This week, we sit down with comedian Kirstie Hayden, known for her appearance on Kill Tony, and dive into the moment that had everyone confused—her explanation of “brain zaps.” What starts as a casual reference turns into a wild breakdown of what it actually feels like to quit Zoloft cold turkey, including the unexpected physical effects, the mental challenges, and how that experience unexpectedly became part of her Kill Tony interview. We get into her journey through stand-up, moving to Austin, signing up for Kill Tony over 30 times before getting picked, and how timing, life experience, and just letting things “come out” led to a breakout moment on stage.

Beyond Kill Tony, Kirstie opens up about her full comedy process—from writing and testing jokes at open mics to developing her unique on-stage persona—and shares honest insight into mental health, antidepressants, and learning how to cope both on and off medication. The conversation blends raw honesty with chaos as we talk about SSRIs, serotonin syndrome, psychedelic experiences, crowd work vs written material, and what it really takes to build a career in comedy. If you’ve ever wondered what “brain zaps” actually are, what it’s like grinding your way onto Kill Tony, or how comedians turn real-life experiences into moments that hit on stage, this episode delivers.

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Christy Love has one of the wildest stories we’ve ever heard, and it all starts with a church. Join us as we discuss how she and her husband planted a church in San Diego, struggled to survive financially, and made a desperate decision that changed everything. What began as a way to make quick money through webcamming quickly spiraled when someone from the church discovered her secret, recorded her, and sent it to the entire congregation — leading to the church being shut down. We also get into being kicked out of a second church, the judgment that followed, and how she fully stepped into the adult industry while still holding onto her faith.

We also dive into the deeper side of Christy’s story, including her past trauma, her complicated relationship with sex, and how entering the adult industry unexpectedly became part of her healing journey. From navigating marriage and relationships to stepping into stand-up comedy and building a completely new life, Christy is open, honest, and unfiltered in a way that makes this episode equal parts shocking, emotional, and hilarious. If you’re into real stories, uncomfortable truths, and the kind of chaos that only happens on Cocktails with Dimples and The Beard, this is one you don’t want to miss.

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Jo Ellis has lived about five different lives, and none of them are boring. Join us as we discuss flying Black Hawk helicopters in the Army, realizing she wanted to transition from male to female while still serving, and what it was actually like going through that process inside the military. We also get into the moment an insane internet rumor took off after a Black Hawk crash, leading people to believe she was the pilot — to the point where people were calling to ask if she was dead.

We also dive into her relationships and dating, along with some of the bigger life decisions she’s had to make, including surgery. And somehow, in the middle of all of that, she jumped into stand-up comedy and ended up on Kill Tony. Jo is open, funny, and completely down to talk about the stuff most people would avoid, which makes this episode exactly the kind of chaos you’d expect from us.

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He wasn’t just angry—he was hooked. In this episode, we sit down with Arno Michaelis to break down how hate can function like an addiction, escalating from small acts of rebellion into something far more dangerous. What starts as bullying and shock-seeking quickly turns into a need for more intensity—more fear, more violence, more control—until it spirals into full-blown extremism. Arno shares how he went from a suburban kid with a stable upbringing into a neo-Nazi skinhead deeply embedded in the movement, forming a white power band, recruiting others, and living in a constant cycle of addiction, identity, and destruction. But what makes this story hit harder is what began to crack that worldview: moments of unexpected kindness from the very people he was taught to hate, forcing him to confront the hypocrisy and emotional exhaustion of the life he was living.

Arno Michaelis is a former neo-Nazi skinhead turned author, speaker, and interventionist with Parents for Peace, a national nonprofit that helps families and individuals disengage from violent extremism. Drawing from his own past, he now works directly with people at risk of radicalization and supports families trying to pull loved ones out of hate-driven movements. He is the author of My Life After Hate and co-author of The Gift of Our Wounds, and has spent years speaking around the world about deradicalization, empathy, and the long road out of extremism.

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A Wisconsin snowstorm, a couple of drinks, and a “big guest” on the way… what could go wrong?

This episode quickly turns into chaos as we get into Genevieve Heyward’s run on American Idol, the insanity of voting, and why she deserves to go all the way. From there, things spiral into wrestling talk and Toni Storm, before turning into a heated Scream 7 debate breaking down the killer reveal, Stu theories, and whether the franchise still has anything left. And just when it feels like the episode can’t get any more out of control… Nicolas Cage shows up and completely hijacks the interview.

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Comedian and Comedy Store door guy Mikey McDonald joins us to unpack the “weird delusional belief” that made him move to Nashville and chase stand-up comedy before he had ever done a single open mic. After failing out of a master’s program, battling addiction, and convincing himself he’d have a Netflix special in nine months, Mikey decided blind confidence was the only option. This is what happens when delusion meets ambition — and somehow doesn’t fall apart.

We get into his early stand-up days, performing at a strip club, grinding through open mics, "playing" college football, and eventually earning his way into The Comedy Store. It’s a conversation about ego, risk, addiction recovery, chasing stage time, and the irrational belief you sometimes need to survive in stand-up comedy.

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We packed up the mics and headed to Madison to record this one on location at Lola’s — and yeah, we fell in love with the place all over again. From the vinyl spinning in the background to what might be the best cocktail we’ve ever had in our lives, this episode is basically us soaking in the vibe and telling stories we probably shouldn’t be telling.

We talk about sneaking off to see Ozzy in 1984, getting grounded for the entire summer (worth it), tackling construction barrels after Badger games, getting lost in Madison in the rain, and the kind of nights that end with dead car batteries and questionable decisions. Somewhere in between all that chaos, we drink dangerously good Passion Star Martinis, shout out the Truffle Pig pizza, and appreciate just how cool Lola’s really is.

This one is loose, unfiltered, and very much us just hangin’ at Lola’s. If you’re anywhere near Madison, go check it out. And if you’re not, grab a drink and hang with us anyway.

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Genevieve Hayward joins us right in the middle of her American Idol journey to talk about what it actually feels like to step onto one of the biggest stages in music. From walking into the audition room “literally terrified” to dealing with the long gap between filming and airing, she opens up about the surreal reality behind the scenes and the pressure of knowing the world will soon be watching and judging every moment. We talk about trusting instinct under pressure, how quickly everything can change in the audition process, and what it’s like preparing for a performance when the stakes suddenly feel very real.

The conversation moves beyond the competition as we get into the personal side of her music career, including growing up performing locally, building confidence as a performer, and why she sees herself as more than just a singer. Genevieve shares the unexpected story behind becoming known as “Pickle Girl,” how her family and support system keep her grounded, and how balancing nerves, humor, and authenticity helps her stay focused while navigating a life-changing moment in her career. It’s a funny, honest, and revealing look at what happens when years of hard work collide with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

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Singer-songwriter Graven joins us for a wide-ranging conversation about creativity, music, and the unpredictable paths that shape an artist’s work. From recording his latest album Geographics in an intense six-day studio sprint to reflecting on how travel, memory, and personal experiences find their way into his lyrics, he opens up about the realities of building songs from raw ideas into something lasting. We talk about what it feels like to trust instinct over perfection, why deadlines can actually fuel creativity, and how some songs can sit unfinished for years before finally finding their place.

The conversation moves beyond the studio as we get into the emotional side of songwriting, including how becoming a parent changes the way you see the world and the stories you choose to tell. Graven shares how writing about his daughter brought a new level of vulnerability into his work, how touring and travel continue to inspire both the themes and textures of his songs, and why the creative process can sometimes feel like balancing chaos with clarity. Along the way, we also dive into the parallels between music and comedy, how timing and rhythm shape both crafts, and why authenticity ultimately matters more than technical perfection. It’s a funny, honest, and thoughtful look at how life experiences turn into art — and how sometimes the best songs come from embracing the mess instead of trying to control it.

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Stand-up comedian Kirsten Michelle Cills joins us for one of the most honest conversations we’ve had about where comedy really comes from. From growing up memorizing stand-up albums in the back seat of her mom’s car to finding her voice on stage, she talks about how she developed a dark, self-aware style that pulls directly from real life. We dive into her early experiences in theater school, what it felt like realizing she wanted to pursue stand-up full time, and how her family reacted when she told them she was becoming a comedian.

The conversation takes a deeper turn as Kirsten shares how living with cystic fibrosis shaped her perspective, her writing, and ultimately her comedy itself. She explains why some of her earliest material came from confronting mortality head-on, how humor became a way to process fear, and what it’s like navigating the grind of the comedy world while carrying very real stakes. Along the way, we also bond over a shared love of horror movies, swapping thoughts on what makes the genre work, why it resonates so deeply, and how dark storytelling connects back to comedy in unexpected ways. It’s a raw, funny, and surprisingly thoughtful look at how life’s darkest realities can fuel some of the most powerful comedy.

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