Join us for an in-depth conversation with Mark Ellis as he takes us behind the curtain of stand-up comedy, the world of Marvel movies, and the universe of Star Wars.

From bombing at his first open mic to headlining shows and navigating Hollywood premieres, Mark shares the lessons, struggles, and hilarious moments that shaped his career. We dive into Marvel secrets, the evolution of Star Wars lore, and why experiencing movies in a theater will always feel different than streaming at home.

Whether you’re an aspiring comedian, a Marvel fan, or a Star Wars enthusiast, this episode is packed with insights, laughs, and advice you won’t want to miss.

Listen, laugh, and learn from one of the entertainment world’s most insightful voices.

Follow us here!Instagram: @improvisedintelligencepod @noahvargas2🎙️Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/46eFKCrHGNkWejeT8XpcjTFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/improvisedintelligencepod/Produced by Royal Tier Productions LLCIntro/Outro Theme written by Toby GomezSupport the podcast here!https://www.patreon.com/c/improvisedintelligencehttps://choppedchileco.com/

What does it really look like when someone serves in public office and grinds through open mics, late-night shows, and long legislative sessions? In this episode, Representative Madinah pulls back the curtain on the unique, chaotic, and surprisingly hilarious life of a politician-comedian.We dive into:• The double life of a Delaware State Rep who performs stand-up• What goes down during legislative sessions• Why you should NEVER book a Thursday gig during session• Balancing public service with comedy hustles• Switching from business attire to hoodie-and-jeans in the same day• Emergency sessions, cancellations, and 1AM open mics• Austin comedy, New Mexico stereotypes, and Breaking Bad jokes• BlueSky vs. Instagram (and why one is “lib boring”)• The reality of time management without kids• How he stays connected with audiences AND constituentsThis conversation is a rare, honest look at the grind, the mission, and the humor behind someone juggling two intense worlds at once.👇 Follow Rep. Madina:Instagram: @Madinah4delaware • @medinacomedyTikTok: @MadinahcomedyBlueSky: Madinah for DelawareTwitter/X: @Madinah4deFacebook: MadinahcomedyYouTube: MadinahcomedyPodcast: For Lack of a Better Word🎧 Full episode available on YouTube, Spotify, and all podcast platforms.👍 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and drop a comment about your favorite moment from the interview!Follow us here!Instagram: @improvisedintelligencepod @noahvargas2🎙️Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/46eFKCrHGNkWejeT8XpcjTFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/improvisedintelligencepod/Produced by Royal Tier Productions LLCIntro/Outro Theme written by Toby GomezSupport the podcast here!https://www.patreon.com/c/improvisedintelligencehttps://choppedchileco.com/#podcast #comedy #politics #comedian #standupcomedy #politicalpodcast #interview #Delaware #StateRepresentative #MedinaComedy #CreatorLife #ComedyPodcast #OpenMicLife #BehindTheScenes #HustleCulture

What does it really take to survive stand-up comedy?

In this episode of Improvised Intelligence, Mikey joins the show for a raw, honest conversation about the realities of comedy, art, and independence. From bombing on stage in New York to navigating Austin’s comedy explosion, this episode dives into what separates real comedians from people chasing the idea of being funny.

We talk about learning how to be yourself on stage, why bombing is necessary, and how owning your platform matters more than chasing validation. Mikey also shares his upbringing in group homes, his roots in hip-hop culture, and how art, breaking, and graffiti shaped his voice as a comedian.

This conversation goes far beyond comedy — touching on education, creativity, politics, independence, and why most people quit when things get uncomfortable.

If you’re an artist, comedian, or anyone trying to build something real without compromising who you are, this episode will resonate.

🎙️ Guest: Mikey Mayes (@mupnasty)
📍 Albuquerque, NM

Topics Covered:

• Finding your voice in stand-up comedy

• Bombing, growth, and stage confidence

• New York vs Austin comedy scenes

• Joe Rogan’s influence on comedy business

• Hip-hop’s influence on art and comedy

• Group homes, identity, and creativity

• Why most comedians quit

🎬 Dive into the world of indie filmmaking with Derek Bauder! In this episode, Danny shares his journey creating low-budget horror films, the challenges of directing your own scripts, and the passion that drives his projects. From his upcoming film Around Midnight—a dark, family-focused horror—to his love of DVD and 4K movie collecting, this conversation is packed with insights for filmmakers, horror fans, and movie enthusiasts alike.

What you’ll hear in this episode:

• Tips for making meaningful movies on a small budget

• Behind-the-scenes challenges of indie filmmaking

• Influences from cult horror films like The Coffee Table and Pollo Loco

• The thrill of DVD and 4K collecting for cinephiles

• Upcoming projects, auditions, and ties to Breaking Bad

Whether you’re an aspiring filmmaker, a horror fan, or someone who loves movies, Derek’s insights are authentic, entertaining, and inspiring.

Follow Derek Bauder:

• Instagram/TikTok: @dannydorito23

• Film-focused TikTok: @derekjbauder

Actor, comedian, and former county commissioner Steven Michael Quezada joins the show for an in-depth conversation about his journey from stand-up stages to the set of Breaking Bad—and now into entrepreneurship with the launch of Quezada’s Comedy Club & Cantina.

Steven shares how he broke into comedy, what it was like playing DEA Agent Steven Gomez, the unexpected turn into politics, and why opening his own comedy club is the next big chapter in his career. This episode blends humor, real talk, and powerful insight from one of New Mexico’s most recognizable entertainers.

In this episode:
– Steven’s start in stand-up comedy
– His path to landing a role on Breaking Bad
– Life as a Bernalillo County Commissioner
– Opening Quezada’s Comedy Club & Cantina
– The future of comedy and local community impact

Follow, rate, and share the podcast if you enjoyed the conversation!

🔗 Follow Steven: @steven_michael_quezada @quezadascomedyclubFollow us here!Instagram: @improvisedintelligencepod @noahvargas2🎙️Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/46eFKCrHGNkWejeT8XpcjTFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/improvisedintelligencepod/Produced by Royal Tier Productions LLCIntro/Outro Theme written by Toby GomezSupport the podcast here!https://www.patreon.com/c/improvisedintelligencehttps://choppedchileco.com/

In this episode, we sit down with Emily Zumwalt — a talented SAG actress, model, and costume designer whose creative path has taken her through film sets, fashion shoots, and the world of character design.

Emily shares how she found her way into acting, what it's like balancing multiple careers in entertainment, and the behind-the-scenes work that brings characters to life through costume. We talk challenges, inspiration, industry realities, and the joy of building a creative career on your own terms.

Whether you’re into film, fashion, or storytelling, this conversation is packed with insight, honesty, and plenty of inspiration.

🎙️ In This Episode:

• Emily’s journey into acting and modeling

• How she discovered costume design

• The creative process behind building characters

• Staying grounded in a competitive industry

• Advice for up-and-coming performers and designers

Follow the show and leave a rating to help more listeners find the podcast!

🔗 Follow Emily Zumwalt: @emily.zumwalt Follow us here!Instagram: @improvisedintelligencepod @noahvargas2🎙️Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/46eFKCrHGNkWejeT8XpcjTFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/improvisedintelligencepod/Produced by Royal Tier Productions LLCIntro/Outro Theme written by Toby GomezSupport the podcast here!https://www.patreon.com/c/improvisedintelligencehttps://choppedchileco.com/#EmilyZumwalt #SAGActor #ActressLife #ModelLife #CostumeDesigner #HollywoodPodcast #FilmIndustry #BehindTheScenes #ActingCareer #CreativeProcess #PodcastInterview

Comedians Josh Canada and AJ DeLeon join the show for a fast, funny, and absolutely unhinged debate about the greatest comedic actors of all time. From iconic movie moments to underrated legends, we break down what makes a performer truly hilarious — both on stage and on screen.

In this episode we talk about:

• The real best comedic actors of all time

• Comedy movies that shaped stand-up

• Performance styles that make actors unforgettable

• Underrated and overrated comedy legends

• How stand-up and acting overlap

If you love stand-up comedy, movies, or comedians arguing in good fun… this one’s for you.

👉 Follow the show for weekly comedy conversations and new episodes!

🎙 Guests:Josh Canada @canada.josh505AJ DeLeon @ajdeleoncomedyFollow us here!Instagram: @improvisedintelligencepod🎙️Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/46eFKCrHGNkWejeT8XpcjTFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/improvisedintelligencepod/Produced by Royal Tier Productions LLCIntro/Outro Theme written by Toby GomezSupport the podcast here!https://www.patreon.com/c/improvisedintelligencehttps://choppedchileco.com/#StandUpComedy #ComedicActors #ComedyPodcast #MovieDebates #JoshCanada #AJDeLeon #FunnyPodcast #ComedyMovies #ComedyLegends #BestComedicActors

Comedian Loy Lee joins Improvised Intelligence to share what it’s really like living life on the road as a traveling stand-up comedian. From performing in dive bars to big city comedy clubs, Loy talks about chasing stage time in all 50 states, building a career in comedy, and the hilarious (and sometimes brutal) moments that come with it.

🎙️ In this episode:

• The grind of being a traveling comedian

• Lessons learned from performing across America

• How to stay funny and consistent while always on the move

• What new comedians should know before hitting the road

• The weirdest and wildest comedy gigs you’ll ever hear about

If you love stand-up comedy, road stories, and real talk about the comedy grind, this episode is for you.

🎧 Improvised Intelligence brings you authentic, funny, and insightful conversations with comedians, creators, and thinkers shaping modern culture.