We're Just Figuring It Out

Lisa Evanson knows how to hustle. She's the first female comic to win Acme's Funniest Person Contest. Fresh on the acting scene, Lisa has already received an award for Best Actress from the 48 Hour Film Festival for her leading role in the short film "Serious Business." While achieving these feats and many more, Lisa works in big ol' corporate America as a Digital Marketer, on advertising campaigns for McDonald’s, Subaru, Coke, and Pepsi.

How does Lisa receive so many opportunities, and once she's got 'em, how does she manage the hefty workload? We figure out the balance in Lisa's absurdly busy life, her growth through networking, and most importantly, we hammer in the power of saying yes - and no.

Zach Ashton is a Minneapolis-based stand-up comedian and Jesus impersonator (he used to be an atheist, but now he's open to other options). Within the first 10 minutes, we finally figure out my confusion over whether stand-up comedy is an addiction or not, we talk anxiety, recognize that life is difficult, and have a whole lotta fun. Join us for the ride. 

Bill Moran is a designer, typographer, fine artist, and a walking buffet of wisdom (like if Golden Corral was made out of real gold). I got Bill on my podcast because I don’t think I truly understood what it meant to love what you do until I began working with him. He's put in the work to get to where he is today, and I'm happy to share how we figure out creating a career you love, why Bill turned down designing Prince’s gold album, and what it means to side hustle with purpose.

Devin Cook is a Minneapolis-based stand-up comedian, pro wrestler and bassist/vocalist within his band, Mr Rogers & the Make Believe Friends. Somehow Devin manages to do all this, all while contemplating why he is alive. In this episode we talk about feeling sticky, itchy, uncomfortable with this existence, say it how you will. There is not a happy ending, but there is a slight resolution. Enjoy.

Lauren Rice is a Minneapolis-based Stand Up Comedian, and a wise ol’ adult who has managed to understand and learn from child Lauren, who was kidnapped and kept in Europe after her mother read Eat, Pray, Love. Fun stuff! Learn with us.

In 2018, 19-year-old Aidan McCluskey was the youngest person to ever win Acme's Funniest Person Contest. Later in 2018, that same 19-year-old Aidan spent a month in Ukraine with someone he didn't love anymore while his health deteriorated. Heavy shit, but trauma is learning and Aidan sure has a wisdom cocktail that I am glad to be sipping. I begin this episode looking for the root of Aidan's "the rules don't apply to me" mobster esque attitude, but by the end, I think what I really learned is to appreciate the journey of being alone and confused. 

Ahmed Khalaf is a Minneapolis-based stand-up comedian and self-titled "Big Brain." In all truth, Ahmed is at the top of the Minneapolis scene, slings jokes like it's in his DNA, and will tell you exactly how it is whether you want it or not. We dive into a bit of Ahmed's background that has made him the Big Brain he is today, and when I ask for advice on imposter syndrome, I realize the real problem is I'm being a bitch. 

Dear friend Alex Church is moving away, but I'm a special lady, so I got to talk to the marvelous man before he set off on his newest adventure. Alex and I talk about finding your path in college, the fear of being stuck, avoiding comfortability, and he tells a stinky sex story. Again, I ask for patience with interview skills and audio quality, I'm learning!