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Artwork for First Mic

First Mic

Ira Cross
Columbus, United States
Stand-Up Comedy
Columbus
Columbus, Ohio
First Mic
Open Mics
Open Mic
Comedy
Dan Sebree
Dayton
Ohio State University
Henry Allen
Chicago, United States
Spice Up Eats
Ohio
Virginia Beach, United States
Orlando, United States
Alex Maluchnik
Hilarities
Daily Growler

A show where comics talk about their first time on stage.

PublishesDailyEpisodes34Founded3 months ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ComedyComedy Interviews

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for First Mic

Latest Episodes

Ty Moore's first open mic ended with a headliner running on stage and taking the mic out of his hands three minutes in — and honestly? He was relieved. Twelve years later, he hosts Bobo's, the Monday-night comedy open mic at Cafe Bourbon Street, one ... more

A fight broke out at Zach Harley's first open mic — and the bartender brought out a wooden bat. The Columbus comic tells the whole story on First Mic.

Zach spent over a decade behind microphones before he ever tried a joke on stage: high school play... more

Evergreen query targeted: "what to expect at your first open mic" — answered directly in paragraph two.

Nickey Winkelman has done stand-up for 20 years and never left Columbus, Ohio — on purpose. Her first open mic? Eight minutes at a UCSB variety s... more

Murph Henderson flew to New York to do his first stand-up set — and to see a girl. She said no, he never got on stage, and Columbus comedy won.

Back home, his actual first open mic happened at Shrunken Head, right before the legendary Columbus venue... more

Henry Allen brought his mom to his first open mic — because at 17, he wasn't old enough to get into the club. It did not go smoothly.

Sixteen years later, Henry sits down with Ira Cross at Rehab Tavern to tell the whole story: the Bo Burnham special... more

Barak Lesner moved to Columbus with three outfits in a garbage bag. Today he co-runs The Attic Comedy Club, has five kids and a mortgage, and a blunt message for anyone starting out: you suck — and that's exactly the point.

In this episode of First ... more

Caitlin Menosky's first Columbus open mic went about as badly as it can go — only woman on the lineup, put up last, and heckled through her whole set by a room full of comedians she'd never met. One comic's apology afterward is the reason she didn't ... more

Dan Sebree has been obsessed with stand-up since he was five years old — but it took watching the finals of a Dayton comedy contest, thinking "I could do this," to actually get on stage. On this episode of First Mic, Dan tells Ira about his very firs... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Recent Guests

Nickey Winkelman
Comedian featured guest on the show
Episode: She Broke the Funny Bone Open Mic's #1 Rule. Now She Runs It | Nickey Winkelman
Murph Henderson
Comedian, guest on show
Stand-up circuit
Episode: He Flew to New York for a Girl. He Came Back a Comedian | Murph Henderson
Henry Allen
Comedian
Columbus, Ohio comedy scene
Episode: I Was 17 and Had to Bring My Mom to Do Stand-Up | Henry Allen
Barak Lesner
Comedian based in Columbus, Ohio; former improv performer and show producer
Independent/Columbus comedy scene
Episode: Why & How Comics should use AI | Barak Lesner
Caitlin Menosky
Episode: Heckled by 10 Comedians at Her First Open Mic — She Didn't Quit | Caitlin Menosky
Dan Sebree
Comedian
Self-employed/Stand-up Comedian
Episode: The Politest Way to Destroy a Heckler | Dan Sebree
Jessi Sisson
Comic exploring her first on-stage experiences
Episode: She Showed Up for a Speed Date — It Was an Open Mic | Jessi Sisson
Josh Stovall
Comedian
Independent/Stand-up
Episode: He Studied Bill Cosby on VHS Hundreds of Times | Josh Stovall
Janaris Cain
Comedian
Self-empowered stand-up comedian touring and performing
Episode: Stand-Up in Tokyo on English Night | Janaris Cain

Host

Ira Cross
Host of First Mic; guides conversations with comics about their first stage experiences

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 8 ratings
  • Laugh Out Loud Funny Podcast

    I love hearing about how comedians got into the scene. I also like hearing about their process of trying out new material, tweaking their jokes based on audience reactions and dealing with hecklers. Ira is a great interviewer and the conversations flow very naturally.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Chris Bournea
    United States3 months ago
  • A different look

    I enjoy this podcast because it provides a fresh take on the art of Comedy. Being able to see grass roots for the beginning of these acts is awesome. The setting is also perfect. Ira has done a great job with this I’m

    Excited to see this grow.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Nbr lit
    United States3 months ago
  • Columbus Comics

    It’s great to see Columbus building their comedy community and connecting with local comics on their success. I enjoy candid moments and authenticity with comics and just with people. It’s great to hear them talk about the beginning of their journey and know that failure is part of the story. It allows someone that is interested in getting into this work the understanding that there will be bomb moments but each show comes with learning and growth.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Buckeyefan0812
    United States3 months ago
  • Love the honesty and relatability!

    I really like how this show brings down the wall of how scary stand-up comedy could be. Hearing professional comedians talk about how bad or how awkward The first run at stand-up was is very refreshing and encouraging to give it a shot!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    $CJ2K$
    United States3 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners appreciate the raw honesty and practical tips for new comics.
Guests are diverse in background, with a strong emphasis on mentorship and collaboration within the scene.
The local Columbus/Ohio scene comes through, giving a relatable community feel.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

He Flew to New York for a Girl. He Came Back a Comedian | Murph Henderson
Q: What made you decide to do comedy in Columbus and eventually go to New York for your first time on stage?
Trying to impress a girl in New York led to a failed but formative trip where the comedy plan collapsed but solidified his commitment to pursuing stand-up.
He Flew to New York for a Girl. He Came Back a Comedian | Murph Henderson
Q: So first question, aside from being hilarious yourself, what made you get into comedy?
He fell in love with stand-up as a fan, grew up watching greats like Richard Pryor and Bill Cosby, and realized it wasn't about popularity but about authentic expression and craft.
She Broke the Funny Bone Open Mic's #1 Rule. Now She Runs It | Nickey Winkelman
Q: Any upcoming events or projects audiences can look forward to?
She mentions the Columbus Comedy Festival and a female-led show FAF with Amber Falter, with details likely on MAD Lab at the festival—timestamps indicate planning considerations for scheduling.
She Broke the Funny Bone Open Mic's #1 Rule. Now She Runs It | Nickey Winkelman
Q: What's your take on the shift from TV credits to social media for building a career in comedy?
Twitter (X) used to be essential for early career credits, but now headlining can come from consistent performance and audience engagement, not just big names; followers matter more now.
She Broke the Funny Bone Open Mic's #1 Rule. Now She Runs It | Nickey Winkelman
Q: What advice would you give new comics about open mics and time management?
Don't go over your time; learn what the light means, be respectful to staff and fellow performers, and talk to friends after the show without hindering your set or showing up as a distraction.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About First Mic

What is First Mic about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show centers on comedians sharing their first experiences on stage, from nerves and hecklers to the learning process and eventual rhythm of performing. Across episodes, listeners hear candid origin stories, practical tips for trying open mics, and behind-the-scenes looks at local comedy scenes, with a strong emphasis on community, persistence, and the craft of developing material. Notable threads include early influences, the realities of booking and producing shows, handling hecklers, and the importance of practice, feedback, and supportive networks in shaping a comic's path.

What makes this program stand out is its intimate, no-nonsense approach to early-stage stand-up, its Midwest/local-scene roots, and guests who routinely combine... more

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How many episodes of First Mic are there?

First Mic launched 3 months ago and published 34 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on First Mic?

Recent guests on First Mic include:

1. Nickey Winkelman
2. Murph Henderson
3. Henry Allen
4. Barak Lesner
5. Caitlin Menosky
6. Dan Sebree
7. Jessi Sisson
8. Josh Stovall

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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