A New Era of Laughter: Live Virtual Comedy with Leanne Linsky

FN Intro/Outro: Welcome to the Freedom Nation podcast with Jeff Kikel. On this show, Jeff shares his expertise in financial and retirement planning from a different perspective. Planning for Your Freedom Day, which is the first day that you wake up and have enough income or assets and do not have to go to work that day. Learn how to calculate what you need, how to generate income sources, and listen to interviews from others who've done it themselves. Get ready to experience your own Freedom Day.

Hey, everybody, it's Jeff here. Once again, with the freedom nation podcast and today's show. We're gonna have a lot of fun. My guest is Leanne Linsky. She is a very funny comedian, actress, as well as the CEO of a really cool company that if you are a budding comedian, and you want to expand your audience, she's your lady to go to. So Leanne, welcome to the show, my friend.

Thank you. Thanks for having me on.

I am so glad to have you here. So let's get started by having you tell us a little bit about your story. I know it's been a long and winding road as you want to put it. But tell me a little bit about your story.

Sure, it definitely is but a long road. So I actually went to school for business management. And I went to unlv, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and I graduated and I ended up getting a job in an accounting department doing some accounts payable. And that was the last thing I ever thought I would be like, if you were to say of all the subjects in school, which which would I want to focus on, it was not accounting. But there I was, and I got this really good job, ended up working for that company for a year went to another company. This other company was a national homebuilder. I was there for almost 13 years, I thought I would be there until I retired. Honestly, I loved it. I love the people. I had the opportunity to move from accounting into market research. And then I went into construction and I was a construction coordinator. Then I was a back end superintendent. Then I was a service manager. And then I was a service area manager then I was a manager of cultural development, all these things right over this. I was like, This is my life. But during that time, I was also in charge of setting up a lot of company events, like all the quarterly meetings, said, all of these things that required me to do public speaking. And so in 2001, I took my first comedy writing class, I'm like, this is going to help you I kind of wanted to do like some sort of Johnny Carson monologue or something. And I took this comedy writing class and it was so fun. And I was like, Well, that was really cool. And then down the road, one of my co workers was like, hey, you know, Second City has a training center out here. And I was like what I mean, I was I'm familiar with Second City because I grew up outside of Chicago. So I grew up in Illinois. I was like I didn't know they had a trainees winter out here. So I ended up seeing an ad in the paper like that same week. And so I kept seeing the signs about Second City. I was like, well see you hear about it one time is one thing, but when it keeps happening, it's like I need to pay attention. So I fighters. Yeah, exactly. And I signed up for my first improv class. And there, I went down the rabbit hole I was, I was like, I'm taking all the classes. And I did I took everything they offered like two and three times. And five years later, after that, I learned that I was being laid off from my job. And here I had been at this job for almost 13 years. And I was like, What do I do with my life and my friends that I had met an improv were like, Well, you said, if you didn't have that job, you would move to New York. So a friend called and said, Hey, I'm getting a sublet in New York. Are you coming? And I was like, Well, I don't know. And he's like you said, and I was like, ah, and I said, well think about it. And he says, You have one hour. So an hour later I called inside that, nope, I'm in I'm in. And I ended up packing up two suitcases and moving to New York to pursue comedy full time. So I immersed myself in classes at the Upright Citizens Brigade at magnet theater, like I did all the things I possibly could. I went back to Chicago and studied for a month and a half at IO Chicago and went back to New York. So I just went all in. And I stayed in New York for about nine years. And then eventually, I moved to the West Coast. And I was in Los Angeles area, not long beach. Which Long Beach is not as close to La as people said it was no in fact, even if at all two miles from LA it's like three hour commute. Yeah, yeah, it's bananas. It's just like, why am I sitting in traffic? I would have to drive two hours to get five minutes of stage time. I'm like, This is silly, what am I doing? And then I was like, How do I continue doing comedy without, you know, going broke paying for gas and spending my life and no car? So I was like, why don't I do things online now? I thought about it. This was back in end of 2014, beginning in 2015. And I was like, Oh, what if I use Skype and people are like, man, that's Skype. And then I was using zoom for work and way back then. And because I was working remotely, and then I was like, maybe that and then life happened. But like in August of 2019, I started, actually put everything together and put my open mics online. Now this before COVID. So August 2019, BC, for COVID. Started doing it. Yeah, I had regulars, you know, coming down the mic, and they're like, Hey, this is great, because I can work on all my jokes. I know that that when I get on stage, they actually work. And then COVID happened, and everybody started doing everything online. But although it solved an interim problem, it also created new ones, because of tech, you know, they weren't the tech, Goddess flu, the pandemic, and that's fantastic. But I was like, my needs as a comedian are different, you know. And so how do I fix that I ended up going back to school during COVID. I got my master's degree in innovation and entrepreneurship, entrepreneurship, easy for me to sign. And I got, yeah, to figure out how I could scale this, how I could build a team. So I graduated, I ended up getting a team about a year later. And we built plausible and launched in December of last year, and 2022. And yeah, so we've been up and Adam for a year and have been onboarding comedians ever since day one and comedy fan so that people can. So the comedians can basically create produce, set their own schedule, set their own ticket price, monetize their comedy shows, in a whole new way, which puts more money in the comedians pocket. And rather than being paid, contrary to popular belief, comedians do not make a lot of money, typically, unless they're really well known. They're we're often paid, we often pay to play. And we often given like a burger and a beer, or, you know, something for our set, or hey, thanks. And that's about it. So I wanted to give an opportunity for flipped the whole model on its head. And then comedy fans can come in, explore our comedian directory, find out all kinds of new talent, people who've been around a long time. That's quite the range of, you know, how many years people have been doing it. So and then people can do their own shows, fans can figure out what they want. Everything's live in real time. And it's performed live for an online audience. So it's a little bit different concept than what people are accustomed to.

Cool. Well, I think this is a long and winding road, but a great little winding road. And you ended up in Seattle, correct? Yeah,

I ended up ended up in Seattle, which I never thought I would end up here. But here I am. It's been it's been great. We've been here just over two years, almost two and a half years now.

Okay, nice. So you moved there during the pandemic, then? Yeah,

We got here and everything was still pretty closed and shut down. So which honestly worked out great for me, because I'm so focused and committed to just working on plausible I don't leave the house much. I'm always, I'm always online. I'm always talking to people this way.

Yeah. That's awesome. Well, let's get into plausible a little bit because I want to understand a little bit how it differentiates itself from let's say, like a webinar platform or something like that. So how, what is the difference between, let's say, a webinar platform, and then what plausible does so that it is more functional for comedian?

So Oh, webinar platform, you basically anybody can do whatever they want, obviously, on a webinar or platform, you just basically purchase the software and then or subscribe to it. And then you share the link out with people that you're inviting to it with Plauzzable, think about it in the sense that you're logging into Plauzzable you're not just getting a link. So I would compare Plauzzable like what if you combined, like your Netflix account, like if you log into Netflix as a as a consumer as a audience, and you look through a directory of all the shows, or like live TV, like if you log into peacock or something and everything is or ESPN and everything goes in time segments by day. That's how Plauzzable is like we have a show schedule. So you go into your dashboard and you see all the show list. means it's not video on demand, you can't just watch any show at any time, you have to show up. If the show is at four o'clock on a Friday afternoon, in your timezone, then it's four o'clock Friday afternoon, and it happens live in the moment, and everybody else is there. And you can see and hear the other audience members, they can see and hear you, the performer can see and hear everybody as well. So in the sense that it's a show directory, like a TV Guide, is well, and you can get free shows, you can get pay per view shows on there, depend. And then the flip side, everything's all encompassed into one thing. So a comedian who's creating the show, they get their scheduling tools to create the show, they can upload their show graphics, they can put in their description, they can they fulfill all the information. So it shows up in the show listings and that like the show guide, and then they can set a ticket price if they want, or if they don't want they have a tire layup it's entirely up to the to the Creator how much they want to charge. And then they put it out there, they can create their own profile and a profile directory. So when you think about a webinar, or conference webinar, or conferencing thing, you just get just the webinar and conferencing thing you don't know of the all the events that are happening on Zoom, they don't tell you and they don't you don't have access to every all the users on zoom in their profiles, you know, so you don't have any of that you just have, here's how you connect and see each other plausible. You get the the talent directory, you get the show listings, you can buy and purchase your tickets online through Plauzzable. And then when it's time for the show, you click on the link. And it's Plauzzable software that connects you so that you see and hear everybody there's no download of some alternate software and nothing like that. It's all plausible and beautiful.

So I would think as a comedian, this is wonderful. Because you're not having to go go, you know, out to all the clubs to test your material and all that you can basically stay at home, save the money not not getting in a car for a couple hours. And you don't end up with the Laurel and Hardy handshake at the end of the at the evening.

Yeah, it's so true. So we have when I was when I was when I knew I wanted to do this. And I've started putting in all the research and everything. Like the majority of open mics in general are in two states, New York and California. So if you don't live in a in a big metropolitan area, chances are you don't have a lot of opportunity to get up and get stage time. So we get a lot of comedians not only from New York and California, of course, because that's where a high percentage of them are. But we get a lot of people in the flyover states we get people from Canada, we get people from other countries, our comedian of the year lives in Japan. So she just won the comedy contest, we have a monthly contest that that we had all those monthly winners compete for the year for the grand finale for the title of comedians year. So so we have people from all over. So you're absolutely right. It kind of saves people a commute. Even fans, like we have people log in, they're like, Wow, I can put my kid to bed. I don't have to hire a sitter. I don't have to pay for parking. I don't have to do a two drink minimum. I can sit and I can have a good time for me here. And it's live. So I'm in you know, people are more likely to laugh also when they hear other people laughing in the room. And watching something actively like that promotes more laughing out loud, more smiling out loud, rather than watching something passively, maybe as a as a video on demand structure.

So I can be a drunk belligerent heckler from my house, which is awesome. You could

But you might get removed from the show. Oh, you know, it's funny because it's funny because people ask about I'm so glad you brought up people ask about heckling God, especially now since so many comedians show their crowd work on social media, that a lot of comedians are like stop showing the crowd work to those that do because it tells people that it's okay to talk to the comedian. And most of the time, it's not like yeah, oh, no, someone's talking to me. Yeah. So it's

Just that you breached your routine. At that point. I would think it's just, you know, it's like, yeah, it really does. Yeah, yeah. It's like being a stage speaker. And then you get up there and then somebody asks a question, and it's like, okay, you're, you're taking me out of my rhythm or whatever. So yeah, it's, it's interesting, but yeah, I could imagine. I mean, just like you would drag out the drunk at the club. You know, you don't don't have to have bouncers, you just have to have a finger on the button.

That's right.

So do we, you know, are there some big names that we would know that are on there that are kind of testing material?

There are some names. I don't know how, how big of comedy fans your listeners are. So I guess it would depend. But I know, I'm excited. There's a bunch of people who've been around a very long time. So, you know, there's people who have been doing comedy for over 40 years on the site. And there's people who just started, you know, this past year. So it kind of runs the gamut. And there's all kinds of people, there's a lot of people who have had TV credits, who've been on late night talk shows and doing stand up. So yeah, so there are people. I'm not name dropping, you notice that? Yeah,

I know, you did. Well, at that I was impressed how you just kind of went through that one, the long and winding road of that question. So I mean, I guess I think the cool part is, I mean, it's a lot like the early beginnings of YouTube, where a lot of, you know, stars, and a lot of, you know, singing stars really got famous off of YouTube, because, you know, they weren't having to go out there and travel all over the place and live in a van and everything else. I mean, they, they were able to get their voice out there. I just think, you know, for a comedian, this is a much better platform, from the standpoint of you can get some feedback from the audience and find out if your jokes evolving. Yeah,

It's so true. It's gonna give it kind of democratizes the whole the whole industry. And so such a way so it levels the playing field. Yeah. So I'm really excited because I'm also what I'm also excited, I nerd out about this all the time. But I also love to see how people use it. How how people kind of, you know, there are some people now who are like, Oh, I have a podcast, I can do my podcast, I can have my podcast recorded in front of a live audience. I'm plausible, still record it, download it, and distribute it and package it like I normally do. But it adds this other step. And if someone has a big following on their podcast, and they want to sell tickets to that live recording, they can do that. Because right now, if you want to sell tickets to a live recording your podcast, you have to rent a venue. Well, what if you could do it all in one place? And you can still record it? Yeah. And it doesn't cost you anything out of pocket, it just adds value to your listener and adds money in your wallet?

Well, so we know how the comedian's make by the how to make money. Well,

We get a percentage of the possible takes a percentage of the ticket revenue. So I'm gonna jority of the ticket revenue goes to the comedian. And then Plauzzable, I think we all say Plauzzable, just so it's clear. It's not likely and going.

Leanne just sitting there counting your money while you're on the wall, you're on their sweat news, a comedian. So to the this plausible, have the capability to basically process those ticket sales and things like that, and then take a cut from that or does the, you know, is it more like the Eventbrite model where, you know, I do the event, I collect the money and then yeah, I have to pay Eventbrite.

No, we have stripe integrated into it. So everything goes, it's all on Plauzzable. Like you don't have to leave the platform and go through anything. It's all integrated. Right in Love it. Love it. Love it. Well, I tried to simplify it as much as possible. Yeah.

Well, I mean, you know, not everybody's super high tech either. So I mean, the ability to not have to create all that, you know, for a creative person that's like, Hey, I just want to get up and be funny. You know, I spent two weeks in Germany just recently, so you really need to recruit some German comedians, because they are they are some of the funniest people in the world and completely condensed. So they could they could make a mortician

Bring them on

What's the future look like? What some of the things that you're planning on, you know, advancing plausible with.

So I'm really excited because there's, when we when we launched plausible, I started out with a lot of open mics, and people, comedians using it and helping other comedians get stage time, which is awesome. And now over time, people are starting to test out there podcasts, people are testing out the pay per view options with the ticketing services, which is exciting. So there's new shows that people are are creating, and they're coming out in the first quarter. And there's also going to be comedy classes. So I'm also very excited about that, because Because comedians see an opportunity where they can actually teach others how to do stand up better, how to do stand up online, how to do those apps, those things are also happening first quarter of the new year. So so there's A lot of different use cases being rolled out where, again, whatever comedians can do to further their career. I, I want, I'm excited to see them do it all possible.

Yeah, I think it's phenomenal. And yeah, I mean, the podcast idea, all of a sudden, the light bulb went off in my head, because I'm getting ready to launch a new show. And that would be an interesting way to do it, you know, on a TV channel, but yeah, it would be interesting way to do it live. And then, you know, record that over onto the TV channel, too. So yeah, very interesting. I'm super excited about it. It's it's a really cool platform. I was on there playing around a little bit today, and really got to see a lot about you know what you're doing. But I learned a lot more from you, you know, as a result of tsunami.

Good. Thank you. And thanks for going on.

Let's transition now to the Fast Five questions. Are you ready?

I'm ready. All right.

So here's the first one. You wake up in the morning business is totally gone. You have 500 bucks in your pocket, a laptop computer, a place to live food and clothing. What are you going to do first?

Well, the first thing that comes in my mind is I have to go to the bathroom. Because that's usually what I do when I first wake up. Let's do that. Get some Go, go go get a workout and get some coffee. But when it comes to life, like what would be my plan, I'd probably immediately start looking for my next job. What am I what am I going to do? What am I spending all my time in? Yep. Excellent.

Okay. What is the biggest business mistake that you've ever made?

A business mistake? Oh, my God. They're all all the time. It's just, I don't know. I guess I wish. Well, when it comes to business, I wish I would have started sooner. Okay. Not starting sooner.

Yeah, we all say that. I mean, it. Sometimes it's just the right time is the right time. And you have you had all that time at your company to practice all this stuff so that you were able to watch off when you were forced to? Yeah, it's a good book that you would recommend for our audience.

It's called The One Thing by Gary Keller. Yes. It's a really good book. I just finished that. I

had been I read it while I was on this trip to Europe, just recently. So I started it right before and started reading it. I've had it for probably five years, and I've never read it. And finally, just one of my guests said that I was like, You know what I'm gonna read. It's phenomenal. It's a great book. Yeah. I love it. What is a tool that you use in your business every day? I bet you I can guess what this is that you would recommend for our audit.

Plauzzable No, let's see, you know, I really like is a business tool as Canva. Okay.

Yep. I love Canva. But the challenge of Canva is it sucks me in and then I spend way too much time there. So I've kind of given myself a limited time that I can get in there. And I let my team go in there, because otherwise I'll spend way too much time. Yes. So last question. What is your definition of freedom?

Oh, it would be a day off. I don't know what that looks like. Freedom, also? Yes, I think it would be a day off. But freedom, I think also is I just I know, this is a fast one. But freedom is also the freedom to make decisions. And I think, like, have working for myself as an entrepreneur. And having the freedom to make decisions on my own is a is a really freeing thing. And at the same time is kind of terrifying. freedom comes with a lot of responsibility. Literally.

Absolutely. So if somebody wants to get in touch with you or learn more about you, what's the best way to learn about

Go to Plauzzable.com. And then you can reach out to me on the contact. You can see beyond there. I host some events on there as well. But you can check me out on LinkedIn. Instagram @Plauzzable @Plauzzable on X is called now. Yeah. And then Facebook. Yeah. Yeah, I think it's funny because Elon Musk called Twitter X. And I think Mark Zuckerberg missed an opportunity call threads why

Shouldn't be exactly. Just just Yeah, as much as they they kind of go back and forth with each other. That was absolutely perfect. Well, Leon, thank you so much for your time today. I appreciate you coming on sharing a little bit about Plauzzable and Plauzzable is spelled how or half its

Plauzzable

k.com.

Plauzzable? Yep.

All right,

Great. So, folks, what we'll do is we'll put that in the show notes and share that with you. I encourage you to go there, go support these comedians. I mean, these folks are putting themselves out there. And if you enjoy comedy, this is your opportunity to meet and see some people that you probably wouldn't have ever seen. They would be working little small venues in their town where they live, trying to make it and this is an opportunity for you to see some budding talent and support some budding talent and lands, putting that out there for everybody. Make sure that you guys, if you're watching this on YouTube, or if you're listening to it on the podcast channels, make sure that you hit the subscribe button. Make sure you hit that little notification so that you know that we've got a show coming up. Thanks a lot. We do these every two day or every Tuesday and Thursday. And we will see you guys back here the very next time.

FN Intro/Outro: Thank you for listening to the Freedom Nation podcast. You can find this on Apple podcasts and all the major channels wherever you're listening. Please subscribe to the channel and leave a rating and review. If you have friends and family that could benefit from their own Freedom Day. Please share with them. Finally, join freedom nation by following us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.