The Verbal Gym

The super talented Malcolm Barrett joins us on this episode to discuss his crossover from a successful acting career to attacking a new challenge in the form of standup comedy! He has very unique path in his comedy journey and his lessons learned from this process can be applied by all. This was an amazing chat!

After a six month hiatus the Verbal Gym is back! And back with an awesome guest in Kansas raised, L.A. based comedian and stage performer Brett Riley! He is a regular at the Laugh Factory, The Improv and the Comedy & Magic Club in Hermosa Beach and offers fantastic advice on how to grow as a standup and best take advantage of opportunities! Such a great episode! Enjoy!

The Verbal Gym is back from a break and this episode is awesome! We are joined by Marine Veteran and hilarious comedian Michael D'Angelo. He produces shows for the troops with his company "Rapid Fire Comedy" and gives us an up-close insight into building a brand and producing your own shows on the road in the most unique of conditions. Enjoy!

In this episode we chat with Kansas City based comedian Steve Peters. His life as a former police officer, Middle Eastern security contractor and bar owner have given him a platform of experiences to draw from that is invaluable as a standup comic. In recent years he has ventured into the world of producing comedy shows at his bars in the Midwest and his take on middle American crowds is a great listen! Funny stuff!

In this episode we sit down with Fizaa Dosani, the super-talented creator of Facial Recognition Comedy, a monthly show highlighting South Asian comedians at The World Famous Comedy Store. Her observations on the changes in comedy over her 11 year career are extremely interesting in particular the way audiences have shifted from their behavior before the shutdown to the present day. It's a great listen!

In this episode we chat with Comedy Store doorman Eric Rocha as he explains the path that took him from open mic workout rooms to the epic stages of The Comedy Store in Los Angeles. He is genuinely one of the funniest people I have ever met and this pod is a must listen!

In this episode comedian John Grimes discusses his move to Los Angeles from St Louis to pursue a life in standup, its pitfalls and its victories. His story on how he landed the gig as Tony Rock's opener is especially inspiring. Check it out.

In this episode the super talented Aaron Branch shares his standup journey with us. From his start in standup in Chicago to his decision to make the big move out to the West Coast and the cut throat world of comedy in Los Angeles. His work ethic and hustle are really next level and his advice for young comics is fantastic!

Alabama bred comedian Rocky Dale Davis joins us on this episode to discuss his evolution from small town comic to headliner. His advice on crowd work and rowdy rooms is a must for anyone about to step out on the road and perform across the USA. Enjoy!

On this episode we are joined by L.A. based comedian Daniel Alvarez. He is a rising star on the West Coast comedy scene and he shares with us his journey through standup and the unique challenges he faces performing in a wheelchair. His tenacity and drive are a true inspiration and make this episode a must listen!

On this episode we are joined by Bear Badeaux, the Cajun born and bred creator of the super successful "Mullet Time" comedy show and a hilarious standup in his own rite! His advice on learning from your peers and getting a show off the ground is invaluable to new comedy show producers! Enjoy!

On this episode Caitlin Benson, one half of the couple behind the super successful standup production company "Can't Even Comedy" joins us and gives us an behind the scenes look at what it takes to chase a dream. Her take on the differences between the L.A. and Austin comedy scenes is a great listen!

Comedian Billy Myers III takes on a journey through finding your feet in L.A. as unconventional "Alt" act to growing an idea and bringing that idea to one of the worlds greatest comedy clubs! His work ethic and commitment to his craft defines the core idea of what this podcast is about, a dedication to comedy. Enjoy.

In this episode comedian Jay Washington shares his journey of going from professional wrestling in Chicago to doing standup in some of the biggest comedy clubs in Los Angeles. His takes on crowdwork and his strategy for dealing with hecklers are especially insightful!

In this episode English born comedian Daniel Holt explains how he took a disadvantaged upbringing and used it as fuel to take him to to the standup stage in Australia where he has become one of the brightest rising stars on the comedy scene! His advice on producing your own shows is particularly valuable to any comic about to put on their own gigs. Enjoy.

In this episode we sit down with comedian and actor Dan Paustian who gives us fantastic advice on producing your own standup show, disarming rowdy bar customers and dodging verbal barbs from Chef Gordon Ramsay! Dan is the epitome of hard work in Hollywood, give it a listen!

Louisiana native Nate Welch joins us on this episode and explains how the jump from nightclub doorman to standup comic can be an organic one! After co-creating "Comic Wars" at the Hollywood Improv his advice to those looking to produce their own shows is especially invaluable.

Comedian, Actor and Musician, Maxi Witrak stops by The Verbal Gym to discuss juggling all three disciplines. Her perspective on developing as a standup in the L.A. comedy scene is a great listen!

Comedian Alex Conn joins us and explains where his love of comedy originated and how he leverages his creativity to gain a foothold in the ultra competitive L.A. standup scene. His tips on producing live shows and podcasts are invaluable to those new to the craft.

Comedian and filmmaker Mike Eshaq joins The Verbal Gym and explains how an Indonesian mushroom trip led to some serious life changes and an eventual career in standup! He also has some great tips for those just starting out in comedy, this episode is a must listen!

The super-funny Mike Eaton joins me to discuss his long comedy road from Texas to Los Angeles and back to post-pandemic Austin. It's an illuminating look at the differences between the two thriving comedy scenes! Check it out!

The super-talented Kiki Andersen discusses her comedic journey from doing improv in Baltimore while holding down a job as a field news reporter to moving to Los Angeles and getting booked on some of the biggest standup stages in the city. She shares her tips on finding your groove and your carving out your niche as a new comedian in a new city.

Actor & Comedian Denny Love joins us on the Verbal Gym to discuss his inspiration for catching the comedy bug in Wisconsin, taking it to Chicago and then making the big move to L.A.! His perspective on what drives his passion to chase his dreams is filled with lessons for people thinking of starting out in this industry.

Los Angeles comedian Nikki Bon stops by the Verbal Gym for a discussion about starting out in comedy, jumping into crowd-work and the challenges that female comics face in a male dominated booking environment. Her refreshing point of view is a must listen.

Rise, fall and rise again. In this episode comedian & actor Willie Macc shares with us the lessons he has learned over the last eighteen years working in the entertainment industry in Los Angeles. His ability to re-invent himself and conquer adversity is truly inspiring and is a must listen for comics trying to get a foothold in the business.

The man they call "Supa Mario" is a pandemic comedy pioneer, gathering comedians isolated in South Africa and introducing them to performers around the world for nightly shows in his online community aptly called "Laughter On Lockdown". He shares with us his inspiration for setting up this essential resource and gives us a view into his own personal processes as he gets back on stage.

L.A. comedian Max Kestenbaum sits down with us to discuss his comedy journey, his processes and the ups and downs of producing your own standup show. His advice for new producers is invaluable as he explains how he got "The Super Dope Show" off the ground!

L.A. comedian Faysal Lawrence sits down with us to discuss his comedy journey, his processes and how to maximize the opportunities you earn in the standup industry. His story of writing and getting a TV shown produced and distributed during the pandemic is awesome! Check out his show "BURB PATROL" on Amazon Prime.

Up and coming L.A. comic Scotty Cav, fresh off eight months working with the Magic Castle's outdoor pandemic production sits down with us to discuss his comedy journey, his processes and how to maximize the opportunities you earn in the standup industry.

Miguel Rojas shares with us his hilarious experiences starting out in comedy with nothing, to working through the clubs, branching into acting and eventually booking gigs with some of the worlds most successful comics.

In this episode we sit down with the super-funny Rachel Dee. She shares with us her experience starting out in comedy and then navigating the comedy landscape during the pandemic going from Zoom comedy to underground shows and beyond!

In this episode with catch up with author and comedian Johnny Mitchell who shares his experience of getting a book published and starting a successful podcast during the pandemic.

In this episode we sit down with Florida born comedian E.L. Smith as he shares with us his comedy journey from Tallahassee to Los Angeles and all the stops in between.

I guarantee after spending an hour with comedian Dante Chang you can't help but develop a more positive outlook on life. In this interview he shares his experiences starting out in standup and eventually producing his own shows.

In this episode we sit down with Christine Blackburn the host and creator of the hilarious Storyworthy & Storysmash shows. After over 600 episodes she gives her insight into starting projects from scratch and how to adapt to the changing comedy world during the pandemic.

In this episode my good friend Lionell Dalton breaks down how he became a doorman at The Comedy Store and how he learns from his mistakes and turns them into positive comedic experiences.

In this episode we pick the brain of Joe Manente, the man behind the Fourth Wall Comedy Studios in Los Angeles. He shares with us his experiences hosting thousands of open mic sets. Great advice for new comics!

In this episode we sit down with the super hard working Sarah Fatemi as she explains her comedic process and how she has navigated the struggles of trying to break through in the Los Angeles comedy scene.

On the episode we sit down with the hilarious Saul Trujillo and discuss the comedy hustle, in particular....car living. He also gives some insight into how he separates work, family and comedy keeping time to enjoy them all while putting in the work on stage.

In the first episode of The Verbal Gym we chat with comedian & content creator, Chris Kidder. His online game show, Kidders Comedy Corner, is nearing fifty episodes and he explains how it came about and how he developed it into what it is now..