

Hot Breath! (Learn Comedy from the Pros)
Hot Breath! Media
Every Monday listeners get exclusive access to the most influential minds in comedy. Award winning comedian and host Joel Byars captures the inspiring stories and insightful techniques behind your favorite comics with interviews NPR describes as "discovering the desire to be a comedian, their craft and their unifying bond found within the world of stand up comedy."
Episodes
Mentioned books

Dec 8, 2025 • 30min
November Clean Comedy Contest Winner Chris Shull
Our November Clean Comedy Contest winner Chris Shull joins us to share his unique writing process, how to balance a day job and comedy + MORE.More info about Chris Here: https://www.facebook.com/chris.shull.302397/Join our Patreon: http://patreon.com/hotbreathpodJoin our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/HotBreathComedyNetwork/Subscribe to our YouTube channel here: https://youtube.com/hotbreathpod?sub_confirmation=1Check out our classes and workshops here: https://hotbreathmedia.com

Dec 1, 2025 • 38min
Ian Lara - Finding Your Voice, New York Comedy Grind, Imposter Syndrome + MORE
Ian Lara describes the real, uneven path of a touring comic: some cities sell out, others are thin, and that’s normal. He emphasizes controlling what you can like stage craft, content output, and gratitude all while resisting comparison spirals from social media. He breaksdown his storytelling style with every line being a joke. Online, he favors clipping strong material over chasing crowd-work virality and insists stand-up must remain the priority even if podcasting takes off.More info about Ian Here: https://www.ianlaralive.com/Join our Patreon: http://patreon.com/hotbreathpodWhat you’ll learnThe “sold-out then 12 people” reality of touring in the clip eraWriting punchy stories (a laugh nearly every line)Crowd work vs. material: when it helps—and when it cheatsThe New York grind: 5–7 nights, 2–5 sets… and finding your way+MOREJoin our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/HotBreathComedyNetwork/Subscribe to our YouTube channel here: https://youtube.com/hotbreathpod?sub_confirmation=1Check out our classes and workshops here: https://hotbreathmedia.com

Nov 24, 2025 • 23min
Greg Warren - Touring with Nate Bargatze, How to Write Viral Jokes, Joke Writing Techniques + MORE
Greg Warren joins us to share his 20+ years of comedy expertise for comics to learn and apply to their own careers. He shares his favorite writing techniques and how his viral peanut butter bit took over two decades to perfect. We also dive into behind the scene of touring with Nate Bargatze and Leanne Morgan. More info about Greg Here: https://www.gregwarrencomedy.com/Join our Patreon: http://patreon.com/hotbreathpodJoin our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/HotBreathComedyNetwork/Subscribe to our YouTube channel here: https://youtube.com/hotbreathpod?sub_confirmation=1Check out our classes and workshops here: https://hotbreathmedia.com

Nov 20, 2025 • 36min
Rafi Bastos -Finding Your Comedic Voice, Building a Fanbase Online + MORE
Rafi Bastos joins us to share his journey from starting comedy in Brazil to become the country's most famous comedian before moving to America and rebuilding his fanbase from scratch. This is masterclass is finding your voice and most authentic self. Learn more about Rafi Bastos: https://www.rafibastos.com/Join our Patreon: http://patreon.com/hotbreathpodJoin our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/HotBreathComedyNetwork/Subscribe to our YouTube channel here: https://youtube.com/hotbreathpod?sub_confirmation=1Check out our classes and workshops here: https://hotbreathmedia.com

Nov 10, 2025 • 1h 15min
Joe Sib - Touring with Jim Breuer, Opening for Metallica, DIY Comedy Grind + MORE
This episode of Hot Breath! dives deep into the DIY spirit of comedy with punk-rock veteran turned stand-up, Joe Sib. From fronting bands and opening for Metallica to touring with Jim Breuer, Joe breaks down how a lifelong performer reinvents himself in the most brutally honest art form of stand-up.He and Joel riff on everything from bombing in front of Metallica fans to finding authenticity on stage, why comics can’t “fake the funny,” and how comedy’s new punk rock era (YouTube, self-releasing specials, podcasting) gives comics more freedom than ever.If you’re a comedian trying to balance the grind, stay authentic, and not lose your mind in the process then Joe’s stories and lessons are pure rocket fuel.Connect with Joe here: https://www.joesib.com/Join our Patreon: http://patreon.com/hotbreathpodTop 10 Takeaways from Joe Sib:Host often — it’s the fastest way to get multiple reps and real crowd interaction in one night.Listen to your audience — the laughter (or silence) tells you exactly what to fix.Film every set — you can’t improve what you don’t watch.Write from truth — audiences can spot fake stories instantly.DIY your career — start your own show, mic, or podcast instead of waiting for permission.Keep a “bomb journal” — track what failed, why, and how you’ll adjust.Surround yourself with better comics — iron sharpens iron.Find joy in the grind — comedy rewards the ones who keep showing up.Join our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/HotBreathComedyNetwork/Subscribe to our YouTube channel here: https://youtube.com/hotbreathpod?sub_confirmation=1Check out our classes and workshops here: https://hotbreathmedia.com

Nov 3, 2025 • 51min
Morgan Gallo - Expert Social Media Tips, Getting Booed by 6K People, How to Write Consistently + MORE
Morgan Gallo breaks down her 3-year sprint from writing-room newbie to Denver studio owner with 100K+ followers. We get into filming every set, turning trauma into bits, branding like a social pro, and building community that levels you up. If you’re a 0–5 year comic, this is your blueprint.Join our Patreon: http://patreon.com/hotbreathpodTop Takeaways:Film every set; post the best 30–60 seconds—weekly, no excuses.Consistency beats “algorithm hacks”—show up more than you optimize.Look bookable early: simple website, dates listed, headshots, clean captionsTreat social like your résuméDon’t chase going viral; build a library for people to discoverAfter a bomb, write three lessons and move on to next showJoin or build community (writing room/new-material show) to level up faster.Join our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/HotBreathComedyNetwork/Subscribe to our YouTube channel here: https://youtube.com/hotbreathpod?sub_confirmation=1Check out our classes and workshops here: https://hotbreathmedia.com

Oct 27, 2025 • 27min
October Contest Winner Sandy Bernstein - How to Turn Dirty Jokes Clean, New Comic Writing Tips, Conquering Stage Fright + MORE
Our October Clean Comedy Contest winner Sandy Bernstein joins us to share How to Turn Dirty Jokes Clean, New Comic Writing Tips, Conquering Stage Fright + MORE.More info about Sandy Here: https://www.sandybernsteincomedy.com/Join our Patreon: http://patreon.com/hotbreathpodJoin our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/HotBreathComedyNetwork/Subscribe to our YouTube channel here: https://youtube.com/hotbreathpod?sub_confirmation=1Check out our classes and workshops here: https://hotbreathmedia.com

Oct 20, 2025 • 57min
Caitlin Peluffo - Viral Social Media Tips, Crowd Work Advice, Doing 30 Mics Per Week + MORE
Caitlin Peluffo tells Joel Byars how she went from grinding 30+ open mics a week to crushing at the Comedy Cellar—while keeping her act protected in a clip-drunk world. She breaks down actionable goal-setting (not dream credits), balancing clean vs. dirty, why she won’t chase crowd-work virality, and the habits (structure, therapy, sobriety, gym) that keep the funny sharp. Plus: the whiskey-throw heckler story, her three-strike rule, and the meet-and-greet tactic she learned touring with Fortune Feimster and Matteo Lane.Support the show on our Patreon here: http://patreon.com/hotbreathpodWhat you’ll learn in this episode:- Clean when it pays, dirty when it slays—how to rewrite without losing yourself- Why protecting new material grows fans who return- A simple crowd control framework (playful shut-down → sincere warning → bounce)- The pre-show ritual that primes presence and consistency- How to write on stage—and the hour-per-week stage-time hack- Touring lessons from Fortune & Matteo: build markets, shake hands, stay humbleJoin our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/HotBreathComedyNetwork/Watch the full Caitlin Peluffo interview on Hot Breath! for more: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X6At_3wH3pk~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Watch the full Caitlin Peluffo interview on Hot Breath! for more.Subscribe for more comedy interviews and tips: https://www.youtube.com/c/HotBreathPod?sub_confirmation=1Join our email list: https://hotbreathpodcast.com/vipClasses and workshops: https://hotbreathmedia.com

Oct 13, 2025 • 5min
Hot Breath! is Changing (again)
Here's a quick update on what to expect from Hot Breath! moving forward. Join our Patreon: http://patreon.com/hotbreathpodDM me on IG: https://www.instagram.com/joelbyarscomedy/Email me here: Byars.Joel@gmail.com

Oct 5, 2025 • 28min
Contest Winner Bob Kirk - How to Write Better Jokes Faster
Bob Kirk returns with his second contest win in a row to help comics write better jokes faster. Join our Patreon: http://patreon.com/hotbreathpodGet Jerry Corley's book here: https://comedyclinic.samcart.com/referral/CTqBjMqN/ZBD41W0ekdY1mdCkMore info about Bob Here: YouTube: Bob Kirk Comedyhttps://www.youtube.com/@BobKirkComedy/shortsTikTok: @bobkirkcomedyhttps://www.tiktok.com/@bobkirkcomedyFacebook: Bob Kirk Comedyhttps://www.facebook.com/people/Bob-Kirk-Comedy/100081179486384/Instagram: @bobkirk.comedyhttps://www.instagram.com/bobkirk.comedy/ Reggies Comedy Out of the Way Players 1 hr 12 minutes Filmed Concordia University Montrealhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-P1-dAhQuVE&t=16sJoin our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/HotBreathComedyNetwork/Subscribe to our YouTube channel here: https://youtube.com/hotbreathpod?sub_confirmation=1Check out our classes and workshops here: https://hotbreathmedia.com


