Black & A Half

Silas and Samantha take a surprisingly honest dive into self-doubt, creativity, aging, acting, confidence, and the strange things we discover about ourselves later in life. From audition disappointments and comedy anxiety to AI as a learning tool, the conversation explores what happens when talented people still feel like they have no idea what they're doing. Along the way they discuss stand-up co...

Silas and Samantha reunite in person for an adventure into the wild world of pickleball… and immediately encounter unexpected coaching, questionable sports etiquette, and a live demonstration of mansplaining in the wild. Along the way: Silas nearly burns his leg off with a rogue 9-volt battery, Samantha reflects on awkward public moments involving kids, and the conversation spirals into stand-up c...

Silas buys what he thinks is the perfect black T-shirt… only to discover that not all “identical” shirts are actually identical. From there, things spiral beautifully into conversations about body image, shopping ethics, local monopolies, flirting confusion, compliments, aging bodies, negotiation tactics, yoga squats, and somehow Mike’s Hard Lemonade. Classic Black & A Half chaos.

In Episode 252, Silas and Samantha dive into a wide-ranging conversation that somehow includes Shakespeare debates, acting challenges, confidence, and what it really means to pursue big goals. Along the way, they explore creativity, expectations, parenting, performance anxiety, and the process of getting better at something—even when it’s uncomfortable. Also… there may or may not be a heated discu...

In this episode of Black & A Half , Silas sits down with musician and singer Stefan Mahendra , who recently opened for Joss Stone and is releasing new music. They talk about the long journey from self-doubt to confidence, what it’s like to perform stripped down versus with a full band, and why many artists today are choosing to release EPs instead of full albums. Stefan shares how he discovere...

Episode 250 is here! 🎉  Silas and Samantha sit down with filmmaker Paul Boyd, director of Scared to Death , to talk about horror comedy, the realities of indie filmmaking, and what it really takes to bring a movie to life over ten years. They dive into creativity, storytelling, collaboration, and why sometimes you just have to trust the process (and your actors). Plus: chess, the cosmos, and some...

Silas and Samantha dive into the art of getting organized—both in life and in the digital world. From messy hard drives and production setups to the psychology of perfectionism, they explore how reducing friction can help you actually get things done. Along the way, the conversation drifts into singing, creativity, performance anxiety, and why sometimes the best way forward is simply progress over...

Sometimes trying to save a little money ends up costing you way more. In this episode of Black & A Half , Silas shares a cautionary tale about what happens when a deal seems just a little too good to be true. What started as a simple attempt to save money on a small business decision turns into a story involving questionable choices, unexpected twists, and a lesson in gullibility. Along the wa...

In Episode 247 of Black & A Half , Silas Lindenstein and Samantha Rund explore the intersection of comedy, improv, theater directing, skincare routines, and creative identity. The episode covers: The psychology of improv vs. stand-up comedy Directing actors and coaching performers Men’s skincare and makeup routines Artistic vulnerability on social media Parenting humor and cultural commentary...

This week on Black & A Half , we’re joined by director and world-renowned violinist Lara St. John to talk about her documentary Dear Lara . The film examines abuse, power, and institutional silence within the classical music world. It’s a heavier conversation than usual for a comedy podcast, and we name that upfront. We talk about how abuse hides in places that are assumed to be “safe,” why pa...

In Episode 245 of Black & A Half , Silas and Samantha spiral (lovingly) through the idea of consistency — what it actually looks like, why it’s harder than people admit, and how it applies to creativity, fitness, social media, and life in general. From rants about grocery bags with no handles, to algorithms, burnout, branding, and showing up imperfectly, this episode is equal parts funny, thou...

Episode 244 is a classic Black & A Half “episode about everything and nothing.” Silas and Samantha talk about the debut new hype music for the show last week, debate whether everyone deserves their own theme song, and spiral (politely) into conversations about AI creativity, cello energy, fox symbolism, gray hair, artistry, and why the best ideas sometimes come from just doing the thing instea...

It’s a New Year episode… but not the loud, “new year new me” kind. In Episode 243, Silas and Samantha talk honestly about endings, beginnings, and what it actually feels like to move from a heavy year into a hopeful one. They unpack New Year’s resolutions, Chinese zodiac misunderstandings, creativity, work cycles, comedy, parenting, yoga, showing up imperfectly, and the strange pressure to have ev...

Life is busy. Loud. Exhausting. And somehow we’re still supposed to be creative inside of it. In Episode 242, Silas and Samantha talk honestly about what creativity looks like when life is laughing you straight in the face. From parenting and exhaustion to guitars, Halloween theatrics, perfectionism, and letting go of the idea that creativity has to be “big” to count, this episode is part therapy...

Silas’ daughter is officially off to college, and he’s having a lot of feelings about it. Is college still a no-brainer, or a massive financial gamble you should only take when you’re truly ready? He and Samantha talk through parenting a new college student, the realities of campus party culture, and what it means when your kid proudly shows your old comedy sets to her roommates. They also get int...

Episode #240 - Actors Therapy.

ilas and Samantha dive into cuddle therapy lawsuits, the surprising future of A.I., and why massages in theater school were the best free perk. They also tackle parenting humor (including fart jokes), Juneteenth reflections, the economics of physical touch, and Silas’s “Mildly Obese Cookbook.” Plus, music talk: Jelly Roll, Tracy Chapman, and why guitars are the most abandoned instrument on Faceboo...

Silas and Samantha sit down with former NBA player and current international basketball star Jeremy Pargo , who’s now making his mark as a filmmaker and actor . Jeremy stars in and co-wrote The Final Play , a romantic comedy about a retired pro athlete finding purpose, love, and fulfillment beyond the court. They discuss his transition from sports to acting, creative inspiration, and the real-life...

Comedian, writer, and founder of Gold Comedy, Lynn Harris , joins Silas and Samantha for a deep dive into building inclusive comedy communities, how Gold Comedy supports women and nonbinary creators, and why killing the term “comedienne” might just change the world. Plus, discover her truffle chip addiction, her revolutionary knowledge, and her favorite Zoom-based comedy tricks.

In this episode of Black & A Half , Silas and Samantha get deep and playful about positivity, mindset, manifestation, and the joy (and judgment) of believing in a “whole lot of hooey.” From allergy season survival tips and natural remedies to whether thinking good thoughts actually changes our lives, they question, laugh, and affirm what makes reality bend. Plus, a dreamy dive into travel, min...

In Episode 235 of Black & A Half , Silas and Samantha dive deep into gardening as metaphor, ADHD hyperfocus, decluttering struggles, and the unexpected wisdom of insurance companies. They explore the trust we place in strangers, the emotional weight of getting rid of stuff, the unpredictability of parenting, and what “bonsai-ing your life” really means. Come for the laughs, stay for the insigh...

In this heartfelt and humorous episode, Silas and Samantha dive into the concept of “recovery”—whether from surgery, pride, or economic hardship. They unpack the emotional impact of community care like meal trains, the stigma surrounding poverty, and how asking for help is an act of strength. Plus, they brainstorm million-dollar ideas and get nostalgic about ice cream cake. A powerful reminder of...

In Episode 233 of Black & A Half , Silas and Samantha welcome the brilliantly nerdy and hilariously honest Marie Elizabeth. A rising star in Seattle's comedy scene, Marie dives into her journey from film school to the stand-up stage, her deep love of Star Trek, and the vibrant intersection of neurodivergence, kink, and comedy. From Real Nerds of Comedy to her burlesque variety show “Hotties an...

In this episode of Black & A Half , Silas and Samantha take you on a rollercoaster of laughs, dark humor, and deep conversations. They discuss the weird experience of finding stolen comedy material online, the tricky nuances of text message etiquette, and how generational differences affect digital communication. Plus, they dive into the joy (or horror) of being turned into a cartoon, the ethi...

In this episode of Black & A Half , Silas and Samantha dive into the joys (and struggles) of learning new skills, from playing instruments to navigating life's unexpected detours. They explore the power of persistence, failing forward, and why self-improvement is a lifelong jam session. Plus, thoughts on tipping culture, crowdfunding fatigue, and a few hilarious detours along the way. Tune in...