Bomb Shelter

⚠️ Content Warning: This episode contains discussion of childhood sexual abuse. Listener discretion is advised. If you or someone you know needs support, you can reach the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-422-4453, or RAINN at 1-800-656-4673.
Sebastian Scales is a comedian and the creator of "What Happened to You," an autobiographical documentary on YouTube in which he confronts the childhood abuse he survived — and what it took to finally talk about it. In this conversation, Sebastian opens up about turning his most painful experiences into a story that's helping others feel less alone, and how comedy became both his armor and his way through.
Watch "What Happened to You" on Sebastian's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2pLDuQ78rUg
 
Host: Mat Edgar
Producer: Layne Schmerin
Editor: Sami Blumenthal

Ian Fidance. 
 
Host: Mat Edgar
Producer: Layne Schmerin
Editor: Sami Blumenthal

Nick Murphy 
Host: Mat Edgar
Producer: Layne Schmerin 
Editor: Sami Blumenthal

Brian Moses is the creator and host of Roast Battle, the show that transformed a late-night Comedy Store experiment into a global comedy phenomenon. In this episode, Brian tells the story of how an open mic accidentally became an entirely new comedy genre—and the bombs it took to make it happen.
Host: Mat Edgar
Producer: Layne Schmerin
Editor: Sami Blumenthal

Jeremiah Watkins is a stand-up comedian who commits 100% to every performance. What’s most impressive is just how many different performances he commits to. When he’s not doing stand-up most nights, he’s touring with Dr. Phil Live or hosting the wildly popular improvised stand-up show he created, Stand-Up on the Spot. Formerly the bandleader of Kill Tony and one-third of The Wave from Roast Battle, Jeremiah has always been one of comedy’s most versatile performers. His willingness to push beyond the boundaries of traditional stand-up has made him one of the most sought-after collaborators in comedy. And of course, no one who performs that much gets out unscathed. He has definitely faced his share of adversity or ridicule. Today’s episode is about the courage it takes to commit 100%, and what happens when that commitment blows up in front of an audience.
Host: Mat Edgar
Producer: Layne Schmerin
Editor: Sami Blumenthal

David Jolly is the perfect guest for Bomb Shelter. Not only is he a work horse when it comes to his development as a stand up comedian but his whole approach to practice is both courageous and noble. Not only does he perform at the best comedy clubs in the country he even takes time to do the hardest rooms there are in order to find a bomb before one finds him. In this episode we discuss the theory of bombing being an inevitable numbers game that catches up to everyone at all levels and how important it is to fail at the right times. David’s effort should be studied by all who are in pursuit of greatness. There’s a lot to be learned in this episode about the importance of repetition and the value in chasing the bomb.
Host: Mat Edgar
Producer: Layne Schmerin
Editor: Sami Blumenthal

Davey Wester never let a little cerebral palsy slow him down. If anything, it’s only made him funnier. Davey and I talk about his journey from navigating the dark age of The Comedy Store as a door guy/paid regular in the 2000s to becoming the road-dog headliner he is today, and all the stumbles along the way. Literally.
Host: Mat Edgar
Producer: Layne Schmerin
Editor: Sami Blumenthal

This is Pauly Shore.
 
Host: Mat Edgar
Producer: Layne Schmerin
Editor: Sami Blumenthal

Kirk Fox is a tennis pro turned actor turned comedian. In this episode, Kirk tells the story of a bomb so devastating it forced him to completely reinvent his approach to stand-up. Through trial, error, and humiliation, he transformed himself from a comic who felt like a fraud into one of the best working comedians in the game today. This is a story about finding your comedic voice the only way anyone ever truly does: by bombing.
 
Host: Mat Edgar
Producer: Layne Schmerin
Editor: Sami Blumenthal

Josh Potter is a comedian originally from Buffalo, New York. After making a name for himself in the local comedy scene, he was discovered by Tom Segura early in Segura’s rise and brought on the road as his career exploded. That opportunity eventually led Josh to Los Angeles, where he became a regular at the world famous Comedy Store. He currently hosts The Josh Potter Show, available wherever you get your podcasts.
 
Host: Mat Edgar
Producer: Layne Schmerin
Editor: Sami Blumenthal