Shows
QuaractersMerry Qristmas, Comedy NerdsThis is a very special ONE-AND-DONE CHRISTMAS CHEER episode of Quaracters to provide the gift of laughter this holiday season. In another BTS audio gala that you are invited you, highly successful post-modern comedy podcast guys Ian Astorquiza (Quaracters) and Stefan Spec (Some Good Friends) sit down and chew the holiday cud with Mr. Improv Boy himself, James McGee (At Home with James), and get to yak bakin' all about the holly daze season, where they personally find themselves on Santa's Naughty, Nice, and Nasty list, and of course get in a round of listener mail for their handsome...2021-12-2148 min
QuaractersAt Home with James is where the Heart is (brought to you by A&W's Teen Burger)hello comedy fans!Firstly, thank you so much for your support over the past 15(?!?) months, however it manifested itself. This show has been a very fun and very real way for me to satiate some creative urges, while in quarantine with theatres closed all over town. So thanks again for any love you've shown :)On this special finale of QUARACTERS, the masks finally come off! No characters in quarantine on this one! Stefan Spec (host of the very funny Some Good Friends) joins myself to provide a brief backstage...2021-07-1553 min
QuaractersGlengarry Glen Ross was based on my lifehello comedy nerds!this is a very special episode! With CERB winding down to its final few months and improvisers everywhere planning for life ahead, who better than famous career coach, and operations manager at LinkedIn, Ryan Hoffman, who has helped individuals all over Quebec craft workable entrepreneurial mindsets and develop sound investment strategies, to be on QUARACTERS today to speak with Rich Philbin (Dimitri Kyres), businessman, keynote speaker, and author of 'Snakes and Corporate Ladders: Break the Rules, Win the Game' on providing useful tips on how to be top shark at the...2021-07-0652 min
QuaractersYour Guide to European Footballhello comedy nerds!this is a very special episode! THIS is your comprehensive guide to European Football and the England men's national team! Join former England-midfielder, (and now current pundit on BBC Radio 4) Nigel Thorton-Cuffy as he has both Sara Jones (Hannah Cartmel), Director of Football Operations from FIFA, and Cindy Blasthole (Cathy Fagan), Captain of the Canadian women's national team on QUARACTERS. Together, they rate England's chances in the tournament, chat about fans being brought back to stadiums across Europe, and how safety measures have been implemented, and they also reflect on how...2021-06-1657 min
QuaractersNobody does cardio quite like somebody who is running for their lifegood morning comedy nerds!this is a very special episode! Cole Brawn, leader of the super popular anxiety and fear-based fitness regimen 'SURPRISE! You're doin' Exercise!' is on QUARACTERS, where he teams up with his main bro and spotter, Boh Wolfgang - the most jacked guy at Montreal Improv. Together they talk about getting jacked, what it's like to get involved in non-jacked communities (like the comedy scene), and they also chat with lifelong fan and improv kid, Phil Smith about establishing a coherent workout strategy to shed his pandemic 35 before summer!2021-05-1957 min
QuaractersYou probably won't get COVID-19 on international watershello comedy nerds!this is a very special episode! The most fearsome and terrifying pirate on the St. Lawrence River - Captain Blueballs himself(!) is on the podcast, alongside his kidnapped cabin boy Pepper (Leslie Beedell), celebrating the highs and lows of a life of being swashbuckling scallywags. Little do they know that they're about to be paid a visit from one of the most daring and well travelled scourges of the seven seas -- the very brave (and nice) Captain Puffypants! (Amy Preston-Samson) 2021-04-2957 min
QuaractersI'll do the Junos if it's Superbowl moneyhello comedy nerds!this is a very special episode! One of the greatest songwriters of all time, Bob Dylan, is on Quaracters today to chat with local Montreal artist Dahlia Caro, on the craziness of the music industry, what its like to win awards, his love of disguises and the X-games, as well as their latest musical projects and the few chance encounters they've had. Alongside Bob is legend of the radio scene (and old friend) - Vince Vinyl (Dale Bernier) - owner of perhaps only the second largest record collection in Montreal, but d...2021-04-051h 02
QuaractersTell your son to grow a beardHello comedy nerds!This is a very special episode! Friend of the podcast (and friend in real life) Eliazer Kramer has recently had a baby boy! So who better than real life dads Thomas Barnwell (Ian Astorquiza) and Thomas Barnwell Sr. (Thomas Barnwell) to do an episode of QUARACTERS where they all get to chatting about improv, and also provide helpful tips on how to be a good father! "A Very Brady Special" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 Licensehttp...2021-03-2259 min
QuaractersA bowl of kittensGood afternoon comedy nerds!This is a very special episode! Everyone's favorite filmmaker - David Lynch (Eraserhead, Blue Velvet, Mulholland Dr., Twin Peaks) is on Quaracters to discuss the creative process alongside the highly decorated actress of stage and screen, and lead in David's latest film PIG PILLOW, Sam Larue (Laura Flynn), as well as Jeff Gandell, improvisor and raconteur from Strand Storytelling, who shares various tips on remaining creative during the pandemic, as well as his TRUE thoughts and feelings on the Irish!"Irregular" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)2021-03-1654 min
QuaractersWorking on yourself is like DIY home repairgood afternoon comedy nerds!This is a very special episode! The BAD BOY of therapy - Sigmund SCHLOMO Freud is on Quaracters to perform a live psychoanalytic sessioncast with one of his 'most difficult cases' - the very funny and talented Kate Bradley. Alongside him, is visiting PhD student in residence (and dream investigator) - Carla (Julia Rambosson) from the University of British Colambia."Dreams Become Real" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/2021-03-011h 13
QuaractersThe Penultimate WaltzHey comedy nerds!On today's very special CANCON event - we have the greatest legends of Canadian Rock and Roll music - THE BAND, live and socially distancing from Big Pink, where they chat with the host of Gateway Music and Montreal Improv alum, Howard Mitnick about great music, and even greater parties and shows, alongside their manager, Albert Grossman (Jason Grimmer). There is a lot of name dropping on this one! So roll up your joint and fill up your drink because THIS PODCAST MUST BE PLAYED LOUD2021-02-221h 02
QuaractersHave you seen my sister?On today's ep, Special Agent Fox Mulder (FBI) takes a break from his latest case to do another episode of 'The Truth is Out There' - an interview show with various astronomers, astrophysicists, and individuals interested in two things: OUTER SPACE, and the TRUTH. Good thing Trevor Kjorlien of Plateau Astro is on to tell Mulder all about cool space facts and events coming up during the pandemic that will be visible to Montrealers, and hopefully reveal a few mysteries...Listen to this episode, but trust no one.2021-02-1536 min
QuaractersHow to grow your audience by pleasing themHello improv nerds! We've got a special EXCLUSIVE episode of Quaracters where we take a sneak peek behind-the-scenes look at mild-mannered podcast host, Ian Astorquiza, chatting with the highly successful 'pleasure designer' Penny Monay-Llama (seamless sweat pants, Doritos) regarding growing one's listenership during the pandemic.For anyone interested in brand marketing and podcast development - this is a must listen!Special thanks to:Marilyn T.2021-02-0745 min
QuaractersAn authentic outdoor adventure experienceOn today's ep, Parks Canada ranger and famed survivalist Ryker Cage addresses listener mail concerning the present curfew in Quebec and how it places even further barriers to individuals who wish to explore nature during the quarantine. Also on the show are various survivalist tips and an interview with Montreal Improvisor and local woodsman Joe Conto, talking about his new and successful joint-enterprise offering unusual outdoor experiences for unusual clients, alongside his partner Denise (Amy Coddington).Special thanks toJoe ContoAmy Coddingtonand Kevin McLeod...2021-01-2448 min
QuaractersQuaracters - Episode #6On today's ep, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau catches up with the 32nd premier of Québec - Francois Legault (James McGee), as they chat COVID-19, new economic policies, and how to aid improv theatres and shows come back even stronger after the pandemic. Produced and edited by CBC's Maggie Gorbecki (Monika Schneider).2021-01-1934 min
QuaractersQuaracters - Episode #5On today's ep, Financial Guru and Co-founder of various enterprises (most notably Weathsimple) has a chat with Montreal Improv Alum, Thomas Barnwell, on one of his favourite topics - turning your passive lockdown into active income, alongside fellow Wealthsimple financial therapist, (and lead singer of 'The National') Matt Berninger (Stefan Spec).2021-01-1938 min
QuaractersQuaracters - Episode #4On today's show of QUARACTERS, the very twisted and abhorrent French Revolutionary writer and philosopher, the Marquis de Sade discusses the TV shows he's been watching during this pandemic on Netflix and Disney+ with TV superfan Eliazer Kramer, in quarantine with his new girlfriend - Nicky Fournier. --Special thanks to:Eliazer KramerNicky Fournierand Kevin McLeod (royalty-free music genius)///"Carpe Diem" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License2021-01-1940 min
QuaractersQuaracters - Episode #3On today's show, singer-songwriter John Lennon takes a brief pause from his bed-in for peace in Montreal's Queen Elizabeth Hotel to discuss music, and how we can use this quarantine to better orient society towards peace and love with the 'John Lennon of Montreal Improv' - Thomas Barnwell, along with call-ins from various listeners (all of whom are special guest - Jeff Gandell).--Special thanks to:Thomas BarnwellJeff Gandelland Kevin McLeod (royalty-free music genius)///"...2021-01-1938 min
QuaractersQuaracters - Episode #2On today's show, Marxist revolutionary Che Guevara uses the Coronavirus pandemic to illustrate the benefits of socialism, as well as the follies of pig-dog capitalism, with one of the most socially conservative improvisers in the city: Eliazer Kramer, in quarantine with his poorly treated man-servant Rutherford (special guest - Monika Schneider). --- Special thanks to: Eliazer Kramer Monika Schneider and Kevin McLeod (royalty-free music genius) /// "Verano Sensual" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org...2021-01-1940 min
QuaractersQuaracters - Episode #1On today's show, Plague Doctor Outré checks in from his makeshift medical ward somewhere underneath Montreal's Highway 40 with one of the most twisted and depraved improvisors in the city (Eliazer Kramer) about coping with quarantine with a shitty roommate (special guest - Jason Grimmer) while providing 17th century medical lifehacks. Special thanks to: Jean Bernard (Announcer)Kevin McLeod (royalty-free music genius) "Upbeat Forever" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/b... - - 2021-01-1944 min
Some Good Friends23. Rented TrawlerIt’s important to remember to take time to take care of yourself. That’s what we learned on this episode with Cecilia LaFond (Anna Bunce), Ima Close (Adina Katz) and Captain Blueballs (Ian Astorquiza)2020-12-211h 01