🎙️ Episode: Frying Chickens with Jeff Rogers – From Second City to Last Story Standing

This week, Phil welcomes Jeff Rogers — actor, author, improviser, and creator of Jeff’s Homemade Game Show — for a high-energy conversation that zigzags from the comedy stage to the keynote stage.

We dig into:

• How Jeff went from Second City performer to professional speaker.

• His 2024 NSA “Last Story Standing” championship story.

• The lessons (and laughs) behind his books.

• A memorable 75-day challenge he took on with his daughter.

• And, of course, the ultimate Fry Your Chickens question: Would you rather fight one horse-sized chicken or 100 chicken-sized horses? 🐔🐴

Then comes our classic ChatGPT Random Question Game, featuring three off-the-wall prompts that even improv veterans have to think twice about, before Jeff shares the “chicken” he still needs to fry and a few words of wisdom for anyone chasing their next big win.

🎧 Funny, fast, and full of heart — this episode proves why laughter and courage make a winning combo, on stage and off.

HIGHLIGHTS:

1:30 about Jeff Rogers Unlimited

3:50 How Jeff started in keynote speaking and how to be agood event MC.

5:36 Jeff’s Last Story Standing victory

10:49 How Phil used ChatGPT to analyze Jeff’s Last Story Standing entry.

12:55 Jeff’s books

22:42 The power of play

23:19 The 75 Hard challenge

31:52 Jeff’s time at Second City with people like SteveCarrell, Steven Colbert, Tina Fey and more.

33:32 One horse-sized chicken or 100 chicken-sized horsesand why

34:55 Three random ChatGPT questions

39:33 - Jeff’s homemade game show

42:07 What chicken Jeff still has to fry

SHOW LINKS:

Jeff Rogers Unlimited:  https://www.jeffrogersunlimited.com/

Jeff Rogers Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meetjeffrogers/

Jeff’s winning story on NSA’s Last Story Standing https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D4D_LAl1btY

Jeff’s Homemade Game Show:

https://www.byutv.org/jeffs-homemade-game-show

Trent Leopold is a seasoned business analyst, project strategist, and cognitive science advocate with over 25 years of experience across public and private sectors. Based in Dallas, Texas, Trent is a long-term research participant with the Center for BrainHealth at the University of Texas, where his curiosity about strategic thinking and human cognition meets neuroscience in action. He regularly speaks at national symposiums and contributes to AI ethics and standards development through his work with IEEE. His focus: helping professionals move from memory-based perfectionism to mindset-driven excellence.

Our episode covers a ton of ground. I learned a lot - you will too.

Highlights:  1:28 The center for brain help. 3:29 The One Brain Initiative5:39 Power of focusing on one thing at a time

7:17 The power of focus during brain surgery

8:11 Thomas Edison and focus / power naps

13:14 Key focusing activity first thing of the day.      14:16 Distracted pilots landing in the wrong airport16:49 How much energy the brain uses (more thanI would have thought)19:02 The benefits of seeing the morning sunrise20:18 Importance of sleep and how to set up your room for the best sleep27:16 Confidence37:10 How our diet affects our brain         43:00 I love Pop Tarts, but they aren’t necessarily health food

43:52 Impact of AI on the brain             47:50 1 horse sized chicken or 100 chicken sized horses

Links:

Center for Brain Health:https://centerforbrainhealth.org/

Dr. Ian Robinson, How Confidence Works:

https://www.amazon.com/How-Confidence-Works/dp/1787633721

Dr. Annie Finn, Brain Health Kitchen:

https://www.amazon.com/Brain-Health-Kitchen-Preventing-Alzheimers/dp/1648290361/

What do you get when you cross a senior Intel engineer with a comedy stage? You get Dan Nainan—our guest this week on Fry Your Chickens. Dan shares the wild leap he made from tech to touring comic, and the surprising role Toastmasters played in the transition. We talk about what it takes to open for Russell Peters and Robert Schimmel, how Dan turned fear into laughter, and yes—there’s even a detour into cat territory.

From high-stakes presentations with Andy Grove to sold-out shows around the world, Dan’s story is all about frying your chickens and chasing the mic. If you've ever wondered how to pivot boldly, or just want to laugh at the unexpected, this one's for you.

NOTE: This is the audio podcast. The video podcast version on YouTube also has Dan's cat (that plays fetch!)

Highlights:

1:42 – the transition from Intel to comedy

9:53  – How did you come to the idea of being a 100% clean comedian?

13:05 – Half Japanese / Half Indian = Half Asian?

15:30 – Performing for Barack Obama

21:13 – Uses for AI – some appropriate, some not

23:15 – Would you rather fight one horse sized chicken or 100chicken sized horses?

25:10 – Three random questions from ChatGPT

31:28 – Dan’s upcoming projects

32:59 – Dan’s advice for frying your chickens

Links:

https://www.instagram.com/comediandan/

https://www.facebook.com/comediandan

https://www.youtube.com/c/dannainan

https://www.tiktok.com/discover/dan-nainan-comedian

Dan's talent agency:

https://www.mwatalent.com/Twin City:

https://lnkfi.re/twincity

This is one of the most powerful and important conversations we’ve had on Fry Your Chickens. Dr. Samra Zafar shares her extraordinary journey—from escaping an abusive arranged marriage to becoming a bestselling author, human rights advocate, and future psychiatrist.

We explore her first book, A Good Wife, and her newest release, Unconditional, diving deep into the process of unlearning inherited beliefs and reclaiming joy. Samra offers wisdom on trauma recovery, mental health, and the everyday courage it takes to rewrite your story.

Plus: self-care as a vaccine, finding joy, Brave Beginnings, and of course... whether she’d take on one horse-sized chicken or a hundred chicken-sized horses.

Timestamps:

Ever wonder what it’s like to run Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? My guest this week, Rich Sirop, was Co-Executive Producer of the show — and my Associate Producer back when I sat in the hot seat. He’s also been at the helm of countless other TV projects.

We talked about working with Regis and Meredith, shared behind-the-scenes memories, and had plenty of laughs. Rich also opened up about his current podcast and coaching work — and of course, we tackled the ultimate question: would you rather face one horse-sized chicken or 100 chicken-sized horses? 🐔🐴

Most importantly, Rich shared his strategy for frying his chickens — and making sure they stay fried — a lesson you can take with you long after the laughs.

Tune in for stories, humor, and insights you won’t want to miss on Fry Your Chickens with Phil Barth.

HIGHLIGHTS:

1:31 – How Rich got his start on Millionaire

3:35 – What it was like to work with Regis

5:02 – What it was like to work with Meredith Vieira

11:00 – The difference between a celebrity and the average person on the street.

11:25 – The dessert that has red sand.

12:50 – Judge Puppet

15:20 – Rich Sirop Coaching

18:57 – Rich’s chicken frying strategy

23:40 – Rich’s roller coaster analogy

24:50 – The Living Rich Sirop podcast

27:15 – The Big Question – one horse sized chicken or 100 chicken sized horses?

32:50 – Becoming an expert in a useless skill – what would you choose?

34:40 – What chicken Rich fries / our core emotional needs

35:53 – Final words of wisdom

Links:

https://www.richsiropcoaching.com/

Judge Puppet – the Bankrupt Tooth Fairy:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ium_RS2lat4&t=2s

Rich’s podcast links:
https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/living-rich-sirop/id1822846595

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL5TnCuC68koMCHvf43Ge-eCp8GyhhXL3_

Find Rich here!:

https://www.youtube.com/@RICHSIROPCOACHING

https://www.tiktok.com/@richsirop

https://www.instagram.com/richsiropcoaching/

https://www.facebook.com/rsirop/

In this laugh-filled episode, I sit down with Cincinnati legend Terry Aufermann to swap stories that span generations of Scouting adventures and beyond. We dig into Terry’s rich family history in Scouts, his surprising knack for triathlons, the unforgettable chaos of camp chair races, and of course… the invention of “Hungry Human Hippos.”

It’s part comedy, part nostalgia, and all about the lessons you find when you lean into fun, friendship, and a little bit of mayhem.

What do fitness, relentless positivity, and dad jokes have in common? Joe Martin. In this episode, I sit down with my friend Joe — a coach who helps women over 40 get fit, inspires teens to reach their potential, and brings unstoppable energy to everyone he meets. We talk fitness, laughter, and why positivity might just be the ultimate workout. Get ready for some wisdom — and plenty of laughs.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

The AAA model - Action Alieviates Anxiety.

Joe's favorite customer - she showed up at 5:30am.

Why Irish stew only has 239 beans.

Why boys go to Jupiter.

KEY LINKS:

Joe Martin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hsvbootcamp/

Joe Martin on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/HuntsvilleBootCamp

Relentless Positivity Fitness:

https://fitandpositive.com/

PHIL'S MOVIES TO AVOID:

- The Accidental Tourist.

- The Avengers (An action movie with Sean Connery and Uma Thurman - it couldn't have been bad right? Wrong).

FOODS PHIL LIKES THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T:

- Beets

- Blue Cheese

- Cilantro

- Goat Cheese

- Horseradish

- Really hot Chinese mustard. (And I'm a spice wimp)

What do Wordle streaks, Bruce Springsteen’s canceled concerts, David Cone’s perfect game, and the eternal debate of one horse-sized chicken vs. 100 chicken-sized horses have in common? Apparently…everything.

In this laugh-packed episode of Fry Your Chickens, I sit down with Jennifer and Tom Bedell for a wild ride through Belgium beers, blizzards, broken bones, and brown-haired radio voices. Tom shares stories from his decades in rock radio (including his favorite interviews), while Jenn reminds us why choosing joy matters—even when life hands you crutches.

Along the way, we tackle leftover donair breakfasts, cartoon character swaps, and why Teddy Roosevelt would’ve hated modern nicknames.

Key takeaway: “You are either going to be broken-boned and miserable, or broken-boned and happy.”

Key links:.

The great US Blizzard of 2016

A Nova Scotia classic breakfast (Leftover Donair):

Tom on Q104: https://www.q104.ca/2017/05/09/tom-bedell/

Bedellica on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bedellica/

Jennifer Bedell on Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferbedell/

What happens when a self-described introvert steps up, faces the fear, and starts building impact?

In this episode of Fry Your Chickens, Phil Barth talks with longtime friend Michael J. Pope Jr. — Distinguished Toastmaster, Maxwell Leadership faculty member, and author of Doers Win the Day.

They dive into the chickens Michael had to fry to get from terrified speaker… to trusted mentor for speakers, coaches, and leaders around the world.

You’ll hear:

• How introverts can become powerful communicators

• Michael’s “STOP” technique to crush hesitation and self-doubt

• Why servant leadership (inspired by his Grandpa Joe) fuels everything he does

• How he ended up working alongside John Maxwell — by serving others first

• His go-to tactics for balancing multiple careers, family life, and faith

• And why winning the day starts the night before

This one’s packed with wisdom, action steps, and real talk about what it takes to show up fully — even when fear’s squawking in your ear.

Grab Michael’s book Doers Win the Day at doerswintheday.com

#FryYourChickens #MichaelJPopeJr #Leadership #IntrovertsLeadToo #MaxwellLeadership #Podcast #RubberChickenApproved

As a kid, Mike Davis vowed never to speak again after a humiliating moment in school.

Today, he’s one of the most respected storytelling coaches around — and the voice behind Speaking CPR.

In this episode, Mike joins Phil Barth to talk about the chickens he had to fry to get there: fear, shame, and the belief that his story didn’t matter.

They dive into:

• His “ABS” storytelling method (And. But. So.)

• Coaching NFL legend Anthony Muñoz to connect with vulnerability

• Why your unique story is your greatest asset — even if you’re scared to share it

If your inner chicken ever told you to stay quiet… this episode is your permission to shut the cluck up and speak boldly.

🎧 Learn more at SpeakingCPR.com
📘 Free guide at 52storytelling.com