Drinking During Business Hours with Sarah Halstead and Rich Chassler | Where comedy & fine wine meet!

Sarah Halstead

Comedians - and husband-and-wife duo - Sarah Halstead and Rich Chassler, bring their love of great beverages to every conversation. Each episode features a guest from the worlds of entertainment, wine, food or culture, as Sarah and Rich dive into their stories over a drink (or two). Interesting, funny, and always a little unruly, it's the podcast where comedy meets conversation...and it's always happy hour somewhere.

  1. Jun 1

    Bob Kushell on The Simpsons, Stand Up, and Starting Over in Hollywood

    Bob Kushell on The Simpsons, Stand Up, and Starting Over in Hollywood What happens when a veteran TV comedy writer steps away from the writers' room and starts over in stand-up? In this episode of Drinking During Business Hours, hosts Sarah Halstead and Rich Chasler sit down with legendary television writer, producer, showrunner, and comedian Bob Kushell for a funny, candid, and deeply personal conversation about comedy, Hollywood, reinvention, and finding your voice again. Bob Kushell shares stories from his incredible career writing and producing some of television's most iconic shows, including The Simpsons, Dream On, 3rd Rock from the Sun, Grounded for Life, Anger Management, The Muppets, and more. He opens up about the realities of TV writers' rooms, the pressure of writing comedy at the highest level, and why stand-up comedy has become the most authentic creative work of his life. Over a bottle of 2020 Cab Franc from Absolution Cellars, the conversation explores the changing culture of Hollywood, public setbacks, personal growth, healing through comedy, and the courage it takes to begin again. If you love comedy podcasts, stand-up comedy, TV writing, Hollywood stories, creative reinvention, and behind-the-scenes entertainment industry conversations, this episode is for you. Guest Info Bob Kushell is a veteran television writer, producer, and showrunner whose credits include Dream On, The Simpsons, 3rd Rock from the Sun, Grounded for Life, Anger Management, The Muppets, and the British comedy Way to Go. In this episode, Bob shares stories from his decades in television, talks about the changing culture of Hollywood, and explains why performing stand-up comedy full-time now feels like the most authentic work of his career. Guest Social Links Bob Kushell Instagram: @bob.kushell Drink of the Podcast 2020 Cab Franc, Absolution Cellars A Central Coast California Cab Franc with a story behind it, discovered by Sarah and Rich during a trip to Morro Bay. The hosts also shout out the winery's distinctive hand-painted labels and family-run feel. Chapters 00:00 Welcome and wine intro: Absolution Cellars Cab Franc 04:40 Introducing Bob Kushell 07:10 Why stand-up now feels like home 15:45 Bob's early writing life and first TV jobs 21:30 Dream On, The Simpsons, and 3rd Rock from the Sun 34:50 The joy of making his own work 38:15 Career fallout, writers' rooms, and changing Hollywood 59:20 Returning to stand-up after years away 1:01:45 Socials, upcoming shows, and wrap-up Host Links FOLLOW US ON SOCIALS! Sarah IG @sarahhalstead https://www.instagram.com/sarahhalstead/?hl=en  FB @sarahjhalsteadcomic https://www.facebook.com/sarahjhalsteadcomic/ X @sarahjhalstead  https://twitter.com/sarahjhalstead  Website   @SarahHalstead | sarahjhalstead.com Rich IG @richchassler https://www.instagram.com/richchassler/ FB @chasslerfans https://www.facebook.com/Chasslerfans/ X @richchassler https://x.com/richchassler  Website  richardchassler.com 📧 drinkingduringbusinesshours@gmail.com 🎧 Please rate & review the podcast on your favorite platform — it helps more than you know!   If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations with comics, creators, and entertainment industry insiders. Tell us in the comments: What was your favorite Bob Kushell moment from this episode? #DrinkingDuringBusinessHours #BobKushell #ComedyPodcast #StandUpComedy #TVWriter #TheSimpsons #3rdRockFromTheSun #ComedyWriter #HollywoodStories #CreativeReinvention #SarahHalstead #RichChasler #WineAndComedy #ComedianInterview #PodcastShowNotes   x

    59 min
  2. May 25

    Danny Farber on Vertical Filmmaking, Platform Strategy, and the Future of Storytelling

    Danny Farber on Vertical Filmmaking, Platform Strategy, and the Future of Storytelling Danny Farber joins Drinking During Business Hours for a smart, energetic conversation about what it really takes to build a creative career across directing, acting, producing, and modern platform-driven storytelling. Sarah and Rich dig into Danny's rise in vertical filmmaking, his approach to respecting the platform, and why story, pacing, and audience behavior matter just as much as traditional craft. The episode also explores the balance between art and commerce, the realities of international production, and why authenticity and relationships still drive the industry forward.  As an actor, Danny has appeared in 1923, Chicago Fire, Proven Innocent, national campaigns for Chase, Home Depot, and Subway, and comedy/digital outlets including Funny or Die, Cracked, and The Onion. He trained at Second City, The Groundlings, UCB, and iO Chicago. If you're interested in vertical filmmaking, directing, acting, film production, networking, storytelling, or platform strategy, this episode is packed with useful insight from someone actively shaping the space. Guest Info: Danny Farber Danny Farber is a Chicago-born director, actor, writer, and producer based in Los Angeles. His work spans vertical dramas, music videos, commercials, branded content, and narrative film, and his projects have generated tens of millions of views across social platforms. Since 2023, he has directed more than twenty feature-length vertical dramas for platforms including ReelShort, Dramabox, Goodshort, Dramapops, and KalosTV, with productions in Los Angeles, Istanbul, London, and Vancouver. He also wrote, directed, and starred in the award-winning short film "Thoughts and Prayers," executive produced by Amy Poehler. Guest Social Links Danny Farber Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sirdannyfarber/ Website: https://www.sirdannyfarber.com/ Pretty Awesome Productions: https://www.sirdannyfarber.com/shop Thoughts and Prayers: https://www.instagram.com/reel/C8uo4EOPz5v/ Drink of the Podcast This episode features two wines on the table: a 2022 Shafer TD-9 Napa Cabernet and La Fiorita Brunello. In the conversation, the hosts describe the Shafer TD-9 as iconic with a phenomenal nose and palate, and later shift from Cab to Brunello during the interview. Danny specifically joins them in drinking wine rather than a mocktail.  Chapters 00:00 Welcome back and introduction 02:45 The business of show business 05:37 Meet Danny Farber: director, actor, producer 08:32 Respecting the platform 11:12 The art of vertical storytelling 14:02 Navigating the challenges of production 16:48 Authenticity in performance 19:13 The balance of art and commerce 22:32 International productions and global filmmaking 27:25 Building relationships in the industry 32:08 The evolution of directing and storytelling 37:43 Understanding the vertical format 47:07 Leadership, collaboration, and communication on set FOLLOW US ON SOCIALS! Sarah IG @sarahhalstead https://www.instagram.com/sarahhalstead/?hl=en  FB @sarahjhalsteadcomic https://www.facebook.com/sarahjhalsteadcomic/ X @sarahjhalstead  https://twitter.com/sarahjhalstead  Website   @SarahHalstead | sarahjhalstead.com Rich IG @richchassler https://www.instagram.com/richchassler/ FB @chasslerfans https://www.facebook.com/Chasslerfans/ X @richchassler https://x.com/richchassler  Website  richardchassler.com 📧 drinkingduringbusinesshours@gmail.com 🎧 Please rate & review the podcast on your favorite platform — it helps more than you know!   Enjoyed the episode? Like, subscribe, and share it with a comic, actor, or podcast fan who'd appreciate a real conversation about stage time, social media, comedy hustle, and taking creative risks. #DannyFarber #VerticalFilmmaking #FilmIndustry #Directing #Acting #Storytelling #PlatformStrategy #CreativeCareers #FilmProduction #Microdrama

    59 min
  3. May 19

    From Teen Dad to Touring Comic: Willie Macc on Pain, Parenting & Punchlines

    From Teen Dad to Touring Comic: Willie Macc on Pain, Parenting & Punchlines What happens when comedian Willie Macc sits down with Sarah J Halstead and Rich Chassler over a killer bottle of wine? You get one of the funniest, rawest, and most unexpectedly heartfelt episodes of Drinking During Business Hours. In this episode, Willie opens up about becoming a father at 16, building a career as a commercial actor, choosing the uncertain road of stand-up comedy, and why he's betting on himself now more than ever. The conversation dives into parenting, religion, mental health, growing up under strict rules, being on the autism spectrum, and how pain can become powerful comedy material. They also talk about Willie's upcoming special "Good Dad, Bad Father," his relationship with his son, comedy club politics, and why the long road might be the real road. If you like comedy podcasts with real depth, big laughs, and zero fake energy, this episode is for you. Guest Info Willie Macc is a comedian, writer, actor, father, and "problem solver," with his official site calling him "Your New Favorite Storyteller." His X bio describes him as going "From BET College Hill to the commercial king and touring comic." In the episode, Willie also shares that his special Good Dad, Bad Father is headed to Amazon Prime in July.  Social Links Willie Macc Website: https://www.williemacc.com/ Willie Macc X: https://x.com/funnywilliemacc Willie Macc Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/imwilliemacc/ In-episode handle/spelling: "Willie Mack on everything" — W-I-L-L-I-E M-A-C-C Willie Macc Official Site X  Drink of the Podcast 2017 Michel Chapoutier Costieres de Nimes A Rhône blend discussed in the episode as including Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, Cinsault, and Carignan. Sarah frames it as a special bottle from the cellar, opened because Willie is a guest they genuinely wanted to celebrate.  Chapters 00:00 Intro, new glasses, upcoming shows 03:22 Opening the wine and welcoming Willie Macc 07:59 The casting advice that changed Willie's commercial career 09:39 Why Willie is choosing stand-up over comfort 12:24 Becoming a dad at 16 and the origin of Good Dad, Bad Father 16:47 Religion, preacher-family pressure, and hard questions about faith 25:20 Willie's son, parenting, and autism 36:43 Fathers, grandparents, discipline, and what changes over time 43:38 The stand-up grind and comedy club politics 46:20 Mental health, dark thoughts, and staying in the fight 48:20 Braille, perspective, and Willie's dark comedy film idea 50:20 Questions for God, upcoming special, socials, and outro Drink of the Podcast 2017 Michel Chapoutier Costieres de Nimes A Rhône blend discussed in the episode as including Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, Cinsault, and Carignan. Sarah frames it as a special bottle from the cellar, opened because Willie is a guest they genuinely wanted to celebrate. Host Links FOLLOW US ON SOCIALS! Sarah IG @sarahhalstead https://www.instagram.com/sarahhalstead/?hl=en  FB @sarahjhalsteadcomic https://www.facebook.com/sarahjhalsteadcomic/ X @sarahjhalstead  https://twitter.com/sarahjhalstead  Website   @SarahHalstead | sarahjhalstead.com Rich IG @richchassler https://www.instagram.com/richchassler/ FB @chasslerfans https://www.facebook.com/Chasslerfans/ X @richchassler https://x.com/richchassler  Website  richardchassler.com 📧 drinkingduringbusinesshours@gmail.com 🎧 Please rate & review the podcast on your favorite platform — it helps more than you know! Enjoyed the episode? Like, subscribe, and share it with a comic, actor, or podcast fan who'd appreciate a real conversation about stage time, social media, comedy hustle, and taking creative risks. #DrinkingDuringBusinessHours #WillieMacc #SarahHalstead #RichChassler #PodcastClips #ComedyPodcast #StandUpComedy #GoodDadBadFather #ComedyLife #SingleDadStories #Fatherhood #EntertainmentPodcast #ComedianInterview #DarkComedy #BehindTheLaughs #PodcastRecommendations #ComedyFans #WineAndComedy #FunnyAndRaw #BetOnYourself

    53 min
  4. May 11

    Laurie Douglas on Comedy, Social Media, and Why Art Should Make People Uncomfortable

    Laurie Douglas on Comedy, Social Media, and Why Art Should Make People Uncomfortable In this episode of Drinking During Business Hours, Sarah and Rich welcome Laurie Douglas for a funny, sharp, and honest conversation about comedy, acting, artistic risk, and what it really takes to build a career in entertainment. From the grind of getting stage time in Los Angeles to balancing stand-up with acting and self-promotion, Laurie shares a real look at the hustle behind the laughs.  The episode also dives into how comedians use social media, why live audience response still matters, and why great art should make people feel something. Laurie brings a fearless perspective on finding your voice, creating your own opportunities, and staying authentic in a business that constantly demands reinvention.  Guest Info Laurie Douglas is a Los Angeles-based actor, comedian, and writer who performs across the U.S. and internationally, including the Dubai Comedy Festival. Her credits include both seasons of Laff Mobb's Laff Tracks on TruTV, multiple films on Amazon, and the short film The Hollies, which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival. Her Instagram bio describes her as a "Comedian•Actor•Gluten Advocate."  Featured Beverage Russian River Sauvignon Blanc Follow Laurie Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurie.douglas … https://www.instagram.com/laurie.douglas Chapters 00:00 Intro and upcoming shows 03:51 Laurie Douglas's journey into acting and comedy 06:37 Stage time, hustle, and building a following 08:36 Social media and the modern comedy grind 10:13 Art, risk, and why comedy should provoke 18:36 Acting vs. stand-up 23:27 Producing your own opportunities 29:17 Industry insights, future projects, and final thoughts   FOLLOW US ON SOCIALS! Sarah IG @sarahhalstead https://www.instagram.com/sarahhalstead/?hl=en  FB @sarahjhalsteadcomic https://www.facebook.com/sarahjhalsteadcomic/ X @sarahjhalstead  https://twitter.com/sarahjhalstead  Website   http://sarahjhalstead.com Rich IG @richchassler https://www.instagram.com/richchassler/ FB @chasslerfans https://www.facebook.com/Chasslerfans/ X @richchassler https://x.com/richchassler  Website  richardchassler.com 📧 drinkingduringbusinesshours@gmail.com 🎙️ Listen on Apple Podcasts … https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/drinking-during-business-hours-with-sarah-halstead/id1273935631 🎧 Please rate & review the podcast on your favorite platform it helps more than you know! Enjoyed the episode? Like, subscribe, and share it with a comic, actor, or podcast fan who'd appreciate a real conversation about stage time, social media, comedy hustle, and taking creative risks. #LaurieDouglas #DrinkingDuringBusinessHours #ComedyPodcast #StandUpComedy #WomenInComedy #ActingAndComedy #ComedyLife #HollywoodComedian #SocialMediaComedy #ArtShouldProvoke

    55 min
  5. May 4

    How Ben Gleib Reinvented Late Night on YouTube, Went Viral in Political Debate, and Helped Save Comedy During COVID

    How Ben Gleib Reinvented Late Night on YouTube, Went Viral in Political Debate, and Helped Save Comedy During COVID Hosts Sarah J. Halstead and Rich Chassler welcome comedian, creator, and disruptor Ben Gleib for a fast, funny, and surprisingly thoughtful conversation about career pivots, political courage, crowd work, and building comedy for a new era. Ben opens up about overcoming a childhood speech challenge, creating connection through stand-up, and why he's always pushed beyond the expected lane. The conversation moves from live comedy and dating confidence to the deeper purpose behind making people laugh.  This episode also dives into some of Ben's biggest career swings, including his viral Charlie Kirk debate, the launch of Nowhere Comedy during the pandemic, and his newest ambition: Good Night with Ben Gleib, a digitally native late-night show built for YouTube. It's a sharp, hilarious look at what happens when a comic combines talent, activism, and entrepreneurial instinct to build what traditional entertainment wouldn't hand him.  Guest Info Ben Gleib is a stand-up comedian, TV host, and creator known for sharp crowd work, high-energy storytelling, and building projects that sit at the intersection of comedy, media, and culture. In the episode, he discusses his work on Idiotest, his long path toward becoming a late-night host, his co-founding of Nowhere Comedy during COVID, and his launch of Good Night with Ben Gleib, a YouTube-first late-night show designed for a global interactive audience. Follow Ben Ben Gleib Website … https://www.bengleib.com/  Ben Gleib on Instagram … https://www.instagram.com/bengleib/  Ben Gleib on X … https://x.com/bengleib  Ben Gleib YouTube … hhttps://www.youtube.com/@bgleib Nowhere Comedy Club … https://www.nowherecomedyclub.com/  Good Night with Ben Gleib … https://www.youtube.com/@goodnight/videos  🍷 Featured Beverage Riondo de-alcoholized sparkling wine a de-alcoholized bubbly the hosts use to kick off a fun conversation about the difference between non-alcoholic wine and de-alcoholized wine. Chapters Chapter timings below are adapted from the episode audio and your supplied outline.  00:00 Welcome + de-alcoholized wine vs. non-alcoholic wine 03:13 Meet Ben Gleib 05:00 Why great conversations deserve to be recorded 08:45 Dating, confidence, and being "cool" 13:15 Comedy, politics, and speaking your mind 16:28 The Charlie Kirk debate and going viral 23:27 Building Nowhere Comedy during COVID 31:30 Entrepreneurship, creativity, and doing "too much" 34:35 Childhood speech struggles and finding his voice 36:50 Crowd work, comedy instincts, and serving the audience 42:10 Old material, new material, and comedy philosophy 50:45 Ben's biggest new project yet 52:28 Reinventing late night for YouTube 55:25 Where to find Ben and what's next 🎙️ Hosts 📧 drinkingduringbusinesshours@gmail.com 🎙️ Listen on Apple Podcasts 🎧 Loving the show? Please rate and review on your favorite platform. Every single review helps us reach more listeners. FOLLOW US ON SOCIALS! Sarah IG @sarahhalstead https://www.instagram.com/sarahhalstead/?hl=en  FB @sarahjhalsteadcomic https://www.facebook.com/sarahjhalsteadcomic/ X @sarahjhalstead  https://twitter.com/sarahjhalstead  Website   @SarahHalstead | sarahjhalstead.com Rich IG @richchassler https://www.instagram.com/richchassler/ FB @chasslerfans https://www.facebook.com/Chasslerfans/ X @richchassler https://x.com/richchassler  Website  richardchassler.com 📧 drinkingduringbusinesshours@gmail.com 🎧 Please rate & review the podcast on your favorite platform — it helps more than you know!   #DrinkingDuringBusinessHours #BenGleib #ComedyPodcast #LateNightTV #YouTubeComedy #StandUpComedy #CrowdWork #NowhereComedy #PoliticalComedy #PodcastShowNotes

    59 min
  6. Apr 27

    Fizaa Dosani on Going Viral Without Selling Out | Comedy, Culture & Mental Health

    Fizaa Dosani on Going Viral Without Selling Out | Comedy, Culture & Mental Health Stand-up comedy is changing fast and Fizaa Dosani is right in the middle of that evolution. In this episode of Drinking During Business Hours, hosts Sarah J. Halstead and Rich Chassler sit down with the comedian, actor, writer, and creator of Facial Recognition Comedy for a funny, honest, and unfiltered conversation about authenticity, sobriety, social media, diversity in comedy, and the unpredictable future of stand-up.  Fizaa opens up about building a career without losing her voice, why organic conversations matter more than polished performance, and how comedians are adapting to a world shaped by algorithms, short-form content, and shifting audience expectations. The episode also dives into mental health, family, creative balance, and the cultural impact behind Facial Recognition Comedy, the nationally touring show and podcast she created in response to tokenism and underrepresentation in entertainment.  If you care about stand-up comedy, podcasting, creator culture, representation, or what it really takes to stay authentic online, this episode is for you. About Fizaa Dosani Fizaa Dosani is a Los Angeles-based stand-up comic, actor, writer, and producer who has performed at major festivals including Netflix Is a Joke Festival, New York Comedy Festival, and SF Sketchfest. Her screen credits include The Lincoln Lawyer, Dear White People, Snowfall, How to Get Away With Murder, The Company You Keep, Pivoting, and S.W.A.T. She is also the creator of Facial Recognition Comedy. Follow Fizaa Dosani Website: https://www.fizaadosani.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fizaadosani/ Linktree: https://linktr.ee/fizaadosani Facial Recognition Comedy: https://www.facialrecognitioncomedy.com/ If you enjoyed this conversation, like the video, subscribe to the channel, and drop a comment with your take on the future of stand-up comedy: Is authenticity winning over polish? Chapters 00:00 - Organic conversations vs scripted interviews 02:22 - From performance roots to comedy 04:34 - Self-worth, therapy, and balance in entertainment 06:49 - How comedians are adapting post-pandemic 09:12 - Mocktails, sobriety, and mental health 12:21 - Social media comedy: creating vs performing 15:19 - Diversity and inclusive lineups in stand-up 18:36 - Directing, acting, and behind-the-scenes industry insight 22:22 - Family, ambition, and choosing your own path 26:59 - The origins of Facial Recognition Comedy 31:42 - Building comedy community and supporting other comics 43:58 - Remembering comedy legends and their legacy 46:29 - Industry saturation and how comedy evolved 50:23 - How TV and the internet changed stand-up 54:50 - Balancing performing, producing, and evolving And if this episode made you laugh, think, or rethink the business of comedy, share it with a comic, creator, or podcast fan who needs to see it.   #FizaaDosani #DrinkingDuringBusinessHours #ComedyPodcast #StandUpComedy #FacialRecognitionComedy #SarahJHalstead #RichChassler #ComedyIndustry #PodcastInterview #MentalHealthInComedy

    57 min
  7. Apr 20

    From ChoCo Krispies Commercials in Colombia to Netflix Is A Joke Fest: The Brittany Ross Story

    From ChoCo Krispies Commercials in Colombia to Netflix Is A Joke Fest: The Brittany Ross Story Sarah J. Halstead and Rich Chassler sit down with the wonderfully funny and refreshingly honest Brittany Ross, a Los Angeles-based comedian, actress, writer, and podcast host whose life story reads like a comedy special waiting to happen. They kick things off with some Passover prep banter before diving into the kind of real, warm conversation this show does so well. Brittany opens up about navigating identity and religion as a self-described "late in life Jew," the very specific chaos of being a working comedian and a mom at the same time, and how her comedy keeps evolving right along with her life. She walks us through a journey that starts with ChoCo Krispies commercials in Colombia as a kid, runs through a cheerleading scholarship in Hawaii, lands on the set of Forgetting Sarah Marshall, and eventually finds its true home on the stand-up stage. She also gets into the competitive world of voiceover work, why stand-up gave her back a sense of agency she never quite had as an actor waiting for the phone to ring, and the sheer Wonder Woman energy of comedian Jodi Miller, who clearly left a mark. Plus: merch, childhood hustles, the pandemic gut punch, and what it actually feels like when family life and a comedy career finally click into place. A genuinely heartfelt and hilarious hour with someone who figured out that the best move was just to create her own lane. 👤 Guest Bio Brittany Ross is a Los Angeles-based stand-up comedian, actress, writer, and podcast host with a career as colorful and surprising as her origin story. Born in Texas and raised across multiple countries, she booked her very first acting gig at age 6 in Bogota, Colombia: a ChoCo Krispies commercial in Spanish. She followed the hustle through several countries before landing at Hawaii Pacific University on a three-time national champion cheerleading scholarship. A TV and film acting class in Hawaii changed everything. She booked a role in Forgetting Sarah Marshall, packed up for Los Angeles, and spent the next decade building a steady TV comedy career, most notably playing Courtney in a recurring role on ABC's The Middle, with appearances on 2 Broke Girls, The Rookie, and more. Craving the creative control that acting rarely offers, she discovered improv at UCB, fell in love with live performance, co-created The Craigslist Monologues, started performing at The Moth, and eventually landed in stand-up, where she found her people. She produces and hosts Awkward Stand Up, a monthly show at The Virgil in Silver Lake, and performed at the Netflix Is A Joke Fest. She also hosts Full Out, a podcast where she digs into the personal stories and passions of her guests. She is officially managed by her six-year-old daughter. Follow Brittany 🔗 Instagram: @iambrittanyross | TikTok: @iambrittanyross | YouTube 🎙️ Full Out Podcast: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Instagram: @fulloutpod   CHAPTERS     0:00 Introduction and Passover preparations 3:09 Welcoming Brittany Ross: a comedic journey begins 5:53 Balancing comedy and parenthood: the real talk 9:06 Navigating identity and religion: "I'm a late in life Jew" 11:59 How comedy material evolves as life changes 15:14 Acting background: from Colombia to Hawaii to Hollywood 18:00 Voiceover work: competitive, connection-driven, and not what you think 20:50 Why stand-up gives you something acting never can: control 24:59 The Wonder Woman of comedy: a tribute to Jodi Miller 25:55 The Full Out podcast: what it is and why she made it 26:47 Before the spotlight: personal stories and unexpected passions 28:34 Merchandising and the art of selling yourself 30:45 Childhood hustles: flips for tips and lemonade stands 32:49 Navigating parenthood and a comedy career at the same time 35:55 The pandemic's impact on live stand-up and what came after 39:46 The path from acting to stand-up: patience, timing, and instinct 43:47 Finding the right balance between family life and the comedy road 46:05 Upcoming shows, future plans, and where to follow Brittany  📣 Calls to Action 🎙️ Listen to Brittany's podcast Full Out on Apple Podcasts and Spotify 📲 Follow Brittany on Instagram @iambrittanyross | TikTok | YouTube 🎤 Catch Brittany live at Awkward Stand Up at The Virgil in Silver Lake: check @iambrittanyross for upcoming dates 🎧 Rate and review the show on your favorite podcast platform 🍷 Featured Beverage Raise a glass to Passover, parenthood, and the long winding road to finding your voice.     🎙️ Hosts Sarah IG @sarahhalstead https://www.instagram.com/sarahhalstead/?hl=en  FB @sarahjhalsteadcomic https://www.facebook.com/sarahjhalsteadcomic/ X @sarahjhalstead  https://twitter.com/sarahjhalstead  Website   @SarahHalstead | sarahjhalstead.com Rich IG @richchassler https://www.instagram.com/richchassler/ FB @chasslerfans https://www.facebook.com/Chasslerfans/ X @richchassler https://x.com/richchassler  Website  richardchassler.com 📧 drinkingduringbusinesshours@gmail.com 🎧 Please rate & review the podcast on your favorite platform - it helps more than you know!  📧 drinkingduringbusinesshours@gmail.com 🎙️ Listen on Apple Podcasts 🎧 Loving the show? Please rate and review on your favorite platform. Every single review helps us reach more listeners.     #DrinkingDuringBusinessHours #BrittanyRoss #StandUpComedy #ComedyPodcast #WomenInComedy #FullOutPodcast #Motherhood #ComedyMom #JodiMiller #Passover #NetflixIsAJokeFest #TheMiddleABC #ForgettingSarahMarshall #VoiceoverWork #AwkwardStandUp #ComedyAndParenting #LateInLifeJew #ComedianLife #ActingVsComedy #FindYourVoice

    49 min
  8. Apr 15

    We Drink for a Living But Not Tonight (Mocktail Episode)

    We Drink for a Living But Not Tonight (Mocktail Episode) No guest? No problem. Hosts Sarah J. Halstead and Rich Chassler fly solo in one of the most wide-ranging and entertaining episodes yet, fueled not by wine, but by Malto Benny's Pink Grapefruit Sparkling Water.  They dive deep into the shifting alcohol landscape: why Gen Z is putting down the bottle, the ongoing debate over wine's health benefits, how premium wine is holding strong while budget bottles tank, and the unexpected role cannabis taxes played in nudging millennials back to booze.  Then it's tour recap time as they relive their recent Pacific Northwest comedy run, including a truly unforgettable front-row heckler who absolutely would not quit. The conversation evolves into a thoughtful breakdown of what it actually takes to move from featuring to headlining in stand-up, with shoutouts to comedy legend Zoe Friedman and the vital nonprofit Comedy Gives Back.  They also make a passionate case for going back to the movies, share highlights from Pike Place Market in Seattle and a wine tasting in Woodinville, Washington, and close with a call for listener wine recommendations.  Candid, funny, and surprisingly informative, this one's a keeper.     🎤 About the Hosts Sarah J. Halstead and Rich Chassler are the co-hosts of Drinking During Business Hours, the podcast where comedy, wine, and real talk collide. Veteran stand-up comedians based in Los Angeles, Sarah and Rich have spent decades performing in clubs across the country and bring that hard-earned road wisdom to every episode, whether they're interviewing industry legends or just catching each other up on life. This solo episode is proof that the best conversations don't always need a guest.     ⏱️ Key Topics & Timestamps Time Topic 0:00 Welcome & Mocktail Intro: Malto Benny Pink Grapefruit Sparkling Water 2:00 Is Alcohol Bad for You? The great wine health debate 6:30 Gen Z not drinking & the cannabis connection: how weed taxes boosted booze 10:00 Premium wine is thriving, cheap wine is not: what's happening in the market 14:00 Pacific Northwest Comedy Tour recap: highlights from the road 17:00 The Heckler Story: the front-row nightmare they'll never forget 21:00 Featuring vs. headlining: the real skill set required to level up in stand-up 24:00 Shoutouts: Pat Wilson, Zoe Friedman & Comedy Gives Back 29:00 Why you should go back to the movies: a passionate defense of the theater experience 34:00 Seattle adventures: Pike Place Market & Woodinville wine tasting 38:00 Listener love & a call for your best wine recommendations     📣 Calls to Action 🌐 Support Comedy Gives Back at comedygivesback.com … https://www.comedygivesback.com/  🍷 Send your best wine recommendations to drinkingduringbusinesshours@gmail.com 🎭 See Sarah live at sarahjhalstead.com/tour-dates … https://www.sarahjhalstead.com/tour-dates  🎭 See Rich live at richardchassler.com … http://richardchassler.com  🍇 Plan a Woodinville wine tasting trip at woodinvillewinecountry.com … https://woodinvillewinecountry.com/  🐟 Visit Pike Place Market in Seattle at pikeplacemarket.org … https://pikeplacemarket.org/ 🎬 Go to the movies – you know what to do 🎧 Rate & review the podcast on your favorite platform 📲 Follow the show on social media and join the conversation     🫧 Featured Beverage Malto Benny Pink Grapefruit Sparkling Water – the mocktail making its Drinking During Business Hours debut. Crisp, citrusy, and surprisingly episode-worthy. (Small-batch brand, ask your local specialty retailer.)     🎙️ Hosts   📧 drinkingduringbusinesshours@gmail.com 🎙️ Listen on Apple Podcasts … https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/drinking-during-business-hours-with-sarah-halstead/id1273935631 🎧 Enjoying the show? Please rate & review on your favorite platform – every review helps us reach more listeners!     #DrinkingDuringBusinessHours #ComedyPodcast #WinePodcast #StandUpComedy #PodcastLife #WineLovers #Mocktail #SoberCurious #GenZVsAlcohol #WineHealth #PremiumWine #HecklerStories #ComedyTour #HeadliningComedy #PacificNorthwest #SeattleWine #WoodInvilleWinery #PikesMarket #ComedyGivesBack #MaltoBenny #MovieTheater #WineRecommendations #ComedianLife #PodcastRecommendations #WeeklyPodcast

    24 min
4.9
out of 5
41 Ratings

About

Comedians - and husband-and-wife duo - Sarah Halstead and Rich Chassler, bring their love of great beverages to every conversation. Each episode features a guest from the worlds of entertainment, wine, food or culture, as Sarah and Rich dive into their stories over a drink (or two). Interesting, funny, and always a little unruly, it's the podcast where comedy meets conversation...and it's always happy hour somewhere.