Episode 3: How Do Comedians Survive Life on the Road?

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Being a comedian means a lot more than telling jokes on stage—it often means surviving wild travel stories that would make most people shudder. In this episode of Put Your Funny Where Your Mouth Is, Vince Carone and Dobie Maxwell share some of their craziest, most frustrating, and downright hilarious travel mishaps from their years on the road. Buckle up—this one’s a bumpy ride!

Misadventures in Time Zones

One of Vince’s biggest travel mishaps involved time zones. Driving from Chicago to Indiana, he learned the hard way that parts of Indiana are in the Eastern Time Zone. He thought he would be 30 minutes early to his show—only to realize he was actually 30 minutes late. With no time to spare, Vince raced to the gig at breakneck speed, fishtailing on the highway ramps, and eventually making it just in time to deal with a heckling crowd. Sometimes, the journey can be more chaotic than the show itself.

Pro Tip: Always double-check your time zones when traveling for gigs—especially in places like Indiana!

Car Trouble from the Comedy Gods

In this episode, Vince recounts a near-disastrous car incident in Michigan. After skipping a much-needed bathroom stop, he found himself stuck in the snow on the side of the road, his car tilted at a 90-degree angle. Not only did he have to relieve himself, but he was spotted by a school bus full of children, adding insult to injury. A tow truck eventually saved him from his snowbank prison, but the adventure was far from over.

Pro Tip: Don’t ignore those bathroom breaks—when nature calls, listen, or pay the price!

Stuck Between Snowbanks and Stand-up

Dobie shares a travel horror story that involved spinning out in a snowbank while driving through Wyoming. What started as a normal journey quickly turned into a survival situation when his car ended up buried in six feet of snow. With no one around and the temperature plummeting, a Good Samaritan finally showed up with a flatbed truck to pull him out. It’s one of those moments where you realize that surviving as a comedian isn't just about getting laughs—it's about surviving the road.

Pro Tip: Always be prepared for bad weather when traveling, especially in winter. Pack the right gear—you never know when you might need it.

Lost in the Middle of Nowhere

Vince tells another tale of being stranded, this time in the middle of South Dakota during a freezing winter. Not only was he coatless, but he also managed to lock himself out of his room after picking the wrong door. With no charger and no battery left on his phone, Vince eventually resorted to scaling the walls like a ninja just to get his belongings. The headliner arrived minutes after his daring maneuver, making the whole ordeal that much more laughable in hindsight.

Pro Tip: Always double-check which room key you have and avoid locking yourself out—especially when traveling alone.

Flying Failures and Missed Connections

Dobie shares his frustrating experience of missing a flight while performing on cruise ships. After falling asleep at the airport gate, he missed his flight to Miami, nearly missing his chance to make it onto the cruise. With no other options, he had to fork over $437 for a last-minute one-way flight. The stress of it all? Priceless. The lesson? Pay attention to gate changes—and maybe avoid cruise ship gigs altogether!

Pro Tip: If you're traveling to a gig, especially for something like a cruise, always double-check your flight info and stay awake at the airport!

Why You Should Listen to This Episode

If you're a comedian, a public speaker, or anyone who travels often, this episode will make you laugh—and possibly shudder at the memories of your own travel nightmares. Vince and Dobie have been through it all, and they offer both comedic relief and practical tips for surviving the unexpected on the road.

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