On this episode of Good Times, Noodle Salad, Matt Smith sits down one-on-one with comedy veteran Steven Lolli. With decades of experience in stand-up and writing credits for Katt Williams, Steven brings road-tested insight, comedy philosophy, and plenty of wild stories from life in the industry.

Often nicknamed “The Urban Jew” for his reputation of absolutely crushing in Black comedy rooms, Steven talks with Matt about learning to read different audiences, earning respect in rooms that don’t know you yet, and what it takes to make any crowd laugh. The two also get into the realities of touring as a comic—the late-night drives, unpredictable crowds, and the strange situations that only seem to happen on the road.

The conversation explores the balance between conflict aversion and being overly confrontational, both in comedy and in everyday life, and how comedians walk that line when tackling real-world topics on stage.

This episode also carries a heavier backdrop. It was recorded just about five miles away in West Bloomfield while an attempted terror attack targeting a synagogue in the area was unfolding. Matt and Steven take time to address the rise of conspiracy theories online that fuel antisemitism and other forms of hate, and talk about why those narratives are dangerous when left unchallenged.

Comedy is about honesty, perspective, and sometimes saying uncomfortable truths out loud—but hate has no place in that conversation.

Stop Jewish hate.

A mix of comedy war stories, cultural commentary, and real talk from two comics who’ve spent years navigating the stage and the world around it. 🎙️

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Episode 46 of Good Times, Noodle Salad features musician Nic Stevens for a wide-ranging conversation about life in the local music scene and the weird social games that happen at concerts. Nic talks about the differences between playing in bands versus going solo, the creative freedom that comes with each, and the realities of performing and building a career as an independent musician.

The conversation also dives into what it’s really like working as a booker for a music venue in the age of social media—from dealing with endless DMs from bands to navigating online promotion, egos, and the constant hustle required to fill a room.

Of course, things go off the rails as Matt and Paige talk about telling way too much truth on the podcast, and the ridiculous games they play at concerts. These include searching the crowd for the mysterious “Jeremy Matheson” (a completely made-up person) and confidently lying to strangers about being much older than they actually are just to see what happens.

Music industry stories, comedy chaos, and questionable social experiments — it’s all happening in this episode.

Topics include:

• Playing in bands vs going solo
• Booking shows and promoting concerts in the social media era
• Oversharing on podcasts
• The fake search for “Jeremy Matheson” at concerts
• Convincing strangers you’re way older than you actually are

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Episode 45 of Good Times, Noodle Salad features Matt flying solo in the host chair while sitting down with Static Lace, a husband-and-wife rock duo making loud, gritty rock music while navigating real life offstage.

The conversation gets honest right out of the gate. BA shares the powerful story of getting sober and rebuilding her life after a near-death car accident pushed her to leave an abusive relationship. It’s a raw look at survival, recovery, and how music became part of putting the pieces back together.

Naturally, the episode also goes completely off the rails. Matt proudly explains how he intentionally started a rumor that his own grandma is racist just to commit to a joke at a wedding—because sometimes the bit is worth the chaos.

They also get into raising kids while chasing creative work, the songwriting process behind Static Lace’s music, and the reality of trying to raise chickens when you’re absolutely terrible at it.

And in classic Matt fashion, the studio nearly implodes when he realizes he accidentally recorded Static Lace’s camera angle in slow motion, filling up the storage and almost derailing the whole episode. Technology is hard.

Recovery, rock music, bad poultry farming, questionable family rumors, and a host who still hasn’t mastered his own recording setup.

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This week on Good Times, Noodle Salad, Matt and Paige sit down with comedian William Harvey for a raw, hilarious, and surprisingly heartfelt conversation about life in and around the stand-up comedy scene.

The episode kicks off with some wild stories about recent local comedy drama, including the absurd trend of fake AI screenshots stirring up nonsense in the scene. From there, William tells us about his chaotic and legendary Hot Set Mic—a show where comedians have to eat ghost peppers before they perform. As you might expect, the results are equal parts pain, panic, and incredible comedy.

But the conversation also gets real. William opens up about growing up surrounded by addiction, the impact it had on his life, and what it’s been like navigating adulthood and comedy after losing his mother. It’s an honest look at how comedians often turn difficult experiences into something meaningful—and funny—on stage.

Of course, we also dive deep into the craft of stand-up comedy: bombing, building sets, weird shows, and the grind of trying to make people laugh night after night.

It’s an episode that swings from ridiculous to real in the best possible way.

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Episode 43 of Good Times, Noodle Salad features the hilarious and legendary Simply Shanell—a beloved local comic who brings big laughs and real-life wisdom to the table. In this episode, we talk about everything from the chaos of working in direct care for the elderly to the underrated security system of driving a stick shift (because apparently car thieves can’t drive them anymore).

Shanell shares stories from her life in comedy, what it’s like grinding it out on stage, and why sometimes the smartest financial move is just staying home so you don’t spend any money. The conversation also dives into her dream of opening a backyard comedy club at her home in North Carolina—a laid-back, grassroots space where comics and audiences can connect in a totally different way.

Alongside the laughs, Shanell also opens up about something much more personal: grieving the loss of her mother and how that experience has shaped her perspective on life, work, and comedy.

It’s funny, honest, and full of the kind of real conversation that makes Good Times, Noodle Salad what it is. Pull up a chair and hang out with us for Episode 43.

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In Episode 42 of Good Times, Noodle Salad, Matt sits down with Michael, Jordan, and Pauly of Breakfast at 2PM for a wide-ranging conversation about creativity, technology, and the strange cultural moment we’re all living through.

The group dives headfirst into the growing controversies around AI—why it seems like every week there’s a new industry people are told to be outraged about, from data centers and pipelines to automation and artificial intelligence. Are these existential threats… or just the latest step in how technology and industry evolve?

They also get brutally honest about the grind of trying to make it in the arts. From unreliable collaborators to the emotional rollercoaster of creative work, the guys talk about the real-world frustrations artists face when passion collides with logistics, egos, and the reality of trying to build something from nothing.

And of course, the elephant in the room: AI as a creative tool. Is it unethical to generate art instantly with tools like ChatGPT, or is it simply the modern equivalent of using better equipment? When real artists can be brilliant but also a pain in the ass to work with, is convenience starting to win?

It’s a funny, thoughtful, occasionally spicy conversation about creativity, technology, outrage culture, and the shifting rules of making things in the modern world.

Pull up a chair, grab a bowl of noodles, and enjoy the ride.

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In this one-on-one episode of Good Times, Noodle Salad, Matt sits down with comedian James River for a wide-ranging conversation. They dive into the craft of comedy, debate the impact of Reaganomics and the fateful decision to let Wall Street gamble on mortgages, and share their love for the late Norm Macdonald. Insightful, irreverent, and unapologetically funny, this episode is perfect for anyone who loves smart comedy and big-picture conversations about culture and economics.

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On episode 40 of Good Times, Noodle Salad, Matt and Paige sit down with musician Josh Story for one of the most honest and heavy conversations we’ve had yet.

Josh opens up about his battle with cancer and the physical toll radiation took on his body — from the unexpected side effects to the long-term impact on his strength, energy, and identity. As a lifelong musician, one of the hardest blows was losing the ability to sing the way he once could. We talk about what it feels like to have a core piece of yourself altered, and how you begin redefining who you are when your abilities change overnight.

Beyond music, Josh shares what it’s like running a day center for adults living with mental illness — the emotional weight of that responsibility, the purpose it brings, and how his own health battle reshaped the way he approaches compassion and leadership.

The conversation also turns toward the brighter parts of life: getting married, having kids, and learning how to adjust expectations while still showing up as a husband, father, and creative. Josh talks candidly about adapting his life to meet his post-treatment reality — physically, emotionally, and spiritually — and how resilience isn’t always loud… sometimes it’s just continuing to move forward.

This episode dives into:

• The hidden havoc radiation can cause
• Identity loss and rebuilding after illness
• Fatherhood during crisis
• Marriage under pressure
• Music, creativity, and adapting when your body won’t cooperate
• Finding purpose in service to others

It’s vulnerable. It’s real. It’s heavy at times — but it’s also hopeful.

Episode 40 is about strength that doesn’t look like strength.

Listen, share, and as always — thanks for hanging out with us.

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