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Messed-Up To Set-Ups - A MichaelHalcomb.Live Podcast

Discussing The Messed-Up Things That Make Life Funny
Stand-Up Comedy
Comedy
Joke Writing
Stand-Up
Nashville
Crowd Work
Clean Comedy
Improv
The Joke Writer's Lab
Los Angeles, United States
Farmersburg, Indiana
Comedy Writing
Church
Joke Writer's Lab
Kailua, United States
Pokemon
Cory Booker
Providence, United States
Boston, United States
New York City, United States

Reflections on Comedy, Stand-Up or Otherwise, from Michael Halcomb. Discussing The Messed-Up Things That Make Life Funny. www.michaelhalcomb.live

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes142Founded2 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Stand-UpComedy

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Latest Episodes

In this episode 139 of Messed-Up to Set-Ups, Paula Jane Newman is back in the lab with me for Part 3 of our chat. In this one, we pull back the curtain once again on the joke writing process. We take rough jokes and premises apart, test punchlines, t... more

Hello, Friend! In Episode 138 of Messed-Up to Set-Ups, I’m back with Paula Jane Newman for Part 2 of our conversation, and this one is all about shaping jokes in real time, finding the funny in British-to-American misunderstandings, and turning awkwa... more

Hello, Friend! Welcome to Episode 137 of Messed-Up to Set-Ups! In this first part of three (something that’s never happened on the podcast before!), I kick off my conversation with the absolutely hilarious Paula Jane Newman. We start by diving into h... more

Hello, Friend! In this episode of Messed-Up to Set-Ups, I sit down again with comedian Chris Crawford for a hilarious live joke-workshopping session. In this one, we build, punch up, and reshape ideas in real time. We get into names, wordplay, farts,... more

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Recent Guests

Paula Jane Newman
Comedian focused on health, wellness, and healing through comedy
International comedian; founder of Aware Meditation nonprofit
Episode: Pain, Healing, & Stand-Up Comedy
Chris Crawford
San Angelo, Texas-based comedian
Episode: Finding Your Voice & Building Your Brand
Demoine Kinney
Saxophonist, comedian, actor, and motivational speaker
Based in Atlanta; performer on the stand-up and jazz circuit
Episode: Navigating Comedy's Hidden Battles
Aaliyah Fort Adams
Queen Aaliyah, comedian and storyteller
Episode: We Turned a Disaster Into a Killer Joke
Queen Aaliyah
Comedian, performer, and producer with roots in Chicago, based in Raleigh
Episode: Comedy Habits That Actually Matter
Phillip Anthony
Comedian based out of Springfield, Massachusetts; speaker, host, coach
Keep Laughing ENTERTAINMENT (KEEP LAUGHING ENT)
Episode: How Good Comedians Actually Get Better
Joel Brill
Comedian, guest on the episode, workshop participant
Based in LA; comedian
Episode: Where Good Jokes Come From
Bonnie Works Gardner
Comedian who writes and performs song parodies; specializes in private/corporate gigs
Episode: Finding Your Comedy Lane
Terry Lindvall
Professor of religious studies and communication
Virginia Wesleyan University (also Batten University during transitions)
Episode: Can You Roast Without Being A Jerk?

Host

Michael Halcomb
Host of Messed-Up To Set-Ups, facilitator of workshop-style conversations and interview host

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Talking Points

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Finding Your Voice & Building Your Brand
Q: You've achieved some notable highlights. What stands out as major moments so far?
Being invited back repeatedly to perform for the Goodfellow Air Force Base and earning trust with conservative or disciplined audiences stands out as a major achievement, as does performing in a sanctuary, which marked a bold shift from bars to more diverse venues and validated the audience's trust in his material.
Finding Your Voice & Building Your Brand
Q: What would your best one or two pieces of advice be for aspiring comedians just starting out?
Authenticity and voice are crucial: find your own humor and the people who will appreciate it, start by becoming comfortable speaking to large audiences, and invest in public-speaking skills—whether through Toastmasters, church leadership programs, or community college courses—to learn structure, transitions, and delivery.
Pain, Healing, & Stand-Up Comedy
Q: So you went to Carnegie Mellon and what did you major in there?
She studied acting, describing it as the most academic thing on the planet, which set the foundation for her later transition into stand-up and performance.
Most Comedians Skip This Step
Q: What is your joke-writing process like and how do you balance crowd work with material?
He emphasizes a flexible but prepared process: keep notes and bullet points, but rely on live experience and observation; crowd work should enhance the set but not replace polished material, and master crowd interaction so it becomes a productive part of the performance rather than chaotic improvisation.
Most Comedians Skip This Step
Q: What's one, two, or three pieces of advice you'd give to someone starting stand-up?
Perfect your five minutes by avoiding vulgar, low-hanging jokes; open with a strong hook, have a solid middle, and close decisively to be memorable; and if a strong joke lands at four minutes, cut the last part to leave the audience wanting more.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Messed-Up To Set-Ups

What is Messed-Up To Set-Ups about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The show centers on practical, workshop-style conversations about comedy, joke writing, and performing. Episodes frequently feature live brainstorming, premise development, crowd-work techniques, and branding considerations for comedians, often with guests ranging from up-and-coming comics to seasoned industry veterans. Across episodes, listeners get a transparent look at the joke-writing process, collaboration dynamics, and strategies for building a performing career, including marketing, touring, and diversification beyond live shows. A standout aspect is the frequent integration of real-time writing exercises, coaching, and collaborative riffs, which can be especially valuable for aspiring comics or teams that support comedians in conten... more

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These podcasts share a similar audience with Messed-Up To Set-Ups:

1. Mike Birbiglia's Working It Out

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Messed-Up To Set-Ups launched 2 years ago and published 142 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 Messed-Up To Set-Ups?

Recent guests on Messed-Up To Set-Ups include:

1. Paula Jane Newman
2. Chris Crawford
3. Demoine Kinney
4. Aaliyah Fort Adams
5. Queen Aaliyah
6. Phillip Anthony
7. Joel Brill
8. Bonnie Works Gardner

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