Strip Mall Think Tank - podcast cover

Strip Mall Think Tank

Starburns Audio LLC
Comedians Jake Johannsen and Jeff Cesario try to solve stupid, small problems with the help of their weekly guest.
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Episodes

#12 - Norman Chad

The voice of The World Series Of Poker Norman Chad gets advice on how to handle those line-cutter punks at the grocery store and helps Jake handle long distance in-law issues — All while in a corner room at the Hollywood Park Casino. Not easy, my friends. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dec 20, 202438 minSeason 1Ep. 6

#11 - Ben Rosen

Writer Ben Rosen’s shower has a nearly Satanic mix of four knobs but only one nozzle, and our analysis would make NASA proud. Plus if you want me to eat crab legs, well, you got another think comin’😁 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oct 28, 202440 minSeason 1Ep. 9

#10 - Paul Reiser

The great Paul Reiser joins us for a mad dash through resumé padders, Steve Schirripa-voiced car horns and Jake’s bottomless gravel driveway. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sep 25, 202438 min

#9 - Ben Mankiewicz

TCM super-stud Ben Mankiewicz sucks us into the pet-peeve-filled world of movies and right onto the screen for a classic crime trope. Plus, Jake solves the whole dirty carpet thing.👍🏻 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aug 02, 202452 minSeason 1Ep. 9

#8 - Jon Gabriel

Writer and pundit Jon Gabriel joins Jeff and Jake for a historic SMTT: first-ever “update on a previous problem,” and “best solution ever!” Here’s a hint — if you go to Phoenix and walk into a room with Jon Gabriel, strap in my friend😁 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jul 17, 202455 minSeason 1Ep. 8

#7 - Bill Scheft

Comic/author Bill Scheft launches into Manhattan’s new $15 Mid-town driving fee, I scream into the void that is Frontier Fios, and Jake kinda doesn’t want his daughter to drive. The Tankiest SMTT yet! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 08, 20241 hr 1 minSeason 1Ep. 7

#6 - Jackie Kashian

Jackie Kashian’s cucumber problem is quickly solved but serves as a bridge that somehow takes us to her shirtless on a hot summer night in Wisconsin Dells. I’m not even sure how. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apr 20, 202440 minSeason 1Ep. 6

#5 - Brian Regan

Brian’s Dry Cleaner Dossier gets a thorough going over, and he and I give Jake a clear path to sever ties with “Dr. Nick.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feb 28, 202454 minSeason 1Ep. 5

#4 - Jake, Jeff and Gary

We tackle Jake’s Wooden Shoe Dilemma (the Dutch take it on the chin) and then solve Gary’s Evil Hair Dryer issue. I’m exhausted. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jan 31, 202455 minSeason 1Ep. 4

#3 - Brad Williams

The hilarious Brad Williams joins Jake and Jeff to figure out why bank tellers can get Nate Bargatze and Matt Rife confused and think it’s okay, why Jake may carry tennis balls when he crosses the street, and why there are three correct answers to Jeff’s pet peeve sports reporter question, “What’s next for you?" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jan 10, 202454 min

#2 - Alonzo Bodden

Some entitled jerk letting his dog off the leash is ruining Alonzo’s day, and we decide an Army of Karens is the best solution. Plus a fun tangent into Jake's password hell! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 29, 202355 min

#1 - Greg Fitzsimmons

The first-ever STRIP MALL THINK TANK - hosted by Jake Johannsen and Jeff Cesario w/guest Greg Fitzsimmons. Nothing better than amateurs solving problems. This ep: Jake’s vacation goes sideways and Greg can’t take 20-year-old ‘philosophers.’ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 03, 202349 min

Vent Day!

Special Writers’ Room. Jeff vents on Wisconsin football, Gary vents on the Chargers. It had to be done or someone was gonna get hurt. This is actually what goes on in a lot of writers’ rooms when you’re waiting for notes 🤣 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oct 19, 202334 min

two-for-one: Josh AND Ben Mankiewicz Pt. 2!

From “Dateline” it’s Josh Mankiewicz and from TCM it’s Ben Mankiewicz, both talking weak Yom Kippur knowledge, Sam Donaldson, being yourself, and as a bonus, a couple of Josh’s Chet Waterhouse sponsors! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sep 27, 202331 min

two-for-one: Josh AND Ben Mankiewicz Pt. 1!

From “Dateline” it’s Josh Mankiewicz and from TCM it’s Ben Mankiewicz, both talking writing approach, family dynamics, scary early gigs, and so much more. Killer stuff. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sep 20, 202336 min

THE GREAT GREG PROOPS PT.2

Comedian Greg Proops (“Who’s Line Is It Anyway?”) has a new album out called “French Drug Deal,” and in Pt. 2 he describes his fortuitous road to “Whose Line Is It Anyway,” the importance of the back brain, and the best worst gig tag EVER. And I mean ever. Great episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sep 13, 202340 min

THE GREAT GREG PROOPS PT.1

Comedian Greg Proops (“Whose Line Is It Anyway?”) has a new album out called “French Drug Deal,” and he talks gettin’ high in high school, Bay Area music, the closeness between jazz and standup and of course how he writes his standup. Ridiculous fun! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sep 06, 202332 min

MST3K’S Frank Conniff Pt. 2

Droll and hilarious Frank Conniff talks about moving from MST3K to major network sitcoms and on to a string of awesome and eclectic projects that let him grow his own demographic. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aug 30, 202330 min

MST3K’S Frank Conniff Pt.1

The great Frank Conniff (MST3K, Sabrina, Drew Carey) discusses the tough but serendipitous route that led him to Minneapolis and ultimately, the gig on Mystery Science Theatre 3000. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aug 24, 202340 min

From intern to show runner: Mat Harawitz Pt.2

Mat Harawitz takes us on the wild journey through what seems like a dozen sitcom gigs, at times literally swinging vine to vine to the next gig. Must listen! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aug 16, 202344 min

From intern to show runner: Mat Harawitz Pt.1

Mat Harawitz dives headfirst into his early days, long before his success as a television producer/writer, when he was a student driving from Ithaca College back into NYC to write for and watch standups like Jeff Ross and Dave Chappelle. Fantastic stuff! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aug 09, 202337 min

Inside the new cockpit: Camille Corbett Pt. 2

Actor/comic/writer/director Camille Corbett shares her experiences in the New Hollywood and how she strives to have all her creative instincts feed off each other. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aug 02, 202329 min

Inside the new cockpit: Camille Corbett Pt. 1

Actor/comic/writer/director Camille Corbett shares her experiences surviving and thriving in the business model of the New Hollywood. Strap in. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jul 26, 202329 min

Bill Scheft Pt. 2

The hilarious Bill Scheft regales Jeff with some killer moments from his two-decade stint as Letterman’s trusted consigliere, and how he was able to take writers’ room energy and put it on some book-writin’. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jul 19, 202331 min

The Great Bill Scheft Pt. 1

Comic, author and longtime Letterman Whisperer Bill Scheft live from the WGA picket line in NY/NJ! We talk all things strike, including the changing landscape for writers moving forward. And yet, laughs! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jul 12, 202329 min

Suli McCullough Part 2

The great and funny Suli McCullough gives us details from inside the thrilling/hilarious/shocking roller coaster that was the “Will Smith Slap” Oscars. this half-hour FLIES by! Must listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jun 28, 202327 min

Suli McCullough Part 1

Versatile and hilarious, standup/writer/producer Suli McCullough shares funny stories and killer insights on his path to writing for TV and his relationships with both Garry Shandling and Jamie Foxx. AWESOME ep, and he did his own tease for Pt 2 - backstage in the thick of it at the “Will Smith Slap” Oscars. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jun 21, 202337 min

The Best Guest Guy, Adam Spiegelman Pt 2

On the Writers’ Room this week - One of the absolute best guest segment producers in the business, Adam Spiegelman describes how to wring laughs out of even the most unengaging talk show guests and shares some wild moments from late night and daytime gigs. Pt 2, great listen! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jun 14, 202324 min

The Best Guest Guy, Adam Spiegelman Pt 1

On the Writers’ Room this week - One of the absolute best guest segment producers in the business, Adam Spiegelman describes how to wring laughs out of even the most unengaging talk show guests and shares some wild moments from late night and daytime gigs. Pt 1, so much fun! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jun 07, 202324 min

“Last Man Standing”s Ed Yeager, Pt 2

Part 2 with the great Ed Yeager (Roseanne, Gary Unmarried, Last Man Standing) sharing anecdotes from deep inside the bowels of some great sitcoms. Funny and informative, listen up! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 31, 202330 min
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