Yoshi Didn't Podcast

My last trip to Seattle was memorable for two reasons: getting to see my younger brother, and this conversation with Carl Warmenhoven. Carl worked as assistant manager of Seattle's well-respected standup club, Comedy Underground. He is, without a doubt, the most beloved comedy figure in the Seattle area.

We start off talking about Carl's childhood in the Netherlands and his eventual move to the States. He relates a number of his family's World War 2 stories, ranging from the absurd (German hookers living next to his parent's home) to the inspirational (Carl's mom rescuing a rabbi). One amusing anecdote explains how tobacco and Jesus "saved" his parent from hunger.

Growing up in Seattle, Carl used laughter to get along with people. He learned a lot about comedy by observing the legendary Steve Allen, who was famous for the way he played with language. Carl details his history in Seattle's standup comedy scene starting in 1979, eventually working with megastars such as Jerry Seinfeld, Louis CK and Chelsea Handler. There's also a quick story about his dinner with young Jerry Seinfeld, when Jerry talked about working on a new sitcom - which later became the world-famous "Seinfeld." The abovementioned comedians were incredibly kind, professional and gracious in their dealings with him.

I’m writing this synopsis of Yoshi Didn't from Baltimore, Maryland, with both excitement and sadness. I am excited because I will finally able to visit the home of The Wire. But I’m sad because the interview I recently did with my friend, Verlon Brown, was tragic, and at times seemed hopeless. Verlon is an African-American standup comedian and social worker in Seattle. He’s definitely been an older brother figure to me for years.

Due to an emergency at Verlon’s job, we had to shorten the conversation. In our brief interview, he explains why he’s not discouraged by his most troubled clients (homeless and/or addicts), instead discussing his frustration with the system (one of the major themes of The Wire). Verlon explains the concept of “harm reduction,” and talks about his 30 years of commitment to social work, his belief that racism is based on economics, and the importance of having an honest conversation about racism.

This episode of Yoshi Didn't introduces Charles Wing Krafft, a very prominent painter and ceramic artist in Seattle, Washington. I became intrigued after hearing about the controversy surrounding his artwork ("Disasterware") and beliefs. Mr. Krafft was introduced to me through my younger brother. Charles' son was an avid fan of skateboarding; when Charles met my brother, they became fast friends. I thank my brother for the introduction.

An article published earlier this year in the online journal "The Stranger" about Charles' historical interests and skepticism about the Holocaust went viral, stirring up a big shitstorm in the art world. I wasn't sure Charles would be willing to meet up during a period when he was still the brunt of ad hominem rumors and media attacks. I'm happy to report that he was kind, courteous and generous with his time. We met one afternoon at his Seattle residence.

We start right away discussing how the controversy has affected him, from press smears to getting his artwork removed from a European art show. Charles explains becoming interested in the history of the Holocaust and questioning whether gas chambers were actually used to exterminate Jewish prisoners, referencing his extensive research and travels to Europe. We also talk about controversial Romanian Archbishop Valerian Trifa, and the magnificent Raphael Lemkin, who coined the word "genocide".

Jacob Sirof, comedian, writer, 100% Star Wars and boxing nerd is our guest this week on Yoshi Didn't. Jacob's nerdy, edgy comedy has been featured on Jim Norton's "Down and Dirty" to Chelsea Lately's Round Table. 

This week's guest is Ms. Cherry Ferretti, a beautiful porn star. We discuss her unusual childhood and the influence of sex icon Chasey Lain on young Cherry's eventual decision to enter the adult business.

Cherry started her porn career in Houston, Texas, where she was an early adopter of internet technology to promote her business. We follow her move to Los Angeles and her relationship with agency LA Direct Models (the CAA of the porn world). Cherry speaks frankly about how the sex business operates and about her blunt refusal to be treated like a second-class citizen.

During my 13 years working in the adult industry, it was very common for performers to disappear from public view. In most cases, they simply want to quit the business and restart their lives; this is what I assumed had happened with my friend Cherry. I never tried to track her down, wanting to respect her privacy and the decision to move on.

This special episode of Yoshi Didn't was recorded at Saad Mohseni's residence in Kabul, Afghanistan. (Please read about Saad http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,2066367_2066369_2066475,00.html>here.)

Kimberly Motley, a proud daughter of an African-American father and North Korean mother, picked up her street smarts in her hometown, a tough neighborhood of Milwaukee. In 2003, she earned a law degree at Marquette University, and became a very successful attorney with the State of Wisconsin Public Defender's Office, litigating hundreds of criminal, civil and juvenile cases. In 2008, Kim volunteered to participate in the U.S. State Department's Justice Sector Support Program, dedicated to rebuilding the Afghan legal system. This was Kim's watershed moment. Since then, she has dedicated her life to fighting injustices in Afghanistan. 

Saber is our special guest this week on Yoshi Didn’t.  This Los Angeles-based American graffiti artist and painter is most famous for the immense piece he did on the concrete bank of the Los Angeles River. With 97 gallons of paint, Saber traversed the Stygian corridor of the mighty L.A. river like Dante passing through the ninth circle of Hell, and created a masterpiece: The final work, measuring 250 x 55 feet, has been dubbed "the largest graffiti painting ever."

A hardcore street artist who possesses the artistic talent of Michelangelo with the physical toughness of Lawrence Taylor, Saber speaks intimately with us about his harsh experiences and struggles with epilepsy; his childhood, when he first discovered a love for art; and his transformation into the premier artist of his generation. Saber discusses the physical price he had to pay to achieve success, and his belief that art can change the world for the better. The podcast ends with Yoshi's "art project" for Saber and his beautiful and vivacious young daughter. Enjoy!

Ari Shaffir, Stand up Comedian and also known for his pranks on, “The Amazing Racist” and movie, “InAPPropriate Comedy” is our guest this week on Yoshi Didn’t.  Ari starts the episode off strong attempting to cross boundaries into Yoshi’s personal life and hilariously provoking him for information throughout the show.  As tension builds around the topic of relationships, discussion of hookers and trannies help transition the awkwardness into more comfortable, comedic stomping grounds.

Yoshi also discusses his appearance on Ari’s podcast, “Skeptic Tank” where he first disclosed information of unethical practices and experiences in the porn world.  Ari then takes us deeper into his dedicated life as a stand up, the beefy drama he encountered with fellow comedians, his perspective of growing up Jewish in DC and his family's holocaust experience, the process of transitioning from working at the World Famous Comedy Store to becoming a headliner and, of course, awesome Joe Rogan/UFC stories.

Follow Ari Shaffir on Twitter: @AriShaffir

Buy his hilarious album, “Passive Aggressive” for $4.99 at https://chill.com/arithegreat/passive-aggressive