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We are back with the Taking The Mic podcast and guess what??? It happened, I am a real f*cking comedian! That's right, I officially had my first paid gig since I started this nonsense 18 months ago. Nino and Jimmy Quaid joined me to discuss.If you can bear through the first half of this episode and Nino's seemingly never-ending story, we talk a lot about my comedy journey to this point in the 2nd segment. Thank you for your patience (with both Nino's story and the significant time in between episodes of TTM) but we should be back on a relatively more consistent basis. Enjoy!Instagram - @danstrzempkacomedyTwitter - @dan_strzempka

In the latest installment of Taking The Mic, I review my comedy showcase set and share my thoughts on Ricky Gervais' latest stand-up special.I also discuss the latest gun tragedy and the comedian's role in shaping society's ideals and morals.Instagram - @DanStrzempkaComedyTwitter - @Dan_Strzempka

The boys are back in town!Nino, Quaid and I got a chance to catch up on the first group episode in a WHILE. Join us as we chat about maps, yo-yo's, and fidget spinners.Oh yea, I also spent some time fielding questions about the stand-up comedy process and what my experience has been. Hope you enjoy!Instagram - @danstrzempkacomedyTwitter - @dan_strzempka

And....he's back, following a 4 month hiatus. In the comeback episode of TTM! I discuss my whereabouts, the Will Smith nonsense, and the Jerry Cantrell concert I attended this past weekend that still has me smiling.Stick around at the end of the episode for a snippet of an instrumental version of Alice In Chains' Nutshell that I recorded. Glad to be back!Instagram: @danstrzempkacomedyTwitter: @Dan_Strzempka

Where have I been? Doing comedy, that's where...and it's been awesome! In this episode, I review my first comedy showcase (video of the set to come) and talk about how cool the entire experience was for me.Also, what would a Taking The Mic! show be without some cancel culture talk? And what the hell is a "Don't Weigh Me" card? Find out on this episode!Instagram: @danstrzempkacomedyTwitter: @dan_strzempka

Douchebag double check Aaron Rodgers is back in the news again; this time as a crazy, rambling crackpot antivaxer.  I discuss this in detail and also have another go at trying to frame cancel culture in the correct light.Also included: comedy updates and what I'm watching/listening to.PS: Thank you for 1000 downloads! Let's keep this going, tell your friends!Instagram: @danstrzempkacomedyTwitter: @dan_strzempka

Netflix took an important and refreshing stance this past week, siding with Dave Chappelle amidst much backlash on his latest stand-up special, "The Closer."My full thoughts are in this episode. PSA: My words were chosen very carefully,  a full listen is required before I will allow your judgement.I also dove into my fear surrounding stand-up comedy and the future ideal state of this podcast.Instagram - @danstrzempkacomedyTwitter - @dan_strzempka

Nino, Jim and Ryan join me on the latest episode. We talk about eating on airplanes, "offensive" jokes and why Nino loves getting bad news about his friends.Enjoy and head to DanStrzempkaComedy.com to subscribe.@dan_strzempka on Twitter@danstrzempkacomedy on Instagram

^^^ David Letterman's words, not mine.The world became just a bit less funny today with the passing of Norm Macdonald. In the first episode of Taking The Mic after a lengthy break, I talk about the comedy hero of mine. No one has ever made me laugh harder or more consistently than he did, and I don't think anyone ever will. I also spend a bit of time catching you guys up on my existence and tease a few new things I'm working on for both the podcast and for stand up. Bye Norm.

We got flooded in Chicago over the weekend, and there was no shortage of morons thinking their cars were boats.I also give an update on my comedy and the Austin Harvest fundraiser.And I'm a year older or something, who cares.Enjoy, don't forget to subscribe! Instagram - @danstrzempkacomedyTwitter - @dan_strzempka

Chicago is fully open, and I'm already annoyed with people again. It's time to go back inside!I was also attacked multiple times by an a$$hole bird on the golf course. But most importantly, another fundraiser has been started. Let's help the under-resourced neighborhoods of Chicago! Full details are discussed in this episode and the link to donate is at danstrzempkacomedy.com. As always, enjoy! And subscribe!

I'm vaccinated.....and I'm going to Mexico.On this episode, I talk about my upcoming vacation, my Uncle Rico trip back to my hometown this past weekend; and then I accidentally get myself all worked up about religion for a few minutes before I course-corrected myself.Cannot wait for this trip to Mexico, but also cannot wait to come back and hit the comedy hard again. See you in a couple weeks!

This week, Ryan Baldi joined Nino and me for an inspiring discussion surrounding our existence in the universe and the purpose of life.We also attempted to discover who took advantage of my generous cookie donation. And now I'm a racist. Enjoy, don't forget to subscribe. And tell your friends!Dan's Instagram - @danstrzempkacomedyDan's Twitter - @dan_strzempkaRyan's Instagram - @rjbaldiRyan's Twitter - @rjbaldi

We're back after a brief layoff, allowing me to recover from a few bombs up on stage.Hideki Matsuyama won the Masters! Nothing, NOTHING makes me more warm and fuzzy than the thought of old white guys everywhere being furious that an Asian golfer won their precious golf tournament. I also discussed the passing of DMX by taking a trip down memory lane back to highschool. Enjoy the episode and stay tuned on Instagram for details about the Shatterproof 5k taking place this weekend!

Opening Stand-Up Set: My First Open Mic In A Calendar YearLive comedy has returned, and I'm on the vaccine schedule this week! Throw in some Saint Patty's drunks back on the streets of Chicago, things are starting to feel normal(ish) again. I also chatted about a woman who falls in love with inanimate objects and the Grammy's. Enjoy, subscribe, tell your friends!

Jimmy Quaid joins Nino and me on another Taking The Mic! episode.We get into some Mr. Potato Head and Dr. Seuss cancel culture talk. Wow, what a sentence.We also go over our "Shawshank" movie list...movies that you simply cannot bypass on the cable guide when they're on, but NEVER choose to start them from scratch. I'll be at two open mics this week,  so I should have some recordings for next week's episode!

Opening Stand-Up Set: Human Car HornsA lot going on the news this week. I talk at length about Tiger Woods' devastating car wreck and why I was so rattled when I got the news. I also discuss how fascinated I am by the Mars rover, Perseverance, and why no one seems to care about it. I go a step further and predict some not so pleasant things for humanity over the next couple hundred years. And there's some comedy talk as well....enjoy!

Opening Stand-Up Set: Is It Just Me?I blabbed about a number of things in my first solo show in a while, including my new mattress, which I am incredibly excited about.Also on this episode: A couple of podcast recommendations, my weird drunk Star Wars loving neighbor, and a baby shower gone terribly awry. FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER! PLEASE! @dan_strzempka

Opening Stand-Up Set: Girlfriend Shopping on a BudgetMy friend Becca joined Nino and me for a chat amidst a blizzard in Chicago.We discussed cannibalism, her encounter with a contestant from The Bachelor, dating apps, and a few of my idiosyncrasies.PS: If you could, please visit www.danstrzempka.com for info about my fundraiser for the Shatterproof foundation and to donate. Please give if you can...and enjoy the episode!

Opening Stand-Up Set - Therapist Sick DaysNino and I ushered in 2021 by talking about Cobra Kai, and I learned that disdain for Ralph Macchio isn't the prevailing public sentiment. We also talked (loudly) about Reddit and the internet winning the Trump debacle this past weekend. Finally, we resolved to get the hell out of our comfort zone this year!Enjoy, subscribe, tell your friends and also strangers.