InTALLerable

Ep. 134: Ideological Hinge-Break (Ft. AK & Klübe)

This one is perhaps the most anticipated episode to date, certainly within our inner circle of fandom.  Buckle your five-point belts and make sure they click all the way in.  Top Shelf welcomes two all-time guests of our show into the thunderdome to finally give the people what they want, AK v. Klübe.  That’s right folks!!  Both return to TSS for a pre-election episode full of things you can’t say & takes you can’t have — rejoice on high!

 

We are all over the map on this one.  A true homage to our early days, we’re running the full spectrum of discussion.  From the exhausting process of rehab, to hearing a young Iowan’s story of her hero with the voice of an angel, to lots of shared frustrations at our governments’ failures to help Americans after a hurricane ravaged the southeastern US — You won’t want to put this one down until you’ve soaked up every.  last.  drop. 

 

If this is your first time listening to InTALLerable, welcome!  We are happy you’ve joined us, but there are a couple notes you might want to know. 

 

This is a show full of satire edging on reality & for this one, jaded nihilism abound.  Be warned.  We’ve got questions — somebody needs to find the manager!!  Will the ideological hinge break? Did we find Schrödinger’s solution to homelessness?!  Young people can’t really believe they have what it takes to homestead, right?!

 

We may not get our answers, but we will entertain & laugh while finding even worse questions to ask.  Thanks to our guests for breaking bread & sharing their (sometimes comical) takes on the world around us. 

 

FO & BW

Ep. 133: Bound^2 (Ft. Garrett Nygren)

Garrett Nygren is a stand-up comic, founder of Pallet City Comedy, host of several open Mics around Denver — and on the day of this recording —a very hung bagel (see polaroids). I was excited to talk to him about his life, his journey through stand-up, hosting mics & producing shows, and more. 

 

We recount the glory of Garrett’s successes the prior night at his Locust Cider show, hear about how he doesn’t expect to land a teaching role he had a panel interview for recently, and we learn from how pool-hopping can turn into an opportunity to host a show. 

 

This one has the best (funniest) wing review to date, so don’t miss out!!

 

Be sure to check Garrett around Denver & follow him @palletcitycomedy on socials.

 

Thank you to Garrett for coming on the show and for sharing with us a bit about himself and his life. I also want to thank him for joining me for a round of disc golf at Beaver Ranch in Conifer the week after we recorded this episode. Love showing a newbie one of the best courses on Earth. 

 

FO & BW!

 

Ep. 132: Tax the Fall Colors! (Ft. Christina Vasili)

Stand-up comedian, fellow High Plains Festival volunteer, & unemployed person Christina Vasili makes her InTALLerable debut for an episode full of every white girl's favorite: fall vibes. The leaves are changing colors and the ladies are learning to defend themselves on college campuses. That’s the hope at least! Christina tells me about her recent work teaching self-defense classes to women across Colorado & gives our audience some tips for staying safe. Now is no time for distractions, so listen up!!

 

We each share our recent endeavors to the high country for some “leaf-peeping” here in Colorado. One thing we can all agree on is the need for a solution. Too many people. Far too many terrible drivers from Texas. Thankfully, we are here to find a public policy solution! Checkpoints and taxes, amirite?! 

 

Christina tells a few stories from her childhood growing up in Connecticut and her teenage years of sneaking into the big apple with her friends. Who could blame them, come on! They’re teenagers with the greatest city in the world a mere train trip away. I’d be at that foam party too!!

 

We learn about her childhood, growing up with a dad who immigrated to the US from Greece, and the turmoil of being left at home after her sister went off to college. She enlightens us about her old obsession for ‘as-seen-on-TV’ products and TV spokespeople. We learn that she hid her tattoos from her parents. Well, until her sister had to go and get married! 

 

Thanks to Christina for being a guest on the show! Go check out her comedy around Colorado or take her self-defense class!!

 

FO & BW

Ep. 131: “I Like To Be Hunted” (Ft. Colton Dowling)

Colton Dowling is a stand-up comedian, one half of the podcast ‘Some of This is Bad’, and co-owner of The Creek & The Cave ATX.  He grew up as an army brat, spending his high school years in the ever-accepting, definitely not homophobic, city of Colorado Springs.  We talked about his journey through life & his path in stand-up, all while tossing hard-hitting questions about my sexuality.  Follow Colton & his podcast on instagram — @coltondowling — @someofthisisbad 

 

While I was volunteering for the High Plains Comedy Festival I worked up the courage to send a cold DM to Colton’s instagram.  I wasn’t expecting a response, let alone welcoming him on the show & cooking him our famous smoked wings.  Through hosting this show for nearly 3 years I have learned that kind, smart, generous people like Colton are often a simple “ask” away from breaking bread and contributing to our development as people. 

 

We talked about the “coach” who was determined to open Colton’s second sphincter, stealing his first beer from his dad in Germany when he was 8 years old, and why vaping is harder to quit than the hard drugs of cocaine & heroin.  Have you done Nicotine math?  Do you vape?  We were stunned to learn just how much nicotine you consume if you’re spending 8 hours each day sucking on that adult binky (Talking to myself here. Quit, ya idiot!).

 

Colton is someone I believe truly sees me.  I am grateful for overcoming my fear, for sending that DM, and for coming up in-person to introduce myself.  The Tallest thank you to Colton for sharing his life, offering direction & advice to a young comic on the path.  He provided lots of “good advices” on this episode, so you won’t want to miss out on this episode!!

 

FO & BW

Ep. 130: Five Dolla Scrimp (Ft. Kodi Guy & Lilah Swanson)

It’s a hot brunch episode & our newest guest — Kodi Guy (@nevenfisherman) — is giving Rusted Root vibes, because she's yelling “Send me on my way!” as she embarks on her journey to travel the world. Kodi Guy and our returning guest, Lilah Swanson (@master_guppy), talented artist & cover illustrator for our new book: ‘Things Trump Knows Best’, are both coming off a night of dancing at a warehouse rave. Don’t think that stopped them from bringing it on this celebratory 130 episode of InTALLerable! 

 

We learn the proper way to prepare a bloody mary, Kodi tells us about high school amidst the Trump administration from 2016-2020, and the crazy story of how senior I.D. photos led to a high-profile racism case. Piece of advice, rich white kids shouldn’t cosplay as gangsters, but if they had to, let me recommend trying for the 1920’s gangster vibe over 2020.. Yikes. 

 

Yes, Scrimps is bugs. Kodi & Lilah eat bugs on this one. 

Yes. We did take time to give ‘Surf’s Up’ the respect it deserves. And yes, Kodi is hoping to become a surfing instructor for penguins in South Africa. 

 

The gals get me to talk a little about my recent trip to Austin where I enjoyed Texas football and performed stand-up comedy. But seriously, JV or not, no football game in Texas should end in a tie. I thought this was America?!

 

Keep an eye out for a book & hopefully for Kodi helping us grow the show through her social media talents! We wish her safety & discovery on her world travels. 

 

Rate the show wherever you listen! Like & Subscribe on YouTube!! Love you all. 

 

FO & BW

Ep. 129: “Sloppy” Joe (Ft. Joe Barnholt)

Who doesn’t love a cup of Joe?  For me, every now and then, a cup of Joe in the afternoon just hits different.  Today’s guest is a talented musician & recently minted stand-up comic, Joe Barnholt!  He is 7 months into his one-year journey to pursue his comedy dreams and plans to snowbird in Austin over the winter. 

 

Joe is living quite the ‘Mile-High’ entertainment journey!  He started playing guitar at age 20, formed a band with his buddy two years later, and before they knew what hit ‘em their song was playing over the radio!!  Their band (originally named ‘Filthy T’ — now called ‘Rocket Surgeons’) was one of the winners of the legendary local music competition: ‘Hometown for the Holidays’.  This annual contest for local bands was held on 93.3, my favorite alternative rock radio station growing up in Colorado’s front range.

 

We talk about how the Flobots were the ‘Hawk-Tua’ of Denver in the 2000’s, the paradox of motivation, cultivating a ‘Man in the Arena’ mindset, and the progression of Joe’s band including a lead singer attending Harvard Law. How do performers decide which songs to play and in which order?  Does the process of ordering a performance set differ between music & stand-up?

 

Pull up a glass and pour in some Joe!  Thanks to him for sharing his life & passions with us here at Top Shelf Studios. 

 

Here’s hoping we reconnect sometime this winter in Austin!

 

FO & BW

Ep. 128: Torontonese Lesboz (Ft. JJ Alexander & Matt Campbell)

These two are riffin’ with peanut oil! Colorado Springs stand-up comics, JJ Alexander & Matt Campbell venture to Top Shelf Studios for an episode full of British banter and fun with the boys. 

Follow JJ @JJ_standup — Follow Matt @Mattcampbellcomedy

 

JJ is a proud American patriot, whereas Matt hails from that silly nation we broke away from so many years ago.  We learn that French people make Matt angry, we conclude that the British accent is merely a mechanism to fain intelligence (doesn’t mean it doesn’t get results), and Matt makes the case that Americans are incorrectly spelling our names. 

 

We hear about JJ’s trip to Toronto and his experience performing at Yuk Yuk’s, Canada’s longest continually-owned comedy club, how cool it was to talk ‘Hero’ stories with the owner, and JJ nearly blows a gasket after Canadians refused to serve him chocolate milk.  My guests are appalled by my pitch for the USGCCC (U.S. Government Christmas Collusion Collection), my holiday album I was hoping these boys would want to drop a feature on, though that seems unlikely after running them through the setlist. 

 

Which is plagued by a bigger savior complex syndrome, American women or the U.K. throughout their history?  We talked about the differences between U.K. & American stand-up comedy, JJ’s lifelong love for the Denver Broncos, and we wonder if the public will ever learn the truth around JFK’s untimely death (or perhaps, timely, depending on who ya ask).

 

Don’t miss out a new segment on this episode of InTALLerable — ‘What do you know about the Federal Reserve?’

 

Thanks for the fun hang dudes! 

Go see them do stand-up comedy!!

 

FO & BW

Ep. 127: How Many Accountants Does it Take to Reconcile Belief? (Ft. Teke & Ally)

My guests today are my coworkers: Teke & Ally.  We worked together at our day jobs as accountants.  Otherwise you may not understand why I landed on that episode title.  We enjoyed a brunch hang with some mimosas during the after-hours portion of the show. 

 

The three of us — old happy-hour pals at our day job — hadn't caught up in awhile.  So, it was nice to hear about Teke’s European extravaganza & learn more about Ally’s life so she could (finally) be ‘Heighted’ at TSS.  We hear about Teke’s travels through Ireland, London, Spain, and finally Paris this summer with a buddy who graduated from dental school.  From renting a car to drive across the entirety of Ireland in one day, to the Guiness factory tour & whether or not the Guiness is actually any different here in the states than it is in Ireland, to the enchanting love that is Paella — we’ve got stories-a-plenty on this one!

 

We discussed getting offended, sensitive topics, and the Paradox of Learning.  We tried to get to the underside of the proverbial iceberg on this one.  Ally tells us about growing up in a family with strong faith, detailing her long journey with her own faith journey & her identity. 

 

Are we in for doom in the upcoming presidential election? (No, but vote.)  

Did Ally ever find another student to challenge her thoughts on Christianity while taking her ‘Christian Thought’ class in college?  Lord knows, but you’ll have to listen. (Come on, people!)

 

Finally, Teke expounds on his invaluable advice later in the episode: “You’re just not that important.”  Well put, my friend. And noted, thank you. 

 

It was a joy to get together & share in stories and laughs.  I hope we get to do it again. 

 

FO & BW

Ep. 126: Paragon of a Quality Man (Ft. Steve Smith)

I headed all the way down to beautiful Austin, Texas to do some stand-up comedy, but more importantly to interview my guest today, my Uncle, Steve Smith — for a generational crossover episode full of wisdom ready to be plucked and applied. 

Steve was the first in his family to attend college, so naturally MIT seemed like a reasonable place for a smart kid from Bettendorf Iowa (yes, that MIT).  He studied Mechanical Engineering after realizing that his math might not be “good enough” to lead him to the promised land in Physics, his original major.  A summer job working in the textiles department at MIT eventually led him to completing a double Masters in Mechanical Engineering & Textiles Technology.  After working for a few years, he returned to MIT to finish an ScD in Mechanical Engineering & a project in textiles, obtaining a patent for a new way to coat the inside of soda cans. 

My uncle told the story of meeting his wife at MIT.  “A brilliant woman who is extremely focused” in Steve’s words — it’s clear his love for her is unrivaled, she consumes his heart.  When I hear Steve talk about meeting the love of his life way back in sophomore year at MIT in the fraternity house, how they “didn’t vibe” only to reconnect two short years later with a love so clandestine they were engaged 3 months into dating.  They both wanted to get married and start a family — no time to waste!!  

A real Dunder Mifflin abroad story, we hear all about Steve’s time living & working in Brazil from ‘83-’88.  He was a division manager in charge of multiple paper plants, mills, and the harvesting operation required to make the paper.  I learn about fluid dynamics, the complications of making paper for different printing processes, and the challenges of running production, especially when a significant portion of your team lacks literacy.  We talk about differences in Brazilian topsoil versus Iowa topsoil and the differences across our generations — all while diligently prying for answers to the secrets of happiness and life!

 

Thank you Steve for your time, generosity, and for being someone I look up to in my life. 

 

FO & BW

Ep. 125: We Finna Be Hegemonic (Ft. Connor Moore)

How do you like it?!  Moore, Moore, Moore! 

 

Glory on high. The long anticipated wait is over!!  Connor Moore returns to Top Shelf Studios for a hang filled with foreign policy discussion, hopeful outlooks on a potential global conflict, and valuable book recommendations.  A graduate of Wartburg holding a degree in History & Political Science, Connor spent the last year teaching English in Hungary as part of the ELCA program. 

 

We talked about Connor’s initial ethical concerns with “missionary” work, how he found this opportunity with ELCA & the Lutheran church while not being a practicing Lutheran himself, and how Connor’s mentors helped guide him into uncomfortable situations through his time at Wartburg & throughout his travels to Hungary.  Beyond being enticing to graduate programs, international experience at a young age has expanded Connor’s perspectives on humanity.  People have more in common that they have differences, yet we often focus all attention on things which divide us — nationality, race, class. 

 

Connor hated school growing up.  His battle to find success was in part driven from an initial “prove-it” mindset, but continued with the positive impact of mentors & professors along the way.  I’m telling ya, don’t sleep on the small private schools in Iowa! If you apply yourself, the access to professors & inspiration is unmatched. 

 

From Zen professors asking about tree limbs, to teachers who believe sarcasm to be the highest demonstration of intelligence, you won’t want to miss a minute of this episode with Connor. 

 

The Tallest thanks to Connor for being himself. I am so thankful we have him in this world. Keep crushing it dude, you’re going to make this place better for all of us. 

 

Yes, I am behind on the Patreon.  Yes I carry the weight of embarrassment with me daily.  Yes there is a huge catalog of content already on there.  I’m trying to publish two episodes a week through the election, so I appreciate the fans cutting me some slack on the premium content.      

 

FO & BW