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Artwork for The Funny Muscle Podcast

The Funny Muscle Podcast

Mike Lukas and Chris Stiffler
Stand-Up Comedy
Heightening Devices
Crowd Work
Unlikely Scenarios
Uncommon Worlds
Anthony Jeselnik
Dallas Comedy Club
Openers / MC Hosting
Nate Bargatze
Bombing (comedy)
Sean O'brien
Emotion In Comedy
Triplet
Incongruent
Audience Engagement
Audience Transformation
Open Mic
Recording
Mental Health
Dallas

Guided by the belief that anyone can learn to become funnier once they understand what to practice, the Funny Muscle Podcast aims to break down how pro comics get their best laughs. Comedian turned author Mike Lukas and cohost Chris Stiffler, an economics professor and open mic-er, use the game plan and concepts outlined in the Funny Muscle Book series to give listeners a better idea of how origin... more

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes70Founded3 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ComedyEducationStand-Up

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for The Funny Muscle Podcast

Latest Episodes

Why is it that the harder you try to be funny, the less funny you become? Like your analytical brain hijacks your comedy brain? That voice that starts judging every idea before it's finished can keep you from ever reaching the loose, playful, creativ... more

On this episode of Funny Muscle Pod, we're joined by comedian Michael Palascak, whose credits include Conan, The Tonight Show, Last Comic Standing, and his hit YouTube special He's Friendly. We discuss earning an audience's trust, finding your authen... more

YouTube

What do you do after a bomb? This week, Mike breaks down the difference between a joke bombing, an open mic bombing, and a full-scale set meltdown in front of a real audience, sharing the lessons he's learned from all three. We talk about the product... more

YouTube

Fresh off a weekend hosting at the Dallas Comedy Club, Mike breaks down the hidden skills required to become a great comedy club host. Surprisingly, being funny is only part of the job. We talk about reading crowds, managing energy, supporting the he... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
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Number of Listeners
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People also subscribe to these shows.

Daily Comedy News with Johnny Mac
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Recent Guests

Michael Palascak
Professional comedian with credits on The Late Show, Tonight Show, and more
Comedian
Episode: Be Likable Then They'll Laugh with Michael Palascak
Michael Pasvar
Comedian, first special on YouTube Blended Feathers
Episode: Producing a Comedy Special with Michael Pasvar
Ryan Long
New York-based stand-up comedian, showcased in clips
Episode: Traditional Stand-up vs Straight Act Out Comedy
Fahim Anwar
Comedian, referenced as a concise bit writer
Episode: Traditional Stand-up vs Straight Act Out Comedy
Colin Jost
SNL writer/performer referenced in Drunk Uncle segment
Episode: Traditional Stand-up vs Straight Act Out Comedy
Brittany Taylor
Improviser, teacher, and head instructor for corporate events at Dallas Comedy Club
Dallas Comedy Club / BKT Creative
Episode: What Comics can Borrow from Improv with Brittany Taylor
Sean O'Brien
Professional comedian and current co-host of Greg Warren's Consumers podcast
Comedian (Sean O'Brien)
Episode: Moving the Pen with Sean O’Brien
Michael Halcomb
Guest, crowd-work expert with classroom management background
Episode: Crowd Work with Michael Halcomb
Pete Schwaba
Comedian, writer, radio host
Civic Media
Episode: Two Hours of Funny, Every. Single. Day. With Pete Schwaba

Hosts

Mike Lukas
Host of The Funny Muscle Podcast, comedian turned author
Chris Stiffler
Cohost, economics professor and open mic-er

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#70
United States/Comedy/Stand-Up
Apple Podcasts
#110
Australia/Comedy/Stand-Up
Apple Podcasts
#206
Germany/Comedy/Stand-Up
Apple Podcasts
#73
Belgium/Comedy/Stand-Up
Apple Podcasts
#84
Netherlands/Comedy/Stand-Up

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Crowd Work with Michael Halcomb
Q: If a young comedian has only one hour a day to work on their craft, what drills or practices would you recommend?
Start with structure and writing: study joke structure, learn about persona development, and practice tight, one-sentence jokes that can scale into a full routine. Then blend in crowd-work practice by testing bits with real people and coaching peers, and finally teach what you've learned to someone else to cement the concepts.
The Road to Headlining with CAIN
Q: If you have an hour a day to work on comedy, what should young comics focus on?
Stay observant of daily life, write down funny observations, question why things are the way they are, and develop a habit of capturing ideas as they occur to build a pipeline of material to refine and test.
The Road to Headlining with CAIN
Q: What does being passed at clubs mean and how does it affect opportunities?
Being passed means being added to a club's roster to host or feature for upcoming shows, which is crucial for securing regular work; without being passed, opportunities are limited, so the guest emphasizes the importance of a strong, versatile set and building relationships with club management.
The Road to Headlining with CAIN
Q: How did you decide what material to use in round one versus saving for the final round?
The guest explains a strategy based on last year's experience: avoid repeating material in the finals if it was already used in the first two rounds to keep the finals fresh and maximize crowd reaction, while selective repetition is allowed but penalized if overused.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
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Frequently Asked Questions About The Funny Muscle Podcast

What is The Funny Muscle Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A humor-focused show that breaks down how pro comics craft their best laughs, using a practical, coaching-led approach grounded in building a strong comedic lens. Two regular hosts—one a comedian turned author and the other an economics professor and open mic enthusiast—analyze structure, delivery, and audience dynamics across episodes. The conversations frequently center on misdirection, heightening devices, crowd work, and the craft of turning personal perspective into relatable material, with actionable coaching tips and exercises. Noteworthy is the show's blend of rigorous craft analysis with practical, accessible coaching aimed at both aspiring comics and industry professionals, including a recurring emphasis on recording sets, testing... more

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Which podcasts are similar to The Funny Muscle Podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Funny Muscle Podcast:

1. Daily Comedy News with Johnny Mac
2. Tetragrammaton with Rick Rubin

How many episodes of The Funny Muscle Podcast are there?

The Funny Muscle Podcast launched 3 years ago and published 70 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 The Funny Muscle Podcast?

Recent guests on The Funny Muscle Podcast include:

1. Michael Palascak
2. Michael Pasvar
3. Ryan Long
4. Fahim Anwar
5. Colin Jost
6. Brittany Taylor
7. Sean O'Brien
8. Michael Halcomb

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