Will Abeles on Sobriety, Storytelling Comedy, and Finding Connection | Just Keep Talking Podcast

Full episode out on all podcast platforms.

Please support this show here!

https://linktr.ee/brotherloverocks

Host Brother Love introduces the Just Keep Talking podcast’s focus on artists’ stories, mental health, inclusivity, and belonging, then welcomes nationally touring comedian and podcaster Will Abeles, a Hagerstown, Maryland native with two iTunes #1 comedy albums. Will recounts meeting Brother Love through Reid Cifrino after working TV production during COVID, discusses his storytelling comedy style, and shares bits inspired by a deer accident and getting hit by shrapnel at NASCAR. He reflects on working at Letterman, freelancing at Kimmel, and how comedy began with watching Johnny Carson stand-up debuts. Will talks candidly about alcoholism, being 310 days sober, how sobriety improved his comedy and mental health, and how touring solo has changed since quitting drinking. He critiques shifts in the Nashville comedy scene and promotes upcoming shows in Raleigh, LA, San Francisco, and a July 31 vinyl album recording at Love and Exile.

#mentalhealthpodcast #yourstorymatters #comedy #sobriety #nashvillecomedy #storytelling #belong

00:00 Podcast Mission

01:02 Hagerstown Cold Open

01:22 Sponsor And Guest Intro

02:20 How We Met In Nashville

04:27 Comics And Being Funny

06:03 Warmup Crowd Bomb

08:39 Storytelling Comic Style

10:46 NASCAR Shrapnel Bit

13:16 Late Night TV Days

17:01 Why Comedy Started

18:17 Howie Mandel Hospital Story

21:09 Sobriety And Recovery

23:10 Quitting For Real

24:09 Sober Comedy Breakthrough

27:19 Family Fallout After Sobriety

28:32 Parties Without Drinking

30:33 Nashville Comedy Scene Shift

33:39 Life On The Road Solo

37:00 Crowd Work And Craft

42:10 Mental Health And Hustle

43:58 Tour Dates And Album Plans

46:00 Speed Round And Farewell