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This is our first interview with Ali back in 2017. He speaks candidly starting comedy in prison, major mistakes of comics and how to tell the perfect story. This is a true masterclass on stand up comedy and the lifestyle that most people never hear about. You will finish this episode with a new perspective on the craft of standup.

Must Hear Moments:

Starting comedy in prison
Social media comics vs. comedians
Comparing comedy to fine art
Standup being the most disrespected art form
Green room etiquette
How comics should act off stage
Being funny vs. being interesting
Storytelling secrets
Gradually developing the skill of standup
Creating comedy for everyone

0:00 Intro Connection to Atlanta
1:32 Start in Comedy
7:16 Disrespect in Comedy
10:00 Rule of Comedy: The Greenroom
11:20 Social Media
17:29 Disrespect in Comedy cont.
18:53 Ali’s Audience
21:15 Comedy as a Craft
24:33 Being the New Comic After 20 Years
26:33 Ali’s Comedy Style
30:46 Mastering Elements
33:18 Talking to Students About Voting
36:20 Learning From Experienced Comics
39:54 Conversational Comedy
40:23 Local Comedy vs. Global Comedy
41:25 You Don’t Need to Move to LA and NY
42:56 Pen to Paper
43:05 Storytelling
56:41 Boo Story
1:03:26 Advice to Young Comics
1:05:41 What Makes Great Comics Great