Black & A Half

Silas and Samantha reunite in person for an adventure into the wild world of pickleball… and immediately encounter unexpected coaching, questionable sports etiquette, and a live demonstration of mansplaining in the wild.

Along the way: Silas nearly burns his leg off with a rogue 9-volt battery, Samantha reflects on awkward public moments involving kids, and the conversation spirals into stand-up comedy philosophy, storytelling, romance novels, and whether “smut” is just a misogynistic label for books women enjoy.

Also: Silas announces his upcoming rap song Call Me a Nerd. Because of course he does.

Silas buys what he thinks is the perfect black T-shirt… only to discover that not all “identical” shirts are actually identical. From there, things spiral beautifully into conversations about body image, shopping ethics, local monopolies, flirting confusion, compliments, aging bodies, negotiation tactics, yoga squats, and somehow Mike’s Hard Lemonade.

Classic Black & A Half chaos.

In Episode 252, Silas and Samantha dive into a wide-ranging conversation that somehow includes Shakespeare debates, acting challenges, confidence, and what it really means to pursue big goals.

Along the way, they explore creativity, expectations, parenting, performance anxiety, and the process of getting better at something—even when it’s uncomfortable.

Also… there may or may not be a heated discussion about vegetables.

In this episode of Black & A Half, Silas sits down with musician and singer Stefan Mahendra, who recently opened for Joss Stone and is releasing new music.

They talk about the long journey from self-doubt to confidence, what it’s like to perform stripped down versus with a full band, and why many artists today are choosing to release EPs instead of full albums.

Stefan shares how he discovered soul music, how long it took to feel comfortable hearing his own voice, and what it really takes to grow as an artist.

It’s a thoughtful, funny, and honest conversation about creativity, vulnerability, and the process of getting better at something that matters to you.

Episode 250 is here! 🎉
 Silas and Samantha sit down with filmmaker Paul Boyd, director of Scared to Death, to talk about horror comedy, the realities of indie filmmaking, and what it really takes to bring a movie to life over ten years.

They dive into creativity, storytelling, collaboration, and why sometimes you just have to trust the process (and your actors). Plus: chess, the cosmos, and some classic Black & A Half tangents.

Sometimes trying to save a little money ends up costing you way more.

In this episode of Black & A Half, Silas shares a cautionary tale about what happens when a deal seems just a little too good to be true. What started as a simple attempt to save money on a small business decision turns into a story involving questionable choices, unexpected twists, and a lesson in gullibility.

Along the way, Silas and Samantha also talk about the ever-changing world of podcasting, the rise of celebrity podcasts, and why independent creators might still have an edge.

It’s funny, honest, and a reminder that sometimes the cheapest option is the most expensive one.

In Episode 247 of Black & A Half, Silas Lindenstein and Samantha Rund explore the intersection of comedy, improv, theater directing, skincare routines, and creative identity.

The episode covers:

This episode blends comedy, discussion of the performing arts, and personal storytelling. Perfect for fans of improv theater, stand-up comedy, and behind-the-scenes creative conversations.

This week on Black & A Half, we’re joined by director and world-renowned violinist Lara St. John to talk about her documentary Dear Lara.

The film examines abuse, power, and institutional silence within the classical music world. It’s a heavier conversation than usual for a comedy podcast, and we name that upfront. We talk about how abuse hides in places that are assumed to be “safe,” why parents struggle to know who to trust, and how entire systems protect reputation and talent at the expense of children and students.

We also talk about art, parenting, fear, responsibility, and what it means to keep loving music when the industry surrounding it has caused harm. And yes, after the interview, we do what we always do: process, reflect, deflect, and occasionally use humor as a survival tool.

This episode includes discussion of sexual abuse (not graphic), power dynamics, and institutional failure. Listener discretion advised.

Dear Lara premieres in the United States at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival, with international screenings to follow.