Good Times, Noodle Salad

#59 - April Hollywood talks Empty Nest Syndrome, Stand Up Comedy, and Her “Hand Job Era"

This week on, Matt and Paige sit down with stand up comedian for one of the funniest and most unexpectedly emotional episodes yet. The crew dives into parenting, life after raising children, and what it’s like for April to officially become an empty nester now that her only child is grown. The conversation takes a serious turn as they discuss comedian and his heartbreaking book about the loss of his daughter, leading to a raw conversation about grief, family, and finding humor through tragedy. Of course, things quickly spiral back into chaos as April explains why she’s entering her self-proclaimed “Hand Job Era,” along with stories from the comedy scene, dating, getting older, and surviving life one uncomfortable laugh at a time. If you like unfiltered comedy podcasts, Detroit stand up stories, brutally honest conversations, and complete nonsense, this episode is for you. Follow, rate, and share wherever you get your podcasts. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2420920/support]

#58 - Sweet Crystal talks Detroit Rock History, Christian Rock Music, and Faith in Marriage

Episode 58 of Good Times Noodle Salad welcomes legendary Detroit musician Marq Speck and his wife Jan into the studio for a deep conversation with hosts Matt and Paige. From the early days of Sweet Crystal to celebrating an incredible 50-year career in Detroit music, Marq shares stories from decades on stage, the evolution of the band, and the challenges of transitioning into the Christian rock scene. The conversation dives into faith, marriage, personal growth, and what it really means to recenter a relationship around God while navigating life, music, and family. Along the way, Matt finds himself questioning his own use of swear words, leading to some unexpectedly hilarious and honest moments. Topics include Detroit rock history, Christian music, marriage and faith, balancing creativity with spirituality, lessons learned from 50 years in music, and the power of staying true to your purpose. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2420920/support]

#57 - Toi Too Tall talks Airbnb Nightmares, Detroit Stand-Up Comedy, and Winning Dave Crumbley’s Women’s Cup

#57 - Toi Too Tall Survived Airbnb Nightmares & Dominated Detroit Comedy This week on Good Times, Noodle Salad, Matt and Paige sit down with special guest Toi Too Tall — a Detroit-based comedian and voice actor who’s been grinding in the comedy scene for the last 7 years. We talk insane Airbnb horror stories, getting started in stand-up through Bill Bushart’s Comedy 101 class, studying The Comedy Bible by Judy Carter, developing stage confidence, and the reality of building a comedy career in Detroit. Toi also talks about winning Dave Crumbley’s Women’s Cup and how that changed things for her as a performer. Expect comedy talk, chaos, behind-the-scenes stand-up stories, and the usual Good Times Noodle Salad nonsense. #DetroitComedy #StandUpComedy #Podcast #ComedyPodcast #GoodTimesNoodleSalad Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2420920/support]

#56 - Venom of Virtue Talks Band Drama, Viral Content Secrets, and the Brutal Reality of Audio Editing

Episode 56 of Good Times, Noodle Salad brings in special guest Venom of Virtue for a deep dive into the realities of life inside a band—and everything that comes with it. From maintaining friendships while navigating creative differences, to building content beyond music, this episode explores what it takes to keep a band together both on and off stage. We get into how their band expanded into media, including the creation of a game show segment within their own podcast, and what it means to evolve as entertainers in a digital world. Venom also reflects on growing up in the era of VHS editing and early media arts, sharing how those hands-on beginnings shaped their creative process today. The conversation also tackles the steep learning curve of editing audio, the behind-the-scenes grind of producing quality content, and of course—the inevitable drama that can come with being in a rock band. Honest, funny, and packed with stories, Episode 56 is a must-listen for musicians, creators, and anyone curious about the chaos behind the curtain. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2420920/support]

#55- Charles Hill talks near death experience, giving Matt his first stage time, insane puke stories

Episode #55 of Good Times Noodle Salad brings it full circle with special guest Charles Hill—a comic who didn’t just grind his way into the scene, but helped build it from the ground up. Charles takes us back to how he first got started in comedy and what inspired him to launch the open mic at One Night Stan’s—creating opportunities for comics who just needed a shot… including Matt, who got his very first stage time thanks to Charles. From that moment to now, the stories come full circle in the best way. Speaking of stories—Matt goes on an all-time run of puke stories that gets so vivid it actually makes Charles nauseous in real time. It’s disgusting, hilarious, and completely on-brand chaos. But the episode also takes a serious turn as Charles shares a deeply personal and traumatic experience—nearly suffocating from a bad reaction to medication before surgery. That moment became a turning point in his life, ultimately pushing him toward stand-up comedy and giving him a new perspective that still shapes his material today. We also get into Charles’ time on the Mic-O-Holics tour, life on the road, and what it really takes to stick with comedy through the highs and lows. It’s a mix of origin stories, near-death experiences, gross-out comedy, and real-deal perspective—exactly the kind of ride GTNS is built for. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2420920/support]