May 26, 2025 • 32 mins
Lynn Harris never set out to revolutionize comedy, but when she found herself unable to stay awake for late-night performances, she transformed from comedian to "comedian enabler" by founding Gold Comedy. Her mission? Creating pathways to success for women and other underrepresented groups in an industry historically dominated by straight white men.
Gold Comedy operates as a professional network, connecting members with resources, opportunities, and most importantly, each other. What makes Harris's approach unique is its inclusivity across age groups. While many members are in their 20s and 30s, there's a significant contingent of Gen Xers and beyond discovering their comedic talents later in life. Take Rocky Mateen, a grandmother and retired art teacher who began stand-up classes with Gold Comedy and now tours throughout the South while writing for a sketch team. Her story exemplifies how it's never too late to pursue creative passions.
Rather than charging per class, Gold Comedy uses an annual membership model that grants access to classes, resources, and community. This structure encourages members to create personalized learning paths based on their specific goals, whether developing stand-up routines, pitching TV shows, or creating web series. Through industry partnerships, Gold Comedy has even helped members' work reach broader audiences—like a member-created web series now streaming on Fox Soul.
The power of these connections can't be overstated. After decades in the comedy industry, Harris has cultivated relationships with influential figures like Rachel Dratch (an advisor to Gold Comedy), Janeane Garofalo, and Margaret Cho. But beyond star power, the community itself provides crucial support in an industry often characterized by rejection and frustration. As Harris explains, "Communities are the way you survive any sort of tough job."
Ready to embrace your inner comedian or finally pitch that show idea you've been nurturing for years? Visit goldcomedy.com or follow @goldcomedy on Instagram to join a community that's reshaping comedy one laugh at a time.
Source:
https://goldcomedy.com/
Thanks for listening! Follow us on our social channels
https://www.youtube.com/@Letstalkmidlifecrisis-mh2bf/videos
https://www.instagram.com/letstalkmidlifecrisis/
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100091451734861
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/let-s-talk-midlife-crisis-podcast--6627644/support.
Gold Comedy operates as a professional network, connecting members with resources, opportunities, and most importantly, each other. What makes Harris's approach unique is its inclusivity across age groups. While many members are in their 20s and 30s, there's a significant contingent of Gen Xers and beyond discovering their comedic talents later in life. Take Rocky Mateen, a grandmother and retired art teacher who began stand-up classes with Gold Comedy and now tours throughout the South while writing for a sketch team. Her story exemplifies how it's never too late to pursue creative passions.
Rather than charging per class, Gold Comedy uses an annual membership model that grants access to classes, resources, and community. This structure encourages members to create personalized learning paths based on their specific goals, whether developing stand-up routines, pitching TV shows, or creating web series. Through industry partnerships, Gold Comedy has even helped members' work reach broader audiences—like a member-created web series now streaming on Fox Soul.
The power of these connections can't be overstated. After decades in the comedy industry, Harris has cultivated relationships with influential figures like Rachel Dratch (an advisor to Gold Comedy), Janeane Garofalo, and Margaret Cho. But beyond star power, the community itself provides crucial support in an industry often characterized by rejection and frustration. As Harris explains, "Communities are the way you survive any sort of tough job."
Ready to embrace your inner comedian or finally pitch that show idea you've been nurturing for years? Visit goldcomedy.com or follow @goldcomedy on Instagram to join a community that's reshaping comedy one laugh at a time.
Source:
https://goldcomedy.com/
Thanks for listening! Follow us on our social channels
https://www.youtube.com/@Letstalkmidlifecrisis-mh2bf/videos
https://www.instagram.com/letstalkmidlifecrisis/
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100091451734861
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/let-s-talk-midlife-crisis-podcast--6627644/support.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:02):
Welcome to Let's talk midlife crisis. I'm Ashley and I'm Tracy.
We're your go to hosts for all things midlife, menopause,
and moments of pure mayhem. And today we have with
us Lynn Harris.
Speaker 2 (00:17):
Welcome, Lynn, Thank you, Thank.
Speaker 3 (00:20):
You for having me. Yeah, thank you for being here.
We're so excited. So you're actually you're a comedian.
Speaker 4 (00:28):
Well, I like to think of myself now as sort
of a comedian enabler, because I definitely I still you know,
I still got it somewhere, but I started kind of
phasing out really doing st end up seriously when it
just started to be clear that I wasn't able to
(00:49):
stay up past ten.
Speaker 3 (00:51):
And that's a thing to like host shows in Manhattan.
I live in Brooklyn.
Speaker 4 (00:56):
I used to host shows and I've had started at ten,
you know, and I was like, oh, like yeah, so
those you know, that ship has sailed. But what I
do now is I've started I founded a company called
Gold Comedy that helps women and other others succeed in
(01:16):
their comedy careers and their creative side hustles, because.
Speaker 3 (01:20):
Comedy is honestly, comedy is hard for everyone, but it
is still unfortunately.
Speaker 4 (01:26):
Harder for you know, if you're not a straight white dude.
Speaker 3 (01:30):
So and you know, no shade de straight white dude.
Speaker 4 (01:32):
Some of my best friends are straight white dudes and
they're very, very funny. But just from a you know,
societal standpoint, we need to work even harder for equality
and equity and fairness and representation.
Speaker 3 (01:49):
You know, partly because comedies.
Speaker 4 (01:52):
Work just like any other work, so all the all
the you know, reasons for equity and equality apply there.
And also because comedy matters, and who gets to tell jokes,
who has the metaphorical might who you know, who had
that power also makes a difference. So we're just trying
(02:14):
and you know it also it's makes for better comedy.
So I'm just trying to you know, help individuals succeed,
and then you know, in the aggregate, then we've just
got better comedy and a different way of thinking about
who has power.
Speaker 2 (02:28):
Right.
Speaker 3 (02:29):
Wow, I love that.
Speaker 1 (02:30):
I think it's great that you created a platform for
people who struggle in any kind of business, honestly, but
I'm sure especially I bet comedy is just cutthroat.
Speaker 2 (02:41):
I can't really imagine.
Speaker 4 (02:43):
I mean, I cut throat short, but it's it's it's more,
I won't argue, but there's there's there's also a vibe
of like I don't I want to say, I don't
want to say death by a thousand cuts, but like
frustration by a thousand cuts, or like almost giving up
because of because you know, how many times am I
(03:05):
going to have to.
Speaker 3 (03:06):
Be the only woman on a lineup? How many times
am I going to be passed over for something.
Speaker 4 (03:11):
Because you know, for let's say, uh, late night host
because apparently the only people who can be late night
hosts are white dudes.
Speaker 3 (03:18):
We love them, but what's going on, am I? Yeah,
they're all white dudes.
Speaker 5 (03:25):
So you're making me think of Joan Rivers. You're making
me think of Joan Rivers right now? Yeah, yeah, yeah,
I mean there have been a.
Speaker 4 (03:32):
Lot of terrific female hosts along the way, like all five,
the ones, the ones that kind of are the the anchors,
so to speak.
Speaker 3 (03:40):
For years have been have been uh you know, straight
says white dudes. And again, no shade to the individual guys.
Speaker 4 (03:48):
It's it's just kind of when you look at it,
it's like when you look at like.
Speaker 3 (03:52):
The whole you know, a whole picture of like all
of America's past presidents. You know, you're like, it just
looks funny, you know, and not funny, haha, it's just odd.
And so.
Speaker 4 (04:06):
I didn't experience comedy as my I personally didn't experience
comedy as cut throat, partially because I wasn't very ambitious.
Speaker 3 (04:13):
I just wanted to do comedy as an end in itself,
and I did, and I really enjoyed it, and it
was it was part of my career. It was just
that I wasn't trying to get someplace with it. I
was it was what I was doing. But yeah, and
you know how many times, as.
Speaker 4 (04:33):
With so many other jobs, you know, is a woman
passed over because she's not the favorite choice or you
know what, or for whatever because you know she wasn't
on the lampoon, the view or like whatever.
Speaker 3 (04:44):
It is, right, So it's it's it's it's You could
describe it as cut throat if that's what has been your.
Speaker 4 (04:52):
Experience, and for many people it has. You could also
just describe it as like a grind. And we'll never
know how many women kind of faded way because they
were like, well there aren't enough friendly clubs, or I
just can't get into these writers rooms let me also
stipulate that a lot is changing and has.
Speaker 3 (05:09):
Changed, like you know, a ton it is in many some.
Speaker 4 (05:14):
Things I'm like, I can't believe this hasn't changed, and
other things I'm like, this is amazing.
Speaker 2 (05:18):
You know. So you know, it's it's both.
Speaker 4 (05:19):
In both, but but it you know, it matters, It
really matters who.
Speaker 3 (05:28):
Comedy.
Speaker 4 (05:29):
You know, people talk about laughter is the best medicine,
which you know, okay, sure, you know, tied with the
polio vaccine or whatever.
Speaker 3 (05:36):
But it also you know, there.
Speaker 4 (05:38):
Is consensus among you know, academics and experts that comedy
is a culture, is a is an important cultural force.
So that's why it also matters who gets to make it.
Speaker 3 (05:49):
Wow, Yeah, that's very true.
Speaker 2 (05:51):
Yeah.
Speaker 5 (05:52):
Yeah, And so you're based out of New York. You
were telling us that you are in New York love
that I've only there once and we were just actually
talking about it that I went during COVID, So I
feel very fortunate because it was December of twenty twenty two,
but the streets were empty. It was just a really
(06:15):
great experience and perhaps would be somewhat different now.
Speaker 2 (06:20):
Either before or after.
Speaker 5 (06:22):
But yeah, I had a really, really great time, really
great time there. So and actually son lives there.
Speaker 3 (06:29):
Yeah, I've been several times. He actually lived in Brooklyn,
as I.
Speaker 1 (06:33):
Said, and just moved to Manhattan about eight months ago.
Speaker 2 (06:37):
I think I love it.
Speaker 1 (06:39):
I love it there, but I've done the touristy stuff
and now when I go, I.
Speaker 3 (06:44):
Get to do the local stuff with my son, which
I love. It's a very different experience.
Speaker 2 (06:49):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (06:50):
Yeah, the toys except though is good.
Speaker 4 (06:52):
Is good for the right reasons as well, you know,
because I mean that's what the tourists go.
Speaker 3 (06:56):
Because I think some exceptions. But I'm like, could we.
Speaker 4 (07:01):
Do we have to go to the same Chipotle and
J Crew that you have at home? Would we go
to Times Square which is kind of kookie and you
got to see it that Could we go to Times Square?
And also you know Jackson Heights or the East Village
or the Cloisters.
Speaker 3 (07:21):
Or you know, there's a fact. I'm not saying.
Speaker 4 (07:28):
I'm not saying don't go to the eminem store. It's
actually really fun.
Speaker 3 (07:32):
I'm not a snob. I'm not a snob. I'm just
saying there's so much.
Speaker 6 (07:35):
Yes, there is, and I really appreciated because, you know,
after doing the touristy stuff.
Speaker 3 (07:42):
It was like, it's very overwhelming. It's like sensory overload.
And while it was a fun trip and it was
cool to see that stuff, I was just exhausted afterward.
Speaker 1 (07:54):
Now when I go, I see these adorable neighborhoods and
these amazing restaurants, and.
Speaker 6 (08:00):
It's just it's such a cool experience and I feel rested,
like I.
Speaker 3 (08:04):
Really had a fun vacation when I get back.
Speaker 6 (08:07):
You know, so, so you you're based out of New York,
and do you act as kind of like a manager
for comedians, Like how what is your role exactly for them?
Speaker 4 (08:20):
One day we may sort of spin off an agency
model or a management model.
Speaker 3 (08:25):
That's not what we do right now. Really, what we
are right now is a kind.
Speaker 4 (08:29):
Of a formalized professional network, like there's you know, like
others like you know chief there you know for for
female executives.
Speaker 3 (08:37):
But funny where.
Speaker 4 (08:40):
By being a paid member you have access to our
saying oh you know you should talk to or oh
you needed you know you need a DP for your shoot?
Speaker 3 (08:49):
Will you know we'll we'll introduce you.
Speaker 4 (08:51):
Or so or we I'm here of opportunities for gigs,
whether they're you know acting or production or.
Speaker 3 (09:03):
You know, comedy publications that are looking for content.
Speaker 2 (09:06):
Whatever it is.
Speaker 4 (09:07):
So we try to be as much of a broker
and a resource as possible for those for those kinds
of opportunities, just more informally as.
Speaker 3 (09:14):
Like just making introductions and making contacts.
Speaker 4 (09:17):
We also have partnerships both formal and informal, with with
companies that and just like friends that really can help
our members get their.
Speaker 3 (09:27):
Stuff made and see.
Speaker 4 (09:28):
So you know, of course you could have a great
time coming to Gold and just taking some stand up
classes and and having some fun like that.
Speaker 2 (09:38):
That works.
Speaker 4 (09:39):
But we also teach and support our members to for example,
create web series or pitch.
Speaker 7 (09:49):
Their product, their projects, let's say they're they'll pitch their
web series, or pitch their TV idea, or pitch their
pitch their film or podcast at at a high high.
Speaker 4 (09:59):
Level, industry standard level. And we're able to in some
cases when our members have either kind of on their
own or with our resources, have fully created actually in
two cases web series, we're able to through our informal
or formal partnerships, help them get seen.
Speaker 3 (10:20):
So for example, a web series that we created in
house with.
Speaker 4 (10:24):
One of our teams, we have teams that they digital content.
We have a great web series called Late Bloomers that,
through through our relationships, is now streaming on Fox Soul,
which is a sort of streetmer spin off of the
Fox Entertainment the entertainment piece of Fox.
Speaker 2 (10:43):
Fox.
Speaker 3 (10:44):
Yeah right, And it's.
Speaker 4 (10:45):
This new thing called these new new thing was called
fast channels that are basically content ad revenue driven or
AD driven content.
Speaker 3 (10:53):
So we are able to kind of seize.
Speaker 4 (10:57):
This moment of a little bit more you know, democratization
is a strong word for it, but a little more
access than you know that that exists kind of parallel
to like, let's call it.
Speaker 3 (11:07):
This, you know, the studio system.
Speaker 4 (11:09):
So you can so remember, you know, we have our
stuff up on you know again, it's on Foxhoul, and.
Speaker 3 (11:14):
We didn't have we didn't have to like go through formal.
Speaker 4 (11:17):
Pitches because we have partners who exist for the same
reason too, to be a broker of content. I was
the kind of outside the clunky system. And our and
our members still own their content, so we're creator friendly
as well. We just you know, we just make deals
(11:37):
about the revenue, but we don't own their content.
Speaker 5 (11:40):
One stop shop, you know, you mentioned, but I'm like
a one stop shop for all.
Speaker 2 (11:45):
Of your needs. I used to think I was funny
when I was younger, but now I do think is
I think of.
Speaker 4 (11:54):
You know, speaking of age as one does on your podcast.
I think one thing that's really interesting is that, yes,
of course we have a ton of you know, recent
college grads and twenty somethings and thirty somethings who are.
Speaker 2 (12:05):
You know, in it to win it community wise?
Speaker 3 (12:08):
And of course we do, but we also have a
lot of, honestly.
Speaker 4 (12:13):
A lot of let's call them, like me gen xers,
who who are you know, established in their careers. Maybe
not like they're not like I'm quitting everything and running
off to join the circus, you know they're, but they're
they're established in their day jobs. And but they've got
a story they want to tell. They've got an idea
for a TV show, whether it's something personal or just
(12:35):
an idea that they can't get out of their heads,
maybe for a TV show.
Speaker 3 (12:39):
And we have a class that really skews a little.
Speaker 4 (12:43):
Bit, not entirely, but really is very kind of a
magnet for you know, women in their forties, fifties, whatever,
who who are.
Speaker 3 (12:50):
Just like I got more time, I you know, maybe
empty nest whatever.
Speaker 4 (12:56):
I'm I'm stable in my career and I've got to
pitch show, you know.
Speaker 3 (13:01):
And uh and and we also and that the same
is true.
Speaker 2 (13:05):
We do have.
Speaker 3 (13:07):
Women who also just never got around.
Speaker 4 (13:12):
To, like they always wanted to, like actually do some comedy,
you know, not just like on a lark, but like
really you.
Speaker 3 (13:20):
Can do it. And of course, you know, but but this.
Speaker 5 (13:23):
But being told to sit still and look pretty in
school back.
Speaker 3 (13:30):
In the you know, seventies or whatever it was. And
and now they're like, oh, wait a minute, I could
I could do this now.
Speaker 4 (13:37):
And you have one woman who is a retired high
school art teacher who came to us because she was like,
I'm so funny and she wanted and she started doing
stand up with us. And now she like tours all
over the South and she writes for a sketch team.
Speaker 3 (13:53):
And like she's doing it. You know, she's the grandmother.
Speaker 4 (13:58):
She's retired, She she does take care of she has
a son who is in need that she takes care of,
and she she also.
Speaker 3 (14:04):
Watches her grandchildren.
Speaker 5 (14:05):
But like she's flexible and has the time and energy
to to really do it.
Speaker 4 (14:13):
You know, not just like not just as a kind
of like I've always wanted to give this a whirl,
but like really really do it. So and she is,
by the way, hilarious.
Speaker 2 (14:24):
Can you tell us her name?
Speaker 4 (14:27):
Yeah, her name is Okay, Rocky, I'm talking about Mateen,
and she lives in North Carolina and she's like talk
about her all the time because she's a pistol. She's
amazing really and now she's taking our solo show class.
So she's delping like an hour solo show wow that you.
Speaker 3 (14:42):
Know you can take on the road. So like, yeah,
it's so cool.
Speaker 4 (14:45):
And she's like in her sixties, So I mean that
just goes to show you it's never too late.
Speaker 3 (14:53):
You have these dreams when you're younger and you.
Speaker 1 (14:55):
Know, life, you know, happens, and if it's still this
passion and that's burning inside.
Speaker 8 (15:01):
Of you, it's not too late. No, No, it's so interesting.
My brother he works in Utah. He manages a property
up in Park.
Speaker 1 (15:12):
City, and these homes are like they're people's second homes,
but they're multi million dollar homes.
Speaker 3 (15:20):
And one of them is kind.
Speaker 1 (15:22):
Of used to rent out, whether it's for vacationers or
filming or anything like that.
Speaker 3 (15:28):
Well, recently, there's a Moody out now and I can't
think of what it's called.
Speaker 2 (15:32):
I wish I could.
Speaker 1 (15:33):
It's the newest one that just came out with Steve Currell.
It was filmed in this home. He wanted to go
skiing and they have a private slope for this community.
Speaker 3 (15:42):
And he wanted to go skiing.
Speaker 6 (15:44):
So they called my brother said well you take Steve skiing,
and he's like yeah.
Speaker 3 (15:50):
And so they went. They skied all day and then
again the next day. Steve wanted to go again the
next day and he's like, he was going to school
to be a lawyer.
Speaker 1 (16:00):
He was going to school to be alert, and he
was doing these little comedy gigs on the side just
for fun.
Speaker 3 (16:05):
It was just a hobby.
Speaker 2 (16:06):
And now look at it, Yeah, look at it.
Speaker 3 (16:08):
It's crazy.
Speaker 6 (16:10):
So yeah, I think it's really cool that there's platforms
like you have to help people accomplish that.
Speaker 5 (16:16):
Right and to network and get the resources that they
need or even open their eyes.
Speaker 2 (16:23):
Maybe they don't even know that they need it right well, and.
Speaker 3 (16:25):
They might not even know that they're actually that good.
Speaker 1 (16:28):
They might be doing it for fun and they've discovered,
Like I'm actually really good at this.
Speaker 3 (16:32):
I can do something with this. You know, that's amazing.
I love that. Yactly, Yeah, thank you.
Speaker 4 (16:38):
Yeah. So do you have what is your most common
like age or demographic?
Speaker 3 (16:46):
Is it mostly people?
Speaker 4 (16:49):
I'm gonna say mostly thirties, twenty and thirties, okay, twenty,
you know, twenty ish, thirty ish, mostly you know, young
young ash women who you know, who again have.
Speaker 3 (17:03):
Been doing this a little bit and.
Speaker 4 (17:06):
You know, are really seeking out the the resources that
we provide the most importantly, really the community that we provide.
Speaker 3 (17:15):
It's not not that they don't have their own.
Speaker 4 (17:18):
Communities and in whatever you know, towners, well especially city
if they you know, especially if they live in Boston
or or you know, Chicago or l A. You know,
of course, it's not like it's not a comedy scene there.
But we we're you know, we're weird twenty four seven,
we are, you know, we we are all over the map,
(17:40):
you know, in the US and the couple of, couple
of and even Europe, and it's just a you know,
it's a it's a different kind of and larger community
that people can rely on, which, you know, communities are
first of all, the way you survive any sort of
you know, get through any sort of tough job.
Speaker 3 (18:00):
My you know, I was lucky enough when.
Speaker 4 (18:02):
I was doing comedy to find it like the just
the nicest friends in the world. And we you know,
we have each other out and we booked each other
and we you know worked, you know, we you know,
that was that was our crew. And to be able
to kind of do that on steroids is is great.
And you know, also there's like so many studies about
how like you learn better in community and of course,
(18:24):
and that's one reason that the way we are, the
way we're designed is that you actually pay like one
annual fee as opposed to paying class by class. Basically
there's some exceptions, but basically that's how it works. So yeah,
that underscores the idea that like you joined for a
year and more. I mean, you know, for people renew
(18:45):
of course, but to.
Speaker 5 (18:47):
Take advantage and you can take advantage of whatever you
feel is interesting to you.
Speaker 2 (18:53):
Yeah, I thought, do.
Speaker 4 (18:54):
You build your path, you know, taking the stuff that
you need. Like we have a medical doctor who's developing
a medical goal game show and she is now taking
our stand up class because she hasn't done she's accustomed
to like public speaking, but she hasn't done She wants
to be able to kind of build the skills to
pitch herself as the co.
Speaker 3 (19:14):
Host of the show.
Speaker 4 (19:15):
So people just kind of go through or you know,
the people who do our solo show classes are like, oh, right,
I got to promote my show, or oh I got
to go to the fringe festival.
Speaker 3 (19:25):
And we have tons of on demand content.
Speaker 4 (19:27):
Because every time we do a workshop, we record it,
we sing it, and so it becomes on demand content
so that people can just be like.
Speaker 3 (19:33):
Well, I got to watch all the stuff.
Speaker 4 (19:34):
I got to binge to watch all the stuff about
promoting my show and going to Edinburgh, you.
Speaker 3 (19:39):
Know, going to whatever fringe festival. So it's all there
and every day there's more stuff.
Speaker 4 (19:45):
And people can you know, sort of you know, choose
their adventure based on what their goals are.
Speaker 5 (19:50):
That is so amazing. I had no idea, no idea
that this is available.
Speaker 3 (19:57):
Yeah, really cool.
Speaker 1 (19:59):
And you know, I think, just like any career, you
seek ways to improve yourself and.
Speaker 3 (20:08):
To grow and to promote or whatever it might be.
Speaker 1 (20:12):
I think anything in like show business, like comedy, anything
like that, it's got to be so challenging. There are
so many people trying to get their break and find
their way right, and like you said.
Speaker 2 (20:23):
Having a community, community is just huge, I mean, and
because not only does it provide you with resources, but
it also helps.
Speaker 3 (20:30):
You with your confidence and you're you know.
Speaker 1 (20:33):
Feeling part of something like you belong your place, you
know well, and.
Speaker 2 (20:37):
Also words to live by. It's not always what you
know is who you know?
Speaker 5 (20:41):
Yeah, seriously, like it's a big thing. It's an old
saying for reason because networking and communities and those types
of things, even in the world, you know, in the
digital age that we're in, it all goes back to
the basics, right. So, but I can't imagine standing up
(21:01):
there to be a comedian. I just can't imagine. It's
one thing to stand and present or you know, public
speaking and those types of things that the comedian aspect
of stand up comedy would.
Speaker 3 (21:14):
Be terrifying, intimating I got to make these people laugh.
I understand that. I was going to say.
Speaker 4 (21:19):
The other benefit of of you know, being a certain
age and having just been around for a long time
in and near the comedy business is.
Speaker 3 (21:30):
That you know, when you were saying, you know, it's
tracy it's what it's who you know.
Speaker 4 (21:35):
I just know so many people, you know, and just
because I have been doing some version of this since
the eighties, right, so like and that I like, you know,
I tend to keep in you know, I tend to
keep relationships and so and so that also has been
you know something that that that's a strength that I
(21:58):
can bring to this community. So that you know, uh,
Rachel Drats from SNL is one of our advisors, you know.
And Jinny Garoppolo appeared in one of our sketches because
I knew we're from stipt.
Speaker 2 (22:10):
And Margaret Chow right, like Margaret involved.
Speaker 3 (22:14):
Yeah, that was not that was because one of our
members knew her. So I actually, no, I take it back,
I mean that that was that. But I also had
worked with her in another comedy related.
Speaker 4 (22:26):
Job like five years ago, so I was like, wow,
I'm the one from Muhammad Ahamad like, so it was
another you know, in that moment of connectedness, so like,
you know.
Speaker 2 (22:36):
And now again I know you.
Speaker 5 (22:39):
So now I know you, I'm like, oh Lynn Harris,
Oh my gosh, you have a dream to be a comedian.
Speaker 2 (22:44):
I'm gonna hook you up with Lynn Harris, right, but
it's just funny. It's it's a thing. It's a real thing. Yeah, yeah,
very much.
Speaker 4 (22:52):
And it's one of the things that I think, you know,
when you ask people, you know, well, what do you appreciate.
Speaker 3 (22:57):
About being old er? What do you know?
Speaker 4 (22:59):
And it's just like you have really sort of accumulated
not just wisdom, but people and and and not like
in a transactional way, just different nodes of networks that
are kind of interconnected, like from the job you had ten.
Speaker 3 (23:19):
Years ago, but you're still in touch with one and
they also you know, and you feel really yeah, like
you belong not just in one node, but in many nodes.
Speaker 4 (23:28):
And it's it's something you can use to help other people.
It's something that makes you, that gives you a sense
of groundedness. And it's just like that's one of if
you ask me what my favorite thing about like being
you know, that's it's it's feeling that I've like, you know,
kind of investing will in wonderful and wonderful people relationships.
Speaker 3 (23:50):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (23:51):
I I grew up in Utah and I moved to
which is.
Speaker 5 (23:56):
A funny in itself, that's a whole comedy.
Speaker 1 (24:00):
Yeah, but I moved to Arizona in my early twenties
and I had transferred with the company I was working for,
but I took a new position and the guy that
I worked for, I mean, we're talking over twenty five
years ago.
Speaker 3 (24:13):
We still talk. He has a Boulder, Colorado. We stay
in touch.
Speaker 1 (24:17):
Yeah, he's I mean, he's a great guy, a great friend.
Speaker 3 (24:21):
But he's like really up there in you know, our trade.
He's done very well for himself.
Speaker 1 (24:28):
He's a great connection as far as you know, professional,
but he's also, like I said, a very good friend.
Speaker 3 (24:33):
And I have a lot of those like yeah, that's
I'm with you.
Speaker 1 (24:36):
I like to think, you know, I'm at the point
in my life where I've really discovered the things that
are very important to me and what I value, And
a lot of that is relationships that I have that
are meeting under and learning which ones aren't and and
not dealing with those anymore.
Speaker 2 (24:57):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (24:58):
Yeah, yeah, that they're bad people, but just that you're
you can pick and choose where you want to invest.
Speaker 2 (25:03):
Your like you're limited your time exactly.
Speaker 3 (25:05):
Absolutely.
Speaker 4 (25:06):
That's why Actually, that's why I like social media because
you know, it does enable you to.
Speaker 3 (25:11):
To uh, you know, kind of kind of.
Speaker 4 (25:14):
Keep it generally know how someone's doing, because that the
way it would be impossible.
Speaker 3 (25:17):
Okay, I don't know, well who else kids are graduating
from college? But then I see it on Facebook and.
Speaker 4 (25:22):
I'm able to be like, oh my god, you know, yeah,
well it It isn't it funny to think, like before
social media, like you literally had to catch up with
everybody over the phone.
Speaker 2 (25:31):
Yeah like that, Well, letters, letters were a thing to write.
You would like write letters email. Oh my god, okay,
am I dating myself in school anymore? Yeah?
Speaker 5 (25:41):
Well, what's funny is I can hardly write anymore. They
don't learn cursive. But also for me to actually handwrite
something like my penmanship is crazy because who writes anymore.
Speaker 2 (25:52):
It's just yeah, a.
Speaker 5 (25:54):
Whole different world that we live in now. It really
a yeah yeah, but love comedy. And I mentioned Joan
Rivers before because she is like that woman got me
through some tough times and when she reinvented herself, you know,
before she passed because she was snubbed out of the
(26:14):
industry because of men, right like you we were talking
about in all of the late night talk show hosts.
Speaker 2 (26:21):
She would substitute but never give.
Speaker 5 (26:23):
Her any consideration, and then they ended up snubbing her
out her whole story. But then she came back and oh,
my gosh, I can't tell you fashion police.
Speaker 2 (26:34):
Well she did fashion Police. She's done a bunch of things. Yeah,
my gosh.
Speaker 5 (26:38):
But she was still old school, like she put it
out there right, like she was next level. But honestly,
she got me through some tough times because of course,
with comedy and laughter comes the endorphins that go with it,
and it's a healing property.
Speaker 2 (26:55):
But oh my god, I miss her so much.
Speaker 4 (26:59):
I do.
Speaker 5 (27:00):
But luckily for social media, like you just mentioned, I
can still catch her glimpses. And there was something that
came up speaking of her daughter as well, that there
was an honor that was being given to Joan Rivers, right,
and so Melissa Rivers, her daughter, was rummaging through papers
to find old jokes and stuff, which are I believe
(27:21):
now in New York in a museum, but she found
a letter that Joan Rivers wrote saying, if you're reading
this right now, I am dead and somebody is finally
honoring me. But it was hilarious. It was hilarious. So yeah,
I don't know, we need more people like that, and
(27:41):
I know she's she could be maybe perceived as edgy whatever,
but I think that's the best. I just she's my
favorite of all time. I have to say, yeah, yeah, yeah.
Speaker 4 (27:53):
And we also just lost Ruth Bunny, who was like
I loved and grew up watching on laughing and until
the last minute, her Twitter game was very strong.
Speaker 3 (28:03):
Oh so yeah she was.
Speaker 4 (28:06):
I think she was like reaching even reaching new audiences,
you know, through Twitter.
Speaker 2 (28:11):
So yeah, yeah, that's awesome.
Speaker 3 (28:15):
It was another one of the greats.
Speaker 5 (28:17):
So if someoney one of our listeners would like to connect,
where would you And of course we'll include those links
in our show notes. But where would someone be able
to connect with you and find out more information? And
also sorry two part question, is it available to those
(28:37):
outside of the New York area.
Speaker 4 (28:40):
Yeah, where our headquarters is online, So we we certainly
have people get together and do projects who having met
through us, or who join kind of together from their
city or like recruit friends from their city, whatever. But
but the main like our hub is an online is
a prize that online platform which is just there for
(29:03):
you twenty four seven and all of our it's where
all of our classes kind of every class has its
own kind of space with the syllabus and the calendar
and there's a feed you know, kind of like Facebook,
but Mark Zuckerberg and and no gro vibes and so
it's the that's the you know, that's the jumping off.
Speaker 2 (29:23):
Point for everything.
Speaker 4 (29:24):
And so so yeah, people can We don't have a
physical space because I will not be paying be paying
rent to New York.
Speaker 2 (29:32):
And yeah, we don't need it.
Speaker 4 (29:36):
Yeah we do do you know, shows and activities in
real life, but but we don't need it as far
as the headquarters goes.
Speaker 3 (29:43):
So yeah, we're able to.
Speaker 4 (29:45):
We have we have people from all over, certainly from
the big comedy cities, but also certainly not from the
big comedy cities because that's why they seek us out
r so, and we do have too, very we have
two very to real anchors of our are from Utah, so.
Speaker 3 (30:03):
Is represented. So I love that.
Speaker 2 (30:06):
That's awesome.
Speaker 5 (30:07):
I can see how that could be a possibility coming.
Like I said, I think that's a whole that's a
whole skit in itself, right, I'm from Utah.
Speaker 2 (30:16):
And then wow, this keeps rolling these questions. YEA, well, yeah,
they can.
Speaker 4 (30:23):
Find everything that we have at goldcomedy dot com that's
our or on Instagram a.
Speaker 3 (30:27):
Gold Comedy Perfect.
Speaker 5 (30:29):
So yeah, thank you so much, and all of that
information will be in our show notes and linked to
our social channels as well. But thank you so much,
Lynn for joining us today. It's really been a pleasure
to learn more about it and just to speak to
you and and understand what's happening right now with a
(30:49):
lot of individuals like you mentioned.
Speaker 2 (30:52):
That our you know later in life are just discovering it.
Speaker 6 (30:55):
Yeah, if you think you're funny, someone else who is
has you know, teenage kids.
Speaker 4 (31:03):
She's she does something unrelated to comedy by day, and
she developed a script in one of our end of
pitch in our pitching class. She wound up getting representation
even during the writer's strike.
Speaker 3 (31:17):
Because she was she's.
Speaker 4 (31:19):
In Canada, so and she was able and so now
her her her show is being shopped in Canada, and
you know, she's like she's a grown up like us,
you know, so and she just was like this, I
gotta do this. You know, she had this idea and
she's making a.
Speaker 3 (31:36):
Happy Oh I love it.
Speaker 2 (31:38):
I love that.
Speaker 3 (31:39):
I love that.
Speaker 2 (31:40):
Billy Yep, Yes, awesome, Billy. Way to go Billy.
Speaker 1 (31:47):
Well, that wraps it up for today. Thanks for joining
us on Let's Talk Midlife Crisis. We hope you got
some laughs, a little inspiration, and maybe a few new ideas.
Speaker 2 (31:56):
If you've loved today's episode, hit that subscribe button so
you'll never miss an episode, and hey, share the love.
Send this episode to a friend who could use a
good laugh and some midlife wisdom.
Speaker 1 (32:08):
Connect with us on social media at Let's Talk Midlife
Crisis and let us know what's on your mind. We
love hearing from your
Welcome to Let's talk midlife crisis. I'm Ashley and I'm Tracy.
We're your go to hosts for all things midlife, menopause,
and moments of pure mayhem. And today we have with
us Lynn Harris.
Speaker 2 (00:17):
Welcome, Lynn, Thank you, Thank.
Speaker 3 (00:20):
You for having me. Yeah, thank you for being here.
We're so excited. So you're actually you're a comedian.
Speaker 4 (00:28):
Well, I like to think of myself now as sort
of a comedian enabler, because I definitely I still you know,
I still got it somewhere, but I started kind of
phasing out really doing st end up seriously when it
just started to be clear that I wasn't able to
(00:49):
stay up past ten.
Speaker 3 (00:51):
And that's a thing to like host shows in Manhattan.
I live in Brooklyn.
Speaker 4 (00:56):
I used to host shows and I've had started at ten,
you know, and I was like, oh, like yeah, so
those you know, that ship has sailed. But what I
do now is I've started I founded a company called
Gold Comedy that helps women and other others succeed in
(01:16):
their comedy careers and their creative side hustles, because.
Speaker 3 (01:20):
Comedy is honestly, comedy is hard for everyone, but it
is still unfortunately.
Speaker 4 (01:26):
Harder for you know, if you're not a straight white dude.
Speaker 3 (01:30):
So and you know, no shade de straight white dude.
Speaker 4 (01:32):
Some of my best friends are straight white dudes and
they're very, very funny. But just from a you know,
societal standpoint, we need to work even harder for equality
and equity and fairness and representation.
Speaker 3 (01:49):
You know, partly because comedies.
Speaker 4 (01:52):
Work just like any other work, so all the all
the you know, reasons for equity and equality apply there.
And also because comedy matters, and who gets to tell jokes,
who has the metaphorical might who you know, who had
that power also makes a difference. So we're just trying
(02:14):
and you know it also it's makes for better comedy.
So I'm just trying to you know, help individuals succeed,
and then you know, in the aggregate, then we've just
got better comedy and a different way of thinking about
who has power.
Speaker 2 (02:28):
Right.
Speaker 3 (02:29):
Wow, I love that.
Speaker 1 (02:30):
I think it's great that you created a platform for
people who struggle in any kind of business, honestly, but
I'm sure especially I bet comedy is just cutthroat.
Speaker 2 (02:41):
I can't really imagine.
Speaker 4 (02:43):
I mean, I cut throat short, but it's it's it's more,
I won't argue, but there's there's there's also a vibe
of like I don't I want to say, I don't
want to say death by a thousand cuts, but like
frustration by a thousand cuts, or like almost giving up
because of because you know, how many times am I
(03:05):
going to have to.
Speaker 3 (03:06):
Be the only woman on a lineup? How many times
am I going to be passed over for something.
Speaker 4 (03:11):
Because you know, for let's say, uh, late night host
because apparently the only people who can be late night
hosts are white dudes.
Speaker 3 (03:18):
We love them, but what's going on, am I? Yeah,
they're all white dudes.
Speaker 5 (03:25):
So you're making me think of Joan Rivers. You're making
me think of Joan Rivers right now? Yeah, yeah, yeah,
I mean there have been a.
Speaker 4 (03:32):
Lot of terrific female hosts along the way, like all five,
the ones, the ones that kind of are the the anchors,
so to speak.
Speaker 3 (03:40):
For years have been have been uh you know, straight
says white dudes. And again, no shade to the individual guys.
Speaker 4 (03:48):
It's it's just kind of when you look at it,
it's like when you look at like.
Speaker 3 (03:52):
The whole you know, a whole picture of like all
of America's past presidents. You know, you're like, it just
looks funny, you know, and not funny, haha, it's just odd.
And so.
Speaker 4 (04:06):
I didn't experience comedy as my I personally didn't experience
comedy as cut throat, partially because I wasn't very ambitious.
Speaker 3 (04:13):
I just wanted to do comedy as an end in itself,
and I did, and I really enjoyed it, and it
was it was part of my career. It was just
that I wasn't trying to get someplace with it. I
was it was what I was doing. But yeah, and
you know how many times, as.
Speaker 4 (04:33):
With so many other jobs, you know, is a woman
passed over because she's not the favorite choice or you
know what, or for whatever because you know she wasn't
on the lampoon, the view or like whatever.
Speaker 3 (04:44):
It is, right, So it's it's it's it's You could
describe it as cut throat if that's what has been your.
Speaker 4 (04:52):
Experience, and for many people it has. You could also
just describe it as like a grind. And we'll never
know how many women kind of faded way because they
were like, well there aren't enough friendly clubs, or I
just can't get into these writers rooms let me also
stipulate that a lot is changing and has.
Speaker 3 (05:09):
Changed, like you know, a ton it is in many some.
Speaker 4 (05:14):
Things I'm like, I can't believe this hasn't changed, and
other things I'm like, this is amazing.
Speaker 2 (05:18):
You know. So you know, it's it's both.
Speaker 4 (05:19):
In both, but but it you know, it matters, It
really matters who.
Speaker 3 (05:28):
Comedy.
Speaker 4 (05:29):
You know, people talk about laughter is the best medicine,
which you know, okay, sure, you know, tied with the
polio vaccine or whatever.
Speaker 3 (05:36):
But it also you know, there.
Speaker 4 (05:38):
Is consensus among you know, academics and experts that comedy
is a culture, is a is an important cultural force.
So that's why it also matters who gets to make it.
Speaker 3 (05:49):
Wow, Yeah, that's very true.
Speaker 2 (05:51):
Yeah.
Speaker 5 (05:52):
Yeah, And so you're based out of New York. You
were telling us that you are in New York love
that I've only there once and we were just actually
talking about it that I went during COVID, So I
feel very fortunate because it was December of twenty twenty two,
but the streets were empty. It was just a really
(06:15):
great experience and perhaps would be somewhat different now.
Speaker 2 (06:20):
Either before or after.
Speaker 5 (06:22):
But yeah, I had a really, really great time, really
great time there. So and actually son lives there.
Speaker 3 (06:29):
Yeah, I've been several times. He actually lived in Brooklyn,
as I.
Speaker 1 (06:33):
Said, and just moved to Manhattan about eight months ago.
Speaker 2 (06:37):
I think I love it.
Speaker 1 (06:39):
I love it there, but I've done the touristy stuff
and now when I go, I.
Speaker 3 (06:44):
Get to do the local stuff with my son, which
I love. It's a very different experience.
Speaker 2 (06:49):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (06:50):
Yeah, the toys except though is good.
Speaker 4 (06:52):
Is good for the right reasons as well, you know,
because I mean that's what the tourists go.
Speaker 3 (06:56):
Because I think some exceptions. But I'm like, could we.
Speaker 4 (07:01):
Do we have to go to the same Chipotle and
J Crew that you have at home? Would we go
to Times Square which is kind of kookie and you
got to see it that Could we go to Times Square?
And also you know Jackson Heights or the East Village
or the Cloisters.
Speaker 3 (07:21):
Or you know, there's a fact. I'm not saying.
Speaker 4 (07:28):
I'm not saying don't go to the eminem store. It's
actually really fun.
Speaker 3 (07:32):
I'm not a snob. I'm not a snob. I'm just
saying there's so much.
Speaker 6 (07:35):
Yes, there is, and I really appreciated because, you know,
after doing the touristy stuff.
Speaker 3 (07:42):
It was like, it's very overwhelming. It's like sensory overload.
And while it was a fun trip and it was
cool to see that stuff, I was just exhausted afterward.
Speaker 1 (07:54):
Now when I go, I see these adorable neighborhoods and
these amazing restaurants, and.
Speaker 6 (08:00):
It's just it's such a cool experience and I feel rested,
like I.
Speaker 3 (08:04):
Really had a fun vacation when I get back.
Speaker 6 (08:07):
You know, so, so you you're based out of New York,
and do you act as kind of like a manager
for comedians, Like how what is your role exactly for them?
Speaker 4 (08:20):
One day we may sort of spin off an agency
model or a management model.
Speaker 3 (08:25):
That's not what we do right now. Really, what we
are right now is a kind.
Speaker 4 (08:29):
Of a formalized professional network, like there's you know, like
others like you know chief there you know for for
female executives.
Speaker 3 (08:37):
But funny where.
Speaker 4 (08:40):
By being a paid member you have access to our
saying oh you know you should talk to or oh
you needed you know you need a DP for your shoot?
Speaker 3 (08:49):
Will you know we'll we'll introduce you.
Speaker 4 (08:51):
Or so or we I'm here of opportunities for gigs,
whether they're you know acting or production or.
Speaker 3 (09:03):
You know, comedy publications that are looking for content.
Speaker 2 (09:06):
Whatever it is.
Speaker 4 (09:07):
So we try to be as much of a broker
and a resource as possible for those for those kinds
of opportunities, just more informally as.
Speaker 3 (09:14):
Like just making introductions and making contacts.
Speaker 4 (09:17):
We also have partnerships both formal and informal, with with
companies that and just like friends that really can help
our members get their.
Speaker 3 (09:27):
Stuff made and see.
Speaker 4 (09:28):
So you know, of course you could have a great
time coming to Gold and just taking some stand up
classes and and having some fun like that.
Speaker 2 (09:38):
That works.
Speaker 4 (09:39):
But we also teach and support our members to for example,
create web series or pitch.
Speaker 7 (09:49):
Their product, their projects, let's say they're they'll pitch their
web series, or pitch their TV idea, or pitch their
pitch their film or podcast at at a high high.
Speaker 4 (09:59):
Level, industry standard level. And we're able to in some
cases when our members have either kind of on their
own or with our resources, have fully created actually in
two cases web series, we're able to through our informal
or formal partnerships, help them get seen.
Speaker 3 (10:20):
So for example, a web series that we created in
house with.
Speaker 4 (10:24):
One of our teams, we have teams that they digital content.
We have a great web series called Late Bloomers that,
through through our relationships, is now streaming on Fox Soul,
which is a sort of streetmer spin off of the
Fox Entertainment the entertainment piece of Fox.
Speaker 2 (10:43):
Fox.
Speaker 3 (10:44):
Yeah right, And it's.
Speaker 4 (10:45):
This new thing called these new new thing was called
fast channels that are basically content ad revenue driven or
AD driven content.
Speaker 3 (10:53):
So we are able to kind of seize.
Speaker 4 (10:57):
This moment of a little bit more you know, democratization
is a strong word for it, but a little more
access than you know that that exists kind of parallel
to like, let's call it.
Speaker 3 (11:07):
This, you know, the studio system.
Speaker 4 (11:09):
So you can so remember, you know, we have our
stuff up on you know again, it's on Foxhoul, and.
Speaker 3 (11:14):
We didn't have we didn't have to like go through formal.
Speaker 4 (11:17):
Pitches because we have partners who exist for the same
reason too, to be a broker of content. I was
the kind of outside the clunky system. And our and
our members still own their content, so we're creator friendly
as well. We just you know, we just make deals
(11:37):
about the revenue, but we don't own their content.
Speaker 5 (11:40):
One stop shop, you know, you mentioned, but I'm like
a one stop shop for all.
Speaker 2 (11:45):
Of your needs. I used to think I was funny
when I was younger, but now I do think is
I think of.
Speaker 4 (11:54):
You know, speaking of age as one does on your podcast.
I think one thing that's really interesting is that, yes,
of course we have a ton of you know, recent
college grads and twenty somethings and thirty somethings who are.
Speaker 2 (12:05):
You know, in it to win it community wise?
Speaker 3 (12:08):
And of course we do, but we also have a
lot of, honestly.
Speaker 4 (12:13):
A lot of let's call them, like me gen xers,
who who are you know, established in their careers. Maybe
not like they're not like I'm quitting everything and running
off to join the circus, you know they're, but they're
they're established in their day jobs. And but they've got
a story they want to tell. They've got an idea
for a TV show, whether it's something personal or just
(12:35):
an idea that they can't get out of their heads,
maybe for a TV show.
Speaker 3 (12:39):
And we have a class that really skews a little.
Speaker 4 (12:43):
Bit, not entirely, but really is very kind of a
magnet for you know, women in their forties, fifties, whatever,
who who are.
Speaker 3 (12:50):
Just like I got more time, I you know, maybe
empty nest whatever.
Speaker 4 (12:56):
I'm I'm stable in my career and I've got to
pitch show, you know.
Speaker 3 (13:01):
And uh and and we also and that the same
is true.
Speaker 2 (13:05):
We do have.
Speaker 3 (13:07):
Women who also just never got around.
Speaker 4 (13:12):
To, like they always wanted to, like actually do some comedy,
you know, not just like on a lark, but like
really you.
Speaker 3 (13:20):
Can do it. And of course, you know, but but this.
Speaker 5 (13:23):
But being told to sit still and look pretty in
school back.
Speaker 3 (13:30):
In the you know, seventies or whatever it was. And
and now they're like, oh, wait a minute, I could
I could do this now.
Speaker 4 (13:37):
And you have one woman who is a retired high
school art teacher who came to us because she was like,
I'm so funny and she wanted and she started doing
stand up with us. And now she like tours all
over the South and she writes for a sketch team.
Speaker 3 (13:53):
And like she's doing it. You know, she's the grandmother.
Speaker 4 (13:58):
She's retired, She she does take care of she has
a son who is in need that she takes care of,
and she she also.
Speaker 3 (14:04):
Watches her grandchildren.
Speaker 5 (14:05):
But like she's flexible and has the time and energy
to to really do it.
Speaker 4 (14:13):
You know, not just like not just as a kind
of like I've always wanted to give this a whirl,
but like really really do it. So and she is,
by the way, hilarious.
Speaker 2 (14:24):
Can you tell us her name?
Speaker 4 (14:27):
Yeah, her name is Okay, Rocky, I'm talking about Mateen,
and she lives in North Carolina and she's like talk
about her all the time because she's a pistol. She's
amazing really and now she's taking our solo show class.
So she's delping like an hour solo show wow that you.
Speaker 3 (14:42):
Know you can take on the road. So like, yeah,
it's so cool.
Speaker 4 (14:45):
And she's like in her sixties, So I mean that
just goes to show you it's never too late.
Speaker 3 (14:53):
You have these dreams when you're younger and you.
Speaker 1 (14:55):
Know, life, you know, happens, and if it's still this
passion and that's burning inside.
Speaker 8 (15:01):
Of you, it's not too late. No, No, it's so interesting.
My brother he works in Utah. He manages a property
up in Park.
Speaker 1 (15:12):
City, and these homes are like they're people's second homes,
but they're multi million dollar homes.
Speaker 3 (15:20):
And one of them is kind.
Speaker 1 (15:22):
Of used to rent out, whether it's for vacationers or
filming or anything like that.
Speaker 3 (15:28):
Well, recently, there's a Moody out now and I can't
think of what it's called.
Speaker 2 (15:32):
I wish I could.
Speaker 1 (15:33):
It's the newest one that just came out with Steve Currell.
It was filmed in this home. He wanted to go
skiing and they have a private slope for this community.
Speaker 3 (15:42):
And he wanted to go skiing.
Speaker 6 (15:44):
So they called my brother said well you take Steve skiing,
and he's like yeah.
Speaker 3 (15:50):
And so they went. They skied all day and then
again the next day. Steve wanted to go again the
next day and he's like, he was going to school
to be a lawyer.
Speaker 1 (16:00):
He was going to school to be alert, and he
was doing these little comedy gigs on the side just
for fun.
Speaker 3 (16:05):
It was just a hobby.
Speaker 2 (16:06):
And now look at it, Yeah, look at it.
Speaker 3 (16:08):
It's crazy.
Speaker 6 (16:10):
So yeah, I think it's really cool that there's platforms
like you have to help people accomplish that.
Speaker 5 (16:16):
Right and to network and get the resources that they
need or even open their eyes.
Speaker 2 (16:23):
Maybe they don't even know that they need it right well, and.
Speaker 3 (16:25):
They might not even know that they're actually that good.
Speaker 1 (16:28):
They might be doing it for fun and they've discovered,
Like I'm actually really good at this.
Speaker 3 (16:32):
I can do something with this. You know, that's amazing.
I love that. Yactly, Yeah, thank you.
Speaker 4 (16:38):
Yeah. So do you have what is your most common
like age or demographic?
Speaker 3 (16:46):
Is it mostly people?
Speaker 4 (16:49):
I'm gonna say mostly thirties, twenty and thirties, okay, twenty,
you know, twenty ish, thirty ish, mostly you know, young
young ash women who you know, who again have.
Speaker 3 (17:03):
Been doing this a little bit and.
Speaker 4 (17:06):
You know, are really seeking out the the resources that
we provide the most importantly, really the community that we provide.
Speaker 3 (17:15):
It's not not that they don't have their own.
Speaker 4 (17:18):
Communities and in whatever you know, towners, well especially city
if they you know, especially if they live in Boston
or or you know, Chicago or l A. You know,
of course, it's not like it's not a comedy scene there.
But we we're you know, we're weird twenty four seven,
we are, you know, we we are all over the map,
(17:40):
you know, in the US and the couple of, couple
of and even Europe, and it's just a you know,
it's a it's a different kind of and larger community
that people can rely on, which, you know, communities are
first of all, the way you survive any sort of
you know, get through any sort of tough job.
Speaker 3 (18:00):
My you know, I was lucky enough when.
Speaker 4 (18:02):
I was doing comedy to find it like the just
the nicest friends in the world. And we you know,
we have each other out and we booked each other
and we you know worked, you know, we you know,
that was that was our crew. And to be able
to kind of do that on steroids is is great.
And you know, also there's like so many studies about
how like you learn better in community and of course,
(18:24):
and that's one reason that the way we are, the
way we're designed is that you actually pay like one
annual fee as opposed to paying class by class. Basically
there's some exceptions, but basically that's how it works. So yeah,
that underscores the idea that like you joined for a
year and more. I mean, you know, for people renew
(18:45):
of course, but to.
Speaker 5 (18:47):
Take advantage and you can take advantage of whatever you
feel is interesting to you.
Speaker 2 (18:53):
Yeah, I thought, do.
Speaker 4 (18:54):
You build your path, you know, taking the stuff that
you need. Like we have a medical doctor who's developing
a medical goal game show and she is now taking
our stand up class because she hasn't done she's accustomed
to like public speaking, but she hasn't done She wants
to be able to kind of build the skills to
pitch herself as the co.
Speaker 3 (19:14):
Host of the show.
Speaker 4 (19:15):
So people just kind of go through or you know,
the people who do our solo show classes are like, oh, right,
I got to promote my show, or oh I got
to go to the fringe festival.
Speaker 3 (19:25):
And we have tons of on demand content.
Speaker 4 (19:27):
Because every time we do a workshop, we record it,
we sing it, and so it becomes on demand content
so that people can just be like.
Speaker 3 (19:33):
Well, I got to watch all the stuff.
Speaker 4 (19:34):
I got to binge to watch all the stuff about
promoting my show and going to Edinburgh, you.
Speaker 3 (19:39):
Know, going to whatever fringe festival. So it's all there
and every day there's more stuff.
Speaker 4 (19:45):
And people can you know, sort of you know, choose
their adventure based on what their goals are.
Speaker 5 (19:50):
That is so amazing. I had no idea, no idea
that this is available.
Speaker 3 (19:57):
Yeah, really cool.
Speaker 1 (19:59):
And you know, I think, just like any career, you
seek ways to improve yourself and.
Speaker 3 (20:08):
To grow and to promote or whatever it might be.
Speaker 1 (20:12):
I think anything in like show business, like comedy, anything
like that, it's got to be so challenging. There are
so many people trying to get their break and find
their way right, and like you said.
Speaker 2 (20:23):
Having a community, community is just huge, I mean, and
because not only does it provide you with resources, but
it also helps.
Speaker 3 (20:30):
You with your confidence and you're you know.
Speaker 1 (20:33):
Feeling part of something like you belong your place, you
know well, and.
Speaker 2 (20:37):
Also words to live by. It's not always what you
know is who you know?
Speaker 5 (20:41):
Yeah, seriously, like it's a big thing. It's an old
saying for reason because networking and communities and those types
of things, even in the world, you know, in the
digital age that we're in, it all goes back to
the basics, right. So, but I can't imagine standing up
(21:01):
there to be a comedian. I just can't imagine. It's
one thing to stand and present or you know, public
speaking and those types of things that the comedian aspect
of stand up comedy would.
Speaker 3 (21:14):
Be terrifying, intimating I got to make these people laugh.
I understand that. I was going to say.
Speaker 4 (21:19):
The other benefit of of you know, being a certain
age and having just been around for a long time
in and near the comedy business is.
Speaker 3 (21:30):
That you know, when you were saying, you know, it's
tracy it's what it's who you know.
Speaker 4 (21:35):
I just know so many people, you know, and just
because I have been doing some version of this since
the eighties, right, so like and that I like, you know,
I tend to keep in you know, I tend to
keep relationships and so and so that also has been
you know something that that that's a strength that I
(21:58):
can bring to this community. So that you know, uh,
Rachel Drats from SNL is one of our advisors, you know.
And Jinny Garoppolo appeared in one of our sketches because
I knew we're from stipt.
Speaker 2 (22:10):
And Margaret Chow right, like Margaret involved.
Speaker 3 (22:14):
Yeah, that was not that was because one of our
members knew her. So I actually, no, I take it back,
I mean that that was that. But I also had
worked with her in another comedy related.
Speaker 4 (22:26):
Job like five years ago, so I was like, wow,
I'm the one from Muhammad Ahamad like, so it was
another you know, in that moment of connectedness, so like,
you know.
Speaker 2 (22:36):
And now again I know you.
Speaker 5 (22:39):
So now I know you, I'm like, oh Lynn Harris,
Oh my gosh, you have a dream to be a comedian.
Speaker 2 (22:44):
I'm gonna hook you up with Lynn Harris, right, but
it's just funny. It's it's a thing. It's a real thing. Yeah, yeah,
very much.
Speaker 4 (22:52):
And it's one of the things that I think, you know,
when you ask people, you know, well, what do you appreciate.
Speaker 3 (22:57):
About being old er? What do you know?
Speaker 4 (22:59):
And it's just like you have really sort of accumulated
not just wisdom, but people and and and not like
in a transactional way, just different nodes of networks that
are kind of interconnected, like from the job you had ten.
Speaker 3 (23:19):
Years ago, but you're still in touch with one and
they also you know, and you feel really yeah, like
you belong not just in one node, but in many nodes.
Speaker 4 (23:28):
And it's it's something you can use to help other people.
It's something that makes you, that gives you a sense
of groundedness. And it's just like that's one of if
you ask me what my favorite thing about like being
you know, that's it's it's feeling that I've like, you know,
kind of investing will in wonderful and wonderful people relationships.
Speaker 3 (23:50):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (23:51):
I I grew up in Utah and I moved to
which is.
Speaker 5 (23:56):
A funny in itself, that's a whole comedy.
Speaker 1 (24:00):
Yeah, but I moved to Arizona in my early twenties
and I had transferred with the company I was working for,
but I took a new position and the guy that
I worked for, I mean, we're talking over twenty five
years ago.
Speaker 3 (24:13):
We still talk. He has a Boulder, Colorado. We stay
in touch.
Speaker 1 (24:17):
Yeah, he's I mean, he's a great guy, a great friend.
Speaker 3 (24:21):
But he's like really up there in you know, our trade.
He's done very well for himself.
Speaker 1 (24:28):
He's a great connection as far as you know, professional,
but he's also, like I said, a very good friend.
Speaker 3 (24:33):
And I have a lot of those like yeah, that's
I'm with you.
Speaker 1 (24:36):
I like to think, you know, I'm at the point
in my life where I've really discovered the things that
are very important to me and what I value, And
a lot of that is relationships that I have that
are meeting under and learning which ones aren't and and
not dealing with those anymore.
Speaker 2 (24:57):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (24:58):
Yeah, yeah, that they're bad people, but just that you're
you can pick and choose where you want to invest.
Speaker 2 (25:03):
Your like you're limited your time exactly.
Speaker 3 (25:05):
Absolutely.
Speaker 4 (25:06):
That's why Actually, that's why I like social media because
you know, it does enable you to.
Speaker 3 (25:11):
To uh, you know, kind of kind of.
Speaker 4 (25:14):
Keep it generally know how someone's doing, because that the
way it would be impossible.
Speaker 3 (25:17):
Okay, I don't know, well who else kids are graduating
from college? But then I see it on Facebook and.
Speaker 4 (25:22):
I'm able to be like, oh my god, you know, yeah,
well it It isn't it funny to think, like before
social media, like you literally had to catch up with
everybody over the phone.
Speaker 2 (25:31):
Yeah like that, Well, letters, letters were a thing to write.
You would like write letters email. Oh my god, okay,
am I dating myself in school anymore? Yeah?
Speaker 5 (25:41):
Well, what's funny is I can hardly write anymore. They
don't learn cursive. But also for me to actually handwrite
something like my penmanship is crazy because who writes anymore.
Speaker 2 (25:52):
It's just yeah, a.
Speaker 5 (25:54):
Whole different world that we live in now. It really
a yeah yeah, but love comedy. And I mentioned Joan
Rivers before because she is like that woman got me
through some tough times and when she reinvented herself, you know,
before she passed because she was snubbed out of the
(26:14):
industry because of men, right like you we were talking
about in all of the late night talk show hosts.
Speaker 2 (26:21):
She would substitute but never give.
Speaker 5 (26:23):
Her any consideration, and then they ended up snubbing her
out her whole story. But then she came back and oh,
my gosh, I can't tell you fashion police.
Speaker 2 (26:34):
Well she did fashion Police. She's done a bunch of things. Yeah,
my gosh.
Speaker 5 (26:38):
But she was still old school, like she put it
out there right, like she was next level. But honestly,
she got me through some tough times because of course,
with comedy and laughter comes the endorphins that go with it,
and it's a healing property.
Speaker 2 (26:55):
But oh my god, I miss her so much.
Speaker 4 (26:59):
I do.
Speaker 5 (27:00):
But luckily for social media, like you just mentioned, I
can still catch her glimpses. And there was something that
came up speaking of her daughter as well, that there
was an honor that was being given to Joan Rivers, right,
and so Melissa Rivers, her daughter, was rummaging through papers
to find old jokes and stuff, which are I believe
(27:21):
now in New York in a museum, but she found
a letter that Joan Rivers wrote saying, if you're reading
this right now, I am dead and somebody is finally
honoring me. But it was hilarious. It was hilarious. So yeah,
I don't know, we need more people like that, and
(27:41):
I know she's she could be maybe perceived as edgy whatever,
but I think that's the best. I just she's my
favorite of all time. I have to say, yeah, yeah, yeah.
Speaker 4 (27:53):
And we also just lost Ruth Bunny, who was like
I loved and grew up watching on laughing and until
the last minute, her Twitter game was very strong.
Speaker 3 (28:03):
Oh so yeah she was.
Speaker 4 (28:06):
I think she was like reaching even reaching new audiences,
you know, through Twitter.
Speaker 2 (28:11):
So yeah, yeah, that's awesome.
Speaker 3 (28:15):
It was another one of the greats.
Speaker 5 (28:17):
So if someoney one of our listeners would like to connect,
where would you And of course we'll include those links
in our show notes. But where would someone be able
to connect with you and find out more information? And
also sorry two part question, is it available to those
(28:37):
outside of the New York area.
Speaker 4 (28:40):
Yeah, where our headquarters is online, So we we certainly
have people get together and do projects who having met
through us, or who join kind of together from their
city or like recruit friends from their city, whatever. But
but the main like our hub is an online is
a prize that online platform which is just there for
(29:03):
you twenty four seven and all of our it's where
all of our classes kind of every class has its
own kind of space with the syllabus and the calendar
and there's a feed you know, kind of like Facebook,
but Mark Zuckerberg and and no gro vibes and so
it's the that's the you know, that's the jumping off.
Speaker 2 (29:23):
Point for everything.
Speaker 4 (29:24):
And so so yeah, people can We don't have a
physical space because I will not be paying be paying
rent to New York.
Speaker 2 (29:32):
And yeah, we don't need it.
Speaker 4 (29:36):
Yeah we do do you know, shows and activities in
real life, but but we don't need it as far
as the headquarters goes.
Speaker 3 (29:43):
So yeah, we're able to.
Speaker 4 (29:45):
We have we have people from all over, certainly from
the big comedy cities, but also certainly not from the
big comedy cities because that's why they seek us out
r so, and we do have too, very we have
two very to real anchors of our are from Utah, so.
Speaker 3 (30:03):
Is represented. So I love that.
Speaker 2 (30:06):
That's awesome.
Speaker 5 (30:07):
I can see how that could be a possibility coming.
Like I said, I think that's a whole that's a
whole skit in itself, right, I'm from Utah.
Speaker 2 (30:16):
And then wow, this keeps rolling these questions. YEA, well, yeah,
they can.
Speaker 4 (30:23):
Find everything that we have at goldcomedy dot com that's
our or on Instagram a.
Speaker 3 (30:27):
Gold Comedy Perfect.
Speaker 5 (30:29):
So yeah, thank you so much, and all of that
information will be in our show notes and linked to
our social channels as well. But thank you so much,
Lynn for joining us today. It's really been a pleasure
to learn more about it and just to speak to
you and and understand what's happening right now with a
(30:49):
lot of individuals like you mentioned.
Speaker 2 (30:52):
That our you know later in life are just discovering it.
Speaker 6 (30:55):
Yeah, if you think you're funny, someone else who is
has you know, teenage kids.
Speaker 4 (31:03):
She's she does something unrelated to comedy by day, and
she developed a script in one of our end of
pitch in our pitching class. She wound up getting representation
even during the writer's strike.
Speaker 3 (31:17):
Because she was she's.
Speaker 4 (31:19):
In Canada, so and she was able and so now
her her her show is being shopped in Canada, and
you know, she's like she's a grown up like us,
you know, so and she just was like this, I
gotta do this. You know, she had this idea and
she's making a.
Speaker 3 (31:36):
Happy Oh I love it.
Speaker 2 (31:38):
I love that.
Speaker 3 (31:39):
I love that.
Speaker 2 (31:40):
Billy Yep, Yes, awesome, Billy. Way to go Billy.
Speaker 1 (31:47):
Well, that wraps it up for today. Thanks for joining
us on Let's Talk Midlife Crisis. We hope you got
some laughs, a little inspiration, and maybe a few new ideas.
Speaker 2 (31:56):
If you've loved today's episode, hit that subscribe button so
you'll never miss an episode, and hey, share the love.
Send this episode to a friend who could use a
good laugh and some midlife wisdom.
Speaker 1 (32:08):
Connect with us on social media at Let's Talk Midlife
Crisis and let us know what's on your mind. We
love hearing from your
Popular Podcasts
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Special Summer Offer: Exclusively on Apple Podcasts, try our Dateline Premium subscription completely free for one month! With Dateline Premium, you get every episode ad-free plus exclusive bonus content.
24/7 News: The Latest
The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.