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Nighttime Benders

Bend Source

Nighttime Benders is your weekly go-to podcast for laughs and lively chats. With a rotating crew of your favorite local comedians, we dive into the hottest topics, dish out the latest local news, and get the scoop on touring performers swinging by town. Spend your night with Bend’s most entertaining personalities and enjoy fun conversations with familiar faces. This is a Powered by the Source Podcast, made possible by a grant from The Drawing Room Foundation.

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20 episodes
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Avg 41 min
English

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S1 · E28
Yesterday · 26 min
BONUS: Leyla Ingalls on Going Viral, Roast Battles and Finding Her Comedy Home
In this bonus episode, Comedian Leyla Ingalls is on the road, headed to Bend—and she joins Julia Reed Nichols for a funny, candid conversation about life between gigs, getting recognized on an errand run, and why Britney Spears’ shaved-head era suddenly makes a little more sense to her. Leyla talks about the double-edged sword of going viral on Kill Tony: the bookings and new fans, the roast-battle heat, and the less-funny side of online attention. She shares why New York’s joke-writing scene is calling, what she hopes to build in stand-up, and how her silly, story-driven sets mix one-liners, crowd work and the strange details of everyday life. Recorded just before Leyla’s Bend show, this episode is a backstage pass to the hustle. Catch Leyla's show at The Domino Room on Nov 14th - tickets at https://punchup.live/leylaingalls or follow her adventures on instagram at @leylaingallz_
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S1 · E27
Wednesday · 43 min
Military Service to Center Stage with Jo Ellis
Recorded live at The Coyote in Bend, this Veterans Day edition of Nighttime Benders brings comedians Jamon Jamison, Pat C (USMC) , and Jon Brown (USAF) to the stage for a spirited round of audience-suggested hot topics. The panel tackles Bend's seemingly endless dog population, the state of public education, modern dating, and the enduring mysteries of pillow talk. Host Julia Reed Nichols also sits down with Jo Ellis, an Army veteran, former Black Hawk pilot, and Austin-based comedian. Ellis shares the remarkable story of how the U.S. government spent more than a million dollars training her to fly Black Hawks, only to end her military career under the Trump administration's transgender military ban. Rather than retreat, Ellis found a new mission in stand-up comedy. She talks about the policy that changed the course of her life, the unexpected online firestorm that followed, and why she relocated to Austin to tell her story on some of the country's biggest comedy stages. The episode closes with a heartfelt salute to veterans, a little more live-show chaos, and an open invitation to join Bend's growing comedy community. Equal parts thought-provoking, hilarious, and heartfelt, it's a night of local laughs, candid conversation, and appreciation for those who have served.
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S1 · E26
November 4 · 37 min
Get your kicks on Route 66 w/ Xander Beltran
Every good recording studio has a train going by. This week's Nighttime Benders has the train—and, for good measure, the whole of Route 66 behind it. A month into her cross-country tour, host Julia Reed Nichols records this week's episode from the historic El Rancho Hotel in Gallup, New Mexico. We talk about finding the best green chili in the middle of nowhere, stopping at the hot springs in Truth or Consequences (a name that sounds like a Western and promises a gunfight), and spending Halloween weekend on the road. The main event is nationally touring comic Xander Beltran, calling in from outside Seattle. We talk about his 13 years in comedy, including his first time at the mic, what it was like to film a crowd-work special, and why audiences love watching comics improvise with strangers. The episode is full of wanderlust: a glimpse into comedy scenes across the country, plus a reminder of why our scene in Bend is so great. Xander plays Craft Kitchen in Bend on Saturday, Nov. 7. Find him on Instagram at @thisguyfunnyman; his two specials are on YouTube. We'll be back next week for a live taping at The Coyote on Nov. 10th—and it's free to join. Please follow, rate, and review wherever you get your podcasts. The algorithm gets hungry.
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S1 · E25
October 28 · 35 min
Celebrating 25 Episodes: Comedy Origin Stories and the Night We Got Hooked
Twenty-five episodes in, and this baby podcast is celebrating the only way a comedy show should: by raising a glass to the terrifying, glorious moment someone decides to try comedy for the very first time. Host Julia Reed Nichols dug through her favorite "first time on stage" stories for this one — and they're messy, human, and weirdly inspiring. If it's in you, it's for you. Sam Miller, a touring comic out of Olympia, had a perfectly good thing going as a dishwasher until he wandered into an open mic. His review of that first night? "Love and hate at first sight." Rachel Aflleje, from Tacoma, got pulled in by a Domino's delivery driver. Her first set was terrible. She went back anyway. Now it's her favorite thing in the world. Imani Denae spent four months in the front row studying before she ever touched a mic. Peak perfectionist energy, and honestly? Respect. Jefferson McDonald did the opposite — ran five minutes over, couldn't find the light, and learned the hard way that you have to "die up there a few times" before you live on stage. Ren Q Dawe turned frustration into a first set in a smoky Atlanta bar — and the room shifted from there. Plus a previously unreleased interview with musician Phil Johnson, who slid into comedy by accident. Think a song called "Whale Blubber," a Sex Pistols cover, and a 73-year-old comic who changed everything. Damon Sumner, Jaci Terjeson, Todd Oregano, and keynote speaker turned comedy producer Anthony Poponi share their stories too. The common thread? The stage is addictive — and almost everyone here got hooked on night one. So if you've been sitting in the back row, consider this your sign. Thanks for a hilarious 25 weeks. We hope these stories inspire you to try comedy yourself — on stage or in the audience. Subscribe, rate, and review wherever you listen. Every button you press keeps the podcast gods happy.
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S1 · E24
October 22 · 36 min
Caitlin Comeskey Plays Poker for Glory—and Gets the Laughs
This week, Caitlin Comeskey joins Nighttime Benders for a lively, wide-ranging conversation about comedy, poker, and everything in between. With roots in theater and burlesque, Caitlin has spent the past several years making her mark in poker—as a player, content creator, and behind-the-scenes force. She and Julia Reed Nichols talk about being a woman at the table, the different pulls of tournament glory and the cash-game grind, and what it’s like to ride a winning streak in Vegas. They also get into rage-bait algorithms, online criticism, first open mics, Austin’s changing character, and the modern manosphere. Along the way, there are stories about getting stood up, family Halloween costumes, and the kind of friendship that can handle a questionable joke. Smart, candid, and delightfully sidetracked, this episode is for anyone curious about poker and comedy.
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S1 · E23
October 14 · 44 min
Getting Roasted by Justine Ventura and an After-Show Hang at the Axe & Fiddle
After a comedy show in Cottage Grove, Julia Reed Nichols pulls up a chair with comics Jake Woodmansee, Chris G and Terry Geil for a conversation that wanders—in the best possible way—from touring and dating to news fatigue, angry beavers, and the finer points of being a good tourist. The crew swaps stories about building a comedy scene in Central Oregon, navigating modern relationships, and trying to meet people without looking like a suspicious person in the grocery store. Along the way: the comics chats about Springfield’s claim to Simpsons fame, Reno’s Circus Circus, whether comedians make the news more bearable, and why the best jokes come from sounding like yourself. This episode also features Seattle comic and software engineer Justine Ventura, who talks about starting in comedy, balancing a day job with late-night sets, and finding her lane in hosting, roast comedy, and community-based shows. We also get into what makes the Seattle scene welcoming for newer comics, how festivals sharpen stagecraft, and why creating shows around identity and shared background can make the material stronger. Expect the loose, unfiltered energy of a post-show hang, plus local comedy tips, open-mic shout-outs, and a peek at upcoming shows and stand-up classes in Central Oregon.
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S1 · E22
October 7 · 31 min
LIVE from The Coyote: Road Trips, Weird Thefts, and the Bend Comedy Scene
Recorded LIVE at The Coyote in Downtown Bend, this week’s episode brings together Creach, Courtney Stevens, Pat C, and Julia Reed Nichols (Along with some pop-in guests!) for a conversation about the strange, hilarious, and occasionally frustrating realities of life in Central Oregon. The crew dives into everything from e-bike-riding teens swiping solar lights to the bigger conversations around housing, development, and what happens when communities feel pushed around. But don’t worry, this is still a comedy show at heart. The conversation quickly veers into the wonderfully relatable weirdness of Bend: roundabouts, road trips, haunted houses, and the very specific confidence it takes to call yourself a comedian before anyone has actually paid you to do it. Come hang with us for the kind of conversation that feels less like a podcast and more like sitting around a table with your funniest Central Oregon friends.
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S1 · E21
September 30 · 55 min
A Good Hang with Jaci Terjeson
On this episode of NIGHTTIME BENDERS host Julia Reed Nichols is joined by comedians Katy Ipock and Jason Leonardo for a hilarious, wide-ranging conversation spanning cult-like environments, Rodeos, fat bear week, and the funny side of everyday human behavior. Plus, Tacoma-based comedian Jaci Terjeson shares her journey from growing up on stage to stand-up comedy, including her creative process, balancing motherhood and performing, and advice for aspiring comics ready to take their show on the road.
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S1 · E20
September 23 · 34 min
Live at Silvermoon Brewing
Julia Reed Nichols hosts Nighttime Benders live at Silver Moon Brewing, turning audience-submitted topics into an unpredictable night of comedy. Alongside Katy Ipock and Laura B. Wright, the comics riffs on everything from pumpkin spice and Fall Favorites to Bend roundabouts, dating, bodily functions, and the strange realities of Central Oregon life. With plenty of off-the-cuff banter, this live episode captures the energy of comedians feeding off the crowd—and each other. If you love local humor, candid conversations, and comedy that can go anywhere, join Julia, Katy, and Laura for a very funny episode of Nighttime Benders.
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S1 · E19
September 16 · 48 min
The Funny Side of Happiness with Anthony Poponi
Anthony Poponi joins Julia Reed Nichols for a conversation about why real fulfillment comes from something deeper: the contentment, creativity, and community we build while doing work that actually matters. On this episode of Nighttime Benders, Anthony shares insights from his unique journey as a comedy producer, performer, author, and positive psychology practitioner. Together, he and Julia explore everything from life on stage and entrepreneurial burnout to Bend’s evolving culture and the science behind what truly helps people thrive. If you're interested in comedy, creativity, entrepreneurship, or simply looking for a more thoughtful perspective on happiness than "just think positive," this episode delivers. Funny, insightful, and unexpectedly motivating, it's the kind of conversation that leaves you questioning what success is really for. About Anthony Poponi Anthony Poponi is a comedy producer, performer, and promoter with Humore.us Productions. He is the author of Never Tony Please and The Little Book of Workplace Happiness, and a sought-after speaker specializing in positive psychology, workplace culture, communication, and well-being. Through his writing, speaking, and performances, Anthony helps people and organizations rethink the relationship between work, happiness, and meaningful success.
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S1 · E18
September 9 · 50 min
The Art of Making Clean Comedy Funny with Andy Hendrickson
Join comedians Brian Keister, Julia Reed Nichols, and a special guest as they dive into the vibrant and ever-evolving comedy scene in Bend, Oregon. From Bend's Gang of E-Bike Teens to the age-old debate of clean versus dirty comedy, the crew explores how local culture, community, and changing audiences shape what makes people laugh. The conversation also features comedian Andy Hendrickson, who shares stories from his career on the road, including performing for U.S. troops overseas, adapting to the rise of social media, and navigating the rapidly changing landscape of stand-up comedy. Whether you're a comedy fan, aspiring performer, or just curious about the local scene, this episode delivers plenty of laughs, behind-the-scenes stories, and a preview of what audiences can expect when Andy takes the stage at The Capitol in Bend on October 1st. Perfect for listeners who love stand-up comedy, creative careers, local culture, and conversations about where comedy is headed next.
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S1 · E17
September 2 · 1 hr 5 min
Dad Jokes with Phil Griffiths
In this episode, Julia Gilley is joined by Laura B. Wright, Fredo Pagliacci, and Christine Keefer for a lively conversation about the importance of community, why making friends as adults can feel surprisingly difficult, the quirks of life in Central Oregon, and the ever-changing role of technology in our daily lives. The episode also features Bay Area comedian Phil Griffiths, who shares how a family tragedy, a first open mic, and a commitment to keep going transformed a long-held dream into a career in comedy. Phil talks about developing his voice on stage, navigating the challenges of stand-up, and creating comedy that is rooted in everyday life and fatherhood. Whether you're a comic, a creative, new to town, or someone wondering if it's ever too late to pursue a passion, this episode offers equal parts insight, laughter, and inspiration.
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S1 · E16
August 26 · 1 hr 4 min
More Than Jokes: Ren Q. Dawe on Comedy and Creating Change
In this episode, local comedians Ryan Traughber , Katy Ipock, and Julia Reed Nichols dive headfirst into the wonderfully weird worlds of magic, science, and personal belief. From tarot readings and zodiac signs to pondering the influence of the stars above, the trio tackles life's big questions with plenty of laughs along the way. They also celebrate the one and only Dolly Parton, reminisce about their love for Captain Planet, and chat about the local comedy scene and the community events that keep Central Oregon vibrant. Plus, comedian Ren Q. Dawe joins the show to share their incredible journey as the first trans person to perform comedy in all 50 states. Ren talks about life on the road, the power of representation, building community through comedy, and the lessons they've learned while making audiences laugh from coast to coast. Whether you're a comedy nerd or just here for the Dolly Parton appreciation, there's something in this episode for you.
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S1 · E15
August 19 · 42 min
Alternative Comedy Comes to Bend with Tom Achilles
In this episode of Nighttime Benders, Julia Reed Nichols is joined by local comedian Laura B. Wright to chat about her comedy career, adventures on the Oregon Coast, and what it's like living in Sisters, Oregon. We also sit down with Tom Achilles, a Brooklyn-based comedian who will be bringing his unique brand of alternative comedy to Bend over Labor Day Weekend. Tom shares his journey from high school improv to the stand-up stage, discusses the development of his distinctive comedic voice, and talks about his excitement for performing in Bend for the very first time. Whether you're interested in comedy, storytelling, or hearing from some truly original performers, this episode delivers plenty of laughs and insight. And if you're a fan of Adult Swim-style humor, you'll definitely want to check out Tom Achilles. LINKS: Tom Achilles' Website - https://tomachilles.com Mindbender Comedy Special on YouTube - https://youtube.com/tomachilles1 Tom Achilles on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/tomachilles
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S1 · E14
August 13 · 15 min
BONUS: From Atlanta to China with Damon Sumner
In this episode, Damon Sumner shares his journey from Atlanta to stages around the world, including his time performing comedy in China and connecting with audiences across cultures. He talks about how he got his start in stand-up, the lessons he's learned from performing internationally, and what continues to inspire his work today. Plus, Damon gives listeners a preview of the comedy, energy, and laughs he'll be bringing to Bend on Labor Day Weekend. Nighttime Benders is a Powered by The Source Podcast.
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S1 · E13
August 5 · 1 hr 6 min
Stand-up, Improv and Making People Laugh with Meredith Dietz
Join us for an engaging episode as we delve into the backgrounds, uproarious stories, and distinctive viewpoints of the Tugboat Improv Troupe. This week, local comedians Dylan Grayson, Matt Stein, Tess Eddington, and Michele DiCio sit down with Julia Reed Nichols to unravel the intricacies of improv and stand-up comedy. They share personal anecdotes, family tales, and their reflections on the significance of authenticity and collaboration in the comedic world. We’re also thrilled to welcome Meredith Dietz, a NYC-based stand-up, writer, and improv performer. Meredith brings her insights into the world of comedy, discussing her approach to writing, the art of handling dark material, and the dynamic energy of live audiences. She provides a glimpse into the NYC comedy scene, her writing career, and her excitement about her upcoming visit to Bend - If like smart comedy, you’ll love Meredith! Nighttime Benders Podcast is Powered By The Source.
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S1 · E12
July 31 · 18 min
BONUS: Bentonville to Big Festivals - Building a Comedy Career with Raj Suresh
In this episode, comedian Raj Suresh shares insights on starting in small markets, building a comedy festival, and navigating the industry from Arkansas to New York. Discover practical tips for comedians and festival organizers alike.
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S1 · E11
July 29 · 42 min
From Wildlife to Stand-Up: Eeland Stribling
Join Jon Brown, Creach, Jake Woodmansee, and Julia Reed Nichols as they dive into Bend's vibrant comedy scene, swap personal stories, and explore everything from fire safety and local history to the everyday absurdities of modern life. This episode features special guest Eeland Stribling, a comedian whose unique path from wildlife biologist to stand-up comic has given him a one-of-a-kind perspective on life. Elon shares stories from his career, his passion for fishing, and how his eclectic background shapes his comedy. The conversation also ventures into life in New York City, the outdoors, and the experiences that inspire great storytelling.
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S1 · E10
July 24 · 21 min
BONUS: From Classical Acting to Stand-Up with Jefferson McDonald
In this BONUS episode, Jefferson McDonald shares his journey from classical acting training to stand-up comedy, his experiences touring and performing in various venues, and his personal life including his engagement and his childhood growing up on a farm in rural New York. Tune in for a mix of humor, life stories, and a behind-the-scenes look at this multi-talented performer's life.
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S1 · E9
July 22 · 41 min
From Florida to NYC: Ty Colgate on International Gigs and Crime Time
Join us for a lively discussion with Central Oregon comedians Katy Ipock, Julia Reed Nichols and Jason Leonardo as they share their journey into comedy, the local scene, and their thoughts on AI, self-driving cars, Jimothy the Raccoon and more. In this episode, meet Ty Colgate as he shares his journey from Florida to New York, his experiences performing comedy around the world, and the creative process behind his work. Discover how he navigates the comedy industry, his favorite touring activities, and his unique approach to storytelling - including the Crime Time Show.
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