Funny In Failure

Today's guest may be one of the most interesting humans on the planet. Whether it's doing 250 shows in a year, training with monks, not staying in one city for more than four days over a year and a half, exploring the world, or being a true pioneer in his music space — Chris Emerson, aka WHAT SO NOT, has done it all! What So Not is an Australian DJ and producer. He has just released a brand new collaborative EP The Quiet That Hurts with visionary Dutch artist Buunshin. Previously releasing their single Threads and a luminous new single Dancing In The Leaves featuring Lucy Lucy.   Emerging in the 2010s, What So Not has evolved into an in-demand artist across the globe, renowned for his innovation and signature style that blends bass, trap and melodic hues into a unique and unforgettable package. Releasing his debut album Not All the Beautiful Things in 2018, What So Not resoundingly showcased his versatility and revolutionary prowess, with tracks like Be OK Again featuring Daniel Johns and Goh featuring Skri

Melbourne multi-instrumentalist and singer-songwriter Steph Strings already has many strings, literally and figuratively, to her creative bow. But in early 2026, a brand new chapter will arrive in the form of Steph's long-awaited debut album 'Feel Alive', set for release on Friday 9 January, 2026. Steph has also unveiled a new single and music video, with the smouldering country-pop track 'Devil Woman' which is now out! A truly gifted storyteller at her core, Steph Strings is a renowned singer-songwriter and guitarist, merging coastal fingerstyle indie rock with blues, folk and Celtic influences, along with percussive wizardry. A lover of laughter, big kick drums, sunset drinks, golden retrievers, and philosophical conversations, Steph found a passion for music at the age of 7, learning to play the piano before ultimately finding herself drawn to guitar. Starting guitar lessons at the age of 9, Steph has never looked back. Releasing her debut EP Allegoric Oceans in 2017, Steph's ability to channel her influen

Dave Symes is a performer, writer, producer, arranger and the bass player of Boy & Bear. As a member of Boy & Bear Dave has enjoyed 2 Aria #1 Albums in Australia with "Harlequin Dream" and "Limit Of Love", as well as a # 4 with "Boy and Bear" and a #7 with "Suck On Light". The band performs regularly, touring across Australia, North America and Europe. Renowned for their magnetic blend of vintage pop, alternative elements and folk edges, Boy & Bear channel nostalgia, personal experiences and universal themes into charming and captivating sonic journeys. Taking the world by storm in 2011 via their debut album Moonfire, Boy & Bear instantly won hearts and minds, while also taking home five ARIA Award wins and achieving double-Platinum status for their maiden record. Cementing their ever-burgeoning legacy with 2013's Harlequin Dream, 2015's Limit of Love, 2019's Suck on Light and, most recently, 2023's self-titled album, over the years Boy & Bear have garnered multiple #1 charting albums,

Pez (Perry Chapman) is one of Australia's most respected hip-hop artists and an icon. He has achieved ARIA-charting albums, national tours, and collaborations with some of Australia's most influential hip-hop acts. Pez has a reputation as one of the countries sharpest lyricists. His longevity and evolution have cemented him as a trusted, authentic voice in Australian music, admired for both his craft and his contribution to the culture. Pez is touring with 360 on their Back N Forth Tour, check it out (links below)! We chat about leaving music and coming back (hopefully), authenticity and being yourself, flow state, graves disease, nerves and performing, negative self-talk, life changing experience in Sunshine Coast, how Aussie rap is perceived, his new tour with 360, being a father plus plenty more! Check Pez out on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pezofficial Tour dates/ tickets: https://pezmusic.com.au/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@pezofficial Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0XhPfbWk

Micah and Sarah Wallace are dynamic digital creators known for their authentic storytelling, vibrant personalities, and engaging multimedia content. As a couple, they've built a dedicated following across platforms by blending creativity with relatability, sharing everything from everyday life to curated projects that inspire and uplift. With a massive presence on Instagram (2.1M+), TikTok (2.4M+) and YouTube (185K+), Micah and Sarah produce content that spans lifestyle, travel, family, wellness, and culture. We chat about the importance of fun, leaving corporate work to pursue content creation, success, embracing cringe, marriage mission statements, identity, faith, vulnerability and sharing to the world plus plenty more! Check Micah & Sarah out on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/micahandsarahhh/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@micahandsarah Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@themicahandsarah Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MicahAndSarahhh/ Sarah's blog: https://www.thefortitudeproject.c

Matt Ritter—a former lawyer turned Hollywood multi-hyphenate who's fast becoming the definitive voice of the modern friendship movement. Matt is the creator, writer, producer, and star of The Buddy System, a hilarious and heartfelt Audible Original which has just launched. The special blends personal storytelling with cutting-edge research on social fitness—challenging the idea that friendship is a luxury and making the case that it's actually the most important wellness tool we have. He's also co-host of Man of the Year, the #1 podcast on male friendship, and the founder of Friendship Productions, a creative studio developing original content across film, TV, audio, and social—cantered around the theme of connection in an age of isolation. As a storyteller and performer, Matt is taking centre stage in a new wave of character-driven, friendship-forward content. His current projects include: The Maccabees: A "Remember the Titans meets Moneyball" sports drama, produced by Mayim Bialik Breached: A dark comedy

Mark Lizotte or Diesel is an American-born, Aussie-based roots rock guitarist and singer. He has spent decades cementing his status as one of Australia's greatest music success stories. First turning heads with his first band, Johnny Diesel & the Injectors, Diesel soon launched a solo career in the 1990s, introducing the world to Diesel – and the rest truly was history. With multiple #1 albums, several ARIA Award wins, including three consecutive wins in 1993, 1994 and 1995, Diesel has remained both a chart staple and live fan-favourite over the years. From opening for Jimmy Barnes through to recording with the likes of Terry Manning (Joe Cocker, Fabulous Thunderbirds, ZZ Top), working as a producer and multi-instrumentalist, and balancing grittier blues rock territory with moments of soul, jazz and introspective lyricism throughout his solo career, Diesel most recently expanded on his powerful discography in 2023 via the release of his 17th studio album, Bootleg Melancholy, with the album praised for its

Matt Colwell or 360 is one of Australia's most iconic and beloved rappers. 360 erupted onto the scene in the early 2000s, taking home multiple ARIA Award nominations and two wins along the way. Peaking at #4 on the ARIA Albums Chart, Falling & Flying went on to become certified double platinum, and also secured wins at the 2012 ARIA Music Awards for Breakthrough Artist – Release and Producer of the Year. From here, 360 released 2014's Utopia, 2017's Vintage Modern and, most recently, his latest record Out of the Blue, which dropped earlier this year. Debuting at #1 on the ARIA Australian Hip-Hop Albums Chart, Out of the Blue offered a resounding reminder of 360's dexterity, dynamic flow and storytelling alongside magnetic new cuts Chasing Ghosts, Save My Soul and No Place To Go. With his trademark electrifying stage presence that has seen him enrapture sold out headline crowds, captivate alongside the likes of Eminem and Kendrick Lamar, or dazzle onstage at Lollapalooza, Big Day Out and Splendour In The G

Phil Rosenthal is the award-winning creator, executive producer, and host of "Somebody Feed Phil," as well as a two-time New York Times Best Selling Author and soon-to-be restaurant owner. "Somebody Feed Phil" – one of Netflix's most popular food and travel shows – has garnered a cult-like following and released its eighth season on June 18th in 190 countries. The Emmy-nominated series is Netflix's longest unscripted series and combines Rosenthal's love of food and travel with his unique brand of humor and has become must-see TV for foodies, restaurateurs, travelers, and armchair enthusiasts all over the world. Rosenthal has been nominated for a 2024 Critics' Choice Real TV Award, after winning Critics Choice Real TV Awards in 2022 and 2021 for "Best Travel/Adventure Show" and "Male Star of the Year" on behalf of the series. He also garnered a 2022 James Beard Award nomination for "Visual Media—Long Form." Currently, Rosenthal has embarked on his highly anticipated third US live tour –  An Evening With Phil R

Justin Spitzer is a co-creator and executive producer of "St. Denis Medical." Prior to that, he created and ran NBC comedies "Superstore" (2015- 2021) and "American Auto" (2021-2023). His other writing/producing credits include seven seasons of "The Office", as well as "Scrubs", "Committed", "Courting Alex", and "Mulaney". We chat about Superstore and leaving, creating shows, rejection and moving forward, collaborating and the writer's room, working on The Office, Bill Lawrence, when shows end, pivoting from acting plus plenty more! Check Justin out on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/justinspitzer X/ Twitter: https://x.com/justinspitzer ------------------------------------------- Follow @Funny in Failure on Instagram and Facebook https://www.instagram.com/funnyinfailure/ https://www.facebook.com/funnyinfailure/ and @Michael_Kahan on Insta & Twitter to keep up to date with the latest info. https://www.instagram.com/michael_kahan/ https://twitter.com/Michael_Kahan

Dean Redman is a well-known and accomplished actor and voice actor with over 100 film, television, and voice acting credits to his name. He is most notable for his strong performances in major Hollywood Blockbusters, such as Legendary/Blizzard Films' “Warcraft,” where he took on not one but two major character roles alongside Travis Fimmel, Dominic Cooper, and Paula Patton. He is equally known for his aggressive performance in 20th Century Fox’s Oscar-nominated epic “War For The Planet Of The Apes,” for his Supporting role alongside Woody Harrelson and Andy Serkis. Dean has an extensive background in martial arts, weapons, firearms, and stunts, all of which prepared him for such roles.  Dean Guest Stars in the Pilot Episode of the new CBS/CTV series “Boston Blue” which is now out! We chat about starting the day strong, Defcon 5, transitioning from being a commercial pilot, rejection, Boston Blue, the child inside us all, mindset, type casting, Hollywood North International Film festival plus plenty more! Che

Jessica Camacho is an actress who can currently be seen in a series regular role in Amazon Prime's action series, COUNTDOWN, opposite Jensen Ackles and Eric Dane. Jessica is perhaps most known for her series regular on the CBS (OWN) drama series, ALL RISE. Jessica can be seen recurring on CBS's S.W.A.T. and Amazon Freevee’s BOSCH: LEGACY and will soon be recurring on CBS's comedy series, DMV. Previously, Jessica has recurred on HBOs WATCHMEN, Netflix’s sci-fi drama, ANOTHER LIFE, CW’s THE FLASH, and was a regular on NBC’s TAKEN and FOX’s SLEEPY HOLLOW.  We chat about when shows end, The Flash, her apparent ‘death’, meditation and healing, stepping away and coming back, Countdown, rejection and self worth, taking direction, nerves, internal knowing and success plus plenty more! Check Jessica out on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thejessicacamacho/ ------------------------------------------- Follow @Funny in Failure on Instagram and Facebook https://www.instagram.com/funnyinfailure/ https://www.face

Andrew Thorp King is an executive fintech banker, spy novelist, speaker, punk rocker, podcaster, ex-bodybuilder, cigar lover, and serial entrepreneur. He founded two independent record labels—Thorp Records and Sailor’s Grave Records—and has invested in many spaces, including online lending, fitness, lead generation, and independent music. When it comes to finding meaning in failure, Andrew Thorp King is living proof. Andrew draws on two decades of leadership, entrepreneurship, and a series of dramatic personal setbacks to coach and speak about transformation. His latest book, FAILURE RULES!: The 5 Rules of Failure for Entrepreneurs, Creatives, and Authentics, brings a fresh and practical look at why failure may feel awful but can fuel the journey toward your true calling. He has crashed and burned through bankruptcy, divorce, mortgage default, and more, yet rebuilt stronger each time. We chat about the calling journey, cigars and hot tubs, his new book, bankruptcy and entrepreneurship, authenticity and impost

A veteran of stage and screen, Joel de la Fuente has spent the last ten years touring Jeanne Sakata’s one- person play, “Hold These Truths” around the country to critical acclaim. Also, during this time, he starred as Chief Inspector Kido in Amazon Prime’s most viewed series, “The Man in the High Castle” and as Dr. Johann Pryce in Netflix’s Emmy Award-winning, “Hemlock Grove,” and opposite Patrick Dempsey & Alessandro Borghi in the international series, “Devils.” Joel can be seen in season 2 of the hit series for AMC, THE WALKING DEAD: DARRYL DIXON, and in the Disney+ and Hulu Korean spy drama TEMPEST. Joel last starred in Keiko Green’s YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO THE END OF THE WORLD! at South Coast Repertory, and appeared on FBI for CBS/Paramount+. Next up for Joel, he will be seen in season two of HIGH POTENTIAL for ABC/Hulu. We chat about The Man in the High Castle, his life changing Morgan Freeman impersonation, when your character gets killed off (and you’re not told about it), Hold These Truths, t

Rob Paulsen is an award-winning voice-over artist, coach, and author of Voice Lessons. With over 2,000 half-hour programs, dozens of films, video games, and other animated media to his credit, Rob has been one of the industry’s hardest-working, most in-demand, and most beloved voice artists, earning him a Daytime Emmy, Peabody, and three times winning the Annie Award.  For nearly three decades Rob has voiced some of the most beloved animated characters such as Pinky from Pinky and the Brain, Yakko Warner and Dr. Scratchansniff from Animaniacs, Raphael and Donatello (2012) from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Carl Wheezer from Jimmy Neutron Boy Genius, and many many more. From the start of his career voicing the character, Snow Job from G.I. Joe to his most current job reprising his characters in Steven Spielberg Presents Animaniacs on Hulu, Rob’s voice has reached millions of people worldwide. In his memoir Voice Lessons, Rob talks about how he won the biggest fight of his life, defeating cancer of the throat a

Emmy Award-winning producer/writer Al Jean has worked on THE SIMPSONS since it became a series in 1989. He has a credit on over 600 episodes and been showrunner for 22 seasons. In addition to nine Emmy Awards, he has won two coveted Peabody Awards and was nominated for two Golden Globes. Currently he serves as executive producer and showrunner. He also served as writer and producer on “THE SIMPSONS MOVIE” (which took in over $525 million worldwide), working heavily on the film throughout its entire four-year production and was producer and writer on the Oscar-nominated short film “THE LONGEST DAYCARE” and 2020 short “PLAYDATE WITH DESTINY”. In 2021 he wrote and produced the Disney+ shorts “The Force Awakens From Its Nap” (nominated for an Emmy) and “The Good, the Bart and the Loki.” Al also co-created “The Critic” and “Teen Angel” and served as producer of “It’s Garry Shandling’s Show,” for which he won three CableACE Awards. Other television credits include “The PJ’s,” “Alf” and “The Tonight Show Starring

Mircea Monroe is an actor who is perhaps best known for her stand-out series regular role as “Morning” in Showtime’s critically acclaimed comedy EPISODES, created by David Crane and Jeffrey Klarik and starring opposite Matt LeBlanc for five seasons. She also starred as Tansy Truitt on The CW’s HART OF DIXIE and was a series regular on TV Land’s IMPASTOR opposite Michael Rosenbaum.  Most recently, Mircea appeared in a recurring role on ABC’s THE ROOKIE with Nathan Fillion, CBS’s DINNER WITH THE PARENTS and the BBC/Amazon series THE OUTLAWS. Her feature film credits include THE CHANGE-UP opposite Ryan Reynolds, MAGIC MIKE with Channing Tatum, directed by Steven Soderbergh and BOOK CLUB opposite Jane Fonda, Diane Keaton, and Andy Garcia. Across her career, Mircea has starred in numerous network pilots and appeared in a wide range of television and film projects, excelling in both comedic roles (on shows including SCRUBS and HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER) as well as dramatic performances (SONS OF ANARCHY and MADSO’S WAR,

Jonathan Frakes is a prolific director, producer and actor. He is best known to audiences for his portrayal as ‘Commander William Riker’ on “Star Trek: The Next Generation.” Frakes has most recently returned to the Star Trek family by directing episodes of “Star Trek: Discovery", "Star Trek: Picard," and "Star Trek: Strange New Worlds" for CBS All Access as well as the new LEVERAGE: REDEMPTION for ELECTRIC ENTERTAINMENT on IMDB TV.   He discovered his love and talent in directing during his seven years starring on “Star Trek: Next Generation” and ended up directing eight episodes of the series and was also invited to direct episodes from the spin-off series “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine” and “Star Trek: Voyager.”   His other directing roles include “NCIS: Los Angeles,” “The Orville,” “Girlfriend’s Guide to Divorce,” “Castle,” ”Falling Skies, “Leverage,” ”The Glades,” “Burn Notice,” “Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.,” “Hit the Floor” among others. In addition, he was a producing director for seasons three and four of the

Albert Bramante is the CEO of Bramante Artists, where he’s guided talent across Broadway, film, and television. He’s also a psychology professor and certified hypnotist, blending mental performance tools with creative strategy. Lately, he’s been teaching creators how to harness AI tools like ChatGPT to boost productivity and content creation. His book, "Rise Above the Script," focuses on breaking through fear and building success. With over 20 years of experience at the intersection of psychology, entertainment, and education, Albert has helped countless performers and creators overcome the mental blocks that hold them back. He’s worked with actors, educators, and students to push through fear, imposter syndrome, and self-sabotage while building sustainable, purpose-driven careers.  We chat about mindset shifts, hypnosis, collaboration, his new book, mastermind groups, combining being a talent agent with psychology, imposter syndrome, Brian Weiss, people pleasing, accountability, being let go and moving forwa

Anthony Brandon Wong is an award winning actor, who has worked for 40 years in movies, TV and theatre all over the world, a singer-songwriter and one of Australia’s most sought- after acting teachers and coaches. His numerous film and TV credits include: the role of Ghost in “The Matrix Reloaded”, “The Matrix Revolutions” and the “Enter the Matrix” video game, opposite Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, Carrie-Anne Moss, Jada Pinkett Smith and Hugo Weaving, Steven Soderbergh’s “Haywire” opposite Channing Tatum and Antonio Banderas, “Guns, Girls and Gambling” opposite Gary Oldman and Christian Slater, “Hemingway and Gellhorn” opposite Nicole Kidman and Clive Owen, “Queen of Oz” opposite Catherine Tate, “Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire”, “Glee”, “NCIS”, “Hawaii Five-0”, “Flight of the Phoenix”, “Harrow”, “Upright” and “The Twelve” Season 2 as series regular Winston Hang.  Anthony played the role of Danny Law in “The Family Law” and he and his fellow cast won 3 consecutive Equity Ensemble Awards for Outstanding P