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Funny People Talking
Funny People Talking episodes
- Desmond Is Amazing - Drag Kid in Da Haus
Desmond Is Amazing (a 12-year old drag kid, awarded LGBTQ advocate, outspoken gay youth, editorial and runway model, public speaker, performer, founder of their own drag house: the Haus of Amazing, fashion designer, film and TV actor, published author, muse, legendary up-and-coming member of the original pioneering voguing house, the House of UltraOmni, and icon from New York City) joins Marc Raco, Danielle Beckmann, and Elsie the producer on "Funny People Talking" to chat pompoms, influencers, Australia, silver linings, Desmond's remarkable journey and building on their following make real impact, using humor to battle haters and inspire, and two End of Show Foods from Down Under.
- Danielle talks about finding pompom’s and putting them on her clothing
- Danielle’s nerd tip is about finding make-up that has movie themes
- Danielle discusses the influencers event she worked and the swag she got
- The group discusses the value that brands get by giving swag to instagram influencers
- Marc talks about his trip to Australia including the different food, the animals and manly beach/cliff
- Desmond talks about their pet Irving the cockatoo
- The group plays the “Silver Lining” game
- Desmond explains how they got the name Desmond is Amazing
- Desmond talks about how long they have been doing drag and all the attention they have gotten
- Desmond on their mother being an inspiration
- They discuss the content on their instagram and the importance of positivity
- Desmond talks the Haus of Amazing for drag kids 20 years old and younger, no bullying allowed on the site
- Using humor to make people laugh is important for people and just wanting to make people laugh
- End of show food including Burger Rings and Tim Tam Slams
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
1 hr 18 min - Leadership and Career Coach Matylda Czarnecka - Laughing with Success
Dressing like Elvis, a surprise pug on google maps, unseen movie reviews, Imposter Syndrome, coaching vs. therapy, a dynamic career path, creating trust with humor, and Oreos. Leadership and Career Coach Matylda Czarnecka joins Marc Raco, Danielle Beckmann and producer Elsie.
- Danielle talks about dressing like Elvis for Dress Like Elvis Day
- Danielle shares nerd tips for studying like writing your notes out and using colorful sticky notes. Matylda adds a geeky factoid that people remember things better by reading on physical paper than digitally
- Marc leads the group in their usual séance for Tina Fey
- Danielle discusses getting binoculars for her birthday because of her love of bird watching. She also talks about spotting a pug on google maps street view for the restaurant she went to on her birthday
- Elsie reviews a few movies….despite never seeing them including Leo Da Vinci, I Got the Hook-Up 2, Doctor Sleep. Matylda also reviews Lido
- The group plays The Meh News where the crew improv’s news stories on mundane topics
- Matylda talks about the impact of her Polish heritage and how it impacts the way she does her work, believing it’s lead to her resilience in situations
- Matylda discusses how her mom gave her the best advice about not thinking about the job she was going to have since it wasn’t created it
- The group talks about imposter syndrome, Matylda discusses a workshop she created around it after experiencing imposter syndrome
- Matylda talks the difference between having a coach and someone going for therapy
- Despite starting her career in journalism, she wound up falling into newly created positions including becoming an internet strategist for a newspaper, creating interactive maps for storytelling and organizing a hackathon that led to people reaching out to her for similar services. Went on to inventing a hackthon consultancy
- Matylda explains that allowing comedy is helpful for our culture when we take things seriously, it helps with creating a safe space and trust
- End of Show Food featuring carrot cake Oreos
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
1 hr 35 min - Comedian Vanessa Hollingshead - Standing Back Up
The laughing subway woman, choreographing at the Pride Parade, making up songs, a near miss with Drew Carey, overcoming many life challenges and becoming a comedian, working on a cruise ship, a 5-year old takes LCD, and how comedy can transform lives. Actress, writer, and stand-up comedian Vanessa Hollingshead joins Marc Raco, Danielle Beckmann, and producer Elsie for a wide-ranging conversation, and improv game, and an unusual end-of-show food!
- Danielle discusses her post-pride parade quinceanera porcupine piñata
- Danielle’s nerd tips include some pop culture items used in the kitchen
- Marc talks about a recent subway experience with his wife where a woman laugh uncontrollably for 45 minutes. Vanessa and Danielle follow-up with weird interactions with other people on the streets
- Danielle talks about her very long Pride Day where she had to teach people a choreographed routine. Vanessa talks about getting caught in the middle of the Pride Parade a few years ago
- The group plays the improv game “Mish Mosh Mix” where they come up with songs on the spot using suggestions
- Vanessa recalls an office job she had that led her to thinking she had a talent for comedy and by seeing things sarcastically has led to her style
- After turning down doing the Drew Carey show, Vanessa talks about struggling to get past thinking she missed her chance to do comedy full-time to getting the chance to perform on a Royal Caribbean cruise line ship that turned things around, as well as developing the right material for a cruise ship
- Vanessa later discusses how she struggled with abuse substances, getting clean and why it was important to help her friend who faced substance abuse issues
- Vanessa talks about dropping LCD at age 5 after her father supplied the drug to many high profiled celebrities and her feeling pride about being a survivor despite her early childhood issues at home
- Vanessa discusses the joy of being able to turn a room around after a couple bad jokes and being thanked by people for putting on a great show
- End of show food features a Lays Beef Noodle Soup chip
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
1 hr 21 min - Regina DeCicco, Warmup Comedian for The View - Off-Camera Laughter
A turtle ghost, jury duty, a robbery, a Tony Awards wardrobe malfunction, pitching movies, Whoopi Goldberg, Howard Stern, SNL, Mike Meyers, and becoming a cartoon. Comedian Regina DeCicco, warmup comedian for The View, joins Marc Raco, Danielle Beckmann, and producer Elsie.
In this episode:
- Danielle talks about walking around with her empty terrarium that houses the ghost of her pet turtle
- Marc discusses getting selected for jury duty where he was stuck in a cramped room with others selected while the defendant defended himself and caused a few awkward situations
- Marc also recalls an incident where he saw a robber trying to get into an open car and ponders why people leave their car doors open in NYC
- Danielle recaps her Tony Awards experience including facing a wardrobe malfunction, acting as a seat filler and winding up with the best seat possible as Billy Porter surprisingly sung right in front of her
- Everyone plays a new improv game called where Marc and Danielle pitch a murder-knitting flick Elsie pitches a puritans love reality show
- Regina talks about the connections she’s made with past audience members and the joy she gets out of it
- How Regina warms up dud crowds for The View as well as having to be the bearer of bad news to the crowd when a host isn’t on the show and Whoopi Goldberg’s health scare
- Regina discusses lucking out by landing an internship with the SNL wardrobe department and the behind the scenes vibe of working on the show
- While interning at ABC, Regina got to meet her favorite SNL cast member, Mike Myers, and why working in show business has caused her not to get star struck
- Regina also talks about her time working on the Howard Stern show as a guest/voice and pitching ideas for the show
- Knowing when to stop trying to keep doing the same joke despite it not getting a laugh and getting jokes from experiences
- Regina talks about why making people having and having a cartoon is part of the legacy she wants to leave behind
- The crew rates the end of show special food item; Ruffles Mozzarella and Marinara Chips
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
2 hr - Robert Galinsky - Off the Bench
Robert Galinsky (internationally acclaimed coach, author, and actor (The Bench) who gets to the heart of: confidence building, focusing messages, developing stage presence, driving listener activation, and creating unscripted leaders) joins Marc Raco, producer Elsie, and guest host actress Kathy Searle to talk food poisoning, reacting to MAGA hats, living out loud, Lenny Bruce, reality TV school, a one-man play about the homeless, truth in comedy, and activism. Plus TWO improv games, and an End of Show Food that salutes a return to NYC!
- Why Kathy was carrying 9 IV bags with her
- Kathy’s story of getting food poisoning
- Greg discussing acting on stage and honoring the stories of the people he’s on stage for
- Kathy tells a story about a seeing a man wearing a MAGA hat on the subway and the reaction people gave to him
- The Funny People Talking crew plays two improv games; What’s The Buzz and Jingles
- Robert talks about living out loud and why a recent date told him his activism was too performative for her
- Robert explains why the system is the reason why he feels he’s more Lenny Bruce than John Lennon or Timothy Leary
- Discussing the reality tv school and the opportunity to fight another system that hurts people
- Empathy was a big reason behind Robert creating The Bench, which he wrote back in the mid 80’s
- Taking inspiration from people Robert met in real life and using them for The Bench, his fear in inviting those people to the show
- Staying focused on the truth is important to help navigate through a tough, true moment and why it takes discipline
- The Bench is a personal show that won’t be something performed by others due to the nature of the content
- Becoming close with his stage manager has helped him with the lonely part of doing one-man shows
- The end of show food: a salute to Robert's return to NYC
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
1 hr 41 min - The All Improv Show
Three fun improv games, no guest, and an unusual End of Show Food. Hosts Marc Raco, Danielle Beckmann and producer Elsie go all-in on the fun to celebrate the 25th episode!
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
49 min - Lifestyle Commentator Robert di Mauro - It's Trending!
A marriage license saga, communal living, an improv game reveals chimney sweeps and troglodytes, understanding lifestyle commentary and noting changing trends changing society, humor in a larger story, and breaking news interrupts the show. Plus---the origins of the poop emoji? Lifestyle commentator Robert di Mauro brings his energy, humor, and experience as he joins Marc Raco, Danielle Beckmann, and producer Elsie in the MouthMedia Network studio.
- Elsie educates us on the origins of the "poop emoji"
- Marc asks Danielle about the sponges, which are apparently used to clean NYC, especially the subway, and Danielle has an 85 year-old intern
- Quick Nerd Tip : Adult education school “Brooklyn Brainery” in Park Slope
- The Saga of Getting Marc’s Marriage License
- Community/communal living - is it merely an extension of “Dorm Living?”
- Improv Game - What If? A Chimney Sweep with Marc and Danielle, followed by The Place Where the Troglodytes Live with Robert and Danielle
- Getting to know Robert - Understanding what a lifestyle commentator is
- Robert talks about changing trends that have shaped the fabric of society
- What are the different pieces of Robert’s journey that have allowed him to look at things through the lenses he does? Robert’s theater background, and his experience with MouthMedia
- How does Robert see humor as part of a larger story that an industry has to tell? Robert bringing the humor in his own life
- Why does Robert call so many people friends that we would recognize by name, as celebrities? He gives a lot of credit to his father, always a man of the community
- Elsie introduces the snack, which is a very fancy chocolate bar. Many chickens are given
- Danielle shares a feature in Chapman magazine which praises Danielle and FPT itself!
- A very Italian sign-off
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
1 hr 28 min - Vicki Hanes and Cavan Rogers of Improv Asylum - Twice as Funny
What's it like to work in a professional improv theatre? Plus, illusions, an American Idol moment, pugs, an emotional press conference, performer relationships on and off stage, Boston vs. New York, and nostalgic TV. Vicki Hanes and Cavan Rogers, MainStage cast members of Improv Asylum in NYC, join Marc Raco, Danielle Beckmann, and producer Elsie.
In this episode:
- Danielle shares some book nerd facts for the readers out there
- Marc shares his experiences at the Museum of Illusions, and how we live in our own illusions day to day
- How American Idol has fueled people’s illusions and evolved over time
- Danielle’s experience meeting Donna Summer and Paula Abdul
- The upcoming The Jeffersons and All In The Family remake specials, and the tendency to bring back familiar franchises that shook things up in their time, but seem to be nostalgia vehicles
- Danielle and Vicki share their love for pugs
- A plea to the Comedy Gods to get Tina Fey on the show
- A round of “Emotional Press Conference,” where we shout out a question with an emotion and the improvisor has to answer with that emotion
- How Cavan and Vicki met, discovered improv, and how they came to be a part of Improv Asylum
- Cavan and Vicki's partnership as improvisors, and why their relationship on stage isn’t too different to how they interact offstage
- Finding structure in an improv environment that utilizes audience participation and other variables
- How Improv Asylum is structured, from the improv classes, to the house teams up to the NXT shows
- The experience of doing improv at Improv Asylum in New York compares to improv in Boston or Chicago
- Cavan and Vicki’s career highlights as performers
- Plus, Elsie brings in some smoky End of Show Food!
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
1 hr 23 min - Mary Lemmer of Improv4 - Firing Your Inner Critic Can be Funny
Marc gets married, a 3D photo animation app, axe-throwing, movie reviews before you've seen them, living next toAlec Baldwin, inspiring businesses with improv and as a communal experience, and a round of Scenes with Numbers. Mary Lemmer, Founder of Improv4, joins Marc Raco, Danielle Beckmann, and producer Elsie.
In this episode:
- Danielle fills us in on her vocal lessons and gives a history lesson on suspenders in the Nerd Tip of the Week
- Marc shares some details from his wedding at the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens, and shows off a new 3D photo animator app called Mug Life
- What technology has allowed us to do, from replicating Joe Rogan’s voice to create original synthesized conversations, to holograms and CGI performances like Carrie Fisher in Star Wars, and the potential for creating fake events with political or social repercussions in the real world
- Danielle shares a cathartic 3 year anniversary axe-based-ritual she did with her boyfriend
- A round of Elsie (and everyone else) Reviews Movies in Advance
- Mary’s experiences moving to New York and living next to Alec Baldwin
- An appeal to the Comedy Gods to get Tina Fey on the show
- How a gelato business and living a high-stress lifestyle led to Mary taking improv classes and eventually starting Improv 4
- How Improv 4 developed its methodology to help companies build team effectiveness, leadership skills and other skills through improv comedy techniques
- How comedy and improv as a communal experience have been therapeutic for Mary personally and professionally as an entrepreneur
- How Mary and the other facilitators at Improv 4 adapt their methodology to the different work environments at the companies they work with
- The importance of rediscovering the judgement-free mindset of childhood and how improv helps us attain that by “firing our inner critic”
- The rewarding transformations Mary has witnessed
- We play a round of Scenes With Numbers, one of Mary’s favorite exorcises she uses with Improv 4
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
1 hr 31 min - Comedian Kevin Gootee - Comics Talking About Comics Watching Comics
Comedian, actor, and voiceover artist Kevin Gootee, Comics Watching Comics creator, joins the show to talk jury duty fiascos, meal delivery services, the greatest Norm Macdonald story with a bow at the end, and a new improv game "The Funny Thing Is..." might have upset Danielle.
With hosts Marc Raco, Danielle Beckmann, and producer Elsie.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
1 hr 5 min
About Funny People Talking
From the publisher's feed
Marc Raco and hosts interview entertainers, influencers, icons, innovators, and incredible people who have one thing in common: they are funny! Episodes feature improv games, the latest and funniest…
news, plus unusual food and dead-pan delivery zingers from Elsie the Producer. From celebrity star stories to Star Trek references, “Funny People Talking” delivers a whole universe of things to laugh at and with.