There It Is Podcast

Today's episode is short and sweet! Jason and Justina took a trip back home and they have a compelling discussion involving the old Thomas Wolfe adage, "You can't go home again." You can physically go home again, but things will be different. The pair talk about the changes they noticed, if there's a culture shock to going back home, what it's like to perform at your old improv theater when you ha...

Today's episode is with amazing actors and improvisers, Elana Fishbein and Elena Skopetos of NYC and stars of New York Times Critics Pick "Sisters Three." As well as being a performer Elana is an instructor at the Magnet Theater. She has appeared on The Truth Podcast, BBC America’s Almost Royal, and Absolutely Mindy! on SiriusXM Radio and performs all over in various productions. Elena acts, write...

Today's episode is with the exceptionally talented Actor, Comedian, and Impressionist of Fallon Tonight, Adam Hamway, who you previously got acquainted with in the Dion Flynn episode showcasing his Jimmy Fallon impression. Adam has been in commercials for MTV, SiriusXM, T-Mobile, Dunkin' Donuts, and Buffalo Wild Wings. You could may also have caught him doing impressions on Late Night with Jimmy F...

Happy Independence Day! We have a short little episode to share with you today as we all enjoy the holiday. Today, Jason and Justina talk about shows they've seen (like Rory Scovel's great Netflix special and a stand up show put on by the creators of web sensation Reductress), the PodcastAwards.com and how you should vote for out friends who do The Bearded Ones podcast, taking improv and sketch cl...

Today's superb episode is with Actor, Comedian, Writer - general wonder of all trades, Abbi Crutchfield! Jason has a great talk with Abbi that covers a lot because she is doing a lot! Abbi, an alum of UCB, has been on UCB Comedy Originals, Broad City, MTV, Vh1, has appeared in national commercials, and she co-hosts “You Can Do Better” on TruTV. Abbi also contributes to some e cards and started a s...

Today's episode is with Actor, Singer, Funny Person, Jessica Frey! Jessica is a very experienced actor of the stage and screen. She's performed in a number of plays and has also made TV appearances. She's been in Netflix Original series, "The Characters," several John Early shorts, and her own web series "Basic Witch." Jessica is also in a great sketch group called "Uncle Function" who perform at...

We had a chat with actor/comedian, Dion Flynn! Dion is most noted for playing President Barack Obama on the Tonight Show and he has made over 40 appearances on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon and The Tonight Show. Jason and Dion talk about Dion's extensive career in theater, studying at NYU, his friendship with Jimmy Fallon (which includes a reenactment with Jimmy Fallon impersonator, Adam Hamway), c...

In today's special episode we celebrate our One Year Anniversary!! Jason and Justina kick off the episode then Jason introduces clips of great "There It Is" moments! Take a listen at what you might have missed in previous episodes! Relive some favorite moments (like fun moments with Ayden Mayeri and Susan Messing) and relearn some sound advice (from Charna Halpern, Joe Toplyn, and Katy Berry). We...

Today's episode is with stand up comedian, Will Miles! Will is originally from Chicago, but has been performing in New York City for several years now where he was named one of 10 Comics to Watch by Comedy Central and Brooklyn Magazine named him one of the 50 Funniest Comics. Jason and Will have an illuminating discussion about learning from Steve Martin, performing stand up, how to approach doing...

Today's brand spanking new episode is with John Brennan! No. Not former CIA Director testifying to the House Intelligence Committee, John Brennan. The funny one who is an actor and improviser! ​​John has been through the improv scenes of NYC, Chicago, and Charleston, SC. He and Jason talk a lot about improv, why they're passionate about it, and how they approach it. They also talk about acting, be...

Today's episode is with the mother of all guests...Jason's mother! ​They talk about music in the 60's, her working as a talent booker for A&T State University and the phenomenal talent that performed there, her own desires to be a dancer, and what it was like having a child who wanted to be in the entertainment industry. Before you think there's nothing to learn from this episode, think again! If...

In this special 50th episode of the podcast we talk to the musician who created the music for the podcast, Niel Brooks! We love this episode! For one, it's the 50th one! Secondly, it's an enjoyable chat. Lastly, there's a fun surprise at the very end! In this episode, Jason and Niel talk about how Niel came up with the music for the theme song, playing music solo or with a band, improvising with a...

Today's episode is with NYC writer and comedian, Katy Berry! Katy performs improv with hip hop improv group North Coast and at the Magnet Theater. This episode starts off with Jason talking about seeing less great acting work permeating TV and film like he used to see growing up and why that might be. Then Katy talks about creating her web series, her start and meteoric rise in improv, having conf...

Today is a new fun-sized episode of the podcast's new special edition series, "Comedy Shop Talk!" Periodically Jason will chat with Justina or a special guest about different stories, topics, or thoughts swirling around in the comedy community. The hope is to spur conversation among fellow comedians. In today's episode Jason and Justina talk about a friend's thoughts on moving to a big city, a ser...

Today's episode is with improviser and artistic director of the Magnet Theater in NYC, Megan Gray! She's been performing for over a decade and has so many experiences for you to learn from. Jason and Megan have a great talk about what goes in to being the artistic director, her time performing on a cruise ship, how being entertaining is better than trying to be clever, immersing yourself in an imp...

Today's episode is with improviser and actor out of the Magnet Theater in NYC, Kristina Grosspietsch! Kristina is a dynamic performer who not only performs improv and acts, but also writes, and is an all around rock star of the stage! Jason and Kristina talk about becoming a member of the Magnet Theater. She tells Jason about her time in community theatre, realizing how much she missed performing,...

Today's guest is the founder of comedy-centric website Splitsider, Adam Frucci. Adam is also an improviser and started out at UCB in NY in 2005. Jason talks with Adam about performing regularly at UCB with the group Airwolf, improv theory, writing about comedy, and of course, starting Splitsider. They have a deeper discussion about how people discuss comedy online and joke theft accusations. Jason...

In this episode we talks, Jeremy McLellan. Jeremy is a thoughtful, intelligent stand up comic living in Charleston, SC. Jeremy talks about hot-button issues. He has an appetite for topics like religion, disabilities, gender, and politics, which is reflected in his comedy. Jason and Jeremy talk about these topics as wells as his transition from working with people with intellectual disabilities int...

We got to talk to a Chicago improviser and instructor, the incredible Susan Messing! Susan has been performing improv for quite some time at various theaters in Chicago, and is renowned for her work at iO, Second City, and the Annoyance! Jason and Susan get right into the nitty gritty of many things improv. The pair talk about Susan's approach to improv, the "rules of improv," how she started teac...

This special new episode is about moving to the greatest city in the world! Jason and Justina talk about their move to New York! In it they discuss the experiences they have had involving art and comedy. In the first couple of weeks of living in NYC, Jason and Justina took their first improv class at the Magnet Theater (taught by previous guest Rick Andrews!), Jason doing stand up in Queens, going...

The podcast is on the road this week! Jason, along with fan favorite Justina, got to have their last hurrah with their Greenville comedy crew from the  Alchemy Comedy Theater at NCCAF! What a fun time they had! Jason and Justina talk about performing and the shows they attended. The two also got to talk to friends Evan, Brooke, Nicole, Andrew, and Larry about their experience at the festival, as w...

We talked to actress, comedian, and writer, Erica Rhodes, of A Prairie Home Companion, @Midnight, and more! Erica has done so much in the industry already! Aside from @Midnight, you may have seen her on Modern Family, New Girl, Why? with Hannibal Buress, Comedy Bang Bang, or Live at Gotham! Erica and Jason talk about how she got started as a performer on A Prairie Home Companion at the tender age...

Today's episode is with improviser, instructor, and founder of Improv City in Orange County, CA, Devin Dugan! Jason and Devin have a really great talk about performing improv, teaching improv, his experience running his theater, and more! It's a great one for improvisers who are brand new and those who have been doing it for some time. Instructors can get some insight from this conversation, too....

Today's episode is with actress, improviser, and instructor, Jeris Donovan! Jeris has been acting and performing comedy for over 20 years. She learned the craft of improv in the Chicago theaters The Annoyance, Second City, and iO. She moved to Los Angeles and taught and directed at iO West. While in LA Jeris appeared on TV shows like Spin City and Two Guys a Girl and a Pizza Place. Jeris and Jason...

We talked to creators and performers Maari Suorsa and Henry Riggs of the Charleston, SC sketch duo, "Nameless Numberhead." Jason has a great chat with Maari and Henry about their approach to improv, how they create their brand of comedy, and how they manage being a couple who perform together. They also get into the ins and outs of working and writing together on their sketch duo, "Nameless Number...