Unbridled and Unfiltered with Russ and Lori: Openers, Open Mics, Comedy Travel Teams and special guest Cyndy Cecil

Unbridled and Unfiltered featuring Kim Burns and Mina Hartong (Stage Time, Community, and Creative Grit)

In this hilarious and insightful episode, Russ and Lori sit down with comedians Kim Burns and Mina Hartong to talk about the grind of stand-up comedy, the art of writing jokes, the importance of stage presence, and the balance between creativity, careers, and family life. From navigating late-night shows to teaching comedy and even writing for TV, Kim and Mina share how they’ve built careers in stand-up while inspiring the next generation of comics. Whether you’re a comedy fan, an aspiring comic, or just love unfiltered conversations, this episode is packed with laughs and wisdom. ⭐ Topics include: * Life as a working comedian in New York and beyond * Writing vs. performing: how comics develop their best material * Overcoming stage fright and “bombing” with confidence * Comedy communities that lift each other up * Balancing careers, family, and creative pursuits * Introduction & Late-Night Energy vs. Early Nights (00:00) * Parenting, Proms, and the Comedy of Everyday Life (03:12) * Juggling Comedy with Family and Career Commitments (06:18) * Guest Introduction: Kim Burns Joins the Show (08:49) * Hosting Comedy Shows & Keeping Material Fresh (10:50) * The Writing Process: Finding Material Everywhere (12:46) * Teaching Comedy & The Importance of Brevity (15:06) * Comfort, Confidence, and Stage Presence (20:08) * Kim Burns’ Journey: From Decorating to Stand-Up (21:09) * Lessons from Tough Crowds & Awkward Gigs (24:36) * Kim’s New TV Project “Relentless” (31:06) * Guest Introduction: Mina Hartong Joins the Show (34:58) * From Teaching to Comedy: Building a Community (36:22) * Stage Time, Nerves, and the Power of Reps (41:05) * Building a Supportive Comedy Network (46:53) * Smart Humor, Audience Attention, and Control (49:37) * Wrapping Up with Mina: The Comedy Community (50:34) 👉 Don’t forget to subscribe to Unbridled and Unfiltered for more candid conversations with comedians, creators, and culture shapers. 🎧 Available on Spotify, YouTube, and all major podcast platforms.

Unbridled and Unfiltered w/ Russ & Lori | Market Chaos, Tariffs, and Food Comedy w/ Rebecca Berman

In this episode of Unbridled and Unfiltered, hosts Lori Rothman and Russ Flicker dive into the chaotic stock market, trade wars, and how financial uncertainty trickles into everyday life — with plenty of laughs along the way. Special guest comedian and social media influencer Rebecca Berman joins to share her journey from real estate to comedy, the art of handling hecklers, and the beauty of food-driven humor. This episode is packed with real-world lessons, honest advice, and hilarious stories for anyone looking to break into the world of stand-up comedy.---(01:00) – Financial Panic Hits HomeLori shares a funny story about explaining market chaos to her daughter.(02:00) – Laughing Through Financial CrisesComic relief as Lori and Russ discuss rich friends, jewelry shopping, and handling stock market whiplash.(04:00) – Russ’s Tariff Comedy SetRuss shares a standout joke about tariffs, Vietnam, and unexpected economics.(05:00) – Boba Tea, Gelatinous Balls, and Plastic JunkLori rants about unnecessary imports like boba tea and dangerous dog toys.(09:00) – Introducing Rebecca BermanComedian and influencer Rebecca Berman joins the conversation with her signature wit.(11:00) – Rebecca’s Comedy Origin StoryHow a monologue class with Jeffrey Tambor unexpectedly launched Rebecca’s stand-up career.(13:00) – Food, Comedy, and Social Media StardomRebecca explains how her passion for food and restaurants turned into a social media brand.(16:00) – First-Time Stand-Up ExperiencesRebecca recounts the nerves and lessons from her first-ever stand-up set.(18:00) – Managing Stage FrightThe group shares real strategies for calming pre-show nerves — from vodka to visualization.(22:00) – Handling Hecklers and Tough CrowdsRebecca talks about staying composed during crowd work and unexpected audience reactions.(28:00) – Knowing Your AudienceThe hosts discuss how audience demographics can affect a set — and how to adapt quickly.(30:00) – Final Thoughts + Closing LaughsTechnical glitches, sincere thank-yous, and a strong message for aspiring comedians.

Unbridled and Unfiltered with Russ and Lori: Openers, Open Mics, Comedy Travel Teams and special guest Cyndy Cecil

On this episode, Russ and Lori step outside their comfort zones and talk about their Open Mic experience. They also chat about putting together a travel team for comedy and the art of creating relatable material for any audience. Plus, the dynamic comedy duo welcomes the Georgia Peach in the Big Apple, comedian Cyndy Cecil [https://www.cyndycecil.com/] to discuss her journey into comedy, the importance of community, and the challenges of crafting material. They explore the dynamics of the comedy scene, the role of life experiences in shaping comedic voices, and the aspirations for future performances. Chapters (03:03) Experiencing Open Mic Comedy (05:52) The Art of Stand-Up Comedy (09:11) Family Ties and Comedy (12:08) Navigating the Comedy Scene (14:49) The Challenges of Relatable Comedy (18:06) Humor in Current Events (22:01) Introduction to Comedy and Networking (24:43) Cyndy Cecil's Journey into Comedy (27:39) Balancing Production and Performance (30:22) Inspiration and Influences in Comedy (33:28) Finding Your Voice and Life Experiences (36:11) The Challenges of Aging and Comedy (39:14) Conclusion and Future Endeavors

Unbridled and Unfiltered with Russ and Lori: Girls' trips and a glimpse into the life of married comedians

In this episode of Unbridled and Unfiltered, hosts Russ and Laurie explore the dynamics of friendships, personal growth, and the comedic journey of their guests, Ben Rosenfeld ⁠and ⁠Michelle Slonim⁠. On today's episode, we discuss the roles individuals play in friend groups, the importance of supportive relationships, and the challenges of balancing family life with a career in comedy. The conversation touches on personal experiences, emotional connections, and the humorous aspects of navigating life as a couple in the entertainment industry. Chapters (02:48) Roles in Friend Groups (06:00) Spa Experiences and Personal Boundaries (08:56) Supportive Relationships and Weekend Getaways (12:08) Midlife Reflections and New Experiences (14:56) Comedy and Emotional Connections (18:00) Meet the Guests: Ben and Michelle (20:50) The Comedy Journey as a Couple (23:54) Navigating Family and Comedy (27:01) The Dynamics of Being Married to a Comic

Unbridled and Unfiltered with Russ and Lori: The joys of stand-up comedy, with special guest Andrew Rich

Summary In this episode Russ and Lori discuss their journey into the world of comedy, sharing personal anecdotes and insights about the challenges and joys of stand-up. They explore the importance of relatability in humor, the dynamics of performing in front of different audiences, and the preparation that goes into crafting a successful set. The episode features guest Andrew Rich, who shares his experiences starting out in comedy and the nuances of connecting with diverse audiences. Make sure to catch Andrew at his next comedy show. For the most up to date information, follow Andrew on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/andrew_rich_comedian [https://www.instagram.com/andrew_rich_comedian] Chapters 00:53 The Journey into Comedy 02:48 Finding Humor in Life Experiences 06:11 The Backyard Comedy Shows 08:53 Inspiration and Relatability in Comedy 11:51 Introducing Andrew Rich 12:47 Andrew's Comedy Beginnings 14:51 The Challenges of Stand-Up Comedy 17:56 Adapting to Different Audiences 20:59 Family and Comedy 23:50 The Art of Preparation 27:02 Navigating Different Demographics 30:03 Closing Thoughts and Future Shows