My First Rodeo Podcast
Professional firsts, life achievement and more
Episodes
Rahn Hortman drops by to talk about having the courage to go full-time in comedy, some of his firsts along the way, marriage, the challenge of raising children with Sickle Cell Disease, and learning from comedy legends. He's one of the good ones!
@freedtolaugh on IG
There is no one else like her. Jenn is relatable, expressive, and hilarious.
Jenn drops by the show to talk about how it all started for her, backing into things, "waiting her turn," authenticity, grief and being clean in the not always so clean world of comedy.
@freedtolaugh on IG
Who doesn't love Nick Harvey! From growing up in segregated Jackson, Tennessee to taking his first mic on a Navy frigate about to pass the equator, to being "gang life adjacent," Nick shares his inspiration for comedy, poetry and for life!
@freedtolaugh on IG
The former theatre kid, who seamlessly blends humor, song and theatrical performance on topics that range from body image to womanhood, dating to divorce, and depression to life as a middle child, joins Mike to talk about her approach to it all!
@freedtolaugh on IG
From the heights of collegiate basketball success to the depths of a Nebraska roadside ditch, Patric's life experience will encourage anyone who is wrestling with hope. Mike and Patric talk basketball, coachability, family, identity, about the accident that robbed Patric of the ability to walk, and the journey forward. Strength, courage, pain and positivity feature prominently.
@freedtolaugh on IG
Too many firsts to name! Historic Jacksonville Mayor who preserved land, invested in infrastructure and pursued innovative ways to understand and represent everyone - not just those who voted for him.
Public University and Private College President - who won over critics who initially saw him as not "enough of an academic." And, before all that, Chief Assistant State Attorney, City General Couns...
Adam took the helm of Hillel, the world's leading Jewish student organization, just months before the Pandemic.
So, there has been no shortage of crises for the man who heads an organization that counts 180,000 Jewish students in 850 colleges and universities as its constituency.
Mike and Adam get into how the lawyer, turned entrepreneur, turned playwright, and oh yeah a capella singer, brin...
After her debut performance as a fairy in elementary school, Helen didn't perform again for decades. She has been on a pretty good tear ever since - playing memorable characters in Jane the Virgin, Never Have I Ever, booking her first commercial (Comcast Cable) and then her first acting audition: a Coen Brothers classic, becoming a regular on NPR's Wait Wait Don't Tell me, and hosting her own game sh...
Seth and Mike talk, growing up Jewish with the shadow of the Holocaust front and center and how, for Seth, this permeated his DNA and his being and drew him to innocence work. The Bone Valley Murder, college protests, and passion feature prominently.
@freedtolaugh on IG
A touring theatre comedian out of Nashville, Tennessee, Lee has two successful DryBar comedy specials.
Mike and Lee talk, comedy entrepreneurship, creating opportunities vs. being angry about the opportunities that don't come, television work, upbringing, lacking luxury but being provided for and encouraged, and growth.
@freedtolaugh on IG
The millennial president is on this episode.
He became the 30th president of Edward Waters College, now University, in 2018.
Since then he’s shaken things up for EWU and the entire HBCU world.
He is enthusiastic, thoughtful, demanding of himself and others, and above all passionate.
Want to find out how he got that way?
Check it out!
@freedtolaugh on IG
When it comes to news reporting, Alex Ebert is at the same time a throwback to old school journalism and a foreshadowing of what newsrooms are becoming.
Perspective, exuberance, how stories impact the lives of real people and the judicial process, learning from mistakes, pursuing passion, and work life balance.
This episode has it all.
@freedtolaugh on IG
This episode is all about leadership and service.
No one better exemplifies both than the man who has led at the highest levels of PepsiCo, Eastman Kodak, Bristol Myers Squibb, Johnson & Johnson, and now his own alma mater (and Mike”s too), Jacksonville University.
Passion, encouragement and loyalty feature prominently.
@freedtolaugh on IG
You asked for it, you got it: a larger dose of the reality show that is produced for an audience of two in the home of a 56 year old comedian/lawyer and his 15 year old daughter.
This episode gives you a taste of the bantar, sarcasm, sharing, exploring and compassion that occurs daily in the home of two people from very different generations.
You will be as captivated by the intellect and candor ...
From "The Tonight Show" to "Last Comic Standing" - from appearances on "That 70's Show," ""Scrubs," "Will & Grace," and "Agent Carter," - and from commercials for Honda, Heineken, Doritos and even Midol -- there is no shortage of firsts to discuss.
This high energy conversation covers a bunch.
From his upbringing in Greenv...
Dave joins Mike to talk about the challenges and failures that inspired him to run over 3,400 miles --- coast to coast – in 80 days, run 7 marathons on 7 continents in 7 days, and to do triathlons every day for 32 days – all to raise money and awareness for charities!!!
His accomplishments, and impact through inspiration, too great to list. “His Game, His Rules!” “Accomplisher!” “Relevant!”
An...
As portrayed in the Hollywood feature film, “Brian Banks,” Brian was destined for football stardom when he was wrongfully accused of sexual assault and took his lawyer’s advice to plead “no contest.”
He spent the next six years in prison only to be exonerated when his accuser confessed to lying.
Brian shares with Mike how he persevered, continued to dream and to realize dreams.
This episo...
He’s performed on The Tonight Show, Letterman, Colbert, James Corden, Craig Fergusson and was a finalist on Last Comic standing.
Michael shares how making the family laugh around the dinner table and the encouragement of his parents gave him the confidence and patience to build a successful career as a Touring Stand-up Comedian.
Lot’s of great insight from one of the nicest guys in the comedy busin...
Get to know one of the consummate television news journalists of our day, her history, her heart and her approach to relaying the news and exploring personalities, stories and issues with compassion and objectivity.
@freedtolaugh on IG
An informative and fun conversation about the unique piece of Americana and running lure that is The Boston Marathon.
Marc talks to Mike about his first Boston in 2003 as a Bandit, 17 Bostons since, fun facts about the race, the importance in finding beauty in imperfection and the intrinsic value of a beautiful question.
This episode is for runners and non-runners alike!
@freedtolaugh on IG
Popular Podcasts
Two Guys (Bowen Yang and Matt Rogers). Five Rings (you know, from the Olympics logo). One essential podcast for the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics. Bowen Yang (SNL, Wicked) and Matt Rogers (Palm Royale, No Good Deed) of Las Culturistas are back for a second season of Two Guys, Five Rings, a collaboration with NBC Sports and iHeartRadio. In this 15-episode event, Bowen and Matt discuss the top storylines, obsess over Italian culture, and find out what really goes on in the Olympic Village.
Listen to the latest news from the 2026 Winter Olympics.
The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan Cortina are here and have everyone talking. iHeartPodcasts is buzzing with content in honor of the XXV Winter Olympics We’re bringing you episodes from a variety of iHeartPodcast shows to help you keep up with the action. Follow Milan Cortina Winter Olympics so you don’t miss any coverage of the 2026 Winter Olympics, and if you like what you hear, be sure to follow each Podcast in the feed for more great content from iHeartPodcasts.
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
Saskia Inwood woke up one morning, knowing her life would never be the same. The night before, she learned the unimaginable – that the husband she knew in the light of day was a different person after dark. This season unpacks Saskia’s discovery of her husband’s secret life and her fight to bring him to justice. Along the way, we expose a crime that is just coming to light. This is also a story about the myth of the “perfect victim:” who gets believed, who gets doubted, and why. We follow Saskia as she works to reclaim her body, her voice, and her life. If you would like to reach out to the Betrayal Team, email us at betrayalpod@gmail.com. Follow us on Instagram @betrayalpod and @glasspodcasts. Please join our Substack for additional exclusive content, curated book recommendations, and community discussions. Sign up FREE by clicking this link Beyond Betrayal Substack. Join our community dedicated to truth, resilience, and healing. Your voice matters! Be a part of our Betrayal journey on Substack.