Before. During. After. Transistor (https://transistor.fm) https://feeds.transistor.fm/before-during-after Before. During. After. is a Smirk Experience podcast about performance; from the inside. Every week Sam Carrington will sit down with a professional comedian. He'll find out what they do in preparation for a show, what they concentrate on while they're performing and what they focus on when it's done, all to maximise their performance. Because great performances don't just happen, they're built. © 2026 Smirk Experience 7572de72-fce7-5017-b2a0-b78ca3962654 yes en Wed, 28 Oct 2026 08:00:12 +0000 Wed, 28 Oct 2026 08:02:03 +0000 https://www.smirkexperience.com https://img.transistorcdn.com/o6BghIKIdo2dZCTP0-OxAVe0l-pBB4VWvawiq3J9iMQ/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:1400/h:1400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS8xNDM1/YTdjOGEzYTkwOTg2/ZDRkODZlZWE2NDQx/OGI3NS5qcGc.jpg Before. During. After. https://www.smirkexperience.com episodic Smirk Experience Before. During. After. is a Smirk Experience podcast about performance; from the inside. Every week Sam Carrington will sit down with a professional comedian. He'll find out what they do in preparation for a show, what they concentrate on while they're performing and what they focus on when it's done, all to maximise their performance. Because great performances don't just happen, they're built. Before. Comedy, Business Communication, Public Speaking Tips Smirk Experience No No Best of Before. During. After. -After 3 3 Best of Before. During. After. -After bonus 8c0925a4-cc2f-4abf-b6ed-b282b55b533c https://share.transistor.fm/s/5c48d65a Welcome to the 3rd instalment of our 'Best Of' episodes- this 1 is a selection of tips, tricks, techniques and mindsets all about analysing a performance. Thoughts from Garrett Millerick, Ria Lina, Robin Ince, Matt Green, Jenny Collier and Adam Greene.

]]> Welcome to the 3rd instalment of our 'Best Of' episodes- this 1 is a selection of tips, tricks, techniques and mindsets all about analysing a performance. Thoughts from Garrett Millerick, Ria Lina, Robin Ince, Matt Green, Jenny Collier and Adam Greene.

]]> Wed, 28 Oct 2026 08:00:00 +0000 Smirk Experience Smirk Experience 3250 Welcome to the 3rd instalment of our 'Best Of' episodes- this 1 is a selection of tips, tricks, techniques and mindsets all about analysing a performance. Thoughts from Garrett Millerick, Ria Lina, Robin Ince, Matt Green, Jenny Collier and Adam Greene.

]]> Comedy, Business Communication, Public Speaking Tips No Best of Before. During. After.- During 2 2 Best of Before. During. After.- During bonus 452781ef-5c07-4f78-99d6-58938565a1b7 https://share.transistor.fm/s/efe67fbd Join us for a look back at some of the best bits from Seasons 1 & 2. This selection is from the During section, with tips about mindset, stagecraft and lots more. Featuring clips from chats with Glenn Wool, Tony Law, Matt Price, Tom Price, James Dowdeswell and Dominic Frisby

]]> Join us for a look back at some of the best bits from Seasons 1 & 2. This selection is from the During section, with tips about mindset, stagecraft and lots more. Featuring clips from chats with Glenn Wool, Tony Law, Matt Price, Tom Price, James Dowdeswell and Dominic Frisby

]]> Wed, 21 Oct 2026 08:00:00 +0100 Smirk Experience Smirk Experience 3191 Join us for a look back at some of the best bits from Seasons 1 & 2. This selection is from the During section, with tips about mindset, stagecraft and lots more. Featuring clips from chats with Glenn Wool, Tony Law, Matt Price, Tom Price, James Dowdeswell and Dominic Frisby

]]> Comedy, Business Communication, Public Speaking Tips No Best of Before. During. After. -Before 1 1 Best of Before. During. After. -Before bonus 7a9ad809-f166-4f1d-83d7-65b1eb38f352 https://share.transistor.fm/s/703ae6e5 Join us for a look back at some of the best bits from Seasons 1 & 2. This selection is from the Before section; what acts do to get themselves in optimal mood to perform. Featuring clips from interviews with Ian Moore, Ali Hassan, Nathan Cassidy, Adam Bloom, Alexis Dubus and Sarah Iles.

]]> Join us for a look back at some of the best bits from Seasons 1 & 2. This selection is from the Before section; what acts do to get themselves in optimal mood to perform. Featuring clips from interviews with Ian Moore, Ali Hassan, Nathan Cassidy, Adam Bloom, Alexis Dubus and Sarah Iles.

]]> Wed, 14 Oct 2026 08:00:00 +0100 Smirk Experience Smirk Experience 3654 Join us for a look back at some of the best bits from Seasons 1 & 2. This selection is from the Before section; what acts do to get themselves in optimal mood to perform. Featuring clips from interviews with Ian Moore, Ali Hassan, Nathan Cassidy, Adam Bloom, Alexis Dubus and Sarah Iles.

]]> Comedy, Business Communication, Public Speaking Tips No Before. During. After. end of Season 2 Before. During. After. end of Season 2 bonus 38437022-6048-4c89-b4ea-29389ab89d27 https://share.transistor.fm/s/81b4f191 After 2 seasons of back to back episodes we are taking a break.
The plan is to rest, regroup and come back even stronger for Season 3. In the meantime expect some 'Best of' episodes, plus you can always go back through our back catalogue of episodes.
See you in a few weeks.
Sam and BDA team.

]]> After 2 seasons of back to back episodes we are taking a break.
The plan is to rest, regroup and come back even stronger for Season 3. In the meantime expect some 'Best of' episodes, plus you can always go back through our back catalogue of episodes.
See you in a few weeks.
Sam and BDA team.

]]> Tue, 13 Oct 2026 08:00:00 +0100 Smirk Experience Smirk Experience 93 After 2 seasons of back to back episodes we are taking a break.
The plan is to rest, regroup and come back even stronger for Season 3. In the meantime expect some 'Best of' episodes, plus you can always go back through our back catalogue of episodes.
See you in a few weeks.
Sam and BDA team.

]]> Comedy, Business Communication, Public Speaking Tips No Before. During. After. with Adam Bloom 2 2 15 15 Before. During. After. with Adam Bloom full cb1bfbe5-fff9-4dfb-9200-65d997806aee https://share.transistor.fm/s/15a50bc2 Sam and Adam have an in-depth look at how to look good in front of a crowd. They cover how great performances start before you've said a word, how being present beats being perfect and how confidence isn't something you're born with but something you earn.

If you're interested in reading Adam's brilliant book, then you can get it here

https://amzn.eu/d/0oGfPKz

]]> Sam and Adam have an in-depth look at how to look good in front of a crowd. They cover how great performances start before you've said a word, how being present beats being perfect and how confidence isn't something you're born with but something you earn.

If you're interested in reading Adam's brilliant book, then you can get it here

https://amzn.eu/d/0oGfPKz

]]> Wed, 07 Oct 2026 08:00:00 +0100 Smirk Experience Smirk Experience 5290 Sam and Adam have an in-depth look at how to look good in front of a crowd. They cover how great performances start before you've said a word, how being present beats being perfect and how confidence isn't something you're born with but something you earn.

If you're interested in reading Adam's brilliant book, then you can get it here

https://amzn.eu/d/0oGfPKz

]]> Comedy, Business Communication, Public Speaking Tips No Before. During. After. with Tony Law 2 2 14 14 Before. During. After. with Tony Law full 32779a9a-ec82-4dc2-9996-44332c41bc8e https://share.transistor.fm/s/5e610b9e Sam and Tony discuss the relationship between preparation and rigidity, the perils of assuming what an audience will like before you start, how to pull it back when you might be losing an audience and how to make nonsense sound authoritative.

]]> Sam and Tony discuss the relationship between preparation and rigidity, the perils of assuming what an audience will like before you start, how to pull it back when you might be losing an audience and how to make nonsense sound authoritative.

]]> Wed, 30 Sep 2026 08:00:00 +0100 Smirk Experience Smirk Experience 4906 Sam and Tony discuss the relationship between preparation and rigidity, the perils of assuming what an audience will like before you start, how to pull it back when you might be losing an audience and how to make nonsense sound authoritative.

]]> Comedy, Business Communication, Public Speaking Tips No Before. During. After. with Glenn Wool 2 2 13 13 Before. During. After. with Glenn Wool full b772b635-c06e-4475-9dbf-f6799b33b7c5 https://share.transistor.fm/s/631962d2 Sam and Glenn dlve into what Glenn has learnt by gigging all over the world for 30 years. They cover how he played rooms that had no interest in hearing comedy early on in his career, how stagecraft can control a room without saying a word and how the bad gigs make you a real comedian.

]]> Sam and Glenn dlve into what Glenn has learnt by gigging all over the world for 30 years. They cover how he played rooms that had no interest in hearing comedy early on in his career, how stagecraft can control a room without saying a word and how the bad gigs make you a real comedian.

]]> Wed, 23 Sep 2026 08:00:00 +0100 Smirk Experience Smirk Experience 5433 Sam and Glenn dlve into what Glenn has learnt by gigging all over the world for 30 years. They cover how he played rooms that had no interest in hearing comedy early on in his career, how stagecraft can control a room without saying a word and how the bad gigs make you a real comedian.

]]> Comedy, Business Communication, Public Speaking Tips No Before. During. After. with Ali Hassan 2 2 12 12 Before. During. After. with Ali Hassan full 0f040898-d869-4025-b085-83e106cf527f https://share.transistor.fm/s/689cc4ef Sam and his old show biz mucka Ali Hassan discuss the freedom being totally prepared gives you, that confidence can be projected whatever's happening and however you're secretly feeling and how sometimes you're better off switching analysing a bad gig for a beer with a pal. 

]]> Sam and his old show biz mucka Ali Hassan discuss the freedom being totally prepared gives you, that confidence can be projected whatever's happening and however you're secretly feeling and how sometimes you're better off switching analysing a bad gig for a beer with a pal. 

]]> Wed, 16 Sep 2026 08:00:00 +0100 Smirk Experience Smirk Experience 4722 Sam and his old show biz mucka Ali Hassan discuss the freedom being totally prepared gives you, that confidence can be projected whatever's happening and however you're secretly feeling and how sometimes you're better off switching analysing a bad gig for a beer with a pal. 

]]> Comedy, Business Communication, Public Speaking Tips No Before. During. After. with Ian Moore 2 2 11 11 Before. During. After. with Ian Moore full 7fae7720-5aa0-43ce-9a0e-f9c9b8c6a143 https://share.transistor.fm/s/a5aec94f Ian and Sam discuss overcoming, or maybe accepting, imposter syndrome is part of the game, why preparation equals freedom, how comics 'read a room' and how the come down after shows is the hardest part.

]]> Ian and Sam discuss overcoming, or maybe accepting, imposter syndrome is part of the game, why preparation equals freedom, how comics 'read a room' and how the come down after shows is the hardest part.

]]> Wed, 09 Sep 2026 08:00:00 +0100 Smirk Experience Smirk Experience 5731 Ian and Sam discuss overcoming, or maybe accepting, imposter syndrome is part of the game, why preparation equals freedom, how comics 'read a room' and how the come down after shows is the hardest part.

]]> Comedy, Business Communication, Public Speaking Tips No Before. During. After. with Sarah Iles 2 2 10 10 Before. During. After. with Sarah Iles full 8bd24fdc-7b68-4cbf-b282-27cbc825ad68 https://share.transistor.fm/s/def9f74b Sarah and Sam discuss how confidence isn't something you're born with- it's something you build, how nerves aren't the enemy and how taking the risk in the first place is the biggest step to make.

]]> Sarah and Sam discuss how confidence isn't something you're born with- it's something you build, how nerves aren't the enemy and how taking the risk in the first place is the biggest step to make.

]]> Wed, 02 Sep 2026 08:00:00 +0100 Smirk Experience Smirk Experience 4800 Sarah and Sam discuss how confidence isn't something you're born with- it's something you build, how nerves aren't the enemy and how taking the risk in the first place is the biggest step to make.

]]> Comedy, Business Communication, Public Speaking Tips No Before. During. After. with Robin Ince 2 2 9 9 Before. During. After. with Robin Ince full acab7c9a-a967-4396-8f09-eaf3dc522507 https://share.transistor.fm/s/1b234a65 Sam and Robin have a wide ranging chat, on subjects like the importance of finding your voice (business people call this personal branding) how passion beats perfection every day of the week, how kindness and love is the way forward.

]]> Sam and Robin have a wide ranging chat, on subjects like the importance of finding your voice (business people call this personal branding) how passion beats perfection every day of the week, how kindness and love is the way forward.

]]> Wed, 26 Aug 2026 08:00:00 +0100 Smirk Experience Smirk Experience 5425 Sam and Robin have a wide ranging chat, on subjects like the importance of finding your voice (business people call this personal branding) how passion beats perfection every day of the week, how kindness and love is the way forward.

]]> Comedy, Business Communication, Public Speaking Tips No Before. During. After. with Dan Antopolski 2 2 8 8 Before. During. After. with Dan Antopolski full b8f79f06-93ac-4072-a12c-1f8b8a6387b3 https://share.transistor.fm/s/08cabe86 Dan and Sam discuss the perils of comparing audiences, the powerful element of surprise in any communication, how a sabbatical from comedy improved him as a performer and what to do when it starts to go wrong to help keep the show on the road.

]]> Dan and Sam discuss the perils of comparing audiences, the powerful element of surprise in any communication, how a sabbatical from comedy improved him as a performer and what to do when it starts to go wrong to help keep the show on the road.

]]> Wed, 19 Aug 2026 08:00:00 +0100 Smirk Experience Smirk Experience 4797 Dan and Sam discuss the perils of comparing audiences, the powerful element of surprise in any communication, how a sabbatical from comedy improved him as a performer and what to do when it starts to go wrong to help keep the show on the road.

]]> Comedy, Business Communication, Public Speaking Tips No Before. During. After. with Chris Dangerfield 2 2 7 7 Before. During. After. with Chris Dangerfield full 7f8b14f0-84bd-4d14-989d-51504a47fd5f https://share.transistor.fm/s/10066591 Chris and Sam discuss why likability trumps any other quality a speaker can possess, how bookers didn't know what to do with the most talked about comic of his generation, why he walked away from comedy and some of the most outrageous stories you've possibly ever heard.
NOTE- this 1 is definitely not suitable for younger ears.

]]> Chris and Sam discuss why likability trumps any other quality a speaker can possess, how bookers didn't know what to do with the most talked about comic of his generation, why he walked away from comedy and some of the most outrageous stories you've possibly ever heard.
NOTE- this 1 is definitely not suitable for younger ears.

]]> Wed, 12 Aug 2026 08:00:00 +0100 Smirk Experience Smirk Experience 6086 Chris and Sam discuss why likability trumps any other quality a speaker can possess, how bookers didn't know what to do with the most talked about comic of his generation, why he walked away from comedy and some of the most outrageous stories you've possibly ever heard.
NOTE- this 1 is definitely not suitable for younger ears.

]]> Comedy, Business Communication, Public Speaking Tips No Before. During. After. with James Dowdeswell 2 2 6 6 Before. During. After. with James Dowdeswell full 104845be-ce67-47c1-8220-ec5351631a6e https://share.transistor.fm/s/056b5126 James and Sam have a lovely chat, covering topics like tricks to stop hecklers, pivotal advice from other comics, the benefits of analysis post show, how to properly reading a room and why reliability beats flashes of brilliance every day of the week.

]]> James and Sam have a lovely chat, covering topics like tricks to stop hecklers, pivotal advice from other comics, the benefits of analysis post show, how to properly reading a room and why reliability beats flashes of brilliance every day of the week.

]]> Wed, 05 Aug 2026 08:00:00 +0100 Smirk Experience Smirk Experience 5821 James and Sam have a lovely chat, covering topics like tricks to stop hecklers, pivotal advice from other comics, the benefits of analysis post show, how to properly reading a room and why reliability beats flashes of brilliance every day of the week.

]]> Comedy, Business Communication, Public Speaking Tips No Before. During. After. with Tom Price 2 2 5 5 Before. During. After. with Tom Price full ec725833-0ceb-45c1-9bba-c1d2a82375d9 https://share.transistor.fm/s/9b9dc3d9 Tom and Sam have an awesome chat that covers how you should practice everything- especially the ad libs, that audiences want you to succeed, how to quickly analyse any show and move on, plus what interview questions Tom would ban if he could.

]]> Tom and Sam have an awesome chat that covers how you should practice everything- especially the ad libs, that audiences want you to succeed, how to quickly analyse any show and move on, plus what interview questions Tom would ban if he could.

]]> Wed, 29 Jul 2026 08:00:00 +0100 Smirk Experience Smirk Experience 4594 Tom and Sam have an awesome chat that covers how you should practice everything- especially the ad libs, that audiences want you to succeed, how to quickly analyse any show and move on, plus what interview questions Tom would ban if he could.

]]> Comedy, Business Communication, Public Speaking Tips No Before. During. After. with Alexis Dubus 2 2 4 4 Before. During. After. with Alexis Dubus full 22ea5354-cf59-4408-a55c-453fb517de0c https://share.transistor.fm/s/918b42e4 Alexis and Sam have a lovely chat that includes how confidence is a costume before it becomes a habit, how great speakers have a conversation with their audience instead of a monologue and how setting out your stall early in any talk is a very handy thing.

]]> Alexis and Sam have a lovely chat that includes how confidence is a costume before it becomes a habit, how great speakers have a conversation with their audience instead of a monologue and how setting out your stall early in any talk is a very handy thing.

]]> Wed, 22 Jul 2026 08:00:00 +0100 Smirk Experience Smirk Experience 4354 Alexis and Sam have a lovely chat that includes how confidence is a costume before it becomes a habit, how great speakers have a conversation with their audience instead of a monologue and how setting out your stall early in any talk is a very handy thing.

]]> Comedy, Business Communication, Public Speaking Tips No Before. During. After. with Garrett Millerick 2 2 3 3 Before. During. After. with Garrett Millerick full 72c90999-05e3-4235-a6f4-01da86b04e73 https://share.transistor.fm/s/d199c713 Garrett and Sam have a great chat about a range of topics, inclduing how many speakers mess up before they reach the punchline, the power of authenticity, how great things can come out of bad gigs and why politicians today get communication so wrong.

]]> Garrett and Sam have a great chat about a range of topics, inclduing how many speakers mess up before they reach the punchline, the power of authenticity, how great things can come out of bad gigs and why politicians today get communication so wrong.

]]> Wed, 15 Jul 2026 08:00:00 +0100 Smirk Experience Smirk Experience 5095 Garrett and Sam have a great chat about a range of topics, inclduing how many speakers mess up before they reach the punchline, the power of authenticity, how great things can come out of bad gigs and why politicians today get communication so wrong.

]]> Comedy, Business Communication, Public Speaking Tips No Before. During. After. with Matt Green 2 2 2 2 Before. During. After. with Matt Green full fea786dc-62b8-4b81-a71c-53fc01336fcf https://share.transistor.fm/s/768b5564 Sam and Matt have a wide ranging chat about the addictive nature of making people laugh, how a comic sees the world differently, the benefits of clarity in any communication and how a full diary can help you overcome any setback.

]]> Sam and Matt have a wide ranging chat about the addictive nature of making people laugh, how a comic sees the world differently, the benefits of clarity in any communication and how a full diary can help you overcome any setback.

]]> Wed, 08 Jul 2026 08:00:00 +0100 Smirk Experience Smirk Experience 6006 Sam and Matt have a wide ranging chat about the addictive nature of making people laugh, how a comic sees the world differently, the benefits of clarity in any communication and how a full diary can help you overcome any setback.

]]> Comedy, Business Communication, Public Speaking Tips No Before. During. After. with Ria Lina 2 2 1 1 Before. During. After. with Ria Lina full 1cac4a92-fad2-425d-b17a-da60cf6adcb6 https://share.transistor.fm/s/38359533 In this week's episode Sam and the brilliant Ria Lina have a lively discussion about how confidence is built over time (not something you're born with) how performers can quickly and effortlessly regroup when something goes wrong, the benefits on focussing on providing value to your audience and the strange link between parenting and controlling a room of adults.

]]> In this week's episode Sam and the brilliant Ria Lina have a lively discussion about how confidence is built over time (not something you're born with) how performers can quickly and effortlessly regroup when something goes wrong, the benefits on focussing on providing value to your audience and the strange link between parenting and controlling a room of adults.

]]> Wed, 01 Jul 2026 08:00:00 +0100 Smirk Experience Smirk Experience 5040 In this week's episode Sam and the brilliant Ria Lina have a lively discussion about how confidence is built over time (not something you're born with) how performers can quickly and effortlessly regroup when something goes wrong, the benefits on focussing on providing value to your audience and the strange link between parenting and controlling a room of adults.

]]> Comedy, Business Communication, Public Speaking Tips No Before. During. After. with Ben Clover 1 1 15 15 Before. During. After. with Ben Clover full 347f06af-f27f-4dfd-8af1-e622f84bf52b https://share.transistor.fm/s/fed2bc16 Today's guest is the brilliant Ben Clover, a wonderful comic who now helps other comics with their shows- which means he's very much tuned in to the BDA vibe. Ben and Sam discuss the power of proper preparation, how that prep gives you freedom to ad lib and why listening back to yourself is rarely as bad as you think.  

]]> Today's guest is the brilliant Ben Clover, a wonderful comic who now helps other comics with their shows- which means he's very much tuned in to the BDA vibe. Ben and Sam discuss the power of proper preparation, how that prep gives you freedom to ad lib and why listening back to yourself is rarely as bad as you think.  

]]> Wed, 24 Jun 2026 08:00:00 +0100 Smirk Experience Smirk Experience 5200 Today's guest is the brilliant Ben Clover, a wonderful comic who now helps other comics with their shows- which means he's very much tuned in to the BDA vibe. Ben and Sam discuss the power of proper preparation, how that prep gives you freedom to ad lib and why listening back to yourself is rarely as bad as you think.  

]]> Comedy, Business Communication, Public Speaking Tips No Before. During. After. with Adam Greene 1 1 14 14 Before. During. After. with Adam Greene full 47a7be5a-46ec-4313-9988-06ffd006d504 https://share.transistor.fm/s/ffe8dd52 Adam Green is a brilliant comic who's been going for years. Adam and Sam discuss the benefits of structured preparation that can be repeated easily and quickly, how audiences need reassurance they're in safe hands and how to simply analyse what worked and what didn't from a show to move on.

]]> Adam Green is a brilliant comic who's been going for years. Adam and Sam discuss the benefits of structured preparation that can be repeated easily and quickly, how audiences need reassurance they're in safe hands and how to simply analyse what worked and what didn't from a show to move on.

]]> Wed, 17 Jun 2026 08:00:00 +0100 Smirk Experience Smirk Experience 4994 Adam Green is a brilliant comic who's been going for years. Adam and Sam discuss the benefits of structured preparation that can be repeated easily and quickly, how audiences need reassurance they're in safe hands and how to simply analyse what worked and what didn't from a show to move on.

]]> Comedy, Business Communication, Public Speaking Tips No Before. During. After. with Dominic Frisby 1 1 13 13 Before. During. After. with Dominic Frisby full 5367b37f-25b8-4941-9b3b-7fe500f03074 https://share.transistor.fm/s/f6062a67 Dominic and Sam have a lovely chat about a range of topics, including the crucial role of clarity in communication, how the audience is the best editor, why people don't want or like perfection in performance and how talking beats reading to a room every day of the week.

]]> Dominic and Sam have a lovely chat about a range of topics, including the crucial role of clarity in communication, how the audience is the best editor, why people don't want or like perfection in performance and how talking beats reading to a room every day of the week.

]]> Wed, 10 Jun 2026 08:00:00 +0100 Smirk Experience Smirk Experience 4040 Dominic and Sam have a lovely chat about a range of topics, including the crucial role of clarity in communication, how the audience is the best editor, why people don't want or like perfection in performance and how talking beats reading to a room every day of the week.

]]> Comedy, Business Communication, Public Speaking Tips No Before. During. After. with Russell Hicks 1 1 12 12 Before. During. After. with Russell Hicks full e56005ba-03dd-45d0-9f7d-dea52e9d2098 https://share.transistor.fm/s/7bc8d105 Russell Hicks is a US comic now based in the UK who has a very unique style. His sets mainly involve riffing in a room with what and who he sees in front of him. Here's a short clip if you're unfamiliar with his work https://vimeo.com/944374484?share=copy&fl=cl&fe=ci

Sam and Russ discuss how he preps for shows with little pre-written material, how being empathetic to your audience helps your cut through, getting comfortable with discomfort and the craziest gigs he's ever done (and they do get pretty crazy.)

Enjoy.

]]> Russell Hicks is a US comic now based in the UK who has a very unique style. His sets mainly involve riffing in a room with what and who he sees in front of him. Here's a short clip if you're unfamiliar with his work https://vimeo.com/944374484?share=copy&fl=cl&fe=ci

Sam and Russ discuss how he preps for shows with little pre-written material, how being empathetic to your audience helps your cut through, getting comfortable with discomfort and the craziest gigs he's ever done (and they do get pretty crazy.)

Enjoy.

]]> Wed, 03 Jun 2026 08:00:00 +0100 Smirk Experience Smirk Experience 4703 Russell Hicks is a US comic now based in the UK who has a very unique style. His sets mainly involve riffing in a room with what and who he sees in front of him. Here's a short clip if you're unfamiliar with his work https://vimeo.com/944374484?share=copy&fl=cl&fe=ci

Sam and Russ discuss how he preps for shows with little pre-written material, how being empathetic to your audience helps your cut through, getting comfortable with discomfort and the craziest gigs he's ever done (and they do get pretty crazy.)

Enjoy.

]]> Comedy, Business Communication, Public Speaking Tips No Before. During. After. with Lenny Sherman 1 1 11 11 Before. During. After. with Lenny Sherman full 71c8643d-bd80-49a9-ad84-30900be59908 https://share.transistor.fm/s/3486a94e In this episode Lenny and Sam discuss reframing nerves when you perform, the importance of authenticity, the craft of joke writing, stage persona and how pacing a performance affects your impact.   

]]> In this episode Lenny and Sam discuss reframing nerves when you perform, the importance of authenticity, the craft of joke writing, stage persona and how pacing a performance affects your impact.   

]]> Wed, 27 May 2026 08:00:00 +0100 Smirk Experience Smirk Experience 4626 In this episode Lenny and Sam discuss reframing nerves when you perform, the importance of authenticity, the craft of joke writing, stage persona and how pacing a performance affects your impact.   

]]> Comedy, Business Communication, Public Speaking Tips No Before. During. After. with Matt Price 1 1 10 10 Before. During. After. with Matt Price full 1559bf62-314f-44fb-99ac-3f69f6fee6c4 https://share.transistor.fm/s/4b541d44 Matt and Sam have a lovely chat about a range of topics, including how Matt found his comedy voice, how he handles hecklers, not 2nd guessing audience opinion and a great tip to help you listen to your own voice without dreading it.

]]> Matt and Sam have a lovely chat about a range of topics, including how Matt found his comedy voice, how he handles hecklers, not 2nd guessing audience opinion and a great tip to help you listen to your own voice without dreading it.

]]> Wed, 20 May 2026 08:00:00 +0100 Smirk Experience Smirk Experience 4351 Matt and Sam have a lovely chat about a range of topics, including how Matt found his comedy voice, how he handles hecklers, not 2nd guessing audience opinion and a great tip to help you listen to your own voice without dreading it.

]]> Comedy, Business Communication, Public Speaking Tips No Before. During. After. with Nathan Caton 1 1 9 9 Before. During. After. with Nathan Caton full ae5265aa-b45d-4042-87cf-3614061fe41b https://share.transistor.fm/s/1fa5d44b Nathan and Sam discuss how he prepared for the biggest comedy TV show in the country, how he takes comfort in failure, the future of online comedy, working with comedy greats and the weirdest gigs he's ever done.

]]> Nathan and Sam discuss how he prepared for the biggest comedy TV show in the country, how he takes comfort in failure, the future of online comedy, working with comedy greats and the weirdest gigs he's ever done.

]]> Wed, 13 May 2026 08:00:00 +0100 Smirk Experience Smirk Experience 4332 Nathan and Sam discuss how he prepared for the biggest comedy TV show in the country, how he takes comfort in failure, the future of online comedy, working with comedy greats and the weirdest gigs he's ever done.

]]> Comedy, Business Communication, Public Speaking Tips No Before. During. After. with Nathan Cassidy 1 1 8 8 Before. During. After. with Nathan Cassidy full 935b093c-e28e-4ce2-a90b-768c38154ddb https://share.transistor.fm/s/c147065f Nathan and Sam have a wide ranging chat, including topics such as his marathon run of Edinburgh Fringes, how he comes up with ideas for all of those different hour long shows, his pre-performance routines, overcoming doubt and how he draws on experience and pain. 

]]> Nathan and Sam have a wide ranging chat, including topics such as his marathon run of Edinburgh Fringes, how he comes up with ideas for all of those different hour long shows, his pre-performance routines, overcoming doubt and how he draws on experience and pain. 

]]> Wed, 06 May 2026 08:00:00 +0100 Smirk Experience Smirk Experience 3838 Nathan and Sam have a wide ranging chat, including topics such as his marathon run of Edinburgh Fringes, how he comes up with ideas for all of those different hour long shows, his pre-performance routines, overcoming doubt and how he draws on experience and pain. 

]]> Comedy, Business Communication, Public Speaking Tips No Before. During. After. with Patrick Monahan 1 1 7 7 Before. During. After. with Patrick Monahan full 58d496e7-e9d4-4f8f-92e5-7fccfb5ca371 https://share.transistor.fm/s/739558e0 Pat and Sam have a lovely chat, that includes playing rowdy rooms, pre-show mantras, crowd control, finding your voice as a speaker, quantifying failure and much more.

Enjoy.

]]> Pat and Sam have a lovely chat, that includes playing rowdy rooms, pre-show mantras, crowd control, finding your voice as a speaker, quantifying failure and much more.

Enjoy.

]]> Wed, 29 Apr 2026 08:00:00 +0100 Smirk Experience Smirk Experience 4758 Pat and Sam have a lovely chat, that includes playing rowdy rooms, pre-show mantras, crowd control, finding your voice as a speaker, quantifying failure and much more.

Enjoy.

]]> Comedy, Business Communication, Public Speaking Tips No Before. During. After. with Benjamin Patterson 1 1 6 6 Before. During. After. with Benjamin Patterson full de4c0eeb-70eb-4cc1-97a0-a281a2d07a3c https://share.transistor.fm/s/f7a9d1ee Ben and Sam get into an in depth look at performance processes this week. Amongst other things they cover the level of preparation and detail comics go into, how you have to be in charge when doing stand-up and the distinction between being likeable and being nice.

]]> Ben and Sam get into an in depth look at performance processes this week. Amongst other things they cover the level of preparation and detail comics go into, how you have to be in charge when doing stand-up and the distinction between being likeable and being nice.

]]> Wed, 22 Apr 2026 08:00:00 +0100 Smirk Experience Smirk Experience 4786 Ben and Sam get into an in depth look at performance processes this week. Amongst other things they cover the level of preparation and detail comics go into, how you have to be in charge when doing stand-up and the distinction between being likeable and being nice.

]]> Comedy, Business Communication, Public Speaking Tips No Before. During. After. with Jenny Collier 1 1 5 5 Before. During. After. with Jenny Collier full d86f29f8-9492-4cf3-ae72-37a042a82459 https://share.transistor.fm/s/5412d4ea Jenny and Sam have a lovely chat about creative inspiration, the effect room set-ups have on shows, picking yourself up after a bad show and the strangest gigs they've ever done.

]]> Jenny and Sam have a lovely chat about creative inspiration, the effect room set-ups have on shows, picking yourself up after a bad show and the strangest gigs they've ever done.

]]> Wed, 15 Apr 2026 08:00:00 +0100 Smirk Experience Smirk Experience 4580 Jenny and Sam have a lovely chat about creative inspiration, the effect room set-ups have on shows, picking yourself up after a bad show and the strangest gigs they've ever done.

]]> Comedy, Business Communication, Public Speaking Tips No Before. During. After. with Will Hannigan 1 1 4 4 Before. During. After. with Will Hannigan full 35ca0f4f-3c00-4efc-bc5b-09661ed321ea https://share.transistor.fm/s/70d0082f Will Hannigan is a Canadian comic now living in London.

Will and Sam take a deep dive into nerves; how Will frames and combats them to achieve his goals in comedy.

]]> Will Hannigan is a Canadian comic now living in London.

Will and Sam take a deep dive into nerves; how Will frames and combats them to achieve his goals in comedy.

]]> Wed, 08 Apr 2026 08:00:00 +0100 Smirk Experience Smirk Experience 3965 Will Hannigan is a Canadian comic now living in London.

Will and Sam take a deep dive into nerves; how Will frames and combats them to achieve his goals in comedy.

]]> Comedy, Business Communication, Public Speaking Tips No Before. During. After. with Juliet Myers 1 1 2 2 Before. During. After. with Juliet Myers full dd1521cb-6726-4d62-a233-1f0d954b551d https://share.transistor.fm/s/237625aa In this episode Juliet and Sam discuss keeping material fresh, the key to memorable performance and women in comedy.

]]> In this episode Juliet and Sam discuss keeping material fresh, the key to memorable performance and women in comedy.

]]> Wed, 18 Mar 2026 08:00:00 +0000 Smirk Experience Smirk Experience 3282 In this episode Juliet and Sam discuss keeping material fresh, the key to memorable performance and women in comedy.

]]> Comedy, Business Communication, Public Speaking Tips, Feminism No Before. During. After. with Jason Patterson. 1 1 3 3 Before. During. After. with Jason Patterson. full 80a1048e-80e7-4398-abee-b3ce7b1ba112 https://share.transistor.fm/s/8389dcb6 In this episode Jason and Sam discuss how to treat new material, using nerves as energy and taking advice from peers to get getting better.

Get tickets for Jason's solo show Underrated here
https://dice.fm/event/av3v9x-jason-patterson-underrated-30th-apr-camden-comedy-club-london-tickets?lng=en

]]> In this episode Jason and Sam discuss how to treat new material, using nerves as energy and taking advice from peers to get getting better.

Get tickets for Jason's solo show Underrated here
https://dice.fm/event/av3v9x-jason-patterson-underrated-30th-apr-camden-comedy-club-london-tickets?lng=en

]]> Wed, 18 Mar 2026 08:00:00 +0000 Smirk Experience Smirk Experience 3296 In this episode Jason and Sam discuss how to treat new material, using nerves as energy and taking advice from peers to get getting better.

Get tickets for Jason's solo show Underrated here
https://dice.fm/event/av3v9x-jason-patterson-underrated-30th-apr-camden-comedy-club-london-tickets?lng=en

]]> Comedy, Business Communication, Public Speaking Tips No Before. During. After. with Mike Capozzola 1 1 1 1 Before. During. After. with Mike Capozzola full 77ec355f-70a4-4c3c-9c6b-4df7f6117777 https://share.transistor.fm/s/3904469a Mike Capozzola is a New York comic who's gigged all over the world and worked on both sides of the camera in Hollywood.

Sam and Mike discuss how ordering topics changes overall impact, if he ever amends a set when he turns up to a gig, how he assesses what he's done and lots more. 

Find more about Mike here https://www.capozzola.com/

]]> Mike Capozzola is a New York comic who's gigged all over the world and worked on both sides of the camera in Hollywood.

Sam and Mike discuss how ordering topics changes overall impact, if he ever amends a set when he turns up to a gig, how he assesses what he's done and lots more. 

Find more about Mike here https://www.capozzola.com/

]]> Tue, 17 Mar 2026 18:29:02 +0000 Smirk Experience Smirk Experience 2526 Mike Capozzola is a New York comic who's gigged all over the world and worked on both sides of the camera in Hollywood.

Sam and Mike discuss how ordering topics changes overall impact, if he ever amends a set when he turns up to a gig, how he assesses what he's done and lots more. 

Find more about Mike here https://www.capozzola.com/

]]> Comedy, Business Communication, Public Speaking Tips No