What You Don't Hear

Rochelle Collins ( @therochellecollins ) is a Stand-Up Comedian based in Columbus, Ohio

In this episode, I sit down with Comedian and all around funny person Rochelle Collins — a Columbus-based comic whose roots in farm life might of taught her a thing or two that now fuels her creative world. But listen we don't talk about farming much in this one honestly, but what we do talk about is her journey from discovering comedy early on to hitting the stage for the first time at an open mic, and what she's learned along the way performing now countless shows. Rochelle's all over the place in the Columbus comedy scene. Throughout this conversation she also shares a refreshing perspective honestly on just creating and doing comedy for the love of it and how she's had clarity on that from the start, we also talk balancing a comedy career with a day job, gatekeeping in creative worlds, and why chasing joy — not fame — is the real win for her.

We also dive into her writing process, how she approaches joke-building as she teaches me a thing or two along the way, how one gets involved in comedy in general with plenty of good starter tips, and the biggest lessons she's learned over the years of doing things simply because they sound fun to do + tons more!

-----THIS EPISODE IS SPONSORED BY

PromoWest Productions - @promowestlive For all upcoming shows & event info of who's coming through Columbus, OH, visit promowestlive.com or to purchase tickets directly, visit AXS.com

River & Rich - @riverandrich Located in the Franklinton Arts District of Columbus, OH, River & Rich brings together quality apartments, desirable amenities, and a vibrant artistic community. They offer guided and self-guided tours, so go view an apartment anytime! Visit their website at liveriverandrich.com - Use the code 'WYDHPOD' for up to HALF OFF your admin fee!

Adam Little (@alilshow) a sketch Comedian, Writer & Filmmaker from Columbus, Ohio.

In this episode, it's a RETURN guest from a few years back, it's Adam Little back on the show for a fun catch up conversation since his last time on the show, back in 2021 and as you could guess, a lot has changed.

We talk a lot about his changed perspectives on content creation and his social media presence now and how it's evolved from years ago when, at that time, he was pretty actively pursuing the creation of sketches and his personal brand at that time. Now he's got plans and goals that expand outside of the cycle of creating just for social and more for the actual joy of it. We talk filmmaking plans and other ideas in general, the difficulty of ambition coming and going in waves, learning to let your authentic wants and needs guide you, and a lot of talk about finding personal comfort and understanding of what we truly want and not always feeling like we have to be "on" – simply giving ourselves space and time to navigate the waves of life. It's all that and a lot more for a really fun return conversation!

----THIS EPISODE SPONSORED BY:

Promo West Productions - For all upcoming shows & event info of who's coming through Columbus, OH, visit promowestlive.com or to purchase tickets directly, visit AXS.com

River & Rich - Located in the Franklinton Arts District of Columbus, OH, River & Rich brings together quality apartments, desirable amenities, and a vibrant artistic community. They offer guided and self-guided tours, so go view an apartment anytime! Visit their website at liveriverandrich.com - Use the code 'WYDHPOD' for up to HALF OFF your admin fee! #podcast #comedian #creativejourney

In this episode, I catch up with Corey Mouch, musician from the band @Southcourt (formerly 90s' Kids), and we talk all about what it's like being a musician chasing the dream of music in this one, the highs and lows of chasing a dream in general, and how he's learned to create just for the love of it. I've gotta say, as I always do, these episodes, stories and perspectives are always in my opinion, good for anyone of any background to hear, but I'll double down on saying that this episode is a GREAT one to listen to if you're a musician. Creator of any kind yes, but for sure if you're involved in the world of music.

He shares how it all started with asking for a guitar as a kid, jamming in friends' basements, and accidentally becoming the singer of his first band. Corey later opens up about balancing his music with a day job, what it's really like to "almost" make it (a couple times over), and the kind of perspective that comes with doing this for seven years with the same group of guys.

We talk about the band's move from Columbus to Nashville, their name change, learning how to play the social media game, and why letting go of chasing what's popular can lead to better, more honest music. It's Cory's story yes, but it's honestly far more of a conversation about staying passionate, staying honest with yourself, staying the course, and remembering why you started it all in the first place. Corey was a great interview, great storyteller and shared in an honest way that I think will land with a lot of you!

-----THIS EPISODE IS SPONSORED BY:

PromoWest Productions - @promowestlive

For all upcoming shows & event info of who's coming through Columbus, OH, visit promowestlive.com or to purchase tickets directly, visit AXS.com

River & Rich - @riverandrich

Located in the Franklinton Arts District of Columbus, OH, River & Rich brings together quality apartments, desirable amenities, and a vibrant artistic community. They offer guided and self-guided tours, so go view an apartment anytime! Visit their website at liveriverandrich.com - Use the code 'WYDHPOD' for up to HALF OFF your admin fee!

This week on I'm joined by Angela Petro, the founder of Sweet Carrot and catering company Together & Co., and simply someone with a lot of stories, laughs, and insight to share!

In this conversation, Angela shares a ton of wisdom, and also a little judgment, mostly for the fact that I've never worked a serving job and haven't watched enough Ted Lasso...(This is fair.)

We get into how she built Sweet Carrot from a food truck, to one physical location to three…and why she eventually brought it back down to one. We talk about the reality of running businesses in the hospitality world, how the pandemic changed everything, and how her first catering gig was…of all things, a funeral! Angela also shares how living in Germany helped her discover her love for hospitality, the differences in how other countries view service work, and how Columbus has its own food culture and challenges. We dig into creative burnout, figuring out if you're more of a visionary or an implementor, and what it's like for our goals to change shape and navigating the change.

Angela's now doing some amazing work in leadership development, and we also chat about what's next as she gears up for a Sweet Carrot relaunch. It's a good one, especially if you've ever worked in food service, tried to build something from scratch, or just love a good story!

WATCH ON YOUTUBE

----THIS EPISODE IS SPONSORED BY----

PromoWest Productions - @promowestlive

For all upcoming shows & event info of who's coming through Columbus, OH, visit promowestlive.com or to purchase tickets directly, visit AXS.com

River & Rich - @riverandrich

Located in the Franklinton Arts District of Columbus, OH, River & Rich brings together quality apartments, desirable amenities, and a vibrant artistic community. They offer guided and self-guided tours, so go view an apartment anytime! Visit their website at liveriverandrich.com - Use the code 'WYDHPOD' for up to HALF OFF your admin fee!

Makers Social - @makers.social

Maker's Social is a DIY Project Bar located in the Franklinton Arts District of Columbus, OH! To book a reservation, go to makerscolumbus.com enter "WYDH" in the notes of your checkout for $10 off!

Newark Station - @newarkstation

Newark Station is a reimagined warehouse turned creative hub, home to Earthworks Café, live music, local art, and The Yard: a seasonal outdoor space with a jumbotron, pavilion, sand volleyball, and more. With lofts, art studios, and a rooftop drafthouse on the way, they're building Newark, Ohio's new go-to spot for coffee, culture, and community!

This week I sit down with Aly Moore (@aaprilshowers) , Brand Manager for Goodland Brand and the force behind GOOD Market Cbus, two community-driven projects based right here in the heart of the Franklinton Arts District of Columbus, OH.

We get into how Aly first got involved with Goodland, how her role naturally grew through a genuine love for the brand and its mission, and what it means to her to help create space for small businesses, artists, and the community. We talk about her work on the Franklinton board, the importance of keeping the neighborhood grounded in its creative roots, and how she's navigating the changes (both good and challenging) that come with growth in the area. Aly also shares the origin story behind GOOD Market, a full-block event that brings together local makers, vendors, and the community for a day of connection, creativity, and good vibes. This episode is full of insight on what it really takes to build something meaningful, and how staying true to your "why" can play part in shaping an entire neighborhood.

-----THIS EPISODE IS SPONSORED BY:

PromoWest Productions - @promowestlive For all upcoming shows & event info of who's coming through Columbus, OH, visit promowestlive.com or to purchase tickets directly, visit AXS.com

River & Rich - @riverandrich Located in the Franklinton Arts District of Columbus, OH, River & Rich brings together quality apartments, desirable amenities, and a vibrant artistic community. They offer guided and self-guided tours, so go view an apartment anytime! Visit their website at liveriverandrich.com - Use the code 'WYDHPOD' for up to HALF OFF your admin fee!

Makers Social - @makers.social Maker's Social is a DIY Project Bar located in the Franklinton Arts District of Columbus, OH! To book a reservation, go to makerscolumbus.com and enter "WYDH" in the notes of your checkout for $10 off!

In this episode, I sit down with Jesse Vogel, a passionate advocate for housing rights and a current candidate for Columbus City Council, here in Columbus Ohio. Jesse shares his journey from studying law at Ohio State to organizing housing initiatives during the pandemic, and now running a grassroots campaign focused on housing stability, community connection, and meaningful change. He dives into what it's like knocking on thousands of doors, building trust with voters, and why protecting tenants' rights is so crucial for Columbus' future. Jesse also reflects on where his drive for community work began and the personal stories that fuel his mission today. If you're curious about how someone gets started in local politics, community activism, or just love hearing from people working hard to make a difference, this is an episode you don't want to miss!

THIS EPISODE IS SPONSORED BY:

PromoWest Productions - @promowestlive - For all upcoming shows & event info of who's coming through Columbus, OH, visit promowestlive.com or to purchase tickets directly, visit AXS.com

River & Rich - @riverandrich - Located in the Franklinton Arts District of Columbus, OH, River & Rich brings together quality apartments, desirable amenities, and a vibrant artistic community. They offer guided and self-guided tours, so go view an apartment anytime! Visit their website at liveriverandrich.com - Use the code 'WYDHPOD' for up to HALF OFF your admin fee!

Nick Giumenti (@nickgiumenti) joins me this week for a wide-ranging, honest, and reflective conversation about the journey of My Ticket Home, the band's recent return, and what really happened to the long-lost MTH album. We dig into the early grind of being underage on tour, the evolution of the music industry and evevoling relationship with it, better defining what we want and don't want in life, the evolution of MTH's sound, the cult-like-following "Strangers Only" gained over time, the difference in sound between that and their follow up "unReal", how the band found itself taking a break, and what it's like trying to define success as a creative today.

Nick opens up about the personal growth that came during the band's hiatus, how his side project Headcave came to be, and what keeps us both creatively motivated in a world that doesn't always instantly reward risk or authenticity. From skipping high school graduation to play a concert, to rediscovering why making music still matters, recorded just days after MTH's return show in Columbus, OH, this one's full of life lessons, music industry talk, and finding that creative fire!

Wanna watch this episode on Youtube? TAP HERE

---THIS EPISODE IS SPONSORED BY---

PromoWest Productions - @promowestlive

For all upcoming shows & event info of who's coming through Columbus, OH, visit promowestlive.com or to purchase tickets directly, visit AXS.com

River & Rich - @riverandrich

Located in the Franklinton Arts District of Columbus, OH, River & Rich brings together quality apartments, desirable amenities, and a vibrant artistic community. They offer guided and self-guided tours, so go view an apartment anytime! Visit their website at liveriverandrich.com - Use the code 'WYDHPOD' for up to HALF OFF your admin fee!

Tara Defrancisco (@taradefrancisco) is the Founder of The Nest Theatre & an Actor as well as Improv Comedian with her show 'HERE: The (Improvised) Musical'.

Tara's a seasoned vet in the world of improv comedy, along with her worldwide traveling show "HERE The Improvised Musical", and lately, she's become your resident positive pep-talker over on instagram and TikTok. There's a real good chance you've seen one of her videos shared on social. If you're into comedy, creative spaces, or just want a dose of genuine inspiration, this one's for you!

Tara shares her journey from finding her love for improv, really getting started with comedy in Chicago to performing all over the world, and how that led to building a home for improv right here in Columbus with The Nest. Within that we cover the unique magic of improv, the way it only exists in the moment, how it teaches people to trust themselves, and why even the "bad" shows have value. We also dive into the importance of community, why people aren't connecting with their neighbors like they used to, practices to get better at staying connected with friends in a fast-paced world, and building inclusive creative spaces for communities.

And of course, we get into some deeper conversations about defining success in the arts. Tara reminds us that there's no single path, whether you're doing something professionally or just for the love of it, the journey is valid!

This episode has plenty of those "oh wow, I needed to hear that" moments. Whether you're a performer, a creative, or just someone looking for more connection in your life, Tara's story and perspective is one you don't want to miss!

---THIS EPISODE IS SPONSORED BY---

PromoWest Productions - @promowestlive

For all upcoming shows & event info of who's coming through Columbus, OH, visit promowestlive.com or to purchase tickets directly, visit AXS.com

River & Rich - @riverandrich

Located in the Franklinton Arts District of Columbus, OH, River & Rich brings together quality apartments, desirable amenities, and a vibrant artistic community. They offer guided and self-guided tours, so go view an apartment anytime! Visit their website at liveriverandrich.com - Use the code 'WYDHPOD' for up to HALF OFF your admin fee!

The Scatter Joy Project - @thescatterjoyproject

The Scatter Joy Project is a local Columbus nonprofit focused on fighting for mental health. They aim to make mental health care accessible and affordable for everyone. They sell apparel with 100% of the profits funding their crisis text line, their network to help people find the mental health help they need, and their very own therapy fund. So whether you're looking to get help or want to donate to help support the cause, Scatter Joy is right for you. Find more info at www.thescatterjoyproject.com

Makers Social - @makers.social

Maker's Social is a DIY Project Bar located in the Franklinton Arts District of Columbus, OH! To book a reservation, go to makerscolumbus.com and enter "WYDH" in the notes of your checkout for $10 off!

Nickey Winkelman (@nickeywink) is a Comedian based in Columbus, OH.

In this episode, I sit down with comedian Nickey Winkelman to talk about her story and journey in stand-up, the evolving comedy scene, and the challenges of balancing creative work with personal life. We also dive into her early days of getting started in comedy, the pressure of social media in today's entertainment industry, and the fine line between self-confidence and societal expectations of success, and a lot of great chat around the feeling of gratitude for what we've already accomplished rather than always moving our goalposts. Nickey shares her perspective on working clean in comedy, the impact of the pandemic on mental health conversations, and how she navigates parenting while pursuing her passions. It's an honest and insightful look at what it really means to chase a creative dream on your own terms, and truly just a great down to Earth conversation I'm excited to share!

THIS EPISODE IS SPONSORED BY:

PromoWest Productions - @promowestlive

For all upcoming shows & event info of who's coming through Columbus, OH, visit promowestlive.com or to purchase tickets directly, visit AXS.com

Makers Social - @makers.social

Maker's Social is a DIY Project Bar located in the Franklinton Arts District of Columbus, OH!

To book a reservation, go to makerscolumbus.com enter "WYDH" in the notes of your checkout for $10 off!

Lacie Evans (@laciemevans) is an Entrepreneur, Influencer, Content Creator and badass cowgirl!

This week is a sit down with Lacie Evans, someone who, from the moment she walked in the studio door, it was like we had been friends for years! We dig into Lacie's story of living the farm life and how she's now turned that into an awesome online presence and blossoming career! We uncover how she originally started "creating content" just for the sake of sharing her daily farm life wih her animals, how that connected with people and really took off in growth, the weird hate that having a large following brings (and how she deals with it), turning it all into awsome business opportunities, including the creation of her new brand that is COMING VERY SOON! 👀 All that and a lottttttt more. So saddle up and dive in!

-----THIS EPISODE IS SPONSORED BY-----

PromoWest Productions - @promowestlive

For all upcoming shows & event info of who's coming through Columbus, OH, visit promowestlive.com or to purchase tickets directly, visit AXS.com

Queerencia - @queerencia.co

Queerencia is LGBTQ+ lifestyle & apparel brand that aims to support the queer community by empowering all people within it, to embrace their true identity and express themselves boldly and proudly, while also at the same time aiming to create more accessibility to queer history and queer culture.

Hop to their website to learn more or make a purchase and support at Queerencia.co

Makers Social - @makers.social

Maker's Social is a DIY Project Bar located in the Franklinton Arts District of Columbus, OH!

To book a reservation, go to makerscolumbus.com enter "WYDH" in the notes of your checkout for $10 off!