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PODCAST

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

Discussing The Messed-Up Things That Make Life Funny

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

comedy stand-up

All Episodes

21:17

The Secret To Comedy Success?

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

2026/04/11

A small update: I’ll continue publishing daily posts on Substack, but beginning April 13th I’ll no longer send daily emails. Instead, and in an attempt to clutter up folks’ inboxes, I’m going to try sending out a weekly newsletter with links to and brief overviews of all the new posts.Hello, Friends! It’s episode 108 of the Messed-Up To Set-Ups podcast. In this episode, I chat with industry insider, Barry Katz, who reveals how legendary comedians are masterful snake oil salesmen, convincing

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30:17

Barry Katz Unplugged: Elevate Your Act

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

2026/04/07

Hello, Friends! It’s episode 107 of the Messed-Up To Set-Ups podcast. In this episode, I chat with an absolute giant in the comedy world: Barry Katz. We discuss how original premises and emotional honesty can transform ordinary routines into unforgettable hits, and why every comedian needs a “hit song” in their act. Barry also shares some behind-the-scenes principles that turn routines into viral sensations, especially when it comes to emphasizing the power of phraseology and originality. Barry also

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35:07

Learn to Write Jokes for FREE

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

2026/04/04

Hello, Friends. Welcome to episode 107 of the “Messed-Up to Set-Ups” podcast. This was my second “The Joke Writer’s Lab” live stream. But if you missed it, no worries, you can watch it here on this site. In this episode, I had a viewer ask to: a) take a joke of his, b) punch it up, and c) show how I work backward from a punchline to a premise. That was really fun! I showed how using the “Z Method” and my “Y Method” can help do just that. I also introduced another rhetorical device, hypophora, and

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41:41

Once Again, Return of the Mack

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

2026/03/31

Hello, Friends! It’s Episode 106 of The Messed-Up To Set-Ups podcast. In this one, I’m thrilled to bring you Part 2 of my conversation with the legendary comedian Mack Dryden. Here we discuss more of Mack’s incredible journey from being an award-winning journalist to his experiences performing across the globe. Best of all, we workshop some jokes together! We pull back the curtain and let you see two comedians brainstorm, share ideas, and edit jokes. And…this episode’s packed with laughter,

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47:10

Learning from One of Comedy's Living Legends

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

2026/03/28

Hello, Friends! In this episode of The Messed-Up To Set-Ups podcast, which is one of my favorites thus far, I’m absolutely thrilled to welcome the one, the only, the legendary comedian Mack Dryden. We get into his incredible journey from being an award-winning journalist and black belt in karate to becoming a celebrated comedian with appearances on The Tonight Show and roles in TV shows like Jag and The Guardian. Mack shares hilarious stories from his career, including a time when, on the way to a

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29:13

The Evolution of Jokes

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

2026/03/24

Hello, Friends! It’s episode 104 of The Messed-Up To Set-Ups podcast and I’m thrilled to welcome back the hilarious Tyrone Burston, a two-time Queen City Comedian of the Year. Join us as we workshop some jokes, chat about the dynamics of introversion and extroversion in relationships, and discuss what happens when a pedicure goes wrong. Also, Tyrone shares some of his comedic process as we brainstorm punchlines. Best of all, this episode offers a custom behind-the-scenes look at how jokes evolve

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22:41

Finding Success While Staying True To You

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

2026/03/17

Hello, Friends! In episode 103 of The Messed-Up To Set-Ups podcast! I’m super stoked to welcome the hilarious Tyrone Burston, a two-time Queen City Comedian of the Year from Charlotte, NC. In this episode, we get into his journey from Hartford to Charlotte, his start in comedy, and the ups and downs of performing, including a memorable night at Showtime at the Apollo. Tyrone shares his insights on crafting a five-minute set, the necessity of comedic voice, and the importance of staying true to

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46:27

Jokes, Stories, and Stand-Up Secrets

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

2026/03/14

Hello, Friends! It’s Episode 102, which is also Part 2 of my conversation with comedian Big Rich Brock. In this episode of the Messed-Up To Set-Ups podcast, we dig into the art of comedy and the stories behind the jokes. Big Rich reveals some of the inspirations and real-life experiences that shape his humor and we also explore the creative process, the importance of finding your voice, and the joy of making people laugh. We do all this as we workshop some jokes then get into some on-the-spot

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37:09

Comedy, Faith, and Finding Your Voice

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

2026/03/11

Hello, Friends! In this 101st episode of The Messed-Up To Set-Ups podcast, I sit down with the hilarious Big Rich Brock. He’s a comedian with a unique journey from pastoring to headlining comedy shows. In this episode, we get into his life in Georgia, his transition from ministry to comedy, and the unexpected overlaps between the two worlds. Big Rich shares his insights on finding your voice in comedy, the importance of connecting with your audience, and the joy of bringing laughter to others. Lots

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43:57

100 Comedy Tips From 100 Episodes

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

2026/03/07

Hello, Friends! I’m pleased to share this milestone 100th episode of The Messed-Up to Set-Ups podcast! Here, I share 100 transformative tips that will elevate your stand-up game. All 100 tips come from the episodes leading up to this one. I go back over things like how to embrace failure, craft killer jokes, and connect with your audience like a veteran. More importantly, I’ve categorized everything into 10 comedy “Pillars” that I think you’ll find helpful. So, whether you’re a novice or a seasoned

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35:15

From Brainstorms to Belly Laughs

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

2026/03/03

Hello, Friends! It’s episode #99 of the Messed-Up to Set-Ups podcast which means we’re only 1 episode away from 100!!! Back with me today is Tommy Morin. He joins me in Part 2 of our chat to explore the art of turning chaos into comedy gold. We get into the hilariousness of crafting the perfect excuse, the power of a disheveled appearance, and how these can earn you unexpected admiration. We workshop jokes and do some on-the-spot comedy. So, whether you’re a comedian or even just someone who’s ever

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36:15

Clean Comedy, Big Impact

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

2026/02/28

Hello, Friends! It’s episode #98 of the Messed-Up to Set-Ups podcast. And, as we inch closer to Episode #100, today, we have a pretty unique guest: “The Manic Hispanic: Pastor, Tommy Morin” on the show. Tommy’s journey is as fascinating as it is inspiring. From childhood impressions to the mob to ministry to navigating the comedy scene after a long hiatus, Tommy shares how humor became his escape and his path back to the stage. Tommy’s done Drybar, Huckabee, and a host of other shows. So, in this

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32:52

The Art of Joke Creation

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

2026/02/24

Hello, Friends! It’s episode #97 of the Messed-Up to Set-Ups podcast. Ever wonder how comedians turn mundane news moments into hilarious bits? In today’s episode, Part 2 of my chat with comedian Andy Beningo, we dive right into that process. We talk about how the freshest material often comes from real life, and how a simple idea, like an over-the-hill James Bond or a cat with a vendetta, can generate great jokes. We also do some on-the-spot comedy by riffing on headlines. Along with that, we

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26:37

Local Gigs to Global Stages - Comedy in All 50 States

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

2026/02/21

Hello, Friends! Episode #96 of The Messed-Up To Set-Ups podcast is live. In this one, I chat with the absolutely hilarious Andy Beningo. A Michigan-based comedian, this guy has masterfully conquered all 50 states and performed on cruise ships around the world. Here we dig into his unconventional mindset, get some tips on perseverance, and hear about how his obsession with stats has kept him motivated. We also get into the real challenges of adapting jokes for diverse audiences across the globe, and

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39:27

Practice Punching-Up Jokes

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

2026/02/17

Hello, Friends! It’s episode 95 of The Messed-Up To Set-Ups podcast. In this one, I’m thrilled to welcome back the hilarious Lee Hardin. In this one, we get into the creative process of joke writing, Lee shares a new premise about the quirks of aging and memory lapses, and we try to punch it up. We also chat about the art of crowd work, the challenges of remembering things, and the joy of spontaneous comedy. This episode’s loaded with on-the-spot humor that you don’t wanna miss. Tune in!JOKE WRITING

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34:29

You Gotta Stay Fresh & Obsessed

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

2026/02/14

Hello, Friends! In this episode of The Messed-Up To Set-Ups podcast, I sit down with the absolutely hilarious Lee Hardin, a fellow comedian from Nashville, Tennessee. We get into Lee’s journey from being a class clown to a touring comedian. We also talk about the comedy scene in Nashville, the golden era of SNL, and the art of joke writing. Lee opens up about his experiences, from performing in nursing homes to headlining theater shows, and the importance of obsession in comedy. We also touch on the

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29:43

The First Left-Handed Caveman

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

2026/02/10

Hey, Friends! Episode 93 of The Messed-Up To Set-Ups Podcast is here! In this one, I get into the creative chaos of joke writing with the absolutely hilarious Johnny Watson. We talk about the absurdity of the first left-handed caveman and brainstorm some wild scenarios where prehistoric life meets modern comedy. Johnny shares the origins of his unique joke concepts and some thoughts on how everyday conversations spark comedic gold. After punching up his joke, we do some on-the-spot comedy and

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27:58

Clean Comedy & Big Opportunities

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

2026/02/07

Hello, Friends! It’s episode 92 of the Messed-Up To Set-Ups podcast. So, join me, comedian Michael Halcomb, as I sit down with fellow comedian Johnny Watson (as seen on SNL!) to dig into his journey from being a military MC to a comedy veteran. We talk about the hilarious story of how a chaotic night in Kona, Hawai’i, kickstarted Johnny’s stand-up career. We also get into his unique approach to improvisation and storytelling. We talk about his method of reading audiences in real time and discuss why

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26:54

Turning Troubles Into Triumphs

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

2026/02/03

Hello, Friends! I’m stoked to share Episode #91 of The Messed-Up to Set-Ups podcast with you. In this one, I sit down with Michael Saltz, a New York-based comedian, and we take a dive into jokes. We kick things off with his hilarious tale of getting stuck in a water slide and then we workshop that story and try to punch it up. We also chat about how everyday chaos is comedy gold. Lastly, we have a blast with some live, on-the-spot, joke exercises where we riff on everything from ancient undersea

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21:45

Balancing Work, Life, & Comedy

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

2026/01/31

Hello, Friends! I’m stoked to share Episode #90 of The Messed-Up to Set-Ups podcast with you. In this episode, I sit down with Michael Saltz, a New York-based nurse, firefighter, and clean comedian. During our chat, we get into how he first got started at a firehouse comedy show, the value of capturing attention quickly, and the challenge of balancing comedy with the busyness of life. We also talk about the importance of honest feedback, embracing vulnerability, and why supporting fellow comedians

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