Bob Kushell on The Simpsons, Stand Up, and Starting Over in Hollywood

Bob Kushell on The Simpsons, Stand Up, and Starting Over in Hollywood

Bob Kushell on The Simpsons, Stand Up, and Starting Over in Hollywood What happens when a veteran TV comedy writer steps away from the writers' room and starts over in stand-up? In this episode of Drinking During Business Hours, hosts Sarah Halstead and Rich Chasler sit down with legendary television writer, producer, showrunner, and comedian Bob Kushell for a funny, candid, and deeply personal conversation about comedy, Hollywood, reinvention, and finding your voice again. Bob Kushell shares stories from his incredible career writing and producing some of television's most iconic shows, including The Simpsons, Dream On, 3rd Rock from the Sun, Grounded for Life, Anger Management, The Muppets, and more. He opens up about the realities of TV writers' rooms, the pressure of writing comedy at the highest level, and why stand-up comedy has become the most authentic creative work of his life. Over a bottle of 2020 Cab Franc from Absolution Cellars, the conversation explores the changing culture of Hollywood, public setbacks, personal growth, healing through comedy, and the courage it takes to begin again. If you love comedy podcasts, stand-up comedy, TV writing, Hollywood stories, creative reinvention, and behind-the-scenes entertainment industry conversations, this episode is for you. Guest Info Bob Kushell is a veteran television writer, producer, and showrunner whose credits include Dream On, The Simpsons, 3rd Rock from the Sun, Grounded for Life, Anger Management, The Muppets, and the British comedy Way to Go. In this episode, Bob shares stories from his decades in television, talks about the changing culture of Hollywood, and explains why performing stand-up comedy full-time now feels like the most authentic work of his career. Guest Social Links Bob Kushell Instagram: @bob.kushell Drink of the Podcast 2020 Cab Franc, Absolution Cellars A Central Coast California Cab Franc with a story behind it, discovered by Sarah and Rich during a trip to Morro Bay. The hosts also shout out the winery's distinctive hand-painted labels and family-run feel. Chapters 00:00 Welcome and wine intro: Absolution Cellars Cab Franc 04:40 Introducing Bob Kushell 07:10 Why stand-up now feels like home 15:45 Bob's early writing life and first TV jobs 21:30 Dream On, The Simpsons, and 3rd Rock from the Sun 34:50 The joy of making his own work 38:15 Career fallout, writers' rooms, and changing Hollywood 59:20 Returning to stand-up after years away 1:01:45 Socials, upcoming shows, and wrap-up Host Links FOLLOW US ON SOCIALS! Sarah IG @sarahhalstead https://www.instagram.com/sarahhalstead/?hl=en [https://www.instagram.com/sarahhalstead/?hl=en] FB @sarahjhalsteadcomic https://www.facebook.com/sarahjhalsteadcomic/ [https://www.facebook.com/sarahjhalsteadcomic/] X @sarahjhalstead https://twitter.com/sarahjhalstead [https://twitter.com/sarahjhalstead] Website @SarahHalstead [https://instagram.com/sarahhalstead] | sarahjhalstead.com [https://sarahjhalstead.com/] Rich IG @richchassler https://www.instagram.com/richchassler/ [https://www.instagram.com/richchassler/] FB @chasslerfans https://www.facebook.com/Chasslerfans/ [https://www.facebook.com/Chasslerfans/] X @richchassler https://x.com/richchassler [https://x.com/richchassler] Website richardchassler.com [https://richardchassler.com/] https://richardchassler.com/ 📧 drinkingduringbusinesshours@gmail.com 🎧 Please rate & review the podcast on your favorite platform — it helps more than you know! If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations with comics, creators, and entertainment industry insiders. Tell us in the comments: What was your favorite Bob Kushell moment from this episode? #DrinkingDuringBusinessHours #BobKushell #ComedyPodcast #StandUpComedy #TVWriter #TheSimpsons #3rdRockFromTheSun #ComedyWriter #HollywoodStories #CreativeReinvention #SarahHalstead #RichChasler #WineAndComedy #ComedianInterview #PodcastShowNotes x

Danny Farber on Vertical Filmmaking, Platform Strategy, and the Future of Storytelling

Danny Farber on Vertical Filmmaking, Platform Strategy, and the Future of Storytelling Danny Farber joins Drinking During Business Hours for a smart, energetic conversation about what it really takes to build a creative career across directing, acting, producing, and modern platform-driven storytelling. Sarah and Rich dig into Danny's rise in vertical filmmaking, his approach to respecting the platform, and why story, pacing, and audience behavior matter just as much as traditional craft. The episode also explores the balance between art and commerce, the realities of international production, and why authenticity and relationships still drive the industry forward. https://www.genspark.ai/api/files/s/WvyrUqF5 As an actor, Danny has appeared in 1923, Chicago Fire, Proven Innocent, national campaigns for Chase, Home Depot, and Subway, and comedy/digital outlets including Funny or Die, Cracked, and The Onion. He trained at Second City, The Groundlings, UCB, and iO Chicago. If you're interested in vertical filmmaking, directing, acting, film production, networking, storytelling, or platform strategy, this episode is packed with useful insight from someone actively shaping the space. Guest Info: Danny Farber Danny Farber is a Chicago-born director, actor, writer, and producer based in Los Angeles. His work spans vertical dramas, music videos, commercials, branded content, and narrative film, and his projects have generated tens of millions of views across social platforms. Since 2023, he has directed more than twenty feature-length vertical dramas for platforms including ReelShort, Dramabox, Goodshort, Dramapops, and KalosTV, with productions in Los Angeles, Istanbul, London, and Vancouver. He also wrote, directed, and starred in the award-winning short film "Thoughts and Prayers," executive produced by Amy Poehler. Guest Social Links Danny Farber Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sirdannyfarber/ [https://www.instagram.com/sirdannyfarber/] Website: https://www.sirdannyfarber.com/ [https://www.sirdannyfarber.com/] Pretty Awesome Productions: https://www.sirdannyfarber.com/shop [https://www.sirdannyfarber.com/shop] Thoughts and Prayers: https://www.sirdannyfarber.com/https://www.instagram.com/reel/C8uo4EOPz5v/ Drink of the Podcast This episode features two wines on the table: a 2022 Shafer TD-9 Napa Cabernet and La Fiorita Brunello. In the conversation, the hosts describe the Shafer TD-9 as iconic with a phenomenal nose and palate, and later shift from Cab to Brunello during the interview. Danny specifically joins them in drinking wine rather than a mocktail. https://www.genspark.ai/api/files/s/WvyrUqF5 Chapters 00:00 Welcome back and introduction 02:45 The business of show business 05:37 Meet Danny Farber: director, actor, producer 08:32 Respecting the platform 11:12 The art of vertical storytelling 14:02 Navigating the challenges of production 16:48 Authenticity in performance 19:13 The balance of art and commerce 22:32 International productions and global filmmaking 27:25 Building relationships in the industry 32:08 The evolution of directing and storytelling 37:43 Understanding the vertical format 47:07 Leadership, collaboration, and communication on set FOLLOW US ON SOCIALS! Sarah IG @sarahhalstead https://www.instagram.com/sarahhalstead/?hl=en [https://www.instagram.com/sarahhalstead/?hl=en] FB @sarahjhalsteadcomic https://www.facebook.com/sarahjhalsteadcomic/ [https://www.facebook.com/sarahjhalsteadcomic/] X @sarahjhalstead https://twitter.com/sarahjhalstead [https://twitter.com/sarahjhalstead] Website @SarahHalstead [https://instagram.com/sarahhalstead] | sarahjhalstead.com [https://sarahjhalstead.com/] Rich IG @richchassler https://www.instagram.com/richchassler/ [https://www.instagram.com/richchassler/] FB @chasslerfans https://www.facebook.com/Chasslerfans/ [https://www.facebook.com/Chasslerfans/] X @richchassler https://x.com/richchassler [https://x.com/richchassler] Website richardchassler.com [https://richardchassler.com/] https://richardchassler.com/ 📧 drinkingduringbusinesshours@gmail.com 🎧 Please rate & review the podcast on your favorite platform — it helps more than you know! Enjoyed the episode? Like, subscribe, and share it with a comic, actor, or podcast fan who'd appreciate a real conversation about stage time, social media, comedy hustle, and taking creative risks. #DannyFarber #VerticalFilmmaking #FilmIndustry #Directing #Acting #Storytelling #PlatformStrategy #CreativeCareers #FilmProduction #Microdrama

From Teen Dad to Touring Comic: Willie Macc on Pain, Parenting & Punchlines

From Teen Dad to Touring Comic: Willie Macc on Pain, Parenting & Punchlines What happens when comedian Willie Macc sits down with Sarah J Halstead and Rich Chassler over a killer bottle of wine? You get one of the funniest, rawest, and most unexpectedly heartfelt episodes of Drinking During Business Hours. In this episode, Willie opens up about becoming a father at 16, building a career as a commercial actor, choosing the uncertain road of stand-up comedy, and why he's betting on himself now more than ever. The conversation dives into parenting, religion, mental health, growing up under strict rules, being on the autism spectrum, and how pain can become powerful comedy material. They also talk about Willie's upcoming special "Good Dad, Bad Father," his relationship with his son, comedy club politics, and why the long road might be the real road. If you like comedy podcasts with real depth, big laughs, and zero fake energy, this episode is for you. Guest Info Willie Macc is a comedian, writer, actor, father, and "problem solver," with his official site calling him "Your New Favorite Storyteller." His X bio describes him as going "From BET College Hill to the commercial king and touring comic." In the episode, Willie also shares that his special Good Dad, Bad Father is headed to Amazon Prime in July. https://www.williemacc.com/ Social Links * Willie Macc Website: https://www.williemacc.com/ [https://www.williemacc.com/] * Willie Macc X: https://x.com/funnywilliemacc [https://x.com/funnywilliemacc] * Willie Macc Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/imwilliemacc/ [https://www.facebook.com/imwilliemacc/] * In-episode handle/spelling: "Willie Mack on everything" — W-I-L-L-I-E M-A-C-C Willie Macc Official Site [https://www.williemacc.com/] X [https://x.com/funnywilliemacc] https://www.genspark.ai/api/files/s/umvPVLFa Drink of the Podcast 2017 Michel Chapoutier Costieres de Nimes A Rhône blend discussed in the episode as including Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, Cinsault, and Carignan. Sarah frames it as a special bottle from the cellar, opened because Willie is a guest they genuinely wanted to celebrate. https://www.genspark.ai/api/files/s/umvPVLFa Chapters 00:00 Intro, new glasses, upcoming shows 03:22 Opening the wine and welcoming Willie Macc 07:59 The casting advice that changed Willie's commercial career 09:39 Why Willie is choosing stand-up over comfort 12:24 Becoming a dad at 16 and the origin of Good Dad, Bad Father 16:47 Religion, preacher-family pressure, and hard questions about faith 25:20 Willie's son, parenting, and autism 36:43 Fathers, grandparents, discipline, and what changes over time 43:38 The stand-up grind and comedy club politics 46:20 Mental health, dark thoughts, and staying in the fight 48:20 Braille, perspective, and Willie's dark comedy film idea 50:20 Questions for God, upcoming special, socials, and outro Drink of the Podcast 2017 Michel Chapoutier Costieres de Nimes A Rhône blend discussed in the episode as including Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, Cinsault, and Carignan. Sarah frames it as a special bottle from the cellar, opened because Willie is a guest they genuinely wanted to celebrate. Host Links FOLLOW US ON SOCIALS! Sarah IG @sarahhalstead https://www.instagram.com/sarahhalstead/?hl=en [https://www.instagram.com/sarahhalstead/?hl=en] FB @sarahjhalsteadcomic https://www.facebook.com/sarahjhalsteadcomic/ [https://www.facebook.com/sarahjhalsteadcomic/] X @sarahjhalstead https://twitter.com/sarahjhalstead [https://twitter.com/sarahjhalstead] Website @SarahHalstead [https://instagram.com/sarahhalstead] | sarahjhalstead.com [https://sarahjhalstead.com/] Rich IG @richchassler https://www.instagram.com/richchassler/ [https://www.instagram.com/richchassler/] FB @chasslerfans https://www.facebook.com/Chasslerfans/ [https://www.facebook.com/Chasslerfans/] X @richchassler https://x.com/richchassler [https://x.com/richchassler] Website richardchassler.com [https://richardchassler.com/] https://richardchassler.com/ 📧 drinkingduringbusinesshours@gmail.com 🎧 Please rate & review the podcast on your favorite platform — it helps more than you know! Enjoyed the episode? Like, subscribe, and share it with a comic, actor, or podcast fan who'd appreciate a real conversation about stage time, social media, comedy hustle, and taking creative risks. #DrinkingDuringBusinessHours #WillieMacc #SarahHalstead #RichChassler #PodcastClips #ComedyPodcast #StandUpComedy #GoodDadBadFather #ComedyLife #SingleDadStories #Fatherhood #EntertainmentPodcast #ComedianInterview #DarkComedy #BehindTheLaughs #PodcastRecommendations #ComedyFans #WineAndComedy #FunnyAndRaw #BetOnYourself

Laurie Douglas on Comedy, Social Media, and Why Art Should Make People Uncomfortable

Laurie Douglas on Comedy, Social Media, and Why Art Should Make People Uncomfortable In this episode of Drinking During Business Hours [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/drinking-during-business-hours-with-sarah-halstead/id1273935631], Sarah and Rich welcome Laurie Douglas [https://www.instagram.com/laurie.douglas/] for a funny, sharp, and honest conversation about comedy, acting, artistic risk, and what it really takes to build a career in entertainment. From the grind of getting stage time in Los Angeles to balancing stand-up with acting and self-promotion, Laurie shares a real look at the hustle behind the laughs. https://improv.com/comic/laurie+douglas/ The episode also dives into how comedians use social media, why live audience response still matters, and why great art should make people feel something. Laurie brings a fearless perspective on finding your voice, creating your own opportunities, and staying authentic in a business that constantly demands reinvention. https://improv.com/comic/laurie+douglas/ Guest Info Laurie Douglas [https://www.instagram.com/laurie.douglas/] is a Los Angeles-based actor, comedian, and writer who performs across the U.S. and internationally, including the Dubai Comedy Festival. Her credits include both seasons of Laff Mobb's Laff Tracks on TruTV, multiple films on Amazon, and the short film The Hollies, which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival. Her Instagram bio describes her as a "Comedian•Actor•Gluten Advocate." https://improv.com/comic/laurie+douglas/ Featured Beverage Russian River Sauvignon Blanc Follow Laurie Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurie.douglas/https://www.instagram.com/laurie.douglas [https://www.instagram.com/laurie.douglas] … https://www.instagram.com/laurie.douglas Chapters 00:00 Intro and upcoming shows 03:51 Laurie Douglas's journey into acting and comedy 06:37 Stage time, hustle, and building a following 08:36 Social media and the modern comedy grind 10:13 Art, risk, and why comedy should provoke 18:36 Acting vs. stand-up 23:27 Producing your own opportunities 29:17 Industry insights, future projects, and final thoughts FOLLOW US ON SOCIALS! Sarah IG @sarahhalstead https://www.instagram.com/sarahhalstead/?hl=en [https://www.instagram.com/sarahhalstead/?hl=en] FB @sarahjhalsteadcomic https://www.facebook.com/sarahjhalsteadcomic/ [https://www.facebook.com/sarahjhalsteadcomic/] X @sarahjhalstead https://twitter.com/sarahjhalstead [https://twitter.com/sarahjhalstead] Website http://sarahjhalstead.com [http://sarahjhalstead.com] Rich IG @richchassler https://www.instagram.com/richchassler/ [https://www.instagram.com/richchassler/] FB @chasslerfans https://www.facebook.com/Chasslerfans/ [https://www.facebook.com/Chasslerfans/] X @richchassler https://x.com/richchassler [https://x.com/richchassler] Website richardchassler.com [https://richardchassler.com/] https://richardchassler.com/📧 drinkingduringbusinesshours@gmail.com 🎙️ Listen on Apple Podcasts … https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/drinking-during-business-hours-with-sarah-halstead/id1273935631 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/drinking-during-business-hours-with-sarah-halstead/id1273935631] 🎧 Please rate & review the podcast on your favorite platform it helps more than you know! Enjoyed the episode? Like, subscribe, and share it with a comic, actor, or podcast fan who'd appreciate a real conversation about stage time, social media, comedy hustle, and taking creative risks. #LaurieDouglas #DrinkingDuringBusinessHours #ComedyPodcast #StandUpComedy #WomenInComedy #ActingAndComedy #ComedyLife #HollywoodComedian #SocialMediaComedy #ArtShouldProvoke

How Ben Gleib Reinvented Late Night on YouTube, Went Viral in Political Debate, and Helped Save Comedy During COVID

How Ben Gleib Reinvented Late Night on YouTube, Went Viral in Political Debate, and Helped Save Comedy During COVID Hosts Sarah J. Halstead and Rich Chassler welcome comedian, creator, and disruptor Ben Gleib for a fast, funny, and surprisingly thoughtful conversation about career pivots, political courage, crowd work, and building comedy for a new era. Ben opens up about overcoming a childhood speech challenge, creating connection through stand-up, and why he's always pushed beyond the expected lane. The conversation moves from live comedy and dating confidence to the deeper purpose behind making people laugh. https://www.genspark.ai/api/files/s/fG6H0Mop This episode also dives into some of Ben's biggest career swings, including his viral Charlie Kirk debate, the launch of Nowhere Comedy during the pandemic, and his newest ambition: Good Night with Ben Gleib, a digitally native late-night show built for YouTube. It's a sharp, hilarious look at what happens when a comic combines talent, activism, and entrepreneurial instinct to build what traditional entertainment wouldn't hand him. https://www.genspark.ai/api/files/s/fG6H0Mop Guest Info Ben Gleib is a stand-up comedian, TV host, and creator known for sharp crowd work, high-energy storytelling, and building projects that sit at the intersection of comedy, media, and culture. In the episode, he discusses his work on Idiotest, his long path toward becoming a late-night host, his co-founding of Nowhere Comedy during COVID, and his launch of Good Night with Ben Gleib, a YouTube-first late-night show designed for a global interactive audience. Follow Ben * Ben Gleib Website [https://www.bengleib.com/] … https://www.bengleib.com/ [https://www.bengleib.com/] * Ben Gleib on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/bengleib/] … https://www.instagram.com/bengleib/ [https://www.instagram.com/bengleib/] * Ben Gleib on X [https://x.com/bengleib] … https://x.com/bengleib [https://x.com/bengleib] * Ben Gleib YouTube [https://youtube.com/@BenGleib] … h [https://youtube.com/@BenGleib]https://www.youtube.com/@bgleib * Nowhere Comedy Club [https://www.nowherecomedyclub.com/] … https://www.nowherecomedyclub.com/ [https://www.nowherecomedyclub.com/] * Good Night with Ben Gleib [https://www.youtube.com/@goodnight/videos] … https://www.youtube.com/@goodnight/videos [https://www.youtube.com/@goodnight/videos] 🍷 Featured Beverage Riondo de-alcoholized sparkling wine a de-alcoholized bubbly the hosts use to kick off a fun conversation about the difference between non-alcoholic wine and de-alcoholized wine. Chapters Chapter timings below are adapted from the episode audio and your supplied outline. https://www.genspark.ai/api/files/s/fG6H0Mop * 00:00 Welcome + de-alcoholized wine vs. non-alcoholic wine * 03:13 Meet Ben Gleib * 05:00 Why great conversations deserve to be recorded * 08:45 Dating, confidence, and being "cool" * 13:15 Comedy, politics, and speaking your mind * 16:28 The Charlie Kirk debate and going viral * 23:27 Building Nowhere Comedy during COVID * 31:30 Entrepreneurship, creativity, and doing "too much" * 34:35 Childhood speech struggles and finding his voice * 36:50 Crowd work, comedy instincts, and serving the audience * 42:10 Old material, new material, and comedy philosophy * 50:45 Ben's biggest new project yet * 52:28 Reinventing late night for YouTube * 55:25 Where to find Ben and what's next 🎙️ Hosts 📧 drinkingduringbusinesshours@gmail.com 🎙️ Listen on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/drinking-during-business-hours-with-sarah-halstead/id1273935631] 🎧 Loving the show? Please rate and review on your favorite platform. Every single review helps us reach more listeners. FOLLOW US ON SOCIALS! Sarah IG @sarahhalstead https://www.instagram.com/sarahhalstead/?hl=en [https://www.instagram.com/sarahhalstead/?hl=en] FB @sarahjhalsteadcomic https://www.facebook.com/sarahjhalsteadcomic/ [https://www.facebook.com/sarahjhalsteadcomic/] X @sarahjhalstead https://twitter.com/sarahjhalstead [https://twitter.com/sarahjhalstead] Website @SarahHalstead [https://instagram.com/sarahhalstead] | sarahjhalstead.com [https://sarahjhalstead.com/] Rich IG @richchassler https://www.instagram.com/richchassler/ [https://www.instagram.com/richchassler/] FB @chasslerfans https://www.facebook.com/Chasslerfans/ [https://www.facebook.com/Chasslerfans/] X @richchassler https://x.com/richchassler [https://x.com/richchassler] Website richardchassler.com [https://richardchassler.com/] https://richardchassler.com/ 📧 drinkingduringbusinesshours@gmail.com 🎧 Please rate & review the podcast on your favorite platform — it helps more than you know! #DrinkingDuringBusinessHours #BenGleib #ComedyPodcast #LateNightTV #YouTubeComedy #StandUpComedy #CrowdWork #NowhereComedy #PoliticalComedy #PodcastShowNotes