In this 2021 throwback, If This Is True would like to introduce you to David Whitehouse and Jimmy Mak of Shadowbox Live. Dave and Jimmy are old friends and sketch comedy creators and innovators who make live sketches great. They discuss what makes a sketch great and how comedy has kept food on the table for them for more than 25 years. Give it a listen, won't you?
This one. This one is one for the ages! We (and by we, I mean Abby Sher, Bethany Hall, Lulu French, John Fugelsang, Michele Laikowski and me) discussed the present and future of comedy in New York City and other environs, The group waxed on satire vs. parody, talent winning out, improv as the best training for life and waiting for the whole fart.
Interested? Listen to this special episode!!
Gail Gallagher is a Chicago based Singer-Songwriter, Composer, improv music director, producer, and teacher whose lyric-driven songs reflect on the highs and lows of life exploring nuances of whimsy and wisdom.
Originally from Waterloo, Iowa, Gail attended University of Nebraska-Lincoln and graduated with a dual BA in Theater Performance & Directing/ Theater Management in 2010. She has worked as a music director in the improv and theater scene for over a decade and has composed original music for several musicals including Feathers: A Super Hero Musical which won “Best underscore throughout” at the 2017 Premiere Premieres Festival of New Musical Comedies at MCL Chicago. I describe my genre as “musical theatre folk rock” or “what it would sound like if Joni Mitchell, Amanda Palmer, and Tori Amos wrote a musical.”
Give this one a listen!
You can reach Gail at @gailgmusic for artistry, or @sparklebardstudios for production work, on Instagram!
If This Is True would like to introduce you to Michele Laikowski on this throwback! Michele was an associate producer and on-air personality on the Jenny McCarthy Show on SiriusXM Stars. She is also an improvising and voice over veteran of New York City. Michele finds solace and purpose in running and reaching for goals. She also has great stories of her time with Jenny McCarthy and her crew. You can find her voice and acting work at www.moshow.org. Give it a listen!
Allow me to introduce you to Bracha! She was first published when she was 12 years old. She's written 41 children's books and a memoir, Nourish The Soul. Her books tackle difficult topics at a child's level. This was a fascinating half hour! Listen to this!
Please let me introduce you to Carlos Baker! Carlos is an author and musician whose latest album with the CK Baker Band, Find Your Way, and book, Songs for Ivy, are available wherever you get your content. Carlos overcame childhood cancer and used that experience to write and to play his bass guitar. He lives in Germany with his family, but is in Chicago working on his next album Give this a listen!
Talk about prolific! John Leister has published more than 100 e-books, Including the Lee Hacklyn and Urban Tiger crime series over the past few years. John is a big believer in having the right mindset and philosophy when reaching goals. He'd like to share this information with everyone, and does, here on If This Is True! GIve it a listen!
Let me introduce you to the multi-faceted Deborah Johnson. Deborah is an inspirational speaker, author and international award-winning music artist who helps others get unstuck by producing and executing a successful plan for their second half. As a musician she has been nominated for multiple Grammy Awards and has spent over 20 years in the entertainment industry.
She's an expert on how to constantly reinvent yourself in a gig-economy. Deborah is the author of six books, coming out including her most recent, Stop Circling.
We talked about writing books and becoming unstuck, how to become a professional speaker (Spoiler Alert: just decide), and so much more. Listen to this episode! Like Deborah says, "Life is sweeter with jam!"
Let me introduce you to John Lehr! He is an actor and writer, known for 10 Items or Less (2006), Quick Draw (2013) and The Sweetest Thing (2002). He is also known for being one of the GEICO Cavemen!
Currently, he has a production company, Triple Threat Media, that is working on several projects--which were on hold because of the Writers' and Actors' Guild strikes.
We talked about his time at Northwestern University and how he has grown as a person and as performer since then. He feels he is better now than he was in his 20's. John walked me through his sobriety journey. We talked about balancing family, career and passions and he had great things to say about Cleveland.
This one is a must listen!
If This Is True would like to introduce you to singing sensation Nora O'Connor! Nora is a Chicago based singer/songwriter who has worked with everyone from the Decemberists to the New Pornographers to Mavis Staples. We discussed balancing work and family, what Americana is, and everything in between. Give it a listen!
Let me introduce you to Ted Leo, master of soul searching pop punk and indie rock! Ted has a long career with bands like Citizens Arrest, Chisel, Puzzlehead, and the Sin-Eaters.
He's mostly known for his group, Ted Leo and the Pharmacists. He's also put out albums with Aimee Mann as The Both and as a solo artist.
We talked about the intersection of comedy and indie rock throughout the 2000's, and Ted's journey in putting out his first solo album, The Hanged Man. Since then, he has been recording EP's and putting them on Bandcamp. You can find his works there, https://tedleo.bandcamp.com/. You can also go to www.tedleo.com for tour dates and merch.
Please give this one a listen!
Stay up to date
For any inquiries, please email us at hello@podcastworld.io