The Comedy Castle Podcast

Mitch Fatel has been known as one of comedy’s funniest and most unique performers for almost three decades. He makes his return to the Comedy Castle stage this weekend and he tells Joel all about his career, his style and if he’s really been running a comedy club in Arkansas. Mitch talks about his early… Continue reading Podcast #271: Mitch Fatel →

The Comedy Castle Podcast returns with Ben Bailey. The Cash Cab star talked to Joel back in 2024, but he’s appearing this week at the club and you should go – really!  Ben tells Joel of his unlikely start at The Comedy Castle, the Hollywood eccentric who gave him his break, and how he ended… Continue reading Podcast #270: Ben Bailey From The Archives →

The annual competition for young comedians starts next week at The Comedy Castle. Its curator, Bill Bushart, joins Joel to talk about why the prize is a trip to Austin and not L.A., the benefits of performing in the contest, how the judging works, and how comics can register. Hear why your friends may not… Continue reading Podcast #269: Detroit to Austin Special w/Bill Bushart →

Mike Bonner is a Detroit legend on the comedy stage, and this Memorial Day weekend he’s back for more shows. Mike tells Joel about his start at the club, the big star who inspired him (who he later watched bomb), and how he transitioned from acting to stand-up. Hear why the legendary Def Comedy Jam… Continue reading Podcast #268: Mike Bonner →

Jamie Lissow is on a roll with weekly television appearances and sold-out comedy shows. Jamie talks to Joel before his Comedy Castle weekend about finding success through Gutfeld, why he does early shows, touring with his doctor wife, and why he lives in Alaska, of all places. Plus, talk of TJ Miller, Rob Schneider and… Continue reading Podcast #267: Jaime Lissow →

Two interviews this week, starting off with Preacher Lawson. Preacher talks being funny with his family, the pressures (or not) of appearing on America’s Got Talent, and what he learns touring the world as a famous comic. Plus, local hero Josh Adams reflects on his formative years in stand-up, tells harrowing stories from the road,… Continue reading Podcast #266: Preacher Lawson/Josh A...

Christian Finnegan has been on people’s TVs for over twenty years and he makes his Comedy Castle debut this weekend. Christian tells Joel of his start on VH1’s Best Week Ever, the weird way he got on that show, his later fame from Chappelle’s Show, and the odd gaggle of celebs he met on Are… Continue reading Podcast #265: Christian Finnegan →

Jeff Allen has been a staple of comedy clubs and theaters for years and he took some time to talk before his two shows on Sunday April 12th. Jeff tells Joel about his start in comedy in the 1970s, how left clubs for churches and corporate work, and how had a career renaissance going viral… Continue reading Podcast #264: Jeff Allen →

Steven Rogers has been on tour with some of the biggest names in comedy and he talks to Joel here before his return headlining engagement at The Comedy Castle. Steven tells Joel of his start in comedy at age twenty, why older folks have so much more life experience to relate to, and how Brian… Continue reading Podcast #263: Steven Rogers →

Laurie Kilmartin returns to The Comedy Castle this week and she talked to Joel just hours after her writing gig at The Oscars ended. Hear what it’s like to write for Conan O’Brien and the pressure that the creatives feel getting ready for the show. Also, Joel picks his favorite bit from the show, asks… Continue reading Podcast #262: Laurie Kilmartin Returns →

Michael McDaniel is a Detroit original and a Comedy Castle favorite. Here he tells Joel of his audacious start of his comedy career, how winning a comedy festival in 2010 helped him, and how he was booed at a church show for an unknown reason. Plus, hear how Michael’s excellent impression came about. From crying… Continue reading Podcast #261: Michael McDaniel →

Geoffrey Asmus has really gained a following at The Comedy Castle over the last few years. Going from an opening act to a summer headliner, Geoff has used social media and his infectious enthusiasm on stage to create unforgettable performances that quickly sell-out. Geoffrey tells Joel how tough road gigs shaped his style leading to… Continue reading Podcast #260: Geoffrey Asmus Returns &#85...

T.J. Miller is one of the The Comedy Castle’s most popular acts and while it didn’t work out to have him live on this week’s podcast, here’s the next best thing – two interviews he did for us in 2023 and 2024. Hear T.J. tell Joel of his unique style of comedy, his affinity for… Continue reading Podcast #259: The T.J. Miller Anthology →

Paul Mecurio brings his high-energy, hilarious act back to The Comedy Castle for Valentine’s Day weekend. Paul tells Joel some hilarious stories from his one man show, why he creeps people out in the park for no reason, and why he’s this close to not being able to shop on Amazon. Plus, Joel tells of… Continue reading Podcast #258: Paul Mecurio: Great Comic, Annoying to Dogs &#859...

Marina Franklin has credits as long as anyone’s and she brings her talents to The Comedy Castle this weekend. Here she tells Joel of her memorable scene from the movie Trainwreck, how she inspired and then played a character on HBO’s Crashing, and how her Chicago roots make the Midwest her favorite spot to perform.… Continue reading Podcast #257: Marina Franklin →

As a true “comic’s comic”, Stewart Huff has made a name for himself in the stand-up world and he makes his Comedy Castle debut this weekend. Stewart tells Joel of living in his car on the road, why he had a hard time going to his first open mike, and why his brilliant comedy is… Continue reading Podcast #256: Stewart Huff →

It’s 2026, and the Comedy Castle line-up starts with Lachlan Patterson. Lachlan tells Joel of the character piece that died at the club a decade ago, his unique writing style and structure, and how Last Comic Standing was a big break, but not a pleasant experience overall. Lachlan’s a riot! Catch him this weekend! Plus,… Continue reading Podcast #254: Lachlan Patterson →

Nate Armbruster has his first chance to headline a New Year’s Eve show at The Comedy Castle – and he’s the first headliner of 2026! Nate tells Joel why he’s happy to be at the club, and he’d be happy to do nothing if he wasn’t there. Plus, Nate and Joel compare wedding stories, and… Continue reading Podcast #253: Nate Armbruster For NYE →

Matt Holt has been waiting years to get back on the Comedy Castle stage and this week is it! Matt and Joel catch up about Matt’s start in comedy, his moving around to different states and what he misses about Michigan, and their mutual love of Bruce Springsteen. Plus, hear the greatest faux pas at… Continue reading Podcast #252: Matt Holt →

Jason Jamerson has made his name as a Detroit comic who works clean. But don’t get that confused with someone who doesn’t have opinions or isn’t funny. Jason tells Joel why the Detroit Lions suck all of sudden, his recent foot surgery (and why he’s having another one), why he took a job at Target… Continue reading Podcast #251: Jason Jamerson Comes Clean →

It’s our 250th show and what better guest than David Dyer. Dave is back for his fifth interview on the show, and he’s ready with stories of hell gigs on the road, the great success of his YouTube special, the pros and cons of hair plugs and dyes at his age and much more. David… Continue reading Podcast #250: David Dyer Has A Million Views →

JeCorey Hawkins is a shining light on the Michigan Comedy scene. He emcees this weekend and joined us for a chat on this show. JeCorey tells how socializing in high school and college made his personality come out, his experience winning the 2024 Detroit to LA competition, his goals for blowing up and why some… Continue reading Podcast #249: JeCorey Hawkins/Joe Machi Redux →

Zach Martina headlines this holiday weekend, and he joins Joel here to talk Thanksgiving, Lions football, and the ins and outs of making a comedy special. Zach tells of the dishes he contributes to family thanksgiving, and a novel way to consume the leftovers – no turkey goes to waste! Also, why watching the Lions… Continue reading Podcast #248: Zach Martina’s Famous Potatoes &#8...

Two fresh interviews this week, as weekend headliner Josh Wolf brings “The Campfire Tour” to The Comedy Castle. Josh tells of the innovations he’s brought to the show with music and collaborations, working with his son, Jacob, and doing one show a week on magic mushrooms! Josh is a crowd favorite and his tickets go… Continue reading Podcast #247: Josh Wolf/TJ Wharry →

A special Comedy Castle Podcast has Tim Finkel memorializing his son Ryder, who sadly lost his battle with childhood cancer recently. Tim tells us Ryder was brave and had a great sense of humor until the very end. Tim also tells of his eventual return to the comedy stage and has thoughts on Joel recent… Continue reading Podcast #246: Tim Finkel/John Heffron →