Today we wrap up the long-running (6 1/2 years) School of Laughs podcast! It started in July of 2014 and has run the course of over 255 episodes. If you have a question about stand-up comedy we have covered it on this podcast.  So as we wrap, where do you go from here? Today we talk about clearing off your schedule for upcoming goals. You can't add something new unless you subtract something from your list of tasks. What will those things be for you?  Lastly, what is your 5-10 year plan? Have you thought about how to get where you need to be to make those plans happen? We talk about a few things to consider when pursuing stand-up comedy as a career.  It's been a fun run. Thanks for listening. I hope you continue to share past episodes with your friends. Revisit topics as they become relevant for you.  (c)(p) 2022 School of Laughs Podcast www.SchoolOfLaughs.com www.RikRoberts.com  1-888-895-8549

Today we wrap up the long-running (6 1/2 years) School of Laughs podcast! It started in July of 2014 and has run the course of over 255 episodes. If you have a question about stand-up comedy we have covered it on this podcast.  So as we wrap, where do you go from here? Today we talk about clearing off your schedule for upcoming goals. You can't add something new unless you subtract something from your list of tasks. What will those things be for you?  Lastly, what is your 5-10 year plan? Have you thought about how to get where you need to be to make those plans happen? We talk about a few things to consider when pursuing stand-up comedy as a career.  It's been a fun run. Thanks for listening. I hope you continue to share past episodes with your friends. Revisit topics as they become relevant for you.  (c)(p) 2022 School of Laughs Podcast <a href="http://www.SchoolOfLaughs.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.SchoolOfLaughs.com</a> <a href="http://www.RikRoberts.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.RikRoberts.com</a> 1-888-895-8549

THE END OF AN ERA [EP. 255]

Today we focus on the year ahead. What are you trying to accomplish moving forward? Yes, it's the annual goals tracker worksheet episode! You can download the Goals Tracker Worksheet .pdf by clicking  HERE. Thanks to the  Patreon sponsor for this episode John Smith. We'll cover how to set attainable goals in bite-sized pieces. Specifically, we get into goals about:  Writing comedy Writing with others Performing on stage Performing Virtual Creating Virtual Solutions Updating Websites E-mail Newsletter Lists Networking Ideas Cultivating your Social Media following  and much, much, more! This goals tracker worksheet is one of my go-to for really understanding if I made any progress in the previous year or not. It also helps me pinpoint what I can do better and where I should spend my time. It will do the same for you. (C)(P) SCHOOL OF LAUGHS WWW.SCHOOLOFLAUGHS.COM

Today we focus on the year ahead. What are you trying to accomplish moving forward? Yes, it's the annual goals tracker worksheet episode! You can download the Goals Tracker Worksheet .pdf by clicking <a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/od6uqvojkw5wefd/2022%20Golas%20Tracker%20Worksheet.pdf?dl=0" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> HERE</a>. Thanks to the <a href="https://www.schooloflaughs.com/patreon-a-way-for-you-to-support-the-podcast/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Patreon</a> sponsor for this episode John Smith. We'll cover how to set attainable goals in bite-sized pieces. Specifically, we get into goals about: <ul> <li>Writing comedy</li> <li>Writing with others</li> <li>Performing on stage</li> <li>Performing Virtual</li> <li>Creating Virtual Solutions</li> <li>Updating Websites</li> <li>E-mail Newsletter Lists</li> <li>Networking Ideas</li> <li>Cultivating your Social Media following</li> </ul> and much, much, more! This goals tracker worksheet is one of my go-to for really understanding if I made any progress in the previous year or not. It also helps me pinpoint what I can do better and where I should spend my time. It will do the same for you. (C)(P) SCHOOL OF LAUGHS <a href="WWW.SCHOOL" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">WWW.SCHOOLOFLAUGHS.COM</a>

GOALS TRACKER WORKSHEET EPISODE [EP. 254]

Sharing marketing tips for comics is the one and wonderful Tracy DeGraff. After penning her first book, "Laugh Anyway Mom", Tracy took classes at The Second City in Chicago hoping to take her stories to the comedy stage. Today, she joins us to share insights on what has worked (along with a few things that didn't) on her way to creating her one woman show. She emphasizes the need to pave your own P.R. way in order to sell tickets, bring awareness, and earn money as a comedian or speaker. Thanks to our PATREON sponsor for this episode MAX WINFREY! MARKETING TIPS FOR COMICS SHOW NOTES Specifically, we talk about: Her journey from writer to stand-up comedian/speaker Testing her book title and getting insightful feedback The difference between stand-up and storytelling Trading off her expertise to learn stand-up Taking classes at The Second City Why she chose to self-publish The difficulty in finding her ideal audience to test comedy Why it took awhile for her to utilize her journalism and PR degree How to get featured in local newspapers Why newspapers need content Providing everything needed to publish your story 3 Keys to getting published! How to "reverse-engineer" your shows for maximum return Producing her next video special How to determine an ad budget for your own show Capturing e-mail addresses and how to use them afterwards The benefits of using MAILCHIMP to create email campaigns Providing something to bookers so they remember you and much more. Visit her website: https://tracydegraaf.com (c)(p) School Of Laughs.com www.SchoolOfLaughs.com

Sharing marketing tips for comics is the one and wonderful Tracy DeGraff. After penning her first book, "Laugh Anyway Mom", Tracy took classes at The Second City in Chicago hoping to take her stories to the comedy stage. Today, she joins us to share insights on what has worked (along with a few things that didn't) on her way to creating her one woman show. She emphasizes the need to pave your own P.R. way in order to sell tickets, bring awareness, and earn money as a comedian or speaker. Thanks to our PATREON sponsor for this episode MAX WINFREY! MARKETING TIPS FOR COMICS SHOW NOTES Specifically, we talk about: Her journey from writer to stand-up comedian/speaker Testing her book title and getting insightful feedback The difference between stand-up and storytelling Trading off her expertise to learn stand-up Taking classes at The Second City Why she chose to self-publish The difficulty in finding her ideal audience to test comedy Why it took awhile for her to utilize her journalism and PR degree How to get featured in local newspapers Why newspapers need content Providing everything needed to publish your story 3 Keys to getting published! How to "reverse-engineer" your shows for maximum return Producing her next video special How to determine an ad budget for your own show Capturing e-mail addresses and how to use them afterwards The benefits of using MAILCHIMP to create email campaigns Providing something to bookers so they remember you and much more. Visit her website: <a href="https://tracydegraaf.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://tracydegraaf.com</a> (c)(p) School Of <a href="http://Laughs.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Laughs.com</a> <a href="http://www.SchoolOfLaughs.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.SchoolOfLaughs.com</a>

MARKETING TIPS FOR COMICS WITH TRACY DeGRAFF  [EP. 253]

I just wrapped up 17 shows in 27 days. I am still learning how to be a comedian, speaker, facilitator, and actor. On top of that, I have to book travel and get myself to and from the gigs. Today I am going to share with you a lesson learned from each of the events. During the run, my shows consisted of two of my speeches, my stand-up, personal appearances, and as audience warm-up. It requires a lot of versatility and resilience. Sometimes I think those qualities are more important than talent. Probably not, but they help! Nevertheless, this episode is chock full of comedy lessons learned during the 17 events performed. Thanks to our  PATREON sponsor for this episode JOHN PETERS! COMEDY LESSONS LEARNED - SHOW NOTES Specifically, I'll talk about:  What Barney Fife, Realtors, and a Mexican Restaurant have in common A unique soundproof booth for doing a zoom interview How an outreach event turned into a virtual solo show Why being overprepared comes in handy A lesson in generosity Standing your ground to protect your health and restfulness Working in new material How a former NFL player gave me a set-up for a new joke What to do when a health official coughs all over your microphone Being appreciative of your friends and family Remembering to loosen up and "add the flavor" Making a wish and top golf Rolling the dice on an Uber in Atlantic City The accent in Boston I wasn't expecting Establishing off-stage relationships with clients and CEO's How refreshing it is to work with other comics Knowing your crowd and when to slow down How gender jokes can still work  and much more. Folks mentioned in this episode include: Dan Swartout [Episode 092]  Let Your Style Develop John Branyan [Episode 116] Three New Premises Andrew Rudick David Pendleton Chris Cohen === NEVER MISS A PODCAST OR POST If you enjoy this PODCAST please subscribe in iTunes or STITCHER and leave a comment and ranking. Better yet, subscribe to the monthly School of Laughs “Insider Tips” email and get exclusive information delivered right to your inbox. It’s fast, free, useful, and fun. Just email: SchoolOfLaughs@gmail.com and put “insider tip sheet” in the subject header. I’ll make sure you get the official tip sheet and I promise to keep your email anonymous and spam-free.

I just wrapped up 17 shows in 27 days. I am still learning how to be a comedian, speaker, facilitator, and actor. On top of that, I have to book travel and get myself to and from the gigs. Today I am going to share with you a lesson learned from each of the events. During the run, my shows consisted of two of my speeches, my stand-up, personal appearances, and as audience warm-up. It requires a lot of versatility and resilience. Sometimes I think those qualities are more important than talent. Probably not, but they help! Nevertheless, this episode is chock full of comedy lessons learned during the 17 events performed. Thanks to our <a href="https://www.schooloflaughs.com/patreon-a-way-for-you-to-support-the-podcast/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> PATREON</a> sponsor for this episode JOHN PETERS! COMEDY LESSONS LEARNED - SHOW NOTES Specifically, I'll talk about: <ul> <li>What Barney Fife, Realtors, and a Mexican Restaurant have in common</li> <li>A unique soundproof booth for doing a <a href="https://www.schooloflaughs.com/virtual-comedy-workshops/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">zoom</a> interview</li> <li>How an outreach event turned into a virtual solo show</li> <li>Why being overprepared comes in handy</li> <li>A lesson in generosity</li> <li>Standing your ground to protect your health and restfulness</li> <li>Working in <a href="https://www.schooloflaughs.com/071-trying-out-new-jokes-podcast/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">new material</a></li> <li>How a former NFL player gave me a set-up for a new joke</li> <li>What to do when a health official coughs all over your microphone</li> <li>Being appreciative of your friends and family</li> <li>Remembering to loosen up and "add the flavor"</li> <li>Making a wish and top golf</li> <li>Rolling the dice on an Uber in Atlantic City</li> <li>The accent in Boston I wasn't expecting</li> <li>Establishing off-stage relationships with clients and CEO's</li> <li>How refreshing it is to work with other comics</li> <li>Knowing your crowd and when to slow down</li> <li>How gender jokes can still work</li> </ul> and much more. Folks mentioned in this episode include: Dan Swartout [Episode 092] <a href="https://www.schooloflaughs.com/092-dan-swartout-let-your-style-develop/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Let Your Style Develop</a> John Branyan [Episode 116] <a href="https://www.schooloflaughs.com/premise-premise-premise-116/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Three New Premises</a> Andrew Rudick David Pendleton Chris Cohen === NEVER MISS A PODCAST OR POST If you enjoy this PODCAST please <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/school-of-laughs/id894874975" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">subscribe in iTunes </a>or <a href="http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/rik-roberts-school-of-laughs/school-of-laughs" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">STITCHER</a> and leave a comment and ranking. Better yet, subscribe to the monthly School of Laughs “Insider Tips” email and get exclusive information delivered right to your inbox. It’s fast, free, useful, and fun. Just email: <a>SchoolOfLaughs@gmail.com</a> and put “insider tip sheet” in the subject header. I’ll make sure you get the official tip sheet and I promise to keep your email anonymous and spam-free.

17 SHOWS IN 27 DAYS - LESSONS LEARNED [EP. 252]

Chester Goad

Today I am discussing comedy win-win opportunities with Chester Goad. I met Chester a few years ago at the BIG PODCAST conference with David Hooper. We've been in the loop ever since. During the past 18 months, we've spent many hours on coaching calls. Sometimes it is spent developing material, or creating a game plan. And always, trying to find win-win opportunities to develop his stage time and material. Chester is also a writer and actor. A podcast host (Film Fresh and Leader Byte). Learn more and contact Chester Goad at https://www.chesterg.com. COMEDY WIN-WIN OPPORTUNITIES WITH CHESTER GOAD SHOW NOTES Specifically, we talk about:  cutting your teeth on shows where patrons don't expect to see a comedian providing value to a venue instead of asking for stage time writing about what you know connecting with the audience through local material networking in a real way with other comics the value of encouragement sometimes the payoff comes later than you expect Gutty's Comedy Club The Clean Comedy Challenge What Chester knows about BIGFOOT  and much more. === NEVER MISS A PODCAST OR POST If you enjoy this PODCAST please subscribe in iTunes or STITCHER and leave a comment and ranking. Better yet, subscribe to the monthly School of Laughs “Insider Tips” email and get exclusive information delivered right to your inbox. It’s fast, free, useful, and fun. Just email: SchoolOfLaughs@gmail.com and put “insider tip sheet” in the subject header. I’ll make sure you get the official tip sheet and I promise to keep your email anonymous and spam-free.

Today I am discussing comedy win-win opportunities with Chester Goad. I met Chester a few years ago at the <a href="https://podcast.bigpodcast.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">BIG PODCAST</a> conference with David Hooper. We've been in the loop ever since. During the past 18 months, we've spent many hours on coaching calls. Sometimes it is spent developing material, or creating a game plan. And always, trying to find win-win opportunities to develop his stage time and material. Chester is also a <a href="https://www.chesterg.com/#goto-anchor-1487341377697" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">writer and actor</a>. A podcast host (<a href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/1640887/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Film Fresh</a> and <a href="https://chestergoad.podbean.com/page/3/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Leader Byte</a>). Learn more and contact Chester Goad at <a href="https://www.chesterg.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.chesterg.com</a>. COMEDY WIN-WIN OPPORTUNITIES WITH CHESTER GOAD SHOW NOTES Specifically, we talk about: <ul> <li>cutting your teeth on shows where patrons don't expect to see a comedian</li> <li>providing value to a venue instead of asking for stage time</li> <li>writing about what you know</li> <li>connecting with the audience through local material</li> <li>networking in a real way with other comics</li> <li>the value of encouragement</li> <li>sometimes the payoff comes later than you expect</li> <li><a href="https://www.guttyscomedyclub.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Gutty's Comedy Club</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.cleancomedychallenge.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Clean Comedy Challenge</a></li> <li>What Chester knows about BIGFOOT</li> </ul> and much more. === NEVER MISS A PODCAST OR POST If you enjoy this PODCAST please <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/school-of-laughs/id894874975" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">subscribe in iTunes </a>or <a href="http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/rik-roberts-school-of-laughs/school-of-laughs" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">STITCHER</a> and leave a comment and ranking. Better yet, subscribe to the monthly School of Laughs “Insider Tips” email and get exclusive information delivered right to your inbox. It’s fast, free, useful, and fun. Just email: <a>SchoolOfLaughs@gmail.com</a> and put “insider tip sheet” in the subject header. I’ll make sure you get the official tip sheet and I promise to keep your email anonymous and spam-free.

COMEDY WIN-WIN OPPORTUNITIES WITH CHESTER GOAD [EP. 251]

Have you thought about CREATING A COMEDY CD? Brian Kohatsu joins us today to talk about a project that had been on his list for roughly 5 years. Coivd gave him time to finally knock it out and he knocked it out of the park! I'll play a few clips from his project "Secret Asian Man" and dig into the process for making the CD happen. CREATING A COMEDY CD SHOW NOTES Specifically, we talk about:  making the project personal by including friends and family the need for a plan, schedule, and focus incorporating impressions into the album how he has a knack for impersonating the laughs of famous people using his personal skills and talent to save money and studio fees recording at home while the family is around  and much more. Learn more about Brian and purchase his project at www.BrianKohatsu.com === NEVER MISS A PODCAST OR POST If you enjoy this PODCAST please subscribe in iTunes or STITCHER and leave a comment and ranking. Better yet, subscribe to the monthly School of Laughs “Insider Tips” email and get exclusive information delivered right to your inbox. It’s fast, free, useful, and fun. Just email: SchoolOfLaughs@gmail.com and put “insider tip sheet” in the subject header. I’ll make sure you get the official tip sheet and I promise to keep your email anonymous and spam-free.

Have you thought about CREATING A COMEDY CD? Brian Kohatsu joins us today to talk about a project that had been on his list for roughly 5 years. Coivd gave him time to finally knock it out and he knocked it out of the park! I'll play a few clips from his project "Secret Asian Man" and dig into the process for making the CD happen. CREATING A COMEDY CD SHOW NOTES Specifically, we talk about: <ul> <li>making the project personal by including friends and family</li> <li>the need for a plan, schedule, and focus</li> <li>incorporating impressions into the album</li> <li>how he has a knack for impersonating the laughs of famous people</li> <li>using his personal skills and talent to save money and studio fees</li> <li>recording at home while the family is around</li> </ul> and much more. Learn more about Brian and purchase his project at <a href="http://www.briankohatsu.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.BrianKohatsu.com</a> === NEVER MISS A PODCAST OR POST If you enjoy this PODCAST please <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/school-of-laughs/id894874975" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">subscribe in iTunes </a>or <a href="http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/rik-roberts-school-of-laughs/school-of-laughs" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">STITCHER</a> and leave a comment and ranking. Better yet, subscribe to the monthly School of Laughs “Insider Tips” email and get exclusive information delivered right to your inbox. It’s fast, free, useful, and fun. Just email: <a>SchoolOfLaughs@gmail.com</a> and put “insider tip sheet” in the subject header. I’ll make sure you get the official tip sheet and I promise to keep your email anonymous and spam-free.

CREATING A COMEDY CD with BRIAN KOHATSU [EP. 250]

Do you struggle with memorizing your jokes? Have you ever had problems with your voice during a show? What are the pros and cons of using props or musical instruments on stage? In this “after-school special” recorded with students from the writing class in Nashville, we discuss several techniques to help you tie your jokes together. We talk about how to save your failing voice. We go into detail about the many negatives of lugging extra things with you onstage. Also, we discuss some of the benefits of using those guitars and props. LISTEN NOW: Overall, this is a wide-ranging, fast-paced episode with great questions from these students. Listen and you’ll discover:  How a friend of mine memorizes 90 minutes of material using his house. How you can connect my show together with tag lines. What my “hourglass” approach to comedy is. Why I was told to “lose the guitar” – and why I’m glad I didn’t! What happened when Carrot Top lost his props in a fire at the club. Why do some comedy club managers hate dealing with props of any kind onstage?  and much more. === NEVER MISS A PODCAST OR POST If you enjoy this PODCAST please subscribe in iTunes or STITCHER and leave a comment and ranking. Better yet, subscribe to the monthly School of Laughs “Insider Tips” email and get exclusive information delivered right to your inbox. It’s fast, free, useful, and fun. Just email: SchoolOfLaughs@gmail.com and put “insider tip sheet” in the subject header. I’ll make sure you get the official tip sheet and I promise to keep your email anonymous and spam-free.

Do you struggle with memorizing your jokes? Have you ever had problems with your voice during a show? What are the pros and cons of using props or musical instruments on stage? In this “after-school special” recorded with students from the writing class in Nashville, we discuss several techniques to help you tie your jokes together. We talk about how to save your failing voice. We go into detail about the many negatives of lugging extra things with you onstage. Also, we discuss some of the benefits of using those guitars and props. LISTEN NOW: Overall, this is a wide-ranging, fast-paced episode with great questions from these students. Listen and you’ll discover: <ul> <li>How a friend of mine memorizes 90 minutes of material using his house.</li> <li>How you can connect my show together with tag lines.</li> <li>What my “hourglass” approach to comedy is.</li> <li>Why I was told to “lose the guitar” – and why I’m glad I didn’t!</li> <li>What happened when Carrot Top lost his props in a fire at the club.</li> <li>Why do some comedy club managers hate dealing with props of any kind onstage?</li> </ul> and much more. === NEVER MISS A PODCAST OR POST If you enjoy this PODCAST please <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/school-of-laughs/id894874975" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">subscribe in iTunes </a>or <a href="http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/rik-roberts-school-of-laughs/school-of-laughs" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">STITCHER</a> and leave a comment and ranking. Better yet, subscribe to the monthly School of Laughs “Insider Tips” email and get exclusive information delivered right to your inbox. It’s fast, free, useful, and fun. Just email: <a>SchoolOfLaughs@gmail.com</a> and put “insider tip sheet” in the subject header. I’ll make sure you get the official tip sheet and I promise to keep your email anonymous and spam-free.

FREQUENTLY ASKED COMEDY QUESTIONS [EP. 249]

Chris Ruppe

Chris Ruppe is our guest on this episode, and he is also our Patreon sponsor. I first met Chris at a Christian Comedy Association conference. Since then he has developed material and started to think about  going full time into comedy. Along those lines, Chris had some specific questions about making that move. If you are considering making comedy a full-time job, this episode is a musty listen. CHRIS RUPPE SHOW NOTES Specifically, we talk about:  How he got started promoting shows before being a comedian Jokes he’s working on now Tips on finding an “extra gear” to copse your show on Writing his closing bits A fun way to find out who you talk about in your show Paul Gilmartin’s “Sister Joan” poem Tips on when to go full time in comedy How do you navigate secular shows as a Christian comedian? Do you think it is okay to collaborate as a comedian? Tips on getting booked.  And much, much more. (c)(p) 2021 Rik Roberts School of Laughs www.SchoolOfLaughs.com

Chris Ruppe is our guest on this episode, and he is also our <a href="http://patreon/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Patreon</a> sponsor. I first met Chris at a <a href="https://www.christiancomedyassociation.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Christian Comedy Association</a> conference. Since then he has developed material and started to think about <a href="https://www.schooloflaughs.com/085-going-full-time-into-stand-up-comedy-podcast/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> going full time into comedy</a>. Along those lines, Chris had some specific questions about making that move. If you are considering making comedy a full-time job, this episode is a musty listen. CHRIS RUPPE SHOW NOTES Specifically, we talk about: <ul> <li>How he got started promoting shows before being a comedian</li> <li>Jokes he’s working on now</li> <li>Tips on finding an “extra gear” to copse your show on</li> <li>Writing his closing bits</li> <li>A fun way to find out who you talk about in your show</li> <li>Paul Gilmartin’s “Sister Joan” poem</li> <li>Tips on when to go full time in comedy</li> <li>How do you navigate secular shows as a Christian comedian?</li> <li>Do you think it is okay to collaborate as a comedian?</li> <li>Tips on getting booked.</li> </ul> And much, much more. (c)(p) 2021 Rik Roberts School of Laughs <a href="http://www.SchoolOfLaughs.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.SchoolOfLaughs.com</a>

GETTING STARTED with CHRIS RUPPE [EP. 248]

Jeanne Robertson

[This encore presentation of my interview with Jeanne Robertson is in honor of the late Speaker &amp; Huomrists passing. Prayers and condolences for all those who were close to her. ] An interview with a rock star - Jeanne Robertson! In July of 2017, I had a great time talking with Jeanne. We discuss a career that started in the late ’60s and has carried her into the 2020s. You don’t last that 58 years in show business unless you are jaw-dropping funny. Jeanne Robertson absolutely is! Jeanne arrived on my radar in 2015 when I heard her routines on Laugh USA (SiriusXM Satellite radio). I had never crossed paths with her at a comedy club and kept wondering “Where did this hilarious lady come from?” It turns out she comes from North Carolina and entered comedy through the speaking circuit. She’s quick to tell you she is a humorist – not a stand-up comedian. But don’t let that fool you. Her stories are full of laughs all the way to the huge surprise payoff. With over 344,000 YouTube Subscribers and over 100 MILLION views, Jeanne grew more popular than ever. After getting to know her for years through her routines, I finally got the chance to meet up with Jeanne at a session on humor at the National Speaker’s Association conference in Orlando, FL. Jeanne Robertson Show Notes Specifically, we talk about: Connecting through the National Speakers Association Her upcoming show at the Ryman Auditorium Watching Carol Burnett live and getting to meet her Weaving a little audience participation into her shows Going from the Miss North Carolina Pageant to the speaking circuit Working in a message for her corporate audiences Embracing the internet and catapulting her career Getting help from Al McCree to go digital on iTunes The difference between being a speaker and a concert entertainer What to expect at a comedy club vs hearing a humorist Updating and improving material that continues to grow The origin of “Left Brain” stories based on her husband Jerry Giving the audience permission to laugh The process and steps she uses to develop stories The Genie Journal and how it helps accumulate stories How not talking about yourself can generate material And a whole lot more! Want to learn more about Jeanne Robertson Jeanne’s official website http://www.jeannerobertson.com “Don’t Send A Man To The Grocery Store” on YOUTUBE

[This encore presentation of my interview with Jeanne Robertson is in honor of the late Speaker &amp; Huomrists passing. Prayers and condolences for all those who were close to her. ] An interview with a rock star - Jeanne Robertson! In July of 2017, I had a great time talking with Jeanne. We discuss a career that started in the late ’60s and has carried her into the 2020s. You don’t last that 58 years in show business unless you are jaw-dropping funny. Jeanne Robertson absolutely is! Jeanne arrived on my radar in 2015 when I heard her routines on Laugh USA (SiriusXM Satellite radio). I had never crossed paths with her at a comedy club and kept wondering “Where did this hilarious lady come from?” It turns out she comes from North Carolina and entered comedy through the speaking circuit. She’s quick to tell you she is a humorist – not a stand-up comedian. But don’t let that fool you. Her stories are full of laughs all the way to the huge surprise payoff. With over 344,000 YouTube Subscribers and over 100 MILLION views, Jeanne grew more popular than ever. After getting to know her for years through her routines, I finally got the chance to meet up with Jeanne at a session on humor at the National Speaker’s Association conference in Orlando, FL. Jeanne Robertson Show Notes Specifically, we talk about: Connecting through the <a href="https://nsaspeaker.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">National Speakers Association</a> Her upcoming show at the Ryman Auditorium Watching Carol Burnett live and getting to meet her Weaving a little audience participation into her shows Going from the Miss North Carolina Pageant to the speaking circuit Working in a message for her corporate audiences Embracing the internet and catapulting her career Getting help from Al McCree to go digital on iTunes The difference between being a speaker and a concert entertainer What to expect at a comedy club vs hearing a humorist Updating and improving material that continues to grow The origin of “Left Brain” stories based on her husband Jerry Giving the audience permission to laugh The process and steps she uses to develop stories The Genie Journal and how it helps accumulate stories How not talking about yourself can generate material And a whole lot more! Want to learn more about Jeanne Robertson Jeanne’s official website <a href="http://www.jeannerobertson.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.jeannerobertson.com</a> “<a href="https://youtu.be/-YFRUSTiFUs" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Don’t Send A Man To The Grocery Store</a>” on YOUTUBE

LONG LIVE JEANNE ROBERTSON [EP. 247]

In today's episode, Jonnie W. &amp; Brian Bates join me. We discuss how the comedy scene is bouncing back, the latest Bo Burnham special, and how changing one line in a joke can take it to newer and sometimes better places. This episode is sponsored by Patreon supporter Jeremy Lee. If you would like to support the podcast please visit www.SchoolOfLaughs.com/Patreon. Specifically, we talk about:  Are the audiences masked, stressed, or back to normal The vaccinated and the unvaccinated are all attending How the Delta Variant is causing disruption Venues and artists requiring audience members to be vaccinated to attend Bo Burnham's comedy special and how revealing it is (underwear alert) Our favorite parts of the special How technology has changed our cultural norm Why keeping new jokes conversational can lead to moments of discovery How a horrible audience can reveal your best material Are the first few minutes of your show super important or completely disposable? How Foxworthy and Leno treat their audiences  WWW.SCHOOLOFLAUGHS.COM

In today's episode, <a href="https://www.jonniew.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Jonnie W</a>. &amp; <a href="https://www.brianbatescomedy.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Brian Bates</a> join me. We discuss how the comedy scene is bouncing back, the latest <a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/bo_burnham_inside" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Bo Burnham</a> special, and how changing one line in a joke can take it to newer and sometimes better places. This episode is sponsored by Patreon supporter Jeremy Lee. If you would like to support the podcast please visit <a href="http://www.schooloflaughs.com/Patreon" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.SchoolOfLaughs.com/Patreon</a>. Specifically, we talk about: <ul> <li>Are the audiences masked, stressed, or back to normal</li> <li>The vaccinated and the unvaccinated are all attending</li> <li>How the Delta Variant is causing disruption</li> <li>Venues and artists requiring audience members to be vaccinated to attend</li> <li>Bo Burnham's comedy special and how revealing it is (underwear alert)</li> <li>Our favorite parts of the special</li> <li>How technology has changed our cultural norm</li> <li>Why keeping new jokes conversational can lead to moments of discovery</li> <li>How a horrible audience can reveal your best material</li> <li>Are the first few minutes of your show super important or completely disposable?</li> <li>How Foxworthy and Leno treat their audiences</li> </ul> <a href="http://WWW.SCHOOLOFLAUGHS.COM" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">WWW.SCHOOLOFLAUGHS.COM</a>

BOUNCING BACK, BO BURNHAM & BITS [EP 246]

From the aspiring comedian to the part time pro this is the podcast you've been looking for! This podcast is full of honest insight and useful information on the journey from the open mic to the sweet paying corporate gig. Shows range in format from "comedy campfires" where we swap out the fire for a mic and get to the key questions from aspiring comics to in-depth interviews with professional comedians, booking agents, managers and club owners. Led by 23  yr comedy veteran Rik Roberts (www.RikRoberts.com) as part of his School of Laughs (www.SchoolofLaughs.com) workshop series.

Fantastic podcast with great tips for all comics. Regardless of experience.

Great for beginners and seasoned comics

Glad I found this podcast, can’t wait to sign up for some classes!

No title needed

From the aspiring comedian to the part time pro this is the podcast you've been looking for! This podcast is full of honest insight and useful information on the journey from the open mic to the sweet paying corporate gig. Shows range in format from "comedy campfires" where we swap out the fire for a mic and get to the key questions from aspiring comics to in-depth interviews with professional comedians, booking agents, managers and club owners. Led by 23 yr comedy veteran Rik Roberts (<a href="http://www.RikRoberts.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.RikRoberts.com</a>) as part of his School of Laughs (<a href="http://www.SchoolofLaughs.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.SchoolofLaughs.com</a>) workshop series.

School Of Laughs

JEANNE ROBERTSON COMEDY WITH CLASS [EP. 148] Jeanne Robertson (one of my comedy favorites) joins us today! We discuss a career that started in late 60’s and has carried her into her mid seventies! You don’t last 54 years in show business unless you are jaw-dropping funny. Jeanne Robertson absolutely is! Jeanne appeared on my radar a dozen or so years ago when I heard her routines on Laugh USA (SiriusXM Satellite radio). I had never crossed paths with her at a comedy club and kept wondering “Where did this hilarious lady come from?” It turns out she comes from North Carolina and entered comedy through the speaking circuit. She’s quick to tell you she is a humorist – not a stand-up comedian. But don’t let that fool you. Her stories are full of laughs all the way to the huge, surprise payoff. With over 126,000 YouTube Subscribers and over 49 MILLION views Jeanne is more popular than ever. This episode of the School of Laughs podcast is brought to you by Patreon supporter Bishop Jeffrey D Donelson. Visit www.SchoolOfLaughs.com/Patreon to learn how you can support the show! After getting to know her for years through her routines, I finally got the chance to meet up with Jeanne in early July. We were both at a session on using humor at the National Speaker’s Association conference in Orlando, FL. It was then I knew I had to get her on the show. We talk about her COMEDY WITH CLASS Humor Competition (sign up HERE:  www.ComedyWithClass.com/competition) and a whole lot more. Specifically, we talk about: Connecting through the National Speakers Association Her upcoming show at the Ryman Auditorium Watching Carol Burnett live and getting to meet her Weaving a little audience participation into her shows Going from the Miss North Carolina Pageant to the speaking circuit Working in a message for her corporate audiences Embracing the internet and catapulting her career Getting help from Al McCree to go digital on iTunes  The difference between being a speaker and a concert entertainer What to expect at a comedy club vs hearing a humorist Updating and improving material that continues to grow The origin of “Left Brain” stories based on her husband Jerry Giving the audience permission to laugh The process and steps she uses to develop stories The Genie Journal and how it helps accumulate stories How not talking about yourself can generate material www.ComedyWithClass.com/competition And a whole lot more! Want to learn more about Jeanne Robertson Jeanne's official website http://www.jeannerobertson.com  Watch “Don’t Send A Man To The Grocery Store” on YOUTUBE and hear how "Left Brain" took a left turn at the grocery store.

JEANNE ROBERTSON COMEDY WITH CLASS [EP. 148] Jeanne Robertson (one of my comedy favorites) joins us today! We discuss a career that started in late 60’s and has carried her into her mid seventies! You don’t last 54 years in show business unless you are jaw-dropping funny. Jeanne Robertson absolutely is! Jeanne appeared on my radar a dozen or so years ago when I heard her routines on Laugh USA (SiriusXM Satellite radio). I had never crossed paths with her at a comedy club and kept wondering “Where did this hilarious lady come from?” It turns out she comes from North Carolina and entered comedy through the speaking circuit. She’s quick to tell you she is a humorist – not a stand-up comedian. But don’t let that fool you. Her stories are full of laughs all the way to the huge, surprise payoff. With over 126,000 YouTube Subscribers and over 49 MILLION views Jeanne is more popular than ever. This episode of the School of Laughs podcast is brought to you by Patreon supporter Bishop Jeffrey D Donelson. Visit <a href="http://www.SchoolOfLaughs.com/Patreon" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.SchoolOfLaughs.com/Patreon</a> to learn how you can support the show! After getting to know her for years through her routines, I finally got the chance to meet up with Jeanne in early July. We were both at a session on using humor at the National Speaker’s Association conference in Orlando, FL. It was then I knew I had to get her on the show. We talk about her COMEDY WITH CLASS Humor Competition (<a href="https://comedywithclass.com/competition/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">sign up HERE</a>:  <a href="http://www.ComedyWithClass.com/competition" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.ComedyWithClass.com/competition</a>) and a whole lot more. Specifically, we talk about: Connecting through the <a href="http://www.nsaspeaker.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">National Speakers Association</a> Her upcoming show at the Ryman Auditorium Watching Carol Burnett live and getting to meet her Weaving a little audience participation into her shows Going from the <a href="http://www.missnc.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Miss North Carolina Pageant</a> to the speaking circuit Working in a message for her corporate audiences Embracing the internet and catapulting her career Getting help from Al McCree to go digital on <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/jeanne-robertson/id268189440" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">iTunes</a> The difference between being a speaker and a concert entertainer What to expect at a comedy club vs hearing a humorist Updating and improving material that continues to grow The origin of “Left Brain” stories based on her husband Jerry Giving the audience permission to laugh The process and steps she uses to develop stories The Genie Journal and how it helps accumulate stories How not talking about yourself can generate material <a href="http://www.ComedyWithClass.com/competition" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.ComedyWithClass.com/competition</a> And a whole lot more! Want to learn more about Jeanne Robertson Jeanne's official website <a href="http://www.jeannerobertson.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.jeannerobertson.com</a> Watch “<a href="https://youtu.be/-YFRUSTiFUs" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Don’t Send A Man To The Grocery Store</a>” on YOUTUBE and hear how "Left Brain" took a left turn at the grocery store.

JEANNE ROBERTSON - COMEDY WITH CLASS [EP. 148]

Finding your comedic voice is like finding and ATM that prints money without asking for your PIN number. It is the sweetest piece of information you will never have as a comedian. Your comedic voice is that little accent that goes on all of your material. The comedic voice is your brand, style and uniqueness all rolled into one. When will you find your comedic voice? It all depends. The more times you get on stage the better chance you will have to discover it. Just doing a couple of open mics a month probably won't lead to any incredible discoveries. It's often been said that it can take about 7 years of constant, consistent and relentless stage time to find that golden nugget. Do you have the patience and drive to push through? Will you have the same drive and recognition a few years later to notice that your voice has changed a little? Can you go through that process again?  In this episode we talk about finding your comedic voice, hecklers &amp; agents. The questions come from students of mine in Nashville, TN after a recent writing class. SPONSORS We are sponsored today by the Clean Comedy Challenge (www.CleanComedyChallenge.com) and by Patreon member Sean Sellers. Visit PATREON to learn how you can support the podcast through a small, recurring monthly donation Learn more about LIVE and ONLINE comedy classes at www.SchoolofLaughs.com

Finding your comedic voice is like finding and ATM that prints money without asking for your PIN number. It is the sweetest piece of information you will never have as a comedian. Your comedic voice is that little accent that goes on all of your material. The comedic voice is your brand, style and uniqueness all rolled into one. When will you find your comedic voice? It all depends. The more times you get on stage the better chance you will have to discover it. Just doing a couple of open mics a month probably won't lead to any incredible discoveries. It's often been said that it can take about 7 years of constant, consistent and relentless stage time to find that golden nugget. Do you have the patience and drive to push through? Will you have the same drive and recognition a few years later to notice that your voice has changed a little? Can you go through that process again? In this episode we talk about finding your comedic voice, hecklers &amp; agents. The questions come from students of mine in Nashville, TN after a recent writing class. SPONSORS We are sponsored today by the Clean Comedy Challenge (<a href="http://www.CleanComedyChallenge.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.CleanComedyChallenge.com</a>) and by Patreon member Sean Sellers. Visit PATREON to learn how you can support the podcast through a small, recurring monthly donation Learn more about LIVE and ONLINE comedy classes at <a href="http://www.SchoolofLaughs.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.SchoolofLaughs.com</a>

COMEDIC VOICE, HECKLERS & AGENTS [EP. 163]

Jane Atkinson

Jane Atkinson is founder of The Wealthy Speaker School, which provides online courses, group coaching and live events for all levels of speakers, helping people look at speaking as a business.  Jane has over 30 years experience in the speaking business, has authored four books and is host of The Wealthy Speaker Podcast. JANE ATKINSON SHOW NOTES  If you don't get YOUR fee you haven't shown them enough value. The discovery call. Planning strategically what your outreach is going to be. Making 50 connections, a month or 50 connections a week depending on how aggressive you're going to be. Avoiding the spray and pray approach. You can't you can't make big decisions playing small. Do a lot of homework on the audience. Being someone who doesn't listen with their mouth. What changed as a result of our work together. Knowing what's working, what's needs fixing. Do I need a team or somebody to hire to get in there? Think about your business as a whole, rather than that day to day working in the business. Is your website clear on the value that you're bringing to the table? Is your video is being effective in getting you the gig every time? How are you reaching out to people? What target markets are you approaching? Using virtual assistants such as Biz Ease.  And a whole lot more! LEARN MORE ABOUT JANE ATKINSON FOLLOW ON FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/Jane.Speaker.Launcher WATCH ON TWITTER: https://twitter.com/janeatkinson VIEW ON INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/janeatkinson1/ SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT:  This episode is brought to you by Patreon supporter CHRIS RUPPE and CLUB 52. Club 52  is a one-year program designed to challenge you to get bigger, better and more bookable. You will be prompted to examine your material, performance and business practices via email each week.  Visit www.SchoolOfLaughs.com/Patreon for more info today.

Jane Atkinson is founder of <a href="https://wealthyspeakerschool.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">The Wealthy Speaker School</a>, which provides online courses, group coaching and live events for all levels of speakers, helping people look at speaking as a business.  Jane has over 30 years experience in the speaking business, has authored four books and is host of <a href="https://www.speakerlauncher.com/category/podcasts/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">The Wealthy Speaker Podcast</a>. JANE ATKINSON SHOW NOTES <ul> <li>If you don't get YOUR fee you haven't shown them enough value.</li> <li>The discovery call.</li> <li>Planning strategically what your outreach is going to be.</li> <li>Making 50 connections, a month or 50 connections a week depending on how aggressive you're going to be.</li> <li>Avoiding the spray and pray approach.</li> <li>You can't you can't make big decisions playing small.</li> <li>Do a lot of homework on the audience.</li> <li>Being someone who doesn't listen with their mouth.</li> <li>What changed as a result of our work together.</li> <li>Knowing what's working, what's needs fixing.</li> <li>Do I need a team or somebody to hire to get in there?</li> <li>Think about your business as a whole, rather than that day to day working in the business.</li> <li>Is your website clear on the value that you're bringing to the table?</li> <li>Is your video is being effective in getting you the gig every time?</li> <li>How are you reaching out to people?</li> <li>What target markets are you approaching?</li> <li>Using virtual assistants such as <a href="https://bizeasesupport.com/tag/virtual-assistance/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">Biz Ease</a>.</li> </ul> And a whole lot more! LEARN MORE ABOUT JANE ATKINSON FOLLOW ON FACEBOOK: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Jane.Speaker.Launcher" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/Jane.Speaker.Launcher</a> WATCH ON TWITTER: <a href="https://twitter.com/janeatkinson" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/janeatkinson</a> VIEW ON INSTAGRAM: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/janeatkinson1/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.instagram.com/janeatkinson1/</a> SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT:  This episode is brought to you by Patreon supporter CHRIS RUPPE and <a href="https://www.schooloflaughs.com/insider-access/club-52-mentorship/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">CLUB 52</a>. Club 52  is a one-year program designed to challenge you to get bigger, better and more bookable. You will be prompted to examine your material, performance and business practices via email each week.  Visit <a href="http://www.SchoolOfLaughs.com/Patreon" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.SchoolOfLaughs.com/Patreon</a> for more info today.

BE A WEALTHY SPEAKER OR COMEDIAN: JANE ATKINSON [EP. 206]

Scott Long

Comedian Scott Longjoins us today to talk about creating a local presence in your market. If you haven't realized the importance of becoming a resource in your own community - you are missing out. I've known Scott Long for over 25 years. We started roughly the same time in similar cities. He lived in Indianapolis, the home of mega successful "The Bob and Tom Show." I started in Columbus, OH, the most successful location of the Funny Bone Comedy Clubs. Both were cities with great local comedy scenes. Because of that, the competition for stage time was strong. I believe that made us each a better comedian. Both of us are still at it, although we have done it in slightly different ways. Today, Scott is a known commodity in his city. He has strategically positioned himself as the "go to guy" for comedy fundraisers, corporate events and more in Indianapolis. On the show he shares specifics on how to create opportunities that serve both your community and yourself. SCOTT LONG SHOW NOTES: Specifically, Scott Long and I talk about:   The importance of re-creating yourself in comedy Producing your own shows Creating your own opportunities How to get a LOT of media exposure Using tough gigs to prepare for bigger opportunities Choosing not to move to L.A. or N.Y.C. His inspiration to try more corporate events Involving his daughter in his comedy The pressure of self-producing your own events  And a whole lot more!    Learn more about Scott Long: WebsiteFacebookTwitter   THIS EPISODE IS SPONSORED BY PATREON SUPPORTER Rory Gardener and The Hot Breath Podcast … SUBSCRIBE TODAY!

Comedian <a href="https://scottlong.wordpress.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Scott Long</a>joins us today to talk about creating a local presence in your market. If you haven't realized the importance of becoming a resource in your own community - you are missing out. I've known Scott Long for over 25 years. We started roughly the same time in similar cities. He lived in Indianapolis, the home of mega successful "<a href="http://www.bobandtom.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Bob and Tom Show</a>." I started in Columbus, OH, the most successful location of the <a href="http://funnybone.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Funny Bone Comedy Clubs</a>. Both were cities with great local comedy scenes. Because of that, the competition for stage time was strong. I believe that made us each a better comedian. Both of us are still at it, although we have done it in slightly different ways. Today, Scott is a known commodity in his city. He has strategically positioned himself as the "go to guy" for comedy fundraisers, corporate events and more in Indianapolis. On the show he shares specifics on how to create opportunities that serve both your community and yourself. SCOTT LONG SHOW NOTES: Specifically, Scott Long and I talk about: <ul> <li>The importance of re-creating yourself in comedy</li> <li>Producing your own shows</li> <li>Creating your own opportunities</li> <li>How to get a LOT of media exposure</li> <li>Using tough gigs to prepare for bigger opportunities</li> <li>Choosing not to move to L.A. or N.Y.C.</li> <li>His inspiration to try more corporate events</li> <li>Involving his daughter in his comedy</li> <li>The pressure of self-producing your own events</li> </ul> And a whole lot more! Learn more about Scott Long: <a href="https://www.itsanautismthing.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Website</a><a href="https://www.facebook.com/Scott-Long-153209661386854/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Facebook</a><a href="https://twitter.com/scottcomedy" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Twitter</a>   THIS EPISODE IS SPONSORED BY <a href="https://schooloflaughs.com/patreon-a-way-for-you-to-support-the-podcast/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">PATREON</a> SUPPORTER Rory Gardener and <a href="https://hotbreathpod.blogspot.com/search?q=rik+roberts" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Hot Breath Podcast</a> … SUBSCRIBE TODAY!

CREATE A LOCAL PRESENCE WITH SCOTT LONG [EP. 174]

Damian Mason

DAMIAN MASON Do Business Better is the new book from Speaker/Author Damian Mason. The goal of the book is to fine tune your Traits, Habits and Actions to help you succeed. As entrepreneurs we can get bogged down with "tasks" instead of business. Our very nature has us chasing squirrels and looking for the next thing. After reading this book, I've been able to get that focus back and identify what has been working and what has not. Damian Mason and I go back a few years. I've watched him develop three separate programs to serve his clients. This latest book is an offshoot of his new program. If the name sounds familiar, it's because I had Damian on the show abc in episode 150 talking about THE BUSINESS OF CREATIVITY. It's definitely worth another listen.   DO BUSINESS BETTER WITH DAMIAN MASON Show Notes We cover a lot of ground in this fast-paced interview. Including:  How to serve your clients well Being prepared to develop the next thing before it's necessary Identifying your strengths and weaknesses How you can tap into your TALENT STACK The benefits of breaking down tape of your set/program And much, much more  In fact so much more, that is you are a Patreon Club 52 member - there is a bonus podcast waiting for you! Just head on over to PATREONright now to listen. And this is me on his podcast (click pic to listen):     FIND OUT MORE ABOUT DAMIAN MASON Web SIte: https://www.damianmason.com Facebook Twitter LInkedIn   SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT:  This episode is brought to you by Patreon supporter JOSH LISTONand CLUB 52. Club 52is a one-year program designed to challenge you to get bigger, better and more bookable. You will be prompted to examine your material, performance and business practices via email each week.    CLICK PIC FOR MORE DETAILS You will define your stage persona, style and point of view. You will learn how to create expectations through your marketing, branding and introductions. From nailing your elevator pitch, to refining your value proposition, you will learn how to make it easier for bookers to hire you. Meet comics from around the country during a quarterly online “hangout”. As a group, we tackle our top struggles and how to approach overcoming them. Think of it as your personal monthly mastermind group. Over the course of the year you will learn how to get more gigs, and leverage every opportunity that comes your way. Sound good? Club 52 is available to anyone supporting the podcast through Patreon at $7 a month or more. To learn more about Patreon, just click here. Or go to SchoolOflaughs.com/Patreon

DAMIAN MASON Do Business Better is the new book from Speaker/Author Damian Mason. The goal of the book is to fine tune your Traits, Habits and Actions to help you succeed. As entrepreneurs we can get bogged down with "tasks" instead of business. Our very nature has us chasing squirrels and looking for the next thing. After reading this book, I've been able to get that focus back and identify what has been working and what has not. Damian Mason and I go back a few years. I've watched him develop three separate programs to serve his clients. This latest book is an offshoot of his new program. If the name sounds familiar, it's because I had Damian on the show abc in episode 150 talking about <a href="https://www.schooloflaughs.com/dalian-mason-ep-150/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">THE BUSINESS OF CREATIVITY</a>. It's definitely worth another listen. <a href="http://traffic.libsyn.com/schooloflaughs/The_Unemployed_Alcoholic_Aaron_Sorrels_EP._190.mp3" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> </a> DO BUSINESS BETTER WITH DAMIAN MASON Show Notes We cover a lot of ground in this fast-paced interview. Including: <ul> <li>How to serve your clients well</li> <li>Being prepared to develop the next thing before it's necessary</li> <li>Identifying your strengths and weaknesses</li> <li>How you can tap into your TALENT STACK</li> <li>The benefits of breaking down tape of your set/program</li> <li>And much, much more</li> </ul> In fact so much more, that is you are a Patreon Club 52 member - there is a bonus podcast waiting for you! Just head on over to <a href="https://www.patreon.com/schooloflaughs" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">PATREON</a>right now to listen. And this is me on his podcast (click pic to listen): <a href="https://soundcloud.com/dobusinessbetter/18-business-lessons-from-the-biz-of-comedy-with-rik-roberts" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> </a>   FIND OUT MORE ABOUT DAMIAN MASON Web SIte: <a href="https://www.damianmason.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.damianmason.com</a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/DamianMasonProfessionalSpeaker/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Facebook</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/DamianPMason" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Twitter</a> <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/damianmason/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">LInkedIn</a> SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT:  This episode is brought to you by Patreon supporter JOSH LISTONand <a href="https://www.schooloflaughs.com/insider-access/club-52-mentorship/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">CLUB 52</a>. Club 52is a one-year program designed to challenge you to get bigger, better and more bookable. You will be prompted to examine your material, performance and business practices via email each week. <a href="https://schooloflaughs.com/insider-access/club-52-mentorship/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://schooloflaughs.com/insider-access/club-52-mentorship/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">CLICK PIC FOR MORE DETAILS</a> You will define your stage persona, style and point of view. You will learn how to create expectations through your marketing, branding and introductions. From nailing your elevator pitch, to refining your value proposition, you will learn how to make it easier for bookers to hire you. Meet comics from around the country during a quarterly online “hangout”. As a group, we tackle our top struggles and how to approach overcoming them. Think of it as your personal monthly mastermind group. Over the course of the year you will learn how to get more gigs, and leverage every opportunity that comes your way. Sound good? Club 52 is available to anyone supporting the podcast through Patreon at $7 a month or more. To learn more about Patreon, <a href="http://www.patreon.com/schooloflaughs" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">just click here</a>. Or go to <a href="http://www.schooloflaughs.com/Patreon" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">SchoolOflaughs.com/Patreon</a>

DO BUSINESS BETTER WITH DAMIAN MASON [EP. 191]

Today we are going to weed and feed our act, business and relationships. Spring is a time of fresh rain, budding flowers and horrific, crippling allergies. Ahh, soak it in. Don’t look now but I see some weeds popping up. Daggone it! My beautiful yard is all covered with chickweed, ribwort and quack grass. THIS EPISODE IS SPONSORED BY PATREON SUPPORTER SEAN SELLERS AND THE CLEAN COMEDY CHALLENGE.   As I walked around the year this year I thought, enough is enough. Time to weed and feed. In the past I tolerated the weeds because green is green and honestly, they dominated a good portion of the lawn. But, they kept spreading and now there is more weed than grass. And, uhm, this ain’t COLORADO. Within a week of application I saw the weeds starting to turn yellow. By the second week (after a little rain and ninety degree temperatures) the fertilizer kicked in and boosted the grass noticeably. The weeds we now dead and brown. As I wandered around the yard it occurred to me that this would be a great metaphor for shoring up my act. Clean out the junk and let the good stuff grow deep. The lawn product directions said to "apply to lawn while wet". I advise you think about your act soon after a performance. When you do, here are some things to consider: WEED AND FEED - TIPS FOR A STRONGER ACT SHOW NOTES Take a long look at your opening and closing bits Search out any wordy or unnecessarily long stories Be objective and pull any "hacky" or "entry level" jokes Ask yourself, would I write this joke today? If not, YANK IT! Spend more time on bits and see if you can "deepen the roots" If you have trouble, do this exercise with another comedian Now apply this "weeding" to your business approach Use the PARETO PRINCIPLE to direct your focus Shine the sun on what's delivering the biggest payoff Rid your business of time consuming / low return practices When in a rut, help someone else Weed and feed your relationships End toxic relationships and focus on solid mutually beneficial friends Episode Sponsors ... We are sponsored today by the Clean Comedy Challenge (www.CleanComedyChallenge.com) and Patreon supporter SEAN SELLERS. Visit  PATREON to learn how you can support the podcast through a small, recurring monthly donation.   RIK'S UPCOMING LIVE PUBLIC APPEARANCES  May 18 &amp; 24 / 2018 6:ooPM TBN Studios Hendersonville, TN(Just North of Nashville) Tickets are FREE but must be reserved. Tickets for HUCKABEE in Hendersonville from ShowClix https://www.showclix.com/event/huckabee REQUESTING TICKETS. All available live taping dates for the HUCKABEEshow are listed on the calendar as they are confirmed one month out. Please choose the taping date you are interested in and follow the prompts. If the date you choose is already at capacity, feel free to enter as standby or choose a future date.

Today we are going to weed and feed our act, business and relationships. Spring is a time of fresh rain, budding flowers and horrific, crippling allergies. Ahh, soak it in. Don’t look now but I see some weeds popping up. Daggone it! My beautiful yard is all covered with chickweed, ribwort and quack grass. THIS EPISODE IS SPONSORED BY <a href="https://schooloflaughs.com/patreon-a-way-for-you-to-support-the-podcast/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">PATREON</a> SUPPORTER SEAN SELLERS AND THE <a href="http://www.cleancomedychallenge.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">CLEAN COMEDY CHALLENGE</a>.   As I walked around the year this year I thought, enough is enough. Time to weed and feed. In the past I tolerated the weeds because green is green and honestly, they dominated a good portion of the lawn. But, they kept spreading and now there is more weed than grass. And, uhm, this ain’t COLORADO. Within a week of application I saw the weeds starting to turn yellow. By the second week (after a little rain and ninety degree temperatures) the fertilizer kicked in and boosted the grass noticeably. The weeds we now dead and brown. As I wandered around the yard it occurred to me that this would be a great metaphor for shoring up my act. Clean out the junk and let the good stuff grow deep. The lawn product directions said to "apply to lawn while wet". I advise you think about your act soon after a performance. When you do, here are some things to consider: WEED AND FEED - TIPS FOR A STRONGER ACT SHOW NOTES Take a long look at your opening and closing bits Search out any wordy or unnecessarily long stories Be objective and pull any "hacky" or "entry level" jokes Ask yourself, would I write this joke today? If not, YANK IT! Spend more time on bits and see if you can "deepen the roots" If you have trouble, do this exercise with another comedian Now apply this "weeding" to your business approach Use the PARETO PRINCIPLE to direct your focus Shine the sun on what's delivering the biggest payoff Rid your business of time consuming / low return practices When in a rut, help someone else Weed and feed your relationships End toxic relationships and focus on solid mutually beneficial friends Episode Sponsors ... We are sponsored today by the Clean Comedy Challenge (<a href="http://www.cleancomedychallenge.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.CleanComedyChallenge.com</a>) and Patreon supporter SEAN SELLERS. Visit <a href="https://schooloflaughs.com/patreon-a-way-for-you-to-support-the-podcast/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> PATREON </a>to learn how you can support the podcast through a small, recurring monthly donation.   RIK'S <a href="http://rikroberts.com/latest-news/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">UPCOMING LIVE PUBLIC APPEARANCES</a> May 18 &amp; 24 / 2018 6:ooPM TBN Studios Hendersonville, TN(Just North of Nashville) Tickets are FREE but must be reserved. <a href="https://www.showclix.com/event/huckabee" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Tickets for HUCKABEE in Hendersonville from ShowClix</a> <a href="https://www.showclix.com/event/huckabee" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.showclix.com/event/huckabee</a> REQUESTING TICKETS. All available live taping dates for the HUCKABEEshow are listed on the calendar as they are confirmed one month out. Please choose the taping date you are interested in and follow the prompts. If the date you choose is already at capacity, feel free to enter as standby or choose a future date.

WEED AND FEED - TIPS FOR A HEALTHIER ACT [EP. 168]

Comedian John Felts joins us today from Wilmington, NC. John is a hit with his audiences because he takes time to research the group and write specific jokes for them. Customizing comedy shows isn't easy. It takes time and a little bit of courage. But it pays off with huge laughs. John walks us through the steps he takes to get the inside information. He discusses how to implement the material in the show for maximum results. Although he has done this for quite some time, he still is experimenting with ways to make customizing comedy shows even better. We also cover how to produce your own comedy shows. John Felts is the producer of the Clean Comedy Getaway series which features top clean comedians from around the country. We dig into the nitty gritty details of putting that together. In this episode we specifically discuss: How to study your audience Finding out what NOT TO SAY in advance When to do crowd work The benefits of customizing comedy shows Mistakes he learned from in promoting and advertising a show Securing a venue for your own show Difficulty in marketing across multiple demographics Line up diversity in comedy shows Overcoming the stigma of a "clean" show Protecting your brand by keeping standards high Importance of building an email list The long road to turning a profit How BrownPaperTickets.com helped him Tips on keeping the family happy while you do comedy Knowing your priorities in life And much, much more! To find out more about John and his comedy please visit: http://www.johnfeltscomedy.com https://www.cleangetawaycomedy.com ---- Sponsors: This episode is brought to you by Patreon supporter Jeremy Lee and CLUB 52. Club 52 is a one-year program designed to challenge you to get bigger, better and more bookable. You will be prompted to examine your material, performance and business practices via email each week.

Comedian John Felts joins us today from Wilmington, NC. John is a hit with his audiences because he takes time to research the group and write specific jokes for them. Customizing comedy shows isn't easy. It takes time and a little bit of courage. But it pays off with huge laughs. John walks us through the steps he takes to get the inside information. He discusses how to implement the material in the show for maximum results. Although he has done this for quite some time, he still is experimenting with ways to make customizing comedy shows even better. We also cover how to produce your own comedy shows. John Felts is the producer of the Clean Comedy Getaway series which features top clean comedians from around the country. We dig into the nitty gritty details of putting that together. In this episode we specifically discuss: How to study your audience Finding out what NOT TO SAY in advance When to do crowd work The benefits of customizing comedy shows Mistakes he learned from in promoting and advertising a show Securing a venue for your own show Difficulty in marketing across multiple demographics Line up diversity in comedy shows Overcoming the stigma of a "clean" show Protecting your brand by keeping standards high Importance of building an email list The long road to turning a profit How <a href="BrownPaperTickets.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">BrownPaperTickets.com</a> helped him Tips on keeping the family happy while you do comedy Knowing your priorities in life And much, much more! To find out more about John and his comedy please visit: <a href="http://www.johnfeltscomedy.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.johnfeltscomedy.com</a> <a href="https://www.cleangetawaycomedy.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.cleangetawaycomedy.com</a> ---- Sponsors: This episode is brought to you by Patreon supporter Jeremy Lee and CLUB 52. Club 52 is a one-year program designed to challenge you to get bigger, better and more bookable. You will be prompted to examine your material, performance and business practices via email each week.

CUSTOMIZING COMEDY SHOWS [EP. 184]

Andrew Stanley

Andrew Stanley graduated from college with a finance degree. He always thought he was funny but didn’t know how to explore writing comedy. A mutual friend introduced Andrew to Scott Dunn, who writes for a lot of great comedians (Listen to Scott’s Episode of the podcast here). Scott recommended Andrew write five minutes of jokes, and then go do them at the local comedy club open mic. Andrew hesitated at first because of a fear of speaking in public. His father and grandfather are well known and respected pastors. Yet, he didn’t see himself as someone who would stand in front of strangers and talk for a living. But he mustered up a few jokes and attended an open mic at the Laughing Skull in Atlanta. With 20 comedians doing five minutes each, he remembers leaving there thinking he wasn’t the best, but wasn’t the worst. He decided to keep at it. Lucky for us he did. We cover a lot of ground on the podcast, including:  How his father Andy Stanley influenced my podcast How the School of Laughs podcast influenced Andrew's early days How Lace Larabee encouraged him to pursue comedy Inviting friends out to see you perform Transitioning out of work and into Stand-Up Comedy Who was the last one to decide he should go into comedy full time Balancing church and comedy club events Being dark in the light place and light in the dark place Early successes that have led to more work The Catalyst Conference The blessings of family The benefits of clean comedy Confusing family-friendly with clean comedy Venn diagram of what works in comedy environments Building material that works in all places Starting with a punchline and building the joke from there The necessity of stage time Exploring writing processes Learning when and how to say “no” to wrong opportunities  AND A WHOLE LOT MORE!   Follow Andrew Stanley: https://twitter.com/andrewWstanley https://www.facebook.com/andrew.stanley.986 https://www.instagram.com/andrewwstanley/     SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT:  This episode is brought to you by Patreon supporter DUSTIN CRIDERand CLUB 52. Club 52  is a one-year program designed to challenge you to get bigger, better and more bookable. You will be prompted to examine your material, performance and business practices via email each week. You will define your stage persona, style and point of view. You will learn how to create expectations through your marketing, branding and introductions. From nailing your elevator pitch, to refining your value proposition, you will learn how to make it easier for bookers to hire you. Meet comics from around the country during a quarterly online “hangout”. As a group, we tackle our top struggles and how to approach overcoming them. Think of it as your personal monthly mastermind group. Over the course of the year you will learn how to get more gigs, and leverage every opportunity that comes your way. Sound good? Club 52 is available to anyone supporting the podcast through Patreon at $7 a month or more. To learn more about Patreon, just click here. Or go to SchoolOflaughs.com/Patreon

<a href="https://www.andrewstanleycomedy.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Andrew Stanley</a> graduated from college with a finance degree. He always thought he was funny but didn’t know how to explore writing comedy. A mutual friend introduced Andrew to Scott Dunn, who writes for a lot of great comedians (<a href="https://www.schooloflaughs.com/021-writing-comedy-tv-radio-podcast/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Listen to Scott’s Episode of the podcast here</a>). Scott recommended Andrew write five minutes of jokes, and then go do them at the local comedy club open mic. Andrew hesitated at first because of a fear of speaking in public. His father and grandfather are well known and respected pastors. Yet, he didn’t see himself as someone who would stand in front of strangers and talk for a living. But he mustered up a few jokes and attended an open mic at the <a href="https://laughingskulllounge.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Laughing Skull in Atlanta</a>. With 20 comedians doing five minutes each, he remembers leaving there thinking he wasn’t the best, but wasn’t the worst. He decided to keep at it. Lucky for us he did. We cover a lot of ground on the podcast, including: <ul> <li>How his father <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andy_Stanley" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Andy Stanley</a> influenced my podcast</li> <li>How the School of Laughs podcast influenced Andrew's early days</li> <li>How <a href="https://www.lacelarrabee.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Lace Larabee</a> encouraged him to pursue comedy</li> <li>Inviting friends out to see you perform</li> <li>Transitioning out of work and into Stand-Up Comedy</li> <li>Who was the last one to decide he should go into comedy full time</li> <li>Balancing church and comedy club events</li> <li>Being dark in the light place and light in the dark place</li> <li>Early successes that have led to more work</li> <li>The <a href="https://www.catalystleader.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Catalyst Conference</a></li> <li>The blessings of family</li> <li>The benefits of clean comedy</li> <li>Confusing family-friendly with clean comedy</li> <li>Venn diagram of what works in comedy environments</li> <li>Building material that works in all places</li> <li>Starting with a punchline and building the joke from there</li> <li>The necessity of stage time</li> <li>Exploring writing processes</li> <li>Learning when and how to say “no” to wrong opportunities</li> </ul> AND A WHOLE LOT MORE!   Follow Andrew Stanley: <a href="https://twitter.com/andrewWstanley" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/andrewWstanley</a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/andrew.stanley.986" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/andrew.stanley.986</a> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/andrewwstanley/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.instagram.com/andrewwstanley/</a> SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT:  This episode is brought to you by Patreon supporter DUSTIN CRIDERand <a href="https://www.schooloflaughs.com/insider-access/club-52-mentorship/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">CLUB 52</a>. Club 52  is a one-year program designed to challenge you to get bigger, better and more bookable. You will be prompted to examine your material, performance and business practices via email each week. You will define your stage persona, style and point of view. You will learn how to create expectations through your marketing, branding and introductions. From nailing your elevator pitch, to refining your value proposition, you will learn how to make it easier for bookers to hire you. Meet comics from around the country during a quarterly online “hangout”. As a group, we tackle our top struggles and how to approach overcoming them. Think of it as your personal monthly mastermind group. Over the course of the year you will learn how to get more gigs, and leverage every opportunity that comes your way. Sound good? Club 52 is available to anyone supporting the podcast through Patreon at $7 a month or more. To learn more about Patreon, <a href="http://www.patreon.com/schooloflaughs" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">just click here</a>. Or go to <a href="http://www.schooloflaughs.com/Patreon" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">SchoolOflaughs.com/Patreon</a>

ANDREW STANLEY - DARK IN A LIGHT PLACE [EP. 194]

KRISTIN WEBER

KRISTIN WEBER is a funny lady who not only does comedy, but she also performs with an accordion. Take that Judy Tenuta! Kristin started her comedy journey around 2010. She took sketch classes with the Groundlingsand when she needed to develop a character she picked up the accordion as part of that process. She now travels the country performing at a range of events including churches, fund raisers, youth retreats and women's conferences. Now based in Atlanta, GA, Kristin is getting more comfortable delivering her comedy, despite the fact the act of getting onstage in front of an audience is genuinely terrifying. KRISTIN WEBER SHOW NOTES:  Today we talk about many things, including:  Overcoming a series of bad shows by taking time off Her fear of being in front of an audience The benefit of being in your thirties as an entertainer Focusing on sharing the gift of comedy Learning to enjoy the variety of gig opportunities Her Craig's Listaccordion transaction The art of song parodies The difference between a stand up and an improvisational comedian Her top tip for new comics The benefit of an opening song  And a whole lot more! LEARN MORE ABOUT KRISTIN WEBER AT HER WEBSITE: http://www.kristinweberonline.com    Episode Sponsors ... THIS EPISODE IS SPONSORED BY PATREON SUPPORTER ALLEN-MICHAEL HARBER AND THE ART OF BOMBING PODCAST ... SUBSCRIBE TODAY!  FOLLOW ART OF BOMBING ON TWITTER: https://twitter.com/artofbombingpod FOLLOW  ART OF BOMBING ON FACEBOOK:  https://www.facebook.com/artobpodcast/   RIK'S UPCOMING LIVE PUBLIC APPEARANCES  Jul 17, 27 AUGUST 3, 10, 17 2018 6:ooPM TBN Studios Hendersonville, TN(Just North of Nashville) Tickets are FREE but must be reserved. Tickets for HUCKABEE in Hendersonville from ShowClix https://www.showclix.com/event/huckabee REQUESTING TICKETS. All available live taping dates for the HACKABLE show are listed on the calendar as they are confirmed one month out. Please choose the taping date you are interested in and follow the prompts. If the date you choose is already at capacity, feel free to enter as standby or choose a future date.

KRISTIN WEBER is a funny lady who not only does comedy, but she also performs with an accordion. Take that <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judy_Tenuta" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Judy Tenuta</a>! Kristin started her comedy journey around 2010. She took sketch classes with <a href="http://www.groundlings.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">the Groundlings</a>and when she needed to develop a character she picked up the accordion as part of that process. She now travels the country performing at a range of events including churches, fund raisers, youth retreats and women's conferences. Now based in Atlanta, GA, Kristin is getting more comfortable delivering her comedy, despite the fact the act of getting onstage in front of an audience is genuinely terrifying. KRISTIN WEBER SHOW NOTES: Today we talk about many things, including: <ul> <li>Overcoming a series of bad shows by taking time off</li> <li>Her fear of being in front of an audience</li> <li>The benefit of being in your thirties as an entertainer</li> <li>Focusing on sharing the gift of comedy</li> <li>Learning to enjoy the variety of gig opportunities</li> <li>Her <a href="https://www.craigslist.org/about/sites" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Craig's List</a>accordion transaction</li> <li>The art of song parodies</li> <li>The difference between a stand up and an improvisational comedian</li> <li>Her top tip for new comics</li> <li>The benefit of an opening song</li> </ul> And a whole lot more! LEARN MORE ABOUT KRISTIN WEBER AT HER WEBSITE: <a href="http://www.kristinweberonline.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.kristinweberonline.com</a>   Episode Sponsors ... THIS EPISODE IS SPONSORED BY <a href="https://schooloflaughs.com/patreon-a-way-for-you-to-support-the-podcast/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">PATREON</a> SUPPORTER ALLEN-MICHAEL HARBER AND THE ART OF BOMBING PODCAST ... SUBSCRIBE TODAY! FOLLOW ART OF BOMBING ON TWITTER: <a href="https://twitter.com/artofbombingpod" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/artofbombingpod</a> FOLLOW  ART OF BOMBING ON FACEBOOK:  <a href="https://www.facebook.com/artobpodcast/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/artobpodcast/</a> RIK'S <a href="http://rikroberts.com/latest-news/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">UPCOMING LIVE PUBLIC APPEARANCES</a> Jul 17, 27 AUGUST 3, 10, 17 2018 6:ooPM TBN Studios Hendersonville, TN(Just North of Nashville) Tickets are FREE but must be reserved. <a href="https://www.showclix.com/event/huckabee" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Tickets for HUCKABEE in Hendersonville from ShowClix</a> <a href="https://www.showclix.com/event/huckabee" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.showclix.com/event/huckabee</a> REQUESTING TICKETS. All available live taping dates for the HACKABLE show are listed on the calendar as they are confirmed one month out. Please choose the taping date you are interested in and follow the prompts. If the date you choose is already at capacity, feel free to enter as standby or choose a future date.

KRISTIN WEBER - A SOUND COMEDIENNE [EP. 172]

Mark Klein

Comedian Mark Klein joins us today to discuss coming up in the 1980’s comedy boom, how it has changed and what stays the same.  Living in a sellers market in the 1980’s Being part of a comedy duo with Bob Batch Keys to making a corporate event a success Creating a clean show separate from his nightclub act Discovering laughs that were once masked by language The benefits of working on a cruise ship (yay - no cell phones!) Tapping into “Hidden World” comedy situations Learning to think about “Who’s Not Hiring Me?” A couple of thingS he wishes he would have done earlier The benefits (and limits) of having an agent What we are really paid for as comedians Dropping hints and planting business tips in your show Switching the focus from income to impact Producing a comedy show for cable TV and other outlets  To learn ore about Mark Klein visit: WEBSITE: CorpJester.com FB: https://www.facebook.com/corpjester Episode Sponsors ... THE RIK ROBERTS SCHOOL OF LAUGHS www.SchoolOfLaughs.com  We are sponsored today by the Clean Comedy Challenge (www.CleanComedyChallenge.com) and Patreon supporter Ray Price. Visit  PATREON to learn how you can support the podcast through a small, recurring monthly donation. THIS PODCAST IS PRODUCTION OF THE RIK ROBERTS SCHOOL OF LAUGHS. ANY MISUSE, REPRODUCTION OR UNAUTHORIZED ACTIVITY IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED. (C) (P)

Comedian Mark Klein joins us today to discuss coming up in the 1980’s comedy boom, how it has changed and what stays the same. <ul> <li>Living in a sellers market in the 1980’s</li> <li>Being part of a comedy duo with Bob Batch</li> <li>Keys to making a corporate event a success</li> <li>Creating a clean show separate from his nightclub act</li> <li>Discovering laughs that were once masked by language</li> <li>The benefits of working on a cruise ship (yay - no cell phones!)</li> <li>Tapping into “Hidden World” comedy situations</li> <li>Learning to think about “Who’s Not Hiring Me?”</li> <li>A couple of thingS he wishes he would have done earlier</li> <li>The benefits (and limits) of having an agent</li> <li>What we are really paid for as comedians</li> <li>Dropping hints and planting business tips in your show</li> <li>Switching the focus from income to impact</li> <li>Producing a comedy show for cable TV and other outlets</li> </ul> To learn ore about Mark Klein visit: WEBSITE: <a href="http://corpjester.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">CorpJester.com</a> FB: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/corpjester" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/corpjester</a> Episode Sponsors ... THE RIK ROBERTS SCHOOL OF LAUGHS <a href="http://www.SchoolOfLaughs.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.SchoolOfLaughs.com</a> We are sponsored today by the Clean Comedy Challenge (<a href="http://www.CleanComedyChallenge.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.CleanComedyChallenge.com</a>) and Patreon supporter Ray Price. Visit <a href="https://schooloflaughs.com/patreon-a-way-for-you-to-support-the-podcast/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> PATREON</a> to learn how you can support the podcast through a small, recurring monthly donation. THIS PODCAST IS PRODUCTION OF THE RIK ROBERTS SCHOOL OF LAUGHS. ANY MISUSE, REPRODUCTION OR UNAUTHORIZED ACTIVITY IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED. (C) (P)

MARK KLEIN - IT'S WHAT YOU DON'T SAY [EP. 166]

Its time for the ever popular "After School Special"! Today I chat with a few students after a  Stand-Up Comedy Level One: Writingclass in Nashville. They ask insight fun questions about choosing the right material for the right audience, how to include the opposite sex in your material, and how to survive the politically correct atmosphere that has chewed up and spit out so many of today's comedians. ALL ABOUT THE AUDIENCE SHOW NOTES Michael, an EMT, asks about how you find your audience, how long does it take to develop your niche and how you write material specifically for a type of audience. June, who works in special education, asks “What do guys think is funny?” Specifically, are there some topics that guys are naturally uncomfortable listening to? We talk about including the guys by writing tag lines or using analogies that make the material accessible. My approach is to include everyone every five minutes. I don’t stay on a topic that is so exclusive that it alienates part of the audience for more than a few minutes at a time. Amy, a real estate broker, asks about how older folks can get into comedy. Is it easier, harder or how difficult is it to become a comedian when you are a little bit older. My advice is to find the people who want to listen to what you have to say and go to them. Sometimes hoping they find you is just not going to cut it. I give specific advice on how you can connect to your potential audience and start from where you are now. Judgemental "PC" Audiences Michael asks a mother question, this time about the political correctness in comedy today. Has it ruined the ability for a comedian to say what is on their mind? Don’t audiences realize they don’t have to watch a show if they don’t like it? My take is that if you present yourself as an authentic comedian, it is hard for the audience to separate your comedic angle from your true point of view. So write a joke that explores all angles of a topic. Be aware of potential animosity and write to address those audience members. It comes down to intent. You must make that clear on stage so that the joke can survive. I don’t like the judgmental / TMZ type of audience member who is looking for a scoop on your bad behavior to share on social media. But, if you make yourself clear you should be able to avoid winding up in their cross-hairs. Sponsors: This episode is brought to you by Scott Love and CLUB 52. Club 52is a one-year program designed to challenge you to get bigger, better and more bookable. You will be prompted to examine your material, performance and business practices via email each week.  CLICK PIC FOR MORE DETAILS You will define your stage persona, style and point of view. You will learn how to create expectations through your marketing, branding and introductions. From nailing your elevator pitch, to refining your value proposition, you will learn how to make it easier for bookers to hire you. Meet comics from around the country during a quarterly online “hangout”. As a group, we tackle our top struggles and how to approach overcoming them. Think of it as your personal monthly mastermind group. Over the course of the year you will learn how to get more gigs, and leverage every opportunity that comes your way. Sound good? Club 52 is available to anyone supporting the podcast through Patreon at $7 a month or more. To learn more about Patreon, just click here. Or go to SchoolOflaughs.com/Patreon

Its time for the ever popular "After School Special"! Today I chat with a few students after a <a href="https://www.schooloflaughs.com/comedy-classes-nashville-tn/level-one-writing/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Stand-Up Comedy Level One: Writing</a>class in Nashville. They ask insight fun questions about choosing the right material for the right audience, how to include the opposite sex in your material, and how to survive the politically correct atmosphere that has chewed up and spit out so many of today's comedians. ALL ABOUT THE AUDIENCE SHOW NOTES Michael, an EMT, asks about how you find your audience, how long does it take to develop your niche and how you write material specifically for a type of audience. June, who works in special education, asks “What do guys think is funny?” Specifically, are there some topics that guys are naturally uncomfortable listening to? We talk about including the guys by writing tag lines or using analogies that make the material accessible. My approach is to include everyone every five minutes. I don’t stay on a topic that is so exclusive that it alienates part of the audience for more than a few minutes at a time. Amy, a real estate broker, asks about how older folks can get into comedy. Is it easier, harder or how difficult is it to become a comedian when you are a little bit older. My advice is to find the people who want to listen to what you have to say and go to them. Sometimes hoping they find you is just not going to cut it. I give specific advice on how you can connect to your potential audience and start from where you are now. Judgemental "PC" Audiences Michael asks a mother question, this time about the political correctness in comedy today. Has it ruined the ability for a comedian to say what is on their mind? Don’t audiences realize they don’t have to watch a show if they don’t like it? My take is that if you present yourself as an authentic comedian, it is hard for the audience to separate your comedic angle from your true point of view. So write a joke that explores all angles of a topic. Be aware of potential animosity and write to address those audience members. It comes down to intent. You must make that clear on stage so that the joke can survive. I don’t like the judgmental / TMZ type of audience member who is looking for a scoop on your bad behavior to share on social media. But, if you make yourself clear you should be able to avoid winding up in their cross-hairs. Sponsors: This episode is brought to you by Scott Love and <a href="https://www.schooloflaughs.com/insider-access/club-52-mentorship/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">CLUB 52</a>. Club 52is a one-year program designed to challenge you to get bigger, better and more bookable. You will be prompted to examine your material, performance and business practices via email each week. <a href="https://schooloflaughs.com/insider-access/club-52-mentorship/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://schooloflaughs.com/insider-access/club-52-mentorship/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">CLICK PIC FOR MORE DETAILS</a> You will define your stage persona, style and point of view. You will learn how to create expectations through your marketing, branding and introductions. From nailing your elevator pitch, to refining your value proposition, you will learn how to make it easier for bookers to hire you. Meet comics from around the country during a quarterly online “hangout”. As a group, we tackle our top struggles and how to approach overcoming them. Think of it as your personal monthly mastermind group. Over the course of the year you will learn how to get more gigs, and leverage every opportunity that comes your way. Sound good? Club 52 is available to anyone supporting the podcast through Patreon at $7 a month or more. To learn more about Patreon, <a href="http://www.patreon.com/schooloflaughs" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">just click here</a>. Or go to <a href="http://SchoolOflaughs.com/Patreon" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">SchoolOflaughs.com/Patreon</a>

IT IS ALL ABOUT THE AUDIENCE [EP. 185]

Mike James

Mike James joins us today to talk about cruises, corporate gigs and leaving the software field to go full time into comedy. Thanks to Patreon supporter Christy Largent and to the Hot Breath podcast with Joel Byars for sponsoring this episode. To learn how you can support the podcast check out www.SchoolOfLaughs.com/Patreon. Mike James is a clean comedian based the Phoenix, AZ area. After working as a software engineer for many years (including coding EXCEL) he decided to go full time into his comedy career. We cover a lot of ground in this episode. Mike is especially interesting because he started full time much later in life. People often ask me about starting comedy at a later stage life. In fact we covered it in STARTING COMEDY LATE IN LIFE [EP. 108] with Rex Havens awhile back. Rex also left a big time job when he didn't have to to pursue comedy. Mike James and I talk about:  Having the "comedy discussion" with his wife Being initially inspired by his son's love of  improvcomedy Getting his start in Phoenix area Importance of delegating what isn't your strong suit Moving beyond clubs to corporate gigs Exploring work on cruise ships Booking cruise ship gigs How to STAY booked on cruise ships The challenge of filling a LOT of time on cruise ships Staying focused while on a cruise Starting Cross-Eyed Comedywith Brian Kohatsu  and much, much more. Find out more about Mike James at his web site: MikeJamesComedy.com      Episode Sponsors ... This episode is sponsored by PATREON supporter Christy Largentand the "HOT BREATH" PODCAST with JOEL BYARS. Hot Breath focuses on Stand-Up just like the School of Laughs. Trust me, you will dig it! CLICK HEREto find your preferred listening method and SUBSCRIBE TODAY! INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/hotbreathpod/ FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/HotBreathPod/

Mike James joins us today to talk about cruises, corporate gigs and leaving the software field to go full time into comedy. Thanks to Patreon supporter Christy Largent and to the Hot Breath podcast with Joel Byars for sponsoring this episode. To learn how you can support the podcast check out <a href="http://www.schooloflaughs.com/Patreon" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.SchoolOfLaughs.com/Patreon</a>. Mike James is a clean comedian based the Phoenix, AZ area. After working as a software engineer for many years (including coding <a href="https://products.office.com/en-us/excel" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">EXCEL</a>) he decided to go full time into his comedy career. We cover a lot of ground in this episode. Mike is especially interesting because he started full time much later in life. People often ask me about starting comedy at a later stage life. In fact we covered it in <a href="https://schooloflaughs.com/starting-comedy-late-life-ep-107/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">STARTING COMEDY LATE IN LIFE [EP. 108]</a> with Rex Havens awhile back. Rex also left a big time job when he didn't have to to pursue comedy. Mike James and I talk about: <ul> <li>Having the "comedy discussion" with his wife</li> <li>Being initially inspired by his son's love of <a href="https://schooloflaughs.com/comedy-classes-nashville-tn/improv-comedy/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> improv</a>comedy</li> <li>Getting his start in Phoenix area</li> <li>Importance of delegating what isn't your strong suit</li> <li>Moving beyond clubs to corporate gigs</li> <li>Exploring work on cruise ships</li> <li>Booking cruise ship gigs</li> <li>How to STAY booked on cruise ships</li> <li>The challenge of filling a LOT of time on cruise ships</li> <li>Staying focused while on a cruise</li> <li>Starting <a href="http://www.crosseyedcomedy.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Cross-Eyed Comedy</a>with <a href="https://schooloflaughs.com/video-tips-with-brian-kohatsu-ep-161/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Brian Kohatsu</a></li> </ul> and much, much more. Find out more about Mike James at his web site: <a href="http://mikejamescomedy.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">MikeJamesComedy.com</a>     Episode Sponsors ... This episode is sponsored by <a href="https://schooloflaughs.com/patreon-a-way-for-you-to-support-the-podcast/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">PATREON</a> supporter Christy Largentand the "HOT BREATH" PODCAST with JOEL BYARS. Hot Breath focuses on Stand-Up just like the School of Laughs. Trust me, you will dig it! <a href="https://audioboom.com/channel/hotbreathpodcast" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>to find your preferred listening method and <a href="https://audioboom.com/channel/hotbreathpodcast" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">SUBSCRIBE TODAY</a>! INSTAGRAM: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/hotbreathpod/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.instagram.com/hotbreathpod/</a> FACEBOOK: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/HotBreathPod/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/HotBreathPod/</a>

MIKE JAMES - CRUISING FOR COMEDY [EP. 178]

It is time for the 2019 Stand-Up Comedy Goals Podcast. This episode is a nerdy, comprehensive deep dive into measurable goals for sand-up comedians. Fame and fortune are payoffs, but not necessarily great goals. And, goals in and of themselves won't make you funnier than anyone else. But they should make you funnier than you are now if you set them correctly. Without them, you may find yourself  immersed in bitterness and resent everyone else's success. "What you getby achieving your goals is not as important as what you becomeby achieving your goals."  - Henry David Thoreau In this episode, we talk about specific daily, weekly, monthly and annual goals you can set for your comedy career. It is the behind the scenes planning that no performer admits to doing (and many don't). But you aspire to be better than you are now, so you are thinking strategically about the year ahead. Congratulations! We cover four areas of goals in this 2019 Stand-Up Comedy Goals Podcast episode. Specifically: Writing- how much time are you giving yourself to be creative and develop material? Performing- are you getting out of the house and getting on stage enough to see progress? Earning- what is your income from comedy and related skills? Investing- how much are spending to get your name out there so people can find you? 2019 STAND-UP COMEDY GOALS PODCAST BONUS! GET YOUR FREEGOAL TRACKER WORKSHEET! This .pdf is designed to help inspire you to create, measure and improve upon over sixty goals for your comedy career. Whether you are reading this post in December, February or August all you have to do is request this free worksheet and I’ll send it your way. If you would like a 2019 Goals Worksheet, e-mail me at SchoolOfLaughs.com and put GOALS TRACKER 2019 in the subject line. I’ll send you the worksheet and you will receive the bi-monthly INSIDER TIPS NEWSLETTER as well. It is full of comedy news, blog recaps, podcast summaries and a challenge to get your comedy career on the right track. You can unsubscribe from the newsletter anytime. No hard feelings.   DID YOU FAIL YOUR GOALS IN 2018??? If you are really interested in achieving goals but have had trouble, check out this blog post: "What Is Holding You Back?" As in all things in life, you want to  make sure your family is on boardwith your goals. Remember - your ability plus your work ethic equals your opportunities. So, set some short and long term goals and make sure to generate opportunities through focused effort. Sponsors: This episode is brought to you by  Patreonsupporter Darby Slaton and CLUB 52. Club 52is a one-year program designed to challenge you to get bigger, better and more bookable. You will be prompted to examine your material, performance and business practices via email each week.    CLICK PIC FOR MORE DETAILS You will define your stage persona, style and point of view. You will learn how to create expectations through your marketing, branding and introductions. From nailing your elevator pitch, to refining your value proposition, you will learn how to make it easier for bookers to hire you. Meet comics from around the country during a quarterly online “hangout”. As a group, we tackle our top struggles and how to approach overcoming them. Think of it as your personal monthly mastermind group. Over the course of the year you will learn how to get more gigs, and leverage every opportunity that comes your way. Sound good? Club 52 is available to anyone supporting the podcast through Patreon at $7 a month or more. To learn more about Patreon, just click here. Or go to SchoolOflaughs.com/Patreon

It is time for the 2019 Stand-Up Comedy Goals Podcast. This episode is a nerdy, comprehensive deep dive into measurable goals for sand-up comedians. Fame and fortune are payoffs, but not necessarily great goals. And, goals in and of themselves won't make you funnier than anyone else. But they should make you funnier than you are now if you set them correctly. Without them, you may find yourself <a href="http://www.schooloflaughs.com/012-ask-better-bitter-questions-podcast/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> immersed in bitterness</a> and resent everyone else's success. "What you getby achieving your goals is not as important as what you becomeby achieving your goals."  - Henry David Thoreau In this episode, we talk about specific daily, weekly, monthly and annual goals you can set for your comedy career. It is the behind the scenes planning that no performer admits to doing (and many don't). But you aspire to be better than you are now, so you are thinking strategically about the year ahead. Congratulations! We cover four areas of goals in this 2019 Stand-Up Comedy Goals Podcast episode. Specifically: Writing- how much time are you giving yourself to be creative and develop material? Performing- are you getting out of the house and getting on stage enough to see progress? Earning- what is your income from comedy and related skills? Investing- how much are spending to get your name out there so people can find you? 2019 STAND-UP COMEDY GOALS PODCAST BONUS! GET YOUR FREEGOAL TRACKER WORKSHEET! This .pdf is designed to help inspire you to create, measure and improve upon over sixty goals for your comedy career. Whether you are reading this post in December, February or August all you have to do is request this free worksheet and I’ll send it your way. If you would like a 2019 Goals Worksheet, e-mail me at <a href="http://SchoolOfLaughs.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">SchoolOfLaughs.com</a> and put GOALS TRACKER 2019 in the subject line. I’ll send you the worksheet and you will receive the bi-monthly INSIDER TIPS NEWSLETTER as well. It is full of comedy news, blog recaps, podcast summaries and a challenge to get your comedy career on the right track. You can unsubscribe from the newsletter anytime. No hard feelings.   DID YOU FAIL YOUR GOALS IN 2018??? If you are really interested in achieving goals but have had trouble, check out this blog post: <a href="http://www.schooloflaughs.com/holding-back/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">"What Is Holding You Back?"</a> As in all things in life, you want to <a href="http://www.schooloflaughs.com/013-comedy-career-home-life-balance-forget/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> make sure your family is on board</a>with your goals. Remember - your ability plus your work ethic equals your opportunities. So, set some short and long term goals and make sure to generate opportunities through focused effort. Sponsors: This episode is brought to you by <a href="https://schooloflaughs.com/patreon-a-way-for-you-to-support-the-podcast/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Patreon</a>supporter Darby Slaton and <a href="https://www.schooloflaughs.com/insider-access/club-52-mentorship/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">CLUB 52</a>. Club 52is a one-year program designed to challenge you to get bigger, better and more bookable. You will be prompted to examine your material, performance and business practices via email each week. <a href="https://schooloflaughs.com/insider-access/club-52-mentorship/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://schooloflaughs.com/insider-access/club-52-mentorship/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">CLICK PIC FOR MORE DETAILS</a> You will define your stage persona, style and point of view. You will learn how to create expectations through your marketing, branding and introductions. From nailing your elevator pitch, to refining your value proposition, you will learn how to make it easier for bookers to hire you. Meet comics from around the country during a quarterly online “hangout”. As a group, we tackle our top struggles and how to approach overcoming them. Think of it as your personal monthly mastermind group. Over the course of the year you will learn how to get more gigs, and leverage every opportunity that comes your way. Sound good? Club 52 is available to anyone supporting the podcast through Patreon at $7 a month or more. To learn more about Patreon, <a href="http://www.patreon.com/schooloflaughs" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">just click here</a>. Or go to <a href="http://SchoolOflaughs.com/Patreon" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">SchoolOflaughs.com/Patreon</a>

 2019 STAND-UP COMEDY GOALS [EP. 183]

Today is an “after school special” where I talk with a handful of students and tackle the biggest questions on their minds! QUESTIONS &amp; TOPICS INCLUDE  What do you do when you bomb? Finding comedians to hang with. It's just an experiment every single time. Expect there to be silence. Beginning comedy with an already stable lifestyle. Is it absolutely necessary to go all in with no safety net? There's no shortcut around growing through stage time. Finding parts in your world that are the least stable to help you create comedy. Riches are in the niches. Comedian Eddie B. (teaching niche) Balance between you and your spouse. Occasionally your comedy career has to go way off balance. Best way to guarantee stage time is starting your own open mic. Professional Speaker Mark Klein.  And a whole lot more! SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT:  This episode is brought to you by Patreon supporter JUDY BARBE and CLUB 52. Club 52  is a one-year program designed to challenge you to get bigger, better and more bookable. You will be prompted to examine your material, performance and business practices via email each week.  Visit www.SchoolOfLaughs.com/Patreon for more info today.

Today is an “after school special” where I talk with a handful of students and tackle the biggest questions on their minds! QUESTIONS &amp; TOPICS INCLUDE <ul> <li>What do you do when you bomb?</li> <li>Finding comedians to hang with.</li> <li>It's just an experiment every single time.</li> <li>Expect there to be silence.</li> <li>Beginning comedy with an already stable lifestyle.</li> <li>Is it absolutely necessary to go all in with no safety net?</li> <li>There's no shortcut around growing through stage time.</li> <li>Finding parts in your world that are the least stable to help you create comedy.</li> <li>Riches are in the niches.</li> <li><a href="https://www.eddiebcomedy.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">Comedian Eddie B</a>. (teaching niche)</li> <li>Balance between you and your spouse.</li> <li><a href="http://traffic.libsyn.com/schooloflaughs/013_Work_-_Life_Balance.mp3" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">Occasionally your comedy career has to go way off balance</a>.</li> <li><a href="https://www.schooloflaughs.com/start-comedy-show-new-comics/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">Best way to guarantee stage time is starting your own open mic</a>.</li> <li><a href="https://chtbl.com/track/3E755/traffic.libsyn.com/schooloflaughs/MARK_KLEIN_-_ITS_WHAT_YOU_DONT_SAY_EP._166.mp3" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">Professional Speaker Mark Klein</a>.</li> </ul> And a whole lot more! SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT:  This episode is brought to you by Patreon supporter JUDY BARBE and <a href="https://www.schooloflaughs.com/insider-access/club-52-mentorship/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">CLUB 52</a>. Club 52  is a one-year program designed to challenge you to get bigger, better and more bookable. You will be prompted to examine your material, performance and business practices via email each week.  Visit <a href="http://www.SchoolOfLaughs.com/Patreon" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.SchoolOfLaughs.com/Patreon</a> for more info today.

BOMBING, BALANCING and BEYOND [EP. 205]

Dan Whitehurst

Dan Whitehurst talks about going from cop to comedy. Dan is a friend of mine from nearly the first few weeks I moved to Nashville in 1999. I knew al little about his backstory, but have always wanted to learn more about the man behind that impressive beard.   DAN WHITEHURST Show Notes We talk about a variety of things including:  Past jobs as prison guard, detective and national guard Learning to tell stories and how he hones them Trying to do comedy during a basketball game An odd show at the Loft in Georgia with Keith Alberstadt  The trade off of fun and money in the feature spot The hustle behind performing in Branson A shout out to Joey I.L.O. Why he moved out to the country ... and then back How the Nashville comedy scene has changed Working cleaner  And a whole lot more! FIND OUT MORE ABOUT DAN WHITEHURST Watch his clip on why he left the police force from Huckabee on TBN: https://youtu.be/WzU4Vz7S-aU Sponsors: This episode is brought to you by John McCormack and CLUB 52. Club 52 is a one-year program designed to challenge you to get bigger, better and more bookable. You will be prompted to examine your material, performance and business practices via email each week.    CLICK PIC FOR MORE DETAILS You will define your stage persona, style and point of view. You will learn how to create expectations through your marketing, branding and introductions. From nailing your elevator pitch, to refining your value proposition, you will learn how to make it easier for bookers to hire you. Meet comics from around the country during a quarterly online “hangout”. As a group, we tackle our top struggles and how to approach overcoming them. Think of it as your personal monthly mastermind group. Over the course of the year you will learn how to get more gigs, and leverage every opportunity that comes your way. Sound good? Club 52 is available to anyone supporting the podcast through Patreon at $7 a month or more. To learn more about Patreon, just click here. Or go to SchoolOflaughs.com/Patreon

Dan Whitehurst talks about going from cop to comedy. Dan is a friend of mine from nearly the first few weeks I moved to Nashville in 1999. I knew al little about his backstory, but have always wanted to learn more about the man behind that impressive beard. <a href="http://traffic.libsyn.com/schooloflaughs/Hitting_Reset_With_Kay_Dodd_Ep._186_2.mp3" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> </a> DAN WHITEHURST Show Notes We talk about a variety of things including: <ul> <li>Past jobs as prison guard, detective and national guard</li> <li>Learning to tell stories and how he hones them</li> <li>Trying to do comedy during a basketball game</li> <li>An odd show at the Loft in Georgia with <a href="http://keithcomedy.com/bio/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Keith Alberstadt </a></li> <li>The trade off of fun and money in the feature spot</li> <li>The hustle behind performing in <a href="https://www.branson.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Branson</a></li> <li>A shout out to <a href="http://joeyilocomedy.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Joey I.L.O.</a></li> <li>Why he moved out to the country ... and then back</li> <li>How the Nashville comedy scene has changed</li> <li>Working cleaner</li> </ul> And a whole lot more! FIND OUT MORE ABOUT DAN WHITEHURST Watch his clip on why he left the police force from Huckabee on TBN: <a href="https://youtu.be/WzU4Vz7S-aU" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://youtu.be/WzU4Vz7S-aU</a> Sponsors: This episode is brought to you by John McCormack and <a href="https://www.schooloflaughs.com/insider-access/club-52-mentorship/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">CLUB 52</a>. Club 52 is a one-year program designed to challenge you to get bigger, better and more bookable. You will be prompted to examine your material, performance and business practices via email each week. <a href="https://schooloflaughs.com/insider-access/club-52-mentorship/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://schooloflaughs.com/insider-access/club-52-mentorship/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">CLICK PIC FOR MORE DETAILS</a> You will define your stage persona, style and point of view. You will learn how to create expectations through your marketing, branding and introductions. From nailing your elevator pitch, to refining your value proposition, you will learn how to make it easier for bookers to hire you. Meet comics from around the country during a quarterly online “hangout”. As a group, we tackle our top struggles and how to approach overcoming them. Think of it as your personal monthly mastermind group. Over the course of the year you will learn how to get more gigs, and leverage every opportunity that comes your way. Sound good? Club 52 is available to anyone supporting the podcast through Patreon at $7 a month or more. To learn more about Patreon, <a href="http://www.patreon.com/schooloflaughs" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">just click here</a>. Or go to <a href="http://www.schooloflaughs.com/Patreon" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">SchoolOflaughs.com/Patreon</a>

DAN WHITEHURST - FROM COP TO COMEDY [EP. 187]

Dusty Slay joins me on the podcast today to discuss all things comedy. Dusty was born and raised in Alabama. He moved to Charleston, SC and got started at first by performing Improv comedy. He tried a little stand-up comedy. His first set was great. But then the following shows were not that good and he took a four year break before trying again. Lucky for us, the second time around stuck and he has been onstage since 2008. So, ten years into comedy is where we pick up today. DUSTY SLAY SHOW NOTES: Specifically, Dusty Slay and I talk about:  Growing up (and writing about) living in a trailer park Learning to write about real life How real life comedy is easier to remember Performing sober since 29 years old Moving to Nashville to be more geographically centered Landing in a new town with an hour of solid material Moving up into headlining at comedy clubs Resetting the stage when following high energy Experimenting with crowd work Adjusting delivery for different types of audience Slowing down enough to allow the audience to react Accepting comics who are different than you What led up to Dusty’s Jimmy Kimmel appearance The role comedy festivals played in the appearance The value of keeping a five minute set handy Developing a YouTube channel  and much, much more!   DUSTY SLAY ONLINE: Dusty Slay on Jimmy Kimmel: https://youtu.be/o5j4Y5pcbr0 Dusty Slay web site: http://dustyslay.com Dusty Slay Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qlqb-g3sQjQ DUSTY SLAY BIO Slay has appeared on several network shows including ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live! NBC’s “Last Comic Standing”, the popular program “Laughs on FOX” and he was a featured comedian on “TMZ”.  Dusty’s comedy is regularly showcased on many nationally syndicated radio programs including Sirius XM, Pandora Radio and “The Bob and Tom Radio Show”. He’s also been invited to numerous comedy festivals across America including: The Bridgetown Comedy Festival 2017, The Laughing Skull Festival 2015-16, The Charleston Comedy Festival and The Cape Fear Comedy Festival. Dusty won both the “Fight Night Competition” and the “Almost Famous Competition” at the Charlotte Comedy Zone in 2014.  During his years in Charleston, SC Slay won The Charleston Comedy Festival Stand Up Competition two years in a row and was voted “Best Local Comic” by the readers of the Charleston City Paper in 2013 and 2014.   Episode Sponsors ... We are sponsored today by the Clean Comedy Challenge (www.CleanComedyChallenge.com) and Patreon supporter Brad Ber. Visit  PATREON to learn how you can support the podcast through a small, recurring monthly donation.

Dusty Slay joins me on the podcast today to discuss all things comedy. Dusty was born and raised in Alabama. He moved to Charleston, SC and got started at first by performing Improv comedy. He tried a little stand-up comedy. His first set was great. But then the following shows were not that good and he took a four year break before trying again. Lucky for us, the second time around stuck and he has been onstage since 2008. So, ten years into comedy is where we pick up today. DUSTY SLAY SHOW NOTES: Specifically, Dusty Slay and I talk about: <ul> <li>Growing up (and writing about) living in a trailer park</li> <li>Learning to write about real life</li> <li>How real life comedy is easier to remember</li> <li>Performing sober since 29 years old</li> <li>Moving to Nashville to be more geographically centered</li> <li>Landing in a new town with an hour of solid material</li> <li>Moving up into headlining at comedy clubs</li> <li>Resetting the stage when following high energy</li> <li>Experimenting with crowd work</li> <li>Adjusting delivery for different types of audience</li> <li>Slowing down enough to allow the audience to react</li> <li>Accepting comics who are different than you</li> <li>What led up to Dusty’s Jimmy Kimmel appearance</li> <li>The role comedy festivals played in the appearance</li> <li>The value of keeping a five minute set handy</li> <li>Developing a YouTube channel</li> </ul> and much, much more!   DUSTY SLAY ONLINE: Dusty Slay on Jimmy Kimmel: <a href="https://youtu.be/o5j4Y5pcbr0" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://youtu.be/o5j4Y5pcbr0</a> Dusty Slay web site: <a href="http://dustyslay.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://dustyslay.com</a> Dusty Slay Youtube channel: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qlqb-g3sQjQ" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qlqb-g3sQjQ</a> DUSTY SLAY BIO Slay has appeared on several network shows including ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live! NBC’s “Last Comic Standing”, the popular program “Laughs on FOX” and he was a featured comedian on “TMZ”.  Dusty’s comedy is regularly showcased on many nationally syndicated radio programs including Sirius XM, Pandora Radio and “The Bob and Tom Radio Show”. He’s also been invited to numerous comedy festivals across America including: The Bridgetown Comedy Festival 2017, The Laughing Skull Festival 2015-16, The Charleston Comedy Festival and The Cape Fear Comedy Festival. Dusty won both the “Fight Night Competition” and the “Almost Famous Competition” at the Charlotte Comedy Zone in 2014.  During his years in Charleston, SC Slay won The Charleston Comedy Festival Stand Up Competition two years in a row and was voted “Best Local Comic” by the readers of the Charleston City Paper in 2013 and 2014.   Episode Sponsors ... We are sponsored today by the Clean Comedy Challenge (<a href="http://www.CleanComedyChallenge.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.CleanComedyChallenge.com</a>) and Patreon supporter Brad Ber. Visit <a href="https://schooloflaughs.com/patreon-a-way-for-you-to-support-the-podcast/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> PATREON</a> to learn how you can support the podcast through a small, recurring monthly donation.

DUSTY SLAY: KIMMEL, CLUBS AND COUNTRY MUSIC [EP. 165]

Bone Hampton

BONE HAMPTON - America's Got Talent comedian and Dove Award-winning “Comedian of the Year”  joins me today to talk all things comedy. I've known Bone for a solid ten years and although we've broke bread, appeared on some of the same tapings and are part of the Christian Comedy Association, I haven't spent as much time as I would have liked with him. So today, we make up for it with an in-depth hour long interview that is wall to wall jam packed with comedy gold. BONE HAMPTON SHOW NOTES Specifically, Bone Hampton and I talk about:  His days as University of North Texasfootball player and Rah Rah dude Winning $500 from Oscar-winning actor, Jamie Foxx Being one of the few clean comedians in Hollywood Opening for Carmanon the road Learning to do Bible jokes for the unsaved BET’s “Comic View" His two stints as Guest Co-Host of ABC’s “The View" His friendship with Actress/Comedienne Sherri Shepherd How he worked on NBC’s “My Name is Earl" America's Got Talent The importance of honing a 90 second set The role a "back story" plays in television  and a whole lot more!  More about BONE HAMPTON When he’s not on set, the comedian/actor answers the call of the road, traveling across the country bringing merriment to the masses. As one of the superstars of clean/Christian entertainment, Bone is the host of JoyFest, the premiere gospel music festival. Bone has toured with the likes of Chonda Pierce, LeCrae, as well as Sherri Shepherd. He credits his success, in part, to “co-laborers in the faith”–friends such as Shepherd and Zachary Levi (“Chuck”) “who believe it is possible to be a Christian and make it in showbiz.” His memorable appearance in the bestselling DVD, “Thou Shalt Laugh: The Deuce,” hosted Emmy Award-winning comedy legend Tim Conway (“The Carol Burnett Show” and “SpongeBob Square Pants”), led to a repeat performance in the follow up project, “Thou Shalt Laugh 5” hosted by Chonda Pierce and featuring Thor Ramsey (“Bananas”), Taylor Mason (Taylor’s Attic”), and Victoria Jackson (“Saturday Night Live”). Visit his: WEBSITE:  https://bonehampton.com FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/bonehampton/      Episode Sponsors ... This episode is sponsored by PATREON supporter Amy Lynch and the "HOT BREATH" PODCAST with JOEL BYARS. Hot Breath focuses on Stand-Up just like the School of Laughs. Trust me, you will dig it! CLICK HEREto find your preferred listening method and SUBSCRIBE TODAY! INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/hotbreathpod/ FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/HotBreathPod/

BONE HAMPTON - America's Got Talent comedian and Dove Award-winning “Comedian of the Year”  joins me today to talk all things comedy. I've known Bone for a solid ten years and although we've broke bread, appeared on some of the same tapings and are part of the Christian Comedy Association, I haven't spent as much time as I would have liked with him. So today, we make up for it with an in-depth hour long interview that is wall to wall jam packed with comedy gold. BONE HAMPTON SHOW NOTES Specifically, Bone Hampton and I talk about: <ul> <li>His days as <a href="https://www.unt.edu/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">University of North Texas</a>football player and Rah Rah dude</li> <li>Winning $500 from Oscar-winning actor, <a href="http://www.jamiefoxxmusic.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Jamie Foxx</a></li> <li>Being one of the few clean comedians in Hollywood</li> <li>Opening for <a href="http://www.carman.org/carman-biography.php" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Carman</a>on the road</li> <li>Learning to do Bible jokes for the unsaved</li> <li>BET’s “<a href="https://www.bet.com/shows/comic-view.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Comic View</a>"</li> <li>His two stints as Guest Co-Host of ABC’s “<a href="https://www.facebook.com/TheView/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The View</a>"</li> <li>His friendship with Actress/Comedienne <a href="http://www.sherrishepherd.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sherri Shepherd</a></li> <li>How he worked on NBC’s “<a>My Name is Earl</a>"</li> <li><a href="https://www.nbc.com/americas-got-talent" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">America's Got Talent</a></li> <li>The importance of honing a 90 second set</li> <li>The role a "back story" plays in television</li> </ul> and a whole lot more! More about BONE HAMPTON When he’s not on set, the comedian/actor answers the call of the road, traveling across the country bringing merriment to the masses. As one of the superstars of clean/Christian entertainment, Bone is the host of JoyFest, the premiere gospel music festival. Bone has toured with the likes of Chonda Pierce, LeCrae, as well as Sherri Shepherd. He credits his success, in part, to “co-laborers in the faith”–friends such as Shepherd and Zachary Levi (“Chuck”) “who believe it is possible to be a Christian and make it in showbiz.” His memorable appearance in the bestselling DVD, “Thou Shalt Laugh: The Deuce,” hosted Emmy Award-winning comedy legend Tim Conway (“The Carol Burnett Show” and “SpongeBob Square Pants”), led to a repeat performance in the follow up project, “Thou Shalt Laugh 5” hosted by Chonda Pierce and featuring Thor Ramsey (“Bananas”), Taylor Mason (Taylor’s Attic”), and Victoria Jackson (“Saturday Night Live”). Visit his: WEBSITE:  <a href="https://bonehampton.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://bonehampton.com</a> FACEBOOK: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/bonehampton/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/bonehampton/</a>     Episode Sponsors ... This episode is sponsored by <a href="https://schooloflaughs.com/patreon-a-way-for-you-to-support-the-podcast/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">PATREON</a> supporter Amy Lynch and the "HOT BREATH" PODCAST with JOEL BYARS. Hot Breath focuses on Stand-Up just like the School of Laughs. Trust me, you will dig it! <a href="https://audioboom.com/channel/hotbreathpodcast" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>to find your preferred listening method and <a href="https://audioboom.com/channel/hotbreathpodcast" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">SUBSCRIBE TODAY</a>! INSTAGRAM: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/hotbreathpod/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.instagram.com/hotbreathpod/</a> FACEBOOK: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/HotBreathPod/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/HotBreathPod/</a>

BONE HAMPTON - FROM B.E.T TO A.G.T [EP. 176]

Today I am joined by Jonnie W. and Brian Bates to discuss our best and worst of 2017. We kick it off with the worst shows because let’s face it that is more interesting! As years change we find ourselves reflecting back on the good, the bad, and the ugly. Regardless of how hard you plan ahead there’ll always be a few surprises along the way. Even after 26 years as a full-time Comedian there are surprises. That is what makes it a fun career. We talk about the value of a great and commanding introduction. And how a lack of one can set you up for failure. Rick wonders allowed if one of his speeches resulted in the firing of the one who hired him. Brian Bates just got out of jail. And lots of guys there thanked him for visiting. We also talk about what lies ahead in 2018. Each of us have set forth a goal for the new year. From writing more biblically-based material, to being more fearless, we establish a target for the year ahead. So what was your best and worst of 2017? I would love to hear from you about your successes and failures. And what is your goal for 2018? Comment below, or send an email to schooloflaughs@gmail.com. Let me know if I can read them on the air. Do you want to get more laughs in 2018? Maybe your writing needs to be punched up. Or maybe you just need to get started from scratch. Check out the  online writing class available or attend one of the live courses in Nashville. Half the battle is knowing what not to do. The other half is developing great habits early in your career. There is no need to go it alone when there are so many resources available online. Whether it is my course or another one do yourself a favor and save many years of frustration by looking at the roadmap first. This episode of the school last podcast is brought to you by Patreon supporter Seth Knorr. To learn how you can support the podcast through a small, recurring monthly donation check out www.schooloflaughs.com/PATREON.

Today I am joined by <a href="http://www.jonniew.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Jonnie W</a>. and <a href="http://brianbatescomedy.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Brian Bates</a> to discuss our best and worst of 2017. We kick it off with the worst shows because let’s face it that is more interesting! As years change we find ourselves reflecting back on the good, the bad, and the ugly. Regardless of how hard you plan ahead there’ll always be a few surprises along the way. Even after 26 years as a full-time Comedian there are surprises. That is what makes it a fun career. We talk about the value of a great and commanding introduction. And how a lack of one can set you up for failure. Rick wonders allowed if one of his speeches resulted in the firing of the one who hired him. Brian Bates just got out of jail. And lots of guys there thanked him for visiting. We also talk about what lies ahead in 2018. Each of us have set forth a goal for the new year. From writing more biblically-based material, to being more fearless, we establish a target for the year ahead. So what was your best and worst of 2017? I would love to hear from you about your successes and failures. And what is your goal for 2018? Comment below, or send an email to <a href="mailto:schooloflaughs@gmail.com">schooloflaughs@gmail.com</a>. Let me know if I can read them on the air. Do you want to get more laughs in 2018? Maybe your writing needs to be punched up. Or maybe you just need to get started from scratch. Check out the <a href="https://schooloflaughs.com/comedy-classes-nashville-tn/online-writing-course/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> online writing class</a> available or attend one of the <a href="https://schooloflaughs.com/comedy-classes-nashville-tn/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">live courses in Nashville</a>. Half the battle is knowing what not to do. The other half is developing great habits early in your career. There is no need to go it alone when there are so many resources available online. Whether it is my course or another one do yourself a favor and save many years of frustration by looking at the roadmap first. This episode of the school last podcast is brought to you by Patreon supporter Seth Knorr. To learn how you can support the podcast through a small, recurring monthly donation check out <a href="http://www.schooloflaughs.com/PATREON" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.schooloflaughs.com/PATREON</a>.

BEST AND WORST OF 2017 [EP. 159]

Comedians Jonnie W. and Brian Bates join us today to talk about the differences and similarities between church, corporate and comedy club gigs. We each primarily perform in a different environment. Jonnie plays mostly in churches, Brian is comedy clubs and I'm usually off at a corporate event.  JANUARY 2019 Nashville Comedy Writing Classes - Sign Up Now In clubs there are "A" rooms, "B" rooms, etc., but is that true for the other niches? We dig in and talk about it. Can a "B" room improved not an "A" room? Can a "B" slip into a "C"? We also talk about what our ideal audience and set up would be like.     CHURCH, CORPORATE AND COMEDY CLUB GIGS SHOW NOTES We cover a lot, specifically ...  How NOT to dip your TOE into show business "Coaching" the event planner prior to the show The importance of restroom location Tell tale signs of a "B" room The last time we each went long by mistake Learning how to land on a punchlineat short notice When it's a "first time" how you can help the venue Why scoring an 8 out of 10 at a  corporate gigis actually a 12 How to  overcome a tired audienceat a corporate event The double edged sword of customized material Ways you can "sneak in" customized material Why you don't bring up Michael Vick Should wear headphones in the bathroom Reasons why women are so great!  and much, much more!    Before you go anywhere else, visit the fellas online!    www.JonnieW.com www.BrianBatesComedy.com   Sponsors: This episode is brought to you by  Patreonsupporter Greg Smrdel and by CLUB 52. Club 52is a one-year program designed to challenge you to get bigger, better and more bookable. You will be prompted to examine your material, performance and business practices via email each week.    CLICK PIC FOR MORE DETAILS You will define your stage persona, style and point of view. You will learn how to create expectations through your marketing, branding and introductions. From nailing your elevator pitch, to refining your value proposition, you will learn how to make it easier for bookers to hire you. Meet comics from around the country during a quarterly online “hangout”. As a group, we tackle our top struggles and how to approach overcoming them. Think of it as your personal monthly mastermind group. Over the course of the year you will learn how to get more gigs, and leverage every opportunity that comes your way. Sound good? Club 52 is available to anyone supporting the podcast through Patreon at $7 a month or more. To learn more about Patreon, just click here. Or go to SchoolOflaughs.com/Patreon

Comedians Jonnie W. and Brian Bates join us today to talk about the differences and similarities between church, corporate and comedy club gigs. We each primarily perform in a different environment. Jonnie plays mostly in churches, Brian is comedy clubs and I'm usually off at a corporate event. <a href="https://www.schooloflaughs.com/comedy-classes-nashville-tn/level-one-writing/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> JANUARY 2019 Nashville Comedy Writing Classes - Sign Up Now</a> In clubs there are "A" rooms, "B" rooms, etc., but is that true for the other niches? We dig in and talk about it. Can a "B" room improved not an "A" room? Can a "B" slip into a "C"? We also talk about what our ideal audience and set up would be like.<a href="http://traffic.libsyn.com/schooloflaughs/RHONDA_COREY_EP._180.mp3" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> </a>   CHURCH, CORPORATE AND COMEDY CLUB GIGS SHOW NOTES We cover a lot, specifically ... <ul> <li>How NOT to dip your TOE into show business</li> <li>"Coaching" the event planner prior to the show</li> <li>The importance of restroom location</li> <li>Tell tale signs of a "B" room</li> <li>The last time we each went long by mistake</li> <li>Learning how to land on a <a href="https://www.schooloflaughs.com/write-joke-step-two/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">punchline</a>at short notice</li> <li>When it's a "first time" how you can help the venue</li> <li>Why scoring an 8 out of 10 at a <a href="https://www.schooloflaughs.com/pursuing-corporate-comedy-market-part-one/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> corporate gig</a>is actually a 12</li> <li>How to <a href="https://www.schooloflaughs.com/troubleshooting-slow-start-onstage/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> overcome a tired audience</a>at a corporate event</li> <li>The double edged sword of customized material</li> <li>Ways you can "sneak in" customized material</li> <li>Why you don't bring up Michael Vick</li> <li>Should wear headphones in the bathroom</li> <li>Reasons why women are so great!</li> </ul> and much, much more!   Before you go anywhere else, visit the fellas online!   <a href="http://www.jonniew.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.JonnieW.com</a> <a href="http://www.brianbatescomedy.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.BrianBatesComedy.com</a> Sponsors: This episode is brought to you by <a href="https://schooloflaughs.com/patreon-a-way-for-you-to-support-the-podcast/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Patreon</a>supporter Greg Smrdel and by CLUB 52. Club 52is a one-year program designed to challenge you to get bigger, better and more bookable. You will be prompted to examine your material, performance and business practices via email each week. <a href="https://schooloflaughs.com/insider-access/club-52-mentorship/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://schooloflaughs.com/insider-access/club-52-mentorship/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">CLICK PIC FOR MORE DETAILS</a> You will define your stage persona, style and point of view. You will learn how to create expectations through your marketing, branding and introductions. From nailing your elevator pitch, to refining your value proposition, you will learn how to make it easier for bookers to hire you. Meet comics from around the country during a quarterly online “hangout”. As a group, we tackle our top struggles and how to approach overcoming them. Think of it as your personal monthly mastermind group. Over the course of the year you will learn how to get more gigs, and leverage every opportunity that comes your way. Sound good? Club 52 is available to anyone supporting the podcast through Patreon at $7 a month or more. To learn more about Patreon, <a href="http://www.patreon.com/schooloflaughs" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">just click here</a>. Or go to <a href="http://SchoolOflaughs.com/Patreon" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">SchoolOflaughs.com/Patreon</a>

CHURCH, CORPORATE & COMEDY CLUB GIGS [EP. 181]

It is time for the 2020 Stand-Up Comedy Goals TRACKER episode. This show is a nerdy, comprehensive deep dive into measurable comedy goals for sand-up comedians. Fame and fortune are payoffs, but not necessarily great goals. And, goals in and of themselves won't make you funnier than anyone else. But they should make you funnier than you are now if you set them correctly. Without them, you may find yourself  immersed in bitterness and resent everyone else's success. "What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as what you become by achieving your goals."  - Henry David Thoreau In this episode, we talk about specific daily, weekly, monthly and annual Stand-Up Comedy goals. It is the behind the scenes planning that no performer admits to doing (and many don't). But you aspire to be better than you are now, so you are thinking strategically about the year ahead. Congratulations! We cover four areas of goals in this 2020 Stand-Up Comedy Goals Podcast episode. Specifically: Writing - how much time are you giving yourself to be creative and develop material? Performing - are you getting out of the house and getting on stage enough to see progress? Earning - what is your income from comedy and related skills? Investing - how much are spending to get your name out there so people can find you? GET YOUR FREE GOAL TRACKER WORKSHEET. Visit Episode 207 show notes page at www.SchoolOfLaughs.com. You can drag the images off the page and print. 

It is time for the 2020 Stand-Up Comedy Goals TRACKER episode. This show is a nerdy, comprehensive deep dive into measurable comedy goals for sand-up comedians. Fame and fortune are payoffs, but not necessarily great goals. And, goals in and of themselves won't make you funnier than anyone else. But they should make you funnier than you are now if you set them correctly. Without them, you may find yourself <a href="http://www.schooloflaughs.com/012-ask-better-bitter-questions-podcast/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> immersed in bitterness</a> and resent everyone else's success. "What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as what you become by achieving your goals."  - Henry David Thoreau In this episode, we talk about specific daily, weekly, monthly and annual Stand-Up Comedy goals. It is the behind the scenes planning that no performer admits to doing (and many don't). But you aspire to be better than you are now, so you are thinking strategically about the year ahead. Congratulations! We cover four areas of goals in this 2020 Stand-Up Comedy Goals Podcast episode. Specifically: Writing - how much time are you giving yourself to be creative and develop material? Performing - are you getting out of the house and getting on stage enough to see progress? Earning - what is your income from comedy and related skills? Investing - how much are spending to get your name out there so people can find you? GET YOUR FREE GOAL TRACKER WORKSHEET. Visit Episode 207 show notes page at <a href="http://www.SchoolOfLaughs.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.SchoolOfLaughs.com</a>. You can drag the images off the page and print.

COMEDY GOALS TRACKER [EP. 207]

The Best Multi-Part Documentaries, with documentaries on Obama, Federer vs Nadal, the making of Star Wars, Netflix vs Blockbuster and more. Add episodes you're interested into your queue below!

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The best self improvement podcast episodes. From improving productivity, to finding purpose in your life to what constitutes freedom, this topic is on anything and everything that can help people to improve their lives. Add episodes you're interested into your queue below!