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Messed-Up To Set-Ups - A MichaelHalcomb.Live Podcast: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Discussing The Messed-Up Things That Make Life Funny
Reflections on Comedy, Stand-Up or Otherwise, from Michael Halcomb. Discussing The Messed-Up Things That Make Life Funny. www.michaelhalcomb.live
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- 3 days ago28 min
God Laughs?! And...Roasts?!
Hello, Friend! In this episode of “Messed-Up to Set-Ups,” I chat with the hilarious Dr. Terry Lindvall about the surprising humor hidden in the Bible, church history, and the life of Jesus. We also get into Terry’s unique career path, his many books, and his connections to Hollywood. While we discuss the comedic twists in Genesis, we also dive into Dr. Lindvall’s book, God Mocks, which is what led me to him in the first place. In addition to all that, we explore the art of joke writing, and share laughs about Noah’s Ark and more. Terry’s insights are as enlightening as they are entertaining. Seriously, while this episode’s a bit out of the norm, trust me, you’re not gonna want to miss it. And…before you go, check this out…my new book is ready for preorder: Comedy Mindhacks: 100 Mental Shifts To Help Comedians & Creatives Succeed. Secure your copy HERE.If you click HERE, you can see some sample pages. If you don’t yet subscribe to this site, you can still get a 10% discount at your purchase with the code: MH10LIVE. But, if you become a FREE Subscriber, you can automatically get a 15% discount.If you sign up as a paid subscriber, I’ll send you a 35% discount. Also, when you join that inner circle, you’ll instantly unlock my entire premium comedy vault:* The Joke Writer’s Lab Video Course: Unrestricted access to my step-by-step joke writing course on Udemy.* The Comedian Spotlight: A feature and promotion to my entire audience in an upcoming newsletter!* The Joke Blueprint Playbook: My 17-page manual for structuring your thoughts and polishing your jokes.* The Premium “Round-Up” Newsletter: My exclusive weekly deep-dive delivered every Sunday.* The Round-Up Repository: Full access to my private database containing every past and future newsletter.👉 Click HERE to Upgrade Your Subscription & Unlock the Vault. Get full access to MichaelHalcomb.Live at www.michaelhalcomb.live/subscribe
- 6 days ago25 min
The Power of Specificity
Hello, Friend! In this episode of “Messed-Up to Set-Ups,” I chat with humorist and economist, Chris Stiffler, about his unique journey from in the world of comedy. We share helpful insights that inspire growth in humor writing and momentum for stand-up. We explore the art of writing long articles, the power of specificity, and how to find creativity in unexpected places. Whether you’re seeking laughs or practical wisdom, this episode is packed with stories and insights to keep you moving forward. Tune in!Oh, and if you want to hear real, raw, and candid thoughts about some of my journey in stand-up comedy, before you go, be sure to download your copy of my brand new audiobook, Road Chronicles of a Comedian: 30 Hours to Somewhere for just $3.99. Click the image below, or click HERE.I also want to invite you to upgrade to a paid subscriber of MichaelHalcomb.Live today. When you join the inner circle, you instantly unlock my entire premium comedy vault:* The Joke Writer’s Lab Video Course: Unrestricted access to my step-by-step joke writing course on Udemy.* The Comedian Spotlight: A feature and promotion to my entire audience in an upcoming newsletter!* The Joke Blueprint Playbook: My 17-page manual for structuring your thoughts and polishing your jokes.* The Premium “Round-Up” Newsletter: My exclusive weekly deep-dive delivered every Sunday.* The Round-Up Repository: Full access to my private database containing every past and future newsletter.👉 Click HERE to Upgrade Your Subscription & Unlock the Vault. Get full access to MichaelHalcomb.Live at www.michaelhalcomb.live/subscribe
- 1 weeks ago30 min
Insights From A Humor Columnist
Hello, Friend! In this episode of “Messed-Up to Set-Ups,” I chat with the brilliant and hilarious Christopher Stiffler. We get into just about everything, from the unpredictable weather to the art of teaching economics with humor. We dive into his journey from a high school quipster to a humor columnist, explore the influence of comedic legends like Dave Barry, and try to work a fun rhetorical device into the conversation along the way. Want some insights from a humor columnist? Tune in! And…Before you go, be sure to download your copy of my brand new audiobook, Road Chronicles of a Comedian: 30 Hours to Somewhere for just $3.99. Click the image below, or click HERE.I also want to invite you to upgrade to a paid subscriber of MichaelHalcomb.Live today. When you join the inner circle, you instantly unlock my entire premium comedy vault:* The Joke Writer’s Lab Video Course: Unrestricted access to my step-by-step joke writing course on Udemy.* The Comedian Spotlight: A feature and promotion to my entire audience in an upcoming newsletter!* The Joke Blueprint Playbook: My 17-page manual for structuring your thoughts and polishing your jokes.* The Premium “Round-Up” Newsletter: My exclusive weekly deep-dive delivered every Sunday.* The Round-Up Repository: Full access to my private database containing every past and future newsletter.👉 Click HERE to Upgrade Your Subscription & Unlock the Vault. Get full access to MichaelHalcomb.Live at www.michaelhalcomb.live/subscribe
- 1 weeks ago31 min
Everyday Life Is Your Material
Hello, Friend! It’s episode 120 of the “Messed-Up to Set-Ups” podcast. In part 2 of my chat with comedian Hal Wilson, we get into his journey from thinking he was a gangster to embracing stand-up comedy. We dive into hilarious stories from the 90s, explore the concept of emotional truth in comedy, and even create some jokes on the spot. Hal shares his unique perspective on suburban life and the unexpected humor it brings. Hey, before you tune into the episode, let me share a short story with you. About 18 months ago, I went to an open mic in Hawai’i. Not a single actual audience member showed up. The room was just filled with other comedians, arms crossed, waiting for their turn. Maybe you’ve encountered something similar. Anyway, since all these comedians had already heard my material several times, I decided to throw my jokes out and use my 7 minutes to practice crowd work. Yes, crowd work on other comedians.It pissed one guy off so badly that he started cussing at me, while I was on stage, in front of the booker and other comedians. He was furiously telling me to “do real comedy” and to stop wasting everyone’s time. The fact is, he was wasting my time on the mic. Y’all, comedy can be cutthroat, and even open mics can be a battlefield!The truth is, many comedians operate on a toxic, “limited good” mindset. They believe that if you get stage time or fame, you are stealing it from them. So, they try to stop you. They criticize you to weed you out. It sucks!!! I’m trying to create the opposite: an environment of encouragement and camaraderie. Anyway, I confronted that guy in the parking lot that night right to his face, but the real victory came months later. We ended up booked on the same lineup for a weekend string of five real shows for Don’t Tell Comedy. Afterward, he came up to me, shocked that I had actual jokes and that I completely killed. He actually apologized, which is rare in comedy.In that moment, I realized something vital: I could’ve shrunk back during that set where he interrupted me weeks earlier. I could’ve been a weasel in that parking lot. I could’ve quit. But I didn’t let his criticism determine my ending, nor did I let his apology determine my future. Why? Because I was sure of myself. And I was sure of myself because I know joke mechanics, joke structure, and I have an unmatchable work ethic.I left the open mic scene about a year ago. It’s just not for me. Maybe you want to get out of that scene, too. Well, you can. If you are tired of toxic open mics and want access to the exact, field-tested tools I’ve used, tools that have helped me bypass the gatekeepers, haters, and critics and turn raw thoughts into great jokes and sets, I want to invite you to upgrade to a paid subscriber of MichaelHalcomb.Live today.When you join the inner circle, you instantly unlock my entire premium comedy vault:* The Joke Writer’s Lab Video Course: Unrestricted access to my step-by-step joke writing course on Udemy.* The Comedian Spotlight: A feature and promotion to my entire audience in an upcoming newsletter!* The Joke Blueprint Playbook: My 17-page manual for structuring your thoughts and polishing your jokes.* The Premium “Round-Up” Newsletter: My exclusive weekly deep-dive delivered every Sunday.* The Round-Up Repository: Full access to my private database containing every past and future newsletter.👉 Click HERE to Upgrade Your Subscription & Unlock the Vault. Get full access to MichaelHalcomb.Live at www.michaelhalcomb.live/subscribe
- 2 weeks ago29 min
Starting Comedy At 50
Hello, Friend! It’s episode 119 of the “Messed-Up to Set-Ups” podcast. In this episode, I chat with the hilarious Hal Wilson about his journey from teaching to tackling the comedy stage. We dive into his first open mic in Hollywood, the art of clean comedy, and the unexpected challenges of crowd work. Hal also shares his comedic influences and offers advice for aspiring comedians. Plus, we explore the unique vibe of performing in Savannah, GA and the importance of staying true to oneself. Hey, before you tune into the episode, let me share a short story with you. About 18 months ago, I went to an open mic in Hawai’i. Not a single actual audience member showed up. The room was just filled with other comedians, arms crossed, waiting for their turn. Maybe you’ve encountered something similar. Anyway, since all these comedians had already heard my material several times, I decided to throw my jokes out and use my 7 minutes to practice crowd work. Yes, crowd work on other comedians.It pissed one guy off so badly that he started cussing at me, while I was on stage, in front of the booker and other comedians. He was furiously telling me to “do real comedy” and to stop wasting everyone’s time. The fact is, he was wasting my time on the mic. Y’all, comedy can be cutthroat, and even open mics can be a battlefield!The truth is, many comedians operate on a toxic, “limited good” mindset. They believe that if you get stage time or fame, you are stealing it from them. So, they try to stop you. They criticize you to weed you out. It sucks!!! I’m trying to create the opposite: an environment of encouragement and camaraderie. Anyway, I confronted that guy in the parking lot that night right to his face, but the real victory came months later. We ended up booked on the same lineup for a weekend string of five real shows for Don’t Tell Comedy. Afterward, he came up to me, shocked that I had actual jokes and that I completely killed. He actually apologized, which is rare in comedy.In that moment, I realized something vital: I could’ve shrunk back during that set where he interrupted me weeks earlier. I could’ve been a weasel in that parking lot. I could’ve quit. But I didn’t let his criticism determine my ending, nor did I let his apology determine my future. Why? Because I was sure of myself. And I was sure of myself because I know joke mechanics, joke structure, and I have an unmatchable work ethic.I left the open mic scene about a year ago. It’s just not for me. Maybe you want to get out of that scene, too. Well, you can. If you are tired of toxic open mics and want access to the exact, field-tested tools I’ve used, tools that have helped me bypass the gatekeepers, haters, and critics and turn raw thoughts into great jokes and sets, I want to invite you to upgrade to a paid subscriber of MichaelHalcomb.Live today. When you join the inner circle, you instantly unlock my entire premium comedy vault:* The Joke Writer’s Lab Video Course: Unrestricted access to my step-by-step joke writing course on Udemy.* The Comedian Spotlight: A feature and promotion to my entire audience in an upcoming newsletter!* The Joke Blueprint Playbook: My 17-page manual for structuring your thoughts and polishing your jokes.* The Premium “Round-Up” Newsletter: My exclusive weekly deep-dive delivered every Sunday.* The Round-Up Repository: Full access to my private database containing every past and future newsletter.👉 Click HERE to Upgrade Your Subscription & Unlock the Vault. Get full access to MichaelHalcomb.Live at www.michaelhalcomb.live/subscribe
- 2 weeks ago28 min
Real-Time Joke Writing
Hello, Friend! In this episode of “Messed-Up to Set-Ups,” I chat once again with comedian Yoshee So. This episode’s all about the craft of joke writing. We pull back the curtain, show you our process, and share some laugh-out-loud stories about HOA presidency. Plus, we discuss the levels of friendship and the privilege paradox. This is a fun episode full of insights and laughs. Tune in!Alright…before you go, let me ask: Are you ready to level up in your comedy journey? If so, I would highly recommend checking out these resources:* FREE - “The Round-Up”: My weekly comedy newsletter, choc-full of insights from videos, articles, and so on. This’ll also give you FREE access to “The Joke Blueprint Playbook.” Get the newsletter HERE.* FREE - The Joke Blueprint Playbook: Act now and get an exclusive, 17-page toolkit that I designed specifically to solve some of the biggest joke-writing struggles comedians have. This comprehensive guide is packed with actionable advice, and it’s entirely exclusive to this community. Get it HERE.* The Joke Writer’s Lab: Stop guessing at what makes people laugh. In this self-paced, online course, you’ll get the tools to find your unique comedic persona and learn the exact mechanics of writing a bulletproof joke. Get it HERE.* The Comedian’s Memory Lab: Never blank on stage again!!! Learn my insider method to build and flawlessly memorize your entire set, whether you are doing 3 minutes at an open mic or headlining for an hour. Get it HERE. Get full access to MichaelHalcomb.Live at www.michaelhalcomb.live/subscribe
- 3 weeks ago29 min
Clean Comedy = More Opps
Hello, Friend! In this episode of “Messed-Up to Set-Ups,” I dive into the hilarious world of friendship hierarchies with Atlanta-based comedian, Yoshee So. We get into his comedy journey, his writing process, and some advice for other comedians. We also get into the comedic levels of friendship, from the casual “water their plants” kinda buddy to the ultimate “ride-or-die” partner who knows all your secrets. This episode has lots of laughs as we share stories about bad bets, questionable choices, and an infamous “spring break rash.” If you watch/listen, you may learn why your closest friend might know more about you than your spouse. Tune in!Alright…before you go, let me ask: Are you ready to level up in your comedy journey? If so, I would highly recommend checking out these resources:* FREE - “The Round-Up”: My weekly comedy newsletter, choc-full of insights from videos, articles, and so on. This’ll also give you FREE access to “The Joke Blueprint Playbook.” Get the newsletter HERE.* FREE - The Joke Blueprint Playbook: Act now and get an exclusive, 17-page toolkit that I designed specifically to solve some of the biggest joke-writing struggles comedians have. This comprehensive guide is packed with actionable advice, and it’s entirely exclusive to this community. Get it HERE.* The Joke Writer’s Lab: Stop guessing at what makes people laugh. In this self-paced, online course, you’ll get the tools to find your unique comedic persona and learn the exact mechanics of writing a bulletproof joke. Get it HERE.* The Comedian’s Memory Lab: Never blank on stage again!!! Learn my insider method to build and flawlessly memorize your entire set, whether you are doing 3 minutes at an open mic or headlining for an hour. Get it HERE. Get full access to MichaelHalcomb.Live at www.michaelhalcomb.live/subscribe
- 3 weeks ago21 min
Southern Comedy Unleashed
Hello, Friend! In this episode of the “Messed-Up to Set-Ups” podcast, I, Michael Halcomb, dive back into the world of Southern humor with the hilarious comedy duo Austin & Leb (although, mostly just Leb, due to Austin’s nuisance of an internet connection - please ignore a couple parts where his lagging audio causing a little audio friction). We explore the quirks of Southern mamas and papas, and try to turn the typical stereotypes into some comedy gold. From “Bless your heart!” to truck brand loyalty, we riff on it all. You’ll also get hear about and see our creative processes live and in real time. So, whether you’re a comedy fan or just love a good laugh, this episode is packed with fun and insights. Tune in!Oh…and before you go, let me ask: Are you ready to level up in your comedy journey? If so, I would highly recommend checking out these resources:* FREE - “The Round-Up”: My weekly comedy newsletter, choc-full of insights from videos, articles, and so on. This’ll also give you FREE access to “The Joke Blueprint Playbook.” Get the newsletter HERE.* FREE - The Joke Blueprint Playbook: Act now and get an exclusive, 17-page toolkit that I designed specifically to solve some of the biggest joke-writing struggles comedians have. This comprehensive guide is packed with actionable advice, and it’s entirely exclusive to this community. Get it HERE.* The Joke Writer’s Lab: Stop guessing at what makes people laugh. In this self-paced, online course, you’ll get the tools to find your unique comedic persona and learn the exact mechanics of writing a bulletproof joke. Get it HERE.* The Comedian’s Memory Lab: Never blank on stage again!!! Learn my insider method to build and flawlessly memorize your entire set, whether you are doing 3 minutes at an open mic or headlining for an hour. Get it HERE. Get full access to MichaelHalcomb.Live at www.michaelhalcomb.live/subscribe
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