The Comedy Castle Podcast

Christian Finnegan has been on people’s TVs for over twenty years and he makes his Comedy Castle debut this weekend. Christian tells Joel of his start on VH1’s Best Week Ever, the weird way he got on that show, his later fame from Chappelle’s Show, and the odd gaggle of celebs he met on Are… Continue reading Podcast #265: Christian Finnegan →

Jeff Allen has been a staple of comedy clubs and theaters for years and he took some time to talk before his two shows on Sunday April 12th. Jeff tells Joel about his start in comedy in the 1970s, how left clubs for churches and corporate work, and how had a career renaissance going viral… Continue reading Podcast #264: Jeff Allen →

Steven Rogers has been on tour with some of the biggest names in comedy and he talks to Joel here before his return headlining engagement at The Comedy Castle. Steven tells Joel of his start in comedy at age twenty, why older folks have so much more life experience to relate to, and how Brian… Continue reading Podcast #263: Steven Rogers →

Laurie Kilmartin returns to The Comedy Castle this week and she talked to Joel just hours after her writing gig at The Oscars ended. Hear what it’s like to write for Conan O’Brien and the pressure that the creatives feel getting ready for the show. Also, Joel picks his favorite bit from the show, asks… Continue reading Podcast #262: Laurie Kilmartin Returns →

Michael McDaniel is a Detroit original and a Comedy Castle favorite. Here he tells Joel of his audacious start of his comedy career, how winning a comedy festival in 2010 helped him, and how he was booed at a church show for an unknown reason. Plus, hear how Michael’s excellent impression came about. From crying… Continue reading Podcast #261: Michael McDaniel →

Geoffrey Asmus has really gained a following at The Comedy Castle over the last few years. Going from an opening act to a summer headliner, Geoff has used social media and his infectious enthusiasm on stage to create unforgettable performances that quickly sell-out. Geoffrey tells Joel how tough road gigs shaped his style leading to… Continue reading Podcast #260: Geoffrey Asmus Returns →

T.J. Miller is one of the The Comedy Castle’s most popular acts and while it didn’t work out to have him live on this week’s podcast, here’s the next best thing – two interviews he did for us in 2023 and 2024. Hear T.J. tell Joel of his unique style of comedy, his affinity for… Continue reading Podcast #259: The T.J. Miller Anthology →

Paul Mecurio brings his high-energy, hilarious act back to The Comedy Castle for Valentine’s Day weekend. Paul tells Joel some hilarious stories from his one man show, why he creeps people out in the park for no reason, and why he’s this close to not being able to shop on Amazon. Plus, Joel tells of… Continue reading Podcast #258: Paul Mecurio: Great Comic, Annoying to Dogs →

Marina Franklin has credits as long as anyone’s and she brings her talents to The Comedy Castle this weekend. Here she tells Joel of her memorable scene from the movie Trainwreck, how she inspired and then played a character on HBO’s Crashing, and how her Chicago roots make the Midwest her favorite spot to perform.… Continue reading Podcast #257: Marina Franklin →

As a true “comic’s comic”, Stewart Huff has made a name for himself in the stand-up world and he makes his Comedy Castle debut this weekend. Stewart tells Joel of living in his car on the road, why he had a hard time going to his first open mike, and why his brilliant comedy is… Continue reading Podcast #256: Stewart Huff →

It’s 2026, and the Comedy Castle line-up starts with Lachlan Patterson. Lachlan tells Joel of the character piece that died at the club a decade ago, his unique writing style and structure, and how Last Comic Standing was a big break, but not a pleasant experience overall. Lachlan’s a riot! Catch him this weekend! Plus,… Continue reading Podcast #254: Lachlan Patterson →

Nate Armbruster has his first chance to headline a New Year’s Eve show at The Comedy Castle – and he’s the first headliner of 2026! Nate tells Joel why he’s happy to be at the club, and he’d be happy to do nothing if he wasn’t there. Plus, Nate and Joel compare wedding stories, and… Continue reading Podcast #253: Nate Armbruster For NYE →

Matt Holt has been waiting years to get back on the Comedy Castle stage and this week is it! Matt and Joel catch up about Matt’s start in comedy, his moving around to different states and what he misses about Michigan, and their mutual love of Bruce Springsteen. Plus, hear the greatest faux pas at… Continue reading Podcast #252: Matt Holt →

Jason Jamerson has made his name as a Detroit comic who works clean. But don’t get that confused with someone who doesn’t have opinions or isn’t funny. Jason tells Joel why the Detroit Lions suck all of sudden, his recent foot surgery (and why he’s having another one), why he took a job at Target… Continue reading Podcast #251: Jason Jamerson Comes Clean →

It’s our 250th show and what better guest than David Dyer. Dave is back for his fifth interview on the show, and he’s ready with stories of hell gigs on the road, the great success of his YouTube special, the pros and cons of hair plugs and dyes at his age and much more. David… Continue reading Podcast #250: David Dyer Has A Million Views →

JeCorey Hawkins is a shining light on the Michigan Comedy scene. He emcees this weekend and joined us for a chat on this show. JeCorey tells how socializing in high school and college made his personality come out, his experience winning the 2024 Detroit to LA competition, his goals for blowing up and why some… Continue reading Podcast #249: JeCorey Hawkins/Joe Machi Redux →

Zach Martina headlines this holiday weekend, and he joins Joel here to talk Thanksgiving, Lions football, and the ins and outs of making a comedy special. Zach tells of the dishes he contributes to family thanksgiving, and a novel way to consume the leftovers – no turkey goes to waste! Also, why watching the Lions… Continue reading Podcast #248: Zach Martina’s Famous Potatoes →

Two fresh interviews this week, as weekend headliner Josh Wolf brings “The Campfire Tour” to The Comedy Castle. Josh tells of the innovations he’s brought to the show with music and collaborations, working with his son, Jacob, and doing one show a week on magic mushrooms! Josh is a crowd favorite and his tickets go… Continue reading Podcast #247: Josh Wolf/TJ Wharry →

A special Comedy Castle Podcast has Tim Finkel memorializing his son Ryder, who sadly lost his battle with childhood cancer recently. Tim tells us Ryder was brave and had a great sense of humor until the very end. Tim also tells of his eventual return to the comedy stage and has thoughts on Joel recent… Continue reading Podcast #246: Tim Finkel/John Heffron →

Keith Alberstadt is a busy man as he’s traveling the country doing comedy, as well as being a father of three. Keith takes a break to talk to Joel about opening for Nate Bargatze, Halloween with little ones and the do’s and don’ts of a family road trip. Also, is Joel the most “punctual podcaster… Continue reading Podcast #245: Keith Alberstadt’s Family Business →

While the club is closed Halloween night, we still have a huge week of comedy ahead, and Joel is here to tell you all about it. Maher Matta returns for two shows on Saturday (and hear his 2023 interview on this show), The Comedy Rumble has a Halloween-theme for this Thursday, and big student showcases… Continue reading Podcast #244: Halloween Week w/ Maher Matta →

Sam Tallent has appeared everywhere in the last few years and returns this weekend to The Comedy Castle and this show! Sam reveals why he regularly performs comedy internationally, his pride in being a Detroiter for the last few years, and what happens when you have to kick a guy out from the comedy special… Continue reading Podcast #243: Sam Tallent Returns →

Kevin Bozeman has been entertaining audiences for decades. Performing all over the US and at sea, Kevin has an infectious style that makes everyone in the room roar – even grandma! Kevin tells Joel about leaving the insurance business for comedy, why he works “clean” but not always, and how he took a big payout… Continue reading Podcast #242: Kevin Bozeman →

Hannah Osborne has put the work in, and this weekend she features for Comedy Central star Michael Kosta. Hannah tells Joel about sneakily watching Eddie Murphy specials as kid, the influence of Dane Cook, and how she searched out the club’s comedy classes to get her start. Hear how the pandemic and pregnancy could not… Continue reading Podcast #241: Hannah Osborne →

Kevin Lepine has been rocking Las Vegas for a decade and a half, and his annual hometown show is about to happen at Mark Ridley’s Comedy Castle. Kevin tells Joel why Hypnosis Unleashed is a party, not a stale hypnosis show, he recaps some recent hilarious fan encounters and tells why Vegas is down now,… Continue reading Podcast #240: Kevin Lepine Wants To Party →

Brian Scolaro is a favorite at the club and Joel was so pleased to reconnect with the actor/comedian on this show. Brian tells Joel why he’s driving to Detroit from NYC, why he’s ok being single in his 50s, and why he’s not traveling anywhere far – except Alaska. Plus, hear some hilarious on-set stories… Continue reading Podcast #239: Brian Scolaro Wants Your Halloween Pics →

Two great talks to head into Labor Day weekend on this show, as Charlie Wollborg brings his TEDx “X=Laughter” event to the club this week. Charlie tells of how he began promoting TEDx Detroit, how he got to the comedy stage, and what he’s learned along the way. This event has an all-star line-up, so… Continue reading Podcast #238: Charlie Wollborg/Jacob Russell →

Tom McCarthy hosted this podcast for years, and he’s back as this Saturday’s headliner at the club. Tom and Joel reminisce about the origins of the podcast, their favorite (and least favorite) guests, and some behind-the-scenes stuff that fans of this show will enjoy. Tom also tells of the night he met Joel, the pros… Continue reading Podcast #237: Tom McCarthy Cannot Be Replaced →

Ryan Brown and Camila Ballario have both worked their way up the comedy food chain, and they are both headlining The Comedy Castle (separately!) next week. In this double episode, Joel chats with both about their start in Joel’s Advanced Comedy Class, the struggles of a work/life balance with comedy, and what’s next for them… Continue reading Podcast #236: Ryan Brown/Camila Ballario →

When Will Burkart last joined us, Joel gave Will some advice. We’re not here to say he took it, but new headshots aside, Will is on a career roll as he heads into his weekend at The Comedy Castle. Will tells of the pains of traveling, his comedy pet peeves, and how Bobby Lee helped… Continue reading Podcast #235: Will Burkart Returns →

Sean Patton has made a name for himself as a headlining comedian and star of the FX series The English Teacher and he headlines The Comedy Castle this weekend. Sean tells Joel how he loves Midwest crowds, why he’s not a “crowd work” comic, and how he found an amazing venue for his latest comedy… Continue reading Podcast #234: Sean Patton →

Dan St. Germain may be “comic’s comics”, but he’s one of the best and headlines The Comedy Castle this weekend and talked with us here on this show. Hear about Dan’s history at the club and his attempts to break through as writer and close collaborator with some of comedy’s biggest names. He’s also UFO/UAP… Continue reading Podcast #233: Dan St. Germain →

Craig Shoemaker has been performing at The Comedy Castle since 1991! And here he talks to Joel before this weekend’s shows. Craig tells of his early days in the Philadelphia comedy scene, does some long-since retired (hilarious) impressions, says why he supports the Detroit Lions once in a while, and how his comedy show can… Continue reading Podcast #232: Craig Shoemaker Is Making Babies →

Bret Hayden has had so much success with the Comedy Rumble over the years, he has challenged himself by running TWO Rumbles on the same night this holiday weekend, and we got him for an interview to promote the big shows. Bret talks the challenges of two Rumbles, how he’s streamlined the process of judging,… Continue reading Podcast #231: Bret Hayden’s Double Rumble →

This week’s weekend shows three great comics all who have been featured on this show before. So, here’s all of those past appearances cut together with a new intro from Joel – ninety minutes, baby! Michael Longfellow headlines as he’s on SNL and pretty great on there, too. Still not sure he’s cast or featured!… Continue reading Podcast #230: Three Comic Supershow Redux →

Chris Porter is a blast! His mix of energy and social commentary makes him the friendliest, angry comic around. He’s also among the most frequent headliners at The Comedy Castle, and here he talks his move out of L.A., playing guitar with Jelly Roll, why he doesn’t use sound cues or props, and his new… Continue reading Podcast #229: Chris Porter Has No Boombox →

Wes Ward has been a staple of the Michigan comedy scene for fifteen years, and on July 3rd he gets a chance to headline The Comedy Castle. Wes tells Joel about his start in comedy, why road comics are really just truck drivers, and why comics need a special on video these days. Plus, the… Continue reading Podcast #228: Wes Ward Returns →

Jeff Garlin is a TV legend and accomplished stand-up comic, who stops by The Comedy Castle for one show this Sunday. Jeff tells Joel how he developed his improvisational style of stand-up, the best way an emcee should introduce an act, and hear some inside stories from Curb Your Enthusiasm including Jeff feeding lines to… Continue reading Podcast #227: Jeff Garlin →

Canadian comedy superhero and Letterkenny star, K Trevor Wilson returns to the Comedy Castle this week! On this show he talks seasonal comedy bits, a Cap’n Crunch victory, living with rabbits and the future of possible spin-offs of his hit show. Plus, wrestling talk and why you don’t deny Jake “The Snake” Roberts his scrambled… Continue reading Podcast #226: K Trevor Wilson Returns →

Josh Adams returns to the Comedy Castle and this show to talk honey packs, his new fans, leaving after your set and much more. Hear who Josh thinks is right int the recent Detroit comedy controversy with a downtown club and how he came up in the comedy scene was different (and better) than the… Continue reading Podcast #225: Josh Adams Returns →

JR De Guzman is the comedy/music hybrid entertainer you didn’t know you need to know -until now. JR makes his Comedy Castle debut this weekend and tells Joel how he got started telling jokes, his biggest musical inspiration, and why he buried his guitar in the desert. Plus, should Joel get Jollibee? Hear why JR… Continue reading Podcast #224: JR De Guzman →

Raanan Hershberg has made a steady climb up the comedy ladder and he credits The Comedy Castle as an important step in that journey. Hear about his move to NYC, how a joke (maybe?) led to his appearance on The Joe Rogan Experience and much more. Plus, movie talk, as Raanan has a great movie… Continue reading Podcast #223: Raanan Hershberg →

Ian Bagg is an all-time favorite, and this week he brings his comedic genius to the Comedy Castle for four shows only. Ian is driving cross-country as he talks to Joel, so hear the about the greatness of Buc-ees, the trouble with driving your dogs, and the size of the crucifixes in Oklahoma. Also, Ian’s… Continue reading Podcast #222: Ian Bagg’s Road Trip →

Robyn Gilleran has become a real favorite on the Michigan comedy scene in the last few years. On this show, Robyn tells Joel about her journey from being a model and actress to a working comic who produces shows with her husband, Jason. Robyn tells of her various lawyer and casino commercials, the tricks to… Continue reading Podcast #221: Robyn Gilleran →

Mike Young is a funny, industry-known comic from Michigan who makes a rare headlining appearance at the Comedy Castle on April 16th. His weekend guest spots at the club have made audiences want more – so here’s your chance! Mike has opened for a who’s who in comedy including Joe Rogan, Sebastian Maniscalco, Russell Peters,… Continue reading Podcast #220: Mike Young →

Matt Lauria, the fast-talking West Michigan comic and pickleball enthusiast, joins Joel on this show. Matt describes his start on the Kalamazoo comedy scene, how comedy has helped his day job in sales, and why a “douchebag” persona is so relatable. Plus, hear rap talk as Matt has helped the less hip understand Kendrick vs… Continue reading Podcast #219: Matt Lauria →