Spiraling Up

Original release date: April 6, 2009 Originally from South Jersey Kurt started his stand up career in Philadelphia and in 2001, he moved to NYC. I think we could have left Kurt alone in my kitchen with a 6 pack of Budweiser and a list of topics and pressed record. But luckily we were there to be the laugh track. After listening to this podcast, it will be easy to see how Kurt’s unique brand of humor has led him to numerous writing jobs and appearances on Showtime’s White Boys in the Hood, Comedy Central’s Live at Gotham and most recently his own half hour Comedy Central Presents. Please enjoy this very adult episode of In the Tank.

Original release date: March 27, 2009 This week we welcome New York native Becky Donohue. Ever wonder how Becky makes sunshine? We found out. Also learn about my new use for hand sanitizer, how Becky deals with “gentle violations” on the road, and how Shaki triumphs over diversity. Dan Allen you ask? Approaching his 200th day of homeless status.

Original release date: March 20, 2009 This week we welcome Queens, NY native Ted Alexandro. We ease into the tank by catching up on Dan’s squatting and my pledge for better dental hygiene. After Jon surprises us with an old picture of Ted and Jon both with hair, we have Ted answer some listener submitted questions. From there we delve into Ted’s life and views on comedy covering such topics as the importance of being able to adapt to different environments, the comedy coalition, Ted’s first comedy vehicle, the advantages of starting stand up in NY, and how growing up has changed Ted’s act. Lastly Ted tells us about his fondness for Jamie Lissow and the trials and tribulations of their current long distance relationship. Thanks for listening and enjoy.

Original release date: March 16, 2009 This week I was in Houston at the Laff Stop with my buddy Jason Kanter. Jason introduced me to Mark Babbitt. Mark is the former managing partner of the Houston Laff Stop and he’s the voice you hear introducing Mitch Hedberg on Mitch’s first CD, Strategic Grill Locations. Along with Mitch, Mark talks about Doug Stanhope, Margaret Cho, Greg Fitzsimmons and Richard Lewis.

Original release date: March 7, 2009 Baron braved the snowstorm from the Upper West Side to Queens to talk about magic, Garfield, developing in Boston, commercials, college work and he kicked off the show with a little beat boxing.

Original release date: Feb 26, 2009 Sweet Ophira talks about Sweet Paprika, taping of her new DVD at Comix, leaving a boy in Canada, the woes of producing your own show and a deer committing suicide.

Original release date: Feb 20, 2009 Andy Pitz tells a tale about a kid getting his hand blown off by a homemade pipe bomb, his experience as a bouncer for exotic dancers and enlightened us with his expert knowledge of helium tanks.

Find out why Pat Dixon became a "suit comic."  

Original release date: Feb 6, 2009 Fun Trivia: One of only two guests to be on twice: Nate Bargatze  

Original release date: Jan 30, 2009 This was our first episode with a guest and you know it's Moody McCarthy!

Learn more about Dan Shaki and Dan Allen from the year 2009 (January to be specific)

Holy crap, let's take the way back machine to January of 2009 for the release of our very first episode.  As Spiraling Up is on hiatus I thought it would be great to revisit In the Tank and I hope you enjoy....

This week we welcome hilarious comedian Erica Spera. First Jon and Sam go over some jokes. Then Erica shares the pitfalls of producing comedy shows as a comedian, when to tell your parents you have herpes and sheds light on some misconceptions about the STD. Spiraling Up Ko-fi  

Jonny and Sam talk about New Year stuff and comedy stuff and putting stuff out there  

Sam and Jon check in on the state of comedy and the state of their lives as Rosh Hashanah arrives and not a moment too soon.  Check out our Ko-fi page        

This week we welcome the hilarious Adam Mamawala.  Adam has appeared on Comedy Central, MTV, BET, and SiriusXM and has headlined over 200 colleges across more than 35 states. His debut album One of the Good Ones, released through Comedy Dynamics, debuted at #1 on the iTunes Comedy Charts. Adam shares his experience getting over his divorce, the pressures of portraying a certain image and leaning into sadness for your comedic material.  Please rate & subscribe and check out our Ko-fi page... https://ko-fi.com/spiralingup  

This week we welcome Michael Stahl back to the podcast. Michael is a freelance journalist, writer and editor based in Queens, New York, and the co-author of Big Sexy: Bartolo Colón In His Own Words, published by Abrams Books. Sam and Jon do a brief weekly check in before talking with Michael as we explore dating in COVID times and parallels between writing and standup.  Check out our Ko-fi page... https://ko-fi.com/spiralingup    

Excited to welcome Dave Merheje to the podcast this week.  A true original comedy voice, David is one of the funniest around. He talks with us about winning a Juno, developing his voice after trauma, and getting cast in the hit Hulu show Ramy. Enjoy! https://ko-fi.com/spiralingup  

Sam and Jon dive in deep with comedian, author, storyteller and host of NPR's Ask Me Another, Ophira Eisenberg  Ophira shares experiences raising a child and broadcasting her NPR show from the confines of quarantine. If you're enjoying the podcast, please rate and subscribe on iTunes. And check out our Ko-fi page.

Jonny recaps the birth of his baby. Sam contemplates what’s next for life in the pandemic. Enjoy Help support the boys of Spiraling Up