Hot Breath! (Learn Comedy from the Pros)

Latest episodes

Showing 20 · updated from the feed

Episode #6 - Lavar Walker

This throwback episode is from the show's first season happening over 10 years ago. Hot Breath! started as a way to showcase Atlanta comics on Last Comic Standing. I want

Sep 16
58 min

Episode #5 - Mia Jackson

This throwback episode is from the show's first season happening over 10 years ago. Hot Breath! started as a way to showcase Atlanta comics on Last Comic Standing. I want

Sep 14
1 h 01 min

Episode #4 - Noah Gardenswartz

This throwback episode is from the show's first season happening over 10 years ago. Hot Breath! started as a way to showcase Atlanta comics on Last Comic Standing. I want

Sep 9
48 min

Episode #3 - Drew Thomas

This throwback episode is from the show's first season happening over 10 years ago. Hot Breath! started as a way to showcase Atlanta comics on Last Comic Standing. I want

Sep 7
44 min

Episode #2 - Caleb Synan

This throwback episode is from the show's first season happening over 10 years ago. Hot Breath! started as a way to showcase Atlanta comics on Last Comic Standing. I want

Sep 2
55 min

Episode #1 - Rob Haze

This throwback episode is from the show's first season happening over 10 years ago. Hot Breath! started as a way to showcase Atlanta comics on Last Comic Standing. I want

Sep 1
46 min

Hot Breath! Update - What's Next?

Hey Hot Breathiverse, I'm excited to jump back on the podcast to update you with what's next for the show and community. After my baby arrived last year, I took a break

Sep 1
2 min

May Contest Winner John Beel - The Music of Comedy

This month's contest winner Johnny B joins us to share the surprising connection between music and comedy and how you can start writing better jokes faster. Join next mo

Jun 1
21 min

March Contest Winner Colin Chapman

First time winner Colin Chapman joins the show to share his unique approach to churning out so many jokes in just two weeks. Join next month's contest here: https://cle

Mar 29
25 min

Clean Comedy Contest Winner John Manasco

February contest winner John Manasco joins us to share his creative process behind writing a winning set in just two weeks. He shares a lot of great writing techniques

Feb 23
22 min

Clean Comedy Contest Winner Dan Ratner

The January contest winner Dan Ratner joins us to share his writing process to creating a tight set in just two weeks. We also discuss how to find time to write and perfo

Jan 26
19 min

I recorded this at 1AM just for you...

Get the Clean Comedy Workshop here: https://stan.store/Joelbyarscomedy/p/learn-clean-comedy-now

Dec 17 2025
1 min

November Clean Comedy Contest Winner Chris Shull

Our November Clean Comedy Contest winner Chris Shull joins us to share his unique writing process, how to balance a day job and comedy + MORE. More info about Chris Here

Dec 8 2025
29 min

Ian Lara - Finding Your Voice, New York Comedy Grind, Imposter Syndrome + MORE

Ian Lara describes the real, uneven path of a touring comic: some cities sell out, others are thin, and that’s normal. He emphasizes controlling what you can like stage c

Dec 1 2025
37 min

Greg Warren - Touring with Nate Bargatze, How to Write Viral Jokes, Joke Writing Techniques + MORE

Greg Warren joins us to share his 20+ years of comedy expertise for comics to learn and apply to their own careers. He shares his favorite writing techniques and how his

Nov 24 2025
23 min

Rafi Bastos -Finding Your Comedic Voice, Building a Fanbase Online + MORE

Rafi Bastos joins us to share his journey from starting comedy in Brazil to become the country's most famous comedian before moving to America and rebuilding his fanbase

Nov 20 2025
35 min

Joe Sib - Touring with Jim Breuer, Opening for Metallica, DIY Comedy Grind + MORE

This episode of Hot Breath! dives deep into the DIY spirit of comedy with punk-rock veteran turned stand-up, Joe Sib. From fronting bands and opening for Metallica to tou

Nov 10 2025
1 h 14 min

Morgan Gallo - Expert Social Media Tips, Getting Booed by 6K People, How to Write Consistently + MORE

Morgan Gallo breaks down her 3-year sprint from writing-room newbie to Denver studio owner with 100K+ followers. We get into filming every set, turning trauma into bits,

Nov 3 2025
50 min

October Contest Winner Sandy Bernstein - How to Turn Dirty Jokes Clean, New Comic Writing Tips, Conquering Stage Fright + MORE

Our October Clean Comedy Contest winner Sandy Bernstein joins us to share How to Turn Dirty Jokes Clean, New Comic Writing Tips, Conquering Stage Fright + MORE. More inf

Oct 27 2025
26 min

Caitlin Peluffo - Viral Social Media Tips, Crowd Work Advice, Doing 30 Mics Per Week + MORE

Caitlin Peluffo tells Joel Byars how she went from grinding 30+ open mics a week to crushing at the Comedy Cellar—while keeping her act protected in a clip-drunk world. S

Oct 20 2025
57 min

Chart trend

Position in the Stand-Up chart (US), last 90 days.

#1#54#107JunJulAugSep

#31

all-time peak

173

days in the top 50 since Nov 2024

Chart positions

Where Hot Breath! (Learn Comedy from the Pros) ranks today in each Apple Podcasts chart (US, Sep 20, 2026).

#31 ▲ 13 Stand-Up US

What listeners say

A curated, balanced selection of Apple Podcasts reviews.

If you be ever wondered how comedy works this is the podcast! The host, Joel is entertaining as hell and needs to be followed. He always has interesting guests. Glad I found it.

ak jones · Jan 2016

Informative, Funny, Entertaining, just HOT!!! HOT!!! HOT!!! Joel Byars brings the inside scoop on the comedy business and stories on what happens on the stage and so on with the different comedians and entertainers on his show. As a guy that does stand up the stuff that the comedians say on the show about the comedy business is true. He'll have comedians on the show that talk about being booed on stage, performing for certain crowds, and interesting stuff going on throughout the world from pop culture to politics. If you just want to listen to a talk show with real talk or need something caffeinated for your ears. Hot Breath is the podcast to listen to.

Mr Truman Show · Dec 2015

Always full of insights about emerging comedians and often hilarious, I am truly a fan of this podcast!

mrdilettante · Dec 2015

Great podcast man something to listen to when your at work school or jus have nothing better to do with your time lol seriously I call it comedy college you see comedians that are up and coming rising to stardom the same ones in the comedy club with you as a young comic so you know it's possible to make it Joel ask really good and interesting questions to interview these rising stars yet sarcastic in his own way he's Hilarious a great host I might add something I look forward to listen to as a young comedian keep up the good work man proffesor byars because class is now in session #comedycollege

Benny Pitts · Dec 2015

We strive to present a balanced view by showing a diverse range of reviews from Apple Podcasts.