Unbridled and Unfiltered with Russ Flicker and Lori Rothman

Lori Rothman and Russ Flicker

The Unbridled and Unfiltered Podcast is hosted by lifelong friends Lori Rothman and Russell Flicker. The two have lots to say about society and culture as 50-somethings navigating through the ebbs and flows of life.

  1. 07/11/2025

    Unbridled and Unfiltered featuring Kim Burns and Mina Hartong (Stage Time, Community, and Creative Grit)

    In this hilarious and insightful episode, Russ and Lori sit down with comedians Kim Burns and Mina Hartong to talk about the grind of stand-up comedy, the art of writing jokes, the importance of stage presence, and the balance between creativity, careers, and family life. From navigating late-night shows to teaching comedy and even writing for TV, Kim and Mina share how they’ve built careers in stand-up while inspiring the next generation of comics. Whether you’re a comedy fan, an aspiring comic, or just love unfiltered conversations, this episode is packed with laughs and wisdom. ⭐ Topics include: Life as a working comedian in New York and beyond Writing vs. performing: how comics develop their best material Overcoming stage fright and “bombing” with confidence Comedy communities that lift each other up Balancing careers, family, and creative pursuits Introduction & Late-Night Energy vs. Early Nights (00:00) Parenting, Proms, and the Comedy of Everyday Life (03:12) Juggling Comedy with Family and Career Commitments (06:18) Guest Introduction: Kim Burns Joins the Show (08:49) Hosting Comedy Shows & Keeping Material Fresh (10:50) The Writing Process: Finding Material Everywhere (12:46) Teaching Comedy & The Importance of Brevity (15:06) Comfort, Confidence, and Stage Presence (20:08) Kim Burns’ Journey: From Decorating to Stand-Up (21:09) Lessons from Tough Crowds & Awkward Gigs (24:36) Kim’s New TV Project “Relentless” (31:06) Guest Introduction: Mina Hartong Joins the Show (34:58) From Teaching to Comedy: Building a Community (36:22) Stage Time, Nerves, and the Power of Reps (41:05) Building a Supportive Comedy Network (46:53) Smart Humor, Audience Attention, and Control (49:37) Wrapping Up with Mina: The Comedy Community (50:34) 👉 Don’t forget to subscribe to Unbridled and Unfiltered for more candid conversations with comedians, creators, and culture shapers. 🎧 Available on Spotify, YouTube, and all major podcast platforms.

  2. 04/28/2025

    Unbridled and Unfiltered w/ Russ & Lori | Market Chaos, Tariffs, and Food Comedy w/ Rebecca Berman

    In this episode of Unbridled and Unfiltered, hosts Lori Rothman and Russ Flicker dive into the chaotic stock market, trade wars, and how financial uncertainty trickles into everyday life — with plenty of laughs along the way. Special guest comedian and social media influencer Rebecca Berman joins to share her journey from real estate to comedy, the art of handling hecklers, and the beauty of food-driven humor. This episode is packed with real-world lessons, honest advice, and hilarious stories for anyone looking to break into the world of stand-up comedy.---(01:00) – Financial Panic Hits HomeLori shares a funny story about explaining market chaos to her daughter.(02:00) – Laughing Through Financial CrisesComic relief as Lori and Russ discuss rich friends, jewelry shopping, and handling stock market whiplash.(04:00) – Russ’s Tariff Comedy SetRuss shares a standout joke about tariffs, Vietnam, and unexpected economics.(05:00) – Boba Tea, Gelatinous Balls, and Plastic JunkLori rants about unnecessary imports like boba tea and dangerous dog toys.(09:00) – Introducing Rebecca BermanComedian and influencer Rebecca Berman joins the conversation with her signature wit.(11:00) – Rebecca’s Comedy Origin StoryHow a monologue class with Jeffrey Tambor unexpectedly launched Rebecca’s stand-up career.(13:00) – Food, Comedy, and Social Media StardomRebecca explains how her passion for food and restaurants turned into a social media brand.(16:00) – First-Time Stand-Up ExperiencesRebecca recounts the nerves and lessons from her first-ever stand-up set.(18:00) – Managing Stage FrightThe group shares real strategies for calming pre-show nerves — from vodka to visualization.(22:00) – Handling Hecklers and Tough CrowdsRebecca talks about staying composed during crowd work and unexpected audience reactions.(28:00) – Knowing Your AudienceThe hosts discuss how audience demographics can affect a set — and how to adapt quickly.(30:00) – Final Thoughts + Closing LaughsTechnical glitches, sincere thank-yous, and a strong message for aspiring comedians.

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

The Unbridled and Unfiltered Podcast is hosted by lifelong friends Lori Rothman and Russell Flicker. The two have lots to say about society and culture as 50-somethings navigating through the ebbs and flows of life.