On this episode of the HOZ Comedy Podcast with Joey, the crew sits down with comedian Leo Mendoza to talk stand-up comedy from the ground up. Leo shares his journey from high school talent shows to his very first open mic, including lessons learned from early performances and dealing with hecklers.

The conversation dives into clean comedy, hosting open mics, and the balance between pushing boundaries while reading the room. The crew debates comedy influences, personal Mount Rushmore of comedy, and how culture and identity shape a comedian’s voice. Later, the episode shifts into pop culture talk, covering Super Bowl halftime shows, legendary music artists, and how today’s technology and trends are affecting comedy. The episode wraps with reflections on improv vs. structured sets, wrestling nostalgia, and final announcements.