Peter Berner is a fine artist and stand-up comedian, but you probably recognise his name from the numerous TV shows that he’s hosted, namely Backberner, The Einstein Factor, You Have Been Watching, and The B Team with Peter Berner. His resume also boasts commercial radio.

In this School of Hard Knock Knocks podcast, we discuss the journey from cartoonist to comedian, getting a break on Good News Week, pitching comedy TV shows, and joke theft. You’ll also learn that all news is old news – just happening to different people.

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This is not the usual School of Hard Knock Knocks podcast. Instead of a comedian, I’m interviewing Andrew Ford, author of ‘Creating a Powerful Brand‘, and one of Australia’s top personal branding experts. Why? Because it’s comedy festival time across Australia, and hundreds if not thousands of comedians are competing for a limited slice of the audience’s wallet. In short, how do you cut through the noise?

In this podcast, you’ll gain advice on how to move your comedic brand from an ‘unknown’ to a ‘somebody’, quick social media fixes that you can do today, and best of all, get a free copy of Andrew’s book, ‘Creating a Powerful Brand‘, valued at $24.95. And all you need to do is register at www.schoolofhardknockknocks.com/socialstar. It’s that simple.

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American born Mike Goldstein isn’t in Kansas anymore. Sydney first, then Perth, and now Melbourne, the part Christian, part Jewish, with a dash of Sri Lankan (Yep! You read right!), has been doing stand-up comedy for the past eight years – and Aussie audiences have been loving him.

In this School of Hard Knock Knocks podcast episode, Mike Goldstein, aka Mike G, shares how he got into stand-up, his advice on what not to do at Raw Comedy, and his current favourite stand-up comedians. And, you’ll also learn the secret identity of Ozzy Man, but ‘shhh’, keep that information to yourself.

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What a year we’ve had at the School of Hard Knock Knocks. In this episode, Ben Horowitz and Morry Morgan talk about the year that was, the celebrity guest comedians who taught our stand-up comedy courses across Australia, the personalities that emerged from our comedy graduates, as well as the upcoming opportunity for our “Best” graduates to perform at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival this April, 2018.

And, as is the new tradition, you’ll hear a short snippet of stand-up comedy at the beginning of this interview, which happens to be from my mate, business partner, and co-founder of the School of Hard Knock Knocks, Mr. Ben Horowitz.

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Josh Earl knows first hand the roller coaster ride that is comedy. Serendipitously launching his stand-up comedy career with Rod Quantock in Tasmania, Josh moved to Melbourne, where he had a regular comedy spot on 3RRR radio, while building his stand-up comedy career. Solo shows at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, and other comedy festivals around the country, led to a huge spot – hosting the reboot of Spicks and Specks, which was formerly hosted by Adam Hills.

In this School of Hard Knock Knocks podcast episode, Josh talks about life after Spicks and Specks, doing comedy for kids, and his own podcast, “Don’t you know who I am?” Plus, if you’re entering Raw Comedy, Josh provides some valuable insights, from a former judges perspective.

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A lover of American comedians, and a successful Green Card Raffle, meant it was New York, not Melbourne, that helped hone Australian Kelly Fastuca’s comedy skills. Not knowing anyone in her adopted country, Kelly did what most Aussie’s do when abroad and said “G’day”…to everyone, because as you’ll hear, she’d “didn’t know any better”.

In this School of Hard Knock Knocks podcast episode, you’ll hear how it’s important to make friends, no matter which country you’re in, that a little embellishing of stories is necessary for comedy, and how cultural differences can make or break a joke – and make you look like a racist.

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Zack Dyer won RAW Comedy 2017. And he can probably thank Pauline Hanson for his success - her, and his uncanny impersonation of seagulls. Listen to this podcast, and you'll understand.

Coincidentally, Zack, now based in Melbourne triggered his comedy career by watching a RAW Comedy heat in Brisbane, before returning to his home of Townsville. Five years of practice and Zack knew he was ready - not only to compete in RAW but to win it - that's how confident he was.

In this School of Hard Knock Knocks podcast episode, Zack shares his secrets to winning RAW, his advice for those entering the competition, and why confidence is the winning ingredient.

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Matt Okine was 18 years old when he first entered Australia's RAW Comedy competition - kind of by accident. Today, some 13 years later, Matt is one of the most recognisable comedians on stage, and on TV. His most recent endeavour is the comedy television series, 'The Other Guy', which screens in Australia on Stan.

In this School of Hard Knock Knocks podcast episode, Matt shares his journey from stand-up to hosting the Triple J Breakfast Show, and how producing for tele is all absorbing. But best of all, Matt provides invaluable advice for those about to embark on the RAW Comedy challenge. Having competed twice, Matt knows what it takes to make the final, as well as life after RAW, if you don't happen to win.

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Steve Hofstetter is a YouTube comedy superstar. With over 270,000 subscribers and multiple videos that have been watched well over a million times, Steve has created a strong comedic brand, particularly around dealing with Hecklers. So what's his marketing secret? Aside from being funny, he's also incredibly hard working - playing 150 cities a year, which, you'll be pleased to learn includes Brisbane, Sydney, Adelaide, Perth and Melbourne this month!

In this School of Hard Knock Knocks podcast episode, we catch up with Steve in California, as he walks his dog one last time before getting on a flight and heading here, to Australia. We discuss how he hit 5.5 million views on a viral video, and his advice for up and coming comedians - spoiler alert, it's not only about stage time.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Steve Hofstetter is a YouTube comedy superstar. With over 270,000 subscribers and multiple videos that have been watched well over a million times, Steve has created a strong comedic brand, particularly around dealing with Hecklers. So what's his marketing secret? Aside from being funny, he's also incredibly hard working - playing 150 cities a year, which, you'll be pleased to learn includes Brisbane, Sydney, Adelaide, Perth and Melbourne this month!

In this School of Hard Knock Knocks podcast episode, we catch up with Steve in California, as he walks his dog one last time before getting on a flight and heading here, to Australia. We discuss how he hit 5.5 million views on a viral video, and his advice for up and coming comedians - spoiler alert, it's not only about stage time.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.