The Comedian Next Door

We're not at the kitchen table today...we're in front of our computer screens, video-chatting with our friend, Juan DeVevo.  It takes us forever to introduce him and the topic--so please bear with us while we shoot the breeze. Juan is a founding member and "Stage Left Guitar Player" for Casting Crowns. So, let's talk about worship music.  (And don't forget to give us two things you LOVE every time you say something you "hate.")What does John have against modern praise music? What would it take to win him over?Also--what does this have to do with chicken nuggets? We'll cover all of these things and much, much more!  In fact, this is an EXTENDED EPISODE, which would have been even longer if The Peaches hadn't decided when to pull the plug... You can find Juan's touring schedule at castingcrowns.com.  Also--visit johnbranyan.com for details about VACAY WITH COMICS. Coming in July, 2023.  We'll see you at the Fight Laugh Feast Conference October 6th-8th in Knoxville.  (Flfnetwork.com for more information.)

Every week, four Christian entertainers host a LIVE show on YouTube called the Starving Comics Quarantine Show.  Tune in Sunday at 7:00pm Eastern and interact with John Branyan, Juan DeVevo, Brian Apprille, and John thomas Oaks!  Here's a sample of the mayhem you're missing...  On this episode--Anita Renfroe joins our merry band to play one of our favorite games and help us understand Southern Women a little better.  If you like what you hear, subscribe to the John Branyan YouTube channel.  Also--come hang with us at the Fight Laugh Feast Conference October 6th-8th in Knoxville, Tennessee. Details at flfnetwork.com. 

Welcome to the table at the Comedian's house...and welcome to "Kokomo Beach" as well. We've been doing some hard work managing our emotions lately...   John used a passage in 1 Timothy when he was teaching at youth Bible Study this week. What does "rebuke" mean? And what does "exhort" mean? Ask your kids to define words for you, Neighbor! It helps them learn to think! Later: we give some examples of adults who struggle with ethical dilemmas because they aren't wise.    What would you do if the boat was sinking and you could only save 4 out of 10 people?  (Why not just roll dice?)   Then: what would you do if you got pregnant out of wedlock and didn't want to confess to your family?Finally:  Pilgrim's progress is a really great story. Kids don't have the capacity to understand it fully. But, with some life experience (and maturity), it really hits you!  If you'd like to contact the Comedian, you can email [email protected].  We are gearing up for the Fight Laugh Feast Conference in Knoxville, October 6th-8th.  Details at flfnetwork.com!  Also, come on vacation with a bunch of comedians. Details about Vacay with Comics 2023, at johnbranyan.com. 

Jump in the car with Comedian John Branyan and his son-in-law, Luke McKinney.  This week, they're on the way BACK to Indiana from Georgia, and they're discussing how the comedy show went.   Ignore the road noise, and pass the coffee. Topics include:-Great hotel experiences -Good shows and bad comedy shows-Arguing with libs on social media (and telling a pastor to step down)-"The most evil people in the world know that, if they're going to maneuver in society, they have to make people like them.  Serial killers are some of the nicest people you'll ever meet! They win people over because they're so nice! But they're just desperately wicked people." And much, much more. Visit johnbranyan.com and join the Comedy Clique to support the show! Also, sign up to attend the Fight Laugh Feast Conference at flfnetwork.com.  Email The Comedian Next Door at [email protected]. 

John and The Peaches are joined at the table by Tabby--the other sister.  Tabby's baby is a grabby baby. (Say that three times fast.)  The conversation ambles around family and food... and then we get down to business! The camping trip last week did NOT go according to plan.  Spoilers: there was car trouble and much, much, much vomit. What can we do when the family trip just keeps delivering blow after blow? How can we be emotionally okay--when things are falling apart physically?On the one hand, it's nice to feel needed and to have your job clearly laid out in front of you. But how many of us actually live as though we believe that "blessings come through raindrops and healing comes through tears"?   (Update: That song is only 11 years old. But it might as well be 30.)It's a miracle of the Holy Spirit whenever ANYONE is able to step outside the terrible situation and stay Kingdom-minded. Then:  WHYYYYYY ME?!?!?! Lessons from Nancy Kerrigan and the Pipe Incident... Later: Why were the city fireworks so weird this year?  We don't know for sure, but now John has a great idea for a musical. If you'd like to contact the Comedian Next Door, email [email protected]. Also--we want you to come on vacation with our family and several of our Comedian Friends. Visit the johnbranyan.com and get more information about VACAY WITH COMICS 2023. 

This week, jump in the car with the Comedian, John Branyan, and his son-in-law, Luke McKinney. We're traveling down to Atlanta from Indianapolis, which means there's plenty of time for thinking and chatting. Ignore the road noise, and make sure you're buckled properly.  Topics include: -Progressive Christianity -Refusing to associate with apostates -Planks and Logs (and when should we judge?) -Social media theology and popular false teaching -How does John write jokes and plan his comedy sets? -And much more! Visit johnbranyan.com and join the Comedy Clique! All the cool kids are doing it!  Also--if you haven't downloaded the Fight Laugh Feast App and become a member of the FLF Network, what are you waiting for?   Email the Comedian at [email protected]

Hey, Neighbor! Pull up a chair because we've got a cute story about kids at the Bubble Show.  The Kingdom of Heaven is made up of such as these... Then:  A survey of parks in our hometown. Maybe this isn't interesting to anyone else--but you can Google "Jackson Morrow Park Kokomo" and confirm we're TELLING THE TRUTH about this! Later:  John got into some trouble suggesting that women shouldn't be "comedians" the same way men can...  Allow him to clarify.   Eventually, he admits the women in his family are very funny, which prompts the Peaches to share a story about the dream she had. (One word: Ants) Finally, go check out Facebook and see the horde of angry trolls on John's page. How the heathen rage when Christians celebrate life.  ---- We want you to come on vacation with us! Visit johnbranyan.com for more information about Vacay with Comics.  

Every Sunday at 7:00pm Eastern, four Christian entertainers host the best LIVE YouTube event of the whole week! It's called the Starving Comics Quarantine Show.  If you haven't been tuning in for the live broadcasts, here's a little sample of what you've been missing... On this episode, Juan DeVevo is out on the road and Jt's keyboard crashed. (This is why we have a sound check!)  Also, we have a special guest in the studio: Kristin Weber! She's an expert on Adulting for Jesus.  John surprises Jt with something that will change the course of the entire show. And, later, we play a new game called "Channels," which makes a lot more sense when you can SEE the television.If you're ready to watch this show live, subscribe to the John Branyan YouTube channel and tune in every Sunday evening! Also, consider supporting content like this by visiting johnbranyan.com and joining the Comedy Clique. 

John and the Peaches are sitting at the table with mugs of tea. But no sugar for John, Please! He is deeply invested in a fad diet--and it's taking over his dreams.  Since you're at the Comedian's house today, you can help us get ready for Family Camp next week.  John is scheduled to deliver four talks, plus games and activities, so we need to figure out which topics to cover with the campers. (Somebody grab a pen and write this stuff down!)-Comedy is able to thrive in families because of shared contexts/experiences. There are lots of opportunities for "inside jokes" and call-backs! -Good improv works because comedy is built into the game... and guess Who built comedy into the Game of Life? -In order to do comedy better, learn to ask lots of questions. -Tell kids the truth...  (You have to understand what's true in order to make jokes about it.) If all of this seems a bit disjointed and random, it's because we still have some polishing to do before next week!  What else should we cover in our presentations, Neighbor? Which bits of wisdom/advice from The Comedian have been most helpful to you?  Send us your recommendations:  [email protected] Also, visit johnbranyan.com for information about VACAY WITH COMICS 2023.  We're going camping with a bunch of John's comedian friends, and we want your family to join us. 

Every Sunday at 7:00pm Eastern, four Christian entertainers host the best LIVE YouTube event of the whole week! It's called the Starving Comics Quarantine Show. If you haven't been tuning in for the live broadcasts, here's a little sample of what you've been missing... In this episode, John Branyan and Brian Apprille and Juan DeVevo and John thomas Oaks are telling STORIES based on word prompts drawn randomly.  (You can get your own copy of the game Story Salad by visiting johnthomasoaks.com) Plus, we're totally not ripping off Fat Albert... Not at all... Be sure to subscribe to John Branyan's YouTube channel so you can be part of the next SCQS!

John's a little under the weather, but he's going to soldier on!  It's very, very hot in our neck of the woods, and it's reminding us of happy childhood memories, digging holes and making "Mixtures." Those were the days, right?!Next: John tells us his idea for making Pride Parades into "family friendly" events.  But the Peaches is worried his idea might be a little too much fun... Finally: the Atheists are swarming on John's Facebook page.  You can go look at some of their comments, but don't spend too much time trying to climb inside their heads and think like they do.  It's hellish in there. If you'd like to connect with the Comedian and his family, you can email [email protected] .  We're going to be hosting another Vacay with Comics in July of 2023!  Please be on the lookout for details on our website (johnbranyan.com) ....but cut John some slack because it's really hot up in the attic where he works. 

Every Sunday at 7:00pm Eastern, four Christian entertainers host the best LIVE YouTube event of the whole week! It's called the Starving Comics Quarantine Show. If you haven't been tuning in for the live broadcasts, here's a little sample of what you've been missing...On today's episode, we're trying not to violate YouTube's dumb copyright laws. Let us tell you our tale of woe about how we keep getting flagged for our parodies, which are supposed to be protected under Fair Use. Then, later, we play a new game where we have to deliver inspiring speeches, using a slideshow we've never seen before.  It's better when you can SEE the action, so you should tune in next Sunday on John Branyan's YouTube channel and be part of the show. 

Welcome to the kitchen table of the Comedian Next Door!   Today, we start with a parable... No, wait, we have to talk about pet food first....  Oh, and we need to pause and sort out some child drama.  Okay, NOW we're going to hear a parable about a church with a strange number of house fires. Everybody's house is burning to the ground around here!  What is going on??? We need to look at the fruit that church people are producing. And then we need to have the courage to stop taking advice from broke people.   Instead of buying fireworks, why don't you teach your kids the basic tenents of Christianity?  (Pssst, Christianity teaches more than just "love people.")If you'd like to reach out to the Comedian and his family, you can email [email protected] .  Also, consider supporting the show by visiting johnbranyan.com and joining the Comedy Clique! We'll see you at the Fight Laugh Feast Conference in October, Neighbor! (Details at flfnetwork.com)    

Every Sunday at 7:00pm Eastern time, four Christian entertainers host a LIVE YouTube event called the Starving Comics Quarantine Show.  If you have been missing these, here's an audio sample to give you the idea.The first 3-4 minutes of this episode make up the "sound check" portion. You'll hear the hosts talk all over each other, thanks to the internet delay and the fact that Juan DeVevo is calling in from the road with his tiny little band called Casting Crowns. John thomas Oaks and Brian Apprille also join John Branyan to talk about Star Spangled Ding Dongs and Chubby Bruce.   Trust us when we tell you that both of these things are significant to regular viewers of SCQS, so tune in and get caught up! To support SCQS and other content from John Branyan Comedy, visit johnbranyan.com and become a clique member! Also, you can follow John Branyan on YouTube and set your notifications to remind you when he goes LIVE.  

John and the Peaches are on a video call with Tabby and our new intern...  So--rather than joining us at the table, you can roll up at a chair at the office desk! Today, we're talking about the fact that things change and people grow, and sometimes we regret things we said years ago.  (Hey, that rhymes.)  We place a high value on "consistency" (as opposed to hypocrisy), which is a good thing EXCEPT there may come a point where the focus on consistency will prevent us from making necessary changes.  Why are we so afraid to be DIFFERENT than we were in the past?In this episode: -We can't say all the truth things at once. Only God can.  -Do something that Future Tabby will thank you for! (Good job, Past Tabby.)-How can an aspiring young minion get her foot in the door of the entertainment industry?  (Spoiler: The Comedian doesn't know.)Plus more! If you'd like to contact us, email [email protected].  Also, consider supporting the show by visiting johnbranyan.com and joining the Comedy Clique.  Mark your calendars for July 27th to 30th, 2023.  We're going on a VACAY WITH COMICS, and we want you to come laugh with us.   

Every Sunday at 7:00pm Eastern Time, John Branyan LIVE streams a comedy show with three of his most talented friends:  Brian Apprille--Fellow Comedian,  John thomas Oaks--Song Composer, Juan DeVevo--Founding Member of Casting Crowns.  On this episode, the hosts share a new song about Frost Heaves. (People from Boston know all about that phenomenon!)  Also--we bring back a popular segement: CONSPIRACY THEORY JEOPARDY. If you like listening to this show, you'll love watching it.  Tune in on Sunday at 7:00pm on the John Branyan YouTube channel. 

This episode is late, Neighbor! We have no excuse...Pull up a seat at the table to hear the story of how the McKinney Kids offended someone at McDonald's.  Also--there's a viral scandal involving a pastor from Indiana that John wants to talk about. Does this conversation make any conhesive sense, or does it just wander from one random thought to another? We're not sure! But this episode DOES have lots of toads going for it!  (Do dogs eat for pleasure?)Contact us by emailing [email protected].  Also, considering supporting John Branyan Comedy by visiting johnbranyan.com and joining the Comedy Clique! There are lots of insider perks for doing so.   We'll see you at the Fight Laugh Feast Conference in October!

Every Sunday at 7:00pm, John Branyan goes LIVE on YouTube with the Starving Comics Quarantine Show. He's joined by Brian Apprille, John thomas Oaks, and Juan DeVevo, of Casting Crowns. Here's a sample of SCQS.  During the sound check, the men discuss kombucha and keifer. (Points if you alredy know how to pronounce both of those.) Cue the theme song!   On today's episode, Brian is out of town, but he joins us in the comment section.  Juan and Jt Oaks talk about doing shows in barns...   And later Jt debuts a brand new song about traveling through Atlanta.  GET US OUT OF HERE!Finally, we play a game where you have to identify what's missing in the picture.  It's much better when you're able to WATCH rather than just listening. So--maybe consider following John Branyan on YouTube and joining us LIVE for the next episode of SCQS! 

Welcome to the kitchen table of the comedian next door!  All the kids are here, making a joyful noise next to the recorder.  But we're not going to "shush" them unless/until they do something wrong...This week, we learned that we are the reason some people don't want to come to church. And what have we been doing to cause them to be so completely repulsed?   We've been laughing! (The horror.)   There is WAY TOO MUCH SADNESS in the world for Christians to spend any time being funny.  Do you have any idea how many traumatic experiences happen in churches?!  We have so much crying to do and so little time...  Stop smiling! This is serious! If you'd like to contact the Comedian, email [email protected].   Also, consider supporting the show by visiting johnbranyan.com and joining the Comedy Clique.  We'll see you at the Fight Laugh Feast Conference in October! (Details at flfnetwork.com)  

Every Sunday evening, at 7:00pm Eastern Time, John Branyan and his funny friends host a LIVE comedy show on YouTube.  If you're not watching the Starving Comics Quarantine Show, here's what you've been missing... John thomas drank a lot of coffee before tonight's show. He does his best James Cagney. And later, Brian Apprille teaches everyone how to speak like a Bostonian PROPERLY.  Also featuring: Juan DeVevo, founding member of Casting Crowns. And John Branyan--the Original Starving Comic.  Follow John Branyan on YouTube and enable notifications to watch SCQS LIVE and see if it looks as good as it sounds.  Live comments are featured on the show! 

Welcome to the table, Neighbor! Go ahead and take the Peaches' seat because she's not using it much.  There's too much parenting to do!Meanwhile, John wants to tell you about some of his terrible experiences with comedy shows this week.  (But, really, the terrible shows make for the best stories.)Also--we got an email this week. Thanks for sending us details about your childlike joys!  Finally, we get pretty raw and honest about the insomnia and mood swings and how it's affecting parenting decisions.  We're trying to teach our kids to do the right thing, even when they don't feel like it.  But, we have to practice what we preach first!You can contact us at [email protected]...  

This week's Bonus Conversation has to do with all things education.  The Peaches doesn't know which is more outside of her control:  her ability to sleep at night, or her ability to make her son do his schoolwork... In our community, most of our brothers and sisters in Christ are NOT familiar with the philosophy of education that is commonplace among people in the Fight Laugh Feast Network.   We don't have a church full of Christians who "get it," and that feels discouraging sometimes.  Here's an analogy about painting a garage that might feel relatable... It's difficult to help others educate their children in Christian orthodoxy, when the parents were ALSO products of public school.  How to we even begin to unpack all the misunderstandings and bad assumptions? You can reach out to us by emailing [email protected].  Also, visit flfnetwork.com to get more information about the Fight Laugh Feast Conference. (That's coming up in October. Be there or be square!) 

The Comedian's house is busy (as always).  Let the 4-year-old explain why he "needs" to use tongs to handle his Elmo doll...  We're continuing to "plod" along with our daily tasks--but sometimes the process feels painfully slow. If you're an older mother who has successfully raised her children in the Lord, the Peaches could use some encouragement.  Email [email protected] to share your testimony of how daily, ordinary faithfulness has paid off.  Later:  Look at all the amazing things our bodies are able to do... like REMEMBERING things that happened in the past and driving to church without crashing.  Who are we to decide what's "too much" for us to handle? Wouldn't we think most of our ordinary activities were "too much," if we hadn't experienced being able to do them? The Peaches has been convicted that she has been influenced by the Materialist culture more than she realized.  There are many assumptions about the limitations of our physical bodies which come from "science" (and "experts" in Biology) rather than from Scripture... Many other things get brought up as well, but it's a bit difficult to outline. Pull up a chair at the table and join us! Visit johnbranyan.com to Join the Comedy Clique and support the show.  You also can visit flfnetwork.com for more information about the Fight Laugh Feast Conference, coming up in October.  Our family will be there (Lord willing).  Will yours? 

The almost-11-year-old Cami joins us at the table to talk about how hard it can be to get along with a brother who changes "The Plan" at the last minute.  She shares a story about an Easter dispute that could have put a damper on our family's celebration. But--by the grace of God--Cami was able to do the right thing and get back into fellowship with Collin. Enjoy this shorter episode for your mid-week visit to the Comedian's house.   If you enjoy the show, consider supporting The Comedian Next Door by joining the Comedy Clique. Details at johnbranyan.com.

This episode is being uploaded late, due to tech difficulties. Sorry about that, Neighbor Pkarlgh!Our family is celebrating Cami's 11th birthday this week, but not everyone is excited about her party's theme.  Is it okay for Christians to read stories about magic and witchcraft?... We discuss this briefly. Then:  it's encouraging to know that God has been revealing pieces of his Truth to EVERY nation in EVERY era.  But, when are we allowed to agree with the pagans?   Or are we running the risk of compromising our faith in order to get along with more people?    Let us regale you with a very long-winded anecdote with borrowed from The King's Hall Podcast.  Don't be quick to divide and sell the land of your inheretance, Neighbor!  You can contact us by emailing [email protected], and you can support the show by becomining a member of John's Comedy Clique.  Details at johnbranyan.com.  

The house is FULL of family today (especially noisy kids)--and we don't feel much like podcasting...  But, we're doing it anyway!   Tabby is at the table, and Megan grabs a mic later in the episode as well.  John wants to talk about why so many Christians seem to be "deconstructing" their faith.  We think we mostly agree with the article he quotes.Young Americans no longer trust large institutions like the government, the medical establishment, and the Church.  They've become loners who trust no one except themselves...and it's getting to the point where they don't really trust themselves, either. (That's what happens when you have been taught to see through everything. There's no end to the free fall.) Christians have access to information about other belief systems and worldviews they didn't have 100 years ago, which may tempt them away from their faith.  But--more importantly--they don't have the skills necessary to discern what's true and what's false.   Pull up a chair and join the discussion!   Email [email protected] with your comments. Also--be looking for more information about the Fight Laugh Feast Conference in October.  We'll see you there, Neighbor!

We've been informed that our Neighbor (Pkarlgh) wants to come over and visit MORE OFTEN. So we're putting out bonus content on Thursdays.   Please enjoy today's table talk with John, the Peaches, and the Podcast Ninja (Luke).  We'll tell you how to make yeast rolls that will offend your grandmother...  and how to make marshmallows... and how to make cotton candy in the most entertaining way possible. Also, please let us know if you're interested in our Racoon-Trapping Kits. We're ready to make some money! Email: [email protected] to interact with us.   Thanks for visiting, Neighbor!

The Podcast Ninja (Luke) is at the table today.  We begin by talking about how much fun comedian's have when they're driving about 10 hours, to and from a show.  Then, the Peaches reminds John about how wrong he was two episodes ago... (Remember when John was wrong, Neighbor?) But she's actually trying to make him feel better by sharing something that convicted HER lately:  CS Lewis had a different perspective on Emotionalism than we typically have on this podcast! Please enjoy some quotes from The Abolition of Man. "[People who are wrong] see the world around them swayed by emotional propaganda — they have learned from tradition that youth is sentimental — and they conclude that the best thing they can do is to fortify the minds of young people against emotion. My own experience as a teacher tells an opposite tale. For every one pupil who needs to be guarded from a weak excess of sensibility there are three who need to be awakened from the slumber of cold vulgarity. The task of the modern educator is not to cut down jungles but to irrigate deserts. The right defence against false sentiments is to inculcate just sentiments. By starving the sensibility of our pupils we only make them easier prey to the propagandist when he comes. For famished nature will be avenged and a hard heart is no infallible protection against a soft head."  --CS Lewis John doesn't think we have been guilty of downplaying emotions.  BUT, his young grandson recently confessed to feeling guilty about liking video games, so... What do you think, Neighbor? Are Christians accidentally creating hard hearts, as a remedy for soft heads?  Or are we doing a decent job passing on an appreciation for objective beauty and majestic music and passionate poetry?Send us your comments:  [email protected]   Also, tune in later this week for MORE CONTENT from The Comedian Next Door.  (If you'd like to support the show, consider joining the Comedy Clique. Details at johnbranyan.com)

The Comedian and The Peaches are talking about heartrate and stress.   Apparently, it's possible for your body to be stressed without your mind being aware of it. Who knew? We always talk about not being able to trust our emotions, but we can't always trust our thoughts and perceptions, either... Sometimes the tasks that would be stressful for others actually calm us down. That's our comfort zone!  But sometimes we have panic attacks on airplanes.  Next, John makes a few confusing announcements about when he'll be performing at Gutty's comedy club. (He's appearing at the Minneapolis Gutty's on April 22nd and 23rd, and the Indianapolis Gutty's on April 29th and 30th.)  Also, the Peaches sees a bug on the wall.  Then, John's dental hygienist asked for his opinion about the infamous Chris Rock and Will Smith Slap, so he shares that opinion with you, Neighbor Pkarlgh!  Basically, the people of Hollywood are not doing very well! Being unable to handle Mean Words is a sign of personal weakness.  Don't be so easily stressed by your surroundings that you can't control your actions.  Finally, what would possess Joel Osteen to block other Christians from critiquing his sermons?  (Also, we're still trying to meet Mike Winger. If you know his people, put in a good word for us.) If you'd like to support the show, visit johnbranyan.com and join The Comedy Clique. You'll get exclusive access to our Telegram group and private game nights and more! We'll be at the Fight Laugh Feast Conference in October. More details at flfnetwork.com . 

We're here at the table, Neighbor Pkarlgh! (And the kids are working busily nearby.) Join us while we talk about John's latest post on social media.  Spoilers: this conversation does not go the way he expected... In this episode:  -Why would a person post a comment that is nothing but Scripture? -Social media encourages disagreement and misunderstanding. -It's almost impossible to communicate with other humans...  unless we can find common ground in Christ. -We don't often treat people on social media with the same grace we give our loved ones in real life. -John is defensive about being defensive. -Plus MORE! Bottom line: maybe we should stay in our lane by focusing on helping people find the humor in their life and choose joy.  Send your Scripture references to [email protected].  Also, consider supporting John Branyan Comedy by becoming a member of the Comedy Clique! (Details at johnbranyan.com) 

Welcome to the table, Neighbor Pkarlgh!   The Peaches had an epiphany this week regarding how important it is for the human body to have food.  Isn't it crazy the way the sun rises every morning--and putting nutrients in your stomach can change your life? But let's remember: people are not just physical creatures. We have minds and souls as well.  Later: Would you criticize a fat person at the gym?  It's hard to wait for God to reveal the same things to other people that He has revealed to you... Then:  Are we encroaching on Relativism over here??? Or are we simply realizing a Truth about the "living and active" nature of Scripture? Finally:  Ecclesiastes seems really depressing... But, with the right perspective, it's actually encouraging.  "NOTHING MATTERS--EVERYTHING IS MEANINGLESS!"  It reminds us of John's saying, "Life is a joke." Reach out to us by emailing [email protected]. Join us at the Fight Laugh Feast Conference in October! (Details at flfnetwork.com) Tune in to the Starving Comic's Quarantine Show on the John Branyan YouTube channel!

We're going to be totally honest about some stuff today, Neighbor!   The Peaches still has been dealing with some emotional and psychological discomfort.    (We would blame the thyroid if we could, but that's has been ruled out, so.... darn.)   Sometimes, life's trials just FEEL more weighty than other times...  Hang on, we have a quick interruption while Collin amazes everyone with his poem-thingy... Okay--back to the subject. The Peaches is going to be very cautious ("guarded") with her words today. But John wants to lay everything out on the table and tell you about some interpersonal conflict.  Not everyone handles their struggles/crisis by dialoging with their Christian family and processing things.   But that's how WE roll.  There are some problems at church because many people aren't comfortable with open communication.  Join us at the table. Let's say true things.  

What do you think, Neighbor?   Should John record another Dry Bar special?  Either way, let's talk about why John keeps posting about Modesty on social media and triggering the "bossy" Feminists... We don't live in a Patriarchy anymore. So, when you discover certain words/topics you're not allowed to say, it's not a bad idea to keep your finger on that nerve. Our culture keeps telling women to "be themselves," but what does that even mean? Next: the Peaches has some very good news! More and more Christians are becoming as grumpy and cynical as she is! Hooray!   There seems to be a shift among our brothers and sisters, as if the bulk of the Church now has almost as much experience dealing with trolls on social media as we did 10 years ago!...Also: if you want to help the Feminists kill John using an obscure Medieval torture device, then B.Y.O.E. Finally: how should we react when those few (but loud) non-believers show up to spout foolishness?  Do we respond at all?  Here's a quick reminder about Bully Management 101. If you enjoy being part of the conversation, consider also being part of the Clique!  Visit Johnbranyan.com to support more John Branyan content.  Also--if you're not already part of the Fight Laugh Feast network, visit FLFnetwork.com to get plugged in.  The FLF Conference is happening in October! Be there or be square. 

Good to have you at the table, Neighbor Pkarlgh!  If you have any tips for helping Collin grow an inch taller before the summer, please let us know.  Now--let's talk about a book by Vishal Mangalwadi called "The Book that Made Your World: How the Bible Created the Soul of Western Civilization."  There is a stark difference between the assumptions of Eastern Mystics and the assumptions of philosopher who have been influenced by the principles in the Bible.   Christians believe humans are valuable, because we were created in God's image. And we're also capable of using logic, because God gives us the ability (and even the command) to be reasonable.  That changes EVERYTHING. Listen as we read some quotes about funny things Eastern Philosophers believe to be "enlightenment." Listen to all the sound of all that knowledge, squeaking and grinding!  Later: Is "individualism" a bad thing?  We think most people probably equate "individualism" with "selfishness," but there may be a better way to think about this...   Think about it with us, unless you're trying to transcend all thought.  In which case:  OMMMMmmmmmmm!  Finally: Please put some clothes on, Ladies.  Contact us at [email protected].  Consider supporting John Branyan Comedy by joining the Comedy Clique!  (Details at johnbranyan.com)  Join us at the Fight, Laugh, Feast Conference October 6th-8th.  

Last week, the Peaches said "If you really believe a thing, it will lead to action. And the main thing stopping people from ACTING on their beliefs is fear/uncertainty."  But... Pkarlgh sent an email with a possible exception involving masks at work, so we need to unpack this a bit more.  Next: this entire winter has been full of health trials for the Comedian's family. We thought having COVID in December would be the peak. But--no. We just can't shake the sickness around here.  This leads us to notice how different individuals tend to struggle with different symptoms more than others.  What's the connection between mind and body when you're suffering with both spiritual and physical symptoms?  (Is it related to the different ways we're tempted to sin?)Let's talk about people who suffer well.  Do they get to the point they actually suffer LESS than people who fall into the suffering spiral?  Some people suffer greatly with anxiety about being laughed at.   John doesn't struggle with this.  Some people want control, and so they stop eating. Other people want control, so they eat too much.  What does the Peaches think about this?  She doesn't know! Finally: Our culture is very relativistic. Most people don't know what they're doing or where they're going. Church leaders are torn because they believe they're supposed to offer some sort of direction and hope--but they don't know how.  Support John Branyan Comedy by visiting the website, johnbranyan.com and joining the Comedy Clique. You can email us at nextdoor.johnbranyan.com to be part of the show. 

Welcome to the kitchen table of the Comedian Next Door, Neighbor Pkarlgh! We've taken away the video games and other screens, so the kids are playing ball in the house.  John recently realized there aren't many people in the Church today who are willing to be as bold and confident as Paul. Why is that?  Are people afraid to speak the truth?... or do they even know what the truth is in the first place? Peaches thinks most people struggle with uncertainties/doubts.  Some things aren't worth fighting about...  But those aren't really "convictions."  We have been advising people to SHUT UP when they don't know what they're talking about.  So, maybe that's why there are so few Pauls.  Is it possible to will ourselves to know things?  Can we CHOOSE to be more certain?

Hi, Neighbor! The Peaches used to believe that every, single bad thing on the planet could be attributed to "selfishness." (And she still leans that direction.) But NOW she thinks absolutely every conflict boils down to a clash between the Truth and a lie.Lots and lots of people are really struggling to express themselves.  We give two examples of comments from John's "critics." But, they're just collections of generic, angry-sounding words. To be a criticism, a thing needs to be clear and direct.   There are way too many empty words being thrown around. Do you want some practice thinking and speaking more clearly? Try getting directions from a small child and then translating for him/her.  Speaking of small children talking in childish ways, here's Silas to say a thing we don't totally understand at first!Three types of Liars: 1. Immature/Ignorant people with limited ability to express themselves. 2. Manipulators who INTENTIONALLY mislead with "word games."3. Smooth-talkers who want a certain reaction from you.  In order to make a joke, you have to manipulate language and strategically mislead people...but then you reveal the truth with the punch line.   Don't leave people in the dark on purpose! And don't say something you KNOW is only half-true, just to get the result you want. And don't do the "compliment sandwich" thing just because a Sales Guy told you to do it. Say true things. Email us at [email protected]. Follow John Branyan on Facebook, Gab, and YouTube. Consider supporting John's comedy by joining the Clique!  (Details at johnbranyan.com)

Please join us in praying a hedge of protection around the Comedian's recording equipment.  Welcome to our table--where Tabby is just getting back from an appointment with her newborn, Warren. We're pretty sure this lip-tie surgery is going to cure ALL of his future ailments. Tabby hasn't had Facebook for over a year, so she hasn't seen our dad's recent posts.  So, pull up a chair what while we fill her in on all the things we've been discussing on social media this week...Every time you laugh at a man dressed as a woman, a Trans Girl gets more afraid to come out!John agrees wholeheartedly. Laughter is a good way to determine whether you need to examine your beliefs for hidden stupidity.  Humans don't decide what is funny; GOD decides what is funny. You can't punch down at people who refuse to view themselves as LESS THAN you are. (High five for cheeseburgers, everybody!) Later:  the Peaches shares a dirty joke that was posted by a troll. But there's a point to giving this lewdness some air time! Technically, the joke is legit. Then:  a pastor has discovered that his girlfriend is pregnant...and his confession is similar to when one of our toddlers "discovers" that a sibling has been pinched, but he can't bring himself to state exactly HOW THAT HAPPENED.   This is how spiritual infants speak. AND: John tells a story of a time he accidentally was insulted a friend with disabilities.   This type of condescension (and treating people with low-expectations) is what many churches have been cultivating and calling "LOVE."   This is making Church People "Spiritually Spoiled." Both believers and non-believers have been told they are "loved" so often that they are bursting with pride.   Finally: What does all of this have to do with increasing rates of suicide?  Send us your comments:  [email protected].   Also, consider supporting John Branyan by joining the Comedy Clique.   Visit johnbranyan.com for more info. 

The boys/men of the family just got back from eating "Man Food." Quick--let's talk about what made John laugh this week, before we dive into the INTERESTING stuff the Peaches wants to discuss.First of all, why are a bunch of irrelevant, old musicians picking a fight with Joe Rogan?  Well--we want to announce (formally) that we're joining the boycott! Hopefully this earns us some attention, as it has done for Neil Young and Joni Mitchell. Next, what about Apple's new emoji of the "pregnant man?"    And what about Minnie Mouse getting a wardrobe change?And isn't this podcast supposed to be FUNNY?Whenever we give examples of women doing unwise, sinful, or embarassing things, we use the pseudonym "Carlina" to keep their real names anonymous.   Today's Carlina story involves Hugh Hefner's Playboy mansion, plus some weird voodoo nonsense.  We give several examples of comments that are barely coherent... just strange, spiritual-sounding blather. Spoilers:  Carlina has a few creative edits for the Bible. If you just can't get enough of John Branyan Comedy, visit our website and consider BECOMING A MEMBER of the Comedy Clique! 

Welcome to our table, Neighbor Pkarlgh.   The Peaches is particularly thankful for spreadable butter today.  Also--please enjoy this story about a misbehaving toddler and the lengths a mom/aunt must go to discipline those little humans. Are we being "petty" and "making a big deal out of nothing" when we forcibly remove the stolen deer jerky out of a child's mouth? Yes--the Bible says blessed are the peacemakers. But, how do we keep peace with rebellious sinners?That leads John to an example involving the man named Caitlyn Jenner. Conservatives are now quoting Jenner and believing he's on THEIR SIDE, simply because he sometimes says vaguely Right-Wing sounding things.    They no longer care that Jenner is using FEMALE PRONOUNS to describe men.  (* Brief Interuption while John breaks the recorder ) Bottom line: Don't be afraid to fight with a person who's wrong. Later: Is the Peaches the only one who thought the Babylon Bee's interview with Elon Musk was super awkward and not-that-profound?  Why are people fawning over how "articulate" Elon Musk is?...  Let's be honest:  we are influenced by his riches and fame.  Nobody would be quoting him otherwise. If you like being part of our conversations, visit johnbranyan.com and join the Comedy Clique for more exclusive content!  Also tune in for John's LIVE show--The Starving Comics Quarantine Show--every Sunday at 7:00pm Eastern on the John Branyan youtube channel. 

Welcome back to our much-less-jolly house, Neighbor Pkarlgh.  We're undecorating, and we're talking about how to deal with disappointment or discontent.  (PLEASE teach your kids to recognize and manage their feelings of disappointment.  PLEASE!!!)Later:  John has been upsetting the pro-Abortion crowd.  But the Peaches believes Christians/Pro-Lifers are making headway in the culture war.  Finally:  Why are some people soooooo dumb?  It's almost as if God doesn't like them very much. Email [email protected] with your questions or comments.  Follow John on Facebook, Gab, and YouTube. (Tune in every Sunday at 7:00pm to be part of his LIVE comedy show--the Starving Comics Quarantine Show.)

Welcome to the Comedian's house, where we spent the afternoon recording new intros/outros for your listening pleasure!  The four McBabies complicated the process juuuuuust a bit.  Write us at [email protected] to let us know what you think. Next, we've been discussing the problem with creating brand new content every, single day and never stopping to promote or share the content with a wider audience.  Most people are intimidated by a blank page and a blinking cursor. But John PREFERS to start from scratch every time he sits down at his computer.   He hates having to say the same thing more than once. Has he written/spoken millions of words?  Yes.  Has he written BILLIONS?  Well, apparently that would be almost impossible...  We spend a long time debating this.But--the point it: we believe God gives us the ability to communicate, and we want to be good stewards of our resource.  The observations, devotionals, jokes, and blog posts that John wrote ten years ago are still gifts from God that we can share today!   ...even if we'd rather say something "new and fresh."To drive the point home, the Peaches reads some of John's old jokes that he DOESN'T EVEN REMEMBER WRITING.   Later:  sometimes we get angry emails from people who don't know how to unsubscribe from the John Branyan website...  Somehow, this discussion leads to contacting a famous friend and blaming him for a personal problem. Finally:  We give a quick update on the World's Dumbest Woman--which is actually a character we've created named "Pkarlina." (Pronounced "Carlina.")  What's she up to now?  Well, she divorced her husband and started dating the world's most vulgar, irresponsible man... and all her church friends are SO happy for her!Enjoy our new outro, Neighbor Pkarlgh!  Follow John Branyan on YouTube and Facebook, and we'll see you next time!  (Poop.)  

The Comedian is at the table with Mitch and Michelle Wainwright, who opted to have an apologetics presentation at their wedding ceremony.   Who's idea was that?  How exactly did they insert apologetics into the festivities?  And how was it received by their guests?Pull up a chair and join the discussion! If you'd like to get in touch with Mitch and Michelle, you can email: [email protected] John Branyan on Gab and Facebook.  Also--tune in for the Starving Comics Quarantine Show on John's YouTube channel, every Sunday night at 7:00pm Eastern.   

Welcome to the kitchen table of the Comedian Next Door. When you're here, we affectionately call you "Neighbor Pkarlgh."  The Comedian's family is gearing up for a Christmas-and-New-Year's hybrid celebration, and we have a lot of preparations to make. But first, let's talk about the sin of speaking without thinking carefully first...  Have you noticed that many, many people take their ability to communicate for granted?  Too often, they say things they don't actually mean because they don't THINK about the words they're using.  When the Bible warns against unwholesome talk or filthy language, we don't think it's only talking about 4-letter words. What about carelessly saying "God bless you" when someone sneezes?  Or carelessly saying "Amen" in response to a worldly opinion?   If you make a habit of speaking without thinking, you might end up praising the name of Lauren Daigle! (You'll just have to listen to the episode to understand that reference, Neighbor Pkarlgh.)By the way, it's cold today. But it's not as cold as it could be...Support John's comedy by visiting johnbranyan.com!

We're trying to cut down on the microphone clunking, Neighbor. Let us know how that's going. Also, it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas at the Comedian's house! Unfortunately, we can't think of very many good words to describe it… So let's get down to business talking about whether Christians should be jerks! Nobody actually thinks being a jerk is a good thing. But, sometimes, comedians say things they don't mean, to help make a point. The Peaches isn't convinced that John made his point very well this time. But, luckily, she was there to help prompt a better dialog in the comment section! (You can follow John Branyan on Facebook, and read the post in question for yourself.) Next, someone on Telegram thanked us for talking about women's sins and pointing out examples of Feminism taking over the church. He said there aren't any other people (to his knowledge) that are covering this topic as solidly as we do. SO, we've got another example for your consideration today. Do Christians tend to take a mom's side so completely that they will even call her kids "crazy" when they disagree with her story? That's pretty insulting toward the kids, isn't it? And, what happens when you try to point out this phenomenon on social media in a thread where a bunch of women are sharing their testimonies of having their adult children turned against them by evil, abusive fathers? Well, if you stand up for the adult children, you will get a bunch of angry-reacts from the moms. This prompts the Peaches to say this: "In America in 2021, the people who are using their ANGER to control their family members are not usually the fathers. They are the moms loudly announcing when Mama Ain't Happy." Thanks for joining us today! Reach out with your comments and your Christmas Adjectives: [email protected] Follow John Branyan on MeWe and Gab.

Hey, Neighbor! The Podcast Ninja (Luke) shot a deer. Silas wants a quesadilla. And we've been decorating for Christmas... After all of that, we get busy talking about WHATEVER WE WANT, because we can draw connections with any two ideas if we think about it long enough! (Send us your suggestions for two seemingly-unrelated topics. We will tell you how to make them connect. It'll be fun.) There’s a meme that sometimes makes the rounds saying, “People will provoke you until they bring out your ugly side—and then play the victim because you went there!” John says it’s never appropriate to display your “ugly side”—especially if you’re going to blame others for your behavior. That’s what prisoners with criminal mindsets do. Before we share a quote like this one, we should ask ourselves if we still agree with the sentiment when it gets spoken by someone we don't like... Sidenote: if you can't see things from another person's perspective, you won't be able to make comedy. You need to know what people think the truth is--and you also need to know what the ACTUAL truth is--so you can reveal where the absurdities lie. It's silly to say that it's okay to be an abuser as long as someone else abused you first. Two wrongs don't make a right! Later: we have another story to share, but how can we make them connect? We unpack a small scandal in the Pro-Life community. (Click to visit Abby Johnson's Facebook post that we reference.) What should we do when someone tells a story that makes a GREAT pro-Life message, but the details can't be verified? What if the woman starts a non-profit and asks for donations and travels the country to share her testimony, but there are doubts about her story? And, most importantly: why would a person claim there's a police report to prove her claim, but she shouldn't have to share it?... Thanks for visiting today, Neighbor Pkarlgh! Remember to write to [email protected] with your suggestions for random topics that would be difficult to relate with each other. Houseguest Episode with Casting Crowns Founding Members Juan and Melodee DeVevo. Houseguest Episode with Babylon Bee Managing Editor Joel Berry.

Welcome to the kitchen table, Neighbor Pkarlgh! The ladies in our family get together once a week for "Just Because I Love You Day," and this time John is crashing the hen party. So, we're recording two podcasts at the same time. On the mics: John, Peaches (Amanda), Megan, and Tabby. (You can find the Four Sisters' podcast, Just Because I Love You, by clicking this link: https://open.spotify.com/show/4JRPgFcJV1xmZKO7MXhd1C ) There are twice the number of children usually in the background, so please bear with their happy chatter. On the mics: John, Peaches (Amanda), Megan, and Tabby. First of all, John's feet smell terrible and Megan had to intervene. Next, we read an email from a Pkarlgh who wants to know if we've ever caused bridges to be burned in our own family by being too blunt. JUST KIDDING! First John interrupts with a different email about how awesome our podcast is. Okay, THEN we read the letter asking how we navigate those tricky/sticky subjects when we're interacting with close relationships rather than random internet trolls. Are John and Peaches nicer on the internet or in person? Do we tone down the rhetoric to spare the feelings of our loved ones? Let's talk about how to build a resilient family that agrees about the fundamentals of truth and boldness!

We have a HOUSEGUEST at the table today! We're chatting with Joel Berry, managing editor of the Babylon Bee, and John is proud to be one of Joel's very first friends. Joel knows a thing or two about being funny in a culture that finds everything offensive. Join us as we discuss what it takes to run a successful satire website, while still maintaining a clear conscience before God. In this episode: --Huckabee's GORGEOUS greenroom --How Joel landed his dream job --Comedians and childhood trauma --Saturday Night Live's Abortion Clown --Self-Deprecation --Mocking Bad Ideas rather than People --Crossing the line "If we reach the point where Christians take back this culture for Jesus and the Church is back on top, we'll be back to writing all our jokes about the Church again." --Joel Berry Please check out the Babylon Bee's Guide to Wokeness on Amazon.

Hey, Neighbor! Sorry for the technical glitch in the intro. No idea what's going on there. John just came back from St. Louis, where he was hanging out with Tim Hawkins' family. They recorded a podcast which will get published next week and involves important conversation about grapes. NO SPOILERS! You'll just have to listen when it's available. Also: tune in Wednesday, because we've got a HOUSEGUEST in the form of the Babylon Bee's managing editor, Joel Berry. And now the moment you've all been waiting for... Introducing PKARGHLINA! (Pronounced: Carlina) Anytime we want to share a true story of a woman doing something foolish, we call that woman "Pkarghlina." Sometimes she has babies with five different men. Sometimes she calls herself Mama Bear and wastes the time of the police. It doesn't matter what Pkarghlina's real name is. What matters is the behavior that should be avoided. We're writing modern day morality tales over here, Neighbor! Don't be a fox...or a Pkarghlina. Finally, we talk more about empathy vs sympathy, because Doug Wilson reacted to a cartoon on the subject. The Peaches had already seen the cartoon before, because it was assigned as part of the curriculum for becoming a Birth Doula. In a culture that encourages everyone to stop judging and keep FEELING, no wonder Pkarlghina is so confused. Thanks for visiting our home today! If you aren't a member of the Comedy Clique already, you can sign up at Johnbranyan.com Also, email your questions/comments to [email protected] .

Hi, neighbor! If you're listening, we call you "Pkarlgh." It's another challenging day in Homeschool Land. Shockingly, when you set out to educate your children, it's not all smiling faces and photo ops. Lots of people think they can solve this problem by throwing another trillion dollars at the public school system--to reward the "good teachers" who are trying to get 8-year-olds to stop writing more wrong answers before you've finished erasing the first one… John thinks there are actually people in the world who WANT to educate their own kids, but the Peaches thinks the word "want" isn't quite accurate. Nobody WANTS to kill their flesh daily. Only self-sacrificial love will motivate someone to keep marching down the Parenting Path, on really hard days like today. Cami is making banana pancakes in the background, so please allow for a few important recipe-related interruptions. Next, apparently some people think we need to water the deserts until they become forests… Also, someone asks John for his credentials when it comes to "the ability to certify Truth." Finally, we get around to talking about Christian people who identify as "Empaths," not realizing it's a concept related to the New Age Occult. John didn't even realize how relevant this topic is, despite the Peaches telling him that pretty much every woman on Instagram is bragging about her "Empathic" ability to "feel other people's energy" as soon as they walk into a room. People who hang around on "trauma support groups" and read books about "surviving narcissists" are absolutely steeped in this spiritual-sounding garbage. They're being told they HAVE to be selfish and protect themselves from abusers, because they are tender-hearted saints while everyone around them is a horrible sinner. Let us know if you need a shower after this episode, Neighbor! Grab a crystal ball and two candles and follow us to the weird part of the internet.