This week on Stand-Up Memories, we take a turn off the beaten comedy path… and into a story that spans history, humanity, and the power of preservation. Our guest, Richard Hurowitz, is an author, historian, and humanitarian whose work explores the moments—and people—that shape the world we live in. He’s the author of “In the Garden of the Righteous”, a powerful book that uncovers extraordinary acts of courage during one of history’s darkest times. So what happens when you drop a historian into a room with Jackie “The Joke Man” Martling and Peter “The Professor” Bales? You get something unexpected. A conversation that moves between laughter and legacy… between punchlines and perspective. Because while comedians preserve moments on stage… Richard preserves the stories that might otherwise be forgotten. It’s still Stand-Up Memories—just zoomed out a bit… from the stage to the world. 👉 If you love great storytelling, surprising conversations, and episodes that hit a little deeper… this one delivers. #StandUpMemories #RichardHurowitz #InTheGardenOfTheRighteous #Storytelling #HistoryMatters #ComedyPodcast #JackieMartling #PeterBales #HumanStories #PodcastEpisode

This week on More Stand-Up Memories, we sit down with Vinny D'Agostino — and his story is not your typical path to the punchline. Before the stage lights… before the microphones… before the green rooms and late-night sets… Vinny was an FBI agent. Let that sink in. We talk about the leap — from federal investigations to standing in front of a brick wall with a two-drink minimum. What shifts inside a person when you go from building cases to building sets? From reading suspects to reading crowds? Vinny opens up about the mindset it takes to operate in high-stakes environments — and how that discipline, awareness, and psychological insight unexpectedly translate to comedy. Turns out, reading a room isn’t all that different from reading a witness. Timing is timing. Pressure is pressure. And both worlds demand presence. We explore the courage it takes to pivot careers so drastically, the reactions he got when people found out about his past, and how those lived experiences shape his voice on stage today. It’s not just a career change story. It’s about identity. Reinvention. And realizing that sometimes the second act is the truest one. From badges to belly laughs — this one’s a ride. And yes… we do ask if anyone ever feels nervous heckling a former federal agent.