Baram & Snieckus

Join Matt and Naomi as they delve into the lost art of newspaper reading with Lisa Linke (This Is Us, Dog Therapist) in our LIVE recording at Impro Studio Theatre in Hollywood. What other uses are there for newspaper and how will we get our news in the future! So many questions will be asked and so many more will be left unanswered in this episode!

Toronto Second City MainStage Alumni Kris Siddiqi shares his musings on his Guilty Pleasure Foods. Is it cool to eat Lucky Charms by pouring milk into the box and going to town? Do children have guilty pleasures? And when is it too late to stop having dessert for dinner? You don't have to feel guilty listening to this fun filled episode that promises to be chuck full of laughs and surprisingly low on calories.

When we had our people (Naomi) contact Dave Merheje to be on our celebrated podcast (all our followers are family members) we were elated that he accepted (we begged him). He walked into the Baram and Snieckus studio (our one bedroom apartment) as a simple man...a simple man with a Netflix special, a part on Hulu’s Ramy and appearances on hit shows like CBC's Mr.D. Since then he won a Juno Award for Comedy Album of The Year. Basically, we just want to say...you’re welcome for whatever small part we played in this journey (we did nothing). Join Matt and Naomi and JUNO AWARD WINNER DAVE MERHEJE as we talk about diners, his favourites and what his comfort foods are. What WOULD be in a "Dave Merheje Sandwich"? Find out in this episode.

In this PART 2 of the live recording at Impro Studio in Los Angeles, our laughable couple discuss sleeping with one of their comedy heroes, Scott Thompson (Kids in The Hall). Visit Hotel Grül where memory foam impressions of your naked body is reanimated as a younger version of yourself. Discover what happens when we miss our perfect death moment. Plus, Scott gives our live audience some #BSadvice.

In PART ONE of the live recording at Impro Studio in Los Angeles, Matt and Naomi talk tidying and the Marie Kondo craze with purge enthusiast and comedy expert Rebecca Hanson (Mystery Science Theater 3000). Should you throw out your partner if they no longer “spark joy”? Is it foolhardy to admit to a murder at a staff meeting? Find out what a “tuck shop” is. All this and more!

In this live episode, recorded at Impro Studio in Los Angeles, our laughable couple talk community with the incredibly charming and weekly soccer organizer, Hans Holsen (Shrink and AP Bio). Find out what it means to be part of a "friends anonymous" group and what it takes to fend off freeloaders from stealing your backyard belongings. Do communities only exist to assist a death? Listen and uncover the truth! Check him out on Instagram @hansaholsen

In this episode, recorded live at Impro Studio in Los Angeles, our perpetually self examining couple, chat about making resolutions with the delightfully exuberant improv star Jaime Moyer (Modern Family Second City Detroit, Mama’s Boy Improv). We’ll meet a couple who learn to speak to each other without using hate speech. We learn the difference between a resolution and an intention, and discover what “Sleepy sleepy, no dumb deepy” really means. Will next year be "The Year of Living Through Wonderful Indictments?” Also go ahead and suggest some books for her to read in 2019 @jaime_moyer

Allie Price gives Naomi and Matt the inside scoop on the business of weddings. Sure, when someone gets married it’s romantic, full of love and hope...but it’s also full of choices that affect the economy, all in the name of love. If there wasn’t love, there wouldn’t be weddings, and if there weren’t weddings - there would be even more unemployed people and a HUGE drop in post-it sales. Find out what wedding themes Allie thinks existed in the middle ages, and how romance was expressed after saying “I do!”.

Jason Derosse (Second City, Any Given Weeknight) talks to Naomi and Matt about reality - are we real or are we living in a simulation? AND if we are in a simulation, can we stop going to the gym and can we eat more Chinese food? How do you know you’re living in an altered state? Is it when you see a deja vu or is it when you pull a push door? WHY DID I TAKE THE RED PILL???? So many questions that will be asked in this episode, with so few answers.

Naomi and Matt tackle the world of regret with Marypat Farrell (Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, Workaholics, Baroness Von Sketch Show). Have you lived the life you hoped for? How many hours HAVE you spent on Instagram? Marypat dives deep into what it means to examine your life and think “Yeah, maybe I should have visited the fine city of Miami and not just stayed home watching reruns of CSI Miami.”.

Anand Rajaram (Second City Toronto, Miss Sloane, Odd Squad) joins Baram and Snieckus as they search for meaning and the meaning of meaning, meaning meaning is not only just the meaning but the meaning of the meaning itself as a meaning itself. Get their meaning? Not only the meaning of life but the meaning behind asking the question, "What is the meaning of life?". Also can you choose your own nickname? And what happens when your tour guide is named Jewsus? The answer to those questions and more on what is easily the most esoteric Baram and Snieckus episode to date.

We’re making America ‘grateful’ again as Naomi and Matt talk to the hilarious Jim Annan (Second City, Falcon Powder-The Whole Truths) about Canadian Thanksgiving. What happens when two brothers have a private thanksgiving dinner, with a hot tub? What happens when your daughter gets into a polyamorous relationship with her manicurist and his cousin who runs an ashram? Slip into a laughter-filled-turkey-coma with us as we hang out with one of our favourite Canadian jokers. Find more Jim Annan at @FalconPowder

Matt and Naomi chat with the one and only Lisa Linke (Second City, Dog Therapist, This is Us, Modern Family) about the plastics in the world. This is going to make you laugh AND educate you in the world of cutting down plastics. You're welcome!Also, find out about how to make a baby from recycled plastics and why it’s taken so long to create a male version of the “blow up doll”…and MORE!#SuggestionSunday#DogTherapist

Matt and Naomi talk with kick ass lady and bargain shopper extraordinaire Carla Gallo (Bones, Undeclared, Neighbours) about the joys of finding a treasure at an estate sale.She educates us on how to get your elbows up, and get that thing that you didn’t even know you needed for the place in your home - even if it’s an organ, and the place is your garage gathering dust.Did you ever want to know what the first item sold at the very first estate sale was? What is a spite sale? And what was the scandal that Donna Reeve went through in the 1950’s? Listen to this! You’re welcome.

Matt and Naomi chat with Eddie Mujica (Second City, The Talk, Superior Donuts) about that great Canadian sport: Basketball. Listen to the ambiguity in his voice and the passion that he can’t contain, as Eddie tells us everything we didn’t know about the sport.Who invented the high five? What shoe was banned? Who is Muggsy Bogues anyway? Why is the “hyper step fade” never done on a basketball court? What is a double-double in Cuba? You can find the answers to all these questions and more if you put us in your ear holes!Check out Eddie's short film “Dreamer”

Matt and Naomi chat with 'Teachers' creator and Star (TVLand) Katie Thomas about Misophonia (literally "hatred of sound"). Find out what people did in the olden days to deal with Misophonia, why Katie needs to lick a picture of Tom Jones, and how to be a better person! Put us in your ear holes and laugh with your mouth hole!

Hang out with Matt and Naomi as they discuss such frivolities as the end of the world with genius improviser Nicholas Daly Clark (Impro Theatre School LA, Con Man). Do you know what you’re going to do at the end of the world? Listen to this podcast and get all the answers about what to do and what you’ll need....and what you won’t need, and what you shouldn’t do! Whether or not the end of the world is coming, we’re having some laughs right now. Join us! 

Matt and Naomi chat with 'Freelancers Anonymous', and 'Carmilla' star Natasha Negovanlis about the highs and lows of getting jet lag. Find out her theory on how people used to get over their jet lag in the olden days. Also, you'll NEVER believe what the name for the Winnipeg Jets was going to be, according to Natasha! Get your neck pillow and settle in for some in-flight entertainment!

Naomi and Matt chat with Second City Alum, and former writer on the Jimmy Fallon Show, Albert Howell about his plans to drive their car across the country from Los Angeles to Toronto. Is he ready? Will he ever be ready? Albert has some great tips on how to stay awake and the answer to the question: “What yoga pose was inspired by long distance driving?”. PLUS - Have you heard of “The Gum Ball Rally” — no? Neither had we. Find out more about it here because Al has never been more excited about anything.

Have a listen with your ear holes as Matt and Naomi chat with Nelu Handa (Workin’ Mom’s, Baroness Von Sketch Show) about Manifestation. Nelu teaches Matt about intention and vision boards…and the intention of a vision board. You have to start some where! If you were wondering what the Drake Manifesto is, Nelu will tell you in this episode - AND find out what intention she sets that comes through before your very ears!! 

Tune in as we talk discipline with JR Bourne (Teen Wolf). Matt launches his new product idea “Extreme Treating”. JR talks about learning how to do sign language - great goal, not great for audio. Learn from JR how to practice the discipline of mowing the lawn, and find out what “Follow the Suck” really means. See if you have some discipline and listen to this whole podcast without checking your twitter.We DARE you!

Matt and Naomi talk with Tyler Dean Kempf (Second City) about musicals. Don't we all love singing along with a good musical and throwing tomatoes at a bad one? What happens when these three put their brains together and create a musical based on an old Prospector? If there was a musical called "Trump", what would drop from the ceiling? Find out everything on this episode!

Today Matt and Naomi talk about why people like sports with John Loos (Second City). I mean…there’s a few people out there that are really passionate about sports, but we just don’t get it. What is life like without sports? Who would John be without his football and basketball rehearsals? Find out why John Loos’ character wants to pee in his own mouth, what an award winning sonnet sounds like, and why John is yelling “Aunt Jackie has been robbed!” It’s a lot of sports talk and 2/3 people don’t really care about sports!

Naomi and Matt weren’t sure if they should launch this episode or not. Then they thought YES…put it out there, Corey Rittmaster is a great guy, a funny man from the Second City world…they SHOULD…but then they thought…mmmmaybe not…. The topic today is indecision. It’s your choice if you listen to him or not. If you don’t you’ll never hear Naomi decide over a root beer milk or a three bean medley cocktail. Here’s a hint: she cries over one of them.

Naomi and Matt hang out with Second City Chicago Alum and brilliant TV comedy writer (Tonight Show With Conan O’Brien, Review ) Kevin Dorff. If you’re American and want to know how to come across as Canadian OR if you want to know how to give a “Canadian-Handshake” - you’re going to want to hear THIS! We figure everything out here for the first and last time.

Matt and Naomi get organized with spitfire Alana Johnston (Upright Citizens Brigade, I Want My Phone Back). Find out what country is the most organized, and how Alana would show that she's the most organized person for the position at a job interview. Not sure if it's legal or not-but she'd do it. You're going to want to get out your post-it notes and your file folders out for this one folks...filing this one under "big laughs!".

What was your "Joe" job before you did what you really wanted to do? Can you even call jobs "Joe" anymore? What were the jobs in the middle ages that were considered side jobs? Matt and Naomi have some laughs while getting educated with half of the Templeton Philharmonic kick butt sketch duo; Gwynne Phillips as she tells us about her past jobs in front of a live audience at Comedy Bar in Toronto, Canada!

This show is a miracle! We have been trying to get this superstar on our show since before we even had a show. Revel in the comedy magic of The Listener, Red Oaks, Blindspot star Ennis Esmer as he tells us his deepest secrets about his pet peeve's in front of a live audience at Comedy Bar Toronto, Canada!

Sit back and enjoy the soft voice and hard jokes of Second City Alum Randall Harr, as we speak to him about spirituality. Matt and Naomi talk about everything from vape smudging, to serpents living in your spine. Ever wonder what it would be like to be in a sensory deprivation room with a stranger? Find out during this episode! Listen with both your ear holes to funny/smart man - Randall Harr.  

Catch Second City gal and creator/star of Two Girls One Pup show - Monique Madrid, as we get wound up talking about anxiety. Find out what causes them, what they are, and how we deal with them! Ever wonder who invented anxiety? You’ll get your answer here. Finally, there’s a song Monique sings beautifully at the end that will sooth your stress, and perhaps create new ones!

What can we say about Pat Thornton...he's made us laugh, he's made us cry! Listen with your ear holes as Pat takes us into a world of art that we didn't even know existed. He finally answers the question: "Is THAT art?" - and you won't believe the answer!For more Pat-listen now...NOW!

We chat with Holly Prazoff (Upright Citizens Brigade, Comedy Bang Bang) about what she loves about America, what she misses about Canada, and fast tracking through fear self help groups. Also, how much is TOO much pizza? Find out all those facts that you didn't know you needed to know about America. This is the original fake-news show. #alsofake

Matt and Naomi talk to 'Whose Line is it Anyway?' and 'Second City Chicago' Alum Ron West about baseball; and discover we know nothing, and he knows EVERYTHING! In fact, we referred to many top notch web sites (weirdfacts.com) and Ron knew MORE than them! If you Love baseball and comedy, then you'll LOVE this episode!

Matt and Naomi chat with Founder and Artistic Director of Impro Theatre (www.improtheatre.com) and voice on Kung Fu Panda Dan O'Connor on "locaysh" in Los Feliz. This man makes anyone that shares a scene with him step up their game! Don't let your ears fool you, this isn't an actual scene from a Chekhov play...it's IMPROVISED! We talk about the difference between theatrical improv and how Anton Chekhov is entirely misunderstood and how someone can "realize thy toast".(If you are looking for a scene about Star Trek go to www.startrek.com if you're looking for improv inspiration go to danoconnor.net)@danimpro @baramsnieckus

Matt and Naomi speak with Second City Chicago Alum and web series "The Breakwomb" and "All Stars with Fred Willard" - Molly Erdman about the pressures and strategy of gift giving! Should we do Christmas stockings, or NOT? How much CAN you stuff into a stocking? Is a card enough? You SAY it is...but IS it? All the answers to all your questions are in this podcast.

Naomi and Matt chat with Second City Chicago Alum Tim Stoltenberg about soccer. We learn a lot about how the sport originated, and who’s kidding who…we make most of it up. If you know any actual facts about soccer, please correct us. Find out what the “snake” is, and what Matt Baram is like on the field. Also, find out how Tim feels about Matt being his soccer agent. This guy is a guaranteed laugh and we’d hang out withhim anytime, with or without a microphone. ENJOY!

Join Matt and Naomi as they chat with two of the funniest, sweetest, most talented people in the universe. Josh Dean (Blindspot, Mass Effects) and Celina Dean (The Village Theater NYC, Louisville Theatre, Lobster Telephone). These two can do anything, and we find out if they can also imagine living off the grid! Making their own butter, killing chickens!? If they are already a triple threat, would living off the grid make them a quadruple threat? You tell us!

What do you think of when you think of "One of a kind"? That rare diamond that people get to look at but not touch? That kick ass art show in Toronto? A dragon? We think of Inessa Frantowski (The Amazing Gay Pile, Second City, Uprights Citizens Brigade)! Join in the fun and laughs with Matt and Naomi, as they talk to Inessa about the dangers of eating at public restaurants in LA, and Love - which is MORE dangerous we wonder???

This week, Matt and Naomi find out from Second City alum, Key and Peele star/composer Josh Funk what it's like to be a dad to the most amazing kids in the world. Plus, what would you do if you found out your dad was Spiderman?! We're still not sure why he won't give them to us - they sound perfect!

Chatting with Ayumi Iisuka (Second City, Conan, Jimmy Kimmel) about her love of dogs, how she fosters them, and how that makes her better than us. We also learn the true meaning behind “dog day afternoon”. Dogs are 'reading' us and our inner emotions. WARNING: don’t let your dog listen to this episode, it will be too emotional!

Naomi and Matt talk with Second City alumnus James Gangl about California Inspired Cooking. When he's not in the kitchen, you can catch James in Annedroids and Workin’ Moms. He is also the creator and lead in the one-person show “In Search of Cruise Control”. We recorded this in LA, but are releasing this to celebrate his Toronto Fringe success. Hear him on this podcast…see him in the Fringe…you can have it ALL! AND…find out why Matt says to Naomi “you can go kill yourself”.@jamesgangl@baramsnieckus

The man of a million voices (F is for Family, Batman VS Robin) brings a couple to the Baram & Snieckus show, as we talk about riding a motorcycle in L.A. The voice of the Emperor from Lego Star Wars tells us about acting rules that apply to L.A but not T.O, and the dangers of everyday riding on the freeways. Yeah, he had words with the young lady who drove over his bike...but he did it as Rocket Raccoon from Guardians of the Galaxy, so: ADORABLE! Get your helmets on and have a listen! 

Second City Alum and a darling of any stage he appears on, Rich Sohn has been delighting audiences all over the world with his "holy crap, did he say that" style. We talked to Rich about long distance relationships - because his partner in crime, Rebecca Sohn has been working in a different city. He has a lot of tips...not all good...but at least there's a lot of them.

Baram & Snieckus are talking about Conspiracy Theories with Sarah Hillier (Second City, Sketchersons AND the Beaverton). "True" stories about Brittany Spears being brain washed and false stories about ladies looking for luggage in the under ground Denver airport. Check out more comedy from Sarah Hillier @thesarahhillier!

Andrew Pifko (Second City) joins us this week to talk about traveling the world, voice over acting, and of course improv.

Paul Mather (Television Writer - Powerless) joins Matt and Naomi to talk about Canadians living in L.A, pitching television shows, and what not to say in the airport to the border security officer.

Peter Oldring (House of Cards, This is That Radio Show) is our guest of honor this week and he's here to share his improv, and baking stories with us.

Shaun Majumder (This Hour Has 22 Minutes) is our guest in L.A. this week, and is here to talk about racial backgrounds, Internet trolls, and perform improv with us.

This week on the podcast, Matt and Naomi perform their sketch "Out of Gas".

Jen Goodhue (Baroness Von Sketch Show) is on the show this week to talk and about dealing with anger. It's comedy about anger, people!

David Shore (Monkey Toast) is on the episode this week to talk with Matt and Naomi about failure. Everything from failure in improv to failure in everyday life, is on the table.