The Default Setting

We get physical this week with Gift Processor and athletic trainer Jess Ford and her default setting: Texas Pride. Born and raised in Houston, Jess dispels some of the cliches and misinformation about what it's like to be a Texan. We dive into our controversial pool of gray discussing what it's like to both love and hate where you grew up. We also learn about cancel culture, Juneteenth and what...

Oh man. We've been doing this show for so long and with so many people that I forgot we already did 'Tentative' as someone's Default Setting (see: a very fun episode with Jim Lalka). But we're very sure about this week's guest James Catullo(@dodge_intrepid), who originally wanted his topic to be 'Indecisive' (see: a very fun episode with Stephanie Sherman). AAAAAAAAAAAAAANNNNYWAY, we have a gre...

Comedic CLE (@comediccle) co-founder and producer Brent Gambrel is far too engaging this week for his default setting: disengaged. We dive into Brent's past with trauma, promotion and the IRS and discuss how you actively engaged you can be with being disengaged. Also: we have a singalong, we dish on who's who and what's what in Cleveland comedy and we laugh so hard while getting so very dark. S...

Improv artiste and founder of Scienceology (@scienceology on YouTube) Wells Hillblom can do what he wants, including invent a new word for his default setting: Un-Inert. Throughout his life, Wells has found he's unable to stay too long in one place, whether it's literally or metaphorically. We dig into the origins of his instinct to migrate and go even further into the human nature of being on ...

Our beloved Gigi (@g.g.chick) is back again this week as co-host while we have a relaxing dish with one of our favorite Sad Boys, Nick Yurick (http://sadboyssocialclub.com/), discussing his default: Hoarder. Nick's not just a hoarder in the traditional sense (though stay tf out of his closets and basement), he also hoards his feelings, thoughts, ideas and loved ones sometimes.  On an unrelated ...

The bad news: Jess fucked up again. The good news: we got a killer double episode! We kick it off with comedian & writer Joe Briggs (@joeisalsohere) discussing his default: Awkward. We chat about both being on the giving and receiving end of awkwardness, especially when you're a performer. We then make a hard left into our next episode with cinephile and nerd bar proprietress Harmony Moon (@vel...

This week we celebrate the moments of our lives with comedian TM Francis and his default setting: Humor Deflection. We reflect on all of our outlandish behavior at funerals and in buffet lines and how we use humor to kill the awkwardness in our heads. Also up for discussion: nudists, archnemeses and red states vs. blue states. Shoutouts: -OKPants (@okpants) -Above Below Entertainment (@abovebel...

Fellow Cleveland to LA transplant Vishnu Akella (@VishnuAkella) joins the gals this week to ruminate on his default setting: being in the discomfort zone. Vishnu thrives on escaping inertia and gravitates toward challenges which not coincidentally is how he manages to kill it in the comedy scene. Also on deck: Jess is old, Vishnu is young and Elizabeth has a promising future as a social media s...

AND WE'RE BACK.  This week: comedian, former Angeleno and mama Kelly Thewlis chats with us about her default: being a cinephile. On deck for discussion: comedies, tragedies, classics, behind the scenes, male fragility and how Steve Buscemi can GET IT. We also learn about the effectiveness of IUD's, surprising Oscar nominees and oh my god we're starting to sound like one of those Entertainment T...

The truth is out there.  And it wants chicken.  Kelly Moore wants us to believe this week that her default setting is Dana Scully. What is it about this revolutionary television character that appeals to her and to us all? We also chat cats, commercials and becoming an elderly. Shoutouts: -OKPants (@okpants) -Above Below Entertainment (@abovebelowent)

Are you experiencing de ja vu right now? Are you confused as to why Gigi is back on the show? Are you wondering how we got comedian John Armstrong all the way out to Los Angeles to record an episode of the podcast? Don't wonder those things. I screwed up and lost 2 of our episodes and now I have to air a rerun. Also John's a super sweet, funny, supportive guy and just generally a good dude so w...

Tania (Ta-nay-ah) Timmons is many things: comedian wife mom possessor of an extensive work history introvert We talk about all these things, but especially the last one this week. Also Liz does her best impression of Charlie Brown's teacher because something was wrong with her microphone. Apologies for the muffled audio. Shoutouts: -OKPants (@okpants) -Above Below Entertainment (@abovebelowent)

This week's episode is shitty and what's the point of listening when everything is crap. JK! OH MAN WE GOT YOU GUYS GOOD YOU SHOULDA SEEN YOUR FACES. Aaaanyway, we have on funny man Adam Janovyak this week talking his default: pessimist. Adam's probably the most fun, interesting downer we've ever met. Can you paradoxically be upbeat when you expect everything to turn to shit? Also on deck: Liz ...

It's our first ever guests as a couple when Jess's brother and his girlfriend (also Jess's friend) Joey Ocheltree (ocheltree.9@osu.edu) and Linda Penrose stop by to discuss their default settings! Joey talks about how fluctuation is his default setting; his ability to always roll and change with the punches as life hands them over. Linda shares her experiences with combating social awkwardness ...

We feel compelled to tell you this episode is super fun when comedian Phil Eckenrode joins us to talk about his default setting: compulsive. We all feel the need to double check things on occasion, but what happens when you feel the need to quintuple check things? Can it actually be a good thing? Also up for discussion: going back to jail, hecklers and THEEEE most adorable marriage proposal you...

We got tired of interviewing our comedy dads so we decided to talk to Jess's actual dad, Bill Ocheltree. He regales us with his tales of wild America when we discuss his default setting: Nature Lover. Bill talks about his experiences growing up in the country, exploring the western wilderness and dives into the antics of being forced into the Air Force. It feels really weird to call my dad 'Bil...

It's season FOUR ya futons! Our premiere brings us one of our comedy dads Keith Bergman (@keithbbergman). Keith talks about the importance of 'growing up, not growing OUT'. Which is to say, it's lame to be 'too cool'. We discuss the importance of doing what you love, paying the bills, and why the 2 don't have to be mutually exclusive. Groups we rag on in this episode:  straight edge people hips...

WE DID IT. This episode was cursed and much adversity was overcome but we did it. The season 3 finale is here with our very special guest, host Jess Faulstich discussing her default setting: LOUD. This really doesn't need further explanation to anyone who has met Jess, listened to this podcast or lives within a 10 mile radius of her. She lives near LAX and they've called her apartment complex ...

As promised, we've returned with another TOO HOT FOR iTUNES* episode of The Default Setting! Now with 50% more clip show action! We listen to more never before heard clips from the likes of Brian Avery, Katy Moynihan, James Earl Brassfield AND ADDITIONALS. This is also our least edited episode because Jess got really busy this week and would rather put out something half-assed than nothing at...

We didn't dwell too long when deciding on a guest for this week: improv newbie and librarian lady Camilla Grigsby (@onhorizons). Camilla discusses her default: overthinking, and ironically none of us spend much time in this episode doing that. Instead, we talk about the things we know: being smug, loving cats, avoiding social media drama and the truth about legal secretaries. Shoutouts: -OKP...

As an award winning podcast, The Default Setting gets FIVES of requests from potential guests asking to be on the show. Sadly most of these guests never make it to air because they never return our messages. So what do you do with a podcast with no guests? CLIP SHOW. But not just any clip show, a NEVER BEFORE AIRED clip show! Featuring the pre-show commentaries of Cody Cooper, Leslie Battle, Z...

Actor, writer, podcaster, comedian, musician, poet and Elizabeth's other half James Earl Brassfield (@jearlbrass) graces us with his gravitas this week when we discuss his default setting: Special. Since he was a young buck, JEB always knew he had star quality and he hasn't let it go to waste. He's won awards for acting and writing in the sketch group Pizza Money and for his self-produced podc...

Things get started abrupt-o with Mr. Interrupto (aka Brian Avery of @drinkswithlarry) while we discuss his default setting: Aggressively Average. A fun thing about Brian's default setting is it allowed us all to blabber about average things, but, you know…aggressively. We talk testes, dogs, missing episodes, Patreons, glockenspiels and spin offs, all in the first 20 minutes. We also have a sp...

Up and coming comedian and architect Katy Moynihan builds herself up this week while we chat about her default setting: grin and bear it. Katy has one of the coolest origin stories when it comes to how she found her funny and why she decided to start writing jokes (spoiler: she didn't need her bros telling her 'YOU SHOULD DO STANDUP'). Also on deck for discussion are the usual: Cleveland come...

This week's episode contains the most amount of people, editing and tomfoolery in TDS history when comedian Kevin Ross joins us to talk about his default setting: Funny. Our guest gets triple teamed when Jess, Liz AND special guest co-host GG Chick drops in to consult Kevin on his comedic character. Oh 4 people on an episode aren't enough for you? Great news. Kevin's date Christine also joins...

Who is Ray Roberts? A comedian, a democrat, a grenade thrower and a genuinely nice guy, just to name a few. We find out more about him when we dig into his default setting: juvenile. At ages 29, 30 and 37, the Ray, Liz and Jess discuss the divisions in the Millennial generation and our perspectives on college, communism and callout culture. Plus there's a whole lotta dead grandpas. Shoutouts:...

On TDS, we love our Marines and today is no exception when we talk to veteran and comedian Dan Brady (FUBAR Comedy on Facebook) about his default setting: Supportive. Dan is one of the nicest dudes & fastest rising stars in the NE Ohio/Western PA circuit, but when he takes the mic, DUCK AND COVER. He'll charm you and then alarm you with his no-holds barred style that somehow remains inoffensiv...

We have a confession to make. Writer and comedian AJ DiCosimo didn't really have a default setting. We just really really really wanted him to be on the show because he's hilarious and fun. You don't like it? THIS SHOW IS FREE. What we DO discuss in lieu of an actual default setting ranges from snow plows, cat butts, cigarette butts, dying, dog people and car accidents. WHAT A ROLLER COASTER. ...

You guys remember the 90's? If so, you'll love this episode. If not, well, YOU GON LEARN. Filmmaker and movie buff Zach Shildwachter (@sickeningpics) reminisces about the decade of fluorescence while also talking about his default setting: preparedness. Is it anxiety when you always expect something bad to happen? Can it manifest itself as something good, a la knowing how to survive off salt w...

Chillin out relaxin. Relaxin all cool. While we don't shoot b-ball, we do shoot the shit with comedian Ubad Olowolowo this week when we dish his default setting: Chill. We spend about half the episode trying to get Jess's cat to calm the f down, and the rest of it learning about life in Nigeria, life in Alabama and life where not everybody knows (how to say) your name. BONUS: there's a fun ps...

Pick a topic du jour. A topic that's spicy. A topic that causes debate. A topic that is inexplicably divisive. We talk about it this week when guest Leslie Battle joins us to discuss her default setting: rambler. On deck for discussion: Chad Ochocinco, the state of Texas, the state of Florida, the state of Ohio, the Army, guns, edibles, time travel, and literally at least 10 other topics I can...

Special guest co-host GG Chick joins Jess this week to keep calm and carry on with comedian and writer Cody Cooper while he talks about his default setting: dormant rage. We talk about the subtle benefits (along with the extremely unsubtle downsides) to lashing out, along with the occasions where we find ourselves seething, including at parties, in traffic, on vacation & next to lemonade stand...

We hoard all the fun this week when poet and comedian Angelo Maneage feels compelled to dish his default setting: OCD. OCD isn't just a fun way to describe being annoyingly meticulous; it can actually be quite the contrary. The three of us all describe our own past run-ins with the disorder and how we've coped/ignored it. Also on deck: porcelain dolls, edition #917 of 'Jess is old', Oscar the...

We made the best choice having guest Stephanie Sherman (@drinkswithlarry) join us (again) this week to chat about her default setting: indecision. The 3 of us dive into how calling the shots isn't as fun as it's cracked up to be. Also up for discussion: GhostBusters, transgender felines, veggie porn, audiophiles and an idea for a possible side podcast we're calling 'Boytus Interruptus'. Shou...

Comedian Katie O'Malley (@ko in cle) met and/or exceeded every one of our expectations this week with her default setting: fake it til you make it. Katie teaches us all about the Amazon & Colombia, while Elizabeth teaches us about vagina echo chambers and sausage death. We also talk puppies, kitties, the elderly and the elderly man who periodically attempts to ruin Cleveland comedy. Shoutout...

EVERYONE LOOK AT US AND WHAT WE'RE DOING. Comedian Dwayne Duke (IG @lifesaparty, Twitter @funnydwayne) is front and center this week discussing his default setting: attention whore. We chat about good attention vs. bad attention, being an only child vs. one of many and being a pig lover vs. a c-word. Shoutouts: -OKPants (@okpants) -Above Below Entertainment (@abovebelowent)

Season 3 BAYBEEEE. This season we've got an all new co-host in our beloved Lizzy Jizzy, Ms. Elizabeth Seman and our premiere episode guest, Mr. Bryan Sternik (@thebryansternik). We talk about Bryan's default setting: youthful and everything that encompasses including ambition, naivety and car jackings. Shoutouts: -OKPants (@okpants) -Above Below Entertainment (@abovebelowent)

The kween of Cleveland comedy crushes our Season 2 Finale: Mary Santora. We laugh, we cry, we eat pizza & discuss the benefits of Mary's default setting: being an optimist. Also on deck: kids, lesbians, moms, kids of lesbian moms…or maybe just the first 3. Idk. We recorded this like 8 months ago. Shoutouts: -Pete Milk (@patrick_melk) -OKPants (@okpants) -Above Below Entertainment (@aboveb...

Things get cheesy when comedian and motivational speaker David Horning has his whey with us, talking his default setting: yes and’ing. David’s one of the first improv performers we’ve met who’s managed to successfully cross over into standup. He discusses his history with writing, performing and staying funny in the face of tragedy. We have an udderly good time this week, so you’ll definitely...

Comedian, co-host of Drinks With Larry (@drinkswithlarry) and neighborhood ninja Aaron DeTaurean joins us this week to deliver his default setting: energy. Aaron takes us through his tips and tricks to getting energy, keeping energy and using energy. Listen to this episode to find out exactly why you're exhausted all the time and SPOILER ALERT: it's because you're doing EVERYTHING WRONG. We a...

We finally have a guest who gets us (and our innate ability to go off topic)! Co-host of 'Game Show Live', host of the Big Beer Show/Bedrunken Cleveland and comedian Steve Guy (@thesteveguy) stops by this week to discuss his default: being Relatable. It would be challenging to find a topic we don't cover this week. Whether it's wrestling, rom-coms, La Croix, cliques, cats, friend zones, family...

It's an Above Below Entertainment network party this week! Host of our big brother podcast Drinks with Larry (@drinkswithlarry), Larry Courtney stops in this week to discuss his default setting: People Pleaser. We reminisce about the childhood struggle for approval, the adulthood struggle for approval and just struggling in general. Also up for discussion: drinking games, pepper spray, and th...

This week: founder, President and CEO of our beloved network Above Below Entertainment (@abovebelowent) El Jordano Diablo throws down his default setting: Attitude. We dig into religion (specifically Jehovah's Witnesses), wrestling, diplomacy and the virtues of therapy. Geeg gives us her observations on male pattern baldness, Jordan & Jess chat about corporal punishment and all 3 of us gush a...

HOLY WOW. Gary Graham sets the standard for the embodiment of his default setting: chaos. We discuss all the insane things that have happened to Gary since day 1 and all the chaotic things that continue to happen... even at the end of this podcast. Listen to the very end for a VERY unexpected chaotic twist. Shoutouts: -Pete Milk (@patrick_melk) -OKPants (@okpants) -Above Below Entertainmen...

New comic Sam Auble jumps on the show this week to tell the tale of his default setting: cancer survivor. Sam always kept his cool and an unbelievably positive attitude when you realize alllllll of the crazy hardships he faced as a kid with cancer including isolation, multiple surgeries, seizures and more. We also dig into what makes him just like the rest of us, including sibling rivalries, ...

Things we learned on this episode: Andy Meredith isn't entirely an asshole, despite that being his default setting He's technically a doctor Marijuana is a fine substitute for alcohol for many reasons It's possible to get extremely high out of your mind and still complete a relatively cohesive podcast episode We also discuss Marvel movies, AA, roasting, toasting and the questionable choice...

We got a small sized convoy this week when guest Randy Brown talks about his default setting: Isolation. Geeg and Randy reminisce about youth group (and what happens when you get too old for it), while Jess and Randy reminisce about marital strife. Randy steals the show by telling his tales from the road, including the time he danced with a train and lost. This episode brought to you by Chil...

The studio is chocked full of GOOD VIBES this week when comedian and CEO of Golden Gains (@str8gv) Torey Golden swings by to discuss her default setting: zero waste. We gush about hot girls, hoarding, hustling and hilarity ensues. TRUE BUT VERY UNBELIEVABLE FACT: no drugs or alcohol were used during the taping of this episode. Not for any specific reason. We just forgot to smoke a bowl before ...

WHO RUN THE WORLD? Comedian Liz Blanc (@itslizblanc) and the ladies of TDS this week, with Liz's default setting: Common Sense Feminist. We talk #metoo, social media hysteria and supporting businesses run by women. What is feminism in 2018? Should it rebrand? We also chat about the autism spectrum, public schools, voting and the death of empathy. And um. WHY THEEE EFFF do women still take ou...

HOO-RA hooray! Comedian & one of Jess's favorite people Josh Lawhorn (@jlawcomedy) stops by to discuss his default setting: Marine. We learn so much this week, including how much weed you can smoke before you're barred from ever being a weatherman, a TON of stuff about boot camp & even more importantly, we learn about DMT. You kids and your drugs these days. This episode is Mother Ayahuasca a...