I saw Matt do a super interesting comedy show at a yoga studio last month called Misguided Meditation. It was great and he's doing another one January 22 at Yoga to the People – East Village TICKETS HERE He has a great newsletter too = sign up here: THE RUBESLETTER

He's a really great comedian where you walk out thinking about what you were just laughing about. This episode stuck around in my head for a while—like a good acid trip. Matt really shared a lot of personal stuff.

He’s has a very successful career as a comedian performing regularly at The Comedy Cellar. His comedy is hilarious! Plus exceptionally smart, thoughtful and his work has some great messages about toxic masculinity, which was refreshing to hear from a straight dude. I harassed him to share more specifically about the points he is making, why those issues speak to him and where they come from (a prosecutor dad and artist mom). Matt understand his feelings and is very articulate, There’s a lot to draw you in.

More Matt:

BIO Matt Ruby is a NYC comedian that tells smart/dark jokes for people with a finely tuned BS detector. He's a regular at the Comedy Cellar in NYC, in regular rotation on SiriusXlllllllM, his album "Hot Flashes" went top 10 at iTunes, and he's been seen on Laughs on FOX, MTV's Girl Code, and The Comedy Show Show on NBC/Seeso. He's also the creator of Vooza, a video comic strip about the tech world (called the "The Spinal Tap of startups" by Mashable) and co-producer of Hot Soup, one of NYC’s longest running independently produced comedy shows. H

Outside of standup, he's the creator of Vooza, a video comic strip about the tech world that’s received millions of view and was called the "The Spinal Tap of startups" by Mashable and (SIGN UP FOR THIS!!! ) he’s the author of the Rubesletter, a weekly newsletter with over 15,000 subscribers.

Eric Doeringer is a highly respected, prolific, conceptual artist who is renown for his rich body of work—his appropriation art is particularly well-known and takes many forms. If you don't know what appropriation art is look it up! This particular work of Eric's is an appropriation of artist Mike Kelley's work, which likely was made with the help of studio assistants.

I've interviewed Eric before about previous intensive long-term art projects, but each of his projects has a fully unique process in the execution of the work since each project demands a different execution. Basically, Eric can make anything. His process borders on performance art which is integral to the creation of the work, but not obvious in the viewing of it, unless the viewer contemplates, "How the f*ck did someone make this?" Memory Ware Flats consists of (3) 4x6' framed pieces, each weighs 150lbs.The process of making them involves procuring, sifting through little "memory" pieces and uses a mosaic type of process in the realization of it. One aspect of the beauty of this work is the joy and simplicity in the initial viewing of the work, which belies its complexity.

Eric and his wife Cathay moved several times during the 3-year period during the creation of this work. The work started about a year before the pandemic and culminated in a fabulous show at A Hug From the Art World, October, 2021. Eric's work/life during this period involved making about one painstaking square foot a day. Our Dr. Lisa session illuminates a hard-to imagine artist's journey as well as a testament to the tenacity and dedication of a real-deal artist.

Follow Eric on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ericdoeringer/

His website: https://www.ericdoeringer.com/

More information about the origins of memory ware which began in folk art as household items:

History: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Memory_jug

Examples of folk art memory ware: https://www.pinterest.com/ginnysass/memory-ware/

Over this past summer, I had scientist, Judith Zeilkoff, on #drlisagivesashit to discuss her career and the struggles as a woman pursuing science in the era of her development and how she triumphed to become a professor in the Dept. of Environmental Medicine at the Grossman School of Medicine in NYC. You can listen to this episode HERE.

To further this discussion here - in this episode - Judith returns with a mentee of hers, Oyemwenosa Avenbuan, (Nosa), a recent graduate student from New York University with a Master of Science in Environmental Health specializing in toxicology. Nosa, Judith—along with Dr. Lisa—discuss what has changed (not enough) and what hasn't, yet remain cautiously optimistic. Things aren't where they should be, but there are women like Judith who has smashed a few ceilings to pave the way for smart, hardworking, women like Nosa. Women in science are taking their place and there's still work to be done.

More about Dr. Zeilkoff: Dr. Zelikoff is a professor in the Dept. of Environmental Medicine at the Grossman School of Medicine in NYC. She has over 25 years of experience in toxicology and environmental health. https://med.nyu.edu/faculty/judith-t-zelikoff

which is that branch of public health concerned with reducing those factors in the environment like air and water pollution that affect human health and disease. Her scientific research focuses on the toxic health effects of inhaled air pollutants like ozone and air particles, as well as effects from toxic materials from tobacco and electronic cigarettes, fires and diesel exhaust. Over the last decade, studies in her laboratory have also focused on the effects of inhaled environmental toxic materials, including electronic cigarettes during pregnancy and their effects on neurodevelopment, cardiovascular disease, birth outcomes, obesity, behavior and reproductive success. Her studies have revealed that early life exposure to e-cigarette aerosols can affect childhood behavior, brain function and lung disease in the adults and that such effects can occur even without nicotine present. In addition to a very active research program, 

Follow Dr. Zelikoff and her department on Instagram @nyucieh

I was thrilled to have comedian Sean Gibbs on the show since I had gotten to know him a bit at the open mics I've started going to but hadn't really spent time with him. When I first met Sean about six months ago, he was single, but he has a new girlfriend so that was fun to talk about. I also found out that Sean had come from Kansas City and moving from the city to the suburbs was... well let's say "stifling." Sean rebelled and it led him to a pretty exciting life as a musician, living in Manchester, England for a time.

Follow Sean here: @seangibbs108 More Sean here: https://www.goodonecomedy.com/

Jon Reid is the host of one of RFB's most popular show, Race To The Bottom, live every Saturday 10am. Jon talks about how he and his wife are thinking of starting a family and he's thinking about how his issues growing up with his difficult brother will affect him. The thing I noticed about Jon is his HUMILITY. It makes him open to his own self-improvement. Jon has coped with his trauma in a long-term, extremely positive way, which allows him to have a great marriage and highly productive and satisfying life. I don't feel the details of what he went through is my story to tell, but in this session Jon relates his experience very well. Personally, I learned some things in this hour.

I usually do the episode description, but Jen nailed it herself in her own post here:

Friends, I had a very vulnerable talk with Dr. Lisa Levy mostly about how and why I founded my art consulting agency Studio Associate, but naturally, it also includes my upbringing, the pivotal shift of watching my dad pass away when I was 20, my diverse work experience in the arts, and the balancing act of maintaining a creative career with professionalism. I'm literally terrified about this being public but here's to authenticity and overcoming my fears of people seeing the real me.

Also I wanted Jen to tell us about her emotional support resources, but we ran out of time. I asked me to her send her thoughts to pass along to you—here they are:My most recent sources of support, and inspiration frankly, are the 8 badass businesswomen/artists in the group text thread titled Witchsaic; my roommate/bandmate/artist/best friend Angela Simione; Studio Associate artist Catherine Haggarty; and my partner Andrew Ohanesian. You have to find a few people to truly get to know, and to allow to get to know you, with whom you can provide honest feedback, constructive criticism, and support. My (albeit small and unconventional) biological family supported me growing up however they could, and my NYC artist family supports me in my crazy, passion-driven endeavors now. I truly believe that reciprocating honest encouragement is the key to success.

This session with Mike Joseph, host of Radio Free Brooklyn's, The GCC was pre-recorded because of the pandemic. It took place on Wednesday, June 3, at the height of the George Floyd protests. Mike is a queer black man so we had (for me) an eye-opening discussion about how even Mike, the sweetest, unscary guy ever!, is careful of the police. I am grateful to Mike for this part of the discussion.

Most of our session was about Mike’s upbringing, being queer from childhood and born to a mother who enlisted into the Air Force when Mike was very young. Mike was left with his grandparents—he never met his dad.

When Mike’s mother left the service, she moved to Michigan with Mike’s new stepdad—a macho air force guy, and they sent for Mike. Mike Lived in Michigan with them and half-siblings from age 8-11, when his aunt came to visit and immediately got him out of his unhealthy environment. Cut to Mike’s adulthood where his struggles with the inevitable confusion he had with masculinity and identity led him to suicidal ideation, which got him into therapy, which he is still working through. This was definitely a job for a licensed professional!

More about Mike HERE:

Lana Siebel is a rare find in the comedy world: talented, hilarious, smart and KIND.

Lana came to the U.S. with her parents and older brother from the Ukraine at 7 years old. She shares the story of her coming to America with her family and the effect it has had on her. Her journey includes ranking #7 in the U.S. for ballroom dancing, eating disorders, therapy and a particularly healthy, healing relationship with her husband and son. We got deep. Lana is a delight in so many ways but not a top candidate for a lazy beach vacation, though she is super fun to watch and/or spend time with.

For more about Lana: https://www.instagram.com/lanasiebel/

Shawn surprises Lisa with a brilliant idea for an art world reality show: it seems fabulous because it would challenge the art world collector/gallery/curator/artist hierarchy.

Also, Shawn and Dr. Lisa explore Shawn's relationship with his mother for signs of intimacy resistance, since Shawn is single. Why??

More about Shawn HERE:

And here: Shawn Wickens (Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, Mr. Robot, Blue Bloods) is an award-winning comedian and co-founder of NYC's ironically-titled Bad Theater Fest and Bad Film Fest. He also has a weekly live show, The Stoner Morning Show at The Tiny Cupboard (Monday Nights) and Facebook livestream (Saturday Mornings).

Time Out New York says, "Expect a set that hilarious, delirious and refreshingly raw." His shows have been Critics' Picks by Pittsburgh City Paper, Rochester City News, and The Athens News. When not performing in and around New York City he has performed in New Orleans, Baltimore, Cleveland, Philadelphia, Hartford and more.

His first comedy album is available on Spotify and iTunes. If you look him up on Amazon, you might even find a few books he's written.

I’ve know David Henry Nobody, Jr. for years as a friend and fan. We reconnected her to discuss how prescient his work was and his latest NFT successes. David is someone who literally is obsessed with making art and has sacrificed more than most to do it.

He has several bodies of earlier work (check out this HILARIOUS piece about him on CNN from 1997 that inspired Alex VonFurstenberg) that are different from his work today, most notably as Alex Vonfurstenberg where he surreptitiously made his way into major social functions and was photographed with celebrities. He has a great story about being photographed with (then) president Bill Clinton.

If you really want the dirt on David’s upbringing and his relationship with his father you’ll want to check out our Dr. Lisa session we had from 2016 HERE.

Follow David Henry Nobody Jr. on Instagram HERE. See more about David's and his work and varied projects on his website.

Current exhibition: NEGATIVE INFLUENCER 😈Resemblagè....New York Artist..Upcoming show: NFTism with @institutco Sept 10th curated by @kennyschachterfoundation.app/@davidhenrynobodyjr/crying-onion-man-82064