We dropped a preview of this conversation back over the holidays, but we have it here for you now, all in one place: it's comedian Susan Rice!

No, not the diplomat (I'm sure she's heard that one many times!), but the inspiring, impressive and, most of all, humorous veteran of 43 years of comedy.

We step into her shoes as a comedian and learn the rituals she follows before going on stage, how she adapts her performance based on audience reactions, and the challenges of keeping up with new comedic talent.

Susan talks about her journey into stand-up comedy, reflecting on her four-decade career, the challenges of connecting with audiences, and some great personal anecdotes on the absurdities of life and the unique situations she has encountered as a performer.

She tells us about the unique bond she forms with her audience, particularly women, and the unexpected personal stories that often emerge during her shows. Do you lean into your age, your appearance, your gender and your life experience? Or do you try and sweep that under the rug?

And we touch on the evolution of comedy in the digital age, and the importance of adapting material to resonate with contemporary audiences. Jokes about Ronald Reagan don't quite land the way they used to!

Self-esteem plays a crucial role in performance, and there are few things more raw than stand-up comedy. Which is probably why so many people are fascinated by it - the mindset of going up on stage, all alone, just you and a microphone in the spotlight, to make people laugh.

When you hit the mark, laughter serves as a powerful tool for connection.

You can watch Susan's act on YouTube, in examples like this:

https://youtu.be/cbHJT2SLqgY?si=06qaIaVvEQYpgZbc

And buy or rent her comedy special, Susan Rice: Silver Alert !

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4s7omNdf1zs

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Reach out to the show by visiting our website,

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and send me your thoughts and suggestions at [email protected].