Broccoli and Ice Cream with Myq Kaplan

Comedian and human Myq Kaplan (pronounced Mike Kaplan) has conversations with friends about the work of their lives (as represented by broccoli) and the joys of their lives (as represented by ice cream). Everyone has the best time and learns a lot forever. Enjoy!

399: Skulk and The Many Incessant Lives and Subsequent Deaths Deserved of Skulk the Hulking 09/15/2025

399: Skulk and The Many Incessant Lives and Subsequent Deaths Deserved of Skulk the Hulking Skulk! Comedian! Musician! Story-teller! Friend! Delight! More! Skulk and I have a great chat about this project and more! THE MANY INCESSANT LIVES & SUBSEQUENT DEATHS DESERVED OF SKULK, The HULKING is a fictional video podcast built on music, performance, storytelling, and Ai visuals. Following the War to End All Wars and having depleted most of our resources, all people - by choice or by force - move to The City That's Always Falling Apart to try and stave off extinction. Giant forces inhabiting this final city both personify our desires and attempt to sway our fates, but an oafish beast known as Skulk tries to save us all. At times dark, goofy, aggressive, honest, and full of hope, The Many Incessant Lives and Subsequent Deaths Deserved of Skulk, The Hulking explores the decisions we make as a people - an allegory for our globalized world, the weaponization of capitalism, and the age-old ‘problem’ of the human condition. Skulk, The Hulking is an ogre-like dolt trying to help a world that has fallen apart, yet he seems only to find unique paths to an early demise, while an Earth - knowing unfortunately that he’s the planet’s last hope - keeps bringing him back to life. He is a giant force that represents us all, trying to figure things out, wading through the muckiest parts of life, fighting the forces that none of us have the energy to fight against, making the choices none of us wants to make, failing miserably, like all of us probably would. No one even wants him to do it but man, his hope just can’t be killed…or maybe he’s just an idiot. In this story, things are rarely all-bad or all-good. The audience is asked whether they approve of the reasons they do what they do and if the ends justify the means. Characters in the podcast originally appeared in Skulk (the band’s) live shows and music videos. Lady Baghead and the Followers of Baghead were originally depictions of Rene Magritte’s surrealist painting “The Lovers”. Hammerhands, a wrecking ball of hate with hammers for hands was played in Skulk music videos by Henry Zebrowski (Last Podcast on the Left, Wolf of Wall Street). And Camelman - originally a prancing merrymaker in a camel mask who pulled popsicles from his whitey tighties and handed them to the concert crowd - has evolved into the gangly overlord of our tantilizing addictions. With visuals created using MidJourney, the ‘near misses’ of Ai creation become a style. When creating with Ai, it is nearly impossible to recreate the same exact character with subsequent prompts. Yet since Skulk is constantly dying and being re-born out of whatever material the earth can find at the time, these glitches are given context and woven into the tale. The differing looks of the central characters becomes commentary on how we all appear differently based on the observers’ biases, and of course all Ai is ‘nurtured’ by our culture’s biases. Each podcast episode ends with Ai-altered music videos from Skulk (the band). Says Skulk (the artist) “I believe people fight against Generative Ai for the wrong reasons. It is a tool. How, not if it is used is the question. I believe what people actually want is regulation of Ai. It is when it can be used for harm that it gets sketchy.” The goal is to help the audience question, with a mind further-opended, why those in power, their enemies, and they themselves do and believe the things they do and believe. MORE ABOUT SKULK: Skulk, The Hulking (Steve Pasieka) is a multifaceted artist whose creative journey spans music, comedy, and technology. Part of Chicago's improv scene in the early 2000s, he eventually co-founded the improv group pH. His commitment to his craft led him to train at renowned institutions iO and The Annoyance, eventually joining the iO house team, The Chorus, and earning coaching by improv legend Noah Gregoropoulos. After moving to New York, Skulk transitioned to music, founding Skulk, The Hulking - fusing theatrical performance, socio-political lyrics and dark electronic beats. Opening for iconic musicians like Capadonna of Wu-Tang Clan and C-Knowledge of Digable Planets, the project grew to a full band releasing three albums. Recently, Skulk has become a skilled user of AI tools, creating images through MidJourney, animating visuals with MotionLeap, and exploring the artistic potential of generative AI. He believes that AI, like any tool, is only as good as the meaning and care you put into it, which he explores in his most recent project. The Many Incessant Lives and Subsequent Deaths Deserved of Skulk, The Hulking brings together many facets of Skulk’s past work in a fictional video podcast built on music, performance, Ai and storytelling. AND THIS IS ONLY THE FIRST HALF OF OUR CHAT! For part two, subscribe via Apple Podcasts OR simply /episode/index/show/broccoliandicecream/id/38225765

398: Mx. Dahlia Belle and the Gender Agenda 09/07/2025

397: Thom Norman and FarmKind 08/29/2025

396: Dorothea Tachler and My Favourite Things 08/18/2025

395: Andy Sandford and &y S&ford 08/13/2025

394: Kelly Carlin-McCall and Humans on the Verge 08/07/2025

393: Fabrizio Copano and From the Future 07/30/2025

392: Reena Calm and Calmedy 07/21/2025

391: Andy Woodhull and Beach Brain 07/15/2025

390: Kris Lefcoe and Giving Up 07/07/2025

390: Kris Lefcoe and Giving Up Filmmaker! Writer! Director! Musician! Friend! Delight! More! We have a great chat! You can have a great listen! About Kris, from her website: "Kris Lefcoe (DGA) is a Canadian-American director and writer based in New York City. Her work has screened at TIFF, SXSW, Tribeca, British Film Institute, Art Basel Miami, IFC and on the Sundance Channel.    Kris is co-creator, writer and EP of “Making Plans For Nigel,” a comedy series in network development with Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Mary Rohlich (“Atypical”). Lefcoe's half-hour comedy “Giving Up,” about a New York couple facing their own deadline to either ‘make it’ or give up their dreams, won top prizes at Seriesfest and New York Television Festival, and just had a theatrical premiere at the Roxy Cinema in NYC. The series was executive produced by David Wain and developed with Imagine Television. In 2020, Kris made her network directing debut on the NBC comedy “Superstore.”   Pitch-black comedy “Public Domain,” Kris’ audacious audience-award-winning feature debut about a surveillance-based game show, was hailed as "creepy-funny and well-acted" (Variety), and "an assured debut" (Austin Chronicle). The film premiered at SXSW and was installed at Art Basel Miami.  Lefcoe’s stop motion short “Tiny Riot Project,” featuring a riot squad of corporate mascots in a violent face off with endearing anarchists, premiered at IFF Rotterdam, was installed at Galerie Tomas Schulte Berlin, Havana Biennale, and Art Basel Miami, then sold to the Sundance Channel. Her acclaimed Twilight Zone-esque short “Can I Get a Witness?” starring Scott Speedman, screened at TIFF, BFI and Anthology Film Archives.   Kris' explosive music videos have garnered numerous nominations and awards, including the Peaches smash “Boys Wanna Be Her” which has over 3 million views on YouTube. She recently won Best Director at New York Cinefest, and Best Director and Best Comedy at Deluxe Film Festival in Rome, for the sex-robot comedy “Technical Support” starring Aparna Nancherla and Courtney Pauroso, which quickly racked up almost million views on YouTube. As a musician, Kris performs haunting original songs at live venues around NYC on a vintage keyboard she found in the garbage. Her first solo album will be released in Fall 2025. The advance single “Booked A Room” came out in 2024 with a hallucinatory stop motion video directed by Kris that premiered at the 2024 Tribeca Festival and just won Best Video and the Audience Award at San Luis Obispo Festival. Kris is also a professor in the MFA Film and Television program at Stony Brook University, SUNY. In 2024 she created and launched the Post-MFA Pilot Incubator Lab to shepherd alumni into the industry. She lives with her husband and daughter in a long-forgotten borough called Manhattan." And this is just the first HALF of our conversation! For part two, subscribe via Apple Podcasts OR simply ! Enjoy! /episode/index/show/broccoliandicecream/id/37308900

389: Ivan Rubenstein-Gillis and 500 Suns 06/30/2025

389: Ivan Rubenstein-Gillis and 500 Suns Ivan Rubenstein-Gillis! Singer! Songwriter! Producer! Dear old friend! Delight! I've known Ivan for decades and I've always loved his music AND talking to him, so having him on my podcast to talk about his music AND MORE was perfect. Stay tuned for that, and also stay tuned at the end of this podcast episode for a sneak peek of some music from that project! We have a great chat and you can have a great listen! PS This is only the first HALF of our chat. For the second half, subscribe via Apple Podcasts or merely Also, here's more about Ivan in Ivan's website's own words: "Ivan Rubenstein-Gillis is a singer, songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist based out of New York. With deep roots in folk, rock, jazz, world music and modern poetics, Ivan brings a rare sense of craft, intellectual provocation and emotional expression to his work. Ivan grew up in a creative family and from an early age was exposed to great music, books and visual art from all around the world. He played piano as a kid and began putting lyrics and chord patterns together around the age of 10 ... Bought his first guitar in high school and later added mandolin, banjo, harmonica, bass and other instruments to the mix. Over the course of his eclectic career, Ivan has written hundreds of songs and instrumental pieces, produced and recorded albums across various genres, composed for dance and theater and performed with great musicians in many styles. The primary focus of Ivan's creative life has been his songwriting. To date, he has recorded 11 albums of original material as a solo artist, collaborating with extraordinary rhythm sections, instrumentalists and singers along the way. His songs have won grants and awards, have been performed by numerous artists and choirs, have been featured in a number of movies, documentaries and PSAs, and have become part of the American musical landscape for his many admirers. Two of his songs were featured in a worldwide viral video produced for the United Nations Environmental Program regarding the evils of single-use plastics. Outside of his own material, Ivan enjoyed a very successful collaboration with legendary trombonist Roswell Rudd over the last decade of his life. Ivan played with Rudd's dynamic MaliCool band in 2007 and produced Feeling Good (a tribute to Nina Simone) - the lead track off of Rudd's 2011 album The Incredible Honk. In 2013-2014, Ivan produced Trombone For Lovers, an epic collection of American standards which included the house band of John Medeski, Aaron Comess and Richard Hammond, plus guest appearances from Bob Dorough, Faye Victor, Gary Lucas, Michael Doucet, Steven Bernstein, The NYC Labor Choir and other luminaries. TFL received a four star review in Downbeat and generated raves around the world. Roswell performed with Ivan and his band on numerous occasions and guested on several of Ivan's albums, including in the guise of a braying elephant on dogz and katz, a choice cut from Ivan's 2016 album The Lion. Ivan and Roswell continued to work together on new compositions and arrangements right up until Roswell died in December of 2017. Ivan produced and played multiple instruments on "Songs From Home" - a well-received 'pandemic EP' with fellow Rudd collaborator (and wonderful singer ) Heather Masse, featuring some of their favorite classics, reimagined for quarantine. Ivan's latest project - 500 Suns - is a collaboration with the great rhythm section of Craig Santiago and Scott Petito - an uplifting soulful band based out of the Hudson Valley featuring Shawn Dawn, Kendra McKinley and Leslie Ritter on vocals. Ivan's deep love for many different types of music has allowed him to play around the margins of numerous genres, and has led to longstanding musical relationships with Meyer Horn (drums), Adam Small (bass), Craig Santiago (drums), Scott Petito (bass), Aaron Comess (drums), Richard Hammond (bass), Heather Masse (voice), Cat Martino (voice), Leah Siegel (voice), Lexy Casano (cabaret artist), Clarence Ferrari (flame throwing fiddler), Arne Wendt (organist), Rod Sherwood (producer), David Grausman (piano) and David Brahinsky (NJ-based folksinger), among many others. Ivan has also worked extensively as a music educator, concert producer and "musical activist" - utilizing his talent and experience in the service of providing musical opportunities to underserved populations. Ivan has played at countless benefit concerts, fundraisers and community events and always appreciates the opportunity to play music in the service of a worthy cause. Along with the music, Ivan writes satire, short stories, poems and the occasional expository essay. He also likes to draw " Thanks and love, all! /episode/index/show/broccoliandicecream/id/37226720

388: Malaika Handa and Crossword Construction 06/21/2025

387: Julie Seabaugh and Are We Good? 06/13/2025

387: Julie Seabaugh and Are We Good? Journalist! Author! Producer! Friend! Delight! More! Long-time comedy journalist is the producer, story editor and originator of , the new documentary about comic and podcast pioneer Marc Maron that makes its June 14 and 15. She is a , who has covered stand-up and the ins-and-outs of the comedy industry for more than 20 years. More about Julie Seabaugh and the new doc: After covering Marc Maron many times in major news outlets, she was struck by his loss and honesty when his partner Lynn Shelton died unexpectedly in 2020. Seabaugh says the continuing Instagram videos voicing his grief was some of “the most touching stuff I’d ever seen publicly coming from a comedian,” and she knew the next stand-up material he created would be the most powerful he’d done to date and that someone ought to be documenting the next period in his life and career. She quickly realized that someone was her, and she sprung into action. She produced the first shoot on May 7, 2021 at the Comedy Store, the night of Maron’s first time back on stage since the start of the Covid pandemic. Julie Seabaugh produced and hosted 2020’s for SiriusXM and with Emmy-nominated filmmaker Nick Scown directed September 2021 feature documentary for Vice. Her film Are We Good? A Marc Maron Documentary made its world premiere in March 2025 at SXSW. A documentary on legendary performer Mitch Hedberg will debut in 2026. As a professional comedy journalist for more than two decades, Seabaugh covered the art form for The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, Rolling Stone, The Hollywood Reporter, Variety, GQ and numerous other titles. Her expertise on modern roasting culminated in 2018 book . 2022’s vinyl box set features her liner notes. With comedian Byron Bowers, the memoir Beyond the Promised Land is out from Grand Central Publishing in summer 2026. Julie Seabaugh online: Are We Good? Online: Julie and I had a great chat! You can have a great listen! And this is only the first HALF of our chat! For part two, subscribe via Apple Podcasts or simply Enjoy! /episode/index/show/broccoliandicecream/id/37000315

386: Mike Cachuela and the Prisoner's Dilemma 06/06/2025

385: Shanna Christmas and Highly Intelligent 05/30/2025

385: Shanna Christmas and Highly Intelligent ! Comedian! Writer! Actor! Producer! Shanna has a new special out right now called (watch there or listen as an audio album wherever you find your comedy albums!) and here is the official information about it: "Comedian, writer, and proud Las Vegas native Shanna Christmas is bringing the heat—and the heart—with her bold new comedy special. One hour of machine-gun punchlines and razor-sharp observations unpacking the horrors of working in healthcare, losing a parent to dementia, the struggles of being tall, and surviving sexual assault in the comedy scene Shot live at an intimate jazz club in the heart of downtown Las Vegas, the special captures Shanna Christmas doing what she does best: making people laugh so hard they forget they’re in a dark room with strangers. With machine-gun punchlines, razor- sharp observations, and stories that swing from wild to wicked, Shanna invites audiences into a world that’s as smart as it is side-splitting. But this special isn’t just jokes. In a stunning final turn, Shanna peels back the curtain to share a deeply personal, gut-wrenching story of surviving sexual assault. The room, once roaring with laughter, falls into a reverent, electric silence as she bravely reframes her trauma through the lens of resilience, truth, and yes—even humor. 'I wanted to make a special that felt like me,' Shanna says. 'Loud, fast, honest, funny—but also full of real life. Because comedy is how I take my power back. And I want people to feel theirs, too.' Filmed in the city where she grew up, Highly Intelligent is more than just a comedy special; it’s a homecoming. And a reckoning. And a celebration of what it means to be funny, fearless, and female in today’s world. The special is directed by Michael Malone, an award-winning filmmaker and comedian whose credits include Comedy Central, Showtime, and FOX. A veteran of the industry, Michael currently leads the creative team at Brad Garrett Presents, the comedy production division of Brad Garrett’s Entertainment. Through his own company, Glass Hammer Productions, he has directed over a dozen stand-up specials and three acclaimed comedy documentaries." And here is more official information about Shanna: "Shanna Christmas was born and raised in Las Vegas. She is a stand up comedian, writer (Reductress, Insider), actor and producer who stands at 6’3’’ and played volleyball in college, despite much protest. Her comedy style has been described as 'Edgy/Classy' as she finds ways to speak about complicated issues that can offend, but she’s so charming that you can’t be mad at her. Shanna has performed across North America, including Montreal and Edmonton in Canada. You can see her on Season 10 of 'Coming To The Stage' on Pluto TV. She has appeared in comedy festivals including the 208 Festival, Altercation Festival, Black Girl Giggles, Black Women In Comedy Festival (NY). She was Devil Cup Comedy Festiva Winner in 2018 and a finalist in the inaugural ABFF Comedy Fest in 2021. In addition to producing successful all black women stand up shows, Shanna Christmas was also a co-host of the 'Topical Smoothie' podcast. In 2021, She self published , and she can also be seen in a short film called, Dark Wolf Gang produced by the American Film Institute." We have a great chat! You can have a great listen! Thanks all! PS This is only the first HALF of our chat. For part two, subscribe via Apple Podcasts OR simply /episode/index/show/broccoliandicecream/id/36793910

384: Ahmed Khalaf and Hobble D. Hoy 05/23/2025

383: Rita Orlov and PostCurious 05/16/2025

382: Alex Rosenthal and Pandora's Legacy 05/10/2025

381: Charlotte Clymer and Good Faith Conversations 04/30/2025

380: Chris Nakis and Gonna Wanna 04/23/2025

379: Hattie Hayes and Reporter Quarterly 04/15/2025

378: Wax and Lifetime Achievement Award 04/07/2025

377: Lauren Hope Krass and Belly Laughs 03/30/2025

376: Nathaniel Allenby and the Cycle of Kindness 03/23/2025

375: Liz Glazer and the 375th Broccoli and Ice Cream Episode Numerical Gala Extravaganza! 03/13/2025

374: Maria Decotis and the Intimacy of the Sea 03/07/2025

373: Gregory Lay and Greg in LA 02/28/2025

373: Gregory Lay and Greg in LA Gregory Lay! Actor! Writer! Filmmaker! Producer! Friend! Delight! More! About "Greg in LA": "Greg in L.A." originally began as a series on Instagram, where it quickly garnered a dedicated following thanks to its relatable humor and authentic storytelling. The creators, Sean Daniel Cunningham and Gregory Lay, captured the ups and downs of modern life in a way that resonated with viewers, leading to organic growth across social media. It was during this rise that the founders of 800 Pound Gorilla Media discovered the series, captivated by its charm and potential. Recognizing the opportunity to bring the beloved show to a wider audience, they approached Cunningham and Lay to produce a new season, marking an exciting new chapter for "Greg in L.A." as it transitions from social media to scripted content on their platforms. Says Damion Greiman, co-founder of 800 Pound Gorilla Media: “We discovered Greg in L.A. on Instagram, and were immediately drawn to its quirky charm, heartwarming moments, and relatable humor. After speaking with producers Gregory Lay and Sean Cunningham, we realized they not only shared our vision for creating high-quality, hilarious content on a budget, but also had a strong desire to incorporate comedians into their show, making it the perfect choice for our first scripted project.” Created by Sean Daniel Cunningham and Gregory Lay, "Greg in L.A." follows the life of Greg, whose world is turned upside down when his wife unexpectedly leaves him and he loses his job—all within a single tumultuous week. As he navigates the vibrant yet bewildering landscape of Los Angeles, Greg finds solace in his loyal dog, Winston. Their occasional existential chats provide humor and depth to Greg's journey through awkward job interviews, dating misadventures, and the eclectic characters he meets along the way. Blending laughter with heartfelt moments, "Greg in L.A." captures the essence of self-discovery and the quest for connection in a rapidly changing world. With its unique blend of comedy and poignant storytelling, this series resonates with anyone searching for meaning in unexpected places. Join Greg as he embarks on a comedic journey filled with heart, humor, and the pursuit of a fresh start in the City of Angels. Don’t miss out on the laughter and life lessons in this captivating series. We have a great chat! You can have a great listen! AND this is only the first HALF of our chat. For part two, subscribe via Apple Podcasts OR merely /episode/index/show/broccoliandicecream/id/35482380

372: Becky Braunstein and From the Basement to the Stage 02/21/2025

371: Andrew Heaton and Tribalism Is Dumb 02/14/2025

370: Andrea Jones-Rooy and Behind the Data 02/07/2025

370: Andrea Jones-Rooy and Behind the Data Andrea Jones-Rooy! Comedian! Scientist! Podcaster! Circus performer! Friend! Delight! More! Want more information? Well, you've come to the right place: ABOUT ANDREA JONES-ROOY Ph.D.: Andrea Jones-Rooy is a unique voice who combines science with comedy to empower audiences of any education level to utilize data and tools accessible to all. AJR helps people learn to cut through the noise, better understand our world, and emboldens them to act. AJR holds a Ph.D. in political science from the University of Michigan. Formerly a professor of data science at NYU and a quantitative researcher at FiveThirtyEight, Andrea speaks and trains globally at organizations that include Fortune 500s, tech companies, and the UN, on how to apply data science to their toughest problems. She currently hosts the podcast , and previously hosted the podcast . AJR is also a stand-up comedian and circus performer, although she has done neither at the UN (yet). ABOUT THE PODCAST "BEHIND THE DATA" (SEASON 2 COMING SOON) Data is all around us, and it powers a lot of our world, but where does it come from? Who collects it? How do we know if it’s any good? Each week data scientist and standup comedian Andrea Jones-Rooy, Ph.D. brings you a new story about the humans and decisions behind important data that influences our lives - from political polls to measures of democracy, from tracking happiness around the world to powering AI. Join us on a journey to understand why making sense of the world depends not just on our ability to analyze it, but on the data we source in the first place. At the heart of any data that matters are real human stories about why we care about what we do. For example, crime data describes ‘reported crime’, which is different from (and less-than) ‘actual crime’. The two deviate to differing extents for different crimes - auto theft has a high rate of reporting due to insurance claims, while rape is horrifyingly underreported. Andrea Jones-Rooy will discuss how to navigate this churning ocean of data in which we are all swimming (whether we want to or not). Joined by weekly expert guests, Andrea will bring her signature engaging style to investigate the ways data on polling, crime, jobs, movies, fitness, medicine, democracy, and happiness are created, and help us to understand what we can and cannot (yet) learn from it. If you are affected by ANY of these subjects (you are), you’re not going to want to miss this podcast! Season 1 guests include: Dhrumil Mehta, Journalism professor at Columbia University, formerly database journalist at Nate Silver’s FiveThirtyEight Ben Casselman, New York Times economics and business reporter Christie Aschwanden, science journalist and author of the NYT bestselling book, Good to Go: What the Athlete in All of Us Can Learn from the Strange Science of Discovery Dr. Steven Novella, clinical neurologist and host The Skeptics’ Guide to the Universe podcast Walt Hickey, pulitzer prize winning data journalist, author You Are What You Watch: How Movies and TV Affect Everything, creator and writer Numlock News And more! Behind the Data is produced as part of the Daily Tech News Show (DTNS) network, which is dedicated to providing news about technology that is easy to understand. With a unique blend of ‘smartypants’ comedy and actual science, Andrea seeks to help listeners understand how data shapes the world, and to teach everybody (not just scientists) to use data to inform their thinking. Remember, data doesn’t have to be a four letter word! ABOUT THE PODCAST CONVERSATION BETWEEN ME AND ANDREA: It is fun! Please enjoy! And this is only the first HALF of our conversation. For part two, subscribe via Apple Podcasts OR /episode/index/show/broccoliandicecream/id/35191390

Broccoli and Ice Cream with Myq Kaplan

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