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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!

You can join the March contest here: https://buy.stripe.com/aEU7tv9v08GHbfO28a

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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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In this jam-packed episode, Joel and Yoshee share their latest comedy adventures, including performing at a senior citizen center at 10:45 AM, a courthouse Valentine's show, and a high-end California winery gig. Plus, Joel dives into a huge networking win—working with Matt Rife on his sold-out theater shows. They break down the importance of being nice, being funny, and always capturing content. Whether you're a comic grinding at open mics or booking paid gigs, this episode is full of insights to help you level up.

Join the clean comedy course waitlist here: https://forms.gle/nTYe4MdYzEMGkMEA9

Networking Leads to Opportunities

Joel's connection with Matt Rife started years ago in Atlanta’s comedy scene. A simple "be nice, be funny" mentality led to an unexpected career boost. Never underestimate the power of long-term networking.

Booking Gigs Through Google and SEO

Joel secured a paid 45-minute gig at a senior center because they found him by searching for clean comedians. A well-optimized website can bring unexpected opportunities your way.

Film Everything

Industry pros reminded Joel that unique, offbeat gigs (like a senior center show) make for great content. Whether it’s a weird heckle or a killer bit, you never know what could go viral—so always press record.

Know Your Audience and Adapt

Performing for different demographics (senior citizens, government employees, rich wine enthusiasts) requires flexibility. Find what resonates and lean into it. Sometimes, HOA jokes hit differently in a country club.

Even Matt Rife Edits His Own Clips

Despite being one of the biggest comedians in the world, Matt still personally edits his comedy clips before handing them off for finishing touches. If he can do it, so can you—no more excuses.

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In this episode, we catch up after a brief hiatus, sharing honest insights about balancing life, family, and comedy.

We cover the power of clean comedy (with shout-outs to Nate Bargatze’s $80 million success), the importance of rehearsing your material, and why networking with other comics is key to getting booked. Plus, they offer valuable advice on staying motivated, avoiding burnout, and—most importantly—having fun with your comedy journey.

Join the clean comedy course waitlist here: https://forms.gle/nTYe4MdYzEMGkMEA9

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

Reprioritizing as a Comedian:

• Joel opens up about becoming a new dad and how it’s shifted his focus from road gigs to local shows, teaching, and clean comedy workshops.
• Yoshi shares how life changes have led him to pivot toward corporate gigs and teaching, showing there's more than one path to success in comedy.

The Power of Clean Comedy:

• Clean comedy isn’t just a style—it’s a lucrative skill. Joel talks about how clean material opens doors to higher-paying gigs like corporate events, country clubs, and even church gigs.
• They highlight Nate Bargatze’s $80 million success as proof that clean comedy can crush at the highest levels.

How to Improve Faster as a Comic:

• Rehearse your set—not just in your head, but out loud. It’s a game-changer for timing, delivery, and finding new punchlines.
• Watch other comics perform. You learn more from observing styles, pacing, and crowd work than you realize.
• Network intentionally. The best gigs often come from relationships with other comics and bookers.

Mental Health & Mindset:

• “No one cares.” A powerful reminder that most people aren’t judging your every move, so focus on your own growth.
• Have fun. Comedy should be joyful, even when it’s hard. Don’t forget why you started.

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I've been getting a lot of questions about why there haven't been podcasts this year, and here is my exciting answer!