Funjelah with Anjelah Johnson-Reyes

Who says TV rots your brain? For comedian TJ, it's how he learned English. From Comedy Central to the History Channel, he's in the studio this week sharing what it took to get him from Haiti to New York to a seat at the Comedy Cellar table. He shares his gratitude for his friends and his girlfriend, his green card, and the ability to pay his bills by doing stand up. He and Anjelah also get real about influencers turned comedians and what it really takes to be proud and satisfied in the work you do.

Comedian Kevin Sullivan just wants one thing in this life: to be able to trick-or-treat as an adult. Why can't we have candy too? Actually, Kevin really wants to make people laugh, and he shares with Anjelah how a very persistent stand up coach got him on stage, why astrology and crowd work go hand in hand, and what it was like growing up with 8 siblings. He also shares how he has been co-parenting his dog with his ex for the past 10 years and how tennis has become his outlet for his competitiveness. And nothing bonds two comedians quite like heckler stories.

From watching Eddie Murphy at age 9 to punching up scripts on Everybody Hates Chris, comedian Owen Smith takes us through his whole entertainer journey. In this week's episode, he talks about his first open mic, the wadded up $25 in cash that told him he could do this, and the radio deal he turned down to give LA a chance. But his biggest lesson? Relationships are everything, and nobody wants to see you win more than your friends.

Comedian Mario Adrion is here to set the record straight: he's more than just a pretty face. In this episode, Mario spills stories from his modeling days in NYC, explains how he jumped into stand-up comedy, and reveals what it really means to have a German mom. He also delivers a public service announcement: think twice about eating corn in Chile right before a long bus ride. Thanks to his grounded childhood, Mario is ready for his next adventure: becoming a dad.

Okay we know that we don't have video footage for our guest this week and we apologize for that. So thank goodness our guest is comedian Michael Yo, who got his start in radio! He did always have a face for it. In this episode, Michael reminds us that at the end of the day, it's all about how you treat someone that will get you far in life. And nothing makes him happier than seeing people succeed at their dreams. Michael also shares his gratitude for finding his people in Las Vegas and building a grounded community.

Comedian Michael Palascak is in the studio this week catching up with Anjelah on life, parenting, and the game of stand-up comedy. But Michael’s favorite thing? Doing nothing with his kid. He shares how he’s learned in doing nothing, that’s where the special moments really happen. He also reveals his love of listening to baseball announcers and we all learn about collective effervescence.

Are you being whimsical enough in your life? Well our guest, comedian Christy Conder, thinks you need to embrace more whimsy! And we agree with her. Christy shares stories this week of questionable gifts her dogs bring into the house, family lore, and her unwavering gratitude for the group of women she gets together with each week to write comedy. She also opens up about the moment that she knew she was a stand up comedian and this is what she was meant to be doing.

Cortney LaCorte is back in the Funjelah studio this week and she has big news. Her first cookbook, Oversharing: Anytime Snacks, Everyday Dinners, and Cooking for Company is OUT TODAY! This Cheese Gal is on the up and up and we couldn’t be more proud. Cortney shares with us everything that went into making her dream book come to life, the blessing of food stylists, and her undying love of French butter. You can purchase her cookbook right now and watch and listen to her on Funjelah at the same time. Get to getting!

This week comedian AJ Wilkerson sits down with Anjelah and talks all things autism and ADHD, the burnout that comes from masking, and how stand-up comedy gave him a place to embrace the way his brain works. Anjelah and AJ also share their various pre-show rituals and how they have each found a way to combat their anxiety in any situation. Plus they each give the ultimate shout out to Tarryn (tag her) for bringing them together and also making AJ a dad, of which he is most grateful.

You know when you’re looking for a job and your mom suggests you “just call the company up?” Well magician Jen Kramer did that exact thing. She just called Las Vegas up and said “I have a show.” And they said “yes!” Now she’s the only female magician with a residency on the strip. On this week’s episode Jen and Anjelah jump right into Jen’s start in performing and sharing how far she’s come and what the future holds for the world of magic. Plus a story of how a falafel brought Jen love. Thank you so much for your support! 😍 v

Don't give up the dream...or your day job? Dr. Brady is in the Funjelah studio this week sharing how he went from dentist to comedian but is also still a dentist. He's multitalented folks. Garnering attention through viral videos, Dr. Brady has found a corner of the entertainment business that needs him most, dental conventions. He shares his creative process with us plus his gratitude for his wife, kids, and Diet Coke. But what he teaches us most is the importance of not posting about road cyclists.

Former athlete turned mental health advocate and creator, JB Copeland, joins Anjelah in the studio this week and they share an incredible conversation on faith, healing, and learning to trust yourself. No one, not even JB himself, knew that his grandmother giving him a camera after he went through rehab would change his life, and in turn, so many others. In this episode we learn that healing is messy, it’s honest with each other, and it really comes down to either being your own bully or your own best friend. Which will you choose?

Two years later and we've hit 100 episodes of Funjelah! Can you believe it?! We can't. But the proof is in the pudding, or in this case, the social media clips, thousands of comments, youtube views, and audio downloads. All thanks to YOU! The Funjelah Fans! We couldn't have made it this far without you, so in our gratitude, we've put together a real special doozey of an episode to celebrate. There's awards, games, reflective moments, and of course, laughter on all that we've experinced while in the Funjelah studio. Here's to 100 more.

Songwriter and vocal powerhouse Spencer Sutherland joins Anjelah this week and truly inspires us all to start dressing like a rockstar. But be careful with what boots you choose because they may not be TSA approved. Having started young in an Elvis cover band with his brother, Spencer has come a long way in his music journey and now has some of his jumpsuits on display in Graceland! Check out this weeks rock and roll filled episode and listen to his new single, “Somebody’s Gonna Love Me” which drops on August 7th everywhere.

This week, speaker, author, and purpose guide Pedro LaTorre joins Anjelah in the studio. As longtime friends, they dive into a conversation about aging, emotional growth, and what it really means to live with purpose. Pedro shares a refreshing perspective on emotions, reminding us that our feelings aren't good or bad, they're simply signals pointing us toward what we need. He also opens up about his own journey of discovering the importance of mattering and belonging, learning to let go of old dreams, and embracing emotional sobriety. Together, they explore why vulnerability isn't weakness but often where healing begins.

Dale Smith Thomas is in the studio this week giving us all the southern tea, charm, and inspiration. This international motivational speaker, best selling author, and former Mrs. Tennessee sits down with Anjelah and shares stories of her small town upbringing and the big city dreams that got her to where she is today. Most importantly, Dale tells us that you can do and be and dress however you want at any age. Do what brings you joy and always start each day by looking in the mirror and saying, “Good Morning Gorgeous!”

Have you ever been in a social situation and you weren't sure what's the right thing to do or say? Well we have the answers! Maybe. This week Anjelah and Danielle sit down to talk all things social cues. Do you hug or shake hands with someone you just met? Does your dog belong in a dumpling restaurant? And how late is too late to be to the party? These topics and more in this episode!

One day you’re 14 and buddies in high school and then the next day you’re in your 40's and snapping your kneecaps off. No really. At least that’s what happened to our guest this week, former NFL coach and Anjelah’s current trainer and childhood friend, Kenan Smith. In this episode, Kenan shares what makes him a great coach, important lessons his father taught him, and how he can now predict the weather with his knee. But his biggest message? Tell people you love them, you never know when it might be the last time.

Ta-da! And for our next trick...uh episode, it's magician Stephen Bargatze! Anjelah and Stephen sit down this week and reveal how all the magic tricks work. Just kidding, what's revealed intsead is Stephen's true story of his upbringing, early days as a clown, and how it all worked together to make him the man, father, and grandfather he is today. There's laughs, there's tears, and of course it's all magical. Be sure to check out his first special, Out in a Minute, on Youtube right now!

It’s a Father’s Day episode here in the Funjelah studio! Are you a dad, know a dad, or just give off dad energy? This week is for you. Anjelah admits that she inherited not only her humor and ability to make people laugh from her dad, but also his hot temper. Danielle shares what it was like taking a cross country road trip with her father and realizing, perhaps a little too quickly, just how similar they really are. Plus, both dads call in! Happy Father’s Day to all the dads, stepdads, grandpas, and father figures out there making a lasting impact.