There It Is Podcast

In this special New Year's episode where we dive into the power of acceptance and setting realistic goals for the coming year. It's high time we break free from the fallacy of traditional resolutions and focus on what truly matters for personal growth. Jason explores the importance of accepting your current circumstances, whether it's your career, skill level, or life situation. Acceptance is not...

We have a festive chat with Brother of the Show, Trey, and Fiancée of the Show, Justina, where we make a case for why some hotly contested "Non-Traditional Christmas movies" are, in fact, Christmas movies. We also share a quote from friend of the show, Brian James O'Connell, that helps put the debates to bed (of snow?) and have a jolly ol' time doing it! Merry Christmas! Twitter: @ThereItIsPod, @J...

As a performer, having intimacy with your audience can be a huge step forward to having great shows. There are a few steps to having intimacy, though. And no, before you say it, intimacy is not just how close you are in proximity to the audience because a movie or TV show can have intimate moments with an audience. It really comes down to how open you're being in your performances and material. Ja...

You are starting out on a new improv team and you're super excited! Now you have to pick a team name and maybe even a song to walk out to. That should be fun and it is! But sometimes, picking a team name and a team song can surprisingly harder than you thought it could possibly be. It is both as simple as you think and as sneakily time-consuming and argument-filled. Avoid all of that with these si...

In this mini episode we mention the health and creative benefits of journaling. Jason talks about his experience journaling and doing Morning Pages after learning about it in Julia Cameron's "The Artist's Way." He also shares some health benefits to journaling. Journaling can lower stress, boost your mood, keep your mind sharp and more! Journaling can also do wonders for your creativity! Find out...

We got to talk to Magnet Theater improviser, Ellen Matthews! Ellen is a damn delight! She and Jason take a deep dive into improv! They talk about how stand-up and sketch were more appealing to her than improv was, how finding the Magnet made her fall in love with improv, the improv gods, how improv is the formula to friendship, feeling out the rhythm of a show instead of over-thinking your way thr...

Get ready for a Thanksgiving episode as heartwarming as your aunt's sweet potato pie is sweet! In this episode, Jason takes you on a journey, sharing gratitude for the year's highlights - both on and off the stage. From improv triumphs to personal milestones, he reflects on growth and even talks about a mysterious commercial shoot in Boston. This Thanksgiving, we hope you take a moment to apprecia...

Struggling with stage confidence? Have we got the episode for you! A lack of confidence can make you hit speed bumps in your development as a performer making it hard for you to open up on stage and shine the way you want to. There are multiple reasons this can happen. We talked to previous guest and licensed psychotherapist (and brilliant Magnet Theater performer), Amie Roe, about this. She offer...

We're joined by L.A.-based comedian, Evan Harris! Evan makes a proper return to the podcast! Evan and Jason are good friends who met at Greenville, SC's Alchemy Comedy Theater. She's been living in and performing all over Los Angeles for several years. She's engaging in multiple disciplines so Evan and Jason's talk touches on improv, sketch and stand-up, they also discuss moving from a smaller cit...

It's Halloween 2023! We are joined by the "Of the Show" fellas (who get a new moniker you'll hear in the episode) to talk about Hasan Minhaj's response to the New Yorker piece, Matthew Perry, The Marvels, and our favorite scary movies and our favorite scary moments in TV shows and movies. It's a spooky good time. Twitter: @ThereItIsPod, @JasonFarrJokes Instagram: @ThereItIsPod, @JasonFarrPics Face...

We had the pleasure of talking to improviser and instructor, Donna Steele! Jason and Donna crossed paths years ago and the improv gods brought them back together at the Magnet where Jason coaches Donna's house team, Janet. Donna talks with Jason about performing at Coalition Theater in Richmond, VA before going to the WIT in Washington D.C., instructing furloughed government workers, what it was l...

The "Of the Show" gang's all here for a fun Pop Talk about the best actors-turned-directors. Before Jason discusses the best actors-turned directors with Bro of the Show, BFF of the Show, and Fiancée of the show, they chat about who they hope hosts SNL during the upcoming 49th season and how the search for the Daily Show host is playing out. Note: this is not a ranking or a bracket episode. We're...

Jordan Carlos is an actor, comedian, and writer you've seen all over the place! When they aren't joking around and talking about Gowanus, Jordan talks with Jason about moving to NYC and getting into comedy, how he got to become "Stephen Colbert's Black friend," his journey into writing for shows like Everything's Trash, First Wives Club and The Drew Barrymore Show, and he shares his novel way of b...

This episode is also our first on-camera video episode, which you can watch on our YouTube: @ThereItIs! Jason and (Fiancée of the Show) Justina talk a little comedy shop! They chat about the last round of negotiations in the WGA strike (right before they negotiated a tentative deal), the potential impact of the upcoming arrival of Second City to New York City as well as UCB reopening, and about so...

We talk to actress and instructor, Hannah Jane McMurray! Hannah Jane has been seen in projects like "WeCrashed," "Law & Order: Organized Crime," "FBI," and several other commercials, shows, and productions. You have more than likely seen her. She's not only a talented actor, but also is a great teacher working at the Kimball Studios in Manhattan. where she met Jason. She talks about growing up in...

Improviser and Author, Greg Tavares, returns to the podcast to candidly reflect on his new book! Greg was an early guest on the podcast and is an old friend. He co-founded Theatre 99 in Charleston, SC and is a brilliant artist. He recently released his new book, "Daddy Issues: How to Stop Worrying and Love Being a Dad." Greg and Jason have a thought-provoking and deeply honest talk. Greg shares hi...

In this episode we talk to character comedian, sketch writer, and director, Amanda Xeller! Amanda is beloved in the house of There It Is. Infectious, hilarious, and lovable, Amanda performs her unique brand of humor with gusto. We had to talk to her about how she got into comedy and how she makes it. Amanda also talks with Jason about starting out in improv, doing the same Disney+ show (The Big Fi...

Brooklyn Comedy Collective Artistic Director and performer, Philip Markle, joined us for a great talk! Philip Markle has performed all over the place! He studied in Chicago at iO, Second City, and also at The Annoyance which had a huge impact on him. He talks about performing improv on a cruise ship, musical theater and improv, Philip Sparkle, getting burned out and stepping away from running an i...

Magnet Theater improviser and instructor, Elana Fishbein, returns to the podcast! The last time Elana was on the podcast she and Elena Skopetos talked about their 2-person show, Sisters Three. This time Elana talks about challenging things she's witnessing while as an improv instructor, how to address issues when running a practice, the responsibility of an improviser depending on the form they're...

We finally got to talk to Magnet Theater's Musical Director, Frank Spitznagel! Frank is an accomplished musician and has played all over the place! He talks about his time starting out in conservatory in Boston, his journey through musical theatre, working with Chorus Line and Chicago City Limits and more, the little nuances of playing music with others, and working with Darrell Hammond, Tim Meado...

Adam Payne joins us to talk about improv and musical improv! Jason and Adam met the same way Jason met many guests, through the Magnet! Adam tells Jason about how he got into improv, finding musical improv, his approach to scene work, how he let's loose when performing, making guitar lesson videos, and more! It's as fun of a chat as Adam is a person! Twitter: @ThereItIsPod, @JasonFarrJokes Instagr...

Nina Sharma is a NJ-based writer and performer and we talked to her about her work! Jason met Nina through Magnet Theater and she was always performing and/or at the same shows as Jason. She performs with previous guest, Sarita Ekya, on the South Asian Women's improv team "Not Your Biwi." She and Jason talk about how she got into writing; getting past rejection on the road to getting published in...

The "Of the Show" Fellas are here to nerd out and goof off about this year's (2023) Emmys Nominations! Brother of the Show, Trey, and Best Friend of the Show, Rob, join Jason to talk all that POP about the shows nominated for Emmys, which were announced days before this recording. They dive into the comedy and drama categories discussing who they think will win, Succession vs. Better Call Saul, an...

We talk to the always hilarious NYC improviser, Fu Goto! Fu is such an effervescent improviser and watching her perform is a breath of fresh air. She has been on teams at both UCB and the Magnet, which isn't incredibly common and is hard to do. Jason talks with her about how she discovered improv, what made her eventually want to get into, how she continued to have fun doing improv despite going t...

7 years!? We did it! Drop the confetti!! We're so thrilled to have reached this milestone. Due to our being so inspired by Prince, 7 years is an extra special anniversary to celebrate! In this special episode, Jason listens to some messages from friends of the show congratulating us for 7 years of doing the podcast. Happy Anniversary! Listen on Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, Google, Spotify, YouTub...