Wilfully Funny

I talk with Toronto comic, improviser, actor, and writer Luke Lynndale.

Luke and I are big fans of online comedy shows. We discussed the pros and cons of online and live comedy. He performs 17-20 online shows a month! He will be producing 50 shows March 8-27! We had a fun, awesome conversation.

I talk with Ottawa comic Spence Charles.

We talked about the technical aspect of standup comedy...is it giving away trade secrets or merely breaking down the structure of a joke to non-comedians? We both like the solitary nature of standup. As usual, Spence brings his high energy and positivity to the conversation.

I talk with Ottawa comic and musician Rory Gardiner.  

We talked more about music and being your authentic self than we did about comedy. Rory told me about his journey in music and comedy and his Ted Talk experience. Very engaging and interesting conversation. We literally shot the breeze.

I talk with Ottawa comic Melanie Paige.

We started off crusty. We talked lockdown rage and the toll it’s taken on our mental health. We both had apprehension about performing in small towns and were fortunately proven wrong. We also talked responsibility and accountability in standup. Melanie humoured me by answering some of my crazy questions at the end.

I talk with Ottawa comic and musician Aaron Hill.

Aaron and I talk about the things we did/learned while in lockdown. We had an in depth convo about tattoos. Aaron shares my enthusiasm for zoom comedy shows!

He also released some music! Listen and download here: http://bit.ly/3ts96IC

Video music video for Not Gonna Eat Your Bum: https://youtu.be/HqTsw5RZXLI

I talk with Ottawa comic Chris Borris.

Chris told me how posting tweets and selling photocopiers led to his first standup gig. He is one of the few comics I know who did not have dreams of doing standup since childhood. One of the things we have in common is starting comedy “old”.

I talk with the one person who’s known me the longest and knows me best…my sister Candy.

Candy gives us some background about her performance experience and how surprised she was when I told her I was pursuing stand up. We also talk about how we think our late parents would have reacted to my material.

In this special episode, I talk with two of my dearest and closest friends, Missy and Lucie.

We’ve been friends since high school and have been through everything with each other. I wanted to know what they thought about my comedy journey so far.

I talk with Ottawa comic and musician Lewis Hill.

We talked COVID fatigue, missing comedy, and getting creative during lockdown. Lewis recorded an album while in lockdown!

Although this is a comedy podcast, this episode deals with depression, suicidal ideation, substance abuse, neglect, abuse, and racism. Listener and viewer discretion is advised.

In Part 2 Janelle continues to talk about how her difficult, traumatic childhood and strained relationship with her mother has affected her. We talk about trying to fit in, low self-esteem, negative/harmful stereotypes, how not to raise a serial killer, broken friendships, as well as healing and therapy. We ended on a light note by answering some silly questions.