I’m a bit of a collector of people. Not in a creepy, basement kind of way…

Maybe it’s my young only-child syndrome, or maybe it’s because I happened to grow up with the best classmates ever in Wisconsin who are still my best pals to this day, but I love my people and once you’re in, you’re in for life. …Of course, less a few unfortunate “had to let go’s” — a cocaine dealer, an entitled cat lady, an ex or two — but very few considering my ripe age of 40.

I can’t help it, I actually really like people. Sure, people suck sometimes (lol no but truly), but they’re also human and interesting and full of stories and experiences, and meeting them gives me life or teaches me something about myself and the world.

What is comedy without stories and new experiences… (peep my newsletter two weeks ago)

Over the years I’ve found many places to be home, and I always feel at home even when traveling somewhere completely new. I think it’s because I have friends literally everywhere, and where there’s a friend, there’s a sense of belonging. A sense of home.

I also love to meet and hang with new people after my shows, and despite what you may believe, most people are pretty normal-ish. 

Not gonna lie, I don’t even mind the odd birds.

I think it’s our duty as comedians to stay “in touch,” because no matter how big you get in your career, people start to pull away once you lose touch with people, reality, or what the people in the audience are experiencing from day to day.

I love to stay in touch. Hence this newsletter. 🤓

I realized the other day that I hadn’t seen some of my favorite people in a few years; life gets in the way… time… kids… work… schedules… Tiny text bubbles that never turn into set plans. I do a pretty good job of seeing my friends, but pretty good doesn’t cut it as time ticks away.

My upcoming tour has a working title of “Tour de Friends,” where I plan to document intentional run-ins and surprises to all my best pals and loyal supporters sprinkled throughout the country and world while doing the thing I love most; making people laugh/telling a d*** joke or two. Like a mildly inappropriate love letter to the people who shaped and supported me on this crazy journey.

I’ve always liked to do things a little differently. A little "NPH” style. More on this soon…

The Hustle

I’m in that strange phase between preparing to film my next special (content I’ve been touring for the last year and a half), and deciding wtf my next hour is going to look like. It’s a fun yet challenging space — what do I want to say next and who does it relate to? And what does all that mean to me? How can I take my personal experience and make it all make sense?

As a comedian and creative, staying in touch with people from all walks of life has helped sharpen my point of view, and it’s been pretty cool to see how that unfolds in my home state of Wisconsin, in small and big cities throughout the US, and in multiple countries overseas.

Often as comedians we get asked things like “what’s your schtick?,” and my usual response is “I just talk about my life and make the bullshit palatable…” something like that.

Audience members are more in tune with comedy than they have been in awhile — comedy is accessible, specials are watched on streamers and YouTube alike, reels and TikToks make less known comedians household names faster than ever, and it really does feel like a time where comedy is a bit of the Wild West, for better or worse.

I also notice that there is something that happens when artists/comedians/creators get too siloed in echo chambers (coastal comedy scenes, industry cliques, or even just social media bubbles). I’ve even had people mention to me major names in comedy who they feel have “fallen out of touch” with reality a bit, and they don’t love their comedy as much anymore.

Do comedians get comedically lazier with excessive fame? Or have they just been in a bubble so long that they stopped rubbing elbows with every-day people…

There’s such importance to intentionally visiting different cities, people, and communities to stay grounded in what people are really laughing at, worrying about, dreaming about.

Because, after all, comedians are people of the people. Not like “other celebrities.”

A good comedian knows how to make their people laugh. A great one knows how to make strangers feel seen. 😎 

The hustle for greatness is endless, but in the meantime, I’ll keep enjoying the hustle to stay connected and real.

The Chill

There’s not just a professional necessity for staying “in touch,” but a personal and emotional one as well.

I notice that when I’m writing my best is when I’m living and enjoying life — catching up with friends and reminiscing, talking about hopes for the future or honestly living in the NOW.

I’ve had this rule for years now, and that’s the rule of talking good shit. Anytime someone I know, love or respect in the industry or as a friend is being spoken of well in a room, I get in touch and simply let them know. It’s an easy way to spur a quick catch-up, stay connected, and also maybe brighten someone’s day.

The Talking Good Shit rule has kept some of the best people in my life, whether it’s in comedy or outside of it. It’s also a constant reminder that a quick call, a voice note, a random “thinking of you” text can feel like a miracle to someone at just the right time.

There are countless times that staying in touch helped me through grief, celebration, big life changes — I want to not only be that kind of comedian, but that kind of friend, too.

Hustle and Chill is ultimately about doing big things while staying grounded in real connection.

I hope to continue building a career where I truly AM a comedian of the people; the ones who I call friends and the ones I get to meet in my journeys along the way.

You don’t have to be in constant contact. But staying in touch — really checking in, showing up, being present — that’s an art. And like any art, it takes practice.

So this week, consider this your nudge. Call your people. Pull up on your people. Love on your people.

… and don’t be afraid to ask your favorite comedian if they want to grab a beer with you and your friends after a show. 🍻 I know I often say, “hell yea, let’s do it.”

Upcoming Shows

I know I’m promoting a lot of Chicago-land shows lately, but as I mentioned, I’m gearing up for what material I want to write and tour next. Excited to drop my new cities once finalized!

Here are some shows I welcome you to coming up — and of course I drop a ton of others last minute on my Instagram throughout the week:

Thursday 4/24: Headlining Big Break Comedy 8pm at Holiday Club (north side Chicago)

Tuesday 4/29: Best Night Ever 8pm at Lincoln Lodge

…a fun drop-in to Nashville beginning of May…

Saturday 5/10: Laugh Factory Chicago 9pm

Thursday 5/15: Laugh Factory Chicago 9pm

Thursday 5/22: Group Chat at Zanies Rosemont with my KILLER Group Chat comedians

Sunday 5/25: Lincoln Lodge 8pm

Thursday 5/29: Laugh Factory Chicago 7pm

Saturday 5/31: Laugh Factory Chicago 7pm

Love you all and cheers to the hustle + chill. We stay connected.

xx NPH