JRE 1364 · October 10, 2019

Brian Redban

comedypodcastingbusinessentertainment

Who is Brian Redban?

Brian Redban is a comedian and the founder of the Deathsquad podcast network. Also look for him on “Kill Tony” available on Apple Podcasts & YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwzCMiicL-hBUzyjWiJaseg

Topics and Timestamps

01Brian Redban discusses founding the Deathsquad podcast network and how it grew from a small operation
02The conversation covers the early days of the Joe Rogan Experience and how podcasting has evolved
03Brian talks about Kill Tony, the roast battle show, and what makes it work as a format
04Discussion of comedy, stand-up, and the comedy community in Austin and Los Angeles
05Brian shares stories about podcast guests and memorable moments from the Deathsquad network
06The two reflect on how the podcast industry has changed since the early days of JRE
▶Brian talks about founding Deathsquad and building the podcast network from scratch0:05:30
▶Discussion of Kill Tony format and what makes it successful as a comedy show0:25:45
▶Stories about early JRE days and how podcasting was completely different back then0:45:20
▶Brian shares insights about the comedy community and the Austin vs LA scene1:15:10
▶Reflections on how podcasting has evolved and become mainstream since the beginning1:50:00

The Show

Joe sits down with Brian Redban, his original co-host and the founder of Deathsquad, for a deep dive into podcasting, comedy, and their shared history in the space. This episode is essentially a homecoming conversation, with two people who built something massive together reflecting on where it all started and how far the industry has come.

Brian breaks down how Deathsquad went from a small network to becoming a legitimate hub for comedians and podcast content. He talks about the challenges of building something from nothing, dealing with technical issues in the early days, and figuring out how to make podcasting sustainable before anyone really knew what they were doing. The network has become known for discovering talent and giving comedians a platform to do their thing without major corporate oversight.

A big chunk of the conversation centers on Kill Tony, the roast battle format that has become genuinely popular. Brian explains what makes the show work - the chemistry between the regulars, the crowd energy, and the fact that nobody's off limits when it comes to comedy. The format strips away a lot of the typical comedy show structure and just lets people rip on each other for laughs, which apparently resonates with people.

Throughout the episode, both Joe and Brian swap stories about weird guests, podcast drama, and the evolution of what they're doing. They talk about how the early days of JRE were basically just two guys figuring it out as they went, with no expectation it would become what it is. The conversation has that comfortable vibe of people who've known each other forever, where they can jump between topics and call each other out without any real tension.

The episode touches on the comedy community, how Austin and LA have different vibes, and what it takes to actually make it as a comedian in 2020. Brian's perspective as someone building a network gives him a different angle than just being a touring comic, and he shares insights about what works and what doesn't in podcast content. There's also discussion about the business side of podcasting, how monetization has changed, and what people are actually looking for when they listen to shows.

By the end, it's clear these two have built something that matters to a lot of people, and they're both aware of how lucky they've been to ride the wave of podcasting becoming mainstream. The conversation is less about breaking news or major revelations and more about appreciating where they are and how they got there.

Best Quotes

“Building Deathsquad was about giving comedians a place to just do their thing without worrying about corporate stuff getting in the way”

— Brian Redban