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Send us Fan Mail A life can change because of a breakup, a loss, and a random sign in a club bathroom. Comedian Rome Davis walks us through the winding road that takes him from feeling stuck and getting pushed out of job after job to finally finding a place where he belongs: the stand-up comedy stage.  We get into the real work behind becoming a better comic: taking a six-week comedy school course, getting tested in tough rooms, learning to write, and building the thick skin that every performer needs. Rome also talks about bombing so badly it forces a reset, then using that moment to start a podcast during COVID, not for clout, but to keep creating when the world feels shut down. Along the way, he reflects on the rush of performing, the power of a microphone, and what it means to connect with a crowd even when you’re nervous, broke, or half-blind from astigmatism.  The heart of the conversation turns to family, grief, and how laughter can carry you through real pain, including his father’s stage four pancreatic cancer diagnosis and the unexpected gift of more time than doctors predicted. Rome’s takeaway is simple and hard-earned: comedy is not only jokes, it’s truth shared out loud, and it can pull people together across every difference.  If you enjoy stand-up comedy stories, creative resilience, and honest talk about grief and healing through laughter, hit subscribe, share this with a friend, and leave a review so more people can find the show. What’s the moment that pushed you to chase something bigger? Support the show

Send us Fan Mail The night starts with festival ground rules, then Comedian Rome grabs the mic and turns a simple stand-up set into a full tour of modern life: how we date, how we age, and how we try to look confident while everything feels slightly out of control. He celebrates seven years in comedy, flashes back to an early church booking, and shows how the same joke can land completely differently depending on who’s in the room. If you love live stand-up comedy, crowd work, and sharp cultural observations, this one moves fast and hits often.  We get into the real difference between performing for all-white audiences versus all-Black audiences, why “support” can sound like an insult, and what it takes to read the room in real time. From there, Rome dives into getting older, becoming awkward at the worst moments, and the strange manners we carry into intimacy. The relationship material gets even wilder when he breaks down dating apps, first-date pressure, vulnerability backfires, and the unrealistic height-money-everything checklists people post like they’re hiring for a job.  The back half opens up into family stories and survival logic, from nicknames in the Black household to why he’s absolutely not built for prison. He closes with money stress, streaming price hikes, and the chaotic joy of bargain entertainment, including a Tubi rabbit hole you will not forget. Subscribe for more live comedy, share this with a friend who hates first dates, and leave a review with your worst dating app story. Support the show

Send us Fan Mail What if your business only starts working once you stop running from yourself? We sit down with Jasmine Todman—a singer, chef, maker, and car enthusiast—who walked through a brutal season of loss and came out with a candle line that literally smells like growth. This is a story about therapy, lifting heavy things, breathing in a quiet room, and rebuilding a brand from a calm place instead of panic. We talk about the shift from survival mode to creative intent: why routine is a lifeline, how meditation and gym check-ins reset your nervous system, and the way honest support can change your trajectory. Jasmine opens up about finding a sisterhood on the road—MJKM Sisterhood Riders—where accountability feels like love and late-night ride-outs double as care. It’s not just car culture; it’s a network that shows up when someone’s struggling. That same spirit shapes her business approach: personal scents, intentional naming, and gifts that say something real. Metamorphosis marks the breakdown and rebuild, Empress carries the crown you pick up yourself, and Afterglow is that quiet shine you earn when you refuse to turn bitter. There’s a garden parable at the heart of it too: protecting caterpillars until one butterfly breaks free. Not all make it, and that honesty matters. We explore boundaries, the cost of scattered energy, and the peace that comes from choosing depth over chaos. Along the way, we keep it human—jokes, live-stream hiccups, and real talk about turning pain into purpose. If you’re trying to create something that outlasts a season, you’ll leave with a playbook: invest in your healing, find people who hold you higher, and build products that carry a story someone can feel. If this resonated, follow the show, share it with a friend who’s rebuilding, and leave a rating so more people can find conversations like this. Support the show

Send us Fan Mail A $200 room. Sixty seats. One comedian who refuses to wait for permission. We sit down with Nick Moore to unpack how a DIY special can punch above its weight when the writing is tight, the venue fits your voice, and the hustle has roots in barbershops and trunk sales rather than budgets with too many zeros. Nick takes us from Little Rock to Memphis, where silence taught sharper timing, and into Portland, where a small theater turned into a perfect canvas for Stay Black and Dad. He explains why nine years on stage distilled into three or four years of focused material, how the “funeral bit” graduated from closer to opener, and why rewriting old notebook lines can turn a dusty premise into a clean kill. We dig into influences ranging from Dave Chappelle and Ali Siddiq to Michael Che and Red Foxx, not for name-dropping, but to show the throughline: calm control, patient pacing, and jokes that carry their own weight. We also get candid about money, festivals, and tape. Not everyone has $150K for a special, and most don’t need it. A modest room with hot energy records better than a cavern, and festival weekends can cover cameras and audio if you ask the right way. Nick’s barbershop-era DVD run proves physical media still builds community, while a brush with America’s Got Talent reveals the ruthless clarity of a 90-second set. Through it all, the theme holds: write like every bit could close, choose rooms that serve your rhythm, and publish even when a giant drops the same week. Craft over clout, presence over noise, and laughs that travel farther than your budget. If this conversation fires you up, hit follow, share it with a comic who needs a nudge, and leave a quick review telling us your favorite DIY tactic for getting from open mic to special. Support the show

Send us Fan Mail A high school writer with jokes that didn’t fit the rubric found a mic, a room, and a path. Charlie Cantrell joins us to pull back the curtain on how a careful craftsman became a working New York comic—without losing the nerve to bomb, pivot, and grow. We talk about the early days at the venue on 35th Street, where five-dollar Thursdays and honest tags turned rough ideas into real sets. From there, Charlie walks us through Hampton Roads to Manhattan, why comics often commit to a few rooms instead of chasing every stage, and how the right environment accelerates timing, cadence, and confidence. The craft talk goes deep. Charlie once timed every joke and kept binders with a table of contents; now he mixes that structure with improv to work premises live and find the laugh in the moment. We compare “good laughs” that survive weekends to “bad laughs” that only pop in smoky bar chaos, and we trade war stories about hecklers, empty Sundays during football season, and the weird humility of having your dad drive you to a hostile open mic. It’s the unglamorous part of comedy that builds a resilient voice: data from failure, trust earned onstage, and a thicker skin for the next rep. We also explore influence and evolution. Conan O’Brien’s silly-smart elasticity, Gary Shandling’s authentic introspection, Chris Rock’s sharp angles, and Bill Burr’s shifting POV inform how Charlie structures bits and paces stories. That leads to today’s big question for working comics: when do you burn an hour? We dig into specials, 30-minute formats, and the strategy of building a second hour before releasing the first. Along the way, Charlie shares what acting and improv added to his toolbox—listening, presence, and the freedom to stop chasing a laugh every ten seconds. If you’re chasing stand-up, curious about the New York scene, or just love hearing how jokes become sets that actually work, this one’s for you. Hit play, then tell us your favorite comedy special and why it still holds up. Subscribe, share with a comic friend, and leave a review so more folks can find the show. Support the show

Send us Fan Mail Ever felt the tug to rewrite your story? We sit down with writer–director Kendra Louka to trace how a biochem track, long drives past Virginia farmland, and a move to a slower English village evolved into a filmmaking voice shaped by character, community, and curiosity. Kendra opens up about giving herself permission to be imperfect, how a Facebook call for a 10-minute play cracked the door to theater, and why the right collaborators can turn a scary idea into a finished short that resonates. We go deep on three films. Frizzy Friends uses a salon and a 48-hour challenge constraint to examine friendship drift and what still holds when life changes. No Grace brings a haunted listing to life with twisty psychology and an unreliable aura that keeps you guessing about memory and myth. Heart Strings drops dialogue entirely, letting a banjo, a dancer, and the ocean’s rhythm speak to the courage of returning after being ignored. Across these stories, Kendra favors intimate stakes, clear arcs, and visuals that make room for the audience to interpret without feeling lost. We also zoom out to the creative ecosystem: festival circuits, the push–pull of streaming versus theaters, and the real cost of chasing reach while protecting the joy of making. We compare filmmaking’s iterative notes with stand-up’s brutal honesty—no cutting, no laugh tracks, just timing, breath, and crowd chemistry under the lights. Along the way we swap favorite character-driven films, talk AI anxiety and artistic purpose, and land on a simple metric for success: did the work create connection? If you’re building your voice or looking for a reason to start, this conversation feels like a green light. Enjoy the episode? Subscribe, share it with a friend who needs a creative nudge, and leave a quick review so more storytellers can find us. Support the show

Send us Fan Mail Ever hear a single sentence change someone’s life? That’s how Jay Flake’s story starts—cracking jokes in a corporate training room when an older coworker told him he’d missed his calling. One open mic later, the Nashville comic found his lane: high-energy, true-story material that feels lived-in, then sharpened it into a clean-comedy brand that books hard and lasts longer. We dig into the gritty rise that rarely makes the highlight reel: Zoom corporate sets, underground rooms, patio shows, and a pandemic album that hit festivals even as the video stayed shelved to protect the brand. Jay breaks down why some jokes belong to their moment, how cleaner material unlocked better gigs, and how to translate everyday chaos into bits that crush without cheap shots. The COVID talk is raw and hilarious—taste disappearing mid-breakfast, a hotel deodorant “taste test,” and the lonely, surreal weeks that turned survival into stories. The craft gets equal airtime. Jay salutes Bernie Mac’s fearlessness, Dave Chappelle’s ease with ordinary ideas, and Ali Sadiq’s storytelling and business blueprint: drop on Patreon, expand on YouTube, then license to streamers for a third check. We also walk through Andrew Schultz’s clip-first playbook and the discipline behind album timing—finding minutes, trimming fat, and protecting your voice. Plus, the green room rules nobody teaches: listen more than you talk, guard private shop talk, and treat owners and managers like the partners they are. Want the laughs and the ladder? This one gives both—part origin story, part strategy guide, and packed with practical moves any comic or creator can use right now. Tap play, then check Jay's 13-minute NateLand showcase and see the craft in action. If this conversation hits, subscribe, share it with a comedy friend, and drop a review with your favorite takeaway. Find all my content here: https://romedavis.komi.io Support the show

Send us Fan Mail Smoke-filled sets, long quiet drives, and the stubborn joy of getting the joke right—this conversation with comedian and writer Ed Phillips digs into the parts of comedy most people skip. We start with the real: improv roots at a Virginia Beach Cinema Cafe, the three-month wait to get a shot, and how those early reps shaped his timing, listening, and confidence on stage. From there, Ed explains how sketch sharpened his structure and why his best stand-up sticks close to lived moments—like a Blue Ridge camping trip that became a vivid bit about fear, friendship, and a maybe-bear. We talk craft without fluff. Ed breaks down how he studies specials and sets across HBO, YouTube, Hulu, and beyond, pulling lessons on economy, escalation, and callbacks from comics like Sinbad, Mitch Hedberg, Josh Johnson, and Ramy Youssef. Mentorship takes center stage too. Honest notes from veterans like Mike East Mill cut years off the learning curve: kill weak tags, fix the angle, and don’t post half-cooked material just to feed the algorithm. There’s wisdom in letting a joke live in rooms until it’s ready for the internet. Then we zoom out to the 757 scene. Producers are building better rooms, comics are pushing past the comfort of hometown applause, and the real growth comes from traveling—testing whether your voice lands outside your zip code. Ed shares wins (hosting at BlurCon with Orlando Jones), losses (that “brave” compliment every comic dreads), and the recovery rituals after smoke-lounge gigs and late nights before a 6 a.m. shift. Through it all, his philosophy stays simple: write honestly, perform widely, learn quickly, and dress sharp because it’s you—not a bit. If you care about the craft—how jokes are built, how scenes evolve, and how comics keep going after the rough nights—hit play. Subscribe, share with a friend who loves stand-up, and leave a review with the best lesson you learned or the biggest bomb that made you better. Find all my content here: https://romedavis.komi.io Support the show

Send us Fan Mail Find all my content here: https://romedavis.komi.io What happens when you trade a boardroom for a black box theater and decide to start from scratch in your 50s? We sit down with actor and stand-up comic Sheri Gill Dixon for a fearless, funny, and deeply human conversation about falling in love with movies as a teenage usher threading reels, discovering Meisner training in Virginia Beach, and building a comedy voice that lives or dies by instant feedback. Sheri takes us behind the scenes of big sets like Tammy—where she held her boundaries without apology—and shares why watching Melissa McCarthy and Kathy Bates work reminded her that kindness and professionalism scale. The heart of this conversation lives on stage. Sheri breaks down how she moved from the safety of scripts to the risk of stand-up, why writing often happens mid-set, and how crowd work can surface sharper material than any quiet desk session. We talk influence and range—Joan Rivers and Moms Mabley opening doors; Richard Pryor, Bernie Mac, Dave Chappelle shaping storytelling; Seinfeld’s polish and Miss Pat’s punch; Thea Vidale’s relatable grit—and how those threads weave into a voice that’s unmistakably her own. We also get real about women in comedy: the scarcity baked into flyers, the myth of one chair, and how the Ladies of Comedy pack flips the script through collaboration, shared opportunities, and relentless support. Beyond the mic, Sheri opens up about motivation that isn’t Instagram-ready. Working in transit surfaced daily inequities; the George Floyd era pushed her toward doctoral work and sharpened her belief that art can ease what policy cannot. Comedy becomes the pressure valve and the bridge: a room that laughs together, even for an hour, carries less weight home. We swap notes on good rooms and cold crowds, choosing where to spend your energy, and the quiet power of a stranger saying your set made their night worth the babysitter. If you’re navigating a late start, eyeing a pivot from acting to stand-up, or building a creative crew that resists gatekeeping, this one’s for you. Hit follow, share this with a friend who needs the nudge, and drop a review with the moment that stuck with you—what leap are you ready to take next? Find all my content here: https://romedavis.komi.io Support the show

Send us Fan Mail Step into the world of stand-up comedy with KellsMorton, a rising comedian who's turning life's realities into laughs that resonate with audiences everywhere. From her humble beginnings taking comedy classes to performing at sold-out venues, Kells shares the authentic journey of finding her voice in a competitive industry. What makes great comedy? According to Kells, it's truth. Drawing from personal experiences—three marriages, raising children, health topics like mammograms—she creates material that consistently connects with audiences who approach her after shows saying, "Everything you said was just the truth." This authenticity has helped her build a growing fanbase and open for notable names like Omar Gooden and social media star Danae Hayes. The conversation dives into the reality of the comedy scene, from the formation of her "Comedy Avengers" group with fellow female comedians to the business side of stand-up. Kells reveals how something as simple as business cards helped grow her social media following from 890 to nearly 3,000 followers. She also discusses comedy influences ranging from Redd Foxx to Dave Chappelle, and shares what it's like to get advice (sometimes harshly delivered) from established comedians like DL Hughley. Whether you're an aspiring comedian or simply fascinated by the craft of comedy, this episode offers valuable insights into what it takes to develop material that resonates, navigate the ups and downs of performance, and build meaningful connections in the entertainment industry. Follow Kells Morton on social media @kellsthegreat to witness firsthand how she's transforming everyday experiences into laughter. Find all my content here: https://romedavis.komi.io Support the show

Send us Fan Mail Turning personal setbacks into creative gold is the hallmark of true entrepreneurs, and Jay Davis exemplifies this transformation. After a divorce fifteen years ago, he began writing short stories about dating experiences, eventually filming them as sketches when "nobody was doing sketches on the internet back then." That initial spark ignited a creative empire spanning four feature films, multiple series, children's books, and the acclaimed show "The Creative Hustle" on Tubi. Davis pulls back the curtain on his creative process and business acumen during this candid conversation. When COVID halted traditional production, he pivoted to animation and, drawing inspiration from Robert Townsend's "Partners in Crime," assembled talented comedians to create "The Creative Hustle" – a fresh blend of sketch comedy, improv, and stand-up complemented by a live band. The show tackles contemporary issues like cancel culture with intelligent humor while showcasing established comedians including Leon Rogers, Damon Williams, and Rodney Perry. Beyond his own creative pursuits, Davis's commitment to community-building shines through his establishment of the Bernie Mac Lifetime Achievement Award and creation of IndieCon, a film festival designed to support genuine independent filmmakers without the gatekeeping common in the industry. He debunks the myth of mysterious investors funding creative projects, instead emphasizing self-reliance: "Everything comes out of pocket... whatever revenue we make from a project, we use it towards the next project." His parting advice to aspiring creators is refreshingly straightforward: "Do your research... stop being lazy. You got a f*****g computer in your hand... do your research and grind." Follow Jay's journey on social media @jdavistp and catch "The Creative Hustle" on Tubi, with an expanded second season featuring 8 episodes, 16 comedians, and 25 sketches coming soon. Find all my content here: https://romedavis.komi.io Support the show

Send us Fan Mail Kylie Kassh, professional dominatrix of 17 years and content creator, shares her journey from accidental dom to lifestyle professional in this candid conversation about power dynamics, boundaries, and the business of domination. • Discovered her dominatrix potential when a friend noticed her naturally commanding style with boyfriends • Began her career working in a Chicago dungeon where she trained under experienced dominatrixes • Learned her boundaries early when confronted with medical play involving needles during her first day • Underwent an "initiation" that confirmed her purely dominant nature when she couldn't handle being restrained • Explains the difference between lifestyle doms, switches, and subs in the BDSM community • Shares her favorite fetishes including flogging, cross-dressing clients, tease and denial techniques • Owns approximately 17 floggers ranging from inexpensive to $500 specialty pieces • Discusses the massage fetish and how it represents a natural power exchange • Reveals many clients are married men whose partners aren't interested in exploring fetishes • Sets firm boundaries on certain practices while maintaining others, particularly avoiding "scat play" • Plans to continue working indefinitely as "there are no age brackets in domination" • Maintains separate personal and professional lives while acknowledging they sometimes overlap • Provides consulting services beyond domination work through her business ventures If you're interested in learning more about Kylie's work, follow her on Instagram at Goddess_kylie_kassh or visit her consulting business at Kashwealthfirm.com. Find all my content here: https://romedavis.komi.io Support the show

Send us Fan Mail Josh Ward doesn't just tell jokes; he transforms life's darkest moments into something beautiful through comedy. During our candid conversation, this self-described "underground comedy king" reveals how he channeled the grief of losing his son into his powerful special "My Special Boy" - a 21-minute journey that showcases his remarkable ability to find humor within pain. Despite being just three years into his comedy career, Ward displays the confidence and skill of someone who's been performing far longer. He takes us behind the scenes of developing deeply personal material, sharing the struggle of preventing audiences from becoming too emotionally invested while still honoring his authentic experience. "I had to address the audience like 'y'all can't get all sad about this, because then it's not gonna be funny if y'all in here about to weep for me,'" he explains with refreshing honesty. Ward's journey to comedy has unexpected roots in his religious upbringing. As the son of ministers, he regularly spoke in front of church congregations, developing the public speaking foundation that would later serve his comedy. His first true comedy performance wasn't at an open mic but at a family reunion, where he boldly delivered raunchy material to relatives of all ages - a true baptism by fire. This fearlessness continues to define his approach, preferring longer sets where he can truly establish rhythm and connection with the audience. The conversation takes a fascinating turn when Ward discusses the brutal realities of open mic culture, including an encounter with another comedian who tried roasting his appearance while he was working through material about his son. "I got up and left the mic because on the inside I was about to cry, but on the outside I was about to fight," he shares, capturing the vulnerability comedians face when developing deeply personal work. Through these experiences, he's developed an audience-first philosophy that has accelerated his growth: "Laughs in the crowd, every room I go in and it's an audience, I'm cooking." Ready to witness raw talent and authentic storytelling? Follow Josh Ward at @joshwardcomedy on all platforms and check out "My Special Boy" on YouTube to experience what happens when grief transforms into art through the healing power of laughter. Find all my content here: https://romedavis.komi.io Support the show

Send us Fan Mail What happens when you're a sunflower trying to bloom in a rose garden? Dezz Nicholson knows that feeling all too well. The accomplished poet, singer, and creative sits down with Rome Davis to discuss the complex journey of finding your authentic voice and space in a creative world that often feels threatened by new talent. Dezz takes us through her origins as an entrepreneurial fourth-grader charging $1 to write customized love poems for classmates, to her transformation into a powerful performer who discovered her gift when she made someone cry with her words at a high school Black History Month event. Her story isn't just about talent—it's about having the courage to recognize when you're in the wrong environment. "If I am a sunflower in a rose garden, I cannot get mad at the roses for having thorns and pricking me. I can, however, leave the rose garden and go through to the sunflower field where I don't have to worry about anybody pricking me," Dezz explains, providing a powerful framework for artists struggling to fit in spaces that weren't designed for them. The conversation dives deep into the gatekeeping mentality that pervades creative communities, where established artists protect their territory rather than mentor newcomers. Dezz challenges this scarcity mindset with her belief that "the spotlight is large enough for all of us." She discusses how fear keeps many artists stuck in their comfort zones, preventing growth while they simultaneously complain about not achieving broader success. Between profound insights about creative authenticity and finding your path despite resistance, Rome and Dezz share lighthearted moments about family dynamics, generational differences, and the simple joys of life. Their natural chemistry creates a conversation that feels both deeply meaningful and comfortably familiar—just like sitting with old friends discussing life's biggest questions. Ready to find your sunflower field? Listen to this episode and discover where you truly belong. Find all my content here: https://romedavis.komi.io Support the show

Send us Fan Mail When singer-songwriter Cara Caterson joins Rome Davis on the No ID Podcast, what unfolds is an unexpectedly vulnerable peek behind the curtain of creative careers. Both performers strip away the glamor to reveal what audiences never see—Rome confessing to throwing up at gas stations before comedy sets, Cara admitting to hiding in venue bathrooms to calm her nerves. Their shared experiences create an immediate bond that allows the conversation to venture into rarely discussed territory. "I was wondering where the hell you went," Rome tells Cara, celebrating her recent single release "Big Joke" after watching her develop from open mic nights to professional recordings. Their discussion traces Cara's musical journey from church singing as a child to finding escape through music during a challenging upbringing, drawing inspiration from artists like Music Soulchild and Erykah Badu. The conversation takes a fascinating turn as they explore how today's entertainment landscape forces artists to compress their vision into ever-smaller packages. "Everything has to be a Reel or a Short now," Cara laments, noting how the industry's demand for 30-second content fragments makes it nearly impossible to present complete artistic expressions. Both agree that album lengths have shrunk from an hour to barely 30 minutes, reflecting our collective shrinking attention capacity. As they discuss moving between music scenes—Cara relocating from Virginia Beach to Baltimore—they touch on the delicate balance between competition and community. "There's a lot of betas trying to be alphas," Rome observes about industry climbers who don't understand collaboration's value. Cara offers aspiring musicians practical wisdom earned through experience: read extensively about the industry, prepare thoroughly behind the scenes, and only launch when truly ready. Ready to discover an artist on the rise? Follow Cara Caterson across social platforms and stream "Big Joke" wherever you get your music. If you enjoyed this conversation about the real challenges creative people face, subscribe to the No ID Podcast for more unfiltered discussions about making art in today's complex landscape. Find all my content here: https://romedavis.komi.io Support the show