Half A Star Podcast

On this very special episode of Half A Star, Justin and Ben are joined by Matthew Surina. Matthew is the owner and operator of Hub of the Hammer Event Planning, and an all ‘round expert about Hallmark Holiday movies. Justin and Ben also share an important announcement about something awesome they’ve been working on – all that and more in the wonderful world of Half A Star.

LOST EPISODE – ADAM PERRY

Halloween is just around the corner, and Justin and Ben have decided to release a Lost Episode of Half A Star that was originally recorded during the Season One interviews. Please be joined by Adam Perry, a Prince Edward Island filmmaker who shares with the lads a story that will haunt them until the end of their days. This is a story not for the faint of heart. Happy Halloween!

On this very special episode of Half A Star, we have Canadian comedy legend Sean Collins. But since he’s a Canadian Comedy legend, we still have to tell you who he is. Thank you to James Mullinger for helping us swing this guest by giving him a shout out earlier in the season!

Canadian Sean Collins has 25 years experience in stand up comedy, with initial success leading to ‘Best Male Stand Up’ nominations at the Canadian Comedy Awards, a Just For Laughs Gala set at Montreal and his own hour long special on Canadian television. Sean has a few stories from his time on the road to share, and what better way to cap off this season of Half A Star than with another homerun half a star story? All this, and maybe a little more, on the wonderful world of Half A Star.

Justin and Ben are joined by comedian Mike Carrozza! The last time Mike was on Half A Star, he was featured on a bonus episode to promote his debut comedy album "Cherubic" (available now!) but now - Mike has to pay the piper. He owes the world of half a star some wonderfully terrible bad ideas - and boy does he deliver. Bad ideas make great stories, and Mike Carrozza makes for many laughs. Plus! Ben does a run down of the top half a star emo band names. Tune in and find out why that's relevant! All that and more on the wonderful world of Half A Star.

Justin and Ben are joined by country musician Lawrence Maxwell! Mr. Maxwell is a cool cowboy who recently a new album called ‘Almost Natural’ and is available now. In fact, this episode even features a track from the album – how’s that for lovely? Mr. Maxwell shares a story that cause Justin and Ben to ponder the weight of the universe and question the quality of Wal-Mart pajamas. And Ben has a list of the top half a star country western song titles. Spoiler: they’re really, really terrible. All this (and maybe just a smidge more) on this twangy episode of Half A Star.

Justin and Ben are joined by youth mentor Isy Castillo. Isy Castillo is a champion for children and youth. Through her constant support for young people, she has offered support to kids as a one-on-one mentor, leading groups and presentations on resiliency, and setting a strong example of compassion, professionalism, and kindness which both her mentees and her fellow mentors would follow. She is truly the best of us – and she’s got some very silly stories that are equal parts endearing and inspiring. And Ben has a thing about cereal? This episode doesn’t transition well. All this, and maybe a li’l more, on the wonderful world of Half A Star.

Justin and Ben are joined by comedian Mike Carrozza who is chatting about his upcoming debut album CHERUBIC. Cherubic was recorded in back-to-back performances at The Ossington in Toronto, and is available for streaming and purchase Friday, September 4. Carrozza describes his stand-up persona as a “fun silly boy”, one that is playful, absurd, and naive, but there’s an “alt comedy” element too. He’s opened for Tig Notaro, Todd Glass, Kyle Kinane, and has been featured on Just For Laughs, as well as other festivals around the world. This episode features some samples from the albums to give you a taste of what to expect on Cherubic – be sure to check out Mike’s album so we can GET HIM TO NUMBER ONE ON ITUNES! Stay tuned later this month for more Mike Carrozza as he shares his Half A Star stories!

Justin and Ben are joined by comedian Dan Hendricken who shares what is less of a half a star story and more of a cautionary tale of why it’s important to understand the levels of bacteria in certain alcohol… and why you shouldn’t drink a growler before a date. Dan shares his knowledge of alcohol not only in his hilarious stand-up comedy, but also in his work at Loan Oak Brewery! You might see Dan’s serving up the drinks and the laughs on what might possibly be the most half star of half a star stories in the series thus far. Luckily for Dan – bad ideas make great stories. All this and more on half a star!

Justin and Benton are joined by actor and comedian Chris Sandiford shares stories of who inspired him to do comedy, as well as a half a star story about a comedy gig one awry at a punk show. Chris has also been featured on FX's vampire mockumentary ‘What We Do In The Shadows’, so Benton shares his list of half a star vampires from throughout history. All that and more on this episode of Half A Star!

EPISODE 16 – JUSTIN’S BIRTHDAY EPISODE

Buckle up, kiddos – this is a wild ride of an episode. On this episode of Half A Star, Justin and Ben invite a number of guests on to the program for a very special occasion: Justin’s birthday. If it weren’t for Justin being born, this show would be called ‘Quarter Star’ and Ben would be a lonely boy. And we don’t want that!

Each guest on this episode is someone important from Justin’s life, and they share their own stories about the birthday boy.

Rory Starkman shares a story about Justin’s fouth time doing stand-up, which was a gig that we in the biz would call “a poor choice.” Their partner Kandace Hagen is there too for some laughs!

Taylor Carver is the comedian responsible for introducing Justin into the world of stand-up. Since then, Justin and Taylor have performed on many shows together, and Taylor shares what it’s like having to open for Justin on a show.

Diana Moser is the Executive Director of ArtsBuild Ontario, is an accomplished musician, and, miraculously, is also Justin’s girlfriend. Diana shares a story about what it’s like watching Justin try to understand how to use basic household appliances.

Sherrel Shaw is Justin’s mother. She has some stories. Enough said.

Finally, at the end of the episode, Benton shares with Justin his birthday gift, which can best be described as “out of this world.”

This is a hell of an episode. All this, and maybe a li’l more, on this week’s episode of Half A Star.