Mount Hood

Listen to these podcasts for a good laugh

Check out these comedy and slice-of-life podcasts

Rylie Horrall | Managing Editor

While many people find enjoyment in the uncertainty and suspense of a true crime podcast, I particularly enjoy listening to comedic or slice-of-life genres. They can provide a relaxing aura after a stressful day, or even a lighthearted ambiance for studying and working on assignments for classes. For those interested in expanding their list of chill and funny podcasts, try listening to the ones below:

  • “The Big Ones” (Stitcher, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Earios) ⏤ Playing off of the title, this podcast answers morally challenging questions, spanning from relationship dilemmas to decisions made throughout history and more. Earios founders Maria Blasucci and Amanda Lund discuss their own answers to complicated ethical questions, and allow the listeners to do their own thinking on the topics.
  • “Can I Pet Your Dog?” (Stitcher, Spotify, Apple Podcasts) ⏤ As the title suggests, these weekly episodes cover dog-related topics that hosts Renee Colvert and Alexis Preston want the viewers to know. From discussions about their own dogs to dogs they saw on the street that week, this podcast provides some fun and lighthearted content for dog lovers.
  • “Getting Curious with Jonathan Van Ness” (Stitcher, Spotify, Earwolf, Apple Podcasts) ⏤ Jonathan Van Ness is known from his TV shows “Queer Eye” and “Gay of Thrones,” but he takes on a different form of entertainment with this podcast. Episodes explore whatever he’s curious about that week, and includes various guest speakers relevant to the topics discussed.
  • “How Did This Get Made?” (Stitcher, Spotify, Earwolf) ⏤ This podcast centers around terrible movies that have been made; the hosts watch the movie submitted by listeners and then discuss the results with their “funniest friends.”
  • “Is We Dumb?” (Stitcher, Spotify, Apple Podcasts) ⏤ A recent addition to the comedy section of the world of podcasts, Dan Cummins and Joe Paisley explore the internet weekly for the dumbest and funniest content it has to offer. In their own words, it’s a chance to “laugh at the possible collapse of society.”
  • “Jenna & Julien Podcast” (Stitcher, Spotify, YouTube, iTunes) ⏤ Created by YouTubers JennaMarbles and julien solomita in 2014, this podcast centers around random conversations the two feel like having for their episodes. Listeners can hear about their everyday mishaps, drunk discussions, fun games to play and more. 
  • “The Slice of Life” (Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox) ⏤ This podcast is all about, as the title suggests, life in general with conversations about geek life, entertainment and fun stories. Episodes are hosted weekly by Minnesotans Michael and Isaac to provide some relief from daily life occurrences.
  • “Sorry We’re Stoned with Tish and Brandi Cyrus” (Stitcher, Spotify, Apple Podcasts) ⏤ Hosted by mother-daughter duo Tish and Brandi Cyrus, this slice-of-life podcast covers candid conversations between the two. From advice to current events to insight into their personal lives, episodes provide an unfiltered look at their busy lives.
  • “SuperMegaCast” (Spotify, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Podbay) ⏤ Another YouTube-based podcast, listeners can hear about random encounters and events from the day-to-day lives of YouTubers Matt Watson and Ryan Magee. Episodes are released weekly and range in topics from what’s in the news to antics and interviews with their friends.


Contact the author at rhorrall17@wou.edu

Ryan Kelly hosts virtual comedy show

Student Activities Board holds online comedy show starring TikTok comedian Ryan Kelly

Sydney Carpenter | News Editor

On Jan. 2, the Student Activity Board announced on Instagram that their first major event for the term would be comedian Ryan Kelly ⏤ known online as Youth Pastor Ryan ⏤ who will perform in a virtual stand-up comedy event featuring interesting life experiences.

Despite his namesake and going to a Christian school for 18 years, Kelly is not actually a youth pastor. In his Twitch trailer, Kelly explains he looks like what people would imagine a youth pastor might look like.

In St. Louis, Illinois, he began doing comedy as an improviser. According to ryankellycomedy.com, he had received training from iO Theater ⏤ formerly known as The ImprovOlympic ⏤ The Second City, The Groundlings Theatre and School and Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre. In college, he was interested in new life experiences and began performing stand-up comedy. According to neon-entertainment.com, he often draws inspiration for his comedy routines through experiences including: surviving a plane crash, being tackled inside the National Security Agency and negotiating deals while being mugged.

“I needed something,” said Kelly when asked why he does comedy. “I needed something to give purpose and joy.”

 His favorite part of comedy is when the whole room laughs. 

“Because laughter is a very binding thing,” explained Kelly. “(I try to) make the bigger guys laugh because when you do that it shows a diffusal and makes people feel like they are safe.”

Kelly explains that this comedic approach brings shyer people out of their comfort zone in a natural way.

“Once everyone’s at peace then being able to hit jokes where people feel comfortable and they all laugh is a beautiful moment. Having a full crowd laugh together, they’ve all become friends and they don’t even know it,” explained Kelly.

To view the virtual comedy show taking place on Jan. 13 at 6 p.m., go to Engage and click the Zoom link located in the event’s advertisement. To learn more about Ryan Kelly, view him on Twitch @youthpastorryan where he posts gameplays, TikTok @youthpastorryan or on YouTube @Youth Pastor Ryan.

Contact the author at scarpenter18@mail.wou.edu