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Hello, Friend! It’s episode 156 of the Messed-Up To Set-Ups podcast and Garrett McDonald is back in the lab with me. In this one, we spend our time in a comedy-writing session workshopping jokes. We take a handful of rough ideas and see what they might become: A dad confronting his kids about Mario Kart while eating corn on the cob; the intricacies of being in a “fine” relationship; a playful idea about Jesus healing a man; and, a premise about why people can openly say they don’t like kids. Along the way, we talk about testing old jokes in front of an audience, writing fresh material for specific crowds, and the value of letting a joke grow instead of giving up too soon. This episode is a hilarious and honest look at the messy middle of creating. Tune in! I love finished jokes, but I’m way more fascinated by everything that happens BEFORE they’re finished. That’s where I spend most of my time anyway: Finding angles, trying connections, cutting things, adding things, and occasionally wondering why I thought any of this was funny. That’s also what my self-paced, online course “The Joke Writer’s Lab” is built around. If you want practical methods for taking premises and turning them into actual material, you can join nearly 100 other students and jump into the course anytime. Get full access to MichaelHalcomb.Live at www.michaelhalcomb.live/subscribe

Hello, Friend! In episode 155 of the “Messed-Up To Set-Ups” podcast, I’m back in the lab with comedian Garrett McDonald. He’s actually my first repeat guest! In Part 1 of our chat, we have a real conversation about getting better without getting stuck in somebody else’s version of how comedy is supposed to work. We talk about the divide between online success and stage time, why “How long have you been doing comedy?” can miss the point, and the small performance changes that help a joke breathe. Garrett shares how his school-counselor perspective is shaping his comedy, what he’s learning about act-outs, and how social media became an unexpected creative outlet. We also get into the highs and lows of the past year, a show with one ticket sold, a corporate gig we did together that turned into complete mayhem, and the surprising ways comedy can help us keep moving through hard seasons. If you’re building a creative life while juggling work, family, and the fear of becoming stagnant, this episode of Messed-Up to Set-Ups is for you. Tune in! By the way, I’m building my comedy career alongside a full-time job, family, writing, podcasting, producing shows, and all the other stuff that apparently requires me to own a calendar. Because of that, I’m always interested in sustainable progress rather than somebody else’s definition of what a comedy career has to look like. That’s a lot of what I share each week in my FREE, weekly comedy newsletter, The Round-Up. If you’re building your own version of a comedy life and want practical ideas, things I’m learning, experiments I’m trying, and occasional evidence that I have absolutely no idea what I’m doing, subscribe for FREE. When you sign up, I’ll also send you my FREE 17-page Joke Blueprint Playbook. Get full access to MichaelHalcomb.Live at www.michaelhalcomb.live/subscribe

Hello, Friend! It’s episode #154 of the “Messed-Up To Set-Ups” podcast and I’m back with “Glacier” Ray Lloyd. In this one, we dig deep into the surprising similarities between pro wrestling and stand-up comedy. We get into persona, backstory, and how performers create an illusion the audience wants to believe in. We also talk about the role of emotion and making people feel something, protecting the fan experience, giving a crowd more than they paid for, kayfabe, the danger of chasing cheap laughs at an audience member’s expense, and the value of clean comedy. If you’re working on your craft and striving to make every performance count, you’ll love this episode. Tune in! And hey, if you’re working on figuring out who you are when you step onto the comedy stage, try my Comedian Persona Explorer app. It’ll help you think through your comedic voice, perspective, and the version of yourself you want audiences to meet. Give it a try and see what you discover about the comedian you’re becoming. Get full access to MichaelHalcomb.Live at www.michaelhalcomb.live/subscribe

Hello, Friend! In this first half of my conversation with Glacier Ray Lloyd, we travel from his wrestling-loving childhood in Brunswick, Georgia, through college football, WCW, and the nerve-racking leap into stand-up comedy. Ray shares how a couple of wrestling connections changed his path, why the stage scared him in a whole new way, and what finally helped him stop putting the comedy dream on hold. We also talk about building momentum one idea at a time, keeping notes so inspiration doesn’t disappear, and the delightfully wild story behind his wrestling-inspired movie, The Unbreakable Bunch. If you’re working toward something that feels intimidating, or trying to keep growing without losing your love for the journey, I think you’ll enjoy this episode of Messed-Up to Set-Ups. Tune in! Oh, and hey, if you’re working on figuring out who you are when you step onto the comedy stage, try my Comedian Persona Explorer app. It’ll help you think through your comedic voice, perspective, and the version of yourself you want audiences to meet. Give it a try and see what you discover about the comedian you’re becoming. Get full access to MichaelHalcomb.Live at www.michaelhalcomb.live/subscribe

Hello, Friend! In this solo episode of the “Messed-Up to Set-Ups” podcast, I’m digging into the concept of “timing” or, more specifically, “comedic timing.” I talk about why a joke that isn’t landing may just need a different pause, rather than a rewrite. Using a scholarly study, I’ll look at how rhythm, audience expectations, surprise, and timing shape the way people respond to a punchline. Connected to this, I’ll also share practical ways to experiment with pause length and delivery, so you can keep growing as a performer instead of getting stuck repeating the same approach. Whether you’re working on your first open-mic set or refining material you’ve performed for years, I hope these ideas give you something useful to try the next time you take the stage. Tune in! Got an idea for a joke but can’t figure out where to take it? Grab my FREE Joke Blueprint Playbook and start turning those everyday experiences into material you can actually use onstage. Get full access to MichaelHalcomb.Live at www.michaelhalcomb.live/subscribe

Hello, Friend! In Episode 151 of Messed-Up to Set-Ups, I’m back in the lab with comedian and producer Chris Tester. This time, we’re seeing how much comedy we can squeeze out of something as ordinary as a person’s name. We workshop name jokes, experiment with different angles, and explore how a single idea can grow into an entire stand-up routine. Along the way, we talk about internet troubles, crowd work, a strange church interaction, and the ridiculous things that happen when ordinary conversations take unexpected turns. If you’ve ever wondered how comedians turn everyday experiences into material, come hang out with us. Tune in! Got an idea for a joke but can’t figure out where to take it? Grab my FREE Joke Blueprint Playbook and start turning those everyday experiences into material you can actually use onstage. Get full access to MichaelHalcomb.Live at www.michaelhalcomb.live/subscribe

Hello, Friend! I’ve made it to Episode 150 of the “Messed-Up to Set-Ups” podcast. How cool is that?!?! In this episode, I sit down with comedian Chris Tester for a hilarious and surprisingly practical conversation about turning everyday frustrations into stand-up material, surviving bombing, connecting with an audience, and finding momentum when your comedy feels stuck. We talk about audience interaction and get into the creative process behind building a stronger comedy set without losing what makes it personal. Chris and I also explore how a simple joke can keep evolving, why the best material often comes from ordinary life, and how timing, variation, and persistence help comedians grow. Whether you’re an open-mic comedian, a creative, or someone trying not to become stagnant, this episode of Messed-Up to Set-Ups brings plenty of laughs, honest insights, and encouragement to keep moving forward. Tune in! Got a joke that’s pretty good but you know could be better? That’s exactly the kind of thing I help comedians work through in my self-paced, online course The Joke Writer’s Lab. Learn how to develop stronger setups, sharpen punchlines, and turn promising ideas into jokes that actually work. Also, check out the FREE companion Facebook Group where you can get feedback from Michael and others on your clean material. Sign up HERE. Get full access to MichaelHalcomb.Live at www.michaelhalcomb.live/subscribe

Hello, Friend! In Episode 149 of Messed-Up to Set-Ups, I’m back in the lab with comedian Casey Peruski. In Part 2 of our chat, we do a live joke-workshopping session. Casey brings in premises about his daughter’s punishment for perfect attendance, his son being asked to provide proof that he was sick, the unexpected costs of high school basketball, and the impossible challenge of disciplining a millionaire college athlete. We look for stronger angles, sharper tags, surprising comparisons, and helpful callbacks. We cover the messy process of writing jokes, bombing, staying true to an idea, and learning why even great comedians have to test material that doesn’t work yet. So, join us for a funny and honest behind-the-scenes look at how comedians find momentum one premise at a time. Of course, none of this means being funny doesn’t matter. The professionalism might help get me through the door, but I still need jokes that work once I get onstage. If that’s the part of the equation you’re working on right now, download my FREE 17-page Joke Blueprint Playbook. It walks through joke-writing process I use to turn ideas into setups and punchlines, and you can grab your copy for free below. Get full access to MichaelHalcomb.Live at www.michaelhalcomb.live/subscribe

Hello, Friend! In Episode 148 of Messed-Up to Set-Ups, I’m in the lab with Florida-based comedian, producer, and Dry Bar Comedy performer Casey Peruski. Casey talks about how he went from a first terrifying open mic to producing comedy shows at the Sunrise Theatre for fifteen years, working with major comedians, and building a comedy career while raising a family. We talk about the lessons he’s learned as a comedian and booker, including what producers look for, and why being funny is only part of getting booked. We also get into how professionalism and self-promotion can create momentum, and why comedians who complain, overstay their time, or fail to support themselves may be making their own careers harder. Casey also shares some hilarious and humbling stories about bombing, getting nervous enough to throw up before a show, as well as learning to work clean as a Christian comedian. We also discuss consistency, creating a great experience for audiences, the changing comedy business, and how the internet has opened new doors for comedians willing to build their own platform. It’s an honest, funny, and practical conversation about staying in the game long enough to grow. Tune in! Of course, none of this means being funny doesn’t matter. The professionalism might help get me through the door, but I still need jokes that work once I get onstage. If that’s the part of the equation you’re working on right now, download my FREE 17-page Joke Blueprint Playbook. It walks through joke-writing process I use to turn ideas into setups and punchlines, and you can grab your copy for free below. Get full access to MichaelHalcomb.Live at www.michaelhalcomb.live/subscribe

Hello, Friend! In Episode 146 of Messed-Up to Set-Ups, I’m back in the lab with comedian and humor researcher Von Sprecken. We dive back into the psychology of comedy, mental health, confidence, failure, and what it really takes to survive and succeed onstage. We also talk about the dark side of comedy, the strange role of delusion in creative work, how pre-show nerves can become a superpower, why every comedian needs reliable pivots and saves, and how cognitive reframing can help us handle setbacks without spiraling after a performance. Plus, we explore why humor lives somewhere between sense and nonsense and why even AI struggles to understand what makes something truly funny. It’s one of my most thought-provoking conversations on Messed-Up to Set-Ups yet. Tune in! Wanna get better at finding the messed-up stuff hiding inside your own premises? Check out The Joke Writer’s Lab, my online course built to help comedians generate, develop, and strengthen their material. Get full access to MichaelHalcomb.Live at www.michaelhalcomb.live/subscribe

Why does a joke actually work? That’s a much more complicated question than it initially appears. I recently sat down with comedian and humor researcher Von Sprecken, and what began as a conversation about stand-up quickly became an exploration of psychology, memory, emotion, trauma, cognitive reframing, and what happens when an audience encounters a punchline. It’s exactly the kind of conversation I love because it moves beyond simply asking whether something is funny and starts asking what’s happening underneath the laugh. If you’re interested in comedy, psychology, creativity, or how people process ideas and emotions, there’s a lot to think about in this one. Tune in! Wanna get better at finding what’s hiding inside your own premises? Check out The Joke Writer’s Lab, my online course built to help comedians generate, develop, and strengthen their material. Get full access to MichaelHalcomb.Live at www.michaelhalcomb.live/subscribe

Hello, Friend! In this episode of Messed-Up to Set-Ups, I’m back with Brad Brauser for a live joke-writing session that gets deep into therapy bits, self-trolling, and the weird little voice in your head that can turn a rough day into a laugh. We also dig into a hilariously overinflated Arby’s bit that keeps spiraling into catering chaos, billboard-sized disappointment, false hope, and one of the funniest fast-food takedowns you’ll hear today. If you love comedy that’s honest, smart, clean, and built around real-life frustration, this conversation is packed with punchlines, callbacks, and practical joke writing and editing advice. Tune in! Wanna get better at finding what’s hiding inside your own premises? Check out The Joke Writer’s Lab, my online course built to help comedians generate, develop, and strengthen their material. Get full access to MichaelHalcomb.Live at www.michaelhalcomb.live/subscribe

Hello, Friend! In this episode of Messed-Up to Set-Ups, I’m get to hang out with comedian Brad Brauser. This is a super fun, honest, and practical conversation about comedy, joke writing, and the little messes that turn into real laughs. We talk about how Brad got started, why he keeps a daily writing habit, how self-deprecating humor can become a powerful tool, and what it’s like building momentum as both a performer and producer in a smaller market. If you love clean comedy, smart banter, and behind-the-scenes insight into how jokes actually get built, this one’s packed with stories, ideas, and tons of laughs from start to finish. Tune in! If you’re trying to grow as a comedian, I write about what I’m learning along the way. Subscribe to my FREE newsletter for practical ideas on writing, performing, producing, and building momentum. Get full access to MichaelHalcomb.Live at www.michaelhalcomb.live/subscribe

Hello, Friend! In this episode of Messed-Up to Set-Ups, I’m joined again by Shannon Sullivan, and we get into some of the most practical and eye-opening conversations I’ve had lately about comedy, mindset, and momentum. Shannon brings her perspective as a nurse and holistic nurse coach to a discussion about why comedians think the way they do, how to handle the emotional hangover after a bad set, and why so much of growth comes down to learning how to stop making every moment mean something bigger than it is. We also talk about noise, boundaries, resilience, and the hidden psychological battles that happen before, during, and after comedian’s step on stage, all in a way that I think will really speak to anyone trying to grow in comedy in particular or life in general. Tune in! AND…if this kind of conversation helps, subscribe to Messed-Up to Set-Ups by clicking the button below. Twice a week, I’m talking with comedians and other interesting people about what it takes to get better at this weird thing we call stand-up. We’re not just workshopping the comedy; we’re workshopping the comedian. Get full access to MichaelHalcomb.Live at www.michaelhalcomb.live/subscribe

Hello, Friend! In this episode of Messed-Up to Set-Ups, I’m joined by Shannon Sullivan, a nurse and holistic nurse coach. So, why would I have a nurse on my comedy podcast? Well, she’s an aspiring comedian but, even more than that, she’s interested in the psychology of comedy. So, right from the start we get into the overlap between comedy, mindset, and how comedians can stay grounded when life gets messy. We talk about Shannon’s background, how she moved from traditional nursing into a more holistic approach, and why she’s so fascinated by the way comedians think, process feedback, and turn awkward or painful moments into something funny and meaningful. We also dig into the psychology of bombing, the pressure that can build before and after a set, why crowds are usually rooting for comedians, and how easy it is to let fear, ego, or other people’s noise steal momentum if one’s not careful. It’s a warm, honest conversation about growth, resilience, and learning how to keep moving forward, especially when the story in your head wants to make things bigger than they are. Tune in! Now, one last thing while you’re still here: Recently, I created a new app, a tool I wish I’d have had early on: Comedian Persona Explorer. It can help comedians figure out what they didn’t realize they were missing regarding their persona. Whether you begin with a single report or continue using it as you grow, my goal in creating it is simple: I hope you’ll spend more time becoming the comedian only you can be. Check it out HERE. Along the same lines, let me just say that, if reflections and tools like these are helpful to you, that’s also exactly why I wrote Comedy Mindhacks. My goal isn’t simply to help comedians write better jokes. It’s to help comedians understand the invisible thinking behind better comedy. Every mental model becomes another tool for building momentum, and over time those small shifts in thinking have a way of producing much bigger shifts on stage. This entire book is built around helping comedians identify the mental obstacles, hurdle over them, and boost their momentum. If this article resonated with you, you’ll find a lot more like it inside the book. You can check out sample pages HERE. If you’re not yet a subscriber, use code MH10LIVE at checkout HERE for 10% off. Free subscribers automatically receive 15% off, and paid subscribers receive 35% off because I’m a big believer in rewarding people who invest in themselves. 👉 Click HERE to grab the book. And if you’re ready to double down in a BIGGER way, consider joining my Comedy Vault. It’s my private collection of premium resources, trainings, workshops, and tools designed to help comedians continue growing long after the initial excitement fades. The first bet gets you into the game. Doubling down is what changes who you become.👉 Click HERE to unlock the Comedy Vault. Get full access to MichaelHalcomb.Live at www.michaelhalcomb.live/subscribe