Entry Level with Brooks Wheelan

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This is a podcast about all those jobs we've had that sucked. Each episode Brooks will interview a guest and find out what garbage they had to put up with before they got to the position they're in now. Plus if you have any hellish jobs of your own you want to share email entrylevelwithbrookswheelan@gmail.com

All Things Comedy


    • May 22, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • every other week NEW EPISODES
    • 1h 17m AVG DURATION
    • 281 EPISODES

    4.9 from 1,308 ratings Listeners of Entry Level with Brooks Wheelan that love the show mention: entry level, caves, brooks wheelan, leonardo dicaprio, mugs, snl, brooks', brookes, unemployed, coo, jobs, go hawks, great comedian, they've got, tangent, crappy, standup, i've started, favorite comedians, iowa.


    Ivy Insights

    The Entry Level with Brooks Wheelan podcast is an absolute must-listen for comedy enthusiasts and anyone curious about the behind-the-scenes lives of comedians. This podcast takes a unique approach by exploring the often outrageous and hilarious stories of how comedians started in society. With top-notch guests and a pitch-perfect host, every episode delivers a memorable and entertaining experience. From the energetic banter at the beginning to the in-depth interviews, this podcast is a treat that keeps listeners engaged from start to finish.

    One of the best aspects of The Entry Level with Brooks Wheelan podcast is the caliber of guests featured on each episode. The host manages to attract top-notch comedians who share their personal journeys and offer insights into their early working lives. The stories told are both heartwarming and cringingly relatable, making for an entertaining and engaging listening experience.

    Another standout aspect of this podcast is Brooks Wheelan himself. With his uplifting energy, childlike enthusiasm for life's small moments, and genuine curiosity, he proves to be an exceptional host. His ability to keep his guests energized while also being highly entertaining himself makes for a dynamic and enjoyable conversation.

    However, one potential downside of this podcast is occasional interrupting from the host during interviews. While Brooks' enthusiasm is infectious, it can sometimes lead to him cutting off his guests or jumping in too frequently. This can be frustrating for listeners who want to hear everything that his guests have to say.

    In conclusion, The Entry Level with Brooks Wheelan podcast is an absolute gem in the world of comedy podcasts. It offers a unique perspective on how comedians "made it" in society through outlandish and hilarious stories. With top-notch guests, a pitch-perfect host, and entertaining interviews, this podcast is addictive from the very first episode. Despite occasional interruptions during interviews, this show remains one of the most entertaining and engaging podcasts out there. It's definitely worth subscribing to and immersing yourself in the world of comedy through The Entry Level with Brooks Wheelan.



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    Latest episodes from Entry Level with Brooks Wheelan

    Episode 268 - Carmen Christopher talks Iowa and Chicago

    Play Episode Listen Later May 22, 2025 81:06


    Carmen Christopher (The Bear/Joe Pera Talks with You/English Teacher) comes back to talk about going to the University of Iowa the same time as Brooks, being killer salesman in Chicago, and almost joining the military. Check out Carmen's new special: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MoHTvTrfB2g Check out Carmen's old special: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-HUeu0QjLY See Brooks on tour: brookswheelan.com/dates

    Episode 268 - Charlotte McKinney talks about being in a viral Super Bowl ad

    Play Episode Listen Later May 15, 2025 57:46


    Charlotte McKinney (model/acrtess/comedian) talks about growing up outside Orlando and modeling for her dad's car dealership, dropping out of high school and moving to Miami to pursue modeling, and ending up in a viral Carl's Jr. Super Bowl commercial. Check out Charlotte's podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/what-do-they-know-with-lovitz-mckinney/id1783673107

    Episode 266 - Mike Hanford talks about not working at all his jobs

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 28, 2025 82:49


    Mike Hanford (Birthday Boys/Sloppy Boys/Comedy Bang Bang!) talks about finding rooms to hide in at work, living with a bunch of other comics, and getting a sketch show made on IFC. See Mike live: https://www.instagram.com/mikehanford/?hl=en See Brooks live: brookswheelan.com/dates watch pool jumpers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5GIZ3cN4JwA

    Harder Than We Thought - Donner Pass

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 22, 2025 38:52


    Karl Hess and Brooks went and made a proof of concept episode of a new podcast they're working on where they go to every national park and get in way over their heads. It's Earth Day so I felt like we might as well share it!

    Episode 265 - Chris Estrada talks growing up in South Central LA

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 9, 2025 81:21


    Chris Estrada (This Fool, Comedy Central) joins Brooks to talk about growing up in Los Angeles, working at Dominoes, a movie theater, and construction sites. All before deciding to start stand up when he was 30. Check out This Fool on Hulu: https://www.hulu.com/series/18ea1265-5978-41d7-b619-2ad23e075a71

    Episode 264 - Katherine Blanford

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 31, 2025 86:21


    Katherine Blanford (The Tonight Show) talks about running on top of porta-pottys at the Kentucky Derby, going to school for sports management, and what it was like getting ready to do her first late night spot on The Tonight Show. Katherine's Don't Tell set: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Y7ahpmEYs0 Katherine's 1st Tonight Show set: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=riQyWhMClJA Katherine's 2nd Tonight Show set: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NRdsYwXrj-8

    Episode 263 - James Pumphrey

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 16, 2025 59:13


    James Pumphrey (Key and Peele/Arrested Development/old roomamte) talks about growing up in Kentucky, joining UCB, and getting into the car game! Check out Jame's new channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@SpeeedCo

    Episode 262 - The Grand Canyon Death Adventure with Boosh

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 28, 2025 67:24


    Boosh (rad friend/rad skater) joins Brooks to talk about what happened during their 18 day trip through The Grand Canyon. For info on how to enter the lottery to raft the colorado go here: https://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/noncommercial-riv-docs.htm

    Episode 261 - Liam Cullagh

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 13, 2024 85:01


    Liam Cullagh (Almost Friday) is on to talk about working at a gas station, growing up next to the Patriots dynasty, and moving to LA to make sketches. Check out Almost Friday here: https://www.youtube.com/@AlmostFridayTV

    Episode 260 - Whitmer Thomas #2

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 5, 2024 80:22


    Whitmer Thomas (HBO/FOX/BROOKS' FRIEND) hops on to discuss selling Brooks his car, hating parades, and making a special.   Check out whit's Auto Talk video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j2psW-Em2Ow

    Episode 259 - Alive In Alaska Spectacular

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 16, 2024 50:41


    Brooks talks to the director (Isaac Rentz) and director of photography (Martin Vielma) about the making of his upcoming special, Alive in Alaska.

    alive alaska isaac rentz
    Episode 258 - Dan Licata talks about Jackass and Tom Green

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 9, 2024 58:46


    Dan Licata (Seth Meyers/Joe Pera Talks with You) discusses growing up on Jackass and Tom Green. We also find out about the origins of Joe Pera's show on Adult Swim, and overall have a nice hang. Check out Dan's new special HERE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wrCb9rntbv0

    Episode 257 - Chris Fairbanks talks Montana

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 5, 2024 67:46


    Chris Fairbanks (Comedy Central/Conan/Last Comic Standing/Jimmy Kimmel) and Brooks are about to do some shows in Brooks' favorite state that happens to be Chris' home state so they talk about it! Get tickets to the shows here: brookswheelan.com/dates

    Episode 256 - Shane Torres

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 13, 2024 78:59


    Shane Torres (Comedy Central/New special out now) talks to Brooks about growing up the son of an Irish mom and a Hispanic dad in Texas.   Check out Shane's new special: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C9mHurqZh_0

    Episode 255 - Joe Pera

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 1, 2023 80:26


    Joe Pera (Joe Pera talks to you) comes on to discuss being a paperboy, becoming welcomed into the world of brick laying, and working on advertising for Dog The Bounty Hunter.  Check out Joe's new special: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_97zE4GRZk Check out Joe's MTV pancake show: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDI8ULxJYOU&t=50s See Brooks on the road here: brookswheelan.com/dates

    Catching up with Karl Hess

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 14, 2023 47:01


    Karl and Brooks ramble. That's about it.

    Episdoe 254 - Caitlin Cook

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 5, 2023 41:00


    Caitlin Cook (Off Broadway play "The Writing on the Stall") talks about going to kindergarten with Nic Cage's son, being a camp counselor, and wanting to leave LA for a small city. Check out Caitlin's play: http://www.thecaitlincook.com/ Join the patreon: https://www.patreon.com/entrylevelwithbrookswheelan

    Episode 253 - Will Angus

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 20, 2023 64:42


    Will Angus (Almost Friday) talks about growing up doing nothing in Dallas, switching back and forth between business and theater, then graduating exactly as the pandemic hit giving him nothing to do but make sketches.  Check out Almost Friday: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCgK6peZI5-FKDCWzMIFk2A Join the patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/entrylevelwithbrookswheelan See brooks live here: brookswheelan.com/dates

    Episode 252 - Kara Klenk

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 26, 2023 81:46


    Kara Klenk (Comedy Central/Magic for Humans) talks about babysitting a 2 week old when she was 12, moving to Italy to teach English to Italians without knowing how to speak Italian, being an NBC page for Conan, and running into Brooks in Puerto Rico. Check out Kara's new podcast here! https://www.exactlyrightmedia.com/thats-messed-up See Brooks on tour here: Brookswheelan.com/dates

    Episode 251: Bret Raybould (and catching up with Karl Hess)

    Play Episode Listen Later May 29, 2023 83:56


    Bret Raybould (off-Broadway show Race: The Movie: The Play) talks about growing up in Kansas City, working at Burger King, being an intern at Conan, then going back to Burger King, and how he ended up writing a play about Race.  Me and Karl also catch up about our adventures. See all of Bret's things here: https://www.bretraybould.com/ Get tickets to see me on tour here: Brookswheelan.com Join the patreon: https://www.patreon.com/entrylevelwithbrookswheelan

    Episode 250: Straightiolab

    Play Episode Listen Later May 1, 2023 49:57


    George Civeris and Sam Taggart (Straightiolab): talk about growing up in greece and also Michigan. Check out their podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/straightiolab/id1503599999

    Episode 249 - Matt Goldich

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 24, 2023 76:13


    Matt Goldich (Late Night w/ Seth Meyers) talks about how got into writing for late night with gigs at David Letterman, being an NBC page, and fetching grocery carts all around parking lot. Check out Matt on Late Night: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NAS029x1Srs  

    Catching up with Nicky T

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 5, 2023 34:15


    A midweek episode where we catch up with Nick Turner. See me on tour at brookswheelan.com/dates

    Wheelan Motors interview with Brooks and Isaac Rentz

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 31, 2023 57:07


    Here is the interview Isaac and I did with Dead Pilots Society about the process of making a network show.   Join the patreon: https://www.patreon.com/entrylevelwithbrookswheelan

    Wheelan Motors Episode 3 (Every Rose Has It's Thorn)

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 31, 2023 43:30


    Here is episode 3 of Wheelan Motors! Read by: Jessica Lowe, Paul Scheer, Will Sasso, Kerri Kenney-Silver, Bobby Moynihan, Mike O'Brien, Gary Anthony Williams, Ryan Asher, Nick Rutherford, Joe Mande, Katrina Davis, and Joey Lyons.   Join the patreon to watch the live performance: https://www.patreon.com/entrylevelwithbrookswheelan

    Wheelan Motors Episode 2 (Bad Press)

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 31, 2023 45:14


    Here is episode 2 of Wheelan Motors! Read by: Jessica Lowe, Paul Scheer, Will Sasso, Kerri Kenney-Silver, Bobby Moynihan, Mike O'Brien, Gary Anthony Williams, Ryan Asher, Nick Rutherford, Joe Mande, Katrina Davis, and Joey Lyons.   Join the patreon to watch the live performance: https://www.patreon.com/entrylevelwithbrookswheelan

    Wheelan Motors Episode 1 (The Pilot)

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 31, 2023 51:51


    Here is a fun table read we did at The Elysian Theater in Los Angeles of episode 1 of the show we wrote for FOX that was ultimately passed on. The cast was great! It included Jessica Lowe, Paul Scheer, Will Sasso, Kerri Kenney-Silver, Bobby Moynihan, Mike O'Brien, Gary Anthony Williams, Ryan Asher, Nick Rutherford, Joe Mande, Katrina Davis, and Joey Lyons.   Join the patreon to watch the live performance: https://www.patreon.com/entrylevelwithbrookswheelan

    Episode 248 - Whitmer Thomas and Clay Tatum

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 22, 2023 45:20


    Whitmer Thomas and Clay Tatum (writers/directors of The Civil Dead) discuss what its like to make an independent film. They talk about the process of getting $30,000, being rejected from all the cool festivals, and then breaking through with someone who would help get them into distribution. It's a super entertaining look at how movies get made now. I hope you like it as much as I did.  Rent or buy The Civil Dead here: https://thecivildead.com/ Listen to episode 1 of Wheelan Motors here: https://maximumfun.org/episodes/dead-pilots-society/episode-114-wheelan-motors-the-pilot-written-by-brooks-wheelan-i-think-you-should-leave-snl-isaac-rentz-opening-night/  

    Episode 247 - And That's Why We Drink (Em Schulz and Christine Schiefer)

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 13, 2023 57:08


    This week we talk to Christine and Em the hosts of "And That's Why We Drink." They discuss giving ghost tours, selling kites, how Chipotle works. This is all before they started they're rad podcast you should check out below if you haven't already. listen here: https://www.andthatswhywedrink.com/ Link to see Brooks live here: brookswheelan.com/dates

    Episode 246 - Ryan Asher

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 6, 2023 66:59


    Ryan Asher (Second City/Great Comic) talks about growing up in Virginia working in a BBQ restaurant, going on Second City cruises, and spending two years on the Second City main stage before moving to LA. Follow Asher here: https://www.instagram.com/reen_machine/ See Brooks live: brookswheelan.com/dates    

    Episode 245 - Josh Onstatt

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 26, 2023 91:18


    Josh Onstatt (Other Lives/Colley Hobbs) talks all about growing up in Oklahoma where he worked in the oil fields before bailing to Stillwater where he worked in a music store and started making music which led to Other Lives, touring the world, and moving to Los Angeles. Check out Josh's new project Colley Hobbs: https://www.tiktok.com/@colley_hobbs See Brooks on tour: Brookswheelan.com/dates  

    Episode 244: Adam Newman

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 20, 2023 87:15


    Adam Newman (Comedy Central/College Humor) talks about hanging out with Dusty Rhodes, working in a NASCAR booth, and finding out how the Neilson ratings work. Follow Adam: https://www.adamnewmancomedy.com/ Also see The Civil Dead: https://www.avclub.com/film/reviews/the-civil-dead-2022

    Bonus Episode - Catching up with Turner

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 16, 2023 37:14


    Brooks and Turner catch up and complain about everything. But also Turner is going on tour so go see him. follow nick for tour dates: https://twitter.com/nicksturners

    Episode 243 - Mike Mitchell

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 13, 2023 93:14


    Mike Mitchell (The Doughboys Podcast/The Birthday Boys/The Tomorrow War) talks about being a garbage man in Boston, working in a quarry, and making $5.75 an hour all before deciding to move to LA and make an attempt at comedy. Listen to The Doughboys: https://headgum.com/doughboys See Brooks on Tour: brookswheelan.com/dates

    Episode 242 - David Gborie

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 6, 2023 52:43


    David Gborie (the literal voice of Comedy Central) talks about growing up in the middle of nowhere Colorado, working at many gas stations, and not enjoying his time as a sandwich artist at Subway. All before moving to San Francisco and starting comedy. Check out David's podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/4k3gmSWsZRadfpgyLNcG9B Help pets in need in New York City: https://www.socialteesnyc.org/ See brooks on the road: brookswheelan.com/dates

    Episode 241 - Strider Wilson

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 30, 2023 59:52


    Strider Wilson (Chad and JT Go Deep) talks about lying to become a valet, the biggest tips he ever got, and which celebrities are actually cool. Join the patreon: https://www.patreon.com/entrylevelwithbrookswheelan Check out Brooks on tour: brookswheelan.com/dates

    Episode 240: Erin Lampart

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 23, 2023 47:11


    Erin Lampart (Comedy Central) talks about being the queen of a golf course, selling mops at malls, and getting talked out of college. Check out Erin here: https://www.instagram.com/thatssolampy/?hl=en Get tickets to the Zanies shows: https://chicago.zanies.com/

    Episode 239 - Willie Simon

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 16, 2023 85:17


    Willie Simon (Brooks' new favorite comic) talks about growing up in Hawaii, working at a comedy club in Seattle, and sleeping in his car above the Comedy Store before breaking into the LA comedy scene. Check out Willie's comedy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F4ItbaGZ950 Also Mike Bridenstine guest hosts and talks about his new album. Check it out here: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/mike-bridenstine/544880804 Check out the live version here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nkAerhNCgxw

    Episode 238 - Willie Hunter

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 9, 2023 75:58


    Willie Hunter (Comedy Central/Roast Battle) talks about growing up selling fireworks in Alabama, going to Auburn, becoming an engineer, then seeing Joe Rogan almost fight Carlos Mencia and deciding to move to Los Angeles to work at The Comedy Store. Follow Willie here: https://www.instagram.com/willie_hunter/?hl=en Stand by info for tickets to Wheelan Motors at The Elysian here: https://www.elysiantheater.com/shows/deadpilotssociety

    Episode 237 - Derek Waters

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 19, 2022 75:41


    Derek Waters (Drunk History) talks about growing up in the tire business, being denied a job at circuit city, and renting movies to celebrities at Hollywood Video. Ticket link to the Wheelan Motors Table read January 12: https://www.elysiantheater.com/shows/deadpilotssociety

    Episode 236 - Jay Larson

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 11, 2022 72:22


    Jay Larson (Comedy Central / Twin Peaks) talks about growing up outside Boston making pizza, being kicked out of college a few times, and just deciding to move to LA bc no one believed he would. Check out Jay: https://www.jaylarsoncomedy.com/ Join the Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/entrylevelwithbrookswheelan

    Episode 235 - Beck Bennett

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 5, 2022 90:04


    Beck Bennet (SNL/Ducktales/Friend) joins Brooks to talk about all the jobs he had, but the conversation derails into their friendship and being hired at SNL and moving to New York together and what that experience was like from their different perspectives. Check out Beck's new show Hamster and Gretel: https://disneynow.com/shows/hamster-and-gretel Check out Good Neighbor: https://www.youtube.com/user/GoodNeighborStuff/videos?app=desktop Watch Beck's sketch Brooks loves: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gx-dJnKIa9U    

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