Epic Cheat Day W/ Derek Strong

In this episode I sit down with Evelyn Troutman and we discuss her start in comedy in Columbus, Ohio and the similarities and differences between the Chicago and Columbus scenes.

We also deep dive into eating disorders and mental health as we discuss being institutionalized and how that has affected us long term.

Want to hear Evelyn's awkward zoom comedy story?

What was the fate of a big ol' pot of lentils?

Listen and find out

Bio:

Evelyn is from Richfield, Ohio and lived in Columbus, Ohio for 5 years before moving to Chicago.

She has been doing comedy for 5 years and is a co-producer of Rap Transit which is currently on hiatus, but will return

Socials:

Instagram - @evtrout

In this episode I sit down with Bobby Andres as we discuss privilege, the Chicago food scene and exploiting the government.

Does unemployment pay more than working?

Does being a lawyer help you with improv?

Listen and find out.

Bio:

Bobby was born in Chicago and did a stint in Michigan before moving back in 2000.

He helps run the Free For All show at The Playground Theater and has been performing improv and stand-up (en lieu of therapy) on and off since 2008.

Socials:

Facebook @bobbyandres

Several review's on Yelp as Bobby Andres

In this episode I sit down with one of the coolest people I ever met, Masha Spivak. Masha is an actress and was about to move to L.A. so I decided to get her on the podcast before her big move.

We talk about her being a vegan, our mutual love of sushi and us both beings Jews.

What are the crazy nicknames I have for her?

Are Oreos vegan?

What exactly does eating Paleo mean?

Listen and find out.

Bio:

Masha was born in Chicago, but grew up mostly in the suburbs. She began acting as a kid, fell off and started back around 6 years ago.

I sit down with St. James Jackson in this episode of the podcast as we discuss how he got started with comedy, being a founding member of the comedy group Young Hustle and having a Jewish girlfriend.

We also discuss him being a dog dad and the cuteness of his girlfriend’s dog and living in the south as well as grinding in the comedy scene.

How far did it get him?

What projects did he work on during the pandemic?

Listen and find out

Bio:

St. James Jackson is a comedian based out of Chicago and was raised in Georgia. He has been performing stand-up comedy for the past six years and has produced The Young Hustle Show, Undergrad Underground and Uppers and Downers.

You can find St. James at:

Instagram, Facebook, Tik Tok @lifeofstjames

In this episode I sit down with my comedy ex wife, Jessica Diana. She is the voice heard at the beginning of every episode of the Epic Cheat Day Podcast calling me a fat P.O.S.

Join us as we discuss our mutual hatred of ourselves because of our mutual love of all you can eat buffets.

You also get a chance to hear us roast each other mercilessly.

How mean can we get?

How does she feel about Covid?

How does she feel about life?

Did we end up going to a buffet afterwards?

Listen and find out

Bio:

Jessica is from Sycamore, IL, but identifies as Floridian. She has been doing stand-up comedy for the past 4 years and absolutely abhors social media

In this episode I sit down with Ty Riggs and discuss his time with the MLK's of Comedy, what brought him to stand up and being a "hood nerd".

Does he play videogames? Yes. Does he watch anime? Yes.

He also introduces me to the concept of a stripper party and tells me about one that he went to.

What's a stripper party?

Will Ty ever bring me to one?

Listen and find out.

Bio:

Ty is born and raised in Chicago. He has been performing stand up comedy for 6 years and is a producer of All the way 100, Black Friday, The Gumbo and Too Lit For TV.

You can find Ty at:

Facebook - @Yomamasfav3

Instagram - @Y0mamasfav3

Twitter - @tyriggsyall

In this episode I sit down with Trevor Cook. We talk White Castle, comedy and my open mic. He once bribed his way to a better spot on my mic with White Castle.

We discuss being an open mic comic and the struggles they have as well as his personal path to starting stand up.

Trevor is an avid gamer so we talk about gaming as well.

We're diversifying!!

Bio:

Trevor was born in Chicago and raised in Wauconda, IL.

He is a stand up comic based out of Chicago and has been performing for the last 2 years.

He started livestreaming back in October 2020.

You can find Trevor at:

Instagram: @trevorcookie

TikTok: @trevorcookie

YouTube: Trevor Cooks Comedy and Gaming Hideout

Gamertag: trevorcookie

In this episode I talk to one of my favorite people and artists, the wonderful Jessica Morley.

We discuss working through the pandemic in customer facing roles and in particular focus on her job as a flight attendant.

We also discuss how we met, her love of serial killer shows and our mutual love of frozen pizza and Sex and the City.

Jessica is an avid fan of stand-up so of course, we discuss that, too as well as her tye dye artwork and Virtual Reality.

Bio:

Jessica Morley is a tie dye artist from Georgia and has lived in Chicago for the past 10 years.

She casually got in to creating tie dye artwork since she was 17 and has been developing and refining her craft ever since.

You can find Jessica at:

Instagram: @morley_mae87

In this episode I sit down with comedian Jamal Guichon and have an elightening conversation that starts with Jamal rightfully calling me out and it leads us to seeing each others viewpoints.

You know, having an actual discussion when you don't see eye to eye. The thing no one really does any more, we actually do that.

Do we discuss mental health stuff? Yes. Do we discuss the military being used as comedic "low hanging fruit"? Yes. Do we resolve differences? Yes.

We also discuss a few of Jamal's current projects including becoming a co-host of a show at one of the premier comedy clubs in Chicago as well as several of his accomplishments as a comedian.

It's an episode you don't want to miss!

Bio:

Jamal Guichon is from all over, but mainly space.

Jamal has been actively performing stand-up comedy in Chicago and elsewhere since 2018.

He is currently a producer and performer on Wednesdays After Work at Zanies in the Oldtown neighborhood of Chicago as well as Fourplay Fridays.

Find Jamal at:

Instagram: @realamericanbadguy

In this episode I sit down with comedian Dan Garcia as we discuss the Chicago comedy scene and different shows and mics that he has produced and hosted.

We also talk about Unlikely Friends and what its like producing media outside of stand up.

Does mixing chilli cheese and ice cream work?

Listen and find out

Bio:

Dan Garcia was born and raised in the Chicagoland area.

Dan Garcia has been actively performing stand-up comedy in Chicago and elsewhere since 2017.

He has served as both a producer and performer on the comedy shows Fourplay Friday, Apocalypse Comedy, Bomb A$$ Set and Rent Money as well as hosted the open mics Low Key Karaoke and Last Call Open Mic.

He currently is a writer, producer, director, actor, director of photography, camera operator and caterer for the comedy troupe Unlikely Friends.

Find Dan at:

Instagram: @instadangarcia

Twitter: @lennykoggins

And Unlikely Friends at:

YouTube: youtube.com/c/UnlikelyFriendsComedy