Industry Standard w/ Barry Katz

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Yohay Sponder: The Story Behind The Stand Up Jul 01, 2026

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Yohay Sponder is an Israeli stand-up comedian, actor, writer, and producer who has become one of the most recognizable English-language comedians to emerge from Israel. Sponder began performing stand-up after his military service and quickly established himself at clubs throughout Tel Aviv.

His performances have earned him a worldwide audience, making him one of the leading voices in contemporary Israeli stand-up comedy.

Ask Me Anything #20: Comic Personas, The Difficulties With Producing and Working With Agents Jun 23, 2026

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In this episode, we talk about the challenges of producing complex shows, the difference between who comedians are onstage and offstage, and what it’s like working with agents from a manager’s perspective.

Faizon Love: Acting, The Apollo & Starting Comedy at 15 Jun 16, 2026

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In this episode, Faizon Love reflects on starting stand up comedy at just 15 years old, pursuing a career before his family even knew he was performing. He shares stories from his early days at the legendary Apollo Theater with Steve Harvey, the lessons he learned coming up in the business, and what it was like working alongside Will Ferrell and Kevin Hart on film sets.It’s a conversation about taking chances early, learning through experience, and building a career in entertainment one opportunity at a time.

Erica Rhodes: A Natural Performer, Comic Timing & Career Growth Jun 02, 2026

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In this episode, we sit down with Erica Rhodes to discuss the experiences that led her into comedy, including how a failed audition unexpectedly pushed her toward performing at her first open mic. She shares how she displayed natural comic timing from a young age and how those early experiences helped shape her path as a comedian.

We talk about the impact of her popular Don’t Tell Comedy sets and how opportunities like those can help comedians reach new audiences and grow their careers. Erica also shares insights into the evolving challenge of stand-up, explaining how “killing” on stage can feel inconsistent as your standards and expectations rise over time.

The conversation dives deep into the realities of being a comedian and staying true to your voice while building a lasting career in comedy.

Ask Me Anything #19 Produced Shows, Creating Opportunities, & International Comics May 27, 2026

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A highlight of this week's episode covers years of producing comedy shows and how carefully building a lineup can shape the entire energy of a night. Producing your own show isn’t just booking funny people , it’s understanding rhythm, momentum, tone, and audience psychology. Creating a lineup is almost like arranging scenes in a movie or album.

Overall vibe of the episode explains how comedy is both an art form and a survival skill. Where originality, adaptability, and persistence matter just as much as getting laughs.

Lahna Turner: Comedy Journey, Family, & Co-Directing "Come What May" May 27, 2026

Show notes

Lahna Turner is a stand up comedian, writer, musician, and filmmaker whose career has been deeply shaped by the balance between comedy, motherhood, and life on the road. Known for blending personal storytelling with music and sharp observational humor, Turner built a career while also raising a family alongside her late husband, comedian Ralphie May. Their relationship, both onstage and off, became a major part of her creative life, as she supported May through the height of his comedy career while continuing to develop her own voice in stand up.

Through both her comedy and filmmaking, Lahna Turner’s work reflects resilience, honesty, and the reality of trying to hold together family, creativity, and life in entertainment, even when the spotlight becomes difficult to carry.

Little Miss Sunshine Producer David Friendly on Trusting Your Instincts | ISP May 13, 2026

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Academy Award-nominated producer David Friendly (Little Miss Sunshine, Big Mama's House) sits down with Barry to talk about his journey from concert promoter to Hollywood heavyweight. He opens up about the decisions that made him, the ones that didn't, and what it really takes to survive a 25+ year career in the film business. If you want to know how the best producers think, this is the one.

Bob Saget on Comedy, Loss, and Life at 60 | ISP Mar 31, 2026

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Bob Saget sits down with legendary comedy manager Barry Katz for a raw, wide-ranging conversation covering Bob's new stand-up special 0 to 60, his early days performing at the Improv and Catch a Rising Star, managing Louis C.K. and landing him opening spots for Jerry Seinfeld, the Larry David guitar act story, losing both sisters to illness, raising $46 million for scleroderma research, directing dark comedy films, Full House, working with Rodney Dangerfield, Garry Shandling, and his advice to young comedians on originality, craft, and doing the work. A must-watch for comedy fans, aspiring stand-ups, and anyone who's ever been through adversity and come out swinging.Blueprint for Successhttps://barrykatz.com/blueprintAre you a comedian, actor, writer, director, producer, manager, host, podcaster or agent? Would you like personalized help to reach all of your goals in the entertainment business? Click the link to learn more & join our FREE industry networking group full of decades of experience!Barry Katz Entertainmenthttps://barrykatz.comConnect with Barryhttps://www.instagram.com/barrykatz/https://www.facebook.com/BarryKatzOfficialPage/https://www.tiktok.com/@barry_katzhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/barrykatzbkehttps://x.com/BarryKatz

Charles Fleischer: The Man Behind the Voices Mar 25, 2026

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In this wide-ranging podcast interview, comedian, actor, and entertainer Charles Fleischer — best known as the voice of Roger Rabbit — opens up about his career in stand-up comedy, character work, vocal dynamics, and multi-character performance. Fleischer discusses his comedic inspirations, including Jonathan Winters and Groucho Marx, his comedic triangle philosophy, early stand-up experiences at folk clubs and comedy clubs, performing alongside Robin Williams and Richard Pryor, his approach to improv and character voices, representation in Hollywood, his book Out of My Mind, presenting at the Academy Awards, and his enduring passion for entertaining, inspiring, and connecting with audiences through comedy, storytelling, and creative performance.Blueprint for Successhttps://barrykatz.com/blueprintAre you a comedian, actor, writer, director, producer, manager, host, podcaster or agent? Would you like personalized help to reach all of your goals in the entertainment business? Click the link to learn more & join our FREE industry networking group full of decades of experience!Barry Katz Entertainmenthttps://barrykatz.comConnect with Barryhttps://www.instagram.com/barrykatz/https://www.facebook.com/BarryKatzOfficialPage/https://www.tiktok.com/@barry_katzhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/barrykatzbkehttps://x.com/BarryKatz

Every Part Of The Industry With Harry Basil! Mar 17, 2026

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In this episode, legendary comedian and entertainer Harry Basil shares his incredible journey from a tough childhood in New Jersey to becoming a standout act at the iconic Comedy Store and beyond. He dives into his early inspirations, the hustle of breaking into Hollywood, and the unconventional, high-energy style that set him apart—eventually earning him standing ovations and recognition from comedy legends like Rodney Dangerfield and Robin Williams. Along the way, Harry reveals behind-the-scenes stories of the comedy boom era, his rise through stand-up, acting, and directing, and the key lessons that helped him turn raw ambition into a lasting career in entertainment.Blueprint for Successhttps://barrykatz.com/blueprintAre you a comedian, actor, writer, director, producer, manager, host, podcaster or agent? Would you like personalized help to reach all of your goals in the entertainment business? Click the link to learn more & join our FREE industry networking group full of decades of experience!The Social Media Blueprint:https://www.theindustryblueprint.com/social-media-blueprintBarry Katz Entertainmenthttps://barrykatz.comConnect with Barryhttps://www.instagram.com/barrykatz/https://www.facebook.com/BarryKatzOfficialPage/https://www.tiktok.com/@barry_katzhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/barrykatzbkehttps://x.com/BarryKatz

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