Black & A Half

Comedian, writer, and founder of Gold Comedy, Lynn Harris, joins Silas and Samantha for a deep dive into building inclusive comedy communities, how Gold Comedy supports women and nonbinary creators, and why killing the term “comedienne” might just change the world. Plus, discover her truffle chip addiction, her revolutionary knowledge, and her favorite Zoom-based comedy tricks.

In this episode of Black & A Half, Silas and Samantha get deep and playful about positivity, mindset, manifestation, and the joy (and judgment) of believing in a “whole lot of hooey.” From allergy season survival tips and natural remedies to whether thinking good thoughts actually changes our lives, they question, laugh, and affirm what makes reality bend. Plus, a dreamy dive into travel, minimalism, ball gowns, and musical obsessions—bagpipes included.

In Episode 235 of Black & A Half, Silas and Samantha dive deep into gardening as metaphor, ADHD hyperfocus, decluttering struggles, and the unexpected wisdom of insurance companies. They explore the trust we place in strangers, the emotional weight of getting rid of stuff, the unpredictability of parenting, and what “bonsai-ing your life” really means. Come for the laughs, stay for the insights—and find out why you shouldn't transplant a tree in spring… or make too many life changes at once.

In this heartfelt and humorous episode, Silas and Samantha dive into the concept of “recovery”—whether from surgery, pride, or economic hardship. They unpack the emotional impact of community care like meal trains, the stigma surrounding poverty, and how asking for help is an act of strength. Plus, they brainstorm million-dollar ideas and get nostalgic about ice cream cake. A powerful reminder of grace, humor, and human connection.

In Episode 233 of Black & A Half, Silas and Samantha welcome the brilliantly nerdy and hilariously honest Marie Elizabeth. A rising star in Seattle's comedy scene, Marie dives into her journey from film school to the stand-up stage, her deep love of Star Trek, and the vibrant intersection of neurodivergence, kink, and comedy. From Real Nerds of Comedy to her burlesque variety show “Hotties and Bodies,” Marie brings both insight and laughs. This episode is packed with vulnerable, thought-provoking conversation and tons of nerdy joy.

In this episode of Black & A Half, Silas and Samantha take you on a rollercoaster of laughs, dark humor, and deep conversations. They discuss the weird experience of finding stolen comedy material online, the tricky nuances of text message etiquette, and how generational differences affect digital communication. Plus, they dive into the joy (or horror) of being turned into a cartoon, the ethics of creative inspiration vs. theft, and wrap things up with a heartfelt parenting moment that brings it all back to love. 

In this episode of Black & A Half, Silas and Samantha dive into the joys (and struggles) of learning new skills, from playing instruments to navigating life's unexpected detours. They explore the power of persistence, failing forward, and why self-improvement is a lifelong jam session. Plus, thoughts on tipping culture, crowdfunding fatigue, and a few hilarious detours along the way. Tune in for laughter, wisdom, and maybe even some questionable life advice.

This week on Black & A Half, Silas and Samantha welcome back Jason DeLeo from LIT Immersive! We dive into the wild world of immersive theater, where audiences step inside the action instead of just watching it. Jason shares behind-the-scenes stories, the challenges of creating interactive performances, and how Seattle's theater scene is evolving. Plus, Silas recounts his trip to Nashville, and we debate whether performing for free is worth it. 

In this episode of Black & A Half, Silas and Samantha dive into the world of self-confidence, good lighting, and the unexpected depth of Kendrick Lamar's Super Bowl halftime show. They break down the art of callbacks, the power of four key questions for stress management, and even debate the hidden dangers of using toilet paper as Kleenex. Thought-provoking, hilarious, and full of surprises—this one's got it all. Tune in now!

In this episode of Black & A Half, we tackle land acknowledgments—are they meaningful or just performative? Then, we dive into life's big choice points, parallel universes, and whether we're all living in a Sliding Doors moment. Finally, we get emotional about food that's so good it makes you cry (or angry!).

Episode 227: Yes, And: Building Community One Laugh at a Time In this episode of Black and a Half, we dive deep into the power of community, connection, and collaboration. From the quirky camaraderie of improv to the solo grind of stand-up comedy, we explore how different creative spaces foster relationships (or don't!). Along the way, we discuss personal growth, adapting to change, and finding joy in unexpected places—whether it's baking bread during the pandemic or discovering the hidden lessons of "Yes, and." Join us for a hilarious and thoughtful conversation about belonging, building communities, and navigating life's awkward yet meaningful moments. Plus, we share funny anecdotes about Paul Rudd's timelessness, the lifespan of TVs, and the mysterious art of convincing celebrities they know you. Don't miss this episode packed with laughs, insights, and just the right amount of weirdness!

This week, Samantha and Silas discuss Tik Tok, AI in relationships, setting boundaries with partners, and what constitutes cheating in a relationship.

Samantha Rund returns to co-host Black & A Half. In this episode, they talk about fact-checking on Facebook, grief, and rededication. 

Interview with Writer/Director Zia Mohajerjasbi about his debut film Know Your Place, a Seattle based film. 

Interview with writer/director Nicole Riegel from the film Dandelion. 

In this episode of "Black and A Half," I sit down with the incredible Dr. Erin MacDonald, an astrophysicist, renowned science speaker, and the official science consultant for the Star Trek franchise. Dr. MacDonald also lends her voice to a character on Star Trek: Prodigy. Join us as we dive into the real science behind Star Trek, the distinction between science fiction and fantasy, and how Dr. MacDonald balances authenticity with creativity in her consulting role. She also answers my seven famous questions and some intriguing listener questions, offering a comprehensive look at her work and passions. Key Moments: The science of Star Trek explained by Dr. MacDonald Balancing real science with fictional storytelling in Star Trek Dr. MacDonald's personal favorites, from foods and drinks to hobbies

In this episode of "Black & A Half", I have the pleasure of interviewing Xenia LeBlanc, the talented writer and director of the short film "The Exposed." Xenia and I discuss her fascinating journey from studying acting across the globe to creating a captivating horror short film. She opens up about the dynamics of being in a filmmaking couple with her husband, Nicholas Acosta, and how they navigate their creative collaborations. We dive into the making of "The Exposed," a unique horror film crafted without CGI or visual effects, and the creative challenges that came with it. Xenia also shares how her Russian childhood and a particular episode of "Rescue 911" inspired the film's chilling premise. Tune in for an insightful conversation filled with personal stories, filmmaking advice, and a behind-the-scenes look at Xenia's work. Don't forget to watch "The Exposed" and share your thoughts with us!

Episode 220: Action and Comedy on a Budget with Nicholas Acosta In this exciting episode of "Black & A Half," Silas Lindenstein sits down with the talented writer-director Nicholas Acosta. Nicholas recently premiered his new short film, "The Pickup," at the Dances With Films Film Festival on June 25th. "The Pickup" is an action-comedy about an Uber driver who inadvertently becomes involved in a secret agent's high-stakes mission. Astonishingly, this high-quality film, filled with car chases, fireballs, and even a helicopter, was made on a shoestring budget of just $6,000!

In episode 219 of "Black & A Half," Silas interviews the creative team behind the new horror film Wild Eyed and Wicked. Join writer/director G.S. Foxworth and cast members Michael Summers and Stephanie Esters as they discuss the making of the film, the allure of the horror genre, and share behind-the-scenes insights. Plus, hear their unique and entertaining answers to Silas's famous "Seven Questions." 

Silas sits down with writer/director Stimson Snead & Actor Samuel Dunning to talk about their new film Tim Travers And The Time Traveler's Paradox.

Emmett Montgomery joined me to answer my world famous 7 Questons. 

Interview with David Lewis, co-writer and director of Fantasy A Gets A Mattress. 

Comedian Kermet Apio joined me for my world-famous seven questions. 

This week we interview the lead actress of the new film Colorblind, Chantel Riley. 

Australian Director Tom Danger joins Silas to talk about his new film, Sweethurt and to answer the world famous 7 Questions.

This week, we have 7 Questions with comedian Jaci Terjeson. 

Comedian Ken Hamlett drops by to answer the seven questions and to learn why Silas may have to move. 

Guest: Comedian and commercial actor Anthony Calderon.

Seattle Theatre Critic Jay Irwin returns to discuss with Silas his latest happenings as a live theatre critic and to listen to Silas' tale of a bad usher ruining his theatre experience at a recent production.

This week Silas got to sit down with the Cast of The Umbrella Man, a new South African action/comedy/heist film, while they were in attendance at the Toronto International Film Festival

Recap and Review of Emerald City Comicon 2022. Silas sat down with a fellow member of the press, Angela Rairden to discuss this years ECCC, the good, the bad, and the ugly. 

Nena Erb was the guest this week. Nena is the Emmy Award winning editor of HBO's Insecure. 

Interview with Charlotte Mikkelborg, director and producer of the augmented reality mystery game - Time Detectives: The Mystery of The Mary Rose.

Zora Iman Crews comes on to talk about her upcoming Mockumentary The Daphne Project. 

This week, Silas is joined by director Dan Chen and two people who were subjects for his premiere documentary Accepted, Isaac and Aighty. This documentary focuses on a K-12 school in Louisiana with a 100% college acceptance rate and a 33% Ivy League school acceptance rate. But something is rotten in the state of Denmark. Listen up and then watch the film coming out this July 1st. 

Director of the new documentary "End Of The Line", Emmett Adler joins Silas to talk about this new documentary available VOD June 14th. 

Shila Ommi from Apple TV+'s show Tehran stops by to talk about the opportunities streaming and Apple TV+ is giving her, her background in Theatre, and she answers our world famous Seven Questions

Silas & Samantha give their unasked for opinions on the famous Will Smith Slap on Chris Rock. Also; exercising, & baby sleeping.

The real story of ALICE, Old WIves Tales, How Times Have Changed. 

George A. Tramountanas dropped by to discuss his new film "Win A Trip To Browntown" and what it was like to lose 50 pounds while filming a movie.

Writer and director of the new film Alice, Krystin Ver LInden, sits down for a one on one chat with Silas in this mini-episode.

Samantha Rund is back to talk to Silas about Comfort Television, Current Television Thoughts, and Review Writing.

Comic and video game streamer Terrance Parsons joined the show to talk about the best films that are based on video games. 

Guest and comic Tara Weidner joins for this episode to discuss The Greatest TV Couples Of All Time.

Silas breaks down his favorite 11 films from 2021.

On this week's episode Silas reviews the films Swan Song (Apple TV+), The Lost Daughter (Netflix), and Zola (Came out earlier this year in theaters but viewed recently for awards consideration). - Swan Song - 6:31, The Lost Daughter, 16:32  - Zola -  27:20.

This episode is a full discussion of the new Netflix star studded satirical comedy Don't Look Up starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Lawrence. 

This week Silas puts out his Top Ten Christmas Films lists and reviews two films, Apple TV+ new film The Tragedy Of Macbeth and the Netflix Italian language film The Hand Of God.  Here's the show notes so you can skip to the different sections.  4:22 - Top Ten Christmas Films 26:02 Macbeth, 34:36 The Hand Of God

This week Silas reviews the newest entry into Marvel's MCU Spider-man: No Way Home, new on Netflix, Sandra Bullock's The Unforgivable, and the  HBO Max Series, Love Life.  Here are the notes of when each review appears so you can skip through if needed. 5:35 Spider-man 18:22 The Unforgivable 28:03 Love Life

This episode, Silas and guest Renee review the new Steven Spielberg musical, West Side Story.

This part 2 of our coverage of the new film End of Us where Silas interviews the writers and directors of End Of Us - Steven Kanter and Henry Loevner.