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.

3 DAYS AGO

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/

1h 3m
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/

1h 3m
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
11/12/2025

Bulldozer

In this episode, Rob and Adam dive into the challenges of handling heavy offers, navigating information overload, and figuring out how to deal with unexpected “bulldozers” that can derail an improv scene. They break down practical strategies, share examples, and explore how to keep scenes playful, collaborative, and fun. Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/

52 min

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Inventorpreneur Fenton Kwan revolutionized nuclear energy by combining it with cutting-edge AI in one adorable package: the Kuju. But when Kwan and his company disappear without warning, society is left scrambling to keep the lights on. In Kwantum, Amateur tinkerer Ying and her loyal Puppycat Kuju, Luna, embark on a quest to repair the Kuju that keeps Ying’s ailing grandmother alive, but end up encountering a much bigger problem than a few busted bots. TRANSCRIPTS

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COMEDY FICTION
On a Dark, Cold Night is the ideal podcast for horror-lovers with insomnia; a sinister friend to tell you bedtime/ghost stories. The podcast involves Your Narrator telling you a spine-chilling yet soothing ghost story every week. Launched in January, 2018, the show is written, performed and produced by Kristen Zaza

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PERFORMING ARTS
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
Self Esteem Party Podcast is the perfect blend of comedy and honesty. Each week Alana Johnston interviews one of her showbiz pals and dives right into the core of who they are in this hilarious and painfully real podcast that explores all things Self Esteem. Alana playfully guides her friends through their own self-exploration while simultaneously cracking them up. Each guest reveals a different struggle with their own self esteem, self image and self care. They're powerful, relatable conversations interspersed with Alana's exuberant comedy.

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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
Join Damien Doepping and Cody Crain every Monday for…. SPOOKED! The improvised scary story podcast, where it's never scary and it's sometimes a story.

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IMPROV