InTALLerable

Ep. 83: Dirt-Bag Lukey & the Looch

Stand-up comic & fellow door guys, Lucas Mederos & Luciano D'Alessandro, ascend to Top Shelf for an episode unlike any other. We have our first official fatality of the show, (not really) as Looch ends up having to take an important meeting with the porcelain portal, but returns to the mic to be “Heighted” at the end of the episode. What a trooper!

We talk about Lucas’ new fascination with Japanese jean tech, a shared fear of being fired from the service industry, and we imagine how a medieval servant would go about trying to “shush” a heckler. There is an obligatory strange movie segment, as is required when Lucas graces our airwaves — ‘Butt-Boy,’ a movie where a boy grows stronger each time he consumes things with… Ya know.. His butt. Yet another example of film analysis we don’t need and another example of a google search that will surely lead to your name being added to a “list.” 

Luciano is an aspiring stand-up comedian, so I ask about his writing process, what spurred his journey to write jokes, and what inspires him to continue his practice. We also talk about family getting older and the challenges of watching those you love age. Luciano is moving to help take care of his father, so he has unfortunately left our Comedy Works door team, though his memory will live on.

After enjoying some food — you can find uncut “eating” on our Patreon episode (‘ya filthy animals requested it) — Lucas and I ponder being stuck (yet again) with two octogenarian candidates for president, the death of warmonger Harry Kissinger, and the moral framework of religion with respect to whether people are either inherently good or inherently bad. Bet you didn’t expect that from a man who self-identifies as “Dirt-Bag Lukey.” 

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Ep. 82: Dirty Dancy Duo (Ft. Blake & Daulton)

The mean-height has never been so mean at Top Shelf Studios, as Blake and Daulton Dancy join the show for an episode chocked-full of brotherly laughter. We recorded this episode while watching our favorite team, the Denver Nuggets. This one has it all: Holiday traditions, childhood stories, and a hearty serving of posturing between the Dancy boys.

Of course we had to talk some basketball, since I am rarely joined by such well-versed fans of the NBA, so we spent the necessary time enamoring over the Nuggets’ run to win their first NBA championship. On the subject of sports, I ask Daulton about his passion for golf. He holds a 5 handicap which only 4% of golfers ever reach — safe to say he could give me some pointers. The i-Pad generation scares us all, as Blake and Daulton tell us about seeing their nephew grow up given screens out-the-womb, and we ponder lasting impacts.

Ever wonder if you really need the Mac-Daddy-Blaster internet package? Thankfully, Daulton has the answer. We talk about family ties and generational pride, staying in touch with friends or family over video games, and we play a new game on the show called: “Is Daulton Latino?” Don’t miss out.

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Ep. 81: End of an Era (Ft. Makana)

Makana graces us with his presence one last time before his big move to New York City. We reflect on the humble beginnings of the show, starting two years ago borrowing a basement studio of a coworker. Almost employee of the month, Makana jokes about being nominated by his fellow water-delivery-specialists and being cheated out of a $100 gift card. Per usual, I asked Makana’s thoughts on the “end of the world,” but was surprised to hear how down to Earth he has become, as he told me about his shrinking scope of influence and how his move to the big apple will provide a chance to reset his connections and drop any that he’s kept up merely for convenience. 

We talked about how money works, investing in your 20’s, and how cool it would be to build a comedy club out of shipping containers. Both of us value diversity of thought and Makana is excited to explore a city with “seasoning,” as he called it. Makana outlines his aspirations for unemployment in New York, his goals to grow, and we send him on his way with an official “heighting.” 

We will miss him, but his laugh is forever trapped on the soundboard, and his spirit is chained up in the back next to G-Easy. Cheers to his bright future in a new city. I wish him adversity and growth, followed by achievement and accomplishment. 

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Ep. 80: Cheers to Many More (Ft. Blake Dancy)

Fresh off playing a round of disc golf at the legendary Beaver Ranch mountain disc golf course, Blake Dancy makes his long-anticipated return to Top Shelf Studios. Much has changed since his last appearance at the studio, not only for the show, but for Blake. He has lost 65 pounds, but hasn’t lost an ounce of his unique charm and humor. I try my best to fatten him up with some smoked chicken wings and he is the first guest to officially ask for a “To-Go” box. 

“Best wings I have had in probably a decade.” -Blake Dancy

We discuss the emotional journey of our Denver Nuggets winning their first NBA Championship, Blake watching tears flow from his older brother’s eyes as the banner was raised on opening night, NBA twitter burner accounts leading to senior referees losing their jobs in the off-season, and we contrast Joel Embiid & Nikola Jokic leadership style and their response to media members in both defeat and victory. 

In the after-hours portion of the show Blake shares about his family life growing up, how his household was a riff-fest, and how his brothers approach humor. We discuss how comedy has taken a crucial part in shaping our lives. Blake offers me reassurance and belief, pushing me to believe in myself, something I struggle with regularly. Having a friend who celebrates your victories, a friend who unconditionally sits in your corner; it’s priceless. Blake shared a new side in this episode, as we ponder finding purpose and the core question: “Who am I?”

Thanks to Blake for the countless laughs he has brought me during our friendship. I am eager to see how many lives Blake will touch in the coming years with his boundless positive spirit and empathetic generosity. P.S. Bring your brother next time!

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Ep. 79: No Rush (Ft. Anders Lillquist)

Long hair is in season folks! I’m humbled to welcome Anders Lillquist into Top Shelf Studios for an episode centered around his love for stand-up comedy. Anders is a manager at the legendary Comedy Works Comedy Club in Denver, Colorado. He arrived in Denver by way of Wisconsin, and boy, does it show. Midwest “Nice” flows off in aura; I’m beginning to think his luscious locks are merely a Tesla-esque conduit for generating renewable kindness. 

We take some typical side roads along our way to discuss topics ranging from optimizing a year of hypothetical travel, to Anders’ 2 year journey to find himself while traveling across the U.S., and the weird, but great, family Ander ultimately found among comics and other “comedy purists,” like the venerable Dave Attell. A true fan on the show, Anders was ready when the time came to be “Heighted.” 

Anders isn’t a man to offer advice unless asked. It reminded me of a saying I heard somewhere: “To profit from good advice requires more wisdom than to give it.”  Luckily, Anders shared a wise truth during this episode that resonated with me; hopefully I can profit from his wisdom. It was: “There's no rush, no matter how much it feels like there is in your early & mid 20’s.” As someone quickly sliding into the back-half of my 20’s, carrying a now partially-fused spine, and battling to escape the rental trap with the highest inflation since before I was on Earth: He’s right. There is no rush. None. How sad and incomplete it would be to rush through my life, however long it may last and miss sharing laughs with cool people like Anders. 

Tell someone how much they mean to you while you have the chance. 

FO & BW

 

Ep. 78: Too MatchaMan to Handle (Ft. James Cooper)

James Cooper climbs on the counter and reaches up as high as he can; ascending to us at Top Shelf Studios for an entertaining episode of thoughtful reflection, honest stories of adversity, and the joyful spoils of success that come only from crawling through the mud on life’s path. Mr. Cooper is a graduate of Arizona State University and holds a Bachelor's degree in Mathematics. As a first-gen college student, James did not have a roadmap, or perhaps less of a roadmap than other students who had seen parents or older siblings navigate the college experience. This lack of direction led him initially to study biology, thinking to himself: “Hey, I’ve seen Scrubs, How hard can it be?” Well, apparently hard enough that an Actuarial Science degree in Mathematics sounded like a more appealing major to pursue after a few biology courses. 

A book that changed James’ life was: ‘Mindset - A new Psychology for success’ by Carol Dweck. Here, he began to learn and embrace the ‘growth mindset,’ a framework that suggests that life's shortcomings, failures, and trials are where we find life’s true beauty, where we grow in our person and spirit. Journaling has contributed to James’ growth, as he tells us how this simple act of writing daily has been transformative. He is shooting for one thousand journal entries in 2023! Gimme the over. 

Entrepreneurship became interesting to James after diving into reading more finance, CS, and self-improvement books. He started a business called: “MatchaMan,” which sold energy-filled, nutrient-rich drinks at local farmer markets. The business has since closed, but James talks about how making a video to say goodbye to all his clients and supporters ultimately became an exercise in recognizing the growth that failure brings. I don’t know purport to know “Matchabout” people, but I’d venture this won’t be James’ last entrepreneurial opportunity. 

So much of life can come down to someone asking: “What does you gut feel about it?” I am grateful for James’ story, for the chance to ask him questions and learn from his perspective. He is someone who is brave enough to follow their gut and trust in themself; we need more people like James in the world. 

Tell that person how much they mean to you. Please. 

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Ep. 77: Speak to the Manager (Ft. Bryce Olander & Alek)

Bryce Olander is the manager of the legendary Comedy Works in Denver, where he spends most nights dealing with hooligan door staff at the south club. Beginning his CW journey in events, then maintenance, Bryce has learned through trial-and-error what it takes to run a successful comedy club. Don’t let his sultry smooth voice fool you for someone “passive” or “disinterested”, this man shines when the lights are the brightest. Besides his professional success, Bryce is a thoughtful, hilarious guy who clearly has a huge heart. How huge?? Find out what Bryce is “Heighted” at the end of the show!

Bryce reflects on the impact of Covid on the service & comedy industry, giving us a glimpse into the final days before the club was officially closed for the pandy. We each shared our favorite family holiday meals, a conversation which brought bubbling nostalgia and hunger not only to us, but probably also to the listener. Best to keep a snack nearby, lest you be urged into baking a Thanksgiving pie!

Alek & Bryce talk about their interactions with the unhoused, while Sean tends to the smoked meat; gotta keep my guests well-fed! Bryce told us about why he no longer engages with psychoactive “therapies” and let me tell ya — after hearing about the blood-red skies and self-sacrifice — I can definitely understand why! Near the end of the episode, as is typical, we touch on adversity. In this episode we dive into addiction, an affliction affecting far too many young Americans today. 

Tell someone how much they mean to you today. It will be worth it 100x over. 

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Ep. 76: Trench-Era (Ft. Rose Kelly & Alek)

Immerse yourself in an episode brimming with pranks, candid confessions, and a student’s perspective of pandemic navigation, right here at Top Shelf Studios. Rose Kelly, a Colorado native with a marketing intellect and a knack for trickery, introduces us to “Prank-Tober,” her invention for ensuring October is a month peppered with daily shenanigans. We journey through the Denver Nuggets’ championship euphoria and the chaotic after-parties in the streets of Denver. Alek unveils the lingering shadows of his "Melo scarring," while Rose contrasts her adept freestyle swimming history with an unequivocal inability to freestyle rap.

A nostalgically comedic air fills the room as Rose & Alek share their first celebrity crushes and navigate through the world of 2000s pop culture. Our guest's fervent devotion to SNL sparks a conversation around evolving comedic tastes and the newfound appreciation enveloping her new involvement in the stand-up scene. Tales of navigating academic life amid the pandemic surface, with Rose admitting to mastering the art of academic deceit over substantive learning. Unrestrained laughter underscores discussions around inflation and escrow, exposing a universally relatable cluelessness about adulting's financial intricacies.

Envision a spirited European escapade, as we journey through Rose’s ventures across borders and uncover memories, perhaps better left in Amsterdam. Alek and Rose dissect the Zeitgeist and mull over defining our current societal "era," revealing the contemplations of a 22-year-old gal maneuvering through her own trenches.

Hop on board for an episode where youthful exploration, heartfelt pranks, and poignant reflections converge into classic InTALLerable style. Dive into the laughter, uncover the reflections, and eagerly await more unscripted hilarity and introspective journeys from your favorite shelf.

Support us & find bonus content at patreon.com/intallerable.

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Ep. 75: Scrubbed-Down (Ft. Taylor Greene)

One of my oldest friends in the world, Taylor, finally makes her long-anticipated appearance in Top Shelf Studios. The true fans have really been pining for this one, let me tell ya. Taylor delves deep into her personal and professional journey, as she navigated the intricacies of nursing amidst a pandemic, actively working on maintaining her health (and sanity) in Grand Junction while attending CMU. She reflects on her first semester of nursing school and the profound question, "Why are you here?" For her, it's about a stable career, but more than that, it's about passion and not dreading her job every day. She talked about her ongoing journey of self-discovery after ending a multi-year relationship, the deceptive allure of social media and its mass adoption in America, and laughed about our spirited “Smoke on the Water” grade-school talent show performance. We really killed that choreography for only being fourth-graders, just saying. 

Any good Emergency Room stories involving homeless men, orifices, and large traffic cones? 

You ‘betcha we got ‘em on episode 75. 

Spirited conspiracy theory discussion about ‘Bluecifer’ and the Denver Airport?

Look no further. 

Okay, but surely there won’t be any debate surrounding gender-affirming care for children, right?! 

I wouldn’t be too sure. 

We end the episode discussing Lauren Boebert's...interesting theater etiquette. An episode rich with laughs, lessons, and a few curveballs—classic InTALLerable style. Huge thanks to Taylor for being a guest and for her upcoming artwork for the Patreon. 

patreon.com/intallerable

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Ep. 74: Neo-Seven (Ft. Lucas Mederos & Alek)

I am joined by two of my fellow door-staff, Alek Seballas & Lucas Mederos, for a rambunctiously fun episode full of psychological analysis centered around the movie Seven. Lucas entrances us with his journey to comprehend a movie plot following the seven deadly sins, which are in fact presented in sequential order. Think he must’ve lost count around 5 and got confused. We question how long we will be allowed to use the term: “Military Brat,” as Alek teaches us about his experience growing up around the world. He always finds fellow ‘Children of the War Machine’ to be quirky, often dawning cargo shorts to ensure the safe storage of pokemon cards. 

Lucas Mederos, a stand-up comedian, details his deep hatred for the bike lane, how the female-lead James Bond movie ended up being more sexist than if there wasn’t a female lead, and we somehow stumbled our way onto the topic of neo-genitalia. Alek hasn’t seen any gray wolves since voting them into Colorado law, leaving him questioning if they even exist. 

In the afterhours portion of the show we talk about Lucas going into credit card debt to buy a PS5, we callback to an old bit, Situations, to see if our guests would have changed the course of history if given the chance, and Lucas shares his experience of being young while his dad struggled with Schizophrenia. All around this episode includes lots of satirical jokes, shared laughs over absurdist bits, and empathy for one another as we learn more about each other’s lives. 

Huge thank you to Alek Seballes & Lucas Mederos for coming on and for journeying to Top Shelf Studios. I can assure you this won’t be their last appearance on the show. 

Follow both Lucas @lucaskmederos & Alek @alekwithak - on Instagram

FO & BW