Best Jeff Simmermon Podcasts (2024)

1
The Final Episode 38:18

10M ago38:18

38:18

In the final episode of A Comic's Last Stand, Pete discusses why he's ending the podcast now, what he's learned doing comedy over the last fifteen years, and what he plans to do next. Thanks for listening everybody. Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLpHEELxlFnrj9Pls6L5VAkefCT_N92zem Follow Pete here: https://www.youtube.com/u…

1
Muggsy McGeever 57:42

10M ago57:42

57:42

"Muggsy McGeever" is a former stand-up comedian and author of the recently released short story collection "Ham Sandwiches." In this episode, Muggsy and Pete discuss their time performing stand-up together in DC and New York, Muggsy's decision to ultimately quit performing stand-up comedy, and the creative freedom and fulfillment he's found through…

1
Lauren Hope Krass 47:29

11M ago47:29

47:29

Lauren Hope Krass is a New York based comedian who, until recently, has primarily made her live performing for colleges and cruise ships. In this episode of "A Comic's Last Stand", Lauren and Pete discuss their shared appreciation for John Mayer, Lauren's experiences in the college and cruise ship circuits, and touch on a thrilling new opportunity …

1
Emily Walsh 49:14

11M ago49:14

49:14

Emily Walsh is a comedian and storyteller who recently completed a one month run at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. In this episode of "A Comic's Last Stand", Emily discusses the process of starting comedy in her 30s, the highs and lows of her Fringe experience, and what she would do differently if she went back. Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtub…

1
Jeff Simmermon 58:35

11M ago58:35

58:35

Jeff Simmermon is a comedian and storyteller who has been featured on "The Moth" and "This American Life." In this episode, Jeff discusses his journey into the worlds of storytelling and comedy, reflects on his corporate career in PR, and shares the origin of his upcoming one-man show, "Care Giver." Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlis…

1
Gus Tate 50:54

11M ago50:54

50:54

Gus Tate is a New York City comedian whose first special, Top Gus, is now available on YouTube. In this episode of "A Comic's Last Stand", Gus shares with Pete how he began his stand-up career in China, the influence of fatherhood on his comedy, and the evolution of his expectations over time. Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list…

1
Jared Freid 58:10

12M ago58:10

58:10

Jared Freid is a New York based comedian whose recent Netflix special, 37 And Single, premiered in the Netflix Top Ten. In this episode of A Comic's Last Stand, Jared tells Pete how his experience selling life insurance laid the groundwork for his comedy career, delves into his shift in mindset since his special's release, and shares how comedy has…

1
Brian Parise 53:23

12M ago53:23

53:23

Brian Parise is a stand-up comedian and writer who has performed at the Montreal Just For Laughs Festival and written for Last Week Tonight with John Oliver and Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj. In this episode, Brian talks about hiding his early comedy pursuits from friends and coworkers, the moment he landed his first late-night writing position and…

1
Peter Muth 59:32

12M ago59:32

59:32

Peter Muth is a comedian and musician, and notably, the only new friend Pete Bladel has made in his 30s. In this episode of A Comic's Last Stand, Peter (Muth) discusses with Pete (Bladel) his initial hesitation about starting stand-up, his journey to overcome result-oriented thinking and begin posting videos online, as well as his path to health an…

1
Adam Muller 57:48

1y ago57:48

57:48

Adam Muller holds multiple graduate degrees from MIT and spent many years working on Wall Street...until he gave it all up to pursue stand-up comedy full time. In this episode of A Comic's Last Stand, Adam tells Pete the how and why of his transition from finance to stand-up, shares the ways his work ethic serves him in comedy, and provides his per…

1
Liz Miele 52:57

1y ago52:57

52:57

Liz Miele is a New York comedian who began performing stand-up at the age of 16. In this episode of A Comic's Last Stand, Liz (along with her cats Ghost and Lunchbox) joins the podcast to talk about the low point she experienced ten years into comedy, how she utilized marketing and social media to take control of her career, and the importance of s…

1
A. Natasha Joukovsky 1:08:12

1y ago1:08:12

1:08:12

A. Natasha Joukovsky is the author of the novel The Portrait of a Mirror and the writer behind the Substack Quite Useless. In this episode of A Comic's Last Stand, Natasha shares how she compartmentalizes her career as a novelist and as a management consultant, relays the details of her "DIY Summer Residency" as she works on her second novel, and d…

1
J.P. McDade 53:20

1y ago53:20

53:20

J.P. McDade is a stand-up comedian and comedy writer who has appeared on Comedy Central's Roast Battle and at the Montreal Just For Laughs Comedy Festival. In this episode of A Comic's Last Stand, J.P. discusses hiding his comedy career from coworkers and bosses, the difficulties of earning a living through comedy writing, and the nuances of perfor…

1
Evan Valentine 1:03:11

1y ago1:03:11

1:03:11

In the first remote episode of A Comic's Last Stand, Pete is joined by Evan Valentine, a former comedian and current writer for Comicbook.com. Evan tells Pete how he made the transition from stand-up comedy to his dream job of "writing about nerd stuff." He also recounts what made him decide to quit stand-up for good and shares his take on what's w…

1
Ami Kozak 1:05:47

1y ago1:05:47

1:05:47

Ami Kozak is a comedian, musician, podcaster and content creator. After studying at Berklee College of Music, Ami embarked on a fruitful career, composing music for ads, film and TV, and releasing records with his band Distant Cousins. He always had an interest in comedy, and over the past few years, has harnessed the power of social media to gain …

1
Lafayette Wright 57:23

1y ago57:23

57:23

Lafayette Wright is another one of Pete's oldest friends in comedy. After performing together for years in Washington, DC, Pete and Lafayette both moved to New York City in 2012. Lafayette vividly shares his near-homelessness experience in New York, his return to DC to steady his career, and his reservations about the growing influence of technolog…

1
Jeremy Pinsly 51:08

1y ago51:08

51:08

Jeremy Pinsly is a New York City comedian who was in a situation similar to Pete - Struggling for stage time, searching for opportunities, and worrying about his future in comedy...until he decided to start a monthly stand-up show in his apartment. In this episode of A Comic's Last Stand, Jeremy talks to Pete about the story behind his apartment sh…

1
Eric Neumann 58:02

1y ago58:02

58:02

In March of 2020, comedian Eric Neumann had 1,700 Instagram followers and no TikTok account. As it stands today, he has 101k Instagram followers, over 400k on TikTok, and a robust touring schedule. Eric talks to Pete about how he grew his following throughout the pandemic, what it took for him to finally quit his day job, and how he's learned to ta…

1
Courtney Fearrington 59:40

1y ago59:40

59:40

Pete is joined by Courtney Fearrington, one of his oldest friends in comedy. Starting their careers in Washington, DC, they've known each other and have been performing on shows together for over 14 years. Courtney and Pete talk through their last decade plus of friendship, frustrations, and failures, with a few major wins and realizations along th…

1
Ashley Austin Morris 1:01:41

1y ago1:01:41

1:01:41

In this episode of A Comic's Last Stand, Pete sits down with comedian and actor Ashley Austin Morris, who most recently appeared in Hulu's "Fleishman Is In Trouble" and Peacock's "Poker Face." Deeply grounded in her Christian beliefs, Ashley shares how her faith guides her career trajectory and personal life. She also explores the struggles she's f…

1
JL Cauvin 1:05:37

1y ago1:05:37

1:05:37

JL Cauvin is a seasoned stand-up comedian and prolific content creator who catapulted to online fame in March of 2020 thanks to his spot-on Donald Trump impression. Prior to that, he spent nearly two decades fighting to build a career for himself in the comedy world. In this episode of A Comic's Last Stand, JL talks through the challenges he's face…

1
Liz Glazer 1:02:40

1y ago1:02:40

1:02:40

Liz Glazer is a stand-up comedian, actor and writer who left her career as a tenured law professor to pursue a life in the arts. In this episode of A Comic's Last Stand, Liz shares the pivotal moments and decisions that led her to trade academia for the stage. She also discusses her background in philosophy and how it influences her approach to com…

1
Danny Murphy 49:41

1+ y ago49:41

49:41

Danny Murphy is an online personality and co-host of the popular podcasts "Virtual Reali-Tea" and "Not Another True Crime Podcast." He also works a day job as a Senior Editor at Page Six. In this episode of A Comic's Last Stand, Danny tells Pete how he ended up with a performance career and an office job that are perfectly aligned with each other, …

1
Amy Hawthorne 1:02:48

1+ y ago1:02:48

1:02:48

Amy Hawthorne is a comedy coach and consultant, as well as the former booker at New York Comedy Club. In this episode of A Comic's Last Stand, Amy discusses the lesser-known career options in the world of comedy, the evolution of technology in comedy, and shares valuable insights on how aspiring comedians can make a lasting impression on bookers. S…

1
Gabe Mollica 1:00:02

1+ y ago1:00:02

1:00:02

Gabe Mollica, a talented comedian and storyteller, recently completed an extended run of his solo show, "Solo: A Show About Friendship," at New York's prestigious SoHo Playhouse. In this episode of A Comic's Last Stand, Gabe and Pete discuss their shared admiration for Mike Birbiglia, their thoughts on John Mulaney's latest special, and the financi…

1
Katie Boyle 1:02:30

1+ y ago1:02:30

1:02:30

Katie Boyle, an Irish comedian who immigrated to the US in 2015, has successfully established herself as a full-time comic through road work, hosting gigs, and a substantial online following. In this episode of A Comic's Last Stand, Katie shares the details of her journey to the US, her current goals, and her admiration for the Paul Mescal movie "A…

1
Freddy G 45:54

1+ y ago45:54

45:54

Freddy G, a stand-up comedian with over 40 million views on social media, joins Pete in this episode of A Comic's Last Stand. They discuss Freddy's journey from being a nervous teenager to becoming a successful comic, the nuances of getting laid off, and his perspective on the biggest threat facing comedians today. Read about Freddy's transformatio…

1
Adam Mamawala 55:50

1+ y ago55:50

55:50

Stand-up comedian Adam Mamawala has been earning a living in the comedy scene since his early 20s by performing at colleges. In this episode of A Comic's Last Stand, Pete reconnects with Adam, the first comedian he met in New York City. They delve into the world of college comedy performances, discuss the evolution of New York's comedy landscape ov…

1
A Comic’s Last Stand - Trailer 1:14

1+ y ago1:14

1:14

Pete Bladel, a stand-up comedian with over 14 years of experience, is determined to make comedy his full-time job by the end of 2023...or quit altogether. Join Pete in A Comic’s Last Stand as he interviews fellow comedians, artists, and entertainers, discussing their creative journey, earning a living in their chosen field, and overcoming challenge…

1
Episode 17: Richard Cardillo 1:09:19

3y ago1:09:19

1:09:19

Richard Cardillo was an educator for over three decades on two continents and in three languages. He’s also a decorated storyteller. Richard spent his early adult life as a monk in the Catholic Church, but realized it was a massive effort to suppress his homosexuality – a major taboo for an Italian-American Catholic of his generation. This episode …

1
Episode 16: Mike Schleibaum 47:55

3y ago47:55

47:55

Mike is the lead guitarist and one of the original founders of the DC based death metal band “Darkest Hour.” He talks about the pivotal moments that helped him find his love of music, the downsides of the music industry, and what it takes to stay grounded.By Platform Media LLC

1
Episode 15: Kiana Fitzgerald 53:37

3y ago53:37

53:37

Kiana Fitzgerald is a freelance music journalist, cultural critic, and DJ. She’s written for Complex, Rolling Stone, Fader, NPR, WNYC, and more. In 2016 Kiana went missing, frightening her family and friends and igniting a search for her through social media – she was a Trending Topic until she was found. This is her story about that day, and the s…

1
Episode 14: Jess Salomon 59:19

3y ago59:19

59:19

Jess Salomon is a Canadian comedian now based in New York, who has appeared on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon. Jess left a burgeoning career as an international war-crimes lawyer at The Hague to pursue comedy.By Platform Media LLC

1
Episode 13: Jeff Gomez 1:09:15

3y ago1:09:15

1:09:15

Jeff Gomez, CEO of Starlight Runner, is one of the world’s leading experts in transmedia storytelling and narrative design. Gomez talks about battling his own demons while simultaneously running one of the most complicated Dungeons and Dragons games in New York city during the ‘70s and ‘80s.By Platform Media LLC

1
A Pause 0:25

3y ago0:25

0:25

We are sad to announce the passing of Jeff's father from a year-long battle with ALS. We are going to take a pause in the podcast so Jeff can be with his family. Well wishes can be sent to thereluctantphoenix@gmail.comBy Platform Media LLC

1
Episode 12: Kerry Coddett 56:08

3y ago56:08

56:08

Kerry Coddett is a New York based comedian, actress and writer. An academically gifted young student, Kerry bounced between public and private schools, and eventually joined the Crips. She turned things around and graduated high school and college by the age of 19. Kerry is a writer and cast member on the new Showtime show “Flatbush Misdemeanors,” …

1
Episode 11: Justin Von Bujdoss 47:54

3y ago47:54

47:54

Justin Von Bujdoss is an American Buddhist teacher. As Staff Chaplain for the New York Department of Corrections, Justin was responsible for performing last rites to the hundreds of people who succumbed to COVID and are buried in the potter’s field / mass graveyard on Hart Island.By Platform Media LLC

1
Episode 10: Nonye Brown-West 1:02:30

3y ago1:02:30

1:02:30

Nonye Brown-West is a Nigerian-American comic now based in New York. She tells Jeff what it’s like to be a woman of color in the world of comedy – in addition to her constant health struggles. She also clarifies what it really means when people say “we’re not taking straight white guys.”By Platform Media LLC

1
Episode 9: Lizz Winstead 56:00

3y ago56:00

56:00

Jeff is back with another season of The Reluctant Phoenix! Co-creator of The Daily Show, comedian Lizz Winstead is the founder and Chief Creative Officer of Abortion Access Front. She shares how she uses comedy, media, and grassroots organizing to support abortion clinics around the country - and she and Jeff discover that they have something else …

1
The Reluctant Phoenix Season 2 Trailer 3:06

3+ y ago3:06

3:06

Jeff Simmermon is back for Season 2 of The Reluctant Phoenix, with more incredible people who have reinvented their lives, whether they wanted to or not.By Platform Media LLC

1
Episode 8: Gary Gulman 1:01:00

3+ y ago1:01:00

1:01:00

In the Season One Finale, Jeff talks to comedian Gary Gulman, an apex Reluctant Phoenix if there ever was one. In 2017, Gary was hospitalized with major depression, given ECT therapy and was unsure he'd ever do standup again. Now you can see his one-hour standup special "The Great Depresh" on HBO. In this episode, he talks to Jeff Simmermon about h…

1
Episode 7: Anand Giridharadas 1:00:01

3+ y ago1:00:01

1:00:01

What do you do when you realize that capitalism itself is held together by masking tape? Jeff talks with Anand Giridharadas, author of "Winners Take All: The Elite Charade of Changing the World" about becoming American, the drama of struggling at comedy, the big lie of management consulting, Dolly Parton and cooking at home.…

1
Episode 6: Matthew Zachary 41:31

3+ y ago41:31

41:31

What happens when cancer derails your life's work and career path as a young adult? Jeff talks with Matthew Zachary from OffScrip Media about his transformation from concert pianist and composer, to patient advocate.By Jeff Simmermon

1
Episode 5: Annie Tan 42:39

3+ y ago42:39

42:39

The coronavirus has forced many of us to rethink how to safely do our jobs. Activist and educator Annie Tan shares how she learned to find her voice to support teachers and students during this pandemic.By Jeff Simmermon

1
Episode 4: Ro Reddick 44:03

4y ago44:03

44:03

The 2008 market crash and subsequent recession had many scrambling for new ways to make money. For Ro Reddick, it meant divorcing the daily grind of her profession, and finding out how to become a whole and happy person.By Jeff Simmermon

1
Episode 3: Adam Mamawala 23:53

4y ago23:53

23:53

What happens when the most important opportunity in your career is marred by the truth? Jeff talks with comic Adam Mamawala about his big break amidst divorce.By Jeff Simmermon

1
Episode 2: Fem Appeal 46:03

4y ago46:03

46:03

Jeff talks to Fem Appeal, New York City burlesque icon about her origin story, finding sobriety in a wild nightlife culture and how it feels to be a Black burlesque performer in 2020By Jeff Simmermon

1
Episode 1: Reverend Craig Wansink 40:31

4y ago40:31

40:31

Jeff talks to Craig Wansink, pastor of Second Presbyterian Church in Norfolk, VA about misinterpreted Bible verses, finding yourself after a surprise divorce and what the church's responsibilities are in a culture of cascading moral bankruptcy.By Jeff Simmermon

1
The Reluctant Phoenix 2:19

4y ago2:19

2:19

The Reluctant Phoenix podcast, by New York standup comic Jeff Simmermon is a series of conversations with a wide variety of people who have restarted their lives whether or not they really wanted to in the first place. In season one, you'll hear from a Presbyterian minister whose real goal is social justice, a burlesque performer who strips as Abe …

1
A Quick Message From Chris About Where The Episodes Are 1:07

5+ y ago1:07

1:07

The episodes won't be here anymore soon but they are still available. Go to ThisWeekInJackin.com for all the episodes. Thanks!By Chris Laker & Myka Fox

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Jeff Simmermon Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Quick Reference Guide