Darren Carter and fellow comedian Mike Black turn the Pocket Party studio into a full-blown comedy prison — and somehow still manage to drop pure gold.Mike opens up about the wild early days at the Comedy Store, the brutal hustle of breaking in, and the priceless career advice straight from Steve Martin himself. 

Then the conversation takes a sharp left turn when they relive the insane day 50,000 people had to evacuate Southern California because of a possible massive explosion.From locked-in podcast life to legendary stage stories and dodging real-world disaster, this one is equal parts hilarious, nostalgic, and completely unhinged — exactly how the Pocket Party was meant to be.

If you love raw comedian talk, Comedy Store history, and two comics trying to make sense of the chaos outside the studio, hit play.Guest: Mike BlackTopics: Podcast prison life • Steve Martin advice • Early Comedy Store days • 50,000 people evacuating Southern CaliforniaDrop your favorite Steve Martin story or Comedy Store memory in the comments! Subscribe, rate, and never miss an episode — new Pocket Party drops every week.

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On this episode of Darren Carter’s Pocket Party, comedian and master interviewer Daniel Lobell joins the couch for a heartfelt, hilarious hang. Danny opens up about the game-changing advice Larry King personally gave him on how to be a better interviewer, then dives into why stand-up comedy remains one of the purest ways to bring people together through our shared human experience.The laughs keep rolling as Darren and Danny trade stories about their teenage celebrity crushes, count their blessings in a lively gratitude list, and celebrate the little things that make life better. Then — plot twist — Danny’s brother Josh Lobell unexpectedly drops by the studio! The guys get the full story on how Josh went from regular life to becoming a sought-after private chef for the rich and famous.Warm, funny, and full of real talk, this episode is a reminder that comedy, family, and gratitude are the ultimate connectors.Tune in for big laughs, surprising wisdom, and one very delicious surprise guest.Guest: Daniel Lobell (with special appearance by Josh Lobell)

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Darren Carter and Mike Black are back for Episode 342 of Pocket Party and it’s a wild nostalgia trip! They dive into the new Michael Jackson movie, rank the best (and worst) music biopics including Elvis, Michael Jackson, and Bohemian Rhapsody, then swap hilarious high school prom and senior trip stories. From there it gets even crazier: Disneyland vs. Universal Studios debates, Darren’s very honest “I’m not getting on that ride” list, and plenty of Blues Brothers talk. Non-stop laughs, throwbacks, and theme park chaos — you don’t want to miss this one!

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Darren Carter and Mike Black roll up for a brand-new Pocket Party… parked in the Bob’s Big Boy parking lot. 

 

 Yes, the whole episode was recorded from the front seat of a car, and it’s every bit as loose and ridiculous as it sounds.




The guys open with an extremely serious debate about ketchup (you’ll never look at a fry the same way), then slide straight into their lifelong love affair with radio — Dr. Demento, wild radio contests, Pee-wee Herman, and all the weird late-night magic that shaped them. From there it’s full-throttle Michael Jackson territory: the new “Michael” movie, seeing the King of Pop live in concert, and how his music still hits different. They even swing by the Elvis movie for good measure.



Zero script. Zero studio. Just two comedy vets cracking up in a parking lot with mics and zero filter.




 If you love nostalgia, pop-culture deep dives, and the kind of conversation that only happens when the engine’s off and the laughs are on, this one’s for you.



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Join Darren Carter and comedian John DiResta for a raw, hilarious, and surprisingly uplifting episode of Pocket Party! Fresh off his life-saving kidney transplant (shoutout to his son Matt for the ultimate gift), John opens up about recovery, inspiring others, and why optimism is the ultimate superpower—even when life throws you curveballs like Skid Row stories, angry mobs surrounding your car, Rodney King flashbacks, living in an old house with backyard chaos, growing up on the grounds of a mental home, and declaring bankruptcy. From gut-busting laughs to real-talk resilience, this one proves no matter how rough the ride gets, the right attitude can turn it all around. You don’t want to miss this one—pure Pocket Party magic.

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Join Darren Carter and John Diresta on this hilarious episode of Pocket Party Podcast! John kicks things off with a wild story about losing a tooth right before recording, joking that he's channeling his inner USA Hockey Team fan by going for that iconic Jack Hughes gap-toothed grin. The laughs keep rolling as they dive into John's kidney transplant from his own son, spontaneous train-hopping adventures, and scoring bargain-bin glasses at Wal-Mart. Darren shares tales from his recent Alaska gig, plus his dive into a new book on country music legend Merle Haggard. Throughout, they explore how humor is the ultimate stress-buster in life's chaos. Tune in for non-stop comedy and real-talk vibes!

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Like what I do?
Show your support here: https://buymeacoffee.com/darrencarter

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Join Darren Carter and John DiResta on this hilarious episode of the Pocket Party Podcast as they dive into the quirky origins of the catchphrase "$1 thank you"—you won't believe where it started! From bedtime habits that keep them sane (or drive them crazy) to mastering the art of scoring killer deals, the laughs keep coming. They share skills from old jobs that still save the day in everyday life, plus Darren pulls out fan-submitted tips from Facebook that'll have you nodding in agreement. Wrapping up with the fascinating stories behind people's names, this episode is packed with comedy, insights, and unexpected twists. Tune in for your pocket-sized party fix!

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Join Darren Carter and Mike Black on Pocket Party Podcast EP 334 for a nostalgic blast! They spill on K-Mart gems, retro video games, Darren's Fresno college antics, killer chili recipes, popcorn's movie magic, epic kid gifts—and more laughs. Retro fun awaits—tune in and pocket the party!

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