Funny In Failure

Annie Lumsden is an actor, writer and comedian. Her show ‘This is our pilot’ was nominated for best comedy at the Melbourne Fringe festival this year. She’s also a UBAA grad, and member of ‘15 Minutes From Anywhere’ theatre company and has worked with many independent companies. She’s also been seen on Neighbours, Aunty Donna and the Dr Blake Murder Mysteries. In this podcast we chat about the highs and lows of working in the creative space, strong friendships, toxicity, sadness, goals, creating, drinking, sabotage, playing, freezing, judgment and dreams. Check her out on: Instagram: annielumsden Facebook: annielumsdenactor Follow @Funny in Failure on Insta and FB and @Michael_Kahan on Insta to keep up to date with the latest info.

Alex Ward is a comedian and writer who has appeared on ABC Comedy’s Up-late, Audible’s 2019 live stand-up series, Tonightly with Tom Ballard, Triple J’s Good Az Friday and Melt Comedy Gala. She’s performed all over Australia, including at Splendour In The Grass and the Melbourne comedy festival. By day Alex is a writer for Network Ten’s ‘The Project’. In this podcast we chat about, chasing laughs and instant responses, confidence, defining yourself as a comedian, positivity, friendships, comparisons, validation, anxiety, health, loneliness and the theme of sorry. Check her out on: Website: www.alex-ward.com.au Facebook: Alex ward comedy Instagram: wardyaknow Twitter: Alex M ward Follow @Funny in Failure on Insta and FB and @Michael_Kahan on Insta to keep up to date with the latest info.

Sam Newman is an ex Australian rules football player, a journalist, critic, speaker, podcaster, social media, radio and tv personality. He was also presenter on both the hugely successful AFL Footy Show and The Sunday Footy Show which has won multiple Logies.  In this podcast we chat about, success, confidence, live TV, being suspended, being an introvert, critics, friendships, controversy, Adam Goodes, morals, drinking and PC culture plus a lot more. Check him out on: TWITTER: Origsmartassam INSTAGRAM: originalsmartassam FACEBOOK: SmartASSam Follow @Funny in Failure on Insta and FB and @Michael_Kahan on Insta to keep up to date with the latest info.

Mike Goldstein is an American born comedian, writer and podcaster who now resides in Melbourne. He also co-host the hilarious, ‘The Phone Hacks' podcast (available on most platforms) He’s toured all over Australia and America, and has performed to sell-out crowds throughout South East Asia, South Africa and the UK. He has also supported comedy heavyweights such as Stephen Merchant and Doug Stanhope. He’s won heaps of awards and has appeared in an impressive array of TV shows such as Melbourne’s Champagne Comedy TV Special, the Rove Daily web-site, ABC comedy, Tonightly with Tom Ballard and Triple J’s radio show J-Arts. In this podcast we chat about, his lawyer days, responsibility, motivation, bombing and bad gigs, comparison, failed pilots, mental health and social media, online trolls and plenty more. Check him out on: Facebook: MikeGoldsteinComedy Instagram: comedymikegoldstein Twitter: MikeGStein Follow @Funny in Failure on Insta and FB and @Michael_Kahan on Insta to keep up to date with the latest in

Aaron Gocs is a writer, actor and stand-up comedian. He’s had his own series on Comedy Central, called Gocsys Classics, played roles in a number of Australian comedies including The Merger, True Story with Hamish & Andy and ABC TV’s Ronny Chieng: International Student. He’s also worked with VICE, Triple J and also performed at the top comedy clubs and festivals all around Australia. In this podcast we talk about stress, hardships, pain and suffering, divorce, family, creativity, self-talk, backing yourself and growth. Check him out on: Facebook: @AronGocs Instagram: @aarongocs Twitter: @AaronGocs Website: www.thejunkyard.com.au/aaron-gocs Follow @Funny in Failure on Insta and FB and @Michael_Kahan on Insta to keep up to date with the latest info.

Nick Capper is a stand up comedian and a podcast veteran with his own podcast called THE PHONE HACKS PODCAST. He’s just finished filming his stand-up special, performed on COMEDY UP LATE on ABC TV, GOCSYS CLASSICS on COMEDY CENTRAl and been heard on TRIPLE J. He’s also toured all over Australia including at the Sydney, Adelaide and Melbourne comedy festivals. In this podcast we talk about defining yourself, chasing laughs, insecurities, resilience, alcohol, health, breakups, education and taking control of your life. Check him out on: Website: www.nickcapper.com Facebook: nickcapper Instagram: capperflapper His podcast THE PHONE HACKS PODCAST IS on all major podcast platforms. Follow @Funny in Failure on Insta and FB and @Michael_Kahan on Insta to keep up to date with the latest info.

Lena Moon is a director, writer, comedian, improviser and actor. Lena has been involved with ‘Woah Alyssa’, ‘Aunty Donna’ and ‘The Leak’. Her show ‘This is our pilot’ was nominated for best comedy at the Melbourne Fringe Festival this year. She performs regularly for the popular improv team ‘Heralayan Salt Lamps’. She also has a master’s degree in screen writing, and has performed at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival and The Melbourne Fringe Festival. In this podcast we chat about a wide range of subjects including family tragedy, collaboration, jealously, coming out, defining yourself, fear, cults, weirdness, self destruction, trust, friendships, grief and suffering. To keep up to date with Lena, check her out on: Website: www.lenamooncreates.com Instagram: lenaimoon Twitter: iwinatawesome Follow @Funny in Failure on Insta and FB and @Michael_Kahan on Insta to keep up to date with the latest info.

Maz Jobrani is an Iranian- American comedian, podcaster, writer, film maker, philanthropist, speaker and actor. He was most recently seen playing the loveable “Fawz” on the CBS comedy SUPERIOR DONUTS as a series regular. He can often be seen on television’s most popular shows such as GREY’S ANATOMY, CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM, THE DETOUR, LAST MAN STANDING, and SHAMELESS. Maz starred as the title character in the award-winning indie comedy, JIMMY VESTVOOD: AMERIKAN HERO, a feature which he co-wrote and co-produced . He has also co-starred in many films, including Sydney Pollack’s THE INTERPRETER, Disney’s DESCENDANTS and Ice Cube’s FRIDAY AFTER NEXT. Maz has an original NETFLIX standup special called IMMIGRANT and has released 3 additional solo specials on SHOWTIME. He was a founding member of THE AXIS OF EVIL comedy tour, is regular panelist on NPR’s WAIT WAIT DONT TELL ME and has given not one but two TED talks! In 2016, he performed at the WHITE HOUSE where given the honour of introducing the first lady, Michel

Michael Shafar is a stand-up comedian and writer for the Channel 10’s The Project. He was a Raw finalist and he has performed at massive events such as the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, performed around Australia, New Zealand, Asia, the US and even on International Waters. He also hosted Channel 31's satirical news show, The Leak, and developed the viral sensation, Round Squares. He has also be seen and heard on SBS's RAW Comedy, ABC's Comedy Bites and Triple j's Good Az Friday. In this podcast we chat about comparison, expectations, his lawyer days, collaboration, cancer, vulnerability, honesty and fear. Check him out on: Website: www.michaelshafar.com Facebook/ twitter: michaelshafar Instagram: michael.shafar Follow @Funny in Failure on Insta and FB and @Michael_Kahan on Insta to keep up to date with the latest info.

Sonia Di Iorio is a writer, actor, TV presenter and stand up comedian. She’s also a writer for Channel Ten’s, ‘The Project’, was the winner of Spleen comic of the year and has appeared live on the Bowen. She’s performed at top comedy events and festivals in Australia such as 'Melbourne Fringe', 'Splendour in the Grass' and 'The Melbourne International Comedy Festival'. In this podcast we talk about failure, comedy as a profession, proving yourself, comparing, resilience, the big picture, bad dates, bad gigs and creativity. Check her out on: Facebook: soniadii.comedy Instagram: soniadsees Follow @Funny in Failure on Insta and FB and @Michael_Kahan on Insta to keep up to date with the latest info.

Melissa McGlensey is an American originally from Orange County, California, who currently resides in Melbourne Australia. She is a writer, comedian, improviser, filmmaker and a improv and sketch teacher. Melissa is also the director of Completely Improvised Potter as well as a company member of Soothplayers: Completely Improvised Shakespeare which was nominated for best comedy at Melbourne Fringe Festival. She has studied and performed improv and sketch comedy with a number of theatres all across the world including the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre, The Improv Conspiracy and Second City Chicago. She is also a graduate from the Harold Ramis Film School at The Second City. When not studying, teaching or performing improv, sketch or stand up, Melissa is a contributing writer for Reductress and The Betoota Advocate. Her writing can also be seen on The Huffington Post, The Mighty, The Onion’s former site Starwipe and Today.com. In this podcast we chat about Play vs fun, stand up vs improv, fear, insecurities,

Atul Khatri is an Indian, writer, actor and stand up comedian, who’s comedy special "The Happiest Ending" was released on NETFLIX, as part of the prestigious 'COMEDIANS OF THE WORLD' series. He’s also an Ex CEO and the winner of CEO's Got Talent. He has won many awards, performed all around the world and will shortly be doing taping for” Just for Laughs”, in Australia. This podcast is a very inspiring story to hear how, an ex CEO becomes a comedy giant. We also talk about branding, Netflix, determination, courage, success, failure, exercise and depression workshops. Check him out on: Website: www.atulkhatri.com Twitter/Instagram: one_by_two Facebook: atulkhatricomedian Youtube: gutterguppie Follow @Funny in Failure on Insta and FB and @Michael_Kahan on Insta to keep up to date with the latest info.

Joe White is an Ethiopian born comic who currently resides in Perth, Australia. He is an award-winning comedian, who has been named the Australian Trevor Noah. He has performed in both Australia and Canada nationwide, including at the Melbourne International Comedy festival. He’s supported international comedy legends such as Maz Jobrani and Max Amini. He’s now also a radio show host and he’s been a contestant on Australia’s Got Talent. He’s also an ambassador for the Katina Woodruff Children's Foundation, which is a not-for-profit foundation that works with refugee children coming from countries all over the world including Afghanistan, Iran, China, India, Burundi, Congo, Ethiopia, Eritrea and many more. The Foundation assists with recovery from traumatic immigration experiences to help these children and their families transition into the Australian way of life. This podcast is an engrossing narrative, where we talk about Joe’s incredible story as a refugee, who fought homelessness in Sudan. We also discu

Darren Levy is a Melbourne based Youtuber, speaker, influencer and entertainer who hilariously films his passengers in his Uber… with their consent, of course. He currently has over 800k YouTube subscribers, and a massive viral video that has hit over 18 Million views. More recently Jerry Seinfeld did a shout out to Darren and his channel in his “Comedians In Cars Getting Coffee” series. Some of the things we talk about In this podcast are clarity, purpose, pleasing your parents, creative thinking, uncertainty, demonetisation, mean tweets and creative burnout. For more information check out Darren on: Youtube/Insta/ FB: darrenlevyofficial Follow @Funny in Failure on Insta and FB and @Michael_Kahan on Insta to keep up to date with the latest info.

Darren Levy is a Melbourne based Youtuber, speaker, influencer and entertainer who hilariously films his passengers in his Uber… with their consent, of course. He currently has over 500k YouTube subscribers, and a massive viral video that has hit just under 17 Million views, which is pretty crazy. More recently Jerry Seinfeld did a shout out to Darren and his channel in his “Comedians In Cars Getting Coffee” series. In this podcast we talk about absolutely everything but if I was to break it down, some of the key points we discuss are divorce, heart break, suicide, life purpose, challenging bosses, people pleasing, the benefits of humour, upbringing, Gary Vee, community, influences, schooling and university, belonging, relationships and social media. For more information check out Darren on: Instagram/ FB/ Youtube: darrenlevyofficial Follow @Funny in Failure on Insta and FB and @Michael_Kahan on Insta to keep up to date with the latest info.

James Greenshields is an ex army major, now turned motivational speaker and emotional literacy facilitator who specializes in helping men, both young and old on how to find their direction in life. He is the co-founder of the Resilient Leaders Foundation and creator of the Superhero Pilgrimage. The ground-breaking work he does with employees of large award-winning corporations, now sees him regularly consulted by leaders of these organisations, in the area of Resilient Leadership. His story is beyond inspirational and we discuss many topics such as self-worth, ego, finding yourself, the army, post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, emotional literacy, self -worth, vulnerability, toxic shame, personal power, bullies, and the deepness behind shame and guilt. For more information you can check out some of work at: Facebook: ResilientLeadersFoundation www.resilientleadersfoundation.org/ insta: jamesgreenshields James also posts articles from time to time, check out two of them here. www.huffingtonpost.com.a

Karunesh Talwar is a writer, actor and stand up comedian, from India. He made his way into the local comedy scene by winning several open mic competitions, including the Comedy Store's RAW. He was invited to the Melbourne International Comedy Festival in Australia where he did more than 20 consecutive shows and also featured on Australian television, on ABC TV’s show Comedy Up Late. Later that year, he was invited to the prestigious, world famous Soho Theatre in London and has also traveled the world preforming comedy. His videos have accumulated millions of views and has 3 comedy specials to add to his already impressive resume. In this podcast we talk about, trusting your gut, long term vs short term strategies, growth, realities of comedy, extreme behaviors, mental health, success, relationships, self awareness, pressure and self-talk. Check him out on: Facebook: KaruneshCTalwar Instagram/ Twitter: karuneshtalwar email: contact@karuneshtalwar.com Follow @Funny in Failure on Insta and FB and @Michael_Ka

Broden Kelly is an actor, writer, podcaster and comedian. He performs as part of the Australian sketch comedy group, Aunty Donna, where they have won numerous awards and preformed all over the world such as at Edinburgh Fringe and the Melbourne comedy festival. Aunty Donna’s have since gone on to create an award winning YouTube channel, garnering over 255 thousand+ subscribers and 44 million+ views. In this podcast we chat about happiness, gratitude, negativity, success, self-esteem, team work and collaborations/ collaborative partnerships, belonging, fear, loneliness, relationships that hold you back, control, the why, contingencies, being team player, vulnerability and leap of faith. For more information, check Broden out on: Instagram: brodenkellyismyname AUNTY DONNA: Youtube: TheAuntyDonnaChannel Instagram: theauntydonnagallery Twitter: AuntyDonnaBoys Website: www.auntydonna.com Follow @Funny in Failure on Insta and FB and @Michael_Kahan on Insta to keep up to date with the latest info.

Tom Houghton, he is a musician, presenter, improviser and stand up comedian. He’s shared line-ups with the likes of Michael McIntyre, John Bishop, Jason Manford Jack Whitehall, and has also supported Daniel Sloss and Justin Moorhouse on tour. He’s performed at some incredible venues all around the world, including the Glee Clubs, Komedia and Manford’s Comedy Club and the Comics Lounge and has been seen on BBC3, BBC1, Channel4 and Comedy Central. Tom grew up on Military barracks all over England, Germany and Northern Ireland. He went to boarding school in the depths of Cumbria from the aged 6. For 9 years he was part of an improv comedy group called “The Noise Next door”, he's now riding solo and currently living in The Tower of London. In this podcast we chat about, group dynamics, the tower of London, tinder profiles, solo vs group career, break ups/ losing friends, safety nets, imposter syndrome, insecurities, privilege, parents and upbringing, creativity, failure and courage. Check him out on: Twitter/I

Beth Lepley is a comedian, actor and improviser, new to Melbourne from LA. She was a house team performer at Upright Citizens Brigade in LA and is now currently performing and teaching at the Improv Conspiracy in Melbourne. In this podcast we talk about growth, personal journeys, immigration, therapy, creative mindset, protective shields, identities, creative a new path, leaving Uprights Citizens Brigade, happiness, support systems, improv, making your team look and feel good, empathy, fear, vulnerability, listening, up bringing, Robin Williams, creativity and redefining success. If you'd like to keep up to date with Beth, check her out on: Instagram/ Twitter: bethlepley Follow @Funny in Failure on Insta and FB and @Michael_Kahan on Insta to keep up to date with the latest info.