Flyin’ Bob, aka Bob Palmer, lives in the greatest country on Earth: Canada (yay) and lives in Sylvan Lake. He was born in Nova Scotia and grew up in Saskatoon. He has performed as a guitar player in many rock bands, taught school, coached spring board diving and had a huge number of “real jobs” (none of which really took). He finally and luckily heard the call of the variety performer life and has never looked back…except to see what was stuck to his shoe…

For over 30 years, across Canada and 16 countries around the world, Bob Palmer has performed as a juggler, tightwire walker, comic, and musician in every venue imaginable. The street, stage, corporations, national television shows and festivals in Europe, Japan, Singapore, Australia, Korea, Israel, Egypt, and the US have all experienced Flyin’ Bob’s unique brand of comedy and physical theatre. He has toured extensively through the Alberta, Saskatchewan, and BC School systems, and has performed at many outdoor and corporate events throughout Canada. He also teaches Circus Skills at Schools and circus camps around the country.

Kevin Rempel was a member of the 2013 Sledge Hockey World Champion with team Canada and a member of team Canada's Sledge Hockey Team that won Bronze at the 2014Paralympics in Sochi, Russia in addition hw is the author of an autobiographical book titled Still Standing: When You Have Every Reason To Give Up, Keep Going which is available on Amazon in addition Kevin is the creator of the Resilience Toolbox for Mental Health. He can be booked for public speaking engagements via his website www.kevinrempel.com there you will also be able to read his blog.  I want to give a special thank you to Kevin for joining me and sharing stories about his journey as athlete as an advocate for people with disabilities and for mental health awareness. I am grateful that he took the time to speak with me. Thank you for taking the time to listen to the episode.

please consider leaving a review of the podcast wherever you are listening to it.

There is a video version of The Inspiring Brains Podcast on my YouTube Chnnel "Niek Theelen" under the "Inspiring Brains Podcast" tab.

Lisa Baker has been performing standup for 13 years

She is the winner of Edmonton's Funniest Comic with a Day Job contest in 2016. She has been a part of theatre tours across Western Canada and Newfoundland. She has performed with Canadian comedy icons Darren Frost, Kenny Robinson and Mike MacDonald as well as Tom Green and Rob Schnieder. You can follow Lisa on social media Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and you can also catch Lisa on Outhouse TV or on CBC's The Debaters.

This conversation is one that was recorded in March of 2020 in the very early stages of the Covid-19 pandemic. Mark Debonis is a Canadian Comic who has been doing comedy for 12 years starting out in 2009 and putting all his energy into standup which lead him to winning a Canadian Comedy Award for best Newcomer followed by 2011 Great Canadian Laugh off winner and a Sirius XM's Next top Comic Finalist. Mark shared some great insight about his start in Comedy and gives unique insight into the Green card process and some of the major differences between Comedy in Canada and the US. I believe he provides a lot of great insight into standup for comics and promoters regardless of experience. Mark is also an actor  he was in the Film "Picture Day" which gave him the opportunity to walk the red carpet at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF).  

This is episode 48 of the Inspiring Brains Podcast with Niek Theelen. This episodes guest is Ryan Niemiller. Ryan is a standup comedian who took part in America's Got Talent season 14 and placed 3rd. He has 14 years of experience in the industry. I had a great time chatting with him about his journey to becoming the comic he is today As well as chatting with him about his love of wrestling, video games and about his memories as a kid growing up in a trailer park. If you have not already go watch his standup on YouTube and follow him on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram @cripplethreat8 there you will also find his upcoming tour dates. Ryan is a super nice guy, I am grateful that he took the time to chat with me and for his help and advice through my own personal journey as a standup comedian myself. Thank you for watching my videos please consider liking and subscribing.

I had been meaning to release this episode earlier but life got busy so I am releasing it now. I was extremely thankful to have a discussion with DK Anokye who is a good friend of mine and a teacher at a school on the Tsuut'ina Nation reserve in Calgary Alberta. In this discussion not only did I learn about the lessons and discussions he has had with his students about creating a safe space for them to talk and ask questions about their experiences as Native students growing up in Alberta but I also heard a lot about what DK heard from his students that he learned from them about their native culture as well as him teaching his students about his experiences growing up as a black man in Alberta. Not only that but I was able to get some very valuable insight into the types of issues DK has faced in Alberta over the last 11 years and the issues he faced growing up in Toronto Ontario and the differences between the 2 cities. 

In addition we discussed what can be done to ensure that changes are made so this is not just another event in history or a daily story on the news and I personally felt that DK would be a great person to offer insight into how we can adjust our current education system to better educate younger generations about equality and race. We both agree that discussions like the one we had are a great way to open dialogue and educate others and educating and informing is my primary goal with this episode. There are things I learned during this discussion that I did not know about previously that opened my eyes and caused me to look inward into what kind of changes I can make in my life and if a few more people listen to our discussion on this episode and learn a thing or two then we can start to create a more diverse and accepting society and one that is equal for all races and cultures.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

I want to extend a HUGE thank you to DK Anokye for his time and sharing his personal stories. I wish you and your family happiness and success moving forward and am grateful for our discussion . THANK YOU!

Happy Canada Day, everyone, I had the opportunity to speak with Canadian comedy legend John Wing a few days ago. John recently celebrated 40 years of performing standup the opportunity to speak with him and get advice from him was an honor. For those who don't know here's brief overview of just some of John Wing's  Accomplishments.

John Wing began in Toronto and moved to Los Angeles in 1988. He has performed on “The Tonight Show” six times and at the Montreal Just For Laughs Comedy Festival nine times. A regular performer on Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruise Lines, John has traveled the length and breadth of the North American continent, working in 36 states and 10 Canadian Provinces. Most recently he almost made it to the final ten contestants on America’s Got talent. He can be heard regularly on CBC’s the Debaters and is a regular contributor to Definitely Not The Opera.  John recently celebrated 40 years in the comedy business and has recently started a podcast called "The Bad Piano player where he reviews music from the 1900's to the 1960's which is available on all major streaming platforms.

I know the audio is not the best but i really enjoyed the conversation. I really gained a lot of insight into his career and got a lot of great advice from someone who is very respected in the industry. Most of all I appreciate Mr.Wing for taking the time to connect with. It means a lot to me for him to take the time to take an interest in my questions even though I am a relatively new comedian. The next time John is in Alberta I will definitely purchase a ticket just for the opportunity to watch him work.

Andrew got his start in stand-up comedy in 1997 as a dare at the Yuk Yuk’s in Windsor, Ontario. Much to his surprise, it was an annual contest searching for the greatest Canadian amateur. And although he did not win, his stand-up routine won him second place.

Since then, he has entertained audiences from Florida to B.C. Andrew is also an accomplished sketch writer and performer as well as an actor both on stage and on the silver screen.

As a professional touring comic, Andrew has performed twice at the Just for Laughs festival and has appeared at the Boston Comedy festival. His material has been heard on countless radio morning shows, XM radio as well as on CBC.

Andrew most recently was featured on CBC television in a stand-up comedy showcase, “The New West”.

Andrew is also very passionate about food and wine, becoming a sommelier in 2008. Andrew has released two albums including "Warning Canadian Content" in 2017 and "Guns N Yoga in 2019.

Along with producing Comedy Monday Night at Broken City in Downtown Calgary which just celebrated its 15th year on April,20,2020 James is also a well established and respected comedian he is a 2 time Great Canadian Laugh of Finalist and a 5 time Invitation only Just For Laughs showcase comedian. He is a road warrior who's adventures have seen him travel Canada from Coast to Coast, The USA and Asia. Thank you for taking the time to be on the show James. Here's to many more great years of Comedy Monday Night!

A veteran in the country music industry with a career spanning over 15 years, Clayton Bellamy is a true renaissance man; award winning musician, family man and even Motorcross racing star, once ranking 4th in Canada. Originally from rural Bonnyville, Alberta, he is surely no stranger to the world of country music with a career filled with accolades and achievements including multiple awards (such as a Juno for Best Country Recording, a five time Canadian Country Music Award winner, and SOCAN Songwriter of the Year). Bellamy has dominated the stage performing at the Grand Old Opry and even for President Carter, and is best known for his rock n' country style, reflected in both his music and fashion sense (with a little inspiration from Marlon Brando's Wild Ones). He is an artist who believes actions speak louder than words, a statement which holds true throughout his successful career as both a solo artist and notably, a member of the award-winning band The Road Hammers.

The Road Hammers

www.theroadhammers.com

Clayton Bellamy & The Congregation

www.congregationmusic.com

All music is available on Itunes Spotify and wherever you buy/stream your music.

All songs are used with permission