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What Nobody Tells You About Japan: Tipping, Onsens, Bidet Toilets, and the Black Eggs of Hakone Sarah Halstead and Rich Chassler pour a rosé from one of their favorite Paso Robles tasting rooms and turn this episode into a full Japan travelogue. Fresh off nine days in Tokyo, Hakone, and Kyoto, where they performed stand up at the Tokyo Comedy Bar, the only English language comedy club in Japan, they break down what the trip really cost, why the yen is so weak and the dollar goes so far, and the meals that floored them, from a $25 sushi dinner in Shinjuku to a $163 five course birthday dinner at ITOH DINING by NOBU in Hakone. Along the way they cover why you never tip in Japan, the two handed rule, the onsen experience, the bullet train, the black eggs of Hakone, and the heated bidet toilets you find everywhere. It is part travel guide, part comedy show, and the most fired up they have ever been about another country. Drink of the Podcast Vino Juan Rosé, Paso Robles, California Sarah and Rich are drinking the rosé from Vino Juan, the family owned tasting room on the downtown Paso Robles square they wandered into over Valentine's weekend. The label is the second act of winemaker Juan Contreras, who spent more than 20 years at Robert Hall Winery working every job in the building, from the cellar to the vineyards to the winemaking, before going out on his own. They tasted through four or five wines, took a case of the rosé home, and joined the wine club. Rich also has a 2016 or 2017 Cabernet from the club that he is finally ready to open. Chapters 00:00 Welcome back to Drinking During Business Hours 00:27 What they are drinking: Vino Juan Rosé from Paso Robles 01:03 Juan Contreras and more than 20 years at Robert Hall Winery 02:47 Konnichiwa: the Japan trip begins 03:27 Stand-up comedy in Tokyo at the Tokyo Comedy Bar 07:57 Shinjuku, a $25 sushi dinner, and no tipping 10:20 Two hands, bowing, and mutual respect 15:55 What an onsen actually is 16:42 Hotel Indigo Hakone and only three restaurants nearby 19:41 Nobu Malibu price shock 20:03 The bullet train to Kyoto at 200 miles an hour 20:25 Temples, the Royal Park Hotel, and a fish spa 21:00 Back to Tokyo and the b ginza 23:20 The Centurion Lounge at Haneda and a live sushi chef 24:36 Finally, Japanese wine: Koshu 25:33 Japan for less than a weekend in Michigan 26:54 The black eggs of Hakone and seven more years of life 28:07 Rich's obsession with the heated bidet 30:06 Arigato, Ariana Grande, and signing off Call to Action If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe to Drinking During Business Hours, leave a five star review, and share it with a travel buddy or a comedy fan in your life. Every review helps more listeners find the show. Watch the video version on YouTube, and if you want Sarah to plan your next trip, send the show a message. Special thanks to Doug Bass and Bass Hole Studios, producer Cori Fry, Maximilian Riedel and Riedel Glassware for always supplying the best glasses. Host Links FOLLOW US ON SOCIALS! Sarah IG @sarahhalstead https://www.instagram.com/sarahhalstead/?hl=en  FB @sarahjhalsteadcomic https://www.facebook.com/sarahjhalsteadcomic/ X @sarahjhalstead  https://twitter.com/sarahjhalstead  Website   @SarahHalstead | sarahjhalstead.com Rich IG @richchassler https://www.instagram.com/richchassler/ FB @chasslerfans https://www.facebook.com/Chasslerfans/ X @richchassler https://x.com/richchassler  Website  richardchassler.com 📧 [email protected] 🎧 Please rate & review the podcast on your favorite platform — it helps more than you know! Wineries mentioned from California Vino Juan Paso Robles, California v1nojuan.com Robert Hall Winery Paso Robles, California roberthallwinery.com If you go to Japan, here is a list of all the places Sarah & Rich mentioned in this episode. Tokyo Comedy Bar Shibuya, Tokyo tokyocomedybar.com Hilton Tokyo Shinjuku, Tokyo hilton.com/en/hotels/tyohitw-hilton-tokyo Hotel Indigo Hakone Gora Hakone, Japan ihg.com (Hotel Indigo Hakone Gora) ITOH DINING by NOBU Gora, Hakone, Japan itoh-dining.co.jp/hakone The Royal Park Hotel Kyoto Sanjo Kyoto, Japan royalparkhotels.co.jp/en/the/kyotosanjo the b ginza Ginza, Tokyo en.theb-hotels.com/theb/ginza The Centurion Lounge at Haneda Airport Terminal 3, Tokyo International Airport thecenturionlounge.com/locations/hnd   #DrinkingDuringBusinessHours #SarahHalstead #RichChassler #JapanTravel #Tokyo #Kyoto #Hakone #TokyoComedyBar #StandUpComedy #ComedyPodcast #JapanOnABudget #VinoJuan #PasoRoblesWine #Onsen #JapaneseFood #PodcastClips #YouTubePodcast #TravelPodcast

Introducing COLLIN GOSSELIN: The Real Story Behind One of America’s Most-Watched Families from On Purpose with Jay Shetty. Follow the show: On Purpose with Jay Shetty Collin Gosselin opens up about what it was really like growing up in the spotlight of Jon & Kate Plus 8, sharing his personal account of life behind the camera. He recounts his experiences with family isolation, allegations of physical abuse, time spent in a basement room, and his twenty-month stay in an institution he says he never needed to be in. Collin also details how a smuggled note led to a reunion with his father, how he is working to rebuild his life today, and why he is finally choosing to speak publicly about his past. With Love and Gratitude, Jay Shetty Instagram Teen Accounts: Built-in protections for teens. Learn More. At https://chase.com/sapphirereserve JAY'S DAILY WISDOM DELIVERED STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX Join 900,000+ readers discovering how small daily shifts create big life change with my free newsletter. Subscribe here: https://news.jayshetty.me/subscribe Check out our Apple subscription to unlock bonus content of On Purpose! https://lnk.to/JayShettyPodcast What We Discuss: 00:00 Welcome To On Purpose And Disclaimer 01:43 Inside the Gosselin Household 03:50 Faking Reality On Camera 05:15 The Normalization Of Constant Filming 06:35 The Turning Point 09:06 Modern Child Exploitation 12:35 Pushing Back And Early On-Camera Resistance 17:02 Earliest Memories Of In-Home Abuse 20:37 Targeted Isolation And Homeschooling 25:21 Child Protective System Flaws 35:11 Advocacy In The Face Of Public Backlash 36:55 The Attempted Runaway 44:03 Institutionalization At Age 11 48:16 Twenty Months In Inpatient Confinement 53:53 The Official Admission Records 59:12 The Harsh Reality of Living in Isolation 01:04:45 The Smuggled Letter And Custody Battle 01:08:37 Reconnecting And Healing 01:11:26 Repairing The Father-Son Relationship 01:14:00 Turning Pain into Purpose 01:17:14 False Diagnoses & His Dream of Joining The Marines 01:24:41 Legal Defamation Threats 01:26:16 Where Does He Stand With His Siblings? 01:30:20 Who is Collin Today? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices DISCLAIMER: Please note, this is an independent podcast episode not affiliated with, endorsed by, or produced in conjunction with the host podcast feed or any of its media entities. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are solely those of the creators and guests. For any concerns, please reach out to [email protected].

The 17 Dollar Bag of Cookies That Launched 4 Cookbooks and a Pasta Sauce Company Comedian, voiceover artist, cookbook author, and Eat Happy Kitchen founder Anna Vocino joins the show over a Central Coast Grenache from Future Perfect, and she brought the bottle herself. Anna voices Mrs. Potato Head in Toy Story 5, taking over for the late Estelle Harris, and built Eat Happy Kitchen into a women owned line of clean pasta sauces, spices, and cheese bites. It traces back to a 2002 celiac diagnosis and four Eat Happy cookbooks, including the new Eat Happy Cocktail Hour. They cover reading ingredients over calories, the olive oil scam, voiceover auditions, and the ABC TGIT promos. Guest Info Anna Vocino is a comedian, voiceover artist, cookbook author, and founder of Eat Happy Kitchen. She is the voice of Mrs. Potato Head in Toy Story 5, taking over from the late Estelle Harris, and has voiced thousands of commercials, games, and TV shows, including the ABC TGIT promos for Grey's Anatomy, Scandal, and How to Get Away with Murder. She wrote the Eat Happy cookbook series: Eat Happy, Eat Happy Too, Eat Happy Italian, and the new Eat Happy Cocktail Hour. After a 2002 celiac diagnosis she launched Eat Happy Kitchen in 2021, a certified women owned maker of no sugar added, gluten free, seed oil free sauces, spices, and cheese bites. She co-hosts Fitness Confidential with Vinnie Tortorich. Guest Social Links Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annavocino/  X / Twitter: https://x.com/AnnaVocino  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RealAnnaVocino/  Website: https://annavocino.com  Eat Happy Kitchen: https://eathappykitchen.com  Newsletter: https://annavocino.substack.com  Drink of the Podcast Future Perfect Central Coast Grenache, from Future Perfect Wine in Los Olivos, Santa Barbara County, poured by the guest herself. A lighter, more expressive style of Grenache with the classic Grenache nose, made by winemaker Sunny Doench Stricker. It paired perfectly with the Eat Happy Kitchen Crispy Crunchy Monterey Jack cheese bites. Chapters 00:00 Intro and Welcome Back   02:44 The Drink: Future Perfect Grenache   08:34 The 17 Dollar Gluten Free Cookies   14:45 Read the Ingredients, Not the Calories   21:21 The Olive Oil Scam and Il Poggione Brunello   25:08 Why Eat Happy: Losing Her Mom   40:27 Toy Story 5 and Estelle Harris   42:43 Booking the ABC TGIT Promos   45:14 Bryan Cranston's Audition Advice Call to Action Enjoyed the episode? Like, subscribe, and share it with a foodie, a celiac, or a voiceover fan.    Rate and review on Apple Podcasts or your favorite platform. Every five star review helps us reach more listeners.  Stock up at eathappykitchen.com and order the Eat Happy cookbooks through bookshop.org so your local indie bookstore gets the credit.    Thanks to Doug Bass, Bass Hole Studios, Cori Fry, and Riedel Glassware. Host Links   FOLLOW US ON SOCIALS! Sarah IG @sarahhalstead https://www.instagram.com/sarahhalstead/?hl=en  FB @sarahjhalsteadcomic https://www.facebook.com/sarahjhalsteadcomic/ X @sarahjhalstead  https://twitter.com/sarahjhalstead  Website   @SarahHalstead | sarahjhalstead.com Rich IG @richchassler https://www.instagram.com/richchassler/ FB @chasslerfans https://www.facebook.com/Chasslerfans/ X @richchassler https://x.com/richchassler  Website  richardchassler.com 📧 [email protected] 🎧 Please rate & review the podcast on your favorite platform — it helps more than you know!   #DrinkingDuringBusinessHours #AnnaVocino #EatHappyKitchen #EatHappy #EatHappyCocktailHour #GlutenFree #LowCarb #Celiac #MrsPotatoHead #ToyStory5 #VoiceOver #CleanEating #FuturePerfectWine #SantaBarbaraWine #WomenOwned #ComedyPodcas

Stage Time or Social Media? Julia Jasunas Gets Real About Modern Comedy Comedian, actress, host, and writer Julia Jasunas joins Sarah Halstead and Rich Chassler for a fast, funny conversation about building a career that lives on stage, online, and everywhere in between. Over glasses of Rutherford Hill Napa Sauvignon Blanc, Julia talks about starting as a performer at three years old, growing up in musicals and dance recitals, studying musical theater at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, and realizing stand up came naturally once she stepped into it.  The episode also digs into the modern comedy grind: whether a tight ten in the Belly Room matters more than a sharp clip on social media, how short form content has changed joke structure, why editing internet bits can actually improve stand up writing, and the harsh truth about what happens when comics build an audience online before they can handle an hour on the road.  Julia and the hosts also get deep into the mechanics of live comedy, including the dreaded check drop, QR code ordering in clubs, the hidden difficulty of hosting versus featuring versus headlining, and what it really takes to captain a room. It is a smart, funny, inside baseball episode for comics, performers, and anyone curious about how talent becomes a real career.   Guest Info Julia Jasunas is a Los Angeles comedian, actress, host, and writer whose background started in musical theater and grew into stand up comedy, acting, and digital content. She began performing as a child, studied musical theater at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, and has built a comedy voice that mixes a sunny presence with darker, sharper punchlines. In this episode, she talks about performing on major comedy bills, hosting clubs around Los Angeles and Orange County, developing material for the road, and balancing stage time with a strong social media presence.   Guest Social Links Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/juliajasunas/  Website: https://www.juliajasunas.com/  Linktree: https://linktr.ee/juliajasunas    Drink of the Podcast  Rutherford Hill Napa Sauvignon Blanc. Sarah picked one of her favorites and brought back a repeat guest of the wine variety for a repeat guest of the human variety. She calls out winemaker Stephanie Jacobs, formerly of Cakebread, and explains why this bottle stands out: a touch of oak, real minerality, a little extra body, and just enough richness to keep it interesting without losing the bright snap that makes Sauvignon Blanc work in hot weather.   Chapters   00:00 Intro: Welcome Back to Drinking During Business Hours   01:08 The Drink: Rutherford Hill Napa Sauvignon Blanc   03:17 Meet Julia Jasunas   04:29 Performing Since Age Three   06:42 Musical Theater vs Stand Up Comedy   08:56 Why Open Mics Never Worked for Julia   11:11 Booking Real Shows Early in Her Comedy Career   12:50 Westside Comedy Theater and LA Comedy Geography   15:15 Julia's Website, Image, and Comedy Persona   18:02 Sunny Energy, Dark Jokes, and Deadpan Delivery   20:07 University of the Arts and the Broadway Dream   23:25 From Acting Training to Stand Up and Screen Work   25:05 Stage Time vs Social Media in Modern Comedy   28:45 How Short Form Content Sharpens Joke Writing   31:06 The Check Drop and the Hardest Part of Headlining   36:07 Why Hosting a Comedy Show Is a Real Skill   40:55 Test Kitchen Comedy at Starlight Lounge   45:20 Touring, Headlining, and Building an Hour   48:37 Where to Find Julia Jasunas   Call to Action  If you enjoyed this episode, like, subscribe, and share it with a comedy fan who loves hearing how the business really works.  Follow Julia Jasunas for stand up clips, sketches, and tour dates, and drop a comment with your favorite moment from the episode.  Rate and review Drinking During Business Hours on Apple Podcasts or Spotify because every review helps more listeners find the show.  FOLLOW US ON SOCIALS! Sarah IG @sarahhalstead https://www.instagram.com/sarahhalstead/?hl=en  FB @sarahjhalsteadcomic https://www.facebook.com/sarahjhalsteadcomic/ X @sarahjhalstead  https://twitter.com/sarahjhalstead  Website   @SarahHalstead | sarahjhalstead.com Rich IG @richchassler https://www.instagram.com/richchassler/ FB @chasslerfans https://www.facebook.com/Chasslerfans/ X @richchassler https://x.com/richchassler  Website  richardchassler.com 📧 [email protected] 🎧 Please rate & review the podcast on your favorite platform — it helps more than you know! Podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/drinking-during-business-hours-with-sarah-halstead/id1273935631  Podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3EdszkVArwM4JvBBeLUL7T    #JuliaJasunas #SarahHalstead #RichChassler #StandUpComedy #ComedyPodcast #LosAngelesComedy #ComedianInterview #WomenInComedy #ComedyCareer #PodcastClips #SocialMediaComedy #WestsideComedy #TestKitchenComedy #RutherfordHill #SauvignonBlanc #EntertainmentPodcast #ComedyWriters #ActressLife #FunnyPodcast

Jane's Addiction's Stephen Perkins: 50 Years Behind the Kit and Still Not Growing Up Jane's Addiction founding drummer Stephen Perkins sits down with hosts Sarah Halstead and Rich Chassler, and this one is personal. Rich and Stephen have known each other since junior high school in the Valley, carpools and Hebrew school and Grateful Dead shows, and Rich has never had his old friend on the show until now. Over ice cold Sierra Nevada Pale Ales, the most popular ale sold in the Grateful Dead parking lot, Stephen traces the whole ride: the seventh grader who told Rich off, the downtown L.A. underground parties that birthed a scene, becoming the house band at a club called The Scream, seeing Motley Crue era Sunset Strip shut down at midnight while the punk and art kids kept going, and the night Rich, tripping at an underground party, looked up and realized his childhood buddy was the drummer on stage.    Stephen breaks down how Jane's Addiction actually came together: the metal band Disaster with Dave Navarro, the girlfriend who said come see my older brother's band, the audition at 17 that he thought he blew, and Eric Avery writing songs on the bass that refused to move, which is how Mountain Song and Summertime Rolls got their shape. He explains why drums are the oldest language known to man, why syncopation and space matter more than notes, why hips don't lie, how tap dancing and cut time changed the way he teaches, and why playing alone in the drum room can be better than any stage.  Plus the Porno for Pyros pivot to timpani and bongos, the sit in with a band whose names he never got, practicing dropping his sticks on purpose, why one dropped stick can ruin the greatest night of his life, his 40 year dream of playing with Peter Gabriel, the autographed tambourine he still has from meeting Gabriel at the Roxy in 1978, the Security album that taught him how to build a crescendo with no cymbals at all, his picks for the three greatest rock drummers ever, the Charlie Watts rental kit story from SIR, his son who plays guitar and found music on his own, and why he wants to live to a healthy 100 as a centurion who can still touch his toes. They only tipped the iceberg. There is a Hellride conversation still on the table, and Stephen promised to come back. Guest Info Stephen Andrew Perkins is an American musician, songwriter and producer, best known as the founding drummer of Jane's Addiction, the band he joined in 1985 at age 17 after convincing them to bring in guitarist Dave Navarro. Born and raised in Los Angeles, he also played with Porno for Pyros, Infectious Grooves, Banyan, Hellride, The Panic Channel and Think:EXP, and he recorded drums for Nine Inch Nails on The Downward Spiral. His style blends rock, jazz, swing, African, Indian and Latin drumming into something entirely his own, built on syncopation, tom work and space. He has played with members of the Grateful Dead, worked with producer Rick Rubin, and has shared stages with Sheryl Crow, Rage Against the Machine, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Jewel and Rob Wasserman. Off the kit he runs drum circles for children and adults with disabilities and helped develop a wearable percussive instrument for people who cannot play a drum. He is currently opening his personal drum archive from decades of touring. Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Perkins   Guest Social Links Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stephenperkinsdrummer/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stephenperkinsdrummer/  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@StephenPerkinsDrummer  Drink of the Podcast Sierra Nevada Pale Ale. Sarah went straight to the Grateful Dead parking lot for this one: the guest is a beer guy who loves IPAs and ales, and the hosts have their own Dead history with him, so she poured the most popular ale sold in the parking lots, cold, straight from the bottle. Crisp, hoppy and endlessly drinkable, and per the table, damn good. Chapters 00:00 Intro: Welcome to Drinking During Business Hours 01:03 The Drink: Sierra Nevada Pale Ale 02:08 Meet Stephen Perkins 03:16 The 7th Grader Who Told Rich Off 04:00 Rich, Jeff, and the Junior High Years 04:44 Hebrew School Carpool and the Grateful Dead 05:15 Downtown Underground and Jane's Addiction at The Scream 08:30 The First Time Rich Saw the Band Play Live 09:56 Bill Graham and the Grateful Dead Business Side 11:24 Infectious Grooves and the Metal Funk Detour 12:42 Drumming Is the Oldest Language on Earth 13:23 Tap Dancing, Cut Time, and Hips Don't Lie 14:49 Syncopation: What Turns Rich On as a Player 18:03 Alone With the Drums vs. On Stage 20:25 Jazz Is a Conversation: Coltrane and Elvin Jones 23:25 Neil Peart: Einstein Meets Bruce Lee 24:06 How Jane's Addiction Came Together 28:00 Eric Avery Writes on Bass: Mountain Song and Summertime Rolls 29:07 Porno for Pyros and the Timpani 30:53 Time Disappears on Stage 33:51 Buildings Fall, But Beethoven Still Exists 34:09 Stephen's Son and the Guitar 35:40 What Changed in the Music Business 38:55 The Electricity of an Impromptu Sit In 40:31 Longevity and the Centurion Goal 43:42 Round Tips, Nylon Tips, and the Ride Cymbal 47:01 The Dream: Playing With Peter Gabriel 50:27 Meeting Peter Gabriel at the Roxy in 1978 52:00 The Three Greatest Rock Drummers: Ringo, Bonham, Moon 54:12 Charlie Watts and the Gretsch Kit From SIR 57:19 Where to Find Stephen Perkins Call to Action Enjoyed the episode? Like, subscribe, and share it with a rock fan in your life. Rate and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts or your favorite platform, every five star review helps us reach more listeners. Follow Stephen Perkins on Instagram at @stephenperkinsdrummer for the same positive, real energy he brought to the show, and tell a Jane's Addiction fan to give this one a listen. He promised to come back, so drop a comment and tell us what you want them to dig into next. Special thanks to Doug Bass and Bass Hole Studios, producer Corey Fry, and Maximilian Riedel and Riedel glassware for always supplying the best glassware.   Host Links FOLLOW US ON SOCIALS! Sarah IG @sarahhalstead https://www.instagram.com/sarahhalstead/?hl=en  FB @sarahjhalsteadcomic https://www.facebook.com/sarahjhalsteadcomic/ X @sarahjhalstead  https://twitter.com/sarahjhalstead  Website   @SarahHalstead | sarahjhalstead.com Rich IG @richchassler https://www.instagram.com/richchassler/ FB @chasslerfans https://www.facebook.com/Chasslerfans/ X @richchassler https://x.com/richchassler  Website  richardchassler.com 📧 [email protected] 🎧 Please rate & review the podcast on your favorite platform — it helps more than you know!   #StephenPerkins #JanesAddiction #PornoForPyros #DrummerInterview #RockPodcast #SarahHalstead #RichChassler #DaveNavarro #EricAvery #Banyan #InfectiousGrooves #Hellride #DrumLegend #PeterGabriel #GratefulDead #SierraNevadaPaleAle #Percussion #RockAndRoll #CelebrityPodcast

Renee Percy Gets 30 Million Views a Month and STILL Isn't Famous Comedian and actress Renee Percy returns to Drinking During Business Hours for her second sit-down with hosts Sarah Halstead and Rich Chassler, and the timing could not be better  she is in the middle of a full-blown viral explosion, pulling over 30 million views a month on social media after 25 years of grinding in comedy. Renee gets real about what going viral actually means: why a Tonight Show spot doesn't move the needle like it used to, whether a follower count in Phoenix ever sells a ticket in Phoenix, and how she accidentally committed herself to touring Bangkok, Taipei, and São Paulo because that's where her fans actually live. She opens up about the slow build  the "overnight success" that took two decades, the body of work that justifies the break, and why comics are never satisfied. Sarah and Rich share the story of Renee's legendary last-minute wedding roast, she reveals the burger videos that made her hungry for fame (literally), the gang breaks down their red-hot weekly show Test Kitchen Comedy at the historic Starlight Cabaret in Studio City  complete with the building's Oil Can Harry's cop-alert boot-window history  and Renee previews her fourth year touring for the troops through Greece, Turkey, Portugal, and Norway, plus headlining dates in Arizona and Boise. All over bottles of Love Block Sauvignon Blanc, the wine from the woman who created Kim Crawford. Pour one and dive in. Guest Info Renee Percy is an award-winning actor, writer, and comedian who caught the acting bug at age 12 with a series-regular role, launching a career in Canadian television before making the move to the U.S. She has been seen on NBC, CBS, ABC, FOX, Nickelodeon, Disney, FX, and Comedy Central, and her special The Komic Sutra is available now on Amazon and Apple. Her viral videos on Instagram pull over 30 million views a month, she performs at every major comedy club, and she is heading into her fourth year touring overseas for the troops. Website: https://www.reneepercy.com/ Guest Social Links •      Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reneepercycomedian/ •      TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thereneepercy •      Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ReneePercyComedian/ •      YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6kL_EkNsl3ZYl_86_OT9Nw •      Website: https://www.reneepercy.com/ Drink of the Podcast Love Block Sauvignon Blanc a crisp, vibrant white from Marlborough, New Zealand, made by Erica Crawford, the winemaker behind Kim Crawford before the brand was sold to a wine conglomerate. Named for the block of land the Crawfords fell in love with, it is a Sauvignon Blanc for people who loved the original and one of Sarah's all-time favorite wines from one of her favorite winemakers. Chapters 00:00   Intro: Welcome to Drinking During Business Hours 02:07   The Drink: Love Block Sauvignon Blanc 04:10   Welcome Back, Renee Percy 05:19   Still Not Famous: The Second Visit 06:45   There Is No Such Thing as a Big Break 10:15   Going Viral vs. The Tonight Show 14:54   Do Followers Really Sell Tickets? 21:24   A Play in New York (and Girls' Night) 22:27   Touring for the Troops: Greece, Turkey, Portugal, Norway 23:24   Headlining Dates: Arizona and Boise 25:12   Test Kitchen Comedy: All-New Material Every Week 28:47   The Wedding Roast Story 31:55   Roast Rules and Sarah Tiana's Tom Brady Playbook 33:55   Coming Up Together at Flappers Comedy Club 35:31   The Burger Videos and Beating the Algorithm 36:57   The Starlight Cabaret and Its Oil Can Harry's History 39:41   The Magic Number Seven (and a Little Cheating) 41:21   Where to Find Renee 42:18   Thank Yous and Outro Call to Action Enjoyed the episode? Like, subscribe, and share it with a comedy lover in your life. Rate and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts or your favorite platform every five-star review helps us reach more listeners. And don't forget to catch Renee Percy live on tour dates at reneepercy.com and stream her special The Komic Sutra on Amazon and Apple. If you're in L.A., come see Test Kitchen Comedy at the Starlight Cabaret in Studio City all-new material, 90 tight minutes, only 5 bucks. Special thanks to Doug Bass https://www.instagram.com/dougbasshole/ And Bass Hole Studios https://www.bassholepodcaststudio.com/  Producer Cori Fry [email protected] Maximilian Riedel and Riedel glassware, and Erica Crawford of Loveblock Wines. Host Links FOLLOW US ON SOCIALS! Sarah IG @sarahhalstead https://www.instagram.com/sarahhalstead/?hl=en  FB @sarahjhalsteadcomic https://www.facebook.com/sarahjhalsteadcomic/ X @sarahjhalstead  https://twitter.com/sarahjhalstead  Website   @SarahHalstead | sarahjhalstead.com Rich IG @richchassler https://www.instagram.com/richchassler/ FB @chasslerfans https://www.facebook.com/Chasslerfans/ X @richchassler https://x.com/richchassler  Website  richardchassler.com 📧 [email protected] 🎧 Please rate & review the podcast on your favorite platform, it helps more than you know!   Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/drinking-during-business-hours-with-sarah-halstead/id1273935631 | Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3EdszkVArwM4JvBBeLUL7T #DrinkingDuringBusinessHours #ReneePercy #TheKomicSutra #ComedyPodcast #SarahHalstead #RichChassler #ViralComedy #StandUpComedy #TestKitchenComedy #StarlightCabaret #LoveBlockWine #ComedianInterview #TouringTheTroops #WomensComedy #CelebrityPodcast

Sarah Tiana on Bourbon, the Boys Club of Comedy, and the Joke She Won't Tell Yet   Actress, stand up comedian, host, broadcaster, and self described baseball fanatic Sarah Tiana joins Drinking During Business Hours over Blackland Bourbon. Hosts Sarah Halstead and Rich Chassler get her take on the one drink she has before every set to loosen up, why she happily takes the opening spot at the Comedy Store, and how marriage and motherhood completely reshuffled her material.    Sarah opens up about growing up between a cow pasture and a sheep farm in Calhoun, Georgia after a Northern California start, the famous college radio station that turned a journalism major into a joke teller, DJing weddings and bar mitzvahs before comedy called, and the Pepperidge Farm dad who turned down the big job to coach her softball team.    Rich shares what it was really like coming up with Mitch Hedberg, Sarah talks about starting comedy in a class with Tom Segura, Anthony Jeselnik, and Christina Pazsitzky, and the three of them get into how Daniel Tosh, Jeselnik, and Bobby Lee quietly protected women in comedy, Chelsea Handler's advice to go be funny and leave, Mitzi Shore's blonde waitress rule, the six year grind to finally get passed at the Comedy Store, and the perfect storm of podcasts, Uber, and Dave Chappelle that made the Store the center of the comedy world again.   Guest Info   Sarah Tiana is a comedian, writer, actress, and sports commentator. A Roast Battle runner up at the Just for Laughs Festival in Montreal on Comedy Central, she was a writer for Netflix's The Roast of Tom Brady, a regular on Chelsea Lately and @midnight, a writer for The Josh Wolf Show on CMT, and a correspondent on The Soup Investigates. She played Carmen on Reno 911, wrote for the ESPY Awards and the Rob Riggle NFL segments on FOX, and has done over a dozen comedy tours for the troops. Her stand up special 44, taped live at the World Famous Comedy Store, is on YouTube, and you can now catch her on ESPN's women's sports coverage every Thursday. Raised in Calhoun, Georgia, she has been a working comedian in Los Angeles since 2003.   Guest Social Links   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahtiana/ X / Twitter: https://x.com/sarahtiana Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sarahtianafanclub/ Special 44 on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ArqsXiBzOU Drink of the Podcast   Blackland Bourbon, made in Fort Worth, Texas. A quintessential American bourbon whiskey, poured over ice with soda, and the first bourbon ever requested by a guest on the show. Blackland was recently featured on the new Yellowstone spinoff Dutton Ranch. Chapters   00:00 Intro: Welcome to Drinking During Business Hours   00:37 The Drink: Blackland Bourbon from Fort Worth, Texas   01:07 Wine With Grandma: A Trip to Michigan   02:02 Meet Sarah Tiana: Comedian, Writer, Sports Commentator   02:39 The First Guest Ever to Request Bourbon   03:12 One Drink Just to Loosen Up   05:19 Headliner Problems: The Dreaded Check Drop   05:56 Why She Loves Going First at the Comedy Store   07:58 Marriage, Motherhood, and Lost Material   09:43 The Proposal That Closed a Chapter   13:57 Engaged in December, Married on a Monday   14:06 A Comedy Store and Improv Love Story   16:03 Comedy Is Math and the Joke That Is Not Ready Yet   17:55 From Calhoun, Georgia to Album 88 College Radio   20:19 Six Flags, the Sorbonne, and Moving to LA   24:09 Dad Turns Down the Big Job: The Pepperidge Farm Story   30:53 DJing Weddings and Bar Mitzvahs Before Comedy   31:21 Mitch Hedberg: Best Friend, Opening Act, Comedy Legend   34:10 Coming Up with Segura, Jeselnik, and Christina P   37:12 Tosh, Jeselnik, and Bobby Lee Protecting Women in Comedy   43:11 Chelsea Handler's Advice: Go Be Funny and Leave   45:41 Mitzi Shore's Blonde Waitress Rule   50:58 Six Years to Get Passed at the Comedy Store   52:28 The Perfect Storm: Podcasts, Uber, and Chappelle   55:44 ESPN Women's Sports and a Trip to Japan   56:57 Outro and Thank Yous Call to Action   Enjoyed the episode? Like, subscribe, and share it with a comedy fan, sports nut, or Comedy Store lover in your life. Rate and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts or your favorite platform. Every five star review helps us reach more listeners. And do not forget to watch Sarah Tiana's special 44, streaming now on YouTube!   Special thanks to Doug Bass  ( https://www.instagram.com/dougbasshole/ )and Bass Hole Studios ... https://www.bassholepodcaststudio.com/  Producer Cori Fry [email protected] Maximilian Riedel and Riedel Glassware for always supplying the best glasses, and Blackland Bourbon... https://www.riedel.com/en-us    #SarahTiana #ComedyStore #RoastBattle #MitchHedberg #DanielTosh #AnthonyJeselnik #ChelseaHandler #SarahHalstead #RichChassler #BlacklandBourbon #ComedyPodcast #StandUpComedy #WomensSports #ESPN #FemaleComedian

Stand Up Comedy and Why Deadheads Went After Sarah Sarah Halstead and Richard Chassler kick off this episode of Drinking During Business Hours with a summer-ready Austrian wine and a wide-ranging conversation about live comedy, producing their new weekly show Test Kitchen Comedy in Los Angeles, booking a first trip to Japan, and why movie theaters still matter. They also get into the vulnerability of stand-up versus acting, the changing business of comedy specials and social media clips, the backlash Sarah received from Deadheads online, what they're currently reading, and where fans can catch them next.   Drink of the Podcast Grüner Veltliner from Austria by Kracher Crisp, bone-dry, and described as having notes of honey, lemon, melon, and grapefruit — a quintessential summer wine.   Chapters 00:00 Welcome back to Drinking During Business Hours   01:12 What Sarah and Richard are drinking: Austrian Grüner Veltliner by Kracher   04:34 Summer updates, local shows, and performing in LA   05:45 Launching their new weekly comedy show: Test Kitchen Comedy   08:32 Why audiences should see comedians work out new material live   08:39 Booking a much-needed trip to Tokyo and Japan travel talk   10:05 Conveyor belt sushi, travel costs, and why Japan sounds like a bargain   11:22 Summer movies, packed theaters, and the return of the cinema experience   15:25 Acting careers, movie stars, TV, and how the industry keeps changing   16:20 Tom Hanks' advice on taking every acting job   17:35 Stand-up comedy vs acting: vulnerability, pressure, and performance   20:00 Comedy specials, social media clips, and the new stand-up business model   23:58 Sarah's viral Deadhead backlash and the Grateful Dead subculture   27:51 What Sarah is reading right now   29:14 What Richard is reading and a possible film adaptation dream   30:36 Where to find Sarah and Richard online   31:01 Thank-yous, reviews, YouTube, and signing off   Call to Action If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe to Drinking During Business Hours, leave a 5-star review, write a quick review if you can, and find the show on YouTube for more episodes, clips, and updates. If you're in Los Angeles, check out Sarah and Richard live and catch Test Kitchen Comedy on Tuesday nights. FOLLOW US ON SOCIALS! Sarah IG @sarahhalstead https://www.instagram.com/sarahhalstead/?hl=en  FB @sarahjhalsteadcomic https://www.facebook.com/sarahjhalsteadcomic/ X @sarahjhalstead  https://twitter.com/sarahjhalstead  Website   @SarahHalstead | sarahjhalstead.com Rich IG @richchassler https://www.instagram.com/richchassler/ FB @chasslerfans https://www.facebook.com/Chasslerfans/ X @richchassler https://x.com/richchassler  Website  richardchassler.com 📧 [email protected] 🎧 Please rate & review the podcast on your favorite platform — it helps more than you know!   #DrinkingDuringBusinessHours #SarahHalstead #RichardChassler #ComedyPodcast #StandUpComedy #PodcastClips #YouTubePodcast #MovieTheaterComeback #GrunerVeltliner #JapanTravel #DeadheadDrama #LAComedy

From Small-Town DJ to Emmy Winner: Jim O'Heir's Wild Ride Parks and Recreation legend Jim O'Heir joins Drinking During Business Hours for a hilarious, heartfelt conversation over ice-cold bottles of Pilsner Urquell. Hosts Sarah Halstead and Rich Chassler get the Emmy-winning actor to open up about the wildest night of his career winning a Daytime Emmy for The Bold and the Beautiful when he was absolutely certain he'd lose, complete with Nick Offerman's infamous "these are not winner's seats" warning and an unplanned, from-the-heart speech. Jim takes us back to his Chicago roots at Second City, his days as a small-town DJ in Rensselaer, Indiana, the very first laugh that hooked him for life, getting fired from Santa Barbara, and the magic of truly connecting with James Spader on Boston Legal. He also shares the story behind his beloved memoir "Welcome to Pawnee: Stories of Friendship, Waffles, and Parks and Recreation" from the all-publishers-bid book auction to the exhausting, joyful three-week book tour  and what it was like playing Jerry Gergich for seven years on one of the most beloved sitcoms of all time. Guest Info Jim O'Heir is an Emmy Award–winning actor and comedian, best known for playing Jerry (Garry/Larry/Terry/Barry) Gergich on NBC's Parks and Recreation for all seven seasons. A Chicago native and Second City alum, his endless credits span Friends, The Drew Carey Show, Star Trek, Better Call Saul, Parenthood, Third Rock from the Sun, Boston Legal, and The Bold and the Beautiful  which earned him a Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Guest Performer. He is also the author of the memoir Welcome to Pawnee: Stories of Friendship, Waffles, and Parks and Recreation. Guest Social Links Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therealjimoheir/ X / Twitter: https://x.com/JimOHeir Welcome to Pawnee (HarperCollins): https://www.harpercollins.com/products/welcome-to-pawnee-jim-oheir Drink of the Podcast (NOT SPONSORED) Pilsner Urquell, the original golden pilsner from the Czech Republic, cracked open ice-cold straight from the bottle on a 100-degree Los Angeles day. A crisp, high-minerality change of pace from the show's usual wine, chosen because Jim is a self-proclaimed "Pilsner guy."   Chapters 00:00 Intro: Welcome to Drinking During Business Hours 00:35 The Drink: Pilsner Urquell Straight From the Bottle 02:00 Meet Jim O'Heir: Jerry From Parks and Rec 03:40 The Emmy Mix-Up: It Was The Bold and the Beautiful 04:05 Emmy Night: "These Are Not Winner's Seats" 11:15 Soap Opera School: 40 Pages a Day 16:00 From Small-Town DJ to Second City 19:30 The First Laugh That Changed Everything 26:30 Connecting on Set: The James Spader Story 35:30 Getting Fired From Santa Barbara 38:00 Parks and Rec Fun Runs 40:00 Writing Welcome to Pawnee: The Book Auction 44:30 The Book Tour and the Norovirus Story 50:30 Gratitude and the Luck of Parks and Rec 54:00 Where to Find Jim: Premarital, Middleman, and More 57:00 Outro and Thanks Call to Action Enjoyed the episode? Like, subscribe, and share it with a Parks and Rec fan or comedy lover in your life. Rate and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts or your favorite platform every five-star review helps us reach more listeners. And don't forget to grab a copy of Jim's book, Welcome to Pawnee: Stories of Friendship, Waffles, and Parks and Recreation, wherever books are sold! Special thanks to Doug Bass and Bass Hole Studios, producer CorI Fry, and Maximilian Riedel for always supplying the best glassware. Host Links FOLLOW US ON SOCIALS! Sarah IG @sarahhalstead https://www.instagram.com/sarahhalstead/?hl=en  FB @sarahjhalsteadcomic https://www.facebook.com/sarahjhalsteadcomic/ X @sarahjhalstead  https://twitter.com/sarahjhalstead  Website   @SarahHalstead | sarahjhalstead.com Rich IG @richchassler https://www.instagram.com/richchassler/ FB @chasslerfans https://www.facebook.com/Chasslerfans/ X @richchassler https://x.com/richchassler  Website  richardchassler.com 📧 [email protected] 🎧 Please rate & review the podcast on your favorite platform — it helps more than you know!  Apple Podcasts:  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/drinking-during-business-hours-with-sarah-halstead/id1273935631   Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3EdszkVArwM4JvBBeLUL7T   #JimOHeir #ParksAndRecreation #JerryGergich #WelcomeToPawnee #ComedyPodcast #SarahHalstead #RichChassler #EmmyWinner #SecondCity #PilsnerUrquell #ActorInterview #ParksAndRec #BehindTheScenes #BookTour #CelebrityPodcast

Irina Voronina Gets Real About Russia, Hollywood, The Playboy Murders & Comedy This week on Drinking During Business Hours, Sarah Halstead and Richard Chassler sit down with Irina Voronina for a funny, candid, and surprisingly emotional conversation about her journey from Russia to Milan to Los Angeles, her rise as a Playboy Playmate and working actress, and how stand-up comedy became the next chapter of her life. Along the way, Irina opens up about growing up in Soviet Russia, leaving home at 19, adapting to America, and finding her own authentic voice in comedy instead of becoming a stereotype. The episode also gets into the realities of show business, aging in Hollywood, getting typecast, the transition from modeling to comedy, producing shows at Bar Lubitsch, working at Comedy Chateau, and Irina's appearance in The Playboy Murders. Sarah, Rich, and Irina keep it loose and hilarious throughout with a full non-alcoholic beer tasting featuring Beck's Non-Alcoholic, Heineken 0.0, and O'Doul's, making this one equal parts heartfelt, insightful, and absurdly fun.    🎤 Guest Info Irina Voronina is a Russian-born American comedian, actor, model, and producer best known as Playboy's Miss January 2001. According to her official bio, she built an international modeling career before expanding into film, television, and stand-up comedy, with credits including Reno 911!: Miami, Balls of Fury, Piranha 3DD, iCarly, Tosh.0, 13 Reasons Why, and more. She now performs stand-up regularly in Los Angeles and produces original comedy content for her social platforms.  🔗 Guest Social Links Website: https://www.irinavoronina.net/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/irinavoronina/ Comedy Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/irinavoroninacomedy/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@iamirinavoronina 🍺 Drink of the Podcast (NOT SPONSORED) Non-Alcoholic Beer Tasting Flight: Beck's Non-Alcoholic Heineken 0.0 O'Doul's This episode's drink theme was a refreshing non-alcoholic beer tasting, chosen for a hot Los Angeles day and inspired by Irina's request for non-alcoholic beer. The group sampled Beck's, Heineken 0.0, and O'Doul's, with Heineken 0.0 emerging as a favorite, while the overall verdict was that all three were surprisingly solid. ⏱️ Chapters 00:00 Welcome back to Drinking During Business Hours 00:56 The beer lineup: Beck's, Heineken 0.0, and O'Doul's (NOT SPONSORED) 02:09 Introducing Irina Voronina 04:05 How Irina got involved with Comedy Chateau 11:29 From Russia to America: Irina's early life story 15:22 Why Irina no longer feels safe traveling back to Russia 17:29 Family, WhatsApp, surveillance, and life back home 21:28 How Irina accidentally landed in Playboy 25:01 Moving to LA and taking the risk at 23 25:43 Modeling, acting, and building a career in Hollywood 27:51 Turning 40 and when the phone stopped ringing 31:18 Why Irina turned to stand-up comedy 36:30 Comedy Chateau, bar shows, and learning to perform 38:35 Producing Comedy Stew at Bar Lubitsch 43:05 Comedy classes, writing groups, and bad advice for comics 45:37 The Playboy Murders and Irina's connection to the story 48:04 Social media, comedy accounts, and where to follow Irina 49:19 Final drink rankings and shout-outs 50:00 Thanks for watching and sign-off 📣 Call to Action If you enjoyed this episode, like, comment, and subscribe to Drinking During Business Hours for more hilarious and honest conversations with comics, actors, creatives, and unforgettable guests. Drop a comment with your favorite moment from the episode, tell us which non-alcoholic beer you would pick, and share this episode with anyone who loves comedy, pop culture, and wild Hollywood stories.   FOLLOW US ON SOCIALS! Sarah IG @sarahhalstead https://www.instagram.com/sarahhalstead/?hl=en  FB @sarahjhalsteadcomic https://www.facebook.com/sarahjhalsteadcomic/ X @sarahjhalstead  https://twitter.com/sarahjhalstead  Website   @SarahHalstead | sarahjhalstead.com Rich IG @richchassler https://www.instagram.com/richchassler/ FB @chasslerfans https://www.facebook.com/Chasslerfans/ X @richchassler https://x.com/richchassler  Website  richardchassler.com 📧 [email protected] 🎧 Please rate & review the podcast on your favorite platform - it helps more than you know!   #IrinaVoronina #PlayboyMurders #PlayboyPlaymate #StandUpComedy

Chef Steve Samson on Rosso Blu, Bologna, Gnocchi, and the Real Cost of Running a Restaurant  The Italian Food Secret LA Has Been Hiding This week on Drinking During Business Hours, Sarah Halstead and Rich Chassler sit down with Michelin-recognized chef and restaurateur Steve Samson for a rich, hilarious, and deeply personal conversation about Italian food, the restaurant life, and what it really takes to build something lasting in Los Angeles. Steve is the chef and co-owner of Rosso Blu in downtown LA, a Bolognese-inspired restaurant that Rich and Sarah recently visited and could not stop raving about. From the wood-burning oven to the legendary gnocchi to the iconic burro e oro tortelloni, this episode is a love letter to great Italian cooking and the people who dedicate their lives to it. Steve opens up about growing up spending summers in Bologna with his grandparents, how food was always the center of family life, and how those memories eventually led him to leave behind a stack of med school applications and enroll in culinary school in New York City. He talks about his early kitchens in Soho and Maine, his time working with Piero Selvaggio at Valentino in Las Vegas, and how the vision for Rosso Blu was born from a simple idea: cook the food his mother made. The conversation gets real when Steve talks about the economics of running a restaurant in California, the crushing costs post-pandemic, labor laws, tip credits, and why places that used to be neighborhood spots are now special occasion dinners. His wife and partner Dina gets a major shout-out as the operational backbone of everything they have built together. It is funny, warm, food-obsessed, and packed with the kind of honesty you only get when great wine is flowing. Do not miss it. Guest Info Steve Samson is a Los Angeles-based chef, restaurateur, and co-founder of Rosso Blu, a critically acclaimed Bolognese-inspired restaurant located in the Fashion District of downtown Los Angeles. Steve was born in Brooklyn, raised in Los Angeles, and spent formative summers in Bologna, Italy, where his mother's family shaped his deep love for traditional northern Italian cuisine. He trained at Peter Kump's Cooking School in New York City, cooked in celebrated New York kitchens, and worked with legendary restaurateur Piero Selvaggio at Valentino in Las Vegas before returning to LA. He co-founded Sotto on Pico Boulevard, a beloved Southern Italian restaurant, before opening Rosso Blu with his wife and business partner Dina Samson. Rosso Blu has received Michelin recognition and has been written up in virtually every major food publication. Steve is known for presenting dishes with photographs of his family in Italy and the stories behind each recipe, making every meal at Rosso Blu a deeply personal experience.   🔗 Guest Social Links Restaurant Website: https://www.rossoblu.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chefstevesamson/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/steve.samson.311 Restaurant Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rossoblula/ Chef's website: https://www.chefstevesamson.net/   Drink of the Podcast Feudi di San Gregorio Cutizzi, 100% Greco di Tufo, Campania, Italy Rich and Sarah kicked off the episode with this stunning summer white from the Campania region of southern Italy, made entirely from the Greco grape. Feudi di San Gregorio is one of the most respected producers in southern Italy and the Cutizzi is their flagship expression of Greco di Tufo, known for its mineral-driven structure, stone fruit aromatics, and refreshing acidity. Rich described it as one of his favorite summer whites and noted it goes particularly well in a jacuzzi. They also poured Castello di Bolgheri by Antinori cousins, a Super Tuscan at around $150 a bottle, which Steve got to enjoy toward the end of the episode.   Chapters 00:00 Welcome & Drink of the Podcast  - Feudi di San Gregorio Cutizzi, Greco di Tufo 03:15 Introducing Chef Steve Samson -  Michelin-Recognized Chef & Owner of Rosso Blu 09:05 The Story Behind the Menu -  Presenting Dishes with Family Photos from Bologna 13:05 Bologna's Three Nicknames -  La Dotta, La Grassa, La Rossa 18:45 Peter Kump's Cooking School, NYC — Now Called ICE, Institute of Culinary Education 19:45 First Kitchen Job - Little Cranberry Island, Maine & the Lobster Dock Next Door 23:35 In the Weeds - The Term, What It Means in Any Vocation & Getting Through It 26:05 After-Hours NYC - Blue Ribbon, Seafood Towers & the Chefs Who Ran the Night 29:00 Building Your Chops - Garmanger, Pantry Station, Day Rates & Learning to Cook Professionally 31:50 Chefs Don't Trash Talk Each Other - Tom Colicchio, Nancy Silverton & the Respect in the Industry 35:55 No Tip Credit in California - What It Means, What It Costs & Why Sacramento Won't Change It 38:30 Shout Out to Dina Samson - The Glue, the Beast, the Operational Backbone of Rosso Blu 40:30 Post-COVID Costs - How Rising Prices Changed the Dining Landscape for Everyone 43:45 Your Gnocchi Changed My Life - The Secrets, Old Potatoes & Why It Goes So Wrong 48:20 The Test Kitchen Space - What Was There Before Sotto & the Chefs Who Came Through 50:30 Michael Voltaggio, Ink, Ink Sack & Great LA Restaurants We've Lost 55:00 Molecular Gastronomy, Emulsifiers & Why Italian Cooking Needs None of It 59:50 Paris, Amsterdam, Youth Hostels & the Bouillons - Traveling with the Kids on a Budget 61:00 Café d'Argent, Paris - The Numbered Duck & a Wine Cellar with 50,000 Bottles 64:00 Where to Find Steve & Rosso Blu + Thank Yous & Sign Off 📣 Call to Action If you enjoyed this episode, like, comment, and subscribe to Drinking During Business Hours for more conversations with chefs, winemakers, comedians, actors, and creatives who know how to live well. Drop a comment telling us your favorite Italian restaurant experience or what your go-to summer white is right now. Share this episode with anyone who loves great food, great wine, and great stories. And if you are in Los Angeles or visiting, get yourself to Rosso Blu in the Fashion District downtown. You will not regret it. 🥂 Host Links FOLLOW US ON SOCIALS! Sarah IG @sarahhalstead https://www.instagram.com/sarahhalstead/?hl=en  FB @sarahjhalsteadcomic https://www.facebook.com/sarahjhalsteadcomic/ X @sarahjhalstead  https://twitter.com/sarahjhalstead  Website   @SarahHalstead | sarahjhalstead.com Rich IG @richchassler https://www.instagram.com/richchassler/ FB @chasslerfans https://www.facebook.com/Chasslerfans/ X @richchassler https://x.com/richchassler  Website  richardchassler.com 📧 [email protected] 🎧 Please rate & review the podcast on your favorite platform — it helps more than you know!   Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/drinking-during-business-hours-with-sarah-halstead/id1273935631 Podcast YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SarahHalsteadComedian Sarah and Rich are the husband-and-wife comedy duo behind Drinking During Business Hours, where comedy, conversation, great wine, and incredible guests collide every episode. #SteveSamson #RossoBlu #ItalianFood #LosAngelesRestaurants #MichelinLA

Jennifer M Shaffer Talks Apparitions, the FBI and a Bottle of Chardonay Comedians Sarah J. Halstead and Rich Chassler pop a 2021 Gentleman Farmer 100% Chardonnay and pour it out with Jennifer M. Shaffer internationally recognized intuitive, spiritual medium, medical intuitive, and former stockbroker-turned-triathlete who's worked with the FBI, U.S. Secret Service, and Dark Web Division. They cover ADHD-approved Chardonnay, 800 bottles stashed in kitchen drawers, the secret to a 30-year marriage, why Jennifer never watches the news, the French Bulldog bedspread that cracked an FBI fentanyl case, and the night she sees full-blown apparitions walking through her bedroom window. Equal parts hilarious, terrifying, and oddly comforting. 👻 Guest Info Jennifer M. Shaffer is an internationally recognized Intuitive Spiritual Medium, Investigative Case Expert, and Medical Intuitive based in Manhattan Beach, CA. A former stockbroker who managed half a billion dollars in her 20s and a professional triathlete, she's a Founding Member of the Intuitive Investigations Academy, a Social Activism Award winner, and the subject of four best-selling books. Jennifer hosts her signature Wine & Spirit Gallery Readings at Uncorked Manhattan Beach twice a month. 📱 Guest Social Links Instagram: @jennifermshaffer … https://www.instagram.com/jennifermshaffer/?hl=en  Facebook: JSIntuitiveInvestigationAlliances … https://www.facebook.com/JSIntuitiveInvestigationAlliances/  LinkedIn: Jennifer M. Shaffer … https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifermedlynshaffer  🌐 Website: jennifershaffer.com …https://jennifershaffer.com/  🍾 Drink of the Podcast (Not Sponsored) Gentleman Farmer 2021  100% Chardonnay Made by DDBH friends Jeff Durham & Joe (Joey) Wallows of Gentleman Farmer Wines. Varietal: 100% Chardonnay Style: Full malolactic fermentation — that buttery, creamy mouthfeel Climate: Warm climate — pours a rich, deep gold Flavor: Fuller-bodied, lower acid 📍 Find the wine at the Gentleman Farmer Bungalow … https://gentlemanfarmerwines.com/ - featured this month in Wine Spectator Magazine. 🥃 Drank from RIEDEL Chardonnay-specific varietal glasses …https://www.riedel.com/  🕒 Chapters 00:00 Welcome & The Pour (Gentleman Farmer Chardonnay) 02:28 Meet Jennifer M. Shaffer 07:12 The Wine Snob & 800 Bottles in Kitchen Drawers 12:45 The Secret to a 30-Year Marriage 16:33 Working With the FBI, U.S. Secret Service & Dark Web 23:31 When a Killer Calls Her Office 26:31 Why She Never Watches the News 31:29 Alzheimer's & "Having Fun on the Other Side" 41:26 Vulnerability & Letting the World In 48:58 Dr. Phil & The Heart Attack She Predicted 51:33 Psychedelics: Ketamine, MDMA & Psilocybin 56:46 Sleep, Alpha State & Seeing Apparitions 60:42 The Mentalism Card Trick with Gabe Abelson 64:18 Wine & Spirit Gallery Readings at Uncorked Manhattan Beach 🎯 Call to Action If this episode made you laugh, gasp, or reach for the Chardonnay 🍷 three things: LIKE this video on YouTube SUBSCRIBE on YouTube, Apple Podcasts & Spotify Leave a 5-star review it fuels the algorithm Attention Hproof  your product got mentioned four times. The door is open. Walk through it. Want to be read? Come to the next Wine & Spirit Gallery Reading at Uncorked Manhattan Beach… https://uncorkedwineshops.com/ $40. 35 readings. Twice a month. 🎙️ Host Links FOLLOW US ON SOCIALS! Watch the Episode on YouTube...https://www.youtube.com/@Sarahhalsteadcomedian  Sarah IG @sarahhalstead https://www.instagram.com/sarahhalstead/?hl=en  FB @sarahjhalsteadcomic https://www.facebook.com/sarahjhalsteadcomic/ X @sarahjhalstead  https://twitter.com/sarahjhalstead  Website   @SarahHalstead | sarahjhalstead.com Rich IG @richchassler https://www.instagram.com/richchassler/ FB @chasslerfans https://www.facebook.com/Chasslerfans/ X @richchassler https://x.com/richchassler  Website  richardchassler.com 📧 [email protected] 🎧 Please rate & review the podcast on your favorite platform  it helps more than you know! The Show 🎧 DDBH on Apple Podcasts … https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/drinking-during-business-hours-with-sarah-halstead/id1273935631  🎧 DDBH on Spotify … https://open.spotify.com/show/0S1heAKEiAufmBft90DK9m  📺 DDBH on YouTube … https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLKMYmcbbBTHU473qSah0WsKKy5ztyZyiNQ  🎬 Basshole Studios / Doug Bass … https://www.bassholeshow.com/  Producer & Editor Cori Fry PodChic Media - https://www.instagram.com/thepod_chic/ or https://www.instagram.com/corifry/  #DrinkingDuringBusinessHours #ComedyAndWine #JenniferMShaffer #IntuitiveMedium  #SpiritualMedium  Drinking During Business Hours -  Where Comedy & Fine Wine Meet. 🥂

Keith Reza on Comedy, Fame, and Never Giving Up This week on Drinking During Business Hours, Sarah Halstead and Rich Chassler sit down with comedian, actor, writer, and podcaster Keith Reza for a funny, candid, and inspiring conversation about building a career in comedy, staying persistent in entertainment, and carving out your own voice in a brutally competitive business. With roots in stand-up, a long-running podcast of his own, and years spent learning from the legendary Norm Macdonald, Keith brings the kind of behind-the-scenes perspective comedy fans love. From the grind of live comedy to storytelling, podcasting, industry survival, and the mindset it takes to keep going, this episode is a great listen for comics, creators, and anybody chasing a creative life. If you love conversations about stand-up, entertainment, mental resilience, and the reality behind making it, this one belongs on your watchlist.     🎤 Guest Info Keith Reza is a stand-up comedian, actor, writer, and podcast host with more than 20 years in comedy. He was diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome at 13 and found comedy as a way to connect with people and navigate the world. He was mentored by Norm Macdonald for nine years, contributed as a writer on Norm Macdonald Has a Show and Norm Macdonald Live, has appeared on NBC, Animal Planet, and Netflix Is A Joke, and released the special Keith Reza: Make It Happen. He also hosts the long-running celebrity interview podcast Reza Rifts.     🔗 Guest Social Links Website: https://www.keithreza.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/keithreza/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/realkeithreza X / Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/keithreza TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@keithreza YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpyRbdbee3pBlDrtMDd6Pww Podcast - Reza Rifts: https://www.keithreza.com/gallery     🍷 Drink of the Podcast Drink of the Podcast: Molto Bene Mocktails Whether it's wine, cocktails, or something unexpected, the drink always sets the tone on Drinking During Business Hours, where comedy, conversation, and happy hour energy always meet in the middle. ⏱️ Chapters 00:00 Intro to Keith Reza 02:15 Keith's comedy journey 06:40 Learning from Norm Macdonald 11:05 Writing, performing, and finding your voice 16:20 The reality of stand-up life 22:10 Hosting Reza Rifts 28:35 Comedy, resilience, and mental toughness 35:00 Entertainment industry lessons 42:25 What keeps comedians going 49:10 Final thoughts and where to follow Keith 📣 Call to Action If you enjoyed this episode, make sure you like, comment, and subscribe to Drinking During Business Hours for more conversations with comedians, actors, writers, and creatives from across entertainment and culture. Drop a comment with your favorite Keith Reza moment and share the episode with someone who loves stand-up comedy, podcasts, and behind-the-scenes industry stories. 🥂 Host Links Sarah IG @sarahhalstead https://www.instagram.com/sarahhalstead/?hl=en  FB @sarahjhalsteadcomic https://www.facebook.com/sarahjhalsteadcomic/ X @sarahjhalstead  https://twitter.com/sarahjhalstead  Website   @SarahHalstead | sarahjhalstead.com Rich IG @richchassler https://www.instagram.com/richchassler/ FB @chasslerfans https://www.facebook.com/Chasslerfans/ X @richchassler https://x.com/richchassler  Website  richardchassler.com 📧 [email protected] 🎧 Please rate & review the podcast on your favorite platform — it helps more than you know!   Follow the podcast here: 🍷 Apple Podcasts: Drinking During Business Hours ,,, https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/drinking-during-business-hours-with-sarah-halstead/id1273935631  Watch it on YouTube ... https://www.youtube.com/@Sarahhalsteadcomedian   #KeithReza #StandUpComedy #Podcasting #ComedyPodcast #DrinkingDuringBusinessHours #SarahHalstead #RichChassler #ComedianLife #EntertainmentPodcast #PodcastGuest #ComedyJourney #CreativeLife #NormMacdonald #JohnCusack #SuccessMindset

Inside Darren Carter's Laugh Factory Slot 19 Strategy Comedian Darren Carter joins Sarah Halstead and Rich Chassler for a coffee-fueled masterclass on building a stand-up career in the social media age. Carter pulls back the curtain on nearly four decades of comedy, from his Fresno forensics team days to headlining the Laugh Factory, Comedy Central, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, and booking a Showtime special after landing a Miller Beer national commercial as only his third audition. The trio dives into his headshot story (shot by a Fresno photographer who drove a van down to LA to shoot sets), the strategic genius of always choosing slot #19 at the Laugh Factory Tuesday Night Live, the power of voices and impressions, and his daily social media workflow using iMovie and CapCut, including the secret weapon of trial reels. Along the way Carter shares the legendary Minnie Pearl advice he keeps in his Notes app: "Love them with your heart and they'll love you right back." It's a joyful, generous, hilarious hour that feels like pulling up a bar stool with three working comedians. Today we're drinking coffee. Guest Info Darren Carter is a stand-up comedian, actor, and podcaster based in Sherman Oaks, California. He's performed on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Comedy Central, and booked a Showtime special. On screen, he's starred opposite John Travolta. Off stage he's a family man and the host of the podcast Pocket Party. Carter started comedy in his hometown of Fresno in 1989, sharpened his chops in high school forensics (Dramatic Interpretation, Humorous Interpretation, Original Prose & Poetry, and Speech to Entertain, plus the dreaded Lincoln-Douglas debate), took a Variety Arts class at Fresno City College, then moved to LA. He's a paid regular at both the Comedy Store and the Laugh Factory, and he's cracked the social media consistency code with daily uploads across Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. Guest Social Links Instagram  @officialdarrencarter … https://www.instagram.com/officialdarrencarter/  Linktree … https://linktr.ee/DarrenCarter  YouTube …http://youtube.com/DarrenCarter  TikTok … https://www.tiktok.com/@officialdarrencarter Facebook … https://www.facebook.com/DarrenCarterOfficialFanPage?mibextid=ZbWKwL  Pocket Party on Apple Podcasts … https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/darren-carter-pocket-party/id1373544111?mt=2  Drink of the Podcast (NOT SPONSORED) We just really like this brand of Organic Mushroom Coffee.  Six adaptogenic mushrooms, no jitters, medium price-tier subscription. Hosts Sarah and Rich are drinking it because the guest requested coffee. This is the first time DDBH has gone caffeine-fueled instead of wine-fueled, and the conversation is no less intoxicating. Carter ordered a vanilla iced latte alongside. "It doesn't give me the jitters like regular coffee… but you'll go broke drinking it." - Rich Chassler Ryze Mushroom Coffee … https://www.ryzesuperfoods.com/pages/shop-all?srsltid=AfmBOorKrz2kUh7SB0UHHxzGUhyMObP4iM5xah2BxPOo3xJ0YMdSxYXr  Chapters 0:00 Cold Open & Welcome, Sarah & Rich kick off the show 1:00 The Drink Today: Organic Mushroom Coffee, adaptogens, ~$54/mo, no jitters 4:16 Introducing Darren Carter, Tonight Show, Comedy Central, starred opposite John Travolta 4:40 The Headshot Story, photographer Frankie Lee L driving down from Fresno to shoot LA open-micers 11:00 Beginners Luck vs Inherent Energy, does your excitement get you the room? 13:00 Social Media Routine, daily uploads, 90-second reels, the magic of trial reels (1 to 5/day) 17:51 Editing Workflow, iMovie to phone to CapCut Pro: bright, loud, watermarked 24:00 New Bits vs Old Material, "Think of the room like an art gallery: today I'm putting up Darren Carter 2026." 29:00 Repackaging Old Footage, combine two days, add a GIF, change the hook, fool the algorithm 31:00 Bar vs Belly Room Productivity, 1992 vs 2026 (Barry Katz: "Nothing good happens on the couch") 33:00 Selling Tickets in 2026 vs The Old Days, when clubs had phone-banking teams, radio hits, the Last Laugh in San Jose 36:08 Comedy Origins in Fresno, career day, forensics team (DI, HI, OPP, STE, Lincoln-Douglas debate) 42:00 Moving to LA & Laugh Factory Tuesday Night Live, meeting roommate Julian Jones, the slot-19 strategy 45:10 The Power of Voices & Impressions, Bart Simpson, Snagglepuss, Gangs of Nebraska, Danny Lobell's Jackie Mason 49:00 Breaking Big, Miller Beer commercial (3rd audition, 1995), SAG card, Showtime special, Comedy Store + Laugh Factory regular 51:30 "Love Them With Your Heart," the Minnie Pearl advice that changed his stage life 53:16 A Long Beach Lesson in Professionalism, never call out the crowd (the bringer-caller tanked his set) 54:20 Pocket Party + Where to Find Darren, Instagram, Linktree, YouTube, TikTok 55:28 Shoutouts, Bass Home Studios / Doug Bass (plugs for anyone wanting a podcast space), Riedel Glassware, Corey Fry 57:00 Sign-Off, like, subscribe, five stars, see you next week Call to Action If you dug this episode, do these four things right now: LIKE this video ... https://www.youtube.com/@DrinkingDuringBusinessHours  SUBSCRIBE to Drinking During Business Hours on YouTube... https://www.youtube.com/@DrinkingDuringBusinessHours  FIVE-STAR the podcast on Apple Podcasts & Spotify COMMENT below your favorite Darren Carter moment (or just say hi, we read every one) Thinking about starting your own podcast? Hit up Doug Bass at Bass Home Studios in the West Hollywood-adjacent area. As Darren said: "There's a restroom, plenty of parking, and it's great." Yes, we got a shoutout for the air conditioning, the parking, and the bathroom. DDBH appreciates you, Doug. Host Links FOLLOW US ON SOCIALS! Sarah IG @sarahhalstead https://www.instagram.com/sarahhalstead/?hl=en  FB @sarahjhalsteadcomic https://www.facebook.com/sarahjhalsteadcomic/ X @sarahjhalstead  https://twitter.com/sarahjhalstead  Website   @SarahHalstead | sarahjhalstead.com Rich IG @richchassler https://www.instagram.com/richchassler/ FB @chasslerfans https://www.facebook.com/Chasslerfans/ X @richchassler https://x.com/richchassler  Website  richardchassler.com 📧 [email protected] 🎧 Please rate & review the podcast on your favorite platform — it helps more than you know!   #darrencarter #DrinkingDuringBusinessHours #DDBH #StandUpComedy #ComedyLife #Comedian #ComedyPodcast #LAComedy #NYCComedy #ComedyStore #LaughFactory #TonightShow #ComedyCentral #Showtime #PocketParty

David Leaf on Brian Wilson, SMiLE & The Beach Boys In this episode of Drinking During Business Hours, Sarah Halstead and Rich Chassler welcome back acclaimed writer, filmmaker, and UCLA professor David Leaf for a funny, wide-ranging, and surprisingly moving conversation about music, storytelling, teaching, and his deeply personal friendship with Brian Wilson. What starts with mocktails and comedy banter turns into a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at Pet Sounds, SMiLE, The Beatles, and what it really means to devote your life to great art.David shares how he moved to Los Angeles determined to write about Brian Wilson, how that dream eventually led him into Wilson's inner circle, and why helping bring SMiLE back to life became one of the defining missions of his career. He also talks about teaching legendary UCLA music courses, the "four Ds of success," documentary filmmaking, movie scores, and why the emotional power of music matters more than technical theory. Guest Info David Leaf is an award-winning writer, director, producer, and one of the most respected chroniclers of The Beach Boys and Brian Wilson. He is the author of The Beach Boys and the California Myth, God Only Knows, and SMiLE: The Rise, Fall & Resurrection of Brian Wilson. He also teaches at UCLA, where he leads acclaimed classes on The Beatles, songwriting, and music documentaries.  Guest Social Links Website: leafprod.com Instagram: @davidleafwriter Facebook: David Leaf Drink of the Podcast Molto Bene Ginger Beer Mocktail Sarah and Rich sip an alcohol-free mocktail built around Molto Bene ginger beer, while also shouting out San Benedetto, the Italian water brand behind it. They discuss why they love alcohol-free options, sparkling water, and beverages with no sodium  making this one of the more mocktail-forward episodes of the show.  Chapters 00:58 What they're drinking: Molto Bene ginger beer mocktails 04:59 Introducing return guest David Leaf 06:33 California drought talk, comedy, and desert living 09:42 David on life, relationships, and long engagements 11:39 Teaching at UCLA and why students don't read 18:54 The Beatles, Yoko Ono, and music storytelling 20:15 David's move to L.A. to write about Brian Wilson 22:16 The accidental rise of The Beach Boys 24:03 David's "four Ds of success" 27:20 Movie scores, composers, and how music shapes film 31:43 David's new book: SMiLE: The Rise, Fall & Resurrection of Brian Wilson 35:15 Pet Sounds, Good Vibrations, and the collapse of SMiLE 41:54 Helping Brian Wilson finally complete SMiLE 48:40 Writing process, oral history, and preserving music history 55:08 Where to find David Leaf online 59:14 Host plugs, thank-yous, and sponsor shout-outs Call to Action If you loved this episode, make sure to like, comment, subscribe, and share Drinking During Business Hours on YouTube. Follow Sarah Halstead, Rich Chassler, and David Leaf for more comedy, music stories, behind-the-scenes entertainment talk, and future episodes with incredible guests. And if you're a fan of Brian Wilson, The Beach Boys, The Beatles, or great music documentaries, this is an episode you'll want to revisit.  Host Links FOLLOW US ON SOCIALS! Sarah IG @sarahhalstead https://www.instagram.com/sarahhalstead/?hl=en  FB @sarahjhalsteadcomic https://www.facebook.com/sarahjhalsteadcomic/ X @sarahjhalstead  https://twitter.com/sarahjhalstead  Website   @SarahHalstead | sarahjhalstead.com Rich IG @richchassler https://www.instagram.com/richchassler/ FB @chasslerfans https://www.facebook.com/Chasslerfans/ X @richchassler https://x.com/richchassler  Website  richardchassler.com 📧 [email protected] 🎧 Please rate & review the podcast on your favorite platform it helps more than you know!   Podcast Apple Podcasts: Drinking During Business Hours Spotify: Drinking During Business Hours #DavidLeaf #BrianWilson #TheBeachBoys #SmileAlbum #PetSounds #TheBeatles #SarahHalstead #RichChassler #MusicHistory #ComedyPodcast #EntertainmentPodcast #RockAndRoll #PodcastClips #YouTubePodcast