Hard Knock Knocks
Ready to take your stand-up comedy game to the next level?
If you’re grinding through open mics but feel like your progress is stuck in slow motion, the Hard Knock Knocks podcast is your shortcut to success. Each episode features candid interviews with Australia’s most seasoned stand-up comedians—unpacking how they got started, what they’ve learned, and what they wish they knew when they began. Get insider tips, avoid common pitfalls, and sharpen your craft with real-world advice from the pros who’ve been there and crushed that.
Learn more about the Hard Knock Knocks comedy school.
- Update frequency
- every 10 days
- Average duration
- 31 minutes
- Episodes
- 102
- Years Active
- 2017 - 2022
043: Peter Berner – Singapore to Sydney, comic books to comedy
Peter Berner is a fine artist and stand-up comedian, but you probably recognise his name from the numerous TV shows that he’s hosted, namely Backberner, The Einstein Factor, You Have Been Watching, a…
042: Andrew Ford - Creating a Powerful Brand
This is not the usual School of Hard Knock Knocks podcast. Instead of a comedian, I’m interviewing Andrew Ford, author of ‘Creating a Powerful Brand‘, and one of Australia’s top personal branding exp…
041: Mike Goldstein – From chasing tail to comedy tales
American born Mike Goldstein isn’t in Kansas anymore. Sydney first, then Perth, and now Melbourne, the part Christian, part Jewish, with a dash of Sri Lankan (Yep! You read right!), has been doing st…
040: Ben Horowitz – Looking back on 2017
What a year we’ve had at the School of Hard Knock Knocks. In this episode, Ben Horowitz and Morry Morgan talk about the year that was, the celebrity guest comedians who taught our stand-up comedy cou…
039: Josh Earl – From Tassie to television
Josh Earl knows first hand the roller coaster ride that is comedy. Serendipitously launching his stand-up comedy career with Rod Quantock in Tasmania, Josh moved to Melbourne, where he had a regular …
038: Kelly Fastuca – American Green Cards, Chinese Whispers, and Aussie Naivety
A lover of American comedians, and a successful Green Card Raffle, meant it was New York, not Melbourne, that helped hone Australian Kelly Fastuca’s comedy skills. Not knowing anyone in her adopted c…
037: Zack Dyer – Winning RAW Comedy with confidence
Zack Dyer won RAW Comedy 2017. And he can probably thank Pauline Hanson for his success - her, and his uncanny impersonation of seagulls. Listen to this podcast, and you'll understand.
Coincidentally…
036: Matt Okine – Life after RAW
Matt Okine was 18 years old when he first entered Australia's RAW Comedy competition - kind of by accident. Today, some 13 years later, Matt is one of the most recognisable comedians on stage, and on…
035: Steve Hofstetter – Viral comedy from a Grand Master
Steve Hofstetter is a YouTube comedy superstar. With over 270,000 subscribers and multiple videos that have been watched well over a million times, Steve has created a strong comedic brand, particula…
034: James Masters – The clash of cultures in comedy
Steve Hofstetter is a YouTube comedy superstar. With over 270,000 subscribers and multiple videos that have been watched well over a million times, Steve has created a strong comedic brand, particula…
033: Cam Barber – Improving better presenters with comedy
Not all students of the School of Hard Knock Knocks plan to become a professional stand-up comedian. Some do it to improve their business presentation and keynote skills, which is the reason for this…
032: Christine Basil – Be truthful to yourself in comedy
Some might say that Christine Basil was a late starter in the stand-up comedy scene. But she didn't let her marriage, kids and dogs get in the way. Kicking off in 1991, Christine has since taken her …
031: Richard Stubbs – Never be creative without passion
Richard Stubbs started his stand-up comedy career in 1983. A year later he began his long running radio presenter career, that saw him broadcast at 3XY, TripleM, 101.1 TT FM (now KIIS FM), 774 ABC, a…
030: Jack Levi (aka Elliot Goblet) – The rapid rise of a split personality comedian
Not many comedians can claim the sheer speed of success that Jack Levi, aka Elliot Goblet, has enjoyed. Spotted by talent scouts only 10 months into his career, Jack's round glasses wearing character…
029: Marty Wilson – Chance favours the prepared (comedian’s) mind
Louis Pasteur, the famous French scientist, once said 'Chance favours the prepared mind', when describing how he was able to see opportunities that others had not. The same is true for comedians, as …
028: Sonia Di Iorio – Jumping into the deep-end of comedy
Sometimes the best way to try something new is to jump into the metaphorical deep-end. That was the case for Sonia Di Iorio, who decided her entry into stand-up comedy should be at Raw Comedy in 2009…
027: Anthony Ackroyd – 35 years of stage, screen and stadiums
When you hear the name Anthony Ackroyd you might recall loud shirts, The Big Gig, Hey Hey It's Saturday, or Kevin Rudd. Either way, you'll have a smile on your face. For 35 years, Anthony has been ma…
026: Nick Capper – Developing humility for success in stand-up
Nick Capper is one of the nicest stand-up comedians you'll ever meet. In fact Nick believes being nice is one of the most important qualities for success in stand-up - although he admits it's often h…
025: Ben McCarthy – What do you want to do when you grow up?
Not many teenagers know what they want to be in life. And if they do, they most certainly don't declare to the world they want to be a stand-up comedian. But to the horror of his high school careers …
024: Glynn Nicholas – From busking, to The Big Gig, to comedy theatre
Glynn Nicholas is a comedy genius, in performing, writing, and producing. Made famous by his regular appearances on the ABC's 'The Big Gig', and shortly after in his own time slot with 'The Glynn Nic…