Hot Breath! (Learn Comedy from the Pros)

We're back with another Hot Breath! Live answering all of your comedy questions. Don't forget to join our email list for reminders of future livestreams!You can join the March contest here: https://buy.stripe.com/aEU7tv9v08GHbfO28aJoin our email list here: https://hotbreathpodcast.com/vipJoin our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/HotBreathComedyNetwork/Join our Patreon: http://patreon.com/hotbreathpodSubscribe to our YouTube channel here: https://youtube.com/hotbreathpod?sub_confirmation=1Check out our classes and workshops here: https://hotbreathmedia.com

This episode of Hot Breath! features the winner of the February 2025 Clean Comedy Contest, Helen Anderson. Helen shares her experience crafting a brand-new 60-second comedy set, battling perfectionism, and embracing self-promotion. We dive into the writing process, the power of deadlines, and how clean comedy can open doors to more opportunities. Helen also talks about performing for 3,000 people at a corporate Christmas party and the lessons she has learned on her comedy journey.Join this month's contest here: https://buy.stripe.com/aEU7tv9v08GHbfO28aFollow Helen on social media here: https://www.instagram.com/helenandersoncomedy/If you’re a comedian looking to sharpen your writing skills, gain confidence in your material, and take advantage of clean comedy gigs, this episode is packed with inspiration and actionable insights.Key TakeawaysThe Power of Deadlines – Helen submitted her set just two minutes before the deadline, proving that pushing past perfectionism can lead to success.Writing Process – She used Scott Dikkers’ "Funny Filters" to refine her material and workshop it with other comics.Community Matters – Engaging in comedy groups and contests provides valuable feedback and motivation.The Value of Clean Comedy – Helen’s clean material helped her land a gig in front of 3,000 people, showing that “clean is green” in the comedy world.Self-Promotion is Key – Helen overcame her hesitation and actively promoted her contest entry—something all comics should embrace.Consistency Wins – Building a comedy career takes persistence, and setting small, regular writing goals can help comics stay on track.

Joel woke up at 3AM to be back in time to record this one of a kind episode. He reflects on working with Matt Rife and the top lessons learned every comic should know. Join our email list here: https://hotbreathpodcast.com/vipJoin our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/HotBreathComedyNetwork/Join our Patreon: http://patreon.com/hotbreathpodSubscribe to our YouTube channel here: https://youtube.com/hotbreathpod?sub_confirmation=1Check out our classes and workshops here: https://hotbreathmedia.com

In this jam-packed episode, Joel and Yoshee share their latest comedy adventures, including performing at a senior citizen center at 10:45 AM, a courthouse Valentine's show, and a high-end California winery gig. Plus, Joel dives into a huge networking win—working with Matt Rife on his sold-out theater shows. They break down the importance of being nice, being funny, and always capturing content. Whether you're a comic grinding at open mics or booking paid gigs, this episode is full of insights to help you level up.Join the clean comedy course waitlist here: https://forms.gle/nTYe4MdYzEMGkMEA9Top 5 Takeaways from This Episode:Networking Leads to OpportunitiesJoel's connection with Matt Rife started years ago in Atlanta’s comedy scene. A simple "be nice, be funny" mentality led to an unexpected career boost. Never underestimate the power of long-term networking.Booking Gigs Through Google and SEOJoel secured a paid 45-minute gig at a senior center because they found him by searching for clean comedians. A well-optimized website can bring unexpected opportunities your way.Film EverythingIndustry pros reminded Joel that unique, offbeat gigs (like a senior center show) make for great content. Whether it’s a weird heckle or a killer bit, you never know what could go viral—so always press record.Know Your Audience and AdaptPerforming for different demographics (senior citizens, government employees, rich wine enthusiasts) requires flexibility. Find what resonates and lean into it. Sometimes, HOA jokes hit differently in a country club.Even Matt Rife Edits His Own ClipsDespite being one of the biggest comedians in the world, Matt still personally edits his comedy clips before handing them off for finishing touches. If he can do it, so can you—no more excuses.Join our Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/HotBreathComedyNetworkJoin our email list here: https://hotbreath.beehiiv.com/subscribe

In this episode, we catch up after a brief hiatus, sharing honest insights about balancing life, family, and comedy.We cover the power of clean comedy (with shout-outs to Nate Bargatze’s $80 million success), the importance of rehearsing your material, and why networking with other comics is key to getting booked. Plus, they offer valuable advice on staying motivated, avoiding burnout, and—most importantly—having fun with your comedy journey.Join the clean comedy course waitlist here: https://forms.gle/nTYe4MdYzEMGkMEA9Join this month’s contest here: https://buy.stripe.com/aEU7tv9v08GHbfO28aKey Takeaways:Reprioritizing as a Comedian:Joel opens up about becoming a new dad and how it’s shifted his focus from road gigs to local shows, teaching, and clean comedy workshops.Yoshi shares how life changes have led him to pivot toward corporate gigs and teaching, showing there's more than one path to success in comedy.The Power of Clean Comedy:Clean comedy isn’t just a style—it’s a lucrative skill. Joel talks about how clean material opens doors to higher-paying gigs like corporate events, country clubs, and even church gigs.They highlight Nate Bargatze’s $80 million success as proof that clean comedy can crush at the highest levels.How to Improve Faster as a Comic:Rehearse your set—not just in your head, but out loud. It’s a game-changer for timing, delivery, and finding new punchlines.Watch other comics perform. You learn more from observing styles, pacing, and crowd work than you realize.Network intentionally. The best gigs often come from relationships with other comics and bookers.Mental Health & Mindset:“No one cares.” A powerful reminder that most people aren’t judging your every move, so focus on your own growth.Have fun. Comedy should be joyful, even when it’s hard. Don’t forget why you started.Join our Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/HotBreathComedyNetworkJoin our email list here: https://hotbreath.beehiiv.com/subscribe

I've been getting a lot of questions about why there haven't been podcasts this year, and here is my exciting answer!

This episode of Hot Breath focuses on the evolving landscape of comedy and the challenges faced by both new and experienced comedians. Joel Byers and Yoshi dive into a thought-provoking discussion sparked by Bill Burr's critique of modern comedy, highlighting how the emphasis has shifted away from honing comedic skills to navigating social media and analytics. They reflect on the importance of being a good comedian and the pressures of performing in corporate settings, sharing personal anecdotes and lessons learned from live gigs. The conversation also touches on the necessity of networking and understanding the expectations of gatekeepers in the industry. Ultimately, this episode aims to educate aspiring comedians on how to adapt to the changing environment while maintaining authenticity in their craft.Join our email list here: https://hotbreathpodcast.com/vipJoin our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/HotBreathComedyNetwork/Join our Patreon: http://patreon.com/hotbreathpodSubscribe to our YouTube channel here: https://youtube.com/hotbreathpod?sub_confirmation=1Check out our classes and workshops here: https://hotbreathmedia.comTakeaways: Corporate comedy gigs often have poor setups but pay exceptionally well, making them worth it. Understanding the audience and context of your performance is crucial for success. Engaging with the audience through crowd work can elevate an otherwise challenging gig. Bill Burr emphasizes that modern comedy often prioritizes social media presence over honing craft. Young comedians should focus on networking and building relationships within the comedy scene. Creative fulfillment in comedy should not be sacrificed for trends or pressures from the industry.

Stephan Dyer returns to the Hot Breath! Podcast to share invaluable insights on how comedians can break into the lucrative world of corporate comedy and potentially earn $100,000 a year. He emphasizes the importance of having at least 20-30 minutes of clean material and being adaptable to various corporate environments, where audiences may have less attention and higher expectations. Dyer also discusses effective strategies for booking gigs, such as leveraging social media, utilizing platforms like Gig Salad, and networking through personal connections. The episode highlights the significance of structuring a show that includes stand-up, improv, and audience engagement to keep corporate crowds entertained. By the end, listeners are equipped with actionable tips to enhance their comedy career and navigate the corporate landscape successfully.Connect with Stephan here: https://www.instagram.com/stephandyer/Join our email list here: https://hotbreathpodcast.com/vipGet the Clean Comedy Workshop here: https://joelbyarscomedy.gumroad.com/l/cleancomedyworkshopJoin our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/HotBreathComedyNetwork/Join our Patreon: http://patreon.com/hotbreathpodSubscribe to our YouTube channel here: https://youtube.com/hotbreathpod?sub_confirmation=1Check out our classes and workshops here: https://hotbreathmedia.comTakeaways: To succeed in corporate comedy, focus on clean material and engaging interactions. Utilize your social media network to generate leads for corporate gigs effectively. Diversify your comedy show structure with stand-up, improv, and audience participation. Building trust with clients is crucial; demonstrate your past successes through testimonials. Charge based on the value you provide instead of the time spent performing. Customize your performance based on the client’s needs to enhance audience engagement.

Sketch comedy expert Sam Brown joins us to share all the goods on how to use sketch writing to level up your content game. His decades of experience with the Whitest Kids U Know sketch group and Almost Friday TV make him one of the thought leaders on this topic. This is definitely an episode to share with your comedy friends. Takeaways: In sketch comedy, identifying a strong premise allows for more effective humor development. Writing sketches involves brainstorming and then refining ideas through collaboration and feedback. Comedy is about finding a balance between humor and the impact of social commentary. Creating a supportive environment encourages artists to express their ideas without fear of judgment. Understanding the structure of a sketch is crucial for effective comedic delivery. Don't just aim for shock value; focus on crafting jokes that resonate with audiences. Join our email list herehttps://hotbreath.beehiiv.com/subscribeLinks referenced in this episode:sambrownuniversity.cominfo@sambrownuniversity.com

Despite only doing comedy for one year, Mitchell Marroquin is this month's winner of the $100 Joke Contest. He joins us to share his favorite writing techniques and advice for young comics to overcome stage fright. Get the Black Friday workshops: https://joelbyarscomedy.gumroad.com/l/npubrConnect with Mitchell: https://www.instagram.com/3k_meech/Join our email list here: https://hotbreathpodcast.com/vipJoin our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/HotBreathComedyNetwork/Join our Patreon: http://patreon.com/hotbreathpodSubscribe to our YouTube channel here: https://youtube.com/hotbreathpod?sub_confirmation=1Check out our classes and workshops here: https://hotbreathmedia.com