Failing Forward with Steve Hofstetter

In these troubling times, maybe it's time we hear an inspiring story of success! In the final episode of "Failing Forward", Director and star of "My Date With Drew" Brian Herzlinger joins Steve to discuss how his tenacity early on in his career lead him to a few failures, but mostly success. Brian was just about to give up on his dream of becoming a director after years of hardship, until he threw caution to the wind and made a hit film on a micro-budget of $1,100. Follow Steve's Youtube here!  Follow Steve on Instagram here!  For tour dates and more info, visit SteveHofstetter.com!   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Why would anyone work hard on perfecting a craft, get extremely successful, then decide to completely shift gears into a brand-new career? Comedian (and former famous magician) Nicholas Anthony joins us to potentially answer that very question. Nicolas started off as a successful child magician, gave that up to pursue a career in stand-up comedy. After succeeding at that, Nicolas decided to switch paths again to a career as a professional screenwriter. Follow Steve's Youtube here! Follow Steve on Instagram here! For tour dates and more info, visit SteveHofstetter.com! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is it possible to turn the worst moments of your life into comedy? Comedian Michael Malone did just that in his latest special, "Laugh After Death." He talks with us about the many losses he suffered this past year and how it completely transformed his process, ultimately culminating in his newest comedy special. Check out Michael's podcast, "Advice From Strangers" here! Follow Steve's Youtube here! Follow Steve on Instagram here! For tour dates and more info, visit SteveHofstetter.com! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How do you recover from failing on national television? Brett Druck is a comedian who retells his epic story of his stint on "America's Got Talent." He gives us the behind-the-scenes about how producers’ number one priority is not the talent, but drudging up drama and emotion from vulnerable contestants. Follow Steve's Youtube here! Follow Steve on Instagram here! For tour dates and more info, visit SteveHofstetter.com! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How do you deal with toxicity in the TV and stand-up world? Comedian Taylor Williamson joins us this week to talk about toxic encounters with people while doing comedy, even when providing a $10,000 scholarship to an artist in need, and why Googling yourself is never a good idea. Plus, Taylor sees a lucrative market in alt-right-style comedy, then spends the rest of the time proving to everyone that he's actually a good guy. Follow Steve's Youtube here! Follow Steve on Instagram here! For tour dates and more info, visit SteveHofstetter.com! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Where's the line between performing out of your comfort zone and performing well? Today's guest, Costaki Economopoulos AKA the biggest name in comedy, is a stand-up comedian and frequent contributor to the hit radio show The Bob & Tom Show. Costaki recalls the time he bombed on NBC's Last Comic Standing because Richard Belzer forced him to wear a suit and we discuss what it takes to finally discover what you're good at and how to utilize it on stage. Check out Costaki's podcast, Quick Snaps! Follow Steve's Youtube here! Follow Steve on Instagram here! For tour dates and more info, visit SteveHofstetter.com! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is it possible to be a social activist AND a mother in today's intense political atmosphere? Today's guest, Simona Grace, proves that you can. Simona is the founder of Moms In Office, an organization founded to empower the political voice of all women by putting progressive moms in office. With her, we talk about raising kids in a politically charged climate, gender inequality in American government, and being California's 2020 Mom of the Year.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is it crazy for a comic to own a comedy club? Today we talk with famous comic Dave Reinitz, owner and founder of Flappers Comedy Club in Burbank. In today's episode we talk about young comedians, what makes or breaks being a good club manager, and why most comedy clubs serve terrible food.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What is it like to build a huge multimedia company from the ground up? Today we talk to John Shahidi, founder and CEO of Shots Studios. John talks about his journey, going from things like writing individual tweets on a celebrity’s twitter page to turning down offers from major network shows. Other topics include the life cycles of social media platforms, and what it's like to work with some of today's largest content creators.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

So “That 70s Show” almost didn’t happen - because it showed teenagers (gasp) smoking. Today, we talk with comedian and That 70s Show co-creator Mark Brazill about the Golden Globes, the meaning of the word "woke," taking responsibility for your words, and why working with studio executives is like baking cookies with a four year-old.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today's failure story is coming from somewhere a little different. Not from entertainment, not from comedy, but from the military. For the first time, Steve Hofstetter interviews a fan. First class Naval petty officer Matt Smith joins us today as we discuss joining the military, career focuses, the morality of recruitment practices, and what happens when you break the law while on base. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Emmy Award winner Michael Price, current showrunner of F Is For Family and comedy writer for The Simpsons, joins us today on the show to talk about his failures. Together we discuss career journeys, social media flops, local New York television, and learning how to write good jokes.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Let's head back to the 90s. What happens when your new show gets on air? How do you solve plot holes? What's it like working with Judd Apatow? This week we're joined by Gabe Sachs, writer/producer for the television classic Freaks and Geeks. We talk about those topics plus email etiquette, high school hang outs, and making the best of a terrible situation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What was your worst gig ever? What does your audience think when they see you in person for the first time? How do you deal with hecklers? This week, we discuss these questions plus liberal southerners, performing old versus new material, and the meaning of the word "entertainment" with author/playwright/comedian Dylan Brody. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What happened to MTV? Did it really used to be a quality platform? We talk about MTV's past with "Daria" co-creator Susie Lewis. How did she get there? Where is she now? Plus, we talk about what success means, what failure means, and what both of those concepts are like when you're a creative in the industry. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is you ok? Not sure if she asked President Obama when she interviewed him but Glozell has a following of over 4 million on YouTube and has over a billion downloads. How did she become so downloadable? Who are the people that follow her? She is appealing to the family fun scene and tempted to run off to Vegas to start a matinee feature. Will she do it? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Producer, promoter, and manager Jeru Tillman is an entrepreneur that doesn't seem to ever slow down. Jeru has developed great comedy events/shows - by building a network of people who support each other. Jeru shares how important it is to build up the people around you and to always 'bob and weave'. Stay in the game - you will figure it out. Jeru Tillman links: IG, Twitter, IMDb Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bobby Collins joins Steve Hofstetter to discuss what the word 'Business' means in Show Business. Bobby was working as a VP at Calvin Klein in NYC when he decided to take the leap into comedy as a full time job. Relying on his corporate business sense to run his career, Bobby gives great advice for people looking to make comedy their livelihood. The main point is that making connections both on and off the stage, paired with hard work, will lead you to success. Website for Bobby here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brian Kiley tells Steve Hofstetter the behind the scenes of how Conan O'Brien got the Tonight Show and then was taken off the air. They discuss the highs and lows of being part of Conan's team, and how TBS is a much better fit. Brian also discusses what it takes to be a writer and how the work ethic he learned from working with Conan for over 25 years is always driving him forward. Brian Kiley website Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Things were going great for Joan Lynch at ESPN. She was instrumental in the 30 for 30 series and she had just signed a 3 year contract. She pitched ABC a show surrounding Sage Steele - the networked loved the pitch and Joan began getting all the pieces in place. She even moved her entire team to LA - only to be flown back to New York just to be let go. How did a phone call from Pete Carroll help pick her back up? Find out the entire insane story. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When Trevor Wallace saw his friends talking about White Claw, he came up with the idea for a video that went insanely viral. The video led to almost $100K in sales - which all blew up in Trevor's face in less than 24 hours. Hear the whole incredible rollercoaster of a story, and how Trevor was able to turn it into a positive. trevorwallacecomedy.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This one gets dark. Suicide expert Dr. Mark Goulston tells host Steve Hofstetter how he dropped out of medical school and still ended up finishing. Dr. Goulston is a psychiatrist and consultant to major organizations and his book, Just Listen, became the basis of a 2010 PBS special Stay Alive. Dealing with suicide does not sound like an uplifting profession, but Dr. Goulston has a way of connecting with people on their level. Now he encourages all of us to engage each other with a simple question, "What made you smile today?". Dr. Mark Goulston Website Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This Failing Forward episode highlights an emotionally painful story from Drew Lynch. He shares an experience with Steve Hofstetter that happened very early in his career, that he’s never been public with before. What’s worse than having to process an emotionally difficult moment? Doing so in a car full of strangers. Drew’s painful journey ends up providing some unintentional comedy as the two comedians, YouTube stars, and friends relive it.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Danny Jolles takes the role of host and questions Steve Hofstetter on his own podcast topic. Steve tells a few humbling stories: the time he was a talking head on a VH1 show, the time he auditioned for Last Comic Standing, the time he lost three opportunities with ESPN, and one more doozy you have to listen to. Danny Jolles Website Danny Jolles Twitter   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Steve Hofstetter and Gabbie Hanna discuss how they met. It started with an anonymous person posting a video stating that Gabbie stole a joke. Steve saw it trending on Reddit and he reached out to her to figure out what was going on and how he thought it would be in her best interest to clear the air. Gabbie felt that Steve was harder on her than he realized - but will they come out of this one friendly? Links to find Gabbie Hanna on YouTube and Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Am I In A Moment Now? Hindsight is 20/20 when it comes to learning from our failures and moving forward.  Milana and Steve discuss the difficulties of not really knowing when you are actually failing until you are on the other side of it. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milana_Vayntrub Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week's guest, Dan Ahdoot finds himself cast as a character that he thinks has derailed his career. Working for a big wheel as a mere cog sets him into despair, but he doesn't give up and after four years he finds a connection that mentors him and sets him on a path of success. A true Failing Forward story unfolds.  Dan's Website is here. Dan Ahdoot Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Looking Good on Paper, Good or Bad? ft. Julie Kim Julie was working a high-stress finance consulting job. When she began to look at the future of the position and working for a big corporate firm she knew that she needed to make a change.  At first, the change she took looked great on paper and looked like it would fulfill her needs for what she wanted out of life.  Instead, she realized that it was the wrong choice again - and her true passion rose to the top. Twitter for Julie Kim Website for Julie Kim Comedy    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Steve chats with Ocean MacAdams, the president of Thrillist. Ocean explains that when he left a job that ended up not being what he wanted to do he made a difficult choice of quitting.  His message is that nobody is going to make your career for you.  Sometimes quitting is the only way to take a step forward, when we get stuck in a bad job or one that isn't the right fit then we are making compromises to our future. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This weeks guest Hal Sparks chats with Steve about how successful he has been and that he doesn’t believe that there are any failures in stand up unless you quit, then you have failed. Stand up is an art and you can’t fail at art, you are always crafting your art.  He admits he believes that he has only failed when he was ill and not giving his all.  For more Hal Sparks on Twitter: @HalSparks For more Steve on Twitter, Insta, FB, & Snap:  @SteveHofstetter  For more Steve & Failing Forward podcast videos on YouTube:  http://bit.ly/SteveHofstetterYT  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Steve welcomes his youngest guest Mads Rafferty to the show this week.  She is an Australian model who got a young start into the industry. At the age of 14, she researched what it took to be successful in the modeling world and found that it was being prompt, polite, friendly and to give more than 100%.  Steve and Mads discuss how Social Media has made a huge impact on the current trends of building a community online and how that really impacts your career. They also discuss how important it is to have self-realization about your talents and to follow your passion. For more on Mads Rafferty on Twitter:  @MadsRafferty  For more on Steve on Twitter, Insta, FB, & Snap:  @SteveHofstetter  For more Steve & Failing Forward podcast videos on  YouTube  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Veteran soap opera star Melissa Archer joins Steve in the studio to discuss her massive transition from acting on One Life to Live for over a decade to a new career in software development. She is part of the team that created the first-ever firewall app for iOS called "Guardian Firewall", which allows users to take back control over their privacy. even in the face of intrusions from apps like Facebook and Instagram.  For more on the Guardian Firewall app:  https://guardianapp.com/  For more Melissa on Twitter: @_MelissaArcher  For more Steve on Twitter, Insta, FB, & Snap:  @SteveHofstetter  For more Steve & Failing Forward podcast videos on YouTube:  http://bit.ly/SteveHofstetterYT  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Actor, Host, & Stand-up comedian Jay Montepare joins Steve in the studio to talk about hosting "Ellen's Design Challenge" on HGTV for a single season, before falling into a massive career slump and earning only $156.00 over an entire year. Yet after all this, Jay talks about recovering from that low point and how woodworking basically saved him.   For more Jay on Insta:  @valmarcraftsman  For more Jay on Twitter: @JayMontepare  For more Steve on Twitter, Insta, FB, & Snap:  @SteveHofstetter  For more Steve & Failing Forward on YouTube:  http://bit.ly/SteveHofstetterYT  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Steve welcomes Cenk Uygur, founder of The Young Turks, broadcaster, lawyer, businessman, columnist, journalist, and political activist, into his home studio to discuss the failure-filled path to success, the insane media landscape, and why some YouTube comments are actually useful.   For more Cenk:  https://tyt.com  For more Steve on Twitter, Insta, FB, & Snap:  @SteveHofstetter  For more Steve & Failing Forward on YouTube:  http://bit.ly/SteveHofstetterYT  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Writer, producer, and "sorta" stand-up comedian Rob Fee joins Steve in the studio to talk about their shared hatred of The Fat Jewish's plagiarism, why you should quit your crappy job to chase happiness, and the shocking coolness of writing for Marvel Comics. Also, Steve is going to be the next Bachelor.   For more Rob on Twitter: @RobFee  For more Steve on Twitter, Insta, FB, & Snap:  @SteveHofstetter  For more Steve on YouTube:  http://bit.ly/SteveHofstetterYT  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Stand-up comedian, writer, producer, and radio host Greg Fitzsimmons sits down with Steve at the world-famous Comedy Store on Sunset Blvd. Tales of failure, redemption, tribulation, and grown-men crying are shared in a dimly-lit podcast studio in the heart of Los Angeles. They also cover the phenomenon of urine on the floor of every single airplane bathroom in the history of aviation.  For more Greg on Twitter:  @GregFitzShow  For more Steve on Twitter, Insta, FB, & Snap:  @SteveHofstetter  For more Steve on YouTube:  http://bit.ly/SteveHofstetterYT  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Emmy-nominated actor Kathleen Gati (General Hospital, ER, Arrow, NCIS) talks to Steve about changing careers after a life-altering injury, overcoming the negativity in Hollywood, and truly enjoying the brief period of time we all have on this earth.  For more Kathleen Gati on Twitter & Insta: @GatiTweets  For more Steve on Twitter, Insta, FB, & Snap:  @SteveHofstetter  For more Steve on YouTube:  http://bit.ly/SteveHofstetterYT  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Stand-up comedian and political commentator Jimmy Dore joins Steve in the studio to talk about how to find your own lane in whatever field you may work in. The moral of the story? When interviewing for a job, don't act like you're meeting your girlfriend's parents.  For more Jimmy Dore on Twitter: @Jimmy_Dore  For more Steve on Twitter, Insta, FB, & Snap:  @SteveHofstetter  For more Steve on YouTube:  http://bit.ly/SteveHofstetterYT  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Casting Director and Professor Caroline Liem stops by the studio to talk about what a casting director does, how you can put your career goals into motion, and why everyone already has everything they need to succeed.   For more info on The Village Acting Studio: www.thevillageactingstudio.com  For more Caroline Liem on Insta: @AccessCarolineLiem  For more Steve on Twitter, Insta, FB, & Snap:  @SteveHofstetter  For more Steve on YouTube:  http://bit.ly/SteveHofstetterYT  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Actor and comedian Jonathan Kite (Oleg on 2 Broke Girls) joins Steve in the studio to talk about how fast comedy changes in the age of social media, why bad auditions aren't the end of your career, and how playing a Ukranian on television for six years may cause slight issues when going out for English-speaking roles.    For more Jonathan Kite on Twitter & Insta: @JonathanKite  For more Steve on Twitter, Insta, FB, & Snap:  @SteveHofstetter  For more Steve on YouTube:  http://bit.ly/SteveHofstetterYT  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Comedy legend Elayne Boosler (@ElayneBoosler) joins Steve in the studio to talk about being a female stand-up comedian in the 80s, the hardships of perseverance, and the benefit of knowing your worth as you navigate any creative endeavor, especially one in showbiz.  For more Steve on Twitter, Insta, FB, & Snap:  @SteveHofstetter  For more Steve on YouTube:  http://bit.ly/SteveHofstetterYT  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Comedian and writer Ben Gleib (Chelsea Lately) joins Steve in the studio to chat about the pitfalls of network development slates, losing a primetime show produced by Lorne Michaels, and how sorry he is for his new puppy pooping in the studio.  For more Ben Gleib on Twitter & Insta: @bengleib  For more Steve on Twitter, Insta, FB, & Snap:  @SteveHofstetter  For more Steve on YouTube:  http://bit.ly/SteveHofstetterYT  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this, the first episode of Failing Forward, host Steve Hofstetter invites fellow stand-up comedian and Crazy Ex-Girlfriend actor Danny Jolles (@DannyJolles) into the studio to talk about the daily struggle of Hollywood, what it's like being abruptly let go from a writers' room, and having your face and arms digitally replaced by cartoons in what was supposed to be a massive, life-changing national advertising campaign. This is Failing Forward!  For more Steve on Twitter, Insta, FB, & Snap:  @SteveHofstetter For more Steve on YouTube:  http://bit.ly/SteveHofstetterYT  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Failing Forward is a podcast all about the times when everything goes wrong. Some stories are funny, some are sad, and some are motivational, And sometimes they're even heartwarming. Whoever the guest, comedian Steve Hofstetter will take you on a journey through failure, rejection, and sometimes...thankfully...success.  For more Steve on Twitter, Insta, FB, & Snap: @SteveHofstetter For more Steve on YouTube: http://bit.ly/SteveHofstetterYT Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices