The Laugh Factory Nerd World Podcast

Sebastian Scales is a stand up comedian, host of the What Happened to You Podcast, and founder of the What Happened to You Foundation. For our fellow nerds – he graduated from Cornell with a degree in engineering which launched him into a career at Microsoft, which after 2 years, he walked away from to do far far far more important work. He embraced his powerful, important and truly challenging mission of using laughter and the art of stand-up comedy to normalize conversations of trauma. He is boldly, compassionately and shamelessly (in all the most essentially healing ways) sharing the story of his childhood molestation so that others may feel comfortable and safe to talk about their traumas, whatever they may be. Not only does Sebastian emanate the deep joy, and love of life that comes from healing the scars of our past but he is a beacon for all other to follow. I feel so honored to get to share a little of his energy and story with you all today and open up a little more about mine. Together, we hope to inspire and invite you all to not hide from the things that hurt but to consider that they might be the very things that will make you smile like you’ve never smiled before and laugh like you’ve never laughed before.

Sebastian and I could talk for for ever about this topic so we had to make some cuts a long the way – so forgive the random mentions of mushrooms and other non sequesters – we swear it was super funny - but we figured we would get right down to it...

It's time for another girl guest!! Well Mary Kennedy is more than a 'girl' she is one fabulous lady, female, woman, person who not only is hilarious comedian who headlines across the country BUT she is also a kind, empathetic and thoughtful actors, teacher, Mom and all around lovely human being. Mary grew up just outside of Boston and by the time she was barely a teenager she was a roady and manager for her Mom’s band. She grew up a total nerd who never felt like she belonged, but thanks to her sense of humor and ability to fight back she made it through.

Inspired by her Mom’s career as a performer and moments like beating Ben Afleck in an acting competition, Mary chose to pursue a life in stand up comedy and acting – and I think our world is better off for it . She not only plays the Shameless hall of famer role of New Fiona, but she has been a Regular on Conan and ER back in the day

As a stand up comic she Headlines all over the country She toured nationally with Mom’s Night Out. And recently appeared in the LIVE version of Showtime’s Comedy Special, Funny Women of a Certain Age.

But my favorite thing about Mary is she is not afraid to talk about her lady parts, and all the ridiculous stuff us women go through so that other ladies will feel comfy speaking up, getting help and support each other on this sometimes weird and often sweaty journey of being a girl. Her new podcast Menopod is sooo important sooo needed and I personally am so grateful that it exists and that Mary and I got to talk a bit about it and our harps on our show today.

In this weeks BONUS EPISODE we get to hear from the fascinating Morris May who is CEO of Specular Theory one of the most innovative and exciting companies working in VR and immersive technologies today. He went from being a kid who pulled apart house hold items to make hover craft, with no interest in socializing with other kids and was told by a teacher, who clearly knew nothing about dyslexia – that he would never go to college or amount to anything and he moved to Hollywood to work in visual effects on some of the biggest movies ever made including two Oscar winners and now is working on making our world a better place through the magic of virtual reality.

Chris Porter is the kind of comedian and fella that rockstars and professional baseball players want to hang out with! His journey from being the Rudy of his High School to Netflix specials and touring with his beloved Black Crows is fun for the ear holes...and getting to listen to two dating nerds relive their attempt at ‘hanging out’ is also kinda fun.

Maija is a wise, soulful and hilarious comedian. Growing up in the midwest in a half black, half Italian family, taking her brother to the prom and fighting her way to a standing ovation on Midnight at the Apollo - this comedy nerd's resilience and tenacity will inspire you - our honest and passionate conversation certainly inspired me!