This episode brings producer Joslyne into the hot seat for a conversation that covers heroes, haunted door latches and the ethics of checking out from the news entirely.

They dig into bucket questions about dreams quietly let go, why ugly people deserve more screen time, and whether Mac Miller and Kurt Vonnegut belong in the same breath. Joslyne reveals she's too scared of the dark to finish her Wicca initiation. Zach lands somewhere between reframing his comedy goals and seriously considering a move to the middle of nowhere.

Also: the Amish are selfish, ghosts probably aren't mad about candle scent, and someone should really start a Patreon.

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On this episode of Stop It With Zach Peterson, Omaha comedian and improv teacher Karl sits down to talk about what it actually takes to do improv well and all the terrible ideas improvisers have for shows they'll probably never do. Karl shares his philosophy on building a scene from a single suggestion (shoes, in this case), why checking in is both the worst and best thing you can do onstage, and what a Gremlins 2 character modeled after him would look like in disturbing detail. The conversation also drifts into swimming as an Ozempic alternative, the Manosphere, AM radio ghosts, and the Onion buying Infowars. It closes on a genuinely thoughtful note: what does love look like when no one's watching? Karl's got a real answer — and then immediately ruins it. Catch Karl at King Louie shows at the Backline (first Fridays, 9:30 p.m.) and the Ware House (third Fridays, 7 p.m.).

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This week, we get into it with Kansas City comedian Carlos Chamon. From hoof cleaning videos and algorithm brain rot to hauling 30 folding chairs for comedy shows and declaring war on DiGiorno, nothing is off limits. We talk about why everyone feels a little off lately, how the internet is shaping our brains (for better or worse), and the realities of producing comedy on the road. It’s chaotic, a little existential, and very funny—just how we like it.

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Chicago comedians Claire Sundbye and Blake Burkhart join Zach for an episode that quickly spirals from HuHot and comedy talk into absolute chaos—covering everything from social media doomsday theories to childhood storm drain adventures, bizarre jingles, and some truly unhinged “grossest thing you’ve ever eaten” stories. It’s loose, unpredictable, and exactly what happens when comics stop trying to stay on topic.

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From dream high-speed trains to 26-hour Amtrak nightmares, Zach and Ben venture into travel horror stories, questionable hotel decisions, and one of the most important questions:
have you ever smoked meat??

We also get surprisingly real—talking mental health, intrusive thoughts, and why vulnerability might actually make life better… before immediately pivoting back to chaos.

If you’ve ever stayed in a sketchy motel, taken a cursed trip, or just wondered what would happen if someone tried to smoke a Slim Jim… this one’s for you.

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This episode goes completely off the rails in the best way possible. Eric and Matt from the band Living Conditions stop by to talk chaotic screamo, growing up on hardcore music, and how to explain your band to someone who huffs paint. From there… things spiral.

We debate whether the movie Congo is secretly one of the greatest films ever made, pitch the idea of a full Congo musical, and try to figure out what exactly the Mandela Effect is doing to our brains. Along the way we cover cursed sports fandom, questionable haircut experiences at Sports Clips, meatball subs at 4AM, fictional characters who definitely vape, and whether anyone should ever use the bathroom on an airplane.

Also discussed: sleepwalking, participation trophies, moving to the country, model train addictions, and what our life’s purpose might actually be.

It’s chaotic, it’s ridiculous, and it’s exactly what you’d expect from Stop It with Zach Peterson.

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On this episode of Stop It, Zach is joined by Jesse from the band Narcotic Self to talk all things metal, music, and the strange paths that lead people into creative careers.

The two dive into Jesse’s new music video “Brought Back to Life,” the influence of bands like Alice in Chains, Pantera, and Nirvana, and what it’s like balancing a demanding day job while building a music career. Along the way they get sidetracked debating the best pizza and burgers in Omaha, roasting terrible horror movies (including a particularly awful Dracula remake), and reminiscing about growing up in the 90s when alternative culture actually scared parents.

Plus: bad skiing stories, turkey wars in Nebraska fields, and why metal culture still feels like one of the last true countercultures.

Check out Narcotic Self’s new video “Brought Back to Life” on YouTube and follow the band for more music and upcoming releases.

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In this episode of Stop It, Zach and Brad spiral from a Reddit CO2 hallucination story into a full-on baked beans controversy that could anger an entire community. What starts as a casual riff turns into a passionate anti–bean slop manifesto, and things only get weirder from there.

They debate the most relatable Batman villain, argue over Ninja Turtle loyalty, swap haunted comedy club stories (including an alleged ghost named Pork Pie), and discuss whether anyone should ever willingly enter a submarine again. There’s also a deep dive into underrated cities for stand-up and an unsettling exploration of what chairs would look like if our knees bent the wrong way.

It’s absurd, conversational, and exactly what happens when two comics follow every tangent to its logical (and illogical) conclusion.

Brad Wenzel is one of the sharpest joke writers working today. Check out his stand-up on YouTube and join his mailing list at bradwenzelcomedy.com.

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Comedian Logan Nielsen joins the show and we pull questions straight from the bucket! Both comics talk rock climbing, movie monsters, first concerts, natural disasters, weird art, Stanley Kubrick movies, and whether anyone should actually watch the Transformers films.

Submit your own question → https://www.zachpetersoncomedy.com/stopit

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Comedian Neeraj Srinivasan joins the show for an honest, hilarious, and occasionally existential conversation that somehow covers everything from EPCOT food festivals and AI paranoia to the meaning of selflessness and what actually makes someone a “good” person. Along the way, the infamous Bucket delivers another round of chaotic questions—including extra rooms, camping habits, and the dumb hills we’d absolutely die on.

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