Jimmie Whisman is a comedian and the co-host of the podcasts Small Town Murder and Crime in Sports. In this episode, Nate and Jimmie talk about what it’s actually like being in comedy (it’s not all laughs) and how he got started with his podcasts. Here’s a quick summary!
On how he got started podcasting:
- Started comedy at 23 – did one open mic and it went horribly, so he quit for 7ish years
- Was unhappy with his life and heard somebody in a similar situation call in to the Howard Stern show and say that they wanted to be a comedian
- Howard’s guest said: if you want to do it, you better get started now because it doesn’t get easier as you get older
- Jimmie took that as advice directly for himself
- Howard’s guest said: if you want to do it, you better get started now because it doesn’t get easier as you get older
- Went and did the same open mic and did much better
- From there he started finding other shows and doing other rooms
- Started getting better and falling in love with it
- Did a show with 25 other comedians and the booker of the club took a liking to him
- That booker got him into a contest which Jimmie placed in, which turned into an opening spot at 6 weekend-shows with Jim Jeffries
- After that, he was booked regularly, which is how he met his co-host James Pietragallo
- Jimmie & James became good friends while being regulars at the comedy club together
- They decided that they had no endgame in comedy, so they decided to start a podcast together, Crime In Sports
- Then they started another podcast, Small Town Murder, which grew faster than Crime In Sports
- Jimmie has grown a ton through the experience
On his view on life:
- Life is about balancing risk vs. reward – he risked a lot starting comedy at 30
- Have to decide if you can manage all of the risks, especially in comedy
- Lots of people that get into comedy very young and then struggle with growing up
- Have to be aware of your testosterone and make sure that you’re managing yourself well
- Starting therapy at a younger age has really helped him
On therapy:
- Everybody needs therapy, not just those that are really struggling
- Sometimes you don’t really realize what has impacted you in the past, and how it can impact your life as an adult
On following a career path similar to Jimmie’s:
- Find out why you want to do it and then think really hard about who you are
- Understand that timing is everything
- If you don’t have 100% drive and belief in the product, don’t do it
- It’s going to hurt, so make sure you’re in the right place mentally
- Understand that you’re competing with tons of incredibly talented and famous people
- Be yourself or produce something fantastic
Following and supporting Jimmie & his podcasts:
- Check out Crime In Sports:
- Check out Small Town Murder:
- Follow him on Twitter: @WhismanSucks
- Follow him on Instagram: @WhismanSucks
