This podcast is not about knives. It's about couples who live, love and work together.
Ever wonder what it takes to turn awkward moments into comedy gold? In this episode of the Suzi Chicago Podcast, I sit down with comedian Paula Kosiensky to talk about her journey through stand-up, building confidence on stage, and performing at top comedy festivals like Laughing Skull and the Nashville Comedy Festival. Episode Timeline[1:22] - Banter with Fun Bobby and welcoming comedian Paula Kosiensky[4:55] - Discovering Paula's comedy and her Dry Bar special[11:40] - Applying for comedy festivals and chasing stage time[18:12] - Paula's surreal experience performing at the Nashville Comedy Festival[25:35] - How comedians handle imposter syndrome in big moments[33:08] - Paula's favorite comics, inspirations, and lessons from the stage[40:50] - Wrapping up with laughter and what's next for PaulaLinks & ResourcesFollow Paula Kosiensky on Instagram: @paulacomedyFollow Paula Kosiensky on TikTok: @paulakosienskiWatch Paula Kosiensky's Dry Bar Comedy SpecialLearn more about Laughing Skull Comedy FestivalExplore the Nashville Comedy Festival
Sometimes when I talk to another comic, it feels like we were twins separated at birth—and that's exactly how it is with today's guest, the hilarious Susan Rice. You may know her from her specials Silver Alert (Amazon) and We All Become Our Parents (Don't Tell Comedy), or her series Bad Advice with Susan Rice. She's been in the comedy game for decades, and let me tell you—her stories had me laughing, nodding, and occasionally spitting out my coffee.In this episode, Susan and I dig into everything from her comedy beginnings in Portland to what it's like finding your voice later in life, producing shows during COVID, and what it really takes to last in this business. We talk about aging, audience connections, and why older comics still have plenty of fire in the belly. Plus, you'll hear us swap stories about knees, Jell-O, and exactly what NOT to say to a woman over 60. This one is packed with laughs, truth bombs, and a whole lot of heart.Episode Timeline[1:11] – Susan Rice on her Amazon special Silver Alert and why I watched it twice[3:05] – The curse of barrel chairs and why no woman looks good in one[4:17] – Susan's path from acting school to finding stand-up in Portland[10:20] – The comedy boom in Portland and what it was like working 30 nights in a row[16:54] – Creating a community comedy festival during COVID in her Portland neighborhood[20:37] – Why boomers are still a comedy audience force to be reckoned with[27:04] – Naming my upcoming special (with some hilarious rejected titles)[32:07] – Susan on forgetting punchlines, crowd work, and learning to pivot on stage[37:47] – The best advice for new comics: “Be fearless and be kind”[42:27] – Why Susan curses on stage and how she responds to criticism about it[46:02] – Talking comedy heroes: Kathleen Madigan, Louis Black, Paula Poundstone, and moreLinks & ResourcesSusan Rice's Amazon special: Silver AlertDon't Tell Comedy special: We All Become Our ParentsInstagram series: Bad Advice with Susan RiceSusan Rice on Instagram: @funnyoldbagKathleen Madigan – Official WebsiteMike Birbiglia – Official WebsiteThanks for tuning in! If this episode made you laugh (and I know it did), don't forget to rate, review, follow, and share the podcast with your friends. It helps more people find the show and keeps the laughs coming.
In this episode, I sat down with Jonathan Prim, who somehow survived the journey from theater to stand-up comedy without becoming a bitter children's party clown. We talked about everything from social anxiety (spoiler: comedians have it, we just cover it with punchlines) to the joys of community in the comedy scene.Jonathan shared his thoughts on the absurdity of everyday life, his brief career as the world's least enthusiastic mail carrier, and the glamorous world of technical difficulties on stage (because nothing says “professional” like a mic that cuts out mid-punchline).It's a conversation full of stories, laughs, and a reminder that authenticity matters more than a perfectly timed rimshot.Timestamps00:00 Introduction & Why Comedy Is Weird02:53 The Significance of ‘Things' (yep, just things)05:41 Jonathan's Journey into Comedy11:48 From Radio to Stand-Up (yes, it's a downgrade)17:39 Tales from the Mail Route23:42 Stage Fright, Stage Presence, Same Thing27:50 How to Connect with Audiences Without Crying30:31 Social Anxiety in Comedy (it's real, folks)34:02 Identity, Growth & Other Buzzwords39:39 How to Build Bits Without Losing Your Mind43:24 Comedy Heroes & Inspirations45:29 Storytelling as a Comedy Superpower46:59 Turning Life Into Material (whether you want to or not)49:10 Reading the Audience Like a Psychic51:12 Emergency Comedy Tricks52:43 Where Comedy Meets Recovery57:04 Surviving the Scene (with snacks)58:28 DIY Career Moves01:01:10 The Life of a Comedian (cue dramatic music)01:06:55 Building Community & Finding Your People
Josh and Jen put it all on the line.
Q&A with Bob and Suz along with some celebrity name dropping
Susan's older brother leaves her his long time friend and travel agent in his will.
Guest: Maddie Burnley of BRNLY Brand and Burnley knives A former assistant curator of the Peabody Essex Museum shares her art life, and life now.
Guests: Esther and Billy Cho By day they are poly entrepreneurs — a therapist and an arms maker. But once a year they come together with a partner, Nick, and put on one of the most fun shows in the knife industry: the Pacific Northwest Custom Invitational show in Seaside Oregon. FB: PNWCI IG: @chogunassassin AND @ironbornarmory
Although I met Claudia on a TV Series we worked on together in NM, she has many talents. As a couple, Claudia and Steve, own Rangewood Reclaimers. Taking historic buildings and turning them into modern projects. Restaurants, retail, and home projects reuse the their reclaimed wood. She showed me a vision notebook years ago that has all come to fruition. IG: @rangewoodreclaimersRangewoodreclaimers.com
Guests: Natalie and Lionel Saulsberry A veteran Marine Corps DI, and a retired Nurse host a couples podcast together. Couples Unfiltered is a podcast that was created during the Covid lockdown. IG: @Couples_unfiltered
Guests: Andrea and Rob Raising millions for kids through The Hate Dust Project IG: @TheHateDustProject IG
Family. Aliens landing in the yard, mashed potatoes falling from the ceiling, a parrot calls Bob's name out the window of a Brooklyn apartment. They come from different collars: Suz white, Bob blue.
Guest: Cristie Fellhoelter Fellhoelter ToolWerks: fellhoelter.com IG: @Brianfellhoelter
A skeleton with a life. Sam travels the world bringing life to these bones.
Guests: Nana and Michael West WestKnives: westknives.com Instagram: @WestKnives
Bob and Suz tell the story of Knives for Colombians, the Greek Mafia and Judge Ito.
Guests: Pamela and Clyde Morgan Sunny Dojo: sunnydojo.com
Guest: Carmelita Linder Engineering: linderlabs.com From fruit flies to claw machines: 2 scientists using their creative genius to live, live, and work together.
Guest: Sally Rogers Richard Rogers Knives: https://richardrogersknives.com/ Sally, Suz, and Bob share stories of rural life in 2 states and 2 counties.
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