Uneventful day on paper, but everything is loading for next week. Studio setup for the new show. Golden Hoosier Open Mic on Sunday. Big podcast shoot Tuesday. Orlando for PodFest on Wednesday.
But tonight was about one thing.
Redemption at Helium.
First Up After the Shutout
Last time I was at Helium, I didn’t get on. Tonight? First up.
Comedy gods giveth and taketh away.
The crowd was incredible. One of my better crowds. Happy, ready, engaged. You can feel it before you even grab the mic when it’s like that.
I wrote brand new material at the show tonight. Half of it worked okay. One one-liner absolutely killed. The ticket joke. And then this PornHub bit came out of nowhere:
“Is anybody else having problems with their PornHub?”
Missouri’s blocking PornHub now. Or PornHub left Missouri. Whatever happened, the joke worked.
This self-realization style of comedy is really clicking for me. Being late to things doesn’t hurt my ego anymore because I am late to most things. Last to every party. That’s funny. There’s honesty in that.
The Comedy Shortage Crisis
Here’s what’s been bothering me.
I couldn’t get to Steve’s tonight because they didn’t have enough comedians. Too many shows in town. Comics spread too thin.
That’s dangerous.
Steve’s will stop doing mics if comedians don’t show up. But it also highlights something important. There’s a shortage at this level. A real one. And we need to understand it and figure out how to fill it.
People need community. They need reasons to leave the house. Food alone isn’t enough anymore.
The Consciousness Shift
I’m not drinking anymore. Not because it’s illegal. Not because of rules. Something else shifted.
It feels like consciousness woke up. Like I quit, and the world quietly followed.
I’m not saying I caused it. I’m saying I might be part of something bigger. Statistically, correlation isn’t causation. But this feels bigger than a coincidence.
The Future of Connection
So what are people going to do?
They’re going to sit around fires and tell stories. That’s where this is heading.
The money isn’t just in comedy. It’s in producing shows. Shows sell tickets, t-shirts, food, drinks. But more than anything, they sell connection. People connecting with people.
That’s the future.
Now I just have to figure out how to monetize it in a way that lets me teach others how to do the same thing.
Running Hard, Holding Back
I feel like I’ve been running really hard in some areas and holding back in others. There’s pressure on me that feels like it’s about to lift. I don’t know why I know that. I just do.
The lawsuit is looking better. Good trips coming up. Temper under control.
I’m pretty fucking happy.
Things are just okay right now.
And okay is really good.
Short post tonight. Most of my energy is pointed at next week. The studio. The podcast. PodFest.
But tonight mattered.
Redemption at Helium.
A PornHub joke that landed.
And the realization that we’re in the middle of a comedy shortage and a consciousness shift at the same time.
That’s worth documenting.
Good night.
Love you all.
