Joey’s Song

REWIND: Charlie Berens on Comedy, the Manitowoc Minute & Why He Loves Joey's Song | The Joey's Song Podcast

37 min · 19. maj 2026
episode REWIND: Charlie Berens on Comedy, the Manitowoc Minute & Why He Loves Joey's Song | The Joey's Song Podcast cover

Description

Wisconsin's favorite comedian Charlie Berens talks with Joey's Song founder Mike Gomoll for a wide-ranging conversation about growing up in Milwaukee, his Emmy Award-winning journalism career, the accidental birth of the Manitowoc Minute, his musical collaboration with Adam Grohl of Horseshoes and Hand Grenades, his YouTube stand-up special, and why he keeps saying yes to Joey's Song year after year. From red carpet reporter to viral Wisconsin comedy phenomenon, Charlie traces the journey that took him from UW-Madison to MTV News to the Comedy Store in Los Angeles — and back home to the Midwest crowd that always gets the joke. He also opens up about life in a family of 12, why he'd rather be invisible than read minds, where he'd go if he could time travel, and whether he makes his bed in the morning (spoiler: he does not). Plus — Packers talk. Jordan Love, Tucker Kraft, Micah Parsons calling out the offense, and cautious Super Bowl optimism. Because it wouldn't be a Wisconsin podcast without it. ABOUT JOEY'S SONG Joey's Song is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with one powerful mission: raise as much money as possible to fund research into treatments and cures for epilepsy. Founded by Mike Gomoll in memory of his son Joey, the organization channels grief into action — producing world-class live benefit concerts, a thriving podcast community, and a growing movement of music lovers, comedians, and artists united around a cause that matters. Every ticket sold, every donation made, every podcast subscribe, and every YouTube follow puts more resources into the hands of researchers working to end epilepsy. Get involved: https://www.joeyssong.org 📲 SUPPORT THE PODCAST If this episode made you smile, laugh, or feel something — please take 60 seconds to: ✅ Subscribe to the Joey's Song Podcast on your favorite platform ✅ Leave a short review — it helps more people find us ✅ Subscribe to our YouTube channel: youtube.com/@JoeysSong These simple acts make a real difference in spreading our mission #CharlieBrens #ManitowocMinute #JoeysSong #WisconsinComedy #EpilepsyAwareness #EpilepsyResearch #JoeysSongPodcast #MikeGomoll #WisconsinPodcast #StandUpComedy #Wisconsin #GreenBayPackers #HorseshoesAndHandGrenades #BeransAndGrohl #MidwestComedy #YouTubeComedy #StandUpSpecial #501c3 #CharityPodcast #MusicAndComedy #EpilepsyFundraiser #FreezingMan #WisconsinEntertainment #PodcastInterview #ComedyPodcast To learn more about Joey's Song, please go to www.joeyssong.org [http://www.joeyssong.org] and join our community through our mailing list. Also find us on all social media platforms with our handle @joeyssong on them all.

Comments

0

Be the first to comment

Sign up now and become a member of the Joey’s Song community!

Get Started

1 month for 9 kr.

Then 99 kr. / month · Cancel anytime.

  • Podcasts kun på Podimo
  • 20 lydbogstimer pr. måned
  • Gratis podcasts

All episodes

84 episodes

episode REWIND - John Gourley of Portugal. The Man on Epilepsy and His Daughter Frances | Joey's Song Podcast artwork

REWIND - John Gourley of Portugal. The Man on Epilepsy and His Daughter Frances | Joey's Song Podcast

Mike Gomoll talks with John Gourley — chief songwriter, vocalist, and creative force behind Portugal. The Man — for a wide-ranging conversation that covers the future of live music touring, his daughter Frances' rare epilepsy diagnosis, and why the band keeps showing up for Joey's Song year after year. John opens up about Frances' diagnosis with a rare genetic condition called DEDS — a journey that went from a handful of seizures a day to nearly 100, and from confusion to genetic testing, specialist research, and the launch of the Francis Changed My Life Foundation. He and Mike also dig into the importance of epilepsy awareness, early diagnosis, and why funding research is the critical next frontier. On the music side, John breaks down his innovative new approach to touring — collaborating onstage with artists like Quinn Christofferson and Electric Guest's Asa Taccone through the PTM Pass the Mic Foundation — and what he sees as the future of live performance. In this conversation, John and Mike cover: - Portugal. The Man's new collaborative touring model and the Pass the Mic Foundation - Quinn Christofferson — why John calls him one of Alaska's greatest living songwriters - Writing music as a collective and PTM's ever-evolving sound - Frances' diagnosis with DEDS and the family's path to answers - Absence seizures being misread as behavioral issues — and why awareness matters - AI's potential role in accelerating rare disease research - Favorite Joey's Song memories — including Butch Vig calling an impromptu "Low" by Cracker and writing out Oasis chord charts for Sam Gomoll backstage - What the Alaska ethos of helping your neighbor has to do with how John shows up in the world Portugal. The Man has been one of Joey's Song's most loyal supporters, donating their time and talent to the Freezing Man festival in Madison, Wisconsin — a fundraiser for epilepsy research and treatment. Support Joey's Song & Learn More: 🌐 JoeyssS ong.org 📘 Francis Changed My Life Foundation: crashtreatment.com 📺 Subscribe on YouTube: youtube.com/@JoeysSong 🎙️ Follow the podcast on your favorite platform Joey's Song is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit raising funds for epilepsy research and treatment. Every like, follow, and share helps us reach more people. #JoeyssongPodcast #JohnGourley #PortugalTheMan #Epilepsy #EpilepsyAwareness #FrancisChangedMyLife #DEDS #FreezingMan #LINERnotes #LiveMusic #QuinnChristofferson #JoeyssongOrg To learn more about Joey's Song, please go to www.joeyssong.org [http://www.joeyssong.org] and join our community through our mailing list. Also find us on all social media platforms with our handle @joeyssong on them all.

25. juni 202631 min