Growing up Marc Gerber (Avid Indoorsman) was Long Island’s Ferris Buehler with weed.   Though he was bright- Marc found himself dropping out of high school and floundering for a couple of years.  When Marc finally got it together he obtained his GED and with one academic success after another Marc earned his PhD in psychology.   Marc joins Vox Celeste and tells us how he went GED to PhD while telling jokes in between. 

Recorded on 3/4/2020 at the Comic Strip Live 

Half-Nigerian, Half Kenyan, 100% Texan.  The middle daughter of African immigrants, Eke was not like her girly-girl sisters.  Wanjiku talks  about Austin Queer Culture and that time at that nightclub in Nairobi.

Recorded at the Comic Strip Live

Music: “Burn it Down” Mat Da Godfatha 

DF Sweedler started working at the Comic Strip the second day it opened in 1976: Jimmy Carter was president, Russia was communist and “Rocky” was number one in the box office. Sweedler has taught and performed with some  of the biggest names in comedy.  And while he may not be a household name- to countless comedians he is The Godfather. 

Recorded at the Comic Strip Live

Music: “Burn it Down” Mat Da Godfatha

Brian Scott McFadden (Letterman) is known as the “The Father of Modern Comedy.”  The son of an accomplished stand-up comedian, Brian never entertained the idea of being anything but a comedian himself.  His self-deprecating, cynical brand of humor makes him one of the best comics in the business.  Brian joins Vox Celeste discussing his love of Richard Pryor and the one time his father gave him props. 

Daniel Perafan grew up in Queens with an undocumented single mother and grandmother living pillar to post.   On his childhood “I wished I was American poor.” 

Recorded: Comic Strip Live

Music “Burn it Down.” Mat Da Godfatha

If Adam and Todd Stone (Going Both Ways) were superheroes they would be the Comedic Wonder Twins, they couldn’t be closer if they were conjoined.  The Stone Brothers join Vox Celeste to talk about their viral web series, “Going Both Ways” inspired by their lives: Todd’s coming out and Adam’s life as a suburban dad of three.

Recorded: Comic Strip Live

Music “Burn it Down.” Mat Da Godfatha

Growing up as an only child to a single mother in Ann Arbor, self-described blerd, Brandon

Collins (Drunk Black History)  had no idea who his father was until a chance encounter in a supermarket. 

Recorded: Comic Strip Live

Music “Burn it Down.” Mat Da Godfatha

Prince Arkiem comes through talking politics.  Who is going to win this ultimate cage fight/clown car known as the Democratic primaries?  We talk about Harlem in the ‘80’s and the Crime Bill’s impact and Bloomberg’s New York.   

Recorded: Comic Strip Live Studios

Music “Burn it Down.” Mat Da Godfatha

God watches over babies, fools and Kyle Pennant (Hype School).  With less than just three credits to go- Kyle dropped out of the University of Missouri because  he “didn’t want anything to fall back on” in his pursuit of stand-up comedy.  His balls to the walls approach has paid off because everything works out for Kyle. 

Ferris Butler- sounds a lot like Ferris Bueller. Because Ferris Bueller is Ferris Butler.  Meet the inspiration behind one of the most iconic films of a generation.  Ferris Butler joins Vox Celeste to discuss his trailblazing sketch comedy show “Meat Street News” to writing for a young Eddie Murphy on SNL.