From Pain to Punchlines with Mike Williams

Mike Williams: From Pain to Punchlines — A Comedian’s Testimony of Faith, Forgiveness & Calling | Code Red Podcast

Christian comedian and evangelist Mike Williams sits down with Pastor Zach Terry to share a raw, redemptive story: a violent home, a providential adoption (thanks to a mailman named Harry), a salvation moment in a ’67 Chevy Impala, and how laughter became survival—then ministry. We dig into the “math” of comedy, clean vs. edgy scenes, Dry Bar, why many comics battle depression, and how the gospel reframes pain into purpose.

What you’ll hear:

• A powerful adoption & salvation story

• How abuse, addiction, and chaos shaped a calling

• The craft of comedy: long setups, big payoffs

• Clean comedy’s rise & serving the Church with humor

• Forgiveness, Romans 8:28, and healing over time

• Practical ministry: CUPS Mission, books, & marriage events

Chapters:

00:00 – Cold open: “Keep him singing, keep him laughing”
00:39 – Intro: Who Mike Williams is & why he matters
03:25 – Chicago roots: Loss, violence, adoption begins
07:54 – Harry the mailman: A providential path to a Baptist home
12:43 – ’67 Impala: Mike’s salvation story on the side of the road
14:27 – Shattered world: Injuries, corruption, and fleeing to Gary, IN
18:11 – Addiction & abuse: When laughter becomes survival
26:17 – Humor & hope: “Tragedy + time” and Romans 8:28
35:57 – Calling confirmed: First gigs, Daytona breakout (Casting Crowns/Jessica Simpson)
43:12 – The comedy “math”: Long setup → huge payoff
58:16 – Why comics hurt: Stage as “the drug,” and learning forgiveness
01:14:51 – Next steps: Book Mike, CUPS Mission, and his books

About Mike

• Booking: MikeWilliamsComedy.com

• Missions: CUPS Mission (Dominican Republic, Malawi, Mexico City)

• Books mentioned: Holding Someday, Kidnapped, If Men Are from Mars… How Can I Live Happily with This Alien? (marriage)

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