The Best Import from Russia: Alla Media

I’m with my ride-or-die comedy buddy, Alla—the best thing Russia ever exported (sorry, Yakov). We talk about how we met on day one of a bargain comedy class, why her Kazakh childhood gives her stand-up a one-of-a-kind voice, and the very wild way a farm goat once “sobriety tested” her dad.

You’ll also hear our tales from a truly… colorful open mic, my new mini-segment “Things That Are Things,” and why I’m all-in on bringing more clean laughs to San Diego.

Episode Timeline (top moments)

• [16:15] The legendary goat story: how a bottle of vodka saved the day—and why my car suddenly smelled like a bar.
• [17:20] We head to a Sunday open mic at a brewery… and discover vampires, strippers (maybe), and everything in between.
• [20:25] “Unlike this 70-year-old lady here”—getting noticed (or not) and why stagewear matters.
• [33:05] Alla’s crowd-killer bit about “three testicles,” my dog, and the punch line that blew up the room.
• [39:10] Why we’re planting a flag for clean comedy in San Diego—“clean is green.”
• [42:40] Our comic crushes: Joe Koy, Leanne Morgan, Karen Mills, and more I can’t stop quoting.
• [49:30] Inside baseball: the brutal red light, tight sets, and how we prep before a show.

Links & Resources

• Musso & Frank Grill (Hollywood hang; our favorite pre-show time capsule)
• Mic Drop San Diego; The Comedy Store – La Jolla (stages we love)
• Lazy River Comedy @ the Irish pub show we mention (San Diego scene)
• Comics we shout out: Joe Koy, Leanne Morgan, Karen Mills, Paula (coming on the pod!), Bill Burr, Nate Bargatze, Sebastian Maniscalco, John Mulaney, Fortune Feimster, Tig Notaro, Dustin Nickerson, Richard Kind (on the Mulaney show).

Connect with Us

• Guest: Alla Munguia — @allamunguia
• Host: @SuziChicago everywhere.

If you laughed or smiled today, do me a solid: rate the show, follow, and share it with a friend. Every tap helps us bring more clean comedy to more ears. See you next time!