Zoe Friedman has spent decades helping shape the comedy industry from behind the scenes. From discovering and developing stand up talent to booking for The Late Show with David Letterman, leading talent development at Comedy Central, and working with Jimmy Kimmel Live! Her influence has reached every level of comedy.

Today, as the co-founder and CEO of Comedy Gives Back, she continues to advocate for comedians by providing resources, support, and a stronger foundation for the comedy community.

Questions answered in this episode of Ask Me Anything:

• What are the tells in a tape or video link that immediately signal real comic maturity to you?

• When a comedian earns a one-month residency by getting passed, booking an audition, or winning a contest, what does that mean for their career?
• I'll be doing my first comedy club audition this summer — what key advice do you have?
• Do you think you need a big ego to survive in the entertainment industry?
• How do I practice comedy? (I tried saying my jokes into the mirror, but that doesn't give me any insight on what needs to be improved.
• Who do you think today in the mainstream is pushing boundaries?
  

Adam Conover started out doing sketch comedy and stand-up before landing at CollegeHumor, where his sharp, curious style quickly stood out. That eventually led to Adam Ruins Everything, the show that put him on the map and helped carve out his unique voice, mixing comedy with a love of asking questions and challenging conventional wisdom.

Earthquake, is an American stand-up comedian, actor, and radio personality known for his commanding stage presence, booming voice, and sharp observations on everyday life. Before comedy, he served in the U.S. Air Force and worked various jobs while developing his act.He built his career by touring relentlessly, becoming one of the most respected comedians on the road long before mainstream fame. His stand-up specials, television appearances, and roles in films and sitcoms earned him a devoted following, and he remains a major influence on generations of comedians. Earthquake is widely admired for his authenticity, impeccable timing, and ability to connect with audiences through relatable, real-life storytelling.

Yohay Sponder is an Israeli stand-up comedian, actor, writer, and producer who has become one of the most recognizable English-language comedians to emerge from Israel. Sponder began performing stand-up after his military service and quickly established himself at clubs throughout Tel Aviv.

His performances have earned him a worldwide audience, making him one of the leading voices in contemporary Israeli stand-up comedy.

In this episode, we talk about the challenges of producing complex shows, the difference between who comedians are onstage and offstage, and what it’s like working with agents from a manager’s perspective.

In this episode, Faizon Love reflects on starting stand up comedy at just 15 years old, pursuing a career before his family even knew he was performing. He shares stories from his early days at the legendary Apollo Theater with Steve Harvey, the lessons he learned coming up in the business, and what it was like working alongside Will Ferrell and Kevin Hart on film sets.It’s a conversation about taking chances early, learning through experience, and building a career in entertainment one opportunity at a time.

In this episode, we sit down with Erica Rhodes to discuss the experiences that led her into comedy, including how a failed audition unexpectedly pushed her toward performing at her first open mic. She shares how she displayed natural comic timing from a young age and how those early experiences helped shape her path as a comedian.

We talk about the impact of her popular Don’t Tell Comedy sets and how opportunities like those can help comedians reach new audiences and grow their careers. Erica also shares insights into the evolving challenge of stand-up, explaining how “killing” on stage can feel inconsistent as your standards and expectations rise over time.

The conversation dives deep into the realities of being a comedian and staying true to your voice while building a lasting career in comedy.

A highlight of this week's episode covers years of producing comedy shows and how carefully building a lineup can shape the entire energy of a night. Producing your own show isn’t just booking funny people , it’s understanding rhythm, momentum, tone, and audience psychology. Creating a lineup is almost like arranging scenes in a movie or album.

Overall vibe of the episode explains how comedy is both an art form and a survival skill. Where originality, adaptability, and persistence matter just as much as getting laughs.

Lahna Turner is a stand up comedian, writer, musician, and filmmaker whose career has been deeply shaped by the balance between comedy, motherhood, and life on the road. Known for blending personal storytelling with music and sharp observational humor, Turner built a career while also raising a family alongside her late husband, comedian Ralphie May. Their relationship, both onstage and off, became a major part of her creative life, as she supported May through the height of his comedy career while continuing to develop her own voice in stand up.

Through both her comedy and filmmaking, Lahna Turner’s work reflects resilience, honesty, and the reality of trying to hold together family, creativity, and life in entertainment, even when the spotlight becomes difficult to carry.