Episode 86: Mike Lukas

This week's guest is Mike Lukas. Mike Lukas is a veteran comedian, writer, and comedy coach whose career spans over two decades. Raised in Cleveland, Ohio, he graduated with honors from the University of Dayton in 1987 and initially pursued a career in corporate computing before transitioning to comedy. Mike’s comedic journey includes performances on national television shows such as NBC’s The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and Late Night with Conan O’Brien. He was also a cast member of The Second City’s mainstage in Las Vegas and part of their National Touring Company. His appearances at major comedy festivals, including the Montreal Just for Laughs and Aspen Comedy Festival, further solidified his reputation in the comedy circuit. After retiring from touring, Lukas focused on writing and coaching. He authored the “Funny Muscle” book series, which includes Finding Your Funny Muscle, Fine-Tuning Your Funny Muscle, and Flexing Your Funny Muscle. These books provide insights into joke-writing and comedic performance, drawing from his extensive experience in the field. Currently based in Dallas, Texas, Lukas co-hosts the “Funny Muscle Podcast” and teaches stand-up comedy classes at the Dallas Comedy Club. He continues to write, producing sports blogs, short stories, novels, and non-fiction works. His dedication to the craft of comedy and his efforts to mentor aspiring comedians highlight his ongoing contribution to the comedic arts. For more information on Mike Lukas’s work and publications, visit his official website at mike-lukas.com.