Achilles' Heel with Alex Hooper

"The more I let go that I'm ever gonna solve something, the more fun it gets."

Squeak your noses and break out your rubber chickens, we're getting magically silly. Christina Catherine Martinez (Vulture Comedians You Should and Will Know) is a master at deflecting her own feelings onto others. We discuss the world of art critique, the countless wolves living inside of her, and how growing up religious can leave you feeling fear and shame.

Christina is a wonderful comedian, writer, and creator. Catch her clowning her way to a stage near you.

Follow Christina: xtina_catherine

www.christinacatherine.info/comedy

"If you fixate on the worst-case scenario and it actually happens, you've lived it twice." - Michael J. Fox

All hell is about to break loose! John Hastings (America's Got Talent, BCC) can't help but catastrophize every aspect of his life. As we stretch our minds and play out horrible outcomes, we also talk about Canadian healthcare, auditioning for AGT on the day the world shut down, and how mindfulness is truly the key to finding inner-peace.

John is a world-traveling comedian who knows how to crush every stage he hits. His fast-paced style and gregarious attitude is more infectious than Covid.

Follow John: @thejohnhastings

thejohnhastings.com

"Complacency is the deadly enemy of spiritual progress. The contented soul is the stagnant soul." -Aiden Wilson Tozer

All hail the rave fairy king! Josh Waldron (New Youtube Special:  Chosen None) has a major problem: He's totally OK with his life. We discuss how happiness steals motivation to create, performing for people tripping at music festivals, and finding middle ground between playing the system and being a disruptor.

Josh is absolutely hilarious and has a heart made of rainbow sprinkles. He laughs and dances his way through a life worth living. Check out his new special and follow him on all the things.

Follow Josh: @joshwaldronsucks

Chosen None: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s3Fxa2Tmql8

" I was the white black sheep in my family."

It's a classic battle of Introvert vs Extrovert as we figure out where our energy originates. Candice Thompson (The Tonight Show, Joe Rogan Experience) joins me to explain how she copes with the Hollywood lifestyle while not allowing it to drain her of her essence. We also talk about growing up ethnically ambiguous, how to get ejected from a wedding, and what it means when we meet our demons face to face. 

Candice is a magnificent comedian, writer, and human being. While she may be introverted, her smile lights up every room she enters. Follow her on all the things. 

Follow Candice: @jokesbycandice

candicethompsoncomedy.com

Don't wake Daddy!

This conversation gets a little clingy but it is anything but static. Jenny Yang (Variety's Top 10 Comics To Watch) spent much of her childhood learning how to please others, but how do you break the cycle to live for yourself? We chat about escape mechanisms, equality in relationships, and our favorite self-help books. 

Jenny is a magnificent comedian, writer, and so much more. She's a go-getter, game-changer, let-it-all-hang-out performer. Follow her on all the things and go see her in a city near you.

Follow Jenny: @jennyyangtv

jennyyang.tv

"I think outside the box because I was never invited into the box."

Open wide, everybody! Comedy legend and Emmy winner Rick Overton (Set List Special on Amazon Prime) is here and he can't shut up. We discuss overcoming dyslexia and ADD, why digging yourself a hole is always a worthwhile challenge, and how life is just one giant improvisation and its up to us to say "YES, AND..."

Rick has been doing comedy for over 50 years. He has been seen in countless TV shows, films, stages, and festivals. His insight on how to live a fruitful life is inspiring. Take notes, this one has so many digestible nuggets.

Follow Rick: @rickoverton

You can't control the situation that you are born into. 

From the title alone, you know this episode is going to have moments that are extremely dark. Monarey Martinez (The Shamic Podcast) recounts her challenging stories with levity, wit, and bravery. You wouldn't expect this much laughter, but what can I say, we lean into fear and pain. We discuss making the best out of a life of poverty and abuse, how psychedelics can fast-forward years of therapy, and why riding the Greyhound bus is a an experience no one needs to have.

Monarey is a wonderful, intelligent, and hilarious comedian. These are her stories and they may be troubling to some listeners, however, they are important. This is not a story of a victim. It is a story of a courageous, strong-willed woman who knew she could break free of past demons through resilience, compassion, and humor.

Follow Monarey: @monareym

Shamic Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-shamic/id1553689544

"Typically I would wake up and I'd be taking a shower."

Imagine going to sleep and having no idea where you would wake up. For Jay Light (Master Chef, Comedy Central) this is reality. While he attempts to stay awake, we chat about the glory days of Roast Battle, the oddities of fraternity hazing, and why pushing yourself to exhaustion is detrimental to your creativity. 

Jay Light is a brilliant comedian and writer. Check out his podcast BlockBusting, and go see him whenever you can.

Follow Jay: @dietjay

jaylightcomedy.com

This is not the pounding and throbbing I was hoping for...

Comedian Izzy Salhani is no stranger to pressure, especially when its inside her own head. We discuss the side effects of long-term medications, the endless trials to alleviate constant pain, and what its like to live with someone after you find out they've been lying about everything. Sound fun? It is!

Izzy Salhani is a wonderful human being and comedian. You can catch us on the road together this month!

11/29: Davenport, IA

11/30: Madison, WI

10/1: Chicago, IL

Follow Izzy: @luckysalhani

I thought the Rocky Mountains would be a little rockier than this...

Motivation! Desire! Drive! Adam Cayton-Holland (Those Who Can't, Conan) has accomplishments out the wazoo, but does the need for success also weigh him down? We discuss what it takes to write a book about the worst moment of your life, finding harmony with your creative partners, and why putting unhealthy pressure on yourself will eventually lead you down a path of misery. 

Sound hilarious? It is. This is a beautiful conversation with an artist I have unlimited respect for. Adam is a standup, an author, a podcaster, a father, and an all-around stellar human being. Follow him and please read his book, Tragedy Plus Time. 

Follow Adam: @caytonholland

Adamcaytonholland.com