Performers & Creators Lab

Angie Krass was rejected by the musical theatre world but figured out how to make a space for herself in comedy and storytelling while relentlessly loving animals and people along the way!  In this delightful conversation we talk about: How comedy changes you as a person Differences between storytelling and comedy The time she bombed in front of a crowd of lesbians And so much more!! See Angie liv...

Today's podcast interview is with the one and only, Diane Amos! Comedian, actor and storyteller she weaves through the turning points of her long career as a performer with her infectious joy and sparkling attitude.  Don't miss this opportunity to catch a little bit of her wonder and love of the game of show business. In the Bay Area?  You can see Diane live at The Story Edge, this comin...

Whether the audience is hating you or you're just having an off night, Holly distills it all down to one central factor that will determine whether you stay in the game or spiral out of it. This episode includes: Ways you are unknowingly sabotaging yourself The secret to weathering a dicey performance How you can implement this strategy The importance of your post-show strategy BONUS! Gardeni...

Throughout your life you obtain different keys: your house key, the keys to the family car.  But these keys aren't just physical but also mental, emotional, metaphysical. Listen as Holly explores what it really means to experience safety, privacy, freedom and belonging. In this episode we cover: Mimetic Desire: what is it and how could it be ruining your life Four Basic Needs we all share An...

Sometimes whether we like it or not we are at the mercy of a "picker" or someone who gets to decide if we get to go on stage or not: casting directors, producers, bookers, or maybe it's just the guy who got tasked with hiring entertainment for his company's annual Christmas party! Either way you'll encounter plenty of so called gatekeepers no matter what artistic path you...

Holly shares about what's really holding you back from being bold, asking for what you want, and letting go of what other people think of you. Followed by a quick exercise to help fortify your self-confidence and recognize just how damn resilient you really are. In this episode: Holly shares about her new writing project and what it made her realize about stand up comedy and how she's ab...

This week we discuss the spiritual journey that is likely happening to you while you don't even think about it! Join Holly in a brief respite from worrying about how you're shaping your artistic career, to take this time to explore how your craft has shaped YOU! In this episode we cover: How to explore the journey your spirit is having while you focus on your art Holly goes through her o...

Are you having trouble just getting yourself unstuck and doing the thing?  Yup, been there! What we know is that you learn so much more in action then just sitting around dreaming about doing the thing, so in this episode Holly shares sneaky insights and hacks for getting yourself to JUST DO THE THING! In this episode: Your Biggest Blocks that are keeping you from doing the thing The First Step in...

In this third episode in a series about intuition we finally start talking about dead people.  Can you talk to them? How to safely go about it.  Listen to this podcast to make the most of this season where the veil is thin! Covered in this episode: Holly shares her own experience with growing up in a psychic and ghost-talking family and the time when she first realized what she was actually capabl...

We continue our conversation about intuition as Holly answers some important questions: How can I tell the difference between intuition and anxiety? Was there ever a time you didn’t listen to your intuition and what was that like? When I’m overwhelmed or in the thick of things, how can I drop in and tap into my intuition? Episode highlights: 1:52 What's the difference between anxiety and intu...

Get ready for some real talk about intuition! The most common question I get asked when I do my "relationship auras" comedy bit is "Are you really an intuitive?" and my answer is always, "yes, and so are you!"  So I decided to dive a little deeper into this topic and explore intuition and how to get more of it.  Episode Highlights: My psychic bit and how I came to dev...

How to bring all of yourself with you onstage, tap into the leadership role, bring the energy especially when you have to wear multiple hats.  In this lively dialogue with dancer, creator and director, Katy Alaniz Barnhill we talk dance, stand up comedy, producing, directing and more! Connect with Katy on Instagram: @feminineempressmovement Check out the Comedy Culture Club, a weekly live stand-up...

Real talk about how to take a little more pleasure in life. About Holly Shaw Before becoming a comedian, Holly Shaw spent a lifetime on stage, T.V. and film as an actor, professional dancer and later as a speaker, coach and hypnotherapist. She's authored two books: the Amazon bestseller, The Creative Formula , as well as  Making Art In the Middle of Madness and she was a regular teacher at SA...

A musical meditation to listen to as you walk, dance, glide or sit quietly for a quick tune up with these affirmations: You are a mentor to your younger self Take care of now, your process, and how you are doing your now and the future, the destination, the outcome will take care of itself. Music by Flint (Through Valleys), Rodellos Machine (The World Inside), Hans Johnson (We Will Meet Again), Du...

In this episode Holly tackles the issue of loneliness and healing the wounds of community, betrayal and how to find your true people. We cover a ton in this episode: Shocking effects of loneliness and why you shouldn't ignore it The Outlaw Archetype: what is it and why you may gravitate towards it Reasons why you may have become disconnected in the first place Holly shares her own personal st...

A talk with Natasha Muse about motherhood, writing and performing stand-up comedy, creative barriers and how sometimes it's easier to meander unknowingly through them.    See Natasha Muse LIVE at Comedy Culture Club, Friday, September 22nd, 2023 at Buck Wild Brewing in Oakland, CA.  Click here to get tickets and info>> About the Guest - Natasha Muse is a stand-up comedian and humorous w...

Holly talks to you about how listening to your body can be the one degree shift you need today to place yourself on a different trajectory in your life.  How focusing on the process as opposed to the destination is the answer for getting the juiciest experience out of your day and out of your craft. If you're in the Bay Area, please join me at the new show I'm producing, Comedy Culture C...

Holly talks about quitting jobs and winning conversations.  Have you ever apologized for something you said and then felt angry afterwards?  Holly explains why. NEW SHOW ALERT!  Friday, September 8th, 2023 I'm kicking off a new Comedy Edge presents show at Buck Wild Brewing in Oakland.  Stay tuned for more info - Subscribe, rate and review folks! Thank you! Holly Shaw has been featured on sta...

Prepare to be inspired! I sat down and had an electric conversation with comedian Ellis Rodriguez (Comedy Central, Stand Up NBC) where he dropped some real truth about comedy life, inspiration, voice, bombing and more! Listening to this episode may just give you that "one stroke" of inspiration you need to take your work to the next level. See Ellis Rodriguez live at The Comedy Edgiest,...

Forbes magazine called her, “One of the hardest working comics in the industry.” Listen as I get into it with comedian Emma Arnold about how she writes so much so fast, life on the road, and is she quitting comedy for real this time? See Emma Arnold live at the Comedy Edge: Stand-Up on the Waterfront in Oakland! Saturday, July 16th - get tickets now>> Emma Arnold is an Idaho backcountry-rais...

Comedian Melissa McGillicuddy (Voted best comedian, Sacramento News & Review 2019) will be headlining at the Comedy Edge Saturday, June 18th and I was happy to have the chance to grab her for a conversation about how she got her start in comedy even though she's shy, hear her worst stories of bombing and her tips for writing great material. Get tickets to see Melissa at the Comedy Edge in...

Comedian Mean Dave will be headlining at the Comedy Edge next Saturday, May 28th so I decided to sit down with him and see what goes on inside that funny head. In our convo we talk about comedy, writing, his journey with addiction and more! Get tickets to see Mean Dave at the Comedy Edge, Saturday May 28th, 2022>> About Mean Dave Stand-up comedian Mean Dave is a regular Cobb's Comedy Cl...

The incomparable Bay Area comedian, Chris Riggins! We talk about Dave Chappelle, his rapping career, fashion for men, merch, comedy of course and so much more. Come see Chris Riggins at the Comedy Edge on the Oakland waterfront, Saturday, April 2nd, 2022. Click here for tickets and info. About Chris Riggins "Chris Riggins has taken the art of stand up comedy and chose to stand out amongst a s...

With Omicron raging, we've re-started the Sunday Sessions and in this week's powerful opening Holly talks about the fear of the "unknown" and covers: negative hallucination the story that you're telling a new definition of "discipline" Whether you're trying to stick to your 2022 goals or simply want more peace and clarity in your life this session will get y...

Actor and comedian, Frank Garcia-Hejl shares his stories and wisdom from his career in comedy, acting, sketch and film.  We cover some juicy bits like, Frank's SNL auditions and meeting Lorne Michaels His transition from comedy to film and T.V. How to win over directors and people on set and so much more goodness! About Frank Frank Garcia-Hejl is a writer, actor and director at  the Upright C...