Stand-up comedian Ali Macofsky is a chameleon. She breaks down contouring and YouTube makeup tutorials to Deanna & Emily, tells us about The Running Man Challenge, and explains why she’s concerned for her vagina.

Stand-up comedian Troy Walker joins Andrew all this week to answer some racism questions. Today they discuss if it’s racist for a white guy to use black emojis. Be sure to call us at (323) 389-RACE to ask if anything is racist.

Put on your white sneakers, drink some Kool-Aid and follow your Supreme Leader Jack O’Brien for a deep dive this week into the world of cults. 

There are so many cults all around us and they exist in many forms. The picture in your mind may be of a secluded ranch with some long-haired guy trying to sleep with as many women as possible, but that isn’t the only type of cult out there. Yes there are your Scientologies and your Heaven’s Gates, but Apple is a cult too. So is Disney. 

One of the most powerful cults in the world right now is ISIS. They have a government and an army, but their mission and ideology aligns more with a cult than with a country.

All these facets of cultism are discussed on this week’s show. Jack O’Brien is joined by author Karen Stollznow to discuss why America is such a good breeding ground for cults. Later, author Steven Hassan talks about mind control and how he now spends his time counseling former cult members.

Make sure to buy tickets to our next live podcast taping where we get heavy and talk about the afterlife, maaan! What if there’s no heaven and hell and we’re all just a hologram inside the mind of an ancient computer simulation? What if the Zoroastrians were right and it doesn’t matter how good you are in your life, you just have to cross a rickety bridge guarded by two four-eyed dogs to reach eternal salvation?

Join Jack, Dan, and Michael on Saturday, July 16th at 7pm at the UCB Sunset Theatre in Los Angeles as they try to figure out what it all means. They’ll be joined by comedians Casey Jane Ellison and Ramin Nazer to discuss their favorite afterlife scenarios from movies, sci-fi and lesser-known religions.

Tickets are only $5 and available here: https://goo.gl/yvf76j

Footnotes:

Karen Stollznow, ‘God Bless America’: http://goo.gl/fsKlSu

Cracked: Amway: 5 Realities of the Multi-Billion Dollar Scam http://goo.gl/Eff3SS

Cracked: 5 Insane Lessons From My Christian Fundamentalist Childhood: http://goo.gl/wfXGsB

Cracked: 5 Things I Learned as a Sex Slave in Modern America: http://goo.gl/VNlYXh

Cracked: 5 Ugly Things You Learn as a Sex Slave in the Modern World: http://goo.gl/pNoyuU

Freedom of Mind (Stephen Hassan’s Website): https://goo.gl/9nKvnK

Stefan Molyneaux – Free Domain Radio (YouTube Cult): https://goo.gl/LDKGMd

The Globe and Mail: Stefan Molyneaux: http://goo.gl/ZZTeCs

ABC News: Speaking in Tongues: https://goo.gl/RKfrRi

This episode is sponsored by Wiener-Dog from IFC Films, Squarespace, Blue Apron, an Now Hear This Podcast Festival.

This is a historic moment for Happy Sad Confused. Anna Kendrick is now officially a 3 time guest on the show! She joins Josh this week to talk about Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates, writing her book Scrappy Little Nobody, and much more.

Comedy legend Dana Carvey (Secret Life of Pets, Saturday Night Live) joins the Comedy Bang! Bang! First Timers Club! Dana takes us through a myriad of micro-impressions before meeting HP-DP-69B (the Hewlett-Packard Sex Robot) aka Little Button Puss. Plus, a 7-year-old who calls himself Little Dammit Man wanders into the studio to join in on the fun.

This episode is sponsored by Avion Tequila, Spotify, Wiener-Dog from IFC Films, and Now Hear This Podcast Festival.

As a special treat for Chunt, I’ve paid for Foon’s biggest band to make an appearance.

Credits

Arnie: Arnie Niekamp

Chunt: Adal Rifai

Usidore: Matt Young

nymbee: Storm DiCostanzo

Grundle: Paul Sabourin

Blemish: Martin Wilson

Mysterious Man: Tim Sniffen

Producers: Arnie Niekamp, Evan Jacover, Ryan DiGiorgi

Editor: Chris Rathjen

Theme Music: Andy Poland

Magic Tavern Logo: Allard Laban

Audio Assistance: Jason Knox

Production Assistant: Garrett Schultz

This episode is sponsored by Cards Against Humanity, Now Hear This, and Loot Crate.

Paul F. Tompkins welcomes all celebrating Independence Day to this week’s episode of Spontaneanation! This week, Paul’s special guest is actor and man of a million voices Phil LaMarr! They chat about the last item he donated to charity, the story behind the Hamburglar, and shopping in the women’s section of Goodwill for sketch costumes. Paul is then joined by Craig Cackowski, Nyima Funk, and Marc Evan Jackson to improvise a story set in a Comic Book Shop. And as always, Eban (only the best) Schletter scores it all on piano! 

The next live edition of Spontaneanation happens Saturday, August 6 at Largo at The Coronet! Join Paul & Eban as they welcome improvisors Dan Ahdoot, Tim Baltz and Tawny Newsome, and special interview guest Desmin Borges from You’re The Worst! Tickets are on sale now!

This episode is sponsored by Mack Weldon, Now Hear This Podcast Festival, Squarespace, Loot Crate, and Leesa.com.

This week, Devin and Amy discuss the Stuart Gordon film “Re-Animator.” They consider the challenges of adapting H.P Lovecraft into film and how Gordon’s stage work helped his direction. A debate on the necessity of “fun” gets heated, and we get a preview of next week’s episode, where two Paul Thomas Anderson films will be pitted against one another. Does “Re-Animator” belong in the Canon? Head to the Earwolf forums to cast your vote!

A sneak peek of Negin Farsad’s new show “Fake the Nation,” coming to Earwolf on July 8th! Subscribe now and you won’t miss a thing. Take that, American political system!

Gun control has always been a hot debate, but Jeffrey Rosen says the courts have been remarkably consistent on the issue. That’s not the only Supreme Court knowledge the President of the National Constitution Center drops in this week’s conversation – you’ll hear why he jumped from journalism to law school, how a former Supreme Court Justice predicted cyberspace way back in the 20s, and what the Court has to weigh in on next.

This episode is sponsored by Crown & Caliber, Helix Sleep, and Blue Apron.

Andrew Ti and special guest Brett Gelman (Brett Gelman’s Dinner in America) finish the week off by discussing how to lifeguard without being racist. As always, leave us a message about anything you think is racist at (323) 389-RACE.

Timothy Simons barges in not wasting any time and gets into a live reading of “I’m Comic Sans, Asshole.” by Mike Lacher. Then, Robyn Clark treats us to a reading of “I Saw Hamilton So Now I’m Going To Orphan My Son” by Katie Schorr. Later, Nate reads a chapter from the novel The Friends of Eddie Coyle by George V. Higgins. Finally, in honor of the 4th of July, Robert Baker walks through a patriotic reading of the Declaration of Independence. Make sure to pick up a copy of next month’s book for our book club, “The Girls: A Novel” by Emma Cline Once you’re done reading, call us at (702) 751-READ and let us know what you thought!

This episode is sponsored by Loot Crate.

Hello souls and welcome back to the non-denominational Worship Hour with your host Reverend Dr. Anita Love (Lauren Ashley Smith)! It’s the safe space in which we can talk about our hearts, souls, and take vibe requests. On this very special episode, we welcome back the dearly missed Simone Jones. Simone had been missing for 19 months and shares what it was like to be in a cult run by a single teenager for all of that time. Later, Traci Reardon arrives to help her Twitter followers with their questions and vibe requests in another edition of “Help Me, Rhonda.”

This episode is sponsored by All In by Simona Ahrnstedt, Squarespce, and Blue Apron.

Incredible comedian, impressionist, and actor Jay Mohr returns to the calming shores of Sklarbro Country! Jay joins Randy and Jason to chat about hosting the NHL awards, LeBron James’ “I’m coming home” letter, witnessing one of the greatest rewrites in the history of Saturday Night Live, and his relationship with Buddy Hackett. Plus, we hear Jerry Jones’ response to ex-quarterback Jake Plummer’s recent comments about him.

This episode is sponsored by Squarespace, Rhone Apparel, Jack Erwin, and Legal Zoom.

The handsome Kristian Bruun of Orphan Black joins Ronna and Beverly to chat about working alongside the many clones of Tatiana Maslany, getting struck by lightning while he was on dinghy, and what’s going on with his love life. Plus, the ladies share their thoughts on Brexit. Happy 4th of July!

This episode is sponsored by All In by Simona Ahrnstedt, Squarespace, and Third Love.

Hilarious housewives fanatic Robin Shorr (Galavant, The Middle) joins Casey and Danielle in the nook. Robin reveals reveals why she thinks cocaine is the silent cast member on RHNY and why communes are the best place to see people having sex outdoors. The ladies also discuss Luanne’s shady, crab ridden past and the sadness that is Coto de Caza insurance. And as a special treat, Casey reviews this weeks RHOC minutes after waking up from an anesthesia induced slumber post root canal.

This episode is sponsored by Ring and Ibotta.

This week Erin discusses her post Beyoncé performance emotions, and Bryan shares the lies and songs he used to con his boyfriend into dating him. Also, the pope says the church should ask forgiveness for the way they treated women and gay people, but that’s just a baby step, and Supreme Court justices say hell naw to Texas TRAP laws. Plus guest Jen Kirkman is here to talk about temp work, bulk shopping at Top Shop, and her new book “I Know What I’m Doing and Other Lies I Tell Myself”.

Brett Gelman (Brett Gelman’s Dinner in America) joins Andrew to talk about whether it’s racist or not to assume that black people will beat you up for being racist. Make sure to leave us a message about anything you think is racist at (323) 389-RACE.

A QOD Twitter follower asks, “Seeing as how our ancestors have lived off the land for thousands of years, why is there severe hunger in parts of the world today?” James insists that the problem is caused by humans having been dominated by another species on the planet. Stephen is hesitant to accept James’ answer, but eventually finds compelling evidence to bolster his theory. Our hosts also tackle the political costs of trying to fight famine, and come up with solutions involving cryptocurrencies, steak-like substances, and tax amnesty to fight corruption.

With the filming of the Denzel Washington directed Fences being complete, we ask the question, “Who played Troy Maxson better on Broadway? Denzel or James Earl Jones?” Plus, Kamau and Kevin discuss Grey’s Anatomy actor and activist Jesse Williams’ powerful BET awards speech.

Check out the clip of Denzel and James Earl Jones in Fences here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jE2dDmMGfa4

This episode is sponsored by Blue Apron and Loot Crate.

Brett Gelman was previously banned on the show but Scott has since lifted the ban on his old friend in order for him to tell us about his new Adult Swim special “Brett Gelman’s Dinner in America.” However, Brett seems as though he has something else on his mind that he needs to share about his dear friend. Later, pet medium Chris Dante arrives to communicate with Brett and Scott’s ghost pets. Finally, travel consultant Ydeda Elaine Brown stops by to give everyone some much needed travel tips.

This episode is sponsored by Wiener-Dog from IFC Films, Leesa.com, SeatGeek, Bonobos, and Stela.

Clearing the deck with John Butler.

This episode is sponsored by Bonobos and Loot Crate.

Live from the 18th annual Del Close Marathon in New York comes this week’s episode of improv4humans! Ian Roberts, Matt Walsh, John Gemberling, and Ben Schwartz join Matt Besser for a historic live recording where we’ll hear scenes about peeing on your teacher’s car, trying to find a shammy for your nipples, and getting someone to clean up after a Purge. Then, we’ll find out what it takes to deal with trainees at a Greyhound station and why it’s crucial to pronounce a name correctly.

Brett Gelman (Brett Gelman’s Dinner in America) and Andrew talk about the Washington Redskins mascot. Make sure to leave us a message about anything you think is racist at (323) 389-RACE.

Twanna Hines and Dr. Hilda Hutcherson answer YOUR questions about improving your sex lives as parents, and people. To join the conversation about this episode, go to longestshortesttime.com!

This episode is sponsored by Home Chef, Ibotta, Icon Undies, Fracture, and Alarm.com.

Are you a desperate 22-year-old girl with no money, no job prospects, and no idea where to go in life? Our hosts James and Stephen obviously don’t fit into that demographic, but they’re fielding a question asked by such a person. On today’s episode, the guys talk about business concepts and ideas an entrepreneurial young person could develop in lieu of having a 9-5 job, or ones that could be developed while working at one.

Mark and Pete are live from the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC! Pete tells us why all libraries are abominations. Mark explains why camels are Jewish horses. Jimmy Williams (MSNBC, DecodeDC) reminisces about being a staff ass for Dick Durbin. Nancy Pelosi (Jessica McKenna) shares her Georgia O’Keefe sex dreams. And Paul Ryan (Ben Kissel) has not slept in weeks. It’s all happening in our nation’s capital!

This episode is sponsored by Blue Apron.

The one and only Kevin Pollak is a wonderful character actor who has recently experienced what it’s like behind the camera as a director. Kevin joins Leonard to talk about all the lessons he learned directing his first indie comedy The Late Bloomer. He also tells us why his roles in Deterrence, The Usual Suspects, and Avalon are important to him. Plus, Christopher Walken makes an appearance.

This week, comedian Brent Weinbach takes a break from bending body parts on “Mind Jack” to join Howard and Kulap for a discussion on headphone condoms and berry pizza, all while listening to Shazam’s Top 5 Songs. Later, they get philosophical about virtual reality while listing CraveOnline’s Top 5 Video Games of the Summer, and Howard recalls his time in the womb during Two Charted!