Nighttime Benders

Recorded live at The Coyote in Bend, this Veterans Day edition of Nighttime Benders brings comedians Jamon Jamison, Pat C (USMC) , and Jon Brown (USAF) to the stage for a spirited round of audience-suggested hot topics. The panel tackles Bend's seemingly endless dog population, the state of public education, modern dating, and the enduring mysteries of pillow talk.

Host Julia Reed Nichols also sits down with Jo Ellis, an Army veteran, former Black Hawk pilot, and Austin-based comedian. Ellis shares the remarkable story of how the U.S. government spent more than a million dollars training her to fly Black Hawks, only to end her military career under the Trump administration's transgender military ban.

Rather than retreat, Ellis found a new mission in stand-up comedy. She talks about the policy that changed the course of her life, the unexpected online firestorm that followed, and why she relocated to Austin to tell her story on some of the country's biggest comedy stages.

The episode closes with a heartfelt salute to veterans, a little more live-show chaos, and an open invitation to join Bend's growing comedy community. Equal parts thought-provoking, hilarious, and heartfelt, it's a night of local laughs, candid conversation, and appreciation for those who have served. 

Every good recording studio has a train going by. This week's Nighttime Benders has the train—and, for good measure, the whole of Route 66 behind it.

A month into her cross-country tour, host Julia Reed Nichols records this week's episode from the historic El Rancho Hotel in Gallup, New Mexico. We talk about finding the best green chili in the middle of nowhere, stopping at the hot springs in Truth or Consequences (a name that sounds like a Western and promises a gunfight), and spending Halloween weekend on the road.

The main event is nationally touring comic Xander Beltran, calling in from outside Seattle. We talk about his 13 years in comedy, including his first time at the mic, what it was like to film a crowd-work special, and why audiences love watching comics improvise with strangers.

The episode is full of wanderlust: a glimpse into comedy scenes across the country, plus a reminder of why our scene in Bend is so great.

Xander plays Craft Kitchen in Bend on Saturday, Nov. 7. Find him on Instagram at @thisguyfunnyman; his two specials are on YouTube.

We'll be back next week for a live taping at The Coyote on Nov. 10th—and it's free to join. Please follow, rate, and review wherever you get your podcasts. The algorithm gets hungry.

Twenty-five episodes in, and this baby podcast is celebrating the only way a comedy show should: by raising a glass to the terrifying, glorious moment someone decides to try comedy for the very first time.

Host Julia Reed Nichols dug through her favorite "first time on stage" stories for this one — and they're messy, human, and weirdly inspiring. If it's in you, it's for you.

Sam Miller, a touring comic out of Olympia, had a perfectly good thing going as a dishwasher until he wandered into an open mic. His review of that first night? "Love and hate at first sight."

Rachel Aflleje, from Tacoma, got pulled in by a Domino's delivery driver. Her first set was terrible. She went back anyway. Now it's her favorite thing in the world.

Imani Denae spent four months in the front row studying before she ever touched a mic. Peak perfectionist energy, and honestly? Respect.

Jefferson McDonald did the opposite — ran five minutes over, couldn't find the light, and learned the hard way that you have to "die up there a few times" before you live on stage.

Ren Q Dawe turned frustration into a first set in a smoky Atlanta bar — and the room shifted from there.

Plus a previously unreleased interview with musician Phil Johnson, who slid into comedy by accident. Think a song called "Whale Blubber," a Sex Pistols cover, and a 73-year-old comic who changed everything.

Damon Sumner, Jaci Terjeson, Todd Oregano, and keynote speaker turned comedy producer Anthony Poponi share their stories too.

The common thread? The stage is addictive — and almost everyone here got hooked on night one. So if you've been sitting in the back row, consider this your sign.

Thanks for a hilarious 25 weeks. We hope these stories inspire you to try comedy yourself — on stage or in the audience. Subscribe, rate, and review wherever you listen. Every button you press keeps the podcast gods happy.

This week, Caitlin Comeskey joins Nighttime Benders for a lively, wide-ranging conversation about comedy, poker, and everything in between. With roots in theater and burlesque, Caitlin has spent the past several years making her mark in poker—as a player, content creator, and behind-the-scenes force. She and Julia Reed Nichols talk about being a woman at the table, the different pulls of tournament glory and the cash-game grind, and what it’s like to ride a winning streak in Vegas.

They also get into rage-bait algorithms, online criticism, first open mics, Austin’s changing character, and the modern manosphere. Along the way, there are stories about getting stood up, family Halloween costumes, and the kind of friendship that can handle a questionable joke. Smart, candid, and delightfully sidetracked, this episode is for anyone curious about poker and comedy.

After a comedy show in Cottage Grove, Julia Reed Nichols pulls up a chair with comics Jake Woodmansee, Chris G and Terry Geil for a conversation that wanders—in the best possible way—from touring and dating to news fatigue, angry beavers, and the finer points of being a good tourist. The crew swaps stories about building a comedy scene in Central Oregon, navigating modern relationships, and trying to meet people without looking like a suspicious person in the grocery store. 

Along the way:  the comics chats about Springfield’s claim to Simpsons fame, Reno’s Circus Circus, whether comedians make the news more bearable, and why the best jokes come from sounding like yourself.

This episode also features Seattle comic and software engineer Justine Ventura, who talks about starting in comedy, balancing a day job with late-night sets, and finding her lane in hosting, roast comedy, and community-based shows. We also get into what makes the Seattle scene welcoming for newer comics, how festivals sharpen stagecraft, and why creating shows around identity and shared background can make the material stronger.

Expect the loose, unfiltered energy of a post-show hang, plus local comedy tips, open-mic shout-outs, and a peek at upcoming shows and stand-up classes in Central Oregon. 

Recorded LIVE at The Coyote in Downtown Bend, this week’s episode brings together Creach, Courtney Stevens, Pat C, and Julia Reed Nichols (Along with some pop-in guests!)  for a conversation about the strange, hilarious, and occasionally frustrating realities of life in Central Oregon.

The crew dives into everything from e-bike-riding teens swiping solar lights to the bigger conversations around housing, development, and what happens when communities feel pushed around.

But don’t worry, this is still a comedy show at heart. The conversation quickly veers into the wonderfully relatable weirdness of Bend: roundabouts, road trips, haunted houses, and the very specific confidence it takes to call yourself a comedian before anyone has actually paid you to do it.

Come hang with us for the kind of conversation that feels less like a podcast and more like sitting around a table with your funniest Central Oregon friends.

On this episode of NIGHTTIME BENDERS host Julia Reed Nichols is joined by comedians Katy Ipock and Jason Leonardo for a hilarious, wide-ranging conversation spanning cult-like environments, Rodeos, fat bear week, and the funny side of everyday human behavior.

Plus, Tacoma-based comedian Jaci Terjeson shares her journey from growing up on stage to stand-up comedy, including her creative process, balancing motherhood and performing, and advice for aspiring comics ready to take their show on the road.

Julia Reed Nichols hosts Nighttime Benders live at Silver Moon Brewing, turning audience-submitted topics into an unpredictable night of comedy. Alongside Katy Ipock and Laura B. Wright, the comics riffs on everything from pumpkin spice and Fall Favorites to Bend roundabouts, dating, bodily functions,  and the strange realities of Central Oregon life.

With plenty of off-the-cuff banter, this live episode captures the energy of comedians feeding off the crowd—and each other. If you love local humor, candid conversations, and comedy that can go anywhere, join Julia, Katy, and Laura for a very funny episode of Nighttime Benders.

Anthony Poponi joins Julia Reed Nichols for a conversation about why real fulfillment comes from something deeper: the contentment, creativity, and community we build while doing work that actually matters.

On this episode of Nighttime Benders, Anthony shares insights from his unique journey as a comedy producer, performer, author, and positive psychology practitioner. Together, he and Julia explore everything from life on stage and entrepreneurial burnout to Bend’s evolving culture and the science behind what truly helps people thrive.

If you're interested in comedy, creativity, entrepreneurship, or simply looking for a more thoughtful perspective on happiness than "just think positive," this episode delivers. Funny, insightful, and unexpectedly motivating, it's the kind of conversation that leaves you questioning what success is really for.

About Anthony Poponi

Anthony Poponi is a comedy producer, performer, and promoter with Humore.us Productions. He is the author of Never Tony Please and The Little Book of Workplace Happiness, and a sought-after speaker specializing in positive psychology, workplace culture, communication, and well-being. Through his writing, speaking, and performances, Anthony helps people and organizations rethink the relationship between work, happiness, and meaningful success.

Join comedians Brian Keister, Julia Reed Nichols, and a special guest as they dive into the vibrant and ever-evolving comedy scene in Bend, Oregon. From Bend's Gang of E-Bike Teens to the age-old debate of clean versus dirty comedy, the crew explores how local culture, community, and changing audiences shape what makes people laugh.

The conversation also features comedian Andy Hendrickson, who shares stories from his career on the road, including performing for U.S. troops overseas, adapting to the rise of social media, and navigating the rapidly changing landscape of stand-up comedy. 

Whether you're a comedy fan, aspiring performer, or just curious about the local scene, this episode delivers plenty of laughs, behind-the-scenes stories, and a preview of what audiences can expect when Andy takes the stage at The Capitol in Bend on October 1st.

Perfect for listeners who love stand-up comedy, creative careers, local culture, and conversations about where comedy is headed next.