Funny In Failure

Michael Kahan
  • 4.5 (21)
  • Comedy Interviews
  • Updated Weekly

A podcast that interviews funny and interesting people to discuss their careers and some of the challenges they have faced. I hope to use this platform to normalise and encourage the discussion of failure, particularly through the lens of the entertainment industry, to show that it can be a stepping stone towards the road of success. Nothing is better than humour to normalise a situation, so having deep and meaningful conversations, interspersed with comedy and laughter, helps us celebrate and appreciate life's frustrating moments.

  1. 6d ago

    Jennifer Hale: 5 Years to Fail

    Jennifer Hale is an award-winning voice actor, actor, singer, and educator and advocate for performers. She founded Acting.SkillsHub.Life to open doors for working actors and newcomers alike. SkillsHub.Life is rapidly becoming one of the most trusted and respected learning platforms in the business, helping make the industry more accessible for voice actors worldwide. SkillsHub.Life recently received the NAVA Service Provider of the Year award. And then there are the credits — and there are a lot of them, one of the most in the world, she even a Guinness World Record holder for the most prolific female video game voice actor for many years. Jennifer earned the SOVAS Industry Icon Award in recognition of her outstanding contributions. Jennifer's versatility shines through in her work and The New Yorker Magazine dubbed her "A kind of Meryl Streep of the form". Jennifer received the BTVA Video Game Voice Acting Award for Best Female Vocal Performance in a Video Game for Commander Shepard in Mass Effect 3. She has also won three BTVA People's Choice Voice Acting Awards, two BTVA Television Voice Acting Awards and a NAVGTR Award, and has been nominated three separate times for Voice Actress of the Year. Jennifer is best known as Commander Shepard in the Mass Effect franchise, Bastila Shan in Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, Ashe in Overwatch, and Cinderella across Disney projects since 1995. She also voices Sam and Mandy in Totally Spies!, Rosalind Lutece in BioShock Infinite, Rivet in Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart, Samus Aran in Metroid Prime, Trinity in The Matrix: Path of Neo, Gladys in The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy, Naomi Hunter and Emma Emmerich in the Metal Gear Solid series, Avatar Kyoshi and June in Avatar: The Last Airbender, Flora in Tak and the Power of Juju, and Dory in the Finding Nemo video games.  Her superhero credits are equally massive. She's voiced Ms. Keane, Sedusa and Princess Morbucks in The Powerpuff Girls; Killer Frost in Injustice: Gods Among Us and Justice League; Felicia Hardy, AKA Black Cat, in Spider-Man; Ms. Marvel in The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes; and Jean Grey/Phoenix across numerous Marvel projects, including X-Men, Wolverine and the X-Men and Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3, as well as the Goblin Queen and Madelyn in X-Men. In the Star Wars universe, she also voices Aayla Secura in Star Wars: The Clone Wars and Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker.  And if that wasn't enough, she's also the voice — and singing voice — of Thorn from Scooby-Doo's Hex Girls. Jennifer's open dialogue about what she calls 'The Head Game' - resilience, mental health, and career longevity in this industry - coupled with her practical business perspective have made her a sought-after keynote speaker and trusted guide to many. She also gives back each month in her Patreon community 'The Haven'. We chat about the Divine Spark, her mum kidnapping her, your true definition of success, intuition and listening to it, brain/subconscious training, determination, the relationship with ourselves, resilience and resourcefulness + plenty more! Photo credit: Manfred Bauman. Check Jennifer out on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jhalegram/ Website: https://www.jenniferhale.com/ SkillsHub.Life: https://acting.skillshub.life/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGpsPwVBYd8Ls6gGkg_IF9Q/videos Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jhaletok ------------------------------------------- Follow @Funny in Failure on Instagram and Facebook https://www.instagram.com/funnyinfailure/ https://www.facebook.com/funnyinfailure/

  2. Sep 21

    Claire Coffee - Locus of Control

    Claire Coffee is an actor, writer, director, and producer who logged her first professional theater credit at age 6 in the San Francisco Bay Area. As an actor, TV/Film highlights include starring roles on NBC's long running show Grimm, The West Wing, S.W.A.T., Law and Order, so many pilots and sitcoms, and the short film Blocks (on which she also served as a producer), which premiered at Sundance and was optioned as a series for Showtime. As a director, Claire helmed the comedy and spoken word portion of APM's radio show "Live From Here" for two seasons and produced and directed Chris Thile's full length narrative orchestral piece "Attention!", which has been performed with The Knights, the LA Phil, the National   Orchestra and the Louisville Orchestra. With Chris (her husband), Claire co-created and directed the musical variety show The Energy Curfew Music Hour, available on Audible. Currently, Claire can be seen playing morally dubious DOD fixer Anna Vorpe on CBS' long running series FBI. Season 9 of FBI will be out October 5th so check it out! We chat about producing, working with her husband and the fulfilment that came from that, Grimm & the famous photo, obsession with air travel & aviation, conventions and the famous yacht, almost quitting & periods of little work, frustration, rejection, doing improv, creativity, West Wing and the role that never eventuated, fear + plenty more! Also, for the Grimm fans, I've also spoken with Sasha Roiz (Captain Sean Renard), Reggie Lee (Sergeant Drew Wu), and Jim Kouf, co-creator, executive producer and co-showrunner of the series.   Check Claire out on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/clairecoffee/ Blocks: https://www.blocksthefilm.com/ ------------------------------------------- Follow @Funny in Failure on Instagram and Facebook https://www.instagram.com/funnyinfailure/ https://www.facebook.com/funnyinfailure/

  3. Sep 14

    Sara Tomko - This too shall pass

    Sara Tomko is an actor, writer & director who best known for her role as Asta Twelvetrees in the SyFy & USA show Resident Alien. She also recurred on ABC's Once Upon a Time and has had roles on S.W.A.T., The Leftovers & Sneaky Pete. Sara had supporting roles in the indie films Bad Day for Bigfoot with Chris Elliott, Skycrash and Third Shift.  She just completed her first short that she wrote and directed 'This is Your Life, Sister'.   For the Aussies out there, Brisbane and Adelaide, Sara will be coming to Supanova at the end of oct/ early November so check it out! We chat her love of poetry and preforming live for the first time, life after Resident Alien, the moments in between work, working on the Asylum, being your own best friend, fear, following your passions, the life changing mindset shift she had as a waitress, tarot and dancing in the dark + plenty more! Check Sara out on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saratomko19 Tarot: https://calendly.com/saratomko Notes from the chat: Rewiring your brain method for smoking, sugar or other addiction is called the 'CBQ method by Nasia Davos' ------------------------------------------- Follow @Funny in Failure on Instagram and Facebook https://www.instagram.com/funnyinfailure/ https://www.facebook.com/funnyinfailure/

  4. Sep 7

    Corey Reynolds - Swing for the fences

    Corey Reynolds is one of the most versatile performers working in the business today. From his breakout Broadway debut as "Seaweed" in HAIRSPRAY (nominations for Outer Circle Critics Award, Drama Desk Award and the prestigious Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical), to seven seasons playing "Sgt. David Gabriel" opposite Emmy Award- winning actress Kyra Sedgwick on TNT's smash hit series THE CLOSER (five SAG Award nominations, two NAACP Image Award nominations and two Vision Award nominations) Reynolds has been honored for both his comedic and dramatic work. Reynolds recently starred in SYFY's "Resident Alien." The series, which ran for four seasons, follows an extraterrestrial who crash-lands on Earth with the intent to destroy the planet but develops a moral dilemma. He plays "Mike Thompson," the local sheriff who runs the town with a chip on his shoulder, a cowboy hat on his head and an iron fist. He is currently reprising his role of "Cliff Mosley" on season 8 of The CW's ALL AMERICAN. Reynolds has starred in Universal's critically acclaimed film STRAIGHT OUTTA COMPTON directed by F. Gary Gray. The film chronicles the rise of rap group N.W.A. and has Reynolds playing "Lonzo Williams", the rap group's former nightclub boss whose unwillingness to support their vision sets the stage for N.W.A.'s eventual rise to stardom. He has also starred in THE RUNAROUND starring Emile Hirsch and JK Simmons, and THE MEDDLER starring Susan Sarandon and Rose Byrne. Reynolds can also be seen in the Academy Award-nominated Paramount feature film SELMA, directed by Ava DuVernay and produced by Harpo Films. Reynolds plays the pivotal role of civil rights activist and Martin Luther King confidant, "Rev. C.T. Vivian" opposite David Oyelowo, Tim Roth and Oprah Winfrey. He was born and raised in Richmond, Va., beginning his professional career at age 16 performing around his hometown.  He went on to perform in the national and international tours of the Broadway musicals Smokey Joe's Café and Saturday Night Fever, as well as regional performances of Parade and Avenue X before his work on Broadway and his eventual move to Los Angeles. We chat about what a psychic told him, writing + his Green Lantern spec script, his love of Resident Alien, being emancipated at a young age, gut feeling and leap of faith, choosing Hairspray over The Lion King, working on cruise ships, generosity of spirit plus plenty more!   Check Corey out on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coreyreynoldsLA/ Threads: https://www.threads.com/@coreyreynoldsla ------------------------------------------- Follow @Funny in Failure on Instagram and Facebook https://www.instagram.com/funnyinfailure/ https://www.facebook.com/funnyinfailure/

  5. Aug 31

    Anthony Campos - The best is yet to come

    Anthony "Citric" Campos is a multi-talented actor, comedian, musician, and entrepreneur. He is best known for playing the role of Manolo in the TV series "Lopez" and for "Idiocracy". Anthony brings the character of Emilio to life in Hulu's Emmy-winning revival of King of the Hill, lending not only his voice but also his likeness and personality to the role. With the series' new season, which is now out, exclusively on Hulu, Campos returns as Emilio for the next chapter of the Hill family's story, reuniting with creators Mike Judge and Greg Daniels on one of television's most beloved animated franchises, now renewed for two additional seasons. Known for his authentic comedic style and commanding screen presence, Campos brings depth, warmth, and cultural relatability to a series celebrated for its honest portrait of American life. Campos pursued music in earnest. As frontman of the hip-hop group Brown Town Looters, he found his voice and his direction; the group earned international recognition and headlined Japan's annual Lowrider Super Show. In 1994, the birth of his son Eric marked a turning point. Campos stepped away from touring life to support his growing family, but when a new wave of Spanish-language hip-hop began to rise, it reignited his passion for the stage. He returned with a new creative project, Pueblo Café, blending cultural roots with a fresh sound that reflected his evolution as both an artist and a father. His artistic journey soon led him to acting. After early background roles and a stint hosting a hip-hop television show, Campos landed his breakout comedic role as the Secretary of Defense in Mike Judge's cult classic Idiocracy, the beginning of a creative relationship with Judge that has now come full circle with King of the Hill. Campos has since built a diverse career across film, television, voiceover, and gaming. He starred as Manolo, George Lopez's driver and confidant, in TV Land's critically acclaimed series Lopez, and has appeared in projects including Harsh Times opposite Christian Bale and Eva Longoria, and HBO's Silicon Valley. His voiceover credits span King of the Hill, Squidbillies, and the blockbuster video game Grand Theft Auto V, a testament to his range as a performer and his deep connection to gaming culture. Most recently. Campos has channelled his lifelong relationship with sound into entrepreneurship as the proud co-owner of Obsidian Headphones, which he leads alongside business partners Wendy Pineda and Veronica M. Buenrostro. A one hundred percent Latino-owned company, Obsidian was built on a simple mission: deliver premium sound at a price everyone can afford. For Campos, the venture is a natural evolution of a career spent behind the microphone, drawing on his years as a recording artist, his training as an audio engineer, and his voiceover work in gaming to create headphones made by people who live and breathe audio. Obsidianrepresents the full-circle moment of a life in sound, from the stages of East LA to ownership of the technology that cares music and games to the next generation of listeners. Beyond the screen, the stage, and the studio. Campos is dedicated to mentoring youth. sharing his story of resilience and perseverance to inspire the next generation to forge their own positive futures. Today, he continues to grow as a dynamic performer and Entrepreneur, and proud representative of East LA. We chat about his big break and life changing call from Mike Judge, the return of King of the Hill, being a security guard for Snoop Dog & Master, getting into rap and touring in Japan, walking away from his stable well paid job to pursue entertainment, stand up, collaboration and when the band ends, good and bad record labels, Lopez and The Hip Hop Show + plenty more!   Check Anthony out on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bigcitric/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bigcitric Obsidian Headphones: https://obsidianheadphones.com/ Website (out soon): https://www.bigcitric.com/ ------------------------------------------- Follow @Funny in Failure on Instagram and Facebook https://www.instagram.com/funnyinfailure/ https://www.facebook.com/funnyinfailure/

  6. Aug 24

    Scott Michael Foster - Sobriety, Gratitude & Creativity

    Recognized by Variety as one of its "10 Actors to Watch," actor and producer Scott Michael Foster has established himself as a versatile leading man, known for bringing humor, heart, and complexity to memorable roles across television and film. Beloved by audiences for his fan-favorite roles in Greek and Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, Scott first gained widespread recognition for his fan-favorite role as Cappie on the hit series Greek, a role he played for four seasons. During the show's run, he expanded into writing and producing, selling his original script Neighbros to Comedy Central. He is also well known for his role as Nathaniel Plimpton III on The CW's critically acclaimed, Emmy Award-winning musical comedy series Crazy Ex-Girlfriend. Joining the series in its second season, Scott quickly became a fan favorite for his portrayal of the ambitious attorney and eventual love interest to Rebecca Bunch, played by Rachel Bloom. Scott currently stars opposite Lacey Chabert in Hallmark+'s highly anticipated limited series Paris Is Always a Good Idea,. Adapted from Jenn McKinlay's bestselling novel, the six-episode series follows a woman who embarks on a journey across Europe to revisit pivotal moments from her past. Scott stars as Jason Knightly, an ambitious office rival-turned-ally who joins her along the way as they work to secure a critical donation, forging an unexpected connection in the process. Additional recent credits for Scott include starring opposite Laura Marano, Avan Jogia, and Jordi Webber in Netflix's romantic comedy Choose Love, as well as Hallmark's Return to Office opposite Janel Parrish. He also recurred on Netflix's You opposite Penn Badgley and appeared alongside Gina Rodriguez in ABC's Not Dead Yet. His extensive television credits include Californication, The River, Zero Hour, Once Upon a Time, Blood & Oil, Friends with Benefits, Law & Order: LA, Parenthood, Quarterlife, Halt and Catch Fire, The Closer and Chasing Life. On the film side, his credits include My Dead Boyfriend opposite Heather Graham, Gina Gershon, and John Corbett; IFC Films' The Pact II; The Boy Behind the Door; Heritage Day and Teenage Dirtbag. Beyond acting, Foster has continued to expand his work as a producer. He executive produced and starred in the short film Dandelions, written by Kevin Bigley and directed by Kate Cobb. The film follows a successful novelist who returns to the small hometown that inspired his work and is forced to confront the people and experiences he leveraged for personal success. Dandelions screened on the festival circuit, further showcasing Foster's commitment to championing character-driven stories both in front of and behind the camera. We chat about sobriety and the profound impact it's had, being a certified scuba diving instructor, Greek and dealing with it at a young age, being home schooled, fear, singing, love of musical theatre and performing arts, his producing work, selling his first script, being ok with not being busy (at times), Crazy Ex girlfriend and performing with it, his new show which is out now, Paris Is Always Good Idea + more! Check Scott out on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scottmfoster/ Website: https://scottmichaelfoster.com/ ------------------------------------------- Follow @Funny in Failure on Instagram and Facebook https://www.instagram.com/funnyinfailure/ https://www.facebook.com/funnyinfailure/

  7. Aug 17

    Natalie Zea - And Then What?

    Natalie Zea is an actor, writer & director. She currently stars in the CBS Drama Fire Country. Her back to back series regular roles over the past 20 years include "Dirty Sexy Money" for Greg Berlanti (2 seasons), "Justified" opposite Timothy Olyphant and Walton Goggins (6 seasons), the comedy "The Detour" for creator Samantha Bee (4 seasons), and the CBS comedy "The Unicorn" again opposite Walton Goggins. More recently, she starred in the NBC series "La Brea" for 2 seasons and recurred for 8 episodes on "Chicago Med." You may have also seen Natalie in The Other Guys, 9-1-1: Lone Star, The Following, Californication, The Shield and Passions to name a few. We chat about Passions, her challenging time in Australia, feasts or famines, periods of no work, psychic predictions, changing lanes & writing, good collaboration, how Natalie broke into comedies, her iconic scene in The Other Guys, being the queen of leaving shows, ego death + plenty more! Check Natalie out on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nataliezea/ ------------------------------------------- Follow @Funny in Failure on Instagram and Facebook https://www.instagram.com/funnyinfailure/ https://www.facebook.com/funnyinfailure/

  8. Aug 10

    Joe Sib - Primal Power of Laughter

    Joe Sib's career began in music as a singer before evolving into stand-up comedy and storytelling, where he became known for blending humor with deeply personal, relatable stories. He has released comedy specials with Dry Bar Comedy and 800 Pound Gorilla, made numerous television appearances, and toured internationally, including arena performances as part of the opening act for Metallica with Jim Bruer. Beyond stand-up, Joe co-founded the independent record label SideOneDummy Records, helping launch the careers of influential punk and alternative artists. Today, it is his ability to connect through storytelling that defines his work on stage. His Edinburgh shows out now. Joe returns to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe with his new show, Aggie – A Comedy About Moms, following his successful 2025 Fringe debut with California Calling. The show is a hilarious and heartfelt look at family, relationships, life on the road, and the stories that stay with us long after the moments have passed. We chat about leaving music to become a comedian 'later in life', Joe's Edinburgh shows, touring with Jim Bruer & Metallica, reinvention, being a magician and his love of Houdini, knowing how to get back stage (taught from his father), delusion, being fully present on stage, social media & addictions, the importance of fun + plenty more! Check Joe out on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joe_sib/ Website & tickets: https://www.joesib.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joesib22/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAYfIYCI9DBQbrAb_S-vzAw Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@joesibcomedy ------------------------------------------- Follow @Funny in Failure on Instagram and Facebook https://www.instagram.com/funnyinfailure/ https://www.facebook.com/funnyinfailure/

See All (360)

4.5
out of 5
21 Ratings

About

A podcast that interviews funny and interesting people to discuss their careers and some of the challenges they have faced. I hope to use this platform to normalise and encourage the discussion of failure, particularly through the lens of the entertainment industry, to show that it can be a stepping stone towards the road of success. Nothing is better than humour to normalise a situation, so having deep and meaningful conversations, interspersed with comedy and laughter, helps us celebrate and appreciate life's frustrating moments.

Information

  • Creator
    Michael Kahan
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    360
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © All rights reserved
  • Show Website
    Funny In Failure

You Might Also Like