Not Work
Beyond work, I am (or at least am working to be) a fully realized human. Here’s my story in pictures:
I was born in Dayton, Ohio - with my older brother Stephen. We’re pals, and comedy writing partners sometimes.
I’ve been telling jokes and stories since I was very little. I started writing comedy songs when I was 12. In fact, my earliest career after college was traveling around the country by day as a Jewish songleader, and at night going to bars & clubs to perform comedy songs. I saw a lot of the country, and really the reason I made the job was because I loved music and traveling so much.
I also tend to make dumb faces when I’m traveling. I’ve done that all over the world.
My pronouns are he/him/his. I’ve got an amazing wife - Randi - and we’ve been married for over 11 years. She’s got a private couples therapy practice. She also loves travel and goofing off with me.
We got married. Added one awesome kid. Then another. Then to round out the 2.5 kids thing, we added a sheepadoodle named Gloria. This all feels reductionist in a single paragraph, but there you have it.
I used to have a blog at https://www.happyjoel.com to talk about my wins in contests (over 102). These days I’m exploring what it means to lose as much I have (over 1000 times) because I think that might be the more interesting skill. I’ll probably write a book about it.
Other stuff to know?
I love board games.
Right now the favs are Catan, Splendor, Mastermind, Magic the Gathering, Azul, “That’s So Clever,” and I’m just getting into Marvel’s Villainous game.
I love sports.
Playing = tennis and basketball. Watching on TV = football. Watching live = hockey & baseball. Plus my oldest kid and I are learning fencing in the backyard together. Also - does bumper pool count as a sport?
I read a ton.
Favorite fiction - Hitchhikers Guide, Harry Potter and The Expanse. Favorite non-fiction, anything by Barbara Tuchman, Simon Winchester, or Erik Larson. Favorite historical time periods to study - Revolutionary War America and Europe before, during and after World War I.
I love playing/writing music.
Mostly piano and guitar, with a little ukulele, bass and accordion mixed in. I tried clarinet but it didn’t take.
I love travel. And Bread.
https://www.hotelsandbread.com/ - because life is too short for 3-star hotels and no bread.
Random Things To Know About Me
I’ve won trips to every continent.
From winning online video contests. Africa was the last one.
I do a little card magic.
I’ve got a rusty 10-14 minute routine. My goal is to tighten it up & audition at The Magic Castle.
I was on Wheel of Fortune
I came in second. Won all the buzz-ins, went bankrupt three times.
I made a feature film.
It’s called “Boy Band", and it’s the story of a Boy Band 20 years older, fatter and balder. It’s on prime.
I’ve driven cross-country 30+ times.
My favorite state to drive was Arizona during a super-bloom.
I got really into sandcastles for a bit
What can I say - I learn in phases. Some pictures below.
My kids are named for comedy stuff.
Mortimer Marx (for the brothers) and Hubert Cosmo (for Seinfeld)
I had an Etsy store selling crochet stuff.
Mostly scarves and afghans I made. My descriptions were hysterical and amazing. My sales were not.
I Gave A Ted Talk
If you’re still reading this far down, I’m amazed. But if you made it here, your reward is a TedX talk about Successful Collaboration that my brother and I gave.
Still proud of a lot of the jokes in there.