About me

I grew up on the Southside of Chicago – a place that carries a lot of weight for many. For me, it was just home, until tragedy struck and everything changed. When I was 13, my father died of pancreatic cancer at just 49 years old. It was a devastating blow that shattered my world and set me on a path I never expected.

Grief became my constant companion for years. Back then, therapy wasn’t as readily available or accepted, and I was just barely holding it together. Then, when I was 25, I lost my mother at 53, compounding the pain and making it impossible to ignore the deep impact these losses had on me. I finally sought therapy, but the healing process was slow and challenging.

My parents’ suffering from illness instilled in me a profound sense of compassion. If there’s one thing I want to leave behind in this world, it’s that I lived a compassionate life.

After a series of difficult relationships, I found myself alone – truly alone, living by myself for the first time. Fear crept in, and I realized I barely knew who I was anymore. My friends, understandably, weren’t around much. I was a broken man, and I’m sure I wasn’t easy to be around.

But one friend offered a lifeline. She suggested a simple practice: challenge yourself every day to do something that scares you. That felt overwhelming, so I scaled it back to once a week, and I broadened it to include things I’d always wanted to do.

That’s what led me to Ancient Dragon Zen Gate, a Zen temple on the Northside. I went there to meditate with the Buddhists, something I’d always been curious about. That single visit was transformative. It was the beginning of letting go of the grief that had consumed me for so long. From that day forward, I embraced Zen Buddhism.

Now, I meditate daily. Just that simple act of sitting upright and resisting the urge to doomscroll has been the key to unlocking so many positive changes in my life. It’s a practice that’s helped me more than I ever could have imagined.

Want to know more about my Journey? Check out my Personal Blog.

I’ve always been a comedy fanatic. For a while, it was all I watched – well, that and documentaries (the polar opposite of comedy!).

Back in my younger days, I had a ritual for an epic night out. It revolved around the Wyld Hair, a reggae bar near Wrigley Field in Chicago. I’d get there early, snag a spot before the cover charge kicked in, get my hand stamped, grab some food, hit up another bar, and then head back to the Wyld Hair. Around midnight, I’d cross the street to iO (Improv Olympics back then) for their free midnight show upstairs.

I was hooked! I loved watching these performers, though I didn’t even know what they were doing (probably some version of the Harold, for you improv nerds). That was my first taste of what would become a life-changing passion.

Fast forward to the 90s, and I was obsessed with the British version of Whose Line Is It Anyway? I was blown away – how could they create something so hilarious without a script?

Then, I stumbled upon a comedy club in Aurora, IL, doing those same short-form games. It was even called Whose Line…! My birthday present that year? Improv classes!

I showed up for my first class, Level 1, only to find it canceled. But the owner decided I “looked like someone who understood funny” and bumped me straight into Level 2. (I still haven’t taken Level 1!)

I learned the “Yes, and…” and the cardinal rule of no questions in a scene. I got tons of stage time and eventually, after a year or so of classes, we beginners put on our show: Rock ’em Sock ’em Improv. Two teams battling for applause.

I was hooked! I loved feeling the audience’s energy, knowing what kind of comedy or topic resonated with them, and using that to connect. Eventually, I took over running the show when most of my castmates moved on to the main stage.

My improv journey continued at The Annoyance in Chicago, a theater my first teacher had predicted I’d thrive in. I learned new rules and long-form improv, and everything clicked. I got better… or at least, I got better by someone’s standards.

I even got called up to perform on the Main Stage, sometimes jumping into the Family show and doing five shows in a single weekend! I met some incredibly creative people there, many of whom are still close friends today. Some of them became Memoriam Development.

At Memoriam, my improv took another leap. My friend Nick Mataragas, who was directing a spooky season show, came up with the idea for an improvised horror show. That inspired me to create my own themed shows: a rom-com and a Hallmark holiday classic. So much fun!

Then, I started creating completely original concepts, like a Choose Your Own Adventure Harry Potter show.

Recently, I was honored to become the Head of Improv at Memoriam. Now, I get to help others create shows and continue developing my own. The future? It’s all made up from here!

Want to know more about my Improv? Check out my Improv Blog

My podcasting journey started, like most, with an earful of podcasts—some brilliant, some…not so much. I was captivated by the magic of crafting a compelling audio experience, but mostly, let’s be honest, podcasts were my sanity-saver during a soul-crushing commute. Most podcasts are completely free, besides having to listen to an underwear or mattress ad or two.

Then, something shifted. I’d been doing improv with a ridiculously talented group of people, and when they started their own podcasts, a little voice inside me whispered, “Hey, maybe I could do this too.”

I had a tiny leg up – a musician’s stash of recording gear. Though let’s be real, most of it was overkill for a newbie podcaster. My real challenge? My friends were already podcasting pros. Pride (that pesky tech-guy affliction) kept me from asking for help, even though I knew they’d happily share their knowledge. I had to appear like I knew what I was doing.

Fate intervened. I landed a gig on a parody podcast called Surreal, a hilarious spoof of the mega-hit Serial. I was cast as a character, given only the barest of details, and expected to improvise. On my drive to the recording, I was buzzing with excitement, plotting, and planning.

And guess what? I nailed it. My voice was perfect for the character’s awkward quirks, and I lucked out with an amazing scene partner. Plus, I got a front-row seat to the recording process, peppering the showrunner (now a great friend and podcasting confidant) with questions.

The positive feedback was intoxicating. It fueled my fire.

I dove headfirst into the world of podcasting, devouring YouTube tutorials and blog posts. I knew how to do it, technically. But the what? That was the million-dollar question. Creativity, as they say, needs a spark.

That spark came courtesy of another favorite podcast, Lore. As Aaron Mahnke spun his tales of the paranormal, a thought kept nagging at me: “Does he really believe all this stuff?”

Boom. There it was. I wanted to explore the skeptical side of the paranormal, to dissect these stories, not just accept them. But a simple “real or not” debate would be over in a flash. Then it hit me: a ghost story courtroom! Each episode would feature a different story, and a different debate, and the listeners would be the jury.

The name? That came easily. During one Lore episode, the word “ghostly” kept popping up. I checked if Ghostly Podcast was available. It was. And just like that, in 2018, it was born.

Today, Ghostly is still going strong, averaging around 10,000 listeners per episode and over a million downloads. We reinvest every penny back into the show, constantly striving to grow and reach more ears.

And me? Well, I’ve become a bit of a podcasting guru myself. Bob Anderson from Bob After Dark even calls me “The Podcast Guru.” I kinda like the sound of that. (But I’m far too humble to actually write it… until now, I guess.)

Want to know more about my Podcast? Check out my Podcast Blog.
Want to check out Ghostly? Here’s your chance – Ghostly

My health journey? Let’s just say it’s been a wild ride. High blood pressure has been a constant companion since childhood, with times I was juggling five different medications just to keep it in check. I always assumed it was tied to my weight, but honestly, I’m not even sure.

I also battled a smoking habit that started at 15 and stubbornly resurfaced even after a 9-10 year break (for the dumbest reasons, I’ll admit). Then, in my early 30s, I got the bombshell diagnosis of Type 2 Diabetes. That was a wake-up call. I tried a low-calorie diet, lost a little, but couldn’t stick with it.

Later in my 30s, I had some success with a low-carb approach, feeling amazing and getting my diabetes under control. I even dropped 60 pounds! But, like before, it wasn’t sustainable. The Ideal Protein diet helped me go from 360 to 260 pounds, but that also proved difficult to maintain long-term.

Then, in October 2020, during the pandemic lockdown, my health took a dramatic turn. I was bloated, and though I didn’t think much of it, my doctor insisted on bloodwork. That night, he called me, urgently telling me to get to the hospital. My numbers were dangerously out of whack.

Nine days later, I was diagnosed with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), and the cause was a mystery. A kidney biopsy finally revealed the culprit: a rare autoimmune disease called Goodpasture’s. My own body was attacking my kidneys, destroying them at an alarming rate. I underwent plasmapheresis, received Rituxan, and started hemodialysis.

I quit smoking FOREVER on February 14th, 2023. I will never take a puff again. Not one single puff.

After about three years, I felt like I was losing the battle. Just existing was a struggle. Then, a miracle happened. Someone stepped forward, a perfect blood and tissue match, willing to donate a kidney. After a few months of waiting, the transplant became a reality.

That incredible act of generosity changed everything. I knew I had to honor this gift by living my absolute best life. I’m committed to becoming the healthiest version of myself – physically, mentally, and spiritually.

Now, I exercise daily, combining strength training and cardio. I’m at my lowest weight ever. My blood sugar is under control. And the most unbelievable part? My blood pressure is normal! It’s been a long and challenging road, but I’m finally on the path to true health and well-being.

Want to see my Health and Fitness Journey? Check out my Health and Fitness Blog.