The Comedian's Comedian Podcast

Meet Sikisa, an amazing comic with a superhuman work ethic working as an immigration lawyer, then filling her life with shows and part-time work leaving her 4 hours a night to sleep. Topics include self-care, managing multiple shows at the Edinburgh Fringe, hosting a show like throwing a party, and feeling like a failure amidst success.

Alistair Barrie discusses his upcoming tour, 'Woke In Progress', his public school upbringing, and the clash between needing approval and denying it. They also talk about the challenges of the comedy circuit, the impact of COVID-19 on comedy, and the pressure to stay relevant in the industry. Additionally, they explore the use of righteous indignation in comedy, the pursuit of approval by performers, and their personal experiences with anger and self-perception.

In 1987, Jeff Shaw decided he was going to do comedy for a living. He meant it.With shades of “The Story Of Anvil”, this interview follows a man who has picked himself up and started again over four decades, each time achieving a version of his dream, and surviving the paradigm shifts that have accompanied his every decade in the US comedy industry.With tens of thousands of shows under his belt, and still chasing his dream, Jeff lays out his career as a standup, a comedy writer, and a Carnival Cruise comedy show director, before he found stand-up again, all the while displaying limitless hope, humility and gratitude…Extras include an Insider’s guide to what works and what doesn’t on a cruise ship comedy gig, from his unique perspective of both act and booker…Go to www.comedianscomedian.com/insiders for ad-free episodes, extra content from every show that has it, and much more - including exclusive Insiders Q&As plus the incredible “self-help for comedians” special with Amanda Donnet.Catch up with Jeff:www.comedianjeffshaw.comTW/IG: @jeffthefundudeEverything Stu's up to:Discover Stu’s comedy about the climate crisis, for everyone from activists to CEOs, at www.stuartgoldsmith.com/climate“The funny side of climate change (no, really!)” - The TimesFind everything else you need at linktr.ee/stuartgoldsmithOr join the mailing list at:www.comedianscomedian.comStu also offers remote and in-person talks to business, distilling insights from over 400 comics on cultivating resilience and the ability to bounce back, to all levels from C-suite to team members.“There’s perfect and there’s perfect; and that was perfect.” David Cooper, Chief People Officer Circle Health GroupSee Stuart live on tour - www.stuartgoldsmith.com/comedy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, comedian Ruth Bratt talks about her experiences in the world of improv, auditioning for Peep Show, and working with some of the biggest names in her craft. They discuss the challenges of improvisation, the power of opposites, and the pressure felt by improvisers to live up to their reputation. They also share funny memories from running a new material night, discuss planning for future guests, and talk about their doubts and anxieties as performers.

Adam Bloom, comedian and author, discusses his book 'Finding Your Comic Genius' and shares his comedy writing techniques. The podcast covers topics like ghostwriting in comedy, the role of ego in creating jokes, and maintaining excitement as a comedian. They also explore the power of art in overcoming challenges and analyze the manipulation of emotions for laughter. The chapter concludes with reflections on self-publishing, ADHD medication, and the debate surrounding ADHD as a superpower.

Gareth Reynolds, co-host of The Dollop podcast and a superb comic and improviser, talks about his improv characterisation, the history of his collaboration with Dave Anthony, and how taking 'The Dollop Pill' has changed his perception of America. They also discuss the 'robust mental health triumvirate' of improv, sports analogies and regular income, and explore his YouTube series 'Ga’riffs', where he heroically improvises stand-up on audience suggestions. They delve into the techniques and structures Gareth employs while riffing and the parallels between theatre sports, improv on-stage, and crowd work.

Powerful and provocative British stand-up comedian, Nish Kumar, talks about his creative process for his debut special, dealing with a bread roll incident that caused a media frenzy, and re-evaluating mental health. They also discuss making serious things funny, the rise of The Mash Report, and comedic writing challenges. They touch on structuring comedy shows, the perception of comedians, and memorable moments from past shows. The podcast wraps up with gratitude and reflections on the festival experience.

Most recognised for her role on Meet the Richardson’s, writer and creator of To Hull and Back (BBR4) and co-writer on C4’s Hullraisers, Lucy Beaumont is about to embark on her 2023 stand up tour. Despite her massive success, she feels like she’s only just getting started. We discuss her honest and frank writing style and processes – both in writing for herself whether it be stage or TV and for other characters – who come through to her via dead peoples’ spirits. We also delve into her love/hate relationship with stand-up and the prejudice and misogyny she experienced early on in her career, leading her to take a hiatus from performing. Living much of her life on screen, she explains how she feels more prepared than ever to step back on the stage and she gives us some interesting insights into her next steps and future goals.   15 mins of extra content available exclusively to the Insiders Club including Lucy’s experience with ADHD and the impact it’s had on her career, a cracking tip about how to think about jokes, and how she’s preparing for her tour Catch up with Lucy:Tickets for Lucy’s 2023 tour ‘The Trouble and Strife’ here:https://lucybeaumont.co.uk/home#live TW: @LucyABeaumontIG: @the_one_from_hullEverything Stu's up to:Stu’s new Edfringe show “Spoilers” (WINNER Best Show 2023, Leicester Comedy Festival, woo!) is on sale now - find preview dates as well as podcast community links, social media handles and comedy clips, and Stu’s official YouTube channel, all at linktr.ee/stuartgoldsmithOr join the mailing list for unspecified freebies at:www.comedianscomedian.comwww.stuartgoldsmith.comStu offers remote and in-person talks to business, distilling insights from over 400 comics on cultivating resilience and the ability to bounce back, to all levels from C-suite to team members.“There’s perfect and there’s perfect; and that was perfect.” David Cooper, Chief People Officer Circle Health GroupSee Stuart live on tour - www.stuartgoldsmith.com/comedy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Trigger warning: Discussion of child sexual abuse.Jonny Pelham has become one of the most disarmingly hilarious comics in the UK by building his punchlines on a bedrock of unflinching honesty. There’s a big difference between the comedy cliche of “saying the unsayable”, and being able to find the humanity and authenticity in a subject that people don’t want to talk about. We talk about his new Edinburgh Fringe show “Optimism Over Despair”, and he leads us through the experience at that show’s core: his reflections over using his set on Live At The Apollo to discuss the sexual abuse he experienced as a child. We also learn about his clinical “maladaptive daydreaming”, and what it’s like to always come with a trigger warning.20mins of *double trigger-warning* extras available exclusively to the Insiders Club include Jonny on a joke that he’s always found too dark to make work, but which says something very important about his experiences; how he makes the personal political; and how to make biographical work what you want it to be in the face of algorithmic soup!Go to www.comedianscomedian.com/insiders for ad-free episodes, extra content from every show that has it, and much more - including exclusive Insiders Q&As plus the incredible “self-help for comedians” special with Amanda Donnet.Catch up with Jonny:https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/jonny-pelham-optimism-over-despairwww.jonnypelham.comTW/IG: @jonny_pelhamEverything Stu's up to:Stu’s new Edfringe show “Spoilers” (WINNER Best Show 2023, Leicester Comedy Festival, woo!) is ON SALE NOW atwww.stuartgoldsmith.com/ticketsAnd find preview dates as well as podcast community links, social media handles and comedy clips, and Stu’s official YouTube channel, all at linktr.ee/stuartgoldsmithOr join the mailing list for unspecified freebies at:www.comedianscomedian.comwww.stuartgoldsmith.comStu offers remote and in-person talks to business, distilling insights from over 400 comics on cultivating resilience and the ability to bounce back, to all levels from C-suite to team members.“There’s perfect and there’s perfect; and that was perfect.” David Cooper, Chief People Officer Circle Health GroupSee Stuart live on tour - www.stuartgoldsmith.com/comedy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We finally got him! Mike Birbiglia arrives in Edinburgh for the first time this August with his smash hit new stand-up/story show “The Old Man And The Pool” and shows us why he's 'Broadway’s greatest comic storyteller' (Deadline).We talk about the minutiae of his creative process, from the rhythms of his jokes and his deft use of implication, to the glue between bits, and a walkthrough of his “process guy” process, and find out why he’s only beholden to the owner of the circus…30 unmissable mins of extras available exclusively to the Insiders Club include a fascinating study of the application of Jimmy Carr’s brain to a Mike Birbiglia bit; the codification of the language in his shows; how to chisel away the possibilities that aren’t part of this particular statue; and how to get the best feedback out of Daniel Kitson.Go to www.comedianscomedian.com/insiders for ad-free episodes, extra content from every show that has it, and much more - including exclusive Insiders Q&As plus the incredible “self-help for comedians” special with Amanda Donnet. Catch up with Mike:DO NOT MISS Mike’s incredible new show “The Old Man And The Pool”Aug 22-27 Underbelly Bristo Square, EdinburghSept 12 - Oct 7 at The Wyndham’s Theatre, Londonwww.birbigs.comIG/TW: @birbigsEverything Stu's up to:Stu’s new Edfringe show “Spoilers” (WINNER Best Show 2023, Leicester Comedy Festival, woo!) is ON SALE NOW atwww.stuartgoldsmith.com/ticketsAnd find preview dates as well as podcast community links, social media handles and comedy clips, and Stu’s official YouTube channel, all at linktr.ee/stuartgoldsmithOr join the mailing list for unspecified freebies at:www.comedianscomedian.comwww.stuartgoldsmith.comStu offers remote and in-person talks to business, distilling insights from over 400 comics on cultivating resilience and the ability to bounce back, to all levels from C-suite to team members.“There’s perfect and there’s perfect; and that was perfect.” David Cooper, Chief People Officer Circle Health GroupSee Stuart live on tour - www.stuartgoldsmith.com/comedy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.