Paleontologist in the off-broadway smash: "Where'd the Dinosaurs Go?!" and played drums in various funk and punk bands over the years.
A self-confessed film geek, Daniel finally got out from behind the drum kit and got involved in stand-up in 2009. His big break came when he met the lead singer of Soul Asylum at a Bar in New Haven, Connecticut.
In the last year, Daniel has shared the stage with some of the funniest people in comedy & would probably like to share your stage too.
Oct 31, 201918:10
Ken Tuccio - Episode 107
Ken Tuccio is the founder/owner of Best Trivia Ever, the area's number one source for bar trivia. Prior to that Ken was a radio host on 95.9 FM, and the host and creator of the Welcome to Connecticut podcast.
Oct 28, 201920:58
Guy Philoche - Episode 106
Haitian-born, Connecticut-raised and Yale-educated modern artist Guy Stanley Philoche immigrated to Connecticut when he was three. As the middle child of three boys and coming from a family of sports enthusiasts whose passion he didn’t share, Philoche turned to art as his calling. While remaining close to his Haitian Roots, Philoche was the only son to buck his culture’s tradition of the entire family living together and struck out on his own – first attending Paier College of Art and then Yale. He now lives in New York City.
For the past 15 years, Guy Stanley Philoche has been attracting international attention with his work and his impressive roster of solo shows. As an artist, Guy’s palette is strong and sophisticated. His layering technique has created a body of paintings so richly textured that one can hardly hold back from reaching out and touching the canvas. In fact, it is the artist’s intent and wish that the viewer will follow their desire to reach out and feel the different textures of his canvases. His work is for the viewer’s pleasure, to be fully enjoyed from a tactile standpoint, and he has varnished the canvases for exactly that reason.
For the past 15 years, Guy Stanley Philoche has been attracting international attention with his work and his impressive roster of solo shows. As an artist, Guy’s palette is strong and sophisticated. His layering technique has created a body of paintings so richly textured that one can hardly hold back from reaching out and touching the canvas. In fact, it is the artist’s intent and wish that the viewer will follow their desire to reach out and feel the different textures of his canvases. His work is for the viewer’s pleasure, to be fully enjoyed from a tactile standpoint, and he has varnished the canvases for exactly that reason.
Oct 24, 201922:03
Matt Schwartzer - Episode 105
Matt is a writer/comedian/musician trapped in the body of a slightly less attractive writer/comedian/musician.
Oct 22, 201917:01
Michael Barker - Episode 104
Michael Barker joined Westport Country Playhouse in September 2016 from Mill Valley, CA, where he was the managing director of Marin Theatre Company.
Previously, Barker was general manager of Laguna Playhouse in Laguna Beach, CA, and managing director for the Los Angeles classical theater ensemble The Antaeus Company. Before moving to California, Barker was associate managing director at Yale Repertory Theatre and managing director of Yale Summer Cabaret, where he produced the first annual Carlotta Festival of New Plays. He was Seattle Repertory Theatre’s 2008 Managing Director Fellow.
Barker holds an MFA in theater management from Yale School of Drama and an MBA from Yale School of Management. At Yale, he was the recipient of the Daniel and Helene Sheehan Scholarship for theater management and a Kosciusko Scholarship for outstanding students of Polish descent. He currently serves as vice president of the board of the Yale School of Management Alumni Association.
Prior to graduate school, he was associate director of marketing for Court Theatre in Chicago, and also worked with Goodman Theatre, American Theater Company, Sansculottes Theater Company, and The Playground Theater.
Previously, Barker was general manager of Laguna Playhouse in Laguna Beach, CA, and managing director for the Los Angeles classical theater ensemble The Antaeus Company. Before moving to California, Barker was associate managing director at Yale Repertory Theatre and managing director of Yale Summer Cabaret, where he produced the first annual Carlotta Festival of New Plays. He was Seattle Repertory Theatre’s 2008 Managing Director Fellow.
Barker holds an MFA in theater management from Yale School of Drama and an MBA from Yale School of Management. At Yale, he was the recipient of the Daniel and Helene Sheehan Scholarship for theater management and a Kosciusko Scholarship for outstanding students of Polish descent. He currently serves as vice president of the board of the Yale School of Management Alumni Association.
Prior to graduate school, he was associate director of marketing for Court Theatre in Chicago, and also worked with Goodman Theatre, American Theater Company, Sansculottes Theater Company, and The Playground Theater.
Oct 17, 201920:41
Madison Malloy - Episode 103
Madison Malloy is a stand-up comedian, actress, writer and producer based in New York City. She has performed stand-up all over the country at comedy clubs and festivals including the Odd Ball Comedy Festival, Rock on Range and more.
She has also been seen on Fox, Dish Network, DirectTV, NBC and much more. You can hear Madison every week on her podcast Next to Madison on iTunes, Spotify, and all other podcast platforms.
She has also been seen on Fox, Dish Network, DirectTV, NBC and much more. You can hear Madison every week on her podcast Next to Madison on iTunes, Spotify, and all other podcast platforms.
Oct 15, 201920:18
Marc Gerber - Episode 102
Marc Gerber is a born and bred New Yorker who has been performing stand-up for over a decade in New York City and beyond. He was a Caroline’s Breakout Artist in 2016 and looks forward to returning to the stage with all the material he has developed since then. Equally adept at satirizing the State of the Union and the state of his own affairs, Marc has been featured on The Steve Harvey Show, CNN, NBC, MTV’s Catfish and in The New York Post, just to name a few.
Oct 10, 201918:00
Dan Kalwhite and Stosh Mikita - Episode 101
Born in Connecticut, and now residing in Connecticut, Daniel has been involved in the entertainment business since he was a fat 3rd grader. At 8 years old Dan starred as Paul the Paleontologist in the off-broadway smash: "Where'd the Dinosaurs Go?!" and played drums in various funk and punk bands over the years.
A self-confessed film geek, Daniel finally got out from behind the drum kit and got involved in stand-up in 2009. His big break came when he met the lead singer of Soul Asylum at a Bar in New Haven, Connecticut.
In the last year, Daniel has shared the stage with some of the funniest people in comedy & would probably like to share your stage too.
Stosh Mikita is a New Haven, CT based comedian whose comedy combines observational humor, self-deprecation, and dark personal stories from an unusual upbringing. Starting in 2013, Stosh has quickly become a regularly featured comedian in New England and NYC, performing on WNPR's Colin McEnroe Show, New York Comedy Club's Roast Battle, and Comedy Fight Club on the Gas Digital Network.
Oct 08, 201915:51
Karina Strobl Gerics - Episode 100
Karina Strobl Gerics is a dog mom, foodie, and founder of Live Well Nutrition. She created LWN to be a supportive nutrition and wellness community for anyone seeking inspiration for healthy gluten-free meals and substantive information on wellness issues. She believes that to “live well”, we must strike a balance between how we nourish ourselves – both through diet and self-care.
Oct 03, 201920:56
Jeremy Pinsly - Episode 99
Jeremy is ballsy. A risk taker. The type of guy who won't take no for an answer (unless you mean it in which case he'll totally respect your boundaries). After growing up in Nashville, TN, studying finance at the University of Georgia and working in marketing in Dallas, Jeremy realized there is more to life than helping State Farm sell insurance, so he quit his corporate job (like a boss) and moved to New York to become a comedian. Through countless hours of grueling labor and an endless supply of Tony Robbins DVDs, he made himself a regular at clubs all over the city and sells-out venues across the country from Zanies in Nashville to Second City in Chicago. He's a writer for Funny or Die, a 6-time roast battle champion, and he currently runs the city's best monthly charity based comedy show, "Stand Up and Save the World" at the New York Comedy Club. So yeah, he's basically a hero.
Oct 01, 201917:29
Mike Lebovitz - Episode 98
Mike began his comedy career at the age of six with clowning classes at the local JCC. He's been delighting crowds with his intoxicating brand of wild-eyed humor ever since. Mike’s irreverent bar-stool philosophy careens from topic to topic like a runaway freight train with some dubious couplings. Audiences have described the experience as “spontaneous,” “joyful’ and “slightly terrifying.”
Mike cut his teeth in Chicago (not as painful as it sounds), where he was a regular at Zanies Comedy Club, The Laugh Factory and Comedy Bar Chicago. He co-founded the popular showcase, Comedians You Should Know, which he brought to New York City in 2016. It has since become the weekly go-to spot to see comedy legends and up-and-comers rock the same mic.
Internationally, Mike has offended nostrils in Montreal as a "New Face" of the 2013 Just For Laughs, and he won The Montreux Comedy Festival competition in Switzerland. He’s been featured on NBC’s Last Comic Standing, Comedy Central, and HBO’s The Deuce. Look for his debut album, LEBO, in early 2019 on Stand Up Records.
Mike cut his teeth in Chicago (not as painful as it sounds), where he was a regular at Zanies Comedy Club, The Laugh Factory and Comedy Bar Chicago. He co-founded the popular showcase, Comedians You Should Know, which he brought to New York City in 2016. It has since become the weekly go-to spot to see comedy legends and up-and-comers rock the same mic.
Internationally, Mike has offended nostrils in Montreal as a "New Face" of the 2013 Just For Laughs, and he won The Montreux Comedy Festival competition in Switzerland. He’s been featured on NBC’s Last Comic Standing, Comedy Central, and HBO’s The Deuce. Look for his debut album, LEBO, in early 2019 on Stand Up Records.
Sep 26, 201911:59
Andy Fiori - Episode 97
Andrew Fiori is a nationally touring Stand Up Comedian and Radio Personality based in New York City. He is regarded as one of the most dedicated and likable comedians working today. Time Out NY described his act by saying his "clever style is always enhanced by his affable onstage manner."
He has performed at the Montreal Just For Laughs Festival, JFL 42 in Toronto and the New York Comedy Festival where he was a finalist in New York's Funniest. He has made numerous appearances on Comedy Central and in 2016 he was honored to travel abroad to perform for the Troops in the Middle East.
Andrew is also an accomplished radio host and producer. He is the host of The Raw Report on SiriusXM and is also a regular on The Bonfire, Bennington, and is the Executive Producer of such shows as Come to Papa with Tom Papa and The Kelly Carlin Show.
His debut album, Plan B, was released in 2016 through Comedy Records and named one of the Best Albums of the Year by SiriusXM.
He has performed at the Montreal Just For Laughs Festival, JFL 42 in Toronto and the New York Comedy Festival where he was a finalist in New York's Funniest. He has made numerous appearances on Comedy Central and in 2016 he was honored to travel abroad to perform for the Troops in the Middle East.
Andrew is also an accomplished radio host and producer. He is the host of The Raw Report on SiriusXM and is also a regular on The Bonfire, Bennington, and is the Executive Producer of such shows as Come to Papa with Tom Papa and The Kelly Carlin Show.
His debut album, Plan B, was released in 2016 through Comedy Records and named one of the Best Albums of the Year by SiriusXM.
Sep 24, 201917:41
Brendan Sagalow -Episode 96
Prepubescent in both looks and attitude, Brendan Sagalow brings his naturally funny perspective across the country and to all the major elite clubs in Manhattan.
Brendan has written for MTV's Joking Off, been a featured guest on many Sirius XM shows, such as The Erik Negal show, The Check Spot Live with Emma Willmann, Him and Sam, and Bennington on Raw Dog Radio. Brendan was the winner of the 2015 New York Comedy Club Comedy Competition, and featured in The Rhode Island Comedy Festival in Newport, RI. Skankfest, NYC, and Red Clay Comedy Fest in Atlanta, Georgia.
You can also listen to Brendan every week as the host of his own podcast, The Stupid Little Podcast, available on iTunes now.
Brendan has written for MTV's Joking Off, been a featured guest on many Sirius XM shows, such as The Erik Negal show, The Check Spot Live with Emma Willmann, Him and Sam, and Bennington on Raw Dog Radio. Brendan was the winner of the 2015 New York Comedy Club Comedy Competition, and featured in The Rhode Island Comedy Festival in Newport, RI. Skankfest, NYC, and Red Clay Comedy Fest in Atlanta, Georgia.
You can also listen to Brendan every week as the host of his own podcast, The Stupid Little Podcast, available on iTunes now.
Sep 19, 201919:14
Dan Altano - Episode 95
Dan Altano is a New York City-based stand up comic who performs often at NYC's Comic Strip Live and Caroline's on Broadway. Dan recently appeared in the New York Comedy Festival and regularly performs with the nationally-touring comedy group Escape from NY.
Sep 18, 201921:39
Walker Hays - Episode 94
Walker Hays is a comedian, actress and writer. Based in NYC and hailing from Baltimore, MD she now prefers to live as a gypsy and not be in any one city for more than 72 hours. She can be seen at festivals and in clubs around the country from D.C. to Chicago to L.A. and is part of the Underwear Comedy Party tour and the Refried Comedy tour. Walker has performed at the Improv, Laugh Factory, Gotham and can be seen weekly at home favorites Stand Up NY and New York Comedy Club.
When not doing stand up she can be found modeling and onscreen. She’s had roles on series for Fox, MTV, NBC, Discovery and just wrapped supporting roles in two pilots and the lead in an indie film. She stars in the cult favorite web series “Milgram & The Fastwalkers”, a noir soap opera about aliens that’s anything but comedic and often requires her to look very unphotogenic.
Traveling, sports (both playing and yelling vigorously at unknowing athletes on TV) and the quest for the perfect martini are a few of her other favorite things to enjoy. She is rad, ask anyone except people who don’t think she’s rad.
Sep 12, 201918:49
Usama Siddiquee - Episode 93
Usama Siddiquee (formerly known by his stage name “Usama Bin Laughin”) is completely comfortable with writing a bio about himself in third person. His absolute ease should already be impressing you by now.
Usama Siddiquee is a Bengali-American stand-up comedian and actor based in New York. He’s the kind of comic you want to follow right now, so you can totally gloat to your friends about how you were totally into him before he got huge. And then they’ll get really jealous of your impeccable foresight and superior taste.
His act is an energetic (bordering on frenetic) and intelligent (bordering on genius) romp through his own life experiences. Family! Friends! Sex! Religion! Sex with religious friends! It’s all there, and Usama slings jokes on these topics and more with rapid-fire charisma and hilarity.
And if you thought that last paragraph was self-serving, here is a shameless list of Usama’s achievements. He most recently traveled to Montreal as one of the New Faces at Just For Laughs in 2018. Shortly after he was passed at the world-famous Comedy Cellar in New York. He made his standup television debut on BET's 50 Central. He was a finalist for the 2017 NY's Funniest Competition at Caroline's; a finalist in the 2017 NBC Standup Competition; 1st place winner of the 2016 Laughing Devil Cup Comedy Festival in New York; the 1st place winner of the 2015 Yonkers Comedy Festival as well as the 1st place winner of the 2015 Make Me Laugh Albany Comedy Festival. Usama was also featured this year on videos for NBC, Buzzfeed, Refinery29, The Scene, Mic.com, FusionTV, and Huffington Post.
P.S. Usama can probably beatbox better than you can.
Usama Siddiquee is a Bengali-American stand-up comedian and actor based in New York. He’s the kind of comic you want to follow right now, so you can totally gloat to your friends about how you were totally into him before he got huge. And then they’ll get really jealous of your impeccable foresight and superior taste.
His act is an energetic (bordering on frenetic) and intelligent (bordering on genius) romp through his own life experiences. Family! Friends! Sex! Religion! Sex with religious friends! It’s all there, and Usama slings jokes on these topics and more with rapid-fire charisma and hilarity.
And if you thought that last paragraph was self-serving, here is a shameless list of Usama’s achievements. He most recently traveled to Montreal as one of the New Faces at Just For Laughs in 2018. Shortly after he was passed at the world-famous Comedy Cellar in New York. He made his standup television debut on BET's 50 Central. He was a finalist for the 2017 NY's Funniest Competition at Caroline's; a finalist in the 2017 NBC Standup Competition; 1st place winner of the 2016 Laughing Devil Cup Comedy Festival in New York; the 1st place winner of the 2015 Yonkers Comedy Festival as well as the 1st place winner of the 2015 Make Me Laugh Albany Comedy Festival. Usama was also featured this year on videos for NBC, Buzzfeed, Refinery29, The Scene, Mic.com, FusionTV, and Huffington Post.
P.S. Usama can probably beatbox better than you can.
Sep 10, 201914:38
Mike Feeney - Episode 92
Mike Feeney is a New York City-based comedian and actor. His laid-back style and dynamic stage presence captivate young and old audiences alike.
Mike has been featured on NBC's Last Call with Carson Daly, Funny or Die, Sirius XM, Fox’s Laughs, TruTV's Rachel Dratch's Late Night Snack, The Chive, ABC's Right This Minute and Food Network's Restaurant Stakeout. He has also been a part of the New York Comedy Festival, Cape Fear Comedy Festival, Rogue Island Comedy Festival, Skankfest, Hoboken Comedy Festival, and the Laughing Devil Comedy Festival.
His sketch Low Battery won "Best Micro Short" at the Houston Comedy Film Festival. His other comedy shorts have been featured in the Williamsburg Independent Film Festival and regularly on the front page of Funny or Die.
Mike has studied at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre (UCB) and The Peoples Improv Theatre (P.I.T.). Currently, Mike performs all over the U.S. and is the co-host of Irish Goodbye Podcast.
Mike has been featured on NBC's Last Call with Carson Daly, Funny or Die, Sirius XM, Fox’s Laughs, TruTV's Rachel Dratch's Late Night Snack, The Chive, ABC's Right This Minute and Food Network's Restaurant Stakeout. He has also been a part of the New York Comedy Festival, Cape Fear Comedy Festival, Rogue Island Comedy Festival, Skankfest, Hoboken Comedy Festival, and the Laughing Devil Comedy Festival.
His sketch Low Battery won "Best Micro Short" at the Houston Comedy Film Festival. His other comedy shorts have been featured in the Williamsburg Independent Film Festival and regularly on the front page of Funny or Die.
Mike has studied at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre (UCB) and The Peoples Improv Theatre (P.I.T.). Currently, Mike performs all over the U.S. and is the co-host of Irish Goodbye Podcast.
Sep 05, 201919:46
Turner Sparks - Episode 91
After 12 years of living in Suzhou, China, opening Mister Softee China Ice Cream, co-founding the Kung Fu Komedy Club in Shanghai and touring as a comedian all over Asia, Turner is now based in Brooklyn, New York.
If you want to listen to him talk every week, subscribe to the Lost In America Podcast he hosts with Michael Ira Kaplan.
If you want to listen to him talk every week, subscribe to the Lost In America Podcast he hosts with Michael Ira Kaplan.
Sep 03, 201926:10
Jason Salmon - Episode 90
Jason is a Texan comedian based in New York City. He has played venues all over New York and throughout the US ranging from colleges to private events. Festivals include The Dallas Comedy Festival, and competition festivals where he has been a semifinalist, finalist and even placed second. Someday, he will win something, so check his website for more updates soon.
Aug 29, 201912:43
Shaun Murphy- Episode 89
Shaun Murphy is a comedian originally from Buffalo, NY, who has performed in many clubs and colleges throughout North America. He has told jokes at prestigious places like the Boston Comedy Festival and the Asheville Comedy Festival to less prestigious places like a high school graduation party with a broken microphone. He has been lucky enough to feature for a diverse group of headliners such as Dave Attell, Michael Ian Black, Jen Kirkman, Tom Green, and Mark Normand. Shaun’s likeability and awkwardness keep audiences captivated whenever he performs. However, he thinks it’s really weird to impress strangers by talking about his accomplishments but hopefully it worked. If not, that’s okay too. He currently lives in New York City and has no money.
Aug 22, 201915:22
Frank Liotti - Episode 87
Frank Liotti has been seen playing criminals on multiple episodes of Law and Order: Criminal Intent, Law and Order: Special Victims Unit, Fox TV's Jonny Zero, Canturbury's Law with Julianna Margulies, and others. A graduate of Yale School of Drama, he landed the cover of The New York Times Arts & Leisure section for the production of "Cats Talk Back", a mocumentary of life as a cast member within the Broadway hit "Cats", which won "Best Overall Production" in NYC Fringe Festival, 2003. Frank performs in New York City (Gotham Comedy Club, Broadway Comedy Club, Comix) and across America. He recently came in first place in the New York division of the prestigious Laughing Skull Comedy Festival, and went on to compete in the finals in Atlanta.
Aug 08, 201917:18
Ben Rosenfeld - Episode 86
Ben Rosenfeld is a quirky immigrant whose comedy can be best described as “playfully dark, seriously smart.” Ben’s comedy blends his family’s experience as Russian Jewish immigrants in America with his philosophical beliefs, political observations and unique characters.
Aug 06, 201916:58
Beecher - Episode 85
Beecher has performed in the Rogue Island Comedy Festival, the World Series of Comedy, the Park Slope Comedy Festival, the Brooklyn Comedy Festival, Skankfest, & the Boston Comedy Festival. He was the winner of the Connecticut Comedy Festival. Beecher's recorded segments for the Wendy Williams Show, the Danish news network TV2, & MTV2. He can also be heard on SiriusXM radio, NPR, & appears in 'The Get Down' on Netflix.
Aug 01, 201912:53
Sloane Barbour - Episode 84
Sloane is the VP of Sales at Hired and Joe's boss! He is also a musician and is trying standup comedy for the first time!
Jul 30, 201920:59
Tommy DeFilippo - Episode 83
Tommy DeFilippo is an aspiring stand-up comedian and the creator of Trumbull Memes, a popular social media account and brand based in Fairfield County, CT that connects local residents to the community through comedy and shared interests. Created in 2017, Tommy took the idea of making fun of where you're from to a whole new level. Featuring humorous memes and videos related to the local area, Trumbull Memes has grown in size and scope within a two year span and gained a cult following. The account has been an outlet for Tommy to share his humor and comedic chops, which he looks to transfer to stand-up comedy in the future. Follow @trumbullmemes on Instagram & Twitter!
Jul 25, 201914:52
Beecher (and Gillian!) - Episode 82
Beecher has performed in the Rogue Island Comedy Festival, the World Series of Comedy, the Park Slope Comedy Festival, the Brooklyn Comedy Festival, Skankfest, & the Boston Comedy Festival. He was the winner of the Connecticut Comedy Festival. Beecher's recorded segments for the Wendy Williams Show, the Danish news network TV2, & MTV2. He can also be heard on SiriusXM radio, NPR, & appears in 'The Get Down' on Netflix.
Gillian is a writer for Gold Comedy, works at JUV Consulting, and is a producer on It's A Hustle.
Jul 23, 201928:10
Dave Juskow - Episode 81
David Juskow has appeared on HBO's Crashing, Men of a Certain Age and The Sarah Silverman Program.
Jul 18, 201918:35
Turner Sparks - Episode 80
After 12 years of living in Suzhou, China, opening Mister Softee China Ice Cream, co-founding the Kung Fu Komedy Club in Shanghai and touring as a comedian all over Asia, Turner is now based in Brooklyn, New York.
If you want to listen to him talk every week, subscribe to the Lost In America Podcast he hosts with Michael Ira Kaplan.
If you want to listen to him talk every week, subscribe to the Lost In America Podcast he hosts with Michael Ira Kaplan.
Jul 16, 201918:04
Susan Gerics - Episode 79
Susan Gerics is Joe’s mom and this is her first time on a podcast!
Jul 11, 201915:16
Dan Kalwhite - Episode 78
Born in Connecticut, and now residing in Connecticut, Daniel has been involved in the entertainment business since he was a fat 3rd grader. At 8 years old Dan starred as Paul the Paleontologist in the off-broadway smash: "Where'd the Dinosaurs Go?!" and played drums in various funk and punk bands over the years.
A self-confessed film geek, Daniel finally got out from behind the drum kit and got involved in stand-up in 2009. His big break came when he met the lead singer of Soul Asylum at a Bar in New Haven, Connecticut.
In the last year, Daniel has shared the stage with some of the funniest people in comedy & would probably like to share your stage too.
Jul 09, 201916:16
Richie Redding - Episode 77
Richie Redding is one of the funniest guys that you’ve probably never heard of. As a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania it was unlikely that his comedy career start off in urban rooms and burlesque shows, but that’s how it happened. He left the corporate world determined to get paid to have fun which is obvious every time he takes the stage. His set is edgy, high energy and autobiographical, drawing on a lifetime of ridiculous true stories that can only happen to a recovering alcoholic Ivy Leaguer. His boy band looks and colorful word selection have gained him well-deserved attention. In 2012, he was selected to perform in Walter Latham’s Comedy After Dark and became a regular on HOT 97FM. In 2013 he beat out 32 comics from all over the world to win the Bermuda International Comedy Competition and also had his TV debut on AXS TV’s Gotham Live! He has headlined in six foreign countries and also had the honor of being selected to feature in a USO tour of South Korea, entertaining the 30,000 American troops stationed there. 2014 was a pivotal year, as he was hand-picked by Katt Williams to be the official host of the Growth Spurt Tour and for the HBO special Priceless. Based on that success, Katt then asked him to be his featured act for the Born Again, Again Tour. His fanbase has grown rapidly since, as he was regularly killing crowds of 10,000 people or more! He continues to be a constant presence in New York’s top clubs, especially after command performances at both the Barclay’s Center and Madison Square Garden.
Jul 04, 201921:24
Beecher - Episode 76
Beecher has performed in the Rogue Island Comedy Festival, the World Series of Comedy, the Park Slope Comedy Festival, the Brooklyn Comedy Festival, Skankfest, & the Boston Comedy Festival. He was the winner of the Connecticut Comedy Festival. Beecher's recorded segments for the Wendy Williams Show, the Danish news network TV2, & MTV2. He can also be heard on SiriusXM radio, NPR, & appears in 'The Get Down' on Netflix.
Jul 02, 201918:05
Jared Freid - Episode 75
Jared Freid is a comedian based out of New York City and originally from the Boston suburb of Needham, Massachusetts. His comedy is current and reflects the ordinary daily thoughts of everyone you know, especially if everyone you know is a millennial, obsessed with dating apps, trying to be a real adult and worried about their body. (For the record, Jared’s mom thinks his body is “just fine.”)
He’s a regular at the Comedy Cellar, Caroline’s on Broadway, Gotham, Stand Up New York and Comix at Mohegan Sun. He also had the honor of performing for the 2017 “New Faces” showcase at the 35th annual Just For Laughs festival in Montréal.
His television presence has been amping up. He’s currently starring in the Snapchat series “How Low Can You Go?” He’s recently been featured on MTV2’s new series “Vidiots” as well as TruTV’s “NFL Full Contact,” MTV’s “Failosophy,” NBC’s “The Today Show,” NFL Network’s “Top Ten,” and AXS TV’s “Gotham Comedy Live.”
His weekly JTrain Podcast is booming and now touring live around the country. It’s already at over 450,000 listeners per month and regularly in the iTunes top 100. The show has a cult following of loyal fans. It’s been called “A Dear Abbey for Dudes” which is why both men and women tune in religiously. Additionally, he co-hosts a modern dating podcast called “U Up?” with Jordana Abraham of Betches where they discuss their take on modern dating with issues ranging from apps to hookups to relationships.
Jared’s fans also seek out his voice in the online publishing world. He’s written for TotalFratMove, BroBible, Betches, LuvThis and HeTexted. His columns delve into everything from sports to “The Bachelor” to the pitfalls of dating in the information age. His writing has both sides of the aisle nodding their head while thinking, “I’ve been on the toilet way too long.”
He’s a regular at the Comedy Cellar, Caroline’s on Broadway, Gotham, Stand Up New York and Comix at Mohegan Sun. He also had the honor of performing for the 2017 “New Faces” showcase at the 35th annual Just For Laughs festival in Montréal.
His television presence has been amping up. He’s currently starring in the Snapchat series “How Low Can You Go?” He’s recently been featured on MTV2’s new series “Vidiots” as well as TruTV’s “NFL Full Contact,” MTV’s “Failosophy,” NBC’s “The Today Show,” NFL Network’s “Top Ten,” and AXS TV’s “Gotham Comedy Live.”
His weekly JTrain Podcast is booming and now touring live around the country. It’s already at over 450,000 listeners per month and regularly in the iTunes top 100. The show has a cult following of loyal fans. It’s been called “A Dear Abbey for Dudes” which is why both men and women tune in religiously. Additionally, he co-hosts a modern dating podcast called “U Up?” with Jordana Abraham of Betches where they discuss their take on modern dating with issues ranging from apps to hookups to relationships.
Jared’s fans also seek out his voice in the online publishing world. He’s written for TotalFratMove, BroBible, Betches, LuvThis and HeTexted. His columns delve into everything from sports to “The Bachelor” to the pitfalls of dating in the information age. His writing has both sides of the aisle nodding their head while thinking, “I’ve been on the toilet way too long.”
Jun 27, 201921:49
Justin Smith - Episode 74
Justin Smith is a NYC based comedian from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. On paper he is the definition of an Oklahoma stereotype. He was raised in a religious household, went to a conservative Christian college, worked in the oilfield, loves BBQ and the phrase "fixen to". But it doesn't take long after meeting Justin to realize that he is farthest thing from a stereotype. He is quick-witted, brutally honest, and incredibly engaging, which is the main reason his resume is so diverse. Ranging from making fun of high school proms on MTV to talking about the intricate details of comedy on PBS, to performing at the world famous Apollo Theater in Harlem, not to mention participating in the notorious Hell Yes Fest in New Orleans and has performed at the underground comedy fest and the district of comedy festival at Kennedy Center in D.C. Justin has no limits. Justin currently resides in NYC where he lives in a Hispanic neighborhood, rides crowded trains everyday, and performs nightly all over the city. And loves every second of it.
Jun 25, 201921:35