'MIKE DWYER' - Becoming Your Own Boss

Mike Dwyer is a comedian in the Chicago area! He has a natural, extremely genuine personality that makes him perfect for a self-expressive medium like comedy. The 'human element' is strong with this one. 💯 It was an honor to sit down with him! In this episode, we discuss how Mike managed to escape the monotony of shuffling through day jobs, the process of individual self-discovery (and how to achieve this), where the money is in the comedy industry, the problem with materialism, why it's important to have roots somewhere, how being part of a community can improve mental health, and much more! 🔥 As always, thank you for watching. New episodes of Ruse Radio always coming soon. 💖 _____ TIMESTAMPS: 0:00 - Mike Dwyer 0:14 - Guest shares his background and philosophy on jobs 0:50 - Struggles with jobs and personal outlook 1:56 - Transitioning to comedy and dog-walking 2:42 - Combining passions and making ends meet 3:08 - Details of dog-walking routines 4:06 - Seasonal work and holiday surges 4:41 - Funny experiences with clients and dogs 6:11 - Managing difficult dogs and setting boundaries 8:09 - Building a dog-walking business over time 9:59 - Transitioning to independent clients 10:42 - Balancing comedy and work 12:07 - Physical demands of dog-walking 13:02 - Personal health journey and exercise 14:45 - Using comedy to improve mental health 15:53 - Role of ps1ch3delics in self-discovery 17:33 - Transformative summer with ps1ch3delics 19:54 - Seeking personal growth and creative fulfillment 21:01 - Inspiration for pursuing comedy 23:09 - Comedy as a natural form of expression 24:57 - Differences between performing comedy and conversation 26:31 - On-stage style and crowd interaction 29:13 - Writing and improvisation in comedy 30:53 - Balancing preparation and performance 34:45 - Materialism and simplifying life 37:10 - Releasing trauma and improving physical alignment 40:02 - The impact of ps1ch3delics on trauma and growth 42:47 - Personal experiences with ps1ch3delics and self-discovery 49:35 - Reflection on a profound but challenging trip 54:13 - Integrating wellness practices with self-growth 59:01 - Guided meditation and its benefits 1:03:04 - Staying in touch with one’s inner self 1:07:47 - Building community in comedy 1:11:18 - Networking and supporting others in the comedy scene 1:14:09 - Unexpected opportunities from showing up 1:15:06 - Insights on the comedy booking process and networking in Chicago 1:16:42 - Discussing comedy income sources and potential revenue streams 1:17:40 - Producing comedy shows and the challenges of promotion 1:20:10 - Balancing comedy production and personal creativity 1:22:02 - The value of collaboration and diverse perspectives in comedy 1:24:09 - Embracing unique artistry in standup and storytelling 1:26:10 - Reflecting on city life and community dynamics in Chicago 1:31:01 - Roots, community, and the importance of stability in life 1:34:53 - Neighborhood diversity and culture in Chicago 1:37:12 - Iconic Italian restaurants and local dining gems 1:39:04 - Riot Fest and experiences working with circus performers 1:43:34 - Remembering Andy Kaufman and unconventional comedy styles 1:45:26 - Comedy as truth-telling and the art of making universal connections 1:49:01 - Adapting comedy to different audiences and settings 1:52:00 - Finding fulfillment in personal growth and creative persistence 1:57:03 - The joy of freestyling and discovering unique talents