I'm back. Maybe. Did you miss me? With the kiddo back in school I'm able to go back to being your comedy mom. Or, at least be able to finally post some interviews I did before Summer got away from me! This interview with Tony Meyer was recorded a couple months ago. We talk about his start in Stand Up and how he is "thinking past the five." Gosh Damn Sketch Show, Strange Together Podcast, stand up comedian and improviser out of Oregon. Strange Together - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzLSbnd_k2P8HsvmUczNnSg Gosh Damn Sketch Show - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClIJcRyMXXb3ET2ZKzMEzvA Facebook -   https://www.facebook.com/TonyTheMeyer Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/talkingwithtony/ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/comedy-mom/message

When you start your stand up journey it can feel like a real uphill battle to fill a full 5 minutes with original material. So, how do you think past the 5 minutes and focus on developing longer sets? When you are doing open mics look beyond five minutes and "workout" with the goal of putting bigger sets together. 1. Write Often 2. Thing about bigger themes. 3. Expand what you have 4. Don't get stuck working on 5 minutes at a time --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/comedy-mom/message

We all know about stage fright. But, there is a type of stage fright no one really talks about. That's "New Stage Fright." I see it a lot, and I will admit I have a touch of it myself. It's that feeling of anxiety you get when you are performing in a new venue. So, what do we do about New Stage Fright? How do we combat this sneaky bitch?  --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/comedy-mom/message

Is to make time to write them. - John Vorhaus I applaud anyone who can follow the Jerry Seinfeld strategy of writing jokes every day. Gene Perret, who's books are my writing bibles, also touts the importance of writing a daily quota. I absolutely recommend this... but I definitely don't do it. I can't manage to sit down and write every day. So, my advice is to write every week.  --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/comedy-mom/message

When you get started on your stand up journey there are a lot of opinions thrown at you. It feels like everyone around has something to say, both to your face and behind your back. Been there. So, who do you listen to? The ones in the arena with you.  --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/comedy-mom/message

Katy talks about why getting vunerable on stage is a good thing. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/comedy-mom/message

Vunerability time.  I've had three rough sets in a row. Come with me on the journey of what I do about.  --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/comedy-mom/message

We are back to rants from your Comedy Mom this week! Thanks again to Beers and Business Cards and Craft Kitchen for sponsoring the New Year New Jokes seminar this year.  Two rants for the price of one this week! First we talk about why you should always have a set in your back pocket when you go to a comedy show, whether you are booked or not. Then, we talk about why writer's groups are a great addition to your schedule!  --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/comedy-mom/message

We are on Week 10 of our New Year - New Jokes series. The final week, the wrap up. I am sharing my interview with Niko Lukoff from Displaced Comedians. We are talking all about performing in Zoom Shows. I did this interview with Niko for our the writing intensive we need in January. So, some of the details might be a touch different but the advice is still phenomenal! https://www.facebook.com/NikoBrew/ http://www.LaughYourLukoff.com https://www.facebook.com/groups/587778311825075 http://www.displacedcomedians.com -- Huge thank you to Niko for helping us out with the New Year New Jokes seminar this year. Of course, I also want to thank Craft Kitchen and Brewrey and Beers and Business Cards. My challenge for you this week is to take everything you've written this year and take it to a show! If your lucky enough to have an live, and safe, in person mic sign up for it! But, I also really encourage you to try out the Zoom world. Though of us who were doing live shows before, I know your objections. I had them, too. Just give them a try. Niko hosts a great mic for Flapper's Comedy Club on Thursday Nights. It's a great place to try out all your new stuff and starting working on it until the world opens up again. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/comedy-mom/message

TW: Mental Health We are on Week 9 of our New Year - New Jokes series. Today we are talking about something I think is so important to the comedy community, and that is mental health. I am so excited to share my Interview with Christy Collins with Trauma Queen Christy! We are talking all about dancing with our demons, and the untented consequences to our mental health when we used our past trauma's as motivation for our material. https://www.facebook.com/traumaqueenchristy https://www.instagram.com/trauma.queen.christy/ -- Again, huge thank you to Christy Collins from Trauma Queen Christy for talking about the intersection between artistry and mental health. Also, shout to Beers and Business Cards and Craft Kitchen and Brewery for their support of the New Years New Jokes seminar this year! This week, I have a challenge for you that is not a writing exercise this week. I want you to use that time to look into the idea of self care. What does that mean for you? And, check in, honestly, about your mental health? This is actually coming at a unique time for me. I recently opened up to my own doctor about my anxiety and how it was effecting my life. It's totally okay to talk to you doctor about what's going on. So, I want to encourage you to be honest about what's going on. There is no shame is taking care of yourself. And, I promise, it's not going to make you a worse comics. So, this week I want you to think about taking care of you and what you need. Espeically during these fucked up times, right? Take care of you. Take your vitamins, take care of yourself, and don't be a dick on stage. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/comedy-mom/message

We are on Week 8 of our New Year New Jokes series .This week, we are talking with Tracee Tuesday from Power 94.1 and Mix 100.7 here in Central Oregon. We are talking about Pop culture, managing our own public personaes, and a mini media training.  https://www.facebook.com/TraceeTuesday1 https://www.instagram.com/traceetuesday/ I have had the immense honor of working with Tracee as an emcee for some shows we've put on. She is a huge supporter of kids, she's a big sister with the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Oregon, and on the board of some great charities. -- I want to challange you to dig into pop culture and write some one liners. But, here's the the challenege. No Kardashian jokes. I know, it's easy. But, I want to see one liners about ANYONE else! Feel free to drop them below! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/comedy-mom/message

Our interview this week is with the beautiful and amazing Tiffany Greysen. I've had the priviledge of bringing her to Bend, and people still talk about how absolutely phenomenal she was. Tiffany is a writer for Savage Henry and Exotic Magazine. She is a stand up comedian out of Portland, Oregon. You can find her on Instagram and Twitter.  https://www.instagram.com/tiffanygreysen/ https://twitter.com/Tiffanygreysen We have a great conversation that veers into a topic of personal safety.  While Tiffany and I talk about this topic from a CIS, White, Het, Fem perspective this is important for everyone. Here's the the thing. If you are feeling uncomfortable at show, if you are feeling in danger, you need to tell your show runner. If your show runner doesn't care, never work with that show runner again. Fuck 'em. -- Thank you again to Tiffany for sitting down with me for the New Year New Jokes writing seminar this year. While I'm thanking people, also thank you to Beers and Business Cards and Craft Kitchen and Brewery for their support! Tiffany talked about writing every day. I know it's a slog. There are some days you just don't want to get behind the keyboard and try it. But, seriously, try it. So, my writing challenge for you today is all about refining. I want you to go through a piece you have written and see if you can punch it up with metaphors. Metaphoric comparisons like this are a great way to punch up your material. It's always work looking to find a chance. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/comedy-mom/message

We are moving along on our New Year, New Jokes writing intensive. I'm so excited to share my interview with Gabriel Rutledge this week! A past winner of both the Seattle International Comedy Competition and The Laughing Skull Comedy Festival in Atlanta, Gabriel has made numerous television appearances including Comedy Central's Live at Gotham. Gabriel has released 4 albums including his most recent "Good Luck in Court" which debuted at #1 on the iTunes comedy charts. He is also the author of the book "Happiness Isn't Funny". https://gabrielrutledge.com/ https://www.facebook.com/gabrielrutledge https://twitter.com/gaberutledge https://www.youtube.com/user/gabrielrutledge https://www.amazon.com/Happiness-Isnt-Funny-Stories-Comic/ --- Writing Exercise: Take a notebook, or charge your phone, and go through you week with the purpose of looking for premises this week. Write down every time you laugh, everything you find ridiculous, and even anything so mundane it seems like everyone is doing it. Go hunt for the premises, friends! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/comedy-mom/message

We are on week 5 of the podcast version of the New Year New jokes comedy writing intensive. To start, I'm so excited to share my interview with Ken Hamlett this week! Ken is a Chicago based Comedian/ published writer. You can catch him performing at some of the most notable clubs in the country like Flappers, Spokane/Tacoma Comedy Clubs, and The Laugh Factory  Chicago just to name a few. Ken Hamlett is the two-time winner of Western Oregon University’s Last comic standing and the winner of the 2018 Western Oregon Comedy Competition. He’s also been featured at comedy Festivals such as Just For Laughs NW, Gilda's Laugh Fest, Burbank Comedy Festival, Out Of Bounds Comedy Festival, and more. Ken Hamlett is the producer/ host of the award winning Podcast and nationally traveling show: A Drunken Night Out.   https://www.kendalehamlett.com/ https://www.facebook.com/Kendalehamlett https://twitter.com/kenhamlett2 https://www.instagram.com/kenhamlett/ --- The warm-up this week is to write a caption to a photo. I think "caption contests" are a great way to get the comedy brain warmed up. If you are following us on social media, I am offering a photo for this. You are totally welcome to comment your caption! The exercise is what I like to call Mirror Time! Take your notebook, phone, or whatever and go hang out in front of a mirror.  What is the first thing you notice? Write about it. What do you notice after staring for a few minutes? Write about it. What are you finding yourself obsess over? Write about it. This is a great way to get some opening jokes. When you first step on stage the audience is obviously taking you in visually. If you can predict what they are thinking, and call them out on it, they will think you are in their heads. These jokes are great ice breakers, which is why you see so many comics open with them. -- Take your vitamins. Take care of yourself. Don't be a dick on stage.  - You're Comedy Mom --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/comedy-mom/message

Welcome to Week 4 of the New Year New Jokes series here on the Comedy Mom Podcast. This week I am sharing my interview with Tom Clark. I had the pleasure of bringing this guy to Central Oregon in 2019. Another fantastic show at Craft, of course. Tom Clark has appeared on such shows as TBS’s Conan, CBS’s Late Late Show, The Bob & Tom Radio Show, and Comedy Central’s Premium Tom's Stand Up Special "Outraged" is currently streaming on Amazon Prime or listen on iTunes, Spotify. He's to the I'm a Rescue Podcast. He teaches stand up classes. Honestly, he's a god damn rock star.  https://www.tomclark.com/about.html I'm A Rescue Podcast https://www.standupteacher.com/about.html - Warm Up & Exercise: It might seem silly, but to warm up you are going to play Scattagories with yourself. Write down the first color that pops in your head, and I want you to list as many things as you can that represent that color. Things that are that color. Things that color represents. For the Exercise, I want to go back to your 50 Facts list from the the start of this premise hunt. I want you to pick one of those facts and apply Trenton Davis's exercise to it. Write down the exact opposite of that fact and write jokes about it. As always. Take your vitamins. Take care of yourself. Don't be a dick on stage. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/comedy-mom/message

This is Week 3 of our series about "The Great Premise HUnt of 2021." All of this is based on the New Year - New Jokes Writing intensive we did earlier this year. This week's interview with with Chelsea Woodmansee. Someone I consider one of my Comedy Sisters. She was, and really still is, the biggest star of comedy in our hometown here. Recently she moved to Chicago to persue her art. She has always been an amazing example of the power of vunerability. So, please enjoy this interview with the amazing Chelsea Woodmansee! The exercise for this week is all about vunerability. I want you to write down you 10 ten embarassing moments. Or your 10 fears. Honestly, do both. Then, pick one and try to write about it. So, why? When you talk about your own embarassing moments and the audience can feel that authenticity and vunerability. Some of you might know my "becoming friends" chunk. This chunk really did come from reading a self help book from Brene Brown. She talks about mutual disclosure. People feel connected when they have shared the deep, dark, embarassing stuff. By taking the time to share some of that stuff with our audience, the audience will feel more connected to us. Let's be honest, people are more likely to laugh with (and frankly at) friends.  There is a good chance someone in the audience can relate, too. Audiences love it when they can see themselves in our material. I am Katy Ipock, your comedy mom. Take your vitamins, take care of yourself, and don't be a dick on stage. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/comedy-mom/message

Welcome to Week 2 of our New Years - New Joke series on the Comedy Mom Podcast! This week I am sharing with you my interview with Trenton Davis from the New Years New Jokes writing intensive. The instensive was over a week, but  I'm bringing you one of the interviews and writing exercises to weekly. -- Week 2 Exercise! We are going to do exactly what Trenton suggested. To get you started, I want you to warm up by writing down 5 of your beliefs. I want you take one of your beliefs and write down the opposite. Now, write some jokes about it. These exercises aren't about writing the perfect joke, right away. I called this process "The Great Premise Hunt" because you go down into the metaphorical premise mine and go looking for new, unpolished topics to write about. From these exercises you might find one or two jokes that you can then work on to polish and shape into something stage worthy. You might even find something you can expand on and jump off of. It doesn't have to be stage worthy now. So, get to writing! Check out "New Year - New Jokes" on Facebook if you want to join us for the writer's group.  --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/comedy-mom/message

I am bringing this year's "New Year New Jokes" writing intensive to you! Every week I will share an interview from our intensive and one of the writing exercises. Our first interview is with the amazing Ed Hill! http://kingedhill.com/ https://www.candyandsmiley.com/ https://twitter.com/kingedhill This Week's Exercise: 50 Facts About Yourself Write down 50 facts about yourself. Just the facts. This list will be the foundation for many writing exercises this year. Not to spoil the great upcoming interviews, but the advice we hear over and over again is that we should write from our own lives. So, the majority of our writing warm ups this year will be about training you to do just that. Sit down. Dig in. And be honest. What are 50 facts about yourself? Now, I want you take one of your facts and start writing jokes about it. There is no right or wrong format to these jokes! One Liners? Totally! A long story? Absolutely! Roasting TF out of yourself? Sure! The point this intensive is just to get ourselves writing. To sit down and actually put pen to paper (or fingers to keys). There is no time requirement. I would say at least 10 minutes, but it's not like I am over your shoulder or anything. All I ask is that you try. Explore your topic. Make a list of everything about it. Maybe do a mind map. Why is it a fact? How did it end up becoming a fact about you? How do you feel about it being a fact about you? Optional Rambling: I did this exercise last year. One of the facts I wrote down was that I volunteered at an observatory. Now, some of you know that turned into a pretty great chunk. It's a chunk that, even a year later, I am still working on. So, the point is not to get the perfect chunk of material today. Today, and this week really, is about going into the premise mine and finding that rough stone. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/comedy-mom/message

Gosh, this year has sucked. For many reasons. It can be hard to feel motivated. The truth is Stand up comedy will come back. Take this time to think about what you want and start setting yourself up for success now. Don't forget to set goals you have control over. New Year New Jokes Writing Intensive - Facebook Group Jan. 4th - Jan. 10th Season 2 will start in 2021! I am so excited to continue this journey with you all. I am looking forward to more interviews and advice for all us on the journey ahead. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/comedy-mom/message

Maybe it's everything going on, but I am fired THE F*CK up right now. This inter-generational abuse among comics has got to stop. Laughter is not a limited resource. New comics are not a threat. Just because someone was an asshole to you doesn't mean you have to be an asshole to be a "Gatekeeper of Comedy." Seriously.  #RantOver --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/comedy-mom/message