justEricson

Yes, that's a Fall Out Boy reference. Yes, from one of their lesser works. Yes, I don't care: this is how I show humility.

Last week got a great response and I was barely capable of finishing a thought. This time I'm a bit more on point and able to keep myself on top of what I'm trying to do even if the whole day went completely topside from morning to end and I didn't even realize I needed to record this till the last minute.

In this ramble I speak a little more on my reasons for wanting to be an actor, my fears of becoming a growth and development coach, and end up about exactly where I was last week.

I gotta say this has ended up being one of my favorite episodes. I only asked Rob to do the show as a stretch for myself to approach comics I respect but didn't know well enough to know if they'd dig the format and boy was I pleasantly surprised.

Rob was actually one of the first comics I ever talked to. We get it mixed up in this episode but our first words were spoken at Nectar, a mic I bombed at royally after thinking I was finally getting the hang of this comedy thing. I remember seeing him the next day asking him how his set went and he said "Oh horrible. I'm never going back to that place again" and I felt comfortable to know it wasn't just me.

In this conversation we talk about how you should be aware if you are funny or not, if feelings are valid, and wether it's bad to admit you're a narcissist.

I was hoping I could hold out till at least the 100th episode before trying this if not at the most wait out till "Season 3" but I can't help feel like the universe is pushing me to kick it up a notch and start trying something different NOW.

JustEricson is going to continue it's regularly scheduled programming but I've also been getting tired of talking about myself (as I've said multiple times in previous episodes) and have been wanting to expand the podcast's content while also kind of narrowing it's scope if that makes any sense. Look, as I realized recording this: it's gonna be a rough few first episodes. Anyone who ever wanted to see what I was like when I started stand-up may enjoy how I fumble my way into getting comfortable rambling on my own in front of the mic. If not, you're sure to enjoy the more dynamic and eccentric conversations I'm sure to have with my future guests.

In this ramble I get take a drag of a joint literally as I hit the record button and try to explain myself as to why I'm doing this now, what it's supposed to be, and what it means for the future.

Rob is a great kid. Really positive and encouraging. You wouldn't expect that because he looks like the kinda guy who dresses as Tom Cruise for risky business for Halloween and won't stop serving your sister drinks. What I'm saying is I didn't expect to like him as much as I did and certainly didn't expect such a complimentary conversation during this podcast episode.

In this interview I burn more bridges with people I respect but don't agree with, talk about my sharp intellect, and reveal how I graduate high-school.

Kari, Karina, Katti, Karri... I've heard her answer to so many names I'm sure I'm butchering it in this.

I enjoy Kari even though this is the first time we ever had a conversation past three minutes. Possibly a minute. And that made me so excited I even forgot to ask her what her first year in comedy was like. Oh well, we still had plenty to talk about as we'd barely ever gotten to know each other up until this point which becomes glaringly obvious why as we both admit that we always think everyone hates us.

In this conversation we talk about the awkwardness of making friends when starting comedy, making fun of other comics at mics, and the benefit of being aware of ones own awkwardness in comedy.

This was the first interview in a long time that the recording neared two hours. But that's what I get for letting Sam Clark get me to drink two whole beers during the recording. Let that be a lesson to anyone who comes on the podcast: bring beers and I can't say no... unless I have to get up early the next day.

Sam was one of those white guys I didn't trust initially. Maybe it's cause he looks so much like the nice guy who waits for you to really piss off your girlfriend so he can swoop in (I wish I'd told him that during the podcast) but after getting to know him better I realized he's actually just as sweet and well meaning as his stage persona. It also doesn't hurt that he seemed genuinely interested in getting to know me during the recording of this episode.

In this interview we talk about my penchant for resolving beefs on stage for entertainment, my reputation with the reputable, and even air out a small beef in the episode that wasn't even mine.

Tried my best to cut this under thirty minutes but honestly you should be disappointed you're not getting the entire interview cause talking with Mike is like talking with the part of your subconscious you wish you could tap into every hour of the day. Not only is he one of the most positive and encouraging people I've met in the comedy scene: he'll joke about anything, nothing is off limits, and the worse the better.

Whenever anyone wants to commend me on how much I grew and accomplished my first year in stand-up I always point to Mike to show them what real progress looks like. We both started around the same exact time hitting the comedy scene and while I may have gotten exceptional at the craft aspect, Mike has been killing it at the business side.

In this conversation we talk about... fuck we talk about everything: how to set goals, writing processes, my arrogant vocabulary and the disadvantages and advantages for Muslims and Jews in comedy.

If you don't like Ashoka Thomas: you don't know Ashoka Thomas.

This is definitely one of those episodes I could see coming back to haunt me but that's what I love about Ashoka: you can say anything and he's not going to take it too seriously, he's probably thinking something just as bad.

In this interview we talk about poor first impressions, my ability to look past people looks no matter how ugly they are, and my dick.

Sure enough I talk about no longer wearing shorts in this episode when just this week I decided it's too hot to give a fuck.

This was a lovely surprise as I didn't expected Fletcher to be someone who would want to come on the show but sure enough they were all over the opportunity. And sure enough, Fletcher had way more kind things than I typically expect people to say which led me to be even more loquacious than normal.

In this conversation we talk about how I keep to myself, the effects of PC culture in the comedy scene, and why I wore shorts when I first started comedy and the price of that choice.

Count on another Jew to bring focus to my neuroticism.

Tema has always had a place in my heart. I have a thing for hustlers and someone who spends their entire Sunday night every week hosting a comedy show and facilitating stage time for up and coming comics is a person who I want to stand by.

In this interview we talk about why I made this podcast. Like seriously: WHY did I make this podcast? Like maybe I care too much about what people think about me. Maybe that's my problem. Maybe this is therapy. Maybe this is confidence boosting. Whatever it is: it;s definitely me.