Thea Rainford

In this episode, Karim Kanji sits down with comedian Thea Rainford to explore her journey into stand-up and the stories behind her earliest jokes—a perfect fit for Karim’s upcoming season centered on comedians' “first jokes.”Thea opens up about discovering comedy during a difficult breakup in the pandemic, when she began writing material about her ex and her beloved cat. She reflects on her first-ever showcase at Tallboys, where she delivered a hilariously sharp roast of her ex, and shares the emotional moment her father proudly declared her a “real comedian.”Throughout the conversation, Thea discusses the ongoing process of shaping her comedic voice—through workshops, disciplined writing, and continuous stage time. With humor, honesty, and shared excitement, this episode highlights Thea’s evolution as a performer.Follow Thea on Instagram here -> https://www.instagram.com/thea_rain3/