🎙️ SHUT UP GAIL – Ep. 9: "From Cult to Carnival" with Paul Omar Lervåg
This is the ninth installment of Bit Behind the Scenes (a.k.a. Shut Up Gail).

Listen, follow, rate, and share... PLEASE and THANK YOU!

This month, Gail heads to Oslo for a deeply human (and surprisingly funny) conversation with Paul — a Norwegian comedian, scholar, and improv performer whose journey from cult survivor to carnival-level creative proves that humor and healing can share the same stage.

From growing up in a strict congregation to discovering freedom in the unpredictable world of improv, Paul turns personal history into powerful storytelling — with warmth, self-awareness, and the occasional spreadsheet.

🧠 In This Episode:
✨ How growing up in a "cult" shaped Paul's understanding of language, leadership, and laughter
🎭 Why improv became his portal to autonomy and self-expression
🧩 Navigating neurodivergence and sensory challenges in the performance world
🎤 What it's like to host a festival, research your teams, and still find time for brisket jokes
🥨 The link between critical thinking, character work, and sauerkraut

💬 Quotable Moments:

"I already freed myself before improv — but improv freed me even more."
"Critical thinking is important … but once I'm on stage, I just see whatever the universe gives me."
"Oh shut up Gail, you're amazing."

🇳🇴 Bonus Bits:
🕯️ How Paul channels past trauma into empathetic comedy
🧠 The science of decoding neurotypicals — one scene at a time
🍖 Brisket, sauerkraut, and other cross-cultural improv food groups

Be sure to come back on the 8th of each month for a new "snack-sized" episode of SHUT UP GAIL.

Next month, Gail ends her first season with a kickass interview with the one and only, JAY SUKOW!!!!

If you want to yell at Gail, please email us at TheBITComedyNetwork@gmail.com

"The BIT Spotlight" is part of The BIT Comedy Network.
Visit www.BITComedyNetwork.com to listen to our other podcasts or apply to join the ensemble.

CAST
Gail: Hill Kane
Himself: Paul from Oslo

"The BIT Spotlight" and "Shut Up Gail" are part of The BIT Comedy Network.

Host, Producer, Director, Editor, Art, Co-Creator: Hill Kane
Show Runner, Co-Creator: Billy Merritt
Co-Creator: Paul Vato

Production Assistance, Audio Production, & Graphic Art by Raising Kane Media + Marketing.

Hosting Platform: Libsyn.com

"The BIT," "The BIT Comedy Network," and "Shut Up Gail" are Trademarks owned by Billy Merritt.

©2025 Billy Merritt - All Rights Reserved
Send inquiries + notices + requests: TheBitComedyNetwork@gmail.com