Punch Up - Making Good Jokes Hit Harder

This week, I’m joined by Denver comedian and producer Christina Vasili (@heystinahey), host of Death Comedy Jam at The Brutal Poodle. We talk about starting stand-up later than planned, navigating rooms full of dude comedians, and the quiet labor of recalibrating a space while hosting. Christina opens up about grief, losing her dad, gym community, and the struggle and reward of continuing to show...

This week, we’re joined by comedian Kelly Zemnickis, fresh off the release of her new Comedy Dynamics album Lady Comic and her documentary short Making Connections , about telling jokes during a pandemic. Kelly is a sharp storyteller with a deceptively polite delivery, the kind where the joke sneaks up on you and then ruins balloons forever. We talk about punch-ups as a supportive art form, findin...

For our Season 3 Premier, I got to interview rising star and Chicago icon Rey Tang! We talked about touring the South as a trans comic, how satire is evolving in our current political climate, and punched up a really fun joke about lesbian love. Rey Tang is a Chicago-based writer, stand up, and performer. She believes that, through an intersectional understanding of media, she can one day achieve...

This week I got to sit down with one of my all time favorite trans comedians: Rosalie! We discussed structural and performance punch up techniques, and may have even found a way to make a joke about slurs CHRISTMASY? Tune in! Rosalie, the tall doll of stand-up, offers her unflinchingly honest and unfiltered perspective on the world through the lens of a trans woman. She's headlined all over CO and...

This week I got to sit down with comedian Dezzy! Dezzy is a Philly comic who is just blowing up this last year, seen on the Here to pee tour, at Helium, Punchline, and a bunch of cool venues on the east coast. You can catch them opening for Chanel Ali in NY this Fall, You can follow Dezzy here! https://www.instagram.com/dezzirablecomedy/?hl=en

I got to sit down with Gabe Sklan this week and it was great! “Gabby” Gabe Sklan is a Chicago based comedian and clown known for their direct and sincere approach to performance. They are the creator/director of Character Creator Show and a host of the Bad Boyhavior podcast.

This week, I got to sit down with one of my favorite people and comedians: Bailey Pope! We talked about the current political climate for trans comedians, teasing vs. bullying an audience, and about punk rock philosophy in comedy. Bailey Pope (She/Her/Etc) is a New York based Comedian, writer, and pigeon-holed actor, providing the overly-tattooed, failed rock star transgender woman comedy that eve...

Mack is nonbinary comic & Portland native. Their gender identity is a mix between Mac Demarco & Shadow the Hedgehog: trashy, edgy, and a little furry in some places. Mack's comedy aims to eliminate feelings of shame through exploration of kink, mental health and queerness. They are the co-host & co-producer of Queer AF, Hear You Loud & Queer, & Heart Throb, the comedy dating sh...

I had the joy of sitting down with Ne Izima this week, and we had a really stellar conversation about the hurdles of being a minority in comedy, the woes of being a parent to a teenager, and insights into when your first impression actually starts when you're performing. Ne’(Nay) a Nigerian American comedian and actor originally from the midwest though! They’ve performed on stages like Jimmy Kimme...

Katie Bowman is an artist and comedian based out of Denver. She just released her debut comedy album, Neurodivergent Nightmare, with Burn This Records, it hit #1 on ITunes and Amazon the week it came out. Bowman has been featured on comedy festivals like Limestone, Highplains, Altercation and more! She was comic of the week on the Jackie and Laurie show. You can follow her on social media at @Kati...

Mark Addison is a dynamic stand-up comedian, actor, and engaging host known for his sharp wit and magnetic stage presence. He has performed all over NYC, such as Gotham Comedy Club, Broadway Comedy Club, and Comedy Cellar, as well as festivals such as the NYC Queer Comedy Club. He is known for his clever writing and timing, and he is definitely bringing the Daddy back in Dad jokes!!

This last week I got to sit down with Glen Tickle, as seen on Dry Bar Comedy and Travel Channel. He’s been heard on SiriusXM. He is very good at Dr. Mario but bad at the violin. We had a really wonderful punch-up session for a longform joke--check it out! https://www.glentickle.com/ #punchupthepodcast #GlenTickle #AutismTest #ComedyWriting

I got to sit down with Vidalia Unwin this week from Louisville KY to talk about transitioning from theater to comedy and finding your "pink opaque" Vidalia Unwin is a playwright, sketch comedy performer, and sometimes semi-professional silly person. You can follow her on Instagram @not_onions_no

I got to sit down with Calvin Reid this week! We discussed performing for queer audiences, the art of crossing boundaries, dark humor, and got to punch up a really fun joke! Calvin is a Denver born and raised comedian and award winning performer who has performed in shows/festivals across the state and country. You can see him in the outside world drinking overpriced iced coffees and watching drag...

This week I got to sit down with one of my favorite festival buddies, Jonah Nigh! Comedian Jonah has appeared in a variety of roles for NBC (“Baking It,” produced by Amy Poehler and hosted by Maya Rudolph and Andy Samberg), Peacock, CBS, Don't Tell Comedy, WNYC, NYC Pride March, France TV, TripAdvisor, the Museum of the City of New York, among countless festivals across the country! A five-time ma...

Juno is a Seattle-based comedian who has been seen on Moth Radio Hour, the Omaha Comedy Festival, and has opened for Rachel Scanlon. She was named Seattle’s Best Comedian in 2023 and an Undisputable Genius of Comedy in 2024. She performs and produces all over the PNW. https://linktr.ee/junomen https://www.instagram.com/seattlejuno/?hl=en

I had the joy of getting to speak with Jeremy Crittenden, who is no stranger to stage or screen, and we covered a lot of ground about comedy, puppetry, and gay (Canadian) divorce. Jeremy has been seen on Broadway, Star Trek, The Expanse, the L Word, and now on this podcast! Check him out here: https://linktr.ee/Jcritty

I got to sit down with Cody Webb to talk shop for the second season! Cody Webb is a standup comedian and influencer from Portland, Oregon. He’s known for infectious charisma, a deep wit, and a very, very, VERY loud voice (sorry!). He’s gotten over 250,000 followers by talking about his unique experiences with autism, sexuality, gender, and how weird the world is. There are many words you could use...

I had the pleasure of sitting down with Denver icon Sammy Anzer last week, and we could've talked for hours. https://www.sammyanzercomedy.com/ Instagram @BadBoyAnzer Comedians Talk Art: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f1PV4SFUNU0

Tenured stand-up comedian, podcaster, voice actor, fourth thing : Mitch Jones has been doing stand-up comedy since 2010 but he's been clownin' since day one. You may have seen Mitch in the commentary booth for Lucha Libre & Laughs, High Plains Comedy Festival, co-hosting the Broadcast Geeks podcast, performing all across Colorado, or as part of the No Country For Stoned Men Comedy Tour. Instag...

I got to sit down with MaryAlice Howser at a coffee shop, and we came up with a pretty great zinger together. https://www.instagram.com/fernet_barbie_/

This week I got to sit down with podcaster, comedian, and musician Christian Balmer! Linktree: https://linktr.ee/balmerb0y IG: @balmerb0y and @cheerscomedydc Get tickets to the Lineup Comedy Showcase at Aurora Market featuring Jason King: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-lineup-comedy-show-tickets-1058436515109?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term...

For this episode, I sat down for a rapid-fire pod with my good friend Tanner Coffman - a producer and comedian up in Fort Collins, CO - before an open mic. https://www.instagram.com/trashbagtanner/

Katie McDonald is a Colorado comedian and political-minded writer, performer, and student. I had so much fun getting to talk to Katie about navigating the comedy scene as a woman, relatively newer but wildly prolific comic, and as activist for gender-based violence. https://www.instagram.com/katiemcdons/

You know em, you love em, you're gonna be hearing more from them! Meet your Punch Up co-hosts, Cara Leoni and Israel Avila!