Shirts in the Pool

This week on Shirts in the Pool, we're joined by comedian and musician Ryan Darling of Good Cop/Rad Cop! We swap running stories and dig into growing up in '90s/'00s diet culture, the allure of buffets, and the trial-and-error of finding a way of eating that actually works. Ryan talks about journaling every day, trying to quit his phone, and reframing self-love as an active practice. He recently hit 120 days of sobriety, and we look at how that's reshaped his sleep, energy, and self-talk. We get into Good Cop/Rad Cop, what it's like getting to work with your best friend, and their shows opening for Dropkick Murphys. And of course, we bond over our shared love of the former Chattanooga classic Cheeburger Cheeburger. We had a lot of fun recording this — we know you'll enjoy it! Be sure to follow Ryan on Instagram at @yadonthavetocallmedarlin. You can follow Good Cop Rad Cop at @goodcop_radcop. You can follow all things Shirts in the Pool here. We are now on Youtube!!! Subscribe here! Thanks so much for listening! Please Rate, Review, and Subscribe on Apple Podcasts and tell your friends! Intro/Outro: John Riccitelli

This week on Shirts in the Pool, we're kicking it solo and catching y'all up on life. We open up about recent weight gain, struggles with overeating, and the emotional ups and downs that come with trying to maintain a healthy lifestyle. We unpack the pressure of public expectations, dig into patterns of self-sabotage and binge eating, and talk honestly about what accountability looks like. Most importantly, we look ahead—focusing on growth, healthier habits, and making positive changes moving forward. You can follow all things Shirts in the Pool here. We are now on Youtube!!! Subscribe here! Thanks so much for listening! Please Rate, Review, and Subscribe on Apple Podcasts and tell your friends! Intro/Outro: John Riccitelli

This week on Shirts in the Pool, we’re joined by Atlanta comedian and actor, Brittany Dent! Brittany shares her journey growing up as a theater kid in a small military town in South Georgia, her early dreams of becoming a theater teacher, and how that path ultimately led her to the stage as a stand-up comedian and actor. In this honest conversation, Brittany keeps it 100 — opening up about the need to normalize uncomfortable conversations, the power of speaking up for yourself, and the importance of therapy and setting personal boundaries. We also reignite the age-old Standups vs. Improv feud, talk shirts at the beach, and dig into why self-awareness in comedy is half the battle (the other half being funny). Brittany drops gems on self-promotion, creating opportunities when none exist, and navigating the ever-evolving world of social media. Be sure to follow Brittany on Instagram at @brittanydoescomedy. You can follow all things Shirts in the Pool here. We are now on Youtube!!! Subscribe here! Thanks so much for listening! Please Rate, Review, and Subscribe on Apple Podcasts and tell your friends! Intro/Outro: John Riccitelli

This week on Shirts in the Pool, we’re joined by America’s Gay Christian Sweetheart, comedian Ian Aber. We dive into growing up with complicated family dynamics and how that shaped his views on food, identity, and comedy. We explore the challenges of the comedy lifestyle when you’re trying to eat well and actually take care of yourself. Ian opens up about binge eating and body image, sharing how Ozempic helped quiet the constant food noise, shift his habits, and ultimately save him more money than he was spending on DoorDash. Plus, we get into how therapy has helped him break unhealthy food cycles, navigate self-sabotage, and push back against negative self-talk. This episode was a blast to record — we know you’ll enjoy it! Be sure to follow Ian on Instagram at @abearcomedian. You can follow all things Shirts in the Pool here. We are now on Youtube!!! Subscribe here! Thanks so much for listening! Please Rate, Review, and Subscribe on Apple Podcasts and tell your friends! Intro/Outro: John Riccitelli

This week on Shirts in the Pool, we’re joined by Meghan and Vannessa from TLC’s 1000-lb Best Friends. In this heartfelt and candid conversation, Meghan and Vannessa open up about their weight loss journeys, body image struggles, and the emotional highs and lows of transformation. We talk about swimming with loose skin, dating after weight loss, and why being on reality TV can be both inspiring and frustrating. They share their thoughts on self-acceptance, the power of friendship, and their hopes for the future—Vannessa with her new job at Smoothie King, and Meghan dreaming of opening a cat sanctuary. Both are driven to motivate and uplift others through their stories. Fans of 1000-lb Best Friends will love the behind-the-scenes stories, hilarious recaps, and the moments they wish had made it to air. Be sure to follow them both! You can find Meghan at @meghan_1000lbbestfriends and Vannessa at @vannessa_1kbestfriends. You can follow all things Shirts in the Pool here. We are now on Youtube!!! Subscribe here! Thanks so much for listening! Please Rate, Review, and Subscribe on Apple Podcasts and tell your friends! Intro/Outro: John Riccitelli

This week on Shirts in the Pool, we’re joined by comedian and Roast Battle League MVP Shelley Gruenberg. Shelley shares her journey from being diagnosed with diabetes at 24 to losing 70 pounds over a year and a half through diet and exercise. She talks about the emotional and social aspects of her weight loss, including the impact of her new body on her interactions and the challenges of maintaining her health while traveling for comedy. She also touches on the importance of setting boundaries around eating and the support she received from friends. Our conversation ends with Shelley giving practical, real-world advice for anyone dealing with similar health struggles. We loved this episode and know you will too! Be sure to follow Shelley on Instagram at @notshelleyjo. You can follow all things Shirts in the Pool here. Thanks so much for listening! Please Rate, Review, and Subscribe on Apple Podcasts and tell your friends! Intro/Outro: John Riccitelli

This week, we’re excited to be joined by Scott Bagwill from TLC’s 1000-lb Best Friends. New to the show for Season 3, he gives us a look at how he came to be a part of it, and what it was like joining our favorite reality tv cast. Scott takes us behind the scenes of what you don't get to see on camera, what it's like losing weight in front of millions, and sharing the screen with perhaps the biggest star of Season 3, his mom. Scott updates us on how his life has changed since we last saw him, the importance of remembering your "why" when on your health journey, and the positive role that therapy has played in his life. Of course, we also dive into some of our favorite unforgettable moments from the season: Meatballgate, speed dating, the string cheese incident, and Scott’s journey toward bariatric surgery. You won't want to miss this honest, funny, and inspiring conversation. Be sure to follow Scott on Instagram at @scott_1kbestfriends. You can follow all things Shirts in the Pool here. Thanks so much for listening! Please Rate, Review, and Subscribe on Apple Podcasts and tell your friends! Intro/Outro: John Riccitelli

This week on Shirts in the Pool, we’re joined by comedian and artist Mira Mason. We talk about her journey of reclaiming her body through strength training, working with a coach, and the confidence that comes from getting stronger. A bonafide horse girl, Mira grew up in Arizona riding roughstock, keyhole, and barrel racing — she soon found out you can’t be a fat girl and be a rodeo queen. We dive into binge eating, growing up with an almond mom, and the comfort of finding someone you can eat around. Mira also explains why being called “brave” for your outfit isn’t helpful, rates Mike’s Bumble profile, confirms his emoji game is way too slutty, and recounts her recent lube wrestling victory. Together, we reflect on growing up around skinny kids, the disconnect between old photos and self-image, and what it really means to feel at home in your body. As Mira puts it: “At its core, you want to feel better, you want to be able to move better, and feel better in your body.” You can follow Mira on Instagram at @flesheating_virus_ and be sure to check out her monthy show, High Voltage Comedy at Culture Shock! You can follow all things Shirts in the Pool here. Thanks so much for listening! Please Rate, Review, and Subscribe on Apple Podcasts and tell your friends! Intro/Outro: John Riccitelli

This week on Shirts in the Pool, we’re joined by actor, writer, and comedian Peyton Johnson. We dive into her comedy pilot, Office of Residence Life, inspired by her time as a college RA. Meant to be a performer, Peyton shares her journey from majoring in musical theatre to acting at Atlanta’s Shakespeare Tavern. We talk stand-up, Pilates (we finally learn what it actually is), and what it’s like being in an interracial best friend couple. She also tells a Valentine’s Day story involving a peanut butter cookie, an allergic reaction, and an unexpected trip to the ER — romantic, right? We get into dating and why the approach is still respected, Peyton puts Mike’s dating profile under the microscope, and we all agree that “Group Soup” should never be allowed. Tune in for laughs, stories, and a sneak peek at a future comedy special we’re already looking forward to. You can follow Peyton on Instagram at @notoriouspey and find her giving tours of Atlanta on the Funny Bus. You can follow all things Shirts in the Pool here. Thanks so much for listening! Please Rate, Review, and Subscribe on Apple Podcasts and tell your friends! Intro/Outro: John Riccitelli

Welcome back to Shirts in the Pool! This week we are joined by comedian Sherry Beersdorf. We talk growing up religous in the south, why comedy feels like the new youth group, and how working out really does help (even if we hate to admit it). We unpack how body dysmorphia affects us on the daily, the allure of Door Dashing Ozempic, and how our relationships with our bodies shape how we see ourselves. We also dive into body image, gender identity, and the complicated feelings that come with figuring yourself out. We loved this conversation and know you will too! You can follow Sherry on Instagram at @sherrybeersdorf and on Tiktok at @sherrybeersdorf. You can follow all things Shirts in the Pool here. Thanks so much for listening! Please Rate, Review, and Subscribe on Apple Podcasts and tell your friends! Intro/Outro: John Riccitelli

This week, we’re joined by Ashely Sutton from TLC’s 1000-lb Best Friends for one of our most honest and hilarious episodes yet. Ashely gets real about the emotional side of losing weight on camera—what people don’t see behind the scenes, the pressure of public opinion, and how food, friendship, and self-worth are all tangled up in the process. We talk about emotional eating, dating with body dysmorphia, finding confidence after surgery, and the chaos of Meatballgate. Plus, Ashely shares how taking a break helped her reset—and what keeps her going now. It’s funny, unfiltered, and full of heart. Follow Ashely on Instagram at @ashthebff. You can follow all things Shirts in the Pool here. Thanks so much for listening! Please Rate, Review, and Subscribe on Apple Podcasts and tell your friends! Intro/Outro: John Riccitelli

This week on Shirts in the Pool, we’re joined by our new friend, the hilarious Amber Autry—stand-up comedian, podcaster, and one of the newest additions to Netflix Is a Joke (congrats, Amber!). She pulled up from Nashville for the West End Comedy Festival, and we were lucky enough to sit down and talk about everything from food and comedy to therapy and self-worth. We dive into what it’s like growing up without seeing yourself represented, the shame cycle of wearing shirts in the pool, and how early insecurities follow us into adulthood. Amber shares insights from her own therapy journey (and how to find a good therapist), plus what it’s like balancing comedy and emotional work on the road. If you love laughing through the real stuff, this one’s for you. Follow Amber at @amberautrycomedy, and check out her podcast I'm Fine, It's Fine for more laughs and life tools. You can follow all things Shirts in the Pool here. Thanks so much for listening! Please Rate, Review, and Subscribe on Apple Podcasts and tell your friends! Intro/Outro: John Riccitelli

This week on Shirts in the Pool, we sit down with comedian Cori Isla. Kicking things off, she breaks down her epic Halloween experience dressing as Pikachu. We ask, “Can we stop commenting on other people’s bodies?!” Cori also dives into her dad’s weight loss journey with Ozempic and the challenges of reconciling with a smaller self-image. We explore the importance of therapy during major weight loss transformations, discuss roast battles, and unpack why fat jokes sometimes hit different. You can follow Cori on Instagram at @extragravybiscuit and on Tiktok at @Extragravybiscuitt. You can follow all things Shirts in the Pool here. Thanks so much for listening! Please Rate, Review, and Subscribe on Apple Podcasts and tell your friends! Intro/Outro: John Riccitelli

On this episode of Shirts in the Pool, we sit down with strength coach and nutritional therapist Lainie Cassel. You can follow Lainie at @casselwellness and check out her website here. You can follow all things Shirts in the Pool here. Thanks so much for listening! Please Rate, Review, and Subscribe on Apple Podcasts and tell your friends! Intro/Outro: John Riccitelli

On this episode of Shirts in the Pool, we sit down with comedian and actor Darcy Pierce. Darcy opens up about living with gastroparesis—a condition that's reshaped her relationship with food, comfort, and body image. We talk about the long, frustrating process of trial and error she went through to figure out what she could and couldn’t eat—journaling every bite, testing her limits, and sometimes planning to feel sick just for a moment of normalcy. We also get into what it’s like navigating restaurants, holidays, and dating with a body that doesn’t always cooperate. Darcy also shares the story behind her femme and queer-centered open mic, Finca Too Funny, and how she’s helping carve out space in Atlanta’s comedy scene. You can follow Darcy at @itsdarcypierce and check out her weekly open mic at @fincatoofunny. You can follow all things Shirts in the Pool here. Thanks so much for listening! Please Rate, Review, and Subscribe on Apple Podcasts and tell your friends! Intro/Outro: John Riccitelli

On this episode of Shirts in the Pool, we sit down with comedian Drew Harrison for a hilarious and honest conversation about fat jokes, fast food addictions, and finding confidence in comedy. Drew shares stories about his weight loss journey, growing up in North Carolina, and the absurdity of fat jokes. We also dive into: 🍗 The best and worst of fast food (and why quitting it is harder than quitting alcohol) 🏋️‍♂️ The mental struggle of losing weight and dealing with body dysmorphia 🏈 Our favorite fat athletes and why being a backup QB is the dream job 🎤 How stand-up comedy and weight loss intersect, from self-deprecating jokes to unwanted audience participation Plus, we debate the best BBQ styles, our all-time favorite sandwich chains, and why every fat guy secretly wishes they were a pro skateboarder. You can follow Drew at @laughwithharrison and check out his podcasts here. You can follow all things Shirts in the Pool here. Thanks so much for listening! Please Rate, Review, and Subscribe on Apple Podcasts and tell your friends! Intro/Outro: John Riccitelli

This week on Shirts in the Pool, we sit down with comedian Hillary R. Heath to take a deep dive into the world of weight loss medications, specifically GLP-1s like Ozempic and Mounjaro. Hillary shares her personal experience with compounded Tirzepatide, explains how these meds actually work, and gives us an exclusive look behind the curtain at the booming industry driving them. As a marketing professional for the telemedicine company Orderly Meds, Hillary also sheds light on how these medications are prescribed, the role of compounding pharmacies, and the pushback from big pharmaceutical companies. We explore the stigma around medical weight loss, the current shortage crisis, and whether fast-food corporations are secretly sabotaging our health. Along the way, we talk food noise, binge eating, sleep apnea, and how weight loss meds are reshaping the conversation around obesity. You can follow Hillary at @hillaryrheath and check out her podcast here. You can follow all things Shirts in the Pool here. Thanks so much for listening! Please Rate, Review, and Subscribe on Apple Podcasts and tell your friends! West End Comedy Festival - March 7-8th, 2025 Intro/Outro: John Riccitelli

On this week's episode of Shirts in the Pool, we sit down with comedian and voice actor Micah Caldwell to discuss her personal journey with Ozempic and other GLP-1 medications. Having used these weight-loss drugs for eight years, Micah opens up about what led her to try them, her experience with the treatment, and why she ultimately decided to stop. We dive into the mental toll of constant dieting and exercise, and explore the idea that true happiness lies in embracing self-worth beyond the number on the scale. You can follow Micah at @micahonmic and check out her website here. You can follow all things Shirts in the Pool here. Thanks so much for listening! Please Rate, Review, and Subscribe on Apple Podcasts and tell your friends! West End Comedy Festival - March 7-8th, 2025 Intro/Outro: John Riccitelli

On this week's episode of Shirts in the Pool, comedian Jacob Jonas joins us to talk about growing up as a fat kid, the wild realities of binge eating, and why his dad’s poolside commentary still haunts him. We discuss our complicated relationships with food, the social stigma around weight loss drugs like Ozempic, and whether AI is conspiring to erase fat people. In 2024, Jacob traveled the country interviewing people about their thoughts on the upcoming Presidential election. You can check out The United Reckoning here. You can follow Jacob on Instagram at @jenkem_jones and on youtube here. You can follow all things Shirts in the Pool here. Thanks so much for listening! Please Rate, Review, and Subscribe on Apple Podcasts and tell your friends! Intro/Outro: John Riccitelli

On this week's episode of Shirts in the Pool, we sit down with our friend, comedian, Leah Bia. In town from New York, we caught up with Leah just days before her first-ever bikini bodybuilding competition*! She gives us an inside look at her preparation, shares what it’s like being new to the world of bodybuilding, and helps us gain a whole new respect for the art of posing. We discuss the mental and physical side of competing, how she stays disciplined, and look how she's able to balance both comedy and bodybuilding. Plus, we catch up with Leah post-competition to hear all about her experience, how it went, and what’s next on her fitness journey. We really enjoyed our conversation with Lia and know you'll enjoy it as well! You can follow Leah on Instagram at @itsleahbia. You can follow all things Shirts in the Pool here. Thanks so much for listening! Please Rate, Review, and Subscribe on Apple Podcasts and tell your friends! Intro/Outro: John Riccitelli *Sponsored by Dynamic El Dorado