Shooting the Breeze with Simone Holder

Toronto-based comic Keesha Brownie is my guest this week. Keesha and I talked about the pandemic, our comedy journeys, and being introverts. Website: https://www.gotbrownie.com/

Ottawa-based comic Todd Van Allen is my guest this week. Todd and I talked about the pandemic, being on set, and rich people slapping other rich people. Social media: @heyitstva Host of @CATPPodcast and @WriteEmUpShow Website, album, etc. linktr.ee/heyitstva

Springfield, Illinois-based comic Kathy Brennan is my guest this week. Kathy and I met virtually in 2020 when we both performed on a Zoom comedy show. She had me howling when she told me about her first job. Social media: Instagram, Facebook

Ottawa-based comic Johnny Rogers is my guest this week Johnny and I talked about comedy, his previous career as a YouTube host, and transferrable skills. Follow Johnny on all social media: @thejohnnyrogers

Ottawa-based comic Wafik Nasralla is my guest this week. Wafik and I caught up on what’s gone on since he was last on the show. Among other things, we talked about watching comics bomb and the butterfly effect. Facebook fan page: https://tinyurl.com/wafik-nasralla-fanpage

Formerly Ottawa-based, now Kingston-based comic Christabelle Witt is my guest this week. Christabelle and I are good friends. We talked about double-standards, weird encounters, and other things we deal with as women comics. Instagram: @creativechristabelle

Boston-based comedian Casey McNeal is my guest this week. Casey and I met at an online show during quarantine in 2020. Casey has been a comic for over 30 years and is also an actor. He shared some behind-the-scenes stories about stand up and about working on a movie set. @caseyscomedy: Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter Website: https://www.caseyscomedy.com/

Ottawa-based comedian Julie Dugas is my guest this week. Julie and I talked about our respective comedy experiences. Then we moved on to our favourite subject: hook-up culture in our comedy community. Facebook: Sex and Giggles Instagram: @funny_girl_julie

Ottawa-based comedian Bobby Knauff is my guest this week. Bobby and I talk about mental health and stand up and how to preserve one while succeeding at the other. Hint: It’s hard. Instagram: @bobbyknauffandcats @andre_thealien: Instagram and Twitter Bobby’s album “Rock Bottom” is available wherever you listen to music.

Kingston-based comedian Peter Egnatoff is my guest this week. Peter and I are close friends. This is his 4th time on the podcast! He was with me for a monumental event in my comedy career so we talked about that.

Kingston-based comedian Ashley Perna is my guest this week. Ashley and I are good friends. On top of doing stand up and her career as a law clerk, Ashley also ran for Kingston city council in 2022. She was also very open and candid about the mental health struggles she’s had. Instagram: @ashleyjperna

Toronto-based trans comedian Al Val is my guest this week. Al and I bonded over our shared anxiety about performing in small towns. She told me about how her comedy evolved once she came out as trans. Instagram and TikTok: @alvalcomedy CBC Gem: “The New Wave of Standup”, Season 1, Episode 3 Crave: “The Standup Show with John Dore”, Season 2, Episode 6 Out TV: “Drag Heels”, Season 3, February 2023 Debut album coming in 2023!

Toronto-based comedian/actor/writer Danny Martinello is my guest this week. Danny and I talk about his childhood in Edmonton and his start in entertainment and comedy. Instagram: @dannymartinello

Ottawa-based comedian/musician Logan Brown is my guest this week. After years performing as a professional musician, Logan started stand up in 2021. We talk about his experiences so far. @logandoingstuff on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and all other social media platforms. Podcast “Breaking all the Rules” @ruckuscomedy on Instagram

This is part one of a two-part interview. Stay tuned for Part 2 coming in 2023! Alberta-based comedian/actor/writer Sterling Scott is my guest this week. Sterling and I talk about his start in entertainment and comedy. We also talk about being black in stand up comedy in Canada and the "stuff" we face that other comics do not. @sterlingsjokes Comedian | Actor | Writer 🥇2019 SFICC Comedy Champ 🎥 Laugh after Dark Season 3 🎞 Roast Battle Canada Szn 1 📺 CBC/CTV/CRAVE/Winnipeg comedy festival gem.cbc.ca/media/winnipeg-comedy-festival/s19e02

After a long hiatus, Shooting the Breeze is back!  My good friend Rob Morgan is the first guest of Season 4! Rob is a comic and photographer based out of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. In this episode we talk about our love, passion, and respect for stand up.

** Recorded on June 29, 2021 ** Danny Dechi is a comedian, host, and producer based in San Francisco, California. We had a fun conversation back in June. (IG: @dannydechi, Twitter: @dannydechi, Website: DannyDechi.com/).

** Recorded on June 22, 2021 ** Jennifer Brigden is a comic based in Ottawa. We had a fun conversation back in June. (IG: @jenniferbrigdencomedy, Twitter: @jenniferbrigden)

** Recorded on May 23, 2021 ** Ana Melo and I had a fun conversation back in May. Ana is a new comic who started doing stand-up online during the pandemic. Ana lives and studies in Portugal. We met on a Zoom open mic based out of California. (IG: @anaruimelo)

** Recorded on May 22, 2021 ** Steve Love and I had a fun conversation back in May. Steve is an accomplished actor, impersonator, and comedian based in Ottawa. (IG: @drstevelove, YouTube: DrSteveLove)

** Recorded on May 15, 2021 ** Rabbit Hole Radio is a podcast/radio show hybrid hosted by cousins and best friends David Haddad and Jordan Fournier. David is an Ottawa-based comic originally from New Brunswick. Jordan is a musician based in New Brunswick. We had a crazy and hilarious conversation back in May (IG: @rabbitholeradiopod, @davidhadfather, @jordanfournier)

** Recorded on May 8, 2021 ** Toronto-based Ottawa comic Kyle Brownrigg and I had a fun conversation back in May. Kyle is a Canadian Comedy Award winning comedian who has taped various stand-up performances for The Comedy Network, CBC Radio & Television. He has also performed at Just for Laughs, JFL42, JFL Northwest, The Halifax Comedy Festival, The Debaters, Bluesfest, The Sudbury Comedy Festival, The 905 Comedy Festival, We’re Funny That Way Comedy Festival, Icebreakers Comedy Festival and was a finalist in Sirius XM’s Top Comic Competition; a nationwide search for Canada’s next top comic. (IG: @kylebrownrigg, @bestactresspodcast)

** Recorded on May 8, 2021 ** NYC-based Ottawa comic Graham Kay and I had a fun conversation back in May. Graham has been on Colbert, Fallon, and has a special on YouTube (IG: @instagrahamkay, @theedgelordspod)

** Recorded on May 2, 2021 ** Ottawa comic and Gopher It Deliveries CEO Jenn Hayward and I had a fun conversation back in May. (IG: @the_jenn_hayward_show)

** Recorded on April 25, 2021 ** NYC-based Ottawa comic Christina Walkingshaw and I had a fun conversation back in April. (Twitter: @walkinsauce)

Ottawa comic Julien Dionne (June 13, 2021, Recorded on April 25, 2021, IG: julien_dionne)   Julien and I both love zoom shows but we are both eager to get back on stage. We touched on a bit of everything in this episode: work/life during the pandemic, edge lords, performing sober, and breaking into the French comedy scene.

I spoke with my friend from Montreal, Caroline Alary (IG: @caro823)   My scheduled guest stood me up today. I put a call out and my friend Caroline decided to come on. We caught up and had fun. She’s not a comedian although I think she should give it a go.

Former Ottawa comic Aiden Javed (IG: @thatbrowncomic)   Aiden moved back to Vancouver last year. We talked about life and comedy over the last year.

Winnipeg comic Issa Kixen is the host/producer of Woke Comedy Hour (IG: @wokecomedyhour, FB: @wokecomedian)   Issa and I met on a show about medical experiences. We talked about the prejudice that BIPOC experience in the medical community. We also discussed finding our place in our respective comedy communities and the challenges we both faced in doing so.

Ottawa comic Trevor Thompson (IG:@trevorthompson75, Twitter: @TrevorWThompson)   Trevor is one of my favourite people. We talked vaccines, the way Doug Ford says “COVID”, masks, and “the numbers”. Of course, we did talk comedy.

In this episode, I spoke with Ottawa comic Kia Mazhar (IG:@kiamazar)   Kia is currently in the BC interior planting trees. He drove an hour to Williams Lake, BC to speak to me from a Walmart parking lot. We talked about lockdown, vaccines, tree-planting, drugs, condoms, consent, and of course comedy.

In this episode, I spoke with Montreal comic Joel Slavic (IG:@joelslavik)   Joel and I spoke about how we’re broken after these last few lockdowns and curfews. Can we take much more? We talked about our love of stand up, influences, and experiences over the past year.

In this episode, I spoke with Toronto comic Linda Camacho (IG:@hippyrockercomedygirl)   Linda and I talked about performing stand up during a pandemic and online. We both love Zoom shows and think every comic should have a few Zoom shows under their belts. We talked about the thrill of making other comics and new people laugh…what a rush!

In this episode, I spoke with Ottawa comic Dianne Skoll (https://dianne.skoll.ca/).   Dianne and I had an incredibly fun conversation. We talked about coping through the pandemic and our love of stand up comedy.

In the premiere episode of season 3, I spoke with my friend comic, actor, and improv actor, David Brennan (IG/Twitter:@brennandavidn).   We went all over the place! We talked mental health, vaccines, the George Floyd verdict, and paying your comedy dues. We both love standup so much and discussed the lengths we’ve gone to get on stage. It was an incredibly fun conversation.

The province of Ontario has since rescinded the part of the order giving police the authority to stop and question people. Cold comfort since it happens anyway. This is my perspective.

In this bonus episode, I spoke with fellow comics and film directors Scott Brown and Jean-François Frenette.   I asked them about the impact their movie "Comedy-19: The Last Laugh" has had on the Canadian comedy community since its release in early March 2021. Of course we went off course and talked about many other topics.   Comedy-19: The Last Laugh: https://comedy19movie.com/ Canadian Comedy Relief Fund: https://gofund.me/22441732

In this final regular episode of Season 2, I talk with my good friend Kingston comic Jeff Nixon (IG: @jeffnixonguy, Twitter: @bigfatboxofshi)   Jeff and I talk about comedy, our standup journeys so far, the handling of COVID-19, cancel culture, censorship, etc. He answers a few of my 250 random questions too.

In this episode I talk with my friend Ottawa comedian, actor, and musician Oliver George (IG: @justchillwitholivergeorge, Twitter: @justchillwithOG).   Buckle up! Oliver and I go all over the place in this one: drinking, interviewing, phobias, dancing, roller coasters, microscopic bugs that live on us, Tiger King.

  In this episode I talk with Ottawa comic Liam Rado(IG/YouTube/TikTok: @radocomedy). Liam is a new comic who started his comedy career during the pandemic. I asked him about his experiences so far in the standup world. We also talked about finding your voice/niche on stage and our lives outside of standup.

In this episode I talk with my friend Kingston comic/producer Al Babcock (IG/Twitter: @ab3comedy).   Al and I talked about the vague, confusing, colour-coded COVID-19 zone designations. We also discussed performing, downtime, people expecting us to be “on” all the time. We also talked about hecklers and people who don’t understand the etiquette of attending a comedy show.

In this episode I talk with Ottawa comic Christabelle Witt (IG: @creativechristabelle).   Christabelle and I have much in common. Both divorced, we’re in similar lines of work, we're both quiet and introverted, and have dirty standup acts. We discussed the trauma and stigma of divorce and traded dating horror stories.

I talk with Ottawa comic Wardie Leppan.   Wardie and I talked about comedy, the pandemic, and age. He told me about how he fled to Canada in the mid-1970s due to his work forming unions for Black people in South Africa. He also disclosed his daughter’s stage name suggestion for him.

  I talk with my friend, Ottawa comic Hamilton Burger (IG: @hamilton_burger). Hamilton and I talk about how difficult the last year has been. We did talk comedy but most of the conversation dealt with working from home, isolation, quarantine, performing post-lockdown, and what we’re looking forward to when (not if) things get better.

I talk with Ottawa comic Mike Leblanc (IG: @mikeleblanccomedy, Twitter: @mikeleblanchaha)   Mike is one of a handful of Ottawa-area comics who perform in both English and French. He spoke about how he started comedy in Vancouver six years ago. He had a crazy story about his first time on stage at an open mic in Vancouver and other cool stories about doing comedy in LA and NYC. It was a fascinating conversation!

I talk with my good friend, former co-host, and comic Dawn Xanklin (IG: @dawnxanklincomedy, Twitter: @dxanklin)   We were co-hosts last year on our podcast “Black Don’t Crack” until the end of the first lockdown last summer. We talked about comedy, lockdown, quarantine, and vaccines. Dawn told me about the cool things she’s been doing since the last time she was on the show. We also shared that neither of us were wearing bras or real pants.

I talk with comic Lindsay Ventzke.  I was fortunate enough to be hosting the show where Lindsay had her first set. She killed it. We talked about her journey into standup comedy so far and what motivated her to start.

I talk with radio personality and friend Dylan Black.   We could have talked for hours more! Dylan told me about his almost 25-year radio career. I made him blush by telling him how much I liked his voice.

I talk with Ottawa comic and good friend Emmett Morrison.   We met in a comedy class in 2019 and reconnected during the pandemic.  We reminisced about our first forays into standup. I asked him how getting started in comedy during a plague has been.

I talk with Cornwall comic and radio personality Dan Allaire.   Dan and I discussed our love and passion for standup comedy. We talked about how people think we’re crazy for driving for miles to do 5 minutes for no pay. We both started “late” and want to enjoy the ride for as long as we can.

I talk with Montreal comic Victoria Blair.   We met at The Comedy Nest in Montreal after the first lockdown. Victoria and I talked about sexism and ageism in our comedy communities. We talked at length about getting hate and mansplained. She finds it funny while I find it infuriating.

I talk with Ottawa comic and friend Ashley Krawchenko.   Ashley is the only woman so far to have won the Yuk Yuk’s summer comedy competition. I asked her about her prolific TikTok and Instagram posts. We also talked chins and making crazy faces. We discovered that we both have huge pandemic online shopping addictions. We also talk getting mansplained by psychopaths.

  I talk with Ottawa comic and friend Wafik Nasralla. Wafik and I got deep talking about lockdown, how we’ve been doing, and what life has been like a year into the pandemic. We did have light-hearted, funny moments like when he told me about his very first set.

  I talk with my close friend Kingston comic and show producer Ashley Perna. Ashley and I are not happy that it’s Valentine’s Day. She tells us about presenting a bill to city council to ban conversion therapy in Kingston. Currently she is working towards getting comedy recognized as an art form in Canada. We also talked comedy, getting stuck in an elevator, people “giving us jokes”, and sex injuries.

I talk with Toronto comic, improviser, actor, and writer Luke Lynndale.   Luke and I are big fans of online comedy shows. We discussed the pros and cons of online and live comedy. He performs 17-20 online shows a month! He will be producing 50 shows March 8-27! We had a fun, awesome conversation.

I talk with Ottawa comic Spence Charles. We talked about the technical aspect of standup comedy...is it giving away trade secrets or merely breaking down the structure of a joke to non-comedians? We both like the solitary nature of standup. As usual, Spence brings his high energy and positivity to the conversation.

I talk with Ottawa comic and musician Rory Gardiner.   We talked more about music and being your authentic self than we did about comedy. Rory told me about his journey in music and comedy and his Ted Talk experience. Very engaging and interesting conversation. We literally shot the breeze.

I talk with Ottawa comic Melanie Paige. We started off crusty. We talked lockdown rage and the toll it’s taken on our mental health. We both had apprehension about performing in small towns and were fortunately proven wrong. We also talked responsibility and accountability in standup. Melanie humoured me by answering some of my crazy questions at the end.

I talk with Ottawa comic and musician Aaron Hill. Aaron and I talk about the things we did/learned while in lockdown. We had an in depth convo about tattoos. Aaron shares my enthusiasm for zoom comedy shows! He also released some music! Listen and download here: http://bit.ly/3ts96IC Video music video for Not Gonna Eat Your Bum: https://youtu.be/HqTsw5RZXLI

I talk with Ottawa comic Chris Borris. Chris told me how posting tweets and selling photocopiers led to his first standup gig. He is one of the few comics I know who did not have dreams of doing standup since childhood. One of the things we have in common is starting comedy “old”.

I talk with the one person who’s known me the longest and knows me best…my sister Candy. Candy gives us some background about her performance experience and how surprised she was when I told her I was pursuing stand up. We also talk about how we think our late parents would have reacted to my material.

In this special episode, I talk with two of my dearest and closest friends, Missy and Lucie. We’ve been friends since high school and have been through everything with each other. I wanted to know what they thought about my comedy journey so far.

I talk with Ottawa comic and musician Lewis Hill. We talked COVID fatigue, missing comedy, and getting creative during lockdown. Lewis recorded an album while in lockdown!

Although this is a comedy podcast, this episode deals with depression, suicidal ideation, substance abuse, neglect, abuse, and racism. Listener and viewer discretion is advised. In Part 2 Janelle continues to talk about how her difficult, traumatic childhood and strained relationship with her mother has affected her. We talk about trying to fit in, low self-esteem, negative/harmful stereotypes, how not to raise a serial killer, broken friendships, as well as healing and therapy. We ended on a light note by answering some silly questions.

Although this is a comedy podcast, this episode deals with depression, suicidal ideation, substance abuse, neglect, abuse, and racism. Listener and viewer discretion is advised. I talk with my good friend, Ottawa comic Janelle Niles. Part 1 deals with the COVID-19 vaccine, how black and indigenous people are treated differently in the health care realm, how people are finally realizing that systemic racism is real, and how much we miss live comedy and hugs. We also talk about the conundrum of being too black or not black enough, the stigma of mental health, and the reluctance to use medication to treat it. Janelle opens up about her difficult childhood and we discuss what being called the n-word feels like. 

I talk with my friend, Ottawa comic Mitch Muirhead. We talked recording farts, keeping busy during lockdown, things we miss the most, what/who makes us laugh, and people who order Champagne from Champagne in a dingy, basement comedy bar.

I talk with my friend, Ottawa comic Jake Daly. We talked everything comedy for almost 2 hours that I can’t narrow it down. We had a lively in-depth conversation…it was awesome!

I talk with Ottawa comic Michaela Chung. We talked about being a woman in Ottawa comedy, slut shaming, our writing processes, and how we cope while in lockdown. Also Michaela shared an awkward moment involving a cameraman at a JFL show.

I talk with my good friend Ottawa comic Emile Mansour. We talked a lot about comedy and our Ottawa Comedy Community. I think Emile coined a new phrase…“Hierarchy of Laughter”.

I talk with my good friend Ottawa comic/musician Tom Hills. We went there. We talked mental health and how we’re handling the current lockdown and stay-in-place orders. Surprise…we’re both over it. We also talked racism, social injustice, and our experiences with it. Still funny tho.

In this episode, I talk with Ottawa comic/musician David Haddad. We talk lockdown, self-isolating in paradise, and of course comedy. David shares the greatest “best moment in comedy” ever and gets an earful of cat-drama. He also answers a question about the perfect murder weapon…it got dark.

In this episode I talk with award-winning actor, writer, teacher, and comedian Pierre Brault. We talk about his stand up classes, how live stand up has changed, and what he’s learned and seen after 40 years in the biz. I forgot to ask him if was his favourite student ever.

I talk with Kingston comic Pete Egnatoff. Pete and I talk performing post lockdown, mental health, and the incident that solidified our friendship. He gets roasted and complimented in the comments and he answers some silly questions.

I talk with Ottawa comic Kia Mazhar. We talk scooters, favourite local comics, and Kia’s early experiences and pranks that ultimately brought him to standup. Who should play Kia in his bio pic? Also, dumbest injury?

I talk with Ottawa comedian, musician, and filmmaker Scott Brown. We discuss the differences between the London and Ottawa comedy scenes, his film “Comedy-19: The Last Laugh?”, and whether he would take on a horse-sized duck or 100 duck-sized horses. Also, did you know that more comics get punched on stage than attacked by sharks?

On this episode I talk with Ottawa comedian JF Frenette. We discuss gross pre-COVID-19 habits, pay phones, Monopoly, and Rubik’s cubes. We also talk about the film project JF worked on during the summer with another local comic.

On this episode I talk with comedian, host, and actor Jesse Reynolds. We touch on a bit of everything…the disaster that was 2020, Zoom comedy shows, stereotypes and assumptions, and online dating. Take a shot every time one of us says the word “suck”.

The Season 2 premiere episode is with my friend Dylan Parker. We talk about standup during lockdown (we’re in lockdown #3!!), zoom shows, and so much more!