Service From Hell

Hey all! This is a compilation of the guests you have told us you loved from our 2024 interviews. Although we are wrapping up the show for the foreseeable future, we still love looking back, and 2024 was no exception.  If you miss us, you can still find us on Patreon and Instagram. We really do love connecting with you all. And, as always, thank you to our incredible guests for their time and humor getting us through the last year. We love y'all. Finally - to our Patrons - you all have personally shown Kate more love and appreciation than she knew what to do with. She cannot find the words to express all you have done for her. Thank you. Eternally.

Our very funny and talented friend Matt Lewis (@thefunMattLewis) is a comic and actor who understood the assignment in all ways. He was SUCH a fun guest and is a great way to wrap up what has been an excellent 4 years of being on the air with y'all. Find Matt on all of the socials and GO SEE HIS SHOWS!! We waited to release this episode in order to announce our prolonged hiatus. We'll have our annual wrap up episode for best of coming in Jan, but this is our last interview for a long while. We are SO grateful for all of your support and love over the years. And, our absolutely WONDERFUL Patrons, you kept us going when this was all really challenging. You are the reason Kate was able to carry this on for as many years as she did. She's super weepy and grateful. Don't forget to find her on socials @thekategaffney!

Starting in 2025, "Service From Hell" is going on hiatus. We are deeply grateful for all of your support, your listens, your shares, your likes, and YOU! It is time for us to officially move on and so we will end the year strong and then move on to newer avenues of entertainment. Still listen! We will keep our episodes up and hosted until the end of 2025, so please pass this along. We are very grateful and there are so many wonderful guests who you should get to know! Also, we have a few more guest episodes to release this year! Find us still on Instagram and Patreon! We will be making announcements there, too!

This week's guest is comedian, writer, and actor Shain Brenden. We FINALLY got our wish - a person who worked in fast food who can talk about the boredom!! Shain's album “Either Way, Pretty Funny” debuts September 27th on iTunes and Bandcamp. Buy it so that you save Caleb's life! Shain has a featured set on the wildly popular Don't Tell Comedy stand-up series and can be heard regularly on Netflix is a Joke radio on Sirius XM. Find him on everything @shainbrenden! But first! Rate! Review! Find us! Patreon! We need it!

Kate is tired of terrible customer service. She's also HAD IT with MALE customer service agents handling her like she's hysterical when they f*cked the job. She wants to become the She HULK! If you're not done with Kate screaming, we'd appreciate it if you joined our Patreon and followed us on IG. Also, have you reviewed SFH yet? It helps us so much and we'd appreciate it a lot!

"Now, I won't clock in to be objectified." ~ Liz Comic and producer @lizzagone chats with us this week about working those CRAZY hours when we want to pay rent as artists and why retail has a maximum 2 day job commitment from her (which, we deeply relate to). She also runs one of the scariest and best open mics in Los Angeles at Hoopla Comedy, so check her out! Also, have you considered joining us over on Patreon? We would LOVE your support. Also, please find us on IG because we're bad at social media and corporate idiots care about this sh*t!

*Apologies for the various sound issues with this episode*  Actor, writer, director, and host Jeff Locker joins us again this week to get into the nitty gritty of customer service and why the identity crisis of survival jobs can be a knife in the gut when people only see you that one way. Find him on all of the socials @jefflocker and see what he's up to! 谢谢你的聆听 Also, have you considered joining us over on Patreon? We would LOVE your support. Also, please find us on IG because we're bad at social media!

*Apologies for the various sound issues with this episode*  Actor, writer, director, and host Jeff Locker joins us this week and next to be just so deeply honest and delightful. Jeff came from humble beginnings and carved his way into an Ivy League University, then followed that up by becoming famous in another country. He's known Kate for a long time and it was so delightful to speak with him. 谢谢你的聆听 Also, have you considered joining us over on Patreon? We would LOVE your support. Also, please find us on IG because we're bad at social media!

Would you believe that Kate is mad this week? It's WILDLY outside of the bounds of all of our normal bonus episodes, so prepare for yelling (which you never have to do). Kate had mail stolen and Simone Biles is a freak of nature. That's just that. This week, we discuss these things because NO ONE CARES about mail theft. But, don't worry, Kate and Joni do! Follow us on Patreon (and consider joining to keep us afloat) and on IG! 

*TW - ED recovery discussed at length* This is part 2 of 2 this week with actor, writer, producer, and generally amazing human Amie Enriquez. Amie joins us this week to discuss some REALLY challenging topics and to provide hope of us all to recover (we do get better). She beat the odds against one of the deadliest addictions in the world and is taking her recovery on tour with the BRILLIANT Lightweight Show. An award-winning one-woman-play that explores eating disorders, addiction, dysfunctional family dynamics, and recovery. Find Amie from that link and follow her show on socials! After you do that, follow us on Patreon (and consider joining to keep us afloat) and on IG! 

*TW - ED recovery discussed at length* Actor, writer, producer, and generally amazing human Amie Enriquez joins us this week to discuss some REALLY challenging topics and to provide hope of us all to recover (we do get better). She beat the odds against one of the deadliest addictions in the world and is taking her recovery on tour with the BRILLIANT Lightweight Show. An award-winning one-woman-play that explores eating disorders, addiction, dysfunctional family dynamics, and recovery. Find Amie from that link and follow her show on socials! After you do that, follow us on Patreon (and consider joining to keep us afloat) and on IG! 

Kate's alone this week, micro-dosing rage after a trip across the country. Customer Service interactions are a rage-filled experience when no one is making what they are worth. Also, 24 Hour Fitness Gym Contracts are a SCAM! Kate screams about all of it because it is necessary to scream.  You can find us on Patreon and IG, so please do because literally typing this sentence is costing Kate money. 

Jonathan Flanagan is a Los Angeles-based comedian, writer, and actor. He is best known for his stand-up comedy appearances that deliver a unique style of alternative and mainstream comedy which stem from the start of his career in improv at UCB, IO West, and Second City. In 2023, Jonathan released his debut stand up comedy album, "Dumber Than I Look" on RGC Records which has been featured on Sirius XM. You can find us on Patreon and IG, so please do because literally typing this sentence is costing Kate money.     

Our guest this week again is Jennica Schwartzman. Managing Partner at Purpose Pictures Productions, Co-Founder of Little Sister Entertainment, and a member of The Producers Guild of America, Producer's Union, Screen Actors Guild, and Moms-In-Film LA, loves tackling a project from idea to distribution as a multi-hyphenate actress-writer-producer. Her new interactive book, "Behind The Screens" is out now and there will be a signing in Los Angeles on April 27th, 2024 from 2pm to 7pm. Details for that are here!  You can find AND fund us by joining Patreon and we'd really appreciate the support these days. Also, our IG is @servicefromhell  https://linktr.ee/JennicaSchwartzman

Our guest this week is Jennica Schwartzman. Managing Partner at Purpose Pictures Productions, Co-Founder of Little Sister Entertainment, and a member of The Producers Guild of America, Producer's Union, Screen Actors Guild, and Moms-In-Film LA, loves tackling a project from idea to distribution as a multi-hyphenate actress-writer-producer. Her new interactive book, "Behind The Screens" is out now and there will be a signing in Los Angeles on April 27th, 2024 from 2pm to 7pm. Details for that are here!  You can find AND fund us by joining Patreon and we'd really appreciate the support these days. Also, our IG is @servicefromhell  https://linktr.ee/JennicaSchwartzman

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3hxEWyA4DSs instagram.com/joezimmerman Joe mentions tipping me, personally, for the show. I'm not above asking. My Venmo is @thekategaffney   Consider supporting us on Patreon and IG! We really could use the help

Back for part two this week is Jennifer Brookley. Jennifer is a realtor, actor, and amazing person who is talented, honest, hard working, and loyal. She finishes our fantastic interview this week and has even crazier stories!   Considering buying/selling your house with her as your realtor if you live in CA. Also, find her on IG! And, her YouTube is filled with incredible information for FREE about home buying.    Consider supporting us on Patreon and IG! We really could use the help

Jennifer Brookley is a dear friend of mine who is talented, honest, hard working, and loyal. Being her friend is a privilege, indeed. She is a fantastic interview and I met her at my first ever customer service job in Los Angeles. We have stayed friends since.   Considering buying/selling your house with her as your realtor if you live in CA. Also, find her on IG!   Consider supporting us on Patreon and IG! We really could use the help. 

UK born comic Chris Martin is a new dad and his special, "Above Ground Comedian" is out NOW! We have a lovely chat about mutually hating rules that don't make sense. Find US on Patreon (and for video of our interview with Caitlin) and Instagram! We love and appreciate the love!

San Francisco native and NYC resident comic Caitlin Peluffo joins us this week to praise line cooks (what?!) and to discuss being a woman in construction. Also, her special, "Dirty Bird " comes out March 8th, 2024 and it is for sure worth a watch.  Find US on Patreon (and for video of our interview with Caitlin) and Instagram! We love and appreciate the love!

Back for part two this week is comic and numbers guy Ahmed Al-kadri. We spend this part finishing up his wonderful comedy advice and then get into why giving bike tours around Los Angeles is his favorite job he has ever had.  All things Ahmed are found here! And this is his VERY popular TikTok! Find US on Patreon for bonus content and lots of videos and find us on IG for promo crap.

Promoting his special, "Special, Not Special" is comic and numbers guy Ahmed Al-kadri. He generously spends this part 1 giving practical (and really wonderful) advice to new comics. He sincerely offers DM'ing him with questions because he said, "I wish I had someone like me out there when I started." Isn't that lovely? So, if you're not a comedy nerd, you're about to learn to be one after listening to this part! Find all things Ahmed here! Find US on IG and Patreon! 

An episode with YOU! And, a letter from a friend. We love wild stories that vindicate us because we know we sound crazy on the show sometimes.. Send us YOUR stories at servicefromhellpodcast @ gmail dot com! We love hearing from you and we may read your letter on a future episode!  Find us on stuff @servicefromhell and patreon! 

Comic Glen Tickle is with us to discuss a restaurant that shall not be named (that he ASKED to be fired from) and how little New Jersey substitute teachers actually make (spoiler alert - it's not enough to survive). His special, "Glen Tickle Against The World Crime League" is out NOW and you can watch it for FREE on YouTube!  Find Glen on IG, find US on IG, and find US on Patreon where the bonus content is SPICY and you will get the past episodes of the show!

LA based comic @jessicasele is coming for corporations this week and celebrating the release of her new album, "Weird Vibes". Jessica is VERY pro library and explained why we all should revere it more than our host ever knew before. It is so lovely. Use your taxes! Go to the info desks at your local library!  We are, shockingly, still on Patreon and IG.     

It's MLK day and we are coming to you live from Austin, TX (ATX if you're annoying) with comic and voice actor Lisa Curry. We plugged into comedy and customer service out here and it is....different.  Find us on Patreon and IG! 

Musician, actor, comic, and fellow justice-seeker Ian Lockwood is with us to start out the year on such a solid note. Ian resides in NYC and is a Jack of all Trades. His EP is out NOW and you can hear it all here! He wins the award for having the least amount of customer service jobs - one! But, he sees how hard that all is and why it is only something a select few humans can survive. Also, we discuss tipping culture and why even $35/hr isn't enough in major cities. It just isn't enough.  Find us @servicefromhell and on patreon!  *We recorded this all via zoom on a stormy day, and the sound reflects that, so we apologize in advance for the sound quality*  

You either emailed, DM'd, or text us about these moments/guests. We laughed at these parts, too. HUGE thank you to our guests, specifically those featured on this episode - Matt Braunger, Chase O'Donnell, Ben Roy, Steve Mayne, Dr. Andrea Jones-Roy, Pepper Berry, Heather Brooker, Josh Florhaug, Dave Stone, Kaytlin Bailey, Paul Morrissey, and Rachel McDowell. We are SO lucky to have had conversations with all of our wonderful guests this past year. Join us on socials here and here! We love hearing from you! ~Happy Holidays and we'll see you in 2024~!!

Spoiler alert - it's not Jay-Z that I got to chat to, but maybe someday! In the meantime, we chatted with comic and club owner Shawn Carter. Originally from Boston, now he has a club in Bristol, TN and is promoting his new album, "Boston To Bristol." Find his album everywhere! Find his videos here!  Find us on IG and Patreon! 

Josh Florhaug is a hilarious, generous, and smart comic who knows how to read both the room AND a menu. He's shocked that most of you cannot. From the airport to an arena tour, he's seen it all. So, we talk about it. Find him @joshfcomedy on everything and to follow his tour dates. WE can be found on Patreon AND IG. We'd love some participation there, too. 

Puns! We're so clever! You miss us, yet? The tour is over and we are back online to scream in your ears. Thank you for the continued listens without new episodes and STILL telling your friends. We are excited to be back in your ears! Still on Patreon and still on Instagram! Find us on both!

Oh, hey there! We are in a shifting schedule situation (as a creative artist) and so we have updates on our release calendar. Thank you for continuing to listen/subscribe. It really feels amazing. Also, whilst the schedule for the next month or two is going to be in flux, we will for sure still get episodes out, AND we are still conducting interviews, so we will be back! About the project Kate's doing - https://www.americanlegacytheatre.org/about In the meantime, find us on IG - @servicefromhellpodcast Or on Patreon - patreon.com/thekategaffney

Back for part 2 this week is Comic and Commercial Actor Paul Morrissey. A lovely dude whose special, "Ice Cream vs Everything" (available now) is hilarious and worth the watch. You can find all things Paul here!  Find us on Patreon and Instagram! 

Comic and commercial actor (as well as retired news anchor) Paul Morrissey is with us this week to really dive in. In fact, he dove in so hard, we have another 2-parter on our hands.  Find us on Patreon and on the socials. 

Voice actor and retired comic Rachel McDowell joins us to make us giggle relentlessly and to soothe us with her wonderful voice. She discusses taking tipping VERY seriously (seriously) and why she values grocery store employees more than any other person we have interviewed. It is inspiring and hilarious.  Also, since we recorded this, she text me to say she is thinking of dipping her toe back into stand up comedy, so fingers crossed because her stand up is UNREAL! Find her voice here -https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4661808/ Find us here - patreon.com/thekategaffney Also, I don't think anyone reads these notes, so I'm going to be honest - I'm thinking of retiring this show. I've been doing this alone for almost 4 years and am mulling over the idea of stopping. Email me if you read these notes and/or if you want me to keep going. servicefromhellpodcast@gmail.com is how you can let us know how you feel. And - be honest. Are you bored? Done? Happy? What do y'all want?

Tuesday May 2nd, 2023 WGA went on strike Friday July 14th, 2023 SAG went on strike   The last time both unions went on strike was 1960.   CA economy has now lost 3 billion dollars. If you want to ask any questions, email us at servicefromhellpodcast@gmail.com Friend Nick's account who is spending his own money to support the strikes - https://www.instagram.com/designisblank/ Links – https://entertainmentcommunity.org https://www.sagaftrastrike.org https://www.wgacontract2023.org https://www.cnn.com/videos/media/2023/07/01/writers-guild-strike-economic-impact-businesses-hollywood-chen-pkg-vpx.cnn https://milkeninstitute.org/article/writers-strike-leaves-california-21-billion-loss-more-come-if-sag-contract-not-resolved https://www.vulture.com/article/wga-strike-2023.html https://time.com/6294777/sag-wga-strike-1960/ https://variety.com/2023/biz/news/writers-strike-wga-four-months-amptp-1235711029/ https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-support-sag-aftra-wga-strike-hollywood-actors-writers-donate-fund-2023-7 https://spectrumnews1.com/ca/la-west/entertainment/2023/08/10/hollywood-actors--writers-strikes-have-cost-ca-economy--3-billion https://stephenfollows.com/how-many-people-work-on-a-hollywood-film/ https://www.latimes.com/lifestyle/story/2023-09-01/l-a-heres-how-to-win-beyonces-mute-challenge-the-experts-weigh-in https://www.sagawards.org/about https://www.forbes.com/billionaires/ https://2madness.com/putting-one-billion-in-perspective-will-blow-your-mind-1459798bfe81 https://fortune.com/2023/07/19/what-are-residuals-hollywood-writers-actors-strike-streaming/ https://stephenfollows.com/how-many-people-work-on-a-hollywood-film/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2007–08_Writers_Guild_of_America_strike

The final exploration in our series with writer, comic, improviser, musician, and all around awesome dude @pepperberry1  Pepper hails from LA (by way of Texas) and has figured out how to ask for what he wants and work his ass off to get it. His tenacity in his early LA days is unmatched by any other guest. Damn! He's the BEST! Also, his photo this week is the TKE house at UCLA where he lived with rats and roaches as he tried his hardest to make his way in TV and film. Find us on Patreon and see what you've been missing!

Back this week is musician, comic, improvisor, writer, and extremely patient man, Pepper Berry. Recorded back in December of 2022, Pepper has NEVER bugged me about airing this. Pepper hails from LA (by way of Texas) and has figured out how to ask for what he wants and work his ass off to get it. His tenacity in his early LA days is unmatched by any other guest. Damn! Find him on IG @pepperberry1. He's the BEST! Also, his photo this week is him with Drew Barrymore and that is a pretty dope person to vet him, if you ask us. Find us on Patreon and see what you've been missing!

This week's guest is musician, comic, improvisor, writer, and extremely patient man, Pepper Berry. Recorded back in December of 2022, Pepper has NEVER bugged me about airing this. I mean - what a mensch! Pepper hails from LA (by way of Texas) and has figured out how to ask for what he wants and work his ass off to get it. His tenacity in his early LA days is unmatched by any other guest. Damn! Find him on IG @pepperberry1. He's the BEST! Find us on Patreon and see what you've been missing!

Heather Brooker (@theheatherbrooker) is with us this week and is utterly lovely. Please follow her and her family on all of the things at the Brooker Family POPcast. It is a family friendly and delightful show.  Hey! Are you on IG? Are you following @servicefromhell? It'd be a lot cooler if you did! We're out here and we are ready for your love! 

In the most honest and vulnerable interview we have ever done, comedian Ben Roy joins us to shatter the idea that he is infallible. ODAAT, Ben just celebrated 13 years of sobriety AND the release of his new special "Hyena" which is just so, so hilarious and delightful. Go find it on all things August 10th, 2023.  Strikes are confusing and we are TOTALLY happy to answer questions. Feel free to hit us up! Also, sad update - Patreon still exists and you're not part of it. The way to end the sadness is to click here.  Stuff we discussed found here -  Local 11 Contract infohere SAG/AFTRA Strike info here WGA Strike info here Bryan Cranston's impassioned speech here  Sarah Silverman TOTALLY getting it here Mind F*ck - Christoper Wiley Juggalos - More info here

We have been asked about the concept of "Tipflation" in the United States for a few weeks now and had to discuss it. Oddly enough? We agree. We know it is out of control.  Here are the articles we reference -  https://www.cnbc.com/2023/07/05/etiquette-experts-when-its-ok-not-to-tip.html https://www.cnbc.com/2023/07/17/diners-push-back-against-restaurants-adding-surcharges-to-the-bill.html https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tipflation https://www.npr.org/2023/06/28/1184894498/the-driving-forces-behind-tip-flation https://www.kcrw.com/news/shows/greater-la/outdoor-dining/tipping Please tip US here - patreon.com/thekategaffney because we're hypocrites!  

Podcast host and financial analyst Chris Brooker joins us to discuss how many jobs he had "schemes" with and why he is a reformed accomplice. Don't worry - he feels appropriately bad about it and is doing better now... Listen to the Brooker Family POPcast to hear more!  We've left Patreon and don't* need your money or patronage. We also don't* need your reviews and subscriptions. We don't* care about this at all.  *do

Comic and lawyer Liz Barrett has had many jobs and some of them help her to be able to tell when you're lying! "Gettin' By" comes out July 21st, 2023. Be sure to order and listen to it! Find us on Patreon because we smell good. 

Taking us off of the long wait list is comic and podcast host Dave Stone. Dave hosts multiple podcasts and is a LA-based comic by way of Atlanta. He is here promoting his new album, "Pack A Lunch" (out now) and his many podcasts, including "The Stonebergs" that he co-hosts with his lovely wife Katie. Find out more info about Dave here!  Support us in making more content by joining our Patreon. We so love our patrons and they have been getting content during our hiatus (are you jealous?). We have many tiers and you have lots of money!

We have had a crazy couple of months here at "Service From Hell" and had to pause pushing out our episodes. We gathered a bunch of interviews, but we had so many other things happen over the last 2 months, we took a pause. Also, per your emails and outreach, we haven't changed the format, but we are trying new tunes until we find what we like. Thank you for all of the DM's, emails, calls, texts, etc asking us where we were. We are so touched and honored that y'all missed us! We start back next week with a hilarious comic, Dave Stone. We'll see you then!

Kaytlin Bailey is a writer, stand up comic and leader in the growing movement to decriminalize sex work. She is back for part 2 this week and we are floored at, yet again, how much we learned. It was a sincere delight to listen to her. Check out her show April 26th at the Tank Theatre in NYC, "Whore's Eye View" and see what she can do. Whenever you ignore our pleas for patreon, someone's puppy dies.

Comic, writer, and leader in the growing movement to decriminalize sex work Katylin Bailey is with us for 2 weeks and we are humbled by how little we knew. She shares honestly and does not hold back when discussing how we ALL are guilty of biases against sex workers. ALL of us.  Go see Kaytlin's show. It's going to be incredible. 

@chase_odonnell is back to wrap up her residency on the podcast. This week, we learn that she didn't know that she had a billboard in Time's Square. To be so lucky! I'd camp out for the month and just take selfies in front of it to show all of my bullies that I am awesome.  Patreon needs you! Just them! Not us!

Comic, writer, and actor Chase O'Donnell is dishing on all of it, especially how much being a People Pleaser has led her to make a lot of questionable choices. Also, why NYC was making her cry everyday, yet she still couldn't leave right away. Check out her album and tour dates and enjoy her lovely self. We've left Patreon. 

Comic and psychologist @kenicemobley joins us this week (freshly off of her Jimmy Fallon performance) and discusses how she took your yearbook photo (probably) and how she had to be a giant mouse because her co-workers were constantly getting high. It would have been fine, but she was about a foot too short for the costume.  Do you work in music? Do you make music yourself? Sweet! Let us hear your stuff! Email us at servicefromhellpodcast at gmail dot com and let us know how we can sample something you have worked on because we want to feature you!!