This episode of Prequel brings your the wonderful NYC comic Jono Zalay.  Neel & Tushar were able to sit down to talk about his childhood.  He started life and standup in San Diego. In 2006 he moved to Boston where he became a staple at New England comedy clubs, all while earning his Doctorate in Neuroscience. Since 2008 he has been invited to perform in over 20 comedy festivals, winning all of them in the “most fun” category he made up. Jono now lives in New York City where he has been featured in Time Out New York and Comedy Central’s ‘Up Next’ talent search. His informed background brings a perspective to stand-up comedy unequaled by almost any PhD in Neuroscience. Please follow him on twitter @JonoZalay and enjoy the show!

Matt Knudsen is a LA based comedian and actor.  Neel & Tushar sat with Matt to discuss being raised in the midwest by a traveling pastor.  Hawaii and was quickly whisked away to grow up in the unforgiving cold of the Midwest.  After finishing school in California, he started his life at sea as a merchant marine, sailing to various ports in Europe, Africa, the Americas, Japan, Korea and China.  After almost 5 years, Matt began performing stand-up comedy at clubs in Los Angeles and New York.  As a stand up, Matt has performed at the Just For Laughs Festival in Montreal where he was named a “Best of the Fest,” as well as Conan, The Late Late Show and Last Call. His critically acclaimed albums, The Comedy Stylings of Matt Knudsen and American are top downloads on iTunes and heard regularly on Sirius/XM radio.  Please follow him on twitter @mattknudsen and enjoy the episode!

Guy Branum is an actor, comedian, and writer that can be seen as a regular panelist on "Chelsea Lately" on the E! network.  Neel and Tushar were able to sit with Guy to discuss his pre-comedy life which included growing up near an almond farm in rural Northern California.  We learn that Guy is a late bloomer in many aspects of his life including starting comedy and coming out of the closet after becoming a professional lawyer.  Honest, vulnerable and hilarious - this conversation is great for many reasons.  Watch his live stand up and follow Guy on twitter @guybranum.  Enjoy the episode!

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Veteran Stand up Comedian, Podcast Host (The Todd Glass Show), Actor, Writer, and a newly published Author, Todd Glass sits down with Prequel hosts Neel Nanda and Tushar Singh to discuss his life before comedy.  Todd shares vivid stories of his 3 brothers and his fathers shoe business. Todd also shares his experiences growing up in Philadelphia and keeping to himself that he is gay.  He tells us stories about the friends he was comfortable talking to about his sexuality and the times he had to avoid the subject all together. Todd ends the podcast by telling us about his first time telling jokes on stage after he backed out the week before. Todd has appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live, Late Night With Conan O' Brien, Louie, Tosh.0 and filmed his Comedy Central Presents in 2001. Todd currently hosts The Todd Glass Show on the Nerdist Network. Todd just released his first book, The Todd Glass Situation, which is an honest memoir about his last 30 years of comedy and his personal search for acceptance. Follow Todd Glass on twitter @ToddGlass and pick up a copy of The Todd Glass Situation. 

Comedian Nate Bargatze sat down with Neel & Tushar for this week's Prequel.  He discussed his childhood including growing up in Tennesse with a father as a magician & clown.  Exposed to stand up early, Nate shared with us the events that led to him moving to Chicago and ultimately NYC to become one of best working comics around. He won both the New York and Boston Comedy Festivals in the same year.  You may have caught him on the Tonight Show as well as the Clean Cut Comedy Tour.  Nate's best selling album "Yelled at by a Clown" held onto the Billboard Top Ten Comedy Charts for two weeks.  Please check out his live performances by visiting his website www.natebargatze.com and following him on twitter @natebargatze.  Enjoy!

Author, columnist, and comedian Steve Hofstetter sits down with hosts Neel Nanda and Tushar Singh to talk about his childhood.  Steve discussing growing up poor and Jewish in New York. He also tells a story about joining and falling in love with Improv at age 12 because of a crush. Steve has appeared ESPN's Quite Frankly, where Stephen A. Smith yelled at him for three minutes. Hofstetter has also appeared on CBS' "Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson," Showtime's "White Boyz in the Hood," VH1's "Countdown," Sundance's "On the Road in America," and ABC's "Barbara Walter's Special." Follow @stevehofstetter and please see him live. 

Hilarious Comedian (Last Comic Standing, Conan), Writer (FX), and Psychology Major Aparna Nancherla sits down hosts Neel Nanda and Tushar Singh to talk about her life before she started comedy. She begins by telling the story of her parents arranged marriage and their journey to America. She discusses being a "loner", "spacing out", and taking a public speaking class when she was 11 where she wrote a speech about improving Bollywood Movies. Listen to her story up until her first time on stage at a Best Western. Follow her on twitter @aparnapkin and YouTube her Conan appearance, it's easily one of the best.

Hosts Neel Nanda and Tushar Singh sit down with hilarious comedian, actor and podcast host Chris Fairbanks to explore his childhood. Chris talks about growing up in Montana and knowing that he wanted to be an artist at an early age.  Chris talks about getting into skateboarding, drawing, and putting a lot of his effort into the things he wanted.  He walks us through his first stand up comedy set in Texas. Watch Chris Fairbanks's Conan appearance and follow him on twitter @chrisfairbanks 

For this week's Prequel we got to sit down with the very talented muscial comedian Kris Rubio.  Born in the Philippines, Kris Rubio started stand-up comedy in high school and always strived to be comically different. After performing traditional stand-up for many years he enterted the world of writing comedy music where he found his calling. This episode is filled with stories of his pre performance life, including strange religious practices in his mother country as well as an amazing first kiss story.  Please follow him on twitter @krisrubio and visit his website for his live tour dates www.KrisRubio.com.  

Enjoy the episode & don't forget to subscribe today!

Comedian and actor Danny Jolles sits down with us to talk about everything before his first time stepping on stage.  Danny shares the delightful story of how his parents met as actors working on the same live production.  He also shared a traumatic story of his house burning down and talks to us about discovering comedy through Improv. Please see Danny perform and follow him on twitter @Dannyjolles . Also watch and subscribe to his sketch group Sasquatch on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GhB1-6USbxI  . Download and subscribe on Itunes :https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/prequel-podcast/id704984238?mt=2

Comedian and good friend Ben Bizuneh begins his childhood story with an inspiring tale of how his parents made it to the United States.  Growing up in Indiana, Ben discusses being a first generation student and having two older brothers.  Ben also describes an experience that changed dating for him forever at a very young age. Bizuneh mentions how his father is a hit at Ethiopian parties although he doesn't understand his father's jokes. Ben finds comedy from a vulnerable place and draws from personal experience. Please follow Ben @benbizuneh and watch his YouTube channel Lie Guys.

Comedian and writer for Vice.com, Julia Prescott sits down with us to discuss her short but exciting road stand up comedy in Los Angeles.  Born and raised in North Hollywood Julia recalls being an avid comedy fan at a young age because of her father's influence. Julia describes her father (who has performed comedy) as a "Dave Collier from Full House" kind of guy.  Aside from her family, Julia talks about her life as a teen in North Hollywood and attending Art School and quickly realizing it wasn't for her. Listen to her Prequel here, then follow Julia on twitter @Juliaprescott and listen to her podcast Friday Night Film School.   

Listen to a great episode of Prequel with New York based comedian Josh Gondelman. He is a writer and comedian who incubated in Boston before moving to New York City. With years of experience as a preschool teacher and a pretty good guy, Josh charms audiences using his good-natured storytelling and cracks them up with his sharp, pointy wit. He takes topics from surprise parties to playing the trombone and makes them all equally hilarious.  Winner of the inaugural Laughing Skull Festival in 2010 and one of the stars of Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, please follow Josh on Twitter and catch his live performance dates at www.joshgondelman.com.   Enjoy!

This week's episode of Prequel is with Los Angeles based comedian Nate Craig.  Fresh off his tour opening for Bill Burr, Nate shared with us his stories of pre-comedy life including his parents being divorced early on, being a fat kid and having a prominent overbite.  Catch all his live performance dates on www.natecraig.com and follow him on twitter @Natecraig1.  Enjoy!

Our guest on this episode of Prequel is Denver based comedian Kristen Rand. The stories leading up to her first set included a relatively wonderful childhood, her foray into sketch & acting, and her relationship with drugs & sex.  Please follow her on twitter @krandomthoughts and check out her live performances.  Enjoy!

This week we got to sit down with the very funny LA based comedian Matthew Broussard. A great story leading into his first set as he revealed that his heritage is half-Jewish but he was raised full Jew.  The more Matthew is depressed/stressed out, the more he works out - leaving him as a sad, very physically fit man.  We loved this one.  Visit his website http://mondaypunday.com/ and follow him on twitter @mondaypunday.  Enjoy!

This week on Prequel we have the UK based comedian Wendy Wason.  A truely international childhood, Wendy shared with us her road to stand up comedy that came after her second child.  A seasoned actress and a hilarious comedian, we love this episode as she takes us on wonderful tangential stories. Follow Wendy on twitter @Wendy_Wason and enjoy!

Jeff Oliver is a New York based comedian who sat down with us to describe his relatively unique childhood.  In Obamaesque fashion Jeff was raised by a single white mother in Oregon with a not-to-be-seen black muslim father.  This means that one day he will run for comedy President.  A great story teller and a wonderful comedian, please follow Jeff on twitter @Jeff_Oliver and enjoy the episode!

This week we were lucky to sit down with the lovely international comedian Felicity Ward.  Originally from Austrialia and now in UK, Felicity had a very interesting road to stand up.  She is a very good friend of ours and maybe the bestest person around.  Please follow her on twitter @felicityward and check out her website www.felicityward.com.  Enjoy!

We are happy to announce that this week's Prequel guest Adam Newman is on a short list to have his own Comedy Central special this year!  Based out of New York City and brought up in Atlanta, Adam decribed his dreadlocked musical years leading up to his first time on stage - which was a truly unique 45 minute set.  Please follow him on twitter @Adam_Newman and catch his tour dates on http://adamnewmancomedy.com/.  Enjoy!

This week we got to sit down with the hilarious LA based comedian/rapper Zach Sherwin.  Previously known as MC Mr. Napkins, Zach's life before comedy included being raised by a single mother who is a Rabbi and a strong interest to express himself musically. He even performed one of his early raps for us which was amazing.  Please follow him on Twitter @zachsherwin and catch one of his live performance dates http://zachsherwin.com.  Enjoy!

This week we got to interview the very funny LA based comedian K-Von.  We had a great time discovering everything that led to him starting stand up as he described the tales of growing up with a dad from the Middle-East and a mom from Middle-America.  An amazing live act, his disconnection with his father's culture has given him a unique perspective on stage.  K-Von was nice enough to offer two tickets to one of his shows to any one who mentions they heard this episode.  Follow him on twitter @KvonComedy or go to his website www.k-voncomedy.com.  Enjoy!

The wonderful Los Angeles based comedian Ester Steinberg sat with us this week to talk all things before comedy.  Growing up in a large Jewish family Ester has a colorful childhood with a Israeli mother and lawyer/comedian father who "brainwashed" her to pursue a career in entertainment.  Please follow her on Twitter @esterkay and catch her live performance dates.  Enjoy!

This week we were very happy to sit down with the very funny LA based comedian Dan Cummins.  His stories of growing up in relative isolation were great, including a super sad virginity tale, thoughts on Mormonism and a great path to starting stand up.  He will soon be the first exclusive Pandora comedian.  Be sure to check out his live performance dates on www.dancummins.tv and follow him at @D_cummins. Enjoy!

This week we got to sit down with the very funny LA based comedian Brent Sullivan.  Brent had an interesting childhood with a pivatal moment early on that made him into the comedian he is today.  He is a great performer so please follow him on twitter @mrbrentsullivan and check out a live show.  Enjoy!

LA comedian Shane Mauss sat down with us for a great Prequel where he discussed all things pre-comedy.  He was a bit of a wild child with run-ins with the law that was driven by alcohol - eventually starting in Boston.  We are glad he survived it all to become one of our favorite comedians.  Shane has a new special coming out in 2014 so lookout for that release on www.shanemauss.com and follow him on twitter @shanecomedy.  Enjoy this episode!

LA based comedian Fahim Anwar sat down with us this week to discuss his childhood.  Yet another comedian with an early start in comedy, this episode covered Fahim's ambitious ability to produce shows as well as the idea of a "mega mosque".  Catch his sketch comedy group www.goatfacecomedy.com, follow him on twitter @fahimanwar and check out his live performance dates at www.fahimanwar.com. Please enjoy this episode!

This episode of Prequel goes over LA comedian Andi Osho's childhood which took place in London.  We loved this one as we got to explore how much we don't know about the rest of the world. Please catch her live dates at www.andiosho.co.uk and follow her on twitter @andiosho.  Please enjoy!

As a Los Angeles based comic, artist, musician, actress, & writer, Melissa Villasenor sat down with us to discuss her short life before comedy. A great interview with several breakout song sessions and wonderful childhood stories.  We love her. Her EP is coming out soon, please follow her on @melissavpees and check out her tour schedule at http://melissavillasenor.virb.com/.  Enjoy!

Annie Lederman sits down to talk about growing up as the badass twin. She discusses having problems with human touch and being kicked off her own mom's little league team. Annie is a Chelsea Lately regular and one of our regulars at our Westside Comedy Theater's Unnecessary Evil. She's a nationally touring headliner so catch her in your city and follow her on twitter @annielederman 

Comedian OWEN SMITH has performed stand-up on "Conan", "Comedy Central's "Premium Blend", "Russell Simmons Presents: The Ruckus", HBO's "Def Comedy Jam", BET's "Comic View", and at Montreal's prestigious "Just For Laughs Comedy Festival." He is a regular comedian at the World Famous Comedy Store in Hollywood, CA and the famed Comedy Cellar in New York City. Material from Owen’s hour long comedy special “Anonymous”, plays in heavy rotation on all the comedy stations on Sirrus/XM Radio.

In addition to his stand-up comedy work, Owen is an accomplished television writer who's recent credits include: The Conan O'Brian produced late night variety show "Deon Cole's Black Box"; and NBC's primetime sitcom "Whitney". He was also a writer and guest star actor on the Chris Rock hit sitcom "Everybody Hates Chris" and on the Ice Cube series "Are We There Yet?"

Owen is also a widely-recognized comedic commercial actor who's work has included principle roles in the long-running State Farm "Fan-Cam Dance" commercial and other humor-themed national spots for brands such as McDonalds, Kmart, and General Mills.

Owen's personal appearances include MTV2's "Hip Hop Squares", "Love You, Mean It" on E!, and the "Playboy Morning Show" on Playboy TV.

See Owen Smith’s Full One Hour Comedy Special here: http://bit.ly/1g0Jk3t

On Sunday November 24, 2013 Owen will l be shooting his New Hour Comedy Special entitled “Good Luck Everybody” at the M.I.’s Westside Comedy Theatre located at the Santa Monica Promenade in Santa Monica, CA. Two shows 7pm and 9pm. For more info call the Westside Comedy Theatre at 310-451-0850.

You can learn more about Owen Smith at:

Website: http://www.owensmithisfunny.com

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/owensmith4real

Facbook: http://www.facebook.com/owensmith4real

This week's guest is LA based comedian Dave Stone.  Fresh off his first Craig Ferguson set, Dave's Prequel includes a very interesting road to comedy including a variety of jobs we totally did not see coming (nor did he expect to talk about them).  We really enjoyed this talk as Dave is a good friend and from our hometown of Atlanta.  Please follow him on twitter @davestonecomedy and check out his website www.davestonecomedy.com.  Enjoy the show!

Jake Johannsen is a Los Angeles based comedian. A remarkable comedy resume including appearing on the Late Show with David Letterman 42 times.  His Prequel included his upbringing in Iowa and Tennesse through college as a chemical engineer into his first time performing.  Please follow him on Twitter @jakethis, his website www.jakethis.com or his podcast "jakethis".  Enjoy!

Matt Ingebretson is a LA based comedian.  He sat with us to discuss his upbringing which included moving around alot before settling in Texas where he started his tales of catholic guilt, first kiss, and sex techniques. Also if you'd like to break into any of his accounts we go over ALL of his security questions.  His evolution into a comedian is a great story. Please follow him on twitter @mattingebretson and enjoy this episode!

LA based comedian Matt Kirshen sat with us to discuss his upbringing in North London and his time before comedy dabbling in mathematics. As a finalist for Last Comic Standing's 2007 season, Matt can be scene performing comedy venues across the world.  Kirshen hosts a science-based comedy podcast called "Probably Science".  Please follow him on twitter @mattkirshen. Enjoy this episode!

Al Jackson sat down with us and discussed his road to comedy, which included growing up in multiple cities, traveling the world to have sex, becoming a teacher and eventually becoming a great comedian.  Based in LA and seen on"John Oliver's New York Stand-Up Show" & his own "Comedy Central Presents", his comedy has been described as "edgy, hard-nosed comedy with a laid-back swagger and a giant smile." Follow him on twitter and check him out live @aljackson

Andy Haynes is a Los Angeles based comedian.  He sat with us and shared stories of his Pacific Northwest upbringing including a stellar molestation tale, his bouts with alcohol and his entry into the world of comedy.  He writes for TBS's new sitcome Ground Floor and has been featured on Conan & Jimmy Fallon.  Please follow him on @imandyhaynes.  Enjoy!

Mark Normand is our second comedian who grew up in New Orleans and now lives in New York City.  Hilarious anecdotes of reverse racism during childhood, a virginity story with some balls and masturbation tales that will make you jealous. Please check out his stand up and follow up on twitter @marknorm.  Enjoy!

Tone Bell is a Los Angeles based comedian/actor.  Best known for starring on NBC's hit show "Whitney", he can been seen headlining comedy clubs & colleges across the country.  This prequel takes us through his 2nd grade dating life, the insecure years & the ultimate road to becoming a great comic.  Check out his dates on www.toneisfunny.com and follow him on twitter @tonebell.  Please enjoy!

Jake Weisman is a Los Angeles based comedian.  Sincere, warm, and hilarious, this Prequel was full of anecdotes highlighting a well-oiled Jewish self-hate machine. Please follow him on his twitter feed @weismanjake.  He also has a sketch group called WOMEN (www.womencomedy.com). He loves cats and he thinks people are attractive.  Enjoy!

Grant Lyon is a comedian based out of LA.  Born in Los Angeles to a very large family, taken to Chicago for middle school, high school in Sacramento, college in Santa Cruz, Grant has been around.  His Prequel includes anecdotes about his battles with women and the road to life as a comedian.  Find out how to find him at his website: www.grantlyon.com

Baron Vaughn is a LA based comedian who headlines across the country.  His upbringing in the deep south and then Sin City truly gives him a unique comedy perspective.  Our only complaint about this show was that it was too short.  He is one of our favorite people in the world.  Please check out his website and catch him in your city:  www.baronvaughn.com

When it's all said and done, Sean Patton will be a comedy legend.  We call it.  Starting with a unique childhood in New Orleans leading up to his first comedy set, this Prequel is full of hilarious stories highlighting the comedic genius of Sean.  Please check out his tour dates here: www.iamseanpatton.com

Hosts Neel Nanda and Tushar Singh interview each other as an introduction and preview of things to come on the Prequel podcast.  With the initial question of how your parents met all the way until the first comedy set, this interview was full of interesting anecdotes on what made these two into comedians.