Conversate with Shawn Mathenia

Excited about this one. Such a cool cat. Joe is an award-winning spoken word producer, voice actor, and coach. Joe has produced over five hundred audiobooks, voiced dozens of national commercial ads, audiobooks, corporate narrations and cartoons for the Disney channel. He produces the Baby Looney Tunes sound-books. Joe teaches voice acting online with VoiceOverXtra.com and in Nashville for Alan Dysert's The Actor's School. www.vomojo.com , www.joeloesh.com , www.roadcrew66.com

​​Joe is an award-winning spoken word producer, voice actor, and coach. Joe has produced over five hundred audiobooks, voiced dozens of national commercial ads, audiobooks, corporate narrations and cartoons for the Disney channel. He produces the Baby Looney Tunes sound-books. Joe teaches voice acting online with VoiceOverXtra.com and in Nashville for Alan Dysert's The Actor's School. www.vomojo.com , www.joeloesh.com , www.roadcrew66.com

Steve is a great guy and a killer comedian. He has followed his dreams and turned them into reality. Here is the link to the comedy club's website: www.guttyscomedyclub.com Here is the link to the fedex contest website: https://smallbusinessgrant.fedex.com/…/f674c902-c2af-4049-8…

Steve is a great guy and a killer comedian. He has followed his dreams and turned them into reality. Here is the link to the comedy club's website: www.guttyscomedyclub.com Here is the link to the fedex contest website: https://smallbusinessgrant.fedex.com/…/f674c902-c2af-4049-8…

Dennis Tooley is a great guy and a killer comedian. He has overcome struggles that just amaze me. He has MS but has not let it destroy who he is. Here is the link to the comedy club's website: www.guttyscomedyclub.com Here is the link to the fedex contest website: https://smallbusinessgrant.fedex.com/…/f674c902-c2af-4049-8… Also, please go to www.mscruisers.com

Dennis Tooley is a great guy and a killer comedian. He has overcome struggles that just amaze me. He has MS but has not let it destroy who he is. Here is the link to the comedy club's website: www.guttyscomedyclub.com Here is the link to the fedex contest website: https://smallbusinessgrant.fedex.com/…/f674c902-c2af-4049-8… Also, please go to www.mscruisers.com

www.chrisgriggscomedy.com Chris is an actor and comedian that currently lives in New York by way of Memphis. He was a regular host for TV Land’s “Prime Movies” and has made appearances on NBC’s “Blacklist”, Bravo, IFC, E Television, Hulu’s “Comedy Time TV", Netflix, Starz and The Discovery Channel. He also was selected to represent New York on the TV show “World Cup Comedy” produced by Kelsey Grammar. Chris has been featured in the films “The Co-Exist Comedy tour,” “Twenty Million People” “The Best Man” and “Generation Iron 2”. He’s a regular standup around New York and you can catch him on Saturday nights at 8pm with the PIT’s weekend house team The Baldwins.

www.chrisgriggscomedy.com Chris is an actor and comedian that currently lives in New York by way of Memphis. He was a regular host for TV Land’s “Prime Movies” and has made appearances on NBC’s “Blacklist”, Bravo, IFC, E Television, Hulu’s “Comedy Time TV", Netflix, Starz and The Discovery Channel. He also was selected to represent New York on the TV show “World Cup Comedy” produced by Kelsey Grammar. Chris has been featured in the films “The Co-Exist Comedy tour,” “Twenty Million People” “The Best Man” and “Generation Iron 2”. He’s a regular standup around New York and you can catch him on Saturday nights at 8pm with the PIT’s weekend house team The Baldwins.

www.heavyweightofcleancomedy.com Brent Reed travels all over the United States and Canada. Brent brings many things to his show that makes for a unique evening. Brent arrives early, gettting to know his audience. Audience interaction with improvisationnis is his speciality. Having all the information about your event ahead of time will make the event more exciting! With over 25yrs experience working on stage with improv games and interaction with your management and employees makes for a show they will remember for a long time.

www.heavyweightofcleancomedy.com Brent Reed travels all over the United States and Canada. Brent brings many things to his show that makes for a unique evening. Brent arrives early, gettting to know his audience. Audience interaction with improvisationnis is his speciality. Having all the information about your event ahead of time will make the event more exciting! With over 25yrs experience working on stage with improv games and interaction with your management and employees makes for a show they will remember for a long time.

www.jjbarrows.com JJ's website bio: Being the middle child of a preacher's family in the South, I always felt a little different, a little left out and a little confused as to who I was "supposed" to be. Turns out I'm a little funny, a little deep and a lot more loved than I knew. That's what I want for people... to know themselves, love themselves and in turn extend that love to others. Using laughter is the best way I've found to connect us all... no matter how different, we're all awkwardly human just trying to do life. I'm a comedian and storyteller in many forms... through the written and spoken word, visual art, and video editing- all intertwined with the realities of life and the humor to get through it.

www.jjbarrows.com JJ's website bio: Being the middle child of a preacher's family in the South, I always felt a little different, a little left out and a little confused as to who I was "supposed" to be. Turns out I'm a little funny, a little deep and a lot more loved than I knew. That's what I want for people... to know themselves, love themselves and in turn extend that love to others. Using laughter is the best way I've found to connect us all... no matter how different, we're all awkwardly human just trying to do life. I'm a comedian and storyteller in many forms... through the written and spoken word, visual art, and video editing- all intertwined with the realities of life and the humor to get through it.

www.jjbarrows.com JJ's website bio: Being the middle child of a preacher's family in the South, I always felt a little different, a little left out and a little confused as to who I was "supposed" to be. Turns out I'm a little funny, a little deep and a lot more loved than I knew. That's what I want for people... to know themselves, love themselves and in turn extend that love to others. Using laughter is the best way I've found to connect us all... no matter how different, we're all awkwardly human just trying to do life. I'm a comedian and storyteller in many forms... through the written and spoken word, visual art, and video editing- all intertwined with the realities of life and the humor to get through it.

http://brianmcdowellcomedy.com/ To address the current shortage of old straight white male comedians complaining about everything on stages across America, Brian McDowell has returned to stand-up comedy after a long absence. Born in Memphis and raised in St. Louis, McDowell performed in comedy clubs around the country before temporarily retiring to write an award-winning humor column for a small-town newspaper in Kansas. Upon his comeback to the comedy stage, the hard-working comic has been bowling audiences over and placing highly in several comedy contests with his clever material and ranting style. Called “half-crazed and wholly hilarious” by the St. Louis Post Dispatch, McDowell’s goal is to deliver entertainment everywhere, from coffeehouses and small bars to some of the country’s most esteemed comedy clubs.

http://brianmcdowellcomedy.com/ To address the current shortage of old straight white male comedians complaining about everything on stages across America, Brian McDowell has returned to stand-up comedy after a long absence. Born in Memphis and raised in St. Louis, McDowell performed in comedy clubs around the country before temporarily retiring to write an award-winning humor column for a small-town newspaper in Kansas. Upon his comeback to the comedy stage, the hard-working comic has been bowling audiences over and placing highly in several comedy contests with his clever material and ranting style. Called “half-crazed and wholly hilarious” by the St. Louis Post Dispatch, McDowell’s goal is to deliver entertainment everywhere, from coffeehouses and small bars to some of the country’s most esteemed comedy clubs.

www.danamrey.com Somewhere between Proverbs 31 and Madea, there’s Dana M. Rey. Born and raised in Arkansas, Dana has survived more than her share of heartache. She doesn’t simply live to tell-the-tale, she engages you with uplifting and seriously humorous anecdotes. As a wife and working mother of three boys, her stories are relatable and honest. From hosting the advice segment, “Dear Dana,” on Star 101.5 to serving on the board of Women In Networking and Hustle in Heels, she understands the importance of serving one’s community. Dana is a sought after keynote speaker and Emcee for businesses, churches, and non-profits alike. Through her speaking engagements and comedy shows, she has found her platform to pour in to others. She uses her humor to encourage others to rise above any obstacles preventing them from living their best life. You won’t just walk away from Dana with a smile, you’ll also feel like you’ve met your new best friend.

www.danamrey.com Somewhere between Proverbs 31 and Madea, there’s Dana M. Rey. Born and raised in Arkansas, Dana has survived more than her share of heartache. She doesn’t simply live to tell-the-tale, she engages you with uplifting and seriously humorous anecdotes. As a wife and working mother of three boys, her stories are relatable and honest. From hosting the advice segment, “Dear Dana,” on Star 101.5 to serving on the board of Women In Networking and Hustle in Heels, she understands the importance of serving one’s community. Dana is a sought after keynote speaker and Emcee for businesses, churches, and non-profits alike. Through her speaking engagements and comedy shows, she has found her platform to pour in to others. She uses her humor to encourage others to rise above any obstacles preventing them from living their best life. You won’t just walk away from Dana with a smile, you’ll also feel like you’ve met your new best friend.

www.kellyisfunny.com Kelly Terranova has been writing and performing standup comedy for more than two decades... and in his spare time, he enjoys writing about himself in the third person. Kelly is a natural and energetic storyteller with a flair for the absurd and unexpected. At the same time, he treats his audience with a care and respect formerly reserved for the clergy, or Instagram influencers. Kelly’s diverse career path as a radio talk show host, a production assistant at Walt Disney Feature Animation, and a vacuum cleaner salesman, along with an eighth-grade realization that comedy was his “destiny” (14 year old Kellywas very dramatic) led him to a comedic voice that is unique, engaging, and hilarious. Having performed nearly 10,000 shows, Kelly has nailed the formula for entertaining audiences large and small, while never straying from his core comedic belief :”If it’s not funny for everyone, it’s not funny.” Kelly has been featured on CMT's Comedy Stage, FOX Sports and the DryBar Comedy Network. He was a finalist in both the Funny Bone Comedy Club's World Series of Comedy and the CCL Las Vegas Carnival Comedy Challenge. Kelly is a regular performer aboard the Carnival Cruise Lines’ Punchliner Comedy Club and has appeared with Michael Bolton, Joan Rivers, Kevin Nealon, The Doobie Brothers, Brett Butler and Mahatma Gandhi (just wanted to see if you were still reading).

www.kellyisfunny.com Kelly Terranova has been writing and performing standup comedy for more than two decades... and in his spare time, he enjoys writing about himself in the third person. Kelly is a natural and energetic storyteller with a flair for the absurd and unexpected. At the same time, he treats his audience with a care and respect formerly reserved for the clergy, or Instagram influencers. Kelly’s diverse career path as a radio talk show host, a production assistant at Walt Disney Feature Animation, and a vacuum cleaner salesman, along with an eighth-grade realization that comedy was his “destiny” (14 year old Kellywas very dramatic) led him to a comedic voice that is unique, engaging, and hilarious. Having performed nearly 10,000 shows, Kelly has nailed the formula for entertaining audiences large and small, while never straying from his core comedic belief :”If it’s not funny for everyone, it’s not funny.” Kelly has been featured on CMT's Comedy Stage, FOX Sports and the DryBar Comedy Network. He was a finalist in both the Funny Bone Comedy Club's World Series of Comedy and the CCL Las Vegas Carnival Comedy Challenge. Kelly is a regular performer aboard the Carnival Cruise Lines’ Punchliner Comedy Club and has appeared with Michael Bolton, Joan Rivers, Kevin Nealon, The Doobie Brothers, Brett Butler and Mahatma Gandhi (just wanted to see if you were still reading).

This is Clint's comedy page. He has a great video on there. I am listening to it right now and I have messed up typing 3 times from laughing. https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=490880245901

This was a first for CONVERSATE. A three way call that I like to call a comedy roundtable. June Colson and Chris Parnell joined me and it was a blast. We will be doing this again soon. These are two of my favorite people in comedy and the world. Don't get me wrong, if the room was on fire, I would knock them both over to get to the door. But I do love them both. Such great talents.

This was a first for CONVERSATE. A three way call that I like to call a comedy roundtable. June Colson and Chris Parnell joined me and it was a blast. We will be doing this again soon. These are two of my favorite people in comedy and the world. Don't get me wrong, if the room was on fire, I would knock them both over to get to the door. But I do love them both. Such great talents.

​www.ocstandup.com Bill Word is Orange County's #1 stand-up comedy instructor.​ ​​If you've always wanted to try stand-up comedy but hesitant to take the leap, this class is for you! ​ ​For over 25 years Bill has been guiding his students to success during his informative and fun workshops! ​Bill's workshop has a creative and supportive environment, making it enjoyable for students to learn, explore ideas and find their voice. In the process, students come away with a network of comedy pals through the workshop experience. ​ "My goal is to be the teacher I would have wanted when I was learning to do stand-up." - Bill Word Bill Word has been doing standup comedy since 1991. Bill has been featured on “ABC’s America’s Funniest People.” You have seen him on NBC, TLC and PBS. Bill was a panelist in the Las Vegas Comedy Festival. He has been featured on National Lampoon Comedy Radio numerous times. He is the executive producer and creator of Orange County's Funniest Person Contest™, Ultimate Laff-Down Comedy Competition™ and California’s Funniest Female Contest™. From the "Learn From My Mistakes" page on his website: SORRY LONG STORY BUT HAPPY ENDING. Late January 2016, I woke up around 5 am with the worst pain in my upper back. I couldn't go back to sleep. I tried ice and ibuprofen. Nothing worked. The pain was getting unbearable. I called 9-1-1. When I was with the paramedics and in the ER, I was screaming in pain, “Please help me!!!” They couldn’t give me any painkillers because they didn’t know what was wrong with me yet. My blood pressure was over 200/100!!! After x-rays and CT scan, a doctor told me that I had a tear in my aorta. I didn’t know what an aorta was, but it sounded serious. IT WAS!!! I was transferred to another hospital that could handle my condition. Couple days later they found two more aortic tears now three in total. I was getting worse. I was bleeding internally which if not fixed would kill me. ​ I still remember the surgeon standing over my bed telling me that I needed surgery and that my family needed to get to the hospital ASAP. I thought, “Why? So, I could say goodbye to them? Get my affairs in order?” The surgeon told me that there was a 30% chance that I lose my left arm and 10% chance lose my legs because where the tears were in my aorta. Unfortunately, they had given me blood thinners to lower my BP. They couldn’t do the surgery on blood thinners because my blood wouldn’t clot. Now a balancing act, between needing surgery now and waiting for the “thinners” to get through my system. The first surgery was stopped because there was blood in my spinal fluid which could cause paralysis. I had to wait another 12 to 24 hours for surgery. Hopefully the “thinners” would be out of my system by then and I wouldn’t die before they could do surgery. ​The wait was scary but helped by the great love and support from my friends and family. I had over 300 posts on my Facebook page praying for me and wishing me well. The second surgery was successful. I now had extra hardware in me. Five stents in my aorta. Still had my left arm and legs. Three months later, I had a third surgery. This time I had an allergic reaction to the “dye” used to see the tears. I woke up from surgery with my arms tied to the bed and a tube down my throat. Not a pleasant experience to have the tube removed. Later the surgeon would tell me that he was afraid that he had lost me because of the allergic reaction. Now three years later, I have lost 35 lbs. since my surgery. Walk 5 to 10 miles a day. Eat a lot better. THE MORAL OF THE STORY?!?! I nearly died because didn’t take care of my health. More specifically control my hypertension (High Blood Pressure). I used to brag that I hadn’t been to the doctor in years. Realize now that wasn’t a good thing to brag about. Hypertension is called the silent killer. You only know something is wrong when something bad happens like a stroke, heart attack, tears in your aorta… Check your Blood Pressure recently? If it’s over 120/80 then act. Here is a good link about hypertension: https://www.webmd.com/hypertension-high-blood-pressure/default.htm ​ Much LOVE, Bill Word https://www.gofundme.com/helpBillWord​

​www.ocstandup.com Bill Word is Orange County's #1 stand-up comedy instructor.​ ​​If you've always wanted to try stand-up comedy but hesitant to take the leap, this class is for you! ​ ​For over 25 years Bill has been guiding his students to success during his informative and fun workshops! ​Bill's workshop has a creative and supportive environment, making it enjoyable for students to learn, explore ideas and find their voice. In the process, students come away with a network of comedy pals through the workshop experience. ​ "My goal is to be the teacher I would have wanted when I was learning to do stand-up." - Bill Word Bill Word has been doing standup comedy since 1991. Bill has been featured on “ABC’s America’s Funniest People.” You have seen him on NBC, TLC and PBS. Bill was a panelist in the Las Vegas Comedy Festival. He has been featured on National Lampoon Comedy Radio numerous times. He is the executive producer and creator of Orange County's Funniest Person Contest™, Ultimate Laff-Down Comedy Competition™ and California’s Funniest Female Contest™. From the "Learn From My Mistakes" page on his website: SORRY LONG STORY BUT HAPPY ENDING. Late January 2016, I woke up around 5 am with the worst pain in my upper back. I couldn't go back to sleep. I tried ice and ibuprofen. Nothing worked. The pain was getting unbearable. I called 9-1-1. When I was with the paramedics and in the ER, I was screaming in pain, “Please help me!!!” They couldn’t give me any painkillers because they didn’t know what was wrong with me yet. My blood pressure was over 200/100!!! After x-rays and CT scan, a doctor told me that I had a tear in my aorta. I didn’t know what an aorta was, but it sounded serious. IT WAS!!! I was transferred to another hospital that could handle my condition. Couple days later they found two more aortic tears now three in total. I was getting worse. I was bleeding internally which if not fixed would kill me. ​ I still remember the surgeon standing over my bed telling me that I needed surgery and that my family needed to get to the hospital ASAP. I thought, “Why? So, I could say goodbye to them? Get my affairs in order?” The surgeon told me that there was a 30% chance that I lose my left arm and 10% chance lose my legs because where the tears were in my aorta. Unfortunately, they had given me blood thinners to lower my BP. They couldn’t do the surgery on blood thinners because my blood wouldn’t clot. Now a balancing act, between needing surgery now and waiting for the “thinners” to get through my system. The first surgery was stopped because there was blood in my spinal fluid which could cause paralysis. I had to wait another 12 to 24 hours for surgery. Hopefully the “thinners” would be out of my system by then and I wouldn’t die before they could do surgery. ​The wait was scary but helped by the great love and support from my friends and family. I had over 300 posts on my Facebook page praying for me and wishing me well. The second surgery was successful. I now had extra hardware in me. Five stents in my aorta. Still had my left arm and legs. Three months later, I had a third surgery. This time I had an allergic reaction to the “dye” used to see the tears. I woke up from surgery with my arms tied to the bed and a tube down my throat. Not a pleasant experience to have the tube removed. Later the surgeon would tell me that he was afraid that he had lost me because of the allergic reaction. Now three years later, I have lost 35 lbs. since my surgery. Walk 5 to 10 miles a day. Eat a lot better. THE MORAL OF THE STORY?!?! I nearly died because didn’t take care of my health. More specifically control my hypertension (High Blood Pressure). I used to brag that I hadn’t been to the doctor in years. Realize now that wasn’t a good thing to brag about. Hypertension is called the silent killer. You only know something is wrong when something bad happens like a stroke, heart attack, tears in your aorta… Check your Blood Pressure recently? If it’s over 120/80 then act. Here is a good link about hypertension: https://www.webmd.com/hypertension-high-blood-pressure/default.htm ​ Much LOVE, Bill Word https://www.gofundme.com/helpBillWord​

https://www.lifepointohio.com/meet-the-staff/dean-fulks Dean has been the lead pastor at Lifepoint since its beginning in 2004. He is the coordinator for SEND Columbus, an initiative to plant churches throughout our city. Dean is married to Angie and they have three children — Sydney, Dillon, and Sylvia. He has a Master’s of Divinity from Mid-America Theological Seminary (Memphis, TN) with a minor in Memphis barbecue.

https://www.lifepointohio.com/meet-the-staff/dean-fulks Dean has been the lead pastor at Lifepoint since its beginning in 2004. He is the coordinator for SEND Columbus, an initiative to plant churches throughout our city. Dean is married to Angie and they have three children — Sydney, Dillon, and Sylvia. He has a Master’s of Divinity from Mid-America Theological Seminary (Memphis, TN) with a minor in Memphis barbecue.

www.johncampbellcomedy.com John Campbell began performing stand up comedy in 2012 and has been performing off and on ever since. John has performed in comedy clubs, restaurants and online. He is an accomplished guitar player who specializes in singing and playing blues music and has a falsetto that rivals Prince and Barry Gibb. John is a proud member of the Christian Comedy Association which is a faith based organization dedicated to using stand up comedy and all forms of humor for a bigger purpose. John is based out of Southern California and has had a very interesting life with lots of ups and downs (mostly downs). That’s okay, because, as the saying goes: Tragedy + Time = Comedy. John has been a paramedic and a school teacher for many years and connects well with younger audiences despite his advancing age.

www.johncampbellcomedy.com John Campbell began performing stand up comedy in 2012 and has been performing off and on ever since. John has performed in comedy clubs, restaurants and online. He is an accomplished guitar player who specializes in singing and playing blues music and has a falsetto that rivals Prince and Barry Gibb. John is a proud member of the Christian Comedy Association which is a faith based organization dedicated to using stand up comedy and all forms of humor for a bigger purpose. John is based out of Southern California and has had a very interesting life with lots of ups and downs (mostly downs). That’s okay, because, as the saying goes: Tragedy + Time = Comedy. John has been a paramedic and a school teacher for many years and connects well with younger audiences despite his advancing age.

The true history of thanksgiving...plus my opinion thrown in for flavor.

www.jeremyrochford.com Jeremy Rochford is an author, speaker and award winning athlete. However, his life wasn’t always so positive. Growing up as a morbidly obese child, Jeremy was often a target for bullying, hate-speak and dis-inclusion. As the years progressed into adolescence and young adulthood, he found himself medicating with food on an emotional level. After years of caloric substance abuse, Jeremy found himself at fulcrum when a family vacation to an amusement park ended with him being kicked off of his favorite ride for being too fat. At a cross roads, Jeremy contemplated one of two options; life change or suicide. What happened next is amazing. Jeremy used “the most embarrassing moment of my life” to lead him on a journey in which he’s not only lost 200lbs, but he has kept it off for over a decade. This accomplishment has lead him to the TEDx stage, the front cover of Yahoo Health and the publishing of his memoir "The Gospel According to Chubby.” Originally a shell of an individual, Jeremy is now known for his humorously creative approach to personal awareness, self estimate building and character development.

www.jeremyrochford.com Jeremy Rochford is an author, speaker and award winning athlete. However, his life wasn’t always so positive. Growing up as a morbidly obese child, Jeremy was often a target for bullying, hate-speak and dis-inclusion. As the years progressed into adolescence and young adulthood, he found himself medicating with food on an emotional level. After years of caloric substance abuse, Jeremy found himself at fulcrum when a family vacation to an amusement park ended with him being kicked off of his favorite ride for being too fat. At a cross roads, Jeremy contemplated one of two options; life change or suicide. What happened next is amazing. Jeremy used “the most embarrassing moment of my life” to lead him on a journey in which he’s not only lost 200lbs, but he has kept it off for over a decade. This accomplishment has lead him to the TEDx stage, the front cover of Yahoo Health and the publishing of his memoir "The Gospel According to Chubby.” Originally a shell of an individual, Jeremy is now known for his humorously creative approach to personal awareness, self estimate building and character development.

www.michellekcomedy.com Michelle Krajecki was born and raised in Chicago. Her comedy comes from her mid-western, middle class, middle child views. She is a graduate of The Second City Training Program in Chicago and Zanies stand-up comedy classes. Her comedy transcends gender, age, perspectives and blood types. She has hosted her own comedy minute on 95.9 The River, a suburban Chicago radio station. She also was a co-host of her own comedy cable television show, “Comedy-At-Random”, in Downer’s Grove, IL. Michelle can be seen at clubs and comedy events all over town including Zanies, The Laugh Factory, and Riddles Comedy Club. She was a finalist in The Clean Comedy Challenge at Hoosier Park Casino, Indiana, in 2015. She also was the winner of ‘The High Fiber Division’ at a Chicago Comedy competition, 2016. Michelle’s comedy path has come full circle. The original ‘plan’ was to go to The Second City after getting her theater degree. Deciding she was not the starving artist type, she taught special education before staying home with her kids. After performing comedic roles in church dramas, encouragement from family and friends and a mid-life crisis, she decided to pursue a career in comedy. Realizing her dream, she graduated from The Second City Training Center in Chicago. Afterward, she felt compelled to strike out on her own and perform stand-up comedy. As a mother with two children ‘on the spectrum’, Michelle chooses to look at life through a ‘twisted lens’. She believes most comedy comes from imperfect people living in an imperfect world. “You can’t control life, but you can control your reaction to it.” I like to share my twisted views with other. After a somewhat empty nest (they always seem to be around), Michelle and her husband moved from the suburbs back into the city. There, they live with their part-time tenant—their college-aged daughter. (The oldest was successfully launched and is working in Virginia –also working on her second Masters.)

www.michellekcomedy.com Michelle Krajecki was born and raised in Chicago. Her comedy comes from her mid-western, middle class, middle child views. She is a graduate of The Second City Training Program in Chicago and Zanies stand-up comedy classes. Her comedy transcends gender, age, perspectives and blood types. She has hosted her own comedy minute on 95.9 The River, a suburban Chicago radio station. She also was a co-host of her own comedy cable television show, “Comedy-At-Random”, in Downer’s Grove, IL. Michelle can be seen at clubs and comedy events all over town including Zanies, The Laugh Factory, and Riddles Comedy Club. She was a finalist in The Clean Comedy Challenge at Hoosier Park Casino, Indiana, in 2015. She also was the winner of ‘The High Fiber Division’ at a Chicago Comedy competition, 2016. Michelle’s comedy path has come full circle. The original ‘plan’ was to go to The Second City after getting her theater degree. Deciding she was not the starving artist type, she taught special education before staying home with her kids. After performing comedic roles in church dramas, encouragement from family and friends and a mid-life crisis, she decided to pursue a career in comedy. Realizing her dream, she graduated from The Second City Training Center in Chicago. Afterward, she felt compelled to strike out on her own and perform stand-up comedy. As a mother with two children ‘on the spectrum’, Michelle chooses to look at life through a ‘twisted lens’. She believes most comedy comes from imperfect people living in an imperfect world. “You can’t control life, but you can control your reaction to it.” I like to share my twisted views with other. After a somewhat empty nest (they always seem to be around), Michelle and her husband moved from the suburbs back into the city. There, they live with their part-time tenant—their college-aged daughter. (The oldest was successfully launched and is working in Virginia –also working on her second Masters.)

If you are lucky, God will, at least once, bring a dude into your life that becomes a fast friend immediately. That is who this cat is to me. He doesn't have a website up yet. He has just come out of a 5 year hiatus. But he is one of the funniest guys alive. I hope you enjoy our conversation and share it with your friends. This is literally two friends just busting each other and having fun for an hour. I love this guy. He is one of those guys that is real and doesn't pretend to be someone he isn't. And that is refreshing in todays world.

If you are lucky, God will, at least once, bring a dude into your life that becomes a fast friend immediately. That is who this cat is to me. He doesn't have a website up yet. He has just come out of a 5 year hiatus. But he is one of the funniest guys alive. I hope you enjoy our conversation and share it with your friends. This is literally two friends just busting each other and having fun for an hour. I love this guy. He is one of those guys that is real and doesn't pretend to be someone he isn't. And that is refreshing in todays world.

One thing not on her bio is the fact that she won the funniest comedian in oklahoma (or something close to that name). Michele has been doing comedy in many different venues across America over the last 12 years. From comedy clubs to churches and everything in between Michele brings a joyful outlook to life. Michele has been an active member of The Christian Comedy Association since 2005 Michele was selected as a Branson Comedy Festival All Star for the the 2007-2008 season. Her Home Schooling video clip was shown before the Clean Guys of Comedy Live show, which was in theaters across America in 2013. Michele produced and directed The Goof Troupe, an after school Comedy Club at Disney Elementary School. The Goof Troupe performed for more than 144 school assemblies. Michele is a married to a wonderful godly man, Ross and they have four sons.

One thing not on her bio is the fact that she won the funniest comedian in oklahoma (or something close to that name). Michele has been doing comedy in many different venues across America over the last 12 years. From comedy clubs to churches and everything in between Michele brings a joyful outlook to life. Michele has been an active member of The Christian Comedy Association since 2005 Michele was selected as a Branson Comedy Festival All Star for the the 2007-2008 season. Her Home Schooling video clip was shown before the Clean Guys of Comedy Live show, which was in theaters across America in 2013. Michele produced and directed The Goof Troupe, an after school Comedy Club at Disney Elementary School. The Goof Troupe performed for more than 144 school assemblies. Michele is a married to a wonderful godly man, Ross and they have four sons.

Not Many Comics... Make the cover of The Wall Street Journal Have released eight 100% clean comedy videos Warm up audiences for Hollywood's top sitcoms Can perform the entire Bible in under 30 minutes Have written and directed a feature motion picture Well known in the entertainment industry as Hollywood’s top warm-up comic, Robert’s a veteran of over 1,500 episodes of such shows as The New Adventures of Old Christine, Just Shoot Me, Becker and The Drew Carey Show. His job is to keep countless audiences entertained for hours between scenes and costume and set changes with rapid-fire ad-libs and humorous interviews. No stranger in front of the camera either, Robert has been seen on the Bananas Comedy series, Showtime's The Joke's On Thee, VH1's Stand Up Spotlight, Comic Strip Live and a variety of roles on such sitcoms as Wings and Perfect Strangers. Robert has combined his Christian world view with his Monty Python sensibility and written many Veggie Tales videos such as “Little Joe,” “Gideon” and “Sheerluck Holmes.” To top it off, Robert just released his latest comedy project, “Wisenheimer” and just finished post production on “Can I Get A Witness Protection?” a full length faith-based screwball comedy feature he wrote and directed. His website is www.robertglee.com His facebook is Robert G Lee His youtube is Robert G Lee

Not Many Comics... Make the cover of The Wall Street Journal Have released eight 100% clean comedy videos Warm up audiences for Hollywood's top sitcoms Can perform the entire Bible in under 30 minutes Have written and directed a feature motion picture Well known in the entertainment industry as Hollywood’s top warm-up comic, Robert’s a veteran of over 1,500 episodes of such shows as The New Adventures of Old Christine, Just Shoot Me, Becker and The Drew Carey Show. His job is to keep countless audiences entertained for hours between scenes and costume and set changes with rapid-fire ad-libs and humorous interviews. No stranger in front of the camera either, Robert has been seen on the Bananas Comedy series, Showtime's The Joke's On Thee, VH1's Stand Up Spotlight, Comic Strip Live and a variety of roles on such sitcoms as Wings and Perfect Strangers. Robert has combined his Christian world view with his Monty Python sensibility and written many Veggie Tales videos such as “Little Joe,” “Gideon” and “Sheerluck Holmes.” To top it off, Robert just released his latest comedy project, “Wisenheimer” and just finished post production on “Can I Get A Witness Protection?” a full length faith-based screwball comedy feature he wrote and directed. His website is www.robertglee.com His facebook is Robert G Lee His youtube is Robert G Lee

Kevin Hackenberg is a producer, director & cinematographer who has been telling stories and making people laugh on 6 continents for over 20 years. Kevin has worked with many celebrities, athletes, and media icons but is also comfortable directing real people. He is a trusted source for any size project and is known as one of the East Coasts premier DP’s for his beautiful visuals, steadicam and drone work. Kevin started his career apprenticing under Hollywood directors like M. Night Shamalyan and Jonathan Demme on feature films such as The Sixth Sense and Beloved and in 2003, Kevin started the thriving high-end film and video production company, Get-Kinetic, in the Philadelphia and New York City markets. Most recently Kevin founded the 501(c)3 non-profit, Funny & Amen, to produce edgy faith-based comedy films and short content. Kevin’s other hobbies include watching his famous beekeeping father on documentaries and “60 Minutes” and traveling with his wife Meg, daughter Asher, and son Jake around the world. http://kevinhackenberg.com/ https://www.funnyandamen.com/

Kevin Hackenberg is a producer, director & cinematographer who has been telling stories and making people laugh on 6 continents for over 20 years. Kevin has worked with many celebrities, athletes, and media icons but is also comfortable directing real people. He is a trusted source for any size project and is known as one of the East Coasts premier DP’s for his beautiful visuals, steadicam and drone work. Kevin started his career apprenticing under Hollywood directors like M. Night Shamalyan and Jonathan Demme on feature films such as The Sixth Sense and Beloved and in 2003, Kevin started the thriving high-end film and video production company, Get-Kinetic, in the Philadelphia and New York City markets. Most recently Kevin founded the 501(c)3 non-profit, Funny & Amen, to produce edgy faith-based comedy films and short content. Kevin’s other hobbies include watching his famous beekeeping father on documentaries and “60 Minutes” and traveling with his wife Meg, daughter Asher, and son Jake around the world. http://kevinhackenberg.com/ https://www.funnyandamen.com/

I can't really describe this episode. Me, my Dad and Adrian hanging out and having some good laughs and telling stories about our family.

Part 2 might be a little bit off (about half way through). Clint and i have 2 completely different talking voices and i bumped the mixer...so all my fault. Clint was born and raised in rural Indiana, the youngest of four children in a very funny household. He learned at a very early age, the best way to be heard by the rest of his family was to make them laugh. This was a lesson Clint carried with him on into school. Even in high school, he much preferred to entertain his basketball teammates with his jokes and impressions on long bus trips to actually playing in the games. After college Clint began working for the State of Indiana where he has remained as an employee or contractor for the past twenty-six years, first as an eligibility worker with the Food Stamp and Medicaid office and now as a Vocational Rehabilitation counselor. Clint still knew he wanted to entertain people which would lead him to professional wrestling. This experience allowed Clint to entertain as, stretch as a performer, get experience on the microphone and learn how to read an audience. Clint would continue in professional wrestling for five years eventually sharing cards with many stars of the day including former NWA World Champions Tommy "Wildfire" Rich and Barry Windham and WWE Hall of Famers "Mr. Perfect" Curt Hennig and Terry "Bam Bam" Gordy. Even then Clint’s decidedly unfit "Mr. Fitness" character was played more for laughs than menace. Eventually, after being inspired by the documentary "I Am Comic", Clint found his true calling in stand-up comedy. Over the past ten years Clint has quietly and steadily honed his craft. Along the way Clint has performed shows for organizations such as Touch Inc., Optimal Rhythms Inc./Access Academy, The TSA/AIDS Holiday Project, Special Olympics and Kosair Shriners and shared stages with performers as varied as Tonight Show veteran Mack Dryden, Chelsae Lately regular Christina Pazsitzky and Heywood Banks. It was after a show together in 2018 that Heywood Banks suggested the Clean Comedy Challenge to Clint. Clint followed this advice to attain his greatest success to date by winning the highly regarded 10th annual Clean Comedy Challenge in Nashville Tennessee against a stacked field of seasoned pros.

I think part one is great, as far as the levels...part 2 might be a little bit off. clint and i have 2 completely different talking voices. Clint was born and raised in rural Indiana, the youngest of four children in a very funny household. He learned at a very early age, the best way to be heard by the rest of his family was to make them laugh. This was a lesson Clint carried with him on into school. Even in high school, he much preferred to entertain his basketball teammates with his jokes and impressions on long bus trips to actually playing in the games. After college Clint began working for the State of Indiana where he has remained as an employee or contractor for the past twenty-six years, first as an eligibility worker with the Food Stamp and Medicaid office and now as a Vocational Rehabilitation counselor. Clint still knew he wanted to entertain people which would lead him to professional wrestling. This experience allowed Clint to entertain as, stretch as a performer, get experience on the microphone and learn how to read an audience. Clint would continue in professional wrestling for five years eventually sharing cards with many stars of the day including former NWA World Champions Tommy "Wildfire" Rich and Barry Windham and WWE Hall of Famers "Mr. Perfect" Curt Hennig and Terry "Bam Bam" Gordy. Even then Clint’s decidedly unfit "Mr. Fitness" character was played more for laughs than menace. Eventually, after being inspired by the documentary "I Am Comic", Clint found his true calling in stand-up comedy. Over the past ten years Clint has quietly and steadily honed his craft. Along the way Clint has performed shows for organizations such as Touch Inc., Optimal Rhythms Inc./Access Academy, The TSA/AIDS Holiday Project, Special Olympics and Kosair Shriners and shared stages with performers as varied as Tonight Show veteran Mack Dryden, Chelsae Lately regular Christina Pazsitzky and Heywood Banks. It was after a show together in 2018 that Heywood Banks suggested the Clean Comedy Challenge to Clint. Clint followed this advice to attain his greatest success to date by winning the highly regarded 10th annual Clean Comedy Challenge in Nashville Tennessee against a stacked field of seasoned pros.

Ian Salmon is a Jamaican-American comedian and actor based in Hollywood, CA. Ian started doing comedy in Washington, DC; his first professional show was opening for the late Robert Schimmel in 1996. Ian started out fast. While most comedians spend years working on/perfecting their acts, Ian threw himself head first into the spotlight by producing his own shows throughout Washington, DC, Maryland and Virginia. He providing a platform for many comedians from Richmond to New York. Producing his own shows gave him an abundance of stage time to perfect his act, but it wasn't until a long time childhood friend and comedy legend Tony Woods started requesting Ian to be his regular opening act that Ian found his true voice on stage and the rest is history. The former golden gloves boxer has performed at some of the best comedy clubs around the world. He has toured in Japan, China, Holland, England and Canada and has been seen on many TV shows like Comedy Central and Showtime at the Apollo. Ian’s comedy has been compared to Bill Cosby and, at times, Flip Wilson. TruTV, Comedy Central, Comedy, HBO, Time Network, , Adult Swim, ID Netwrok, Comedy Store, Laugh Factory, The Improv's, Ice House, Funny Bones, Groundlings, clubs and colleges around the world!

Ian Salmon is a Jamaican-American comedian and actor based in Hollywood, CA. Ian started doing comedy in Washington, DC; his first professional show was opening for the late Robert Schimmel in 1996. Ian started out fast. While most comedians spend years working on/perfecting their acts, Ian threw himself head first into the spotlight by producing his own shows throughout Washington, DC, Maryland and Virginia. He providing a platform for many comedians from Richmond to New York. Producing his own shows gave him an abundance of stage time to perfect his act, but it wasn't until a long time childhood friend and comedy legend Tony Woods started requesting Ian to be his regular opening act that Ian found his true voice on stage and the rest is history. The former golden gloves boxer has performed at some of the best comedy clubs around the world. He has toured in Japan, China, Holland, England and Canada and has been seen on many TV shows like Comedy Central and Showtime at the Apollo. Ian’s comedy has been compared to Bill Cosby and, at times, Flip Wilson. TruTV, Comedy Central, Comedy, HBO, Time Network, , Adult Swim, ID Netwrok, Comedy Store, Laugh Factory, The Improv's, Ice House, Funny Bones, Groundlings, clubs and colleges around the world!

"Mo" is one of the funniest women that I know. She is full of life and full of it. She is a published author, stand up comedian and a speaker. She has been through so much in life. From an alcoholic family member to stage 3 breast cancer, but through it all God has been right there with her. And, through it all, she has NEVER forgot to bring the funny. You can find her on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/maureen.m.hurley.3 Become friends with her, she will light up your feed and your life.

"Mo" is one of the funniest women that I know. She is full of life and full of it. She is a published author, stand up comedian and a speaker. She has been through so much in life. From an alcoholic family member to stage 3 breast cancer, but through it all God has been right there with her. And, through it all, she has NEVER forgot to bring the funny. You can find her on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/maureen.m.hurley.3 Become friends with her, she will light up your feed and your life.

Here is Aaron's bio: I'm Aaron, The Unemployed Alcoholic. While it took a lifetime of decisions to earn this title, it took only 18 months to embrace it and figure out how to help others through it. Eighteen months felt like a long time as I pursued recovery while facing rejection from the job market, identity crisis, depression and anxiety. But looking back, it seems like just the blink of an eye given the healing I experienced and the purpose I found. Now I am a comedian, a speaker and a recovery support partner who finds the humor in my own challenges while drawing upon a unique blend of transparency and boldness to approach sensitive topics in an entertaining and encouraging way. I am an openly Christian man. I'm far from perfect, but I do my best to love God and those around me. website: https://theunemployedalcoholic.com/

Here is Aaron's bio: I'm Aaron, The Unemployed Alcoholic. While it took a lifetime of decisions to earn this title, it took only 18 months to embrace it and figure out how to help others through it. Eighteen months felt like a long time as I pursued recovery while facing rejection from the job market, identity crisis, depression and anxiety. But looking back, it seems like just the blink of an eye given the healing I experienced and the purpose I found. Now I am a comedian, a speaker and a recovery support partner who finds the humor in my own challenges while drawing upon a unique blend of transparency and boldness to approach sensitive topics in an entertaining and encouraging way. I am an openly Christian man. I'm far from perfect, but I do my best to love God and those around me. website: https://theunemployedalcoholic.com/

PART 2: Jerry is an accomplished comedian and philanthropist (can't believe that I spelled that right on the first try). He is a conservative, red-neck, homosexual comedian from Chattanooga Tn. And I am proud to call him friend. This conversation gets deep. So you might not want your kids to listen to it. But it is important to have conversations with people that have different views than our own. You will learn a lot from this interview. We talk comedy, careers, life, child abuse, God, homosexuality and (last but not least) OPOSSUMS. Here is his nonprofit link: https://www.facebook.com/OpossumRescueTn/ Take a listen. Learn something. Share it with your friends. And leave a review.