Talking Shop w/ James Dugan & Rob Grabowski
167 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 2 years ago - ★★★★★ - 45 ratingsEach week, James Dugan and Rob Grabowski sit down with a member of the Chicago Comedy Community to discuss comedy, life, and everything in between.
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Episodes
Lil' Deprecating Thoughts with Sarah Shockey
April 21, 2020 10:30 - 1 hour - 58.7 MBThis week, James and Rob sit down with human sunbeam Sarah Shockey! They talk about wrestling, Deep Schwa, Del-Tones, Shock T's, Diamond Days, and so much more. To hear more of Sarah, check out her podcast Marty & Sarah Love Wrestling and follow her on twitter @ sarahjoyshockey As always, please subscribe, rate, and review.
Making Lemonade with Dan Bazaldua
April 14, 2020 10:00 - 1 hour - 85.9 MBThis week, James and Rob sit down with improviser/actor Dan Bazaldua! They talk about favorite scenes, Tour Co life, Meridian, solo shows, and everything in between. See Dan performer with The Second City's GreenCo and with Meridian every Thursday at iO Chicago. Follow Dan on instagram @ dannbazz As always, please rate, review, and subscribe!
Organization in Complete Chaos with Abby Beggs
April 07, 2020 10:00 - 1 hour - 56.9 MBThis week, James and Rob sit down with stage manager Abby Beggs! They talk about the difference between SM-ing traditional theatre and sketch comedy, lighting design, vocal technique, how to listen, and the great Second City Fire! Follow Abby on instagram @ abbybeggs and if you see her in the theatre say hello! As always, please rate, review, and subscribe!
I can be whatever the freak I want to be with Yazmin Ramos
March 31, 2020 10:00 - 1 hour - 64.8 MBThis week, James and Rob are joined by Yazmin Ramos! They talk about Boston's She the People, improv names, Matt Damon Improv, feedback, how improv has changed over the years, and so much more. See Yazmin perfrom with Matt Damon Improv and every Thursday with Tru Bangerz at iO Chicago. Follow her on instagram @ yazminalysia and on twitter @ yazminalysia As always, please rate, review, and subscribe!
The Great Line with Damon Royster
March 24, 2020 04:59 - 1 hour - 58 MBThis week, James and Rob sit down with naughty bitch Damon Royster! They talk about Comet, NPR, speech and debate, writing, and hosting. See Damon perform with Comet at iO Chicago and The Bar at the CIC theatre. Follow him on instagram @ daymanroyster and on twitter @ daymanroyster88 As always, please rate, review, and subscribe!
Where Good Ideas Come From with Brad Pike
March 17, 2020 04:51 - 1 hour - 61.8 MBOn this week's episode, James and Rob sit down with the elusive Brad Pike. They talk about painting, improv rules, producing shows, making lists, and Devil's Daughter. See Brad with Devil's Daughter every Friday at 10pm at iO Chicago. Follow him on twitter @ brad_pike and on instagram @ brad53199 As always, please rate, review, and subscribe!
Journey to failure with Ryan Ben
March 10, 2020 04:41 - 1 hour - 65.6 MBThis week, James and Rob are joined by super fan Ryan Ben. They talk about marathon running, physical and mental health, feeling loose, responsive vs reactive, and getting back into improv. Follow Ryan Ben on twitter @ ryanjoeben As always, please rate, review, and subscribe!
Masculine Art with George Elrod
March 03, 2020 06:02 - 1 hour - 58.7 MBOn this week's episode, James and Rob sit down with art lover George Elrod. They talk about college, art of all kinds, stand up, Comet, and answer the age old question are people funny. See George on stage with Comet at iO Chicago and in After Hours: A Late Night Improv Show at Second City. Follow him on twitter @ XoGossipGeorge As always, please rate, review, and subscribe!
Cover Letters with Kim Howard Johnson
February 25, 2020 15:20 - 53 minutes - 49.4 MBOn this week's episode, James and Rob sit down with Python guy Kim Howard Johnson. They talk about writing for late night, writing for sketch, meeting George Harrison, the early days of iO, meeting then working with Monty Python, and so much more. To learn more about the writing program at iO, visit here:https://www.ioimprov.com/class/writing/ For more thoughts from Howard, visit his website kimhowardjohnson.com and follow him on twitter @ khowardjohnson As always, please ...
Paths with Adam Archer
February 18, 2020 05:43 - 1 hour - 59 MBThis week, James and Rob sit down with Adam Archer. They talk about early goals, the future, building teams, auditioning skills, and doing good in the world. See Adam in Do You Believe in Madness? at Second City. And follow him on instagram @ adams_lovely_pictures_ As always, please rate, review, and subscribe!
Comically Injured with Sarah Dell'Amico
February 11, 2020 04:25 - 1 hour - 57.9 MBOn this week's episode, James and Rob are joined by Florida's own Sarah Dell'Amico! They talk about panic attacks, show process, bar managing, audience interaction pieces, and so much more. See Sarah in Do You Believe in Madness? at The Second City Main Stage. Follow her on instagram @ sarahdellamicoo As always, please rate, review, and subscribe!
Name Dropping with Claudia Wallace
February 04, 2020 15:25 - 1 hour - 55 MBOn this week's episode, James and Rob sit down with Second City casting director Claudia Wallace! They talk about her early days in the comedy scene, touring in the 90s, killing your ideas, Fred Claus, and what she looks for in auditions. Follow Claudia on twitter @ claudwal and on instagram @ theclaudiamichellewallace As always, rate, review, and subscribe!
The Big Five O
January 28, 2020 05:31 - 1 hour - 75.7 MBThis week, we celebrate our 50th episode!!! James and Rob turn the mic on themselves and answer listener questions. A quick thanks for to everyone who has listened. We really appreciate it. Please follow us on twitter @ TalkingShopChi Follow James Dugan on twitter @ DuganItRight Follow Rob Grabowski on twitter @ RobGrabo As always, rate, review, and subscribe!
Natural strengths with Becca Barish
January 21, 2020 15:26 - 56 minutes - 51.4 MBThis week, James and Rob sit down with Becca Barish! They talk about college improv, finding the line, Harold commission work, and setting goals. See Becca at iO Chicago with Whirled News Tonight and Lil' Tooties and Saturdays with Horsefly at CIC Theatre. Follow her on twitter and instagram @ Becca_Barish As always, please rate, review, and subscribe!
My wife Jeannie with Jeff Griggs
January 14, 2020 17:20 - 1 hour - 61.9 MBOn this week's episode, James and Rob sit down with Improviser, Actor, Director, Teacher, Facilitator, etc Jeff Griggs! They talk about comedy classes, teaching, Del Close, anti-heroes, and ship talk. Follow Jeff Griggs on instagram @ griggs As always, please rate, review, and subscribe!
Polka Bands with Jacob Shuda
January 07, 2020 11:00 - 1 hour - 59.1 MBOn this week's episode, James and Rob sit down with musical director extraordinaire Jacob Shuda! They talk about touring, composing music, needle drops, fire fighters, the big compromise, and the purpose of a MD. You have a few more days to hear/see Jacob on the Second City's ETC show Grinning from Fear to Fear. For more updates, follow him on instagram @ jdshuda As always, please rate, review, and subscribe!
Not a puppet with Stevie Shale
December 31, 2019 10:30 - 1 hour - 62 MBOn this week's episode, James and Rob sit down with master puppeteer Stevie Shale. They talk about failing big, #feltwednesdays, Paper Machete, community, and moving to Los Angeles. Follow Stevie on instagram @ stevieshale and visit her in LA! As always, please rate, review, and subscribe!
Sense of desperation with Mark Campbell
December 24, 2019 11:00 - 1 hour - 61.4 MBOn this week's episode, James and Rob sit down with the nicest guy in Chicago: Mark Campbell. They talk about music improv, the Second City ETC process, comfortability, playing the set, and Ship Talk. See Mark in the Second City ETC's 43rd revue Grinning from Fear to Fear. Following him on instagram @ markthecampbell and on twitter @ themarkcampbell As always, please rate, review and subscribe!
Comedy Good with Eli Coyote Mandel
December 17, 2019 06:21 - 1 hour - 72.6 MBOn this week's episode, James and Rob are joined by SNL Alumni Eli Coyote Mandel. They talk about auditioning for and working on Saturday Night Live, early times in Chicago, Sad Boy Houses, and Weezer. And to understand the sketches better, watch these: Weezer sketch and Oil Baron Sketch Listen to more of Eli on Improvised Star Trek and following him on instagram @ elicoyote
Old Lady Freaks with Atra Asdou
December 11, 2019 06:29 - 1 hour - 55.3 MBOn this week, James and Rob sit down with Atra Asdou. They talk about understudying, writing for Second City's ETC stage, audience interactions, and legitimate theatre. See Atra in Second City's ETC 43rd revue Grinning from Fear to Fear. Follow her on twitter @ AtraAsdou As always, please rate, review, and subscribe!
Confident Idiots with Jordan Lee Cohen
December 03, 2019 06:29 - 1 hour - 61.1 MBThis week, James and Rob sit down with Jordan Lee Cohen! They talk about her independent team Randy, her Harold team The Teenagers, comedy theories, pushing limits, and not giving a fuck. See Jordan Wednesday nights with The Teenagers, Friday nights at Holy Fuck Comedy Hour, and follow her on twitter @ aVERYhotwoman As always, please rate, review, and subscribe!
Follow your curiosity with Catharine Savage
November 26, 2019 05:54 - 56 minutes - 51.5 MBOn this week's episode, James and Rob are joined by Catharine Savage! They talk about coaching, Harold teams, classifications, and Second City Biz-Co. See Catharine perform with her Harold Team ARTEMIS, watch her episode of the web-series Pre-Existing, and follow her on twitter @ CatharineSavage As always, please rate, review, and subscribe.
Swimming Lessons with Alex Bellisle
November 19, 2019 16:50 - 58 minutes - 53.2 MBOn this week's episode, James and Rob are joined by Alex Bellisle. We talk about Harry Potter, teaching, coaching, unions, and She the People. See Alex in DC with She the People at Woolly Mammoth and follow her on instagram @ alexbellisle As always, please rate, review, and subscribe.
What success looks like with C.J. Tuor
November 12, 2019 11:00 - 56 minutes - 51.8 MBOn this week's episode, James and Rob sit down with professional riddle writing CJ Tuor. They talk about stand up, getting paid, nerd stuff, the Fast & Furious franchise, and genre improv. See CJ perform with Hitch*Cocktails, Clued In, and various other shows; Hear CJ on the podcast Lakeshore & Limbo; And follow CJ on twitter @ cjtuor As always, please rate, review, and subscribe!
The system works with Kevin Knickerbocker
November 05, 2019 05:16 - 1 hour - 62.8 MBOn this week's episode, James and Rob sit down with iO Program Director Kevin Knickerbocker! They talk about the solo showcase, programming shows, social media, and a little bit about Meridian. See Kevin every Thursday night at 8pm with MERIDIAN at iO Chicago. In fact, go see all the shows at iO Chicago. As always, please rate, review, and subscribe!
Insane amount of confidence with John Patrick Coan
October 30, 2019 14:33 - 1 hour - 56.8 MBOn this week's episode, James and Rob are joined by follow podcaster John Patrick Coan. They talk about podcasting, teaching, coaching, jealously, and getting out of your head. Hear more of JPC on the podcast Hey Riddle Riddle, see him perform with Whirled News Tonight Saturdays at iO Chicago, and follow him on twitter @ JPsoFly As always, please rate, review, and subscribe!
Selfish Pitches with Chuck Norment
October 22, 2019 10:00 - 1 hour - 57.9 MBThis week, under the chandelier, James and Rob are joined by the wonderful Chuck Norment. They talk about working for Second City, alternative voices, hometowns, and auditioning for SNL. See Chuck right now in The Second City's ETC's 43rd revue: Grinning from Fear to Fear and follow them on twitter @ masculinehair As always, please rate, review and subscribe. To learn more about #notrob, visit our sister podcast Poppin' Bottles.
Bad Boys with Rob Wilson
October 15, 2019 10:00 - 51 minutes - 47 MBThis week under the chandelier, James and Rob are joined by original bad boy Rob Wilson. They talk about touring with Second City, early influences, serious acting, producing shows, and bad boys. See Rob on stage with Second City's Green Co and follow him on instagram @ rob_wilsun As always, please rate, review, and subscribe.
What's Next with Leila Gorstein
October 09, 2019 04:21 - 1 hour - 60.2 MBOn this week's episode, James and Rob finally caught their white whale: Leila Gorstein! They talk with Leila about her college improv days, her current improv days, producing/writing/acting in her own movie, and what's next. See Leila on stage with Artemis (an iO harold team), the team BRADY Mondays at 10pm at iO Chicago, and follow her on instagram @ lolgorstein For more news about LOVE DUMP follow it on instagram @ lovedumpmovie As always, please rate, review, and subsc...
Frasier-ing with Gretchen Eng
October 01, 2019 14:21 - 1 hour - 63.5 MBOn this episode, James and Rob sit down with Devil's Daughter's own Gretchen Eng. They talk about harolds, two person improv, supporting others in the community, and Frasier. See Gretchen perform weekly with Devil's Daughter and the Armando Diaz at iO Chicago. Also keep an eye out for Gretchen and Dugan's two person team Jaymes Gretchky. Follow her on twitter @ GretchenEng As always, please rate, review, and follow.
Getting Back to Normal with Emma Pope
September 24, 2019 10:00 - 1 hour - 60.6 MBOn this week's episode, James and Rob sit down with the joyful Emma Pope. They talk about her time on the Second City's Main Stage, having value in comedy, personality quizzes, when you turn it "on", therapy, and cupping. See Emma on stage with Bag of Bones at iO Chicago, check out her website emmapope.com and follow her on twitter @ emmerpope. As always, please rate, review, and subscribe!
Under the Chandelier with Nate Varrone
September 17, 2019 10:00 - 1 hour - 63.8 MBOn this week's episode, James and Rob sit down with Second City Alumni Nate Varrone. They talk about Vegas, steamrolling, mental workouts, daily rituals, and dropping secrets. See some of Nate's work on his website natevarrone.biz and follow him on twitter @ natevarrone and on instagram @ natevarrone As always, please rate, review, and subscribe.
Playing to your strengths with Adam Schreck
September 10, 2019 10:00 - 1 hour - 64.8 MBOn this week's episode, James and Rob sit down with soon to be dad Adam Schreck. They talk about failed work, audiences effect on the show, Seinfeld, crossing the line, and the Harlem Globetrotters. See Adam live on Second City's Main Stage Tuesday through Sunday. Follow him on Instagram @ isthisabug As always, please rate, review, and subscribe!
Flexin' with Shantira Jackson
September 03, 2019 02:19 - 1 hour - 64.3 MBOn this week's episode, James and Rob sit down with the one and only Shantira Jackson. We talk about 3Peat, Short form, Second City, writing for TV, and being yourself. See Shantira on stage with 3Peat and Baby Wants Candy. Follow her on twitter @ tira_tira_tira As always, please rate, review, and subscribe!
Flexin' with Shantira Jackson
September 03, 2019 02:19 - 1 hour - 64.3 MBOn this week's episode, James and Rob sit down with the one and only Shantira Jackson. We talk about 3Peat, Short form, Second City, writing for TV, and being yourself. See Shantira on stage with 3Peat and Baby Wants Candy. Follow her on twitter @ tira_tira_tira As always, please rate, review, and subscribe!
Woodworking with Griffin Wenzler
August 27, 2019 03:17 - 1 hour - 60.4 MBOn this week's episode, James and Rob sit down Griffin Wenzler. They talk about bad ideas, touring with The Second City, confidence, rituals, and 31 days of improv. Here's the link to the blog James and Griffin kept: 31 days of Improv See Griffin touring with The Second City on BlueCo. And follow him on twitter @ BadBoyRkLobster. As always, please rate, review, and subscribe.
Hot takes with Becca Slack
August 13, 2019 10:00 - 1 hour - 58.1 MBOn week's episode, James and Rob sit down with force of nature Becca Slack. They talk about what it's like to work for The Onion, branded comedy, sketch writing, branded comedy, and SHEBEAST. Go see Becca, along with friend of the podcast Jack Felker, this Thursday, 8/15, in Mama Lasagna's Big Fat Funeral 8pm at iO Chicago. Also follow her on twitter @ ohboybeccaslack As always, please rate, review, and subscribe!
Taking a break with Audrey Schiffhauer
August 07, 2019 04:03 - 59 minutes - 54 MBThis week, James and Rob sit down with Audrey Schiffhauer to talk about The Crowd Theatre, block parties, Second City House Co, different styles, when too much improv is too much, and Samuel French. See Audrey every Monday with The Teenagers, 8pm at iO Chicago. And follow her on twitter @ audgepaudge6 As always, please rate, review, and share!
Holding hands with Alex Prichodko & Andrew Lemna
July 31, 2019 04:38 - 1 hour - 58.4 MBOn this episode, James and Rob sit down with the founders of the Logan Square Improv Alex Prichodko and Andrew Lemna. They talk about cleaning theaters, getting a start in Indy, the perfect theatre space, bar-prov, community building, and holding hands. Go see shows at the Logan Square Improv! Every week, Wednesdays through Sundays. They also offer classes. For more information, go here: https://logansquareimprov.com/ As always, please rate, review, and share!
Hyper involved with Molly Jones
July 23, 2019 10:00 - 1 hour - 57.3 MBOn this week's episode, James and Rob sit down with one of the best: Molly Jones! They talk about Hitchcocktails, Clued In, improv structure, the pure Harold, what's it like to be on the Harold Commission, and surprising yourself. See Molly on stage in Hitch*Cocktails, Clued In, and with her Harold Team Gone Gone. Follow her on instagram @ mollyjones611 and on twitter @ JonesMolly As always, please rate, review, and subscribe.
Vague Musings with Josh Segovia
July 16, 2019 10:00 - 1 hour - 64.8 MBOn this week's episode, James and Rob sit down with follow podcaster Josh Segovia! They talk about college improv, Who's Line is it Anyway, Claymore, NYTF Fest, creating your own stuff, and Homestar Runner. See Josh live on stage at ComedySportz Chicago; Here Josh on Poppin' Bottles (a comedic podcast about your favorite beverages); And follow Josh on twitter @ JoshSegoviaSux As always, please rate, review, and subscribe!
Vague Musings with Josh Segovia
July 16, 2019 10:00 - 1 hour - 64.8 MBOn this week's episode, James and Rob sit down with follow podcaster Josh Segovia! They talk about college improv, Who's Line is it Anyway, Claymore, NYTF Fest, creating your own stuff, and Homestar Runner. See Josh live on stage at ComedySportz Chicago; Here Josh on Poppin' Bottles (a comedic podcast about your favorite beverages); And follow Josh on twitter @ JoshSegoviaSux As always, please rate, review, and subscribe!
Acting like children with Rich Alfonso
July 09, 2019 05:49 - 1 hour - 56.2 MBOn this week's episode, James and Rob sit down with Rich Alfonso. They talk about early influences, the trouble with understudying, and a lot of ship talk. See Rich live on stage with HERALDO, Wednesday 8pm at iO Chicago. Follow him on twitter @ rich_alfonso and on instagram @ rich_alfonso As always, please rate, review, and subscribe.
Acting like children with Rich Alfonso
July 09, 2019 05:49 - 1 hour - 56.2 MBOn this week's episode, James and Rob sit down with Rich Alfonso. They talk about early influences, the trouble with understudying, and a lot of ship talk. See Rich live on stage with HERALDO, Wednesday 8pm at iO Chicago. Follow him on twitter @ rich_alfonso and on instagram @ rich_alfonso As always, please rate, review, and subscribe.
Asking for things with Eddie Klinker
July 02, 2019 09:30 - 1 hour - 60.6 MBOn this week's episode, James and Rob sit down with improviser/comic book writer Eddie Klinker. They talk about asking for things, naming times, what to do after improv, and not taking things to seriously. You can see Eddie every Saturday at 8pm in Your Fucked Up Relationship at iO Chicago. And find more about his upcoming comic series at The Rose Society on instagram. As always, please rate, review, and subscribe!
Myth-busting with Beth Kligerman
June 25, 2019 05:49 - 1 hour - 60.6 MBOn this week's episode, James and Rob sit down with The Second City's theatrical casting director and director of alumni relations Beth Kligerman. They talk about producing shows, how she got started at Second city, her different roles, what she looks for in auditions, and ship talk. Below is the photo we discuss in the episode. As always, please rate, review, and subscribe.
Glad-handing with Andy Junk
June 18, 2019 17:57 - 1 hour - 66.9 MBOn this week's episode, James and Rob sit down with Andy Junk. Though they are not drunk on a trunk, they do talk about marketing yourself, jealousy, Improvised Shakespeare, Harold teams, cockney slang, and the excursion into the intuitive. See Andy live on stage with The Improvised Shakespeare Company every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at iO Chicago. And follow him on twitter @ TheRealAndyJunk As always, please rate, review, and subscribe!
Made for celebrity with Jack Felker
June 12, 2019 03:12 - 1 hour - 64.3 MBOn this week's episode, James and Rob sit down with the delightful Jack Felker. They talk about the writing process for Cards Against Humanity, the legendary mom video, SHEBEAST, and being yourself. Follow Jack on twitter at whattheFELK and see her perform with Your Fucked Up Relationship, every Saturday 8pm at iO Chicago, and with SHEBEAST, every Friday 8pm at the Annoyance Theatre (you only have a few chances left). As always, please rate, review, and share!
Being professional with Waleed Mansour
June 05, 2019 10:00 - 1 hour - 58.5 MBOn this week's episode, James and Rob sit down with soon to be LA native Waleed Mansour. They talk about professionalism, making an independent team, the CBS Diversity showcase, and home break ins. See Waleed on stage with WET BUS every Thursdays, 10pm at iO Chicago. As always, please rate, review, and subscribe!
Slow Steps with Matt Hovde
May 28, 2019 11:00 - 1 hour - 56.1 MBOn this week's episode, James and Rob sit down with teacher/director Matt Hovde. They talk about classes, directing, auditioning, and how comedy has changed and continues too. You can follow Matt on twitter @ ItsMattHovde and see him teach at Second City. For more info, click here: https://www.secondcity.com/courses/chicago/general-information/ As always, please rate, review, and share!