Suzi Chicago

Ever thought about walking away from a 6-figure job to go do something fun? Meet someone who did: Lauren Thomas. From our serendipitous Pretty Funny Women meetup to our shared hatred for San Diego parking, Lauren brings her charm, wit, and incredible life experience to the mic. She has a backstory that’ll blow your mind and we cover everything from comedy classes and corporate escapes to life lists and family secrets.

Episode Timeline Highlights

[2:22] – Meeting Lauren at Pretty Funny Women and how her jazz-singer style won me over

[6:15] – Lauren’s wild birth story and childhood across five continents

[11:00] – From Fortune 500 marketing exec to full-time creative—why Lauren walked away

[17:33] – The beauty (and curse) of being a well-dressed comedian in a sausage fest

[25:45] – Growing up Black abroad vs. navigating “liberal” California

[33:01] – Atsuko, Neil Brennan, and Lauren’s comedy inspirations

[43:18] – Comedy, aging, and writing from real life

[51:05] – The power of a “life list” and how Lauren’s using hers to build an intentional life

[1:03:55] – The struggles and wins of San Diego open mics (tiny dick jokes and all!)

[1:14:02] – Family secrets, heritage reveals, and discovering who we really are

[1:22:00] – Suzi’s mic mishaps and Lauren’s best/worst shows

[1:33:55] – Advice for new comedians and honoring the craft

Links & Resources

• Lauren Thomas on Instagram: [Insert Handle if known]
• Pretty Funny Women: ⁠⁠https://prettyfunnywomen.com⁠⁠
• Comedy Store (West Hollywood): ⁠⁠https://thecomedystore.com⁠⁠
• Mic Drop Comedy, San Diego: ⁠⁠https://micdropcomedy.com⁠⁠

Closing Note

If this episode made you laugh, think, or just gave your brain a break—please rate, review, and follow the show. And don’t keep it to yourself! Share it with a friend who needs a good story and a good giggle. See you next time!

I’m with my ride-or-die comedy buddy, Alla—the best thing Russia ever exported (sorry, Yakov). We talk about how we met on day one of a bargain comedy class, why her Kazakh childhood gives her stand-up a one-of-a-kind voice, and the very wild way a farm goat once “sobriety tested” her dad.

You’ll also hear our tales from a truly… colorful open mic, my new mini-segment “Things That Are Things,” and why I’m all-in on bringing more clean laughs to San Diego.

Episode Timeline (top moments)

• [16:15] The legendary goat story: how a bottle of vodka saved the day—and why my car suddenly smelled like a bar.
• [17:20] We head to a Sunday open mic at a brewery… and discover vampires, strippers (maybe), and everything in between.
• [20:25] “Unlike this 70-year-old lady here”—getting noticed (or not) and why stagewear matters.
• [33:05] Alla’s crowd-killer bit about “three testicles,” my dog, and the punch line that blew up the room.
• [39:10] Why we’re planting a flag for clean comedy in San Diego—“clean is green.”
• [42:40] Our comic crushes: Joe Koy, Leanne Morgan, Karen Mills, and more I can’t stop quoting.
• [49:30] Inside baseball: the brutal red light, tight sets, and how we prep before a show.

Links & Resources

• Musso & Frank Grill (Hollywood hang; our favorite pre-show time capsule)
• Mic Drop San Diego; The Comedy Store – La Jolla (stages we love)
• Lazy River Comedy @ the Irish pub show we mention (San Diego scene)
• Comics we shout out: Joe Koy, Leanne Morgan, Karen Mills, Paula (coming on the pod!), Bill Burr, Nate Bargatze, Sebastian Maniscalco, John Mulaney, Fortune Feimster, Tig Notaro, Dustin Nickerson, Richard Kind (on the Mulaney show).

Connect with Us

• Guest: Alla Munguia — @allamunguia
• Host: @SuziChicago everywhere.

If you laughed or smiled today, do me a solid: rate the show, follow, and share it with a friend. Every tap helps us bring more clean comedy to more ears. See you next time!

Ever wonder what it takes to turn awkward moments into comedy gold? In this episode of the Suzi Chicago Podcast, I sit down with comedian Paula Kosiensky to talk about her journey through stand-up, building confidence on stage, and performing at top comedy festivals like Laughing Skull and the Nashville Comedy Festival.

Episode Timeline

[1:22] - Banter with Fun Bobby and welcoming comedian Paula Kosiensky

[4:55] - Discovering Paula’s comedy and her Dry Bar special

[11:40] - Applying for comedy festivals and chasing stage time

[18:12] - Paula’s surreal experience performing at the Nashville Comedy Festival

[25:35] - How comedians handle imposter syndrome in big moments

[33:08] - Paula’s favorite comics, inspirations, and lessons from the stage

[40:50] - Wrapping up with laughter and what’s next for Paula

Links & Resources

• Follow Paula Kosiensky on Instagram: ⁠⁠@paulacomedy⁠⁠
• Follow Paula Kosiensky on TikTok: ⁠⁠@paulakosienski⁠⁠
• Watch Paula Kosiensky’s ⁠⁠Dry Bar Comedy Special⁠⁠
• Learn more about ⁠⁠Laughing Skull Comedy Festival⁠⁠
• Explore the ⁠⁠Nashville Comedy Festival⁠

Sometimes when I talk to another comic, it feels like we were twins separated at birth—and that’s exactly how it is with today’s guest, the hilarious Susan Rice. You may know her from her specials Silver Alert (Amazon) and We All Become Our Parents (Don’t Tell Comedy), or her series Bad Advice with Susan Rice. She’s been in the comedy game for decades, and let me tell you—her stories had me laughing, nodding, and occasionally spitting out my coffee.

In this episode, Susan and I dig into everything from her comedy beginnings in Portland to what it’s like finding your voice later in life, producing shows during COVID, and what it really takes to last in this business. We talk about aging, audience connections, and why older comics still have plenty of fire in the belly. Plus, you’ll hear us swap stories about knees, Jell-O, and exactly what NOT to say to a woman over 60. This one is packed with laughs, truth bombs, and a whole lot of heart.

Episode Timeline

[1:11] – Susan Rice on her Amazon special Silver Alert and why I watched it twice

[3:05] – The curse of barrel chairs and why no woman looks good in one

[4:17] – Susan’s path from acting school to finding stand-up in Portland

[10:20] – The comedy boom in Portland and what it was like working 30 nights in a row

[16:54] – Creating a community comedy festival during COVID in her Portland neighborhood

[20:37] – Why boomers are still a comedy audience force to be reckoned with

[27:04] – Naming my upcoming special (with some hilarious rejected titles)

[32:07] – Susan on forgetting punchlines, crowd work, and learning to pivot on stage

[37:47] – The best advice for new comics: “Be fearless and be kind”

[42:27] – Why Susan curses on stage and how she responds to criticism about it

[46:02] – Talking comedy heroes: Kathleen Madigan, Louis Black, Paula Poundstone, and more

Links & Resources

• Susan Rice’s Amazon special: Silver Alert
• Don’t Tell Comedy special: We All Become Our Parents
• Instagram series: Bad Advice with Susan Rice
• Susan Rice on Instagram: @funnyoldbag
• Kathleen Madigan – Official Website
• Mike Birbiglia – Official Website

Thanks for tuning in! If this episode made you laugh (and I know it did), don’t forget to rate, review, follow, and share the podcast with your friends. It helps more people find the show and keeps the laughs coming.

In this episode, I sat down with Jonathan Prim, who somehow survived the journey from theater to stand-up comedy without becoming a bitter children’s party clown. We talked about everything from social anxiety (spoiler: comedians have it, we just cover it with punchlines) to the joys of community in the comedy scene.

Jonathan shared his thoughts on the absurdity of everyday life, his brief career as the world’s least enthusiastic mail carrier, and the glamorous world of technical difficulties on stage (because nothing says “professional” like a mic that cuts out mid-punchline).

It’s a conversation full of stories, laughs, and a reminder that authenticity matters more than a perfectly timed rimshot.

Timestamps
00:00 Introduction & Why Comedy Is Weird
02:53 The Significance of ‘Things’ (yep, just things)
05:41 Jonathan’s Journey into Comedy
11:48 From Radio to Stand-Up (yes, it’s a downgrade)
17:39 Tales from the Mail Route
23:42 Stage Fright, Stage Presence, Same Thing
27:50 How to Connect with Audiences Without Crying
30:31 Social Anxiety in Comedy (it’s real, folks)
34:02 Identity, Growth & Other Buzzwords
39:39 How to Build Bits Without Losing Your Mind
43:24 Comedy Heroes & Inspirations
45:29 Storytelling as a Comedy Superpower
46:59 Turning Life Into Material (whether you want to or not)
49:10 Reading the Audience Like a Psychic
51:12 Emergency Comedy Tricks
52:43 Where Comedy Meets Recovery
57:04 Surviving the Scene (with snacks)
58:28 DIY Career Moves
01:01:10 The Life of a Comedian (cue dramatic music)
01:06:55 Building Community & Finding Your People

🎙️ Welcome to Episode 50 of The KnifeWife Podcast — our Season 2 Finale! 🍫✨

Dayleen is a true renaissance woman. A trick rider in her youth, highly educated, French trained Pastry Chef, now Chocolatier. If only you could taste podcasts. She shares her journey to being an entrepreneur, who opened her own chocolate shop in San Marcos, California. At her shop she teaches others of all levels how to work with chocolate. She filmed a super hands on show called: Tempered on YouTube.

💬 If only you could taste a podcast… this one is a treat.

🍫 Follow Dayleen & get a taste of the magic:
📸 Instagram: @dlitefulchocolat
🌐 Website: www.dlitefulchocolate.com
📺 YouTube Show: Tempered

💡 This is our final episode as The KnifeWife Podcast!
Thank you for coming on this wild, heartfelt, and hilarious ride. We’re not going anywhere—just transforming! Next stop: The Suzi Chicago Podcast ✨

🎧 Catch up on all episodes on Spotify, Patreon, Apple Podcasts, and more!

📖 Learn how to Make a Knife with Bob in the 12-part video series:
https://terzuola.net/product/a-sharp-life/

🌐 Visit terzuola.net to explore Bob’s iconic work.
📱 Follow us on Instagram:
@terzuola_design
@a_sharp_life
@eccentricsuz
🌐 Check out eccentricsuz.com for more stories, laughs, and Suzi-isms.

🛎️ Subscribe and stay tuned… the best is yet to come!

#TheKnifeWifePodcast #SeasonFinale #DlitefulChocolat #DayleenColeman #Chocolatier #WomenEntrepreneurs #PastryChef #Tempered #SanMarcosCA #SuzAndBob #PodcastLife #TheSuziChicagoPodcast

🎙️ Welcome to Episode 49 of TheKnifeWife Podcast! 🔪🎧

This episode has 2 Bobs- no waiting. Join us in getting to know Bob Demarco. A podcaster extraordinaire. Knife expert. An all around cool dude, fun to talk to.

📢 BIG ANNOUNCEMENT!

This is our second-to-last episode recorded as The Knife Wife Podcast! We’re gearing up for an exciting rebrand as… The Suzi Chicago Podcast! Stay tuned for what’s next!

🔗 Find Bob Demarco and The Knife Junkie Podcast:
📺 YouTube: The Knife Junkie
🌐 Website: https://theknifejunkie.com/
📱 Instagram: @theknifejunkie
📘 Facebook: The Knife Junkie

🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Patreon, Apple Music, iHeartRadio, and more!

📖 Learn how to Make a Knife with Bob in this 12-part series:
https://terzuola.net/product/a-sharp-life/

🌐 Visit terzuola.net for more about Bob’s legendary work:
https://terzuola.net/

📱 Follow us on Instagram:
@terzuola_design
@a_sharp_life
@eccentricsuz

🌐 Check out eccentricsuz.com for more content and stories from Suz:
https://eccentricsuz.com/

🔔 Subscribe and hit the notification bell for more exciting episodes!

#TheKnifeWifePodcast #BobDemarco #TheKnifeJunkie #SuzAndBobTerzuola #PodcastLife #Knives #KnifeCommunity #ListenNow

🎙️ Welcome to Episode 48 of TheKnifeWife Podcast! 🐊🐍

Do you know the proper way wrestle an alligator? What does one do with a nuisance alligator? Jason Clark shares with us his methods, experience, and knowledge. He educates people and dogs about snakes. You may have seen him on Animal planet, or on the Discovery channel. He’s also very funny. Enjoy Jason.

 🔗 Follow Jason’s reptile adventures:
📺 Snake TV on YouTube: Snake TV
🌐 Website: SnakesAreUs.com 
📱 Instagram: Southeastern Reptile Rescue
📘 Facebook: Southeastern Reptile Rescue

🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Patreon, Apple Music, iHeartRadio, and more!

📖 Learn how to Make a Knife with Bob in this 12-part series: https://terzuola.net/product/a-sharp-life/ 

🌐 Visit terzuola.net for more about Bob’s legendary work: https://terzuola.net/ 

📱 Follow us on Instagram:
@terzuola_design
@a_sharp_life
@eccentricsuz

🌐 Check out eccentricsuz.com for more content and stories from Suz: https://eccentricsuz.com/ 

🔔 Subscribe and hit the notification bell for more exciting episodes!

#TheKnifeWifePodcast #JasonClark #ReptileRescue #AlligatorWrestling #Snakes #AnimalPlanet #SuzAndBobTerzuola #ListenNow

🎙️ Welcome to Episode 47 of TheKnifeWife Podcast! 🎙️

This week, Suz and Bob Terzuola sit down with the hilarious and heartwarming Moody Molavi! 😂✨

Moody is a comedy contest winner and has a Dry Bar Special. Suz met Moody in Atlanta at the Honest Fox Comedy Shows. Moody immediately takes you in with his warmth and humor. He’s just plain funny. We were blessed to have him on the podcast. An Iranian immigrant that wound up in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

🔗 Get some "Mood Therapy" with Moody:
🌐 Website: moodymolavi.com
📱 Instagram: @moodymolavi

🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Patreon, Apple Music, iHeartRadio, and more!

📖 Learn how to Make a Knife with Bob in this 12-part series:
https://terzuola.net/product/a-sharp-life/

🌐 Visit terzuola.net for more about Bob’s legendary work:
https://terzuola.net/

📱 Follow us on Instagram:
@terzuola_design
@a_sharp_life
@eccentricsuz

🌐 Check out eccentricsuz.com for more content and stories from Suz:
https://eccentricsuz.com/

🔔 Subscribe and hit the notification bell for updates on future episodes!

#TheKnifeWifePodcast #MoodyMolavi #Comedy #DryBarComedy #SuzAndBobTerzuola #ListenNow

🎙️ Welcome to Episode 46 of TheKnifeWife Podcast! 🎙️

This week, Suz and Bob Terzuola sit down with Jessi Lloyd, a master craftswoman and the heart behind Grey Collective Hats. 🎩✨

Join us for this heartwarming story of Jessi Lloyd, a custom hatter from New Mexico. She is owner and creator of Grey Collective Hats. Her work is inspirational. Her road has not been easy. She made her first hat for her husband who had brain cancer. That developed into a full time business. We loved our time with this authentic soul. Jessi is a master craftswoman, mother, teacher, entrepreneur and so much more.

🔗 Follow & Support Jessi Lloyd:
📱 Instagram: @greycollectivehats
🌐 Website: greycollectivehats.com

🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Patreon, Apple Music, iHeartRadio, and more!

📖 Learn how to Make a Knife with Bob in this 12-part series:
https://terzuola.net/product/a-sharp-life/

🌐 Visit terzuola.net for more about Bob’s legendary work:
https://terzuola.net/

📱 Follow us on Instagram:
@terzuola_design
@a_sharp_life
@eccentricsuz

🌐 Check out eccentricsuz.com for more content and stories from Suz:
https://eccentricsuz.com/

🔔 Subscribe and hit the notification bell for updates on future episodes!

#TheKnifeWifePodcast #JessiLloyd #GreyCollectiveHats #CustomHats #Handcrafted #SuzAndBobTerzuola #ListenNow