Punch Up - Making Good Jokes Hit Harder

This week, I’m joined by Denver comedian and producer Christina Vasili (@heystinahey), host of Death Comedy Jam at The Brutal Poodle. We talk about starting stand-up later than planned, navigating rooms full of dude comedians, and the quiet labor of recalibrating a space while hosting. Christina opens up about grief, losing her dad, gym community, and the struggle and reward of continuing to show up. Also: gut health, poop shaped like letters, and the long art of punching a joke up until it refuses to stop getting laughs.

This week, we’re joined by comedian Kelly Zemnickis, fresh off the release of her new Comedy Dynamics album Lady Comic and her documentary short Making Connections, about telling jokes during a pandemic. Kelly is a sharp storyteller with a deceptively polite delivery, the kind where the joke sneaks up on you and then ruins balloons forever.We talk about punch-ups as a supportive art form, finding your comedic voice without forcing authenticity, and what it’s like navigating comedy scenes between Toronto, Montreal, and New York. Plus: why balloons are a logistical nightmare, an emotional liability, and possibly damned to hell. Kelly also shares her favorite advice for doing scary new things, and why writing things down might save your life (or at least your set).Bio:aKelly Zemnickis is a Toronto-based comedian and podcaster who has tattoos and likes to bake banana bread. She has been featured on CBC Radio's LOL and has graced stages from Kamloops to New York City. She made her Stratford Festival debut in 2024 as part of their Funny Forum Friday series, and has opened for such headliners as Brian Kiley and Michael Harrison. Kelly is also an acclaimed documentary filmmaker and her sophomore comedy album Lady Comic (Comedy Dynamics) is available now wherever you get your quality comedy!Find Kelly on YouTube and follow her on Instagram and Threads @TheLatvianFoodie.

For our Season 3 Premier, I got to interview rising star and Chicago icon Rey Tang! We talked about touring the South as a trans comic, how satire is evolving in our current political climate, and punched up a really fun joke about lesbian love.Rey Tang is a Chicago-based writer, stand up, and performer. She believes that, through an intersectional understanding of media, she can one day achieve her dream of writing for television.https://www.instagram.com/reytangerine/?hl=en

This week I got to sit down with one of my all time favorite trans comedians: Rosalie! We discussed structural and performance punch up techniques, and may have even found a way to make a joke about slurs CHRISTMASY? Tune in!Rosalie, the tall doll of stand-up, offers her unflinchingly honest and unfiltered perspective on the world through the lens of a trans woman. She's headlined all over CO and had the chance to work with some of the best in the industry. She may not be the representation you envisioned, but she is the icon you'll come to embrace.https://www.instagram.com/omghirosalie/?hl=en

This week I got to sit down with comedian Dezzy!Dezzy is a Philly comic who is just blowing up this last year, seen on the Here to pee tour, at Helium, Punchline, and a bunch of cool venues on the east coast. You can catch them opening for Chanel Ali in NY this Fall,You can follow Dezzy here! https://www.instagram.com/dezzirablecomedy/?hl=en

I got to sit down with Gabe Sklan this week and it was great!“Gabby” Gabe Sklan is a Chicago based comedian and clown known for their direct and sincere approach to performance. They are the creator/director of Character Creator Show and a host of the Bad Boyhavior podcast.

This week, I got to sit down with one of my favorite people and comedians: Bailey Pope! We talked about the current political climate for trans comedians, teasing vs. bullying an audience, and about punk rock philosophy in comedy.Bailey Pope (She/Her/Etc) is a New York based Comedian, writer, and pigeon-holed actor, providing the overly-tattooed, failed rock star transgender woman comedy that everyone has been searching centuries for. Bailey has shared stages with Roy Wood Jr, Sam Jay, Mark Normand and Ashley Gavin. As an actor, she often appears as “Angry bartender” or “Aloof tattoo artist” in shows such as AppleTV+ “City On Fire”. Her writing has been published by Hard Times and Refinery29.She also has a special upcoming on Amazon Prime, dropping October 2025!Check out more about Bailey @TheActualBaileyPope https://www.instagram.com/theactualbaileypope/?hl=en

Mack is nonbinary comic & Portland native. Their gender identity is a mix between Mac Demarco & Shadow the Hedgehog: trashy, edgy, and a little furry in some places. Mack's comedy aims to eliminate feelings of shame through exploration of kink, mental health and queerness. They are the co-host & co-producer of Queer AF, Hear You Loud & Queer, & Heart Throb, the comedy dating show. They love standup because they need attention, and getting it on stage is a lot healthier than other ways they've acquired it in the past.@bong_jon_bovi (me) @queerafcomedy @hearyouloudandqueer @heart_throb_the_show

I had the joy of sitting down with Ne Izima this week, and we had a really stellar conversation about the hurdles of being a minority in comedy, the woes of being a parent to a teenager, and insights into when your first impression actually starts when you're performing.Ne’(Nay) a Nigerian American comedian and actor originally from the midwest though! They’ve performed on stages like Jimmy Kimmel’s in Vegas, Comedy store in LA and many other popular comedy venues. Failing at Beast games is also on her resume’. Her favorite food is Sushi and hands down one of her favorite shows to be booked on at the Comedy Store @prettyfunnywomen, catch her 7/19 performing with pretty funny women at the Comedy Chateau in LA.https://www.instagram.com/comedian_ne_izima/

Katie Bowman is an artist and comedian based out of Denver. She just released her debut comedy album, Neurodivergent Nightmare, with Burn This Records, it hit #1 on ITunes and Amazon the week it came out. Bowman has been featured on comedy festivals like Limestone, Highplains, Altercation and more! She was comic of the week on the Jackie and Laurie show. You can follow her on social media at @KatieBowmanComedy and check out her shows, merch and more at www.KatieBowman.Rocks

Mark Addison is a dynamic stand-up comedian, actor, and engaging host known for his sharp wit and magnetic stage presence. He has performed all over NYC, such as Gotham Comedy Club, Broadway Comedy Club, and Comedy Cellar, as well as festivals such as the NYC Queer Comedy Club. He is known for his clever writing and timing, and he is definitely bringing the Daddy back in Dad jokes!!

This last week I got to sit down with Glen Tickle, as seen on Dry Bar Comedy and Travel Channel. He’s been heard on SiriusXM. He is very good at Dr. Mario but bad at the violin.We had a really wonderful punch-up session for a longform joke--check it out! https://www.glentickle.com/#punchupthepodcast #GlenTickle #AutismTest #ComedyWriting

I got to sit down with Vidalia Unwin this week from Louisville KY to talk about transitioning from theater to comedy and finding your "pink opaque"Vidalia Unwin is a playwright, sketch comedy performer, and sometimes semi-professional silly person. You can follow her on Instagram @not_onions_no

I got to sit down with Calvin Reid this week! We discussed performing for queer audiences, the art of crossing boundaries, dark humor, and got to punch up a really fun joke!Calvin is a Denver born and raised comedian and award winning performer who has performed in shows/festivals across the state and country. You can see him in the outside world drinking overpriced iced coffees and watching drag race. He’s usually featured on YouTube in videos he’s truly embarrassed by and that he hopes you never find. He has also been recently seen at the CO Queer Comedy Festival (headliner), Winter Park Festival, the Jersey City Comedy Festival, Boulder Comedy Festival, and the Rise Comedy Festival. (IG @calvinreid_)

This week I got to sit down with one of my favorite festival buddies, Jonah Nigh!Comedian Jonah has appeared in a variety of roles for NBC (“Baking It,” produced by Amy Poehler and hosted by Maya Rudolph and Andy Samberg), Peacock, CBS, Don't Tell Comedy, WNYC, NYC Pride March, France TV, TripAdvisor, the Museum of the City of New York, among countless festivals across the country! A five-time marathoner and Boston-qualifier, he’s usually running or baking when he’s not saying yes to too many projects.https://www.jonahnigh.com/serviceshttps://www.tiktok.com/@nighjonah

Juno is a Seattle-based comedian who has been seen on Moth Radio Hour, the Omaha Comedy Festival, and has opened for Rachel Scanlon. She was named Seattle’s Best Comedian in 2023 and an Undisputable Genius of Comedy in 2024. She performs and produces all over the PNW.https://linktr.ee/junomenhttps://www.instagram.com/seattlejuno/?hl=en

I had the joy of getting to speak with Jeremy Crittenden, who is no stranger to stage or screen, and we covered a lot of ground about comedy, puppetry, and gay (Canadian) divorce.Jeremy has been seen on Broadway, Star Trek, The Expanse, the L Word, and now on this podcast! Check him out here: https://linktr.ee/Jcritty

I got to sit down with Cody Webb to talk shop for the second season! Cody Webb is a standup comedian and influencer from Portland, Oregon. He’s known for infectious charisma, a deep wit, and a very, very, VERY loud voice (sorry!). He’s gotten over 250,000 followers by talking about his unique experiences with autism, sexuality, gender, and how weird the world is. There are many words you could use to describe Cody, but there’s one word that would never come up: boring. You can follow him on all platforms @TheRealCodyWebb or in real life if you know where to look.

I had the pleasure of sitting down with Denver icon Sammy Anzer last week, and we could've talked for hours.https://www.sammyanzercomedy.com/ Instagram @BadBoyAnzerComedians Talk Art: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f1PV4SFUNU0

Tenured stand-up comedian, podcaster, voice actor, fourth thing: Mitch Jones has been doing stand-up comedy since 2010 but he's been clownin' since day one. You may have seen Mitch in the commentary booth for Lucha Libre & Laughs, High Plains Comedy Festival, co-hosting the Broadcast Geeks podcast, performing all across Colorado, or as part of the No Country For Stoned Men Comedy Tour.Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/comicmitchjones/Twitter: https://x.com/ComicMitchJones TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@comicmitchjones YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ComicMitchJones Website: www.comicmitchjones.com

I got to sit down with MaryAlice Howser at a coffee shop, and we came up with a pretty great zinger together.https://www.instagram.com/fernet_barbie_/

This week I got to sit down with podcaster, comedian, and musician Christian Balmer!Linktree: https://linktr.ee/balmerb0y IG: @balmerb0y and @cheerscomedydc Get tickets to the Lineup Comedy Showcase at Aurora Market featuring Jason King: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-lineup-comedy-show-tickets-1058436515109?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=ebdsshcopyurl

For this episode, I sat down for a rapid-fire pod with my good friend Tanner Coffman - a producer and comedian up in Fort Collins, CO - before an open mic.https://www.instagram.com/trashbagtanner/

Katie McDonald is a Colorado comedian and political-minded writer, performer, and student. I had so much fun getting to talk to Katie about navigating the comedy scene as a woman, relatively newer but wildly prolific comic, and as activist for gender-based violence. https://www.instagram.com/katiemcdons/

You know em, you love em, you're gonna be hearing more from them! Meet your Punch Up co-hosts, Cara Leoni and Israel Avila!

Join us for the 5th episode of PUNCH UP! where Ren interviews the illustrious Northern Colorado comic, Jared Chandler! We get into the thick of punching up a joke and the ins and outs of staying motivated in the grind and staying excited on stage as a performer. https://www.jaredchandlercomedy.com/

This week on Punch Up, I got to sit down (and eat sushi) with one of my all-time favorite comedians, Shanel Hughes. Shanel Hughes is a Denver comic and proud parent, and we discussed their experience as both an out lesbian and black performer navigating punching up in their own content and the importance of finding the communities that celebrate you and your work.

Punch Up's third episode features comedian and immigration rights activist Israel Avila, who discusses being a bilingual comic, being openly bisexual, and navigating both cultural and linguistic differences when punching up jokes in different languages.

Punch Up's second episode features host Ren Q. Dawe and comedian Addie Lynn, discussing being a trans comedian, learning how to tell jokes about hard things in fun ways, and punching up a joke about smorgasbords of mentally ill manipulators.

Punch Up's pilot episode features host Ren Q. Dawe and comedian Cara Leoni as they discuss general themes for the show and what "punching up" even means.