It's All True!

In this episode, "It's All True!" host Tim Barnes talks to Beth Newell and Sarah Pappalardo. They created the popular satirical women's magazine known throughout the internet as "Reductress." The conversation delves into a dissection of the people who take fake news stories seriously and the negative aspect of certain media outlets tailored for women. Their headlining story is all about a creepy d...

Kevin Allison talks about the formation of "The State" on MTV and how he delved into personal storytelling leading up to the creation of his hit series "RISK!" His headlining story is about how you're never on stage alone. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit lettersfromafricanamerica.substack.com/subscribe

Singer/Songwriter Gabe Liebowitz talks about the formation of his band Dastardly and the music that influences him. He delves into romantic world of being a touring musician and tells the story of his encounter with a strange man on his Kerouac-esque journey. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit lettersfromafricanamer...

This extended interview from episode 40 of "It's All True!" highlights comedian Dwayne Kennedy's beginnings in Chicago, the ups and downs in his career and his insights on working with W. Kamau Bell and Arsenio Hall. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit lettersfromafricanamerica.substack.com/subscribe

Writer Lizzie Skurnick talks about growing up as a black woman who can "pass" as white, her new book "That Should Be A Word" and tells the humorous true story of how she chose the right sperm for her pregnancy. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit lettersfromafricanamerica.substack.com/subscribe

Comedian Ramon Rivas talks about the magical world of racial ambiguity and how he started out in the Cleveland comedy scene. (Photo: Rustin McCann) This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit lettersfromafricanamerica.substack.com/subscribe

Greg Proops (Whose Line Is It Anyway?) talks about starting off in the California bay area comedy scene, the writing process for "The Smartest Book in the World" and why he thinks soul music cures the blues. His headlining story involves philosophy, danger and Mars Bars. www.gregproops.com | www.alltruepod.tumblr.com This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or...

Clark Jones describes starting his comedy career in Chicago and what the transition to New York has been like. He delves into the different styles of comedy seen in the north and south sides of Chicago and tells the story of his first case of romantic heartbreak. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit lettersfromafrican...

Andy Kaufman Award winner Nick Vatterott talks about the difference between comedy clubs and alternative rooms as well as the division between stand up comics and improvisors. His headlining story centers around his time touring with Second City and trying his hand at performing in a Turkish comedy club. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access t...

Comedian Azhar Usman is described by some as "America's Funniest Muslim." He talks about discovering comedy as an outlet and ​how he deals with stereotypes both in life and through humor. His headlining story will make you laugh and maybe even tear up. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit lettersfromafricanamerica.sub...

Katie McVay talks about the formation of The Comedy Exposition (Chicago's DIY stand up festival), how Nicki Minaj changed her life and why she moved to Chicago to pursue comedy. Her headlining story involves her life long fear of cats coming into reality in the the worst, most hilarious way possible. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bo...

Comedian Lil Rel Howery talks about starting off in Chicago and navigating the comedy scene divided by a segregated city. He delves into how the sketch comedy show "Friends of the People" was formed after the ill fated reboot of "In Living Color," and describes his influences ranging from Eddie Murphy to strangers on the street. His headlining story involves karate, birthdays and taxi drivers. Thi...

Comedian Andy Kindler talks about what it was like during the tail end of the comedy boom and beginning of the alternative comedy scene in the 80's. He also dives into his love for taekwondo, his addiction to Twitter and more! It all ends with his headlining story, "Young Child Figures Out Way To Avoid Severe Embarrassment." This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscr...

Comedian and writer Baratunde Thurston describes the thought process behind his best selling book "How To Be Black," and reveals how he aims to connect technology with humor as CEO and co-founder of Cultivated Wit. His headlining story revolves around his bizarre and enlightening experience in the country of Georgia. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or...

Comedian and radio host Brian Babylon tests out new material, and describes his epic rise and fall in wealth during his first summer job. Brian records his first comedy album this May. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit lettersfromafricanamerica.substack.com/subscribe

Writer, actor and comedian Maz Jobrani joins It's All True for its first live show to discuss his new book, "I'm Not A Terrorist, But I've Played One On TV," and shares the moments in his life that inspired him to write it. His headlining story is titled: "Lunch With Hezbollah" This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit let...

Writer, producer and actress Issa Rae talks about the development of her hit web series "The Misadventures of an Awkward Black Girl," defines her take on awkwardness and explains how her pilot for HBO came to be. It all ends with the story of a middle school birthday party nightmare! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, vis...

Wrestler, podcaster and comedian Colt Cabana talks about his path to professional wrestling, his life in and out of the WWE, and why he later returned to the independent circuit. The whole journey has taken a lot of grit and perseverance, and an incredible work ethic. We hear about that, the stories behind the wrestling names he's had, and Colt reveals one of the strangest moments he had while wre...

Comedian John Roy talks about starting off in the early Chicago stand-up scene and describes one of the worst road gigs ever. Host Tim Barnes confesses that he always thought John was black. John Roy began his comedy career in Chicago, where he studied Improv at Second City and the Annoyance Theater. He moved to Los Angeles in 2004. He has appeared on numerous television programs including Conan,...

Comedian J.F. Harris discusses what it means to be a road comic, the toll comedy takes on relationships and more. @jfharris_Comedy This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit lettersfromafricanamerica.substack.com/subscribe

Will Miles talks the difference between doing stand up in Chicago vs. New York and tells one of the worst dating stories ever. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit lettersfromafricanamerica.substack.com/subscribe

Candy Lawrence describes her journey from doing improv in Buffalo to doing stand up in Chicago. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit lettersfromafricanamerica.substack.com/subscribe

Dwayne Kennedy discusses his ups and downs in stand up comedy and tells an incredible true story about his inadvertent psychic capabilities. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit lettersfromafricanamerica.substack.com/subscribe

Wyatt Cenac discusses his comedic influences, his preference for smaller crowds and how he approaches telling personal stories with jokes. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit lettersfromafricanamerica.substack.com/subscribe

Mind Reader Mark Toland talks about the difference between magic and mentalism, what it's like being skilled at trickery and answers the ultimate question: "Was Jesus a magician?" This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit lettersfromafricanamerica.substack.com/subscribe