Guest: Bo Knox (Off the Eaten Path)

What if food criticism was less Michelin stars… and more emotional-support gas station?

In this episode, Gail sits down with Bo Knox — pilot, podcaster, accidental romantic, and co-host of Off the Eaten Path, a food show dedicated to overlooked restaurants, bowling alley pizza, suspicious strip mall gems, gas station delicacies, and the kind of meals Yelp usually forgets to mention.

Bo's philosophy? 👉 Sometimes the best food comes from the places nobody expects.

Also: 👉 Never trust a robot with a hamburger.

Together, Gail and Bo unpack risky plane purchases, food with emotional backstories, hotel review disputes, gas station meat sticks, six marriages (and six divorces) with the same woman, and the complicated emotional logistics of co-hosting a podcast with your ex-wife.

There are food opinions. There are relationship revelations. There is a rapid-fire round that becomes unexpectedly sincere.

👀 What You'll Definitely Not See Coming: A Baptist church deviled egg debate. A suspiciously emotional conversation about catfish. The gas station delicacy known only as The Red Dragon. A mall-related yelling session. And the moment Bo accidentally reveals he may have preferred Beth's sister.

About Bo Knox

Bo Knox is the host of Off the Eaten Path, a proudly unpretentious food podcast celebrating overlooked restaurants, gas stations, roadside diners, bowling alley pizza, and hidden gems that deserve more attention.

Alongside his ex-wife and co-host Beth, Bo travels in search of memorable meals, surprising stories, and proof that sometimes the best food comes from the least expected places.

His focus: 👉 Great food deserves a story — and sometimes the story tastes even better than the sandwich.

If you want to yell at Gail, please email us at [email protected]

"Billy Merritt's Improv Spotlight" is part of The BIT Improv Comedy Network - Mainstage. Visit www.BITComedyNetwork.com to listen to our other podcasts or apply to join the ensemble.

CAST Gail: Hill Kane Bo Knox: Jim Tripp

MUSIC: "Shut Up Gail Theme" lyrics by Hill Kane, musical composition generated by Suno AI. "Zombie Clambake" performed by Little Kahunas | Produced by Peter Miller © | RIP buddy CREWHost, Producer, Director, Editor, Art, Co-Creator: Hill Kane Show Runner, Co-Creator: Billy Merritt Co-Creator: Paul Vato

Production Assistance, Audio Production, & Graphic Art by Raising Kane Media + Marketing.

Hosting Platform: Libsyn.com

"The BIT," "The BIT ImpoComedy Network," "Billy Merritt's Improv Spotlight," and "Shut Up Gail" are Trademarks owned by Billy Merritt. ©2025-2026 Billy Merritt - All Rights Reserved Send inquiries + notices + requests: [email protected]

Guest: Michael & Jeremy (Steal Your Podcast) What if your podcast wasn't stolen… it was just aggressively borrowed by two cousin-friends from the MJSY-verse?

In this episode, Gail sits down with Michael and Jeremy — lifelong comedy partners, cousin-friends, and the hosts of Michael and Jeremy Steal Your Podcast, which is less a title and more a warning label.

Michael and Jeremy's big idea? 👉 Sometimes the funniest comedy rule isn't "yes, and"… it's "No, you're weird. Shut up."

Which is… rude. And also, unfortunately, effective.

Together, Gail, Michael, and Jeremy unpack childhood cassette tape comedy, lawnmower race commentary, PodFest tea, podcast theft, confusing family trees, aggressive compliments, and the strange emotional intimacy of yelling "Shut up, Gail" directly into a microphone.

There are impressions. There are questionable revelations. There is a rapid-fire round that gets weird almost immediately.

👀 What You'll Definitely Not See Coming:A guest appearance by "Jordan Peterson." A Dr. Ruth detour. A Christian podcast pitch gone spiritually sideways. And a yelling session that somehow turns into a compliment sandwich with brass knuckles.

About Michael & Jeremy Michael and Jeremy are the hosts of Michael and Jeremy Steal Your Podcast, a comedy podcast built on lifelong friendship, family chaos, improv, impressions, and the noble art of taking someone else's podcast premise and making it significantly stupider.

With nearly 200 episodes, they continue to expand the MJSY-verse one stolen podcast at a time.

Their focus: 👉 If your podcast exists, they may already be casing the joint.

Find them everywhere at: 🌐 MJSYpod.com 📱 @MJSYpod ✉️ [email protected]

If you want to yell at Gail, please email us at [email protected]

"Billy Merritt's Improv Spotlight" is part of The BIT Improv Comedy Network - Mainstage. Visit www.BITComedyNetwork.com to listen to our other podcasts or apply to join the ensemble.

CAST Gail: Hill Kane Themselves: Michael & Jeremy

MUSIC: "Shut Up Gail Theme" lyrics by Hill Kane and generated by AI. "Zombie Clambake" performed by Little Kahunas | Produced by Peter Miller © | RIP buddy CREWHost, Producer, Director, Editor, Art, Co-Creator: Hill Kane Show Runner, Co-Creator: Billy Merritt Co-Creator: Paul Vato

Production Assistance, Audio Production, & Graphic Art by Raising Kane Media + Marketing.

Hosting Platform: Libsyn.com

"The BIT," "The BIT ImpoComedy Network," "Billy Merritt's Improv Spotlight," and "Shut Up Gail" are Trademarks owned by Billy Merritt. ©2025-2026 Billy Merritt - All Rights Reserved Send inquiries + notices + requests: [email protected]

Mayor + Mindset | Running Your House Like a High-Performing Team Guest: Joe LaRussa

What if the chaos in your home isn't random… it's just bad leadership?

In this episode, Gail sits down with Joe LaRussa — small-city mayor, leadership coach, and the only person who might look at your household and think, "This needs a mission statement."

Joe's big idea? 👉 You already have the skills to run your life better… you're just not using them at home.

Which is… inconvenient.

Together, Gail and Joe unpack what happens when you stop treating your home like a recovery zone from work and start treating it like something worth actually leading.

There are insights. There are laughs. There are a few moments where Gail realizes things about herself in real time.

And yes… someone yells.

🎯 In This Episode:

• Why we tolerate things at home we'd never accept at work • The mindset shift that changes everything (and slightly ruins your excuses) • How leadership actually shows up in everyday decisions • What happens when you bring structure into emotional spaces • The surprising connection between strong households and stronger communities

👀 What You'll Definitely Not See Coming:

A mayor. A mindset shift. And a moment that perfectly captures what this show is all about.

(No spoilers. You'll know it when you hear it.)

About Joe LaRussa

Joe LaRussa is the mayor of Farmington, Michigan and the founder of Homegrown Leadership, where he helps parents and partners turn their households into high-performing teams.

His focus: 👉 Leadership matters most in the four walls you live in.

Learn more at: 🌐 HomegrownLeadership.net

If you want to yell at Gail, please email us at [email protected]

"Billy Merritt's Improv Spotlight" is part of The BIT Improv Comedy Network - Mainstage. Visit www.BITComedyNetwork.com to listen to our other podcasts or apply to join the ensemble.

CAST Gail: Hill Kane Himself: Mayor Joe LaRussa

MUSIC: "Shut Up Gail Theme" lyrics by Hill Kane and generated by AI. "Zombie Clambake" performed by Little Kahunas | Produced by Peter Miller © | RIP buddy CREWHost, Producer, Director, Editor, Art, Co-Creator: Hill Kane Show Runner, Co-Creator: Billy Merritt Co-Creator: Paul Vato

Production Assistance, Audio Production, & Graphic Art by Raising Kane Media + Marketing.

Hosting Platform: Libsyn.com

"The BIT," "The BIT Comedy Network," "Billy Merritt's Improv Spotlight," and "Shut Up Gail" are Trademarks owned by Billy Merritt. ©2025-2026 Billy Merritt - All Rights Reserved Send inquiries + notices + requests: [email protected]

Senior Vitality — Unscripted from The Villages, FL

Guest: Mike Roth

What happens when a seasoned podcaster builds a show specifically for the active senior community of The Villages, Florida?

You get Villages Vitality: Senior Life Unscripted (formerly known as Open Forum in The Villages), a weekly podcast hosted by Mike Roth, where thoughtful conversations meet real community issues.

In this episode, Mike joins Gail to talk about:

• Why good audio quality matters (and why there's no excuse for bad podcast sound) • How Open Forum grew to nearly 200 episodes and over 22,000 listens • The surprising power of letting guests bring their own questions to an interview • How podcasting fits perfectly into the active lifestyle of seniors • Episodes that unexpectedly became fan favorites

Mike also shares stories from behind the mic, including lawnmowers interrupting recordings, surprise bathroom flushes during interviews, and the challenge of capturing great conversations in the wild.

Then Gail puts Mike through the Rapid Fire Round before finally giving Mike his moment to do what every guest eventually does…

Yell at Gail to "shut up!"

About Mike Roth

Mike Roth is the host and producer of Village Vitality: Senior Life Unscripted, a listener-supported weekly podcast highlighting voices, ideas, and conversations from one of the most unique retirement communities in America (and beyond).

His guests include authors, doctors, politicians, comics, innovators, and community leaders, all sharing stories that matter to the residents of The Villages and beyond.

New episodes are released every Friday morning.

###

If you want to yell at Gail, please email us at [email protected]

"Billy Merritt's Improv Spotlight" is part of The BIT Improv Comedy Network - Mainstage. Visit www.BITComedyNetwork.com to listen to our other podcasts or apply to join the ensemble.

CAST Gail: Hill Kane Himself: Mike Roth

MUSIC: "Shut Up Gail Theme" lyrics by Hill Kane and generated by AI. "Zombie Clambake" performed by Little Kahunas | Produced by Peter Miller © | RIP buddy CREWHost, Producer, Director, Editor, Art, Co-Creator: Hill Kane Show Runner, Co-Creator: Billy Merritt Co-Creator: Paul Vato

Production Assistance, Audio Production, & Graphic Art by Raising Kane Media + Marketing.

Hosting Platform: Libsyn.com

"The BIT," "The BIT Comedy Network," "Billy Merritt's Improv Spotlight," and "Shut Up Gail" are Trademarks owned by Billy Merritt. ©2025-2026 Billy Merritt - All Rights Reserved Send inquiries + notices + requests: [email protected]

Ohio Raised. Truth Bomb Fed. Enlightened as Hell.

Guest: Freddie Simone (Ohio's own Inlightened Ediot™)

What happens when Gail sits down with a comedian who proudly calls herself an Enlightened Idiot—with the E and I intentionally swapped? You get a conversation that's equal parts stand-up set, philosophy lecture, and spiritual mic drop.

Fresh off their PodFest 2026 meet-cute, Gail welcomes Freddie Simone, creator of Foxy Freddy Entertainment, a performer who delivers wisdom with bite, humor with heart, and truth bombs with impeccable timing. Freddie believes enlightenment doesn't require silence, softness, or spellcheck, and she makes a compelling case that laughter might be the fastest route to clarity.

This episode dives into:

• Why being smart and dumb at the same time might be the most honest way to live
• How comedy can sit in discomfort without losing the laugh
• The art of delivery (because you can say almost anything… if you say it right)
• Why play, joy, and feeding your inner child aren't optional—they're survival tools
• And why sometimes the most enlightened advice is simply: "Shut the f* up."**

It's bold. It's funny. It's surprisingly tender. Like Freddie herself—crunchy on the outside, gooey on the inside.

Best Line Pull-Quotes

"We're all smart, but we're dumb, okay?"

"Shocking but sweet. Sweet and shocking—that's the brand."

"The world would be better if people just shut the f*** up."

(Honorable mention to the turkey pesto sandwich discourse, which somehow became a spiritual metaphor.)

Rapid-Fire Highlights

• Preferred delivery system: Truth bombs (no glitter, please)

• Carnival ride name: The Motaco Mixer

• Enlightenment vs. sandwich: Jury's out—but toast the bread, and we'll talk

Final Word

This episode is a reminder that wisdom doesn't have to whisper; sometimes it laughs loudly, swears a little, and tells you exactly what you didn't know you needed to hear.

And yes. Freddie absolutely tells Gail to shut up.

Repeatedly. 💖

Follow Freddie:

Facebook

Instagram

🎧 SHUT UP GAIL – Episode 11 Play Is Not Optional (with Margo Escott)

Play is not a reward. It's not a break. It's not something you "get back to" when life calms down.

According to Margo Escott, play is essential — and she's been proving it since the 1970s.

In this Season 2 premiere of Shut Up Gail, Gail sits down with Margo Escott: psychotherapist, New Games referee, improv teacher, and lifelong champion of joy. What unfolds is a grounded, hilarious, deeply human conversation about laughter, resilience, Parkinson's, anxiety, failure, and why yelling "TA‑DA!" at your mistakes might actually change your life.

🧠 What We Talk About

• Why play isn't optional, for kids or adults

• How improv became a powerful therapeutic tool

• Using play with people living with Parkinson's (and their care partners)

• Why CBT + mindfulness + improv is a secret weapon for anxiety

• The radical idea that there are no mistakes

• Pain vs. suffering — and how presence loosens suffering's grip

• Gibberish dinnertime (yes, really)

💬 Best Lines

"There are no mistakes. Everything you do is meant to happen." "Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional." "Play helps us get out of our heads — and back into being human."

🎭 The Yelling (Mandatory)

Margo delivers not one, not two, but multiple heartfelt, joyful, and slightly mischievous renditions of:

"Shut up, Gail."Because professionals commit to the bit.

💥 Why This Episode Matters

This isn't just an interview — it's permission. Permission to play. Permission to fail loudly. Permission to laugh in the middle of hard things.

And permission to tell Gail to shut up.

If you want to yell at Gail, please email us at [email protected]

"The BIT Spotlight" is part of The BIT Comedy Network. Visit www.BITComedyNetwork.com to listen to our other podcasts or apply to join the ensemble.

CAST Gail: Hill Kane Herself: Margot Escott

MUSIC: "Zombie Clambake" performed by Little Kahunas | Produced by Peter Miller © (RIP buddy :()

"The BIT Spotlight" and "Shut Up Gail" are part of The BIT Comedy Network.

Host, Producer, Director, Editor, Art, Co-Creator: Hill Kane Show Runner, Co-Creator: Billy Merritt Co-Creator: Paul Vato

Production Assistance, Audio Production, & Graphic Art by Raising Kane Media + Marketing.

Hosting Platform: Libsyn.com

"The BIT," "The BIT Comedy Network," "Billy Merritt's Improv Spotlight," and "Shut Up Gail" are Trademarks owned by Billy Merritt. ©2025-2026 Billy Merritt - All Rights Reserved Send inquiries + notices + requests: [email protected]

🎙️ Shut Up, Gail – Season Finale: "Yes, And Your Way to World Domination" Guest: Jay Sukow Host: Gail Shepherd (Not Like Cher, but kinda like Cher)

Improv legend Jay Sukow drops into Gail's virtual lair to talk shop, shout affirmations, mispronounce "spatula," and accidentally invent the word "fyrk." If you've ever wondered whether failure is your superpower, or if you should microwave fish at work (spoiler: don't), this episode is your new religion.

Get ready for:

🎭 The Renaissance of Improv: Jay reflects on the early days of doing scenes with 12 nerds in a rec center and how improv went from "misfit hobby" to "mandatory corporate training."

📉 Failing Spectacularly: Why bombing is beautiful, and how to embrace every weird moment like you meant to do it all along.

🧠 Tools Not Rules: The improv mantra that might save your life—or at least your next Zoom meeting.

🔥 Rapid-Fire Madness: Gail grills Jay on late-night shows, Beastie Boys, Brave Spaces, and… boardroom jams vs. Chicago dive bars.

💥 Plus:

-Improv for four-year-olds and vintage performers -Side-mouth Cher impression -A surprise Shakespeare reference (because Gail has a degree) -"Shut Up, Gail" yelled with emotionally intelligent rage-Winslow the British assistant (who definitely ghosted Jay)

🎧 Best Lines:

• "You're in control of your character. Stop acting like your character owns you."

• "We don't need rules. We need a fyrk."

• "Failure is the gift. The comedy is in the mess."

🛑 WARNING: This episode contains high-level improv geekery, joy, and at least two sincere metaphors involving bunting.

Be sure to come back on Janaury 8th for the Season Two kick off.

If you want to yell at Gail, please email us at [email protected]

"The BIT Spotlight" is part of The BIT Comedy Network. Visit www.BITComedyNetwork.com to listen to our other podcasts or apply to join the ensemble.

CAST Gail: Hill Kane Himself: Jay Sukow

MUSIC: "Zombie Clambake" performed by Little Kahunas | Produced by Peter Miller © (RIP buddy :()

"The BIT Spotlight" and "Shut Up Gail" are part of The BIT Comedy Network.

Host, Producer, Director, Editor, Art, Co-Creator: Hill Kane Show Runner, Co-Creator: Billy Merritt Co-Creator: Paul Vato

Production Assistance, Audio Production, & Graphic Art by Raising Kane Media + Marketing.

Hosting Platform: Libsyn.com

"The BIT," "The BIT Comedy Network," and "Shut Up Gail" are Trademarks owned by Billy Merritt. ©2025 Billy Merritt - All Rights Reserved Send inquiries + notices + requests: [email protected]

In this tenth and season finale episode, Andrew, the technical director of the Regency Theatre is joined by the Regency's resident scenery performer Steckman, fresh off her return from the Great White Way. They are joined again by British actor Kristian Night Lewis to discuss bidets and racing cars, and local lucky actor Jenny Blessed to talk about winning lotteries and stopping wars. Backstage at the Regency will be dark for a few months before returning for Season 2 with all new episodes. Thanks for listening! CAST: Andrew - Luke Bovard Steckman - Lisa Steckman Kristian Night Lewis - Dean Aisles Jenny Blessed - Thea Marie Thorkildsen

Have a question for the fine theatre folks at the Regency Theatre? Please e-mail us at [email protected]

Follow us on Instagram at @backstageregency Follow BIT Comedy Network on Instagram at @bitcomedynetwork and Facebook @BITComedyNetwork.

"The BIT Spotlight" is part of The BIT Comedy Network. Created, produced, and edited by Luke Bovard Graphics/Art by Raising Kane Media + Marketing

Special Thanks: Billy Merritt

MUSIC: * Showtime - Cabaret - Revue by Julius H. * It's Showtime by VictorvanTast Music provided by PixaBay (a Royalty Free Platform) Hosting Platform: Libsyn.com "The BIT," "The BIT Comedy Network," "The BIT Spotlight," and "Backstage at The Regency" are Trademarks owned by Billy Merritt.

© 2025-2026 Billy Merritt - All Rights Reserved

Inquiries + Notices + Requests: [email protected]

🎙️ SHUT UP GAIL – Ep. 8: "From Cult to Carnival" with Paul Omarr This is the eighth installment of Bit Behind the Scenes (a.k.a. Shut Up Gail).

Listen, follow, rate, and share... PLEASE and THANK YOU!

This month, Gail heads to Oslo for a deeply human (and surprisingly funny) conversation with Paul — a Norwegian comedian, scholar, and improv performer whose journey from cult survivor to carnival-level creative proves that humor and healing can share the same stage.

From growing up in a strict congregation to discovering freedom in the unpredictable world of improv, Paul turns personal history into powerful storytelling — with warmth, self-awareness, and the occasional spreadsheet.

🧠 In This Episode: ✨ How growing up in a "cult" shaped Paul's understanding of language, leadership, and laughter 🎭 Why improv became his portal to autonomy and self-expression 🧩 Navigating neurodivergence and sensory challenges in the performance world 🎤 What it's like to host a festival, research your teams, and still find time for brisket jokes 🥨 The link between critical thinking, character work, and sauerkraut

💬 Quotable Moments:

"I already freed myself before improv — but improv freed me even more." "Critical thinking is important … but once I'm on stage, I just see whatever the universe gives me." "Oh shut up Gail, you're amazing."

🇳🇴 Bonus Bits: 🕯️ How Paul channels past trauma into empathetic comedy 🧠 The science of decoding neurotypicals — one scene at a time 🍖 Brisket, sauerkraut, and other cross-cultural improv food groups

Be sure to come back on the 8th of each month for a new "snack-sized" episode of SHUT UP GAIL. Next month, Gail ends her first season with a kickass interview with the one and only, JAY SUKOW!!!!

If you want to yell at Gail, please email us at [email protected]

"The BIT Spotlight" is part of The BIT Comedy Network. Visit www.BITComedyNetwork.com to listen to our other podcasts or apply to join the ensemble.

CAST Gail: Hill Kane Himself: Paul from Oslo

MUSIC: "Zombie Clambake" performed by Little Kahunas | Produced by Peter Miller © (RIP buddy :()

"The BIT Spotlight" and "Shut Up Gail" are part of The BIT Comedy Network.

Host, Producer, Director, Editor, Art, Co-Creator: Hill Kane Show Runner, Co-Creator: Billy Merritt Co-Creator: Paul Vato

Production Assistance, Audio Production, & Graphic Art by Raising Kane Media + Marketing.

Hosting Platform: Libsyn.com

"The BIT," "The BIT Comedy Network," and "Shut Up Gail" are Trademarks owned by Billy Merritt. ©2025 Billy Merritt - All Rights Reserved Send inquiries + notices + requests: [email protected]

In this ninth episode, Andrew, the technical director of the Regency Theatre, is distracted and accidentally leaves the podcast recording equipment on, and the ghosts of the theatre decide to host an episode. CAST Andrew/Bartholomew - Luke Bovard Lindsey - Thea Marie Thorkildsen Tommy - Hillary Kane Constance - Terry Armstrong

Have a question for the fine theatre folks at the Regency Theatre? E-mail us at [email protected]

Follow us on Instagram at @backstageregency Follow BIT Comedy Network on Instagram at @bitcomedynetwork and Facebook @BITComedyNetwork.

"The BIT Spotlight" is part of The BIT Comedy Network. Created, produced, and edited by Luke Bovard Graphics/Art by Raising Kane Media + Marketing

Special Thanks: Billy Merritt

MUSIC: * Showtime - Cabaret - Revue by Julius H. * It's Showtime by VictorvanTast Music provided by PixaBay (a Royalty Free Platform) Hosting Platform: Libsyn.com "The BIT," "The BIT Comedy Network," "The BIT Spotlight," and "Backstage at The Regency" are Trademarks owned by Billy Merritt.

© 2025 Billy Merritt - All Rights Reserved

Inquiries + Notices + Requests: [email protected]