• 49: Zach Selwyn
    Jan 20 2026

    Find everything Zach Selwyn at: https://zachselwyn.com/

    Zach Selwyn joins Coop for a wide-ranging conversation about building a career without fitting into one box. From almost winning ESPN’s Dream Job to creating music, sketch comedy, viral digital series, and acting alongside the Trailer Park Boys, Zach breaks down the realities of surviving Hollywood long-term.They dive into the changing entertainment industry, Substack culture, LA’s creative decline, cannabis media, corporate freestyle rapping, rejection, reinvention, and why quitting was never an option. This episode is a masterclass in adaptability, creativity, and betting on yourself when the industry keeps moving the goalposts.#comedytrainrek #coopscomedycorner #zachselwyn #comedypodcast #hollywoodstories #standupcomedy #podcastclips #entertainmentindustry

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    51 mins
  • 48: Del Taco Dan to Raising Hope | Gregg Binkley’s 35-Year Acting Journey
    Dec 29 2025

    Actor and longtime Hollywood character staple Gregg Binkley joins Steve Cooper for a deep, honest conversation about surviving—and thriving—in the entertainment industry for over 35 years.

    Gregg shares his journey from Kansas to Hollywood, becoming a pop-culture icon as Del Taco Dan, landing recurring and series-regular roles on My Name Is Earl and Raising Hope, and working alongside legends like Cloris Leachman. He opens up about humility, side hustles, auditions, acting philosophy, and what it really takes to stay ready in an unpredictable industry.

    An essential episode for actors, creatives, and anyone curious about the reality behind a long Hollywood career.

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    57 mins
  • 47: Peter Breitmayer on Fargo Auditions and Surviving Hollywood
    Dec 15 2025

    Actor Peter Breitmayer joins Steve Cooper for a thoughtful, funny, and brutally honest conversation about life as a working actor in Hollywood. From his time on Fargo and working with the Coen Brothers, to unforgettable experiences on Clint Eastwood sets, Peter breaks down what really happens behind the scenes — and why most auditions have nothing to do with talent.

    Peter opens up about self-tapes vs in-room auditions, rejection, roles that sting, the Midwest acting “mafia,” and how surviving 25 years in the business requires humility, discipline, and perspective. This is a must-watch episode for actors, creatives, and anyone curious how the industry actually works.

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    57 mins
  • 46: From Dennis Miller to Law & Order – Eddie Feldman’s Wild Ride
    Dec 1 2025

    Coop sits down with five-time Emmy-winning writer Eddie Feldman to talk about his insane journey from working with troubled kids in Massachusetts to writing for Dennis Miller, winning Emmys at HBO, and penning episodes of Law & Order. Eddie shares how a single political joke in a hotel room turned into a job, what it was really like in that legendary writers’ room, and why walking around the Emmys with a statue in each hand is the ultimate Hollywood cheat code.

    They dive into the grind of late-night TV, the politics of Hollywood, getting older in a young person’s business, and how Eddie went from a small-town deli kid to “the first guy who got out,” according to Jimmy Fallon. Plus: Don Rickles, Christopher Hitchens, John McCain, WWE, and why writers are basically always unemployed and always hustling.

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    57 mins
  • 45: From SNL to Real Life: Gary Kroeger Talks Fame, Family & The Grind
    Nov 24 2025

    Gary Kroeger — actor, comedian, writer, and former Saturday Night Live cast member — joins Coop for an incredible conversation about Hollywood, comedy, career pivots, and why Iowa might just be the real showbiz capital of the Midwest. They get into the early days of SNL, the realities of working in television, what fame really feels like, and how life changes when you step away from the spotlight and rediscover who you really are.From family to politics to personal reinvention, Gary covers it all with honesty, humor, perspective, and that unmistakable performer’s charm. This is one of those conversations that reminds you why storytelling matters — and why the comedy world still has room for people with something real to say. Enjoy the episode!#coopscomedycorner #comedyinterview #snlalumni #garykroeger #comedypodcast #standupcomedy #podcastlife #hollywoodstories #actinglife #comediansofyoutube #comedytrainrek #coopertalk #snl 00:00 – SNL Kroger Rule

    01:30 – 10 Second Intro

    01:40 – Bob Dubac Show Canceled

    02:08 – Gary Kroeger Joins the Show 03:39 – Move from Iowa to Vermont 05:52 – SNL 50th Anniversay Special 10:05 – SNL 40th Was Special 13:22 – Path to SNL

    16:48 – Meeting Julia Louis-Dreyfus at Northwestern

    19:34 – Auditioning & Landing SNL 2nd Cast 24:00 – Working with Biggest Stars & Music Acts

    26:39 – Wild Robert Plant Stories

    28:14 – First SNL Episode Experience

    34:51 – Don Rickles & Eddie Murphy Classic Sketches

    36:49 – Working with Young Eddie Murphy

    39:21 – Working with Major Stars

    41:08 – Getting Robert Blake Banned from SNL

    43:19 – SNL Fires Most, Almost Canceled48:20 – Life after SNL 52:05 – Working in Community Theater 54:26 – Community, Purpose & Family 56:38– Closing Plugs

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    58 mins
  • 44: Robert Dubac on “Stand-Up Jesus,” Comedy Trolls & Losing His Hearing
    Oct 27 2025

    Comedian, playwright, and actor Robert Dubac joins Steve Cooper for an eye-opening, hilarious deep dive into comedy, religion, and creativity.

    From opening for Kenny Loggins and Jimmy Buffett to writing three hit solo shows — The Male Intellect: An Oxymoron, The Book of Moron, and Stand-Up Jesus — Dubac breaks down how he built his career one laugh at a time.

    They talk about trolls, faith, censorship, losing hearing in one ear, the business of solo performance, and why Dubac might be comedy’s most fearless truth-teller.

    🎙️ Hosted by Steve Cooper
    🎭 Presented by Comedy Train Rek
    🌐 Visit coopscomedycorner.com for merch and more.

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    53 mins
  • 43: The Man Behind Comedy Train Rek: Jim Korhan on Building a Creative Empire from Philly
    Oct 21 2025

    Steve Cooper sits down with producer and creator Jim Korhan, the mind behind Comedy Train Rek, Broad Street Misery, and Innovision Brands.
    Jim opens up about his path from radio to podcasting, launching 20+ shows, funding the network through his apparel company, and creating hit projects like Modern Dating WTF and The Legendary Wid Documentary.
    A rare, funny, and honest look inside one of Philly’s most driven creative network.

    comedy train rek, coop’s comedy corner, jim korhan, broad street misery, innovision brands, modern dating wtf, philly podcast, media train rek, podcast interview, behind the scenes

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    56 mins
  • 42: Pat Godwin: Don McLean, Bob & Tom, and Philly Radio Wars
    Sep 26 2025

    Steve Cooper sits down with musical comedian Pat Godwin (Bob & Tom Show) for a wild ride through comedy, radio, and music.

    Pat shares the infamous story of opening for Don McLean and getting kicked out of the green room — only to win the crowd (and his career) back that same night. He talks about his years with the WMMR Morning Zoo, competing with Howard Stern, and how deadlines on the Bob & Tom Show push him to write 4 songs before sunrise.

    They dive into unforgettable music moments — playing with Warren Zevon, jamming with Pete Townshend, sitting in with Graham Parker, bombing at CBGB, and performing at the historic Surf Ballroom where Buddy Holly played his last show.

    Pat also opens up about life on the road, what he’s proudest of today, and how fatherhood and radio deadlines have made this the most creative period of his career.

    📌 Find Pat: PatGodwin.com & his albums on Spotify/streaming
    🎙 More Coop: Cooper Talk, The Coop Tank, and swag at Coop’s Comedy Corner

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    59 mins