We would love to know more about your comedy journey. 

How and/or where did you start comedy? 

I'm originally from Chicago which is where I got my first start in comedy at Second City with improv and sketch and then I moved away from doing that all together to focus on music for many years. It wasn't until I stopped touring as a musician and was already living in New York City that I got into stand-up for the first time. 

 

What inspires you or drives you? 

I am driven by a pretty intense competitive impulse with myself no matter what I'm pursuing. Everything I do I need it to be bigger and better than whatever I did before it. 

 

What is some advice you would give to aspiring comics? 

Don't adhere to other peoples' rules, other peoples' rules were not created to help you. You'll hear all kinds of contradictory things like you have to struggle for 10 years before you start to get good, or you shouldn't put material online until you're at a certain level, or you should never post crowdwork, or you should only post crowdwork, or you shouldn't put your name into consideration for certain opportunities until you have whatever credentials, it's a never ending list. No one knows anything definitively, do whatever you want. 

 

Are there obstacles you've faced and how did or do you persevere? 

I feel like the obvious answer would be viewing rejections as obstacles, but I actually think it might be unproductive to see them that way because they're such a frequent and inevitable part of pursuing any art. I think the biggest obstacles I've faced so far are actually self-imposed because it's very difficult to escape or out-smart yourself. At some point you're going to have an internal voice in your head, unless you're an absolute psychopath, that tells you you don't belong in a room or on a lineup or that you're not ready for an opportunity that's been presented to you or you're not good enough or deserving enough for what you want. It's really easy in those moments to start looking outward and comparing yourself to others, which is always a losing game. So, when I can feel that I'm starting to beat myself up and look outward at everyone else to see if I measure up, I know I have to keep my eyes on my own test, so to speak. That means focusing on my writing, my content, my shows, my material, my goals, that's it. For me, there's something about really putting my head down and working that helps me navigate those periods of self doubt. 

 

What's something awesome that's happened to you recently? 

This whole year has been really awesome travel-wise. I've gotten to perform in 20 cities so far this year which I feel extremely lucky to have had the opportunity to do.

 

Are there some big accomplishments and or credits you're proud of and would like mentioned? 

I have a podcast with one of my longest standing friends called, "Are You Mad At Us?" and it's such a labor of love that we're very proud of and it's always nice when people seek it out and support it.