CHRIS HOPKINS-WARD| THEATRE| ACTOR| COMEDIAN| IMPROV| GRANDMA AND YOUNG MEN| CAR THEFT| VELVET SUGAR PODCAST EP 39

MONIQUE LATISE| CONTEST WINNER| FUNNY OVER 50| HEADLINER| MOM| COMEDY JOURNEY| Episode 47

The incredibly funny, sweet, and talented Monique Latise joins Velvet Sugar for an honest and inspiring conversation. Fresh off her victory in the "Funny Over 50" contest on Sherri, Monique reflects on her remarkable comedy journey. A veteran stand-up comedian, she's toured the country, headlined shows, auditioned for America's Got Talent, appeared on Kevin Hart's Funny AF, gone viral, and accomplished it all without an agent. We dive into her writing process, where her comedy bits come from, and how she transforms real-life experiences into unforgettable stand-up. Monique also opens up about the highs and lows of pursuing comedy, the uncertainty that comes with chasing your dreams, and what "starting over" really means. Does it mean giving up—or something entirely different? You'll have to listen to find out. She also shares her experience as a prison mom, how she's explored that deeply personal journey on stage, and the role healing has played in both her life and her comedy. It's a powerful conversation about resilience, authenticity, and finding laughter through life's toughest moments. Don't miss this heartfelt, hilarious, and inspiring episode with the one and only Monique Latise.

ANDREW ALFREDO| KNICKS IN THE FINALS| BACK HANDED COMPLEMENTS| PROUD DAD| BATHROOM DONT'S| VS POD 46

In this episode, the Velvet Sugar podcast welcomes comedian Andrew Alfredo! Andrew performs and produces comedy shows throughout Connecticut.After Game 1, David is happy but cautious, while Alex doesn't want to jinx the team. The guys cover a wide range of topics, from Gulliver's Travels to which ethnicities wear socks with sandals—and who skips socks with sneakers altogether.Could you guess who goes on a rant about terms like "unhoused," "plant-based," and "locally sourced"? You'll have to tune in to find out!The guys also share what it's like performing comedy in places they've never been before and whether wealthy audiences make for good comedy crowds.As always, please like, comment, subscribe, and share!

JESS XU| HOCKEY| ROAST BATTLE| PERCENTAGES| SWIMMING| ASIAN| EASTERN EUROPE| CARIBBEAN| VS POD EP 45

On today’s episode, Velvet Sugar welcomes comedian Jess Xu to the podcast. Originally from New York and now living in Connecticut, Jess joins us for a fun, free-flowing conversation packed with laughs, stories, and plenty of sharp observations.We dive into food and the spices we can’t stand, Jess’s early aspirations as a competitive swimmer, and her unexpected journey to becoming an ice hockey referee. Of course, we had to talk about the New York Knicks’ exciting playoff run, along with how language and social norms have evolved over time.Jess also shares how she got started in stand-up comedy, what her parents think about her comedy career, and her experience attending college in Canada. As a dual U.S.-Canadian citizen, she offers a unique perspective on identity, culture, and the question of where “first generation” really begins.Along the way, we touch on celebrity deaths, cultural differences, and a variety of other topics that make for an engaging and entertaining listen.If you enjoy funny, thoughtful conversations with plenty of laughs, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.As always, please like, comment, share, and subscribe!

PAOLA DATTNER| BULLY| IMAGINARY FRIENDS| AUDITIONING| CONNECTIONS| LOOSING ACCENTS VS POD EP 44

Paola is a NYC comic born in Israel with Polish roots, and this episode goes everywhere — from Israeli politics and comedy to accents, imaginary friends, and Knicks basketball.We dive into the complexity of the current conflict in the Middle East, talk about losing accents (or never losing them at all), and give our take on Kevin Hart’s Funny AF contest — what does winning that competition really mean?Plus:Which country has the most political parties?Who had imaginary friends growing up?A little Knicks talk, because of course.Tune in for laughs, honest conversation, and a little bit of everything.As always, like, share, and comment — and don’t forget to tag us when you do!

DANNY LIVINGSTON| SHOES| WEED CAPITAL OF NY| ROMANIAN GIANT| GETTING ROBBED| CULTS VS POD EP 43

Today in the studio, we’ve got the Shoe Man himself — actor, comic, and traveling shoe salesman Danny Livingston. He walks us through his wild career on the road, selling shoes across America. He’s visited 47 out of 50 states, and along the way, he’s definitely found himself in some pretty hairy situations.We also get into how a surprising number of cults in America seem to have roots in Western New York (seriously… why is that?). Alex shares stories from his days working as a bouncer in NYC, plus we talk about a simple statistic that can actually help you avoid getting robbed.Ever wonder what to do when you're hundreds of miles from home and suddenly run out of money? We get into that too.And of course, we dive into the unique experience of eating at Russian restaurants in Brooklyn — including some surprisingly common (and unexpected) Russian names.Check out Velvet Sugar Podcast, Episode 43 — you’re going to love this one.As always, don’t forget to like, comment, share, and subscribe!