Willis Turner

Willis Turner

Comedian Willis Turner has spent years touring comedy clubs across the country, sharing stages with comics like Loni Love and performing everywhere from small-town Montana to military bases overseas. But what started as two comedians swapping road stories turned into an extremely thoughtful conversation. We begin with life on the road, opening for other comics, unforgettable gigs, and the strange realities of stand-up, before the conversation naturally shifts into much bigger territory. Willis and I dive into politics, race, American history, generational perspectives, why travel changes the way you see the world, and whether comedians have become today's philosophers. I first met Willis backstage at the Comedy & Magic Club, and after talking with him for just a few minutes I knew I wanted to keep the conversation going. I'm glad we finally did. It's funny, thoughtful, and occasionally provocative. Follow Willis Turner:IMDb [https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2577930/] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/therealwillisturner/] Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/WillisTurnerComedy/] X (Twitter) [https://x.com/willisturner1] TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@therealwillisturner]

Priya Rai

Priya Rai [https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Priya_Rai] is one of the most recognizable Indian-born performers ever to work in the adult entertainment industry. Adopted from India and raised in Arizona, she built a successful career as a featured dancer, adult film star, entrepreneur, and online creator, becoming one of the few South Asian women to achieve mainstream name recognition in an industry where representation has historically been rare. I wasn't quite sure where this conversation would go, but that's part of what made it so fascinating. Priya is disarmingly open about everything - her adoption story, becoming a mother at a young age, raising two kids, entering the adult industry at 29, retiring, returning years later, and the complicated realities that most people never hear discussed honestly. What struck me wasn't the shock value of any of it. It was how matter-of-fact and thoughtful she was when talking about choices that many people spend their lives judging from a distance. We get into everything from stigma, relationships, family, and financial independence to how the internet completely changed the adult entertainment business. Along the way, she made me laugh far more than I expected, challenged some of my assumptions, and reminded me that the most interesting conversations usually happen when you're willing to talk with someone whose life experience looks nothing like your own. Follow Priya Rai:IMDb [https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2864233/] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/priya_rai_xoxo/?hl=en] X (Twitter) [https://x.com/priyaanjalirai]

Jade Catta-Preta

Jade Catta-Preta [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jade_Catta-Preta] is a Brazilian-born comedian, actress, television host, and stand-up comic whose credits include hosting MTV's Girl Code, appearances on shows like Manhattan Love Story and Those Who Can't, and a stand-up career that has made her one of the most recognizable voices in comedy today. We somehow bounced between Brazil, India, Game of Thrones, pilot season heartbreak, language, fashion, reality TV, and the weird psychology of performers, yet it all somehow connected. Jade is incredibly funny, but what stood out to me was how thoughtful she was about identity - growing up Brazilian in Virginia, trying to fit in, and eventually realizing that the things that make you different are usually the things worth leaning into. There were also a handful of moments where she said something that made me stop and think long after we moved on to the next topic. That's my favorite kind of guest - someone who can make me laugh and quietly change the way I see something in the same conversation. Watch Jade's recent Comedy Special "Jaded" [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0jNQVlVRSW0] Follow Jade Catta-Preta:Website [https://jadecattapreta.com] IMDb [https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2196820/] Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/jadecattapreta] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/jadecattapreta/?hl=en] X (Twitter) [https://x.com/jadecattapreta] TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@jadecattapreta] Youtube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKFDlw4Es9zwT9r9LsFT_CQ]

Sujata Day

I first became aware of Sujata Day [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sujata_Day] through her work with Issa Rae on The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl, but by the end of this conversation I found myself just as fascinated by the way she thinks as by anything she's made. Sujata is the writer, director, producer, and star of Definition Please, and one of those rare people who seems completely comfortable betting on herself - whether that means leaving a stable consulting job, cold-emailing Hollywood managers, cashing out stock to finance her own film, or building opportunities for other South Asian creators instead of waiting for someone else to do it. What I loved about this conversation is how practical it gets. Sujata doesn't talk about success in vague inspirational terms. She talks about the actual mechanics of it. We get into how a random Twitter follow led to her meeting Issa Rae before either of them were famous, why persistence matters more than any single project, how she landed representation through sheer hustle, and why she believes South Asians are finally starting to build the kind of creative community that other groups have benefited from for years. There's also plenty of fun along the way - spelling bee trauma, shooting a feature in her childhood home outside Pittsburgh, and her surprisingly strong case for wearing sweatpants to fancy events. More than anything, I came away impressed by how intentional she is about lifting other people up. That's a theme that runs through this entire episode, and it's probably the thing that stuck with me most. Follow Sujata Day: IMDb [https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1787397/] Website [https://www.sujataday.com] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/sujataday/?hl=en] Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/sujataday] X (Twitter) [https://x.com/sujataday] Vimeo [https://vimeo.com/sujataday] Youtube [https://www.youtube.com/sujataday]

Richard Barrett

Most people outside of comedy have probably never heard of Richard Barrett. Inside comedy, that's a different story. Richard has spent decades helping shape one of the most respected comedy rooms in America - The Comedy & Magic Club [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Comedy_%26_Magic_Club] in Hermosa Beach - where legends like Jay Leno, Jerry Seinfeld, George Carlin, Garry Shandling, and countless others have worked, experimented, and refined their craft. As the club's longtime booker and entertainment director, he's had a front-row seat to comedy history while quietly helping launch the next generation of comedians. What I enjoyed most about this conversation is that Richard approaches comedy with the same care and respect that great comedians bring to the stage. We talk about how he accidentally found his way into the comedy business after leaving a successful career in Florida, what he looks for when evaluating new talent, why he's more likely to book a comedian a year too late than a day too early, and the philosophy that helped make The Comedy & Magic Club such a special place. Along the way, he shares incredible stories about Jerry Seinfeld, George Carlin, Jay Leno, Steve Allen, Garry Shandling, and many others, but what stands out is the deep appreciation he has for comedy itself and the people who dedicate their lives to making strangers laugh. After this conversation, it's easy to understand why so many comics speak about Richard with genuine affection and respect. He may not be the one holding the microphone, but he's helped create the room where so much comedy magic happens. Get tickets to a show at The Comedy & Magic Club [https://thecomedyandmagicclub.com/events/] Pick up merch from The Comedy and Magic Club [https://cmcmerch.logosoftwear.com/?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQPOTM2NjE5NzQzMzkyNDU5AAGni1YXGLd24fmEDGMaqaPIiDAmLgHkzBgUXHlN5rr3uBu06yp6JNOTeSxHFuY_aem_4HMbzehAg3DSr5ixHOOz3w] Follow The Comedy & Magic Club:Website [https://thecomedyandmagicclub.com] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/comedyandmagicclub/?hl=en] Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/ComedyAndMagicClub/] TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@comedyandmagicclub] Youtube [https://www.youtube.com/@TheComedyandMagicClub]