Starting Out

Such an awesome moment in time for my guest this week on Starting Out - they are set to release their debut album “Inflammable Material”, it’s Bonez Poley! Bonez had so many creative endeavors that got dashed at an early age, and it was great to hear how they pressed through and did whatever they wanted first in the punk scene, and then in comedy. Please go buy Inflammable Material on iTunes, and if you’re in Toronto, Bonez is having their album release party the day after both of our birthdays, May 30th at Comedy Bar.

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Music by @debateson
All episodes here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1632913 

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What a get! I thought this week’s guest had quit comedy and I’d never get to have him on again, and that’s because he quit comedy! But thank god he is back, it’s amazing comedian and podcaster Pat MacDonald on Starting Out this week. Pat and I met when I was a new comic and he was a headliner, and I was too in my head to talk to him, so I didn’t. And then at the end of the show, he apologized to me for not talking to me because he was too inside his own head. So, if you’re excited for a conversation like that, this is the pod for you! 

Seriously, Pat was very thoughtful and told so many great stories of his over 14-years as a comedian. We talk anxiety Yuk Yuks, a Norm McDonald story, and so much more. Check out his weekly Superstars of Comedy show at Comedy Bar, and of course his podcast, with a name I am so jealous of “Over My Dad Body”.

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Music by @debateson
All episodes here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1632913 

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This week my guest on Starting Out  is someone I am literally meeting for the first time. He is a young, up and coming comic that I describe here as seemingly being shot out of a cannon in the Ottawa scene, it’s Logan Brown! Logan actually sent me a voice memo, a very sweet one, saying when he started in standup one of his goals was to come on this pod, which was amazing to hear. As you’ll hear, Logan is a talented musician who is now combining that skillset with comedy, and I think he’s going places. This was a great conversation about succeeding, failing, and not caring what people think. You can follow his exploits at logandoingstuff.com. 

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Music by @debateson
All episodes here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1632913 

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My guest this week on episode 111 of Starting Out is the very first guest I have ever had who has opened for Keith Urban - it’s comedian and country music star Rory Gardiner! Rory has been nominated for a Canadian Country Music Award. He’s been featured on Funny or Die AND  Ted Talk, and even in his 40s somehow has had over 50 million views on TikTok. Rory is headlining Yuk Yuks in Ottawa June 9/10, and is the host of his own podcast called “Balanced Artist”, and his albums “Be You” and “Modern Day Problems” can be found on iTunes or Spotify or wherever you get your music. Check out his website rorygardiner.com. 

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Music by @debateson
All episodes here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1632913 

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My guest this week on episode 110 of Starting Out is my first actual doctor - it’s Ottawa-based comedian who also is a Chiropractor, Michael Friedman!! I ran into Michael at both Absolute venues we were performing at recently, and knew he’d be an awesome guest, so I had to limit the conversations we so wanted to have only to have it on this pod. Michael also was quite open and generous talking about the neurological condition he has had since the age of 12, essential tremor, and how that impacts his comedy. Thanks for listening.

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Music by @debateson
All episodes here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1632913 

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My guest this week on Starting Out is the cohost of one of the best comedy podcasts out there that he hosts with my former guest Rebecca Reeds called “The Villain Was Right”, it’s Craig Fay on Starting Out! I’ve always found Craig to be so kind, talented, and steady, and that’s a theme for this chat. He’s released two comedy albums, “Helicopter Rich” and “Performance Review” which was released in the pandemic and is incredible. We talk McMaster Engineering, the Humber Comedy Program, and a LOT of de Bonis. Give his pod, “The Villain Was Right” a listen. Thanks for listening, and please rate, review, and share this pod.

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Music by @debateson
All episodes here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1632913 

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My long-awaited-once-anticipated guest on Starting Out this week, is none other than Matt Carter, yes, THAT Matt Carter! Matt and I recently ran into each other at Absolute Comedy in Ottawa and had an incredible talk about comedy that I needed to cut off so that we could have it here, and he did not disappoint. If you’re a true lover of standup, of the craft, the art, the politics, all of it, you will love this episode and Matt’s incredibly articulated takes on it. Follow Matt @cartergan, and go listen to his debut album, “Northbound Baby”.

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Music by @debateson
All episodes here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1632913 

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I have a tight episode of Starting Out this week because my guest, besides being one of the best up and coming comedians in this country, is also a young, driven content creator who doesn’t have a lot of time and needed to go make more content, it’s Andrew Packer! Andrew is probably best know for being the host of Man News, which has a following of over +2.5M on tik tok. He’s toured this country multiple time, toured Asian, started the first standup community on the Phillipines island he and his fiance were stranded on at the start of the pandemic, all before the age of 30!. You’ll hear all of that and so much more in this spitfire episode. Thanks for listening. Follow Andrew @andpacker. 

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Music by @debateson
All episodes here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1632913 

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I don’t know if 5-weeks can really be considered a hiatus, but we’re back!! Well, I’m back, and what a guest to have on the return of the pod, then none other than Slim Tschritty himself, the cohost of the best comedy podcast in Canada (my two pods included), it’s Damonde Tschritter on Starting Out. Damonde and I have only ever interacted on pods, but where else could we cover ruptured spleens, spitting and mini golf.

Damonde was quite generous to talk about the ayahuasca experience that led to his sobriety and eventually a one-man show. Please check out Damonde’s tremendous podcast that he cohosts with past guest Paul Myrehaug, The Microdose Podcast, wherever you get pods. Thanks for listening.

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Music by @debateson
All episodes here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1632913 

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It’s the rare occasion that someone reaches out and asks to be on the pod, but this week’s guest did and I am so happy to have the amazing comedian Desiree Walsh on Starting Out! Desiree recently recorded her debut album “Everybody Panic” on Howl and Roar Records, and it’s release is imminent. Desiree and I talk about how she found a community in Zoom shows during the pandemic, and that has allowed her to build up an impressive act, all of which she is throwing away. You can follow Desiree @desiree.lisa.walsh_ to learn more about the launch of her album and all the exciting things she has planned. 

I am going to be taking a little break from this pod over the next few weeks or months, but I will likely be back soon. Thanks for listening.

Follow us @startingoutpod
Music by @debateson
All episodes here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1632913 

Thanks for listening. Especially you...