We're back with another Hot Breath! answering all of your comedy questions. Don't forget to join our Patreon for early access to interviews and more.

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We're back with another Hot Breath! Live answering all of your comedy questions. Don't forget to join our email list for reminders of future livestreams!

Join the Clean Comedy Contest here: CleanComedyContest.com

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Join this month's contest here: CleanComedyContest.com

In this episode of Hot Breath!, we interview Derek Stroup, who shares his journey from struggling with DUIs and living at home to becoming one of the top comics in the game. Derek discusses the grind of comedy, the importance of finding one's identity, and the lessons learned from comedy legends. He emphasizes the significance of emotional connection in joke writing and the evolution of his yelling style on stage. The conversation also touches on the business side of comedy and the value of clean comedy. Derek offers advice for aspiring comedians, encouraging them to write for real audiences and stay true to themselves.

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Key Takeaways:

• Find your voice by being yourself—don’t chase someone else’s style.
• Comedy built from real emotion (anger, joy, etc.) hits harder and writes itself.
• Yelling works… when used with peaks and valleys.
• Branding is everything: Know what the audience is buying.
• Clean comedy isn’t a limit—it’s a career unlock.
• “Write jokes for real people, not the back of the room.”

We're back with another Hot Breath! answering all of your comedy questions. Don't forget to join our email list for reminders of future livestreams!

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In this episode we discuss their experiences at the West End Comedy Fest, highlighting the importance of community in comedy. We also dive into Andrew Schultz's latest comedy special, analyzing its structure, humor, and the evolution of comedy specials in the age of social media. The conversation emphasizes the significance of storytelling and the impact of clippification on modern comedy. We also talk about the intricacies of comedy marketing, the evolution of comedy formats, the importance of feedback, and the balance between personal life and a comedy career.

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Takeaways

• The importance of community in comedy.
• Andrew Schultz's special showcases effective storytelling.
• The evolution of comedy specials reflects changing audience preferences.
• Feedback from different sources can vary; trust your instincts.
• Living life outside of comedy is crucial for material.
• Taking breaks is important for mental health and creativity.
• No one is monitoring your comedy journey; prioritize your own path.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Hot Breath and Community Engagement

05:25 Reviewing Andrew Schultz's Comedy Special

20:03 The Evolution of Comedy Specials and Clippification

20:49 Marketing Mastery in Comedy Specials

24:03 The Evolution of Comedy Formats

27:14 Navigating Comedy Advice and Feedback

35:08 Balancing Comedy and Life

42:56 Community and Support in Comedy

We're back with another Hot Breath! Live answering all of your comedy questions. Don't forget to join our email list for reminders of future livestreams!

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• 
  

This episode of Hot Breath! features the winner of the February 2025 Clean Comedy Contest, Helen Anderson. Helen shares her experience crafting a brand-new 60-second comedy set, battling perfectionism, and embracing self-promotion. We dive into the writing process, the power of deadlines, and how clean comedy can open doors to more opportunities. Helen also talks about performing for 3,000 people at a corporate Christmas party and the lessons she has learned on her comedy journey.

Join this month's contest here: https://buy.stripe.com/aEU7tv9v08GHbfO28a

Follow Helen on social media here: https://www.instagram.com/helenandersoncomedy/

If you’re a comedian looking to sharpen your writing skills, gain confidence in your material, and take advantage of clean comedy gigs, this episode is packed with inspiration and actionable insights.

• The Power of Deadlines – Helen submitted her set just two minutes before the deadline, proving that pushing past perfectionism can lead to success.
• Writing Process – She used Scott Dikkers’ "Funny Filters" to refine her material and workshop it with other comics.
• Community Matters – Engaging in comedy groups and contests provides valuable feedback and motivation.
• The Value of Clean Comedy – Helen’s clean material helped her land a gig in front of 3,000 people, showing that “clean is green” in the comedy world.
• Self-Promotion is Key – Helen overcame her hesitation and actively promoted her contest entry—something all comics should embrace.
• Consistency Wins – Building a comedy career takes persistence, and setting small, regular writing goals can help comics stay on track.

Joel woke up at 3AM to be back in time to record this one of a kind episode. He reflects on working with Matt Rife and the top lessons learned every comic should know.

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