What's Up With Me?: Recent Episodes
Connor Kwiecien
A podcast about what's up with me, Connor Kwiecien, a comedian and content creator.
Learn where comedy is—or might—take me, how I'm making ends meet as a comedian, and how I'm trying to bring laughter to the people.
Welcome to the new What's Up With Me! What's up with you? How you doing??
Before going further, I messed up. It's not the "Shots in the arms, money in the pockets." or the "Hope is here" campaign. It's the "Help Is Here" tour.
If you've been following the podcast, you're used to me stream of conscious rambling about Curbside Comedy and other stand-up comedy pursuits. To be honest, my life isn't that interesting to talk about me for 20 minutes every other week, so I figured it was time for a change.
I'm a comedian and content creator. Let's make content and be funny. We're starting off the episode with a new segment called "News I Saw." Sometimes the news we read is important. Sometimes it's not. Thanks to social media, we're all getting different versions of the news, so I'll share the news I saw including:
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NFL Free Agency
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Joe Biden & COVID-19 Relief
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March Madness
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The Grammys
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Harry Styles
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Adam Driver & Lady Gaga in sweaters
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Goldman Sachs 95 Hour Work Weeks
I said not all of the news is important.
After the news I saw, we're diving into some content creation. This week I'm working on voice-overs and audio mixing. I hope you like the brief, motivational ad I made.
We wrap up the show with Trevor Glassman and I sitting down earlier talking about his ability to network and roast. Trevor and I have been through a lot together. Literally an entire pandemics worth of stand-up comedy. We started Curbside Comedy together and he's a great sounding board to help me grow as a comedian.
Check Trevor out on Instagram @thetrevorglassman
Tune into his radio show "HAYWIRE! with Trevor Glassman" B Posi+ive Radio. You can call in Monday at 12pm ET/11am CT at (904) 413-1828
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/connor-kwiecien/message
With the beginning of March comes the end of the #CastConnorOnSurvivorCampaign. This month, I've watched 12 seasons of Survivor, spent countless hours doing math problems that're probably irrelevant and making some sketches that took longer to set up production than film.
All that hard work didn't go to waste—I made my fourth application which I make on this here episode. We'll see where it all goes from there.
While I enjoyed having a funnel to channel my creative energy, I'm glad to not be spending countless hours staring at a screen wondering, "How can I shoot all that with only one person?"
Two more sketches were made at over the last two weeks. For those of you who are only listening to audio, head over to the YouTube channel to watch.
Where do we go from here? Clearly, a more sustainable pursuit. I'm going to be working on the YouTube channel trying to learn more about how that platform works and in the process find a way to get myself establishing some good lifestyle habits.
To send me a question, connect with me on Instagram, @connor_kwiecien, via email, comedy@connorkwiecien.com, or head to my website connorkwiecien.com.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/connor-kwiecien/message
What's up with me? Just trying to get cast on Survivor. How about you?
This month I've been stockpiling evidence for why I should be cast on Survivor in my #CastConnorOnSurvivor campaign. It's time to lay out what I have so far. If you see this Jeff—nice.
Empirical Evidence
In 13 days, I've watched 7 seasons of Survivor. I'm a student of the game.
An abundance of support has come my way on social media. I sincerely appreciate the people who've reached out, including those who thought I've already made it onto the show.
I made a sketch because why not?
Cold Hard Statistics:
At the beginning of February, I put out an Instagram poll that asked, "Would I do well on Survivor?"
Here is the data I received in return.
- Yes: 28
- No: 8
"P" denotes the probability of a certain event occurring or a certain parameter being true for a certain population
P prime, sometimes referred to as “P-hat” and henceforth to as p’, is a reliable representation of p only if the sample is large enough and is truly random.
The formula for p’ is X/n.
X = the number of successes n = the size of the sample
Our Variables:
n= 36 X=28
therefore,
p’= 28/36 = 0.7777777778
What do we do next?
What we’re trying to calculate is a 95% confidence level, henceforth CL, in our sample. To do this we must calculate the Error Bound Proportion, or EBP.
EBP = (z (alpha/2) * (squareroot ((p’q’)/1n)
where q’ = 1 - p’
q’ = 1 - 0.7777777778, so q’ = 0.2222222222
Since CL = 0.95, then α = 1 – CL = 1 – 0.95 = 0.05
Therefore, (a / 2) = 0.025.
But we still need to do that z thing.
Use the TI-83, 83+, or 84+ calculator command invNorm(0.975,0,1) to find z0.025
To save you the trouble (z ( alpha / 2 ) = 1.96.
Now that we have our whole formula, we can calculate
EBP = 1.96 * (squareroot ( ( 0.7777777778 * 0.2222222222 ) / 36) = 0.1358083051
Therefore, Connor Kwiecien’s Instagram @Connor_Kwiecien estimate with 95% confidence that between 90.58% & 63.42% think that I would do well on Survivor.
I'm 100% confident it is at the upper limit.
Do you see an error in my math? Let me know!
Check out my YouTube channel to view my application videos coming out this week and let me know if you think I've got what it takes to win the title of sole survivor.
To send me a question, connect with me on Instagram, @connor_kwiecien, via email, comedy@connorkwiecien.com, or head to my website connorkwiecien.com.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/connor-kwiecien/message
For the last three years, I've submitted an application to be on Survivor. It's a Christmas present for my mom. Last year, I asked Jeff Probst and the Survivor team to either cast me or write my mom a letter explaining why I didn't get on the show. I never got the letter, and I haven't been on reality TV. Needless to say, my mom and I are disappointed.
This month, I'm launching a campaign I'm calling Cast Connor On Survivor (#CastConnorOnSurvivor #DoingThisForHisMom.) I'm putting the chips on the table and seeing if I can finally get my mom the gift she truly deserves.
The campaign is built around two sources: cold, hard statistics and empirical evidence. I took to Instagram last week (@Connor_Kwiecien) and learned 78% of people, also known as friends who probably wouldn't be mean enough to say they didn't think I could do it, think I'd do well on Survivor. Good enough for me. Let's run the numbers for those cold, hard stats.
Check out my YouTube channel to view my application videos coming out this week and let me know if you think I've got what it takes to win the title of sole survivor.
To send me a question, connect with me on Instagram, @connor_kwiecien, via email, comedy@connorkwiecien.com, or head to my website connorkwiecien.com.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/connor-kwiecien/message
Do you think I've still got what it takes to defend my a hotdog eating contest title? Do you think I'm lying about winning a hotdog eating contest? Are you thinking of inappropriate jokes about me eating so many hotdogs? You're not the only one.
This past week, with Curbside Comedy shows still coming together, I was hitting up some open mics and someone in the audience graciously bought me a hot dog to see how fast I could eat it because of my favorite jokes. They got the laughs they wanted, so I'm happy with it.
I'm looking for more questions for the next episode. To send me a question, connect with me on Instagram, @connor_kwiecien, via email, comedy@connorkwiecien.com, or head to my website connorkwiecien.com.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/connor-kwiecien/message
Welcome to 2021! I hope you have at least one New Year's resolution still in tact.
Inspired by a friend who reached out saying they started working on their comedy skills (in part) because they listened to my podcast "Small Town Radio," I wanted to give some advice. I want to share how you can get started in stand-up comedy.
Getting started in stand-up comedy is extremely easy. I break it down into one "must-do." Getting good at stand-up comedy is a bit more consuming.
Thank you to the very funny Daniel Toppani for asking a question in which I have no answer to. Starting this month, if you ask me a question for "What's Up With Me?" you'll be entered into a raffle for one free piece of content that I'll make for you free of charge. Obviously, the content made has to be within reason. I will edit your podcast for free, but I will not shoot your TV pilot (unless it's the second coming of Always Sunny in Philadelphia.)
To send me a question, you can connect with me on Instagram, @connor_kwiecien, via email, comedy@connorkwiecien.com, or head to my website connorkwiecien.com.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/connor-kwiecien/message
The final episode of the year. I'll be back on the first Monday of 2021.
With it being the final episode of 2020, rather than take questions I figured it's a nice time to reflect. This year, I've lived in four states, was uprooted from the place I thought I'd call home for the next half decade, moved back in with my parents at 24 years old, lived with a dog, returned to living in Florida (a state which I lived in before and never thought I'd be back to do it again) and raised over $5000 for charity during a global pandemic. So, some stuff kinda happened.
After sharing some tweets that I have (I am now on and active on Twitter) and a new content series I'm working on called Animals and Sounds, I go over five takeaways from this year. Here they are if you need a list:
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I'm better not alone
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Phone addiction is a thing
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Hustle is a currency
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Passion is a language
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I have a great family
Enjoy the holidays. For those who have followed this podcast, thank you. As I find my rhythm, you'll be able to look back and say, "Man, this things gotten much better.
To send me a question, you can connect with me on Instagram, @connor_kwiecien, via email, comedy@connorkwiecien.com, or head to my website connorkwiecien.com.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/connor-kwiecien/message
I've moved to Tampa, FL for the winter and maybe beyond. Since I said it so late in the episode, I'll put it early on here: if you live in the Tampa/St. Pete/Clearwater area, or know anyone who does, book a Curbside Comedy show. You can book a show by heading here: https://www.curbsidecomedy.org/
Going through this move, and another life transition, I realized that I'm a lot calmer than at the beginning of COVID-19. I think that's in large part due to working on my mental health and understanding my priorities in life. I love stand-up comedy. And, more so I love bringing people joy. That's what I try to do with stand-up. I'll be the first one to make fun of myself for simplifying stand-up comedy to such a cheesy, lackluster, 12-year-old-trying-to-please-his-parents answer, but that joy is a large part of my motivation. Seeing that Curbside Comedy could grow into something that allows me to do exactly what I love has allowed other priorities to fall into place behind it which allows me to deal with my anxiety towards the unknown.
As for getting COVID-19, I've made a full recovery. Thank you for asking :)
To send me a question, you can connect with me on Instagram, @connor_kwiecien, via email, comedy@connorkwiecien.com, or head to my website connorkwiecien.com.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/connor-kwiecien/message
Yeah, I got it. I got COVID from a roommate who isn't entirely sure how he got it because he was being safe too. It's just one of those reminders to be extra careful. Thankfully, I'm on day seven of symptoms and at the time of release the worst I've gotten is night sweats and a light runny nose.
So with my personal health not so much in question, the question becomes how sane can I be isolating in my room for two weeks. You might be able to tell in this episode I get a little rambley, but hopefully I'm still coherent.
I'm fortunate that the goal of the last month (which also has had no shows, so no one who's been to a Curbside Comedy should feel like they've been put at risk) has been building the business of Curbside Comedy. A talented friend has helped me to build a website that's home to the branding and messaging of the business, and another friend designed a logo. All of that coming together is hopefully adding to the legitimacy of the business which in turn will help grow Curbside Comedy into what I believe it can be. More on all this in the episode.
The next real step is putting it all into action. For the winter, the idea of moving has been in the back of my head for months. As of the day of releasing this episode, I'll be signing a lease to move to Tampa, FL. The move will happen after COVID-19 quarantining is complete. For those listening or watching in New England, I'll be back. I've got family here.
To send me a question, you can connect with me on Instagram, @connor_kwiecien, via email, comedy@connorkwiecien.com, or head to my website connorkwiecien.com.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/connor-kwiecien/message
I've told this story a number of times at Curbside Comedy shows, but I’m not usually forthcoming with it unless I’m asked. However, this week I got a great question about mental health and how I deal with it. That naturally lead to me sharing my personal story of how mental health lead me to stand-up comedy.
I like to think that I'm a person who has some progressive ideas about mental health. I think we should be open about it. I think we should have conversations and learn about mental health and be understanding when our friends and family share their experiences. However, I'm still behind when it comes to putting actions behind ideals. I know I've struggled with my own mental health, but I've never sought out professional help because I've always been functional. Yet, there's a big difference between getting by and doing well.
The question about myself dealing with mental health this year set off an avalanche of awareness that I've never spent 15 solitary minutes considering my mental health and what I do for it. It's mostly been a minute here ad a minute there. But after 15 minutes in this episode you can see it really would benefit me to have a clearer plan of action for keeping myself mentally healthy. That's why I love the questions, and that's why I like asking the question, "What's up with me?"
To send me a question, you can connect with me on Instagram, @connor_kwiecien, via email, comedy@connorkwiecien.com, or head to my website connorkwiecien.com.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/connor-kwiecien/message
At a recent Curbside Comedy show booked at a independent living facility, I thanked the audience and said, "There's no live comedy without a live audience." And, a woman responded, "We're only half alive." Nothing beats the honesty of the elderly.
As the seasons change, so does my life. Shows have slowed down, my reading of Harry Potter has picked up, and the business behind Curbside Comedy is looking stronger than ever. I firmly believe that Curbside Comedy is much more than the two-man show it's currently seen as, but there's belief and there's action. With more time due to the slowdown in bookings, I've refocused my energy to figure out the branding behind the business. While there's always more to think about, I firmly believe the business of Curbside Comedy stands on three pillars:
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Be Funny
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Support Up-And-Coming Comedians
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Support Communities.
But, as my good friend and funny comedian Alex Richards asked, "What's the plan for Curbside Comedy when the snow starts to fly?" Well, that's just something you've got to learn about by listening to the episode.
Outside of comedy, I'm launching a Kickstarter for Good News: A Podcast, a show I created that's been listened to in more than 60 countries and featured as a top podcast of the week by Anchor.
Click here to support Good News A Podcast.
To send me a question, you can connect with me on Instagram, @connor_kwiecien, via email, comedy@connorkwiecien.com, or head to my website connorkwiecien.com.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/connor-kwiecien/message
When the byproduct of your goal is raising money for charity, what else can you ask for?
Since the last episode of "What's Up With Me?" Curbside Comedy has surpassed raising $5000 for charity. The charities Trevor Glassman and I have supported so far are Direct Relief, Comedy Gives Back, The Jason R. Flood Memorial, and Newport Mental Health.
When Curbside Comedy started, the goal was simple: get stage time. In stand-up comedy, stage time is gold. When COVID-19 shut things down, the gold rush was over—or so we thought. Then, up onto my parent's front porch Trevor and I went to perform for less than 10 people (following the guidelines in New Hampshire at the time.) Now, 40 odd shows later and multiple people allowing lawful trespassing in their backyard in return for some jokes, we've helped support local and national communities as a byproduct of trying to find stage time.
How did we get to $5000? What does it mean to me? And, what's next? That's exactly what I address in this episode.
A number of people asked me great questions this week. I love answer your questions because they give me a chance to reflect. A large part of this podcast is having an opportunity to sit down, think and check in on myself. This week's questions are: who are some women I look up to in comedy? Shout outs to Lee Lan (@iwantpomeranians) and Espi Rivadeneira (@espionage921) If I could go back, what would I tell my pre-COVID self? And, what's a funny family story?
The more I think about what Curbside Comedy is and what it's allowed me to do, the more I realize this is just the beginning of a journey. I couldn't be more excited to see where it goes and how much more money it can raise for charity. I appreciate your interactions and look forward to sharing what lies ahead.
To send me a question, you can connect with me on Instagram, @connor_kwiecien, via email, comedy@connorkwiecien.com, or head to my website connorkwiecien.com.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/connor-kwiecien/message
Curbside Comedy has now put on more than 40 shows, surpassed $4500 raised for charity, and been featured on the news twice. To be honest, it's a bit surreal. The whole idea of Curbside Comedy started simply as a way to continue to perform stand-up and develop as a young comedian. Thankfully, it's allowed that and much more.
All those things listed above are positives that were only made possible due to the pandemic. If the world wasn't overcome by COVID-19, I would have never left New York City. I would have been getting 5-minute spots after finishing my day job. Now, I'm building out a 30-minute set and learning more about who I am as a comedian.
These are a few personal silver linings in a devastating time. However, the biggest silver lining is the time I've had with family. At the end of Curbside Comedy shows during the Q&A, a typical question is, "What do your parents think of you doing comedy?" Before COVID-19, I wasn't 100% sure. Now, not only am I positive they support me, they've offered up their porch, yard and long-time friends to help me develop my career. On top of that, I got to live with them for four months which doesn't sound ideal as a 24 year-old, but looking back on life, I know those will be invaluable memories.
This episode of what's up with me, I reflect on this and a few other silver linings in addition to the usual rambles.
To send me a question, you can connect with me on Instagram, @connor_kwiecien, via email, comedy@connorkwiecien.com, or head to my website connorkwiecien.com.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/connor-kwiecien/message
To answer the question: Curbside Comedy brings the stand-up comedy show to you—safely. It's really that easy. If you're within driving distance, and COVID-19 guidelines are followed, Curbside Comedy comes to your curb, cul-de-sac, or backyard and puts on a show for you. To book a show head to my website.
I didn't say his full name, but I should have. He deserves all the credit in the world. I started performing Curbside Comedy with Trevor Glassman, a fellow NYC comedian and New Hampshire native. Together, we've raised more than $4000 for charity through this direct-to-audience mode of comedy. While Trevor's style of comedy is dark, personable and relatable, mine is silly, wordy and observational. Together, we make a show that's enjoyable across the comedy spectrum.
Like I said, I feel like this is the beginning of something and want to see where it goes. I'd love to answer any questions you have for me about just about anything. To send me a question, you can connect with me on Instagram, @connor_kwiecien, via email, comedy@connorkwiecien.com, or head to my website connorkwiecien.com.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/connor-kwiecien/message
Hey, my name is Connor Kwiecien, and I'm a stand-up comedian. I want to have a life in comedy. In order to do that, I need to make a living. I feel like I'm at the beginning of that journey and want to document it.
Before COVID-19, I was living in New York City trying to make my way in the stand-up scene. Once the virus came, I left New York to move back in with my parents. After a few months of not performing, my Mom and I were sitting in the kitchen and we came up with the idea for Curbside Comedy, a show that brings the comedy show to you, safely. I was fortunate to partner up with another New York City comedian, and New Hampshire native, Trevor Glassman. Since doing our first show on May 8, 2020, Curbside Comedy has now raised more than $4000 for charity, and better yet, we're finding ways to reconnect communities and bring people together through laughter.
Like I said, I feel like this is the beginning of something and want to see where it goes. I'd love to answer any questions you have for me about just about anything.To send me a question, you can connect with me on Instagram, @connor_kwiecien, via email, comedy@connorkwiecien.com, or head to my website connorkwiecien.com.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/connor-kwiecien/message