Black & A Half

Black & A Half

The longest running comedy podcast in Seattle. Probably. Comedians Samantha Rund & Silas Lindenstein interview musicians, artists, writers, comedians and other art creators to find out their origin stories, hear about their upcoming projects, and ask their famous 7 questions. They also give film reviews and discuss current hot topics.

Episodes

July 30, 2025 58 mins
ilas and Samantha dive into cuddle therapy lawsuits, the surprising future of A.I., and why massages in theater school were the best free perk. They also tackle parenting humor (including fart jokes), Juneteenth reflections, the economics of physical touch, and Silas’s “Mildly Obese Cookbook.” Plus, music talk: Jelly Roll, Tracy Chapman, and why guitars are the most abandoned instrument on Facebook Marketplace.
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Silas and Samantha sit down with former NBA player and current international basketball star Jeremy Pargo, who’s now making his mark as a filmmaker and actor. Jeremy stars in and co-wrote The Final Play, a romantic comedy about a retired pro athlete finding purpose, love, and fulfillment beyond the court. They discuss his transition from sports to acting, creative inspiration, and the real-life emotions behind the film. Plus, ...
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Comedian, writer, and founder of Gold Comedy, Lynn Harris, joins Silas and Samantha for a deep dive into building inclusive comedy communities, how Gold Comedy supports women and nonbinary creators, and why killing the term “comedienne” might just change the world. Plus, discover her truffle chip addiction, her revolutionary knowledge, and her favorite Zoom-based comedy tricks.
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In this episode of Black & A Half, Silas and Samantha get deep and playful about positivity, mindset, manifestation, and the joy (and judgment) of believing in a “whole lot of hooey.” From allergy season survival tips and natural remedies to whether thinking good thoughts actually changes our lives, they question, laugh, and affirm what makes reality bend. Plus, a dreamy dive into travel, minimalism, ball gowns, and musica...
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In Episode 235 of Black & A Half, Silas and Samantha dive deep into gardening as metaphor, ADHD hyperfocus, decluttering struggles, and the unexpected wisdom of insurance companies. They explore the trust we place in strangers, the emotional weight of getting rid of stuff, the unpredictability of parenting, and what “bonsai-ing your life” really means. Come for the laughs, stay for the insights—and find out why you shouldn...
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In this heartfelt and humorous episode, Silas and Samantha dive into the concept of “recovery”—whether from surgery, pride, or economic hardship. They unpack the emotional impact of community care like meal trains, the stigma surrounding poverty, and how asking for help is an act of strength. Plus, they brainstorm million-dollar ideas and get nostalgic about ice cream cake. A powerful reminder of grace, humor, and human connec...
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In Episode 233 of Black & A Half, Silas and Samantha welcome the brilliantly nerdy and hilariously honest Marie Elizabeth. A rising star in Seattle's comedy scene, Marie dives into her journey from film school to the stand-up stage, her deep love of Star Trek, and the vibrant intersection of neurodivergence, kink, and comedy. From Real Nerds of Comedy to her burlesque variety show “Hotties and Bodies,” Marie brings both in...
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In this episode of Black & A Half, Silas and Samantha take you on a rollercoaster of laughs, dark humor, and deep conversations. They discuss the weird experience of finding stolen comedy material online, the tricky nuances of text message etiquette, and how generational differences affect digital communication. Plus, they dive into the joy (or horror) of being turned into a cartoon, the ethics of creative inspiration vs. ...
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In this episode of Black & A Half, Silas and Samantha dive into the joys (and struggles) of learning new skills, from playing instruments to navigating life's unexpected detours. They explore the power of persistence, failing forward, and why self-improvement is a lifelong jam session. Plus, thoughts on tipping culture, crowdfunding fatigue, and a few hilarious detours along the way. Tune in for laughter, wisdom, and maybe...
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This week on Black & A Half, Silas and Samantha welcome back Jason DeLeo from LIT Immersive! We dive into the wild world of immersive theater, where audiences step inside the action instead of just watching it. Jason shares behind-the-scenes stories, the challenges of creating interactive performances, and how Seattle’s theater scene is evolving. Plus, Silas recounts his trip to Nashville, and we debate whether performing ...
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In this episode of Black & A Half, Silas and Samantha dive into the world of self-confidence, good lighting, and the unexpected depth of Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl halftime show. They break down the art of callbacks, the power of four key questions for stress management, and even debate the hidden dangers of using toilet paper as Kleenex. Thought-provoking, hilarious, and full of surprises—this one’s got it all. Tune in n...
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In this episode of Black & A Half, we tackle land acknowledgments—are they meaningful or just performative? Then, we dive into life’s big choice points, parallel universes, and whether we’re all living in a Sliding Doors moment. Finally, we get emotional about food that’s so good it makes you cry (or angry!).

🔥 Are land acknowledgments empty gestures?
🔥 Do small choices create alternate realities?
🔥 Wha...
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Episode 227: Yes, And: Building Community One Laugh at a Time

In this episode of Black and a Half, we dive deep into the power of community, connection, and collaboration. From the quirky camaraderie of improv to the solo grind of stand-up comedy, we explore how different creative spaces foster relationships (or don't!). Along the way, we discuss personal growth, adapting to change, and finding joy in unexpected plac...
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This week, Samantha and Silas discuss Tik Tok, AI in relationships, setting boundaries with partners, and what constitutes cheating in a relationship.
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January 10, 2025 61 mins
Samantha Rund returns to co-host Black & A Half. In this episode, they talk about fact-checking on Facebook, grief, and rededication. 
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Interview with Writer/Director Zia Mohajerjasbi about his debut film Know Your Place, a Seattle based film. 
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Interview with writer/director Nicole Riegel from the film Dandelion. 
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In this episode of "Black and A Half," I sit down with the incredible Dr. Erin MacDonald, an astrophysicist, renowned science speaker, and the official science consultant for the Star Trek franchise. Dr. MacDonald also lends her voice to a character on Star Trek: Prodigy.

Join us as we dive into the real science behind Star Trek, the distinction between science fiction and fantasy, and how Dr. MacDonald balances authe...
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In this episode of "Black & A Half", I have the pleasure of interviewing Xenia LeBlanc, the talented writer and director of the short film "The Exposed." Xenia and I discuss her fascinating journey from studying acting across the globe to creating a captivating horror short film. She opens up about the dynamics of being in a filmmaking couple with her husband, Nicholas Acosta, and how they navigate their creative collabora...
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Episode 220: Action and Comedy on a Budget with Nicholas Acosta

In this exciting episode of "Black & A Half," Silas Lindenstein sits down with the talented writer-director Nicholas Acosta. Nicholas recently premiered his new short film, "The Pickup," at the Dances With Films Film Festival on June 25th. "The Pickup" is an action-comedy about an Uber driver who inadvertently becomes involved in a secret agent's hig...
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