Joking Not Joking
Comedians Mo Amer and Azhar Usman ask the big questions the modern world makes you forget. Are we living in a simulation? What is money? What is life after death? They get real when it gets uncomfortable and funny when it gets serious. Are they joking . . . or not? New episodes drop every Thursday.
Episodes
[Encore episode] Actor Quintessa Swindwell (Trinkets, Prime Target [forthcoming], and Black Adam) and the hosts get into one of the core questions of The Lexicon: What *is* realness? Can we find objective truth in the modern world? How do we remain authentic to ourselves, while steering clear of counterfeit truth claims? The trio goes deep, buckle up.
ORIGINAL AUDIO PRODUCTION, MUSIC & SOUND DESIGN BY SALT
Executive Produced ...
[This encore episode releases in honor of an epic year for Ramy Youssef (starring in the Oscar-nominated film Poor Things, guest-directing an episode of Emmy-nominated series The Bear, releasing his film Ramy Youssef: More Feelings, speaking out on behalf of people suffering in the Middle East and more)]
Do most people live in a state of ‘death denial’? Should we all aspire to live to a healthy 102; or shoot for a more modest, albei...
Born Ricky D. Mitchell in Berkeley, CA in 1956, Imam Zaid Shakir converted to Islam in 1977 while serving in the United States Air Force. He studied the religion of Islam extensively, and today is popularly regarded as “America’s Imam,” and one of the most prominent Muslim preachers alive. Imam Zaid was Muhammad Ali’s spiritual leader, guide, and dear friend, and was whispering prayers into his ear in his hospital room when he pass...
Comedians Ahamed Weinberg and Paul Elia are back with Mo & AZ to discuss Clown School: how it’s affected Ahamed’s standup routine, and how it shaped his rise as a comedian in Los Angeles. Clown is fast emerging as a fourth genre of comedy (after standup, sketch, and improv). Also: a message for Bill Cosby (Spoiler: the disgraced legend may owe Mo a significant payment for alleged joke theft).
Guests: Ahamed Weinberg, Paul Elia
Mo and AZ are joined by Grammy-nominated rapper, singer, and actor Tobe Nwigwe and filmmaker, producer, and screenwriter Bassam Tariq to discuss Alief: what it was like growing up in a suburb of Houston, and its lasting impact on who they are today. Alief (aka “SWAT” - Southwest Alief Texas) also gave the world Beyoncé, Lizzo, and a bunch of other artists and entertainers. Is there something in the water?
Guests: Tobe Nwigwe, Ba...
Mo’s hit Netflix show “MO” is making waves globally, and people are talking. Fellow comedian Paul Elia (Conan, Ramy, Lowkey Comedy) joins Mo and AZ to further discuss their backstories, and the process of the Come Up. Palestine-based standup phenom Adi Khalefa delivers a dispatch from the Arab streets.
Guests: Paul Elia, Adi Khalefa
ORIGINAL AUDIO PRODUCTION, MUSIC & SOUND DESIGN BY SALT
Executive Produced by Mo Amer...
“Making it” in show biz is different for everyone. Mo shares the story behind his rise in the entertainment industry: from doing standup in high school to becoming a nationally, then internationally, touring comedian and award-winning actor/creator. AZ shares a bit about his own winding path–from lawyer to startup founder to comic–and the duo reminisce about their proverbial Come Up.
ORIGINAL AUDIO PRODUCTION, MUSIC & SOUND DESI...
Aristotle said: “It is the mark of an educated mind to entertain a thought without accepting it.” Mo and AZ discuss some known, and many lesser-known, conspiracies. But let’s be clear: AZ doesn’t believe in conspiracy theories; he believes in conspiracy facts. (For example, it turns out Aristotle never said that fake quote above. Seriously, Google it.)
ORIGINAL AUDIO PRODUCTION, MUSIC & SOUND DESIGN BY SALT
Executive Produced...
OOPSIE DOOPSIE! Seems like the U.S. Military might have accidentally, kinda, sorta maybe, allegedly misplaced trillions of dollars?! Comedian Amir K joins Mo and AZ, as they call up serial tech entrepreneur and Silicon Valley insider Furqan Rydhan (www.f.inc) to get the inside scoop on money: What does it really buy us (besides, like, nice cars and cool stuff)?
Guests: Amir K, Furqan Rydhan
More Info:
Article: “U.S. Army Fudge...
Mo and AZ discuss what’s happening to culture, as technology and interconnectedness continue to shrink the world. Also, we get a throwback to September 2001, when AZ felt the need to check Oprah as to whether America is a ‘melting pot’ or a ‘salad bowl’—on live TV. Finally, “Ozzie Patel” is concerned about his depressed dog and calls up psychic reader Donna.
ORIGINAL AUDIO PRODUCTION, MUSIC & SOUND DESIGN BY SALT
Executive Pr...
Relationship concerns? They got you. Time travel? Absolutely worth discussing. Aliens? Get ready for the hottest takes. Taped recently at a secret location in Houston, TX, this episode features Mo and AZ delivering incredible answers to the questions you didn't even know you had. [Originally recorded and published in September, 2023]
Joking Not Joking is a Luminary Original, and a co-production between SALT, Legally Hom...
Does anything mean anything? If so, how do we know? And if all we have are words to define other words, what is the origin of language itself? Poet Amir Sulaiman and rapper Brother Ali are back with Mo and AZ to discuss the origins of the universe, language evolution, and, well, everything.
Guests: Amir Sulaiman, Brother Ali
ORIGINAL AUDIO PRODUCTION, MUSIC & SOUND DESIGN BY SALT
Executive Produced by Mo Amer, Azhar ...
ENERGY VACUUM! AZ calls up a man whom The New Yorker described as “perhaps the most influential Islamic scholar in the Western world,” but forgets to mention that the call is being recorded. <click> Can Mo ever forgive the blunder? Comedian Amir K joins the guys as they catch up with their dear friend and collaborator, indie rap pioneer and host of The Travelers Podcast, Brother Ali.
Guests: Amir K, Brother Ali
OR...
Mo, AZ, the Professor, and Guruji discuss the pornification of the modern world—its impact on society, mental health, and how it affects dating, marriage, and relationships today. The genie’s out of the bottle, and in everyone’s pocket.
More Info:
Book: Pornified: How Pornography Is Damaging Our Lives, Our Relationships, and Our Families by Pamela Paul (Henry Holt & Company: 2005)
Mo and AZ razz Lebanese-Canadian standup comedian, actor, and dear friend Dave Merheje (Ramy, Sometimes I Think About Dying) on not only being from Canada, but wanting to move back. Their roast of Canada takes a very important, very relevant pit stop on their journey towards Realness.
Guest: Dave Merheje
ORIGINAL AUDIO PRODUCTION, MUSIC & SOUND DESIGN BY SALT
Executive Produced by Mo Amer, Azhar Usman, Noah Gersh, Jamie Sc...
Elon Musk supposedly believes in Nick Bostrom’s “Simulation Hypothesis,” the notion that we are living in a hyper-realistic computer simulation. Are we? Mo and AZ consult with 3x Grammy-nominated poet and Marvel screenwriter Amir Sulaiman about whether we’re currently, at this moment, right now, living in a simulation, or if it’s just a mindf*ck of a situation. Enjoy “The Simulation Song” and plan to listen to this uber-trippy, min...
Actor Quintessa Swindwell (Black Adam, Trinkets) and the hosts get into one of the core questions of The Lexicon: What *is* realness? Can we find objective truth in the modern world? How do we remain authentic to ourselves, while steering clear of counterfeit truth claims?
Guest: Quintessa Swindell
ORIGINAL AUDIO PRODUCTION, MUSIC & SOUND DESIGN BY SALT
Executive Produced by Mo Amer, Azhar Usman, Noah Gersh, Jamie Sc...
Mo, AZ, and comedian Ahamed Weinberg discuss the demonic forces they’ve encountered in childhood basements, AirBnBs, and at Coachella!? Comedian homie Paul Elia also chimes in. Oh, and Bollywood agent “Ozzie Patel” calls up the Church of Scientology Celebrity Centre International with some questions re: devil worship.
Guests: Ahamed Weinberg, Paul Elia
ORIGINAL AUDIO PRODUCTION, MUSIC & SOUND DESIGN BY SALT
Executive Produ...
Do most people live in a state of ‘death denial’? Should we all aspire to live to a healthy 102; or shoot for a more modest, albeit blessed, 63 years? Are therapy, astrology, and deep breathing the keys to a longer, happier life? Actor, comedian, and writer Ramy Youssef joins Mo and AZ for some light AF banter.
Guest: Ramy Youssef
ORIGINAL AUDIO PRODUCTION, MUSIC & SOUND DESIGN BY SALT
Executive Produced by Mo Amer, Azhar Usman, N...
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