LONG time friend of The Blackout Diaries, John Leadley, tells a story about the time he and his friends bought a bar off a guy in jail and how that bar was saved when gay people started drinking there. John Leadley is a comedian and bartender and one of the first ever performers at our life show. He joins CJ and Sean in the studio to talk about what it was like to own a bar in college, along what its like to own a bar now-a-days. CJ and Sean then talk about Chicago and LA gay bars , including the hilarious union demands that were made at one Chicago club.

Professional gambler and all around good-time Kevin Meeusen tells a few drinking stories at our live show about how the Internet has made gambling too well-documented and therefore too embarrassing. Kev calls in from his bunker in Vegas to talk gambling with CJ and Sean. We talk about how seemingly unethical all modern gambling commercials are, how alcohol effects gambling (both good and bad.. and, we hate to break it to you, its mostly bad) plus some famous court cases where drunks sued casinos for their losses.

Comedian Claire Sundbye performs at our live show, telling three of the most questionable decisions she made while drunk. They range from falling in love with a stripper to picking fights online with an internet troll. Claire joins CJ and Sean in the studio and we talk about how hard it is to interact online, sober or drunk, but particularly drunk. This leads to a topic about how dangerous the modern internet has become -- with everything from your bank to job connected -- when drunk. CJ and Sean talk about apps that are designed to prevent you from using the internet while drunk, along with some studies about how much money we waste online when drunk shopping and why modern AI can identify drunk people online very quickly.

Chicago legend Robert Hines, one of our favorite standups, tells a story about the time in high school when his New Year's Eve date with a woman who did not want fool around went south and ended with her attacking him. Robert's big-hearted brother drove his date home. Robert joins CJ and Sean in the studio to share more details on the story along with some other hilarious, family stories. We also talk about Robert's legendary youtube character, Jones Big Ass Storage and Good Ass BBQ. Robert details how he's been shafted on the royalties for those videos and is looking for legal help so he can re-claim his comedy creation. Please go to Robert's go fund me (link below) to help him in that battle if you have extra money. Finally, CJ and Sean discuss more NYE topics, including the science behind why we birds have even worse hangovers than us. Robert's go fund me: https://www.gofundme.com/f/Robert-L-Hines-legal-fund?member=26762561&sharetype=teams&utm_campaign=p_na+share-sheet&utm_medium=sms&utm_source=customer

Comedian (and reformed lawyer) Paul Farahvar tells the story about how his highschool experience all changed for the better, nay the flawless, after he received his old brother's drivers license and was able to buy beer at any liquor store. Paul details how they always went to the same liquor store and quickly became that owner's favorite customers but, unfortunately, the owner believed Paul was his old brother, i.e. in med school and capable of giving doctorly advice. Paul joins CJ and Sean in the studio to talk fake IDs and what it was like for Paul to start standup comedy while still being a practicing trial lawyer. This leads to a discussion on lawyers and, in particular shady DUI lawyers- a favorite industry for The Blackout Diaries. CJ and Sean share some stories about their own experiences with shady lawyers plus share some news stories about lawyers so shady they made world news.

Comedian Abi Sanchez rejoins the Blackout Diaries and tells the story of the time he hooked up with a hoarder. Abi shares how he started to recognize the signs that this woman's apartment might not be normal well before he entered it and saw the chaos. This leads to a theme of 'messiness'. CJ, Sean and Abi share messy drinking stories- times they found themselves covered in dirt or trash while drinking. We also share some science on why some people keep messy places than others and how it might be a strength.

Comedian Lindsey Shaw tells the story of ending up at Clark's Diner after last call and hiring a beggar to protect her from some angry drunk customer. Lindsey, CJ and Sean share some stories about how crazy Clark's Diner was and how none of the current places seem to match that chaos. Lindsey shares how her protector, who had no shoes on, just got out of jail and this leads to a conversation about spending time in jail. We share stories about local judges who assign creative punishments rather than forcing people to spend time in jail and share a few personal stories about getting out of (or in) jail.

Comedian Brian Dejka tells the story about how after 30 years of hard drinking and dangerous living, he gets sober and ends up totaling his car into a school bus on day 90 of his sobriety. Brian also jokes about how he timed his sobriety terribly, choosing to stop drinking right before COVID hit. Brian joins CJ and Sean in the studio and talks about what its like to work for the city of Chicago in waste management, plus what its like to be sober in Chicago. This leads to a wider discussion on Sober-October and other sober-curious trends. CJ and Sean talk about the growing worth of non alcoholic breweries and how young people are reporting to drink much less than previous generations.

One of our favorite comedians and drinking buddies, Mike Burns, joins us in the studio to share some drinking stories from his home state of Michigan. Mike talks about his past, self-destructive habit of insisting he never leave a bar voluntarily and, instead, insisted on being thrown out. He, CJ and Sean try to recall the time Burns snuck back into a bar in a disguise after being thrown out. This leads to a conversation on how Michigan drinks much more than people realize, including how they laughed about their attorney general passing out at a college football game. Sean and CJ both share some stories about performing in MI venues and how drunk the crowds were, particularly in the UP.

Check out Mike's hilarious twitter alter ego, Dad Boner, plus his podcast Power Moves. Mike additionally cohosts the fun and hilarious podcast, Monday Night Beers with Vince Averill.

Comedian Jared Logan talks about how condescending wait staff at a brewery can be about beer- recorded from his live album. Jared then joins CJ and Sean in the studio and we talk breweries and beer, including how and why Jared stoped drinking during lockdown. Jared talks about how most drugs effect him poorly, except for food, which he has always loved. We talk about the best spots to pick for late night food along with the best fast food chain restaurants. CJ and Sean dive more into the brewery theme, sharing how much money craft breweries now contribute to the US economy, which is great, but how it all comes at a cost- namely the names and labeling of their beers are insufferable. We discuss some of the worst flavors and worst labels. Sean talks about what the new Guinness craft brewery is like in Chicago too.

Check out Jared's show on The Glass Cannon Network.