She Shed Comedy: Empowering Your Comedy Career

S2E18: REPLAY: Why Letting Your Set BREATHE (by doing THIS) is So Important

Have you ever been out to dinner with a group of friends and after a bunch of chit chat the table falls to a dead silence… And as that awkward feeling starts creeping up your shoulders someone starts babbling again and relief washes over you? What is it about silence that gets to people? I think that we are so used to being bombarded by sound, that when silence arrives, it’s so unfamiliar that we have an unconscious need to fill it back up. Why? Because nature abhors a vacuum. We...

S2E17: REPLAY: The Best Nuggets From Season 1

S2E16: REPLAY: Going PRO - What It Means To Be A Professional Comedian

-If you are going to do this, just decide to be a professional. Learn some skills; give it some time. It's not going to be easy; set proper expectations, go out there and give it your best and just keep doing it.-  'Go Pro' by Eric Worre. For some people, being professional is synonymous with having years of experience on stage. For others, it could be the aura you emit, the way you carry yourself, what style you show up with, your outfit, and a host of others. Robin Williams said, "Come...

S2E15: REPLAY: Pt2 Going From A Tight 5 to Tight 7 - Deconstructing My 7 Min Set

Standup comedy is a personal development course in action, according to our host, Linda Schwartz. Her comedy is a work in progress, as is she, but she’s sharing her (cringeworthy) experiences to help you improve, too. On the last episode of She Shed Comedy, we dissected Linda’s tight five from her 2022 Pretty Funny Women show. Today, we’re taking a look at her seven-minute set, so get ready for some laughs and a few lessons! Perhaps one of the most important things to remember about craf...

S2E14: REPLAY: Going From A Tight 5 To A Tight 7 - Deconstructing My 5 Min Set

Every comic starts out with a five-minute set or what the industry refers to as a ‘tight five’. This tight five will evolve over time and eventually expand into a seven-minute set, then a 15-minute set, then a 45-minute set, and so on. Since Linda started performing, her set has evolved constantly, with minor tweaks from show to show. Today, we deconstruct her tight five and take a look at how she put her set together to get it as tight and structurally cohesive as possible. This episode...

S2E13: REPLAY: Bombing Pt 1: Why You Must Embrace This To Get Better

A comic’s biggest fear is going on stage and hearing crickets, or worse, heckles.  Bombing on stage is quite traumatic, it can stay with you for years to come and even be the reason you leave comedy all together. However, chances are, most comics WILL bomb, it’s just the name of the game.  So how can we look at bombing differently and reframe our perspective to make it work for us? On today’s episode, you will be hearing 5 different women comic’s takes on their bombing experience, what t...

S2E12: REPLAY: How To Mine Your Life For Comedic Gold

We’ve heard this from women time and time again, “I don’t want to become my mother”. This begs the question, why are mother-daughter relationships so complicated?  This is a tricky question, especially if you’ve grown up with a mother who was abusive, narcissistic, and neglectful. As a comic, you would think, wow, these traumatic events could be comedic gold, because comedy equals tragedy plus time right?  Well, there is a missing piece to this equation, and that is the part in between ...

S2E11: REPLAY: Funny Mom? Start Here… This Episode is For YOU.

“You can’t pour from an empty cup”, is a quote our host Linda Schwartz now lives by.    Linda lived this reality when realizing she had abandoned herself and her creative pursuits after diving headfirst into motherhood. However, being a mother and a wife doesn’t mean you stop being you.    This is a fact Linda wants to drive home to you listeners by hearing her journey how she came back to herself to become the comic she is today.     In today’s episode, Linda gives her backstory...

S2E10: News News News: NEW YORK & Holiday Hiatus

As Fall rolls through, it's time for us to slow down and get settled into a space of reflection. As Linda heads to NY next week for the NY Comedy Festival, we are winding down the year with a Holiday Hiatus and will not be producing new episodes until the new year.  If you're in NY and want to attend a show Linda's performing in, please buy tickets here.  Until NEXT YEAR, Stay safe, Stay Happy, & Stay Healthy!  

S2E9: Pausing: Why Letting Your Set Breathe(by doing THIS) Is So Important

Have you ever been out to dinner with a group of friends and after a bunch of chit chat the table falls to a dead silence… And as that awkward feeling starts creeping up your shoulders someone starts babbling again and relief washes over you? What is it about silence that gets to people? I think that we are so used to being bombarded by sound, that when silence arrives, it’s so unfamiliar that we have an unconscious need to fill it back up. Why? Because nature abhors a vacuum. We...

S2E8: The Best Nuggets From Season 1

S2E7: Going PRO What It Means To Be A Professional Comedian

-If you are going to do this, just decide to be a professional. Learn some skills; give it some time. It's not going to be easy; set proper expectations, go out there and give it your best and just keep doing it.-  'Go Pro' by Eric Worre. For some people, being professional is synonymous with having years of experience on stage. For others, it could be the aura you emit, the way you carry yourself, what style you show up with, your outfit, and a host of others. Robin Williams said, "Come...

S2E6: Expanding Your Set, Going From A Tight 5 to 7 Deconstruction Pt2

Standup comedy is a personal development course in action, according to our host, Linda Schwartz. Her comedy is a work in progress, as is she, but she’s sharing her (cringeworthy) experiences to help you improve, too.   On the last episode of She Shed Comedy, we dissected Linda’s tight five from her 2022 Pretty Funny Women show. Today, we’re taking a look at her seven-minute set, so get ready for some laughs and a few lessons!   Perhaps one of the most important things to remember ab...

S2E5: Going From a Tight 5 To A Tight 7 - Deconstructing my Tight 5 Pt 1

Every comic starts out with a five-minute set or what the industry refers to as a ‘tight five’. This tight five will evolve over time and eventually expand into a seven-minute set, then a 15-minute set, then a 45-minute set, and so on. Since Linda started performing, her set has evolved constantly, with minor tweaks from show to show. Today, we deconstruct her tight five and take a look at how she put her set together to get it as tight and structurally cohesive as possible. This episode...

S2E4: Bombing Pt2: An Audience Member's Perspective

You don’t have to be a comic to be part of the comedy circuit. Having an intense passion for the art and creating a buzz around open mics to get people excited to see shows is a great way to be part of the scene without having to get on stage.    This is what our guest on today’s episode has done. As a standup super fan, she is skilled in discovering new comedic voices and shows around the San Diego area, so much so that she has created a sought after Instagram page, Paradox Comedy.   ...

S2E3: Bombing Pt 1: Why You Must Embrace This To Get Better

A comic’s biggest fear is going on stage and hearing crickets, or worse, heckles.  Bombing on stage is quite traumatic, it can stay with you for years to come and even be the reason you leave comedy all together. However, chances are, most comics WILL bomb, it’s just the name of the game.  So how can we look at bombing differently and reframe our perspective to make it work for us? On today’s episode, you will be hearing 5 different women comic’s takes on their bombing experience, what ...

S2E2: How To Mine Your Life For Comedic Gold

We’ve heard this from women time and time again, “I don’t want to become my mother”. This begs the question, why are mother-daughter relationships so complicated?    This is a tricky question, especially if you’ve grown up with a mother who was abusive, narcissistic, and neglectful. As a comic, you would think, wow, these traumatic events could be comedic gold, because comedy equals tragedy plus time right?    Well, there is a missing piece to this equation, and that is the part in b...

S2E1: Funny Mom? Start Here! This Episode is FOR YOU!

“You can’t pour from an empty cup”, is a quote our host Linda Schwartz now lives by.    Linda lived this reality when realizing she had abandoned herself and her creative pursuits after diving headfirst into motherhood. However, being a mother and a wife doesn’t mean you stop being you.    This is a fact Linda wants to drive home to you listeners by hearing her journey how she came back to herself to become the comic she is today.     In today’s episode, Linda gives her backstory...

E30: Your Uniqueness Is Your Biggest Creative Asset - Anastasia Washington

There’s a lot you can’t control in the comedy world as a comic, but the aspects you can control, should be prioritized.  These are fixed opportunities for success that can help propel your career forward, even if it doesn’t seem like it at first. Like showing up on time, or even early, and dressing appropriately, not like you just rolled out of bed like many comics do.  Setting a standard of excellence puts you into a different category and can be a few of the factors why you are chosen ...

E29: Not Heavily Connected In The Industry? You Must Do THIS - Summer Moore

The pandemic hit everyone hard, where everyone was expected to innovate and pivot in a whole new direction in a moment’s notice. This isn’t easy in any industry, let alone in show business where you have to be creative, and as we all know, creativity can’t always be summoned.  However, after a chance conversation with a colleague, actor, writer, producer, film maker, Summer Moore created ‘Pandemic Pillow Talk’, as a means to create during the shut downs, which ended up being a huge success...

E28: The Importance of Knowing Who You Are & Trusting Your Instinct

Authentic expression is cultivated through self work and perseverance in the face of shame and doubt. Pushing through those moments where you feel less than, and becoming unapologetically yourself, is palpable for anyone that comes in contact with you. This is true for comics that come on stage and tell jokes that are true to them. The audience knows when it’s not truthful, it is felt through the room. That is because there is a certain reciprocity that happens between comic and audience tha...

E27: Take A Chance on THIS and The Rest Will Take Care of Itself - Kalea McNeill | Stand Up Comic

“If you continue to operate at a level of excellence, then someone is gonna figure you out.” - Kalea McNeil  Creating connection, being personable, and being authentic, are not the first things you think about when you think of surviving the comedy circuit. The industry is known to be cut throat, so you would think you would need to meet it with the same energy. However, being a jerk, won’t get you very far in any industry. People want to book comics who they like, who they can sit down an...

E26: Ruth Brandt | Stand Up Comic | Embracing the Stage at 61

Ruth Brandt, Comedian, Actor, and Writer. They discuss Ruth’s comic journey, and how it helped her in getting better while making a huge difference in her healing.

E26: Embracing the Stage at 61 - Ruth Brandt | Stand Up Comic

“I'm giving a message, from myself to others who don't know me. So I want my message to be authentic and I wanna be the best version of myself when I'm speaking” - Ruth Brant Becoming a comic doesn’t have to be a childhood dream, it can sometimes grow into a passion when you accidentally stumble into your own genius and realize, “hey, I’m funny!”. Call it serendipity, a calling, natural ability, whatever it is, if you feel inspired to make people laugh, no matter what stage of your life, D...

E25: Lin Sun | Stand Up Comic | Connecting w/Your Audience

Lin Sun, a Stand-up Comedian, Writer, Actor, and a Mom. Lin shares about comedy, how she got into it, and how she connects with the audience. She also gives out some great tips to be better on stage.

E25: Connecting w/Your Audience - Lin Sun | Stand Up Comic |

“You are your own big break. You can make your own opportunities. It doesn't take a million people to believe in you. It just takes one person.” - Lin Sun   Being a mother is one of the hardest jobs in the world. It can also be the motivating factor to start a comedy career. This is what our guest on today’s episode experienced after giving birth to her son. She created an outlet for herself in being a comic and became an absolute powerhouse. So much so that she now has a 30 minute speci...

E24: Lace Larrabee | Stand Up Comic | To Win As A Woman Comic, We Must BE MORE PREPARED!

In this episode, Lace Larrabee talks about recording her first comedy special, what it takes to be a woman comic in a male dominated industry, and a few tips for the newbie to make it appear as if they've been doing comedy for years.

E24: To Win As A Woman Comic, We Must BE... - Lace Larrabee | Stand Up Comic |

Making it in comedy can be tricky, especially if you’re a woman. Navigating the male dominated industry, along with the outdated perspectives of what it means to be a female comic, can create invisible barriers around entering and/or staying in the scene. Women are funny. Hilarious even. It would be a disservice to the art to stop any woman from doing comedy. We need women in the circuit. So how do we combat this outdated, untrue, bias of thinking only men are funny enough to do comedy? ...

E23: What Every New Comic Needs to Know - Alfie Noakes | MC/Promoter |

You don’t have to be a comedian if you want to have a career in comedy. If you want to make an impact in comedy while also understanding the craft and business, you can have a career in comedy without needing to go on stage. Our guest today has an impressive CV making a major splash in comedy. He is the host of “We Are Funny Project” in London, England which is currently in its 9th year, MC, promotor, and comedy tutor. What isn’t on his CV is, comic. Alfie Noakes has played an influential...

E23: Alfie Noakes | MC/Promoter | What Every New Comic Needs to Know

On today’s episode, we have Alfie Noakes. He runs the We are funny project in London, England, and as of May 2022, the project celebrates its 9th birthday. Alfie is unique in the London standup scene, arguably the world capital of standup, and he only promotes an emcee. However, he also produces a wide range of comedy-based live workshops with industry professionals and teaches punch up for standup and how to emcee for open mic. In addition, Alfie has written, produced, and presented two onli...

E22: Command Presence: Make the Stage "Your House" - Aaron Thompson | Stand Up Comic

What does a police officer and a comedian have in common? The answer doesn’t seem too obvious, but it was a natural transition for today’s guest, Aaron Thompson. Former Los Angeles police officer turned comedian, joins us today to share his heartwarming journey from protecting LA to touring the world with Katt Williams.    Not only has he been successful as a comedian, he is a proud husband and father who wanted to create a life where he was truly fulfilled, not only for himself, but for...

E22: Aaron Thompson | Stand Up Comic | Command Presence: Make the Stage "Your House"

In this episode, Aaron talks about how his training as a police officer translated to working the stage and how to "command presence" as a performer; how he uses improvisation in his physical comedy; and how to maintain your professional demeanor when things go wrong.

E21: Linda Schwartz | Update After a Long Hiatus and The Future of She Shed Comedy

Linda is relaunching She Shed Comedy and shares an update on what's to come. 

E21: Update & The Future of She Shed Comedy - Linda Schwartz

Linda is relaunching She Shed Comedy and shares an update on what's to come. 

SSCS1E20: BUSINESS SERIES - Holley Mignosi Story Influencer - Storytelling & Your Body What Are You Saying

In this special Business Series episode, I chat with Story Influencer and Body Language Expert, Holley Mignosi. We talk about how to storytelling and how your body language says more than your words.

SSCS1E19: BUSINESS SERIES - Patrina Wisdom Wealth Mentor Money & Why Your Relationship To It Is Holding You Back

In this special Business Series episode, I chat with Patrina Wisdom - a Wealth Mentor, about Money and how we relate to money that's keeping us from making a living with our craft.

SSCS1E18: BUSINESS SERIES - Dani Zoldan Owner: Stand Up NY What Else Are You Bringing To The Table

In this special Business Series episode, I chat with Dani Zoldan - Owner of Stand Up NY. We talk about what you, a comic, should be bringing to the table besides your talent and routine.

SSCS1317: BUSINESS SERIES: Jacqui Letran Mindset Mentor Shifting Your Mindset For Success

In this special Business Series episode, Linda interviews best selling author, speaker, and mindset mentor - Jacqui Letran and they talk about the power of visualization and how to shift your mindset for success.

SSCS1E16: BUSINESS SERIES - Annie LaCroix Efficiency vs Effectiveness For The Creative Type

In this special Business Series, Linda brings on experts in various fields to talk about business and how it relates to the performing artist. In this episode, Annie LaCroix, a self-proclaimed brain science geek, talks about Efficiency vs Effectiveness For the Creative Types.

SSCS1E15: Sarah Fatemi Stand Up Comic Writer Actor Creating Projects That Exemplify Diversity

In this episode, Sarah Fatemi - stand up comic, writer, actor, talks about her project Saffron 'N Rose, a project she created to give more Middle Eastern women time in front of the camera and lots more!

SSCS1E14: Reem Edan Stand Up Comic Writer Taking Initiative & Transitioning From FT JOB to FT Creative Career

In this episode, I chat with Reem Edan, a first generation Muslim American Stand Up Comic and Writer. We talk about taking initiative and transitioning from a Full-Time JOB to a Full-Time Creative Career Path. 

SSCS1E13.1: Solo Episode Holiday Hiatus Update Linda Schwartz

In this episode, host Linda Schwartz gives an update on what's to come, shares some personal news, and talks a little bit about She Shed Comedy's new partnership with Stand Up NY & Laughpass. 

SSCS1E13: Fielding Edlow Stand Up Comic Writer The More Specific The More Universal

In this episode, writer/comedian Fielding Edlow shares her thoughts on what it means to find your voice and why specificity leads to universality and much much more!

SSCS1E12: Linda Schwartz Solo Managing Expectations and What You Can Control

In this solo episode, host Linda Schwartz shares her learnings from the last 60 days since the launch of this podcast and her stand up comedy journey. She talks about managing your expectations and what you can control.

SSCS1E11: Judy Carter Motivational Speaker | Author | Comic: On Being Authentic & On Purpose

In this episode, Judy Carter, Motivational Speaker, Comedy Coach, Author (The Comedy Bible, Stand Up Comedy: The Book, The Message of YOU), Podcast Host (The Power Of Purpose) shares her thoughts on being authentic and on purpose.

SSCS1E10: Danielle Mercurio Stand Up Comic Finding Your Niche & Creating Your Own Opportunities

In this episode, Danielle and I talk about finding your niche (hers is Spiritual Comedy) and being willing to create your own opportunities.

SSCS1E9_ Rosie Tran Stand Up Comic Podcast Host Performing Is An Act of Giving

In this episode, Rosie and I talk about performing as an act of giving - it's our gift to the audience and how having this shift in perspective makes a huge difference.

SSCS1E8: Lisa Gilbert Stand Up Comedian - Comedy is about Engagement

In this episode, Lisa Gilbert shares about her life as a mother of triplets in her 50s, loving people, and the importance of engagement. 

SSCS1E7: Grace Klein Stand Up Comic The Importance of Receiving Feedback

In this episode, Grace & I talk about the importance of receiving feedback no matter how experienced or inexperienced you are as a comic. Listen as she explains why being open to receiving feedback is so important.

SSCS1E6: Vanessa Anton Improviser, Improv Teacher: Vulnerability In Improv, Creator: Unpaired (A One Woman Show)

In this episode, I sit down with Vanessa Anton, veteran improviser and creator of Vulnerability In Improv. She shares her wisdom on what it means to be vulnerable.