The Comedian Next Door

John reads some mail at the beginning of this episode. (Send your questions and comments to [email protected]) One listeners calls us out for our use of the word "rhetoric" as if it's always bad, even though rhetoric CAN be used for good purposes. That's a fair complaint, Neighbor! You should always feel free to push back when we don't treat a topic fairly... Then we jump into the Peaches In a Whirl segment because the Peaches truly is in a whirl this week! She even admits it! There are so many examples of people doing and saying dumb things this week that we don't have time to cover them all. People just want to be told pretty lies, and they decide what to believe based on who compliments them. Why are so many people openly admitting they don't care what you think...they only care how you make them feel? An astounding number of people (who would call themselves Christians) actually have a fundamentally different religion than we do. All the talk about support and encouragement and compassion and love is coming from a worldview that is the OPPOSITE of Christ-centeredness. Would the Christians you know even recognize the problem with a non-believer saying, "You have restored my faith in humanity!" Or would they accept that as a nice compliment and assume they are doing a good job spreading the Gospel? Your epistemology matters, Pkarlgh! Don't be dumb! Join us at the Fight Laugh Feast Conference in September. Club members get a steep discount! (Details at flfnetwork.com) Follow John Branyan on MeWe, Gab, and Facebook...until he gets removed from there...

We have a Houseguest at the table today: Nathan Hunter! He is an avid reader, a fair-minded conversationalist, and a student of the history of Critical Race Theory. All of this makes him smarter than approximatley 99% of the people he meets on the internet. If he wants to engage people on social media, he's going to need to dumb things down A LOT! Nathan explains he wants to help people think on a deeper level--but he's just not great at shaming and attacking people. That's where we can help! The Peaches invites Nathan to share his background/credentials. But he's not sure he has researched enough, yet. He wants to jump into the conversation and argue IDEAS--but he's waaaaaay too thoughtful to play the role of the Troll. Welcome to the Comedian's House! You can follow John Branyan on Gab, MeWe, and Facebook (until he gets kicked off). You can watch John LIVE on the Starving Comics Quarantine Show, every Sunday at 7:00pm Eastern on his YouTube channel. We'll see you at the Fight, Laugh, Feast Conference, September 9th-11th!

Hey, Neighbor Pkarlgh! We're kicking off with John's favorite kind of mail: the kind which says he's under-rated! (Email [email protected] to send us your glowing reviews.) On today's "Good Grief" segment, the Peaches shares a sad/funny story about her Grandma with Alzheimer's. Laughter and pain are inextricably connected! Can we hold both of those feelings at the same time? Next--the Peaches is in a whirl about a village in Africa which is supposedly functioning as a "Matriarchal Society." Western women want to smash the Patriarchy.... but would that really look any different than what we currently have in the United States? If Hilary Clinton wants to hand out made-up awards to women who are getting pregnant and intentionally raising their children without fathers, she could start a little closer to home! Finally, we talk about sandwiches and frozen lasagnas and recapping some of the Facebook drama John dredged up during Pride month. (Sometimes people are Internet Trolls by accident, and we give you a handy trick to figure out whether you're dealing with a Troll or with a person who genuinely wants a conversation.) If you don't want the answer to the question, Pkarlgh, don't ask it... Follow The Comedian Next Door on Gab and MeWe. Visit johnbranyan.com and JOIN THE COMEDY CLIQUE to be part of our telegram group and interrupt our podcast recordings with funny pictures of food that looks like a creature from Alien. Also: register for the Fight Laugh Feast conference on flfnetwork.com. See you there!

We tackle three distinct questions in this episode: What's funny about pastors getting arrested? Can you be bald and have sin in your heart? And...what have you MADE to make the planet better? (Don't say "my kids," Pkarlgh! Apparently that's the wrong answer.) First up, we teach you how to spell your own name, Pkarlgh, in case we haven't explained that already... Next, John explains that laughing DURING a tragedy isn't the same as laughing AT the tragedy. And then he gives his favorite joke premises for mocking the governments responsible for arresting pastors... Finally, we spend the vast majority of our time unpacking the most self-centered and dehumanizing comments from a Feminist about somebody's child that you've heard in awhile. (And if you have screenshots of something MORE outrageous and offensive than this, please share them with us!) Don't forget to send emails to [email protected], to be part of the show. Feel free to write letting The Peaches know how much her new sound effects complete the show. Join us at the Fight Laugh Feast CONFERENCE (not rally) in September. We look forward to meeting you there!

John's car broke down, but at least he was able to drive 3/4 of a mile first! Our friend, Nathan, made a great comment about people using rhetoric to say what they DON'T REALLY MEAN, and the Peaches decided to make it the theme of this episode. John's sister ("Aunt Bonnie") once found an injured bird in a parking lot, and it became a favorite family story about crazy emotions. Can you EVER trust your emotions? We don't answer that... but you can't be mad when people laugh at your extremism. This reminds the Peaches of a comment about gluttony and obesity that is so outrageous she has to read it verbatim. Later, John embraces the chaos and goes off script by trying to read a comment that is almost completely unintelligble. Even having seen the comment with her own eyes, the Peaches needs a translator. Apparently, one of John's former classmates passed away and another classmate was really broken up about it...so he took the opportunity to verbally abuse everyone else in the graduating class. Also, the next generation thinks you are going to look at their bracelets in order to figure out what pronouns to use. All of this is related to emotionalism and rhetoric, and it will keep happening if we continue prioritizing style and tone above objective truth. Follow the Comedian Next Door on Gab and MeWe. He also posts on Facebook sometimes. Watch the Starving Comics Quarantine Show every Sunday at 7:00 Eastern, on the John Branyan YouTube Channel. We'll see you at the Fight Laugh Feast Conference in Tenessee this September!

Why does Amanda ("Peaches") have a reputation for being The Salty One, when sis-in-law, Marla, says offensive things, too? (John has an answer the Peaches doesn't like.) Then we go to the Mail Bag... Our neighbor doesn't know any Christians who are able to laugh at themselves! NONE! How can we move beyond the "safe" topics like slipping on banana peels and learn to laugh at ourselves? Sign up for John's comedy workshop at Fight Laugh Feast University! It's called "Life is Hardy Har-Hard." Click here: https://flfnetwork.com/product/life-is-hardy-har-hard-a-comedy-workshop-for-christians/ The Peaches writes these descriptions. Aren't they interesting? Watch the Butter Video by clicking this link: I Just Need Butter It's hysterical. Click it! Later, we explore the role of the Straight Man. Groaning and eye-rolling is a legitimate part of the Comedy Team, Neighbor! And then the Peaches is in a Whirl about the manipulation behind phrases like "I'm not going to debate" or "I'm not trying to change your mind." DON'T FALL FOR IT, NEIGHBOR! THEY ARE LYING POLITELY, and they definitely ARE trying to change your mind! Don't be a naive girl at a college frat party! Bottom line: we want to be friends with people who laugh. Let's learn how to do that more often! Make sure you register for the Fight Laugh Feast Conference, taking place in Tennessee this September. The Comedian Next Door and the Peaches will see you there!

John just came back from a SURPRISE show... which isn't really as great as it may sound. This reminds Amanda ("Peaches") about the special event happening in the children's department at the local library, in honor of Pride Month. Which, actually, ALSO is less great than it was meant to sound. Then, we hit the mail bag, because one of our Neighbors wants to push back on the idea that it's okay to mock people's bad ideas. How do we avoid being one of the "scoffers" from Psalm 1? This also leads nicely into the Peaches' rant today: women often say they want a partner who makes them laugh and is their best friend. They want a Dax Shephard to share funny stories; but they're not Kristin Bell! (That makes more sense when you've heard the Sloth Story.) Finally: what should you do when a kind stranger washes your windshield? And how big is pickle-sized hail? All this and more on today's episode! You can join John's Comedy Clique and get special member content. Visit johnbranyan.com for more info. Also, ask about a promo code to attend VACAY WITH COMICS. Email [email protected] with all questions, comments, and good-natured mockery. Follow John on Gab, MeWe, and YouTube. See you next time, Neighbor!

Comedy material is EVERYWHERE. Here John gives just a few examples... Learn how to discover more humorous situations in your own life; buy John's book, Life is Hardy Har Hard, available on Amazon. Come on vacation with John and his funny family! (Details about Vacay with Comics at johnbranyan.com) Follow John on Gab, MeWe, and YouTube.

Welcome to the kitchen table of the Comedian Next Door--a cozy household where there's laundry being washed in the background, and we didn't realize our mics were picking it up for the first ten minutes! (As always, we're very high tech around here.) We're going on a picnic, and you can't come unless you figure out the rule and bring along the right item! This is a game we play with 10-year-old Cami and 7-year-old Collin. And here's a new segment: MAIL BAG! Send us your suggestions for appropriate sound effects. Because, again, we're very high tech around here. Our listener, Pkarlgha, wants to know whether pastors should be using their pulpits to push vaccines as the "Christian thing to do." Are we alienating people from the Gospel if we are hesistant to get a vaccine? Also: IU Health is trying to make COVID vaccines mandatory for ALL employees, students, and vendors. We mention Patrick Mahoney's ministry completely by mistake in this episode. (Turns out he isn't the quarterback for the Greenbay Packers.) But maybe God brought him to mind for a reason! Here's a link if you'd like to support Colegio Biblico: colegiobiblico.net They provide Christian education to pastors and missionaries serving Spanish-speaking countries. Follow The Comedian Next Door on Gab, Watch the Starving Comics Quarantine Show every Sunday at 7:00pm Eastern on the John Branyan Youtube channel. Visit johnbranyan.com and join the Comedy Clique!

It's time for another "Branyan Bit." Has anyone else ever had an animal in the house that doesn't belong there?...besides a cat? John isn't a very outdoorsy person, but the Outdoors keep coming IN. Take seven minutes and laugh with the Comedian Next Door. Follow John on MeWe and Gab. (He also has a Facebook account, until he gets banned from there.) You can watch John LIVE on the Starving Comics Quarantine Show, every Sunday at 7:00pm Eastern, on his YouTube Channel. Visit johnbranyan.com to support John. Become a Fight, Laugh, Feast Club Member to unlock more great content.

We get to play the Cliche Game with 5-year-old Emmi and laugh heartily at her responses. (If you have a Kindergartener in your life, Neighbor, then ask him/her to fill in the blank with popular sayings, and send us the results.) Next--we need to accept criticism when it's true, even when it comes from really awful people... And, speaking of awful people, we bring up the unwashed miscreants on Gab. Some gross stuff comes out of people's hearts when you let them talk freely. But don't give into the temptation to be a victim, Neighbor! We will damage our children if we pity them for the injustice they'll inevitably encounter. Bonus stories: John was treated unfairly as a kid!...but his mom taught him that's how life goes sometimes. Finally, John proposes we should LET PEOPLE APOLOGIZE to the Woke mob for things they "did wrong," when their consciences demand it. If someone wants to confess the they're horrible sinners for voicing an Indian on the Simpson's, then so be it. Does anybody read the subscribe information at the bottom of the page? You can take a Vacay with Comics, August 19-22nd. Details at johnbranyan.com. Still reading?... Follow John Branyan on YouTube and watch the Starving Comics Quarantine Show, every Sunday at 7:00pm Eastern. Did I lose you yet?... Follow John on Gab, if you don't believe it's a Hell hole of unbridled sinfulness. See for yourself! And now, the last line: Support the Fight, Laugh, Feast Network and help us keep producing great content. We couldn't do it without you!

From time to time, it is appropriate for comedians to put something funny on their podcast, so the following is completely appropriate... John tells you the name of the only town he might consider moving to. What should you do when you see a distracted driver? How can we be sure God has a sense of humor? What's the Universal punchline?... All this and more in today's Branyan Bit. We can't be funny without you! To support John Branyan, become a member of the Comedy Clique. (Details at johnbranyan.com) Follow John on MeWe, Gab, and YouTube.

We're recording on a Sunday, and the Comedian's house is FULL of family. (Listen to the chatter in the background...) Amanda, aka The Peaches, has been wrangling approximately 4,127 children this week. So she's a little impatient with John's slow reading of emails. A listener wants to know where to find The Peaches' blog posts, and--whoops--we never actually answer that question. (Here, Neighbor! culturesatwar.wordpress.com) It turns out, we made a strong case for "the Indissolubility of marriage" without knowing that term. Also, a different listener calls us out on a blindspot involving female church leaders, and now we're collecting the basal temperatures of our listeners...for science! In the Good Grief segment, we talk about how to manage when an Atheist is angry at you. This leads nicely into the Peaches in a Whirl segment. She shares how David Wood manages when Muslims are angry at him. Don't tell other Christians they're doing ministry wrong, if you're not doing it better! Finally, is it EVER okay to add an adjective before the word "Christian?" John is ready to die on this hill, and you're invited to join him. Contact John and Peaches by emailing [email protected] (Send us your body temperature for science!) Subscribe to the John Branyan channel on YouTube; watch the Starving Comics Quarantine Show LIVE every Sunday at 7:00pm EST. Join us for Vacay with Comics this August! (Details at johnbranyan.com) Become a Fight Laugh Feast club member for exclusive content.

Mark and Deanna Gungor are in the house today...on our computer screen. Doorbells are ringing, kids are laughing in the background, and we're talking about how Mark upset some people on social media. Topics include: Separating from abusive spouses, the problems with marriage counseling, asking questions, and "Women be crazy." (But don't say that last part on Facebook!) "I promise you guys, this Sunday there will be churches all across America where Johnny and Suzie are getting a divorce, and everyone will be shocked." --Mark Gungor You can find Mark and Deanna on Facebook and at markgungor.com. Email your questions/comments for John and Peaches to [email protected] Subscribe to the John Branyan channel on YouTube; watch the Starving Comics Quarantine Show LIVE every Sunday at 7:00pm EST. Join us for Vacay with Comics this August! (Details at johnbranyan.com) Become a Fight Laugh Feast club member for exclusive content.

We start the episode playing a game with 10-year-old Cami and 7-year-old Collin you can try with your family in the car or waiting areas... Then John/Dad/Grandpa reads a study that concludes women are "healthier" in churches with female leaders. He has some advice for people who want to laugh about that. Later, the Peaches brings up "Husbands are the heads, but wives are the necks." She shares the name of a preacher who agrees with the Bible that Jesus is the Gate...but he says Christians are the hinges who can prevent people from entering if we're not open enough. (LOL!) Finally, we're not done talking about whether Sunday is the first day of the week! And the army gathering to die on that hill is getting larger. Leave us a comment: [email protected] What's it like to go on vacation with a bunch of comedians? Join us for Vacay with Comics! (Details at johnbranyan.com) Follow John Branyan's YouTube channel and watch the Starving Comics Show, every Sunday at 7:00pm Eastern. Become a Fight Laugh Feast club member for more great content!

From time to time, we have house guests come to visit! When that happens, we throw all structure and professionalism out the window and simply go with the flow. In today's special episode, we share the table with author and editor at Staseos, CARMEN SCHOBER. Topics include Christian fiction, getting cancelled, gender roles, and whether it's appropriate for women to beat the crap out of each other. "Some people may be hesitant to read my book because they think I'm casting women in this G.I. Jane type of role. But one of my favorite things about the romance genre is that it highlights the differences between the sexes. And, in 2021, you need that!" Carmen's book, After She Falls, is available for preorder on Amazon, and you can find her at carmenschober.com. Email your questions/comments for John and Peaches to [email protected] Subscribe to the John Branyan channel on YouTube; watch the Starving Comics Quarantine Show LIVE every Sunday at 7:00pm EST. Join us for Vacay with Comics this August! (Details at johnbranyan.com) Become a Fight Laugh Feast club member for exclusive content.

Every Tuesday, the Comedian Next Door publishes a sample of John's comedy, from one of his projects. (I mean, we never have before. But we'll start today!) In this clip, John takes you back to your childhood, fighting about Monopoly and trying to play Army Man with THAT KID in the neighborhood. (You know the one.) Also, camping is awful, and John is really bad at it. By the way, we're going camping with a bunch of comedian friends this August. Join us! (Details at johnbranyan.com) Follow John Branyan on Gab, MeWe, and YouTube. Join the Fight Laugh Feast Club for more great content!

After a long day of birthday festivities, everyone is pretty distractable. John and Peaches are joined by the newly 10-year-old Cami, as well as the Podcast Ninja: Luke. How does our family handle bad moods and perceived injustices? (What are some weird things Tabby and Peaches have gotten mad about?) QUICK! Say the first word that pops into your head--no hesitation! Peaches is feeling sentimental and wants to thank all the But-People out there. (That's spelled with one 'T'.) And a listener proposes we go to war against Mickey Mouse's calendar. If you enjoy hanging out and playing silly games with our family, join us in August for Vacay with Comics. Details at johnbranyan.com. Email your questions/comments for John and Peaches to [email protected] Subscribe to the John Branyan channel on YouTube; watch the Starving Comics Quarantine Show LIVE every Sunday at 7:00pm EST. Become a Fight Laugh Feast club member for exclusive content.

John and the Peaches have a lot to disagree about--including music theory and what it tastes like when you combine wheat thins with green grapes. Then, John reads an email from a listener/neighbor asking for his take on Christian Hedonism. (Is it a sin to enjoy things?) Meanwhile, the Peaches nearly ruptures her ear drums trying to fix her headphones. Next, a female neighbor wants to challenge the recommendation that everyone should "say true things," because it could lead to nagging and bitterness... Finally, John's Hill to Die On includes the charge to destigmatize stigma. What does that even mean, and will you join him? Email your questions/comments to [email protected] Subscribe to the John Branyan channel on YouTube and watch the Starving Comics Quarantine Show LIVE every Sunday at 7:00pm Eastern. Join us for Vacay with Comics this August! (Details at johnbranyan.com) Become a Fight Laugh Feast club member for exclusive content.

The Peaches doesn't want to talk about Brood X. Some listeners actually took us up on the offer to write their "honest wedding vows," so we share the resulting masterpieces! Then--the Good Grief segment features a story about stillbirth/child-loss. Is the world ready for parents who include laughter as part of the mourning process? Next--the Peaches pleads with humanity to get in the habit of saying true things (for crying out loud). And finally, John invites you to die with him on yet another hill. Are we too quick to label our opinions as "biblical truth?" Email your questions/comments to [email protected] Subscribe to the John Branyan channel on YouTube and watch the Starving Comics Quarantine Show LIVE every Sunday at 7:00pm Eastern. Join us for Vacay with Comics this August! (Details at johnbranyan.com) Be sure to download the Fight Laugh Feast app and enjoy more great FLF content.

This is the first OFFICIAL episode of The Comedian Next Door--if you don't count the Super Secret Alpha Test Episode. (Which we don't.) We're immediately interrupted by a phone call from a fellow comedian friend. Then we discuss various reasons a person may intentionally look ridiculous in public, including a family story about Tim (John's son--Peaches' brother) wearing something that didn't belong to him, just for laughs. Finally, John proposes a hill to die on and invites you to join...if only we can sort out the official documents. Email questions/comments for the Comedian Next Door to: [email protected] Subscribe to the John Branyan channel on YouTube and watch the Starving Comics Quarantine Show LIVE every Sunday at 7:00pm Eastern. Join us for Vacay with Comics in August! (Details at johnbranyan.com) Be sure to download the Fight Laugh Feast app for more great FLF content!

When you're a member of a comedian's family, everyone wants to know: "Is he funny at home?!" Four years ago, we decided to turn on a recorder so you could judge for yourself. Now that we're moving our podcast to a new "neighborhood" on the Fight Laugh Feast Network, we do our best to introduce ourselves with clarity and enthusiasm. (Spoilers: we fail miserably.) Ice-breakers are awkward, and we'd rather skip the First Impressions so we can jump straight to being Old Friends. But just bear with us, New Neighbor. If you give us time, we think you'll really like having a Comedian Next Door. Email questions/comments for the Comedian Next Door to: [email protected] Subscribe to the John Branyan channel on YouTube and watch the Starving Comics Quarantine Show LIVE every Sunday at 7:00pm Eastern. Be sure to download the Fight Laugh Feast app for more great FLF content!

Good Grief! We help a listener find humor in chronic pain that resulted from military service. The Peaches shares about the first time one of her blog posts caused social media outrage. Related: weddings would be much more interesting if the vows were written for honesty rather than poetry. Finally, John criticizes Tim Keller, but The Peaches isn't convinced he picked a good "hill" this time. Let us know if you agree! Email questions/comments for the Comedian Next Door to: [email protected] Subscribe to the John Branyan channel on YouTube and watch the Starving Comics Quarantine Show LIVE every Sunday at 7:00pm Eastern. Join us for Vacay with Comics in August! (Details at johnbranyan.com) Be sure to download the Fight Laugh Feast app for more great FLF content!

The Peaches is having one of "those" homeschool days. Emmi (5-years-old) requires some discipline right off the bat. A listener asks John whether he can trust his sense of humor considering humans are sinful creatures. And we unpack the reasons we shouldn't take ourselves too seriously. This results in possibly the best analogy about our relationship with God that we've ever stumbled upon! Email questions/comments for the Comedian Next Door to: [email protected] Subscribe to the John Branyan channel on YouTube and watch the Starving Comics Quarantine Show LIVE every Sunday at 7:00pm Eastern. Join us for Vacay with Comics in August! (Details at johnbranyan.com) Be sure to download the Fight Laugh Feast app for more great FLF content!