Twenty-five episodes in, and this baby podcast is celebrating the only way a comedy show should: by raising a glass to the terrifying, glorious moment someone decides to try comedy for the very first time.
Host Julia Reed Nichols dug through her favorite “first time on stage” stories for this one — and they’re messy, human, and weirdly inspiring. If it’s in you, it’s for you.
Sam Miller, a touring comic out of Olympia, had a perfectly good thing going as a dishwasher until he wandered into an open mic. His review of that first night? “Love and hate at first sight.”
Rachel Aflleje, from Tacoma, got pulled in by a Domino’s delivery driver. Her first set was terrible. She went back anyway. Now it’s her favorite thing in the world.
Imani Denae spent four months in the front row studying before she ever touched a mic. Peak perfectionist energy, and honestly? Respect.
Jefferson McDonald did the opposite — ran five minutes over, couldn’t find the light, and learned the hard way that you have to “die up there a few times” before you live on stage.
Ren Q Dawe turned frustration into a first set in a smoky Atlanta bar — and the room shifted from there.
Plus a previously unreleased interview with musician Phil Johnson, who slid into comedy by accident. Think a song called “Whale Blubber,” a Sex Pistols cover, and a 73-year-old comic who changed everything.
Damon Sumner, Jaci Terjeson, Todd Oregano, and keynote speaker turned comedy producer Anthony Poponi share their stories too.
The common thread? The stage is addictive — and almost everyone here got hooked on night one. So if you’ve been sitting in the back row, consider this your sign.
Thanks for a hilarious 25 weeks. We hope these stories inspire you to try comedy yourself — on stage or in the audience. Subscribe, rate, and review wherever you listen. Every button you press keeps the podcast gods happy.
MAKE LOCAL JOURNALISM HAPPEN
Republish our articles for free, online or in print, under a Creative Commons license.
