Ruse Radio

Dimitri Venice is a comedian & producer based in Chicago, Illinois! 💯 Catch him hosting Cellar Dwellars Open Mic every Tuesday at 8:30 PM (downstairs at Lottie's Pub) 🔥 In this episode, we discuss the difference between emotional intelligence and IQ, the extreme importance of finding a trustworthy social circle, our favorite YouTuber apologies, how franchise fatigue is destroying Hollywo...

Ashland Thomas is a filmmaker based in Chicago, IL! 💯His upcoming film, 'SYN' is currently in production & is coming soon to a screen near you! 🎬 You can find his production company, 'Good Candy Films', on all your favorite social media platforms 🍬 In this episode, we discuss the making of SYN, where the Scream franchise went wrong, the forgotten novelty of uncanny animation...

Mehdi Amani is a stand-up comedian based in Chicago, Illinois! 💯 In this episode, we discuss how it feels to get boomered, why our ideologies shift based on algorithms, the satanic Olympic ceremonies, why great teachers can read people so well, what makes Pastafarianism the most compelling religion, how not to get scammed while in Egypt, and much more! 🔥

Paul Miller is a stand-up comedian & producer based in Chicago, Illinois! His new special, 'Lunch Break' is OUT NOW on YouTube! 💯 Give it a watch at work while you're eating a sandwich or something 😉 You can also catch him WEEKLY at Beer Belly Open Mic, happening every Thursday at 10PM @ 2Bears Tavern Uptown 🍺 In this episode, we discuss parasocial relationships between comedian...

Tony Castro is a stand-up comedian based in Chicago, Illinois! 💯 In this episode, we discuss what made MF DOOM so legendary, the forgotten era of ringtone music, the difference between graffiti and street art, when influencers try stand-up comedy, how drawing can destroy the language barrier during travel, and much more! 🔥

Damon Howard is a stand-up comedian & producer based in Chicago, Illinois! You can catch his show, 'Up'N Coming', WEEKLY at The Second City 💯 In this episode, we discuss Damon's early life on the Navajo reservation, why success and growth push us towards a narrowing intentionality, what audiences truly want from a performer, the importance of sunscreen, how incidental practice...

Dwayne Neff is a hip-hop artist based in Chicago, IL 💯 His latest release, 'I LOVE THE GAME' is OUT NOW on all streaming platforms 🎵 In this episode, we discuss the genius of Don Toliver, Drake's next career move, what inspired Dwayne's latest track 'I LOVE THE GAME', why your legacy matters, how success reframes your life, and so much more! 🔥

Femi is a stand-up comedian based in Chicago, Illinois! 💯 Maybe you recognize him from his NUMEROUS appearances at Roast Battle Chicago 💪 His latest special, 'Let Me Try That Again', is available to watch NOW on YouTube! 🤯 In this episode, we discuss why edibles are not for everyone, the origins of the phrase 'knock on wood', how Femi's upbringing in Nigeria changed his outl...

Brandon Taylor is a stand-up comedian based in Chicago, Illinois! 💯 In this episode, we discuss the genius of Joe Budden, what the PS5 did that is unforgivable, why everyone needs a giant flat-screen TV, Brandon's experience moving from St. Louis to Chicago, the strange reality of parasocial relationships, and much more! 🔥

Christine Ferrera is a comedian, visual artist, painter, vaudevillian, & more based in Chicago, Illinois! 💯 In this episode, we discuss how Christine broke free of her extreme shyness, the origins of vaudeville, why comedy felt so much harder to pursue pre-internet, what we loved about Christopher Nolan's 'The Prestige', why the 'flimsy premise' films of the 80s were so sp...

Shawn Banks is a stand-up comedian & producer based in Chicago, Illinois! You can catch his show, 'Lowkey Funny', MONTHLY at The Laugh Factory Chicago 💯 In this episode, we discuss how weathermen are essentially paid to spread gossip, why Rebecca Black is the perfect level of famous, what an improv teacher told Shawn that changed his life forever, how the D.C. comedy scene compares to...

Jim Balderston is a comedian & producer working in Chicago, Illinois. Catch his legendary production, 'Comedy You Deserve', twice a month at the Den Theatre! 💯 In this episode, we discuss the tarnished legacy of Will Smith, the Jim Carrey body-double controversy, the origins of Fortnite, where cancel culture began, why so many television shows end terribly (Stranger Things, Game of Th...

Dat Damn Deedee is a comedian, producer, bartender, open mic host, full-time mom, & more based in Chicago, Illinois! 💯 In this episode, we discuss how social media has changed art, what it really means to be "famous", why Goodwill is the best place to shop for clothes, how we take our parents for granted, what a mother truly wants from her children, and much more! 🔥

Eyeqsoul is a hip-hop artist & podcaster artist based in Chicago, IL. 💯 You can catch his podcast (P.O.T. Podcast) on YouTube! His latest song, 'S.W.S.' features Lazy Ass Pupils & Ruse (yours truly!) & can be heard on all streaming platforms 🎵 In this episode, we discuss our wildest public transit encounters, the genius of The Animatrix, how P.O.T. Podcast has evolved over ti...

Max Shanker is a stand-up comedian & producer based in Chicago, Illinois! You can catch his show, 'Best Night Ever', WEEKLY every Tuesday @ 8PM at The Lincoln Lodge 💯 In this episode, we discuss Max's first open mic experience, what it's like living with allergies, the glamorization of true crime, why the food pyramid is confusing, the true difference between skateboards and l...

Tim Perez is a comedian, producer, & hip-hop artist based in Chicago, IL. He's also the mastermind behind Guerrilla Taco Party, a DIY HQ for the rawest talent Chicago has to offer 💯 Catch the NEXT Guerilla Taco Party at CASA CAFE on APRIL 17th! Music, comedy, madness, & more will ensue. The last two SOLD OUT so make sure to get your tickets ASAP 😉 I'll catch you there.

Sir Trey is a comedian & actor based in Chicago, Illinois! 💯 In this episode, we discuss why confidence is the root of success, the segregation of Chicago's comedy scene (North Side VS South Side), what Trey learned in acting school, why comics should wait a few more years before releasing their first special, whether we will ever own a tiger, and much more! 🔥

TJ Sopoci is a comedian, filmmaker, photographer, musician, podcaster, & more based in Chicago, Illinois! 💯 In this episode, we discuss how a dating podcast shaped TJ's future, why he chose to make a dive bar documentary, our personal favorite films, what makes Chicago so special, whether or not there are alien water slides under the Pyramids of Giza, and much more! 🔥

Laz Patillo is a comedian & producer working in Chicago, Illinois. He is the founder of Deep End, a force bringing you comedy, film, music, & live events! The main focus is to provide a platform for genuine talent and to build a community in the process 💪 Be on the lookout for their next outing, coming soon to a venue near you. 💯 In this episode, we discuss how to engineer a viral celebr...

Alex Perez is a filmmaker based in Chicago, IL! He is one of the founding fathers of Kino Crew Productions, the masterminds who orchestrated the iconic 'Gobblehead' series! 🦃 Their latest film, 'LOADS', is screening March 28th at Surge Billiards! 🎬 If you can't make it then, catch one of the numerous screenings to come. 🎭 In this episode, we discuss why 'Darkman' is...

Nick Hanek is a comedian, producer, & podcaster based in Chicago, Illinois! 💯 His latest production, 'Laugh Madness 2' takes place on March 12th at Woodie's Flat (Old Town) at 7 PM! 🎭 In this episode, we discuss Nick's Adam Ray interview disaster story, when we can expect the Comedy Collision podcast to return, why you should witness LAUGH MADNESS 2 on March 12th, what our pr...

Tye Erskin is a stand-up comedian based in Columbus, Ohio! 💯 In this episode, we discuss what makes Columbus the fast food HQ of the US, how the WNBA could begin a revolution, why books are the true source of knowledge, the genius of Kendrick Lamar, and much more! 🔥

Mike Mazzella is a comedian, producer, & improviser based in Chicago, Illinois! 💯 His latest production, 'Keepin' Tabs' (a satirical new sketch show) can be caught MONTHLY at The Annoyance 🎭 In this episode, we discuss the beauty of charcuterie boards, what you can expect at 'Keepin' Tabs', our GoPro origin movie pitch, Mike's upcoming production 'Proud Coward...

VII is a hip-hop artist based in Chicago, IL 💯 His latest project, 'heartbreak hotel.' is OUT NOW on all streaming platforms 🎵 In this episode, we discuss the meaning behind the name 'VII', what makes a good wrestler, how to mobilize your influence, why learning to focus on specific incidents changed VII's writing style forever, how wrestling is like jazz, and so much more!...

St. James Jackson is a comedian, producer, & podcaster based in Chicago, IL 💯 You can catch his show, 'Something Unexpected', once a month at the Laugh Factory! 🎭 In this episode, we discuss the film Marty Supreme, why actors are overrated, the "make me laugh" problem, how social media platforms have changed over the years, why everyone should read more, the downside of leg...