Talkward

This episode welcomes the very funny comedy writer and author Mike Sacks! Mike's new book, 'Passing On The Right', is a parody of memoir by a failed comic turned right-wing radio host named Skippy 'Batty' Battison. It's absolutely bonkers and at the same time, could be absolutely true. Pick it up today! https://amzn.to/3urG8M7

This episode welcomes the very funny comedy writer, author, and voice over artist Jen Spyra! We chat all about her time writing at The Onion, and The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, where she is also the announcer! Her new book 'Big Time' is out now from Penguin Random House. It's SO FUNNY! Buy it today! https://www.amazon.com/Big-Time-Stories-Jen-Spyra/dp/1984855263

This episode of Talkward welcomes poet, author, and recovering mime Melissa Balmain. Melissa edits Light, America's longest-running journal of light verse. Her humor has appeared in The American Bystander, Lighten Up Online, McSweeney's, The New Yorker, The New York Times, Success, The Washington Post, and Weekly Humorist. Her full-length poetry collection, Walking in on People (winner of the Able Muse Book Award), has been praised by Poet Laureate Billy Collins as "an infectious, often hilarious blend of the sweet and the lethal, the charming and the acidic. Her new book "The Witch Demands a Retraction - Fair Tale Reboots For Adults" illustrated by Ron Barrett is on sale now. BUY IT HERE: https://amzn.to/3adD2QX

This episode of Talkward chats with the very funny Keith James. Keith is a comedy performer and writer who has a new comedy, sci-fi, erotic, adventure book out now entitled 'Greg Maxwell's Inferno'. We discuss his humor journey and doing improv comedy for a soon-to-be-FBI-raided health spa where he had to do breakdance fighting live on-stage against a child. Follow Keith @k3ithJam3s and listen to his podcast Gus Biblowitz, Basketball Legend.

This episode of Talkward welcomes cartoon comedy duo Kit Lively and David DeGrand. They have a new book out called 'Twisted Tongues: Jokes, Comics, Facts, and Tongue Twisters' We discuss their years working together for MAD Magazine and David's recent gig designing the animated show 'Death Hacks'.

Today on Talkward is comic and producer Brittany Brave! She has a great new web series coming out and a weekly Friday stand-up show that's virtual, so you can enjoy it in your underwear! See all her upcoming events at http://instragram.com/brittanybrave

Welcoming back to Talkward the very funny and talented Jessica Delfino! Jessica is a musical comedy performer and writer who has a new book out, Dumb Jokes For Smart Folks, which was an Amazon #1 Best Seller in new releases! Check it out at dumbjokesforsmartfolks.com and follow her @jessicadelfino 

Today on Talkward is cartoonist, comedy writer, and performer Emily Flake! Emily draws wonderful cartoons for The New Yorker, The New York Times and has many books and comics strips. […]

This episode of Talkward welcomes the non-stop comedy cartoon duo Bob Eckstein and Michael Shaw! The both are long-time famous cartoonists and writers who have been featured in The New […]

This episode of Talkward welcomes back cartoonist, stand-up comic, and actor Jason Chatfield! Jason is the president of The National Cartoonists Society, and a contributor in The New Yorker. We discuss cartooning, Tom Richmond, Mort Drucker, Jason's drawing diary during his bout with Covid-19 and even the Murder, She Wrote episode that uses The Reuben Award as a murder weapon!Visit Jason here: https://www.jasonchatfield.com/  http://twitter.com/jason_chatfield  http://instagram.com/jasonchatfield  http://www.facebook.com/jasonchatfieldcartoonist

Today on Talkward is comedy person Brittany Brave! Brittany does stand-up, improv, produces shows all over NYC and has recently started Violently Funny, a podcast and live show that shines a light on domestic violence. We discuss her comedy, getting older, meeting Robert De Niro while having a mouthful of peanut M&Ms and terrible TV. Go see her show 1/31 at Caveat! Get tickets here and follow her ontwitter @britbrave instagram @brittanybrave @violentlyfunny and brittanybrave.com More about Violently Funny:Violently Funny is a comedic podcast about domestic violence, dating, sex and sisterhood hosted by survivors Onika McLean (@divaofcomedy) and Brittany Brave (@brittanybrave.) Don't punch back– punch up. New episodes every Tuesday! 

This episode of Talkward welcomes comedy writer and performer Ronny Pascale! Ronny has toured the country with his sketch group, produces variety shows, and has amassed a loyal following on social media by simply writing great jokes. We discuss his process, his fears and why he is DONE with improv. (spoiler, he started another improv class already) See his shows at The PIT in NYC! Follow him @ronnypascale on IG and twitter.

This spooky Halloween episode of Talkward welcomes humor writer and performer James Folta! James writes for The New Yorker, McSweeney's , Weekly Humorist and is the Managing Editor of Points In Case. James also is a co-founder of The Satire and Humor Festival which is in NYC in March but just announced a pop-up weekend in Chicago in November! Check it out here and go! We discuss Halloween costumes, writing, book publishing and James' current projects in writing and pitching new narrative humor podcasts.  Also, who knew how bad at math we both are! Jokes! James also teaches humor and parody. Follow him on twitter @JamesFolta and we'll see you at the festival!

This very special episode of Talkward welcomes cartoonists Bob Eckstein, Steve McGinn, and Robert Leighton! Full house! They stopped by the studio after going by The New Yorker to submit some cartoons. We discuss the joke writing process, appearances on old game shows, and we dissect the reasons why some of Steve's cartoons got rejected very, very quickly. We also chat about Bob Eckstein's new book, "Everyone's A Critic- The Ultimate Cartoon Book" which is on sale now and you should go buy it right now!ABOUT THE BOOK: We are all critics now. From social media “likes” to reviews on Yelp and Rotten Tomatoes, we’re constantly asked to give our opinion and offer feedback. Everyone’s a Critic is a curated collection of the best and brightest New Yorker cartoonists celebrating the art of the drawn critique, whether about restaurants, art, sports, dates, friends, or modern life. Featuring the work of thirty-six masters of the cartoon, including Roz Chast, Sam Gross, Nick Downes, Liza Donnelly, Bob Mankoff, Michael M

This episode of Talkward welcomes comedy writers and authors Michael Bleicher and Andy Newton! The humor writing duo has been published in McSweeney's, Points In Case, Crack The Spine and Weekly Humorist. They discuss their writing process, the power of Google Docs, and the state of the world. Their debut novel "From the Campaign Trail or Thereabouts" a satirical road trip comedy taking place during the events of the 2016 election is on sale now from imprint Humorist Books. About the book!From the Campaign Trail or Thereabouts is the story of two insulated Upper West Side journalists, Harold Carlyle, a self-serving, incompetent reporter desperate to save both his career and marriage, and his wife, Pattie, an observant, sharp-tongued, and successful television critic. When Harold is assigned to cover the 2016 Presidential Election, he devises a scheme to save his marriage by taking Pattie with him across the country. Harold pledges that they’ll be able to reach San Diego on his publication’s dime, a promise th

Today on Talkward is musical comedy extraordinaire Jessica Delfino! Jessica is a critically acclaimed and award winning comedic musician who has performed her quirky comedy songs all over the world. She launched the New York Comedy Music Festival (first called the Funny Songs festival) in 2012. We discuss her newest album ‘Songs To make War to (14 Anarchist Anthems for the Whole Family)' Botnik Studios, Mom Comedy shows and she reads me with her 40% accurate Psychic powers!Called “Lower East Side’s Queen of Obscene” by The Village Voice and awarded a “Voice Choice” Award for “Best Guitar Slinging Comedian”, the “ECNY Best Comedic Musician” award, and a finalist in the Andy Kaufman Award, Jessica has appeared on Good Morning America, The Jim Gaffigan Show, CNN’s Stroumboulopoulos, at the infamous Reading and Leeds Festival, Edinburgh Fringe Fest, Dublin Comedy Festival, on stage with Weird Al Yankovic in the Apocalypse Tour and much more. Follow her on twiter and insta at @jessicadelfino and jessicadelfino.com

This episode of Talkward welcomes the very talented comedy author Mike Sacks! We discuss comedy, his journey and how people keep mistaking him for Jon Hamm. Mike has written for The New Yorker, The New York Times, McSweeney's, Funny or Die, Mad Magazine, and countless other staples in humor content. He is currently on the editorial staff for Vanity Fair. He has written over a dozen books including Poking a Dead Frog. Stinker Let Loose, a novelization was turned into an Audible audiobook in 2017 starring Jon Hamm as Stinker, Rhea Seehorn, Andy Ritcher, and others. His recent book, Randy: The Full and Complete Unedited Biography and Memoir of the Amazing Life and Times of Randy S.!, has been produced as an audio serial on Stitcher. 

This episode of Talkward welcomes comedian and actor Eric D'Alessandro! Eric has a commanding internet following across multiple platforms where he has leveraged digital media reach to drastically grow his fan base His short videos get an average of 50 thousand views each, which helps him sell out shows and land acting roles. He's been in the film Nerve and the season 3 premiere episode of Insecure on HBO. We discuss his Staten Island roots as a source of much of his best material.Follow him on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ericdalessandro and more info on upcoming shows: https://linktr.ee/ericdalessandro

This episode of Talkward welcomes San Francisco based humor writer, actor, comedian, playwright, and engineer Irving Ruan! Irving writes regularly for The New Yorker, McSweeney's, Weekly Humorist as well SlackJaw, where he is also an editor! We discuss his creative journey and his time running a startup tech company! Recorded over the weekend of The Satire and Humor Festival, March 2019.Read all of Irving's writing at irvingruan.com and follow him on twitter @irvingruan

This episode of Talkward welcomes NYC comedy legend Jeffrey Gurian. If you don't know Jeffrey, then you aren't a NY comedy person, so get in the know! He's written, performed, produced comedy with so many huge names like Nick Kroll, John Mulaney, Amy Poehler, and Seth Rogen. He's written many books and has a regular comedy column and YouTube series. We discuss he latest book Healing Your Heart By Changing Your Mind. Go buy it! We also discuss how we both overcame speech obstacles and lessons for being happy! More about Jeffrey Gurian:People often refer to Jeffrey Gurian as a “Renaissance Man”, not because that’s when he was born, but because he’s involved in so many things.  He’s a comedy writer, performer, director, author, producer, doctor and Healer, and not always in that order. He’s worked with and befriended many big stars and comedy legends, like Rodney Dangerfield, Joan Rivers, George Wallace, Phil Hartman, Richard Belzer, Jerry Lewis, and Andrew “Dice” Clay, among many others.  Jeffrey has performed