Lindsey Santoro shot to prominence at 2023’s Edinburgh Fringe, winning Next Up’s Biggest Award in Comedy with her show, Pink Tinge.

Since then, Lindsey has created her hit BBC Radio 4 comedy series, The Lively Life of Lindsey Santoro, appeared on Live at the Apollo and supported Joe Lycett on tour! We discuss:

• using comedy as a tool for connection
• balancing a NHS day job with the crushing anxiety of early comedy gigs
• earning critical acclaim at Edinburgh, the financial surprises and attic life at the Pleasance
• escaping imposter syndrome
• the importance of having a "base" outside of comedy
• and we find out if Lindsey Santoro is happy….

Join the Insiders Club at Patreon.com/ComComPod where you can instantly WATCH the full episode and get access to 13 minutes of exclusive extras including:

• how Lindsey’s BBC Radio 4 series came about
• how her agent kept her grounded through Edinburgh 
• and balancing ambition with sanity

👉 Sign up to the NEW ComComPod Mailing List and follow the show on Instagram, YouTube & TikTok.

Catch Up with Lindsey: You can see Lindsey Santoro live, including an upcoming work-in-progress at the Pleasance London - find out more at lindseysantoro.co.uk. You can also keep up-to-date on Instagram, @lindsey_santoro.

Support our independently produced Podcast from only £3/month at Patreon.com/ComComPod:

✅ Instant access to full video and ad-free audio episodes

✅ 13 minutes of exclusive extra content with Lindsey

✅ Early access to new episodes where possible

✅ Exclusive membership offerings including a monthly “Stu&A”

PLUS you’ll get access to the full back catalogue of extras you can find nowhere else!

Everything I'm up to: Come and see me LIVE including at the Leicester Comedy Festival! Find out all the info and more at stuartgoldsmith.com/comedy.

Discover my comedy about the climate crisis, for everyone from activists to CEOs, at stuartgoldsmith.com/climate.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Shenoah Allen is the co-creator of the legendary The Pajama Men, as well as a writer, actor and director with credits across the Soho Theatre, the West End, and projects developed with the BBC and HBO - as well as even appearing on Breaking Bad!

Now he's now created the dazzling work of genius that is Sunlight with Nina Conti and is currently on tour with Bloodlust Summertime. We discuss:

• using a monkey mask to tell the most human love story possible
• treating the script like a jazz framework rather than a rulebook
• how “doing nothing” can be the strongest acting choice
• the challenges of leaving a 20-year comedy partnership
• turning teenage dread into a solo comedy show
• and creating something that outlives you

Join the Insiders Club at Patreon.com/ComComPod where you can instantly WATCH the full episode and get access to 20 minutes of exclusive extras including:

• finding the humour in dangerous teenage experiences
• how he pushed boundaries working with Kim Noble
• and breaking out of characters to tell the truth on stage

👉 Sign up to the NEW ComComPod Mailing List and follow the show on Instagram, YouTube & TikTok,

Catch Up with Shenoah: Shenoah Allen: Bloodlust Summertime is at the Soho Theatre from Wednesday 18th to Saturday 21st February and Sunlight, Shenoah's film with Nina Conti, is out now on streaming platforms! You can keep up-to-date on Instagram, @imshenoahallen

Support our independently produced Podcast from only £3/month at Patreon.com/ComComPod:

✅ Instant access to full video and ad-free audio episodes

✅ 20 minutes of exclusive extra content with Shenoah

✅ Early access to new episodes where possible

✅ Exclusive membership offerings including a monthly “Stu&A”

PLUS you’ll get access to the full back catalogue of extras you can find nowhere else!

Everything I'm up to: Come and see me LIVE including at the Leicester Comedy Festival! Find out all the info and more at stuartgoldsmith.com/comedy.

Discover my comedy about the climate crisis, for everyone from activists to CEOs, at stuartgoldsmith.com/climate.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sophie Duker is a comedian, writer, improviser, and storyteller whose fearless, sharp, and subversive comedy has earned her sellout shows across the world, along with a nomination for Best Newcomer 2019 and a spot on Taskmaster! We discuss:

• why financial awareness is essential for new comedians
• how visibility can be both empowering and exhausting
• the unique challenges Black women face in comedy
• why staying bold matters even when people judge
• and we find out if Sophie Duker is happy….

📢 This episode is supported by Adam Bloom's Finding Your Comic Genius: An In-Depth Guide to the Art of Stand-Up Comedy, download on Audible today! Narrated by Matt Lucas, Ed Byrne, Ninia Benjamin and more - It explains the groundbreaking methods and theories that give you the tools to fast-track your stand-up to the next level and will permanently change the way you look at writing and performing comedy!

Join the Insiders Club at patreon.com/comcompod where you can instantly WATCH the full episode and get access to 15 minutes of exclusive extras including:

• why resisting audience expectations can create richer comedy
• how new material is a playground for experimentation
• and why expanding your persona on stage matters more than fitting in

👉 Sign up to the NEW ComComPod Mailing List and follow the show on Instagram, YouTube & TikTok,

Support our independently produced Podcast from only £3/month at Patreon.com/ComComPod

✅ Instant access to full video and ad-free audio episodes

✅ 15 minutes of exclusive extra content with Sophie

✅ Early access to new episodes where possible

✅ Exclusive membership offerings including a monthly “Stu&A”

PLUS you’ll get access to the full back catalogue of extras you can find nowhere else!

Catch Up with Sophie: You can keep up-to-date with Sophie on Instagram, @sophiedukebox If you're heading to the Melbourne Comedy Festival in March/April, make sure to go and see The Sophie Duker Show!

Everything I'm up to: Come and see me LIVE including at the Leicester Comedy Festival! Find out all the info and more at stuartgoldsmith.com/comedy.

Discover my comedy about the climate crisis, for everyone from activists to CEOs, at stuartgoldsmith.com/climate.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 500… I'm joined by REGGIE WATTS! His work sits right on the fault line between music and comedy using looping pedals, his voice, and a huge amount of imagination to create shows that are completely unique every night. Whether it’s being bandleader on The Late Late Show with James Corden, featuring on Comedy Bang! Bang!, embarking on worldwide sold-out tours or DJing the Emmys, Reggie’s career has been defined by doing things his own way. We discuss:

• the struggles with creating true improv for television
• creating his The Late Late Show with James Corden role on his own terms
• the frustration with being underused on Comedy Bang! Bang!
• why no two Reggie Watts shows are ever the same
• and how smaller teams make braver work

📢 This episode is supported by Adam Bloom's Finding Your Comic Genius: An In-Depth Guide to the Art of Stand-Up Comedy, download on Audible today! Narrated by Matt Lucas, Ed Byrne, Ninia Benjamin and more - It explains the groundbreaking methods and theories that give you the tools to fast-track your stand-up to the next level and will permanently change the way you look at writing and performing comedy!

Join the Insiders Club at patreon.com/comcompod where you can instantly WATCH the full episode and get access to 30 minutes of exclusive extras including:

• the tools Reggie uses to stay present in performance
• why AI’s survival depends on a thriving planet
• and embracing discoveries on-stage

👉 Sign up to the NEW ComComPod Mailing List and follow the show on Instagram, YouTube & TikTok,

Support our independently produced Podcast from only £3/month at Patreon.com/ComComPod

✅ Instant access to full video and ad-free audio episodes

✅ 30 minutes of exclusive extra content with Reggie

✅ Early access to new episodes where possible

✅ Exclusive membership offerings including a monthly “Stu&A”

PLUS you’ll get access to the full back catalogue of extras you can find nowhere else!

Catch Up with Reggie: Reggie's latest special, Live From the Berghain, is now available on YouTube. For more info inc upcoming live shows, visit reggie-watts.com.

Everything I'm up to: Come and see me LIVE! Find out all the info and more at stuartgoldsmith.com/comedy.

Discover my comedy about the climate crisis, for everyone from activists to CEOs, at stuartgoldsmith.com/climate.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 500 is NEARLY here, but first we're going all the way back to episode 7!

Recorded in 2012, I chat to fellow comedy nerd, Sarah Millican, as we discuss her writing process, some of the unique challenges faced by a high-profile act, including playing large rooms and preparing for panel shows, as well as plenty of tips for newer acts on how to escape the day-job and turn pro!

Join the Insiders Club at patreon.com/comcompod where you can instantly get access to 36 minutes of exclusive extras!

👉 Sign up to the NEW monthly ComComPod Mailing List!

Support our independently produced Podcast from only £3/month at Patreon.com/ComComPod

✅ Instant access to full video and ad-free audio episodes

✅ 36 minutes of exclusive extra content with Sarah

✅ Early access to new episodes

✅ Exclusive membership offerings including a monthly “Stu&A”

PLUS you’ll get access to the full back catalogue of extras you can find nowhere else!

Catch Up with Sarah:

Sarah Millican's new show, Late Bloomer, is now available to buy, stream and download. Find out more at sarahmillican.co.uk.

Everything I'm up to:

Come and see me LIVE! Find out all the info and more at stuartgoldsmith.com/comedy.

Discover my comedy about the climate crisis, for everyone from activists to CEOs, at stuartgoldsmith.com/climate.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to the final part of finding out if comedians were happy in 2025 with Russell Howard, Mark Simmons, Aparna Nancherla, Nick Mohammed, Kemah Bob, Daniel Foxx & Adam Riches.

Join the Insiders Club at patreon.com/comcompod where you can get access to exclusive extras including Russell Howard on what’s it like being rich and famous, Aparna Nancherla on the worst comedy advice she's ever received (it's shocking!) and Nick Mohammed on the security of magic within comedy.

Support our independently produced Podcast from only £3/month at Patreon.com/ComComPod

✅ Instant access to ad-free full video and audio episodes

✅ The full catalogue of exclusive extras you can't find anywhere else

✅ Early access to new episodes

✅ Exclusive membership offerings including a monthly “Stu&A”

Everything I'm up to:

Come and see me LIVE! Find out all the info and more at stuartgoldsmith.com/comedy.

Discover my comedy about the climate crisis, for everyone from activists to CEOs, at stuartgoldsmith.com/climate.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome back to the second part of this end of the year special as we find out whether comedians were actually happy in 2025 with Max Fosh, Lucy Pearman, Pete Lee, Marjolein Robertson, Damien Power, Huge Davies & Josie Long!

Join the Insiders Club at patreon.com/comcompod where you can get access to exclusive extras including Max Fosh's secret to build retention in online content, Josie Long on the emotional architecture of an Edinburgh Hour and how a mysterious mind-reader jolted Marjolein Robertson's career in comedy.

Support our independently produced Podcast from only £3/month at Patreon.com/ComComPod

✅ Instant access to ad-free full video and audio episodes

✅ The full catalogue of exclusive extras you can't find anywhere else

✅ Early access to new episodes

✅ Exclusive membership offerings including a monthly “Stu&A”

Everything I'm up to:

Come and see me LIVE! Find out all the info and more at stuartgoldsmith.com/comedy.

Discover my comedy about the climate crisis, for everyone from activists to CEOs, at stuartgoldsmith.com/climate.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We find out if comedians were happy in 2025 with Iain Stirling, Chloe Radcliffe, Scott Auckerman, Alan Davies, Chloe Petts, Alex Kealy, Marc Jennings & Emma Doran all in this first volume! Think of this as a quick glimpse into each episode, whether you’re brand new and catching up, or you’re a long-time listener revisiting.

Join the Insiders Club at patreon.com/comcompod where you can get access to exclusive extras including Iain Stirling’s secret to activate your authentic self, Scott Auckerman on Comedy Bang Bang’s guest booking strategy, Chloe Petts on elevating material with comedy directors and Alan Davies on navigating the pull between creative integrity and financial opportunity.

👉 Complete the ComComPod Survey and sign up to the NEW ComComPod Mailing List!

Support our independently produced Podcast from only £3/month at Patreon.com/ComComPod

✅ Instant access to ad-free full video and audio episodes

✅ The full catalogue of exclusive extras you can't find anywhere else

✅ Early access to new episodes

✅ Exclusive membership offerings including a monthly “Stu&A”

Everything I'm up to:

Come and see me LIVE! Find out all the info and more at stuartgoldsmith.com/comedy.

Discover my comedy about the climate crisis, for everyone from activists to CEOs, at stuartgoldsmith.com/climate.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on episode 499… I'm joined by Ray Bradshaw - the multi-award-winning Scottish comedian who’s about to head out on his fourth UK tour with CODA. You may know Ray from BBC Scotland and Radio 4, he’s recently just finished supporting John Bishop, and hosts his own hit football podcast, Fantasy Fives! We discuss:

• growing up as a child of deaf parents and how that shaped Ray’s confidence, memory and lack of stage nerves
• making comedy accessible with the technical challenge of signing live comedy with timing laughs and learning structure
• Ray’s approach to stand-up with no notes and no structure but total authenticity
• being niche famous and knowing when you’ve already won

Join the Insiders Club at patreon.com/comcompod where you can instantly WATCH the full episode and get access to over 10 minutes of exclusive extras including:

• using Edinburgh to turn material, not create buzz
• building a comedy career around family life
• and embracing mistakes, from announcing the wrong person had died on live radio to thanking the wrong city on an arena tour

👉 Sign up to the NEW ComComPod Mailing List and follow the show on Instagram, YouTube & TikTok,

Support our independently produced Podcast from only £3/month at Patreon.com/ComComPod

✅ Instant access to full video and ad-free audio episodes

✅ Over 10 minutes of exclusive extra content with Ray

✅ Early access to new episodes where possible

✅ Exclusive membership offerings including a monthly “Stu&A”

PLUS you’ll get access to the full back catalogue of extras you can find nowhere else!

Catch Up with Ray: Ray Bradshaw is on tour in 2026 across the UK and Ireland with CODA, find out all the dates and more at raybradshaw.com. You can also watch Ray’s special, Bald Ginger, on BBC iPlayer.

Everything I'm up to: Come and see me LIVE! Find out all the info and more at stuartgoldsmith.com/comedy.

Discover my comedy about the climate crisis, for everyone from activists to CEOs, at stuartgoldsmith.com/climate.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today I’m joined by Urooj Ashfaq - the Mumbai-based comedian, writer and actor who’s quickly become one of the most exciting voices in stand-up. Bursting onto the scene winning Best Newcomer at the Edinburgh Comedy Awards in 2023, she’s now back with her new show, How To Be A Baddie.

We discuss the danger of optimising your honesty, the evolution of the Indian stand-up scene, can you be emotionally sensitive while succeeding in comedy, why you can’t plan authenticity, the pressure for women to never be mediocre and we find out if Urooj Ashfaq is happy!

Join the Insiders Club at patreon.com/comcompod where you can instantly WATCH the full episode and get access to 25 minutes of exclusive extras including Urooj’s comedy superpowers, the pressure to perform for clicks, brand deals and the vulnerability of going viral.

👉 Sign up to the NEW ComComPod Mailing List and follow the show on Instagram, YouTube & TikTok,

Support our independently produced Podcast from only £3/month at Patreon.com/ComComPod

✅ Instant access to full video and ad-free audio episodes

✅ 25 minutes of exclusive extra content with Urooj

✅ Early access to new episodes where possible

✅ Exclusive membership offerings including a monthly “Stu&A”

PLUS you’ll get access to the full back catalogue of extras you can find nowhere else!

Catch Up with Urooj: You can keep up-to-date with Urooj Ashfaq on Instagram, @uroojashfaq.

AOB: If you’re a student comedy society or group that can’t afford to go to the Edinburgh Fringe 2026, Stevie Martin is running a Student Comedy Fringe Fund which is now open for applications, there's an introduction session on 18th Dec and the deadline is Jan 7th. Find out more at linktre.ee/5tevieM!

Everything I'm up to: Come and see me LIVE! Find out all the info and more at stuartgoldsmith.com/comedy.

Discover my comedy about the climate crisis, for everyone from activists to CEOs, at stuartgoldsmith.com/climate.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Recorded in January 2020, John Kearns is a master at finding pathos in the prosaic, combining clowning and standup in a way that makes absolutely no sense written down. With influences from Jacques Tati to Neil Hamburger, we explored his sense of place within himself, overreaching in his writing, and ambition in his career...

Join the Insiders Club at patreon.com/comcompod where you can instantly get access to 30 minutes of exclusive extras including John's brilliant technique for underpinning all his material with genuine pathos, delving into writing for Harry Hill, meeting Chris Morris, and how the spotlight can burn...

👉 Complete the ComComPod Survey and sign up to the NEW ComComPod Mailing List!

Support our independently produced Podcast from only £3/month at Patreon.com/ComComPod

✅ Instant access to full video and ad-free audio episodes

✅ 30 minutes of exclusive extra content with John

✅ Early access to new episodes

✅ Exclusive membership offerings including a monthly “Stu&A”

PLUS you’ll get access to the full back catalogue of extras you can find nowhere else!

Catch Up with John:

John Kearns is on tour throughout 2026 with Tilting at Windmills, find all the info and more at www.johnkearnscomedy.co.uk.

Everything I'm up to:

Come and see me LIVE! Find out all the info and more at stuartgoldsmith.com/comedy.

Discover my comedy about the climate crisis, for everyone from activists to CEOs, at stuartgoldsmith.com/climate.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.