Raj Against The Machine

On this episode of Raj Against The Machine, Raj debates the most important question in playground history: what actually counts as a “scoop” — titty scoop, between-the-legs scoop, or “dude, that was just straight-up molestation.”

He’s joined by possible new co-host Danny Braff and special guest Josiah Burke aka Comedian Discovery, the guy who quietly became the “save the date” of stand-up specials while championing underdog comics from his phone.

🔥 What you’ll hear in this episode:
Foxworthy bits mysteriously showing up at the Cellar
Joke stealing vs parallel thought and the “neck, back, [bleep] crack” saga
Why 99% of crowd work is bad and why Big Jay & Jeff Arcuri aren’t
The reality of the Nashville scene vs the hype
What actually counts as a “special”
Banana-in-the-ass small talk that dies in Jeff Ross’ green room
Dog-sex wedding jokes, annoying babies, and post-show weirdos
Raj’s “clean pinch” science of eating ass that absolutely nobody asked for
It’s chaos, inside baseball, and way too much information — in the best way.

Comedian Saaniya Abbas joins Raj Belani on Raj Against the Machine for a brutally funny conversation about dating in Dubai, stand-up comedy, being “too hot” for the stage, and the chaos of chasing laughs across continents.

From strange fan encounters to navigating cultural double standards, Raj and Saaniya keep it real — no filters, just jokes and honesty.

🔥 What you’ll hear in this episode:
Why being “too hot” can actually make comedy harder 😂
The difference between Dubai and New York comedy scenes
Wildest stories from performing around the world
Dating, social media, and weird DMs
How comedians balance confidence and chaos on stage

Join comedians Drew Lynch and Raj Belani as they riff on comedy culture, the art of hosting, regional differences in stand-up, and the awkwardness of audience interactions. From hilarious takes on "smash culture" and LA vs. New York comics, to personal stories about family, relationships, and the realities of life on the road, this episode is packed with laughs, honest moments, and behind-the-scenes insights into the world of stand-up. Whether you're a comedy fan or just love a good conversation, you won't want to miss this candid, unfiltered chat.

Steven Rogers joins Raj and Eric for a funny, wide-ranging conversation about comedy, relationships, and the weirdness of daily life. They dive into bad coffee shops, iPhone-shot movies, and why product placement sometimes ruins films. Steven opens up about his recent breakup, writing through tough moments, and navigating dating in NYC. The crew also swaps stories about wild gigs in Harrisburg, awkward fan encounters, and whether certain words like “dame” or “broad” still work today. Lighthearted riffs on babies, AirPods culture, and risky joke writing keep things moving all the way to the end.

In this episode of Raj Against the Machine, Raj and Eric team up with Dave Temple and Derek Gaines (hosts of No Need for Apologies) for a wild crossover conversation.

The crew dives into everything from the fallout of Charlie Kirk’s shooting, the impact on students and families, and how politics feels like pro wrestling — to comedians performing in Saudi Arabia, the Karate Kid vs. Cobra Kai debate, and even the role of Reddit trolls.

This episode is full of sharp takes, wild analogies, and hilarious riffs that only these four could deliver.

📺 Featuring:
 • Derek Gaines (@thegreatboy)
 • Dave Temple (@imdavetemple)
 • Raj Balani (@rajbelani)
 • Eric Grisanti (@ericgrisanti)

🎙️ Topics include:
 • The politics and fallout around Charlie Kirk’s death
 • Parents, college costs, and who the real victims are
 • The crossover between comedy, morality, and money (Saudi gigs, White House Correspondents Dinner, etc.)
 • Cobra Kai, Karate Kid, and Mr. Miyagi’s parenting skills
 • The difference between liberal vs. conservative outrage
 • Why comedians should never be treated like politicians

With Raj Balani missing in action, comedian Natan Badalov steps in as guest host and brings on Adam Bramson for one of the most unhinged, chaotic, and hysterical episodes to date.

Together they dive into:
 • Adam’s wild acting roles (Jesus, a rapist, and a yogi — no joke)
 • A Taliban Def Jam joke that bombs IRL but kills here
 • Whether Raj is secretly gay (again)
 • The comedy of queefs
 • Jewish identity, code-switching, and cringe online personas
 • “Jewish Celebrity or Random Jew” — a podcast game show no one asked for
 • Why Adam hates farts, and Natan defends them with his life
 • Wrestling’s worst heel turn idea
 • The future of RATM if Raj never returns…

🎤 Watch Natan’s full stand-up special Connect the Dots
📺  Natan Badalov: CONNECT THE DOTS - A Comedy... 

👤 Featuring:
• Natan Badalov: Guest host, comic, and terrorist-bit innovator
• Adam Bramson: Actor, wild card, thinks Natan is gay

This week on Raj Against the Machine, Raj and Eric sit down with comedian Sara Huntington for a wild, funny, and brutally honest conversation. From debating if we’re all destined to turn into “back in my day” old people, to talking about robo-massages that get a little too personal, this episode goes off the rails in the best way possible.

Sara shares her journey from Indiana to NYC, what it’s really like being called a “TikToker” instead of a comedian, and her unusual start in comedy that literally involved moving in with a club owner. The crew dives into:

Why New York is both the best and worst place for comedy

Personal trainers in all the wrong states

AI, robophobia, and the future of stand-up in the age of robots

The weird overlap between bombing on stage and addiction

Why some of the best comedy happens in dingy basements with rats

Plus, Sara talks about her upcoming special Rust Belt Royalty with Comedy Dynamics, hitting Amazon Prime 

Derek Gaines joins the show for one of our wildest episodes yet.

We get into everything from AI therapy and ChatGPT ego boosts to the return of Indian stereotypes and the sad decline of late-night TV. Derek drops stories about thick Indian crushes, fake comedy fans, and how a fat ass completely derailed a funeral. Plus: Shane Gillis at the ESPYs, Kill Tony comics, Colbert’s “cancellation,” and why every TikTok comic has a million followers and zero punchlines.

Topics include:

– ChatGPT as a life coach

– Comedy’s TikTok problem

– Shane Gillis & the ESPYs

– Indian hate on TikTok

– AI and the future of film

– Fat asses and funeral etiquette

– Colbert, cancel culture, and Trump weirdness

– The myth of “progressive” racism

– Cat ladies with dump trucks