WDEK Podcast Ep. 92: Brandon Collins & Sara Schaefer - 5/25/21

The warm weather has arrived, masks are slowly coming off and Christian comes out HOT.  Shonali is in Nashville, Tennessee doing yard work and Justin The Intern is prepping for his role as a new father.  George Floyd's murder was a year ago to the day.  We discuss the importance of the moment surrounding the pandemic and social justice.  Will we be forever changed or suffer from amnesia? 

Christian Felix, Justin “The Intern,” Shonali Bhowmik

Comedian and film critic Brandon Collins comes to us on the high of interviewing Lin Manuel Miranda just the day before.  Brandon is from Ann Arbor, Michigan but has been in NYC for over a decade. He's doing cool things such as being a member of the African American Film Critics Association, hosting the Medium Popcorn podcast, a one man show called It's Not Going to Work Out.  We talk movies including White Christmas, A Quiet Place 2, and Sonic The Hedgehog.  Brandon is hosting his live comedy series, Drunk Black History on Juneteenth at The Bell House which will also be livestreamed! Don't miss it.  

Shonali and Christian catch up! Find out why Christian takes a 30 mile bike ride and why does he wear athletic shorts called Chubbies?

Christian Felix, Shonali Bhowmik, Brandon Collins

Comedian, writer, miniaturist Sara Schaefer joins us from her closet in Los Angeles!  Sara's Conspiracy Theory bit from her 2019 Comedy Central Special resonates even more today than it did in 2019.  We talk "reality", "both sides", the Q documentary and "what the hell does it all even mean?"  Sara has always been a hobbyist and is currently making a miniature comedy club called the Haha Hole which is blowing our minds.  Sara shares her creative journey in the past two years in which she has "gotten quieter" due to harassment on Twitter.  Focusing on creative work with her hands has made Sara think even more deeply about her creative work and her place in comedy.  We are fans of Sara's voice and the teaser for her new podcast truly has raising the roof!  Don't miss Sara's new podcast The Schaefer Shakedown. 

For the first time within the WDEK Virtual age, Shonali performs her pandemic healing anthem, I'll Be Your Therapy.  You can get the recorded version with all kinds of strange drum loops on Bandcamp.

Special thanks to Shonali's longtime friend Wes Adams, who donated his lighting, home and wine spritzers in a Mason Jar to Shonali & WDEK for taping the show in Nashville, TN.  Enjoy the sun and stay safe.  

WDEK Podcast Ep. 74: Tamara Best, Rob Cantrell & Chris Opperman - 9/24/19

While Christian is traveling for work, we are pleased to have Duane Harriott, join us as Shonali's guest co-host.  Duane is a wedding DJ, a legendary DJ on WFMU, a composer AND one of the stars of the Other Music Documentary which was released over the spring of 2019.  Shonali and Duane discuss the power of the wedding DJ and strangers eating your food.  Their first guest is writer Tamara Best.

While Christian is traveling for work, we are pleased to have Duane Harriott, join us as Shonali's guest co-host.  Duane is a wedding DJ, a legendary DJ on WFMU, a composer AND one of the stars of the Other Music Documentary which was released over the spring of 2019.  Shonali and Duane discuss the power of the wedding DJ and strangers eating your food. 

Their first guest is writer Tamara Best. (Timecode at 10:33) Her articles have been published in the New York Times, Time Out and The Daily Beast. She is the assistant managing editor of The Daily Beast.  Her work centers on the intersection of identity and culture for communities of people of color.  Tamara is of West Indian descent and also lived in Atlanta as did Shonali. They discuss Tamara's success in NYC as a writer and her parents' pride.  Tamara specifically shares her insight as to the urgency of the work (Fairview, Slave Play, Strange Loop, What To Send Up When It Goes Down) of a slew of African American playwrights who have recently burst onto the theater world. She and her husband a psychologist have healthy intellectual sparring matches. He happens to be in the audience and we notice his facial expressions throughout the night. HA! Tamara is in the process of writing her own play titled Hindsbury Hill, a tribute to her family. We look forward to seeing it when it is finished!

Our next guest is comedian Rob Cantrell   (Time code 31:52)  Rob so graciously performs some stand up for our studio audience in which he kills the Red Room.  Notice the two Bhowmik sisters laughing on both sides of the room. (Time code 42:06) Duane and Shonali talk to Rob about the "magic trick" of comedy and bombing.  He grew up in DC later moved to small town Virginia and eventually started his comedy career in San Francisco.  Duane and Rob bond on both being parents and Scorpios.  Rob is a very successful comedian who toured with Tracy Morgan this summer.  His tour story will blow your mind. Highlights include gyros, a blue turtleneck and leather shoes.  (Time code 52:40 - 59:01) Duane also has a Tracy Morgan story! #OtherMusic  (Time code 59:40) 

Our last guest is composer, teacher & musician Chris Opperman.  His Wikipedia page is outrageous.  Chris realized he wanted to be a composer when he first heard the music of Frank Zappa. He went to Berklee and he came up with his indie hit song Ain't Got No Beef as a result of a homework assignment after a visit to Taco Bell.  Check out his orchestration for a 54 piece orchestra for Steve Vai's For the Love of God here.  Duane and Chris have some Frank Zappa talk on which Shonali is clueless. Chris performs for the first time performs two piano pieces by other composers.  The first song (1:18:17) is Ann Southam's Pond Life.  His second performance is Ellen Zwilich's Lament (1:22:27).  If are interested in learning more about classical music, Chris has hundreds of Spotify playlists which he made for his students at Montclair State University. Check them out. Also stay tuned for Chris' Chamber Music from Hell project which is based on the concept of "What would Aliens write if they made BeBop music?" 

What a show! Thank you all!  Our next show is October 29, 2019 with comedian Clare O'Kane, artist Trish Tillman and music by Lauren Maul.  See you there!  Also please share our podcast with your friends and family.  They will thank you. Follow us on all social media @wdekpodcast

Direct download: WDEK_Ep._74_-_9.24.19.mp3

WDEK Podcast Ep. 50: Negin Farsad, Mike Recine & Beth Wawerna - Feb. 28, 2017

We celebrate our 50th Episode of WDEK on Mardi Gras with party horns, beads and great guests.  Shonali shares a feel good story about a NYC cabbie. Christian gives us his take on rules for shushing at the movie theater.  We have new WDEK T-Shirts for sale at the show and now online.

Our first guest is a comedian, writer, filmmaker, author, Ted Fellow…the list goes on and on, Negin Farsad.  She made a film which came out in 2014 called The Muslims Are Coming which follows a group of Muslim American comedians as they visit towns all over the US to combat Islamophobia. Turns out it can be exhausting combatting Islamophobia.  She also met Bono and turns out they have something in common.  Negin has a political roundtable podcast called Fake the Nation and wrote a book called How to Make White People Laugh. She is an inspiration.

We play a special WDEK 50th Ep trivia game with our WDEK regular audience member Isabel Restrepo.  Somehow Isabel wins a WDEK t-shirt without passing the quiz.  Our second guest is comedian and writer Mike Recine. Out of the gate Shonali brings up Mike’s side hustle, Recine Brothers Pasta Sauce and wants a jar of sauce.  We are sorry to hear Mike’s grandmother just passed away. Mike is originally from Jersey and the 2016 presidential win threw Mike off his comedy course. He’s been rethinking his views on his people, the working class. “Tastykakes” & “WaWa” are mentioned.  Look for Mike performing stand-up live all over the country or check out Mike’s Comedy Central half hour on Hulu or his Conan guest spots online right now. #GetItOffYourChest features our audience member Stacey Mills who talks about reactions to her camouflage jacket.  Shonali requests being polite to loved ones.  Christian reiterates his shushing policy.  

Our last guest is musician Beth Wawerna of the band Bird of Youth. She and Shonali share a connection to Atlanta and a love of The Rock*A*Teens and The Replacements.  All of which their influences can be heard in her music. A former music journalist, Beth now plays in a band comprised of multi-talented musicians.  They have released two full lengths, Defender and Get Off. She plays two songs, one called Glory Knows and the other titled Dad. Thanks to all who celebrated our 50th Ep with us!  Remember to save the date, April 23rd for our first ever all day WDEK Fest at DCTV in downtown Manhattan.  

Check out the Latest Episode of We Don’t Even Know!

Ep. 41 - Starlee Kine, Janeane Garofolo & Mark Nadler - March 29, 2016

It’s March and 2016 is full in effect.  Christian and Shonali get some serious things off their chests.  The Man Bun (more like a Man Bud) phenomenon sweeping the country irritates Shonali. An audience member explains the origin of the man bud hair-do came from. Christian is heckled at his own dinner party. By the way the heckler is back!  Christian talks tupperware.

Our first guest, Starlee Kine, is the creator and host of the #1 iTunes podcast Mystery Show. Starlee in her best vintage NBC wear teaches us so many things.   Starlee explains what "normcore" is for Shonali’s mom in Nashville. She also gives great advice for anyone expecting to make a tv appearance.  We want to "ship" two people together. Dennis from Ticketmaster in Texas, please contact us  - we are all looking for you.

Our next guest, comedian and actress Janeane Garofolo has a new backpack.  We talk about purchasing presentable pieces of clothing, AARP and Chris Christie’s curves.  Flat front vs pleats.  Christian gets his Janeane -  Fight Club and Scream stories all wrong.  Janeane thinks she was foolish for being interviewed by Bill O'Reilly five times. What are your feelings on James Spader and gentrification?

Photos by Daria Huxley

Our final guest is the multi-talented pianist, comedian, cabaret entertainer & actor Mark Nadler.  Mark comes from Iowa and started to perform professionally at the age of 10.   Although he almost had a heart attack when he saw Shonali’s little plastic keyboard, he manages to play some of his wonderful music for our audience. One of Mark’s greatest musical influences is not a person but an animated character.  Guess who?  In addition to playing at HiFi on a shitty keyboard on Avenue A, Mark has played in Carnegie Hall on a 10ft long gigantic piano.  Check out Mark’s PBS specialE or see Mark live in person at his monthly gig at Pangea in the East Village.   Thanks to all of you for listening! Our next show is Wednesday, April 20th! Until then enjoy all of our episodes on Facebook, Tumblr, iTunes and Stitcher Radio.

Check out the Latest Episode of We Don’t Even Know!

Ep. 39 - Roger Clark, Patricia Clarkson & Matt Higgins w Guest host Katina Corrao - Jan. 26, 2016 →

Happy New Year everyone! We dive into 2016 with special guest co-host comedian Katina Corrao along with our special guests: NY1's Roger Clark, super star actress Patricia Clarkson and comedian/actor Matt Higgins. Our venue for our podcast is HiFi bar in the East Village and it was filled with guests ancy to get out of their homes after being cooped up over the weekend due to Jonas, the second biggest recorded snow storm in NYC.

Shonali touches on the loss of David Bowie, Glenn Frey, Clarence Reid and Lemmy of Motorhead. Katina doesn't listen to any of those artists. Katina and Shonali did watch Netflix during the snowstorm.

Our first guest is a reporter on Shonali's favorite network, NY1. Roger Clark was lucky enough to cover the unplowed streets of NYC and talk to all the complainers. Roger, a pizza box and snow = 2,000 views instantaneously on FB. Shonali is dying to know what goes on behind the scenes of NY1. Let's start a Roger Show. Dynasty, Falcon Crest, Dallas - which one does Roger NOT watch? We have Emmy Award winning and Oscar nominated actress Patricia Clarkson join us uncensored. Like Shonali, Patti is a southern gal, a NY1 watcher and loves Roger Clark. What was Patti's coming of age music? She goes on and on about Jasper, Shonali's husband which Shonali loves!

Photo by Daria Huxley

Katina raves about Patricia's amazing comedic performance in Motherlover. When Patricia talks about the snow you just want to melt. Find out what question Christian asks her via letter which causes her to jump off of her stool. Look for her starring in the film Learning to Drive with Sir Ben Kingsley.

Our last guest is comedian actor performer Matt Higgins. He is an improv master and auditions for commercials, like Shonali and Katina but unlike Patricia Clarkson. Do you know what state the Grand Canyon is in? Have you ever seen someone do Alphabet improv? Well listen to the master. Should Matt's new granddaughter call him PeePaw? We think so. Duct tape makes Matt a dreamboat dad. And that's a wrap! Follow us on Twitter @WDEKpodcast and on Facebook.

We Don't Even Know - Ep. 35: Elna Baker, Bobby Tisdale, Andy Beckerman, Naomi Ekperigin, and Ben Lerman →

Special guest co-host and former Ep. 6 WDEK guest, Katina Corrao is filling in for Christian Felix this episode. He gave his blessings and boy were we blessed. Katina and Shonali talk weight loss and men who are disgusting to women during the summer months.

Our first guest, Elna "Not Another Story" Baker (This American Life, The Moth) candidly shares her story about being naked in front of a bunch of "yoga L.A." strangers. Elna was a Mormon. Do you know about her relationship with coffee?

Our surprise guest comedian Bobby Tisdale is a legend for many reasons. We never see him anymore because he moved upstate to the Catskills. We talk fart sounds, baby girls, living upstate and BlackPeopleLoveUs.com. Our third guest segment includes two guests who are not only comedians and writers but also and an engaged IRC (interacial couple), Andy Beckerman and Naomi Ekperigin. We talk courtship, milkshakes, handholding and making a relationship work when there are two creatives involved. Shonali takes notes.

Photo by Daria Huxley

Our musical comedy guest is Ben Lerman, who is also engaged and planning a wedding in Mexico. He knows Elna well via her stories on This American Life. We talk wedding invitee etiquette. We meet audience member Sergei from Salt Lake City, Utah who happens to be sitting beside Elna, the former Mormon. Ben sings a song about Wedding Planners Murder and another about Lazy Eyes. This show was recorded in the back room of HiFi in the East Village. Thanks to Stephen Kurpis for sound, Justin Hall our intern, and Daria Huxley our photographer!