This week, Maggie sits down with Opelika’s own James Young, a local comedian and former back-of-house veteran, who’s swapped the line for the limelight. From kitchen chaos to bar-top banter, James shares his unfiltered journey through the restaurant trenches and into the world of stand-up comedy.

He opens up about the moments that became punchlines, the lessons that stuck, and the wild encounters that prove you really can’t make this shit up. With sharp humor and raw honesty, James reminds us that the service industry is full of characters, resilience, and stories worth telling.

💬 Favorite quote:

“I think everyone in this business should try stand-up once... It’s the same chaos, just with a mic instead of a ticket machine.”

If you’ve ever clocked out wondering how your shift could double as a comedy set, this episode’s for you.