Messed-Up To Set-Ups - A MichaelHalcomb.Live Podcast

Hello, Friends! Episode 86 of The Messed-Up to Set-Ups podcast is now live. Yayuh! In this one, I sit down with the hilarious Dwayne White, whose story is fascinating and work ethic is inspiring. We get into his incredible journey from military life to the comedy stage, his ambitious quest to perform in all 50 states, and the rewarding experience of teaching comedy to veterans overseas. Dwayne shares his insights on the ups and downs of being a traveling comedian, his unique writing process, and offers some golden advice for anyone looking to break into stand-up. If you’re down for a fun conversation filled with laughter, great stories, and free insight, tune in!JOKE WRITING COURSE: By the way, if you have any interest at all in learning about your persona, how to write some jokes, or doing stand-up comedy, check out my online joke writing course, “The Joke Writer’s Lab,” HERE.MichaelHalcomb.Live is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to MichaelHalcomb.Live at www.michaelhalcomb.live/subscribe

Hey, Friends! It’s Welcome to Episode 85 of The Messed-Up to Set-Ups Podcast! In this episode, I'm joined by the hilarious and insightful Jason Hedden. Here in Part 2 of our conversation, we get out into deep waters of joke writing and stand-up comedy. We explore the creative process behind crafting jokes, share some personal stories, and brainstorm on-the-spot joke ideas. From hiring Spiderman for a birthday party to the quirks of child labor laws to what’s going on in the world, we pretty much cover it all and we do it with some good humor and tips. Tune in!JOKE WRITING COURSE: By the way, if you have any interest at all in learning about your persona, how to write some jokes, or doing stand-up comedy, check out my online joke writing course, “The Joke Writer’s Lab,” HERE.MichaelHalcomb.Live is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to MichaelHalcomb.Live at www.michaelhalcomb.live/subscribe

Hey, Friends! Michael Halcomb here and, in this episode of “Messed-Up to Set-Ups,” I sit down with the multi-talented Jason Hedden. This dude’s pretty amazing! For Part 1 of our chat, we dive headfirst into his fascinating journey from the academy to theater to stand-up comedy and explore the unique challenges and rewards of each. Jason shares his insights on overcoming stage fright, the importance of writing discipline, and the art of producing successful comedy shows. He also drops some super useful knowledge on what he, as a booker, is looking for when it comes to booking other comedians. So, whether you’re an aspiring comedian or just love a good laugh, this episode is full of insanely valuable advice…and lots of good laughs. Tune in!JOKE WRITING COURSE: By the way, if you have any interest at all in learning about your persona, how to write some jokes, or doing stand-up comedy, check out my online joke writing course, “The Joke Writer’s Lab,” HERE.MichaelHalcomb.Live is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to MichaelHalcomb.Live at www.michaelhalcomb.live/subscribe

Hiya, Friends! It’s Episode 83 of The Messed-Up To Set-Ups Podcast. And in this episode, I (Michael Halcomb) sit down again with comedian Danny Johnson. We get deep into the art of spontaneous joke-making and explore, in a very hands-on way, the creative process behind crafting jokes on the fly. We share hilarious anecdotes and insights into the world of comedy. Danny brings an original joke and we punch it up then we spend time make jokes from random prompts. It’s super fun. So, tune in!JOKE WRITING COURSE: By the way, if you have any interest at all in learning about your persona, how to write some jokes, or doing stand-up comedy, check out my online joke writing course, “The Joke Writer’s Lab,” HERE.MichaelHalcomb.Live is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to MichaelHalcomb.Live at www.michaelhalcomb.live/subscribe

Hey, Friends! It’s time for Episode 82 of The Messed-Up to Set-Ups Podcast! I’m stoked to have comedian Danny Johnson join me. Here in Part 1 of this 2-part interview, we get into his incredible journey from writing jokes in grade school to making it on Comedy Central. Danny shares his unique writing process and offers truly invaluable advice for aspiring comedians. Whether you’re a comedy fan or an up-and-coming comic, you seriously won’t want to miss this insightful and entertaining conversation. Tune in!JOKE WRITING COURSE: By the way, if you have any interest at all in learning about your persona, how to write some jokes, or doing stand-up comedy, check out my online joke writing course, “The Joke Writer’s Lab,” HERE.MichaelHalcomb.Live is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to MichaelHalcomb.Live at www.michaelhalcomb.live/subscribe

Friends, it’s Episode #81 of the Messed-Up to Set-Ups podcast! In this one, I welcome back the absolutely hilarious comedian, David Kaye, for part two of our conversation. We get into the art of joke writing/crafting, and talk about how life’s messed-up moments can fuel comedy. David also shares a bit about how his quest for approval shaped his comedic voice. We also brainstorm new material, riff on headlines, and discuss the value of collaboration in comedy. It’s another behind-the-scenes look at the creative process in comedy that you don’t wanna miss. Tune in! JOKE WRITING COURSE: By the way, if you have any interest at all in learning about your persona, how to write some jokes, or doing stand-up comedy, check out my online joke writing course, “The Joke Writer’s Lab,” HERE.MichaelHalcomb.Live is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to MichaelHalcomb.Live at www.michaelhalcomb.live/subscribe

Hi, Friends! It’s episode 80 of the Messed-Up to Set-Ups podcast. In this one, I sit down with the multi-talented comedian David Kaye, who has not only made a name for himself in the world of stand-up but has also raised over three-and-a-half million dollars through his unique comedy fundraisers. We dive into his journey from starting out at the Funny Bone in Pittsburgh to becoming a comedy club journeyman, and how he transitioned into the fundraising business. He shares his insights on the challenges of clean comedy, the importance of having a plan, and the creative process behind his jokes. I’m telling you now: this episode is packed with laughter and valuable lessons. You don’t wanna miss it. Tune in!JOKE WRITING COURSE: By the way, if you have any interest at all in learning about your persona, how to write some jokes, or doing stand-up comedy, check out my online joke writing course, “The Joke Writer’s Lab,” HERE.MichaelHalcomb.Live is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to MichaelHalcomb.Live at www.michaelhalcomb.live/subscribe

Hey, Friends! It’s episode 79 of the “Messed-Up to Set-Ups” podcast and we’re inching closer and closer to 100. In this one, I’m thrilled to welcome back comedian Scott Bedgood for Part 2 of our super fun conversation. And you can listen in or watch as we wade deeper into Scott’s comedic process and explore the origins of and work on one of his jokes. And, as usual, we tackle some spontaneous joke writing exercises and make up jokes on the spot. So, whether you’re a comedy enthusiast or just curious about the craft of joke writing, tune in!JOKE WRITING COURSE: By the way, if you have any interest at all in learning about your persona, how to write some jokes, or doing stand-up comedy, check out my online joke writing course, “The Joke Writer’s Lab,” HERE. Get full access to MichaelHalcomb.Live at www.michaelhalcomb.live/subscribe

Hey Friends, it’s episode 78 of the “Messed-Up to Set-Ups” podcast. In this episode, I sit down with the hilarious and insightful comedian, Scott Bedgood. Join us as Scott shares his journey from Dallas to Chattanooga, revealing some of his greatest challenges and triumphs in stand-up. Here we also get into his unique approach to comedy, the art of storytelling, and the importance of embracing fear to find laughter. If you’re a seasoned comedian or just curious about the world of stand-up, this episode’s for you. Scott’s candid insights and humor will leave you inspired and entertained. Tune in!JOKE WRITING COURSE: By the way, if you have any interest at all in learning about your persona, how to write some jokes, or doing stand-up comedy, check out my online joke writing course, “The Joke Writer’s Lab,” HERE.MichaelHalcomb.Live is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to MichaelHalcomb.Live at www.michaelhalcomb.live/subscribe

Hiya, Friends! It’s Episode 77 of “The Messed-Up to Set-Ups Podcast,” and in this one I’m thrilled to welcome back the hilarious John Floyd. This time, we’re diving into the art of spontaneous joke creation. Join us as we explore the comedic process by workshopping one of John’s jokes then make up punchlines on the fly. Along the way, we also share some personal stories. Whether it’s the frustration of online bill payments or the quirks of everyday life, we find humor in the little things, the daily annoyances, the mundane. Want a peek behind the curtain to see how comedians work? Tune in!JOKE WRITING COURSE: By the way, if you have any interest at all in learning about your persona, how to write some jokes, or doing stand-up comedy, check out my online joke writing course, “The Joke Writer’s Lab,” HERE.MichaelHalcomb.Live is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to MichaelHalcomb.Live at www.michaelhalcomb.live/subscribe

Friends, it’s Episode 76 of “The Messed-Up to Set-Ups Podcast.” In this episode, I have the pleasure of chatting with the incredibly talented, NC-based comedian. John Floyd. From opening for legends like Chris Rock and Dave Chappelle to performing on cruise ships and clubs across the country, John’s journey is nothing short of fascinating. We dive into his beginnings, sparked by a dare!!!, and explore the ups and downs of life on the road. John shares his insights on the comedy scene, the challenges of working clean, and the impact of social media on the industry. Whether you’re a comedy enthusiast or just curious about the life of a stand-up comedian, this episode is packed with laughs and great lessons. Tune in!JOKE WRITING COURSE: By the way, if you have any interest at all in learning about your persona, how to write some jokes, or doing stand-up comedy, check out my online joke writing course, “The Joke Writer’s Lab,” HERE.MichaelHalcomb.Live is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to MichaelHalcomb.Live at www.michaelhalcomb.live/subscribe

In this episode of “Messed-Up to Set-Ups,” I sit down with comedian Travis Lincoln for part two of our hilarious chat. We get into the world of joke writing and workshopping, and share some great laughs and insights along the way. Travis opens up about his comedic journey and the unexpected challenges of living with a Chihuahua that he just can’t stand. This episode is packed with real humor and real talk. It’s another behind-the-scenes look at the life of a comedian you don’t wanna miss. Tune in.JOKE WRITING COURSE: By the way, if you have any interest at all in learning about your persona, how to write some jokes, or doing stand-up comedy, check out my online joke writing course, “The Joke Writer’s Lab,” HERE.MichaelHalcomb.Live is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to MichaelHalcomb.Live at www.michaelhalcomb.live/subscribe

Hey, Friends! Episode #74 of The Messed-Up to Set-Ups Podcast is here! In this episode I chat with fellow comedian Travis “T Link” Lincoln, who shares about his journey into comedy and his influential work with homeless veterans. Based in Columbia, South Carolina, his comedic side shines as he talks about his initial hesitation to perform stand-up and his eventual dive into the comedy scene through improv and open mics. During our conversation, T Link emphasizes the importance of persistence in comedy, and gives his #1 piece of advice for young and seasoned comedians alike. We also get into the competitive nature of comedy and the balance between personal ambition and community support within the industry. All that and this is only Part 1!!! Tune in!JOKE WRITING COURSE: By the way, if you have any interest at all in learning about your persona, how to write some jokes, or doing stand-up comedy, check out my online joke writing course, “The Joke Writer’s Lab,” HERE.MichaelHalcomb.Live is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to MichaelHalcomb.Live at www.michaelhalcomb.live/subscribe

In this episode, #73 of the Messed-Up to Set-Ups podcast, I sit down again with an absolutely hilarious comedian: Lon Kieffer. We take a big dive back into the world of stand-up comedy and explore the art of joke crafting, share stories from the stage, and workshop some new material together. Lon’s jokes and insights are as enlightening as they are entertaining. So, whether you’re a fan of comedy, a seasoned comedian or just starting out, this episode is packed with laughs and valuable lessons. Tune in for a candid conversation that’ll both inspire and amuse.JOKE WRITING COURSE: By the way, if you have any interest at all in learning about your persona, how to write some jokes, or doing stand-up comedy, check out my online joke writing course, “The Joke Writer’s Lab,” HERE.MichaelHalcomb.Live is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to MichaelHalcomb.Live at www.michaelhalcomb.live/subscribe

Hi All. It’s Episode #72 of The Messed-Up to Set-Ups Podcast. In this episode, I sit down with Lon Kieffer. This dude…he’s fun. And he’s funny. Lon’s a seasoned comedian and I get to ask him all sorts of questions about his unique journey from nursing to the comedy stage. We dive head-first into the challenges and triumphs of stand-up. We also get into what it means to be authentic in a world that often demands conformity. (Yes, that often happens in the world of stand-up!) Lon opens up about many of his experiences and, perhaps bets of all, he gives insights into and advice for new comedians looking to find their voice. This is a super candid conversation filled with tons of laughs and lots of wisdom. I mean, just watch the first 5 seconds and you’ll see. So, whether you’re a seasoned comic or just starting out, there’s something here for you. Tune in!JOKE WRITING COURSE: By the way, if you have any interest at all in learning about your persona, how to write some jokes, or doing stand-up comedy, check out my online joke writing course, “The Joke Writer’s Lab,” HERE.MichaelHalcomb.Live is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to MichaelHalcomb.Live at www.michaelhalcomb.live/subscribe

Hi Friends! We’re back with Episode #71 of the “Messed-Up to Set-ups” Podcast. Once again, I’m thrilled to have Tim Conniff on. This time, we dive into the art of joke writing. We explore the creative process behind turning everyday observations into laugh-out-loud moments. We discuss everything from wet handshakes to unexpected punchlines. We also share our experiences and insights on what makes a joke truly memorable. Whether you’re a comedy enthusiast or just love a good laugh, this episode is packed with humor and inspiration. Tune in!JOKE WRITING COURSE: By the way, if you have any interest at all in learning about your persona, how to write some jokes, or doing stand-up comedy, check out my online joke writing course, “The Joke Writer’s Lab,” HERE.MichaelHalcomb.Live is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to MichaelHalcomb.Live at www.michaelhalcomb.live/subscribe

Hi Friends! In this episode of the Messed-Up To Set-Ups podcast (#70), I sit down with fellow comedian Tim Conniff to explore his fascinating journey, which includes stand-up comedy in both corporate settings and comedy clubs. We get into the challenges and triumphs of working clean, the importance of getting stage time, and how Toastmasters played a pivotal role in his development as a comedian. Whether you’re a seasoned comic or just starting out, Tim’s insights and experiences offer valuable lessons for anyone looking to get into or make their mark in the world of stand-up comedy. Tune in!JOKE WRITING COURSE: By the way, if you have any interest at all in learning about your persona, how to write some jokes, or doing stand-up comedy, check out my online joke writing course, “The Joke Writer’s Lab,” HERE.MichaelHalcomb.Live is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to MichaelHalcomb.Live at www.michaelhalcomb.live/subscribe

Hi Friends, Michael Halcomb here with Episode #69 of The Messed-Up to Set-Ups Podcast. I’m thrilled to have comedian Todd Probus back with me. In this episode, we dive into the art of joke writing, share stories from our own experiences, and explore the creative process behind crafting a great punchline. From unexpected breakfast adventures to Disney World memories, we connect the dots between humor and everyday life. And, of course, we make up jokes on the spot in real time and have a lot of fun doing so. Join us for a fun chat with plenty of laughs and, best of all, a peek behind the comedy curtain!By the way, if you have any interest at all in learning to write some jokes or doing stand-up comedy, check out my online joke writing course, “The Joke Writer’s Lab,” HERE.MichaelHalcomb.Live is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to MichaelHalcomb.Live at www.michaelhalcomb.live/subscribe

Hi Friends! Episode #68 of the Messed-Up to Set-Ups Podcast is now live. In this episode, I sit down with comedian and pastor Todd Probus. We dive into his fascinating journey of starting stand-up comedy in college, moving to L.A., leaving stand-up, then finding his way back to it later in adulthood. In addition, Todd shares his experiences of performing clean comedy, the challenges of balancing ministry life with stand-up, and the art of clean comedy. But Todd doesn’t just perform, he’s also a comedy producer and gives some insight into what he’s looking for when books comedians. This is a fun conversation filled with lots of insights, tips, and laughter. Tune in!By the way, if you have any interest at all in learning to write some jokes or doing stand-up comedy, check out my online joke writing course, “The Joke Writer’s Lab,” HERE.MichaelHalcomb.Live is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to MichaelHalcomb.Live at www.michaelhalcomb.live/subscribe

In Episode #67 of the Messed-Up to Set-Ups Podcast, I’m back with the hilarious Oscar P.! In this one, we don’t merely get into the art of joke-making, we actually make jokes, too. From all sorts of spontaneous riffs, to exploring the quirks of Memphis, we share great laughs and touch on some awesome insights into the world of comedy. So yeah, join us as we brainstorm punchlines, roast headlines, and reveal stories behind the jokes. It’s a super candid look at the creative process of comedy. You don’t wanna miss this one!By the way, if you have any interest at all in learning to write some jokes or doing stand-up comedy, check out my online joke writing course, “The Joke Writer’s Lab,” HERE.MichaelHalcomb.Live is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to MichaelHalcomb.Live at www.michaelhalcomb.live/subscribe