'ELIZA BENT' - It Was Better When It Was Worse

Eliza Bent is a comedian, entertainer, & educator in Chicago, IL! ♥ She is weird in the best of ways and knows exactly how to utilize it in her art. That's why we love her. Catch her latest masterpiece, 'Penguin In Your Ear', LIVE and witness brilliance. 💯In this episode, we discuss Eliza's transition from experimental theater in New York to standup comedy in Chicago (& how a spontaneous job offer changed everything), the unique and chaotic charm of the Glenwood Open Mic, how to find balance between artistic ambition and personal fulfillment, the fascinating concept of 'saudade' (longing for a past that no longer exists), the psychology of lateness, and much more! 🔥As always, thank you for watching. New episodes of Ruse Radio always coming soon. 💖_______TIMESTAMPS:0:00 - Audio issues disclaimer1:38 - Eliza Bent2:10 - Eliza’s journey into comedy2:52 - Moving from New York to Chicago3:49 - Teaching at Northwestern University5:03 - Challenges of meeting people in a new city6:03 - Discovering the Glenwood Open Mic10:01 - History and evolution of the Glenwood Open Mic13:00 - Comedy goals and different approaches to open mics16:00 - Writing rap and lyrical inspirations18:49 - The Cola Wars and brand competition19:51 - Nostalgia and missing home21:03 - The concept of "Saudade" and longing23:27 - First performance at the Glenwood Open Mic25:51 - Developing standup material and writing process32:27 - Transitioning from creating a show to performing for fun35:34 - The unique challenge of performing at the Glenwood37:49 - Looking ahead to new comedy projects39:49 - The tradeoff between anonymity and community41:17 - Wrapping up and final thoughts