The Comedian Next Door

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

In our chat, we dive into the wild world of viral trends, the art of remixing, and the sheer absurdity of modern entertainment. We tackle the one-man band phenomenon, the value of viral videos, and the complexities of seemingly simple activities like cornhole and knitting. We also touch on the irony of consumer choices and ponder the future of engagement in a digital age brimming with reaction videos and video games. In this lively exchange, we explore a range of humorous and absurd topics, from the legality of throwing various objects to the peculiarities of Indiana laws. We delve into the strange world of food regulations, particularly the infamous maggot cheese, and discuss fishing techniques and regulations. Our conversation takes a turn towards the fast-paced world of driving, questioning the mindset of those who speed excessively. Finally, we entertain the idea of innovative travel methods, including the whimsical notion of shooting ourselves out of a cannon.

Hello, Friendly Neighbor! First of all, there are a lot of baby noises on this episode--so if you DON'T want to hear Bridger being delightful, turn back now.  You have been warned! Later: A young man dropped out of welding school in order to go to seminary and become a minister. What does the table think about that???Email us at nextdoor@johnbranyan.com  to tell us if you ever wanted to become a welder. 

In our rambling little chat, we somehow manage to stumble across a buffet of nonsense, from pretending we understand drum covers to overanalyzing church potluck menus. We get into a heated (and completely pointless) debate about lasagna versus baked spaghetti—because clearly, the fate of civilization hangs on that. We brag about our “southern cooking skills,” which mostly just means frying things badly, and laugh at the goofy ways we describe our aches and pains like we’re auditioning for a medical dictionary no one asked for. Naturally, we drift into tales of botched craft projects involving super glue, confess our ignorance of proper restaurant etiquette, and take a nostalgic victory lap for outdated gadgets we barely knew how to use in the first place (Blackberry, anyone?). In a burst of misguided ambition, we even brainstorm fake ads that no sane sponsor would actually want. Somewhere in the chaos, we convince ourselves we’re exploring profound topics like the quirks of technology, the weirdness of aging, and the absurdity of marketing. But let’s be honest—it’s just us swapping stories, roasting ourselves, and making our listeners wonder why they’re still tuning in.

We've been fellowshipping for HOURS already, Neighbor... And the baby is really ready to nurse to sleep. (Allow us to pause while the mama takes care of that...)It has been a jam-packed couple weeks of school, and there have been some tense moments in the car. The Peaches apologized for being grumpy. But, thankfully, none of the McBabies have run away from home...yet.  Do you want to annoy your wife early on a Sunday morning?  Luke can share what works for him.  Later:  When is it a good time to tell the truth? Contact the Comedian's family at nextdoor@johnbranyan.com  We'd love to hear from you--unless it's 11:30 at night and you're sneezing LOUDLY. 

In our chat, we dive into the wild world of everyday life, chatting about everything from hoarding toilet paper like it's the new gold to the quirks of home decor that make us question our sanity. We share personal tales about our hobbies, like lake diving and the nostalgia of cereal box prizes that made us feel like treasure hunters, all while tossing in some takes on pop culture, like Superman's questionable fashion choices and those charming Southern accents that make everything sound like a song. We also explore the mind-bending paradoxes of time travel, the quirks of Quantum Leap, and our love for older TV shows that remind us of simpler times. We discuss how comedy has evolved in today's political climate, the impact of documentaries on pop culture, and the wisdom from unconventional teachers who taught us that life is one big improv show. And, of course, we can't forget our take on therapy and self-improvement, because who doesn't love a good laugh while figuring out life's mysteries? Through our banter and commentary, we reflect on how these topics intertwine with our personal experiences and societal observations, all while keeping the laughs rolling.

Welcome to the table--watch out for flying bits of chewed carrot and shoes...  John is still unwelcome at his home church, so he gives an update on his church-hopping travels. WHAT DO YOU DO when you have nothing to do at church???  Next: Luke has a great idea for how to make an impression at the church pitch-in. But only you would get the joke, Neighbor! Everyone else would just be confused... ...and that reminds us of our late friend, Hank McGill!  Then: You have homework, Neighbor! You need to send us your best punchlines for Hank's infamous set-up...  It goes: "A guy called and asked if I wanted a subscription to Prevention Magazine, and I said: ___________________________" LATER:  You know, lots of churches pay to bring in a comedian for a night of laughs, but having one as a member of your congregation isn't always delightful.   When you order the caviar for a fancy restaurant, it feels high-value and cool.  But if you just bring caviar to the average church pitch in, it's just going to land on the floor under the highchairs, with the green beans, while everyone eats the mac-and-cheese.That analogy made sense while we were crafting it... Send your comments (and your punchlines) to nextdoor@johnbranyan.com!  

In this chat, we take a playful plunge into the world of airplane etiquette, pondering why we all clap like enthusiastic seals when the plane lands and speculating on the secret superhero roles of flight attendants. We also explore a nifty app that helps us brainstorm jokes about air travel—because who doesn't need a little digital inspiration for those mile-high musings? Our conversation is sprinkled with quirky observations about flying, making it an amusing journey. We also delve into the art of comedy writing, the creative chaos of jotting down ideas, and the fun of turning random thoughts into comedic gems. Our dialogue highlights the joy of free association and the magic of capturing those fleeting, funny thoughts before they take off.