House of Bad Comedy Podcast

We went all over the place this episode. 😂
Adamandia recaps white-knuckling through hosting a Friday comedy show while fighting an oncoming migraine and drowning in school deadlines — low energy, basic transitions, but still getting the mileage in. Vanessa shares why she missed the show: babysitting for a friend and making a conscious effort to spend time with childhood friends' parents now, instead of only reconnecting at weddings or funerals.
Somewhere in there we get philosophical about the creative process — how comedy (or singing, or just talking to people) takes reps, and the real trick is giving yourself permission to suck at it first.
Oh, and we may have found the appeal of a part-time, semi-monogamous boyfriend. 👀 

Sometimes your comedy brain shows up at the worst possible time. 😂
 
In this episode of House of Bad Comedy, we’re talking about those painfully cringey moments when we’ve tried to make people laugh in normal, everyday situations… and absolutely bombed.
 
Vanessa takes us back to her school days, when she decided to channel Leonardo DiCaprio in Catch Me If You Can… with results that were considerably less impressive. Adamandia shares the time her comedy brain made an appearance at her dad’s funeral (yes, really), and Vanessa revisits the time she unknowingly said something incredibly insensitive to her first boyfriend.
 
This convo is all about bad jokes, awkward social moments, accidental insensitivity, comedy brain, and the times you desperately wish you could rewind the conversation and shut yourself up.
 
Because sometimes the joke lands.
 
Sometimes it bombs.
 
And sometimes… there really should not have been a joke. 😬😂

Adamandia just wrapped up her criminology class, so naturally, we had to talk about it! 😂
 
How much do we actually know about criminology beyond what we’ve absorbed from true crime shows, documentaries, and movies?  Adamandia shares some of the things she learned in class that caught her attention—from phrenology to the racist history of the criminal justice system, and the uncomfortable questions that come with learning about how the system was built.
 
We also get into something we didn’t know much about: how crime statistics are recorded in Canada, including the Most Serious Offence rule and how that can affect the numbers we see.
 
And, because this is House of Bad Comedy, Vanessa immediately starts looking for ways to turn Adamandia’s criminology learnings into jokes. 😂
 
Next episode: When the comedy brain comes out at the absolute WORST moments. 😬
 

This week on House of Bad Comedy, Adamandia shares the story of her weekend adventure… including the time she somehow got on the wrong ferry! 😂 It turns into a conversation about trusting your gut, asking questions when you’re not sure, and remembering that it’s okay to pause and figure things out.
 
We also talk about getting outside, spending time in nature, and why we both love the Pacific Northwest. 🌲 There’s something about fresh air, beautiful scenery, and getting away from the everyday grind that can do wonders for your mental health.
 
Then we get into an interesting observation from Adamandia’s trip: you really do emulate the people you spend time with. Why does she suddenly feel more competitive when she’s around competitive people? And how much does the tone of someone’s voice influence the way we react to them?
 
Next week: Adamandia shares some of her observations from her Criminology class! 👀
 
#HouseOfBadComedy #ComedyPodcast #PacificNorthwest #MentalHealth #SelfAwareness #FunnyPodcast #StandUpComedy #LifeObservations #Podcast

It's another joke workshop episode! 🎤
 
Adamandia pitches a joke about why she might just be every Republican parent's worst nightmare, while Vanessa shares her observations from attending a toddler's birthday party as a single, childless woman. Plus, Vanessa works through brand-new material she's preparing for an upcoming performance at Yuk Yuk's this October.

Another catch-up and check-in! This week, we’re getting into the things that catch our attention when we meet someone new—from Vanessa’s appreciation for a nice pair of calves to the surprisingly specific thing Adamandia notices right away. 😂
 
We also wonder whether heckling bad drivers could actually be a good comedy premise and get an update on Adamandia’s husband’s long-delayed knee surgery that was supposed to happen months ago.
 
Next episode: We’re working on some more jokes together! 🎤

If you've ever wondered how stand-up jokes are built (or completely fall apart)…
Adamandia and Vanessa workshop new material, test out fresh premises, and see where the conversation goes.  To start off, they dive into a surprisingly complicated question: are accents ever okay, depending on the context?
They also riff on their biggest pet peeves about bad drivers, including Vanessa's surprisingly satisfying alternative to giving someone the finger. Plus, Vanessa shares a few observations on why some Christians can come across as a little cringey, and…they have a chat about her sneezes (it'll make more sense when you listen).
Topics: stand-up comedy, joke writing, comedy workshop, bad drivers, road rage, accents, observational comedy, Christians, sneezing, behind the scenes, comedians, comedy podcast.
 

After spending some time out of town, we're finally back together for a good old-fashioned catch-up episode!
 
We chat about our love of driving, why road trips can feel surprisingly meditative, and how having uninterrupted time alone with your thoughts is becoming a rare luxury. We also compare some of our quirky travel habits, including our mutual obsession with bringing cinnamon everywhere we go, and somehow end up talking about why getting enough protein is more important than we ever realized.
 
Later, Adamandia shares something she recently learned about her niece, which leads us into a more thoughtful conversation about boundaries, growing up, and navigating relationships.
 
Next week we're back to workshopping brand-new stand-up jokes!
 

It's another behind-the-scenes joke writing session! This week, Vanessa tests out new stand-up comedy material about Jesus, her prerequisites for making friends as an adult, and the surprisingly specific things that give her FOMO in her 40s. 😅
 
As always, one joke leads to another, and somehow the conversation circles back to kids (yes, again!) after one of Vanessa's bits sparks another tangent.

In this episode of the House of Bad Comedy, the Adamandia and Vanessa recap a recent successful backyard comedy show that brought together a unique variety of performers and new audience members. They discuss the post-show adrenaline and the importance of finding gratifying creative outlets to navigate life’s inevitable trauma and suffering.
The conversation takes a deep dive into:
The "Church of Comedy" Concept: A potential spin-off idea exploring a weekly "sermon" style format focused on creativity, mindfulness, and spiritualism, inspired by Julia Cameron’s The Artist’s Way.
Challenging Stereotypes: A reflection on societal pressures and the lingering, incorrect awareness that "women aren't funny".
The Struggle with "Greek Time": A humorous look at cultural and personal frustrations regarding lateness and planning—specifically when it comes to the men in their lives.
Stay Connected:
New episodes drop every Tuesday.
Got questions or feedback? Email the show at houseofbadcomedy@gmail.com.