The Comedian Next Door

We've been diving headfirst into the health rabbit hole, and frankly, we're not sure if we came out better or just more confused. On this episode, we tried to sound like we know what we're talking about as we explored everything from holistic doctors (who tell you your favorite snack is basically poison) to the ancient, confusing art of grounding (are we just supposed to hug a tree?). We also tackled the great health debate: supplements vs. whole foods. Why take a synthetic pill when you can just eat an entire kale farm, right? Oh, and did we mention parasites? Yes, we went there. Because nothing says "funny podcast" like discussing the creepy crawlies potentially residing inside you. We also shared some questionable home remedies that probably won't cure you, but might give you a good story. Then, we veered wildly into the chaos that is modern life! We lamented the utterly unrealistic health goals plastered all over social media—seriously, who has time for perfect yoga poses AND a pristine lawn? Speaking of which, we complained bitterly about the soul-crushing labor of lawn care before moving onto the even greater torment: fishing with our children. (Spoiler: it involves a lot of untangling and zero fish.) To top it all off, we reminisced about the trauma of our childhood pets, finally concluding with the truly brilliant idea one of us had to own a piranha. Because clearly, we never learned any life lessons about boundaries or common sense. Basically, we proved that health, parenting, and pet ownership are all just a series of absurd, hilarious mistakes.

Welcome! We kick off this episode talking about hunting season, and all the things Luke has lost in the woods so far...  Next, John thinks Church People should be more "clique-ish."   But--his thoughts are interrupted by Cami and Collin, who found something HILARIOUS on Google Maps.  It's a 13-year dream come true for John!  Later, what's the opposite of joining a "clique?"  Wouldn't it be joining a group of people who don't like spending time together?   FINALLY: we share listener answers to the punchline challenge!  Thanks for playing our game with us, Neighbor! Email the Comedian's family at nextdoor@johnbranyan.com.

We dove headfirst into a sugar coma and called it a conversation. We covered everything—music, Halloween, and candy—basically the holy trinity of chaos. We started off pretending to be intellectuals discussing the “accessibility of musical instruments,” which quickly devolved into us arguing about who still owns a recorder and why. Then we slid into Halloween like adults who still think pillowcases make the best candy bags. We reminisced about trick-or-treating, back when we had functioning knees and strangers weren’t handing out toothpaste. We waxed poetic about decorations—because nothing says “festive spirit” like accidentally impaling yourself on a plastic tombstone in the yard. Of course, we analyzed candy with the seriousness of food critics. We debated hard candy versus gummy like philosophers who’ve clearly lost control of their lives, and then somehow invented the idea of a “chocolate apocalypse,” where everyone’s just bartering for Snickers. Naturally, we ended up bragging about our old Halloween costumes—because nothing says confidence like admitting we once wore a trash bag and called it a “grim reaper cloak.” We even wandered into haunted houses and Judgment Houses, which, honestly, felt a little too real. Turns out we like being terrified, as long as it’s in a controlled environment with snacks.

Welcome, Neighbor! Maybe you've noticed that fall is waning! And winter is... something. We'll start off quizzing John for hipness, and he does not pass.  THEN, the story of the Cracked Toilet... and are angels clean-shaven, or do they have beards?  AND, help us come up with a good punchline for this prompt!  What name would you give to an award show/ceremony for mediocre movies?  (The computer's answer was "the Descents."  But we can do better.) LATER,  why do we have so many friends being disfellowshipped from their churches after years of faithfulness?  Maybe parents and church leaders are struggling to discipline their toddlers in order to RESPECT their teenagers.(Also, should parents hide knives from a 14-year-old?) Email us at nextdoor@johnbranyan.com to share your comments and quotes.

We really outdid ourselves in this chat — it’s like a family dinner that got hijacked by a stand-up open mic. We covered everything: home décor disasters, taxidermy gone wrong, and the art of telling jokes that only half the room understands. We confessed our crimes against interior design, admitted to traumatizing our kids with dad jokes, and tried to explain comedy to ourselves like we were translating a foreign language we barely speak. At one point, we took a scenic detour into turkey shoots (because nothing bonds friendship like firing at paper poultry), tried to fold our dignity into origami, and then pretended to be film critics who definitely stayed awake through The Godfather. Naturally, we overanalyzed Stephen King’s pen names like we were uncovering a government conspiracy, got sentimental about horror movies, and agreed that the 80s were peak cinema — mostly because that’s when our metabolism still worked. Somewhere between discussing guilty pleasure films and planning a movie marathon we’ll never actually organize, we realized the common thread holding it all together: our inability to stay on topic. But hey, at least we laughed — mostly at ourselves.

Welcome, Neighbor, to the table of Kokomo's 6th Funniest Comedian...    We're not as young as we used to be!  We're even older than we were a few seconds ago, when we said that... Then:  The good citizens of Kokomo have been working on a tough question... which crimes should we care about?  Recently a teenage father committed homicide, and everyone seems to agree that sort of thing should be stopped.   But--what about a "teeth whitening business" full of prostitutes?   (Note: be suspicious of any business that offers "massages" as an add-on!) Later: Luke is kicking off his Courageous Era by upsetting his elderly Catholic relatives. His meme is a bit "niche." But you will probably understand it, Neighbor! Contact the Comedian's family at nextdoor@johnbranyan.com .

In this episode, we dive into a light-hearted chat that covers everything from the hilarious side of social media interactions to the wild world of being a DJ, especially at weddings. We brainstorm some creative DJing ideas and even sprinkle in our comedic takes on current events. We explore themes like the implications of a recent indictment and the art of perfect timing in everyday life. We chat about how tiny moments can lead to big changes, much like the butterfly effect. Our conversation also takes us through travel tales, the quirks of air travel, the overwhelming choices on streaming services, and the metaphor of the church as a body, highlighting the importance of community. Join us for a laugh and some unexpected insights!

Welcome to Middle Earth, Neighbor!  John is out of town, so Luke and Amanda are dismantling his entire podcast by undermining the role of Comic Relief.We're talking about Pippin's growth from "childish clown" to a man willing to FIGHT...  This story resonates with Luke at the moment, since we have been led to some distasteful battlefronts lately.Is this the end of the Comedian Next Door?!  Are we leaving all the "jest" behind us because we're too grown up now?!  Not exactly...but our REASON for being funny might be different. No more hiding behind jokes in order to hide from reality. Contact the Comedian's family at nextdoor@johnbranyan.com 

In our chat, we cover everything from the sacred duty of picking terrible game night music to the Olympic sport of treating red lights like polite suggestions. We swap Botox horror stories that double as “Guess Who?” games, laugh at language quirks that make menus sound like dares, and wonder how comedy evolved from Shakespearean insults to TikTok dances. We debate the etiquette of roundabouts (are they traffic circles or friendship tests?) and the subtle art of waving at other drivers in ways that say “sorry,” “thank you,” and “may your tires fall off” all at once. From the chaos of comedic timing to the nerdy beauty of wordplay and Venn diagrams, we zigzag through nostalgia—game shows, puppets, and all the stuff that scarred us in delightful ways. Music gets dragged in as the culprit for cultural brainwashing, while we ponder why every generation thinks they invented sarcasm. We even dissect the tragic fate of ice-breaking jokes (spoiler: they drown), the kamikaze nature of stand-up comedy, and the eternal truth that no punchline is safe once caffeine kicks in. All in all, it’s like a rollercoaster ride—except nobody’s tall enough for the “you must be this funny to ride” sign.

Hey, Neighbor! Bridger wants some Mama Moke! John RSVPd for a class he's not going to actually be able to attend, and the Peaches remembers a slumber party prank that went wrong...Later: John talks about the book that miraculously appeared on his floor this week and changed his life.Contact the Comedian's Family by emailing nextdoor@johnbranyan.com

In our chat, we dive headfirst into everything from the mind-boggling art of circular breathing in music to the age-old debate of optimism versus pessimism. We even manage to make financial management sound funny—because, let's face it, money is a mystery wrapped in an enigma, especially when cryptocurrency gets involved. We reminisce about the good ol' days of roller skating and the joys (and injuries) of parenting. We also take a moment to laugh at ourselves while trying to master the art of accepting compliments—because who knew self-worth could be so complicated? Our conversation meanders through the hilarity of societal norms, like why certain drinks are "gendered," and we even touch on the evolution of Botox from beauty to medicine. And, of course, we can't forget the fall's impact on nature and the ridiculousness of cleaning products. It's a wild ride, but hey, that's just how we roll!

Hey, Neighbor!  The Peaches is uploading this episode, but the Peaches wasn't part of this conversation. So, you don't get a summary today.   Consider it a surprise for all of us...  What did John and Luke talk about while Amanda was attending a prayer vigil at the Courthouse?We will find out together...   Contact The Comedian's family by emailing nextdoor@johnbranyan.com

In our latest podcast escapade, we dive headfirst into the wild world of podcasting apologies, the tiny yet mighty connections in life, and the art of performing for audiences that could fit in a phone booth. We laugh at our attempts to teach kids to ride bikes, chuckle at the quirks of youth culture, and scratch our heads at the strange rituals of fishermen. Our chat is a rollercoaster of giggles, insights, and life reflections—perfect for anyone who enjoys a good laugh at life's absurdities. We also reminisce about school days, dissect parenting styles, and ponder the nature of humor and its consequences. Things get delightfully weird as we muse over the bizarre biology of insects and even toy with the idea of turning them into tiny warriors. 

He's John Branyan, and he has been a stand-up comedian for more than 30-years.   He's joined at the table by his daughter, Amanda, and son-in-law, Luke.  Join us at the table for another conversation!  Picture this, Neighbor:   a middle-aged man pretends to be a lizard eating an icecream cone. You may just have to trust us; it's hilarious. Then:  Farmer John tells you how to get a good harvest of raspberries.  And Luke gives an update on his hunting muscles--which are not what they used to be.  (It's hard to shoot that Bo-Narrow!) AND:  John is not Kokomo's Funniest Comedian YET...but he's still in the running! So stay tuned! Later: the sermon we heard today was all about putting on the belt of TRUTH, as the first order of business in arming yourself against evil. What a refreshing message. Contact the Comedian's Family by emailing nextdoor@johnbranyan.com

In this episode of the Riff Session, we dive headfirst into a hilarious and nostalgic chat about our favorite childhood cartoons, the wild evolution of animated shows, and the delightful chaos of parenting—especially when it comes to naming our little ones. We also find ourselves in the middle of a comedic showdown between GPS apps during family road trips, showcasing the quirks of modern tech and our relationships. As we navigate the intricacies of naming kids and pets, we share personal stories and humorous insights, pondering the significance of names and the whims of our family members. Oh, and let's not forget our detour into the fascinating world of insects, particularly love bugs, where we draw some questionable parallels between their antics and our own relationships. Through laughter and a bit of self-mockery, we uncover the complexities and joys of naming in both human and animal realms.

Welcome, Neighbor, to our corner of Protestencia! We resigned from church leadership and left our church. (Or did it leave us???)  Special shout out to Cheri, who plays a vital role in making sure we publish our podcast every week! Contact the Comedian's family at nextdoor@johnbranyan.com  

In our lively chat, we dive into a smorgasbord of topics, from the accessibility of musical instruments (which we still can't play) to our childhood attempts at entrepreneurship with lemonade stands and school fundraisers (spoiler: we didn't make millions). We even touch on the spiritual side of certain instruments, though our spiritual journey mostly involves trying not to trip over them. Our conversation is peppered with laughter as we reflect on the simple joys and creative chaos of childhood, which somehow shaped our understanding of business and community (or at least that's what we tell ourselves). We share hilarious tales of our childhood food escapades, including bizarre ice cream flavors and culinary misadventures at fairs and street vendors. We also reminisce about cruise ship life, discussing the glamorous (or not-so-glamorous) life of performers on board, and wax nostalgic about our favorite video games, which we still play with the same enthusiasm as when we were kids. It's a conversation filled with laughter, insights, and a healthy dose of self-mockery about our personal tastes and experiences.

It's NOT THAT COLD over here, Neighbor!  Don't believe Luke and Cami!The Podninja and the Peaches are having Thermastat Wars...Later: we've been cleaning out old podcast recordings like they don't even matter! This isn't a very "Boomer" approch to memories and honoring the past.   Is it bad to live in a "consumer" culture, instead of a "saving" one? Contact the Comedian's family by emailing nextdoor@johnbranyan.com  

In our delightfully chaotic conversation, we bumble through a range of themes, from our questionable musical experiences and our clumsy attempts at connecting with nature, to our rose-tinted nostalgia for the past and our often misguided musings on technology's role in society. We share our personal misadventures, reflect on historical contexts we barely remember, and take wild guesses about the future of AI—all while trying to keep things light-hearted and humorous, even if we're the only ones laughing. We also dive into topics like the construction of the pyramids (as if we were there), the implications of artificial intelligence on our own intelligence (or lack thereof), and the evolution of technology. We ponder the nature of knowledge and wisdom in this digital age, and even speculate on the future of food, including lab-created products and vegan alternatives, despite our limited culinary expertise. Our conversation meanders through cultural perspectives on food, particularly the ethics of eating insects, and wraps up with a humorous exploration of the buffet as a dining concept—because who doesn't love a good buffet, right?

John didn't go to church today, Neighbor.  But...he's still more holy than the Catholic.  Send us all of your catholic terms...  (Spoilers:  the word "Chamber" is not one...) There has been some tension between Luke and "his rib" today... Instead of going to get the pizza to feed everybody, Luke shot a racoon.... and buried it.   He's pretty sure it's the same raccoon he caught and released a few weeks ago... And we realize there are a lot of tail-less animals in our midst.   Then: Andrew comes back with his "new" shoes for the grass... and he tells us how to become a home-invader. Later:  There have always been ministers wanting to control the conversation... But, we have bad news for them.  The McKinney's have a podcast.   (Along with basically everyone else on the planet.)  It's getting harder and harder to burn heretics at the stake! To contact us, send an email to nextdoor@johnbranyan.com