If This Is True with Chris Hall

If This Is True would like to introduce you to Jim Phillips, my Dad's best friend and accomplished songwriter. He recently retired as a school treasurer and wrote and recorded a song in honor of my Dad, Jim Hall. They had over a 20 year friendship, before my Dad passed in February 2021. We talked about my Dad and their friendship and Jim's future as a singer/songwriter. Give it a listen!

This episode, like all episodes of If This Is True, brings forth what drives creatives to do what they do. For more of this content and interaction, you can also go to my substack, coolmite25.substack.com.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If This Is True would like to introduce you to Jeff Scherer! Jeff is a veteran of the NYC improv scene (Magnet, PIT, UCB) who currently performs with Vern musical improv and Chicago City Limits. He was also an improv rocker with the BTK Band. We talked about musical improv, finding what makes you happy and the NYC improv scene over the years. Give it a listen!

This episode, like all episodes of If This Is True, brings forth what drives creatives to do what they do. For more of this content and interaction, you can also go to my substack, coolmite25.substack.com.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If This Is True would like to reintroduce you to Jimmy Carrane, the master of the art of slow comedy. Jimmy has worked and taught at the Second City, iO, and is a founding member of the Annoyance. He was also in the original cast of the Armando at iO! He has written two books, Improv Therapy, and Improvising Better: A Guide for the Working Improviser with Liz Allen. Jimmy also hosts the Improv Nerd podcast. He teaches the art of slow comedy nationwide. We talked about improvising better and being a working improviser. Give it a listen!

This episode, like all episodes of If This Is True, brings forth what drives creatives to do what they do. For more of this content and interaction, you can also go to my substack, coolmite25.substack.com.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If This Is True would like to introduce you to Craig Cackowski! The veteran of the Second City and iO Theater has appeared in all your favorite TV shows--Veep, Community (as Officer Cackowski!), Drunk History and the Secret Lives of College Girls. We discussed his being a theater kid, his current travel schedule with Orange Tuxedo (with his wife Carla), and his many podcast efforts (Kevin Pollak's Alchemy This and Craig's List). Give it a listen!

This episode, like all episodes of If This Is True, brings forth what drives creatives to do what they do. For more of this content and interaction, you can also go to my substack, coolmite25.substack.com.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If This is True has the distinct honor of introducing you to Rachael Mason! She is the new Director of Education at iO Theater in Chicago, and she also performs regularly with the equally legendary Susan Messing as "The Boys." She’s worked with theater novices, Masters Degree Candidates at universities, and working professionals both in and outside of the entertainment industry.

Candor is her love language. She passionately believes that putting art where there was none before is an act of revolution. We discussed this importance and the creation of something from nothing as being essential in these perilous times. When we recorded this, Rachael was recovering from COVID-19, but she soldiered on and was a terrific guest. Give it a listen!

If This Is True would like to introduce you to Neal Dandade! Neal is an actor, improviser and writer based out of Chicago. He has acted on TNT's Sirens, ABC Family's Kevin From Work, and NBC's Shrink. Neal was featured in the 2016 CBS Diversity Showcase. He was also a member of the Second City National Touring Company and a regular writer/performer/improviser at the iO and Annoyance theaters in Chicago.

Apart from his acting work, Neal has written and produced web content for online platforms, Second City Network and Mas Mejór (a subsidiary of Broadway Video). Neal holds an MFA in Writing for Screen and Stage at Northwestern University, where he was invited to join as an adjunct lecturer in the department of Radio/TV/Flim.

We talked about educating the underserved, Los Angeles vs. Chicago improv aesthetics, and much more. Give it a listen!

If This Is True would like to introduce you to Brad Barton! Brad is a NYC based actor, writer, entertainment journalist, host, producer, corporate trainer and teacher. He is also a content writer for Marvel!

Brad has performed on NBC’s Late Night with Conan O’Brien, ABC’s One Life to Live, and Upright CItizen’s Brigade. He is also an improviser who is married to Lulu French, owner of Rocket Improv in Maplewood, NJ--and also an If This Is True guest! 

We discussed his interactions with Oprah, Harrison Ford, and all the goings on at mighty Marvel. Spoiler alert: he believes they're better than DC! Give it a listen!

If This Is True would like to introduce you to the Sohns! Rich and Rebecca Sohn are improvisers/actors/directors living in Los Angeles. They are both veterans of the Second City and Annoyance Theatre. Rebecca has also performed with Steppenwolf, Remy Bumppo and About Face Theatres. She is also an ensemble member of the No Stakes Theater Project. Rich is teaching at the Pack Theater and at Second City, We talked about being married improvisers, working with each other and their teaching styles. Give it a listen!

If This Is True would like to introduce you to Sam Dee! Sam is many things...rascal, scamp, guttersnipe...however, she would like to be known for spotlighting inclusive, female-led shows in Cleveland, like Mass Hysteria Improv Fest, co-created with Deena Nyer Mendlowitz (also a guest on this show). She is a member of Casually Late Improv and a writer/performer for Stratosphere Collective and Amsterdang sketch. She is also one of the funniest women in Cleveland, per Cleveland.com. Give it a listen!

If This Is True is proud to introduce you to John Fugelsang! John is a Drama League nominated actor, comedian & broadcaster who hosts the acclaimed "Tell Me Everything" series on SiriusXM Progress #127.

He's been murdered on CSI, picketed by Westboro Baptist Church,  interviewed 2 Beatles on 2 different continents in the same week, and once got Mitt Romney's advisor to call Romney an 'etch a sketch' on CNN.

He's been a regular on CNN, MSNBC, FOX News and hosted "Viewpoint" on Current TV.  He sold out theaters across the country with Stephanie Miller, Hal Sparks and Aisha Tyler on The Sexy Liberal Comedy Tour; their album "Volume 1" became the 1st political album to ever hit  #1 on the Amazon, iTunes & Billboard Comedy Charts.

This was recorded on Friday, June 24, when the Roe decision came down, literally. I was going to run it in August, but it was too important and timely to run it then. Give it a listen!