WDEK Podcast Ep. 78: JD Samson, Matt Wayne, Chelsea White, Tash Neal & Grace Ludmila - 2/25/2020

At a time when the breaking news includes the coronavirus pandemic, Barney's shutting it doors, Harvey Weinstein sentenced to jail; We Don't Even Know Ep. 78, February 2020 starts out with even more important breaking news. Shonali & Christian completed the Whole 30 without cheating and Christian Felix has gotten lasik surgery! Most importantly they have another fantastic show with great guests along with real people sitting in a room communing together in real time. 

First guests include former guests who found love on We Don't Even Know: Chelsea White and Tash Neal.  Find out what chicken tenders and gas have to do with being in love! Super personal questions are asked and answered by this beautiful twosome who unexpectedly hit it off during the July 2019 live recording of WDEK.   We discuss cat enthusiasm bonding and having to be on the DL when it comes to being in love in NYC. 

Shonali gifts Christian with an "therworldly fragrances for earthbound souls” called the Tower by The Phoenix and The Fool. She's "full of love."

Comedian Matt Wayne comes to WDEK married but ringless. He's starting a ringless movement.  Shonali won't have it.  Until now, Christian and Shonali have never met a former line-cook and park ranger from Buffalo turned NYC comedian.  Matt shares his deep love for NYC and Christian talks elaborate fare evasion. See Matt Wayne and Doug Smith's new comedy show, Cancel Commission at the Stand starting March 21.

Mia Juhng joins Christian and Shonali for #GetItOffYourChest.  Topics include the need for lasik surgery support, food sharing parameters and gym membership recruitment tactics.

Our final conversation is with with musician, visual artist, teacher & activist JD Samson!  JD tells us about her time at Sarah Lawrence as a student, how she stumbled into music (Le Tigre) and her surprising struggle with being on stage and dealing with panic attacks.  Christian and Shonali are inspired by JD's activism which centers around sincerity.  Songs discussed are Tres Bien (Le Tigre) and Making Art (Men).  JD is now a teacher at Clive Davis Institute for Recorded Music (NYU Tisch) and is excited to help propel her students into the industry.  JD's superstar student Grace Ludmila performs two songs live at Red Room, Special and The Director.

WDEK Podcast Ep. 78: JD Samson, Matt Wayne, Chelsea White, Tash Neal & Grace Ludmila - 2/25/2020

WDEK Podcast Ep. 77: Raja Feather Kelly, Alex English & Adira Amram - 1/28/2020

Happy 2020!  Christian and Shonali roll into 2020 with tales of hunger and dogs gone wild.  Have you ever tried the Whole30? Christian and Shonali start the year out with another amazing lineup of guests.  Christian and Shonali are obsessed with all of them.  Their first guest is award winning choreographer, director, artistic director Raja Feather Kelly.  He is the artistic director of his own theater media dance company The feath3r theory.  How did a young man from Houston, TX with an obsession for pop culture, musical theater, dance and Andy Warhol become the critical darling of the uptown theater world?  His work as a brilliant choreographer is featured in works like Fairview and Strange Loop and his last performance as a dancer was a solo show, 2 years ago in Ugly at The Bushwick Star.  Go see his Kelly's upcoming works, Wednesday by the feath3r company and We're Gonna Die which he is directing at 2nd Stage premiering Feb. 4 and opening in February 25, 2020.  See why Raja's been featured in the New York Times so many times this past year. 

Shonali has hopes of Christian getting a dog when times get lonely and has brought Rhonda the Dog Trainer (comedian & actress Becky Chicoine) from Pittsburgh to give him some dog training lessons.  The audience at home, should pay special attention to her words, because although you have no idea what Rhonda is doing, you can try these tricks at home with your own moves.  

WDEK's second guest of the evening is comedian and writer Alex English.   Alex is black, from Detroit and recently started making friendships with white people.  Alex shares his astute observations regarding dating, weddings and eating brunch with white people.   He also has special words for comedians who can't turn it off.   Make sure to check out Alex at his monthly show Dad, happening at the Jane Hotel, the first Monday of the month.  His next show is Feb. 3, 8:30PM.  

Jack Dwyer joins us from work in his gorgeous black velvet suit for this month's #GetItOffYourChest.  Topics include haircuts, relatives, salad bar hoverers and imaginary friends.  What is yours?

Photo by Daria Huxley

WDEK's final guest is dancer, singer, songwriter, comedian and choreographer Adira Amram. Adira's unique brand of song, dance and collaboration is all about having a good time.  She has been performing with Maresa D'Amore-Morrison and Jessi Colon  (The Experience) for 12 years.  Adira claims that her work comes from the child inside of her.  She has released an album called Hot Jamzs for Teens.  Adira is the daughter of legendary composer and multi-instrumentalist David Amram.  Adira explains her dad had creative parenting techniques and how at 89 he's still continuously looking forward to the next gig.  Adira performs two of her tunes for our live studio audience: 1) 17 Signs You Are Having A Midlife Crisis (The Condensed Version) and 2) I Want You to Be You Only Different.  Look for Adira at her upcoming show this spring with Ophira Eisenberg, Ophira & Adira at Union Hall!

Thank you all for supporting us for over 6 years!  For enjoying a noncommercial experience that is about heart and soul! 


WDEK Podcast Ep. 77: Raja Feather Kelly, Alex English & Adira Amram - 1/28/2020

WDEK Podcast Ep. 76: Kenice Mobley, Angelline Chung & Hope Hall - 11/26/2019

We welcome back Christian Felix aka Mr. Cardigan to the show.  Shonali & Christian discuss their preparations for the holiday season and seeing friends vs family over the holidays.  

Our first guest (00:08:45) is comedian & filmmaker Kenice Mobley.  Kenice is from North Carolina and came to NYC via Los Angeles and Boston MA.  Kenice has only been in NYC for the past 2 1/2 years and she has already made a big impact on the NYC comedy scene.  Kenice tells us about a time when she received a "high volume" of Richard pics from men. Find out how she dealt with them.   Kenice has a podcast called Love About Town w co-host Rohan Padhye discussing love, sex & relationships.  Christian and Shonali lobby to be on her show.  

Our second guest (00:26:50) is actress Angelline Chung who also happens to be a Julliard graduate thanks to her parents in Singapore. Angelline hails from Singapore and was on a television show there called Shall We Talk?  Her dream role is one which would deal with issues of mental health.   Angelline discusses how although Hollywood is doing it's best, it still needs to do more  regarding inclusivity and white washing Asian culture.  Angelline educates us as to exactly what "yellow fever" is.  She explains how this mindset and behavior is detrimental to everyone involved especially Asian women. 

We #GetItOffYour Chest (00:59:03) with former Ep. 21 WDEK guest, Pete Miser.  Christian and Pete have a heated conversation regarding chicken vs turkey for Thanksgiving.  Shonali is the Judge Judy of this debate.  Also don't loudly restate your partner's name over and over in a condescending way on a flight so that the entire flight feels bad for your partner. 

Our final guest (00:59:03) is cinematographer, filmmaker and photographer Hope Hall. She is currently Senior Road Videographer for Senator Elizabeth Warren 2020 Campaign. She was President Obama's Principal Videographer in the White House.  Hope is one of the most positive people we have had on the show.  Yes, her name is fitting.  We ask Hope what makes working for Senator Warren so special. We discuss Hope's unusual career transition into filmmaking and photography.  We share (1:35:21) some of Hope's helpful tips on mindfulness and getting through the tough times.  We are lobbying her to have a weekend seminar on these tips so we can all be as powerful a force as she is.

Another year winds down for We Don't Even Know.  We wish you the peace and joy during this holiday season and we will be back next year, for our live taping on January 28, 2020. 

Love,

Shonali & Christian

 

WDEK Podcast Ep. 74: Tamara Best, Rob Cantrell & Chris Opperman - 9/24/19

While Christian is traveling for work, we are pleased to have Duane Harriott, join us as Shonali's guest co-host.  Duane is a wedding DJ, a legendary DJ on WFMU, a composer AND one of the stars of the Other Music Documentary which was released over the spring of 2019.  Shonali and Duane discuss the power of the wedding DJ and strangers eating your food.  Their first guest is writer Tamara Best.

While Christian is traveling for work, we are pleased to have Duane Harriott, join us as Shonali's guest co-host.  Duane is a wedding DJ, a legendary DJ on WFMU, a composer AND one of the stars of the Other Music Documentary which was released over the spring of 2019.  Shonali and Duane discuss the power of the wedding DJ and strangers eating your food. 

Their first guest is writer Tamara Best. (Timecode at 10:33) Her articles have been published in the New York Times, Time Out and The Daily Beast. She is the assistant managing editor of The Daily Beast.  Her work centers on the intersection of identity and culture for communities of people of color.  Tamara is of West Indian descent and also lived in Atlanta as did Shonali. They discuss Tamara's success in NYC as a writer and her parents' pride.  Tamara specifically shares her insight as to the urgency of the work (Fairview, Slave Play, Strange Loop, What To Send Up When It Goes Down) of a slew of African American playwrights who have recently burst onto the theater world. She and her husband a psychologist have healthy intellectual sparring matches. He happens to be in the audience and we notice his facial expressions throughout the night. HA! Tamara is in the process of writing her own play titled Hindsbury Hill, a tribute to her family. We look forward to seeing it when it is finished!

Our next guest is comedian Rob Cantrell   (Time code 31:52)  Rob so graciously performs some stand up for our studio audience in which he kills the Red Room.  Notice the two Bhowmik sisters laughing on both sides of the room. (Time code 42:06) Duane and Shonali talk to Rob about the "magic trick" of comedy and bombing.  He grew up in DC later moved to small town Virginia and eventually started his comedy career in San Francisco.  Duane and Rob bond on both being parents and Scorpios.  Rob is a very successful comedian who toured with Tracy Morgan this summer.  His tour story will blow your mind. Highlights include gyros, a blue turtleneck and leather shoes.  (Time code 52:40 - 59:01) Duane also has a Tracy Morgan story! #OtherMusic  (Time code 59:40) 

Our last guest is composer, teacher & musician Chris Opperman.  His Wikipedia page is outrageous.  Chris realized he wanted to be a composer when he first heard the music of Frank Zappa. He went to Berklee and he came up with his indie hit song Ain't Got No Beef as a result of a homework assignment after a visit to Taco Bell.  Check out his orchestration for a 54 piece orchestra for Steve Vai's For the Love of God here.  Duane and Chris have some Frank Zappa talk on which Shonali is clueless. Chris performs for the first time performs two piano pieces by other composers.  The first song (1:18:17) is Ann Southam's Pond Life.  His second performance is Ellen Zwilich's Lament (1:22:27).  If are interested in learning more about classical music, Chris has hundreds of Spotify playlists which he made for his students at Montclair State University. Check them out. Also stay tuned for Chris' Chamber Music from Hell project which is based on the concept of "What would Aliens write if they made BeBop music?" 

What a show! Thank you all!  Our next show is October 29, 2019 with comedian Clare O'Kane, artist Trish Tillman and music by Lauren Maul.  See you there!  Also please share our podcast with your friends and family.  They will thank you. Follow us on all social media @wdekpodcast


Direct download: WDEK_Ep._74_-_9.24.19.mp3

WDEK Podcast Ep. 73: Jeremy O. Harris, Nore Davis & Bianca Espinal - 8/27/2019

It's the end of summer 2019 and beach time for Christian. Shonali & Christian's friendship is unique.  Their Episode 73 guests include playwright Jeremy O. Harris, comedian Nore Davis and musician Bianca Espinal aka BIA.E. This is an extra special double edition show.   Christian and Shonali are so excited to have playwright Jeremy O.

It's the end of summer 2019 and beach time for Christian. Shonali & Christian's friendship is unique.  Their Episode 73 guests include playwright Jeremy O. Harris, comedian Nore Davis and musician Bianca Espinal aka BIA.E. This is an extra special double edition show.  

Christian and Shonali are so excited to have playwright Jeremy O. Harris join them just as his hit play Slave Play makes its way to Broadway! Their in depth conversation (00:07:56 - 01:08:20) includes topics such as Harris' Color Purple book report in the 6th grade, his mom, Club Monaco, his Rihanna interview, the relationship of fashion to theater, Aleshea Harris, black erasure, colonialism, white attention, being considered a "polarizing figure", academic probation, The 1619 Project, art criticism and his appreciation of Mr. Show.  Jeremy O. Harris will be the youngest black man to ever be on Broadway and is having a big party on the first night of previews for Slave Play on September 10th.  His Broadway premiere is on October 6th.  Get your tickets now.   

Comedian Nore Davis grew up in Yonkers, NY and quit college to do stand up. (at 1:08:40-1:36:08)  He grew up with a police officer dad and a controlling mom. Nore's upcoming comedy tv special is called "Too Woke" and he explains the many burdens which come with being "too woke."  We discuss toxic masculinity, respect for the stand-up Gods, job security and being on late night tv on Conan twice. Christian asks about Nore's use of the N word.  Nore has already released an Amazon comedy special called "You Guys are Dope" and his upcoming Comedy Central 1/2 Hour Special "Too Woke" comes out on November 8 at 11:30 PM. Check it out.  He has a regular show at Union Hall with his girlfriend comedian Nash Rose called Stellar Underground. 

Get It Off Your Chest (at 1:36:33) is BAAACKKKK with audience member and former WDEK guest JJ Sasnowski joining Christian & Shonali onstage.  Their problems range from cologne, road rage and unwritten NYC rules.  

WDEK's last guest of the evening is musician Bianca Espinal (01:44:45) aka BIA.E (Be Infinite Anywhere Everywhere.)  Bianca is Dominican and grew up in Harlem. She started busking on the subway platform with her father at 17 years old.  She also auditioned American Idol and The Voice where Pharrell gave her the best advice. She received the semi-final position in Tengo Talento Mucho Talento, a Hispanic International televised show. Atlhough her sultry voice is unique to herself, you can hear Espinal's many influences like Lianne La Havas, Amy Winehouse, and Dusty Springfield when she sings.  She sings two of her original songs Anytime (at 2:03:21) and Time (at 2:07:00).  Look for B.I.A.E on IG to find out about her upcoming shows. 

Enjoy! Thank you all!  See you next month! Follow us on all social media @wdekpodcast

Direct download: WDEK_Ep._73_-8272019_-__Final_.mp3

WDEK Podcast Ep. 72: Greg Dubin, Chelsea White & Tash Neal - 7/30/2019

Greg Dubin, Christian Felix, Shonali Bhowmik, Tash Neal, Chelsea White, photo by Daria Huxley

The Red Room has new air conditioning and WDEK is soaking it up. Christian and his washcloth went to a nude beach. Shonali is feeling like a real New Yorker.  Their guests on July 30, 2019 are magician Greg Dubin - "The Great Dubini," Comedian Chelsea White and Musician Tash Neal. 

Shonali thought Greg Dubin aka "The Great Dubini" was a comedian when she met him but found out he was much more than that - he's funny and he's also a professional magician! He does tricks for us at the top of his interview and even Shonali & Christian who are standing beside him can't figure them out.  Greg started out doing magic as a kid, went to magic camp and stuck with it.  Find out how he avoids feeling like a hack.  Greg was born on the same day (not year) that Houdini arrived in America.  Do you know what Houdini's real name is AND what Greg's worst line is during his magic routine? Go see Greg perform his one hour show at The Slipper Room on September 4th. 

Shonali went to San Diego to visit a family immigrant shelter run by Jewish Family Services of San Diego. She was moved and saddened after hearing stories from families who have been in detention.  She was also moved and inspired a week later in Atlanta when out of the blew she got to meet Rep. John Lewis.  She pleads everyone to get involved and to react to injustice by calling it out which was requested by Rep. Lewis. In his words, we must "make good noise." 

Christian and Shonali's second guest is a comedian, host, writer and producer Chelsea White  She is wearing the loveliest jumpsuit and sandals.  Chelsea hosts a podcast called "Ghosted" offering up stories of being ghosted and being a ghoster.  She dated a self-titled "recovering sociopath" for a second. She also hosts Adulting, a web series show on Bravo which features Bravolebrities (first time we've heard of that term.) Chelsea shares a tip on how to break up with a toxic friend. She loves cats and has a web series show called Show Me Ur Kitty.  She produced MTV's Girl Code.  But Shonali's most excited about the fact that Chelsea met a superstar from the show Dateline at Crime Con.  Who could that be? Look for Chelsea's Instagram Live talk show coming out in September called What A Delight with Chelsea White!

Shonali and Christian's last guest is phenomenal musician Tash Neal.  Tash's parents are super talented.  His mom is an opera singer who sings with the Philharmonic and his dad Michael Neal can play 27 instruments.  Tash tries to keep up with them. He's performed with his band The London Souls for about 10 years and is now going by Tash Neal. Listen to Tash describe his favorite NYC public access show with THE guy with the record player and a single camera and let us know if you know THE guy!  It sounds so good. We need him on this show. Tash knows Slash!  Tash tells us about a horrible car accident he was in 7 years ago which caused him to be in a coma. He's lucky to be alive! We are lucky he's alive!   Tash performs two songs, Isabel and Sweet Cup and boy is it SWEEET!!! Go see Tash perform at Pianos on August 29th. 

WDEK_Ep._72_Final.mp3

WDEK Podcast Ep. 71: Ato Essandoh, Sam Morrison & Kendra Morris - 6/25/2019

It's the beginning of the real summer of NYC.  Its time to bus out your washcloths y'all!  Christian and Shonali went to Mexico City and must poll the audience on flip flops. The first guest of WDEK Ep.

Christian Felix Ato Essandoh Sam Morrison Shonali Bhowmik Kendra Morris, photo by Justin Joseph Hall

It's the beginning of the real summer of NYC.  Its time to bus out your washcloths y'all!  Christian and Shonali went to Mexico City and must poll the audience on flip flops. The first guest of WDEK Ep. 71 is accomplished actor Ato Essandoh.  Christian starts reading off his IMDB which is way too long to list here but check it out for yourself. Currently he's one of the television stars of CBS' The Code, was the star of Netflix' Altered Carbon and HBO's Vinyl; also holding roles in movies such as Django Unchained, Blood Diamond, Jason Bourne and so many more. Ato shares his journey from being a chemical engineering student at Cornell to becoming a professional actor.  Christian and Ato get educated as to the new national dance craze, The Git Up by Shonali. Ato is refreshingly humble for being such an accomplished actor.  He comments on luck in the business and his obligation to help others out.  By all accounts Meryl Streep is perfection in a human. 

Shonali shares a personal story about her love for Bigfoot and shares and special email she received about Bigfoot from her friend Steve in Savannah, GA.

WDEK's second guest is comedian Sam Morrison.  He too went to Cornell as Ato did.  Who knew artists graduated from Cornell? Sam is more interested in having a conversation with Ato than Shonali and Christian but they lock him down and find out that within two years of graduating and living in NYC, Sam's comedy career has skyrocketed. Shonali wants to call his mom Pam to explain his success. Sam came out as a gay man on stage mostly because he was bombing.  Sam won the Make Me Laugh Comedy Contest and his solo show Hello, Daddy! is previewing from July 12 - July 27, 2019 at 59 E. 59 before he goes to Edinburgh.  Check it out! 

Christian tells a story which makes him look bad when the show is interrupted by Theo The Choreographer.  Theo claims the "show is off the rails."  Theo who was hired by Shonali and Christian instructs them as to how to improve the show. Shonali & Christian promise they will work harder. 

WDEK's last guest is soul singer-songwriter musician and animator Kendra Morris. Kendra is from Florida as is our guest Sam Morrison. Kendra comes from a family of musicians. She quit after one semester of college to focus on her music career and partying. After quitting her "shitty' all female band which she moved with to NYC and in which SHE confesses was the problem, Kendra shares how she gained perspective in NYC and also specifically gained inspirational insight from her old friend Anton of Brian Jonestown Massacre.  Kendra was recently featured on both last year's Czarface Meets Metalface and this year's Czarface Meets Ghostface albums.  Catch Kendra on tour this coming fall! 

Thanks to our guest appearance by Theo The Choreographer, aka Theo Koppel. Our next show is on July 30, 2019. See you there and follow us on all socials at wdekpodcast!

WDEK_Ep._71_Final.mp3

WDEK Podcast Ep. 60: Ahna Tessler, Jon Glaser and Rebecca Vigil - June 26, 2018 →

We celebrate our 60th episode of We Don't Even Know with special guests comedian and family documentary photographer Ahna Tessler; comedian, writer, actor and director Jon Glaser; and improv musician and comedian Rebecca Vigil.  Shonali & Christian applaud the  awesome audience in attendance at WDEK Live for getting out of the fetal position and making it to the show while the news cycle continues to kick all of our asses.  Our first guest of the night is comedian, actress and photographer Ahna Tessler.  She is also a mother and we all agree doesn't get enough attention these days.  We told her she could swear as much as she wanted during the taping.  Ahna's longtime comedy partner Lauren Engle was in attendance at the show.  They are legends. Ahna has made so many fantastic videos which she calls 'dumb' but we call hysterical.  There was a little controversy surrounding Ahna's breastfeeding video.  Check out Ahna's beautiful family photography. She is humble and doesn't brag about it bc she is a woman. 

Photo by Daria Huxley

Our next guest, Jon Glaser is a comedian, actor, writer and star of Jon Glaser Loves Gear and also the Adult Swim show Neon Joe, Werewolf Hunter. Jon is a powerhouse in the comedy world.  As you expected, Jon has lots of gear.  We get the low low low low down on how Jon came up with the idea for the show Neon Joe, Werewolf Hunter.  It's so dumb.  We love it.  Shonali and Jon used to jam together and after you hear Jon's new summertime hit tune you will understand why they are ready to take the show on the road.

During #GetItOffYourChest with audience member Michael McMenamin, we learn that you must make sure the washing machine is fully drained before putting in your clothes.  Christian uses the words 'fecal air.' Gross. Shonali's rants about unnecessarily expensive fashion choices. 

Our final guest of the evening is improv musician and actress Rebecca Vigil .  Rebecca went to 13 different schools and still sings about love.  She's remarkable for many reasons, but we are super impressed with her big winnings while on a game show. Two of our lucky audience members, Sergio Douglas and Maggy Adeleye were interviewed by Rebecca on stage and then ....well listen to see what happened, will you?

Direct download: WDEK_Ep._60_.mp3
Category:general, comedy, good+times -- posted at: 3:14pm EDT

WDEK Podcast Ep. 59: Emily Flake, H Jon Benjamin & Rob Townsend - May 29, 2018 →

Welcome to our 59th Episode of WDEK Podcast. Justin the intern starts the live show on a Tuesday night at the Red Room in NYC! Christian just returned from father's retirement party in Chicago. Shonali just returned from Nashville where she kept up with the news about a racist crazy tv star and her tweets. What's it like to have your creative work rejected in person to your face over and over? 

We ask our first guest that question. She is cartoonist, illustrator, writer and performer Emily Flake.  She has "cobbled" together a living as a cartoonist for a long time now. She's come a long way from being an ad sales person for alt weekly New York Blade to becoming a successful cartoonist who has had hundreds of her works featured in the New Yorker.  She's written a book about parenting called Mama Tried. She's a parent who refreshingly doesn't think being a parent is the MOST awesome thing in the world. How cool is that? Look out for her upcoming YA (Young Adult) book she's working on now, a fictional fanzine from 1992.

Our second guest is H. Jon Benjamin, a comedian, actor and writer probably most famous for his work as the voice of Bob in Bob's Burgers and the voice of Archer in Archer.  Benjamin as Shonali calls him (they are old friends) used to host a comedy show in the East Village called Midnight Pajama Jam. It was the best. JB's written a book that just came out called Failure is An Option: An Attempted Memoir.  Shonali's been listening to the audiobook and loves it.  She is intrigued by Jon Benjamin's love for disco, roller skating and disco balls.  Jon explains what the main take away from his book is in two words.

We Get It Off Our Chest with illustrator musician Marcellus Hall who refuses to rap with us.

Our final guest is musician, singer, songwriter Rob Townsend.  Rob is originally from Spartanburg, SC.  He's also a part time sailing instructor and may be the only gay sailing captain on the Hudson. We like the idea of a gay sailboat. We discuss the difficulty of selling music during an era where everyone gets their music free.  Rob moved to NYC from Austin, TX where he was in a folk band.  His music has changed drastically.  He is humble and self deprecating but we think he's awesome. He sings an original song called Clatskanie and a Randy Newman tune called Short People! Welcome to our new sound engineer Ezana Million! ENJOY!!! Photo by Daria Huxley.

Direct download: WDEK_Chapters_Ep._59.mp3
Category:general, comedy, good+times -- posted at: 12:14pm EDT

WDEK Podcast Ep. 55: Catie Lazarus, George Gordon & Lori Scacco

Welcome back Christian! The news today bummed us out to no end so we had to talk about it.  Christian went to Haiti and all he brought back was the Missing Key Story.

Our first guest is comedian, writer and Employee of the Month talk show host Catie Lazarus.  Catie is an expert on germs in the gym. Christian is one on airplane germs.  Catie grew up in DC with a Public Policy White House advisor father and a peace activist brother. Find out how a doctoral student becomes the “funniest resident of NYC.”  Shonali and leftovers don’t go well together.

Comedian George Gordon is from Virginia. He currently supports his comedy by bartending. What makes a great bar patron? Comedian Doug Stanhope changed George’s life. He’s good at doing a “tight five.”

#GetItOffYourChest is back with audience member and former WDEK guest Alan Yaspan! Our last guest is musician Lori Scacco.  Lori and Shonali are old friends who both started their music careers in Atlanta, Georgia. Lori currently has many musical ongoing projects including her own music which she calls “highly orchestrated computer music” and her collaborations such as Storms.  She recently composed music for the Joyce Theater Ballet Festival for dancer Gemma Bonds.  We discuss creative identity, Atlanta, family and the legendary Clermont Lounge.  Lori has an upcoming live show in October. You must go! We play an excerpt from the ballet called The Giving and the first song on her full length Storms album called Wolves and Bells. 

Check out the Latest Episode of We Don’t Even Know!

WDEK Podcast Ep. 53: Becky Yamomoto, Mars Ganito and Mike DuClos - June 27, 2017

We return from our two month break after our WDEK Variety Fest with a Sizzling Summer Show - SSS show - BAM! Is it still considered alliteration if the words start with the same letter although letter doesnt have the same sound - Sss vs sh? Will you look that up for us?  While Christian is away, our special guest host this month is a longtime friend of WDEK; the multi talented (musician, illustrator and writer) Mr. Marcellus Hall! Our first guest is comedian, writer & actress Becky Yamomoto.  Find out how she got to NYC and created a successful career here as a standup & actress although her Mom and Dad never go to her shows.  Her web series Uninspired is one of Shonali’s favorites.

Shonali performs a new song yet to be released called The Dream Is Still Alive with Marcellus on harmonica.  Our second guest is Mars Ganito, guitar player, singer and one of the leaders of the punk pop indie band Aye Nako. We talk about life on the road, growing up in Arkansas within a large family and his love of country music. Mars has described his band’s music as “sad songs about being queer, trans and black,” however we don’t find them so sad. They make us happy.  Reminiscent of the best of early indie rock bands like Superchunk, Helium & Pavement; their sound is ragged, raw and dissonant but also catchy, fresh and original.  Special guest co-host Marcellus Hall performs one of his new tunes called Our Devices.

WDEK’s last guest is Mike DuClos, a brilliant musician who has performed with lots of great bands and musicians   Listen and learn about tourbus etiquette and performing with Joan Baez and Dire Straits.  Mike is what we call a professional musician. He’s even played on Broadway before.  He hated that.  He’s a great storyteller who is known in most circles as being a “wise ass.”  He agrees.  Listen and decide for yourself.  Thanks to all of you who support us and listen to our show.  We have t-shirts for some of you lucky fools! Email us! And lastly Listen to Aye Nako’s Spare Me!

Check out the Latest Episode of We Don’t Even Know!

WDEK Podcast Ep. 51: Colin Buckingham, Selena Coppock & M. Lamar - March 27, 2017

Returning from Hawaii to a blizzard has Shonali feeling down.  Leave it to Christian to come up with a story about his jacket to cheer her up.

The Get Out of A Funk episode starts out with special guest actor & performer Colin Buckingham.  Shonali is impressed with Colin’s stage combat skills which he has had to use in real life. Do you know what a “half nelson” is?  If you want to fight a drunk person “take out their knees.”  Colin has a achondroplasia which is a form of dwarfism. We discuss labels, entitlement, empathy and privilege.  In addition to acting professionally on film and tv, Colin has recently joined the cast of Sleep No More.  He is also in a new tv show which he can’t tell us anything about.  Look for him in Black Magic for White Boys at Tribeca Film Festival pilot series.

Our second guest is comedian, writer, actress Selena Coppock.  Selena has a popular twitter feed @NYTvows which makes fun of what she calls the “wedding industrial complex."  She has written a book and she is currently on a television show called Red Oaks on Amazon, but she is yet to release a comedy album.  Well that is until now!  Selena has plans is tape her first live comedy album very soon.  Make sure you are there!

Our last guest is musician & artist M. Lamar.  Lamar opens with a performance of "They Took You From Me” from his latest releast “Funeral Doom Spiritual.”  Originally from Alabama, Lamar has lived as a musician in New York City for the past 10 years.  He is a fan of metal music and classical music and has coined himself “Negro gothic devil worshipping free black man in the blues tradition.”   Find out why and what his mom thinks about that. Lamar comments on how current moments speak to so many other moments of the past, be it police brutality today or being on a slave ship.   Lamar recently performed at National Sawdust in Brooklyn.  The New York Times wrote about it.  Check it out. Christian and Shonali are proud to announce their very first all day We Don’t Even Know Variety Fest to happen Sunday April 23 at DCTV, 87 Lafayette Street. Make plans now to join us and our amazing lineup! 

Check out the Latest Episode of We Don’t Even Know!

WDEK Podcast Ep. 50: Negin Farsad, Mike Recine & Beth Wawerna - Feb. 28, 2017

We celebrate our 50th Episode of WDEK on Mardi Gras with party horns, beads and great guests.  Shonali shares a feel good story about a NYC cabbie. Christian gives us his take on rules for shushing at the movie theater.  We have new WDEK T-Shirts for sale at the show and now online.

Our first guest is a comedian, writer, filmmaker, author, Ted Fellow…the list goes on and on, Negin Farsad.  She made a film which came out in 2014 called The Muslims Are Coming which follows a group of Muslim American comedians as they visit towns all over the US to combat Islamophobia. Turns out it can be exhausting combatting Islamophobia.  She also met Bono and turns out they have something in common.  Negin has a political roundtable podcast called Fake the Nation and wrote a book called How to Make White People Laugh. She is an inspiration.

We play a special WDEK 50th Ep trivia game with our WDEK regular audience member Isabel Restrepo.  Somehow Isabel wins a WDEK t-shirt without passing the quiz.  Our second guest is comedian and writer Mike Recine. Out of the gate Shonali brings up Mike’s side hustle, Recine Brothers Pasta Sauce and wants a jar of sauce.  We are sorry to hear Mike’s grandmother just passed away. Mike is originally from Jersey and the 2016 presidential win threw Mike off his comedy course. He’s been rethinking his views on his people, the working class. “Tastykakes” & “WaWa” are mentioned.  Look for Mike performing stand-up live all over the country or check out Mike’s Comedy Central half hour on Hulu or his Conan guest spots online right now. #GetItOffYourChest features our audience member Stacey Mills who talks about reactions to her camouflage jacket.  Shonali requests being polite to loved ones.  Christian reiterates his shushing policy.  

Our last guest is musician Beth Wawerna of the band Bird of Youth. She and Shonali share a connection to Atlanta and a love of The Rock*A*Teens and The Replacements.  All of which their influences can be heard in her music. A former music journalist, Beth now plays in a band comprised of multi-talented musicians.  They have released two full lengths, Defender and Get Off. She plays two songs, one called Glory Knows and the other titled Dad. Thanks to all who celebrated our 50th Ep with us!  Remember to save the date, April 23rd for our first ever all day WDEK Fest at DCTV in downtown Manhattan.  

Check out the Latest Episode of We Don’t Even Know!

Ep. 49: Amber Tamblyn, Damien Lemon & Ani Cordero

Happy New Year All! Christian and Shonali have brand new haircuts and new resolutions.  A familiar audience member has lots to say about our resolutions.

Our first guest is actress, writer, poet and director Amber Tamblyn.  She comes to us with a Guinness in hand and a baby bump. We discuss her busy schedule this past year which includes a 50+ city tour promoting her own poetry book Dark Sparkler about the lives & deaths of child star actresses.  She toured along with her husband comedian David Cross and they got along perfectly on the road.  Amber is also just finishing up a film festival circuit for the upcoming April release of a film which she wrote and directed, Paint It Black, based on the Janet Fitch novel. Wonder Woman Amber is also currently enjoying writing her first novel while expecting her first baby.

Our second guest is comedian and writer Damien Lemon.  You may have seen him on Guy Code or as the host of TruTv’s Comedy Knockout but he has been performing standup for 11 years.  He knew he was funny when he was 9 years old.  He was influenced by Eddie Murphy, tours lots and always gets the racist report when going to new cities and clubs.  Christian brings up Damien’s visit to The Breakfast Club.  He brings up shellfish.  For 2017, Damien says "trust your gut!“  We #GetItOffOurChest with comedian LeRonn McGowan.  Christian and LeRonn don’t like to talk.

Our last guest is musician, singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Ani Cordero.  Ani grew up splitting her time between San Juan, Puerto Rico and Atlanta, Georgia. Growing up in a family of musicians, Ani has been playing music since she was a kid. She has performed as the drummer of Os Mutantes while also leading her own band Cordero. She is active in promoting social justice & worries about the erosion of civil liberties. Ani released her last album Recordar, an album of Latin American songs of love and protest music and is now about to release her newest album Quierido Mundo,a new album of her own political protest and love songs this coming February 2017.  Check her out singing two songs live in our sh Me Tumba and Choferito 

Check out the Latest Episode of We Don’t Even Know!

Ep. 48: John Roberts Jr. & Eleanor Friedberger - Nov. 29, 2016

It’s a rainy night in NYC, only a few weeks after the election and our mood has taken a turn for the “what the hell happened?"  Christian does in fact return to the show after a two month absence.  He brings us stories regarding cologne and Shonali shares her important scientific findings as to why the election turned out the way it did.  Christian and Shonali been longtime fans of both of our Ep. 49 guests!

Our first guest is comedian, John Roberts Jr. who is gay (don’t worry - he’s out) and an Emmy nominated voice actor for the character Linda Belcher on the show "Bob’s Burgers.” But before that, did you see him on YouTube in one of our all time favorite videos The Christmas Tree. We are so happy John is back from the West Coast where he smoked too much pot and now resides only an hour away from NYC with his two cute dogs, Yoko and Iggy. He’s also back to cooking at home with his mom. Love ya for it John! As we head towards our 50th episode in February and our upcoming WDEK All Day Fest on February 18th, we are looking towards sharing more with you about a youth homeless shelter called The Covenant House.

Listen to Alan Weinroth explain in more detail what this organization does for kids in need. Shonali sings the Neil Young song, “Don’t Let It Bring You Down” and she screws up the lyrics a little. Audience member Anthony Cangelosi joins us on stage for #GetItOffYourChest.  We are currently searching for therapy for him.

Our final guest is musician Eleanor Friedberger (solo performer, member of Fiery Furnaces, & Shonali’s fashion icon.) Her hair is the best! She has been on tour for the past year in support of her latest album “New View” - including playing in Tel Aviv on our election day and Rome the day after. Shonali insists it takes a lot of work to be the leader of a touring band.  Fortunately Eleanor now has her own room when she tours. We are excited to hear Eleanor play “Your Word” and “Sweetest Girl” for us.  Til we meet again - next show is January 3rd, 2017 at HiFiNYC. 

Check out the Latest Episode of We Don’t Even Know!

Ep. 47: Jeffrey Joseph, Amanda Duarte, Tyson Meade & Nimesh Patel - Oct. 25, 2016

Comedian Nimesh Patel fills and special guest co-host for our spooky October 2016 edition of We Don’t Even Know. How Indian do you believe Shonali and Nimesh are? They wonder if anyone really cares.

Their first guest is comedian, actor, writer and teacher Jeffrey Joseph. What does he not do? We find out why he left a successful career in comedy to destress himself for ten years and what made him come back. Besides performing standup regularly, he teaches playwriting to youth and knows qi gong, a Chinese energy cultivation exercise. He also went to India before Nimesh ever did. What does that say about Nimesh?  Shonali and Jeffrey are chicken pox nose scar twins. Shonali has some frightening news for you.  Sorry to bum you out.

Our second guest is Amanda Duarte, a writer, performer, comedian and is responsible (along with her new friend - NYTimes writer, Jessica Bennet who created the art) for starting the viral sensation #PussyGrabsBack.  Sales proceeds of her PGB shirts on spreadshirt.com go to the Rape and Incest Network.  Amanda is not scared of ghosts, but she does share what she is scared of.  Go see her monthly show Dead Darlings at Judson Memorial Church. Today’s #GetItOffYourChest guest is former WDEK episode 13 guest and Shonali’s former personal trainer, Reno Villacis.

Here from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, our special musical guest is a musician, painter and writer named Tyson Meade.  Tyson and Shonali have infectious laughs that could get on Nimesh’ nerves.  Tyson has a similar story to Jeffrey Joseph’s, in that he quit music for 10 years and has recently rediscovered himself as a musician.  In his early years as a musician, he influenced artists like Kurt Cobain, Wayne Coyne of the Flaming Lips and Billy Corgan.  In between those years and now, Meade ran a boarding school in China and taught electricians to learn English in Saudi Arabia. He rediscovered music while helping a prodigal violin player student in China.   The end result is a new solo album to be released by him in February, and one released last year titled “Tomorrow In Progress.”  Enjoy him hear singing "Tiniest of Guys" and “She’s Gone Mad.”  Enjoy and next month Christian will return for our November episode. 

Check out the Latest Episode of We Don’t Even Know!

Ep. 46: Tessa Hersh, Adam Wade, Yazan Fahmawi and Jordan Clifford - Sept. 27, 2016

While Christian is away, Jordan Clifford, comedian, producer, actor is our special guest co-host on Episode 46 of We Don’t Even Know.  Jordan Shonali and Jordan are in need of new outgoing voice mail messages. Jordan has the look - he has a beard.

Our first guest is performer, teacher, writer, singer, actress, comedian Tessa Hersh, who along with all of her creative endeavors is currently happily teaching teachers.  Our intern Justin Hall shares a highlight from his father’s experience as a teacher. Tessa explains sometimes a teacher must tell a child "you can’t masturbate here.“  Tessa performs regularly at the UCB Theater and has her own web series on Refinery 29’s Riot YouTube channel. Check out her Truth Fairy series where she drops truth bombs on Riot which we love - the Baby Shower Rebellion Musical resonates particularly with Shonali.   Jordan is never ready for a fist bump.

Our second guest is Adam Wade, the world champion (that’s what we call it - he’s a 20 time winner) of the Moth Storytelling Radio show and also from New Hampshire. He too is a writer, comedian, actor, teacher AND he co-starred in Sardines Out of A Can with Shonali. Adam was on Girls and Lena Dunham instructed him to be meaner.   Adam’s mom tracks his geographical location with her phone.  Our studio audience practices Adam's Tony Robbins influenced motivational advice. Turns out #DestinationSlice is not an effective dating technique.  Our audience member Walter Patrishan joins us on stage for #GetItOffYourChest.  Find out why the salad assembly line stresses Jordan out, impolite germaphobes bother Shonali and wrapping things unnecessarily in plastic gets to Walter.

Our last guest of the night is musician Yazan Fahmawi, a singer, guitarist, and songwriter from New York, who plays a blend of rural country blues, folk, and psychedelia.  He went to the UN School and describes it as utopian.  His secret to finding his unique sound and voice (literally) was sitting with a recorder and getting freaky.  Yazan is a lifer, when it comes to being an artist.  He shares his astute and insightful take on art, life and happiness and believes "Everybody’s a weirdo!” We agree and are so appreciative of his brand of weirdness.  Yazan performs three of his song gems on our show - Tell Me Baby, I Wanted More of You, and Hahaha!  Enjoy!  And also so nice to meet Fontikady Sivion from Brukina Faso.  

Check out the Latest Episode of We Don’t Even Know!

Ep. 45: Christy Karacas, Jodie Wasserman and Ted Leo

Christian and Shonali talk beach time in NYC, Buddha and getting waxed.  Our first guest on Ep. 45 is animator, creator and director of Adult Swim's Superjail, Christy Karacas.  Christy jumps right in on waxing and how the new normal in art is trying to be weird.  #NothingIsEdgy Christy was a student at RISD and now teaches there.

Ted Leo, Shonali Bhowmik, Christian Felix, Jodie Wasserman, Colin Buckingham, Christy Karacas, photo by Daria Huxley

Christian and Shonali talk beach time in NYC, Buddha and getting waxed.  Our first guest on Ep. 45 is animator, creator and director of Adult Swim’s Superjail, Christy Karacas.  Christy jumps right in on waxing and how the new normal in art is trying to be weird.  #NothingIsEdgy Christy was a student at RISD and now teaches there.  It’s expensive now and kids are mellow.  Christian & Shonali chime in regarding the DNC convention. Christian appreciates our first lady, Michelle Obama and how she brought up the fact that the White House was built by slaves.  Amen. There are dog chew toys of the presidential candidates.  Christy saw them. Christy is currently working on a new pilot for Adult Swim called BallMasterz.  We welcome Colin Buckingham to the stage to join us for a round of #GETITOFFOFYOURCHEST  - This time as usual, there is some blowback from Christian to Shonali and vice versa regarding their GIOYC,  but for the most part Christian drums up some big support for his anti #SANDALSandSOCKS stance. Christian and Shonali both approve of Colin’s #GIOYC which have to do with transportation and giving directions.  Our second guest is comedian Jodie Wasserman. She is all about #REALTALK. If Danny Cohen, her best friend, was straight, she and he would be married by now.  Jodie loves to clean and feel productive.  She also has a thing with a bearded man.  #Don'tJudge  Our final guest is the one and only, musician Ted Leo.  We talk the NYC blackout, covering your feet, his duo called The Both with Aimee Mann and the release of his forthcoming album.  Do you know what it’s like playing Madison Square Garden? Ted Leo does!   Ted Leo plays three tunes for us.  The High Party and two unreleased tunes;  The Little Smug Supper Club and The Future (is Learning to Wait Around for Things you Didn’t Know you Wanted to Wait for)!  Enjoy! 

Special note to our  upcoming attendees - we will not have an August show. Next show is Sept. 27, 2016.    

Check out the Latest Episode of We Don’t Even Know!

Ep. 44: Amber Tozer, Cole Escola, and Brad Lauretti of This Frontier Needs Heroes

Christian & Shonali quickly admit to things they never have before in their newest segment called Admissions.

The show is packed and hot, literally due to the fact that it is late June but also the lineup is yet again hawt with first guest comedian, performer, actor, writer Cole Escola in his summer wear: white denim cutoffs. Cole talks with us about growing up in rural Clatskanie, Oregon surrounded by a prison of trees,  following a boyfriend to NYC, getting a tv series at a very young age, and his favorite catcalling moments. Check out his video Mom Commercial and die.

We invite our WDEK friend Isabel Restrepo to Get It Off Her Chest and boy did she ever.  WDEK’s second guest of the night is comedian, writer and storyteller Amber Tozer who just published her memoir Sober Stick Figure, a book chronicling her life as an alcoholic and her eventual recovery all told with the help of childlike stick figures.  For the most part her family has been supportive of her TMI book, but then there's Aunt Pam.  Amber admits drinking is so fun but then it took a turn for her.  Amber says she can become irritable and grouchy but Shonali can not imagine it.  Shonali has to Get It Off Her Chest with a story about a recent bullying incident at a birthday party.

Our last guest is Brad Lauretti, frontman of This Frontier Needs Heroes. Brad a former Brooklynite now lives in Jacksonville, Florida where he was inspired to start the Stetson Kennedy Songwriter Residency in Beluthahatchee Park, a place where both Woody Guthrie and Stetson Kennedy would spend time writing.  Brad calls himself an artistic refugee with regard to his move from NYC to Jacksonville.  He did not experience much culture shock moving to the south and claims that the south has changed dramatically since he was kid visiting his relatives in South Carolina.  He noted he met an Italian person working in an Italian restaurant.  Brad’s music is beautiful and haunting.  His newest album coming out soon is called Real Job.  He sang three new tunes for our wonderful audience, Freemarket Music, I Love Immigration, and Don’t Let the Dreamers Die.  Listen and be amazed.  

Check out the Latest Episode of We Don’t Even Know!

EP. 43 - Kim Barker, Sasheer Zamata & Holly Miranda - May 31, 2016

We catch up with Christian who auditioned to become a hand model & Shonali who returned from her honeymoon in Peru. Their new segment GET IT OFF YOUR CHEST is now open to audience members.  Please share your rants with us on stage at the next show. We will rap right along with you. Highlights of Ep. 43 include Christian’s first time receiving a mani-pedi and Shonali’s new fluency in Spanish.

WDEK’s first guest is journalist, NY Times reporter and author of the Taliban Shuffle, Kim Barker.  Kim shares her need to write a dark comedy about war after being the bureau chief for the Chicago Tribune in South Asia.  The movie version of her book, became Whiskey Tango Foxtrot starring Tina Fey.  Kim grew up wanting to be a superhero but settled for being a journalist.  Find out about bruised peaches, her 18 points twitter rant and her love of writing New York stories, “a wonderful big awesome corrupt place.” WDEK’s long time sound engineer Stephen Kurpis is leaving but not without giving us his famous secret marinara sauce recipe. One secret - do not use Extra Virgin Olive Oil (see below).  Thank you Stephen.

Comedian, actress and SNL cast member Sasheer Zamata talks duvets with Christian and Shonali. They are hard work.  Our conversation with Sasheer covers SNL, celebrity, Larry Wilmore’s use of the N-word and what it’s like to be confused with other funny black women. Also, watch out for Sasheer’s mom who may very well become one of the newest cast members of SNL.

Our musical guest is Holly Miranda, also a former Tennessean who was given speech therapy to lose her accent when she moved to Detroit.  Holly who has been playing music since she was 16, very poignantly explains she “had a life” when she took five years off between her latest album and her previous one.  We talk Joshua Tree, Ayahuasca, and song writing. Between Christian, Shonali & Holly they have written at least 3 fan letters - find out to whom by listening to this special episode of We Don’t Even Know. What a treat to hear Holly Miranda perform three beautiful songs for us.  We melt.  Please follow us on Tumblr, Twitter and Facebook.  We will meet again on Episode 43!

Check out the Latest Episode of We Don’t Even Know!