Ruse Radio

Mike Dwyer is a comedian in the Chicago area! He has a natural, extremely genuine personality that makes him perfect for a self-expressive medium like comedy. The 'human element' is strong with this one. 💯 It was an honor to sit down with him! In this episode, we discuss how Mike managed to escape the monotony of shuffling through day jobs, the process of individual self-discovery (and ho...

Dan Lee is a comedian working in the Chicago area. Catch him cooking up at a microphone near you. 🔥 In this episode, we discuss how medieval pirates would suffice in modern warfare, which accents are the coolest, how to bring back the show 'Celebrity Deathmatch' in a live-action reboot, Dan's experience of quitting cigarettes cold-turkey after 16 years of smoking, the genius of Norm M...

Abbigale Blaze is a comedian operating in the Chicago area! Catch her live TODAY. 🔥 In this episode, we discuss our experience of the chaotic year we call 2024, how a phone is essentially a slot machine, why embracing your failures is extremely important in creative pursuits, how open mics can rewire your brain, why Abbigale chose to do 200 open mics in 365 days, and much more! 💯 As always, than...

The infamous Shawn Shaw is a comedian and filmmaker in the Chicago area. You can catch him in 'Coconut Cruise', coming soon to a screen near you 💯 In this episode, we discuss why 2014 was the last great year for movies, why collaborative writing is best, what makes for a good comedy film, the brilliance and failure of Game of Thrones, the sad truth of Disney's Star Wars, when one can expect the s...

Drew Graf is a podcaster located in the Chicago area! You can catch his show, 'Drew Sits With', wherever you listen to podcasts 💯The man is a natural conversationalist and an inquisitive soul so do yourself a favor and give it a gander. In this episode, we discuss the value of good conversations, why we have to let go of some of our best ideas, how a low-budget production can have more relatabili...

Ron Bloom is a comedian/producer in the Chicago area! Sometimes in life, you meet people who are an immediate inspiration and Ron is one of them. He has a genuine love for the artform of comedy and makes it a mission to support his colleagues. The man is a class act. Make sure to check out one of his shows ASAP! You'll have yourself a great night ♥ In this episode, we discuss Ron's origins as a pr...

Frank Vega is a comedian in the Chicago area! Catch him performing his '60 Seconds of Hell' routine LIVE at the Glenwood Open Mic every Tuesday 💯 In this episode, we discuss how the concept of Frank's '60 Seconds of Hell' originated, his work as a pirate performing at Navy Pier, the problem with "fact-telling" in comedy, testing the boundaries of audiences, how modern events make comics predictab...

Jon Torgerson, A.K.A. Torgy, is a comedian and podcaster in the Chicago area! His program 'Torgy Talk' can be watched now on all streaming platforms! ♥ In this episode, we discuss what we miss about high school, quitting nicotine, whether or not the NFL is rigged, how comedians would do in a zombie apocalypse, the nostalgia of 2010s scene music, Jon's experience living in Hawaii, and much more! 🔥...

Ginnel Moore is a comedian in the Chicago area. She's performing at shows at least three times a month so make sure to experience her comedy in person sometime soon! You won't regret it. 💯 In this episode, we discuss why you don't want too much fame, the importance of establishing honesty and trust with an audience, Chicago's roast battle community, how Ginnel builds a set, performing comedy at u...

Steven Black is a comedian in the Chicago area! He will be hosting the Bingo Bash comedy show on December 27th. Maybe you could drop in and win a prize or two 😉 & make sure to find him on Instagram! His previous account was Zucced out of existence. 😅 In this episode, we discuss how we think we would do in a zombie apocalypse, whether or not dinosaurs are real, when vaping first became a thin...

Marcos Cirino is a comedian in the Chicago area! He moved all the way from Amsterdam one year ago. He was recently highlighted in his first-ever Chicago comedy showcase and for good reason. It's all good vibes and positive, upward thinking with this guy. Happy to have him join us as an honorary member of the Ruse Radio guest list. ♥ In this episode, we discuss learning to read an audience, how Mar...

Rachel Thomashow is a comedian in the Chicago area! She has a truly colorful personality and this was a blast to film! Happy to share it with you. It's always a good time here on Ruse Radio. 😉 In this episode, we discuss our appreciation for the arts, our favorite random sounds (neck-cracking, pillow scratching), the role of food in mental health, how difficult it is to run a gym, YouTube's golde...

Caleb Jones is a comedian in the Chicago area! He recently moved from Texas to Chicago and learned the ways of Midwestern city folk. Catch him live at a comedy club near you today. 💯 In this episode, we discuss the difference between the Texas and Chicago comedy scenes, alligator culture, how aliens probably exist in the ocean, why having a monkey as a pet is not the best idea, girl dogs VS. boy...

Andrẽs Merlos is a comedian/filmmaker in the Chicago area. His latest film, 'Coconut Cruise', just had it's premiere debut a week before today! Get in contact and maybe you'll be another one of those lucky souls to see it first. 😉 In this episode, we discuss the importance of how we guide and influence children, how Andrẽs is training for the 2025 Chicago Marathon, the need to bring back reggae m...

Welcome to the Ruse Radio Thanksgiving family special! Beau is my sister and this is her third appearance on the show! 💞 In this episode, we discuss the horrors of sleep paralysis, dog anxiety and cat attachment, the nature of dreams, whether or not George Lopez is real, the problem with film adaptations, and much more! 🔥 As always, thank you for watching. New episodes of Ruse Radio always comin...

Jake Pita is Chicago's deaf comic! I'm happy to say that this is his second appearance on the show. Catch him live at his next comedy appearance! He would be happy to see you. 😁 In this episode, we discuss Pokemon's infamous epileptic seizure controversy, the struggle of getting closed captioning in the late 90s, experiencing the Russian opera, the cons of dressing as Waldo for Halloween, our lat...

Josh Gloor is a comedian/podcaster in the Chicago area! Catch him live or tune into his show, 'Afternoon Gloory', today! He posts comedic content constantly. 💯 In this episode, we discuss why Chicago is the best city for comedy, finding our voice by distinguishing ourselves from our influences, managing addictions, how moderation might be impossible, why Josh might move to Salt Lake City, and mor...

Mike Smith, A.K.A. the Doctor of Laughter, is a comedian and impressionist from the Chicago area! Catch him live today and hear his rendition of Bill Clinton, Donald Trump, Dr. Evil, Al Gore, and many, many more. 😅 In this episode, we discuss how humor can heal us, what makes a great impression, finding your 'voice', the joke creation process, finding comedy in everyday life, and much more! 🔥 As...

The Nabu is a comedian, musician, and YouTuber creating in Chicago, Illinois! In this episode, we discuss how commodification is destroying quality, our universal origins found within ancient Sumerian culture, when Barbie was first created, the flaws of modern educational systems, the importance of preserving physical media, and so much more! 🔥 As always, thank you for watching. New episodes of R...

My father passed away three weeks before filming this. I am still processing everything. This is my attempt to capture the state I'm in now and to understand the totality of my father's life. It is simply my perspective of events. The truth is likely far more nuanced and complicated. In this episode, I attempt to pinpoint the moment where my father's life changed forever. I do my best to understan...

The Nabu is a comedian, musician, and YouTuber creating in Chicago, Illinois! In this episode, the Nabu explains how Barbie holds the key to reality, why it's okay to not always feel your best, the toxic messages that we tell modern men, her work on predator awareness, preventing bad Kenergy, her comedic origins (including her time at Clown Camp), and so much more! As always, thank you for watchin...

Ethan Cohen, A.K.A. Rabbi Dude, is a comedian and a poet working in Chicago, Illinois! Ethan is one of those guys where the gears are constantly turning in his head. There's always an idea ready to come out of him. His poetry books are a prime example of this, offering countless pages filled with his latest creations. His comedy is one in the same, with stories upon stories to tell. Catch him live...

Tim Perez is a musician/stand-up comedian in the Chicago area. He's also a 100%, Ruse-certified real one. 💯 In this episode, we discuss Shrek festivals, our experiences in finding God, Tim's upcoming presidential campaign, McDonalds Sprite, the downfall of late-night talk shows, Ruse's negative improv experience, the classic websites of the Internet's golden age, and so much more! 💪 As always, t...

James Najjaar is a stand-up comedian in the Chicago area 😹 You can catch him live ASAP if you head to his socials and check out his dates 💯 I met James after my first Chicago open mic just a few weeks ago. He was hosting the show and asked me to stick around for a skit afterwards. It was only after I got home that night when I saw his content and realized who I was talking to 😂 this guy is a ma...

Jake Pita is Chicago's deaf comic! Throw in your hearing aid and listen up for the latest episode of Ruse Radio 😁 or maybe throw on those closed captions. 😅 This was an awesome episode! Jake is seriously a great guy and it was my pleasure to chat with him for an extended time like this. We discuss his experiences onstage as a deaf comic, problems that deaf people experience that hearing people m...