🎃 It’s the middle of October, the nights are getting darker, and spooky season is officially here! Welcome to Episode 80 of the COMEDY SIMP PODCAST. 👻

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🍂 Host Stephen Michael James welcomes three of the Pacific Northwest’s comedy stars—Kylee Ann, Casey McLain, and JR Berard—for a lively roundtable in Stephen’s garage. 🏚️

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The four comics are hanging out before their show later that night at the Granite Falls Eagles Club, swapping stories about the comedy scene, memorable gigs, and the strange adventures that come with making people laugh. From early shows with no audience 😬 to first impressions and how Seattle comedy has changed over the years, this episode gets into the funny, awkward, and unpredictable side of life onstage. 🎤

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Casey talks about his podcast Poor Sports Seattle, what happened with UNSEASONED, and what former co-host Jess Everett is up to. JR shares the story behind producing Laugh Track Live and what’s coming next. Kylee talks about producing shows around the PNW, including her work as one of the producers of @onthemiccomedy, which puts on shows like HOT MIC and COMEDY CAMPOUT. 🎭

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Then Stephen brings out Rotten Tomatoes’ Top 10 Scariest Movies of All Time list. 🍿 Do the comics agree? Stephen and JR nerd out on horror, and everyone shares Halloween memories, costumes, and their favorite—and worst—candy. 🍬🧟

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It’s a fun, spooky-season conversation with four comics at different stages of their comedy journeys.

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Press play and join the garage hang! 🔊

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FOLLOW:

Stephen Michael James | @stephenmjcomedy

https://youtube.com/@stephenmjcomedy

https://youtube.com/@comedysimppodcast

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Casey McLain | @caseymcclaincomedy 🌐 https://caseymclaincomedy.com

🎥 Do Not Shake — Full Special (2024): https://youtu.be/NdZ3268lep4?si=TXdnORX2EKqbkdue

📍 See Casey at SKANKFEST 2026 | November 13–15 | New Orleans, LA

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JR Berard | @berardjr 🌐 https://onlyjr.com

🎧 These Things Usually Move — Full Comedy Album: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_n-0q5N5rSJlMc1SsE8KYfxm-czN0prfv4&si=bwMhvdgFKC_arj2Y

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Kylee Ann | @kylee_as_is

🎟️ Producer with @onthemiccomedy — including HOT MIC and COMEDY CAMPOUT🍂

🧠 Explore the incredible ways comedy impacts the brain and mental health. This video delves into how performing comedy can serve as a therapeutic tool—helping individuals reframe personal trauma, enhance emotional resilience, and transform pain into humor. Scientific research compares this process to cognitive behavioral therapy, highlighting its benefits for mental well-being.

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✨ Discover how neurodivergent performers use comedy to foster social connection and self-expression, leveraging humor as a form of psychological healing. We also examine how techniques like self-hypnosis, backed by science, can boost confidence, reduce stage fright, and manage performance anxiety.

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🔍 Join us as we uncover the mental health benefits of comedy, revealing how the brain responds to humor and why it’s more than just entertainment—it's a powerful tool for personal growth and emotional strength.

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#MentalHealth #Neurodivergent #CognitiveTherapy #SelfHypnosis

Welcome to Comedy Simp Podcast, Episode 78! 🎙️ In this solo episode, host Stephen Michael James shares a heartfelt and hilarious recap of his recent adventures. He starts off by reflecting on the aftermath of the last episode LIVE AT PORCHFEST 🎉 and gives his thoughts on Tacoma Porchfest. Then, he dives into his busy August gig schedule, including performances at Hill City Tap House in Seattle 🍻 and Beach Cat Brewing in Bellingham, WA 🍺.

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Stephen opens up about a less-than-ideal experience at Nate Jackson's Super Funny Festival, which didn’t go as planned and resulted in no stage time 😅. The episode takes a personal turn as he recounts the stressful experience of his wife going into the ER just 48 hours before their week-long family trip to California 🚑✨. Hear about the panic, emotions, and how they decided to still go ahead with the trip despite everything.

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Follow along as Stephen details their journey from Seattle to Sacramento 🚗🌞, sharing highlights from the trip — including his first gig at Laughs Unlimited Comedy Club in Old Sacramento 🎤, quality time with friends and family ❤️, road trip mishaps 🚧, sunny California days ☀️, delicious food 🍔🌮, and lots of driving 🚙. It’s a heartfelt, funny, and honest summer recap you won’t want to miss!

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Make sure to Like 👍 and Subscribe🔔:

YouTube.com/@StephenMJComedy

YouTube.com/@ComedySimpPodcast

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FOLLOW:

@stephenmjcomedy