Mike Cachuela! Artist! Filmmaker! Animator! Director! Storyteller! Friend! Delight! More!

Mike being on the show started with his sending me this message:

"Comedian, writer, and proud Las Vegas native Shanna Christmas is bringing the heat—and the heart—with her bold new comedy special.

One hour of machine-gun punchlines and razor-sharp observations unpacking the horrors of working in healthcare, losing a parent to dementia, the struggles of being tall, and surviving sexual assault in the comedy scene

Shot live at an intimate jazz club in the heart of downtown Las Vegas, the special captures Shanna Christmas doing what she does best: making people laugh so hard they forget they’re in a dark room with strangers. With machine-gun punchlines, razor- sharp observations, and stories that swing from wild to wicked, Shanna invites audiences into a world that’s as smart as it is side-splitting. But this special isn’t just jokes.

In a stunning final turn, Shanna peels back the curtain to share a deeply personal, gut-wrenching story of surviving sexual assault. The room, once roaring with laughter, falls into a reverent, electric silence as she bravely reframes her trauma through the lens of resilience, truth, and yes—even humor.

'I wanted to make a special that felt like me,' Shanna says. 'Loud, fast, honest, funny—but also full of real life. Because comedy is how I take my power back. And I want people to feel theirs, too.'

Filmed in the city where she grew up, Highly Intelligent is more than just a comedy special; it’s a homecoming. And a reckoning. And a celebration of what it means to be funny, fearless, and female in today’s world.

The special is directed by Michael Malone, an award-winning filmmaker and comedian whose credits include Comedy Central, Showtime, and FOX. A veteran of the industry, Michael currently leads the creative team at Brad Garrett Presents, the comedy production division of Brad Garrett’s Entertainment. Through his own company, Glass Hammer Productions, he has directed over a dozen stand-up specials and three acclaimed comedy documentaries."

And here is more official information about Shanna:

"Shanna Christmas was born and raised in Las Vegas. She is a stand up comedian, writer (Reductress, Insider), actor and producer who stands at 6’3’’ and played volleyball in college, despite much protest. Her comedy style has been described as 'Edgy/Classy' as she finds ways to speak about complicated issues that can offend, but she’s so charming that you can’t be mad at her.

Shanna has performed across North America, including Montreal and Edmonton in Canada. You can see her on Season 10 of 'Coming To The Stage' on Pluto TV. She has appeared in comedy festivals including the 208 Festival, Altercation Festival, Black Girl Giggles, Black Women In Comedy Festival (NY). She was Devil Cup Comedy Festiva Winner in 2018 and a finalist in the inaugural ABFF Comedy Fest in 2021.

In addition to producing successful all black women stand up shows, Shanna Christmas was also a co-host of the 'Topical Smoothie' podcast. In 2021, She self published a comic book about her life as an Occupational Therapy Assistant in nursing homes, and she can also be seen in a short film called, Dark Wolf Gang produced by the American Film Institute."

We have a great chat! You can have a great listen! Thanks all!

PS This is only the first HALF of our chat.
For part two, subscribe via Apple Podcasts OR simply click on over here to Patreon!

​

Ahmed Khalaf! Comedian! Friend! Delight! More!

His debut album is called "Hobble D. Hoy" and here is the official information about it:

"Somalia-born, California-raised, and Minneapolis-based comic Ahmed Khalaf spent 8 years developing his comedy skills to build his first comedy album. On it, Ahmed shares how he beat tough odds like being born in a Somalian refugee camp but growing up to out-white the wife of a brewery owner, and learning how to walk again after breaking his leg at 30. His comedy blends short and long form jokes, observations, and storytelling to break down his life story and the unique culture of the Midwest."

Now for the unofficial information about it: it's great!

AND Ahmed and I have a great chat on this podcast. So YOU can have a great listen!

PS This is only the first HALF of our chat.
For our chat part two, subscribe via Apple Podcasts OR simply click on over here to Patreon!

Rita Orlov! Game designer! Creative director! Puzzle creator! New friend! Delight! More!

Rita makes games!

One of them is Pandora's Legacy and the Kickstarter is underway as we speak! (As I type and you read!)

Another is Emerald Echoes and the Kickstarter is soon to be launched! (At some point when I'll be typing again later, I imagine.)

Alex Rosenthal! Editorial director/producer at TED! Game/puzzle-maker! Old friend! Delight! More!

Alex works at TED and has given a very enjoyable TED talk on puzzle hunts.

He is the co-creator of a new game called Pandora's Legacy which is on Kickstarter right now!

About the game:

"Pandora’s Legacy, combines elements of jigsaw puzzles, escape rooms, puzzle hunts, and legacy board games into a 12-15 hour adventure. Perfect for mythology lovers, puzzle enthusiasts, and anyone who just loves a good challenge. Brought to you by the creators of TED-Ed's riddle and mythology series."

So check out the game, support the Kickstarter, and listen to our chat!

And this is just the first HALF of our chat!
To complete the puzzle and get the second half, subscribe via Apple Podcasts or merely click on over here to Patreon!

Enjoy!

Charlotte Clymer! Writer! Activist! Friend! Delight! More!

Charlotte is a writer, activist, communications consultant, and military veteran. She writes about politics, religion, and culture in the award-winning Substack newsletter "Charlotte's Web Thoughts," which was recognized in 2024 with Best News/Political Blog by Editor & Publisher Magazine and for Excellence in Blogging by the National Gay & Lesbian Journalists Association. She has been widely published and quoted by numerous national and international outlets on topics ranging from foreign policy to gun reform to trans rights. She serves on several non-profit boards, including Voices for Progress and Victory Fund. In 2023, she became the first openly-transgender person elected to membership in the Council on Foreign Relations. You can find her work at charlotteclymer.substack.com and most social media sites. She is a proud graduate of Georgetown University and resides in Washington, D.C.

Charlotte and I had a great talk. You can have a great listen!

And this is only the first HALF of our chat.
For part two, just subscribe via Apple Podcasts OR click on over here to Patreon!

Chris Nakis! Comedian! Friend! Delight! More!

His new standup special "Gonna Wanna" is free on Youtube here!

His Instagram that you can follow is here!

The wonderful podcast chat I have with him is HERE! (All around you.)

And this is only part ONE of that wonderful chat!

For part two, subscribe via Apple Podcasts OR merely head on over here to Patreon!

Thank you! Enjoy!