Chasing Comedy

Brian Scott McFadden & Dustin Chafin

Chasing Comedy features professional comedians Brian Scott McFadden and Dustin Chafin as they dive deep into the chaotic world of comedy and the craft of Standup, exploring the nuances of joke writing, the unpredictable nature of live performance, and try to humorously make sense of the world while working out, or failing at crafting, that next great joke. With plenty of laughs and candid moments, join them as they tackle a lively exploration of the art of chasing comedy in a world filled with absurdities.

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63 episodes
Updated July 24

Episodes63

Newest first

Dec 6, 2025 · 59 min
Chasing Comedy - Episode 43: Bedbugs, Airport Karens & Cyanide Sangria
On Episode 43 of Chasing Comedy, Dustin Chafin and Brian Scott McFadden workshop new jokes and swap wild stories from the road. From NYC bedbug nightmares and airport meltdowns to Spirit Airlines chaos, cruise ship madness, childhood punishments, and emotional-support chipmunks, the guys break down comedy in real time with nonstop riffs and punchlines. A sharp, fast, behind-the-scenes look at how comedians build material.
Nov 26, 2025 · 50 min
Chasing Comedy - Episode 42: Crowd Work, Showbiz Secrets, Stand-Up Struggles & The Chili’s Waiter Bit!
In Episode 42 of Chasing Comedy, Brian Scott McFadden and Dustin Chafin break down the realities of modern stand-up — from scripted crowd-work clips and the artifice of reality TV to micro-celebrity culture and the struggle of fitting new bits into a set. The guys swap stories about tiny-crowd drop-ins from huge comics, debate the “pretentious waiter” joke, and explore how comedians cope (or don’t) with today’s chaos. A fun, insightful look at how jokes are built, tested, and rewritten.
Nov 19, 2025 · 1 hr
Chasing Comedy - Episode 41: Saudi Comedy Fest, Dead Scooby Theories & Concerts That Lied to Us
Brian and Dustin dive into a wild mix of comedy talk, music stories, and full-on riff chaos. They swap tales about weird concerts, opening for the wrong famous people (looking at you, Sinatra Jr.), and the pain of performing after a punk band empties a festival tent for free pizza. They also workshop new jokes about followers, Jesus, Jonestown, and what modern festival really matches “high-energy crowds.” Then the guys spiral into an epic brainstorm: a gritty, prestige-TV reboot of Scooby-Doo starring a burned-out Shaggy, washed-up Daphne, and a whole new set of weird modern mysteries. Plus: Ben & Jerry’s drama, Saudi comedy festivals, and why comedians don’t threaten anybody’s power anymore. Fast, funny, and full of riffing — classic Chasing Comedy.
Oct 5, 2025 · 1 hr 3 min
Chasing Comedy - Episode 40: Can AI Write a Stand-Up Routine? Brian & Dustin vs an AI Comedian!
Brian Scott McFadden and Dustin Chafin explore whether AI can actually write stand-up comedy — or if it’s just digital hackery. From Dustin’s wild Mexico vacation story to Brian’s Franken Berry childhood confession, the guys test AI’s punchlines, roast bad metaphors, and debate what makes real comedians irreplaceable. A hilarious, thought-provoking episode about the heart, timing, and chaos of live comedy.
Oct 3, 2025 · 59 min
Chasing Comedy - Episode 39: Arena Crowds, Scooby-Doo Bits & Dysfunctional Family Survival
Chasing Comedy Episode 39 dives into the chaos of stand-up at arenas, growing up in a dysfunctional family, and why sometimes you just have to let Scooby-Doo save the bit. Comedians Dustin Chafin and Brian Scott McFadden shares stories of trying new jokes in front of 18,000 people, family vacations gone sideways, and the unsexy truth of long-term relationships — all with plenty of comedy detours along the way.
Sep 12, 2025 · 1 hr 8 min
Chasing Comedy - Episode 38: Boston Comedy, Vegas Horse Racing & Self-Driving Hearses with Tony V
🎙️ In Episode 38 of Chasing Comedy, Brian Scott McFadden sits down with Boston comedy legend Tony V to talk about the roots of the Boston comedy scene, his stories from Aruba and Vegas with Robin Williams and Bobcat Goldthwait, and his philosophy on stand-up. From acting in CODA and The Town to crafting bits about coffee, science, and self-driving hearses, Tony shares sharp insights and hilarious stories that showcase why he’s one of comedy’s greats.
Sep 8, 2025 · 1 hr 2 min
Chasing Comedy - Episode 37: Cruise Buffets, Furries & Therapist Vacations
Brian Scott McFadden and Dustin Chafin dive into the absurd world of cruise ship buffets, Titanic “hot poor privilege,” and a Chipmunk-costumed fling that sparks a furry confession. Along the way they meet the “GOAT of shoplifting,” roast their therapists for taking August off, and put AI comedy to the test in a wild A.I.merican Idol segment.
Aug 22, 2025 · 1 hr 9 min
Chasing Comedy - Episode 36: Wordplay, Squids & The Art of Noticing with Myq Kaplan
Host Brian Scott McFadden is joined by comedian and wordplay wizard Myq Kaplan (Comedy Central, Netflix, Amazon, Dry Bar) for a fast, funny, and thoughtful conversation about the craft of comedy. They dive into Myq’s obsession with language, the balance between writing and performance, and why sometimes the journey of a joke matters more than the punchline. Along the way, you’ll hear riffs about: Hamlet’s “Tooth B or Not Tooth B” Couples that share everything… including squids and monks Steakhouse hecklers and comedy tropes Meditation, noticing, and the creative process A mix of philosophy, absurdity, and punchlines, this episode captures what makes Myq’s comedy unique—and why he’s one of the most inventive comics working today. 🔗 Follow Myq at myqkaplan.com and subscribe to his Substack for more comedy & wordplay.
Aug 8, 2025 · 1 hr 7 min
Chasing Comedy - Episode 35: Cruise Ships, Dead Fish & Anything and Everything
In this episode of Chasing Comedy, Brian Scott McFadden and Dustin Chafin dive into cruise ship chaos, dark family stories, and the emotional toll of being funny through pain. Dustin shares his wild excursion through a fake jungle in Mexico—complete with dead fish, fake monkeys, and sewage leaks—while another reflects on caring for a dying father and somehow finding humor in the moment. They also unpack supplement obsession (St. John’s Wort, Alpha Brain, Adderall), rage issues, and the mysterious “Anything and Everything” shoplifter who may be the most enlightened thief of all time. From paddleboarding through fish guts to Gilligan’s Island with Oprah and Skippy from Family Ties—this one’s messy, deep, and hilarious.
Jul 23, 2025 · 54 min
Chasing Comedy - Episode 34: Audition Tapes, Old School Gaming Consoles, and Stand-Up Survival with Guest Host The Greg Wilson
🎙️ In this episode of Chasing Comedy, Dustin Chafin is joined by comedian Greg Romero Wilson (The Greg Wilson) for a wild ride through the world of stand-up, self-tape auditions, old-school gaming consoles, and TikTok fame. Greg shares hilarious stories about SpectraVision regrets, a bizarre anti-pedophile PSA series, his jingle-writing hustle, and why Red Bull is “liquid cocaine.” They also dive into patriot cosplay, fake camo shame, and the time a rogue shot glass injured an audience member mid-show. A fast, funny, and revealing episode you don’t want to miss.
Jul 18, 2025 · 1 hr 3 min
Chasing Comedy - Episode 33: Strange Pets, Scantrons, and the Comedy of Nostalgia with Comedian Charles McBee!
Chasing Comedy Episode 33 with professional comedians Brian Scott McFadden and Charles McBee! On this episode of Chasing Comedy, Brian Scott McFadden chats with comedian and writer Charles McBee about viral video comedy, nostalgic obsessions, and stand-up comedy's evolution in the digital age. From candy cigarettes to Hostess cakes and seahorse reproduction, they dive deep into weird bits, strange pets, and how Charles crafts his hilarious throwback content. Plus, the Wheel of Premises sparks a wild riff on parrots, snakes, and Komodo dragons.
Jul 10, 2025 · 1 hr 1 min
Chasing Comedy - Episode 32: Hotel Breakfast Hacks, Salvation Army Roasts & Junk Drawer Gold!
Dustin Chafin and Brian Scott McFadden tackle everything from hotel breakfast scams and Salvation Army punchlines to the comedy gold hidden in your mom’s junk drawer. They break down the difference between club comics and podcast stars, take jabs at modern military fashion, and even put AI to the test as a comedy writer. It’s a hilarious deep dive into bits that bomb, bits that kill, and the weird stuff people keep in drawers.
Jun 18, 2025 · 1 hr 5 min
Chasing Comedy - Episode 31: Mormon Rules, AI Deepfakes, and a Childhood Murder Mystery Script
In Episode 31 of Chasing Comedy, Brian Scott McFadden and Dustin Chafin dive headfirst into a hilarious, soul-baring journey through comedy, childhood trauma, and bizarre religious rules. Dustin opens up about his past as a Mormon missionary (yes, with a masturbation ruling from church elders!) while Brian shares the story of writing a murder mystery at age 8, complete with toilet paper punchlines and devastating fatherly critiques. The comics tackle everything from bizarre Mormon caffeine bans to the rise of terrifyingly convincing AI deepfakes. Brian reveals his lifelong obsession with Hamlet, dreams of staging Shakespeare in a comedy club, and the haunting insecurity of being labeled “comedy’s best kept secret.” They also riff on boxers vs. fashion designers (De La Hoya vs. De La Renta!), Simon Cowell as a dad, and what it means to be held hostage by the need for laughs. Don’t miss this raw and funny episode full of industry insights, philosophical breakdowns, and jokes that might have been buried in Cub Scout scripts… but are finally getting their due.
Jun 17, 2025 · 57 min
Chasing Comedy – Episode 30: Cruise Contracts, Comedy Meltdowns & Ben Vereen as Wolverine
This episode of Chasing Comedy is part therapy session, part comedy jam, and part complete derailment — in the best possible way. Brian Scott McFadden and Dustin Chafin explore everything from existential crises to cruise gigs, from fake celebrity stand-up to the ethics of charging a dying man for comedy coaching. (Yes, you read that right.) 🧠 Topics Covered Include: Dustin coaching a man with terminal cancer for his one and only stand-up set Brian’s struggle with mushrooms, misophonia, and writing bits that don’t land The psychology of bits that get huge applause but lead nowhere A surreal debate on whether Ben Vereen should replace Hugh Jackman as Wolverine A comedy bit so convoluted it made the entire panel question reality The rise and fall of Rob Schneider in Jaws (and yes, Rob Reiner is mentioned too) The fine art of bombing on cruises and the dream of getting helicoptered off a ship A heartfelt dive into how comedy evolves when you’ve been doing it for decades 🎭 Plus: A debate on the comedic weight of the name "Albert Einstein" Deep U2 album references (Achtung Baby fans, unite!) Real moments sneak in amidst the chaos—yes, they do exist The guys brainstorm TikTok mashups of famous actors and characters that almost make sense The episode ends with a meditation on AI, resource scarcity, and whether it's worth drying up an African water supply for a mid-tier Photoshop bit (weirdly, yes). Whether you're a comic, a comedy fan, or someone who’s just here for the mushroom-fueled wilderness therapy talk—hit that bell. This is comedy behind the curtain, raw and unfiltered.
Jun 15, 2025 · 1 hr 13 min
Chasing Comedy - Episode 29: Bootlegs, B-Movies & Breakfast Cereal Existentialism
Chasing Comedy Episode 29 with professional comedians Dustin Chafin and Brian Scott McFadden! Join Brian and Dustin as they riff on the art of crafting bits, testing what makes people laugh and what totally flops. On this episode, we explore everything from the nuances of horror films and the power of nostalgia to the hilarity of failed attempts at stand-up, old tv brands, bootleg dvds, modern comedy specials, spiritual medicine, food choices, DB Cooper, and so much more!
May 31, 2025 · 1 hr 5 min
Chasing Comedy - Episode 28: “Grammar Wars, Bacon Worship & Gen X Jedi” with Jason Salmon
Chasing Comedy Episode 28 with hosts professional comedians Dustin Chafin and Jason Salmon! This week, comedian Jason Salmon joins the show and instantly turns it into a southern-fried TED Talk with punchlines. From grammar elitism to the metaphysics of bacon, this episode pinballs between hilarity and heartfelt like a Hot Pocket in a microwave—dangerous, unpredictable, and probably best consumed after dark. 🔥 What’s Inside This Jam-Packed Episode: The wild history of the Dallas Mavericks and sports-based identity trauma Whether Luka Doncic is Charles Barkley 2.0 or just a Slovenian with a six-pack of Shiner LSD perfect games in Pittsburgh and why drugs deserve a second Hall of Fame Comedy bits that collide with Bill Burr’s… awkwardly Jason’s grammar-based revenge on social media and why correcting “your/you’re” is the nuclear option How bacon became a bi-annual religious experience A Texas accent gets rejected by a casting director from New Jersey and Jason nearly commits regional war Stand-up vs cruise gigs, and how to make your dirtiest clip with nothing but a porn-stache reference Gen X defined: from Star Wars to Nirvana, with a pit stop at O.J. Simpson’s downfall A deep dive into masculinity, vulnerability, emotional closeness, and why guys start conversations with “Yo, you see the Mavs game?” 🌀 Jason reflects on how stand-up helped him reconnect with his Southern roots—and how being mistaken for a Texan caricature got him in hot water with coastal casting agents. Meanwhile, Dustin and Jason bond over Hot Pockets, Lunchables, and the social politics of empathy and AMC Stubs. 💬 "We started with A New Hope, and ended with Nevermind. That’s Gen X, baby." 💬 "YouTube is a great dad... but also your weird conspiracy friend." Whether you're a grammar nerd, a hoops junkie, or just someone who eats bacon like it’s a baptism, this episode delivers soul food for your funny bone. 📺 Jason’s special Biscuits and Gravity is on YouTube now. Just don’t misread the title and expect actual biscuits.
May 25, 2025 · 1 hr 4 min
Chasing Comedy - Episode 27 - The Snarf of it All
Chasing Comedy Episode 27 with professional comedians Dustin Chafin and Brian Scott McFadden We’re diving into the wild world of comedy, and this episode is all about the glorious mess of crafting jokes! I mean, we’re literally chasing comedy here, folks—working on bits, seeing what sticks, and figuring out what absolutely stinks. On this week's episode, Brian and Dustin look to find the humor in weighted blankets, growing up as a third generation stand-up comic, family dynamics, Katy Perry, celebrities and internet anger, Snarf and the Thundercats, impact of drugs on music, evolution of band names, and so much more!
May 24, 2025 · 53 min
Chasing Comedy - Episode 26 - Choosing Between Happiness and Humor
Chasing Comedy Episode 26 with professional standup comedians Dustin Chafin and Brian Scott Mcfadden! In this hilariously off-the-rails episode of Chasing Comedy, Dustin Chafin and the crew spin the comedy wheel and spiral into a whirlwind of riffs, revelations, and ridiculousness. It all kicks off with a discussion about over-the-counter brain boosters like Focus Factor and Alpha Brain—and quickly devolves into a chaotic, yet strangely profound dive into modern attention spans, ADHD meds, and the dream of being Limitless (with or without Adderall). From there, the conversation veers into a passionate debate about George Carlin’s genius, Bill Maher’s teleprompter crimes, and Josh Johnson’s stand-up special about tariffs. The crew questions fame, worships early Chappelle, and wonders whether getting therapy or “getting better” might just kill your funny bone. You’ll hear: The dangers of being “too good at relaxing” Comedy’s addiction to fame and the illusion of hype Why carpal tunnel might just be “keyboard regret” The difference between grinding it out and going viral Whether comedians actually want to get mentally healthy Oh, and there's a running theory that therapy only works if it keeps you just damaged enough to stay funny. It’s an hour-long rollercoaster of cynicism, vulnerability, nap talk, and gut-busting observations. Tune in and ask yourself the ultimate question: Do you want to be happy, or do you want to be funny?
May 19, 2025 · 52 min
Chasing Comedy - Episode 25 - Manly Moments, Subway Tuna, and the Great Reality TV Debate
Chasing Comedy Episode 25 with professional comedians Brian Scott McFadden and Dustin Chafin! We're diving deep into the hilarious world of chasing comedy, where we explore the ups and downs of crafting jokes and bits. I mean, who knew that changing an air filter could come with such a rush of manly pride? Join us as we share our adventures in DIY car maintenance, navigating the wilds of Home Depot, subway tuna, unnecessary reality tv shows, how the quest for love sometimes feels like a game show gone wrong, and so much more!
May 15, 2025 · 1 hr 4 min
Chasing Comedy – Episode 24: Rope Guys, Hypnotists & the Cult of Wokeness
Chasing Comedy Episode 24 with professional comedians Dustin Chafin and Brian Scott McFadden In this no-holds-barred episode of Chasing Comedy, Dustin Chafin and Brian Scott McFadden dive headfirst into the chaotic circus of modern comedy—from fake hecklers and TikTok fame to battling hypnotists and the eternal struggle of following a guy doing rope tricks.