The Wildlings Podcast with Roleen Conn

In the very first episode of The Wildings Podcast, comedian Roleen Conn sits down with fellow comedians John Devlin and James Downey for an honest (and very funny) conversation about life in comedy — the highs, the lows, and the moments that don’t quite go to plan. From experiencing a full-on “death” on stage to figuring out how to get into the right mindset before a set, this episode dives into the reality of performing stand-up comedy in Northern Ireland. Sharing stories from the local comedy scene, including the nerves, unexpected challenges, and why sometimes performing music to a small crowd can feel more intimidating than doing stand-up in front of a packed room. They also chat about John Devlin’s rise through social media skits, the pressure (or lack of it) around telling bad jokes, and whether anyone really remembers when a set doesn’t land. Along the way, Roleen reflects on her own journey; from moving from South Africa to Northern Ireland, navigating comedy as a performer, and balancing it all with life as a mum. This episode is a mix of honest conversation, behind-the-scenes insight into stand-up comedy, and plenty of banter, including Roleen’s ongoing joke about how often she “dies” on stage. If you’re interested in stand-up comedy, the Northern Ireland comedy scene, life as a comedian, or just enjoy real conversations with a bit of humour, this is a great place to start.