Marc Raco and co-hosts Danielle Beckmann and Dresden Engle interview entertainers, influencers, icons, innovators, and incredible people who have one thing in common: they are funny! Episodes feature improv games, the latest and funniest news, plus unusual food and dead-pan delivery zingers from Elsie the Producer. From celebrity star stories to Star Trek references, “Funny People Talking” delivers a whole universe of things to laugh at and with. 2021 Bronze Winner for New Zealand Podcast Awards...
Jan 05, 2023•3 min•Ep. 154
The #1 Donald Trump Impersonator in the World, John Di Domenico, talks with "American Enough" podcast host Vikrum Aiyeron about how comedy, satire, and late night TV is dividing, uniting, and trolling America. John is an American, Emmy Nominated, Actor, Writer, Comedian and Impersonator, he performs many different characters and is best known for his award-winning Donald Trump impersonation. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
May 10, 2021•51 min•Ep. 6
The most guests ever! Dresden has a flat tire and Elsie is MIA, so it's just Marc with SNL Scholarship Recipients Alexi Bolden, Gabriela Castillo, Kaili Turner & Morgan Van Dyne as they share their stories and their views on comedy; how and why they originally decided to apply for the scholarship, how they felt when they got the call, and what they think separated them from some 1,300 applicants; why honesty and openness mattered; hopes and goals for their lives and careers moving forward, a...
May 03, 2021•1 hr 28 min•Ep. 5
How a lost wallet led to the Fifth Dimension turning into an overnight sensation, a round of the improv game Guppy Tank has contestants pitch unusual ideas to a panel of investors: a skippy lippy whippy exercise device, and something to help even the whitest and honkiest among us pop and lock with style and ease, MouthMedia Network intern Darcy workshops some of her jokes, and comedian, writer, and award winning art critic Christina Catherine Martinez joins the show and graces us with her unusua...
Apr 26, 2021•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 4
Small ex-Chasidic queer Jewish stand-up comedian and Emmy Award-winning writer Robby Hoffman reveals her comedy journey, how even as a financial auditor, it was always a part of who she was as a person. And Robby leads a crucial and enlightening discussion about the past, present and future roles of women in comedy, and the still-present stereotype that women aren’t as funny as men. Also joining the show this week is MouthMedia Network Intern Alexi Bolden, recently named one of four Saturday Nig...
Apr 19, 2021•1 hr 16 min•Ep. 3
A harrowing tale of freezing waiting six hours for a COVID vaccine, lion headphones, Rhyming the Headlines with Elsie covers a baby thug makeover and creepy imaginary friends, and a round of the favorite improv game Audible brings scheduling conflicts at the zoo and romance on the high wire. And, veteran stand-up comedian and comedy teacher Chris Murphy joins the show and shares some of his experiences working in the field for over 25 years, brings us into his journey with cancer, and how that h...
Apr 12, 2021•55 min•Ep. 2
The gang's back with Season 3! Dresden possibly has green hair, and shares some very personal experiences with Covid-19 from the perspective of her and her family, Elsie debuts a new Yum or Yuck with a kind of taro reading, Dresden reveals a moment involving Eddie Money and an unfortunate gigantic bag of weed, and a round of the hilarious improv game Mish Mosh Mix doesn't go well for everyone (though Dresden sings about the similarities and differences between the moon, giraffes, and hippos, and...
Apr 05, 2021•1 hr•Ep. 1
How the desire to share life’s realities as women in dating, sex, and more turned into a real growing business as podcasters with Girls Gotta Eat … Ashley Hesseltine (standup comedian, writer, and founder of @brosbeingbasic + @fashiondads_) and Rayna Greenberg (writer, photographer, founder of @onehungryjew) host the popular podcast “Girls Gotta Eat”, with millions of downloads. While much has changed since then, in this 2018 sit-down with Marc they shared why they started the podcast, how it ha...
Feb 01, 2021•33 min•Ep. 23
Always funny, Maija DiGiorgio is a comedian, filmmaker who in her first year doing stand-up took the comedy world by storm taping five national TV appearances, receiving a standing ovation at NBC’s Live from the Apollo, and performing at the HBO Aspen Comedy Festival. Her hour show IncogNegro was part of the summer series at the prestigious Here theater in SOHO. Maija had recently filmed her Dry Bar Special which is available now and already receiving rave reviews. She is in the process of recor...
Jan 25, 2021•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 22
Award-winning visual artist, commercial photographer and producer of independent motion pictures Miles Maker, known for his cinematic visual style that is honest and intimate, emotive and kinetic, timeless and iconic, is featured in the classic episode of Monkey Radio with Marc with co-host Ben Rose. This is also the first appearance of the improv game "What If?". See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Jan 19, 2021•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 21
As we time travel into this episode of "Monkey Radio with Marc", Marc and co-host Ben Rose record on-location at Baconery and are joined by six-time Tony nominee Beguelin. His works include Disney’s Aladdin (Tony Award nomination for Best Book and Best Original Score, Drama Desk Award Nomination for Best Book and Outstanding Lyrics), The Prom (Tony Award nomination for Best Book and Best Original Score, Drama Desk Award Nomination for Best Book and Outstanding Lyrics) and The Wedding Singer (Ton...
Jan 12, 2021•51 min•Ep. 20
As we time travel into this episode of "Monkey Radio with Marc", Marc and co-host Ben Rose are joined by improv comedian and actor Brad Sherwood of "Whose Line Is It Anyway?" fame. Plus a round of "If I Were In Charge of the World" and Elsie brings a fun End of Show Food. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jan 04, 2021•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 19
Elsie has mobile mistletoe, Marc pitches inventions to battle noisy neighbors, another round of Headline Poetry with Elsie covers a German pilot’s strange activities, a baby Thai elephant, and a Russian cat, a round of "What If: Political Edition" uncovers will campaign strategies. Plus, lawyer-turned-artist/activist Tootsie Warhol shares his journey that led from working in civil rights law, to a meeting with Trump and his covert recording, which then sparked a career as a full time Trump-imper...
Dec 30, 2020•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 18
A real-life When Harry Met Sally Christmas tree moment, a PR Tip on using the right words, Elsie's Headline-Inspired Poetry, Dresden has a special light and one-upping one another with a new improv game "With All Due Respect". Plus, guest Darlene Liebman talks about her amazing business Creative Humans (a platform that matches up brands with video professionals), shares her process of vetting prospective creatives, and the sweet spot of finding highly talented individuals before they’ve gotten s...
Dec 21, 2020•1 hr•Ep. 17
Dresden is stuck in a Frozen room thanks to a COVID scare, why rocker Eddie Money was better than Google, a scandalous musical press conference, move review prognostication, and theories about being ghosted by a busker. Canadian music correspondent, blogger, radio host and former director of media relations at eOne Music Canada Eric Alper (who also runs music public relations company That Eric Alper and host of the SiriusXM show “That Eric Alper”) joins the fun and shares insights on publicity, ...
Dec 14, 2020•1 hr 16 min•Ep. 16
Elsie has streamers, amazing dairy-free ice cream from Casper's called Jolly Llama in a special installment of Yum or Yuck, a dispute between Hollywood legends, improv game Guppy Tank features mushroom-motivated exercise, a key killer, and more. Nathan Russell, UCB comedian and founder of Hammond Hill Media (a full service creative studio and production company founded by former executives at the Upright Citizens Brigade (UCB), with an approach is deeply rooted in improvisational comedy) joins t...
Dec 07, 2020•47 min•Ep. 15
A real life GI Joe, a Beach Boys memory, being the "Kool Aid" house, escalator etiquette, annoying TikTok dances, throwing cold butter on hot pancakes, Elsie's surprising advice, and what we would all do if we were in charge of the world! Plus Colin McIntosh, the founder of Sheets & Giggles (a sustainability-focused, mission driven bedsheet company), joins to share his incredible mission, entrepreneurial journey, what the company is doing to change the world, and how he approaches humor with...
Nov 30, 2020•1 hr 13 min•Ep. 14
We're thankful, and have invited special friends to drop by. Marc's friend and former co-host John Locke guest-hosts, and a few surprise guests drop in. Plus a super special hard-to-find Thanksgiving tasting from Elsie, a blast from the past, and a super hilarious round of the improv game "What If?" Happy Thanksgiving everyone! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Nov 23, 2020•1 hr 21 min•Ep. 13
Emotional stories of election results celebration, Dresden's eyebrows are woven like lace, a round of Yum or Yuck with tasty Lekkco Belgian dark chocolate spreads, and a round of the improv comedy game Redirection, in which direction changes mid-scene and a day at the zoo turns unexpectedly dark. Founder Rory Hughes joins from Ireland and discusses his company BOOM , Broadway Official Online Masterclass, which is a platform created for the pandemic to provide work in the form of teaching to Broa...
Nov 16, 2020•59 min•Ep. 12
Elsie hilariously gives her own take on real headlines, Arnold Schwarzenegger gets into unexpected situations in a revisited improv game favorite, Dresden recalls an under-appreciated Ken Burns-related April Fools joke, cast mysteries, and why the US might be Canada's downstairs neighbor with a meth lab. Plus, big-deal stand-up comedian Debra DiGiovanni shares career highlights from Conan to Last Comic Standing, making Canadians laugh why just being true to herself is key to her success, the per...
Nov 09, 2020•1 hr 21 min•Ep. 11
Sheer star power. Dresden clings to the 1980's, Elsie has everyone in absolute stitches with a story some of us have already seen, and everyone enjoys an improvised Oscar-Winning Moment! Hugely talented Broadway star Jen Cody (Urinetown, The Wild Party, Shrek, Pajama Game, and many more), film (Charlotte La Bouff in Disney's “The Princess and the Frog") and TV (Winx Club, Blue Bloods, The Good Fight, and many more), is also the 2nd Vice President of Actor's Equity Association and married to acto...
Nov 02, 2020•57 min•Ep. 10
Facing off with a Sopranos actor, licking a subway pole, musical arguments cover toenail clippings and estranged twins, and Elsie becomes the canvas. Comedian, writer, actor, musician, and UCB performer Eliza Kingsbury joins to discuss her three-name identity, the story behind her recent Lady Gaga parody video, being an entertainer during a pandemic, and the importance of hustle. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Oct 26, 2020•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 9
A special Breast Cancer Awareness episode with Rochester, NY breast surgeon Dr. Rachel Farkas. Small celebrities, a round of improv with The Jewish Mother News Reporter covers a prom fashion faux pas and hosting a holiday without warning, and a very fishy segment of Yum or Yuck. Plus Rachel shares how she treats every patient as an individual (rather than a statistic), and makes the process so fun, you might think you had surgery in a disco! Plus, practical and necessary advice for all women ove...
Oct 19, 2020•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 8
An important middle initial, an ice cream extravaganza, celebrities mess up Dresden's name, the concept of hype and why it is neither good nor bad, how marketing and PR have transformed over time, and an improv game about a big f-ing announcement brings a movie trailer, a preacher, a horror movie, and 1930's radio! Michael F. Schein, founder of Microfame Media, and author of the upcoming book The Hype Handbook is our guest! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See omnystudio.com/...
Oct 12, 2020•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 7
Hamilton's "George Washington" on Broadway, Tamar Greene, reveals an epic journey to landing his dream role, why he follows cheeky advice to never give more than 62.5%, surprises us with a live performance of a favorite song, and talks social relevancy and weight of taking on such an iconic American role at challenging time in America. Plus, sage advice for Dresden from Dennis Hopper and Philip Seymour Hoffman, Marc's return to the NYC subway is a disaster, improvised musical arguments go off th...
Oct 05, 2020•1 hr 18 min•Ep. 6
Unicorn glitter, the most unfortunately-named award ever, taste-testing everything, Tina Fey gets the treatment, discovering ASMR porn, and a very emotional press conference redefines Lady Gaga. Plus, Chris Schembra, the Gratitude Guru and most sought after dinner host anywhere, shares how gratitude saved his life and inspired a company that brings people together to make connections through community, vulnerability, and pasta sauce. And, the touching 2 a.m. moment when he realized he was on the...
Sep 28, 2020•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 5
Queer Filipino-American folk-singer Mercy Bell takes us through her career in the music scene, why appearing in Rolling Stone made her go get a job, how identifying off the bat as both queer and Filipino is of personal importance to her, and the importance of humor for much needed levity to her songs which can otherwise deal with heavy topics. Plus, a risque whopped cream moment with Greg Brady, an unexpected kazoo, the pizza scent of Tina Fey, horseradish love with Elsie, Mercy improvises a new...
Sep 21, 2020•53 min•Ep. 119
Legendary comedian, actor, writer, podcaster, and host Judy Gold goes deep on censoring comics, advice for new comedians in the current political climate, dealing with Trump supporters, writing and revisiting jokes, career accomplishments and near misses, future goals, and why Madonna was a TV mom to Judy's son. Plus, too many goats, a huge Willy Wonka wardrobe malfunction, a confusing shrimp snack, and how both rodeo clowns and a Jewish Christmas movie play roles in an improv game. See omnystud...
Sep 14, 2020•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 3
Mrs Kasha Davis (MKD), a Drag Queen best known for RuPauls Drag Race Season 7, is the self proclaimed International Celebrity Housewife who has traveled the world entertaining audiences with her wit and down home charm. Take a fabulous, fun-filled trip through her career start, reinvention, meaning, wigs, dealing with hecklers and disbelievers, and why kids might be her best audience. Plus, so many troll dolls, truth-telling, an improv game that puts you in charge of the world, celebrity oral ca...
Sep 08, 2020•1 hr 12 min•Ep. 2
Comedian, actress, singer, playwright, mom, and award-winning author (in spring 2020 she published the first and only biography of rock star Eddie Money) and communications professional Dresden Engle joins as co-host. In this Season 2 premiere episode, Danielle is off to another planet, Marc is Archie Bunker, Elsie grows window-corn, and we hear a few of Dresden's many celebrity moments. Plus, a round of the improv game "The Meh News" including protesting rats and a toothpaste thief, and Elsie s...
Aug 31, 2020•1 hr 22 min•Ep. 1
