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

Hello, Friends! It’s episode #97 of the Messed-Up to Set-Ups podcast. Ever wonder how comedians turn mundane news moments into hilarious bits? In today’s episode, Part 2 of my chat with comedian Andy Beningo, we dive right into that process. We talk about how the freshest material often comes from real life, and how a simple idea, like an over-the-hill James Bond or a cat with a vendetta, can generate great jokes. We also do some on-the-spot comedy by riffing on headlines. Along with that, we discuss the importance of stage time, developing your best material, and tips for running jokes multiple times. Join us as we dissect the process, share real examples, and have a blast turning the absurdities of our world on their heads. 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.JOKE MEMORY COURSE: My companion course to “The Joke Writer’s Lab” is now live: “The Comedian’s Memory Lab.” Learn how to conceptualize, organize, and memorize your entire comedy set. This method works for 10 jokes or 100, a set that’s 3 minutes of 1 hour. You can get it 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

Hello, Friends! Episode #96 of The Messed-Up To Set-Ups podcast is live. In this one, I chat with the absolutely hilarious Andy Beningo. A Michigan-based comedian, this guy has masterfully conquered all 50 states and performed on cruise ships around the world. Here we dig into his unconventional mindset, get some tips on perseverance, and hear about how his obsession with stats has kept him motivated. We also get into the real challenges of adapting jokes for diverse audiences across the globe, and get the secret to sustaining a 20-year comedy career. We break down his unique approach to writing on the go, navigating social media as a seasoned comic, and the surprising truth about making it big when no one’s heard of you. If you’ve ever wondered how to turn local gigs into a worldwide comedy adventure, Andy’s story may well inspire you. Plus, he drops some unmissable advice for any comedian looking to stand out in a crowded industry. 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.JOKE MEMORY COURSE: My companion course to “The Joke Writer’s Lab” is now live: “The Comedian’s Memory Lab.” Learn how to conceptualize, organize, and memorize your entire comedy set. This method works for 10 jokes or 100, a set that’s 3 minutes of 1 hour. You can get it 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

Hello, Friends! It’s episode 95 of The Messed-Up To Set-Ups podcast. In this one, I’m thrilled to welcome back the hilarious Lee Hardin. In this one, we get into the creative process of joke writing, Lee shares a new premise about the quirks of aging and memory lapses, and we try to punch it up. We also chat about the art of crowd work, the challenges of remembering things, and the joy of spontaneous comedy. This episode’s loaded with on-the-spot humor 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.JOKE MEMORY COURSE: My companion course to “The Joke Writer’s Lab” is now live: “The Comedian’s Memory Lab.” Learn how to conceptualize, organize, and memorize your entire comedy set. This method works for 10 jokes or 100, a set that’s 3 minutes of 1 hour. You can get it 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

Hello, Friends! In this episode of The Messed-Up To Set-Ups podcast, I sit down with the absolutely hilarious Lee Hardin, a fellow comedian from Nashville, Tennessee. We get into Lee’s journey from being a class clown to a touring comedian. We also talk about the comedy scene in Nashville, the golden era of SNL, and the art of joke writing. Lee opens up about his experiences, from performing in nursing homes to headlining theater shows, and the importance of obsession in comedy. We also touch on the challenges of staying fresh and the joy of flipping prank calls on their heads. If there’s one to watch, it’s this one. Tune in!“ESSENTIALS OF COMEDY” COURSE BUNDLE: For a limited time only (through 2/15/26), you can purchase “The Joke Writer’s Lab” course and “The Comedian’s Memory Lab” course as a bundle. Just click on one of the courses below, scroll down, and click the “Add all to cart” button.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.JOKE MEMORY COURSE: My companion course to “The Joke Writer’s Lab” is now live: “The Comedian’s Memory Lab.” Learn how to conceptualize, organize, and memorize your entire comedy set. This method works for 10 jokes or 100, a set that’s 3 minutes of 1 hour. You can get it 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 93 of The Messed-Up To Set-Ups Podcast is here! In this one, I get into the creative chaos of joke writing with the absolutely hilarious Johnny Watson. We talk about the absurdity of the first left-handed caveman and brainstorm some wild scenarios where prehistoric life meets modern comedy. Johnny shares the origins of his unique joke concepts and some thoughts on how everyday conversations spark comedic gold. After punching up his joke, we do some on-the-spot comedy and explore the art of improvisation. As always, listeners and viewers get a behind-the-scenes look at the comedic process. Whether you’re a seasoned comic or just love a good laugh, you won’t wanna miss this one. Tune in!“ESSENTIALS OF COMEDY” COURSE BUNDLE: For a limited time only (through 2/15/26), you can purchase “The Joke Writer’s Lab” course and “The Comedian’s Memory Lab” course as a bundle. Just click on one of the courses below, scroll down, and click the “Add all to cart” button.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.JOKE MEMORY COURSE: My companion course to “The Joke Writer’s Lab” is now live: “The Comedian’s Memory Lab.” Learn how to conceptualize, organize, and memorize your entire comedy set. This method works for 10 jokes or 100, a set that’s 3 minutes of 1 hour. You can get it 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

Hello, Friends! It’s episode 92 of the Messed-Up To Set-Ups podcast. So, join me, comedian Michael Halcomb, as I sit down with fellow comedian Johnny Watson (as seen on SNL!) to dig into his journey from being a military MC to a comedy veteran. We talk about the hilarious story of how a chaotic night in Kona, Hawai’i, kickstarted Johnny’s stand-up career. We also get into his unique approach to improvisation and storytelling. We talk about his method of reading audiences in real time and discuss why starting with clean comedy can open more doors. Plus, Johnny offers insider tips for aspiring comedians on how to jump into stand-up with confidence. Whether you’re a comedy fan or dreaming of your first open mic, this episode is packed with some great insights and laughs. Tune in!“ESSENTIALS OF COMEDY” COURSE BUNDLE: For a limited time only (through 2/15/26), you can purchase “The Joke Writer’s Lab” course and “The Comedian’s Memory Lab” course as a bundle. Just click on one of the courses below, scroll down, and click the “Add all to cart” button.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.JOKE MEMORY COURSE: My companion course to “The Joke Writer’s Lab” is now live: “The Comedian’s Memory Lab.” Learn how to conceptualize, organize, and memorize your entire comedy set. This method works for 10 jokes or 100, a set that’s 3 minutes of 1 hour. You can get it 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

Hello, Friends! I’m stoked to share Episode #91 of The Messed-Up to Set-Ups podcast with you. In this one, I sit down with Michael Saltz, a New York-based comedian, and we take a dive into jokes. We kick things off with his hilarious tale of getting stuck in a water slide and then we workshop that story and try to punch it up. We also chat about how everyday chaos is comedy gold. Lastly, we have a blast with some live, on-the-spot, joke exercises where we riff on everything from ancient undersea walls to celebrity antics. This episode is super fun and has some great advice. 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.JOKE MEMORY COURSE: My companion course to “The Joke Writer’s Lab” is now live: “The Comedian’s Memory Lab.” Never get nervous about blanking on stage again! This method works for 10 jokes or 100, a set that’s 3 minutes of 1 hour. You can get it 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

Hello, Friends! I’m stoked to share Episode #90 of The Messed-Up to Set-Ups podcast with you. In this episode, I sit down with Michael Saltz, a New York-based nurse, firefighter, and clean comedian. During our chat, we get into how he first got started at a firehouse comedy show, the value of capturing attention quickly, and the challenge of balancing comedy with the busyness of life. We also talk about the importance of honest feedback, embracing vulnerability, and why supporting fellow comedians is essential. This episode is packed with practical advice on what it takes to succeed in 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.JOKE MEMORY COURSE: My companion course to “The Joke Writer’s Lab” is now live: “The Comedian’s Memory Lab.” Never get nervous about blanking on stage again! This method works for 10 jokes or 100, a set that’s 3 minutes of 1 hour. You can get it 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 episode 89 of the Messed-Up To Set-Ups podcast, I sit down with the incredibly talented comedian Jeremi George. We get into faith and comedy and Jeremi shares some stories that range from the absurd to the deeply personal. We workshop a joke about a handicap healing service then make up some jokes right on the spot from random prompts. Along the way, Jeremi’s insights are at times equally hilarious and insightful. Join us for a chat filled with laughter, wisdom, and a few funny-as-crap surprises along the way. 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.JOKE MEMORY COURSE: My companion course to “The Joke Writer’s Lab” is now live: “The Comedian’s Memory Lab.” Learn how to conceptualize, organize, and memorize your entire comedy set. This method works for 10 jokes or 100, a set that’s 3 minutes of 1 hour. You can get it 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 88 of the Messed-Up To Set-Ups podcast. In this one, I sit down with comedian Jeremi George. As he shares his journey into stand-up comedy, we also discuss the challenges and joys of performing, the importance of supportive relationships, and the personal pain that often fuels comedic material. Jeremi shares some valuable advice for aspiring comedians, especially around networking, and reflects on the business side of it all. Tune in!BREAKING - “THE COMEDIAN’S MEMORY LAB” COURSE: I haven’t even made a post about it here on my site yet, but I wanted to go ahead and share the news that my newest comedy course is now live! It’s called “The Comedian’s Memory Lab” and it contains about an hour-and-a-half worth of material that shows, step by step, how to conceptualize, organize, and memorize your entire comedy set. This method I’ve developed works for 10 jokes or 100. It works for a set that’s 3 minutes of 1 hour. You can get it HERE. (More to come soon!)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 #87 of the Messed-Up to Set-Ups podcast. In this one, my guest, comedian Dewayne White and I, pull back the curtain and give you a front row seat into the world of comedy. We explore the absurdity of Civil War reenactments and other peculiar hobbies and discuss the comedic potential of these topics. We crack tons of jokes along the way and share some helpful insights. 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

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