Amanda sits down with nationally touring comedian Steven Gillespie, a stand-up known for insanely witty observations and crowd work that turns any heckle into comedic gold. With credits including Conan, Amazon Prime's Inside Joke, and multiple chart-topping comedy albums, Steven has built a reputation for thinking on his feet and never aiming for the easy laugh. His humor is smart, self-aware, and always punching up. In this conversation, Amanda and Steven talk about the art of live comedy, the self awareness gained through comedy, and how Steven grew into a comedic genius. They also dive into The Dose, Steven's fully immersive psychedelic comedy experience that blends stand-up, music, visuals, and community into a night designed to expand perspectives while keeping audiences laughing.

Steven Gillespie -

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/comicgillespie/?hl=en

YouTube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCylv7slnoRnCVFddQY3GstQ

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/gillespiecomedy/

Book Referenced- The War of Art: Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles by Steven Pressfield

Amanda sits down with comedian Irina Bogomolova, whose humor blends sharp observation, anxiety spirals, and the absurd realities of modern life. After years on stage in different forms of performance, Irina has found her stride in stand-up—delivering brutally honest, self-aware comedy about everything from workplace dynamics and awkward social encounters to car-wash paranoia and bidets. Her path to comedy includes performing for Fortune 500 executives while battling food poisoning, crushing a stand-up set in a garage full of unused tools, and being told by a drunk audience member she was better than a headliner who claimed to have played Red Rocks (later revealed to be a Film on the Rocks screening of Pirates of the Caribbean). Outside of comedy, Irina is also the founder of Choice in Recovery, where she helps people navigate difficult conversations with honesty and humor—skills she brings straight to the stage. In this episode, Amanda and Irina talk about finding your comedic voice, leaning into life's awkward moments, and why the funniest material often comes from the things we overthink the most.

A poem about the quiet reality of loving a first responder—the pride, the sacrifice, the rhythm, and the unseen emotional weight carried at home. This episode is a tribute to the families who serve alongside the uniform, and a reminder that heroism lives both on the front lines and behind the scenes. If you love or support a first responder, this one is for you.

I Come With A Warning - A story about grief, faith, misunderstanding, and the hard truth that we can't control how others interpret - or heal from - our intentions.

This poem is about what happens when mental and physical health get spiritualized instead of understood.

When "faith over fear" turns into shame.

When getting help gets framed as disobedience.

This poem isn't an explanation or an invitation to debate. It's a record of what it cost me to choose peace.

She's a Republican. I'm a Democrat.

And we're still friends.

This conversation isn't about debating or winning. It's about remembering that people are more than the labels they're given—and that story, not slogans, shapes values.

In a world that keeps asking us to pick sides, follow the script, and perform for the algorithm, we're choosing something different: curiosity, respect, and real conversation.

You don't have to play the game to belong.

You just have to be human.

Join Amanda and Founder of Plastic Detox, Lauren Rice, as they discuss the significant impacts of recycling, composting and prioritizing sustainability. Even the food packaging and tableware we use can have a ripple effect globally.

https://www.plasticdetox.com/

A Guide to Composting for Beginners:

https://www.plasticdetox.com/post/a-guide-to-composting-for-beginners

Recycling - What No One Told You:

https://www.plasticdetox.com/post/recycling-what-no-one-told-you

This episode shares a poem straight from my loins about what happens when we drop the labels, pour a glass of wine, and choose curiosity over combat. It's a reminder that we can hold our own convictions while still holding space for someone else's story. We can see each other's perspective without needing to win, acknowledge pain without losing connection, and remember we're ultimately on the same team. At its core, this poem is an invitation back to humility, common ground, and the simple truth that loving our neighbor was never meant to be optional.