Allison McBane walked out of a 13-year marriage, read some books, and realized she'd been abused without knowing it. Her first instinct? Make jokes about it. In this episode of First Mic, Allison shares how growing up obsessed with Robin Williams — singing the Aladdin opening with full accent and a bowl cut — led to a comedy career she didn't start until after her divorce. She brought SEVEN friends to her first open mic (knowing zero comics), went all-in on physical comedy without knowing she "should have been nervous," and was doing musical comedy within two weeks. Why processing trauma through jokes can be a sign you're meant for comedy The power of bringing friends to your first open mic How to stay yourself on stage when you're tempted to emulate others Why standup is both a drug and a sickness Allison also talks about her show "Tattoos and Tarot" — combining standup comedy with tarot readings — and why creating unique experiences is the key to getting audiences out. 🎙️ Where to find Allison McBane: Instagram: @allisonmcbane (personal/shows) Instagram: @tattoosandtarot (show page) 📍 Filmed at Rehab Tavern, Columbus OH 💬 What's something painful you learned to laugh about? Drop it in the comments!