Tank Top Talks w/ Matt Braunger

Folks, here it is, your very first Tank Top Talks Live. We were lucky enough to record it at the incredible Toledano Street Comedy Festival in New Orleans. You know the hilarious Ian Karmel from All Fantasy Everything and stand-up, but you might not know Andrew Stephens, young founder of the amazing Sports Drink Comedy Club in Nola. In any event, this is the live podcast taping for people who don’t like live podcast tapings. Fair warning: Drinking was involved (but hey, it’s the Big Easy). Grab a daquiri and check it out! 

Jackie Kashian is a nice lady and friend/comedy hurricane. On the one hand, she’s a fun person to be around who is endlessly thoughtful and kind. On the other, she is a decades-working comedy legend with more jokes per second than anybody. She and I both share the tendency to talk, well, sometimes too fast onstage. Hey! We’re excited! Jackie joined me on TTT to talk comedy, our dream outfits, and why being a dork is f*&king cool.

You might know Lance Barber as George Cooper Sr. on the hit show Young Sheldon, but I know him as my buddy onstage and off from my Chicago days. We wrote a show together that we performed at the Second City in, ah, ’98? JFC where has the time gone? Since then he’s gone on to numerous roles, one wife, and two kids. We almost never see each other, so this was a rare chance to catch up and make fun of the silly dudes we used to be. Listen in and join the fun.

Drew Hancock is an old friend who was an absolute maniac for his art and it paid off. After working as a writer/director on a ton of things, he realized he wasn’t getting where he wanted to be and he spent a year on one script. After that year, he got new representation, sold the script, and even got the green light to direct what became “Companion.” He’s a great guy, a fantastic writer, and (most famously) played “Asshole Oates” of Hall & Oates on the web series Yacht Rock. If you are a writer or an actor or want to be in the biz, check this episode out (It’s low key a masterclass). 

Vinny Thomas blew the f&%k up online. A stand-up comic and member of the Second City Improv Theater in Chicago, his real success was found in TikTok and Instagram posts. Perhaps you’ve seen his ‘Cheryl Hines goes to brunch’? His online performances, combined with his touring act, got him cast on the hit show “Platonic” with Seth Rogen and Rose Byrne. I reached out to have him on the show because I’ve spent too much time watching him online and wanted to meet him, and he did not disappoint. His bath house story alone is worth the episode. Enjoy!

Gerald Meerschaert III (or GM3, as he’s known) is a husband, dad, gym owner, and a comedy nerd. He also holds the record for the most finishes in his weight class in the UFC (12) (!!). Unquestionably a bad ass, Gerald is also genuinely a hilarious guy. He doesn’t have any pretense or attitude about what he does, he just loves it and is good at it. We had a blast recording this one and I can’t wait for you to listen to it. GM3 rocks. 

My old friend-in-comedy-and-life Ricky Carmona is many things, not the least of which a good time. We first met doing stand-up in Chicago, just scraping by but loving it. To say we go way back doesn’t really scratch the surface. Ricky’s energy is contagious, and he BROUGHT IT to this recording. If you want an hour of a man on fire (via Cafecito y vida!), listen now. 

Skyler Higley’s comedy writing resume (The Onion, Conan, The Oscars, Comedy Central, more) is amazing for such a young dude. Every time I was a panelist on After Midnight, I asked to work with him, but I didn’t know much about him. Turns out he was raised by white Mormons (!!), or as he joking puts it “The enemy” lol. This was an extremely funny and fun one to do. Strap on your fave tank (it’s getting warmer soon, I swear!) and have a listen.