In this episode of the Open Mic Comedy Podcast, host Marc Cox sits down with comedian Steve Mayne to talk about his journey into stand-up, the lessons he’s learned, and why community is such a big part of the comedy world. Steve opens up about building trust with an audience, the grind of promoting shows, and how both good gigs and bad ones can teach you something.

They swap stories about learning from live performances, honing their styles, and the fine balance between authenticity and structure when writing jokes. The chat also touches on the changing comedy scene, including how platforms like Comedy Incorporated help new talent grow in a supportive environment. It’s a conversation about the craft, the hustle, and creating those unforgettable moments that keep audiences coming back.

LINKS:

Open Mic Comedy Pod: https://www.instagram.com/openmiccomedypod

Steve Mayne: 

https://www.instagram.com/hahahasteve

https://www.instagram.com/comedyincorporated

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Music: https://www.purple-planet.com

What do you get when you cross a love of drama, a pandemic, and a love of puns? Comedian Pauline Eyre, that’s what.

In this episode of the Open Mic Comedy Podcast, host Marc chats with Pauline about her wild ride from open mic hopeful to professional stand-up performer. They talk Edinburgh Fringe, dodgy first gigs, and how lockdown turned her comedy career upside down (in a good way). She shares hard-earned lessons from the comedy trenches, explains why MCing is like herding drunk cats, and reveals how writing has become both therapy and a tool for tighter punchlines.

Expect stories about pun competitions, stage fails, and finding your voice (and your niche crowd). They also dive into diversity in comedy, the importance of collaboration, and why you should always stay for the headliner.

It’s a must-listen for anyone navigating the comedy circuit—or just wondering what happens when a storyteller finds a mic and refuses to put it down.

LINKS:

Open Mic Comedy Pod: https://www.instagram.com/openmiccomedypod

Pauline Eyre: 

https://www.instagram.com/yespaulineeyre

https:://www.paulineeyre.co.uk

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Music: https://www.purple-planet.com

Voice Over Segment: John Pape - www.johnpape.com

This week on the Open Mic Comedy Podcast, Marc sits down with comedian Sonny Savage — a man who swapped beats for punchlines and never looked back. Sonny takes us through his journey from wannabe rapper to stand-up comic, sharing the good, the bad, and the gloriously awkward moments of life on the open mic circuit.

They get into the real stuff: the nerves, the bombs, the high of making a room laugh, and why family support makes all the difference. Sonny opens up about finding his voice on stage, the bizarre world of social media fame, and how every comedian is just one bad gig away from questioning every life choice they’ve ever made.

Expect laughs, honesty, and a few sharp jabs at the weirdness of the comedy scene — from the unspoken rules about joke theft to the power of a killer walk-on track. They also talk about favourite jokes, future ambitions, and why the comedy community is one of the strangest but most rewarding places to be.

If you’ve ever wondered what it’s really like trying to make people laugh for a living — this one’s for you.

LINKS:

Open Mic Comedy Pod: https://www.instagram.com/openmiccomedypod

Sonny Savage: https://www.instagram.com/sonnysavagecomic

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Music: https://www.purple-planet.com

Voice Over Segment: Duncan Hart - www.opengatecomedy.tv

This week on the Open Mic Comedy Podcast, host Marc sits down with comedian James Townsend for a wide-ranging chat about life on the stand-up circuit.

From his first steps on stage to finding his voice through storytelling, James reflects on how his comedic style has grown with him. The pair dive into the realities of the open mic scene, the craft of joke writing, and the challenge of staying authentic while making strangers laugh.

They also explore the community behind the comedy—what it’s like running a night, supporting fellow acts, and the bigger picture of where this journey might lead. Whether you’re a new comic, a seasoned pro, or just comedy-curious, this episode is a thoughtful, funny look into what keeps performers coming back to the mic.

LINKS:

Open Mic Comedy Pod: https://www.instagram.com/openmiccomedypod

James Townsend: https://www.instagram.com/jamestownsendcomedy

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Music: https://www.purple-planet.com

Voice over courtesy of Reb Day: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/rebstagram

In this episode of the Open Mic Comedy Podcast, host Marc sits down with comedian Sam Love for a wide-ranging and insightful conversation about life on the comedy circuit. Sam shares his journey into stand-up, from the thrill of his earliest gigs to the tough lessons learned from bombing on stage. The pair dig into the craft of joke writing, the challenge of finding your comedic voice, and the shared highs and lows that come with performing for live audiences.

They also explore the realities of the open mic scene, including bringers, pay-to-play model, the pressures faced by promoters, and the ongoing push for more diversity in comedy. Sam opens up about his creative process, his podcast The Chapstick Boys, and his experience performing at the Edinburgh Fringe and preparation for the next one. There’s even time for a bit of fun, as he takes on the challenge of telling a joke from a book of notoriously bad gags.

Throughout the episode, Sam reflects on the importance of authenticity, the role of blogging in comedy, and his ambitions for the future. It’s a candid, funny, and thoughtful look at what it really means to build a career in stand-up comedy.

LINKS:

Open Mic Comedy Pod: https://www.instagram.com/openmiccomedypod

Sam Love: https://www.instagram.com/samuellove1992

Chapstick Boys Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/2VRtM7salNCcZBjPk1IM5q?si=6f7419b0b3424455

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Music: https://www.purple-planet.com

Voice Over Segment: John Pape - https://www.johnpape.co.uk/

In this episode of the Open Mic Comedy Podcast, host Marc sits down with comedian Nick Holloway for a deep dive into the highs, lows, and laughs of stand-up. Nick opens up about his unexpected entry into comedy, the challenge of writing that first set, and the unpredictable nature of live performances — including the infamous gong show format. The conversation explores the art of joke writing, crafting material from real-life experiences, and the importance of punchlines and timing. Nick reflects on the supportive comedy circuit, ambitions for longer sets, and the importance of authenticity on stage. From audience reactions to choosing entrance music, this episode offers a candid and entertaining look at the comedian’s journey — one filled with spontaneity, growth, and unexpected moments.

🎧 Listen now on all podcast platforms!

LINKS:

Open Mic Comedy Pod: https://www.instagram.com/openmiccomedypod
Nick Holloway:

https://www.instagram.com/hollowaylaughs

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Music: https://www.purple-planet.com

Voice over courtesy of Reb Day: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/rebstagram

In this episode of The Open Mic Comedy Podcast, host Marc sits down with rising comedy talent Victoria Smith for a candid, insightful, and hilarious conversation about life behind the mic.

Victoria opens up about her journey into stand-up, from comedy courses to carving out her own unique voice on stage. Together, she and Marc dive into the highs and lows of performing, the art of joke writing, and the ever-evolving grind of the open mic circuit. They explore the delicate balance between MCing and solo sets, the challenges of promoting gigs outside London, and the underrated power of a good walk-on song.

Victoria also shares what it’s like to build comedy nights from scratch, the importance of paying comedians fairly, and how social media is reshaping the scene. The episode wraps up with a light-hearted comedian’s challenge—featuring a joke book, some improv, and plenty of laughs.

Whether you’re a comedy fan or a performer yourself, this episode is packed with insight, inspiration, and a generous dose of humour.

🎧 Listen now on all podcast platforms!

LINKS:

Open Mic Comedy Pod: 

https://www.instagram.com/openmiccomedypod

Victoria Smith: https://www.instagram.com/vicky_does_comedy

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Music: https://www.purple-planet.com

Voice over courtesy of Reb Day: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/rebstagram

In this episode of the Open Mic Comedy Podcast, Marc chats with rising comedian Rohan Ashar about his path into stand-up.

Rohan opens up about the highs and lows of the comedy circuit, what it takes to connect with an audience, and how recording gigs has helped shape his style. They dive into everything from writing challenging material and navigating representation in comedy, to the power of community support on the open mic scene.

Rohan also gives a sneak peek into his upcoming show ‘Other’, created with fellow comic Mani Ahmed, and reflects on what makes a great (or terrible) gig. Plus, there’s a fun twist at the end as Rohan takes on a joke book challenge—don’t miss it!

🎧 Listen now on all podcast platforms!

LINKS:

Open Mic Comedy Pod: 

https://www.instagram.com/openmiccomedypod

Rohan Ashar: https://www.instagram.com/rohanashar_comedy/

https://www.tiktok.com/@rohanashar_comedy

http://www.youtube.com/@rohanashar_comedy

Other - Rohan Ashar & Mani Ahmed Tickets:

Watford Fringe: https://watfringe.co.uk/events/other

Camden Fringe: https://camdenfringe.com/events/other

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Music: https://www.purple-planet.com

Voice over courtesy of Reb Day: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/rebstagram

In this episode of the Open Mic Comedy Podcast, I sit down with comedian Sophie Sconcia about her journey into stand-up, the balance between improv and written material, and the art of reading a room.

Sophie shares stories from her early gigs, insights from comedy courses, and how she’s learned to embrace spontaneity on stage. They explore the evolving language of comedy, the fine line of edgy material, and the importance of community, kindness, and connection in the scene.

Sophie also talks about Cat Soup Comedy, the monthly night she runs that blends pro, semi-pro, and open mic acts—designed to give comics a great crowd and the chance to bring their best material to the stage.

🎧 Listen now on all podcast platforms!

LINKS:

Open Mic Comedy Pod: 

https://www.instagram.com/openmiccomedypod

Sophie Sconcia: https://www.instagram.com/sophsconciacomedy

Comedy Cat Soup: https://www.instagram.com/comedycatsoup

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Music: https://www.purple-planet.com

🎤 This week on the Open Mic Comedy Podcast, Marc sits down with rising comedian Charlie Firth for a candid and insightful chat about life on the stand-up circuit. From his roots in drama and acting to overcoming his initial hesitation with stand-up, Charlie shares the key moments that pushed him toward the mic—and kept him coming back.

They dig into the highs and lows of performing, from unforgettable gigs to the nights that didn’t go to plan, exploring how feedback, audience perception, and even the art of the perfectly timed pause all shape a comedian’s craft. Charlie also reflects on the sense of community within the open mic scene, his experience at the Edinburgh Fringe, and how he’s carving out his unique comedic voice.

The episode wraps up with a playful joke book challenge that brings the laughs full circle. Whether you’re a comedy fan or an aspiring stand-up yourself, this one’s packed with real talk, laughs, and lessons from the stage.

LINKS:

Open Mic Comedy Pod: 

https://www.instagram.com/openmiccomedypod

Charlie Firth

https://www.instagram.com/charliefirthcomedy

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Music: https://www.purple-planet.com

Voice over courtesy of Reb Day: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/rebstagram