The Comical Heathen Podcast

The Comical Heathen S2 E7:Leighann Lord

Show Notes

 

Nerd. Comedian. Science communicator.  Star Trek fan.  And a theatre kid??  Finally getting to interview Leighann Lord was a fantastic and fun moment for me.  We discuss her background in theatre and her experiences in comedy.  She has her recent Dry Bar special and, oh, not to mention, she is the 2019 recipient of the Humanist Arts Award.  She had a lot to say about approaching comedy like a thinking person (she also had a lot to say about Star Trek, but I'm going to have to save that part of our conversation for a future episode!).  This might be too much nerdy science in one place -- except there is no such thing as too much nerdy science!!-- But I asked Brian Malow Science Comedian to join in as today's guest co-host.  He has appeared on the Comical Heathen before (see link below) and so I knew he'd be a perfect comic to add some commentary.  Also, with my rant about anti-vaxxer legislation in Ohio, he had thoughts to add about science literacy!  There was a journey to today's episode, one that involved me meeting Ian Harris, who then introduced me to the comedy of both Leighann and Brian.  Ian gets mentioned waaaay more than necessary for an episode of my podcast that he's not even in!! LOL... Enjoy!

 

 

Lieghann's website:  http://www.veryfunnylady.com/

 

Leighann on Twitter:  https://twitter.com/LeighannLord

 

Leighann's Dry Bar Special:  https://store.drybarcomedy.com/pages/leighannl

 

Brian Malow on Twitter:  https://twitter.com/sciencecomedian

 

Brian Malow on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/sciencecomedian

 

Brian Malow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sciencecomedian/

 

Brian Mallow interview from Season1 Episode 15:  https://comicalheathen.podbean.com/e/the-comical-heathen-episode-15-brian-malow/

 

"Legislators align with anti-vaxxers" by Jake Zuckerman, Norwalk Reflector 9 April 2021. <https://norwalkreflector.com/news/313796/legislators-align-with-anti-vaxxers/>

 

"'Just a theory': 7 Misused Science Words" by Tia Ghose, Scientific American 2 April 2013 <https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/just-a-theory-7-misused-science-words/>

 

Get a Comical Heathen coffee mug at Jerry's merch shop:  https://www.etsy.com/shop/JerryJaffeComedyShop?ref=simple-shop-header-name&listing_id=624456037

 

Email us:  comicalheathen@gmail.com

 

This is an ad-free and independently produced podcast.  Please consider donating via this link (to our other podcast):  https://www.goldstarclassroom.com/

The Comical Heathen S2 E6:Brian Scott MacFadden

Season 2 Episode 6 Show Notes:

 

I got on a Zoom call the way from Aruba Ray's Comedy Club in Aruba and spent some time talking comedy with Brian Scott MacFadden.  From a show business family, Brian has a quick wit and a lot of deep thoughts about the art of comedy.   Joining me is guest co-host Dan Brown of the Action Comedy Nerd Show and his podcast Dan and Mark Meets World.   He joins me on my rant about evangelic preacher Franklin Graham calling some people he disagrees with worse than Judas, which seems like some serious Xtian ad hominem attacks to me.

 

 

Brian Scott MacFadden's website:  https://brianscottmcfadden.com/

 

Dan Brown's Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/danbrowncomedy

 

Dan and Mark Meets World podcast:  https://open.spotify.com/show/4RC1eVaP0EsfIUn4jJZTSp

 

Comical Heathen S1 E (w/my rant about evangelical preachers!):  https://comicalheathen.podbean.com/e/the-comical-heathen-episode-eighteen-bill-squire/

 

"Franklin Graham says Republicans who voted to impeach Trump are like Jesus’ betrayer" by Simone Jasper (https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/state/north-carolina/article248528080.html)

 

Get a Comical Heathen coffee mug at Jerry's merch shop:  https://www.etsy.com/shop/JerryJaffeComedyShop?ref=simple-shop-header-name&listing_id=624456037

 

Email us:  comicalheathen@gmail.com

The Comical Heathen S2 E5: Jim Bryan

A comedy club called CHURCH OF SATIRE?  How did I not know about this!  In this episode I interview club founder, owner, and touring headliner Jim Bryan.  In addition to getting his take on satire, we go into his club, how he started it and why he called it CHURCH OF SATIRE! Along the way we name-check Mark Riccadonna, Robert Mack, Craig Paul, and Dwayne Duke.  Joining me is guest co-host Kristin Galewood of the sketch group Sad Boys' Social Club.  She joins me on exploring some of the alternative medicine woo-woo of Gwyneth Paltrow's GOOP brand, including her Netflix series THE GOOP LAB.  But Gwyneth, what about burden of proof and you know evidence?  And if you've ever heard of the new age concept of the "4 Clairs" I explain the "4 Jers"!

 

Show notes:

Church of Satire:  https://www.churchofsatirecomedyclub.com/

 

Jim Bryan's Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/vaneldu.jim

 

Jim's Special "Laid back Maniac":  https://www.amazon.com/Jim-Bryan-Laid-Back-Maniac/dp/B085W2M1Z7

 

Kristin Galewood's Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/PuffyPinkCow

 

Sad Boys Social Club on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/sadboyscle

 

Sad Boys' Social Club Easter Special:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=YpiVp_Zgu0w&fbclid=IwAR1QwQjJ3NpTjdPlsnGbeWFLoWcm71mCf70-wHLgSL3qGm5RCkI60q7sw2M

 

"Gwyneth Paltrow’s Goop has been accused of peddling pseudoscience. She’s not having it." By Lindsey Bever (Washington Post Oct. 9, 2018).

 

Get a Comical Heathen coffee mug at Jerry's merch shop:  https://www.etsy.com/shop/JerryJaffeComedyShop?ref=simple-shop-header-name&listing_id=624456037

 

Email us:  comicalheathen@gmail.com

The Comical Heathen S2 E4: Live Q&A Faith and Other Paradoxes

Welcome to our most recent live Q&A episode, recorded live 11 April 2021.

 

Join me and my guest co-host Jesse Pimpenella as we answer your questions and respond to your comments across the Comical Heathen social media landscape.  We welcome special guest DJ Dangler into the madness.  A lot of this episode's topics seemed to come back again and again to the nature of faith (hilarious, right!).  For example, we discuss whether or not Christians using Christian Mingle actually lack faith, we discuss if time traveling Christians would try to save Jesus (and, you know, break their religion), and we discuss movies with Jesus/savior motifs. 

 

Show notes:

DJ Dangler website:  http://www.djdanglercomedy.com/

 

Jesse Pimpinella website:  https://www.jessepimpinella.com/

 

Get a Comical Heathen coffee mug at Jerry's merch shop:  https://www.etsy.com/shop/JerryJaffeComedyShop?ref=simple-shop-header-name&listing_id=624456037

 

Season 1 episode w/DJ:  https://comicalheathen.podbean.com/e/the-comical-heathen-episode-seven-dj-dangler/

 

Season 1 Q&A 3 "Conspiracy Stories":  https://comicalheathen.podbean.com/e/the-comical-heathen-qa-3-%e2%80%94-conspiracy-stories-theyre-not-theories/

 

Email us:  comicalheathen@gmail.com

The Comical Heathen S2 E3: Dennis Blair

Show notes:

This episode of the Comical Heathen features my interview with Dennis Blair.  We discuss his early career opening for the likes of Rodney Dangerfield, Joan Rivers, and George Carlin as well as his thoughts on the dangers of doing satire while working the road.  This episode includes my rant about politicians and preachers who claim (with a straight face) that "God" (Jesus, Moses, etc...) "wrote the constitution"!!!  With my guest cohost John Hensler, we talk about how this is an example of the logical fallacy known as "argument from authority."  This episode includes a special call-in complaint from "Mad" Marv Conner of the Trillion Dollar Dreadful satire news site.

 

Topics discussed include:

• Dennis Blair's website:  http://www.dennisblair.com/home.html
• John Hensler on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/john.hensler.10
• Marv Conner on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/marv.conner1
• The Trillion Dollar Dreadful (Parody News site):  https://trilliondollardreadful.com/?fbclid=IwAR0KAbFMNNHRWE45y7qhPYRw412CSVpuwIK7LW4DVt_513MF0udy6qBR2SY
• "Tom DeLay Claims God ‘Wrote The Constitution’":  https://www.huffpost.com/entry/tom-delay-god-constitution_n_4826503
• "All Patriots 'Know' That Moses Wrote the Constitution":  https://www.theatlantic.com/national/archive/2010/10/all-patriots-know-that-moses-wrote-the-constitution/65353/
• As promised to Dennis-- a link to a wrestling match with my father, Dr. Jerry Graham (Jr.):  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_4n_9oDXdY

 

 Additional resources:

• Find the Comical Heathen on Facebook:    https://www.facebook.com/comicalheathen
• Our website:  https://comicalheathen.podbean.com/
• Email us with comments or questions for our upcoming April 11 live Q&A: comicalheathen@gmail.com
• This is an ad-free and independently produced podcast.  Please consider donating via this link (to our other podcast):  https://www.goldstarclassroom.com/
• A "Comical Heathen" coffee mug can be purchased via Jerry's comedy merch shop on ETSY:  https://www.etsy.com/shop/JerryJaffeComedyShop?ref=seller-platform-mcnav

The Comical Heathen S2 E2: Myq Kaplan

 

Show notes:

This episode of the Comical Heathen features my interview with Myq Kaplan.  We discuss his comedy beginnings, his thoughts on religion and hallucinogenics, and some of his ideas about satire.  What a mensch!  This episode includes my rant about Bill Maher's recent use of the made-up odds "50-50" while talking about the coronavirus!  With my guest cohost Jesse Pimpinella, we talk about how this is an example of the logical fallacy known as "argument from ignorance."  This episode includes a special PSA on the subject of cults.

 

 

Topics discussed include:

• Myq Kaplan's website:  https://myqkaplan.com/
• Myq Kaplan's recent CD A.K.A.:  https://www.amazon.com/K-Myq-Kaplan/dp/B084RH6YWP/ref=sr_1_3?crid=375L5QQDCSVE7&dchild=1&keywords=myq+kaplan&qid=1616776969&sprefix=myq+kaplan%2Caps%2C183&sr=8-3
• Jesse Pimpinella on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/ComedyJesseP
• Bill Maher spreading the conspiracy theory that the conornivirus might be man-made:  https://www.thedailybeast.com/bill-maher-pushes-bonkers-steve-bannon-wuhan-lab-covid-conspiracy

 Additional resources:

• Find the Comical Heathen on Facebook:    https://www.facebook.com/comicalheathen
• Our website:  https://comicalheathen.podbean.com/
• Email us with comments or questions for our upcoming April 11 live Q&A: comicalheathen@gmail.com
• This is an ad-free and independently produced podcast.  Please consider donating via this link (to our other podcast):  https://www.goldstarclassroom.com/
• A "Comical Heathen" coffee mug can be purchased via Jerry's comedy merch shop on ETSY:  https://www.etsy.com/shop/JerryJaffeComedyShop?ref=seller-platform-mcnav

Comical Heathen S2 E1 (Part II): Satire, Censorship, and Comedy w/ Sean Lynch

Part II

Show notes:

Following my interview with Peter Hinchliffe and Michael Nugent from Atheist Ireland (found in S2E1 Part I), guest co-host Sean Lynch and I discuss some of the issues raised in the interview.  We are also visited by Ian Harris who calls in to get something off his chest (arguing with people who don't understand the benefits of raising the minimum wage).

 

Topics discussed include:

• The Waterford Whispers News sketch (arresting god for rape)
• Sean's experiences with "corporate moles" infiltrating writing rooms on American TV
• Censorship during Shakespeare
• Ian Harris's call about raising the minimum wage
• Christian music album covers
• Jewish Space Lasers
• More on corporate and government censorship
• A tribute to Gregory Sierra (RIP) and the show Barney Miller

 

Additional resources:

• Find the Comical Heathen on Facebook:    https://www.facebook.com/comicalheathen
• Our website:  https://comicalheathen.podbean.com/
• Email us with comments or questions for our upcoming April 11 live Q&A: comicalheathen@gmail.com
• Sean Lynch on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/sean.lynch.5458498
• Ian Harris website:  http://ianharriscomedian.com/
• Michael Nugent's website:  https://www.michaelnugent.com/?fbclid=IwAR3NL8IjHk_oAnruh5oRG9W6uJHpwTu-raeRZKhhbkUZtUzCOhwGPWEEBfA
• Peter Hinchliffe's FB:  https://www.facebook.com/peterhinchliffe1234
• Peter's account of the Waterford Whispers News controversy:  https://atheist.ie/2021/01/rtes-blasphemous-comedy-sketch/?fbclid=IwAR0K2u_Ka6Jclcccg7Vk7VL6Yz_7YOHSClR_L564VdUaMqx0fQ61u4-8wqk
• Atheist Ireland website:  https://atheist.ie/
• Laura Fudge's Fingering and Praying album cover: https://images.app.goo.gl/98rmxs71htphhre67
• Waterford Whispers News:  https://waterfordwhispersnews.com/
• YouTube version of sketch:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-xK5sLdltE
• Irish Times "RTÉ apologises for ‘blasphemous’ sketch after 1,100 complaints" by Ellen O'Riordin:  https://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/religion-and-beliefs/rt%C3%A9-apologises-for-blasphemous-sketch-after-1-100-complaints-1.4449042
• This is an ad-free and independently produced podcast.  Please consider donating via this link (to our other podcast):  https://www.goldstarclassroom.com/
• A "Comical Heathen" coffee mug can be purchased via Jerry's comedy merch shop on ETSY:  https://www.etsy.com/shop/JerryJaffeComedyShop?ref=seller-platform-mcnav

The Comical Heathen S2 E1 (Part I): Atheist Ireland

Part I

Show notes:

Features my interview with Peter Hinchliffe and Michael Nugent from Atheist Ireland.  We discuss a controversial sketch about the arrest of God for rape by the Irish parody news group Waterford Whispers News.  The sketch was part fo RTE's New Year's Eve programming and garnered over 1000 complaints and was eventually removed.  We also discuss blasphemy laws and the effects of censorship on free speech.

Includes my own take on satire/censorship as well as special guest co-host Sean Lynch.  Sean and I also discuss corporate censorship, his time working on CELEBRITY DEATH MATCH, and Jewish Space lasers.  My friend Ian Harris calls in from LA to complain about people who don't understand the need for raising the minimum wage.

Additional resources:

• Find the Comical Heathen on Facebook:    https://www.facebook.com/comicalheathen
• Our website:  https://comicalheathen.podbean.com/
• Email us with comments or questions for our upcoming April 11 live Q&A: comicalheathen@gmail.com
• Michael Nugent's website:  https://www.michaelnugent.com/?fbclid=IwAR3NL8IjHk_oAnruh5oRG9W6uJHpwTu-raeRZKhhbkUZtUzCOhwGPWEEBfA 
• Peter Hinchliffe's FB:  https://www.facebook.com/peterhinchliffe1234
• Peter's account of the Waterford Whispers News controversy:  https://atheist.ie/2021/01/rtes-blasphemous-comedy-sketch/?fbclid=IwAR0K2u_Ka6Jclcccg7Vk7VL6Yz_7YOHSClR_L564VdUaMqx0fQ61u4-8wqk
• Atheist Ireland website:  https://atheist.ie/
• Waterford Whispers News:  https://waterfordwhispersnews.com/
• Youtube version of sketch:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-xK5sLdltE
• Irish Times "RTÉ apologises for ‘blasphemous’ sketch after 1,100 complaints" by Ellen O'Riordin:  https://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/religion-and-beliefs/rt%C3%A9-apologises-for-blasphemous-sketch-after-1-100-complaints-1.4449042
• This is an ad-free and independently produced podcast.  Please consider donating via this link (to our other podcast):  https://www.goldstarclassroom.com/
• A "Comical Heathen" coffee mug can be purchased via Jerry's comedy merch shop on ETSY:  https://www.etsy.com/shop/JerryJaffeComedyShop?ref=seller-platform-mcnav

The Comical Heathen Q&A #3 — “Conspiracy stories (they're NOT theories!)”

Here is the published and slightly edited version of the live broadcast I did Oct 15 with friend and co-host Joh Hensler.  We talk about conspiracy theories (or "stories" as they're not really theories in the proper sense of the word), climate change skeptics (or "deniers" as they are not really skeptics in the proper sense of the word), and why the doors at 24-hour convenience stores have locks on them, among other things!  We hope you enjoy! 

 

Here are a few links to things we discussed:

 

Fish eye evolution (just an example, you can find more (easily, if you try)):  https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080107120911.htm

 

Michael Shermer's book Why people Believe Weird Things:  https://www.amazon.com/People-Believe-Weird-Things-Pseudoscience/dp/0805070893/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3U0WGKRVLQCKG&dchild=1&keywords=michael+shermer+why+people+believe+weird+things&sprefix=michale+shermer%2Caps%2C568&sr=8-1:

 

John Hensler's FB page:  https://www.facebook.com/john.hensler.10

 

email us at: comicalheathen@gmail.com

 

 

The Comical Heathen Q&A #2 — “Does God Exist?”

In this special Q&A edition of the podcast, with the help of guest co-host John Hensler, I answer some of the questions we collected through social media, including:  "Is there a god?", "If there is no afterlife, why not just go all MAD MAX?!", and "Who should be added to the list of gods, besides yourself?"  And many more!  Join in on the fun.  This was our second ever-live show, originally broadcast July 19 2020 (this is edited for clarity and time).

 

If you have a question you'd like me tackle on a future edition, email us at: 

 

Find this podcast on ITunes, Stitcher, and now Spotify.

 

You can support this podcast with donations using the donate button on this website (which is for my other podcast, GOLD STAR CLASSROOM!):  http://www.goldstarclassroom.com/

 

Follow Jerry and John on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

 

Our theme music is Bahc played ont he organ by Mark Bell.

Thank you to Jeff Gedert for all of his audio production advice.

 

Mentioned in this episode:

 

The Church of the Invisible Product tin the Sky, on the satiric news site, The Trillion Dollar Dreadful:  https://trilliondollardreadful.com/2020/05/22/the-church-of-the-invisible-product-supports-ohio-pastors-in-banning-yoga-from-public-schools/?fbclid=IwAR1zXQMGjM6YWtLVDJhOGQBlQW2TUV4EIOaEOFVE_0ynSTc8iBTSTw6mBBI

 

Cribsheet: A Data-Driven Guide to Better, More Relaxed Parenting, from Birth to Preschool by Emily Oster:  https://www.amazon.com/Cribsheet-Data-Driven-Relaxed-Parenting-Preschool/dp/0525559272/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3V3VU8A048R1Z&dchild=1&keywords=cribsheet+a+data-driven+guide+to+better%2C+more+relaxed+parenting&qid=1595351776&sprefix=data+driven+guide+to+parenting%2Caps%2C188&sr=8-1

 

"Cross-National Correlations of Quantifiable Societal Health with Popular Religiosity and Secularism in the Prosperous Democracies A First Look" by  Gregory S. Paul:  http://moses.creighton.edu/JRS/2005/2005-11.pdf

 

Pew Research on the rise of the "Nones":  https://www.pewforum.org/2019/10/17/in-u-s-decline-of-christianity-continues-at-rapid-pace/