Talking Shop w/ James Dugan & Rob Grabowski

This week, James and Rob are joined by Paige Maney to end the podcast.    Thanks for listening everybody.

In the second to last episode, James and Rob are joined by local man Bryan Duff!   They talk with Bryan about his start in Chicago, Improvised Shakespeare, Baby Wants Candy, rough auditions, and how everytime you're out they pull you back in.    Follow Bryan on twitter @ bryanevansduff and check out his podcast 15 Minutes with Lincoln   Want to share some improv advice? Email us at Talkingshopshow@gmail.com   Like what we do? Support our PATREON   As always, please rate, review, and subscribe. 

This week, James and Rob are joined by lover of serial killers Louie Saunders!   They talk with Louie about creative fulfilment, getting old in improv, tanking in shows, Boy-ish, and jams. This is the first episode in awhile where we get into the nitty gritty of improv so enjoy.   Follow Louie on twitter at LouieSaunders and see him in several shows over at CIC Theatre   Like what we do? Support our PATREON (Only two more chances!)   As always, please rate, review, and subscribe.

This week, James and Rob are joined by late night writer Brian Stack! Yes, that Brian Stack.    They talk with Brian about growing up in the suburbs, early influences, introverts, working with Conan for 20 years, and luck.    Follow Brian on twitter @ BrianStack513 and watch The Late Show with Stephen Colbert (and check out their podcast).   Here are links to the sketches we references: Whale Week and SlipNutz   Have a piece of advice? Email us at TalkingShopShow@gmail.com   Like what we do? Support our PATREON   As always, please rate, review, and subscribe.   

This week, James and Rob are joined by improviser and puppeteer Mike Johnson!   We talk with Mike about his finance background, how he found improv, early days at The Playground, The Pool, leadership, and the history of FELT.    Follow Mike on twitter @ mjjmike and see him every Saturday with FELT at CIC.    Also, check out classes and other shows at CIC.   Like what we do? Support our PATREON (only a few chances left)   As always, please rate, review, and subscribe. 

This week, James and Rob are joined by director, theatre owner, and improv legend: Mick Napier!   They talk with Mick about the beginning of the Annoyance, improv "rules", video games, directing, and what's going on with the new iO.    Follow Mick on instagram @ mickjnapier   Check out his books Improvise: Scenes from the Inside Out and Behind the Scenes: Improvising Long Form   Also, go see shows and take classes at The Annoyance Theatre   Like what we do? Support our PATREON   As always, please rate, review, and subscribe. 

This week, James and Rob are joined by fellow podcaster: Kelly Leonard!   They talk with Kelly about his start at Second City, how he rose through the ranks to become Executive Vice President, why he stepped down, the new path he found, the true business of improv, and the importance of dinner clubs.    Follow Kelly on twitter @ KLSecondCity   And check out this podcast Getting to Yes, And.   Like what we do? Support our PATREON   As always, please rate, review, and subscribe.

This week, James and Rob are joined by actor/writer/improviser and nice guy: JOHN LUTZ!   They talk with John about his start in Chicago, creating new forms, auditioning for SNL, paying attention, working on 30 Rock, and being imtimidated by nice people.    Follow John on twitter @ shutuplutz and listen to ESCAPE FROM VIRTUAL ISLAND   Like what we do? support our PATREON! (only a few more episodes to do so)   As always, please rate, review, and subscribe. 

This week, James and Rob are joined by improv legend and all around great person: Susan Messing!   They talk with Susan about volunteer laughter, F.I.D.S., stupid goals, early Annoyance, and the healing properities of improv.    Follow Susan on twitter @ MessingSusan and on instagram @ susanalicemessing   See her perform live in the World Comedy Expo in Messing with Mason and The 1ZS   Like what we do? Support our PATREON   As always, please rate, review, and subscribe. 

This week, James and Rob are joined by the great Dave Pasquesi!   They talk with Dave about Harold openings, successful improv, worst shows, stand up, and Star Wars. It's a real treat.   Follow Dave on twitter @ DPasquesi, purchase his book, Improvisation at the Speed of Life, and watch him in The Grave Yard Show.   Like what we do? Support our PATREON   As always, please rate, review, and subscribe. 

This week, James and Rob are joined by their first (and maybe only) repeat guest: ANDY JUNK!   They talk with Andy about moving to New York, personal trust, restarting, hobbie vs career, and inside out boy.   Follow Andy on instagram @ therealandyjunk and if you're in NYC check out the Brooklyn Comedy Collective   Here's the episode of the HIDDEN BRAIN Andy was talking about.   Like what we do? Support our PATREON   As always, please rate, review, and subscribe. 

This week, James and Rob share a big announcement. 

This week, James and Rob are joined by the guest they swore they would never have on: Bruce Phillips!   They talk with Bruce about early memories, post show hangs, auditions, so much ship talk, devised works, and boy scouts.    Follow Bruce on instagram @ brulcifer and see him perform with Hitch-Cocktails, Clued In, Trigger Happy, and ComedySportz.   Like what we do? Support that PATREON   As always, rate, review, and subscribe. 

This week, James and Rob are virtual with special guest Meredith Stepien! They talk with Meredith about Star Trek, training a dog, working for the Alder Planetarium, talking to astronauts, and Star Kid.   Follow Meredith on twitter @ ghostydiddy and on instagram @ merediddys   Listen to her podcast REACH: a space podcast for kids   Follow the Alder Planetarium on youtube and here's the Alien Drum Circle Video.    Listen to the music from VHS Christmas Carol Live!   Like what we do? Support our PATREON   As always, rate, review, and subscribe. 

This week, James and Rob are joined by generic white guy Geoff Dow! They talk with Geoff about danger zones, auditioning for SNL, Just for Laughs, failing at important moments, improv advice, and churches per capita.    Follow Geoff on twitter @ GeoffDow2 and on instagram @ gquilks; And do check out HOLY FUCK at The Annoyance.    Like what we do? Support that PATREON   As always, please rate, review, and subscribe. 

And we're back! Kicking off 2022, James and Rob are joined by the president of improv Tara Egan! They talk with Tara about gifted schools, staying artistic, college improv, auditions, short form vs long form, and Annoyance stuff.    Follow Tara on instagram @ tara.egan and see her in several shows (including ComedySportz).   Like what we do? Support our PATREON   As always, please rate, review, and subscribe. 

This week, James and Rob have to air a rerun. The holidays are a busy time!    Back in August 2020, they were joined by Tina Arfaee! This was originally episode 81.    Follow Tina on instagram @ tinatwocats and see her in DECK THE HALLMARK. Also check out her podcastLAKESHORE & LIMBO.   Like what we do? Support our PATREON.   As always, please rate, review, and subscribe. 

This week, James and Rob are joined by Baton Rouge's own Brad Johnson! They talk with Brad about understudying, SNL dreams, writing, true friendship, method acting, and brushes with celebrities.    Follow Brad on twitter @ bradapalooza and on instagram @ bradapalooza   See him live with DARK WEB at CIC and maybe in Deck the Hallmark.   Like what we do? Support our PATREON!   As always, please rate, review, and subscribe.

This week, James and Rob are joined by new camera owner Josie Benedetti! They talk with Josie about growing up in Montana, attending school in Portland, Baby Wants Candy, Fringe Fest, moving to Chicago, Trigger Happy, and much more.   Follow Josie on twitter @ josiebenedetti and on instagram @ josiebenedetti   See her perform live with Trigger Happy and Baby Wants Candy.   Like what we do? Support our PATREON!   As always, please rate, review, and subscribe. 

This week, James and Rob are joined by Annie Sullivan! They talk with Annie about her time in comedy studies, cool older brothers, writing partners, inspiration, phases of comedy, Devil's Daughter, and much more.    Follow Annie on twitter @ WhiteMystery95 and see her perform with Devil's Daughter and Holy Fuck Comedy Hour.   Like what we do? Support our PATREON   As always, please rate, review, and subscribe. 

This week, James and Rob are joined by tech guy Dan Shea! We talk with Dan about this time as house manager at iO, event planning, producing shows, running the board, bad pulls, and college issues.   Follow Dan on twitter @ MrDWShea and check out CIC Theatre!   Like what we do? Support our PATREON!   As always, please rate, review, and subscribe.

AND WE'RE BACK!    After a week off, James and Rob are joined by the smartest man they know: Karl Bradley! We talk with Karl about grad school, neuroscience, emo scream bands, teaching, love of the Harold, fomo, and cigarette sandwich.    Follow Karl on twitter @ kralspaceman   For information on Cigarette Sandwich go HERE. Also check out they're PATREON.    If you're in Atlanta, check out Dad's Garage.   Like what we do? Support our PATREON   As always, please rate, review, and subscribe. 

This week, James and Rob are joined by one of the best: John Sabine! They talk with John about tracking shows, the return of the Late 90s, teaching, twitter, and how Yes And might be bad.    Follow John on twitter @ jsabine214 and see the Late 90s Sundays at 8pm down at Logan Square Improv.   And follow Claussen Pickles and Velveeta Cheese while you're at it.   Like what we do? Support our PATREON.   As always, please rate, review, and subscribe. 

This week, James and Rob are joined by Second City producer Jesse Swanson! They talk with Jesse about his self proclaimed mediocre rise, updates, senses of humor, how we're all broken, and how he wears many, many hats.    Take a class with Jesse in The Second City Writing Program and follow him on twitter @ funnies4monies   Like what we do? Support our PATREON   As always, please rate, review, and subscribe. 

This week, James and Rob are joined by their final punch (kinda) on the Devil's Daughter free sandwich card: Harrison Lott! They talk with Harrison about traveling, comfort zones, confidence, art outside of your normal art, and Blue Man Group.    Follow Harrison on twitter @ harrisonlott and listen to his band to do list.   Like what we do? Support our PATREON.   As always, please rate, review, and subscribe. 

This week, James and Rob are joined by the wonderful Claire McFadden! They talk with Claire about social media rules, long boarding, tour co, Arts and Crafts, negativity, working for JackBox Games, and how much improv rocks.    Follow Claire on twitter @ czmcfadden and get JackBox Party Pack 8 10/14.   Like what we do? Support our PATREON. As always, please rate, review, and subscribe. 

This week, James and Rob are joined by the fantastic Rosie Moan! We finally got her!    We talk with Rosie about vacations, gig life, on camera coaching, teaching, Paddington Bear, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Denver, and Groupon.    Follow Rosie on instagram @ romo89 and see her on stage every Thursday at Annoyance with FISHBOWL   For coaching, life advice, etc. go to rosiemoan.com   Like what we do? Support our PATREON   As always, please rate, review, and subscribe. 

This week, James and Rob are joined by a Wooster Rooster Alumni David Yontz. They talk with David about having a child, college days, thesis projects, writing comedic music, becoming an MD for improv and magic shows, and Daniel Tiger.    Check out David's music at DAVIDYONTZMUSIC.com and follow him on instagram @ theyontzermash   And check out his wife's podcast MUSIC THERAPY WITH JESSICA RISKER   Like what we do? Support our PATREON!   As always, please rate, review, and subscribe. 

This week, James and Rob are joined by This Man Tim Metzler! They talk with Tim about marriage, recharging yourself, the worst auditions, moving, Garden Boys, Beth Kuhn, and the quickest ship talk so far!   Follow Tim on twitter @ Timmy_the_Metz, on instagram @ timmy_the_metz, and on TikTok @ Timmy_the_Metz   Hear Beth's beautiful singing voice on Dave Shelton Trio's album DRIFT   Like what we do? Support our PATREON!   As always, please rate, review, and subscribe. 

This week, James and Rob are joined by Maria Konopken! They talk with Maria about her start in comedy/story telling, solo shows, specific cultural references, Matt Damon Improv, Burlesque is More, and how her grandfather was a spy.    Follow Maria on instagram @ mariakonopke and see her with FLEX, Wednesday at 8pm opening for Devil's Daughter and with at the Annoyance.    Like what we do? Support that PATREON.   As always, please rate, review, and subscribe. 

This week, James and Rob are joined by comedy mom Anne Libera! They talk with Anne about various comedy theories, thick vs thin comedy, ethics, how mistakes are good; we get really nerdy in this episode.    Look out for Anne's upcoming book and purchase her last book: The Second City Almanac of Improvisation.    For more info on the comedy studies program, click HERE.   For more info on the comedy degree, click HERE.   Like what we do? Support our PATREON!   As always, please rate, review, and subscribe.     

This week, James and Rob are joined by South Dakota's own Meghan Babbe! They talk with Meghan about Tour Co, Covid Companies, stress dreams, understudying, TV, Work in Progress, and much more.    Follow Meghan on twitter @ m_babbe and on instagram @ mbabbe   See THE LATE 90s every Sunday at 8pm at Logan Square Improv.   Check out Asher Perlmans' Patreon   Check out Logan Square Improv's Patreon   Check out our Patreon.   As always, rate, review, and subscribe.     

This week, James and Rob are joined by the always teaching Jessica Antes! They talk with Jess about teaching every age, She Camp, Spoon River, teaching virtually, and Jess shares some fantastic stories.    Follow Jessica on instagram @ classicantes and check out SHE CAMP   Like what we do? Support our PATREON   As always, rate, review, and subscribe. 

This week, James and Rob are joined by the fastest moving 80 year old man we know Scott Piebenga!   We talk with Scott about new challenges, improv "rules", living in Denver, cults, friendly competition, Devil's Daughter, and skateboarding.    Follow Scott on instagram @ scottpiebenga and see him with Devil's Daughter on Wednesdays, 8pm at the Annoyance!   Support our PATREON!   As always, rate, review, and subscribe. 

Hello Shopaholics! No new episode this week but instead of nothing here's something from Rob's first endeavor into podcasting.    An episode of REMAKE THE PODCAST. Rob, a co-host, and special guest sit down to pitch remakes of movies.    This features Rob, James Dugan, and Marie Maloney talk about Forgetting Sarah Marshall. This was record back in October of 2016.   Follow Marie on twitter @ marie_maloney and listen to her podcast ADAM SANDLER PLEASE STOP.   Like what we do? Support our PATREON   As always, please rate, review, and subscribe. 

This week, James and Rob are joined by the top skechers sales person Phylicia McLeod! They talk with Phylicia about growing up in Wisconsin, wishes, scam child acting classes, bar-prov, improv festivals, and a little bit about Matt Damon Improv.   Follow Phylicia on twitter @ Phy_Phy and on instagram @ laugh_with_phee   Check out Phylicia's podcast Unlearning and Comedy has an Ouchie   Like what we do? Support our PATREON!   As always, please rate, review, and subscribe.

James and Rob took a week off! But now they're back and better than ever with special guest David Schwartzbaum!   They talk with David about growing up in Miami, Meisner technique, Switch Committee, Muppets, working in LA, and feeding the beast.    Follow David on instagram @ schwartzugh and check out his videos David Teaches Jewish Stuff   Like what we do? Support our PATREON   As always, please rate, review, and subscribe.  

This week, James and Rob are joined by Colin Rourke! They talk with Colin about cruise ships, Second City House Co, remembering names, his journey to find comedy, magical moments, and blowing up on twitter.    Follow Colin on twitter @ ballin_rourke and on instagram @ colinrourke   Like what we do? Support our PATREON!   As always, please rate, review, and subscribe. 

This week, James and Rob are joined by their old friend Ashley Whitehurst! They talk with Ashley about Late Night shows, analyzing comedy, callbacks, classics, and so much more.   Check out Ashley's podcast Comedy Has an Ouchie and follow her on instagram @ ashleymdub   Like what we do? Support our PATREON   As always, please rate, review, and subscribe. 

Rob was busy this week! So here's a rerun.   From Nov 2019, episode 40, it's the fantastic Alex Bellisle!   Follow Alex on instagram @ alexbellisle and see her the last Tuesday of each month with GIRLS NIGHT IN.    Also, she's the newest member of the Second City ETC.   Like what we do? Support our PATREON   As always, please rate, review, and subscribe. 

This week, James and Rob are joined by improviser, writer, game director Brooke Breit! They talk with Brooke about her time on Second City's ETC Stage, Reality TV, baking, working at JackBox Games, Improvised Shakespeare, raising children, and so much more. Names are dropped in this episode!   Following Brooke on twitter @ brookebreit and look out for the new JackBox Party Pack   Like what we do? Support our PATREON   As always, please rate, review, and subscribe.

This week, James and Rob are joined by one of the nicest guys Padraic Connelly! They talk with Pad about human attractions, Vegas, Mission: Improvable, ComedySportz, being an Artistic Director, Whirled News Tonight, the life of an improviser, and Ship Talk Royal Caribbean Style.   Follow Pad on twitter @ PadConnelly and see him in ComedySportz on TWITCH   Like what we do? Support our PATREON!   As always, please rate, review, and subscribe. 

This week, James and Rob are joined by Bill Stern! They talk with Bill about working out, 15 year plans, Out of Bounds fest, twitch, Cigarette Sandwich, moving, and cruise ships.    Follow Bill on twitter @ dollarbillstern and on instagram @ dollarbillstern   For sketches, shows info, etc from Cigarette Sandwich, follow them on twitter @ CigSandwich   Like what we do? Support our PATREON   As always, please rate, review, and subscribe. 

This week, James and Rob sit down with Christine Wines IN STUDIO! Under the chandelier! It's good to be back.    We talk with Christine about living, working, and performing in Australia, Bio Diversity, performing with your significant other, CIC, The Playground, and her hatred of space.    Follow Christine on twitter @ ihatechristine2 and on instagram @ ihatechristine2 and check out her podcast WINES, WINES, WINES   Like what we do? Join our PATREON!   As always, please rate, review, and subscribe. 

This week, James and Rob are joined by musician, comedian, and good dude Evan Mills! They talk with Evan about updating sketches, zoom-prov, Just For Laughs, solo material, writing music, his beginnings in comedy, and the 1993 movie Demolition Man.    Follow Evan on twitter @ awkvanmills and on instagram @ awkvanmills. Check out his music on Spotify.   Like what we do? Support our PATREON   As always, please rate, review, and subscribe. 

This week, Jame and Rob are joined by the working man's actor Mike Geraghty! They talk with Mike about Dumb John, bartending, tipping, Big Spoon, acting in movies, the important of stage time, and we reveal who bought iO (HINT: maybe Dugan).   Follow Mike on twitter @ MiggityMikeG and on Instagram @ geraghtywm   Watch the 3rd Annual Dumb John Spaghetti Dinner HERE   For fun, follow GiddyUpYaHorse   Like what we do? Subscribe to our PATREON   As always, please rate, review, and subscribe. 

This week, James and Rob are joined by former campaign manager Val Agnew! They talk with Val about her time in grad school, improv intensives, Zoom-prov, Groupon, co-creating The Trident Network, and how none of this matters.    Follow Val on instagram @ agalpalval   Check out all the podcasts, twitch streams, and more at THE TRIDENT NETWORK   Like what we do? Support our PATREON   As always, please rate, review, and subscribe. 

This week, James and Rob are joined by the multi-talented Mary Catherine Curran! We talk with MCat about her college improv days, her journey through Second City, The Annoyance Theatre, garbage trucks, and a little ship talk. And these are just some of the sprinklings in this very fun episode.   Follow Mary Catherine on instagram @ itismarycatherine and check out her show MY KIND OF CONTENT Mondays on twitch @ Chicago4Real   Like what we do? Subscribe to our PATREON   As always, please rate, review, and subscribe. 

This week, James and Rob are joined by therapist in training Shelby Jo Plummer! They talk with Shelby about grad school, therapy (and how it relates to improv), children's podcasts, potty humor, Comet, She's the People, and being the creative director for iO.    Follow Shelby on instagram @ sloppyjoe69 and/or shelbyjoplummer   For more information on the James Conklin Memorial Scholarship, click HERE.   Check out Liam Hackney's podcast School of Imagination   Like what we do? Support our PATREON!   As always, please rate, review, and subscribe. 

This week, James and Rob are joined by director Jonald Reyes! They talk about tough love, notes, Jonald's start in directing, Second City, resumes, virtual shows, Stir Friday Nights, and the upcoming Stepping Stone Theatre.    Follow Jonald on twitter @ jonaldjude   For more information on Stepping Stone Theatre, follow them on twitter @ BIPOCcomedy and donate to their GoFundMe.   Like what we do? Give to our PATREON!   As always, please rate, review, and subscribe. 

This week, James and Rob are joined by actor/improviser/writer/producer/many hat wearer Mary Tilden! They talk with Mary about her time at boarding school, miss use of power, arts education, monthly challenges, producing movies, and all the secrets to Devil's Daughter.    Follow Mary on instagram @ marytilden and watch her short film Cool for Five Seconds.   Like what we do? Then support our PATREON!   As always, please rate, review, and subscribe.