Snackin' and Yakkin' with BIG Ben Kennedy

A comedy talk that actually goes somewhere, and two comics swapping stories about stage life, day jobs, Disney, coaching, and why making people laugh still matters. Episode 46 with David Furr is funny, loose, and packed with the kind of conversation that feels like hanging out after a great set.David Furr joins BIG Ben Kennedy for one of the wildest snack choices the show has seen so far, an Outback Steakhouse Bloomin' Onion and Cokes. From there, things take off fast. They talk about Charleston comedy, open mics, building jokes, rough crowds, good crowds, being a newer comic in your 30s, and the weird little moments that make performing worth it.Along the way, this episode gets into: * David's start in stand-up comedy* Why local artists and comedians need more shine* The difference between writing quick jokes and building longer bits* Coaching, mentorship, and showing up for people* Working at Disney, and why that did not mean dressing up as Mickey* Taylor Swift, yes, really* EMS stories, audience connection, and the art of reading a room* One very committed defense of the Bloomin' Onion as a top-tier snackIf you like comedy podcasts, comedian interviews, behind-the-scenes talk about stand-up, and snack-based chaos, this one's for you.

Josh Bates came to Snackin' & Yakkin' and this one goes gloriously off the rails. Comedy clubs, Mountain Dew, oatmeal cream pies, giant laughs, and a real talk moment about mental health in comedy, all in one episode.Josh, comedian and owner of Wit's End Comedy Club and Lounge in North Charleston, hangs with BIG Ben Kennedy for a wild, funny, and weirdly heartfelt conversation about building a comedy scene, running an intimate club, booking comics, and why comedy has to come first. Then things take a hard left into testicle jokes, soda lore, vasectomy stories, and the kind of chaos this show does best.If you love stand-up comedy, comedy club stories, behind-the-scenes talk from working comics, or podcasts that can go from thoughtful to completely unhinged in ten seconds, this episode is for you.Along the way, Josh & Ben talk about: * Building Wit's End Comedy Club into a must-visit room in the South * Why small comedy rooms beat giant theater shows * The reality of running an independent comedy club * Comics, creativity, and the mental health side nobody talks about enough * Project Green Room, a program focused on helping creatives access mental health care * Why Mountain Dew feels suspicious in a job interview * Why Little Debbie oatmeal cream pies still hit like a truckThis episode is funny, messy, honest, and packed with comedy talk from people who actually live it.

A Charleston chef, a startup founder, a recovery story, and a whole lot of truth. Ben Ellsworth pulls up a chair and gets real about food, addiction, work, and what it costs to build a city people love.This episode of Snackin' & Yakkin' with BIG Ben Kennedy goes way past small talk. Ben Ellsworth shares how he went from working the line and living hard to getting sober, rethinking his life, and helping reshape the hospitality industry through GigPro. Along the way, he talks about Charleston restaurant culture, burnout, recovery, fatherhood, and why the people who make a city run often get pushed furthest out of it.Also, yes, there are snacks. M&M's get color-sorted. San Pellegrino Aranciata gets the respect it deserves. Two Bens sit down, and the conversation goes everywhere it should.If you're into chef stories, Charleston food culture, sobriety journeys, restaurant life, or honest long-form conversations, this one's got a lot to chew on.Ben talks about: * 22 years in the culinary world * Moving to Charleston to attend Johnson & Wales * Getting sober after years in hospitality * Building GigPro from one dish pit problem into a real app * Why restaurant work can break people, and why it still gets in your blood * The cost of living crisis hitting hospitality workers * His writing on Substack * A documentary project focused on the industry * Family, purpose, and figuring out who you are after survival mode endsThere's funny stuff, heavy stuff, and a lot of moments that hit harder than expected. In short, this is one of those episodes that starts with candy and ends with something bigger.----------Want more show and behind-the-scenes perks? Join the Snackin’ & Yakkin’ Patreon at patreon.com/snackinyakkin. Your support helps keep the snacks flowing and the mics on!

Matching orange shirts, career-ending jokes on standby, and a bag of Zapp's Voodoo that never stood a chance. In Episode 43 of Snackin' & Yakkin' with BIG Ben Kennedy, Charleston comedian MK Kern pulls up for chips, Baja Blast, roast battle talk, and the kind of comedy shop talk that only happens when the mic's hot and the snacks are loud.Along the way, MK and Ben get into:* Winning a roast battle without going for the low-hanging fruit* Finding your voice after time off (baby giraffe legs included)* Why "posting clips" is its own weird side quest now* Hosting open mics, pacing sets, and treating every mic like it's Radio City* The great Moxie soda hunt (spoiler, only Cracker Barrel for miles was out)* A biker gang walk-in that changed an entire show vibe in seconds* And yes, the official flavor note: "sassafras... as a sound"If you like comedy podcasts, Charleston standup, behind-the-scenes mic life, and snack reviews that accidentally turn into life stories, this one's for you.Follow MK Kern: * Instagram: @mkkern83 * TikTok and YouTube: @mkkerncomedyWant more show and behind-the-scenes perks? Join the Snackin’ & Yakkin’ Patreon at patreon.com/snackinyakkin. Your support helps keep the snacks flowing and the mics on!

DI-Why? pulls up with two Lunchables, pink coconut water, and a whole philosophy on making art without waiting for permission.Episode 42 gets weird in the best way. Big Ben Kennedy and DI-Why? talk Charleston music, Julian Smith's one-take magic, why "DI-Why?" is more than a name, and how building something yourself feels equal parts thrilling and terrifying (especially when you signed the lease before your family saw the space). Also, there's a serious Lunchables technique discussion, because of course there is.If you're into local podcasts, Charleston creatives, indie music, and comedy that swerves into life talks, this one's for you.Follow DI-Why? on Instagram: @di_yyyyyy (d, i, and five y)Want more show and behind-the-scenes perks? Join the Snackin’ & Yakkin’ Patreon at patreon.com/snackinyakkin. Your support helps keep the snacks flowing and the mics on!

Coffee, laughs, and a pink toilet quest for a Barbie bathroom. Candace Patterson from City Lights Eastside pulls up with house drinks, flavorful sandwiches, and South African flavors that hit the spot.This episode gets into the real story behind City Lights Eastside, the 1889 building, the two-year permit marathon, and the DIY buildout that somehow ended with all fingers intact. Then the snacks start talking: hibiscus Arnold Palmer lemonade, rose cardamom hot chocolate, peri peri chicken, a South African hand pie, and dessert that disappears fast.Visit City Lights Eastside12 Line Street, Charleston, South Carolina 29403Open daily, 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.Plus popups and South African food and wine nights (third Friday and Saturday, dinner 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.)Want more show and behind-the-scenes perks? Join the Snackin’ & Yakkin’ Patreon at patreon.com/snackinyakkin. Your support helps keep the snacks flowing and the mics on!

Apples, the first return guest, is back for a chaotic hang with BIG Ben Kennedy. Pants get mentioned, demons of demonetization get summoned, and the snack table turns into a science lab. Combos meet Yoo-hoo, coconut cocorolls get promoted to straw status, and somehow the conversation swerves into comedy life, friendship separation, movie theater snack smuggling, and the eternal battle of salty plus sweet. It's loud, weird, and weirdly wholesome.Want more show and behind-the-scenes perks? Join the Snackin’ & Yakkin’ Patreon at patreon.com/snackinyakkin. Your support helps keep the snacks flowing and the mics on!

Keeli and DJ Wild Bill (aka the adorable chaos duo behind Outlaw Entertainment) pull up to Snackin' & Yakkin' with BIG Ben Kennedy for Hobnobs, energy drinks, apple soda, and a nonstop stream of pop culture callbacks. Along the way, Wild Bill breaks down the real story behind his DJ name, Keeli talks influencer life and product reviews, and Ben tries to keep the episode on the rails (spoiler, it doesn't happen).Follow Keeli on TikTok at: @wildbill_wifieFollow DJ Wild Bill on all socials at: @djwildbillscWant more show and behind-the-scenes perks? Join the Snackin’ & Yakkin’ Patreon at patreon.com/snackinyakkin. Your support helps keep the snacks flowing and the mics on!

Courtney Lee Ann from Frothy Beard Off World pulls up with craft beer, big energy, and the kind of honesty that pairs well with salty snacks. We crack open a lineup that includes Sip Sip Pass, Critical Hit, Out at Third, and the fan-favorite seasonal Sour Cran (cranberry sour that drinks way too easy). Add Chex Mix, a surprisingly good sparkling apple mango drink, some real talk about trivia nights, nerd decor, and why soft pretzels deserve respect and you've got an another really fun hang. If you’re anywhere near Summerville, SC, this one’s basically a tasting flight with commentary.Follow Courtney at: @courtneyleeann95 and Frothy Beard Off World at: @frothybeardoffworldWant more show and behind-the-scenes perks? Join the Snackin’ & Yakkin’ Patreon at patreon.com/snackinyakkin. Your support helps keep the snacks flowing and the mics on!

Frankie Ferreira of Frankie Ramen pulled up with a spicy miso bowl that had us fully lost in the broth: a 12-hour pork tonkotsu base, a three-miso blend, braised pork shoulder, and a soy-soaked soft-boiled egg that might ruin regular eggs forever. This one’s a laid-back hang with real food talk (Tokyo ramen training, pop-up life in Charleston, late-night service stories), plus the kind of meal that makes you slow down, slurp up, and forget the day for a bit.Follow Frankie and his delicious ramen at: @frankieramen

Old-school comedy talk, road stories, and a snack table that’s doing the most. Jimmy Kimrey joins Big Ben Kennedy for Smartfood white cheddar popcorn, Red Bull debates, and real talk about working clubs before social media ran the booking calendar.Jimmy breaks down life on tour with Shelley Belly, why he keeps his material for the stage, how recovery and comedy can share the same lane, and the eternal struggle of having a last name nobody can spell.Subscribe, follow, comment and share!

A charcuterie board so packed it needs to loosen it's belt. Keith Lovas from Graze Craze Mount Pleasant pulls up with a full-on grazing board, fresh dips, and the kind of “perfect bite” combos that make you forget you ever ate sad crackers alone.Big Ben Kennedy and Keith snack and yak about how a former high-rise builder ended up building charcuterie boards instead, why everything’s made fresh, the great cracker debate, and how food can actually get people talking at a gathering. Plus, there’s a roasted beet hummus moment that deserves its own highlight reel.If you’re in Charleston or Mount Pleasant and need a board for date night, a party, a wedding, or a sales drop that people won’t forget, this episode’s a tasty place to start. Also, Valentine’s Day is coming, and yes, you can take credit (just remove the label).Graze Craze Mount Pleasant (pickup and delivery): 3373 South Morgan’s Point Road, Mount Pleasant, SC, and find out where to find them at: linktr.ee/grazecrazemtp

Snacks, stand-up, sports... this one goes everywhere fast. Comedian Craig Brown hangs with Big Ben Kennedy for a full-on Snackin' and Yakkin' session, featuring Rap Snacks taste tests (Rick Ross lemon pepper, Migos sour cream and a dab of ranch, Snoop OG BBQ cheddar, and Lil' Baby All In) and some strong opinions about football.They break down how that Edisto Island comedy show came together at Dockside Bar, why treating comics right matters, and how one great gig can live in your head for months. Then it turns into chip science (combo bites included), sauce talk, and sidetracks about the Niners, Ravens, and the kind of hits that used to send helmets into orbit.Find Comedian Craig Brown on social: @saucenation843

Hand-rolled Lumpia, cold beer, and a whole lot of laughing. Jen M. Crowe from Lowcountry Lumpia pulls up for Snackin' and Yakkin', and the taste is real.Jen breaks down what makes her Lumpia different, why air fryer-ready matters, and how she went from “chronically online” to selling trays on trays out of a commercial kitchen on Daniel Island. There’s food history, family recipe pride, and just enough language talk to get everyone saying “pogi ako” with confidence, or at least enthusiasm. You’ll also hear about the Philippines, Filipino food traditions, and a few Tagala words that might end up in your daily vocab.Featured flavors:Traditional porkKorean BBQ beefBuffalo Dynamite chicken (spicy enough to make you respect it)Find Lowcountry Lumpia:TikTok: @lowcountrylumpiaInstagram: @lowcountrylumpiaFacebook: @lowcountry_lumpiaWebsite: www.lowcountrylumpia.comMahal ko kayo!

We’re snackin' and yakkin' with Tiffany Dennis from Forge Charleston (Forge CHS, if you’re classy). She’s a longtime trainer who got tired of big gym takeovers, so she built a 10,000-square-foot gym in West Ashley that’s made for locals by locals!We talk gym life without the usual nonsense, why scales can ruin your peace, and how fitness should leave you ready for your day, not crawling around in defeat. We also get into Tiffany’s vibe rules, including fewer mirrors, no TVs, and yes, a strict no-nipples policy.Then we do what we do best, we snack. Dried okra, pickled okra, and Oreos show up, plus a cameo from the kids that turns this into a family snack summit.If you like funny, low-pressure chats with local business owners, this one’s for you. Subscribe for more Snackin' & Yakkin', we keep it casual, we keep it weird, and we keep the phones in our pockets.Find Forge CHS on social media at: @forgechs

Actor and comedian Brian T. Shirley stops by Snackin’ & Yakkin’, and things get weird in the best way. Ben and Brian swap Charleston comedy stories, talk acting gigs that don’t fit in a neat little box, and bond over how their lives have been weirdly side-by-side for years.It’s part comedy hang, part behind-the-scenes career talk, and part “wait, you did what in that short film?” There’s radio show nostalgia, improv shop talk, road stories, and a reminder that sometimes the best gigs come from saying “yes” and showing up.Also, Brian's snack pick? Goldfish and Arizona tea. Budget-friendly, studio-approved, and way funnier than it has any right to be.Visit briantshirleyactor.com!Like, subscribe, and follow for more!

Baltimore's beautiful nerd of all trades, comedian Violet Gray (aka @ChaoticViolet), hangs out on Snackin' & Yakkin' with Big Ben Kennedy for a chaotic catch‑up 15 years in the making.They talk about:• Growing up trans and becoming Violet, onstage and off• Running a 6‑person comedian RPG podcast online • Publishing monsters in Pathfinder and dreaming up her own game system• Cosplay, Ren faire life, fairy balls, anime cons, and the Eye Fairy costume• Building accepting community in Baltimore libraries and game nights• Why the right GM can make Dungeons & Dragons finally click• Sea‑shanty subculture, Shrek raves, and the curse of shiny reboots• Old Bay dusted caramel popcorn from Fisher’s as elite gamer fuelIf you are a transgender creative, a queer nerd, or a comedy‑loving dice goblin, this one is pure comfort food. You get standup stories, DIY career talk, and a reminder that tenacity beats talent when talent quits.---------New episodes here every Monday 9am EST! Please help support the show by joining the Snackin’ & Yakkin’ Patreon at patreon.com/snackinyakkin for just $5 a month!Follow Snackin’ & Yakkin’ and BIG Ben Kennedy on all social media at: @snackinyakkin and @bbkcomedy

On this episode, I'm hanging with chef-comedian Graham Codespoti (Co-dess-poh-tee) for rice crackers, Vietnamese coffee, and a whole lot of chuckles. We talk Charleston’s food scene, life on the line at The Archer, and why rice crackers beat greasy chips when we are surviving double shifts. Graham breaks down kitchen fryers, Blooming Onions, and his favorite food tattoos, then we drift into early drinking, quitting booze, and replacing it with extreme caffeine and even more stand-up.We also get into open-mic war stories from Wit’s End Comedy Club, growing up bald but not actually having alopecia, cruise-ship drinking dreams, Slipknot and Corey Taylor, and how hard it is to chase comedy while working full-time as a chef. If you are funny chefs, food nerds, or comics who love snacks, this one hits home.If we enjoy this episode, hit subscribe, drop a comment with your go-to shift snack, and share it with a fellow kitchen goblin.Want more show and behind-the-scenes perks? Join the Snackin’ & Yakkin’ Patreon at patreon.com/snackinyakkin. Your support helps keep the snacks flowing and the mics on!

We hang with standup comic Jayson Lee Rose on Snacking & Yakkin and it gets real fast. We talk Myrtle Beach and Charleston comedy, brain injuries, bipolar chaos, quitting jobs on lunch break, open mics that feel like group therapy, and why chasing laughs is the most insane life plan that still somehow makes sense.We snack on Jack Link’s and Mountain Dew Baja Blast, swap road stories from Dockside Bar and bowling-alley comedy clubs, drag our mental health into the light, and rant about meds, nerves, and that “I might puke but I still love this” feeling right before a set. There is talk of Shriners, army recruiters, gay bars, roller derby, and girlfriends who still look this many years old.If we made you laugh or feel slightly called out in a good way, hit subscribe, drop a comment, and share this with your favorite unmedicated (or overmedicated) funny friend. And if you want to keep us stocked in zero-sugar soda and gas-station jerky, the Patreon is only $5 a month.Follow Jayson in insta: @jaysonjaysonroseWant more show and behind-the-scenes perks? Join the Snackin’ & Yakkin’ Patreon at patreon.com/snackinyakkin. Your support helps keep the snacks flowing and the mics on!

Wild geese, voodoo chips, flirting, improv, and peanut butter theology, all in one snack-fueled hangout. Julian Smith (aka @GlamourToads) joins BIG Ben Kennedy on Snacking & Yakkin for an hour of wild riffs, art talk, music talk, and a whole lot of cackling.They break down Zapp’s Voodoo potato chips, Blenheim ginger ale, open mics, improv at Theatre 99, Liquid Improv, weird hair disasters, the 27 Club, John Waters, Dolly Parton lore, and why passion matters more than perfection. If you like offbeat comics, artsy weirdos, and conversations that keep veering into bits, this one is for you.👉 Follow Julian: @GlamourToadsIf you enjoyed this episode, drop a comment with your favorite snack, hit like, and subscribe so you do not miss the next yak session.