In this episode, Caleb White sits down with comedian Nate Wright to talk about what it takes to build a local comedy scene, produce successful shows, and balance a creative life both on and off the stage.

Nate is the producer of the Upper Crust Comedy Series at Rock Hill Bakehouse & Cafe, and also works at Comedy Works in Saratoga Springs. The conversation covers everything from producing comedy shows and growing audiences to Nate's unique background as a welder, artist, actor, and comedian.

Topics include: 🎤 Producing the Upper Crust Comedy Series 🎭 Building local comedy shows and supporting comics ⚙️ Nate's background as a welder and how it shaped his work ethic 🎨 His passion for art and creativity outside of comedy 🎬 Acting, performing, and finding opportunities in entertainment 😂 Working behind the scenes at Comedy Works in Saratoga Springs

Whether you're a comedian looking to produce your own shows or someone who enjoys hearing how people build creative careers, this episode offers a great look at the work that happens behind the curtain.

🥐 Be sure to follow Rock Hill Bakehouse & Cafe (@rockhillbakehousecafe) and check out the Upper Crust Comedy Series for upcoming shows. Supporting local venues like Rock Hill helps keep live comedy growing in our community!

📲 Follow the podcast: @whatsgoinonpodcast 🎧 Listen on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

🔔 Subscribe for more conversations with comedians, filmmakers, musicians, first responders, and fascinating people from all walks of life.

#StandUpComedy #NateWright #UpperCrustComedy #RockHillBakehouse #ComedyWorks #ComedyPodcast #SaratogaComedy #UpstateNYComedy #WhatsGoinOnPodcast

In this episode, Caleb White sits down with comedian, filmmaker, and producer Shawn Barnes to talk about his journey through stand-up comedy and the exciting opportunities that have come with it.

Winner of the 2025 Capital Region's Funniest Comic Competition, Shawn shares what the victory has meant for his career, his experience opening for Adam Ray, and what it's like performing at some of New York's top comedy clubs, including the Albany Funny Bone, Comedy Works, Greenwich Village Comedy Club, Broadway Comedy Club, The Stand, and more.

The conversation also explores Shawn's work in filmmaking, including his recent film project with director Jay Leonard. They discuss the challenges of independent filmmaking, bringing a vision to life, and how storytelling translates from the comedy stage to the movie screen.

Topics include: 🏆 Winning the 2025 Capital Region's Funniest Comic Competition 🎤 Opening for Adam Ray and performing throughout New York State 😂 Growing as a comedian and taking the next step in comedy 🎬 Producing independent films and working behind the camera 🎥 Creating the film It's Always Almost Over with director Jay Leonard 🎭 Balancing careers in stand-up comedy and filmmaking

Whether you're a fan of stand-up, independent film, or hearing how entertainers build a career from the ground up, this episode offers an inside look at the hustle behind both industries.

📲 Follow Shawn Barnes: Instagram: @shawnbarnes32 🌐 Website: shawnbarnescomedy.com

🎬 Follow It's Always Almost Over: Instagram: @alwaysalmostover

Be sure to check out Shawn's website for upcoming tour dates, stand-up clips, film projects, and more.

📲 Follow the podcast: @whatsgoinonpodcast 🎧 Listen on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

🔔 Subscribe for more conversations with comedians, filmmakers, musicians, first responders, and fascinating people from all walks of life.

#StandUpComedy #ShawnBarnes #ComedyPodcast #AdamRay #CapitalRegionsFunniest #AlbanyFunnyBone #ComedyWorks #IndependentFilm #AlwaysAlmostOver #Filmmaking #WhatsGoinOnPodcast

In this episode, Caleb White sits down with fellow comedian Sam Badali (@sam_badali) for a conversation about growing up in church, finding comedy, and performing in scenes across Vermont, New York City, and Upstate New York.

The two discuss how their backgrounds shaped their sense of humor, the differences between comedy scenes in different parts of the Northeast, and what it takes to keep developing as a comic while constantly chasing stage time.

They also talk about Sam's podcast, "Whatever Happened There," which he co-hosts with Rex Lengyel.

Topics include: ⛪ Growing up in church and how it influenced comedy 🎤 Performing stand-up in Vermont, NYC, and Upstate New York 🛣️ Traveling for comedy and building experience on the road 😂 Finding your voice as a comedian 🎙️ Creating and hosting the Whatever Happened There podcast

If you're interested in stand-up comedy, comedy scenes around the Northeast, or hearing comics talk about the experiences that shaped them, this episode is definitely worth checking out.

📲 Follow Sam Badali: Instagram: @sam_badali

🎙️ Check out "Whatever Happened There" Instagram: @samandrexpod

📲 Follow the podcast: @whatsgoinonpodcast 🎧 Available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts

🔔 Subscribe for more episodes featuring comedians, first responders, musicians, filmmakers, and fascinating people from all walks of life.

#StandUpComedy #ComedyPodcast #SamBadali #WhateverHappenedThere #ComedianLife #NYCComedy #VermontComedy #UpstateComedy #WhatsGoinOnPodcast #PodcastLife

In this episode, Caleb White sits down with Frank Palangi — indie hard rock artist, horror filmmaker, actor, director, and editor — for a conversation about independent filmmaking and the reality of creating projects from the ground up.

The episode covers Frank’s process for writing, directing, editing, producing, and acting in his own films, along with the realities of distributing independent movies. They also discuss balancing music with filmmaking, creative burnout, and the grind of being a fully independent artist.

Topics include: 🎬 Independent horror filmmaking 🎭 Acting, directing, editing, and producing films ✍️ Frank’s creative and writing process 📦 Distributing independent movies 🎸 Balancing filmmaking with a music career 🎥 Stories from working on movie sets

Whether you’re into horror films, indie music, filmmaking, or just hearing how creative people build things from scratch, this episode has a lot to offer.

📲 Follow Frank Palangi: 🎬 Film Instagram: @palangifilms 🎸 Music Instagram: @frankpalangimusic ▶️ YouTube: @FrankPalangi 🎧 Listen on Spotify & Apple Music 🌐 Website: frankpalangi.com

📲 Follow the podcast: @whatsgoinonpodcast 🎧 Available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts

🔔 Subscribe for more episodes with comedians, filmmakers, musicians, first responders, and people creating cool things independently.

#IndieFilm #HorrorMovies #FrankPalangi #Filmmaking #IndependentFilm #HorrorFilm #MovieMaking #MusicPodcast #WhatsGoinOnPodcast #DIYFilmmaking

In this episode of the What’s Goin’ On Podcast, comedian and paramedic Caleb White breaks down real EMS hot takes submitted by providers—from mechanical CPR devices to paramedic training standards and the ongoing debate between confidence vs competence in the field.

Some of these takes might piss you off. Some might make you rethink how you practice. Either way, this is the real conversation EMS providers are having behind the scenes.

This episode is also dedicated to Firefighter/Paramedic Micki Guy—a loved mother, friend, instructor, and provider who was seriously injured in the line of duty. If you’re able to support her and her family, the link is below.

❤️ If you’re able to support her and her family, please consider donating: 👉 https://gofund.me/e2d194159

📲 Follow the podcast: @whatsgoinonpodcast 🎧 Available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts

• Caleb White (Instagram): https://instagram.com/calebjameswhite
• Podcast Instagram: https://instagram.com/whatsgoinonpodcast

🔔 Subscribe for more episodes with comedians, first responders, and real conversations from people in the field.

#EMS #Paramedic #Firefighter #EMTHotTakes #EmergencyMedicine #FirstResponders #WhatsGoinOnPodcast

In this episode, I sit down with comedian and show producer Ethan Wilder (@ethan_wilder16) to talk about everything he’s got going on — from producing his own events to the random jobs and experiences that somehow turn into comedy material.

We get into the shows Ethan is running through Wyld Eperiences LLC (@wyld.eperiencesllc), what it’s like working at a hookah lounge, hosting speed dating events, and, of course, tattoos and the stories behind them. It’s a mix of comedy talk and real-life chaos that ends up being way more relatable than it should be.

If you’re into the behind-the-scenes side of comedy or just like hearing how people juggle a bunch of different hustles, this one’s a fun listen.

📲 Follow Ethan: Instagram: @ethan_wilder16

📲 Check out Wyld Eperiences LLC: Instagram: @wyld.eperiencesllc

📲 Follow the podcast: @whatsgoinonpodcast 🎧 Available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts

🔔 Subscribe for more episodes with comedians, first responders, and people who somehow keep all these side quests going at once.

In this episode, I’m joined by comedians Ryan Anderson and Mel Bradshaw , the people behind Cloud City Comedy in the Capital District. We talk about what goes into producing shows, building a local comedy scene, and everything that comes with it — the good, the stressful, and the stuff you don’t see from the audience.

From there, the conversation goes in a few different directions — including mental health, religious experiences, and somehow even hiking injuries. It’s one of those episodes that feels more like a real hang than an interview, but there’s a lot of insight mixed in with the chaos.

If you’re into comedy or curious about what it actually takes to run shows and grow a scene, definitely check this one out.

📲 Follow Cloud City Comedy: Instagram: @cloudcitycomedy Email: cloudcitycomedy@gmail.com (for shows, questions, or booking info)

📲 Follow the comics: Ryan Anderson (Facebook): Ryan Andersons Mel Bradshaw: @melbradshawcomedy

📲 Follow the podcast: @whatsgoinonpodcast 🎧 Available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts

🔔 Subscribe for more episodes with comedians, first responders, and people doing interesting things in their communities.

In this episode, I sit down with author and comedian Joel Dorian to talk about the overlap between writing and stand-up, finding your voice creatively, and why some stories only work when you’re honest enough to make people uncomfortable.

We get into Joel’s journey as both a writer and a comic, how storytelling changes depending on the medium, and what it’s like turning personal experiences into something people actually want to read — or laugh at. It’s thoughtful, funny, and the kind of conversation that slowly sneaks up on deeper topics without feeling forced.

If you like comedy with substance, writers who aren’t afraid to be vulnerable, and conversations that feel more like a late-night hang than an interview, this one’s worth your time.

📲 Follow Joel Dorian:

• Main page: @joeliepolieravioli

• Comedy: @j_dorian_comedy

• Writing/Author page: @j_dorian_writes

📚 Find all of Joel’s links — including where to buy his books — here: 👉 https://beacons.ai/j_dorian_writes

📲 Follow the podcast on Instagram: @whatsgoinonpodcast 🎧 Listen on Spotify and Apple Podcasts

🔔 Subscribe for more episodes with comedians, writers, and people who know how to turn real life into something worth listening to.

In this episode, I sit down with fellow comedians Blake Whitbeck (@blakecomedy) and Will Johnson (@will_com3dy) for a conversation that starts in comedy and very quickly goes off the rails.

We talk about their very unconventional goals in stand-up, whether or not one of them is (or ever was?) an EMT, and somehow end up deep in the weeds on the inner workings of The Jerry Springer Show. From there, things only get wilder.

It’s the kind of episode where you’re not totally sure what’s real, what’s exaggerated, and what should probably stay off the record — but that’s half the fun.

If you like comedy conversations that feel more like late-night hangouts than formal interviews, this one’s for you.

📲 Follow the podcast on Instagram: @whatsgoinonpodcast 🎧 Listen on Spotify and Apple Podcasts

🔔 Subscribe for more episodes with comedians, first responders, and people who may or may not be telling the full truth.

In this episode, I sit down with comedian and fellow EMT Craig Nesler (@chefcraignesler) to talk about stand-up comedy, life in EMS, and the strange situations that somehow come with both.

We get into our different styles of humor, how comedy fits into first responder life, and a completely ridiculous bingo fight story that still makes no sense. It’s a mix of comedy shop talk and EMS storytelling, with plenty of laughs along the way.

This episode is a good reminder that humor is one of the best coping mechanisms — especially when your job involves chaos, stress, and way too many unbelievable stories.

📲 Follow the podcast on Instagram: @whatsgoinonpodcast 🎧 Listen on Spotify and Apple Podcasts

🔔 Subscribe for more episodes with comedians, first responders, and people with stories you won’t believe actually happened.

Topics include: 🍕 Eating pizza on mic like professionals 🍺 Drinking beer and pretending it’s “for the vibe” 📞 Getting interrupted by phone calls mid-episode 🎤 Talking comedy, writing jokes, and life on stage 😂 Why chaos sometimes makes the best podcast episodes

It’s casual, messy, and exactly what happens when two comics hang out with microphones and no plan.

✨ Tune in for laughs, background noise, and the most accurate representation of how comedians actually talk when the cameras are off.

📲 Follow the podcast on Instagram: @whatsgoinonpodcast

📱 Follow Mike on social media:

• Instagram: @mike_berns

• TikTok: @mike_bernat

🔔 Subscribe for more episodes with comedians, first responders, and fascinating people who clearly should’ve turned their phones off.

#ComedyPodcast #StandUpComedy #MikeBernat #WhatsGoinOnPodcast #Comedians #PodcastChaos #BeerAndPizza #FunnyStories

In this special year-end episode, Caleb White goes solo to look back on 2025, breaking down the goals, wins, lessons, and chaos that came with a year of stand-up comedy, show production, and launching What’s Goin’ On Podcast.

Topics include: 🎤 Comedy goals for 2025 and how they actually played out 🎟️ Producing live shows and what went right (and very wrong) 🎙️ Starting What’s Goin’ On Podcast and building it from the ground up 📈 Personal growth, setbacks, and lessons learned along the way 🧠 What worked, what didn’t, and what’s changing going into the next year

It’s honest, reflective, and still plenty funny — a behind-the-scenes look at the grind of comedy, entrepreneurship, and trying to level up year after year.

✨ Whether you followed along all year or are just tuning in now, this episode gives real insight into the work behind the laughs.

🔔 Subscribe for more episodes with comedians, first responders, and fascinating people — and here’s to an even bigger 2026.

#ComedyPodcast #YearEndReview #StandUpComedy #PodcastGrowth #WhatsGoinOnPodcast #ComedyLife #GoalSetting #ShowProducer

Topics include: ❓ Questions from Facebook listeners about comedy, EMS, and life 💬 ChatGPT-generated questions that range from insightful to absolutely unhinged 🎤 What it’s really like building a comedy career 🧠 A look at how Caleb thinks… for better or worse

It’s fun, honest, chaotic, and surprisingly personal — a perfect episode for anyone who wants to know more about the guy behind the jokes, the podcast, and the adventures in EMS and comedy.

✨ Tune in for laughs, honesty, and probably at least one answer you didn’t see coming.

🔔 Subscribe for more episodes with comedians, first responders, and fascinating people — and the occasional solo rant from Caleb.

#ComedyPodcast #QandA #SoloPodcast #WhatsGoinOnPodcast #StandUpComedy #EMS #FanQuestions #PodcastLife

In this episode, Caleb White sits down with musician and comedian Brad Monkell (@brad_monkell) for a wildly entertaining conversation about blending music with stand-up, the deeper meaning of jazz, and the chaos that comes with performing at weddings — including a few medical emergencies along the way.

Topics include: 🎵 Brad’s start in music and how it led him into the world of comedy 🥁 The true meaning of jazz and why it hits different for musicians 😂 Combining music and stand-up for a unique performance style 💍 Medical emergencies at weddings — and why musicians sometimes end up as first responders

It’s insightful, hilarious, and full of stories you definitely don’t hear every day — especially the ones involving jazz solos and wedding guests hitting the floor for the wrong reasons.

✨ Tune in for great music talk, big laughs, and a look into life as a multi-talented performer.

📲 Follow the podcast on Instagram: @whatsgoinonpodcast

🎸 Check Out Brad’s Bands:

• Bad Monk – @badmonkfunk

• Ten Most Wanted – @tenmostwantedband

🔥 Give them a listen, follow their pages, and support local musicians who are out there doing everything from jazz sets to wedding rescues.

🔔 Subscribe for more episodes with comedians, musicians, first responders, and fascinating people from all walks of life.

#ComedyPodcast #MusicPodcast #StandUpComedy #JazzMusic #BradMonkell #WhatsGoinOnPodcast #BadMonkFunk #TenMostWantedBand #WeddingStories #ComedyLife

In this episode, Caleb White sits down with comedian J. Connolly (@jconnolly_comedy) for a hilarious and surprisingly honest conversation about the chaos of stand-up, strange audience encounters, and the relationships that shaped us.

Topics include: 🤦‍♂️ A weird confrontation with an audience member that almost derailed a show 🎤 Getting better as a comedian and leveling up your stage presence 💔 Past relationships and how they somehow always turn into material

It’s funny, real, and full of “there’s no way that actually happened” moments as two comics break down the good, the bad, and the awkward parts of growing both on stage and off.

✨ Tune in for laughs, lessons, and a healthy dose of emotional damage.

📲 Follow the podcast on Instagram 🎧 Listen on Spotify 🍎 Listen on Apple Podcasts

🔔 Subscribe for more episodes with comedians, first responders, and fascinating people from all walks of life.

#ComedyPodcast #StandUpComedy #JConnolly #WhatsGoinOnPodcast #Comedians #ComedyStories #AudienceFails #RelationshipStories #ComedyLife

In this episode, Caleb White sits down with comedian Duncan Harris (@duncancomedyguy) for a hilarious and down-to-earth conversation about growing up in Ohio, moving to upstate New York, and all the weird stuff in between.

Topics include: 🌽 Growing up in Ohio and how it shaped our sense of humor 💪 Using steroids as kids (its legal I promise) 🎤 Finding our footing in the upstate NY comedy scene

It’s equal parts nostalgic, ridiculous, and real — two comics swapping stories about childhood experiments, family chaos, and chasing laughs in a new place.

✨ Tune in for bad decisions, good comedy, and a few moments that definitely shouldn’t be medical advice.

📲 Follow the podcast on Instagram: @whatsgoinonpodcast

🔔 Subscribe for more episodes with comedians, first responders, and fascinating people from all walks of life.

#ComedyPodcast #StandUpComedy #UpstateNYComedy #OhioBoys #DuncanHarris #WhatsGoinOnPodcast #Comedians #FunnyStories #ComedyLife #PodcastHumor

In this episode, Caleb White sits down with comedians Greg Creft (@creftmacandcheese) and Juan Pantaleon (@johnnypantz_) to talk about how they got started in comedy, what keeps them going, and the slow, hilarious unraveling of their friendship along the way.

Topics include: 🎤 Getting their start in the wild world of Florida stand-up 🎭 Surviving bad gigs, weird crowds, and jokes that should’ve stayed in the notebook 💀 The ongoing saga of their friendship (it’s fine… probably)

It’s chaotic, funny, and just the right mix of genuine and unhinged — basically everything you want from three comics with microphones and no adult supervision.

✨ Tune in for big laughs, questionable life choices, and real talk about comedy.

🔔 Subscribe for more episodes with comedians, first responders, and people who should probably have a therapist instead of a podcast.

#ComedyPodcast #StandUpComedy #FloridaComedy #GregCreft #JuanPantaleon #WhatsGoinOnPodcast #Comedians #FunnyStories #FloridaMen #ComedyLife

In this episode, Caleb White sits down with Jake Potter — a paramedic in North Carolina, educator with SCOPE Education, and co-host of the Past the SCOPE podcast — for a deep dive into modern emergency medicine and what it takes to move EMS forward.

Topics include:

🚑 Working as a paramedic in NC and how the job has evolved 🧬 Sepsis care in the prehospital setting and early recognition strategies ⚡ Progressive EMS concepts and pushing beyond “just transport” 💉 Patient advocacy through aggressive, appropriate care 📚 Teaching for SCOPE Education and bridging ICU / ER / EMS education 🎙️ Building clinical conversations through the Past the SCOPE podcast

Jake blends real-world field experience with educator insight, offering a realistic and future-minded look at emergency care.

🎧 Go check out Jake’s podcast “Past the SCOPE” on Spotify and Apple Podcasts for more EMS-focused conversations and clinical education.

📲 Follow SCOPE Education: @scope_education_ 📲 Follow Jake: @jpotter2

🔔 Subscribe for more interviews with comedians, first responders, and fascinating people from all walks of life.

#EMS #PastTheSCOPE #Sepsis #Paramedic #ProgressiveEMS #PatientAdvocacy #CriticalCare #EmergencyMedicine #SCOPEEducation #WhatsGoinOnPodcast

Topics include:

🎤 How we both got started in comedy

💥 Bombing on stage and what it teaches you

🎭 Learning how to perform and connect with an audience

🎟️ The work that goes into producing your own shows

😂 Jokes that didn’t land — and why we keep going anyway

This episode is full of laughter, honesty, and stories every comedian (or fan of comedy) can relate to.

✨ Whether you’re new to the stage or just love hearing how comics make it work, this one’s for you.

🔔 Subscribe for more interviews with comedians, first responders, and fascinating people from all walks of life.

Follow Kay on Instagram @kaygoutoscomedy and go check out the I Hate When That Happens Podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. 

#ComedyPodcast #StandUpComedy #KayGoutos #WhatsGoinOnPodcast #Comedians #BombingOnStage #FunnyStories #ComedyLife

In this episode, Caleb White sits down with comedian Chad Crandall for a fun and genuine conversation about stand-up comedy, life experiences, and the crazy medical situations.

Topics include:

🎤 What got us into comedy and our first experiences performing 😂 The comedians who inspired us and shaped our style 🚑 Real-life emergency medical situations and how they’ve influenced our perspectives 🎭 Finding humor in unexpected places and turning life into material

From stage stories to EMS moments, this episode dives into what drives us to entertain and help others — sometimes both in the same day.

✨ Whether you’re into comedy, EMS, or just good conversation, this one’s packed with laughs and insight.

🔔 Subscribe for more interviews with comedians, first responders, and fascinating people from all walks of life.

#ComedyPodcast #StandUpComedy #EMS #Comedians #ChadCrandall #WhatsGoinOnPodcast #FunnyStories #EmergencyServices

In this episode, Caleb White sits down with Travis Howe, Director of the The Town of Lake George, NY Department of EMS. We dive into the world of emergency medical services and talk about the future of EMS.

Topics include: 🚑 The process of buying a new ambulance for the department 📹 The role of body cameras in EMS and what they mean for providers and patients ⚡ The vision behind Progressive EMS and improving care in the community

Travis shares insights from his leadership role and gives a behind-the-scenes look at the challenges and innovations shaping emergency medical services today.

✨ If you’re interested in EMS, public safety, or community healthcare, this episode is packed with valuable perspective.

🔔 Subscribe for more interviews with comedians, first responders, and fascinating people from all walks of life.

👉 Follow me on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook: https://linktr.ee/calebjameswhite

#EMS #EmergencyServices #Ambulance #BodyCams #LakeGeorgeNY #WhatsGoinOnPodcast

In this episode, I sit down with Comedian Magician Vinnie Mark for a heartfelt and hilarious conversation. Vinnie shares how he got his start in entertainment, his adventures performing comedy on cruise ships, and the unique challenges of mixing magic with stand-up. We also dive into a deeply personal chapter of his life—his late wife’s courageous battle with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP).

✨ Expect laughs, inspiration, and some real talk about life on and off the stage.

🔔 Don’t forget to subscribe to the channel for more episodes with comedians, storytellers, and fascinating people I love talking to.

👉 Learn more about Progressive Supranuclear Palsy: https://www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/disorders/progressive-supranuclear-palsy-psp

👉 To book Vinnie Mark and Scott Baker please visit: laughfast.com.

👉 For more information on Esteemprov visit: https://www.esteemprov.com/

👉 Follow me on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook https://linktr.ee/calebjameswhite