Holmberg's Morning Sickness - Arizona Episode: January 23, 2025 - Josh Wolf - Stand Up Live And Tempe Improv - In Studio Host: John Holmberg
Guest: Josh Wolf
Release Date: January 23, 2025

1. Introduction and Event Announcements [00:00 - 00:31]

The episode kicks off with host John Holmberg promoting upcoming comedy shows across various venues in Arizona. He highlights performances at Tempe Improv featuring Paul Versey and Beth Stelling, Desert Ridge Improv with Sarah Weinschenk and Joe Derosa, and Stand Up Live showcasing Lil Rel. Listeners are encouraged to purchase tickets through the respective websites.

2. Promotional Segment and Light Banter [00:31 - 02:25]

Josh Wolf interjects with a promotion for the Core Institute, sharing a testimonial about overcoming pain and encouraging listeners to seek expert help. This segment includes humorous exchanges about the advertisement's content, leading into discussions about upcoming shows:

• Josh Wolf: "Josh Wolf has joined us. He's at Stand Up Live tonight at 7:30. You can go tonight to your show downtown." [00:58]
• Comedian: "Yeah. That's right." [01:30]

The conversation seamlessly transitions into planning for future performances at Stand Up Live and Tempe Improv, with playful remarks about indulging in humor.

3. The Impact of Psychedelics on Comedy Performance [02:25 - 07:03]

Josh Wolf delves into his unique approach to stand-up comedy, candidly discussing his use of mushrooms before performances. This segment explores the interplay between altered states of consciousness and comedic creativity:

• Comedian: "Every Friday late show, I take like three grams and go on stage." [01:51]
• Josh Wolf: "That's a lot. 3 grams is a..." [23:00]

They debate the merits and challenges of performing under the influence, with Josh highlighting the spontaneity it brings:

• Comedian: "Some people ask me questions about my career, about my act. Some people ask me opinions. Some people ask me, you know, advice." [10:07]
• Josh Wolf: "The brilliance of crowd work is just keep it in remembering names. I always find that some of them are great setups." [10:53]

4. Personal Struggles and Family Dynamics [07:03 - 13:06]

The discussion shifts to more personal territories as the comedian shares his experiences with addiction and his relationship with his son:

• Comedian: "I went sober with him for three months, and then I was like, this is boring." [05:12]
• Josh Wolf: "I always say that to people. Like, if your kids are drugged, it's your fault." [05:48]

They explore the complexities of overcoming addiction, the influence of parental behavior, and the humorous side of navigating sobriety within the family framework.

5. Workplace Policies and Freedom of Speech in Comedy [13:06 - 19:54]

Addressing societal norms, Josh and the comedian discuss the evolving landscape of permissible humor in the workplace and public spheres:

• Comedian: "You're allowed to tell a Mexican joke now. You won't lose your job before." [11:56]
• Josh Wolf: "Or huev." [12:14]

They critique restrictive workplace guidelines and advocate for greater freedom in comedic expression, highlighting the balance between humor and sensitivity.

6. Humorous Anecdotes and Stand-Up Experiences [19:54 - 25:04]

The duo shares a series of offbeat and humorous stories, touching on personal grooming mishaps and the dynamics of performing comedy with family members:

• Josh Wolf: "I was discussing how I'm bad at shaving my balls. I don't. It looks like a werewolf and a half moon." [12:26]
• Comedian: "We did a show called Family Tussle where we challenged each other to stuff." [16:15]

These anecdotes provide insight into the lighter, more irreverent side of stand-up comedy, emphasizing the importance of personal experiences in shaping comedic material.

7. Closing Remarks and Final Promotions [25:04 - 27:20]

As the episode wraps up, Josh and the comedian continue their playful banter, reflecting on their collaborative performances and teasing future content:

• Josh Wolf: "You two shouldn't be allowed to hang out to him. I don't know if CPS can get involved at 27, but they need to." [21:45]
• Comedian: "But it is a good time." [25:07]

They reiterate details about upcoming shows at Stand Up Live and Tempe Improv, encouraging listeners to attend and engage with their comedic endeavors.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Josh Wolf: "We're bitter about weddings right here in the room." [01:16]
• Comedian: "I have people come to multiple shows over the weekend." [03:56]
• Josh Wolf: "Everybody keeps calling the guy they don't like Hitler. And I just don't think he's coming back." [11:38]
• Comedian: "I've been open about smoking weed and taking mushrooms and that's it." [06:22]
• Josh Wolf: "The brilliance of crowd work is just keep it in remembering names." [10:53]
• Comedian: "I made my son stand at the bottom end." [17:34]
• Josh Wolf: "That's the reason this is still appealing to me is because every day is new." [09:55]

Conclusion

This episode of Holmberg's Morning Sickness offers a blend of promotional content, personal anecdotes, and insightful discussions on the art of comedy. Through candid conversations with Josh Wolf, listeners gain an understanding of the nuanced balance between humor, personal struggles, and societal norms. The episode underscores the dynamic nature of stand-up comedy and the personal experiences that fuel it, all while maintaining a lighthearted and engaging atmosphere.