Hey, I’m Tim Barnes, you are the genre, and in this episode I’m chatting with playwright, actor, and JUDGE TRAVIS staff writer Ben Holbrook. We met years ago at a standup show that I was on and he was attending and it kicked off a unique friendship where every now and then we’ll just have a real, solid chat that ranges from sci-fi to a psychological analysis of intergenerational trauma—which, I suppose, can be another form of sci-fi. It was a pleasure to bring him aboard the writing team for JUDGE TRAVIS and before we dive into the nuances of his creative career in this episode, we discuss his process for writing episode 6 of the show.

Ben also has a hilarious scripted audio series of his own titled Kepler’s Ark!

I hope this inspires you to have a deep conversation with a friend soon.

Best,

Tim

Ben Holbrook is a Brooklyn-based (originally from NC) playwright, filmmaker, and creator of digital and live experiences whose works have been produced, developed, or commissioned by: The Brick, The High Line, The Prism Festival (Makers Ensemble and Judson Church), Theatre Untitled, The Exponential Festival, Fundamental Theater Project, Ruddy Productions, The Samuel French OOB Festival, The Mercury Store, The New York International Fringe Festival, The Memphis Fringe Festival, The Motor Company, Wildwind Performance Lab, Voices of the South (TN), Ugly Rhino(LA), Seoul Players (SK), Holiday House, Find the Light (LA), The Irish Arts Council, 45th Street Block Association, and Paper Lantern Theatre Company (NC). Films

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Merch and more are coming soon at YouAreTheGenre.com

CREDITS:

* Host: Tim Barnes

* Guest: Ben Holbrook

* Theme Song: “You Are The Genre” by Freddie Nunez

* Music Engineer: Adam Smith

* Podcast Art: Madhuri Shukla

Hey, I’m Tim Barnes, you are the genre, and in this episode I’m chatting with Ian Abramson TWICE!

First up: a behind-the-scenes conversation about his experience writing episode five of my new scripted podcast JUDGE TRAVIS.

Second: a a special re-release of our conversation from 2024 where we discussed his standup comedy special The Heist.

Ian and I have known each other since high school and have collaborated on numerous projects from a web series that’s probably hard to find on the internet these days to the short film we co-created called Inland Empire (no relation to the David Lynch classic).

If you’re a fan of comedy math, pop culture and sugar burps—this is the episode for you.

Best,

Tim

Here’s Ian’s bio, as written on his website:

Ian Abramson? I haven’t heard that name in a long time...

Well, not the way you pronounce it anyway.

My name is Ian Abramson (I’m sorry, you’re still reading that wrong. EE-IN ABE-RAM-SHGERT).

I grew up in the Inland Empire. Between San Diego and Los Angeles. Weird area, but it made me a weird guy so who’s complaining? I went to college and I worked in summer camps. I’ve been told I have camp counselor vibes, which I guess just means I’m a lot sometimes.

I’m a comedian. I write, I act, blah, blah, blah.

They say not to make your website funny, but if you’re looking for something serious online I’d suggest Wikipedia.

Listen toYou Are The Genre episodes a week earlier than the rest by selecting a paid subscription to the newsletter!

Merch and more are coming soon at YouAreTheGenre.com

CREDITS:

* Host: Tim Barnes

* Guest: Ian Abramson

* Theme Song: “You Are The Genre” by Freddie Nunez

* Music Engineer: Adam Smith

* Podcast Art: Madhuri Shukla

Hey, I’m Tim Barnes, you are the genre, and in this episode I’m chatting with comedian, writer, and fashion designer Rebecca O’Neal. We’ve been friends circa 2012 in the Chicago comedy scene and I was thrilled to bring her aboard the writers’ room for JUDGE TRAVIS. O’Neal wrote episode 4 of JUDGE TRAVIS which premiered February 18, so you can either listen after this interview or before!

We commiserate on the pluses and minuses of a sheltered childhood, nostalgia for the Chicago comedy scene that defined us, and the testy waters of the entertainment industry as it stands now.

O’Neal is a powerhouse of creativity and JUDGE TRAVIS is all the better for it.

Enjoy!

-Tim

Listen toYou Are The Genre episodes a week earlier than the rest by selecting a paid subscription to the newsletter!

Merch and more are coming soon at YouAreTheGenre.com

CREDITS:

* Host: Tim Barnes

* Guest: Rebecca O’Neal

* Theme Song: “You Are The Genre” by Freddie Nunez

* Music Engineer: Adam Smith

* Podcast Art: Madhuri Shukla