Tony Cruz was so high at his first open mic he forgot every joke he wrote. What happened next almost made him quit comedy forever. Tony Cruz walked into his first open mic at the Shrunken Head in 2018 after getting high on free weed in the back patio. When the lights hit his face, he forgot every single joke he'd written. Seven years later, he's one of Columbus's most consistent comics. In this episode, Tony breaks down his journey from being a painter who thought his life was "too boring for comedy" to developing a style that lets him take massive swings on race, politics, and identity - and actually land them. Tony B Cruz has been doing standup in Columbus, Ohio for 7 years. Known for his crowd work and willingness to take big swings, he regularly performs at The Attic Comedy Club, Rehab Tavern, and venues across Ohio. Find him @TonyBCruz on Instagram, TikTok, X, and Facebook. 💬 Question for you: What's the most nervous you've ever been before doing something for the first time? Drop it in the comments! 🎙️ First Mic is a podcast where we talk to comics about their first time on stage. New episodes weekly. SUBSCRIBE for more comedian interviews and behind-the-scenes comedy stories.

Drunk strangers kept asking Audrey Soper "Do you do comedy?" while she hosted trivia. She didn't. But maybe there was something there. In this episode of First Mic, Audrey shares her unconventional path from trivia host to standup comedian — including skipping ALL her classes on the first day of spring semester at OSU to do her first open mic in a dank, moldy basement. Her first joke? Walking up in a schoolgirl outfit with a raccoon beanie and saying "I promise you, I don't think that you guys are important." Why hosting trivia is basically comedy training How low the stakes REALLY are at open mics Why not knowing "what bad to look for in yourself" can actually help The bizarre phenomenon of not being able to read on stage Audrey also reveals her secret: she brings a joke book on stage as a PROP because she literally cannot read while performing. "Hi, I'm Audrey. I'm 30 years old and I can't fucking read." 🎙️ Where to find Audrey Soper: Instagram: @audreysoper Facebook: Audrey Soper 📍 Filmed at Rehab Tavern, Columbus OH 💬 Has a stranger ever told you to pursue something you weren't doing yet? Drop it in the comments!

legally blind comedian reveals how losing his sight pushed him onto the stage—and why he crushed his very first open mic. When Larry Danflows started losing his vision, he found an unexpected lifeline: comedy. In this episode of First Mic, Larry shares his journey from improv classes during COVID to killing his first standup showcase—all while navigating progressive vision loss. About Larry: Larry Danflows is a Columbus-based comedian who started doing standup after COVID. Despite being legally blind, he brings infectious energy and sharp material to every stage. Follow him on Instagram and Facebook @LarryDanflows. Drop a comment: What's the biggest obstacle you've had to overcome to pursue something you love?

Freddie Simone always had a "back end fantasy" of doing comedy. But she thought: "No little black fat girl from Columbus." Then she saw Whoopi Goldberg. In this episode of First Mic, Freddie shares how free headshots from a photographer friend led to a comedy workshop, which led to her first open mic, which led to a Funny Bone graduation show where the ENTIRE room screamed her name. "It felt natural as fuck. This is where I'm supposed to be." What you'll learn: Why your coworkers begging you to come back from vacation might be a sign How divine intervention can line everything up when you're ready Why vulnerability ("we all fucking fart") connects with audiences The advice she wishes new comics would hear: NO MORE DICK JOKES Freddie also drops her realest advice: "Tell me how you fixed a peanut butter and jelly sandwich with no peanut butter and one piece of bread, which a grandma yelling at you. Give me extreme, unique situations." 🎙️ Where to find Freddie Simone: Instagram: @freddie.simone TikTok: @freddie.simone / @columbusown Facebook: Freddie Simone Website: freddiesimone.com Podcast: Enlightened Idiot (Saturdays 10 PM on YouTube) 📍 Filmed at Rehab Tavern, Columbus OH 💬 What did people tell you that you should do before you actually did it? Drop it in the comments!

Xavier G. Dunson went from being the unfunny kid who got roasted by his siblings to running comedy workshops and killing on Columbus stages. In this episode of First Mic, Xavier breaks down his unconventional path into standup — from stealing Chris Rock jokes as a kid (badly), to surviving middle school roast sessions, to finding his voice through Ohio State's 4Floor Improv. He shares the mindset shift that changed everything: "You either learn or you win." What you'll learn: Why genuine failure beats playing it safe How to develop your voice without copying your heroes The "put it on ice" technique for jokes that aren't landing When you're actually ready to deliver material you've been sitting on Xavier also drops gems about the pressure that comes with establishing yourself — and why newer comics have advantages they don't realize. 🎙️ Where to find Xavier G. Dunson: Instagram: @xaviergdunson TikTok: @xaviergdunson YouTube: Xavier G. Dunson 📍 Filmed at Rehab Tavern, Columbus OH 💬 What's a skill you had to fail at repeatedly before it clicked? Drop it in the comments!

She lost her cousin who always pushed her to try comedy. What happened at that first open mic changed everything. 🎤 Sista Lu opens up about the moment that finally pushed her onto a comedy stage, what it's really like running a weekly show in Columbus, and the unwritten rules that can make or break your comedy career. About Sista Lu: Sista Lu (Live Unapologetic) runs a weekly comedy show at The Attic Comedy Club every Wednesday night in Columbus, Ohio. She's created a space where comics can workshop material, make mistakes safely, and grow — whether you're a seasoned pro or doing your first five minutes. Find Sista Lu: 📱 Instagram: @SistaLuComedy 📺 YouTube: Sista Lu Question for you: What's stopping YOU from trying that thing you've been putting off? Drop a comment below. 👇

Talk about cold-blooded: The trucking company Steven Hobson worked for made employees wait outside in winter, brought them in one by one AFTER clocking in, then fired them. That corporate cruelty pushed him into comedy - and Columbus is better for it.In just 10 months, Steven went from his first terrifying open mic at Hashtag (where only 3 comics showed up) to becoming what many call a "Columbus comedy staple." His journey includes witnessing one of the most legendary open mic disasters ever: a comic named Garrett who roasted everyone before him, claimed it was "time for real comedy," then bombed so hard that Hannah Rome sent Xavier G. Dunson back on stage just to destroy him.Steven shares the real path through comedy - bombing at Summit while Miko heckled him about his "big ass notepad," getting advice from Xavier about workshopping, and finally breaking through at Hashtag with a dark joke about his grandmother's death that got his first real laugh. Plus, hear how Tyson Colson's advice to "sit down and get comfortable" changed everything.His advice for new comics? "It's a marathon, not a sprint. Anyone can quit - it takes real guts to get back on stage after a month off." As Uncle Murph says: "You go to open mics to get good, then at shows it's time to BE good." About Steven Hobson: Stand-up comedian based in Columbus, Ohio. Former truck driver who started comedy after being laid off. In 10 months, became a fixture in the Columbus comedy scene. Known for his consistent presence at open mics and shows across the city. What pushed you to finally start your dream? Drop it below 👇 🎭 Website: stephenhobsoncomedy.com 📱 Instagram/TikTok/YouTube: @shobson2080 🔔 Subscribe for more comedy journeys

Depression brought Tia Santamaria to comedy, but what she found was so much more - an acting career, a community, and some hard truths about being a woman in a male-dominated scene. From sneaking downstairs to listen to Comic View as a kid to bombing with an abortion joke on Mother's Day, Tia's journey is refreshingly honest. In this conversation, she breaks down the reality of "pretty privilege" in comedy ("I wear sweats to open mics and still get hit on"), why male comics who claim friendship usually want something else, and how she navigates different audiences - from Gen X crowds who don't understand her references to church crowds who definitely don't want certain jokes. But here's what makes Tia different: she's not just a comic. She acts, produces, and recognizes that comedy needs more than just "the funny guy." Her advice? You don't have to be on stage to be part of comedy. Sometimes the best role is supporting others, and there's nothing wrong with that. About Tia Santamaria: Stand-up comedian, actress, and producer in Columbus. Started comedy through depression, found acting simultaneously. Known for honest takes on being a woman in comedy and technical approach to performance. What's your take on "pretty privilege" in your field? Drop it below 👇 🎭 Follow Tia: @tiasantamaria on all platforms 📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@UCTyvh70RoszgujPm2AZzHTQ 🔔 Subscribe for more raw comedy conversations

Sometimes quitting is exactly what your comedy career needs. Dusty Estepp spent four years trying stand-up before admitting what David Letterman did: "I was terrible at it." But that's not where his story ends - it's where it actually begins. At 35, it took his friend with cystic fibrosis literally dragging him to Surly Girl's open mic to finally pursue the dream he'd written about in 6th grade. After years of bombing, Dusty discovered his real talent wasn't on stage - it was in the creative collaboration behind the scenes. Now running Would Be Productions, Dusty has a radical philosophy: no friendships without collaboration, no collaboration without friendship. "I don't do anything alone," he says, and he means it. From his Linda Ronstadt-inspired view on creativity ("love is a rose but you better not pick it") to why structure kills art, this conversation challenges everything about "grinding" your way to comedy success. We dive deep into the validation addiction of that first laugh, why creativity can't be scheduled, and how his DJ father's "it's who you know" advice shaped his entire approach. Plus, hear why he's actively avoiding fame while building something bigger behind the scenes. About Dusty Estepp: Former stand-up comedian who quit after four years to focus on creative collaboration. Founded Would Be Productions, works with Jason Banks on viral content. Believes creativity can't be forced and refuses to work alone. What's your take on quitting to find success? Drop it below 👇 🎬 Follow: @wouldbeproductions (all platforms) 🎤 Personal: @dustyestepp on Instagram 🔔 Subscribe for more unconventional comedy journeys Shoutout: Rehab Tavern - Our official unofficial sponsor Brandon Goodyear - The setup wizard

Comedian Josh Albert gets brutally honest about the comedy journey, from sitting in his car for 30 minutes after his first open mic to performing 5-6 nights a week. A military veteran who started comedy at 28, Josh breaks down the difference between Kansas City and Columbus comedy scenes, why you need "the right amount of delusion," and how to know when people are lying about your "great set." About Josh Albert: Stand-up comedian based in Columbus, Ohio. Military veteran who started comedy at 28 after being stationed in Kansas City. Now performs 5-6 nights a week across Ohio and brings KC comics to Columbus for shows. What's your post-performance ritual? Share below 👇 🎤 Follow Josh: @jalbert_comedy on Instagram, Josh Albert on Facebook 🔔 Subscribe for more raw comedy conversations