Damien Power is one of the most exhilarating voices in Australian comedy. His bold, thought-provoking stand-up has made him a three-time nominee for Most Outstanding Show at the Melbourne Comedy Festival and taken him all around the globe. His latest special, Not So Funny Now Is It?, is now streaming on YouTube.In this episode we discuss neatly treading the line, the trap of chasing industry validation through awards, shooting a short film featuring his IndyCar driver brother, "nutting it out", believing in the bit and the pressure to achieve.Join the Insiders Club at patreon.com/comcompod where you can WATCH the full episode and get access to over 20 minutes of extras including the lack of opportunities for alternative comedians in Australia, the challenges of filmmaking, finding joy in performing stand-up and creating premises through podcasting.Support the Podcast from only £3/month at Patreon.com/ComComPod✅ Exclusive access to full video and ad-free audio episodes✅ Over 20 minutes of exclusive extra content with Damien✅ Exclusive membership offerings including a monthly “Stu&A”PLUS you’ll get access to the full back catalogue of extras you can find nowhere else!Catch Up with Damien:Damien Power’s latest special, Not So Funny Now Is It?, is streaming FREE on YouTube. You can also keep up-to-date with Damien on Instagram, @damienpower_.Everything Stu's up to:28 March 2025 | Bristol1 April 2025 | Manchester23 April 2025 | London4 May 2025 | MachynllethDiscover Stu’s comedy about the climate crisis, for everyone from activists to CEOs, at stuartgoldsmith.com/climate.Find everything else at stuartgoldsmith.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Huge Davies, a renowned stand-up and musical comedian known for his deadpan humor and dark comedic style, delves into his creative journey. He shares insights on balancing music and comedy, and the emotional toll of performing to unresponsive crowds. The discussion explores his struggles with dyslexia and the impact of his challenging childhood on his art. Davies reflects on the joy of teaching music and the importance of connection in comedy, highlighting how even tough gigs can lead to personal growth and new material.

This week I’m joined by one of the UK’s top one-liner comedians (and 2024’s Dave’s Funniest Joke of the Fringe winner), Mark Simmons! Known for his razor-sharp wordplay, inventive misdirection and relentless punchlines - Mark’s new special, Quip Off The Mark, is now available to stream for FREE on YouTube.In this episode we discuss why some jokes just don’t work, discovering underground comedy, the external factors that can affect a gig and the gentle balance between gut instinct and methodical joke development.Join the Insiders Club at patreon.com/comcompod where you can WATCH the full episode and get access to over 20 minutes of extras including discovering new joke structures, the impact of performing with Crohn’s disease, early success in the lifecycle of TikTok and the difficulty in following other one-liner comics.Support the Podcast from only £3/month at Patreon.com/ComComPod✅ Exclusive access to full video and ad-free audio episodes✅ 20 minutes of exclusive extra content with Mark✅ Exclusive membership offerings including a monthly “Stu&A”PLUS you’ll get access to the full back catalogue of extras you can find nowhere else, including:✅ Russell Howard on the importance of the edit✅ Lise Mayer answering your questions on The Young Ones✅ Rhys James on how to succeed in a writers’ roomsCatch Up with Mark:Mark Simmons' new special, Quip Off The Mark, is now available to stream for FREE on YouTube. You can also see him LIVE throughout 2026 with Jest To Impress, find out all the dates and more at marksimmons.co.uk.Everything Stu's up to:Come and help me figure out some NEW STUFF…22 February 2025 | Leicester28 March 2025 | Bristol1 April 2025 | Manchester4 May 2025 | MachynllethDiscover Stu’s comedy about the climate crisis, for everyone from activists to CEOs, at https://www.stuartgoldsmith.com/climate.Find everything else at https://linktr.ee/stuartgoldsmith. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Get a behind-the-scenes look at the exhilarating journey to performing at a major comedy venue. Discover the blend of excitement and anxiety that comes before a big show, along with personal rituals that help ease performance nerves. Fashion takes center stage as the host reflects on authenticity and sustainability in comic style. Dive into the evolution from aspiring comedian to a live performance, and learn how to tackle complex themes like climate change in humor without overwhelming the audience.

This week I'm joined by fellow Live At The Apollo Series 19 alumni, Chloe Petts!She’s now about to embark on a headline tour across the UK with How You See Me, How You Don't - Chloe’s third headline show which debuted at last year's fringe to much critical acclaim! Chloe is also a co-founder of The Lol Word, a queer comedy collective that hosts sell-out shows celebrating female and non-binary talent.In this episode we discuss navigating authenticity on-stage, audience's expectations of gender, cancellation in comedy, Chloe's origins within the industry and the worst thing about touring with Ed Gamble.Join the Insiders Club at patreon.com/comcompod where you can WATCH the full episode and get access to over 25 minutes of extras including the process of elevating material with co-writer and director, Adam Drake and managing anxiety.Support the Podcast from only £3/month at Patreon.com/ComComPod✅ Get exclusive access to video versions of episodes✅ Ad-free audio episodes✅ Exclusive extra content inc 25 minutes with Chloe✅ Exclusive membership offerings including a monthly “Stu&A”✅ Plus, you’ll be the first to hear guest announcements and other exciting newsCatch Up with Chloe:Chloe Petts' headline UK tour, How You See Me, How You Don't kicks off this weekend and continues through to March, before heading over to Australia. You can find all the dates and more at chloepetts.org.You can also keep up to date with Chloe on Instagram, @chloepetts.Everything Stu's up to:Come and help me figure out some NEW STUFF…22 February 2025 | Leicester28 March 2025 | Bristol1 April 2025 | Manchester4 May 2025 | MachynllethDiscover Stu’s comedy about the climate crisis, for everyone from activists to CEOs, at https://www.stuartgoldsmith.com/climate.Find everything else at https://linktr.ee/stuartgoldsmith. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Russell Howard, the award-winning comedian known for his observational humor, dives deep into the creative process behind stand-up. He reflects on the differences in comedy styles between the UK and US, and shares his journey of transforming raw ideas into polished performances. Howard also discusses the balance of creativity and financial pressures in comedy while navigating the joys and challenges of parenthood. The conversation touches on the evolution of audience engagement in the age of social media and humor's role in addressing significant issues like climate change.

Russell Howard, an award-winning comedian renowned for his stand-up specials, returns after eight years to discuss his success at the Royal Albert Hall and his latest special, "Live At The London Palladium." He shares insights on selling stand-up comedy, the evolving nature of the industry, and the intersection of humor and politics. Howard reflects on the challenges of staying authentic while addressing sensitive topics and highlights the personal growth gained through collaboration in the comedy scene.

Max Fosh, a comedian and YouTuber with over 4 million subscribers, chats about his unique journey from online mischief to stand-up comedy. He shares hilarious tales of his memorable stunts, including writing 'Welcome To Luton' at Gatwick. The discussion touches on the challenges of translating online content to live audiences and the importance of originality versus imitation in comedy. Max also delves into audience engagement strategies and the emotional connection he strives for with his fans, blending humor with insightful reflections on creativity.

Milton Jones, a master of one-liners known for his clever wordplay and appearances on Mock the Week, joins to share insights on comedy. He discusses the evolution of his comedic persona and the challenges of touring nationally. The conversation dives into the art of crafting jokes, especially one-liners, and the nuances of audience engagement. Milton emphasizes the importance of resilience in comedy, particularly post-pandemic, and reflects on how personal life influences his humor.

Rhys James, an accomplished comedian known for his vibrant social media presence and multiple solo shows, shares fascinating insights about the role of contrarianism in comedy. He discusses the delicate balance between shaping audience expectations and maintaining authenticity. Rhys dives into the complexities of fame, revealing humorous misunderstandings and the pressures that come with success. The conversation also touches on writing processes, the evolution of humor, and the importance of emotional authenticity in crafting comedy that resonates.