June
Also
Dreams come true, as long as you create a strategy and stay dedicated to your goals One dream that came true for me was the opportunity to work with Josh Blue I’ve wanted to meet and work with him for over 10 years When we were planning this issue of the magazine and we decided that the title would be Live Your Life: Motivation, Josh Blue was the only comedian I envisioned being on the cover. I have a list of comedians that I would love to feature on the upcoming covers of SlapStik Comedy Magazine such as Flame Monroe, Neal Brennan, Adam Sandler, Sommore, Michael Blackson, Rikki Hughes, and Roy Wood Jr, to throw out some names I’m excited that now, I get to cross Josh Blue’s name off the list
I have to be honest, being that he recently won America’s Got Talent, I thought he was going to reject the idea I thought he was going to say he is bigger than SlapStik Comedy Magazine Nope Josh Blue came through for us and worked with us for over an hour so that we could complete this mission For this to occur, I prayed, and I am confident that prayer helped Josh Blue is a super cool, laid-back dude, and the vibe was fitting I love that while working together, he didn’t rush the process If he were to say no to being on the cover, I would have cried I would not have been prepared because I did not think of another comedian Not for this issue I’m immensely thankful that it worked out
That leads me to speak about manifestation It really works I am currently manifesting a considerable amount of resources for my life as well as my business When I need reassurance, I sometimes turn to tarot The tarot topic is covered in this issue, which is discussed by two different writers that are on Team SlapStik I use tarot as guidance and as my burning bush To be honest, it drives me crazy when people relate tarot to witchcraft But hey, if that’s how they think, that’s on them I also enjoy listening to positive messages Ones that inspire, give spark, and encouragement. I will continue to receive messages from the universe and my ancestors. If you are not into tarot or divine messages, that is simply your decision, but don’t judge me.
This issue of SlapStik Comedy Magazine is to encourage you to Live Your Life and to give you Motivation A short while ago, I left my full-time job after almost nine years I can’t explain how free I feel Some family members wanted me to stay on the job Entrepreneurs inspired me to take this leap of faith I knew what I wanted for myself, so I took this leap of faith because this is My Life My happiness is imperative Plus, God brought me this far; he will not fail me My vision is just that, mine, and others can’t see my range of view, the plans that are in place, and how we will grow SlapStik Comedy With that Live Your Life
E. Alexander Phillips Hedge
Angie DiDomenica
Ben Cena
Alexandra Webb
Erin Oliver
Kaley
Richard
Katherine Hoang
Starletta Watson
Shannon Lynch
Jonathan Hernandez
Malik Harvey
Tameeah Browne
Sable Hawkins
Sally Bessette
Zach Rush
Leah Jo Wickstrom
Karlos Gutierrez
Justin Colebrooke
I’ve loved Abbott Elementary I thought it was light, funny, and not too serious. I can’t handle really serious TV and don’t care to get so invested. Unfortunately, I love The Bachelor franchise It’s just a dumpster fire and I love it I always love trashy reality TV Then I have my comfort shows, like Broad City and New Girl Then I watch what’s trendy too, like Ginny and Georgia and You.
It’s a scary thing to do I just made sure to get a job to pay rent. I was working at SoulCycle and doing a bunch of random stuff. Just move here. You will get a job Work at a restaurant, anything to pay your rent For starting stand up, just get up on stage There’s no other way to start than to start The scariest thing to do is first getting on stage and then it’s over. Some people at open mics are so bad, but they’re just so confident Starting is the only way to do it
You’re also never going to start with your dream job I wanted to be an NBC Page so bad But I moved around so much in terms of how I made money, but it’s been so good. I’ve met so many people and learned exactly what I want to do
Erin Oliver
Husband and wife duo, Carlos Wallace and Liz Faublas-Wallace sat down with SlapStik to talk about their journey to comedy, navigating entrepreneurship, and understanding who they are Liz takes the stage as a comedian and Carlos makes big moves using his knowledge and experience in the comedy industry. The couple has a plethora of talents between the two of them and they continue to support each other both in marriage and in business.
check out their video interview!
Zach Rush had an exciting conversation with Niles Abston about working in the comedy industry and writing for the show called Dave with Lil Dicky Check out the full interview.
“Who gives me hope is my boys. They most definitely show me that believing in yourself is key They also show me through all the mistakes I made in life and in parenting that you still can be blessed with some of the best children ever. They have shown me what believing in yourself really looks like.”
“My son gives me hope! At 13 years old my son, Jaylen Davis Walker, shows me daily that he is one of the most grounded persons I know. This little guy shows me how adjusting, shifting and connecting can be as easy or as hard as you personally choose it to be He gives me hope daily His birthday is June 12 and I hope he asks for something I can afford. I have already started collecting his list of gifts So I get to adjust and figure out who I’m gonna rob to get him everything he wants Keeping him happy one felony at a time ”
“The person I have the most hope in would be myself because without staying true to who I am and putting in the work that needs to be done, then I wouldn’t be anywhere close to where I am today We should all have that kind of hope in us. Believe in yourself and let what’s meant to happen, happen ”
The person that gives me hope is my daughter Yes, I have two children, but my daughter is what I feel like an upgraded mini me. Our birthdays are one day apart, she’s smart, witty and very caring. We have a ‘friendly’ mother/daughter relationship; she catches me up on the high school ‘drama’ and I reiterate how depressing my 9 to 5 is to her Listening and witnessing how my child, my babygirl navigates through the world with a confidence that I’m just learning decades later, that’s what gives me hope Watching my daughter develop and grow into a much better version of myself is mind-blowing because it happens so quickly and abruptly, it’s a shock! To know she’s further ahead of the confidence curve than I was at that age gives me tremendous hope that she’ll be more determined to reach her goals For all the hope she gives me, she and her brother unknowingly keep me accountable Yeah, I guess my son gives me hope too! Because I’m their immediate role model, they’ve watched and learned from me. The more I do in life and the more accountable I am, gives me hope that they both will be better versions of me Some will take this as a self-centered way of saying I give myself hope, and so what if I do? I give myself hope through my kids!”
“You asked me who gave me hope and my answer to that question would be my mom. We are extremely close, and she inspires me on all levels. She’s thoughtful, loving, enterprising and very funny! She always pushes me to the next level I don’t believe I’d be where I am if she wasn’t in my corner I am beyond blessed to have a mother as supportive as she is. She’s attended my shows and helped me build my business I run jokes past her and literally bounce business ideas off her to see what she thinks about them She’s an amazing sound board and knows a little bit about a lot of things.”
Kaley Richard Kaley Richard
Gabe Nolasco is a stand-up comedian, writer, actor, and podcast producer that resides in Las Vegas, Nevada. He is a Richmond, California native who is half El Salvadorian and half Mexican I had the pleasure of interviewing him and getting to know him Nolasco has been doing standup for 14 years In his act, he talks about personal experiences and things he notices What sets him apart is his witty comments and manner of delivering lines.
One thing that piqued my interest in Gabe Nolasco is simply the fact that he mainly works in Las Vegas, which is a place where most people do not affiliate with the art of stand-up comedy Besides stand-up comedy, he does a radio show-like podcast and writes for media projects, specifically sketch comedies as well as commercials.
Here are the interview highlights with Gabe Nolasco.
I moved to Las Vegas maybe in ‘08 Like, from ‘08 to 2014, I was out here being a comedian. Being in Los Angeles was not the best place for me to be. I was just getting into a bunch of problems, so I needed a change of pace, a fresh start somewhere else I just flipped the coin and came to Las Vegas
I started meeting some great people, so I stayed. I ended up going back to the Bay. I wasn’t done; I took comedy seriously, I was like, “Let me go back to San Francisco, comedy is booming out there ” I stayed there for another six, seven years Vegas just started calling me back, man It’s cheaper A lot of working comedians were coming to Vegas, and it was booming again. There is more club work, we are not far away from LA, we are not far from Arizona So, I just want to work that belt So, I’m back in Vegas
The strip has everyone from the east coast, Midwest, Canada, like from everywhere So, you get to perform for that mixed crowd old, young, different races, and whatnot That kind of makes you try to work in general; you know? If you are in San Francisco, you are doing a bunch of “I take Muni” or “BART” transportation system stuff like that Nobody knows what that is, unless you live in the Bay Area, right? So, being in Vegas, you kind of just have broad material that is going to touch everybody
I have always liked the challenge of being able to change gears. If I’m in New York, I will do some New York-ish stuff, kind of like things that I have seen, while I was there; San Francisco same thing, you know what I mean? When I’m in Vegas I’m doing casino material, gambling, talking about the pool parties the people out here, the locals, and pretty much everyone else. It gives me the sense of, “Oh right, what do you have for the people here?” What is different that I can bring myself?”
Be self-deprecating. One show we did, almost everybody was retired, so I poked fun of them as much as I was poking fun of myself, you know what I mean? I was like, “This is what it looks like when you are struggling ” For the people who are sitting like kings, making fun of them and they were loving it They were drinking wine. I was making fun of them for not having the pinky up like, “This is how much wine you guys drink You guys just don’t have the pinky up anymore?” (Laughs) Like just grabbing the bottle and go, just teasing and being in the room Asking everyone what they did for a living and making fun of that.
So, now that you live on the Strip, do you enjoy being on the road more or do you like staying in one club all the time?
It’s both I would say. You can get stagnant being in the same club because of how much wiggle room I have for new material Being on the road has that feeling that you are bringing something back So, I’m always keeping it live, so if I’m here, it’s good to workout, good to challenge, and there is always a different audience. But, if I’m on the road, it’s a different feel of work I feel different than just being in one place I’m home now, but it’s time to go hit some other cities to see if what I did at home works there And then if I happen to work on something while on the road, I can bring it back home.
I do feel like one needs to be built to be on the road, don’t you think?
Yeah, it definitely has that feel For instance, when I went to New York a couple of months ago, it was go and go, jump on a train, hit this. And it was like, the whole feeling of excitement of, “You are done with this set, go to the next one,” I was jumping around doing seven shows in one night I felt like I was getting stronger By the fourth show I was like, “All right, I’m going to do this different.” So, you have this set and come back to your hometown and now you have a nice 10-minute chunk to rotate on the weekly or whatever The shows I have keep it fresh for me
So, this is something that I have wondered about. How do you keep it fresh for yourself? You have got to make yourself laugh too.
Right, right I think it’s the emotion in that joke If I’m talking about breaking up with my ex, I want to tap into that, and make it feel like it just happened yesterday even though I have told this joke for years, I’m like, “My ex-girlfriend had everything I ever needed It sucks we broke up She had everything I ever needed, that’s because when we broke up, she robbed my ass ” So, it’s telling the joke, and making them feel like I’m still being hurt by it.
I get what you mean. So, I’m guessing that really happened?
Yes (Both Laughing)
So, on the subject matter of crowd work, I recently found the clip of one of your sets and was able to see your trademark of being witty. In the joke, you talk about the time a lesbian couple approached you…I feel like I’m butchering the joke. (Laughs)
(Laughs) That really did happen one time I was at a bar and these two girls walked up to me, we were hanging out, talking “Oh, you are Mexican,” and I was like, “Yeah,” then she said, “We love what you eat.” I always get that, “Oh, you are Mexican?” I’m sure they were trying to relate but I got kind of bothered by it and they realized it bothered me She then goes, “I’m sorry, did I upset you? Was that rude of me?” I said, “Yeah just a little bit It was a bit weird,” then she goes, “Sorry, my girlfriend and I didn’t mean to upset you,” and I said “Girlfriend? Like you guys are together?” She was like, “Yes, we are lesbians,” then I go, “That is awesome because I love what you eat ” Right? It was gold and they laughed too They were just like, “That was funny, that was good.” That was the wittiness coming back with it.
Yeah Being the youngest out of my brother and cousins, they would make fun of me My siblings would just start bullying me I was scrawny I was the littlest one They would come up and pull my ears and call me big ears I was forced to come up with something I would be like, “Look at his shoes,” or “What is wrong with that haircut” and whatnot. They would make fun of me, and I’d be like let me come back now. It was something I had to work on. Just to kind of tap into it, if not they would keep messing with me.
Yeah, I try not to give them too much power The way I handle hecklers is that I know they want to say something, but I just shut them down, like, “Oh ok, that is really cool man, thank you,” and then go on with my material. If I had more time, like if I was doing an hour set, I’d be like, “What’s up with this guy?” Just exercising that banter, in the sense that I have to exercise that, especially on stage If somebody is going to say something, I have to win I have the stage, I have the mic, so I have to win There’ve been times that I’ve lost Early on in my career, I was doing a show and I was going back and forth with some guy I was a little intimidated Bigger black dude with a gold tooth It was in the hood, so my mind was like Uuugh, I’m here by myself, he has all his people here. We were going back and forth, and I was joking about him reading a book or something. I don’t remember too much, but I do remember when he started walking up to the stage he goes, “Hey, how about you give me my towel back?” I thought Uh oh what is going to happen? This guy is huge, right? And I go, “What towel?” He said, “The towel I let you borrow when you came to this country so you could dry off your back ” And everyone lost it Everyone went crazy I was about 4 years into comedy, so I was kind of stuck. The host comes up, grabs the mic, and started roasting him for me. Anyways, fast forward, after the show the guy comes up to me and said, “Hey bro, don’t ever let me win ” He was like, “I know you were a little intimidated but that doesn’t matter, this is comedy You have to win You could have come back at me and said something about me getting off the Amistad boat or something ” He was giving me stuff “Tap into it Don’t back off Just because I was coming onto the stage, it’s your stage, it’s your area ” I realized that was true Now, you open that door. I have to know you. I’m not going to say anything super-offensive that’s going to have the crowd against me. I’ve gotta have them on my side.
The Podcast is NOLO RADIO, where I talk for a good 20-30 minutes and that was another thing about COVID I was not able to perform, so the art and expression had to go somewhere I started reading and working on how to write scripts and not only that, but I also dusted off my turntable and started getting back to DJ’ing
DJ’ing was something that I used to do when I was like 14, just a teen, and then comedy took over. Back to Nola Radio. I talk in a podcast style and then I take a break and play music. “Check it out, here is the mix of the week,” and I’m talking and doing shout-outs like the radio As for the sketch stuff, I have been fortunate enough to link up with this group called Sinner Studios out of Las Vegas and they are as hungry as I am But they are also really diligent in the sense that they gave us the exercise of writing sketches, making sure they are funny, making sure they make sense, coming to the weekly meetings, and pitching them It’s like they are working with us, “Hey this is what you guys have to do.” It’s not just, “Hey this week we got some cameras, and start filming something.” No, no, no, it needs a structure. That forced me to figure out how to write sketches, figure out how to write a script, and I’m still at it
I looked at some of the sketches you made and watched this sketch. Did you only act or were you also heavily involved in the writing?
That was before figuring out script writing That was more, “We have a camera We are watching Strange Addictions.” We would think, “Would it be funny if I was addicted to…. you know?” And then it was, “Yo! We should film it.” We have these cameras or whatever and that was the early-early stages of me thinking of sketches or trying to figure it out I wish I would have kept it going more back then, but it’s fine cause now I’m still learning with Sinner Studios They are pushing me to deliver more stuff
Same thing with the Sinner Studios, they have a contract with a weed dispensary out here in Vegas, which has their own strain of medical marijuana that they are working on Also, they were looking for people to make content, commercially So, me and my friend, Chris Clark, who is another strong comedian, were just sitting around and said, “What if we did this” – but we still had to sit down and write the beginning scene. In the interior, we are sitting on a couch playing video games...blah, blah, blah. Chris said, “Yo! Can you roll it up?” and then push the weed tray to roll it up The camera pans in, and I’m like, “Yo, yo, yo! I can’t roll it up because my hand has Cheetos on it ” And the whole thing is, “Yo, yo ” They liked it so much that they wanted to collab and make a Yo! Pre-Rolls That was a homerun for us, cause they loved it!”
I have the stage, I have the mic, so I have to win.
Being in Vegas, all the weed ads are more like pretty girls and men at the gym “Come to soand-so dispensary ” Which is kind of, that’s cool I get it, it’s Vegas, but what about the normality of it? I don’t know how to explain, but the people who like to smoke weed here and there – people like us (Both laugh) I can’t relate to the guy with the chic chin That is not going to make me want to go to that dispensary All the hot chicks selling edibles and vapes and whatever in so-and-so dispensary is like, “Mmh ” That is not going to make you want to go
Yes, I do
Have you ever done standup in Spanish before?
No, but I have been invited. There is a show out here every other Sunday, they do Spanish-speaking shows Sometimes I try to tell jokes in Spanish to see if I can work that muscle Maybe for starters, I should transfer all of my material to Spanish and see if it delivers I do want to do more shows (in Spanish). Lately I’ve been looking at which venues have Latin-based comedians. Before I had thought, “I just want to do comedy I want to go anywhere, everywhere, I don’t care where it is, or who is there I want to do comedy ” Now I’m looking at it like, which show in LA has all Latino-based comedians? Which festivals can I hit to link up and network with more Latino-based comedians? That is a new thing for me I’ve been trying to squeeze into that system, trying to work with more Latinos to see how that is I think we need more of that
Why the interest in more Latinocentered shows?
I think it’s time for me to embrace that To embrace that scene, to make more noise for us, to put more Latinos on the map. We are there but we would prefer each other even more if we all got together to see how we can work with each other and make things grow
So, to make a stronger Latino presence?
Correct To have a stronger Latino presence and to be able to work with more Latinos Making more noise comically and publicly for more people to come see us. We are all different in a sense. I haven’t tapped into talking about how I’m half Salvadorian. There are Salvadorian comedians out there There are a bunch of comedians talking about their dads who are strong strict Latino Mexican dads “Vete a trabajar! (Start working!).” My dad wasn’t like that, he was more calm, collected, and his humor was witty, so I want to show that not all Latin dads are strict and hard loving My father is hard loving, but he didn’t have that strictness in him like that He was more passive, or he would make you think For instance, I had him look at my car because something was wrong with it. And he goes, “Oh, you have one of those cars that don’t run on oil. I go, “What do you mean? All cars need oil,” and he goes, “Well then, why don’t you put any in this car? Because the car has no oil ” (Laughs) So, it’s a different wit.
So, generally speaking, there aren’t that many Latino comedians? Or there just aren’t enough venues? What’s the climate like?
When I started in San Francisco there was a strong handful, maybe 10 comedians that are Latinos, or maybe less I came to Vegas, and there were maybe one or two. I’m sure L.A. is where it’s at. I should have gone to L.A. to tap into that But that’s what it was in the years of doing comedy I was wondering, “How would it feel to do a show for all Latinos?” An all-Latino crowd I’m trying to find that now I haven’t been around that and I think that’s why, in my whole career, I have not been around a strong Latin presence I want to tap into that demographic
That’s crazy, I did not know there was such a small number of Latin comics.
Yeah. The comedians of the Bay Area said, “Oh, we need to do a show together,” and there were only around six of us that thought that we should I’m sure there were more, but San Francisco is a big scene The people I was around that were working heavy were like, “Yeah we gotta do the show.” Unfortunately, it never happened, because everyone is busy, everyone is doing their own thing That doesn’t mean it can’t happen
Yeah definitely. The benefit of the doubt. When people come from a different country, a hardworking country, they come to this country to work and that’s the mentality We have to work to survive, we have to make money, so how are you going to make money?
Unfortunately, some of the jobs we take are backbreaking jobs, so the generation above us tend to start pushing that on us They are always told, “Oh, you have to work You have to work hard ” For the men, they really are machistas, so they are like, “Oh! Look at your hands. Your hands are so soft. Go grab a hammer boy.” That’s why they motivate us to be strong because that’s how they grew up Now, things have changed It’s interesting how when you are following your passion or doing something artistic, the same uncles and relatives that were telling you to go work construction or go do something start telling you, “You know what? I used to like playing the guitar ” And they see that you are progressing on something, so they are like, “Don’t stop what you are doing ” It’s hard for them to understand cause they are like, “Is that how you make a living? Telling jokes?” They don’t get it. “Where is the pension? Where is the money? How are you paying rent?” They don’t understand you can live off your art
Not entirely supportive Just recently one of the older cousins was like, “So, how is your hobby?” No, it’s not a hobby. I mean it started as a hobby, but now it’s actually a career that I’m making a living out of I can’t blame them for not understanding because all they understand is to wake up, shut up, go to work, clock in, and clock out They made that comfortable for themselves For us, it’s like we are artists, and I don’t expect you to understand my art. It’s equally hard to get up on stage and write your stuff to follow your passion as much as it is for them to get up and go to a 9 to 5 In that sense, it’s still work
Oh man, I’m right now writing at least three sketches a week. I’m always working on something. The plan is more sketches, more work, more clubs, more festivals Just keep it moving I’m working on more material Just keeping fresh, keeping alive
Again, congrats on all three. Thank you for the interview.
Thank you, thank you
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n e e d t o h a v e a s k a t e e r a , B i k e e r a , p e n n y b o a r d , r i p s t i c k , r o l l e r b l a d e s , e t c I t b e g i n s t o c o n s u m e a n d b e c o m e a l i f e s t y l e u n t i l y o u w i p e i t o u t r e a l l y a n d n e v e r p i c k i t u p a g a i n . R i d i n g a r o u n d u s u a l l y l e a d s t o y o u f i n d i n g a c o m m u n i t y i n w h i c h y o u c a n f i n d c o o l p e o p l e .
G e t a T a t t o o
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T r a v e l u p a n d a w a y f r o m y o u r p l a c e o f o r i g i n : N o t h i n g b r e a k s m y h e a r t m o r e t h a n s o m e o n e w h o h a s
n e v e r b e e n o u t s i d e o f t h e i r C i t y L i m i t s . T r a v e l i n g i s a w a y t o g e t a w a y a n d r e c h a r g e I t a l s o m a k e s y o u
a p p r e c i a t e h o m e w a y m o r e
E x p e r i m e n t w i t h N a r c o t i c s :
T h e W e e d y o u p u f f e d o n i n h i g h s c h o o l d o e s n ’ t c o u n t .
Y o u c a n t r y s o m e p s y c h e d e l i c s a n d b e c o m e e n l i g h t e n e d b y t h e u n i v e r s e . T r y s o m e r a v e d r u g s l i k e M o l l y a n d e c s t a s y a n d g o c r a z y i n t h e c l u b J u s t d o n ’ t d o m e t h , t h a t ’ s a d a r k p a t h a n d y o u w i l l l o s e a l l y o u r t e e t h
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B u i l d s o m e t h i n g f r o m s c r a t c h :
O u r G r a n d f a t h e r s b e f o r e u s d i d n o t h a v e I K E A . T h e y h a d t o c u t t h e w o o d w i t h n o t h i n g b u t a j i g s a w a n d s w e a t .
W h e t h e r i t b e a c h a i r o r a s h e d y o u r m o m w a n t s f o r
M o t h e r ’ s D a y o u t o f t h e b l u e , Y o u T u b e a n d a f e w
S a t u r d a y s a r e a l l y o u n e e d
G e t I n s u r a n c e / G e t O f f Y o u r P a r e n t ’ s I n s u r a n c e : U n f o r t u n a t e l y , J a y - Z i s a l i a r , a n d w e a r e n o t f o r e v e r y o u n g . A l t h o u g h i t ’ s p a r t o f t h e b o r i n g p a r t o f b e i n g a n a d u l t , y o u s h o u l d h a v e i n s u r a n c e o f s o m e f o r m b e f o r e 2 5 . I f y o u a r e o n y o u r p a r e n t ’ s i n s u r a n c e , m o s t p o l i c i e s
d o n ’ t g o p a s t 2 6 a l l o w i n g k i d s o n t h e i r p a r e n t ’ s i n s u r a n c e s o n o w i s a g o o d t i m e t o t a k e c a r e o f t h a t
G o t o a s p o r t i n g e v e n t : T h e c l o s e s t t h i n g t o t h e R o m a n C o l o s s e u m S p o r t i n g e v e n t s a r e a m a r v e l t o b e a t e v e n i f y o u a r e n ’ t a f a n
M o n u m e n t s t r u c t u r e s h o u s i n g a d u l t s a n d c h i l d r e n s c r e a m i n g a n d c h e e r i n g i s a n i n f e c t i o u s v i b e t h a t s u c k s y o u i n . I f y o u ’ r e a f a n i t h e l p s t o e x p e r i e n c e t h e h e a r t b r e a k o f L o s i n g n e x t t o y o u r p e o p l e
A t t e n d a L a n t e r n F e s t i v a l :
P o l l u t i o n i s c o o l s o m e t i m e s L a n t e r n f e s t i v a l s a r e
b e a u t i f u l d i s p l a y s a c r o s s t h e b a c k d r o p o f t h e n i g h t s k y
G o t o a L i v e C o n c e r t :
T h e s e n s a t i o n y o u f e e l w h e n y o u s e e y o u r f a v o r i t e a r t i s t w h o m y o u h a v e l o w - k e y w o r s h i p e d i n y o u r e a r f o r y e a r s
l i v e i s c a t h a r t i c a n d s h o u l d b e e x p e r i e n c e d f o r t h e s o u l .
T r u s t m e , I h a v e s e e n S Z A l i v e .
F a l l i n L o v e :
T h i s o n e i s d e d i c a t e d t o m y g i r l f r i e n d . F a l l i n g i n l o v e i s a
d e l u s i o n e v e r y o n e s h o u l d t a k e p a r t i n I t d o e s n ’ t e v e n h a v e t o b e a n o t h e r p e r s o n ; L o v e i s l o v e
G o t o a S t a n d - u p S h o w :
L a u g h t e r i s t h e b e s t m e d i c i n e a n d l i k e o p i o i d s , i t ’ s b e i n g g i v e n o u t i n u n r e g u l a t e d a m o u n t s a t s t a n d - u p s a n d o p e n m i c s . T h e r e i s a l w a y s s o m e o n e p e r f o r m i n g b o u n d t o w a r m y o u r s o u l . M o s t v e n u e s a l s o h a v e f o o d i f c o m e d y i s n o t e n t i r e l y y o u r t h i n g .
L e a r n a D i f f e r e n t L a n g u a g e :
I t ’ s a c o o l p a r t y t r i c k a n d y o u c a n s o u n d c o o l w h e n o r d e r i n g f o r e i g n f o o d i n f r o n t o f p e o p l e T h e w o r l d i s b i g s o l e a r n i n g a n o t h e r l a n g u a g e w i l l u s u a l l y c o m e i n h a n d y
A t t e n d a P r o t e s t : T h e M i t o c h o n d r i a i s t h e p o w e r h o u s e o f t h e c e l l a n d y o u n g p e o p l e a r e t h e h e a r t b e a t o f a p r o t e s t T h e y a r e b e c o m i n g m o r e f r e q u e n t a s t h e w o r l d b e g i n s s o g o o u t t h e r e a n d g e t t h a t R e v o l u t i o n M u s i c P o p p i n
G o o n a n a t u r e H i k e :
E v e r y o n e s h o u l d e x p e r i e n c e t h e b e a u t y o f n a t u r e .
N a t i o n a l p a r k s a r e r e c o m m e n d e d b e c a u s e t h e y a r e t h e s a f e s t M a k e s u r e t o b a c k s u p p l i e s a n d d r i n k w a t e r w h i l e d o i n g s o a s w e l l
L e a r n H o w t o d o y o u r t a x e s :
Y o u m u s t p a y t h e m , s o y o u m i g h t a s w e l l u n d e r s t a n d t h e m . T h e r e a r e l o t s o f t r i c k s a n d h i d d e n w a y s t o m a s t e r t a x e s a n d g e t m o r e m o n e y b a c k S k i p - p a y i n g p e o p l e a n d j u s t d o i t y o u r s e l f T h e n y o u c a n s c o f f a t p e o p l e w h o w a i t u n t i l t h e l a s t m i n u t e ( M e )
O w n a n d T a k e c a r e o f a p e t : H a v i n g a l i t t l e o n e a r o u n d i s g r e a t N o t o n l y d o e s i t m a k e y o u l o v e a n d c a r e f o r s o m e t h i n g o t h e r t h a n y o u r s e l f . T h e y h a v e n o c h o i c e b u t t o l o v e y o u b e c a u s e y o u f e e d t h e m .
L i v e o u t s i d e y o u r c o u n t r y : L i v i n g i n a d i f f e r e n t c o u n t r y s h o w s y o u j u s t h o w b i g a d i f f e r e n c e t h e w o r l d i s a n d h o w i t o p e r a t e s P e r s p e c t i v e c a n b e l i m i t e d t o j u s t l i v i n g i n t h e s a m e p l a c e f o r e v e r G o a n d e x p e r i e n c e a d i f f e r e n t p a r t o f t h e w o r l d w h i l e y o u ’ r e y o u n g a n d w i t h o u t t o o m a n y o b l i g a t i o n s .
W a t c h a l l o f G r e y ’ s A n a t o m y : I t ’ s l o n g a n d M e r e d i t h G r e y i s a c h a r a c t e r b u t o n c e y o u g e t i n t o i t , y o u ’ r e s t u c k A l s o , w h e n s o m e o n e a s k s “ I s a n y o n e a d o c t o r ” y o u c a n r a i s e y o u r h a n d . T h i s s h o w p r e p a r e s y o u f o r e v e r y s i t u a t i o n i m a g i n a b l e .
L e a r n S e l f - D e f e n s e : I t ’ s a c r a z y w o r l d w e l i v e i n , a n d y o u s h o u l d l e a r n h o w t o d e f e n d y o u r s e l f W h e t h e r i t b e a p h y s i c a l w e a p o n o r a f i r e a r m , m a k e s u r e y o u c a n s u c c e s s f u l l y g e t o u t o f a s i t u a t i o n F i n d H a p p i n e s s : S o m e t i m e s i t c a n f e e l l i k e t h e w o r l d i s b l e a k H e a d l i n e s a r e c o n s t a n t l y d e p r e s s i n g w i t h n e w s o f m a s s m u r d e r , c o r r u p t p o l i t i c i a n s , l a c k o f j o b s e t c T o g e t y o u r s e l f s a n e t h r o u g h i t a l l , f i n d s o m e t h i n g t h a t m a k e s y o u h a p p y . O n c e y o u f i n d t h a t t h i n g n u r t u r e i t a n d g r o w i t s o t h a t y o u w i l l a l w a y s h a v e t h a t h a p p i n e s s w h e n e v e r t h e w o r l d g e t s t o u g h T a k e m y a d v i c e a s t h e w i s e s t 2 2 - y e a r - o l d t o e v e r l i v e , i t g e t s v e r y t o u g h S o , i t ’ s b e t t e r t o f a c e i t w i t h a s m i l e
J u s t i n C o l e b r o o k e
J o s h B l u e i s a c o m e d i a n ’ s c o m e d i a n , a r e n a i s s a n c e m a n , a n d a h e r o t o m o s t p e o p l e w i t h
a p u l s e . H e h a s s p e n t y e a r s e s t a b l i s h i n g h i m s e l f a s a t a l e n t a n d c o m e d i c p o w e r h o u s e , d r a w i n g c r o w d s , w i n n i n g “ L a s t C o m i c S t a n d i n g , ” a n d p l a c i n g t h i r d i n “ A m e r i c a ’ s G o t
T a l e n t ” i n t h e p r o c e s s . H e w a s r e c e n t l y f e a t u r e d o n t h e “ A l l S t a r s ” c o m p e t i t i o n o f A G T
a n d w a s k i n d e n o u g h t o s i t d o w n a n d t a l k t o u s
Bennett Personius: How are you? How’s your day going so far?
J o s h B l u e : G o o d ! J u s t g o t d o n e d o i n g a n o t h e r i n t e r v i e w .
BP: Hopefully they didn’t ask you all the good questions.
J o s h : Y e a h , I ’ m a s s u m i n g t h e s e a r e j u s t g o n n a b e s h i t t y .
BP: That’s pretty much what I shoot for: low expectations. It gives a different flavor. Everyone else tries to ask good, insightful questions. Mine are more just, like—
J o s h : “ Y o u g o t a n y c h e w i n g g u m ? ”
BP: Exactly. Thanks for squeezing us in. I assume things have probably been crazier since AGT.
J o s h : O h m a n i t ’ s b e e n a w e s o m e , b u t d e f i n i t e l y g o i n g i n a l l d i r e c t i o n s , a l l t h e t i m e
BP: I can only imagine. Was there a bigger jump in business after the “All Star” or was it similar?
J o s h : O h m a n i t ’ s b e e n a w e s o m e , b u t d e f i n i t e l y g o i n g i n a l l d i r e c t i o n s , a l l t h e t i m e
BP: Having seen your career from an outside perspective, it seems that you’ve had kind of a steady climb. Obviously, there were hurdles, but you were winning competitions early on. What was one of the bigger or scarier leaps as far as stages and growth?
J o s h : W e l l , e v e r y s t e p o f t h e w a y i s g r o w t h .
S o m e t i m e s t h e r e ’ s b i g g r o w t h s p u r t s a n d s o m e t i m e s t h e r e ’ s l i t t l e g r o w t h s p u r t s . D o i n g s h o w s a n d o p e n i n g f o r b i g n a m e s , i t ’ s e x c i t i n g a n d i t ’ s i n t i m i d a ti n g w h e n y o u ’ r e s t a r t i n g , b u t t h e n y o u l e a r n f r o m t h a t , a n d a l l o f t h e s u d d e n y o u g e t a n o p p o r t u n i t y l i k e t h e “ L a s t C o m i c S t a n d i n g . ” T h a t ’ s a b i g g r o w t h s p u r t f o r s u r e . Y o u l e a r n p r e t t y q u i c k l y . B y t h e t i m e I g o t t o A G T , I ’ d b e e n d o i n g t h i s f o r 2 0 y e a r s , a n d i t ’ s l i k e , “ I ’ m r e a d y f o r w h a t e v e r y o u p r e s e n t m e ”
BP: And I can feel that watching your sets on AGT. You just have a sense of confidence. And that’s reassuring to watch, it’s part of what makes your standup cool and special. There’s a kind of “Seinfeld” sort of familiarity.
Josh: Well, I’m trying to make you feel like we’re just having a conversation one-on-one. We’re just talking, and I happen to be saying funny things.
BP: Was that confidence something that was built by success, or was that something that you had early on?
J o s h : I ’ v e b e e n t o l d t h a t I ’ v e a l w a y s l o o k e d v e r y c o m f o r t a b l e o n s t a g e a n d v e r y c o n f i d e n t . B u t w h e n I f i r s t s t a r t e d , I w a s f u c k i n g t e r r i f i e d m a n . F o r w h a t e v e r r e a s o n , m y b o d y t h e w a y i t m o v e s l o o k s l i k e i t ’ s d o i n g w h a t i t ’ s s u p p o s e d t o b e d o i n g i n s t e a d o f w o r r y i n g B u t n o w I h a v e t h i s s k i l l t h a t I ’ v e b u i l t o v e r t h e y e a r s I f I d o a
b i g s h o w l i k e “ T h e T o n i g h t S h o w , ” I t r y n o t
t o g e t w o r r i e d w i t h t h e i d e a o f m e s s i n g u p
b e c a u s e o f t h o s e t h o u s a n d s o f s h o w s t h a t
I ’ v e d o n e T h a t d o e s n ’ t r e a l l y h a p p e n I ’ m
l i k e , “ w h y w o u l d t o n i g h t b e t h e n i g h t t h a t I
f u c k i t u p ? ” I ’ m n o t e v e n w o r r i e d a b o u t i t
I ’ m a t t h e p o i n t w h e r e I c a n e a t s h i t o n a
j o k e o r t w o i n a r o w a n d s t i l l k n o w t h a t I
c a n c o m e b a c k f r o m t h a t I c a n t a k e a
c h a n c e a n d s a y s o m e t h i n g t h a t m i g h t n o t
b e f u n n y b e c a u s e I k n o w I h a v e s o m e t h i n g
f u n n y t o s a y a f t e r t h a t
BP: I was reading an interview where you talked about when you first tried to quit and spent a year and a half not doing comedy. And it reminded me of an E.E. Cummings essay where he talked about being a “capital A Artist,” and that being different than people who want to be an artist, or copy other artists, or want to be successful. And he says it comes from a certain temperament that you can’t escape and describes it as being a sort of agony. You just have to do it. Like you were saying, quitting was not really an option.
J o s h : I c a n ’ t i m a g i n e a l i f e o f n o t d o i n g t h i s I h a v e a v e r y s t r a n g e g i f t t h a t i s m u c h b e y o n d t h e e f f o r t t h a t I p u t i n t o i t . I d o n ’ t r e a l l y t r y t o b e
a n a m a z i n g s t a n d u p B u t I j u s t h a p p e n t o b e t h a t I t ’ s w e i r d I ’ m u s u a l l y a v e r y h u m b l e g u y , s o i t ’ s h a r d t o s a y p o s i t i v e t h i n g s l i k e t h a t , b u t w h a t ev e r I ’ m d o i n g , i t ’ s b e y o n d m e I h a v e a s t r a n g e a b i l i t y t o j u s t b e c o m f o r t a b l e o n s t a g e a n d m a k e y o u
c o m f o r t a b l e w i t h m y d i s a b i l i t y a n d w h o I a m . I d o n ’ t t h i n k t h a t ’ s s o m e t h i n g
y o u c a n l e a r n I t ’ s j u s t a
w e i r d t h i n g t h a t ’ s b u i l t i n t o
m e
BP: One of the things that from my perspective you excel at is that jokes don’t have to make sense to be funny. I don’t even know where these things come from or where they’re going, but they’re just funny.
J o s h : I t ’ s a n o v e r a c t i v e
i m a g i n a t i o n I c a n j u s t c r e a t e
f u n n y s c e n a r i o s o u t o f
n o t h i n g T h e n w h e n y o u t i e
i t i n t o o t h e r t h i n g s , i t b u i l d s
t h i s i m a g e o r i d e a t h a t
b e c o m e s a j o k e !
BP: I find that for me, humor isn’t just a coping mechanism. I think it shows me that there’s a bigger picture behind momentary discomfort.
J o s h : A n d w h o g i v e s a f u c k i f i t i s a c o p i n g m e c h a n i s m ? H o w g r e a t i s h u m o r t o d i s a r m a h a r d o r a w k w a r d s i t u a t i o n ? I t h i n k i t ’ s t h e b e s t t o o l t h a t y o u c o u l d p o s s i b l y h a v e . I l o o k b a c k a t m y s c h o o l i n g , a n d t h e t e a c h e r s t h a t I l e a r n e d t h e m o s t f r o m h a d a l i t t l e s e n s e o f h u m o r w h e r e i t k e p t y o u r a t t e n t i o n Y o u l e a r n a l o t m o r e f r o m t h a t . “ I b e t t e r l i s t e n t o w h a t t h a t g u y ’ s s a y i n g b e c a u s e h e m i g h t s a y s o m e t h i n g g o o d . ”
BP: I’ve noticed you have quite a few artistic gifts. You’re a standup, you’re an artist, an athlete, and a writer as well.
J o s h : I ’ v e d o n e a l o t o f s t u f f I ’ v e g o t a b i g a r t s h o w
c o m i n g u p , w h i c h i s p r e t t y e x c i t i n g I t ’ l l b e m y
f i f t h I ’ v e b e e n d o i n g a l o t o f p a i n t i n g , a n d I ’ v e g o t
a b i g n e w s c u l p t u r e t h a t I ’ m r e a l l y p r o u d o f . I d o
b i g w o o d c a r v i n g s .
BP: That’s interesting to me because for painting you can go to the store and buy some watercolors. Sculpting is something that you really have to set out upon. How did you start sculpting?
J o s h : I w a s b o r n i n C a m e r o o n , W e s t A f r i c a I u s e d
t o l i v e i n S e n e g a l , a n d t h e r e ’ s a l o t o f a m a z i n g w o o d c a r v i n g s t h e r e , a n d t h a t w a s t h e b e g i n n i n g o f m y i n t e r e s t a n d l o v e o f i t . A n d t h e n I j u s t s t a r t e d
t o f u c k a r o u n d w i t h a k n i f e a n d c u t t i n g t h i n g s a n d l o v e d i t e v e r s i n c e A n d I ’ v e g o t t e n m o r e s u c c e s s f u l
a n d c a n b u y m o r e t o o l s , s o I ’ m d o i n g s h i t o n a
b i g g e r s c a l e I ’ m a l s o a p y r o m a n i a c , s o I
i n c o r p o r a t e a l o t o f f i r e i n t o m y w o o d c a r v i n g . I
a c t u a l l y c a r v e w i t h f i r e .
BP: You’re basically the true definition of a renaissance man.
J o s h : I ’ v e d o n e a l o t o f s h i t I s p e a k t h r e e l a n g u a g e s , b e e n t o 4 4 c o u n t r i e s I ’ m a b u s y b o y A s a k i d I u s e d t o d r a w a l o t I h a v e n ’ t s t u d i e d a n y o f t h i s , i t j u s t f e e l s r i g h t w h e n I d o i t . I t ’ s h o w i t ’ s s u p p o s e d t o b e d o n e . I j u s t l i k e s t u f f a n d I g o a n d f i g u r e o u t h o w t o d o i t m y s e l f
BP: A lot of the behind-the-scenes footage they shot between your set on AGT — a lot of it was your story, but there was a certain dramatic element to it. Was that something that you wanted to tell, or was that something that was played up for that show?
J o s h : I m e a n , i t ’ s a r e a l i t y s h o w . T h e y ’ r e g o n n a t r y t o m a k e d r a m a o r p u l l a t t h e h e a r t s t r i n g s . I j u s t l o o k a t i t a s a v e s s e l f o r m y c r a f t . I g o t t o b e o n t h e b i g g e s t s t a g e i n t h e w o r l d a n d d o w h a t I l o v e t o d o , b u t I h a d t o p l a y b y t h e i r r u l e s B u t a l s o , b y t h a t r a t i o n a l e t h e y w o u l d a l w a y s t r y t o m a k e m y s t o r y a b o u t b e i n g a s t r u g g l e a n d h a v i n g t o o v e r c o m e s t u f f , a n d I w a s l i k e , “ t h a t a i n ’ t w h o I f u c k i n g a m . I ’ m h e r e t o r u l e t h e w o r l d . ” S o , t o a c e r t a i n e x t e n t I ’ m g o n n a g i v e t h e m w h a t t h e y w a n t , b u t I ’ m n o t g o n n a g i v e t h e m e x a c t l y w h a t t h e y w a n t
BP: Was there something specifically that you pushed back on?
J o s h : T h e y j u s t a l w a y s w a n t e d t o h e a r h o w h a r d i t i s f o r m e t o d o w h a t I d o b e c a u s e o f m y d i s a b i l i t y
A n d t h e t r u t h o f t h e m a t t e r i s , I d o n ’ t e v e n s e e i t
l i k e t h a t . I r e a l l y d o n ’ t . T h i s i s a h a r d j o b f o r
a n y b o d y . T h e r e i s a r e a l l y s m a l l g r o u p o f g o o d s t a n d u p s i n t h e w o r l d B u t I ’ m a l s o v e r y p r o u d o f b e i n g a t h l e t i c
I ’ m a n o l d m a n n o w , b u t I u s e d t o l o v e t o b e a t a b l e - b o d i e d p e o p l e i n r a c e s H o w f u n i s i t f o r a g u y w i t h p a l s y t o s m o k e s o m e b o d y ? I ’ m a l w a y s t r y i n g t o b e t h e b e s t i n t h e r o o m n o m a t t e r w h a t w e ’ r e d o i n g . I f w e ’ r e p l a y i n g b a c k g a m m o n o r f u c k i n g f i s h i n g
BP: That’s how I am too; it’s a blessing and a curse because on one hand it makes you learn to get better at stuff and on the other hand it’s like “why can’t I lose at chess? Does that really matter?
J o s h : Y e a h , m y s o n k i l l e d m e a t c h e s s t h e o t h e r d a y a n d I a l m o s t I w a s s o m a d . I t r e a l l y h u r t m y f e e l i n g s . B u t w h e n i t ’ s y o u r s o n b e a t i n g y o u i t ’ s r e a l l y h u r t f u l . B u t a l s o , t h e r e ’ s a s e n s e o f p r i d e w h e r e y o u t a u g h t h i m t o s u r p a s s w h a t y o u k n o w B u t t h e o t h e r t h i n g i s m y s o n p l a y s , l i k e , 3 0 g a m e s o n h i s p h o n e a d a y A n d t h e n I m a k e a m o v e a n d h e ’ s l i k e , “ o h y o u ’ r e m a k i n g t h i s m o v e . ” A n d I ’ m l i k e , “ I d o n ’ t l i k e t h a t y o u k n o w t h e n a m e s t o t h i s s h i t . I ’ m g o n n a l o s e t h i s g a m e ! ”
BP: You mentioned this desire to be great at everything. Do you have any kind of life philosophy?
J o s h : I t h i n k i t ’ s a c a l l I f e e l a c a l l t o d o t h i n g s L i k e , “ y o u g o t t a p a i n t t o d a y ” A n d t h e n I j u s t d o n ’ t f e e l r i g h t u n l e s s I p a i n t . B u t a l s o , t h e o n e t h i n g I t o l d m y s e l f i s t h a t i f I d o n ’ t e v e r a c h i e v e a n y t h i n g , i t ’ s n o t b e c a u s e o f p a l s y , i t ’ s j u s t b e c a u s e o f b e i n g l a z y S e r i o u s l y E v e r y t h i n g I ’ v e d o n e i s b e c a u s e I d i d i t I f y o u d o n ’ t e v e n g e t u p a n d t r y t o d o i t , t h e n i t ’ s d e f i n i t e l y n e v e r g o n n a h a p p e n
BP: It’s easy to think of only the hurdle that you have to get past rather than have an idea that this is possible.
J o s h : T h a t ’ s e x a c t l y i t . I g e t s o m a n y m e s s a g e s o n s o c i a l m e d i a l i k e , “ y o u ’ r e s o i n s p i r i n g ! I ’ v e n e v e r b e e n a b l e t o d o w h a t I w a n t t o d o I w a n t t o b e a p a i n t e r b u t I j u s t n e v e r ” W e l l b u y s o m e f u c k i n g p a i n t s a n d p a i n t s o m e t h i n g . N o w y o u ’ r e a p a i n t e r . G o o d j o b , w h a t ’ s n e x t ? I a l w a y s s e e t h e s e e x c u s e s : t h i s i s i n t h e w a y o r t h a t ’ s i n t h e w a y . N o , y o u ’ r e i n t h e w a y I h a v e t h i s e x a m p l e a b o u t s o m e o f m y p a i n t i n g I d o t h e s e a b s t r a c t c o l o r p a i n t i n g s , t h r o w i n g p a i n t o n c a n v a s a n d m i x i n g i t a l l t o g e t h e r . I h a d s o m e b o d y o n e t i m e : “ I c o u l d d o t h a t . ” W e l l , t h e d i f f e r e n c e i s , I ’ v e a l r e a d y d o n e i t . Y o u c o u l d , b u t y o u w o n ’ t , a n d y o u ’ l l n e v e r s e l l y o u r
t h i n g , a n d I a l r e a d y h a v e a n a r t s h o w d o i n g i t I h av e a l u s t f o r l i f e A d r i v e t o b e l i v i n g H a v i n g c e r e b r a l p a l s y , p e o p l e d o n ’ t e x p e c t m e t o u s e a
c h a i n s a w t o c a r v e a g i a n t t r e e . S o , I l i k e m a k i n g
p e o p l e h a v e w o n d e r .
BP: Wrapping up here because I know you’re a busy man, [I] just wanted to ask a couple fun questions. Is there a favorite bit that you’ve heard recently?
J o s h : T h e r e ’ s s o m a n y f u n n y p e o p l e I g e t t o b e a r o u n d M y f r i e n d J a n a e s h e o p e n s f o r m e a l o t s h e s a i d h e r f e e t a r e u g l y L e t ’ s j u s t s a y , s h e l o o k s l i k e s h e c o u l d r u n f a s t b a r e f o o t
BP: Is there anything you’ve been watching or an album you’ve been listening to recently that you really like?
J o s h : Y e a h , I ’ v e r e a l l y b e e n e n j o y i n g t h e P a r q u e t
C o u r t s I t ’ s r o c k , a l i t t l e p u n k I ’ v e r e a l l y b e e n
p l e a s a n t l y s u r p r i s e d w i t h t h e i r s t u f f . Y o u s h o u l d
c h e c k ‘ e m o u t , m a n . I ’ m b u d d i e s w i t h N a t h a n i e l
R a t e l i f f h e ’ s o n e o f m y f a v o r i t e s r i g h t n o w .
G o o d d u d e , b u t h i s m u s i c i s f u c k i n g g r e a t
BP: One last one: what’s a small thing in your life that makes you happy?
J o s h : S m o k e w e e d e v e r y d a y y . T h a t d o e s d e f i n i t e l y d o i t , t h a t ’ l l d o i t f o r s u r e S o m e p e o p l e n e e d
A d d e r a l l o r P r o z a c , j u s t g i v e m e a b o w l , a n d w e ’ r e g o o d
B e n n e t t P e r s o n i u s
c h e c k o u t J o s h ' s s o c i a l m e d i a
c h e c k o u t J o s h ' s t o u r s c h e d u l e !
c l i c k h e r e
Recently, I had the pleasure of speaking with comedian JJ Williamson and connecting with him through many topics such as motivation, the thrill of having big dreams, and figuring out life’s purpose and what that can look like. Growing up in Jackson, Mississippi, Williamson discusses how he was always a class-clown-kind of character and enjoyed the momentum of making other people laugh “I never told anyone I wanted to do standup comedy I never told my parents, never told my friends, I didn’t even tell God, but I knew He knew,” Williamson said. When recalling his first night going up on stage, he discussed what it felt like to get a standing ovation, “It was such a beautiful adrenaline rush,” he stated, “It was an amazing feeling!” Though this was the first-time stepping foot onto the stage, Williamson knew this was the journey he was meant to go on. It only took one time of getting up on stage to know that he was hooked, baited, and breaded Even now with all of his years of experience, he is still able to enjoy the electrifying sensation of making a crowd bust a gut!
But alas, with every journey we embark on, there will always be challenges to overcome Williamson opened up about the challenges he faced getting into the entertainment business “Being in the entertainment business is definitely a journey, it’s definitely a challenging business to be in.” he followed it up by expressing some of the thoughts he and other people in entertainment face by saying, “you may sometimes have those setbacks where you know, you wonder, are you really going to get discovered? Are you really going to be able to take it to another level?” Ultimately, he mentions that this is a form of business in which you have to have confidence and continue to work hard. “It’s a process You definitely have to take your time Again, you have to continue to believe in it ”
The conversation opened the floor to what it’s like to stay motivated in the entertainment business “I’m 29 years into standup comedy now,” Williamson stated, “I motivate myself just continuing to believe. I feel like I do have what it takes ” Williamson also mentions that staying motivated comes naturally when you truly have a love for what you do “I never felt like this was a job, I truly love what I do so it’s no problem getting up and trying to write down different jokes or different scenes ” Williamson’s jolly disposition and positive attitude shined bright throughout the entirety of his interview He also mentioned what kind of support the other comedians give, “We are like a fraternity you know; we cheer each other on and people continue to cheer me on and vice versa ” It was a wonderful sight to see of comedians supporting other comedians in their craft Having a good support system is such a wonderful thing to have. It was truly apparent that the positivity that Williamson had was shining inside and out
With now having almost 30 years under his belt, the question of all questions was dropped; what advice would you tell your younger self? “I would just say, believe in yourself Step out there on faith and you know, you’ll never get nowhere unless you try ” As he mentioned this advice to his younger self, he also mentioned that this is some of the same advice he gives his son.
With all of Williamson’s success such as performing standup for numerous shows, acting as Cousin Bodie in The Johnson Family Vacation, and following his passion for entertainment, one could assume that his younger self would be proud as a peach on how far he has come in his career Having all of these successes in his life, it was only appropriate to ask Williamson if he celebrates his achievements and how? He went on to say, “I do [celebrate] sometimes, but I don't want to get to the point where I’m settling Even when I do some HBO Def Jam or I do a special you know, I always feel like there’s always going to be room for me to grow ” Williamson also mentions, “I am my hardest critic. No one is going to be as hard on my talent as I am.” Even when he is celebrating himself, he always leaves room for improvement so that he can be the best version of himself
If there is one thing I took away from this interview, it would be that hard work, dedication, and having confidence will take you far in life Sometimes it can be hard to find motivation and other times motivation will come naturally Williamson knew that entertainment was his calling, and he was not going to let his passion slip between his fingers. As a veteran to the comedic world, Williamson still wakes up full of love for what he does, and it shows! JJ Williamson was such a treat to talk to and was beaming with a positive energy that was truly contagious.
Alexandra Webb
As summer approaches, why not take a moment to unwind with the Marijuana Moose? This beloved cartoon character is a weed connoisseur who can guide you on your journey towards a stress-free life. Think of him as your cannabis sherpa, leading you to a world of relaxation and tranquility With the Marijuana Moose by your side, we'll explore the many ways that marijuana can help you let go of stress and find inner peace With his hilarious and lovable personality, you're sure to have a great time while doing it So, grab your favorite strain, kick back, and let the Marijuana Moose show you the way to a more relaxed and carefree life
The Marijuana Moose is a fun-loving, carefree cartoon character who embodies the spirit of marijuana culture With his goofy antics and contagious laughter, he's the perfect partner to guide you through the world of weed
Moose was stressed-out and always on the go He spent his days running around, gathering food, and trying to keep his family safe. But no matter how hard he tried, he just couldn't seem to unwind and let go of his worries.
One day, while out foraging for food, Moose stumbled upon a bag of cannabis in the woods. At first, he was hesitant to try it, but as he started to experiment with the substance, he found that it helped him relax and let go of his stress
With his newfound love for cannabis, Moose underwent a transformation He went from a stressedout deer to a chill and carefree companion He started spending more time with his family, enjoying the simple pleasures of life, and laughing more than ever before
As Moose continued to spread the word about the benefits of cannabis, he gained a following of likeminded animals who were looking for a way to unwind and let go of their stress And thus, the legend of the Marijuana Moose was born.
Marijuana has long been touted as a stress reliever, and for good reason The compounds in marijuana can help to reduce anxiety and promote relaxation, making it a great tool for those who are feeling overwhelmed by the demands of daily life Whether you prefer to smoke, vape, or consume edibles, cannabis can be a great way to kick back and relax
Another benefit of cannabis is its ability to reduce anxiety. Many people turn to cannabis when they are feeling stressed or anxious, as it can help to calm the mind and alleviate feelings of worry or fear. This can be especially helpful for those who suffer from anxiety disorders or other mental health conditions.
In addition to promoting relaxation and reducing anxiety, cannabis can also enhance your mood The compounds in cannabis can help to boost the production of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that is associated with feelings of pleasure and happiness. This can help to improve your overall mood and make you feel more positive and upbeat.
Another benefit of cannabis is its ability to help you sleep. Many people who suffer from stress or anxiety also struggle with insomnia, making it difficult to get the restful sleep they need. Cannabis can help to promote relaxation and reduce anxiety, which can make it easier to fall asleep and stay asleep
One of the main benefits of cannabis is its ability to promote positive vibes. The compounds in cannabis can help to boost your mood, making it easier to feel happy and carefree This can be especially helpful for those who are feeling stressed or anxious, as it can help to alleviate negative feelings and replace them with positivity
Another benefit of cannabis is its ability to enhance creativity. Many artists and writers turn to cannabis to tap into their creative side and find inspiration. This can be a great way to take your mind off your stressors and focus on something that brings you joy.
As we all know, laughter is contagious When you're laughing with others, it can be easy to forget about your worries and just enjoy the moment Whether you're watching a funny movie or spending time with friends, cannabis can help to enhance your sense of humor and make it easier to let go and have a good time
With more and more states legalizing marijuana for medicinal and recreational use, the future of this once-taboo substance is looking brighter than ever. And with the Marijuana Moose leading the charge, we can all look forward to a world where we can enjoy the many benefits of marijuana without fear of judgment or stigma.
So, if you're feeling stressed out and in need of a good laugh, why not live like the Marijuana Moose? With his infectious personality and love for all things weed, he's sure to help you let go of your worries and enjoy life to the fullest So light up a joint, kick back, and let the good times roll with the one and only Marijuana Moose
Leah Jo WickstromI t ’ s n o s u r p r i s e t h a t w e c o n s t a n t l y c e l e b r a t e t h e p e o p l e w e l o v e . W e c e l e b r a t e b i r t h d a y s , w e d d i n g s , m a r r i a g e s , a n d e v e r y t h i n g i n b e t w e e n . O f t e n t i m e s , t h e p e r s o n w h o c e a s e s t o c e l e b r a t e u s i s w e l l , u s ! D a y - t o - d a y , w e c o m p l e t e t a s k s , b i g o r s m a l l , t h a t g o u n r e c o g n i z e d b y o u r s e l v e s T h e r e i s s o m u c h t h a t w e , a s i n d i v i d u a l s , c a n c e l e b r a t e f o r o u r s e l v e s b u t w e n e v e r d o . T h e r e i s n o s u c h t h i n g a s a s m a l l a c c o m p l i s h m e n t w h e t h e r i t ’ s g e t t i n g o u t o f b e d i n t h e m o r n i n g o r g e t t i n g a p r o m o t i o n a t y o u r j o b T h e s e a r e b o t h a c c o m p l i s h m e n t s t h a t d e s e r v e t o b e c e l e b r a t e d , b e c a u s e l e t ’ s b e h o n e s t , l i f e i s n ’ t e a s y
T h e g r e a t t h i n g a b o u t c e l e b r a t i n g y o u r s e l f i s t h a t
y o u h a v e f r e e r a n g e t o c e l e b r a t e a n y w a y y o u w a n t S o m e p e o p l e l i g h t c a n d l e s , h a v e a d r i n k , o r b u y a n e w o u t f i t ! S o m e t i m e s i t c a n b e d i f f i c u l t t o
k n o w h o w o r w h e n t o c e l e b r a t e y o u r s e l f S o m e w a y s t o k n o w h o w t o c e l e b r a t e y o u r s e l f i n c l u d e
d o i n g t h i n g s t h a t y o u l i k e . I f y o u l i k e t o c e l e b r a t e y o u r s e l f b y r e l a x i n g , t h e n p e r h a p s c o n s i d e r s e t t i n g y o u r s e l f u p a m o v i e n i g h t o r t a k i n g a
b u b b l e b a t h I f y o u ’ r e s o m e o n e w h o l i k e s t o g o w i l d , c o n s i d e r t r e a t i n g y o u r s e l f b y g o i n g o u t w i t h s o m e f r i e n d s o r t r y i n g s o m e t h i n g n e w .
I f y o u ’ r e s o m e o n e w ho p r e f e r s m a t e r i a l g r a t i f i c a t i o n , t r e a t y o u r s e l f t o a n e w o u t f i t , a
c o f f e e , o r a n y k i n d o f t r e a t t h a t w i l l m a k e y o u r
d a y
S o m e o f t h e w a y s w e c e l e b r a t e o u r s e l v e s c a n e v e n b e u n c o n s c i o u s W e c e l e b r a t e o u r s e l v e s b y t a k i n g c a r e o f o u r s e l v e s i n t e r m s o f e a t i n g f o o d , d r i n k i n g w a t e r , a n d o v e r a l l t r e a t i n g o u r b o d y a n d m i n d w i t h k i n d n e s s .
N o w t h a t I h a v e g i v e n s o m e t i p s o n h o w t o c e l e b r a t e , l e t ’ s d i v e i n t o w h e n t o c e l e b r a t e A l o t o f t i m e s , p e o p l e w o n ’ t c e l e b r a t e u n t i l t h e y a r e c o m p l e t e l y a n d u t t e r l y e x h a u s t e d f r o m t h e i r j o b o r w h a t e v e r i t i s t h a t r e n d e r s t h e m s u c c e s s f u l . T h i s m i n d s e t e n f o r c e s t h e t o x i c i d e a t h a t w e o n l y d e s e r v e t o b e c e l e b r a t e d w h e n w e a r e p h y s i c a l l y a n d e m o t i o n a l l y d r a i n e d W h i l e i t ’ s g o o d t o r e c o g n i z e w h e n y o u n e e d a b r e a k , i t ’ s i m p o r t a n t t o g i v e y o u r s e l f t h e s p a c e t o r e a l i z e t h a t y o u n e e d d o w n t i m e t o r e c h a r g e b e f o r e y o u h i t e x h a u s t i o n Y o u d o n o t h a v e t o s o l v e t h e w o r l d ' s m y s t e r i e s o r w i n a n O s c a r t o d e s e r v e t o c e l e b r a t e y o u r s e l f , y o u h a v e t o g i v e y o u r s e l f g r a c e a n d r e c o g n i z e t h a t y o u a r e h u m a n T h e r e a r e n o s m a l l s u c c e s s e s a n d t h a t i s t h e m o s t i m p o r t a n t t h i n g t o r e m e m b e r Y o u ’ v e b e e n h a v i n g a h a r d d a y a n d y o u m a d e i t t o t h e g r o c e r y s t o r e ? Y o u d e s e r v e t o t r e a t y o u r s e l f Y o u c o u l d e v e n i n c o r p o r a t e t h e s e c e l e b r a t i o n s i n t o y o u r d a i l y r o u t i n e ! I n c o r p o r a t i n g t h e s e c e l e b r a t i o n s i n t o y o u r d a i l y r o u t i n e c a n h e l p y o u r m e n t a l h e a l t h a n d g i v e y o u s o m e t h i n g t o l o o k f o r w a r d t o W h e n y o u c a r e f o r y o u r s e l f , y o u s h i n e a l i t t l e d i f f e r e n t l y !
T h o u g h i t i s g o o d t o r e c o g n i z e o t h e r p e o p l e ’ s s u c c e s s e s a n d c e l e b r a t e t h e m , i t i s a l s o i m p o r t a n t t o s h o w y o u r s e l f t h e s a m e k i n d o f l o v e a n d a p p r e c i a t i o n . A f t e r a l l , w e h a v e k n o w n o u r s e l v e s f o r a v e r y l o n g t i m e !
T h e g o o d t h i n g a b o u t c e l e b r a t i n g y o u r s e l f i s y o u k n o w y o u r s e l f b e s t a n d w i l l b e a b l e t o r e l a x e x a c t l y t h e w a y y o u w a n t . L i f e c a n b e i n c r e d i b l y h e c t i c , b u t i t i s i m p o r t a n t t o v a l u e y o u r t i m e a n d e n e r g y . Y o u d o y o u r b e s t w h e n y o u f e e l y o u r b e s t ! U l t i m a t e l y , c e l e b r a t i n g y o u r s e l f i s a n i c e w a y t o s h o w t h a t y o u c a r e a b o u t y o u r w e l l - b e i n g , a n d i t c a n a l s o s e r v e a s a f o r m o f m o t i v a t i o n . I n t h a t I m e a n , i f y o u a r e h a v i n g a b a d d a y a t w o r k a n d y o u n e e d a l i t t l e s o m e t h i n g t o l o o k f o r w a r d to , y o u
c a n t h i n k a b o u t s o m e t h i n g t h a t w o u l d h e l p y o u t o u n w i n d l i k e b e i n g e x c i t e d t o f i n i s h t h e q u i l t y o u h a v e b e e n w o r k i n g o n o r t o c o o k . T h e r e w i l l n e v e r b e “ t h e p e r f e c t m o m e n t ” t o c e l e b r a t e y o u r s e l f , a s i n d i v i d u a l s , d o n o t h a v e t o w a i t u n t i l w e a r e e x h a u s t e d
f r o m w o r k t o r e w a r d o u r s e l v e s W e d e s e r v e t o r e w a r d o u r s e l v e s f o r a l l t h e t h i n g s i n l i f e . A n y t h i n g t h a t i s d o n e t o h e l p a n i n d i v i d u a l e m o t i o n a l l y , p h y s i c a l l y , o r m e n t a l l y i s p r o d u c t i v e I f y o u c a n ’ t r e m e m b e r t h e l a s t t i m e y o u c e l e b r a t e d y o u r s e l f , t a k e a b r e a t h a n d g o d o s o m e t h i n g t h a t r e l a x e s y o u o r m a k e s y o u h a p p y . A f t e r a l l , y o u d e s e r v e i t !
I knew whenever I heard "we gone start this thing off right!" during my opening brunch shifts, I was in for a fun day full of laughter and dancing Who knew a quick and simple song would have such an impact on the general outlook of living life?! Apparently, Lil Duval Living your best life doesn't mean ignoring the bad things going on during your season However, giving a big embrace to some brighter moments can lead to happier times
According to Instagram, the phrase means taking selfies while traveling (chronicling a highlight of something positive) or sharing motivational quotes that currently apply to an acted-out solution to a problem Well, Lil Duval (along with Snoop Dogg and Ball Greezy) pointed out some thoughtful tips to living your best life.
Even when it may not feel like life is going great, find a reason why it could feel like it actually is going great. Snoop kicks off the song by saying "you got a lot to be smiling for, so wtf you be wildin' for?!"
This song does wonders with motivating folks to let go of the past Take a look at this reel and think about people and seasons that were stressful and toxic "My ex-b*tch, you can have that there " Look at this lesson in letting go of what hurt you yet not forgetting that it happened!
Now, we all make mistakes As humans we must use our own tools to learn from our setbacks and move differently – and definitely not get caught up in how others perceive us! Ball Greezy and Lil’ Duval do a great job of reminding us of that, from the hook to Greezy’s verse (If you know the words to the hook, feel free )
This is a bit different than accentuating the positive, because when there's a moment that nothing devastating is going on with you, yet something pleasant pops up – like, finding a $2 bill or getting extra oxtail gravy at the Jamaican restaurant, or like the bridge says "if you know you ain't going to work tomorrow?! Smile bitch! Smile bitch!" – spend a little extra joy on those moments
Whether you have big lips, a gap, baby teeth, chipmunk cheeks, or a big ol' head, embrace the smile your creator has made for you Even better, switch up the thought that any of those things are flaws because they're what made you YOU, and we love you! So, you should love you the way we love you too.
Starletta Watson3. Show yourself kindness, regardless of what another person thinks!
It will come as no surprise to our readership that I believe stress to be one of the most prevalent emotional states in modern U.S. society. With our nation’s constant go go go attitude, it is easy to lose sight of what really matters and live your life rather than just go through the motions of work and other obligations. As a result of this pressure, it’s becoming increasingly important to slow down, relax and get in touch with yourself again. Throwing off some of the shackles of society, even if only for a moment, is essential to health and happiness, especially for those in stressful or busy careers.
There are almost more ways to relax than there are people in the U.S. and even just contemplating it can get overwhelming quickly While I would like to list off all of these, we’d be here till the end of the century if I did, and I’m sure none of you are actually interested in that So, I’m going to narrow my focus to five good ways to relax.
A tried and true method for relaxation is a hot bath It will soothe sore muscles and calm your mind Especially good after an intense workout, which is itself relaxing, a hot bath will do wonders for relaxing your mind and body Hot baths are also especially helpful for relaxing you before bed so you’re sure to sleep well. If I’m feeling restless, I take a hot bath before bed. The sound of the water running is also quite relaxing. But by far my favorite activity is one I’m quite lucky to have access to. There are bathhouses fed by natural hot springs about an hour away from me They’re very relaxing and perfect for a weekend getaway It’s not too expensive, and while the bathhouses are public, everyone is respectful and it’s quite an enjoyable experience And if you’re able to shell out more money, there are private spa treatments at most of the bathhouses It’s one of my favorite spots to hang out in my state.
Number two on my list is sitting in a really comfortable chair and reading a favorite book, watching a beloved TV show, or playing a relaxing video game. It just so happened that as I was writing this piece, my mom’s neighbors were moving and getting rid of many things, including a very comfortable chair that I snagged I plan on creating a reading nook with it, and I may also play some video games in it I’m reminded of how Animal Crossing: New Horizons took the world by storm when it was released soon after the Covid-19 pandemic began Lots of people, stressed out by the pandemic, turned to the game as a way to relax. They would chill out and build their island and get away from all the stresses of life for a little bit. While I would personally prefer to read a nice book, with Lirael by Garth Nix as my go-to, there’s no denying the appeal of a slow and relaxing video game like the Animal Crossing series And of course, a comfortable chair like the one I just picked up makes everything better
Third on my list is going for a relaxing walk in the cool morning air One of my most vivid moments of relaxation is from a time when I woke up around 5:00 AM and just couldn’t get back to sleep. So I got dressed and wandered over to a trail near my dad’s apartment, where I was staying at the time. The trail leads to the Big Dam Bridge, crossing the Arkansas River. I didn’t walk that far but instead stopped at a stone bench that looks as if it was carved straight from a mountainside I lay down on it and stared at the sky as the sun rose The sunrise was a beautiful shade of crimson, and once the sun had fully risen, the sky was the bluest I have ever seen it The temperature was also perfect, not too hot, and not too cold. I lay on that bench for hours just staring at the sky, feeling more at peace than ever. It was very meditative and restful.
Next, we have cooking and eating good food Most people have a few comfort foods that they eat to relax after a stressful day Delicious and nostalgic food does wonders for the body and mind And while cooking can require a significant amount of energy, it also lets you put your focus on something productive and with immediate benefits rather than stewing in your own stress. I often go and cook something when feeling exhausted and anxious The physical activity helps me feel more alert and shifting my focus helps me get away from any negativity that may be spiraling around in my head And of course, as I mentioned earlier, eating good food always helps you feel better
Last but certainly not least is spending time cuddled up with a pet. This is soothing and restful for reasons similar to curling up in a comfy chair with a good book with the added benefit of the warmth of another living creature For me, petting a cat while it sits on my lap is especially pleasant And it’s a bonus because you can also do this when curled up in a comfy chair One of my favorite pastimes is sitting and reading a book while my cat purrs in my lap. There’s truly no other experience like it.
I also want to draw attention to the term hygge, a word used in Denmark to describe a feeling of comfort, or actions that lead to said feeling This term is a bit difficult to translate, as the literal translations don’t capture all the different shades of meaning, so it’s somewhat hard for an American to understand. Nevertheless, all the examples of relaxing activities I mentioned earlier would contribute to a feeling of hygge and the concept is absolutely worth exploring. About a year ago, I went to the library and picked up the book The Little Book of Hygge by Meik Wiking It blew my mind with how he discusses the concept of hygge and relaxation in general I highly recommend it Maybe curl up with a cat on your lap and read it?
Sable Hawkins
To those who made this possible:
Magazine publisher
Mecha Media
E. Alexander Phillips-Hedge
Starletta Watson
Mecha Swain
Lead Designer
Shannon Lynch
Ben Cena
Shannon Lynch
media manager
Angie DiDomenica
Alexandra Webb
E Alexander Phillips-Hedge
Erin Oliver
Sable Hawkins
Jonathan Hernandez
Justin Colebrooke
Kaley Richard
Karlos Gutierrez
Katherine Hoang
Leah Jo Wickstrom
Malik Harvey
Mecha Swain
Sally Bessette
Starletta Watson
Tameeah Browne
Zach Rush
