We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Barry Laminack. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Barry below.

Barry, appreciate you joining us today. One of the toughest things about progressing in your creative career is that there are almost always unexpected problems that come up – problems that you often can’t read about in advance, can’t prepare for, etc. Have you had such and experience and if so, can you tell us the story of one of those unexpected problems you’ve encountered?

I was enjoying a great career in radio as the host of one of the most popular sports talk radio shows in Houston on ESPN Radio in Houston. The show was doing great and then the pandemic hit and everything changed. I would eventually lose my job on the show because of the pandemic, and at the same time would lose my source of income as a stand up comic because every bar/club/venue was shut down.

Suddenly I found myself with no work or source of income.

At the same time I was laid off from ESPN Radio here in Houston, a lot of my fans/supporters told me to start my own show online and that they would be there to watch it and support the show, so that’s what I did.

I was notified I was being let go on Monday May 4, my last show was on Wednesday May 6, and the first episode of the “Barry On Deck” show was on the following Monday May 11.

Since then I’ve done 570+ shows and have been blessed with the support of a wonderful community called the Deckheads.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

I spent over 7 years on ESPN radio in Houston as a talk show host, and hosted a sports talk television show on NBC & CW for three of those years (in Houston). I’m also a nationally touring stand-up comedian who has been doing comedy for almost a decade.

I’ve spent the better part of ten years blending sports and comedy, and my show – Barry On Deck – is the result of this.

Barry on Deck (BOD) is one-part sports talk radio, one-part sports talk television, and every part entertaining. It’s a sports talk show where the main goal is to entertain and engage the audience for 3 hours a day. It’s not always sports, but it’s always fun and that’s the goal of every single episode of BOD.

Many people talk about sports and many can be funny and/or entertaining, but for ten years I have focused on combining both. My unique skill set of stand-up comedian and sports
talk show host has positioned me as one of a few live shows on the internet that offer this combination

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

The War of Art by Steven Pressfield has been a great book and source of motivation, especially when it comes to comedy and writing new material.

Sitting down and writing jokes can feel overwhelming at times, and like a job other times. So understanding that it’s ok to just sit down and let the muse take over and whatever happens, happens has really shifted my mindset. I no longer sit down to write thinking “I HAVE TO WRITE A GREAT JOKE”.

Instead, I know sit down and think, “I can’t wait to see what I come up with”; with help of the muse of course.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

I love entertaining people, and what I never realized is how much it can mean to people when you provide them with something that takes their mind off of their problems and difficulties they face day in and day out.

It sounds silly but it’s true. I never get tired of getting an email, or DM, or message, telling me that my show (or my comedy) has served as an escape from the issues of life.

Contact Info:

• Website: Comedy: https://barryisfunny.com –also– Barry On Deck show: https://barryondeck.com
• Instagram: @BarryIsFunny
• Facebook: Facebook.com/BarryIsFunny
• Linkedin: Barry Laminack
• Twitter: @BarryIsFunny
• Youtube: Youtube.com/BarryIsFunny
• Other: My comedy socials (all listed above) and my show “Barry On Deck” listed below: Twitter: @BarryOnDeck Instagram: @BarryOnDeck Facebook.com/BarryOnDeck YouTube.com/BarryOnSports