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This is our first interview with Ali back in 2017. He speaks candidly starting comedy in prison, major mistakes of comics and how to tell the perfect story. This is a true masterclass on stand up comedy and the lifestyle that most people never hear about. You will finish this episode with a new perspective on the craft of stand-up.

Must Hear Moments:

- Starting comedy in prison
- Social media comics vs. comedians
- Comparing comedy to fine art
- Stand-up being the most disrespected art form
- Green room etiquette
- How comics should act off stage
- Being funny vs. being interesting
- Storytelling secrets
- Gradually developing the skill of stand-up
- Creating comedy for everyone

0:00 Intro - Connection to Atlanta
1:32 Start in Comedy
7:16 Disrespect in Comedy
10:00 Rule of Comedy: The Greenroom
11:20 Social Media
17:29 Disrespect in Comedy cont.
18:53 Ali’s Audience
21:15 Comedy as a Craft
24:33 Being the New Comic After 20 Years
26:33 Ali’s Comedy Style
30:46 Mastering Elements
33:18 Talking to Students About Voting
36:20 Learning From Experienced Comics
39:54 Conversational Comedy
40:23 Local Comedy vs. Global Comedy
41:25 You Don’t Need to Move to LA and NY
42:56 Pen to Paper
43:05 Storytelling
56:41 Boo Story
1:03:26 Advice to Young Comics
1:05:41 What Makes Great Comics Great