The Backline

The Sonar Network

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EDUCATION
UPDATED WEEKLY

Canadian Comedy Award winners Rob Norman and Adam Cawley discuss weekly improv-based topics based on a theme.

24 MAR

Awareness VS. Agency

This week Rob and Adam discuss how to create interiority in a character, how focussing too much on heightening can create undesired outcomes, and how intentionally burning your own Game of the Scene can make for a more interesting, and psychologically complex character. Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/

53 min
10 MAR

Is it a Scam?

This week, Rob and Adam discuss shady improv classes, incompetent improv teachers, and what to do when you’re dissatisfied with your experience in the classroom. Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/

42 min
3 MAR

A Surprising Way to Teach Improv

This week Rob and Adam discuss different methods of teaching improv, what's the best way for a teacher to get their ideas across, and how context changes a teacher's lesson plan. Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/

26 min
23 FEB

Is this the End of the Second City e.t.c?

This week, Rob and Adam unpack a major shake-up at The Second City. Starting January 22, 2026, the historic e.t.c. Stage shifts from scripted sketch to Improv Supernova, a fully improvised show—the first change in its 43-year history. They explore why the move makes sense now and what it means for the future of Second City, improv, and sketch comedy. Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/

1hr 3min
17 FEB

Shame, Scene Hogs, and Everything Else

Rob and Adam answer three questions from a single listener. This week they discuss shame, greedy scene partners, and how to strengthen your comedic muscles offstage. Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/

1hr 3min
12 FEB

To Care or Not to Care

This week Rob and Adam discuss the delicate balance between telling jokes and caring about the reality of the scene, when it makes sense to care in your scene, and how to start investing in the reality more. Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/

53 min
5 FEB

Fresh Start

We all make mistakes—but how do we recover when they happen onstage? Is there a magic phrase an improviser can use to win the audience back? This week, Rob and Adam discuss the best strategies for recovering after bombing a scene. Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/

44 min
23/12/2025

The Backline Holiday Special 2025

This week Rob and Adam reflect on the year and give spread thanks to improv communities across the world: Ann Arbor, Chris the Cameraman, mentorship from Greg Yates, and never giving up on the dream of a Magnet House team. Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/

36 min

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A look at the best and worst moments of unscripted TV history, from cult documentaries to trashy early 2000s reality tv. High-brow analysis of the low-brow trash we love.

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AFTER SHOWS
Para(normal) is a weekly entertainment, comedy, and non-investigative paranormal podcast where hosts, Marie Adoranti & Nicolina Savelli share tales of ghostly experiences – from famous hauntings to listener submitted hometown haunts, and special guest encounters – it’s like listening to spooky stories at a slumber party with your best friends.

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COMEDY INTERVIEWS
Evil Men is a podcast hosted by three comedians - Chris Locke, James Hartnett, and Michael Balazo. Each episode, they select a single evil man, bad person, or fictional character and discuss what made them so damn evil - all while joking their heads off. You’ll hear some super interesting nuggets of information about dubious historical or cultural figures, provided by three guys who don’t actually know what the hell they’re talking about. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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COMEDY INTERVIEWS
In this podcast we explore movements, sects, or interesting things about the world of religion. We aren't historians we just google it and talk about it.

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COMEDY INTERVIEWS
A podcast of comedy, interviews, gags, curiosities, laughs, bloopers, boners, cuddling sessions, medical oddities, long stories ending with a funny pun. Think "Prairie Home Companion" with less nose whistling.

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COMEDY INTERVIEWS
Based on a true story, Summer Camp: The Case of the Phantom Pooper follows camp director Mookie as he struggles to solve a string of seriously smelly pranks. Join Mookie and his team on this whimsical caper, and find yourself transported to the best place on earth: summer camp.

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TRUE CRIME