"LAUGHS DO MATTER" and Chris Williams is a big part of making sure they happen in America's Finest City! 

Chris is an integral part of the San Diego comedy scene running mics and shows at Jacked Up Brewery in Escondido. Through the course of the pandemic he's produced shows outdoors at this local hot spot offering a "where everybody knows your name" vibe. 

Chris hosted 53 events last year and continues to grow his Comedy Collective known as WWC. This acronym is left up to interpretation but my fave is "WE WANT COMEDY!" His story of how he got into comedy is a tale to tune in for as it was something he never wanted to do, but The Dude upstairs works in mysterious ways! 

Lots of new projects to look forward to in 2021 such as "Submit Your Bit" and collaborations with meaningful causes like Suicide Prevention and Awareness. 

For FREE TICKETS to future shows, mics and events hop on Chris's mailing list or check out WWC! 

wwcComedy.com FREE TICKETS for public.

wwcComedy.com/mics

wwccomedy.com/suicide-awareness 

With Love and Grat, XO, LJ AKA Kosher Barbie

How are stand up comedians continuing to survive the pandemic?

San Diego Comic, Photographer, Poet and Professor, Brendan Praniewicz weighs in! I'll start by saying Happy Birthday to him! I've come to know Brendan from the local comedy scene and have gotten to work with him on many shows. He's a truly talented professional. He's unique in incorporating music into comedy sets, such a fun experience that really unifies a room. 

In the ep we chat about Brendan's many passions as he shares stories about occasions he's performed on the East Coast and road trips with his parents that were happening no matter what...Rain, shine OR COVID!  

Brendan is an award winning teacher and writer. He received 2nd place on the Del Mar Fair photo contest displaying his love for photography. He was a finalist in the National Comedy Competition and has opened for notable comedians, Erik Griffin, Jaime Kennedy, Ian Edwards, and Dat Phan.

Brendan has also been hosting an outdoor show in the front yard of his apartment community throughout the pandemic to keep comedy alive. Next show is February 6th! Message me if you're a San Diegan for info! 

You can catch Brendan at Cocina del Rancho in Rancho Santa Fe this Sunday at 5:30pm PST for some al fresco patio laughs! Again, message me for more info! 

Follow Brendan to check out his work and learn of more comedy shows: 

IG: @praniewicz

Photography: https://www.emergingphotographyawards.com/vote/2021/1/18/emerging-photography-awards-contender-brendan-praniewicz?fbclid=IwAR3juitvgjs5FBaPpNLyd41I2TIatUsju9rEouGhEge9ohLRjvGeFYE0hsM

With Love and Grat, XO, LJ AKA Kosher Barbie

This episode is dedicated to my cousin, Casey Dean Lane who passed away in 2019 and turned 38 in heaven this week. You are missed and loved, Casey. 

This EP is oozing with sweetness y'all! This man needs many introductions to acquaint you with all of his personalities! Meet seasoned Coach and Comedian, Iggy Lovesky! The Comedy Gods blessed me with his presence at a San Diego competition right before the Apocalypse. When entertainers could no longer perform LIVE we were forced to think outside the box. Iggy called me up shortly after we met to share a vision, "I'm thinking of starting a virtual comedy studio for women and calling it The Misfit Toys since the world is on lockdown "...and just like that something great was born.

Lockdown began the weekend of my birthday on March 14th. The next day I lost my job, a couple days later my monthly comedy show was canceled until further notice as were future shows. You can bet I was ALL IN and haven't looked back. Since last March the studio has grown from 5 to 30 women and counting from all over the US! The Misfit Toys Comedy Studio launched with the intention to create a safe environment for women to work on their craft.  Since it's conception, it's become more than just a place to work on comedy, but a sisterhood to lean on for support in a tough business that was ravaged by the pandemic. While the lights may have dimmed on live entertainment, The Misfit Toys are ready to hit the road as soon as clubs and venues can safely reopen again! 

To say Iggy wears many hats is an understatement...well for one, they're headbands, haha! Iggy is a chameleon no doubt with lots of roles and I'm grateful he's my friend. He shows Women in Comedy a side of themselves they didn't know they possessed. Even if it's by painful, challenging methods, he will get it out of you and there's beauty in the breakthrough baby! 

When Iggy's not working on his own craft and sharing his wisdom teaching female funnies, he dabbles in the Art world brokering one of a kind pieces while running an Eco Friendly Retreat in Baja Norte that can be found on AirBnB. Links below on how to get in touch with Iggy for comedy or how to stay at his majestic property in Mexico! 

IG @iggylovesky

@misfittoyscomedy

https://www.facebook.com/MisfitToysComedy/

Baja Off The Grid: Eco Retreat

https://www.bajaoffthegrid.com/

IG @bajaoffthegrid

With Love and Grat, XO LJ AKA Kosher Barbie

You know when you can take your social media so-called friendships and make them meaningful? It's possible! The universe will present it! Fresh Cake today with an old childhood chum who I'm pumped to have reconnected with in 2020 after almost 20 years! 

In this episode, just that is discussed. Removing toxic relationships from your life to allow room for healthy loving ones to come through or in this case, come back around! 

Meet Audrey Spiegel Welch, Mama, Licensed Esthetician and NVP at Arbonne.  Life can change unexpectedly in a moment. When Audrey and her husband, John found out they would be expecting a baby at the budding age of 20, everything changed of course! She yearned to find a "work from home" position and something she could do to bring in income that offered a flexible schedule while adjusting to being a new mama. 

Audrey says, "I was a baby having a baby!" Becoming a mother and running your own personal business simultaneously is no easy feat, but she makes it look easy!

Since knowing this lovely lady since high school its so fun to renew a friendship and catch up on funny memories of the past and see how one another has grown by coming together again. Audrey exudes light and optimism daily sharing easy, healthy tricks to feeling good and living well. 

Arbonne has some incredible products that take the chore out of healthy rituals! I'm loving these Energy Fizzes that make your H2O more exciting with a pop of fuel to give you a boost! 

Connect with Audrey below:

www.audreywelch.arbonne.com

IG: @audrey.welch

BELIEVE that YOU decide what you're worth.     BELIEVE that YOU can make a difference.

With Love and Grat, XO, LJ AKA Kosher Barbie

Who doesn't like to be mesmerized by mind blowing and boggling tricks that channel one's inner child like wonder?! Meet my friend, ultra talented Magician and Mentalist, Derek Ostovani, who is the Master of that! 

This week Wake and Cake grabs a magical chat with Derek who was recently faced with the request by San Diego's NBC 8 news team to perform his greatest trick: MAKING COVID 19 DISAPPEAR, LOL! 

Watch the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DWfT-FcMs0Y&fbclid=IwAR34lKZt0vu4SU2LZgBSAvxoXdmBZZTzDXphf3wf1NSmZVNJMBZgD8o7-MQ

While that's a stretch, Derek has found inspiring ways to beat the virus in order to keep performing, much like us comedians. We artists live to entertain and won't let that parish! Needless to say, he's been a trooper, staying positive and getting creative adapting to the constraints Covid has presented for live entertainment. 

Inside this episode Derek shares why he made the leap from being a Structural Engineer to pursue his fervor for Magic full time. After 16 years he's still at it coming up with new tricks from home, sometimes using his engineering background to think up and manufacture some of his own effects. 

Derek has traveled across the country and internationally to share his unique art of performance and sleight of hand skills specializing in providing high-end entertainment for all kinds of special events, occasions, and gatherings.

He uses a special blend of psychology, illusions, and witty humor to charm and amaze even the toughest crowd making each performance come alive with interactive enjoyment!  

I highly suggest booking Derek the Great for your next event! His craft translates beautifully online! Below are ways to get in touch and watch him in action! 

Website: www.MagicWithDerek.com

Email: [email protected] 

Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=derek+ostovani   

IG: https://www.instagram.com/derekostovani/

FB: https://www.facebook.com/ostovani

FB Fan Page: https://www.facebook.com/ostovanimagic

With Love and Grat, LJ AKA Kosher Barbie

Feliz Año Nuevo my sweet amigos! 

First day of a New Year with another chance to shift your perspective and turn things around. Today's guest was an unexpected surprise in my life this year. As rough and tough as 2020 was I am reflecting on the blessings and she's at the top of the list! You never know what or who you'll come in contact with when you take a leap of faith and have an adventure...even with so many things working against you: A Pandemic, Job and Home loss, Financial Trouble. All of these external forces that are heavy and can affect one's inner peace...

Meet Splendid Yoga's Creator and Guru Morgan Balavage. This woman is a constellation of so many offerings that one can experience, all that can empower others to find growth, healing and fulfillment. 

Something that stuck with me from Morgan's yoga guidance this morning was the metaphor that we, as humans, are "walking trees, putting down roots wherever we step and drawing nutrients from our present environment"  

Connect with Morgan in a plethora of ways: 

Instagram: @splendid.yoga

Website: www.splendid.yoga

Facebook Group: Facebook.Com/groups/splendidyoga

Podcast: splendid.yoga/mymy 

Get your daily dose of sugar and dive into this sweet episode! It's a doozy! 

Love and Grat, LJ AKA Kosher Barbie

"Runnin a special today...it's called the Christmas quickie!"  What Movie?!

Steel Magnolias for all my Dolly P fans out there. That reminds me...I still need a haircut!

How is everyone...REALLY?!

This week has been tough as shit for me, all I've wanted to do is eat sugary confections in bed with The Queen's Gambit, but I've managed to pull myself out of the solitary confinement and connect with those who care. This episode is for everyone as is every lil sugary segment on this pod, but let's be honest ITS NOT ALWAYS THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR. 

Please don't suffer in silence friends. If you are in pain, reach out to someone, because I can bet there are many someones who care about YOU.

Find me @kosherbarbiecomedy for Love and Laughs

For some healing?! Join my virtual online experience on Sundays via Zoom 4-5PM PST to breathe with me and release holiday angst and anxiety!

Contact me for Zoom info or just to say howdy: [email protected]

Sending you all lots of sweetness as always today and everyday

XO, Love and Grat, LJ AKA Kosher Barbie

Happy HAHAHAlidays y'all! This week Wake and Cake sits down with a good homey, local San Diego Show Runner and Comedian, Alex Peregrina.

Alex and I both come from the Service industry and when he's not on stage and producing shows he's hustling in America's Finest City's restaurant scene. Stage time and live shows are obviously scarce in 2020 so in this episode Alex discusses how he's spending this time incubating reading and writing in preparation for when we can safely perform again on a consistent basis.

Another way Alex keeps a clear head is by observing a clean and sober lifestyle for over two years now. He knows himself well when the going gets tough so instead of hitting the bottle he shrugs things off with a road trip or a good book.

Alex runs a successful show in the Gaslamp District of San Diego known as "Industry Comedy Night" which he recently took outdoors this year to a Rooftop Brewery before that sadly was shutdown too.  No doubt he's crafting a master plan to resurrect it in 2021. I can't wait to see what my amigo has in store for the Comedy World when we can get back to doing what we love and do best. 

You inspire me my friend! 

To learn more about Alex and to catch a show in the future follow him on IG @brainwashtheyouth

With Love and Grat, XO LJ AKA Kosher Barbie

What's up sweet souls? It's just ME this week...and ME is ENOUGH!

Back in San Diego experiencing the state of CA second official shutdown...at least til year end, we think??? Who knows...

I too felt like I mentally and physically shut down this week. Everyday activities and tasks like staying connected, working, my projects, exercising etc. ALL felt really hard these last few days. 

The best thing I can do is tell someone so here I am getting rigorously honest about not being ok. 

Feeling defeated just sucks, but there's always a way to turn things around. I can't hurry my journey or process, but why would I want to?! If I want to work cohesively with my HIGHER POWER, I have to accept life on life's terms and realize it's not MY time frame! I'm merely an actor in the play waiting for my Director to guide me one step at a time. There is PEACE in that for me.

Seeking some laughs? Just added the latest @MisfitToysComedy Show in Mexico to the channel! Enjoy at the link below and SUBSCRIBE! 

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOcKfwMrS8NEHFKT-3A7cVQ

Feel free to DM me @kosherbarbiecomedy or reach me at [email protected] 

Happy Continued Holidays Amigos!

CHAG SAMEACH and Shabbot Shalom to my fellow JEW CREW! 

Til next Friday, sending lots of sweetness into your weekend! 

With Love and Grat, LJ AKA Kosher Barbie 

A new beautiful Friday to LOVE and be LOVED!!! Happy Wake and Cake Day y'all! The holiday season in the world as we know it is likely looking a little different this year than it has in years prior for your traditions. If you didn't get to share a slice of pie with your family last week, enjoy a piece of cake today or any day you're able to press play with with me and my Soul Sister, mi Hermana Espiritu, Emily Lingvall.

I connected with this kindred spirit when I first got sober last year. Immediately I was drawn to her clarity, wisdom and views on life. Even though our belief systems regarding our higher powers differ, she had what I wanted. I yearned to learn from her. We quickly became friends, but then she took off on a cross country road trip to be with the love of her life and start a new one of her own on the East Coast.  She since came back to San Diego where we reconnected tangibly again. Bless the stars! 

Following this episode I drop Emily off at the airport so she could journey a second time to the East Coast to fight for the love she holds near and dear and oh so deeply in her heart. 

Another thing she preserves and protects is her TEN YEARS of Sobriety, which she credits as her greatest achievement when asked.

Emily says, “If I didn’t get sober and stay sober, I wasn't going to have a life to live at all” 

Emily often quotes Mother Teresa...well, I just quote her! I coin these hits of joy, "Lingvallisms".  

Fill your hearts with Emily's transparent tale as she shares her experience, strength and hope. 

Intense love doesn’t measure, it’s just GIVES- Mother Teresa 

Much Love and Grat, LJ AKA Kosher Barbie