Talha Usman is a comedian based in Austin, Texas. He was nice enough to stop by to make his podcasting debut and to discuss stand-up and show business.

Talha Usman on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talha15/

Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w04gXLkwjYE

I'm doing my best to train my brain to get its reward from the work itself, rather than the admiration that comes from it. That is probably for the best, since most of my work is not admirable. I'm happy with the progress I'm making on this podcast in terms of self-improvement, but I'm still having a hard time avoiding public embarrassment.

Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQJ34zW5pAU

How the heck you gonna expect anyone else to be your fan if you aren't even a fan of yourself? That's the main subject of this episode. Motivation to be an artist has to come from within. You have to believe what you are doing is fantastic, and maybe then other people will like it too. If you don't get enjoyment out of making the art, you can't be too surprised if other people don't enjoy it, either.

Full episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Izt8XrHEkjM

Thai Rivera is absolute Best LGBTQ Comedian in the World. He was kind enough to join me in my studio to talk about the benefits of working out, dog ownership, being your true self on stage, Milo Yiannopoulos, and a few other hot button issues. I was honored to have him as a guest.

Thai Rivera on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/thairivera

Full episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZWTpWqCGCY

My guest this week and I have a tense conversation about his opinions on my personality and behavior. Michael and I have a complicated relationship. I have empathy for him, and we get along at times. This was not one of those times.

Full episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KhZPA_29i3I

Michael Malamud and I work out the kinks in our podcasting relationship and discuss ADHD and medication, neurodivergence, and the pain of not getting things you think you deserve. It was a colorful episode where we look underneath the microscope at each other's psychology and way of thinking.

Full episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KhZPA_29i3I

Michael Malamud joins me as my first guest in a long time to create synergistic podcasting magic. I met Michael in Chicago many years ago in the stand-up scene and we have a lot in common. We've recorded a lot of podcasts in the past years, but not all of them have been released. This is one of the rare episodes that shall be released to the masses. I was on his podcast as Timmy Gusto recently, which is called Unsettling in with Michael Malamud.

Michael's podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/048rwjyTt1wjyC5oiCTg3p

Full episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJQ0uvbM6zk

I've decided to stop being a fake person on this episode and it was the hardest thing I've ever tried to do on this podcast. I'm more comfortable wearing a mask, both literally and figurately, even if it's the one Ye wears, because even that is better than being myself. I'm going through a very difficult period in my life mentally. I've stopped using some of my dopaminergic vices and this is forcing me to face my true demons. I have no choice but to improve from here, one day at a time.

Full episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=If8FSUhjpgI

I finally decided to visit Chicago after moving to Texas a year and a half ago. I was reluctant because there are not too many things I missed about that place. It has a very cold climate this time of the year, and the politics of the people who live there are very skewed from reality. But I was pleasantly surprised by the warmth I felt from the comedians there who remembered me. I was offered spots on many shows, and I delivered on most of them. My comedy is not for everyone, so it takes a lot of commitment to sell it. I hope to visit again in a couple of years.

Full episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7OPgbXjavjk

I can complain for hours about how I don't like talking to disrespectful mentally ill people who refuse to take their meds. This time I kept it to around an hour of that. I also complain about women, ala Kevin Samuels, and talk about how even while on mushrooms, I'm still an a-hole. They just make me lean into it even more.

Full episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6liDkkwTTpM