Mon, 30 December 2013
This week we explore the Swedish comedy scene with Sweden's best male standup comedian, Al Pitcher, a Kiwi from London. After seeing him perform at Upsala University (where he murdered the audience), I asked Al if he wouldn’t mind doing my podcast. |
Thu, 26 December 2013
This is the second part of our Danish holiday episode.
After a communication mix-up created by me, I was finally able to meet up with Mr. Joergen Kjaer, president of the Danish Drug Users Union, or BrugerForeningen (BF). BF was created to provide a place for drug users to help themselves, understand their rights and fight against personal isolation. Also attending the meeting was my friend Mikkel; we were both moved by the staff’s generosity and brotherhood. The BF facility helps both illegal drug users and those on methadone maintenance. Active members have access to fitness, gaming, healthcare and computer rooms. After we visited their on-site drug museum, Joergen, a 35+ year user of heroin, was kind enough to do my silly little podcast and answer our questions. Mikkel and I hope you like the episode. If you can, please donate to their organization! Danish Drug Users Union BrugerForeningen 30. Korsgade 2200 Copenhagen Denmark Phone No.: +45 35 36 01 50 Fax No.: +45 35 24 52 31 E-mail adress: jk@brugerforeningen.dk Website: http://www.brugerforeningen.dk Contact person: Joergen Kjaer Here are a few websites we mentioned during the episode: Ethan Nadelmann http://vimeo.com/7587458 Ethan Nadelmann and Richard Branson http://www.youtube.com/watch? http://www.youtube.com/watch? Drug Policy Alliance http://www.drugpolicy.org Law Enforcement Against Prohibition http://www.leap.cc |
Mon, 23 December 2013
Welcome to Part One of a special Danish holiday episode of Yoshi Didn't. This podcast episode deals with one of the few major issues that really drives me crazy. Albert Einstein defined insanity as “doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." The drug war is 100% pure insanity. We have lost the war, and we all need an alternative for this important health issue.
I was very lucky to meet someone like Michael Lodberg Olsen. A social entrepreneur who has dedicated his life to helping people (starting with homeless and abused kids in Romania in the 1980s, and currently trying to pioneer creative solutions for drug users). I traveled across Sweden then to Denmark during Storm Sven, and a five-hour train ride became an 18-hour trip. But it was definitely worth the effort. Not only did Michael L. Olsen create facilities where addicts have a place to rest, eat and use drugs, he also brought several social innovations to this difficult issue. The "Illegal" van which Michael drove around Copenhagen provided a safe and clean facility for addicts to take their drugs (in addition to a driver, the Illegal van includes a doctor and/or nurse to guard against overdoses). Michael has also started publishing “Illegal!” magazine. This publication is filled with information on drug issues, artwork and photographs, and helps put a human face to addiction. Addicts sell the magazines at a markup, and keep the proceeds to maintain their habits — an alternative to crime or street prostitution. After visiting his facilities, meeting addicts both current and recovering, we did this interview. Before saying goodbye to him, I met his son and beautiful daughter. They were very happy about the snow at the park! That's when it dawned on me: Michael is not just working for justice for our dope-taking brothers and sisters; he’s also fighting for his kids’ future. Please enjoy the episode! Illegal! Magazine: http://illegalmagasin.dk/ http://illegalmagasin.dk/new- Illegal and Michael L. Olsen on Vice: http://www.vice.com/en_au/ |
Thu, 19 December 2013
Please enjoy the first episode of the Swedish series of Yoshi Didn’t! I had a talk with my new roommate, Addie Faqih, who’s a funny standup comedian as well as the owner of the best Spanish restaurant in Stockholm, La Cucaracha (www.lacucaracha.se). |
Mon, 16 December 2013
This discussion was recorded at the last minute with two of my friends: Steve Cattani and David Chien (@thedavidchien). Since it was an impromptu meeting, we ended up talking mostly about the great Greek-American director John Cassavetes and his films. I couldn't keep up with David’s and Steve's expertise, but I enjoyed it tremendously. Anyhoo, I hope this will excite you enough to watch some of Cassavetes’ work. |
Mon, 9 December 2013
On this week's episode of Yoshi Didn't, Episode 51: This Ain't the Rush Hour, we have the great Al Jackson (@aljackson). He's a standup comedian, actor, podcast master, scientist, athlete and, most important of all, a great husband and father. Talking to him was like watching The Godfather or Goodfellas: We were having so much fun, I wondered afterward where the last three hours had gone. The discussion went just about EVERYWHERE! Also, we were fortunate to have along Eric Smith (Episode 40: Mr. Smith Goes to Musicland) who let us record this episode inside his touring bus. You can follow Al here: |
Mon, 2 December 2013
For today's episode, I am delighted to introduce my longtime friend (and a fellow disciple of Carl Warmenhoven, our comedy guru from Episode 23). I first met Craig Gass years ago at Seattle's oldest and most important standup club, the Comedy Underground. Before he was a comic, Craig was a rock and roll roadie, traveling the country as a teenager. After deciding on a career in standup, he began honing his incredible talent for mimicry — and has become very famous for his dead-on impressions of Sam Kinison, Gene Simmons, Adam Sandler, Al Pacino, Tracy Morgan, and countless other celebrities. |
Sun, 24 November 2013
Welcome to Episode 49 of Yoshi Didn't. This week I welcome my friend and a great independent thinker, Rick Hall. Without Rick (and Jeff Marton aka Hatman), I would never gotten a job with porn powerhouse Evil Angel ten years ago. Rick is an incredibly smart and well-read individual with a complicated past life. While his Secret Service father was protecting the President of the United States, Rick was struggling with a heroin problem in the '80s. He was able to stop using drugs in 1990, transitioning from the music scene into the adult business. Between singing in punk bands like the Stallions and the Stupor Stars, he also wrote for the infamous Al Goldstein in NYC, and eventually moved to Los Angeles, working for Hustler's Larry Flynt, and finally for Evil Angel's John Stagliano. Currently, he's back in school, creating visual art and making his living with freelance writing. |
Sun, 17 November 2013
As an honorary Malaka (that's Greek for jerkoff), it pleases me to introduce my great pal and Greek-Canadian comedy legend, Angelo Tsarouchas. In this podcast we discussed his career in acting (Mad Men, Fred & Vinnie, Cinderella Man, Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle) and standup comedy. Angelo is, in my opinion, the best opener for Russell Peters; he's also Russell's close trusted friend. Angelo also talked about his family, and he was beaming when we got on the subject of his baby daughter and Alina, his lovely wife. |
Sun, 10 November 2013
Please support OUR great friend, Bert Kreischer! One of the greatest laugher since Ricky Gervais! Please follow him on @bertkreischer |