The Constant Struggle
A podcast about balancing art and life.
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Episodes
Wednesday Jan 27, 2016
Wednesday Jan 27, 2016
In this episode, siblings Nick and Brie Watson chat with actor and storyteller Gillian English about her upcoming tour of the Australian Fringe Festival circuit with her two one-woman shows: "Drag Queen Stole my Dress" and "Get Around Me".We talk to Gillian about her love of Shakespeare, her theatrical education and her encounter with Big Bang Theory star Jim Parsons. In a discussion about Gillian's storytelling, we learn about a previous trip to Australia, where she was sexually assaulted while representing Team Canada at the Australian Rules Football International Cup. We discuss the prevalence of sexual assault in sport and other domains, the damaging effects of language, and how when all is said and done, Gillian English won't back down.Follow Gillian on Twitter: @Gillian_EnglishThanks for listening & #StruggleOn
Tuesday Jan 19, 2016
Tuesday Jan 19, 2016
Nick & Brie check in with their creative projects now that the Holidays are over and we've moved into, what Nick calls, "short story season." He's got a story on the go, and he gives us a sneak peak into the plot and process and finding out the story's main conflict.Meanwhile, it's a new year, and Brie's got two brand new show formats coming out, and a comedy show on the horizon tackling mental health issues. Also, she tries, rather incoherently, to explain a Harold to a relatively new improviser.Plug your ears in and #StruggleOn!
Monday Jan 04, 2016
Monday Jan 04, 2016
In this episode Nick & Brie chat with sketch writer & improviser Dave Tichauer who recently made the big move from Toronto to New York in pursuit of a career in comedy writing. Dave compares his training at The Second City with New York's UCB. We talk about his work in Canadian Comedy Award nominated troupe Shoeless & his CBC radio pilot with writing partner Ned Petrie.We also go into some very deep and important information about Alfred Hitchcock's films, The Olive Garden and a significant moment in US History.Follow Dave on Twitter at: @DavidTichauerThanks for listening & #StruggleOn
Sunday Dec 13, 2015
Sunday Dec 13, 2015
In this episode we chat with improviser Daphney Joseph about her journey into the Toronto comedy scene from Montreal, where she grew up. We talk about performing in French and English and the places she's found to do both here in city, like Les Improbables and le Club des Marteaux. We chat about the difficulties managing your time when balancing three jobs, rehearsals and performances, about her venture into stand-up comedy and certainly about Coko & Daphney, her popular improv duo coached by Matt Folliott. Follow Daphney on Twitter @DaphneyisJoseph.Follow Coko & Daphney on Twitter @CokoAndDaphney & on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/cokoanddaphney/?fref=tsThanks for listening!
Wednesday Dec 02, 2015
Wednesday Dec 02, 2015
Nick and Brie's regular check-in where we talk about the various progress we've been having and setbacks with our various creative projects.Nick's overcoming a recent writing draught and Brie's dealing with the difficulties of Winter's constant darkness. By the way, the Keanu Reeves movie we were talking about is called JOHN WICK. We couldn't remember in the episode, but we've since done our research.And yet, they still find time to talk about great comedy, basketball and of course, the upcoming Holiday Season.
Monday Nov 23, 2015
Monday Nov 23, 2015
In this episode, Nick and Brie talk to Toronto actor and improviser Alex Wong from the upcoming webseries "IRL The Series," which currently received its funding via a successful Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign.We talk to Alex about his experience working on the webseries that incorporated beat-prov-style development, his history accepting gigs on Craigslist, which he does NOT recommend and how he's big in Germany!To take a look at his work, follow Alex on Twitter @LOLalexwong and www.facebook.com/IRLtheSeries/
Monday Nov 02, 2015
Monday Nov 02, 2015
In this episode, we talk to Dale Wells, half of the Toronto Dandies, and creator of Holodeck Follies, a monthly Star Trek-themed variety show that was featured live at this summer's past FanExpo. With Dale, we chat about his return to improv, his love of all things geek, family, day jobs and following your passion.Check out The Dandies & Holodeck Follies at https://improvdandies.wordpress.com/ or on:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/torontodandies/Twitter: @TorontoDandiesInstagram: ImprovDandiesLaugh Long & #StruggleOn
Saturday Oct 24, 2015
Saturday Oct 24, 2015
In this episode, Nick gets feedback on his first script, which brings him to the a-ha moment that will take him through his next draft. Brie's been a busy beaver with the Big City Improv Festival and starting a brand-new sketch comedy troupe. Nick had a birthday, which means it was time for him to review all this goals and plans from last year according to the nerdist way-of-life. Brie gets training with 30 Rock's Scott Adsit. And of course, we talk about the Blue Jays because we recorded it before yesterday happened.Thanks for listening and #StruggleOn!
Tuesday Sep 29, 2015
Tuesday Sep 29, 2015
In this episode, Nick & Brie chat with actor, writer & improvisor Ryan Hughes about some of the struggles he's currently facing in the pursuit of his art. Ryan speaks of a few pros and cons of the day job, and what happens when it's gone. He discusses issues of confidence and mental health. We also delve into a deep discussion about women in comedy and *~*GASP*~* even feminism!Be sure to check Ryan out on Twitter @ryanfhughes & his improv troupe Peggy Molson @peggymolsonPeggy Molson are competing in the Big City Improv Festival's "TKO" tournament. Their semi-final set is at Comedy Bar on Tues. Oct. 13th @ 8:00 PM. Go check 'em out if you're in Toronto.
Monday Sep 21, 2015
Monday Sep 21, 2015
Well kids, summer's over and with that brings a whole new world of struggles, but not without mentioning the break we took from them during the warm months to relax and refuel the tank.In this episode, Nick talks about his trip to Chicago, IL with his buddies and Brie mentions her voyage to Halifax, Nova Scotia for the Atlantic Fringe Fest. Both reference their respective cities' great garlic-bread-type products.We discuss new and ongoing projects and how to jump back into them now that the colder months are upon us. BTW: Nick's Instagram is: https://instagram.com/fivestergram/& this is how to properly do the Shakespeare: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7BQgGzXAb4