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The Jo Ellis Effect

Jo Ellis

Jo Ellis is what happens when a Black Hawk pilot, a homeschooled Christian kid, a trans woman, and a stand-up comic walk into the same person.
A 16-year Army combat vet who is being discharged because of President Trump's Trans military ban. In 2025, she became the target of a viral far-right conspiracy falsely accusing her of causing the DC plane crash . She's now a standup comedian and advocate for pragmatic trans policy.
If you like unapologetic honesty, fearless humor, and conversations that hit as hard as they land, you’re in the right place. Follow Jo on socials and YT: @JoEllisReally

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  • 17 episodes
  • Avg 39 min
  • English

Episodes 17

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  • S1 · E17
    August 15 · 44 min

    Why I Disagree With the Trans Community on These 4 Issues

    In this episode of The Jo Ellis Effect, I lay out four positions I hold on transgender issues that tend to upset people on both sides: trans women in women's sports, whether gender dysphoria is a mental illness, whether trans women are the same as women, and medical gender-affirming care for minors.These are my views as they stand today. I'm open to changing my mind when better evidence or arguments come along, but I also don't think being trans requires me to agree with every position associated with the trans community.I also get into the controversy surrounding former NBA players Royce White, Enes Kanter, declaring for the WNBA draft, why I think both sides of the culture war get parts of the trans debate wrong, and why I think we need to be willing to scrutinize arguments from our own "side."Then, some life updates: I'm hitting the road for more dates with Jason Ellis, heading to Denver, New York, Arizona, Sacramento and Detroit, Friendly Fire is moving to Saturdays, I've got new merch, and Dani brought me back my favorite Irish whiskey from Ireland.CHAPTERS00:00 4 Controversial Things I Believe About Trans Issues00:37 Why I’m Talking About This04:11 My 4 Positions on Trans Issues04:52 Gender-Affirming Care for Minors09:11 Is Gender Dysphoria a Mental Illness?14:08 Is Transition “Affirming a Delusion”?15:26 Trans Women Are Not the Same as Women17:18 Trans Women in Women’s Sports20:20 The WNBA Trans Eligibility Controversy27:06 What It’s Like Being in the Middle27:20 Touring With Jason Ellis + New Dates29:43 Friendly Fire Is Moving to Saturdays30:35 Building Toward a 45-Minute Headlining Set33:00 New Jo Ellis Merch34:21 Recent Podcasts + Going Viral35:02 Why I Question My Own Side36:13 My Problems With WPATH37:40 Why Trans Military Is Different39:35 Being Trans and Politically Homeless41:59 The Mystery Bruise43:22 Dani Brought Me My Favorite Irish Whiskey44:10 Closing + Upcoming ShowsFind tour dates, merch and more at joellisreally.com

  • S1 · E16
    July 14 · 41 min

    Robert Kelly & Big Jay Oakerson Talked About Me... Here's What Happened | EP16

    Robert Kelly unexpectedly talked about me on The Bonfire with Big Jay Oakerson... and it turned into one of the coolest moments of my comedy career.In this episode, I react to the SiriusXM segment, talk about meeting Robert Kelly after his Austin show, and explain why I've chosen comedy as my way of telling the story of trans military service.I also share updates on:• Robert Kelly & Big Jay Oakerson's comments about me• Why I defended Tony Hinchcliffe and Kill Tony• The Daily Stoic podcast with Ryan Holiday• Filming the Fighting Forward documentary• Building a comedy career in Austin• My journey from Black Hawk pilot to stand-up comedian• Friendly Fire with Jo Ellis• Upcoming comedy showsMy goal has never been to brow beat. It's to have conversations with people who might never otherwise hear the story of trans military service. If comedy can open that door, it's worth pursuing.Upcoming Shows• July 16 – Friendly Fire with Jo Ellis (Austin, TX)• July 22 – Featuring for Jason Ellis (Plano, TX)Follow for more stand-up, podcast clips, and behind-the-scenes updates as I continue this journey.00:00 Intro00:32 Defending Kill Tony & Tony Hinchcliffe01:22 Robert Kelly Reaches Out01:50 Meeting Robert Kelly in Austin04:01 My History with Big Jay Oakerson05:27 Robert Kelly & Big Jay Oakerson Talk About Me10:27 Discovering The Bonfire Shoutout11:09 Why Their Comments Meant So Much11:56 From Black Hawk Pilot to Comedian13:40 Why I Came to Austin and the Rogansphere15:33 Why I Want to Talk to Trump, Hegseth & Rogan15:59 The Reality of the Trans Military Ban19:26 The Daily Stoic with Ryan Holiday21:05 Fighting Forward Documentary Update21:32 Why I Enter Uncomfortable Rooms23:47 Being Trans and Visible in Texas25:26 The Pressure of Always Being “On”27:17 Everything That Changed in Three Years30:45 The Legacy I Want to Leave32:20 Friendly Fire with Jo Ellis Updates34:53 Featuring for Jason Ellis in Plano36:15 Upcoming Travel and Comedy Plans37:00 Documentary Filming in Austin38:36 Documentary and Memoir Updates39:05 Building My First 20 Minutes of Stand-Up40:25 Upcoming Shows & Outro#StandUpComedy #RobertKelly #BigJayOakerson #KillTony #TonyHinchcliffe #AustinComedy #TransMilitary #Veteran #BlackHawkPilot #JoEllis

  • S1 · E15
    June 11 · 22 min

    I Won a Date, Opened for Jason Ellis, Tony Hinchcliffe Let Me Down | EP15

    Welcome back to The Jo Ellis Effect. This week has been a wild week of my comedy career. I got invited onto Kim Congdon's dating show, somehow won a date with Dulce Mac, met Hans Kim, Ron Taylor, Brian Redban and Brian Holtzman, then immediately drove to Tyler, Texas to feature for Jason Ellis. We talk about: • Winning a comedy dating show • Featuring for Jason Ellis in Tyler, TX • Getting rebooked to perform with him again • Performing my first 15-minute feature sets • Life after quitting my day job • Building Friendly Fire into a monthly show • My goals in Austin comedy • Why Tony Hinchcliffe's Man of the People special disappointed me by not having trans jokes • Chelsea Handler, Marc Maron, Kill Tony and comedy controversy I also talk about the reality of trying to build a career in stand-up, the opportunities I've been fortunate to receive over the last few months, and what comes next now that comedy is my full-time focus. MERCH: JoEllisReally.com FOLLOW: Instagram: @joellisreally X: @joellisreally YouTube: @joellisreally The Jo Ellis Effect is a podcast about comedy, culture, current events, and the strange journey from Black Hawk pilot to stand-up comedian.

  • S1 · E14
    June 3 · 31 min

    I Quit My Job for Comedy (Now What?)

    After years in the military, a viral misinformation campaign, and a career outside entertainment, I've officially gone all in on comedy.In this episode, I talk about leaving my day job, selling my Virginia house, and betting on stand-up comedy full-time. I also share updates on my new late-night style comedy show Friendly Fire, opening for Sam Tripoli, featuring for Jason Ellis in Texas, Tony Hinchcliffe's upcoming Netflix special, the latest developments in the transgender military ban, and a UFO disclosure inspired lipstick ad that caught the attention of Christina P. Topics: Why I quit my jobMoving to Austin and going all-in on comedy Friendly Fire becomes a monthly show Opening for Sam Tripoli Featuring for Jason Ellis Tony Hinchcliffe's Netflix special Trans military ban court updates Christina P cosmetics collaboration UFO disclosure, aliens, and lipstick New merch and website updates Subscribe for more clips, sets, and other things Join my mailing list for show dates, new things, and other updates. No spam—just occasional drops. https://joellishq.joellisreally.com Website: https://joellisreally.comInstagram: https://instagram.com/joellisreallyX: https://x.com/JoEllisReally Christina P lipstick - https://christinap.com/products/christina-ps-atomic-red-lipstick Joe DeRosa's podcast | Vile and Horrendous https://youtu.be/GAxzqXyLPDw?si=LrrWwl_SDWQDSioc #StandUpComedy #AustinComedy #TonyHinchcliffe #KillTony #TransMilitary #JasonEllis #SamTripoli #ComedyPodcast #JoEllis #FriendlyFire

  • S1 · E13
    March 31 · 6 min

    Kill Tony Return of Jo Ellis

    I made my second appearance on Kill Tony — Episode 762 — and this one took an unexpected turn. Host Tony Hinchcliffe brought me up as the “former Black Hawk helicopter pilot who was a man and now is a woman,” and I ran through a quick minute before jumping into the interview with the panel from Are You Garbage? — Kevin Ryan and H. Foley. We talked about everything from moving to Austin to dating and my comedy journey since my first Kill Tony appearance — including opening for national headliner Ian Lara. Then the interview got cut short for a pretty good reason: Ari Shaffir made a surprise appearance after returning from abroad, which immediately shifted the show. Even with the quick interview, it was great getting back on the stage and telling Tony how much the show has changed my life. Website: https://joellisreally.com #KillTony #StandUpComedy #AustinComedy #ComedyMothership

  • S1 · E12
    March 31 · 12 min

    Jo Ellis No Kings Austin Speech | Trans Black Hawk Pilot Turned Comedian

    Jo Ellis delivers a historic comedy-meets-rally speech at the No Kings protest in Austin, Texas—mixing stand-up comedy with a message about freedom, disagreement, and democracy. A former U.S. Army Black Hawk pilot with 16 years of service, Jo shares the surreal story of being fired from the military for being transgender, being falsely accused online of causing a deadly helicopter crash, and somehow ending up doing stand-up comedy in Austin. In this set, Jo blends jokes about Texas laws, religion, dating, and identity with a serious reminder of what “No Kings” means: a country where the Constitution matters, disagreements can coexist with decency, and ordinary people hold power—not kings. The result is something unusual: a protest speech that’s also a stand-up set. Topics include: Being a trans Black Hawk pilot Moving to Austin and the Texas culture shock Converting to Judaism Internet conspiracies and being falsely blamed for a crash ating, family, and coming out Why humor can still exist in serious political moments Recorded live in Austin, Texas March 28th, 2026.Jo Ellis is a former Army National Guard Black Hawk pilot turned comedian, writer, and public speaker. She uses comedy to talk about identity, service, resilience, and the strange moments where politics and real life collide. More about Jo: https://joellisreally.com No Kings 3 was organized by Hands Off Central Texas @HandsOffCentralTexas https://www.handsoffcentraltx.org/events/nokings3

  • S1 · E11
    Dec 22, 2025 · 1 hr 1 min

    Six Months In Rogansphere: The Austin Comedy Grind, The Setbacks, The Wins

    If you’re into stand-up, behind-the-scenes comedy life, or stories about resilience after going viral for all the wrong reasons — you’re in the right place. Like, subscribe, and drop a comment with what you want Jo to talk about next. In this episode, Jo Ellis reflects on a whirlwind month in Austin as she continues her transition from Black Hawk pilot to full-time stand-up comic. She opens up about audience feedback on her podcast energy, her push to bring more personality to the mic, and how comedy has become both a mission and a coping tool after the viral conspiracy that upended her life. Jo shares behind-the-scenes stories from the Austin comedy scene — including last-minute spots, barking crowds into clubs, and memorable encounters with comics at Joe Rogan & Friends at the Comedy Mothership. She recounts standing up during Rogan’s Q&A to ask about AI, misinformation, and free speech, tying it back to the online rumor that put her family in danger. The episode also dives into Jo’s creative process: experimenting with new material about trans identity, religion, and visibility; drawing inspiration from storytellers like Steve Martin, Dane Cook, and Mike Birbiglia; and balancing humor with a deeper “why” behind her comedy. Beyond the stage, Jo talks candidly about setbacks — from blowing a tire before a long-anticipated track day at Circuit of the Americas to navigating the realities of grinding in a new city — while still finding joy in the journey. A major highlight: Jo announces and details her new late-night style show, “Friendly Fire with Jo Ellis,” debuting January 26 at Creek & the Cave. She outlines the format, guest plans, and her commitment to running it professionally by paying comics, promoting hard, and building something different. The episode closes with Jo’s unfiltered take on comedy show culture — why low-attendance rooms still deserve full effort, why bad mouthing audiences kills the vibe, and why every set should be treated like there are 100 people watching. It’s a rallying cry for professionalism, hustle, and respect for the craft.

  • S1 · E10
    Nov 24, 2025 · 1 hr 12 min

    Austin Comedy Update: New Bookings, Rogan Mission, and My Big Life Changes

    I’m finally back in Austin for a full three-month comedy push, and this episode is a full download of everything that has happened since I packed up my car on November 1st and drove 22 hours from Virginia.I moved to Austin to chase standup and earn my way onto the Joe Rogan Experience. New bookings, Kill Tony signups, and big steps in my journey as a trans veteran comic in the Mothership scene.In this update, I talk about:• New comedy bookings — Rozco’s Comedy Club on Dec 2nd and a 10-minute spot at Vulcan Gas Company on Dec 26th.• Grinding the Austin scene — signing up for Kill Tony and Mothership Open Mic every Monday, plus performing at Creek & The Cave and getting welcomed back by staff and comics who recognize me from Kill Tony.• Building community in Austin — new friends, other comics, and reconnecting with people like Ernest, another Army aviation veteran.• Growing my online presence — social media strategy shifts, going viral on X, fixing my Instagram visibility issues, and why follower growth matters for getting booked.• Updates to my comedy — new bits, refining the “trans grenade” opener, military stories, Chick-fil-A cow era, crash-rumor jokes, and leaning into my unique lane as a trans military comic.• Life changes — breast augmentation, hair transplant, settling into Austin routines, and focusing on health and training.• My memoir + documentary — writing the proposal, working with people who believe in the project, and why the timing with the upcoming Fighting Forward documentary could be huge.• Why the Joe Rogan seat still matters — what I hope to talk about, why I think my story resonates with his audience, and how Austin is the best place to make that connection.• The policy work I released — explaining the draft of my revised Standard of Care for gender dysphoria and the 10-point legal framework that pissed off some activists, and why I'm pushing for a middle-ground, guardrails-based approach to protect women, kids, and trans people.This episode is a big-picture snapshot of everything happening in my comedy journey, advocacy work, and life as I try to build something real here in Austin. I’m excited, terrified, motivated, and hopeful — and I can’t wait to see what happens next.#AustinComedy#AustinComedian#StandUpComedy#KillTony#KillTonyAustin#ComedyMothership#JoeRogan#joeroganexperience #RoganUniverse#VulcanGasCompany#RozcosComedyClub#AustinOpenMic#AustinStandup#TexasComedyScene#SunsetStrip#atx #transgender #transcomedian #trans

  • S1 · E9
    Oct 22, 2025 · 1 hr 2 min

    Did Trans Identity Really ‘Collapse’? War on Drug Boats, Rogan Mission & Nancy Mace Meltdown

    This week on The Jo Ellis Effect — former Black Hawk pilot turned comedian Jo Ellis breaks down the week’s wildest stories.🧠 Topics:• The new “trans identity in decline” survey — is it science or spin?• Trump’s drug-boat strike and why survivors were sent home vs prosecuted.• Phase 3 of Operation Conservative Psyop — Jo’s three-month move to Austin to get noticed by Joe Rogan and prove the scene is more open than people think.• The Ninth Circuit hearing on the trans military ban (Shilling v. Trump).• And Rep. Nancy Mace’s live meltdown on Sirius XM after Michael Smerconish defended Jo — because apparently “thank you for your service” has an asterisk now.🎙️ Comedy, Commentary, and life updates#JoEllisEffect #OperationConservativePsyop #TransVeteran #AustinComedy #KillTony #JoeRogan #TransMilitaryBan #NancyMace #StandupComedy #LGBTQ

  • S1 · E8
    Oct 8, 2025 · 10 min

    10 minutes of raw standup comedy from Jo Ellis - Richmond VA

    10 minutes of raw standup comedy from Jo Ellis — a trans Black Hawk helicopter pilot turned comedian. In this set, I riff on marriage, dating after divorce, and why I love my guns so much. From being defamed internationally online to being kicked out of the military by President Trump. Now navigating love, loss, religion and laughter back home. Nothing is off-limits.Recorded at Mell J's Bar (previously Another Round) in Richmond VA 10-5-25

  • S1 · E7
    Oct 5, 2025 · 1 hr 19 min

    Brisket, Comedy & Chaos - Life Updates, Austin Goals & Unfiltered Politics

    From Jewish holidays and brisket to bombing and building new stand-up jokes, I share comedy updates, Austin goals, and raw takes on politics, faith, and identity—plus a raunchy story you won’t forget.In this update, I share everything that’s been going on lately—from celebrating my first full cycle of Jewish holidays while converting, to cooking a killer Rosh Hashanah brisket, to fasting for Yom Kippur. I talk about my upcoming comedy gigs in Richmond, prepping to head back to Austin in November for three months of open mics, Kill Tony bucket pulls, and chasing the dream of becoming a regular at Joe Rogan’s Comedy Mothership.I also dive into some recent press—like being featured in The Observer’s piece on Austin comedy—and the strange but funny ways media seems to follow me around. On top of that, I share the painful reality of starting electrolysis, trying to get back in the CrossFit gym, and working out new material (including jokes about Waymo taxis and marriage).We get into heavier topics too: the Riyadh Comedy Festival, the debate over free speech vs. “blood money” gigs, the federalization of the National Guard, the shutdown chaos in D.C., and what it means legally when the U.S. calls cartel violence a “non-international armed conflict.”And, of course, I wrap it all up with some raunchy comedy about dating, pansexuality, and learning the infamous “two-hand twist.”👉 Stick around for laughs, politics, behind-the-scenes comedy grind, and my raw take on balancing identity, faith, and standup.jo ellis, jo ellis effect, stand up comedy, kill tony, comedy mothership, joe rogan, trans comedian, jewish conversion, brisket recipe, yom kippur fasting, sukkot, comedy austin texas, electrolysis journey, crossfit comeback, waymo joke, pansexual comedy, politics and comedy, riyadh comedy festival, national guard news, us drug war

  • S1 · E6
    Sep 23, 2025 · 1 hr 14 min

    Skateboarding in the UK, Comedy in Amsterdam, Trans Ideology Inspired Violent Extremism (TIVE)

    Join me for a big life update that spans stand-up comedy, skateboarding, and some deep cultural reflections. 🌍✈️ 🎤 I performed at the Comedy Mothership in Austin—one of my best sets yet—before flying to the UK for The Skate Retreat, a week of skating, coaching, and unplugging in the woods. From there, I spent a few days in Amsterdam, where I unexpectedly jumped on stage at a queer bar when the scheduled comedians canceled, turning it into a spontaneous 24-minute set. 💬 Along the way, I reflect on the assassination of Charlie Kirk, online discourse, and the troubling rhetoric around “eradicating transgenderism.” I share my thoughts on free speech, safety, and why nuance matters more than ever. ✨ Personal updates include: Preparing for hair restoration this fall Upcoming comedy gigs in Richmond + a 3-month Austin stay Christina P (comedian + wife of Tom Segura) following me on Instagram Gratitude for family, community, and all of you supporting this journey This episode blends travel, comedy, advocacy, and real talk about where we are as a society. Thanks for watching and supporting The Jo Ellis Effect! 🔔 Subscribe here on YouTube 🎧 Or listen on Apple & Spotify #Comedy #TransVoices #Skateboarding #Amsterdam #AustinComedy

  • S1 · E5
    Sep 7, 2025 · 41 min

    More Austin Texas Updates - Tales From A Trans Comedian

    In this episode of The Jo Ellis Effect, I share my latest Austin updates before heading overseas. From marking my two-year transition anniversary with fresh hair and nails, to gearing up for a UK skateboarding retreat, it’s been a wild ride. 🎤 Comedy Highlights: Winning my round at the Money Mic at Shakespeare’s and going head-to-head with Comedy Mothership regular Riley Gilmore. Barking on the street to bring people into shows (and jokingly selling myself as the attraction). Hitting riff mics, tag-writing mics, and testing my crowd work. 🌈 Community & Commentary: Meeting fellow trans comics like Juanita (a Kill Tony regular) and Alexa. My take on Marc Maron’s criticisms of Austin comedy and why I believe Tony Hinchcliffe has done more for trans comics than most. Handling awkward (and sometimes hacky) moments on stage with honesty and humor. 🍸 Behind the Scenes: Hanging out at Mitzi’s Bar with Tony Hinchcliffe, Joe DeRosa, David Lucas, Martin, and more. Celebrating Kam Patterson’s big news about joining SNL after seeing him crush multiple shows. 🚀 Looking Ahead: My last Kill Tony and Mothership open mic attempts before leaving town. Returning in November for three months of stage time and deeper roots in the Austin scene. My ultimate goal: landing on The Joe Rogan Experience to bring a fresh, pragmatic trans perspective to a new audience. Thanks for tuning in and supporting the journey — the Austin comedy community has been so open and welcoming, and I can’t wait to be back in November! Follow Jo on socials and YouTube: @JoEllisReally

  • S1 · E4
    Aug 31, 2025 · 50 min

    Live from Austin TX! Tales of Kill Tony and Austin Comedy

    Jo Ellis sharing updates from her first week in Austin TX. Tales of being at Joe Rogan's Comedy Mothership, Mitzi's bar, Sunset Strip, The Creek and the Cave, and signing up for Kill Tony again!#standupcomedy Follow Jo on socials and YouTube @JoEllisReally

  • S1 · E3
    Aug 13, 2025 · 40 min

    Updates and Working New Jokes from VA

    We talk about what's happening this week, my open mic experience at a goth fetish club, Buc-ee's and the Chick-fil-a cow.Follow Jo on socials and YouTube @JoEllisReally

  • S1 · E2
    Aug 6, 2025 · 14 min

    What's Next For Jo Ellis after Kill Tony?

    I recap and talk next steps after my Kill Tony appearance on episode 727. See my KT appearance here: https://youtu.be/_WYC-flN8Nc#standupcomedyFollow Jo on socials and Youtube: @JoEllisReally

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