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! 

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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.  

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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 

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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. 

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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. 

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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.  

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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.    

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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.  

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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!

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EP. 42 - Jacqueline Novak, Antonia Santangelo, The Veldt with Danny & Daniel Chavis - APRIL 20, 2016

Mr. Goatee (Christian) and Ms. Zenni (Shonali) have a new segment called Get It Off Your Chest.  Christian can not beat box.  We talk cheese shops, fire drills and self-hate.

Our first guest is Antonia Santangelo, a multi-talented PhD Anthropology candidate, an archeology teacher, a Zumba instructor, a student of Krav Maga and a percussionist for Tigers & Monkeys. Whew!  Antonia is tough.  She comes from a long line of short & strong women.  She does way too much and loves it. Check out her new YouTube freestyle dancing videos she makes just for fun.

Christian shares some observations about Irish dinner at Shonali’s apartment.  Our second guest is comedian/writer/actress Jacqueline Novak. She just published her new book How to Weep in Public on Penguin Random House.  We discuss depression, cheese steaks, college, belly dancing classes and crying.  Also find out how she found love and sealed the deal in one day!

Our final guests are Daniel and Danny Chavis, twin brothers of the Veldt out of NYC (originally Raleigh, North Carolina.)  Lots of ‘whatever" will be heard during this interview.  We discuss family, white Jesus, playing music in church, grandma, Harriet Tubman and Bustin’ Loose.  They perform both Morning June & Yesterday and Sanctified live during the show. Don’t miss them at Webster Hall on May 9th with Brian Jonestown Massacre or May 22 at Union Pool. Also their new EP is out now, buy The Shocking Fuzz of Your Electric Fur: The Drake Equation. 

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Ep. 41 - Starlee Kine, Janeane Garofolo & Mark Nadler - March 29, 2016

It’s March and 2016 is full in effect.  Christian and Shonali get some serious things off their chests.  The Man Bun (more like a Man Bud) phenomenon sweeping the country irritates Shonali. An audience member explains the origin of the man bud hair-do came from. Christian is heckled at his own dinner party. By the way the heckler is back!  Christian talks tupperware.

Our first guest, Starlee Kine, is the creator and host of the #1 iTunes podcast Mystery Show. Starlee in her best vintage NBC wear teaches us so many things.   Starlee explains what "normcore" is for Shonali’s mom in Nashville. She also gives great advice for anyone expecting to make a tv appearance.  We want to "ship" two people together. Dennis from Ticketmaster in Texas, please contact us  - we are all looking for you.

Our next guest, comedian and actress Janeane Garofolo has a new backpack.  We talk about purchasing presentable pieces of clothing, AARP and Chris Christie’s curves.  Flat front vs pleats.  Christian gets his Janeane -  Fight Club and Scream stories all wrong.  Janeane thinks she was foolish for being interviewed by Bill O'Reilly five times. What are your feelings on James Spader and gentrification?

Photos by Daria Huxley

Our final guest is the multi-talented pianist, comedian, cabaret entertainer & actor Mark Nadler.  Mark comes from Iowa and started to perform professionally at the age of 10.   Although he almost had a heart attack when he saw Shonali’s little plastic keyboard, he manages to play some of his wonderful music for our audience. One of Mark’s greatest musical influences is not a person but an animated character.  Guess who?  In addition to playing at HiFi on a shitty keyboard on Avenue A, Mark has played in Carnegie Hall on a 10ft long gigantic piano.  Check out Mark’s PBS specialE or see Mark live in person at his monthly gig at Pangea in the East Village.   Thanks to all of you for listening! Our next show is Wednesday, April 20th! Until then enjoy all of our episodes on Facebook, Tumblr, iTunes and Stitcher Radio.

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Ep. 40 - Kendra Cunningham, Patrick Waldo and Felice Rosser Feb.28, 2016 →

Christian is back from Brazil with a new goatee. Shonali talks for a little too long to an alkaline water saleslady at Whole Foods. Christian coins the name of a new segment for WDEK called Shit People Say. Our first guest, Kendra Cunningham is a comedian originally from Boston. She is an actress, filmmaker, bartender and former forensics psychologist. Her mom is stylie and loves garage sales. Kendra doesn't like dating per se and is in a relationship. Kendra handled being interrupted by a real live heckler very well. Shonali was actually more annoyed than she sounds especially when Christian brought up the subject of mansplaining. It's a real word, even though it comes up as a misspelling on spell check.

Drew, the heckler strikes again. If he were funny, you'd think he was a plant in the audience. The heckler has left the premises! Our second guest is Black Lives Matter activist Patrick Waldo. Patrick is a white guy. He brings the Black Lives Matter conversation into white spaces including spaces like the Late Show with Stephen Colbert and Late Night with Seth Meyers. Fox & Friends have used a quote from Patrick's Instagram.

Our featured musical guest is a power house vocalist and bass player from the band Faith, named Felice Rosser. Felice is originally from Detroit Rock City and is multi-talented as a writer and an actress too. She pursued college in NYC at Barnard but was enticed mostly to NYC by the burgeoning rock music scene. Felice used to play in a band with her friend, Jean-Michel Basquiat which although was fun wasn't glamourous. Felice sings two of her originals for our WDEK audience, Soul Seeker and Time To Fall In Love Again. Her voice will give you chills. See her band at BAM Cafe, March 5th at 9pm. It's free.

Ep. 39 - Roger Clark, Patricia Clarkson & Matt Higgins w Guest host Katina Corrao - Jan. 26, 2016 →

Happy New Year everyone! We dive into 2016 with special guest co-host comedian Katina Corrao along with our special guests: NY1's Roger Clark, super star actress Patricia Clarkson and comedian/actor Matt Higgins. Our venue for our podcast is HiFi bar in the East Village and it was filled with guests ancy to get out of their homes after being cooped up over the weekend due to Jonas, the second biggest recorded snow storm in NYC.

Shonali touches on the loss of David Bowie, Glenn Frey, Clarence Reid and Lemmy of Motorhead. Katina doesn't listen to any of those artists. Katina and Shonali did watch Netflix during the snowstorm.

Our first guest is a reporter on Shonali's favorite network, NY1. Roger Clark was lucky enough to cover the unplowed streets of NYC and talk to all the complainers. Roger, a pizza box and snow = 2,000 views instantaneously on FB. Shonali is dying to know what goes on behind the scenes of NY1. Let's start a Roger Show. Dynasty, Falcon Crest, Dallas - which one does Roger NOT watch? We have Emmy Award winning and Oscar nominated actress Patricia Clarkson join us uncensored. Like Shonali, Patti is a southern gal, a NY1 watcher and loves Roger Clark. What was Patti's coming of age music? She goes on and on about Jasper, Shonali's husband which Shonali loves!

Photo by Daria Huxley

Katina raves about Patricia's amazing comedic performance in Motherlover. When Patricia talks about the snow you just want to melt. Find out what question Christian asks her via letter which causes her to jump off of her stool. Look for her starring in the film Learning to Drive with Sir Ben Kingsley.

Our last guest is comedian actor performer Matt Higgins. He is an improv master and auditions for commercials, like Shonali and Katina but unlike Patricia Clarkson. Do you know what state the Grand Canyon is in? Have you ever seen someone do Alphabet improv? Well listen to the master. Should Matt's new granddaughter call him PeePaw? We think so. Duct tape makes Matt a dreamboat dad. And that's a wrap! Follow us on Twitter @WDEKpodcast and on Facebook.

We Don't Even Know - Ep. 38 - David Cross, Dolly Wells & Will Sheff - Dec. 29, 2015 →

This is Christian and Shonali's last WDEK of 2015. They had a great 2015 BUT the Happy Holidays weren't so happy for one of their audience members who thinks Shonali and Christian are too positive.

Ep. 38 first guest is comedian, actor, writer and director David Cross. David has maintained his success for a long time. Shonali believes David's success has something to do with promptly answering emails. Which do you think is David's favorite thing to do: stand up, acting, editing, writing, or directing? David's holiday party was intense. Check out Jon Benjamin and David's Icelandic Blue on YouTube. The third and last season of David's show Todd Margaret comes out this week. In the Christmas spirit, David leaves us with words about Jesus.

Photo by Stefano Giovannini

The second guest on WDEK is Shonali's latest girl crush; actress and writer Dolly Wells of HBO's Doll & Em. Dolly and Shonali take shoe pics together. Dolly moved to Brooklyn recently from England and explains (Americans) our differences. She loves Jordan. Dolly created her HBO show with her very best friend, successful actress Emily Mortimer. The show was huge in England. Dolly's kids, her husband and her mother are all cast within the show. Dolly says she and Emily once took 9 years to write a script for a screenplay. She inspires us all to shoot a pilot instead of writing treatments. In addition to requesting another season of Doll & Em from HBO, look for Dolly in the show Blunt Talk with Patrick Steward and a very tiny part in the movie 45 Years.

Ep. 38 musical guest is songwriter, musician and leader of Okkervil River, Will Sheff. Will's band started out in Austin, Texas where he worked at a video store and played music in his house. After he was written up in Rolling Stone, everything changed for his father. Will sings an unreleased song that he did lots of research on called Famous Tracheotomies. Find out why Will and Shonali are fellow fans of the Rock*A*Teens. Will plays Car and Driver from the Rock*A*Teens - Sweet Bird of Youth. Have you heard of the musician David Wiffen? David Cross joins the discussion and shares his new favorite musician, from the 1970's, Chic Clerggg from Greenland. Happy New Year everyone! Please follow us on Twitter @WDEKPodcast and contact us at WDEKpodcast@gmail.com

We Don't Even Know - Ep. 37 - Marina Franklin, Howard Altmann & Schaffer the Darklord - Nov. 24, 2015 →

On this special Thanksgiving WDEK episode 37, Christian and Shonali talk to comedian/actress Marina Franklin about working in a writers' room (HBO's Divorce), is it actually better for women in comedy today and dating in New York City. Have you heard of the dating app Bumble? Marina likes Chicago house music and has her own podcast called Friends Like Us which features women of color discussing various hot topics of the day. Look for Marina in the film Trainwreck!

Special guest Howard Altmann a former banker, is a writer, playwright and a poet. Howard describes himself as sensitive and an introvert but is he? Howard tells us the most annoying question he gets as a poet. Shonali believes Howard is funny although he has never written a funny poem. Howard shares some lines from his Academy of American Poets published poem called Paris Winter. Christian presents a wonderful Thanksgiving cooking aid to our winning guest Ramona Clifton.

Photo by Daria Huxley

Musical guest Schaffer the Darklord is a former heavy metal and punk rock drummer and is now out as nerd-core, horror-core hip-hop artist, although he insists he recites nursery rhymes over beats in front of drunk people. Yeah, listen and you'll understand. Schaffer and Shonali are unafraid to talk about liking the Eagles. Hi-five Schaffer! Apparently there is a difference from what nerd-core music is about and what Schaffer sings about but we sure as hell couldn't tell. Schaffer performs two of his greatest hits for the audience, "Do Sex" and "The Giant Iron Snake." Schaffer left WDEK with these words, "Your podcast won't be your Appetite for Destruction!" and we couldn't be happier he did. Thanks to all of our guests, our intern Justin Joseph Hall, photographer Daria Huxley, and sound engineer Stephen Kurpis.

We Don't Even Know - Ep. 36: Katie Compa, Har Mar Superstar, Joyelle Nicole Johnson - Sept. 22, 2015 →

What a show! Christian is back and elevates his singing performance thanks to our guest co-host Katina Corrao's vocal chops last month. Shonali gives a candid account of her first ever bachelorette party and shares visuals with our guests.

Our first guest is comedian Katie Compa who tells a chilling tale about a wedding speech, her first time on stage as a stand-up, and uses the word "yammer." One of her comedy shows is called Dudes Being Dudes Being Dudes!

Musician Har Mar Superstar (Sean Tillmann) is our second special guest. He doesn't have to have a day job and is currently working on a new release. He loves Minneapolis and Sade. Check out that shirt. He sings two special songs for us, Everywhere I'm Local and Lady You Shot Me. Here's Har Mar's fantastic video Christian was talking about co-starring Juliette Lewis called Prisoner.

Photo by Daria Huxley

Our last special guest is comedian Joyelle Nicole Johnson. She was searching in her purse for the longest time for her carryout Maker's and Ginger. She's cool. She's met her idol Chris Rock and hear what he had to say about that meeting. She's a yoga instructor AND a misanthrope. We had a great discussion about assholes which include chefs and comedians. Her mom doesn't think she'd be a good doctor. Lucky for us she is a comedian! No please enjoy the show!

We Don't Even Know - Ep. 35: Elna Baker, Bobby Tisdale, Andy Beckerman, Naomi Ekperigin, and Ben Lerman →

Special guest co-host and former Ep. 6 WDEK guest, Katina Corrao is filling in for Christian Felix this episode. He gave his blessings and boy were we blessed. Katina and Shonali talk weight loss and men who are disgusting to women during the summer months.

Our first guest, Elna "Not Another Story" Baker (This American Life, The Moth) candidly shares her story about being naked in front of a bunch of "yoga L.A." strangers. Elna was a Mormon. Do you know about her relationship with coffee?

Our surprise guest comedian Bobby Tisdale is a legend for many reasons. We never see him anymore because he moved upstate to the Catskills. We talk fart sounds, baby girls, living upstate and BlackPeopleLoveUs.com. Our third guest segment includes two guests who are not only comedians and writers but also and an engaged IRC (interacial couple), Andy Beckerman and Naomi Ekperigin. We talk courtship, milkshakes, handholding and making a relationship work when there are two creatives involved. Shonali takes notes.

Photo by Daria Huxley

Our musical comedy guest is Ben Lerman, who is also engaged and planning a wedding in Mexico. He knows Elna well via her stories on This American Life. We talk wedding invitee etiquette. We meet audience member Sergei from Salt Lake City, Utah who happens to be sitting beside Elna, the former Mormon. Ben sings a song about Wedding Planners Murder and another about Lazy Eyes. This show was recorded in the back room of HiFi in the East Village. Thanks to Stephen Kurpis for sound, Justin Hall our intern, and Daria Huxley our photographer!

We Don't Even Know - Ep. 34: Eugene Mirman, Mima McMillan and Mike Denny - July 21, 2015 →

Happy Heatwave everyone! New York City is so adorable in the summer time.

Our first guest in comedian Eugene Mirman. Old friends, Shonali and Eugene, share their road stories from their rock n' roll comedy tour a decade ago. Eugene explains how a polka dotted scarf and moustache can cause trouble. Check out Eugene's new Netflix Special.

Our second guest is artist Karmimadeebora "Mima" McMillan. Mima is a Taurus like Shonali. She recently moved to NYC from NC via Boston. Mima's personality is just like her art, colorful, exuberant and bright! We talk Punky Brewster and the Black Panther coloring book. Mima is currently street artist Swoon's business manager. You can check out Mima's art which is currently on display at Fringe Salon.

Our final guest is comedian Mike Denny. Mike just got off of Tinder because it didn't feel right. Christian asks about Mike's tattoo. Mike spent his high school years exclusively on a skateboard. Christian knows a little skateboard lingo and that's about it. Do you know the 5 P's. Mike does. Mike hosts a the Monday night hit comedy show Broken Comedy, at Bar Matchless along with perfect attendance Nimesh Patel (former WDEK guest) and Michael Che. See you there!

We Don't Even Know - Ep. 33: Dave Hill, Brooke Van Poppelen and Ambrosia Parsley - June 23, 2015 →

Episode 33 of WDEK was taped on a hot and muggy day at HiFi in the East Village. Shonali has just returned to NYC from the even hotter and muggier city of Nashville, TN. She was irritable earlier in the day and now Christian is late to the show. Shonali makes friends in bathrooms and has tips for those who snore while awake.

Comedian/rock star Dave Hill is our first special guest. Dave Hill explains what shredding is. He knows how to do it well. Shonali and Dave talk about John Mayer for entirely too long. Dave, here's the video Shonali was referring to with Marty Balin spooning his guitar in jail. Shonali and Dave talk bidets, the new wave that is sweeping America. Dave has a new comedy album out now called Let Me Turn You On. Buy it now on iTunes or Amazon.

Just in time for the second guest, co-host Christian Felix joins the show. Special guest comedian, writer and TV host of Hack My Life, Brooke Van Poppelen joins us on stage in gorgeous colors that pop. She introduces us to the concept of Wikifeet and explains what a #LifeHack is. We talk bitchy band groupies, comedy nerds and women who would bang Craig Ferguson. Guess who? Late Night TV hosts are so "psyched!" We leave it at that.

Photo by Daria Huxley

Our last guest is musician Ambrosia Parsley who wears a #PinkJumpsuit on the night of her birthday. Ambrosia has a new album out called Weeping Cherry. Ambrosia was paid to sing in Russia for one night by The Client along with Kesha and Amy Winehouse. Ambrosia comes to us with a story about 9 dildos and bed bugs. Got your attention right? Ambrosia has an beautiful voice and she shares two songs accompanied by a WDEK former guest, Chris Maxwell. She sings "Make Me Laugh" and "Rubble." Special thanks to soundman Stephen Kurpis, photographer Daria Huxley, and bartender Tracie Matthews.

We Don't Even Know - Ep. 32: Todd Perlmutter, Lisa DeLarios and Adam Schatz - April 28th, 2015 →

Shonali returns from New Orleans where she overate and went to a lingerie store for the first time. Christian just started seeing a nutritionist. Now they both understand the importance of taking proper measurements.

This episode's first guest is musician, former Blue Man Group creative director and Pianos owner, Todd Perlmutter. His first gig as a voice over artist was for a horse byproduct. Todd has been successful for a long time but there was a time when he hit rock bottom. Chicken was involved. He played drums for MC Shan before Yo MTV Raps was a thing. Todd is a brilliant drummer and producer who currently plays in a surf band and a tuba duo. Be on the lookout for his new theatrical production company producing a Western philharmonic project. Any can can dancers out there?

Our second guest Lisa Delarios is a stand up comedian from Texas. She moves back and forth from Texas to NYC often. Although she has lots of big time comedy credits, Shonali wants to talk about Texas comedy credits. Lisa was voted 3rd Funniest Person in Austin, TX twice where she says there were only two comedy clubs. Lisa works for ASPCA and has five pets and two roommates. She has a big heart.

Our last guest is musician Adam Schatz. He plays in a number of musical projects, most notably his own band Landlady and the band Man Man. Adam's parents are cool folks who play in an electric country band covering artists like Gram Parsons and the Byrds. How cool is that? Adam performs two songs for us including Driving in California and The Fourth of July or is it J-U-L-Y You Ain't Got No Alibi? You will have to listen to find out. Oh and here is the video Christian talks about earlier in the show.

Ep. 32: Todd Perlmutter, Lisa DeLarios and Adam Schatz - April 28th, 2015