The Comedy Castle Podcast

This week on The Comedy Castle Podcast, we’re gearing up for a big, spooky week of live comedy! Joel chats with Bret Hayden to break down all things Comedy Rumble. Bret dives into how the special Halloween editions shake up the format, what lies ahead for the future of the Rumble, and the method behind selecting… Continue reading Podcast #277: Let’s Rumble with Bret Hayden &#8594...

A born-and-raised Detroiter, Kevin Lepine brings his Hypnosis Unleashed show from its Las Vegas residency back to the Comedy Castle on November 10th! To celebrate, Kevin and Joel had a great chat about the dream of a Vegas show and its reality, if you need to “believe” in Hypnosis to enjoy his high energy show,… Continue reading Podcast #276: Kevin Lepine Will Make You Believe &#...

The always funny Mike Cronin returns this weekend to the Comedy Castle, and he’s here to talk about his life on the road now, working in Las Vegas, his Michgan football podcast and much more. Joel and Mike share tales of weird road gigs, what happens when the comic is late, the pros and cons… Continue reading Podcast #275: Mike Cronin Returns →

Matt Conn makes his Comedy Castle headlining debut this week and he’s joined Joel for a interview. Matt’s excited to go from the club’s classes, to corporate shows, church shows, rough one-nighters and now this. Matt tells how his perseverance paid off and how an out-of-state booker saw great things in him. Matt also makes… Continue reading Podcast #274: Matt Conn →

Brad Wenzel has become a living legend in Michigan comedy with his hilarious, jokes-only style, and it’s a pleasure to have him back at the Comedy Castle this week. Brad talks the influences on his style, his approach to writing and when the jokes are “just for him”, and he tells us which state doesn’t… Continue reading Podcast #273: Brad Wenzel, Joke Machine →

Aaron Weber is a star on the rise. He makes his Comedy Castle debut this week and talked to Joel about everything comedy on this week’s show. He’s played the Grand Ole Opry following The Oak Ridge Boys and Lee Greenwood, he’s opened up in huge arenas for Nate Bargatze, and he promotes himself with… Continue reading Podcast #272: Aaron Weber →

Mitch Fatel has been known as one of comedy’s funniest and most unique performers for almost three decades. He makes his return to the Comedy Castle stage this weekend and he tells Joel all about his career, his style and if he’s really been running a comedy club in Arkansas. Mitch talks about his early… Continue reading Podcast #271: Mitch Fatel →

The Comedy Castle Podcast returns with Ben Bailey. The Cash Cab star talked to Joel back in 2024, but he’s appearing this week at the club and you should go – really!  Ben tells Joel of his unlikely start at The Comedy Castle, the Hollywood eccentric who gave him his break, and how he ended… Continue reading Podcast #270: Ben Bailey From The Archives →

The annual competition for young comedians starts next week at The Comedy Castle. Its curator, Bill Bushart, joins Joel to talk about why the prize is a trip to Austin and not L.A., the benefits of performing in the contest, how the judging works, and how comics can register. Hear why your friends may not… Continue reading Podcast #269: Detroit to Austin Special w/Bill Bushart →

Mike Bonner is a Detroit legend on the comedy stage, and this Memorial Day weekend he’s back for more shows. Mike tells Joel about his start at the club, the big star who inspired him (who he later watched bomb), and how he transitioned from acting to stand-up. Hear why the legendary Def Comedy Jam… Continue reading Podcast #268: Mike Bonner →

Jamie Lissow is on a roll with weekly television appearances and sold-out comedy shows. Jamie talks to Joel before his Comedy Castle weekend about finding success through Gutfeld, why he does early shows, touring with his doctor wife, and why he lives in Alaska, of all places. Plus, talk of TJ Miller, Rob Schneider and… Continue reading Podcast #267: Jaime Lissow →

Two interviews this week, starting off with Preacher Lawson. Preacher talks being funny with his family, the pressures (or not) of appearing on America’s Got Talent, and what he learns touring the world as a famous comic. Plus, local hero Josh Adams reflects on his formative years in stand-up, tells harrowing stories from the road,… Continue reading Podcast #266: Preacher Lawson/Josh A...

Christian Finnegan has been on people’s TVs for over twenty years and he makes his Comedy Castle debut this weekend. Christian tells Joel of his start on VH1’s Best Week Ever, the weird way he got on that show, his later fame from Chappelle’s Show, and the odd gaggle of celebs he met on Are… Continue reading Podcast #265: Christian Finnegan →

Jeff Allen has been a staple of comedy clubs and theaters for years and he took some time to talk before his two shows on Sunday April 12th. Jeff tells Joel about his start in comedy in the 1970s, how left clubs for churches and corporate work, and how had a career renaissance going viral… Continue reading Podcast #264: Jeff Allen →

Steven Rogers has been on tour with some of the biggest names in comedy and he talks to Joel here before his return headlining engagement at The Comedy Castle. Steven tells Joel of his start in comedy at age twenty, why older folks have so much more life experience to relate to, and how Brian… Continue reading Podcast #263: Steven Rogers →

Laurie Kilmartin returns to The Comedy Castle this week and she talked to Joel just hours after her writing gig at The Oscars ended. Hear what it’s like to write for Conan O’Brien and the pressure that the creatives feel getting ready for the show. Also, Joel picks his favorite bit from the show, asks… Continue reading Podcast #262: Laurie Kilmartin Returns →

Michael McDaniel is a Detroit original and a Comedy Castle favorite. Here he tells Joel of his audacious start of his comedy career, how winning a comedy festival in 2010 helped him, and how he was booed at a church show for an unknown reason. Plus, hear how Michael’s excellent impression came about. From crying… Continue reading Podcast #261: Michael McDaniel →

Geoffrey Asmus has really gained a following at The Comedy Castle over the last few years. Going from an opening act to a summer headliner, Geoff has used social media and his infectious enthusiasm on stage to create unforgettable performances that quickly sell-out. Geoffrey tells Joel how tough road gigs shaped his style leading to… Continue reading Podcast #260: Geoffrey Asmus Returns &#85...

T.J. Miller is one of the The Comedy Castle’s most popular acts and while it didn’t work out to have him live on this week’s podcast, here’s the next best thing – two interviews he did for us in 2023 and 2024. Hear T.J. tell Joel of his unique style of comedy, his affinity for… Continue reading Podcast #259: The T.J. Miller Anthology →

Paul Mecurio brings his high-energy, hilarious act back to The Comedy Castle for Valentine’s Day weekend. Paul tells Joel some hilarious stories from his one man show, why he creeps people out in the park for no reason, and why he’s this close to not being able to shop on Amazon. Plus, Joel tells of… Continue reading Podcast #258: Paul Mecurio: Great Comic, Annoying to Dogs &#859...

Marina Franklin has credits as long as anyone’s and she brings her talents to The Comedy Castle this weekend. Here she tells Joel of her memorable scene from the movie Trainwreck, how she inspired and then played a character on HBO’s Crashing, and how her Chicago roots make the Midwest her favorite spot to perform.… Continue reading Podcast #257: Marina Franklin →

As a true “comic’s comic”, Stewart Huff has made a name for himself in the stand-up world and he makes his Comedy Castle debut this weekend. Stewart tells Joel of living in his car on the road, why he had a hard time going to his first open mike, and why his brilliant comedy is… Continue reading Podcast #256: Stewart Huff →

It’s 2026, and the Comedy Castle line-up starts with Lachlan Patterson. Lachlan tells Joel of the character piece that died at the club a decade ago, his unique writing style and structure, and how Last Comic Standing was a big break, but not a pleasant experience overall. Lachlan’s a riot! Catch him this weekend! Plus,… Continue reading Podcast #254: Lachlan Patterson →

Nate Armbruster has his first chance to headline a New Year’s Eve show at The Comedy Castle – and he’s the first headliner of 2026! Nate tells Joel why he’s happy to be at the club, and he’d be happy to do nothing if he wasn’t there. Plus, Nate and Joel compare wedding stories, and… Continue reading Podcast #253: Nate Armbruster For NYE →

Matt Holt has been waiting years to get back on the Comedy Castle stage and this week is it! Matt and Joel catch up about Matt’s start in comedy, his moving around to different states and what he misses about Michigan, and their mutual love of Bruce Springsteen. Plus, hear the greatest faux pas at… Continue reading Podcast #252: Matt Holt →