The Art of Bombing: A Comedy Podcast

In this episode of Between Bombs Callbacks, Dan and Larry return after another unexpected hiatus and callback episode 323 with Troy Walker. They discuss starting earlier and how that might change you, getting heckled before starting your set, and walking past the people who hated you. Our Sponsors Visit any of the following sponsors and use promo code "AOBPOD" at checkout to receive: 20% off an it...

Troy Walker is a writer for Jimmy Kimmel Live, but started cutting his comedy teeth in Denver. From an early age, he started absorbing comedy of all kinds, developing his love for the art form.  He tells Dan a handful of bombing stories, from dying at colleges, to struggling on that Friday late show, to being heckled before he even started, and how that drive to the next bomb can really make you a...

In this episode of Between Bombs Callbacks, Dan and Larry return after an unexpected hiatus, battling respiratory illness, cross-state moves, and the chaos that comes with life offstage. They dive into the uncomfortable reality every comic faces: winning over audiences who don’t instantly like you, and why real growth in comedy still comes from miles on the road and word-of-mouth connections. The...

Lisa Rimmert started her journey in St. Louis performing improv, but discovered a love of stand-up. She and Dan discuss how hard it has been to start over again and again, the costs of performing, and the challenges of working in small markets.  She tells Dan about bombing at the Seattle Comedy Competition, the differences in performing at competitions versus regular shows, and the feeling of bein...

Between Bombs Ep. 321 Callbacks finds Dan and Larry calling back their conversation with Katherine Rogue and digging deeper into the craft of stand-up. They talk about being honest about the time you can realistically do on stage, why having the ability to pivot (and read the room) is a survival skill, and how staying observant in everyday life fuels better material—without feeling like you always...

Katherine Rogue started not four years ago, but is wasting no time, spending as much time on stage as possible. She and Dan chat about coming up in comedy in a rural area, the trap that is feeling like you have to write new material weekly for the same crowd, and how having a background in other art forms has helped with stage presence.  Also, how being observant while out helps with material, the...

In this holiday edition and season finale of Between Bombs Ep. 320 Callbacks, Dan and Larry go back to their conversation with Cori Stewart to break down the unspoken rules of hosting and producing comedy. We talk about why stealing jokes, even as an intro, is a fast way to lose trust, how bringing comics up in weird ways derails a show, and why due diligence matters more than last-minute winging...

We’re a BIG fan of Cori Stewart! Getting her start in St Louis, the now Denver comic talks with Dan about loving comedy from an early age, her mother nurturing that love, and how important that is. From getting started in high school to hosting at Helium, Cori is always a ray of sunshine in whatever room she’s in.  Cori and Dan talk about the worst night hosting Cori’s had, how the room is a facto...

In this episode of The Art of Bombing presents: Between Bombs, Dan and Larry call back episode 319 with comedian Sydney Kane. They dive into when to make changes to your act, how to avoid stepping on your laughs, and the power of killing your darlings. Dan also shares the story of his very first cruise ship gig, adding a fresh dose of excitement to the mix. Our Sponsors Visit any of the following...

This episode is FULL! Sydney and Dan get into the importance of funny and engaging videos, catching the wave of the ever-changing algorithm, what makes a comedian, figuring out “how to land the plane,” using comedy “cheat codes,” and the pitfall of making unnecessary changes. Also, authenticity, not being precious, dolls vs. action figures, Dan learns a new word, and Larry wants to know what a “si...

In this episode of the Art of Bombing presents: Between Bombs, Dan and Larry call back episode 318 with comedian and comic book writer, Eliot Rahal. They break down writing for the stage vs writing for the paper, finding your point of view, and how it differs from finding your voice. Finally, Dan and Larry discuss the painfulness of bombing when the stakes are high! Our Sponsors Visit any of the f...

Dan’s at SiouxperCon and gets to have a great chat with comic book author (Knock’em Dead, Midnight Vista) and former standup Eliot Rahal! From his time starting at the legendary Lincoln Lodge in Chicago to his chance at a pilot to writing comic books, they discuss the need for a point of view, the reasons we do comedy, and the need to get out of your “safe rooms” so you can push yourself.  The epi...

In this episode of the Art of Bombing presents: Between Bombs, Dan and Larry call back episode 317 with Douglas Widick. They break down earning a laugh versus cheating a laugh (many examples arise), and how building synergy in an improv group is similar to building synergy with the audience. The two of them dive deep into the importance of having the act before going off script, Dan shares his tho...

Dan gets the chance to talk with sketch and improv artist Douglas Widick. They talk Edinburgh Fringe Festival, the difference between English and Scottish audiences, the relationship between improv and standup, making sure you “have an act” before you riff, the fun of watching a GOOD bomb, and theatre ghosts! Additionally, the fact that sometimes you're playing for an audience of three or a sold-o...

In this episode of Between Bombs: Callbacks, Dan and Larry revisit their conversation with Ben Katzner for a lively and insightful chat about growth on stage. They explore the fine line between confidence and cockiness (featuring a hilarious pigeon chess analogy), and how recording your sets can actually build confidence. Plus, they dive into why stepping outside your comfort zone is one of the be...

In this episode, Dan is joined by Minneapolis-based comedian Ben Katzner, and they discuss actively avoiding each other, how you can get stuck in a “pocket” in a larger scene, and the importance of getting out of that comfort zone. In addition, Dan and Ben talk about the plague of vanishing clubs, allowing overconfidence to get in the way of doing a good show, being able to read the room and posit...

In this Between Bombs: Callbacks episode, Dan and Larry circle back to Ep 315 with Taylor Soderborg for a lively chat about comedy’s secret weapons—likability and trust. They break down how reading the room can turn a good set into a great one, and why sometimes your set isn’t nearly as bad as you thought. With laughs, insights, and a few surprises, this episode is all about finding confidence on...

Taylor discusses starting as a comedy nomad, the idea that comedy has to balance itself, taking responsibility for the audience (even if the audience is bad and should feel bad), and learning to read the room. She and Dan also discuss weird audiences, ensuring you’re in charge of the room, and building likability and trust so the audience will follow you. Taylor Soderborg Taylor Soderborg is a doc...

In this Between Bombs: Callbacks episode, Dan and Larry circle back to their conversation with Joe Scrocca from Episode 314! They dig into why solid notes are a comedian’s secret weapon, the value of researching local references to land stronger laughs, and what makes for an effective writing process. It’s a fun deep dive that blends practical comedy tips with plenty of insight for both new and se...

Dan returns with New Jersey comic Joe Scrocca. They cover everything from biker bars to making sure you do your regional research before a road gig, and ways to put the comedy puzzle together. They also discuss the art of exaggeration while maintaining realism, the value of good notes, and Joe’s whiteboard process. Joe Scrocca Joe started doing comedy on 12/14/2023—no prior experience in entertain...

It’s the season finale, and what better way to wrap it up than with Dan and Larry talking about the comedy nightmare that is the after-prom! Is it a rite of passage or a special torture you should say “no” to? They bring up crowd work, Bill Hicks, Robin Williams, and the importance of The Act before you try improvisation on stage. Also, Larry’s new nickname, Dan’s accomplishment, and some other si...

In this Between Bombs: Callbacks episode, Dan and Larry revisit their chat with the hilarious Jim Tews from Episode 312! They dive into the strange experience of hearing other comics who sound just like you (and how that lights a fire under your feet), the superhuman levels of embarrassment comedians endure on the regular, and how comedy clubs that used to pop off seven nights a week just aren't w...

Jim Tews has spent more than half his life on stage making people laugh. From being inspired by Dave Attell’s “Insomniac” to his first days doing comedy in a strip mall sports bar, Jim knew he had to do it to keep from losing his mind.  He and Dan chat about the level of judgment comedians are under and how it would horrify a “normal person,” bigger markets equal higher stakes, and the hell that c...

What makes a joke work—and what do you do when it doesn’t? In this episode of the Art of Bombing Between Bombs: Callbacks, Dan and Larry call back episode 311 with Kimberly Koester! They break down joke mechanics, how to craft a stage persona that feels authentic, and why a bombed bit might be the best thing for your growth. Finally, we figure out why Larry is so spicy this week! Art of Bombing: "...

Kimberly Koester is a comic with a unique perspective—one she works at! She discusses her “Killy Tony Bump,” the Mothership open mic, the importance of forced networking, and how important the book “How to Kill at Comedy” has been to her. She also touches on the comic’s persona, handling a joke that doesn’t land, and the importance of learning joke structure. Kimberly Koester Kimberly’s comedy exp...