#320: Steph Strings - Feeling Alive
Funny In Failure
Melbourne multi-instrumentalist and singer-songwriter Steph Strings already has many strings, literally and figuratively, to her creative bow. But in early 2026, a brand new chapter will arrive in the form of Steph’s long-awaited debut album ‘Feel Alive’, set for release on Friday 9 January, 2026. Steph has also unveiled a new single and music video, with the smouldering country-pop track ‘Devil Woman’ which is now out! A truly gifted storyteller at her core, Steph Strings is a renowned singer-songwriter and guitarist, merging coastal fingerstyle indie rock with blues, folk and...
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#319: Dave Symes (Boy & Bear)- Looking Out For Each Other
Funny In Failure
Dave Symes is a performer, writer, producer, arranger and the bass player of Boy & Bear. As a member of Boy & Bear Dave has enjoyed 2 Aria #1 Albums in Australia with “Harlequin Dream” and “Limit Of Love”, as well as a # 4 with “Boy and Bear” and a #7 with “Suck On Light”. The band performs regularly, touring across Australia, North America and Europe. Renowned for their magnetic blend of vintage pop, alternative elements and folk edges, Boy & Bear channel nostalgia, personal experiences and universal themes into...
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#318: Pez - Music is a Blessing
Funny In Failure
Pez (Perry Chapman) is one of Australia’s most respected hip-hop artists and an icon. He has achieved ARIA-charting albums, national tours, and collaborations with some of Australia’s most influential hip-hop acts. Pez has a reputation as one of the countries sharpest lyricists. His longevity and evolution have cemented him as a trusted, authentic voice in Australian music, admired for both his craft and his contribution to the culture. Pez is touring with 360 on their Back N Forth Tour, check it out (links below)! We chat about leaving music and coming back (hopefully), authenticity and...
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#317: Micah & Sarah Wallace - Leap of Faith
Funny In Failure
Micah and Sarah Wallace are dynamic digital creators known for their authentic storytelling, vibrant personalities, and engaging multimedia content. As a couple, they’ve built a dedicated following across platforms by blending creativity with relatability, sharing everything from everyday life to curated projects that inspire and uplift. With a massive presence on Instagram (2.1M+), TikTok (2.4M+) and YouTube (185K+), Micah and Sarah produce content that spans lifestyle, travel, family, wellness, and culture. We chat about the importance of fun, leaving corporate work to pursue content...
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#315: Matt Ritter - Friendship is the Ultimate Life Hack
Funny In Failure
—a former lawyer turned Hollywood multi-hyphenate who’s fast becoming the definitive voice of the modern friendship movement. Matt is the creator, writer, producer, and star of The Buddy System, a hilarious and heartfelt Audible Original which has just launched. The special blends personal storytelling with cutting-edge research on social fitness—challenging the idea that friendship is a luxury and making the case that it's actually the most important wellness tool we have. He’s also co-host of Man of the Year, the #1 podcast on male friendship, and the founder...
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#314: Diesel (Mark Lizotte) - 10,000 hours
Funny In Failure
Mark Lizotte or Diesel is an American-born, Aussie-based roots rock guitarist and singer. He has spent decades cementing his status as one of Australia’s greatest music success stories. First turning heads with his first band, Johnny Diesel & the Injectors, Diesel soon launched a solo career in the 1990s, introducing the world to Diesel – and the rest truly was history. With multiple #1 albums, several ARIA Award wins, including three consecutive wins in 1993, 1994 and 1995, Diesel has remained both a chart staple and live fan-favourite...
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#313: 360 (Matt Colwell) - Authenticity
Funny In Failure
Matt Colwell or 360 is one of Australia’s most iconic and beloved rappers. 360 erupted onto the scene in the early 2000s, taking home multiple ARIA Award nominations and two wins along the way. Peaking at #4 on the ARIA Albums Chart, Falling & Flying went on to become certified double platinum, and also secured wins at the 2012 ARIA Music Awards for Breakthrough Artist – Release and Producer of the Year. From here, 360 released 2014’s Utopia, 2017’s Vintage Modern and, most recently, his latest record Out of the Blue, which dropped earlier this year. Debuting at #1 on the ARIA...
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#312: Phil Rosenthal - Writing Your Own Ticket
Funny In Failure
Phil Rosenthal is the award-winning creator, executive producer, and host of “Somebody Feed Phil,” as well as a two-time New York Times Best Selling Author and soon-to-be restaurant owner. “Somebody Feed Phil” – one of Netflix’s most popular food and travel shows – has garnered a cult-like following and released its eighth season on June 18th in 190 countries. The Emmy-nominated series is Netflix’s longest unscripted series and combines Rosenthal’s love of food and travel with his unique brand of humor and has become must-see TV for foodies, restaurateurs, travelers, and...
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#311: Justin Spitzer - Incremental Progress
Funny In Failure
Justin Spitzer is a co-creator and executive producer of “St. Denis Medical.” Prior to that, he created and ran NBC comedies “Superstore” (2015- 2021) and “American Auto” (2021-2023). His other writing/producing credits include seven seasons of “The Office”, as well as “Scrubs”, “Committed”, “Courting Alex”, and “Mulaney”. We chat about Superstore and leaving, creating shows, rejection and moving forward, collaborating and the writer’s room, working on The Office, Bill Lawrence, when shows end, pivoting from acting plus plenty more! Check Justin out on:...
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#310: Dean Redman - Your Unique Blueprint
Funny In Failure
Dean Redman is a well-known and accomplished actor and voice actor with over 100 film, television, and voice acting credits to his name. He is most notable for his strong performances in major Hollywood Blockbusters, such as Legendary/Blizzard Films' “Warcraft,” where he took on not one but two major character roles alongside Travis Fimmel, Dominic Cooper, and Paula Patton. He is equally known for his aggressive performance in 20th Century Fox’s Oscar-nominated epic “War For The Planet Of The Apes,” for his Supporting role alongside Woody Harrelson and Andy Serkis....
info_outlineEmmy Award-winning producer/writer Al Jean has worked on THE SIMPSONS since it became a series in 1989. He has a credit on over 600 episodes and been showrunner for 22 seasons. In addition to nine Emmy Awards, he has won two coveted Peabody Awards and was nominated for two Golden Globes. Currently he serves as executive producer and showrunner. He also served as writer and producer on “THE SIMPSONS MOVIE” (which took in over $525 million worldwide), working heavily on the film throughout its entire four-year production and was producer and writer on the Oscar-nominated short film “THE LONGEST DAYCARE” and 2020 short “PLAYDATE WITH DESTINY”. In 2021 he wrote and produced the Disney+ shorts “The Force Awakens From Its Nap” (nominated for an Emmy) and “The Good, the Bart and the Loki.”
Al also co-created “The Critic” and “Teen Angel” and served as producer of “It’s Garry Shandling’s Show,” for which he won three CableACE Awards. Other television credits include “The PJ’s,” “Alf” and “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.”
Episodes of THE SIMPSONS Al has written or co-written include “Moaning Lisa,” “The Way We Was,” “Treehouse of Horror II & III,” “Stark Raving Dad,” “Simpsoncalifragilisticexpiala (annoyed grunt) cious,” “Hello Gutter, Hello Fadder,” “Day of the Jackanapes,” “I Won’t Be Home for Christmas”, “Mr. Lisa’s Opus”, “Daddicus Finch” and the Emmy-winning “HOMR.”
Al also co-wrote Funny or Die’s “SNL Presidential Reunion Video” which is credited with helping establish the Consumer Financial Protection Agency. A graduate of Harvard University, Jean served as vice president of the college’s humor magazine, “The Harvard Lampoon.”
We chat about being wanted by the FBI, the Simpsons, creating new shows, writing for The Harvard Lampon, working on Johnny Carson, going to Harvard at 16, The Critic, leadership, negative feedback, Hollywood reboots, Garry Shandling’s show, moving forward plus plenty more!
Check Al out on:
Twitter / X: https://x.com/aljean
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