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Steve Kaplan is an author, producer, director, consultant and teacher. He has been the industry’s most sought-after expert on comedy. In addition to having taught at UCLA, NYU, Yale and other top universities, Steve created the HBO Workspace, the HBO New Writers Program and was co-founder and Artistic Director of Manhattan Punch Line Theatre. He has consulted and taught workshops at companies such as HBO, DreamWorks, Disney, Aardman Animation, Sony Pictures Network India, Globo Brazil, and others.

He is also the Author of THE HIDDEN TOOLS OF COMEDY, and THE COMIC HERO'S JOURNEY. In addition to private coaching and one-on-one consultations, Steve has taught his Comedy Intensive workshops to thousands of students all around the world.

In this podcast we talk about, how a cab driver became a comedy expert and leader in the comedy space, fear of failure, love of comedy and truth in comedy, finding your voice, hustle, reinventing yourself (more than once), vulnerability to pain and success.

If you'd like to keep up to date with Steve, check him out on: Facebook: KaplanComedy Website: www.kaplancomedy.com Instagram: skcomedy52 Twitter: skcomedy

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Carl Donnelly is an award winning British stand up comedian, writer and podcaster. He has been nominated for the Edinburgh Comedy Award twice, won a bunch of other awards, appeared on a selection of TV shows (Mock The Week, Russell Howard’s Good News etc) and travelled the world having performed at the Just For Laughs Festival in Montreal, The Melbourne International Comedy Festival, The New Zealand Comedy Festival and pretty much every other comedy festival there is. He also hosts the Carl and Chris podcast and Babysitting Trevor podcast series.

In this podcast we talk about confidence on and off the stage, he’s previous accounting life, being shy, veganism, anxiety, relationships and separations, being different, being present, panic attacks, spirituality, resentment, a challenging childhood, meditation, all while trying to relate to the world.

If you’d like to stay up to date with Carl check him out on: Twitter/ Instagram: @CarlDonnelly Facebook: carl donnelly comedian Website: www.carldonnelly.co.uk

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Amy Cunningham is a Toronto-based, plant-based comedian, writer and storyteller who has performed stand-up internationally. Her dark and deadpan comedy style has been featured at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, Oddblock Comedy Festival, SheDot Festival, and FRINGE WORLD. She writes satirical pieces for several national, Canadian comedy websites and was a 2017 winner of the Independent Production Fund’s web drama series grant. Her series, Off Kilter, is available on the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation’s digital platform.

In this podcast we talk about, self awareness, need for control, quitting, anxiety, depression, eating disorders, addiction, veganism therapy, avoidance patterns and the concept of healing yourself first and foremost.

If you’d like to keep up to date check her out on : Website: www.shamycunningham.com/ Facebook: www.facebook.com/amycunninghamcomedy/ Instagram: www.instagram.com/cunning_ac/

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Alan is a man of many distinctions. He was the first american to ordain as a Buddhist monk in Burma in modern times. He is an author, public speaker, retreat leader, investigative journalist, a satirist, and performing artist. His numerous books, writings, and films, include: Burma the next killing fields and Revolution of the spirit (both books with forewords by the Dalai lama).

He has also written as book and spoken word: Instinct for freedom, swimming through stone – a personal journey with DMT, Natural freedom: the dharma beyond Buddhism, A future to believe in, and his international best seller, The voice of hope. In this podcast we talk about finding your voice, passion, dictatorships, near death experiences, relationships, life as a monk, conformity and fitting in, spirituality, importance of honesty, climate change, love and preciousness of life, but more importantly we get real deep about life.

If you'd like to stay up to date with Alan check out his pages: Website: www.worlddharma.com Instagram/ Facebook: alanclementsworlddharma

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Alexandra Keddie is an actor, writer and a cabaret performer. She has appeared on ABC’s “The Doctor Blake Mysteries”, "True Story with Hamish and Andy" and Channel 10’s “Offspring”. She’s also the co-creator of “The Housemate”, which is on ABC/ iview and has created her own shows, “Hayfever and “I see me and Meryl Streep” amongst much more.

In this podcast we talk about, external gratification, vulnerability, failure, collaborative process, nerves, comparing yourself, auditions, self-awareness, getting back up after receiving bad news, trust, self-esteem and bettering yourself.

If you'd like to keep up to date with Alex, check out her Instagram page: @alexandrakeddie

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Luke Kidgell is one of the biggest comedy entertainers in Australia. He is a stand-up comedian, youtuber, actor, podcaster and a radio presenter who is Co-Host of Luke & Lewis on Fox101.9 . Luke’s "you don't own me" videos have gotten over half a billion views, where he humorously disobeys societal norms. He is also the host of the autobiographical podcast Memoirs of a White Guy.

In this podcast we talk about, offensive jokes and PC culture, hustle, negativity, death threats, the weirdness of being a comedian, being yourself, hecklers, motivation, positive mindset , self-belief and so much more.

In September he will be releasing his first comedy special so stay tuned.

If you want to keep up to date with Luke, check him out on: Website: www.lukekidgell.com Twitter: luke_kidgell Instagram: lukekidgell Facebook: luke.kidgell

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Cool and Smart are a comedy duo featuring Barney Pollock and Matt Young.

Barney, is an actor, writer and comedian from Perth. He graduated from the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) in 2015 with a Bachelor of Performing Arts. He has toured with the Spare Parts Puppet Theatre, has worked as a voice-over artist and director, and has experience in theatre and at improv.

Matt is an actor, writer and comedian from Tasmania. He is an experienced stand-up comedian who has also worked for the student community television production house RMITV for a number of years, appearing as a regular correspondent for the news satire show 'The Leak' and as a frequent panellist on a program called 'Quiz Night'. In 2017 he appeared at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival with his own solo show called 'I Quit.

They both perform regularly at the improv conspiracy in Melbourne under the house name surfguy69@msn.com.

In this podcast we talk about trust, vulnerability, drugs, authenticity, creative collaboration, improvising, creative process , partnership, and even having to deal with the feelings of when someone walks out during a show.

Check them out on: fb/ insta @coolsmartbois

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Liz Miele started doing stand-up at the young age of 16 in New York City. At 18, she was profiled in The New Yorker Magazine, at 22 she appeared on Comedy Central’s “Live at Gotham.” She recently appeared on Comedy Central’s “This Week at the Comedy Cellar,” NPR’s “Wait Wait Don’t Tell Me,” Hulu’s “Coming To The Stage,” AXS TV’s “Gotham Comedy Live,” and was profiled in the March 2015 issue of Runner’s World. She’s completed several tours with the “Nobodies of Comedy” and Armed Forces Entertainment. She has also performed on a book tour for Chris McDougall, author of “Born to Run.” Her joke “Feminist Sex Positions” went viral both on YouTube and Upworthy.com.

She has written and produced season one of her animated web series “Damaged,”. She also co-produced and co-starred in 40 episodes of a web series called “Apt C3”. Liz recently released her debut comedy album, “Emotionally Exhausting” on iTunes and Amazon.

In this podcast, we talk about a wide range of important issues she has had to cope with, including anxiety, her challenges with being dyslexic, the need to surround herself with strong support systems, the importance of therapy and her journey of working at self awareness.

If you'd like to keep up to date with Liz check her out on: Website: www.lizmiele.com Facebook: lizmielecomedy Instagram/ Twitter: Lizmiele

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Dave Lawson is a TV and radio personality, a writer, comedian and an actor. He’s also appeared in the iconic Toyota memorable moments series, and has been the host of a variety of TV shows, in particular a S’Arvo, Camp Orange and various other nickelodeon ones. He is also the host of the web series, “Dave Shed Show” which has featured some of the biggest names in Australia (including Stephen Curry, Hamish Blake, Andy Lee, Ryan Shelton, Peter Helliar & John Safran). You may also recognise him as Scott from the multi Award-winning Australian television comedy series “Utopia”.

In this podcast we talk about Imposter syndrome, anxiety about the future, fear of failure, negativity, and the importance of passion and positivity.

If you'd like to know more about Dave or keep up to date with him, check out his insta page: thedbag

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Julia Hladkowictz is a comedian, actor, writer and food blogger from Canada. She has appeared on Comedy Network, Much Music’s Video on Trial, MTV, YTV, PBS, Conan, Kevin Hart’s LOL network and on SiriusXM. Julia has also toured all over North America performing at clubs and at multiple festivals including San Francisco Sketch Fest, Laughing Skull Comedy Competition in Atlanta, NXNE, COCA (Canadian Organization of Campus Activities), APCA and the Seattle International Comedy Competition. She is also a two time finalist in SiriusXM’s Top Comic and has performed numerous times at JFL42 in Toronto and twice at Just For Laughs in Montreal.

Hladkowicz filmed her TV special, “No Kidding”, on iChannel. Julia has a Canadian Comedy Award nomination and an I Heart Jokes nomination for Best Female Stand-up and a CCA nomination for her former podcast “We’re Doing It”. Her debut, self titled comedy album “LAD-KO-WITS” hit the #1 spot on iTunes comedy.

In this podcast we talk about impostor syndrome, taking risks vs playing it safe, having a busy mind, how comedians are often mentally ill, as well as comparing yourselves to others and the challenges of being a woman in comedy.

If you’d like to keep up to date with Julia: www.juliacomedy.com  Twitter/Insta: @juliacomedy Facebook: juliacomedian

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Emily Joy is is an actor, recently seen on screen in “Neighbours”, “Tonightly With Tom Ballard” and “The Housemate”. She has recently performed in the Comedy Festival for the sketch show “Mindful-mess” and can be seen weekly as an improviser at The Improv Conspiracy. She also runs Joy Studio, a boutique acting studio here in Melbourne. Next up you can catch her in the web series “Woah, Alyssa! Season 2” and “The Holiest One”.

Emily has such a positive outlook on life, she breaks things down into practical ways and has this childish yet mature attitude on life which is something to be admired. In this podcast we talk about comparing yourself to others and how it might be limiting you.

For more information you can contact Emily on her Facebook page: www.facebook.com/pages/category/Actor/Joy-Studio-1715303982030715/

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John Safran is an award-winning documentary maker of provocative and hilarious takes on race, the media, religion and other issues. Safran first hit TV screens in 1997 on “Race Around the World”. Both John Safran’s” Music Jamboree” and “John Safran vs. God” won Australian Film Industry awards for best comedy series and most original concept, and were also nominated for Logie awards.

Other shows include “John Safran’s Race Relations” and “Speaking in Tongues”. He co-hosted “Sunday Night Safran”, a radio talk show on Triple J with cranky but beloved Catholic priest, Father Bob Maguire. Safran’s first book the award winning true crime book, “Murder in Mississippi”, is the true story of how he met a white supremacist and befriended his black killer. In his latest book, “Depends What You Mean by Extremist”, was shortlisted for General Non-Fiction Book of the Year at the Australian Book Industry Awards. This is where he attends a far-right rally in Melbourne and is led into a mad world of misfits, white nationalists, ISIS supporters and anarchists.

This podcast is absolutely hilarious! He’s done the craziest things and is certainly mentally strong and resilient, yet he still feels vulnerable when he puts out his creative content. To quote John, “One of the cool things about being an artist is obstacles just become really handy, because there’s something to write about and makes things interesting”.

If you'd like to know more about John or keep up to date with him, check out his website: www.johnsafran.squarespace.com

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Alice Fraser is an ex lawyer, ex academic and investment banker turned award winning writer, broadcaster, performer, comedian, keynote speaker and more. Just when you think she couldn’t cram in anymore you hear that she has also hosted a "Ted X" talk and that her “Trilogy” podcast series was voted "Apple Editorials" teams #1 best Australian podcast for 2018. She’s now living in London, gigging around the UK, writing jokes, and hosting her own podcast series called “Tea With Alice”. She also co-hosts “The Bugle Podcast” as a part replacement for John Oliver.

We talk about many interesting topics such as shamed based comedy, values and integrity and the courage to be yourself. She also talks about “being put in a box” and how she doesn’t want to be boxed in or otherwise labelled as a certain comedian. She’s just happy to be herself. “I think the upside is that the people who like me, like me”.

If you want to keep up to date with Alice check her out on: www.alicecomedyfraser.com

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Damian Callinan is an ex drama teacher, multi award-winning stand-up comic, actor, writer, podcaster, story teller and a producer. You may know him from his roles on “Skithouse”, “Before The Game” & “Backyard Ashes” as well as regular guest appearances on shows such as Spicks and Specks & the Melbourne Comedy Festival Gala, where he has been nominated 3 times for the Barry Award for Most Outstanding Show at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival.

He is also a regular contributor on 774ABC Melbourne. More recently, his multiples roles as lead actor, screenwriter and co-producer on “The Merger” have really expanded his profile and reputation. The feature film is based on Damian’s one-man show where in 2018, it won the Cinema Australia Audience Award, and has been featured all around the world.

In this podcast we discuss in depth the fabrics of failure and how obstacles can play a positive role in your life - “Every obstacle, 99% of the time leads to something better”.

More information about Damian check out his website www.damiancallinan.com.au

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Ben Russell is an award nominated stand up comic, improviser, actor, director, puppeteer, impressionist and writer. You may recognize him him from The Toykyo Hotel” or as the head writer for the bizarre tonight show “Aaron Chen Tonight” or even from ABC shows “Fancy Boy Pilot”, “Sideliners” and “The Let Down”. He is also the co-creator of the cult hit touring show “Nö Shöw” and has also been involved with YouTube sketch groups “Hot Dads” and “Aunty Donna”. Ben has recently started a podcast called “The Grub”.

In this podcast Ben talks about his overseas career and how he’s not sure he’ll ever be fully content with his work as he feels there’s always more he can achieve and do.

If you want to hear more from Ben: Twitter is @BenRussells Facebook: The Ben Russell Page Instagram: @bonrissole

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Nina Oyama is a stand-up comedian, writer and actress. She has performed all around Australia and has written for radio, stage and TV. Including writing for Tonightly with Tom Ballard. You can also catch her on Utopia on ABC where she plays the role of Courtney. Nina is also writer/director of a comedy web series titled 'The Angus Project' for ABC's Fresh Blood 2017 initiative, which she created with her best friend Angus Thompson. The show features Angus Thompson, an actor with severe cerebral palsy, and aims to smash the public perception of what it's like to live with a disability, while supporting onscreen diversity through comedy.

In this podcast we go really deep and discuss mental health, the lows and highs of Nina + more!

For more information about Nina, click the links below. Twitter/ Insta: nina.oyama Follow @Funny in Failure on Insta and FB and @Michael_Kahan on Insta to keep up to date with the latest info.

Michael Chamberlin is a veteran of the Australian comedy scene. He is a writer, actor, podcaster and stand-up comedian. Beginning his comedy career in the year 2000, Michael Chamberlin has been the host, writer and producer of "The Mansion", a fictional news show for The Comedy Channel, a cast member and writer for Ten Network's popular sketch comedy series "skitHOUSE".

He has also been seen on "Rove Live", "Spicks & Specks", "Stand Up" and had a weekly comedy segment on Today. He was also the head writer of the popular TV show “Tonightly" with tom Ballard” and format creator and writer of the show “The Beep Test” on fox footy.

In this podcast we talk about how "comedy is not a short sprint, it’s a marathon", plus a lot more!

For more information check out his Facebook page: chamberlinm
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Jacqueline Mifsud is comedian, actor, writer and TV and radio host. She developed her comedic style and quick wit over four years while working as a tour guide in Paris. She performed three-hour-long walking tours around the city of light, mainly for backpackers. As she was paid only in tips, Jacqueline quickly learnt how to read an audience and use humour to make enough money to pay rent (and buy baguettes and bottles of vin rouge). She struck a balance between education and entertainment, while competing against pickpockets,street-performers and Starbucks. Now based in Melbourne, Jacqueline travels about doing jokes whilst trying to figure out which beers make her wheezy. We talk a lot about failure in comedy and the various forms it may take, when our jokes bomb. This is when the crowd doesn’t laugh and we dive deep into the feelings behind it. For more information contact her on https://www.jacquelinemifsud.com/ Follow @Funny in Failure on Insta and FB and @Michael_Kahan on Insta to keep up to date with the latest info.

Neel Kolhatkar is a YouTube star, comedian and actor. Neel has been doing the rounds of comedy clubs and theaters across Australia and around the world since he won the Class Clowns competition at just fifteen years old. His accents, impressions, short films and carefully-crafted jokes have seen him collect more than million followers and  millions of video views. Amongst many things, Neel talks about finding your voice, and how comedians may not be as funny as you may think.

If you want to keep up to date with Neel, check out the links below: www.frontiercomedy.com/neelkolhatkar and
www.facebook.com/Neel.Kolhatkar94

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Adam Kangas is a improviser and the founder and artistic director of The Improv Conspiracy, Australia's leading source of Chicago-style improvised comedy. We discuss how a self proclaimed introvert has managed to thrive in the world of improv comedy.

If you want to see Adam perform or join classes at his theatre, you can find out more details at https://improvconspiracy.com/

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