The Launching Pod

Slug from Atmosphere (@atmosphere) stops by to talk about how comedians have been keeping him sane, new music he's working on during the pandemic, the connections between comedians and rappers and who the funniest MCs he knows are.  And, of course, so much more!

Atmosphere's new album, The Day Before Halloween, is available now.

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Follow Sylis P. on Twitter @raddudebadtude1 and on Instagram and Facebook @SylisP

Comedian, show producer, husband, father and wearer of many neat hats Eddie Gallagher (krickcomedy.com) stops by to talk about producing safe outdoor shows in a pandemic, what he looks for when you send him your tapes and why Jake Mattera will NEVER be considered a Philly comic (according to Sylis)

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Producer (Aesop Rock, Billy Woods, Illogic) Blockhead (@BlockheadNYC) stops by to talk about his favorite comedians, the similarities between musicians and comedians, the Party Fun Action Committee parody album on Def Jux (and which rapper wasn't thrilled to be parodied on it) and hints at an upcoming release that people will be very excited about. 

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Improv impresario Kayleigh Liggitt joins us to talk about how a prog-rock ex lead her to hosting the improv show at the Grape Room for 5+ years, what part of improv is most like open mics and so very much more. 

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Comedian, sketch writer and overall great guy Jake Mattera (@JakeMattera) stops by to talk about having a penis on his head on national television, unknowingly writing the theme song for The Young Bucks in Ring of Honor and his early, heartbreaking experiences at open mics. AND SO MUCH MORE! 

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We wrap up our conversation with comedian and TV writer Chip Chantry (@ChipChantry) by covering his homage to Hall and Oates (and Christmas), his adventures on the road with Todd Glass and Bob Saget, meeting Jon Hamm and how 7 words (not those ones) got him writing jobs on television.  Also, Sylis yelled at a drunk audience member last week, and we have the audio!

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Comedian and television writer Chip Chantry (@ChipChantry) joins us for the first of a two part interview and boy does it start with a bang! I mean, Bing. Chip takes us through his humble beginnings in comedy performing as a planetarium pirate for children and fighting off entire dart leagues in Northeast Philly bars to auditioning for Last Comic Standing as his offensive alter-ego, Bing Supernova. This is an incredibly entertaining and insightful conversation that anyone involved with or just a fan of comedy can learn a lot from. 

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Former High Note Humor host and current father (?) Neill Carroll (@NeillCarroll) stops by to commiserate on South Jersey VFW shows, what it means to be told "you did your thing" (it ain't good!) and performing at barcades in Delaware. And so! much! more!

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Seamus Millar returns to kick off the second season of the Launching Pod! Seamus fills us in on what's happened since we last spoke (pre-quarantine), the books he's reading and the unfortunate timing of his teacher turning on a TV to learn about sharks. Subscribe, rate and share with your friends! 

New York comedian Dan LaMorte (@DanLaMorte) stops by to talk about going from barking in Times Square to opening for Kathleen Madigan, how being a college pitcher helped him deal with setbacks and adversity in comedy, and what happened when Jerry Seinfeld and Jim Gaffigan dropped in to his show.

We wrap up our journey through the many characters of Gregg Gethard (@FinancialGuruGG) with magician Jaykob Strange, Yelp novelist Karl G. and Financial Guru Gregg Gethard. We also delve into Gregg's online adventures with the Modern Butlers forum and his search for a cute top in a neighborhood Facebook page. Plus, the origin of "Do you know who the fuck my dad is?" And exciting news about Gregg's new podcast, Rich Pod Poor Pod on the Wasted Robot Network!

Gregg Gethard (@FinancialGuruGG) takes us through his early days in comedy performing in backyards and dive bars and writing one man shows based on The Wire and the autobiography of Darryl Strawberry, who Gregg would later meet. We also get the full story of the infamous New York is Better Than Philly show that pitted Gregg vs. his brother Chris, including an ending involving the Milkshake of Death. Then, Gregg details his relationship with Tom Scharpling and The Best Show on WFMU, why Scharpling wouldn’t do Chris’ show unless Gregg was there and meeting Ilana Glazer shortly before Broad City.

Comedian, podcaster and official State Prop representer Brandon Mitchell (@Barack_OBiscuit on Twitter, @Ayooo_BrandonMitchell on Instagram) joins Sylis to talk about approaching comedy with the confidence of Lil Wayne, breaking up comedian fights at open mics and so much more! 

Comedian, showrunner and all around good dude Jon Koppel stops by to talk about his experiences homeschooling his kids, going to school in New Orleans and reveals exactly how much his home is worth! 

Grapes of Laugh host and Lovable Monster Ryan Foster stops by to talk about how shitting in a bag formed his first comedy friendship and a whole lot more! Also, Sylis has some exciting news to share about his new podcast, Talking Sit, on the Wasted Robot Network!

Former Grape Room host and current roast champ Meg Goetz comes on the pod to talk about roasting people online, etiquette at open mics and the difference between hosting a mic at a bar vs a club. I

Comedian, illustrator and host of Feel Feelings Danny Getz stops by to talk about his mascot tournament, what exactly a moose is and the career of Charles Grodin. 

Comedian, musician, dad and world class pickler Steve Bickel joins us to talk about homeschooling his daughters while going back to work, his favorite things to pickle and so much more!

The Deer Tag himself, Dru Montana, stops by to talk about making a mortal enemy his very first time at The Grape Room, who really killed Abraham Lincoln and the difficulty of online roast battles.

Sylis' Joke Gym co-host Siobhan O'Hara joins the chat to talk about her experiences doing both improv and stand-up, cursed amulets and Frasier falling off a stage. 

Sylis talks with Philly/New York comedian and mask maker Marlenas about the grind mentality, early screen names and much more! 

Philly comedy's dad, Andy Lane, checks in to talk about his prepping, Philly comedy's hierarchy and catches some fish while on the 'cast!

Sylis talks to his former Come On Over co-host and unsung Grape Room hero Ryan Kay! From growing onions to the importance of CONTENT in these #unprecedentedtimes, Ryan and Sylis get into a whole heckuva lot!

Comedian, author and co-host of the Cactus Open Mic Nick Kupsey joins me to talk about the highs, lows, whens, whys and hows of our time running an open mic together! You can buy Nick's latest book, Lost in the Mail on Amazon!

Sylis talks about the importance of being a person before being a comic and how music might be the most important part of running an open mic. At one point his phone goes off cause he's a popular dummy and he's SORRY!

Sylis goes over his recent set at Speakeasy (with audio!), the importance of taking some time off and gives advice for hosting an open mic. Rate, review and cherish!