Podcast

Chasing Comedy

Arts, Comedy, Stand-Up

Chasing Comedy features professional comedians Brian Scott McFadden and Dustin Chafin as they dive deep into the chaotic world of comedy and the craft of Standup, exploring the nuances of joke writing, the unpredictable nature of live performance, and try to humorously make sense of the world while working out, or failing at crafting, that next great joke. With plenty of laughs and candid moments, join them as they tackle a lively exploration of the art of chasing comedy in a world filled with absurdities.

Stand-Up chart
#157
Episodes
68
Releases
Every two weeks
Typical length
1 hr 3 min
On air since
2024
Latest episode
1 week ago

Episodes

68 episodes, newest first

  1. Chasing Comedy - Episode 68: Shane Gillis, Cancel Culture & Why Comedians Don't Write REAL Jokes Anymore!

    Episode 68

    Show notes

    Is Shane Gillis officially uncancellable? Are today's biggest comedians forgetting how to write actual jokes? And was Eddie Murphy really one of the greatest stand-ups of all time?

    On Episode 68 of Chasing Comedy, comedians Brian Scott McFadden and Dustin Chafin dive into the latest Shane Gillis controversy, the absurdity of cancel culture, and whether podcast fame is replacing actual comedic talent. The guys debate Eddie Murphy vs. Richard Pryor, why Steve Martin walked away from stand-up, and whether celebrity impressions are the laziest form of comedy.

    Plus, Led Zeppelin's outrageous rock star scandals, Lenny Bruce and the evolution of censorship, the awkwardness of grown men saying "I'm proud of you," and Dustin's hilarious realization that he's surrounded by so many comedians he's actually sick of comedy!

    Unfiltered opinions, ridiculous arguments, and two veteran comics trying to figure out whether comedy is evolving or going completely off the rails!

    1 hr 5 min
  2. Chasing Comedy - Episode 67: Sebastian Maniscalco is Killing Comedy Radio & Can You REALLY Manifest Success?!

    Episode 67

    Show notes

    Is Sebastian Maniscalco killing comedy radio? Can you manifest your way to success, or is that just another excuse to avoid doing actual work? On Episode 67 of Chasing Comedy, comedians Brian Scott McFadden and Dustin Chafin tackle the SiriusXM comedy shakeup that's leaving working comedians furious and potentially out of a paycheck! The guys debate whether social media is ruining stand-up, why talented comedians struggle to survive, and who's really to blame for the industry's changing landscape. Plus, Dustin discovers the power of manifestation, Brian reveals how fake kidnapping letters launched his voiceover career, and the two dive into daddy issues, dysfunctional childhoods, and why comedians desperately need strangers to laugh at them. It's corporate greed, positive thinking, career anxiety, and decades of unresolved childhood trauma—all wrapped up in one hilariously unfiltered episode!

    1 hr 10 min
  3. Chasing Comedy - Episode 66: “I’m Addicted to Exercise!” No, You’re Not.

    Episode 66

    Show notes

    Brian Scott McFadden and Dustin Chafin are back for another hilariously chaotic episode of Chasing Comedy! This week, the guys debate Alien, Terminator and Rocky Horror, revisit the rise and fall of Andrew Dice Clay, and discover why Brian’s middle name might make him sound like a presidential assassin. Then they workshop new material about fake addictions, doomscrolling and our obsession with phones before stumbling onto a new legal defense every comedian needs: “comedy entrapment.” If you give a comic the perfect setup, you can’t complain about the punchline.

    1 hr 4 min
  4. Chasing Comedy - Episode 65: Dementia Merch, Chipmunk ICE & Time-Traveling Call Girls?!

    Episode 65

    Show notes

    Robot pets for the elderly, bad comedy advice, ICE for chipmunks, and a prostitute with a time machine—Episode 65 of Chasing Comedy goes everywhere. Brian Scott McFadden and Dustin Chafin debate whether animatronic pets for seniors are comforting or horrifying, break down the changing rules of stand-up, and work through new material in real time. Then things completely derail when they develop a plan to save humanity by sending an escort back through history to fix the childhoods of future terrible people.

    56 min
  5. Chasing Comedy - Episode 64: Crowd Work, Fake Deaths, and the Delusion of Positive Thinking

    Episode 64

    Show notes

    Brian Scott McFadden and Dustin Chafin dive into the crowd work takeover and ask whether social media has changed what audiences expect from stand-up comedy. Plus, Dustin shares a bizarre story involving a comedian who was dead…then wasn’t…then apparently was, the guys debate whether comedians actually laugh at roasts, battle social media algorithms, and tackle “chaotic optimism,” manifestation, and the insanity of trying to make a living telling jokes. It’s another unpredictable episode of Chasing Comedy!

    52 min
  6. Chasing Comedy - Episode 63: Why Gen X Will NEVER Be Replaced, Dad Issue Movies & Tattoo Regrets

    Episode 63

    Show notes

    Brian Scott McFadden and Dustin Chafin take a hilarious deep dive into the movies that shaped Generation X, the generational divide between Gen X, Millennials and Gen Z, tattoo culture, and the behind-the-scenes process of writing stand-up comedy. From comfort movies and dad issues to bad tattoo decisions and building the perfect joke, Episode 63 is packed with sharp observations, nostalgic laughs, and comedy shop talk.

    1 hr 10 min
  7. Chasing Comedy - Episode 62: Why Horror Movies Are WINNING, Comedy Movies are Dying & Has Technology Ruined Our Brains?

    Episode 62

    Show notes

    Brian Scott McFadden and Dustin Chafin discuss why horror movies are thriving while comedy films struggle, the impact of technology on our attention spans, the future of stand-up, AI, social media, classic books, and the ever-changing entertainment industry. Plus, they brainstorm new comedy bits, tackle pop culture, and spin the Comedy Wheel for another hilarious episode of Chasing Comedy.

    58 min
  8. Chasing Comedy - Episode 61: Joe Matarese on Why Comedy Keeps Changing, Nostalgia, AI Therapy, and More!

    Episode 61

    Show notes

    Joe Matarese joins Dustin Chafin and Brian Scott McFadden for a hilarious deep dive into stand-up comedy, aging, AI therapy, growing up in the golden age of arcade games and roller-skating rinks, and more. From comedy war stories and changing audiences to nostalgic memories and the challenges of life on the road, Joe brings his signature honesty and sharp wit to one of the funniest episodes of Chasing Comedy yet.

    1 hr 15 min
  9. Chasing Comedy - Episode 60: Jared Freid on Swatch Watches, Oversharing Uber Drivers & Modern Standup

    Episode 60

    Show notes

    On Episode 60 of Chasing Comedy, Dustin Chafin and Brian Scott McFadden are joined by comedian and podcast star Jared Freid for a hilarious deep dive into roast culture, crowd work, hecklers, comedy fame, podcasting, and the changing world of stand-up. From Netflix roast controversy to nightmare Uber drivers and comedy club chaos, this episode is packed with sharp takes, behind-the-scenes comedy stories, and nonstop laughs.

    1 hr 10 min
  10. Chasing Comedy - Episode 59: T.J. Miller on Roast Culture, Christmas Movies, Fame & Why Comics Never Quit

    Episode 59

    Show notes

    Comedian and actor T.J. Miller joins Dustin Chafin and Brian Scott McFadden for a hilarious deep dive into roast culture, stand-up comedy addiction, Hollywood, cancel culture, sports, classic comedy movies, and the weird realities of modern fame. The guys break down Kevin Hart roasts, Shane Gillis, Christmas movies, public bathroom anxiety, boomers on TikTok, and why comics can never truly quit stand-up. One of the funniest and most honest episodes of Chasing Comedy yet.

    1 hr 4 min
  11. Chasing Comedy - Episode 58: Adam Muller on Late-Blooming Comics, Netflix Comedy Contests & DIY Specials

    Episode 58

    Show notes

    On Episode 58 of Chasing Comedy, Dustin Chafin and Brian Scott McFadden are joined by comedian Adam Muller for a deep dive into comedy contests, bombing on stage, self-producing stand-up specials, and building a comedy career later in life. The guys break down Netflix comedy shows, Comedy Cellar politics, joke writing, and what it really takes to survive in stand-up comedy today. Funny, honest, and packed with behind-the-scenes comedy stories.

    1 hr 7 min
  12. Chasing Comedy - Episode 57: My Dad Was Snarf, Stand-Up Hacks, and The Reality of Killing vs Creating

    Episode 57

    Show notes

    In Episode 57 of Chasing Comedy, Brian Scott McFadden and Dustin Chafin dive into the reality of being a working stand-up comic—when to experiment, when to play it safe, and why even great comedians rely on jokes they’re tired of. Brian also shares hilarious and personal stories about growing up with his dad—the voice of many commerical and cartoon characters like Snarf from ThunderCats—and how that shaped his comedy. It’s a funny, honest look at the grind behind the laughs.

    1 hr 3 min
  13. Chasing Comedy - Episode 56: You Couldn’t Write the Bible Today?!, Porky's, Stand-Up Movie Rant & Wild Bits

    Episode 56

    Show notes

    In Episode 56 of Chasing Comedy, Brian Scott McFadden and Dustin Chafin riff on why stand-up movies rarely work, pitch a parody of the genre, and stumble into a hilarious bit: “You couldn’t write the Bible today.” Plus, they workshop jokes live, debate comedy vs culture, and break down a killer premise about blocking people in real life vs social media.

    1 hr 2 min
  14. Chasing Comedy - Episode 55: Joke Stealing and What Makes a Comedian a Hack?

    Episode 55

    Show notes

    In Episode 55 of Chasing Comedy, Brian and Dustin dive into one of stand-up’s biggest debates: what actually makes a comedian a “hack”? From cruise ship comics to joke stealing, they break down the blurry line between originality and survival in comedy.

    It’s a mix of comedy philosophy, real industry talk, and absolute chaos.

    1 hr 7 min
  15. Chasing Comedy - Episode 54: Corporate Roasts, AI Bombs & Friend Funny vs "I Need to Eat" Funny with Chuck Nice

    Episode 54

    Show notes

    Brian Scott McFadden sits down with comedian Chuck Nice for a hilarious deep dive into the chaos of stand-up comedy. From bombing at corporate gigs to crushing impossible rooms, they break down why most jokes fail, how comics actually build material, and what separates “friend funny” from real stage funny. Plus, a behind-the-scenes look at a wild corporate roast—and an AI that tries (and fails) to write comedy.

    1 hr 13 min
  16. Chasing Comedy - Episode 53: Arena Comedy, IKEA Relationship Tests, Outsourcing Your Entire Life & Wild Bits

    Episode 53

    Show notes

    Dustin Chafin and Brian Scott McFadden break down stand-up in real time—riffing on arena openers, IKEA relationship tests, and a ridiculous TaskRabbit bit that spirals into comedy gold. A chaotic, funny look at how jokes actually get built.

    59 min
  17. Chasing Comedy - Episode 52: Apocalypse Anxiety, Aggressive Dogs & Karen at a Renaissance Fair

    Episode 52

    Show notes

    Dustin Chafin and Brian Scott McFadden riff their way through apocalypse anxiety, doomsday bunkers, and a time traveler who fixes petty problems instead of history. From Karen at a Renaissance fair to aggressive dogs and comedy “Tourette’s,” this episode captures the raw, chaotic process of building stand-up bits in real time.

    1 hr 4 min
  18. Chasing Comedy - Episode 51: Nateland Cruise Stories, Military Football & Bit Breakdowns

    Episode 51

    Show notes

    In Chasing Comedy Episode 51, Dustin shares stories from performing on the Nateland Cruise while Brian helps break down new bits. A deep dive into joke writing, comedy life, and refining material on stage.

    57 min
  19. Chasing Comedy - Episode 50: Time Travel Bits, Jim Jones Jokes & The Art of Fixing a Set

    Episode 50

    Show notes

    In Episode 50 of Chasing Comedy, the guys dive into the realities of performing stand-up on cruise ships—breaking down the highs, the challenges, and the art of adapting to wildly different crowds. From there, they riff their way into developing new material, including a hilarious time travel premise about fixing bad sets and missed opportunities.

    They also explore the tricky balance of political humor, punch up bits about cults and “drinking the Kool-Aid,” and dig into everyday absurdities like germs, buffets, and post-pandemic social habits. It’s a raw, funny, behind-the-scenes look at how comedians build jokes in real time.

    57 min
  20. Chasing Comedy - Episode 49: Lobster Heists, Gen Z Nihilism & The Art of “Punching Down”

    Episode 49

    Show notes

    Episode 49 goes from lobster heists in Maine to generational warfare, AI taking everyone’s jobs, and whether comedians are “punching down” or just telling the truth. Brian, Dustin, and Adam spin the wheel, workshop bits, debate art, argue about music, and spiral into classic Chasing Comedy chaos.

    1 hr

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