Serious Circus

Serious Circus

David C. Smalley hosts Serious Circus—a sharp-edged comedy podcast exploring personal stories, current events, religion, politics, and the darker side of comedy—featuring bold conversations, serious laughs, and a Dogma Debate segment, where opposing voices still throw down.

Episodes

June 16, 2026 56 mins
After more than a decade of debates, thousands of hours of conversations, and countless guests, one question keeps coming up:Is Dogma Debate dead?In this episode, David Smalley explains why Dogma Debate slowed down, what changed in the debate landscape, and why stand-up comedy, content creation, and the rise of TikTok debate culture made the original format increasingly difficult to sustain. He shares behind-the-scenes stories abou...
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    What happens when David C. Smalley brings his wife Angelica Smalley onto Serious Circus for her first-ever podcast appearance?

    After watching coverage of the viral “Make America Hot Again” conservative dating movement, David and Angelica unpack the bigger conversation around modern dating, masculinity, toxic masculinity, gender roles, liberal vs conservative relationships, marriage expectations, emotional safety...
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    May 13, 2026 108 mins
    In this episode of Serious Circus, host David C. Smalley sits down with legendary comedy manager and industry insider Barry Katz for a deep dive into what it actually takes to succeed in stand-up comedy.
     
    Hear behind the scenes stories about Chris Rock, Katt Williams, Dave Chappelle, Jerry Seinfeld, Dane Cook, and more, along with raw insights on:
    • Why most comedians fail to break through
    • The myth of “follow...
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    May 13, 2026 72 mins
    Four comedians. No filters.

    David C. Smalley, J. Mandyam, Jeff Horste, and Jason Collings dive into the real debates happening inside stand-up comedy right now:

    – Is crowd work authentic… or strategically prepped?
    – Are comics writing full hour specials anymore?
    – Is everyone just chasing viral 60-second clips?
    – What happens when a comic breaks down after being heckled?
    &nda...
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    May 13, 2026 95 mins
    What happens when a comedian gets served a $27 million lawsuit… on stage at The Comedy Store?

    In this episode, David C. Smalley sits down with Learn More, Shang Forbes, and Vipul Munshi for a wild conversation covering everything from real-life comedy drama to industry shifts happening right now. They break down the viral moment Learn More got served legal papers mid-set, what led up to it, and what could happen next....
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    April 28, 2026 98 mins
    In this episode of Serious Circus, David C. Smalley and Jeff Horst revisit a classic Dogma Debate episode featuring Greg Locke—and it escalates quickly.

    We pull some of the most intense, controversial, and unbelievable soundbites from the original episode and react in real time. What starts as a throwback turns into a full-on breakdown, with sharp commentary, unexpected turns, and plenty of roasting along the way....
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    This episode is a replay from the Dogma Debate archive. Originally released as Episode 472, this conversation features a debate with a Christian missionary living in Africa. It’s one of the more discussed episodes from earlier seasons, revisiting core questions about belief, evangelism, and worldview.

    While new episodes are on the way, we’re highlighting past conversations that listeners continue to revisit and ...
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    September 17, 2025 63 mins
    "Can you get a DUI on a bike? Yes, I've done it!" Jeremiah Watkins & Daniel De Leon join David in studio for some Serious Circus.
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    September 2, 2025 89 mins
    "Women shouldn't vote." Yep. He really says that. Brandan Jordan, Michael Regilio, and Malik B join David in studio for some serious circus.
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    Michael Regilio makes a big announcement. Michael and Travis discuss the week of Trump
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    Jennie Gage was once a devout Mormon, a Christian nationalist, a white supremacist, and a proud Trump supporter. In this gripping episode of Dogma Debate, she shares her raw, courageous journey out of an ideology built on fear and control. Her story is one of reckoning, transformation, and the power of asking hard questions. Don’t miss it.
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    August 1, 2025 71 mins
    Bolsonaro is emboldened by Trump's 50% tariff on Brazil, Texas redistrics, Should senators and such divest? Harvard bends the knee, EPA says Everything Polluters Ask for they get. Epstein (of course)
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    July 26, 2025 66 mins
    Epstein Island,Tim Kaine Returns, Tulsi G and the Crazy Bunch and South Park.  More at dogmadebate.com
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    July 24, 2025 58 mins
    Brittney Hartley is an atheist spiritual director and author of No Nonsense Spirituality. She joins Michael Regilio for a wide-ranging discussion including Fundamentalism v nihilism. More at dogmadebate.com
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    Caroline was a high schooler when she met Charlie Kirk. What came next was years inside the beating heart of the MAGA machine.
    On this episode of DOGMA DEBATE, Caroline sits down with Michael Regilio to pull back the curtain on Turning Point USA and the darker truths behind the conservative youth movement.
    From wild parties with Republican senators to underage girls being handed alcohol at political events, Caroline exposes t...
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    July 19, 2025 84 mins
    The Late Show is no more, Trump steals FIFA trophy, New old Coke(not), Tucker Carlson and Jeffery Epstein.  More at dogmadebate.com
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    July 13, 2025 50 mins
    Epstein Epstein Epstein. (plus more news but seriously... Epstein) Guest co-host Josh Edelman joins.  More at dogmadebate.com
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    July 11, 2025 72 mins
    Dallas Duff returns to discuss and defend Trump.  Michael Regilio is of a different opinion.  Weekly Roundup show will be out this weekend.  More at dogmadebate.com
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    July 11, 2025 31 mins
    David debates Fuz Rana, a PHd in biochemistry holder and devout Christian. For access to this this episode and all 816 episodes of Dogma Debate go to dogmadebate.com
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    July 5, 2025 63 mins
    Happy Birthday America, we hope it's not your last.  Floods in Texas that NOAA failed to forecast because of DOGE cuts. Spoiler alert: climate change is real.  MTG is convinced weather machines are real.  Alligator Alcatraz, Atheism and Elon's new political party.  It's all part of Trump's terrible 24th week.  More at dogmadebate.com
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