Why subscribe?

I’m a writer and stand-up comedian who’s been performing professionally since 1989. When the pandemic of 2020 hit, I was unable to get on a comedy stage for the first time in over 30 years. I very much missed hearing people laugh, seeing the joy (and occasionally, agony) in their faces and, the fun and excitement of a live audience. This surprised me somewhat because I’m not exactly what you’d call a “people person.”

The shutdown left many of us feeling adrift and at risk of losing not only our livelihoods but our very identities. It also gave us time to think. A lot of time. Time we otherwise would’ve spent doing things we did out of habit or because doing something new and different is harder to do than just doing the same old thing. For me, it redirected my flight path a bit from what I previously envisioned would include a fairly traditional retirement that was fast approaching.

I’m also a former copywriter and editor for a well-known apparel brand. Although I never really aspired to have a “real” job, life on the road became incompatible with my overwhelming desire to be a dad who was present for his son’s childhood, as my dad was to me and my 5 brothers and sisters. On my son’s third birthday I was in Grand Forks, North Dakota performing at a fundraiser for the UND athletic department and I was miserable. And I actually kind of like Grand Forks.

So, after 10 years of continuous touring, I got my first 8-to-5 gig and stayed with it for 20 years. I got to be home for birthdays and band concerts and piano recitals and soccer games and rec league baseball. My wife made sure every holiday was special and they were.

Our little boy all growed up and living in Minneapolis, leaving the day job to go back to comedy as my primary activity was an easy choice. But COVID-19 had other plans.

No live shows, time on my hands and the need to create and communicate and connect led me to THINKING OUT LOUD. When I’m feeling funny, I’ll joke. When I’m not, maybe it’ll be a little more introspective. When I’m upset, maybe I’ll rail against dopes and crooks and even non-politicians.

Thanks for riding shotgun with me!

Stay up-to-date

You won’t have to worry about missing anything. Every new edition of the newsletter goes directly to your inbox.

Join the crew

Be part of a community of people who share your interests.

To find out more about the company that provides the tech for this newsletter, visit Substack.com.