In this episode of the Open Mic Comedy Podcast, host Marc sits down with comedian Sam Love for a wide-ranging and insightful conversation about life on the comedy circuit. Sam shares his journey into stand-up, from the thrill of his earliest gigs to the tough lessons learned from bombing on stage. The pair dig into the craft of joke writing, the challenge of finding your comedic voice, and the shared highs and lows that come with performing for live audiences.

They also explore the realities of the open mic scene, including bringers, pay-to-play model, the pressures faced by promoters, and the ongoing push for more diversity in comedy. Sam opens up about his creative process, his podcast The Chapstick Boys, and his experience performing at the Edinburgh Fringe and preparation for the next one. There’s even time for a bit of fun, as he takes on the challenge of telling a joke from a book of notoriously bad gags.

Throughout the episode, Sam reflects on the importance of authenticity, the role of blogging in comedy, and his ambitions for the future. It’s a candid, funny, and thoughtful look at what it really means to build a career in stand-up comedy.

LINKS:

Open Mic Comedy Pod: https://www.instagram.com/openmiccomedypod

Sam Love: https://www.instagram.com/samuellove1992

Chapstick Boys Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/2VRtM7salNCcZBjPk1IM5q?si=6f7419b0b3424455

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Music: https://www.purple-planet.com

Voice Over Segment: John Pape - https://www.johnpape.co.uk/

In this episode of the Open Mic Comedy Podcast, host Marc sits down with comedian Nick Holloway for a deep dive into the highs, lows, and laughs of stand-up. Nick opens up about his unexpected entry into comedy, the challenge of writing that first set, and the unpredictable nature of live performances — including the infamous gong show format. The conversation explores the art of joke writing, crafting material from real-life experiences, and the importance of punchlines and timing. Nick reflects on the supportive comedy circuit, ambitions for longer sets, and the importance of authenticity on stage. From audience reactions to choosing entrance music, this episode offers a candid and entertaining look at the comedian’s journey — one filled with spontaneity, growth, and unexpected moments.

🎧 Listen now on all podcast platforms!

LINKS:

Open Mic Comedy Pod: https://www.instagram.com/openmiccomedypod
Nick Holloway:

https://www.instagram.com/hollowaylaughs

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Music: https://www.purple-planet.com

Voice over courtesy of Reb Day: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/rebstagram

In this episode of The Open Mic Comedy Podcast, host Marc sits down with rising comedy talent Victoria Smith for a candid, insightful, and hilarious conversation about life behind the mic.

Victoria opens up about her journey into stand-up, from comedy courses to carving out her own unique voice on stage. Together, she and Marc dive into the highs and lows of performing, the art of joke writing, and the ever-evolving grind of the open mic circuit. They explore the delicate balance between MCing and solo sets, the challenges of promoting gigs outside London, and the underrated power of a good walk-on song.

Victoria also shares what it’s like to build comedy nights from scratch, the importance of paying comedians fairly, and how social media is reshaping the scene. The episode wraps up with a light-hearted comedian’s challenge—featuring a joke book, some improv, and plenty of laughs.

Whether you’re a comedy fan or a performer yourself, this episode is packed with insight, inspiration, and a generous dose of humour.

🎧 Listen now on all podcast platforms!

LINKS:

Open Mic Comedy Pod:

https://www.instagram.com/openmiccomedypod

Victoria Smith: https://www.instagram.com/vicky_does_comedy

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Music: https://www.purple-planet.com

Voice over courtesy of Reb Day: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/rebstagram

In this episode of the Open Mic Comedy Podcast, Marc chats with rising comedian Rohan Ashar about his path into stand-up.

Rohan opens up about the highs and lows of the comedy circuit, what it takes to connect with an audience, and how recording gigs has helped shape his style. They dive into everything from writing challenging material and navigating representation in comedy, to the power of community support on the open mic scene.

Rohan also gives a sneak peek into his upcoming show ‘Other’, created with fellow comic Mani Ahmed, and reflects on what makes a great (or terrible) gig. Plus, there’s a fun twist at the end as Rohan takes on a joke book challenge—don’t miss it!

🎧 Listen now on all podcast platforms!

LINKS:

Open Mic Comedy Pod:

https://www.instagram.com/openmiccomedypod

Rohan Ashar: https://www.instagram.com/rohanashar_comedy/

https://www.tiktok.com/@rohanashar_comedy

http://www.youtube.com/@rohanashar_comedy

Other - Rohan Ashar & Mani Ahmed Tickets:

Watford Fringe: https://watfringe.co.uk/events/other

Camden Fringe: https://camdenfringe.com/events/other

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Music: https://www.purple-planet.com

Voice over courtesy of Reb Day: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/rebstagram

In this episode of the Open Mic Comedy Podcast, I sit down with comedian Sophie Sconcia about her journey into stand-up, the balance between improv and written material, and the art of reading a room.

Sophie shares stories from her early gigs, insights from comedy courses, and how she’s learned to embrace spontaneity on stage. They explore the evolving language of comedy, the fine line of edgy material, and the importance of community, kindness, and connection in the scene.

Sophie also talks about Cat Soup Comedy, the monthly night she runs that blends pro, semi-pro, and open mic acts—designed to give comics a great crowd and the chance to bring their best material to the stage.

🎧 Listen now on all podcast platforms!

LINKS:

Open Mic Comedy Pod:

https://www.instagram.com/openmiccomedypod

Sophie Sconcia: https://www.instagram.com/sophsconciacomedy

Comedy Cat Soup: https://www.instagram.com/comedycatsoup

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Music: https://www.purple-planet.com

🎤 This week on the Open Mic Comedy Podcast, Marc sits down with rising comedian Charlie Firth for a candid and insightful chat about life on the stand-up circuit. From his roots in drama and acting to overcoming his initial hesitation with stand-up, Charlie shares the key moments that pushed him toward the mic—and kept him coming back.

They dig into the highs and lows of performing, from unforgettable gigs to the nights that didn’t go to plan, exploring how feedback, audience perception, and even the art of the perfectly timed pause all shape a comedian’s craft. Charlie also reflects on the sense of community within the open mic scene, his experience at the Edinburgh Fringe, and how he’s carving out his unique comedic voice.

The episode wraps up with a playful joke book challenge that brings the laughs full circle. Whether you’re a comedy fan or an aspiring stand-up yourself, this one’s packed with real talk, laughs, and lessons from the stage.

LINKS:

Open Mic Comedy Pod:

https://www.instagram.com/openmiccomedypod

Charlie Firth

https://www.instagram.com/charliefirthcomedy

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Music: https://www.purple-planet.com

Voice over courtesy of Reb Day: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/rebstagram

In this episode host Marc sits down with comedian Adam Dorr to talk about his journey into stand-up, the highs and lows of the open mic circuit, and what it’s like navigating comedy as a neurodivergent performer. Adam shares hilarious and insightful stories from his time on stage, opens up about the challenges of running an open mic night, and reveals how improvisation plays a key role in his performances.

They dive into everything from performance anxiety to the crossover between comedy and theatre, the art of joke writing, and what the future holds for grassroots comedy nights. Adam also shares his thoughts on audience engagement, staying authentic as a comedian, and why loving the craft is just as important as getting the laughs. To top it all off, he takes on a fun comedian’s challenge, bringing an extra dose of spontaneity to the conversation.

If you’re a comedy fan or an aspiring stand-up, this episode is packed with insights, laughs, and behind-the-scenes stories from the world of open mic comedy.

🎧 Listen now on all podcast platforms!

LINKS:

Open Mic Comedy Pod:

https://www.instagram.com/openmiccomedypod

Adam Dorr

https://www.instagram.com/poundlandvaluesanta

https://www.instagram.com/adamdorrandadamdorr

https://www.tiktok.com/@adamdorrcomedy

https://www.youtube.com/@AdamDorr

https://linktr.ee/adamdorr2002

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Music: https://www.purple-planet.com

In this episode of the Open Mic Comedy Podcast, host Marc sits down with comedian Lewis Howard, who takes us on a deep dive into his stand-up journey. Lewis opens up about finding his comedic voice through personal experiences, navigating the tricky waters of audience perception, and tackling imposter syndrome head-on.

They explore the value of comedy workshops, the unglamorous reality of bombing on stage, and the hard-earned lessons that come from both triumphs and disasters. Lewis also shares hilarious and insightful anecdotes about his best and worst gigs, along with a few unforgettable encounters with hecklers, those teddies can be a nightmare.

The conversation takes a thoughtful turn as they discuss balancing humour with sensitive topics, adapting material for different audiences, and the importance of building trust with a crowd. They also reflect on the revival of New Town Comedy and its mission to give rising comedians a platform to shine.

Whether you’re a budding comic or just love a behind-the-scenes look at the world of stand-up, this episode is packed with laughs, insights, and a glimpse into the ever-evolving journey of a comedian trying to get to making a living from telling jokes. 🎤✨

🎧 Listen now on all podcast platforms!

LINKS:

Open Mic Comedy Pod:

https://www.instagram.com/openmiccomedypod

Lewis Howard:

https://www.instagram.com/lewiscomedy

https://www.instagram.com/newtowncomedy

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Music: https://www.purple-planet.com

Voice Over Segment: Duncan Hart - www.opengatecomedy.tv