Loading...

PODCAST

You Are The Genre

Comedian/screenwriter Tim Barnes (The Tonight Show, All That) explores the building blocks of creative careers with award-winning entertainers, thinkers, and generally cool people. New episodes Wednesdays! lettersfromafricanamerica.substack.com

arts philosophy

All Episodes

31:40

Special Announcement - JUDGE TRAVIS @ The Signal Awards

You Are The Genre ·

2026/10/04

🔊: Behind-The-Scenes InterviewsHey, I’m Tim Barnes. You are the genre, and this is a special announcement regarding my scripted audio series JUDGE TRAVIS. Most of this year’s You Are The Genre episodes have been dedicated to interviews with cast and crew members of the show. And it’s been a big year for the series beyond that.In addition to being highlighted on Deadline, receiving positive reviews, and becoming an official selection at the Tribeca Festival Creators Market, we’ve now been nominated

en

43:48

[Freddie Nunez] Is STILL The Genre

You Are The Genre ·

2026/09/26

🔊: Apple - Spotify - NewsletterHey, I’m Tim Barnes, you are the genre, and in this episode, I’m chatting with my friend, the king melodic melancholy, Freddie Nunez! Freddie created the You Are The Genre theme song and has a brand new album out titled Letting Go. We discuss what “letting go” really means in his life, reaching acceptance in adulthood, and yes, naturally, The Matrix. This video is exclusive to paid members of the newsletter, but will be available soon in podcast feedsAll the

en

59:20

👨🏾‍⚖️ [Keesha Sharp] Is The Genre

You Are The Genre ·

2026/05/08

🔊: Apple - Spotify - NewsletterHey, I’m Tim Barnes, you are the genre, and in this episode, I’m chatting with the incredible actress and television director Keesha Sharp. In my new audio series JUDGE TRAVIS (which has been announced as an official 2026 Tribeca Festival Creators Market Selection), Sharp plays one of the most complex, important, and nuanced characters. In this discussion, we discuss how she stays positive in an ever-shifting and demanding industry, and the important role that music

en

67:14

👨🏾‍⚖️ [Ben Kruse] Is The Genre

You Are The Genre ·

2026/04/29

🔊: Apple - Spotify - NewsletterHey, I’m Tim Barnes, you are the genre, and in this episode, I’m chatting with audio engineer Ben Kruse. Ben was the editor, sound designer, and mixer for the JUDGE TRAVIS audio series I created. The experience ended up becoming a long, fun, and sometimes at times even therapeutic collaboration. Look forward to some deep dives into audio techniques, Bolivian culture, and music in this conversation. All the best,TimBen Kruse in his own words: Chicago based sound

en

59:39

👨🏾‍⚖️ [Kev Luu] Is The Genre

You Are The Genre ·

2026/04/01

🔊: Apple - Spotify - NewsletterHey, I’m Tim Barnes, you are the genre, and in this episode I’m chatting musician and DJ Kev Luu about his creative journey from Las Vegas to L.A. and creating the original music for my audio sitcom JUDGE TRAVIS. Kev shares some incredible insights on the immigrant experience, supporting his elders through the non-profit Seniors Fight Back and how he’s pushed through the many challenges millennials have faces since the Great Recession. Remember that?!We recorded this

en

99:39

Special Edition Re-Release - [Milly Tamarez] Is The...

You Are The Genre ·

2026/03/20

Hey, I’m Tim Barnes, you are the genre, and in this episode I’m chatting AGAIN with Milly Tamarez. She was a writer on my new scripted audio series JUDGE TAVIS. So, part one is a behind-the-scenes deep dive on what went into her episode of the show which is a real therapeutic explosion of jokes and insights from each character. And part two is a re-release of our chat from a few years back.Wow, time moves fast as hell these days.Enjoy!-TimMILLY TAMAREZ is a stand-up comedian, writer, podcaster, and

en

52:49

👨🏾‍⚖️ [Ben Holbrook] Is The Genre

You Are The Genre ·

2026/03/09

Hey, I’m Tim Barnes, you are the genre, and in this episode I’m chatting with playwright, actor, and JUDGE TRAVIS staff writer Ben Holbrook. We met years ago at a standup show that I was on and he was attending and it kicked off a unique friendship where every now and then we’ll just have a real, solid chat that ranges from sci-fi to a psychological analysis of intergenerational trauma—which, I suppose, can be another form of sci-fi. It was a pleasure to bring him aboard the writing team for JUDGE

en

83:38

👨🏾‍⚖️ Special Edition Re-Release - [Ian Abramson] Is...

You Are The Genre ·

2026/03/02

Hey, I’m Tim Barnes, you are the genre, and in this episode I’m chatting with Ian Abramson TWICE! First up: a behind-the-scenes conversation about his experience writing episode five of my new scripted podcast JUDGE TRAVIS.Second: a a special re-release of our conversation from 2024 where we discussed his standup comedy special The Heist.Ian and I have known each other since high school and have collaborated on numerous projects from a web series that’s probably hard to find on the internet these

en

49:23

👨🏾‍⚖️[Rebecca O'Neal] Is The Genre

You Are The Genre ·

2026/02/23

Hey, I’m Tim Barnes, you are the genre, and in this episode I’m chatting with comedian, writer, and fashion designer Rebecca O’Neal. We’ve been friends circa 2012 in the Chicago comedy scene and I was thrilled to bring her aboard the writers’ room for JUDGE TRAVIS. O’Neal wrote episode 4 of JUDGE TRAVIS which premiered February 18, so you can either listen after this interview or before!We commiserate on the pluses and minuses of a sheltered childhood, nostalgia for the Chicago comedy scene that

en

51:09

👨🏾‍⚖️[Brandi Denise] Is The Genre

You Are The Genre ·

2026/02/16

Hey, I’m Tim Barnes, you are the genre, and in this episode I’m chatting with actor/comedian Brandi Denise. She’s performed on THE TONIGHT SHOW, acted in the POWER series, and now voices the role of the bailiff in my new scripted audio series JUDGE TRAVIS. Before that role, we likely bumped into each other at some point in the Chicago comedy scene. It’s a testament to her clarity of voice as a performer that when it came time to start casting the bailiff role, she was immediately on my list.When we

en

77:13

[Andrew E. Colarusso] Is The Genre

You Are The Genre ·

2026/02/10

Hey, I’m Tim Barnes, you are the genre, and in this episode I’m chatting writer Andrew E. Colarusso. I interviewed him in text form a few years back in the newsletter, but now he joins me in audioland to discuss his latest collection of poetry PETTYGOD. The collection is irrepressible, holy, profane, tender, hilarious, "too hot to touch."Our two creative paths intersect in strange ways. For instance, another text interview of mine with DuVay Knox influenced one of the poems in PETTYGOD. Which is why

en

10:09

[JUDGE TRAVIS] Is The Genre

You Are The Genre ·

2026/02/02

🔊: Apple - Spotify - NewsletterHey, I’m Tim Barnes, you are the genre, and this is a preview of an upcoming scripted audio series that I have coming out February 11th called JUDGE TRAVIS, which you should subscribe to now wherever you listen to podcasts! I’ll be interviewing people involved with the show here on You Are The Genre as we switch to a Monday release schedule between February 9 and March 16.JUDGE TRAVIS is your front-row seat to the behind-the-scenes chaos of America’s favorite fake

en

48:59

[Noël Stark] Is The Genre

You Are The Genre ·

2026/01/28

Hey, I’m Tim Barnes, you are the genre, and in this episode I’m chatting with novelist and media multi-hyphenate Noël Stark. Her debut novel is a steamy romance titled LOVE, CAMERA, ACTION and it caught my attention because of the behind-the-scenes nature of the story. I love behind-the-scenes stories. It’s my THE LARRY SANDERS SHOW is one of my favorite sitcoms and why my upcoming scripted audio series JUDGE TRAVIS reveals the inner workings of a reality TV court show.Stark and I dive deep into the

en

51:14

[Kashana Cauley] Is The Genre

You Are The Genre ·

2026/01/21

Hey, I’m Tim Barnes, you are the genre, and beyond my excitement for the JUDGE TRAVIS audio series I have coming out in February, I'm thrilled to present this chat with novelist and television writer Kashana Cauley. Before comedy, Cauley worked in the world of law, but she rose to internet fame on Twitter (back when that place was kind of fun) for writing political hot takes that were so funny, they prompted Neal Brennan to bring her into the fold as a writer for Trevor Noah’s freshly minted version

en

3:16

[The Return Of] You Are The Genre!

You Are The Genre ·

2026/01/12

Host Tim Barnes welcomes listeners back to the podcast and teases the February 11th release of his scripted audio series, JUDGE TRAVIS. New You Are The Genre episodes can be expected each Monday featuring guests Kashana Cauley (The Daily Show), Rebecca O’Neal (2 Dope Queens), Dave Hill (Last Week Tonight) and more! Want more from this show? Subscribe to the newsletter! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit

en

7:52

A 'You Are The Genre' Update!

You Are The Genre ·

2025/06/18

🔊: Apple - Spotify - NewsletterIn honor of Marc Maron’s WTF podcast coming to an end, Tim gives a rambling monologue of update on You Are The Genre’s return from hiatus and invites those in (or visiting) New York to attend the new weekly RAD COMEDY showcase he’s co-hosting with Emily Wirth in Brooklyn!Listen to episodes a week earlier than the rest by selecting a paid subscription to the newsletter!Merch and more are coming soon at YouAreTheGenre.comCREDITS:* Host: Tim Barnes* Theme Song: “You Are

en

52:25

[Felipe Tores Medina] Is The Genre

You Are The Genre ·

2025/04/11

🔊: Apple - Spotify - NewsletterTim Barnes chats with Felipe Torres Medina (The Late Show with Stephen Colbert) about growing up in Columbia, the impact comedic imports from America, and the everlasting power of being a moody boy. His book, America, Let Me In: A Choose Your Immigration Story was published March 2025 and has earned some pretty cool reviews from Kirkus and Publisher’s Weekly. ORDER IT NOW! Felipe Torres Medina is an award-winning humorist and writer based in New York City. He is a

en

49:06

[Philip Lewis] Is The Genre

You Are The Genre ·

2025/04/02

Tim Barnes chats journalist Philip Lewis about how his early passions led him to journalism.Philip Lewis is a journalist from Detroit, Michigan. He is the author of the What I'm Reading newsletter.Listen to episodes a week earlier than the rest by selecting a paid subscription to the newsletter!Merch and more are coming soon at YouAreTheGenre.comCREDITS:Host: Tim BarnesGuest: Philip LewisTheme Song: “You Are The Genre” by Freddie NunezMusic Engineer: Adam SmithPodcast Art: Madhuri Shukla Get full

en

74:34

[Ryan Perez] Is The Genre

You Are The Genre ·

2025/03/26

🔊: Apple - Spotify - NewsletterTim Barnes chats with Ryan Perez (SNL, The Tonight Show) about the impact of Scorsese films on his sensibility as a comedian, writer, and filmmaker.Listen to episodes a week earlier than the rest by selecting a paid subscription to the newsletter!Merch and more are coming soon at YouAreTheGenre.comCREDITS:* Host: Tim Barnes* Guest: Ryan Perez* Theme Song: “You Are The Genre” by Freddie Nunez* Music Engineer: Adam Smith* Podcast Art: Madhuri Shukla This is a public

en

68:14

[Nathan Rabin] Is The Genre

You Are The Genre ·

2025/03/19

Tim Barnes chats writer Nathan Rabin about his early interest in politics and trivia, and how they influenced his career as a dissector of pop culture’s past, present, and future.Nathan Rabin coined the phrase Manic Pixie Dream Girl, co-wrote the coffee table book of his childhood hero “Weird Al” Yankovic and has written for the A.V Club longer than anyone else, with a career stretching back two decades. He’s also written five books: The Big Rewind, My Year Of Flops, Weird Al: The Book, You Don’t

en

72 results

Similar Podcasts

BroadwayRadio

BroadwayRadio

The Quilter on Fire Podcast

Brandy

The Creative Process · Arts, Culture & Society: Books, Film, Music, TV, Art, Writing, Creativity, Education, Environment, Theatre, Dance, LGBTQ, Climate Change, Social Justice, Spirituality, Feminism, Tech, Sustainability

Mia Funk

The Unstoppable Singer

Danielle Tucker

Landscape Photography World

Grant Swinbourne