She Shed Comedy: Empowering Your Comedy Career

She Shed Comedy began as a service project to educate and empower women pursuing a career in comedy by sharing stories and wisdom from women who are currently working in entertainment. It is our mission to serve these women through lighthearted, soulful, and meaningful conversations with working women in entertainment; as such, this show will serve as a platform for female comedians to share their stories, wisdom, and insights and be a guiding Light for aspiring female comedians. To that end, our wish is to cultivate a sacred and safe space for our truth to shine. We Will Laugh, We Will Cry, and Together - We Will Rise. Come along for the ride and have a listen.

S2E18: REPLAY: Why Letting Your Set BREATHE (by doing THIS) is So Important 12/30/2022

S2E17: REPLAY: The Best Nuggets From Season 1 12/23/2022

S2E16: REPLAY: Going PRO - What It Means To Be A Professional Comedian 12/16/2022

S2E15: REPLAY: Pt2 Going From A Tight 5 to Tight 7 - Deconstructing My 7 Min Set 12/09/2022

S2E14: REPLAY: Going From A Tight 5 To A Tight 7 - Deconstructing My 5 Min Set 12/02/2022

S2E14: REPLAY: Going From A Tight 5 To A Tight 7 - Deconstructing My 5 Min Set Every comic starts out with a five-minute set or what the industry refers to as a ‘tight five’. This tight five will evolve over time and eventually expand into a seven-minute set, then a 15-minute set, then a 45-minute set, and so on. Since Linda started performing, her set has evolved constantly, with minor tweaks from show to show. Today, we deconstruct her tight five and take a look at how she put her set together to get it as tight and structurally cohesive as possible. This episode offers insight into the methodology behind crafting a set using Linda’s performance from the Pretty Funny Women show in May 2022 as an example. We take a look at the essential elements of this tight five, from setups to callbacks, and share some tips for cutting the fat (and keeping the laughs coming!) If you’re in your head, you’re not connecting with your audience. That’s why we want to help you get so comfortable with preparation, precision, and timing that you don't even have to think about it in the moment. Tune in today for all this and more! Topics discussed in this episode: A cringe-worthy bombing experience (and what you can learn from it) The methodology and intention that goes into crafting a set Linda’s tight five from the Pretty Funny Women show in May 2022 Benefits of recording your live performances An understanding of word economy and sticky phrases Tips for getting a laugh within the first three seconds Creative context, setups, educational bits, and the rule of three Why you should keep a running tab of funny observations Deconstructing the set piece and the callback How to play on the assumptions of your audience A reminder that every set is a work in progress Giving your audience permission to laugh Your 2-in-1 self-care and personal development prompt This week’s recommended comedy prompt on Netflix Want to watch Linda bomb and see how far she has come? Take a look at her (and prepare to cringe!) Recommended Resources: For more episodes, ! Connect with Linda Schwartz: /episode/index/show/sheshedcomedy/id/24916692

S2E13: REPLAY: Bombing Pt 1: Why You Must Embrace This To Get Better 11/25/2022

S2E12: REPLAY: How To Mine Your Life For Comedic Gold 11/18/2022

S2E12: REPLAY: How To Mine Your Life For Comedic Gold We’ve heard this from women time and time again, “I don’t want to become my mother”. This begs the question, why are mother-daughter relationships so complicated? This is a tricky question, especially if you’ve grown up with a mother who was abusive, narcissistic, and neglectful. As a comic, you would think, wow, these traumatic events could be comedic gold, because comedy equals tragedy plus time right? Well, there is a missing piece to this equation, and that is the part in between tragedy and time, which is, reconciliation. To not retraumatize yourself as a comic, and actually convert your tragedy into comedy in a cathartic way, the healing and breakthroughs need to happen before you hit the stage armed with anecdotes about your trauma. This is what Linda discovered after a trip to Bali that changed her life forever. After living a life of resentment toward her mother, when Linda returned from Bali she decided it was time to reconcile once and for all, because she knew her future was living on the other side of healing her mother wound.After a ton of perseverance, Linda was able to make amends with her mother that allowed for a deep healing, not only in her relationship with her mother, but within herself too. This type of healing takes ripping through triggers and fear that have been solidified for years and making bold courageous moves in the direction that is in alignment with your highest self. Maybe that alignment is on the other side of a really tough conversation.Tune in to hear Linda’s story of how she broke through 31 years of resentment and trauma with one conversation which has made her the comic she is today. Topics discussed in this episode: Linda’s past relationship with her mother How a spiritual trip to Bali changed Linda’s perspective Linda’s doubts around reconciling with her mother What made Linda persevere in fixing her relationship with her mother The conversation that turned things around What happened after the breakthrough The beauty of healing pain and turning it into comedy A writing exercise Weekly self care and personal development prompt Connect with Linda Schwartz: /episode/index/show/sheshedcomedy/id/24916653

S2E11: REPLAY: Funny Mom? Start Here… This Episode is For YOU. 11/11/2022

S2E11: REPLAY: Funny Mom? Start Here… This Episode is For YOU. “You can’t pour from an empty cup”, is a quote our host Linda Schwartz now lives by. Linda lived this reality when realizing she had abandoned herself and her creative pursuits after diving headfirst into motherhood. However, being a mother and a wife doesn’t mean you stop being you. This is a fact Linda wants to drive home to you listeners by hearing her journey how she came back to herself to become the comic she is today. In today’s episode, Linda gives her backstory of becoming a mother and living with guilt and regret only to realize at the age of 40 that she wasn’t fulfilled and wanted to do something about it. She took action toward what she knew was true to her and is now booking shows all over San Diego and LA. This episode is particularly for all the mothers out there. She wants you to know, you are doing a great job, regardless of what you keep telling yourself, and that you can fulfill your dreams. It’s actually so important that you do because it can only benefit your family in the long run, because well, you can’t pour from an empty cup, and your family deserves the best version of you. Better yet, you deserve the best version of you. Tune in to hear an inspiring story packed with a 3 point framework you can use to change your mindset as well as tips to get you there. There is also an activity at the end of the episode that you don’t want to miss! Topics discussed in this episode: Why Linda held off on her career as a comic How family obligations took center stage Intrusive thoughts of guilt and regret What inspired Linda to start comedy again 3 things all creative moms need The benefits of implementing this framework 3 tips on self care, personal development, and comedy Take home activity Jim Carrey’s motivational speech . Connect with Linda Schwartz: /episode/index/show/sheshedcomedy/id/24916647

S2E10: News News News: NEW YORK & Holiday Hiatus 11/04/2022

S2E9: Pausing: Why Letting Your Set Breathe(by doing THIS) Is So Important 10/28/2022

S2E8: The Best Nuggets From Season 1 10/21/2022

S2E7: Going PRO What It Means To Be A Professional Comedian 10/14/2022

S2E6: Expanding Your Set, Going From A Tight 5 to 7 Deconstruction Pt2 10/07/2022

S2E5: Going From a Tight 5 To A Tight 7 - Deconstructing my Tight 5 Pt 1 10/01/2022

S2E5: Going From a Tight 5 To A Tight 7 - Deconstructing my Tight 5 Pt 1 Every comic starts out with a five-minute set or what the industry refers to as a ‘tight five’. This tight five will evolve over time and eventually expand into a seven-minute set, then a 15-minute set, then a 45-minute set, and so on. Since Linda started performing, her set has evolved constantly, with minor tweaks from show to show. Today, we deconstruct her tight five and take a look at how she put her set together to get it as tight and structurally cohesive as possible. This episode offers insight into the methodology behind crafting a set using Linda’s performance from the Pretty Funny Women show in May 2022 as an example. We take a look at the essential elements of this tight five, from setups to callbacks, and share some tips for cutting the fat (and keeping the laughs coming!) If you’re in your head, you’re not connecting with your audience. That’s why we want to help you get so comfortable with preparation, precision, and timing that you don't even have to think about it in the moment. Tune in today for all this and more! Topics discussed in this episode: A cringe-worthy bombing experience (and what you can learn from it) The methodology and intention that goes into crafting a set Linda’s tight five from the Pretty Funny Women show in May 2022 Benefits of recording your live performances An understanding of word economy and sticky phrases Tips for getting a laugh within the first three seconds Creative context, setups, educational bits, and the rule of three Why you should keep a running tab of funny observations Deconstructing the set piece and the callback How to play on the assumptions of your audience A reminder that every set is a work in progress Giving your audience permission to laugh Your 2-in-1 self-care and personal development prompt This week’s recommended comedy prompt on Netflix Want to watch Linda bomb and see how far she has come? Take a look at her (and prepare to cringe!) Recommended Resources: For more episodes, ! Connect with Linda Schwartz: /episode/index/show/sheshedcomedy/id/24403671

S2E4: Bombing Pt2: An Audience Member's Perspective 09/23/2022

S2E3: Bombing Pt 1: Why You Must Embrace This To Get Better 09/16/2022

S2E2: How To Mine Your Life For Comedic Gold 09/09/2022

S2E2: How To Mine Your Life For Comedic Gold We’ve heard this from women time and time again, “I don’t want to become my mother”. This begs the question, why are mother-daughter relationships so complicated? This is a tricky question, especially if you’ve grown up with a mother who was abusive, narcissistic, and neglectful. As a comic, you would think, wow, these traumatic events could be comedic gold, because comedy equals tragedy plus time right? Well, there is a missing piece to this equation, and that is the part in between tragedy and time, which is, reconciliation. To not retraumatize yourself as a comic, and actually convert your tragedy into comedy in a cathartic way, the healing and breakthroughs need to happen before you hit the stage armed with anecdotes about your trauma. This is what Linda discovered after a trip to Bali that changed her life forever. After living a life of resentment toward her mother, when Linda returned from Bali she decided it was time to reconcile once and for all, because she knew her future was living on the other side of healing her mother wound.After a ton of perseverance, Linda was able to make amends with her mother that allowed for a deep healing, not only in her relationship with her mother, but within herself too. This type of healing takes ripping through triggers and fear that have been solidified for years and making bold courageous moves in the direction that is in alignment with your highest self. Maybe that alignment is on the other side of a really tough conversation.Tune in to hear Linda’s story of how she broke through 31 years of resentment and trauma with one conversation which has made her the comic she is today. Topics discussed in this episode: Linda’s past relationship with her mother How a spiritual trip to Bali changed Linda’s perspective Linda’s doubts around reconciling with her mother What made Linda persevere in fixing her relationship with her mother The conversation that turned things around What happened after the breakthrough The beauty of healing pain and turning it into comedy A writing exercise Weekly self care and personal development prompt Connect with Linda Schwartz: /episode/index/show/sheshedcomedy/id/24288339

S2E1: Funny Mom? Start Here! This Episode is FOR YOU! 09/02/2022

E30: Your Uniqueness Is Your Biggest Creative Asset - Anastasia Washington 08/26/2022

E29: Not Heavily Connected In The Industry? You Must Do THIS - Summer Moore 08/19/2022

E28: The Importance of Knowing Who You Are & Trusting Your Instinct 08/12/2022

E27: Take A Chance on THIS and The Rest Will Take Care of Itself - Kalea McNeill | Stand Up Comic 08/05/2022

E27: Take A Chance on THIS and The Rest Will Take Care of Itself - Kalea McNeill | Stand Up Comic “If you continue to operate at a level of excellence, then someone is gonna figure you out.” - Kalea McNeil Creating connection, being personable, and being authentic, are not the first things you think about when you think of surviving the comedy circuit. The industry is known to be cut throat, so you would think you would need to meet it with the same energy. However, being a jerk, won’t get you very far in any industry. People want to book comics who they like, who they can sit down and have a beer with. Being self-aware and real can take you places being a jerk never could, because let's face it, there are a lot of funny people that want to be comics, but aren’t anywhere to be found. This is such a shame, however, our guest on today’s episode realized this early on, and it has helped propel her career forward by just being genuine. It also helps that she is incredibly hilarious too! With a bachelor's degree in theater arts from Clark Atlanta University, guest star on many popular television shows, and has performed at her fair share of legendary comedy clubs, actor and stand up comedian Kalea McNeil joins us on today's episode to talk about her journey to comedy. Specifically how she navigated the murky waters of the comedy scene by being unapologetically herself and making genuine connections with the right people. This has landed her some big gigs, and has helped her to produce her own shows. She is a force in the scene with some great advice for anyone new or seasoned comic. Topics discussed in this episode: How Kalea got into comedy Spiritual kick in the pants to move forward The moments of affirmation that helped Kalea move forward in comedy The importance of being personable and kind when networking How creating genuine connections can take you far in comedy What life is like on the road like for a comic One of the biggest lessons Kalea has learned as a comic Making sure the people around you are elevating you How Kalea created her own shows after abandoning open mics Benefits of using bullet points when writing for comedy Connect with Kalea: Connect with Linda Schwartz: Visit and use coupon code “SHESHED” for discounts on live comedy shows in your area! /episode/index/show/sheshedcomedy/id/23500694

E26: Embracing the Stage at 61 - Ruth Brandt | Stand Up Comic 07/29/2022

E26: Embracing the Stage at 61 - Ruth Brandt | Stand Up Comic “I'm giving a message, from myself to others who don't know me. So I want my message to be authentic and I wanna be the best version of myself when I'm speaking” - Ruth Brant Becoming a comic doesn’t have to be a childhood dream, it can sometimes grow into a passion when you accidentally stumble into your own genius and realize, “hey, I’m funny!”. Call it serendipity, a calling, natural ability, whatever it is, if you feel inspired to make people laugh, no matter what stage of your life, DO IT! It would be a disservice to yourself and others not to.The funniest people are the ones in comedy for no reasons other than its fun and they see the hilarity in the mundane. If this sounds like you, it’s time to write down those jokes living in your head and get them out there! If you’re still on the fence, then be sure to tune in to today’s episode to meet one of the most authentic and naturally hilarious comics Ruth Brandt, who didn’t even know she wanted to do comedy until she, well, became one. Ruth is an LA based comedian who decided to write a story, and the story ended up being pretty funny. After performing and winning a competition for her comedic monologue, she has been performing for audiences in Southern California and New York. Her story is inspiring, and has some beautiful insights to share about healing trauma through comedy. Tune in to hear how Ruth became a successful comedian in a short period of time while enjoying every second of her journey. Topics discussed in this episode: How Ruth got into comedy The cathartic experience through comedy Sense of community through comedy Where Ruth finds inspiration for her material Ruth’s thoughts on dealing with trauma through comedy How Ruth structures her jokes in a set Where Ruth gets her confidence on stage Lessons in humility on an bad night on stage What keeps Ruth going in this industry Biggest lesson Ruth has learned in comedy Connect with Ruth Brandt: Connect with Linda Schwartz: Visit and use coupon code “SHESHED” for discounts on live comedy shows in your area! /episode/index/show/sheshedcomedy/id/23500673

E25: Connecting w/Your Audience - Lin Sun | Stand Up Comic | 07/22/2022

E25: Connecting w/Your Audience - Lin Sun | Stand Up Comic | “You are your own big break. You can make your own opportunities. It doesn't take a million people to believe in you. It just takes one person.” - Lin Sun Being a mother is one of the hardest jobs in the world. It can also be the motivating factor to start a comedy career. This is what our guest on today’s episode experienced after giving birth to her son. She created an outlet for herself in being a comic and became an absolute powerhouse. So much so that she now has a 30 minute special on Peacock! She also went viral on laugh factory’s instagram, getting over one million views on her video. Lin Sun joins us on today’s episode to share some laughs and advice for young comics and women trying to make it in this male dominated industry. From stories about her super interesting past, to how she got her big break, Lin gives us an authentic look into what it takes to make it in comedy by being yourself, connecting to the audience, and allowing yourself to be vulnerable. As well as a discussion about healing through the process of learning to become a comic and the personal development that inevitably happens along the way. Tune in to hear useful tips from someone who has been there and done that, or just to hear Lin’s infectious laugh! Topics discussed in this episode: Lin’s advice on how to connect to the audience The power of the pause Advice for new comics about new material How Lin got into comedy Importance of comedy classes How Lin’s comedy special came about Lin’s biggest lessons in comedy Different jokes for different mediums Comedy as a healing modality Vulnerability as a comic How Lin got into producing Tips for women comics in a male dominated industry Connect with Lin: Watch Lin Sun’s comedy special Comedy InvAsian for FREE on ! Connect with Linda Schwartz: Visit and use coupon code “SHESHED” for discounts on live comedy shows in your area! /episode/index/show/sheshedcomedy/id/23500649

E24: To Win As A Woman Comic, We Must BE... - Lace Larrabee | Stand Up Comic | 07/15/2022

E24: To Win As A Woman Comic, We Must BE... - Lace Larrabee | Stand Up Comic | Making it in comedy can be tricky, especially if you’re a woman. Navigating the male dominated industry, along with the outdated perspectives of what it means to be a female comic, can create invisible barriers around entering and/or staying in the scene. Women are funny. Hilarious even. It would be a disservice to the art to stop any woman from doing comedy. We need women in the circuit. So how do we combat this outdated, untrue, bias of thinking only men are funny enough to do comedy? This is what our guest on today’s show is here to talk about and she has a great solution! Join us in conversation today with the brilliantly talented, co-host of hit podcast Cheaties, creator of the super successful Laugh Lab in Atlanta, Georgia, former beauty queen, and you may have also seen her on Netflix, Lace Larrabee. Coming off an insanely successful show (our host can’t stop raving about it), Lace joins us to talk about her experience creating an album and special, while also dealing with gender biases in the scene. She also talks about what she’s doing to combat it, which is starting Laugh Lab for women. Her goal is to arm women comics with the education and tools to enter into the comedy arena and remain there. This is a fun and empowering conversation that will be sure to inspire any woman or girl to try their hand at comedy! Topics discussed in this episode: Lace’s journey creating an album How being cheated on was the catalyst for a podcast What is taught in a Laugh Lab comedy class Why she started Laugh Lab for women Sexism in the comedy circuit Tips for new comics Why it's important for women to stay immersed in comedy The power of preparation and education Info about module offerings Connect with Lace: Listen to Lace co-host on the .To learn more about upcoming Laugh Lab classes go ! Connect with Linda Schwartz: Visit and use coupon code “SHESHED” for discounts on live comedy shows in your area! /episode/index/show/sheshedcomedy/id/23500613

E23: What Every New Comic Needs to Know - Alfie Noakes | MC/Promoter | 07/08/2022

E22: Command Presence: Make the Stage "Your House" - Aaron Thompson | Stand Up Comic 07/01/2022

E21: Update & The Future of She Shed Comedy - Linda Schwartz 06/24/2022

SSCS1E20: BUSINESS SERIES - Holley Mignosi Story Influencer - Storytelling & Your Body What Are You Saying 03/29/2019

SSCS1E19: BUSINESS SERIES - Patrina Wisdom Wealth Mentor Money & Why Your Relationship To It Is Holding You Back 03/22/2019

She Shed Comedy: Empowering Your Comedy Career

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