In this engaging episode, host Michael Wheels Parise welcomes Daniel LeBlanc, CEO of White Olive CPA and a talented musician, to discuss entrepreneurship, the realities of stand-up comedy, and the mysteries of UFOs and aliens. They explore the business side of comedy, the skepticism around extraterrestrial life, and innovative ideas for music and media ventures. In this engaging conversation, Daniel LeBlanc and Michael Wheels Parise explore music, creativity, and the journey of an artist. They discuss songwriting, performance, industry insights, and personal stories, offering valuable tips for aspiring musicians and entertainers.

The episode features Michael Wheels Parise and his special guest, Kristin Falcone, a hairdresser and social media comedian. Michael introduces Kristin and discusses her unique comedic style, which captures the essence of family conversations and nostalgia. Kristin shares her journey into comedy and her vision for a modern-day variety show. The conversation also delves into personal connections and the influence of family on Kristin's comedic style. Kristin Falcone shares humorous anecdotes about her family, her work as a hairdresser, and her social media presence. She discusses her passion for creating characters and the meaningful purpose behind her wig department. The conversation also delves into her personal and professional life, showcasing her vibrant personality and dedication to her craft.

Takeaways

• Nostalgia and family dynamics are central themes in Kristin Falcone's comedic style.
• Kristin Falcone is working on a modern-day variety show that aims to bring back old-school, comforting humor.
• The influence of family and personal connections plays a significant role in Kristin Falcone's comedic journey. Family influence
• Passion for character creation
• Purpose-driven wig department
• Balancing personal and professional life
• Social media strategy

Chapters

• 00:00 Introducing Kristin Falcone
• 20:36 Kristen's Vision for a Modern-Day Variety Show
• 28:20 Family Anecdotes and Character Creation
• 33:34 The Purpose-Driven Wig Department
• 49:47 Social Media Strategy and Presence

The conversation covers the introduction and promotion of the book 'How Not to Bomb', the discovery of raw talent in Laura Gargiulo, the legacy and authenticity of the Gargiulo family, the importance of being true to oneself and embracing the struggle, and the passion for cooking and authenticity in the Gargiulo family. The conversation delves into the topics of teaching street smarts to children, the experience of growing up in Brooklyn, and finding hope and success through resilience and determination. Laura shares her insights and experiences, inspiring others to overcome challenges and pursue their dreams. The conversation delves into nostalgic Brooklyn eateries, Italian-American culture and traditions, life in Brooklyn and neighborhood bars, the power of kindness and positivity, family and personal growth, and concludes with final words and farewell.

Takeaways

• Authenticity and originality are key qualities in raw talent.
• The importance of being true to oneself and embracing the struggle. Street smart upbringing
• Resilience and determination Authenticity
• Family values

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction and How Not to Bomb
• 08:30 The Gargiulo Family and Brooklyn Roots
• 18:59 The Gargiulo Family and Cooking Passion
• 25:05 Growing Up in Brooklyn
• 38:11 Finding Hope and Success
• 45:46 Nostalgic Brooklyn Eateries
• 53:48 The Power of Kindness and Positivity
• 01:02:18 Final Words and Farewell

The conversation delves into the early years of comedy, the journey of the comedians, an incident on a cruise, the impact of social media on comedy, the Italian American community, and personal loss. It explores the psychological aspect of comedy and the influence of social media on the industry. The conversation delves into the importance of family connections and the impact of personal relationships on the comedian's life and career. It also explores the success and challenges of the comedy circuit, as well as the changes in life and career choices.

Takeaways

• Comedy is a psychological game
• The impact of social media on comedy Family connections
• Success in comedy

Chapters

• 00:00 The Early Years of Comedy
• 04:58 The Incident on the Cruise
• 22:48 Italian American Community and Personal Loss
• 33:36 The Impact of Personal Relationships
• 41:07 Life and Career Changes

Bill Branca returns to the studio for a deeper, more personal conversation.

In this episode, Bill opens up about his past struggles with cocaine, his time in rehab, and the process of rebuilding his life on his own terms. He shares why he doesn’t define himself by labels, and how that mindset shaped his comeback — both personally and professionally.

Along the way, Bill delivers classic behind-the-scenes stories from working with Chris Rock and Martin Lawrence, offering a rare look inside the world of high-level comedy and client loyalty.

It’s raw, honest, and unfiltered — a conversation about setbacks, resilience, and doing things your own way.

How Not to Bomb with Michael “Wheels” Parise — where real stories meet real lessons.

The conversation covers the launch of 'How Not to Bomb: A Stand-Up Comedy Guide' and the challenges faced by new comedians. It also delves into the impact of AI on the future, the Blowout Growth Network, and the setbacks faced by businesses, including the 'Chicken Joint' owned by Gio Arretos. The conversation covers the rise and fall of a restaurant, the lessons learned from a tragic fire, the impact of AI on real estate and music, and the resistance to AI adoption. It also explores the influence of AI on golf and other industries, the importance of adaptation, and the challenges faced by older generations in embracing AI. The conversation covers a wide range of topics, including embracing rejection, the power of EDM music, time travel, the impact of AI, and the evolution of cannabis technology. Michael Wheels Parise shares insights on resilience, learning from failure, and the impact of technology on various industries. The conversation also delves into personal achievements, family, and the use of AI in golf. Additionally, the Riverside app and AI technology are discussed.

Takeaways

• Stand-up comedy guide launch
• Impact of AI on business
• Business setbacks and recovery The importance of multiple revenue streams
• The impact of AI on various industries Embracing rejection and resilience are key to success
• AI technology has the power to transform various industries

Chapters

• 00:00 How Not to Bomb: A Stand-Up Comedy Guide
• 06:35 Introduction of Special Guest: Gio Arretos
• 11:45 The Chicken Joint and Business Setbacks
• 29:46 The Rise and Fall of the Restaurant
• 35:31 Rebuilding and Lessons Learned
• 49:08 The Impact of AI on Golf and Other Industries
• 57:37 Resistance to AI Adoption
• 01:03:15 Fear of the Unknown
• 01:08:59 Adaptable Focus
• 01:14:57 Resilience and Learning from Failure
• 01:20:27 Personal Achievements and Family
• 01:25:41 Promoting City Ritual and Cannabis Culture

Drop a 🎤 if you've ever bombed or want to learn how to never bomb again!Tonight’s chat with Fred Rubino is packed with laughs, real talk, and behind-the-scenes secrets of keeping the stage alive—even when the crowd isn’t cooperating.
Fred shares how he evolved from the construction site to comedy clubs, the importance of adapting your material, and that time he transitioned from racial jokes to Italian-American humor to stay afloat.Worth thinking about: You’re not just learning to avoid bombs—you’re learning how to own the stage no matter what.
What’s your biggest stage fail? Share below!And if you're serious about upskilling your standup game, hit the link in bio for full episodes and exclusive content.#ComedyLife #StageTips #NeverBomb #ItalianAmericanHumor #PodcastVibes

Hosted by Michael “Wheels” Parise
A Parise Group Production

🎧 Listen, subscribe, and share if you’re done playing small.

youtube.com/@wheelsp for the video.

Follow Wheels on Instagram @wheelslive

Follow Fred Rubino @fredrubino

Daniel LeBlanc didn’t just hit rock bottom — he made the decisions that put him there. Addiction, setbacks, and chaos could’ve ended the story. Instead, he flipped it. Now he’s a CEO running a multi-million dollar empire and still climbing. This is the real story of what it takes to own your mistakes, rebuild your life, and stop bombing — in business and in life.

Don’t just scroll… go follow @danielcleblanc
Then watch the full episode right now 👉 youtube.com/@wheelsp

Before the fall… there was the rise.

In Part 1 of this two-part episode of How Not to Bomb, Michael “Wheels” Parise sits down with Bill Branca — a man who didn’t just work in Hollywood… he moved it.

We’re talking about a time when Branca was one of the most powerful agents in comedy, running through William Morris Agency and shaping careers that would go on to define an era.

This episode is pure, unfiltered Hollywood:

• Behind-the-scenes stories of Martin Lawrence and Chris Rock before they became icons
• What it was really like walking into clubs when your name carried weight
• The deals, the power moves, and how careers were built behind closed doors
• Stories involving Michael Jackson and the level of access most people never see
• The mindset it takes to operate at the top of Hollywood’s food chain

This is the side of the business people dream about — the access, the influence, the electricity of being at the center of it all.

But here’s the thing…

Every rise has a story that doesn’t get told right away.

And what comes next… is a completely different conversation.

Part 2 is where everything changes.

Welcome to the first episode of How Not to Bomb Starring Michael Wheels Parise with Executive Producer, Tony Lizzio and Special Guest Jerry Papandrea.