Were Comedians Happy In 2025: Vol 3

Episode 500 is NEARLY here, but first we're going all the way back to episode 7!Recorded in 2012, I chat to fellow comedy nerd, Sarah Millican, as we discuss her writing process, some of the unique challenges faced by a high-profile act, including playing large rooms and preparing for panel shows, as well as plenty of tips for newer acts on how to escape the day-job and turn pro!Join the Insiders Club at patreon.com/comcompod where you can instantly get access to 36 minutes of exclusive extras!👉 Sign up to the NEW monthly ComComPod Mailing List!Support our independently produced Podcast from only £3/month at Patreon.com/ComComPod✅ Instant access to full video and ad-free audio episodes✅ 36 minutes of exclusive extra content with Sarah✅ Early access to new episodes✅ Exclusive membership offerings including a monthly “Stu&A”PLUS you’ll get access to the full back catalogue of extras you can find nowhere else!Catch Up with Sarah:Sarah Millican's new show, Late Bloomer, is now available to buy, stream and download. Find out more at sarahmillican.co.uk.Everything I'm up to:Come and see me LIVE! Find out all the info and more at stuartgoldsmith.com/comedy.Discover my comedy about the climate crisis, for everyone from activists to CEOs, at stuartgoldsmith.com/climate. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to the final part of finding out if comedians were happy in 2025 with Russell Howard, Mark Simmons, Aparna Nancherla, Nick Mohammed, Kemah Bob, Daniel Foxx & Adam Riches.Join the Insiders Club at patreon.com/comcompod where you can get access to exclusive extras including Russell Howard on what’s it like being rich and famous, Aparna Nancherla on the worst comedy advice she's ever received (it's shocking!) and Nick Mohammed on the security of magic within comedy.Support our independently produced Podcast from only £3/month at Patreon.com/ComComPod✅ Instant access to ad-free full video and audio episodes✅ The full catalogue of exclusive extras you can't find anywhere else✅ Early access to new episodes✅ Exclusive membership offerings including a monthly “Stu&A”Everything I'm up to:Come and see me LIVE! Find out all the info and more at stuartgoldsmith.com/comedy.Discover my comedy about the climate crisis, for everyone from activists to CEOs, at stuartgoldsmith.com/climate. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome back to the second part of this end of the year special as we find out whether comedians were actually happy in 2025 with Max Fosh, Lucy Pearman, Pete Lee, Marjolein Robertson, Damien Power, Huge Davies & Josie Long!Join the Insiders Club at patreon.com/comcompod where you can get access to exclusive extras including Max Fosh's secret to build retention in online content, Josie Long on the emotional architecture of an Edinburgh Hour and how a mysterious mind-reader jolted Marjolein Robertson's career in comedy.Support our independently produced Podcast from only £3/month at Patreon.com/ComComPod✅ Instant access to ad-free full video and audio episodes✅ The full catalogue of exclusive extras you can't find anywhere else✅ Early access to new episodes✅ Exclusive membership offerings including a monthly “Stu&A”Everything I'm up to:Come and see me LIVE! Find out all the info and more at stuartgoldsmith.com/comedy.Discover my comedy about the climate crisis, for everyone from activists to CEOs, at stuartgoldsmith.com/climate. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We find out if comedians were happy in 2025 with Iain Stirling, Chloe Radcliffe, Scott Auckerman, Alan Davies, Chloe Petts, Alex Kealy, Marc Jennings & Emma Doran all in this first volume! Think of this as a quick glimpse into each episode, whether you’re brand new and catching up, or you’re a long-time listener revisiting.Join the Insiders Club at patreon.com/comcompod where you can get access to exclusive extras including Iain Stirling’s secret to activate your authentic self, Scott Auckerman on Comedy Bang Bang’s guest booking strategy, Chloe Petts on elevating material with comedy directors and Alan Davies on navigating the pull between creative integrity and financial opportunity.👉 Complete the ComComPod Survey and sign up to the NEW ComComPod Mailing List!Support our independently produced Podcast from only £3/month at Patreon.com/ComComPod✅ Instant access to ad-free full video and audio episodes✅ The full catalogue of exclusive extras you can't find anywhere else✅ Early access to new episodes✅ Exclusive membership offerings including a monthly “Stu&A”Everything I'm up to:Come and see me LIVE! Find out all the info and more at stuartgoldsmith.com/comedy.Discover my comedy about the climate crisis, for everyone from activists to CEOs, at stuartgoldsmith.com/climate. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on episode 499… I'm joined by Ray Bradshaw - the multi-award-winning Scottish comedian who’s about to head out on his fourth UK tour with CODA. You may know Ray from BBC Scotland and Radio 4, he’s recently just finished supporting John Bishop, and hosts his own hit football podcast, Fantasy Fives! We discuss:growing up as a child of deaf parents and how that shaped Ray’s confidence, memory and lack of stage nervesmaking comedy accessible with the technical challenge of signing live comedy with timing laughs and learning structureRay’s approach to stand-up with no notes and no structure but total authenticitybeing niche famous and knowing when you’ve already wonJoin the Insiders Club at patreon.com/comcompod where you can instantly WATCH the full episode and get access to over 10 minutes of exclusive extras including:using Edinburgh to turn material, not create buzzbuilding a comedy career around family lifeand embracing mistakes, from announcing the wrong person had died on live radio to thanking the wrong city on an arena tour👉 Sign up to the NEW ComComPod Mailing List and follow the show on Instagram, YouTube & TikTok,Support our independently produced Podcast from only £3/month at Patreon.com/ComComPod✅ Instant access to full video and ad-free audio episodes✅ Over 10 minutes of exclusive extra content with Ray✅ Early access to new episodes where possible✅ Exclusive membership offerings including a monthly “Stu&A”PLUS you’ll get access to the full back catalogue of extras you can find nowhere else!Catch Up with Ray: Ray Bradshaw is on tour in 2026 across the UK and Ireland with CODA, find out all the dates and more at raybradshaw.com. You can also watch Ray’s special, Bald Ginger, on BBC iPlayer.Everything I'm up to: Come and see me LIVE! Find out all the info and more at stuartgoldsmith.com/comedy.Discover my comedy about the climate crisis, for everyone from activists to CEOs, at stuartgoldsmith.com/climate. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today I’m joined by Urooj Ashfaq - the Mumbai-based comedian, writer and actor who’s quickly become one of the most exciting voices in stand-up. Bursting onto the scene winning Best Newcomer at the Edinburgh Comedy Awards in 2023, she’s now back with her new show, How To Be A Baddie.We discuss the danger of optimising your honesty, the evolution of the Indian stand-up scene, can you be emotionally sensitive while succeeding in comedy, why you can’t plan authenticity, the pressure for women to never be mediocre and we find out if Urooj Ashfaq is happy!Join the Insiders Club at patreon.com/comcompod where you can instantly WATCH the full episode and get access to 25 minutes of exclusive extras including Urooj’s comedy superpowers, the pressure to perform for clicks, brand deals and the vulnerability of going viral.👉 Sign up to the NEW ComComPod Mailing List and follow the show on Instagram, YouTube & TikTok,Support our independently produced Podcast from only £3/month at Patreon.com/ComComPod✅ Instant access to full video and ad-free audio episodes✅ 25 minutes of exclusive extra content with Urooj✅ Early access to new episodes where possible✅ Exclusive membership offerings including a monthly “Stu&A”PLUS you’ll get access to the full back catalogue of extras you can find nowhere else!Catch Up with Urooj: You can keep up-to-date with Urooj Ashfaq on Instagram, @uroojashfaq.AOB: If you’re a student comedy society or group that can’t afford to go to the Edinburgh Fringe 2026, Stevie Martin is running a Student Comedy Fringe Fund which is now open for applications, there's an introduction session on 18th Dec and the deadline is Jan 7th. Find out more at linktre.ee/5tevieM!Everything I'm up to: Come and see me LIVE! Find out all the info and more at stuartgoldsmith.com/comedy.Discover my comedy about the climate crisis, for everyone from activists to CEOs, at stuartgoldsmith.com/climate. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Recorded in January 2020, John Kearns is a master at finding pathos in the prosaic, combining clowning and standup in a way that makes absolutely no sense written down. With influences from Jacques Tati to Neil Hamburger, we explored his sense of place within himself, overreaching in his writing, and ambition in his career...Join the Insiders Club at patreon.com/comcompod where you can instantly get access to 30 minutes of exclusive extras including John's brilliant technique for underpinning all his material with genuine pathos, delving into writing for Harry Hill, meeting Chris Morris, and how the spotlight can burn...👉 Complete the ComComPod Survey and sign up to the NEW ComComPod Mailing List!Support our independently produced Podcast from only £3/month at Patreon.com/ComComPod✅ Instant access to full video and ad-free audio episodes✅ 30 minutes of exclusive extra content with John✅ Early access to new episodes✅ Exclusive membership offerings including a monthly “Stu&A”PLUS you’ll get access to the full back catalogue of extras you can find nowhere else!Catch Up with John:John Kearns is on tour throughout 2026 with Tilting at Windmills, find all the info and more at www.johnkearnscomedy.co.uk.Everything I'm up to:Come and see me LIVE! Find out all the info and more at stuartgoldsmith.com/comedy.Discover my comedy about the climate crisis, for everyone from activists to CEOs, at stuartgoldsmith.com/climate. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

405 episodes and 11 years later… the incredible Josie Long returns as we dig into NOW IS THE TIME OF MONSTERS, her new show about discovery, wonder, extinction and how to walk through a landscape of monstrous disaster. We discuss why it's not a bad thing to preach to the choir, the themes of climate dread and parenthood, how Josie created a jaw dropping immersive finale, the harsh reality of mixed-bill gigs, redefining success on her own terms and we find out if Josie is happy...Join the Insiders Club at patreon.com/comcompod where you can instantly WATCH the full episode and get access to 20 minutes of exclusive extras including the emotional architecture of an Edinburgh Hour, letting yourself be vulnerable on stage as well as hand-transcribing sets, creating cue cards and recycling abandoned bits.👉 Sign up to the NEW ComComPod Mailing List and follow the show on Instagram, YouTube & TikTok,Support our independently produced Podcast from only £3/month at Patreon.com/ComComPod✅ Instant access to full video and ad-free audio episodes✅ 20 minutes of exclusive extra content with Josie✅ Early access to new episodes✅ Exclusive membership offerings including a monthly “Stu&A”PLUS you’ll get access to the full back catalogue of extras you can find nowhere else!Catch Up with Josie:Josie Long: Now Is The Time Of Monsters is now on tour through to December, coming to Leicester, York, Newcastle, Glasgow and Kendal. For more info, visit josielong.com. You can also keep up-to-date on Instagram, @JosieLong.Everything I'm up to:Come and see me LIVE! Find out all the info and more at stuartgoldsmith.com/comedy.Discover my comedy about the climate crisis, for everyone from activists to CEOs, at stuartgoldsmith.com/climate. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Adam Riches is known for his shows that teeter perfectly between crafted brilliance and sheer chaos with his fearless, high-energy characters performances - from Sean Bean, Coach Coach to Michael Ball. This is an incredibly rare look behind the mask and one you don't want to miss!We discuss why Edinburgh shouldn't be seen as the Olympics, Eddie Izzard's documentary that inspired him to rip up the rulebook, how audience participation became his superpower, the challenges of the industry, how Sean Bean's Dungeons 'n Bastards reignited a creative spark and is Adam Riches happy…Join the Insiders Club at patreon.com/comcompod where you can instantly WATCH the full episode and get access to 20 minutes of exclusive extras including learning to shift gears for stand-up audiences with character comedy, the choice to seek out an audience, a wild late night Edinburgh spot and the timing structure he created which allowed his act to remain freeform.Follow the Pod: Instagram, YouTube & TikTok, and also you can also sign up to the Mailing List!Support our independently produced Podcast from only £3/month at Patreon.com/ComComPod✅ Instant access to full video and ad-free audio episodes✅ 20 minutes of exclusive extra content with Adam✅ Early access to new episodes (where possible!)✅ Exclusive membership offerings including a monthly “Stu&A”PLUS you’ll get access to the full back catalogue of extras you can find nowhere else!Catch Up with Adam:Adam Riches: The 12 Beans of Christmas is on tour this December across the UK and also stars in Jimmy, which returns to the Park theatre in London from the 19th to 24th January 2026. For more info, please visit linktre.ee/adamrichescomedy.Everything I'm up to:See me live (when there's dates!)… Find out all the info at stuartgoldsmith.com/comedy.Discover my comedy about the climate crisis, for everyone from activists to CEOs, at stuartgoldsmith.com/climate. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Doug Naylor is the co-creator of the long-running, hugely successful sci-fi comedy Red Dwarf, having written or co-written every single episode! Doug was also the Head Writer and Script Editor on the original Spitting Image, has written a number of award-winning radio shows and is a best-selling author.In this episode we dig into all things Red Dwarf, from the creation of the show with Rob Grant, the show’s continued success while retaining an outsider status, UKTV's recent cancellation of a TV film and what the future may hold... We also talk about writing his incredible first children's novel, Sin Bin Island which I highly recommend!Join the Insiders Club at patreon.com/comcompod where you can WATCH the full episode and get access to 15 minutes of exclusive extras all about Spitting Image where we talk about initially refusing to join the show eight times expanding the puppets beyond politicians and the real-world impact of the show.Follow the Pod: Instagram, YouTube & TikTok!Support our independently produced Podcast from only £3/month at Patreon.com/ComComPod✅ Instant access to full video and ad-free audio episodes✅ 15 minutes of exclusive extra content with Doug✅ Early access to new episodes (where possible!)✅ Exclusive membership offerings including a monthly “Stu&A”PLUS you’ll get access to the full back catalogue of extras you can find nowhere else!Catch Up with Doug:Doug's first children’s novel Sin Bin Island is out now wherever you get your books!You can also keep up-to-date with Doug across socials, @DougRDNaylor.Everything I'm up to:See me live (when there's dates!)… Find out all the info at stuartgoldsmith.com/comedy.Discover my comedy about the climate crisis, for everyone from activists to CEOs, at stuartgoldsmith.com/climate. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.